March 2009 Notable Toys — Outdoor Fun

Blow IMPOSSIBLY Big Bubbles! The Bubble Thing Deluxe set the first-ever Guinness soap bubble record in 1988. Length: 50 feet. Volume: 240 cubic feet. And it can blow much bigger. The Deluxe does all the fascinating tricks the smaller Bubble Thing does but more spectacular. The Deluxe is the one you should demonstrate outside your store to attract astonished happy crowds and free media attention. A sporting challenge for big kids and adults, it also adjusts easily in size so six-year-olds can play. (It uses the great BIG Bubble Mix which you can buy separately.)

Stir 2 tablespoons of this world class bubble powder into 16 cups of tap water, add a cup of dish soap, and you’ll blow gigantic soaring bubbles up to 8 feet in diameter! Even 50 feet long! It’s fun to mix. Nontoxic. Designed for the giant Bubble Thing wands (and other wands) and out-bubbles the competition at 1/4 the cost per gallon. The BIG Bubble Mix refill bottle seen here makes 5.4 gallons of solution.

4" pocket binoculars. Compact for easy carrying. Lens extends with a push of a button. Assorted colors. 5" x 7" card.

The 16" x 16" polymer panels are designed so that kids can safely build three-dimensional structures kids. Launch date: March 2009.
— Dave Taylor of The Attachment Parenting Blog said Brik-A-Blok was a huge hit with his kids (ages 6 and 9). He noted that his kids’ constructions took up a great deal of space, with Brik-A-Blok tunnels stretching throughout their home. Taylor called the building system “fabulously cool,” though he lamented the high price tag.
— Brik-A-blok was the "most funnest review ever!" for She Scribes’ Kimberley and her son. Her kids enjoyed creating new structures with the versatile panels. However, Kimberley also pointed out the large amount of space needed for the toy as well as the panels’ inability to support much weight.

Take to the skies with this high-flying jet kite. Stable and easy-to-fly with its built-in flame tail. Hand sewn with a tough ripstop nylon sail and durable fiberglass frame for years of use. Includes flying line and winder. Launch date: January 26, 2009.

The AquaAntics Skip ‘n’ Splash is a spinning sprinkler that creates exciting, whirlwind water sprays for cooling down on hot summer days. As soon as the Skip ‘n’ Splash is connected to a standard garden hose, it playfully spins and sprays, for a hoppin’, skippin’, jumpin’ good time. Children can jump over the rotating foam arms or run in circles with them while getting soaked. The speed can be easily adjusted by increasing or decreasing the water flow. "The spinning action makes this an interactive toy, encouraging healthy, active play," Elissa Pollack, media relations agent for Great American Merchandise & Events, told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 2009.

Included in The SnowDino Kit are instructions how to form a SnowDino, his eyes, nostrils, mouth, 12 claws and 11 spikes. Bonus-carving tool included. SnowDino can be built from 4' up to 7' high.

Included in The SnowDino Kit are instructions how to form a SnowDino, his eyes, nostrils, mouth, 12 claws and 11 spikes. Bonus-carving tool included. SnowDino can be built from 4' up to 7' high.

Included in The SnowMan Kit are instructions on how to form a SnowMan anywhere from 3’ high to 7’ high, eyes and eyebrows, a nose, mouth, three buttons, a scarf, pair of mittens and a top hat. Bonus-carving tool included. The Snowman Kit is part of a family of Snow Kits: SnowMan, SnowBear and the Snow Dino. All these kits can be used when building a small character to a large character. All parts are made for the outdoors and can be used over and over in the winter.

Included in The SnowMan Kit are instructions on how to form a SnowMan anywhere from 3’ high to 7’ high, eyes and eyebrows, a nose, mouth, three buttons, a scarf, pair of mittens and a top hat. Bonus-carving tool included. The Snowman Kit is part of a family of Snow Kits: SnowMan, SnowBear and the Snow Dino. All these kits can be used when building a small character to a large character. All parts are made for the outdoors and can be used over and over in the winter.

The Whac-A-Mole for pool and backyard fun is a multi-action sprinkler game certain to generate giggles. The Whac-A-Mole Bop Action Sprinkler connects to a standard garden hose. Once powered, four spring-loaded moles pop up and down, spraying water from their boppin’ heads. An additional two spray points located in the center of the sprinkler create more water action. Two mallets are included. "GAME recently acquired a licence for the widely popular Whac-A-Mole brand," Elissa Pollack, media relations agent for Great American Merchandise & Events, told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 2009.