January 2010 Notable Toys — Outdoor Fun

Zyclone offers long-distance flying fun. Kids (and adults) can just load the Zing-Ring, pull back, and twist. The ring is made to fly over long distances, so the toy should be used in an open area.
— Zyclone by Zing Toys was a top-10 best seller at RoundTable Toys in Winterville, N.C., in Dec. 2009. “It was a surprise late addition for us both in our store and online, but when we played the video on our site and customers played with it in our store, it became an instant hit,” Storeowner David Davis told TDmonthly. “Also, having David Letterman demo the item on his show didn’t hurt!”

This pogo stick features a foam covering with replaceable non-slip, safety handles, foot pads, and rubber tip. It safely supports 80 to 160 lbs.

Designed as an alternative to training wheels, the Gyrowheel senses imbalanced riding and recenters the bicycle once it begins to wobble. This effect is accomplished by an interior disk that spins independently of the wheel to stabilize the bike even at very low speeds. It installs quickly with a wrench and has a simple on/off button, three stability settings, rechargeable batteries, and light and sound indicators. The 12" Gyrowheel is available in black and white. Watch Demo Video; Watch Gyrowheel: Top-5 Video, Toy Fair 2010
— John MacDougall, owner of Golden Apple Learning Store in Pleasanton, Calif., was impressed with this product at Toy Fair 2010. It's "a step up from a balance bike with a gyro that keeps balance without training wheels. Tech + Bike = Perfect," he said.

This oversized "pen" fills with water from a pool and then can be used to draw on nearby patios, decks or sidewalks. Launch date: 2010.

The SandLock 5x5 Sandbox has a patented interlocking design, a CoverLock system and a variety of other one-of-a-kind features. "The SandLock brand is known for it's quality and now we bring all that and more at an affordable price," Chris Freres, Owner, SandLock Sandbox, told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 2010.

If kids can play business, they can learn business. Kids will have fun earning money in their neighborhoods and communities while starting their very first business with this unique mobile business stand. The business stand comes with wheels, dry/erase magnetic banner areas, built-in locking money tray, literature storage tray, solar-powered built-in calculator, hooks, keys, magnets, and dry erase marker set. Launch date: November 2011.
Awards: 2011 Dr.Toy Best Classic Toys; 2011 NAPPA Gold Award; 2011 Oppenheim Award

Developed by Del Visionaries, the Little Green Money Machine is a gateway learning system designed to teach children lifelong skills, in addition to building confidence and self esteem. The book and storefront stand can be used at home, in the classroom, and with youth groups and fundraising projects. This system teaches children about money management and business, and lays the foundation to learn about entrepreneurship. The interactive book, "The Little Green Money Machine: Kids in Business Around the World," offers content, ideas and exercises to give children ages 7 to 14 the tools and know-how to run a business, set goals, and pursue their dreams. The storefront is an all-purpose business stand where children can set up actual business ventures and fundraisers and apply what they have learned in the book. It includes adjustable-height upright posts, five magnetic and dry erase banner areas for marketing and increased visibility, built-in cupholders, a built-in money tray with lock and key, a solar-powered calculator, and a storage area for marketing materials, such as brochures, fliers and business cards.

With real off-road tires that can handle any terrain, the BERG Jeep® Wrangler Pedal Go-Kart exemplifies the rugged, outdoor adventure attitude of the Jeep® lifestyle. This BERG go-kart features a roll bar for extra safety, an adjustable sports bucket seat and offers a customized number plate. It also features a front swing axel offering secure road handling and a spare tire with cover. Designed and manufactured in Holland for children ages five and up. (300 pound weight capacity)

The BERG Jeep® Junior Pedal Go-Kart drives action and adventure right into the backyard. This light and compact go-kart, designed in Holland for children as young as three, gives the feeling of real Jeep® off-roading. The pedals are designed using a unique patented BFR-hub technology, thus making going forward, in reverse, freewheel and breaking simple, easy and controlled with just the use of the pedals. This technology allows for optimum safety and maximum driving pleasure. Suitable for ages three to eight with an adjustable steering wheel and seat.

Little ones can push this wagon around and collect their toys inside. The front gate unlatches to open, allowing easier access for your child to load and unload his toys. Launch date: February 10, 2010.

Show your baseball team spirit with the Baseball Car Kit for vehicles. One baseball for your car window and a baseball for the front grille make the look complete! Weather resistant.

Put a unique spin on traditional games of catch. Two players flip a ball back and forth using thumb-activated suction cup handles-thumb on to catch, thumb off to toss. Comes with a 9" vinyl ball and two gripper handles.

Show your basketball team spirit with the Basketball Car Kit for vehicles. One basketball for your car window and a basketball for the front grille make the look complete! Weather resistant.

Show your football team spirit with the Football Car Kit for vehicles. One football for your car window and a football for the front grille make the look complete! Weather resistant.

Make your car into a Shamrock for St. Patrick's Day! Two shamrocks, one for each front window and a lucky Leprechuan hat for the front grille make the look complete! Weather resistant.

Make your car into a Valentine for Valentine's Day! Two hearts, one for each front window and a heart with Cupid's arrow through it for the front grille make the look complete! Weather resistant.

Make your car into a candy cane this Christmas with the Candy Cane Car Kit for vehicles. Two candy canes, one for each front window and a peppermint candy for the front grille make the look complete! Weather resistant.

Make your car into a bunny this Easter with the bunny ears car kit for vehicles. Two bunny ears, one for each front window and a pink nose for the front grille make the look complete! Weather resistant.

Make your car into a bat this Halloween with the batwing car kit for vehicles. Two batwings, one for each front window and a black nose for the front grille make the look complete! Weather resistant.

Make your car into a reindeer this Christmas with the reindeer car kit for vehicles. Two antlers, one for each front window and a red nose for the front grille make the look complete! Weather resistant. "You and your family will have so much fun when you drive your Reindeer Car around town and see the smiles on faces of all ages," Sue Valeri, inventor, told TDmonthly.

These swim goggles for kids feature polycarbonate lenses that offer 100-percent UV protection, an anti-fog system, and silicone cups for comfort. They are available in pink and blue and feature an adjustable silicone strap. Launch date: 2009.

This inflatable stool consists of an outer plush covering and an inner pot. A handy pump is used to inflate the stool, which measures 14" in diameter and 12" tall. "The plush covering can be removed and replaced with a new one," William Xie from China Toybiz.cn, told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 15, 2009.

This Aloha-themed set includes a toddler backpack and a kids changing towel. Launch date: May 3, 2009.

This sleek ride-on is fueled by cambering motion — the rider pushing his or her legs against the front bar, to the left and right. It has a hand brake and features an extendable design to host riders up to 6' tall. Maximum recommended weight is 150 lbs.
— Learning Tree Toys, Games & Books in Oklahoma City, Okla., sells about a dozen EzyRollers per month, Owner Patti Tepper-Rasmussen told TDmonthly in fall 2009.
— Jackie Roy, owner of Learning Resources Toy Magic in Fort Walton Beach, Fla., told TDmonthly in late 2009 that she brought in five EzyRollers on trial on sold out in a week and a half.
— Two of 37 specialty retailers cited the EzyRoller as a top-selling ride-on in spring 2010. “The EzyRoller, by far, continues to be the best,” Christine Osborne of Wonder Works in Charleston, S.C., told TDmonthly in March 2010, reporting sales of a couple dozen per month.

Past Videos: WTHRA 2008