May 2010 Notable Toys — Outdoor Fun

The Giant Fun Gripper Soccerball is durable and can be used indoors or outdoors. It is constrbrightly colored assorted nylon, vinyl and composite materials with Fun Gripper foam matrix covering and comes with it's very own foot pump. Available in three sizes: 16 inch, 24 inch, and 36 inch (smallest shown). Launch date: 2010.

This twist on a classic backyard game includes two soft balls and two charming crabby "catchers". Launch date: 2010.  

This beach kit for children comes with essential items in a reusable zipper bag. The set includes a 5" watering can, a 9.5" shovel-sieve, a 9.5" spade, a 9.5" rake, two sand molds, a bucket with a handle and a 6.5" diameter sieve.
— As of 7.27.2010, this product had 4 out of 5 stars from 21 reviews on Amazon.com, and was listed No. 48 in the top 100 best-selling toys and games. PROS: Children found it engaging and entertaining. CONS: Not very durable.

The JUMPAROO BOING! Jumping Stick is capable of 24” leaps with a little practice. Constructed from all-metal materials with a Y-shaped handle with foam grips that offers more hand positions than standard pogos, and greatly increases its control and ease of use. The rugged metal spring is completely encased by a steel housing, so there’s no possibility of pinching, and all surfaces are rounded for extra safety. The rubber “foot” has a diameter is twice that of most pogos for greater security and stability. The JUMPAROO BOING! Pogo Stick has two models: one for users with a body weight of 44-86 pounds and another for users between 86 and 160 pounds.

This Bottle Water Blaster comes in 2 assorted colors and is perfect for a hot summer day! Dimensions: 19.3 X 17.5 X 15.55 inches

The Camo Power Popper launches soft foam balls with the slide of the handle. It comes with 12 orange balls. WARNING: Do not shoot at eyes or head.
— "I sold out [of 12 pieces] in two weeks. I did not think they would sell so quickly. But my nephew has one and he is 12 years old and loves it," Jeanette Lauture, owner of Aunt Jean's Toys & Treats in Montclair, N.J., told TDmonthly in April 2010.

The Big Bang Rocket is a "green" toy that recycles old newspapers to operate. Lindy Borkin, marketing manager at Can You Imagine, told TDmonthly. "Remember 'caps'? They used to be the only way to create a big bang. Well this is better, safer AND it recycles old newspaper," she said. Launch date: March 2010.
—  “Everyone likes it. They buy one for their kid, then they come back and buy one for a birthday present," John Blair, owner of Science Safari in Cary, N.C., told TDmonthly in April 2010. His store was already selling its second dozen of the rocket since ordering at Toy Fair in February.

These Spielstabil German-made Ocean Sand Molds are perfect for the beach or sand box. The Ocean Sand Molds are brightly colored in different ocean shapes. HABA USA National Accounts Manager Janet Walker told TDmonthly, "This item's construction will make it last for years to come!" Launch date: March 2010.

Terry Infant Robes with Seersucker Trim come in pink and blue and include a seersucker padded hanger. These robes are ideal for monogramming and fit up to 9 months. Marketing Coordinator Marchelle Lyons of Trend Lab told TDmonthly, "We believe the look of our infant robes is very specialty because of the coordinating padded hanger that it comes on." Launch date: 2009.

Protect-a-Bub is a leader in sun and all weather protection products for strollers, joggers and car seats. The classic sunshade is the largest canopy style UV protective sunshade on the market and winner of an iParenting Media Award. It is made out of a specially-woven polyester microfiber that is breathable and doesn’t retain heat. The shade has mesh sides that reduce glare and promote air circulation. As is the case with all of Protect-a-Bub’s sunshade products, this shade has been tested and rated UPF 50+ and blocks 99 percent of the sun’s harmful UVA and UVB rays. The Classic Sunshade fits all strollers, joggers and car seats with a canopy and is available to for both single and twin strollers.

Make a Copter Ball, a Rocket Ball or a Glider Ball with the new OGOBILD-FLY. The soft bouncy rubber ball has 12 sockets that let you reposition and twist the wings to create your own flying creation. Part of the new OGOBILD Building Ball system from OGOSPORT. Can be combined with any of the other OGOBILD attachments offering a brilliant combination of active and constructive play.

This scooter has 120mm wheels and ABEC5 bearings for a smooth ride and high speed. It weighs 6.4 lbs. and can hold a rider up to 220 lbs. Measurements are 27” x 38” x 13” (unfolded) and 26” x 10” x 4” (folded).
—    “It's perfect for the age group with the bigger wheels and [the] construction is stellar, and it's responsive. It's a medium price point, retails for $80, so it's not something that sells all the time, but does well. This is the time that will start picking up,” Eric Masoncup, owner of Gepetto’s Toy Box in Oak Park, Ill., told TDmonthly in March 2010.
— In early summer 2010, Brooke Andrews, owner of Millers Toys in Mamoraneck, N.Y., cited sales of 18 Micro Scooters a month.

Straws and Connectors are colorful plastic straws and connector pieces that are simple to use for hours of imaginative play. Children can make play houses and forts, design buildings, or even engineer spacecrafts with this design and build set. The package contains 230 pieces and includes an idea guide.

Past videos: Toy Fair 2010

This telescope was designed with traveling in mind while offering great value. The Travel Scope is made of high quality materials to ensure stability and durability. The telescope comes pre-assembled with a full-size aluminum tripod and a custom backpack for easy traveling and storage. Featuring a compact and portable design with ample optical performance, the Travel Scope is great for terrestrial as well as casual astronomical observation. Launch date: 2010.

The Skyball is a distinctive play ball  filled with helium. The brightly colored ball can bounce up to 75 feet in the air, giving a whole new dimension to play for one or a group. Kids can add this astronomical bounce to existing games like handball, or invent whole new things to play.
— “Skyballs would be No. 1 if I had any right this minute, but I don't. They are the best seller. I sell as many as I have, 48 or more. Sixty. Can't keep enough in stock,” said Gage Brownell, manager of Belmont Toys in Belmont, Mass., during a March 2010 survey.
— Two of 37 retailers told TDmonthly in March 2010 that Skyballs are a top-selling outdoor toy.

The bright colors and complex design of the Nova kite from Jakks Pacific make it an engaging kite that is satisfying to watch and fly. Box kites are well known to be very stable in steady winds, making them great kites for beginners while offering enough visual interest and the opportunity for impressive acrobatics on a slackened line.
— Eight percent of 37 retailers said during a March 2010 survey that kites are their top-selling sports and outdoor item.

This root growing kit can be fun for the whole family. It allows growers to observe the process from planting to harvest. The kit includes a wooden stand, three plastic root toobers, a growing medium, and enough seeds for several plantings of radishes, carrots and green onions. Instructions are also included.
— These garden root viewers were listed as a top-10 best seller at My Club Tabby in Lake Charles, La., by owner Natalie Comeaux in spring 2010. They had been selling well for over a month in March.

Mesh walls allow for close-up viewing of butterflies and insects. A sliding plastic door makes catching and releasing easy while avoiding pinched fingers, and a carrying handle makes it portable.
— With warmer weather approaching, these backyard exploration critter cases were on the top-10 best-seller list at My Club Tabby in Lake Charles, La., in spring of 2010. Owner Natalie Comeaux reported in March that the kits had been selling well for more than a month.
— June Hargrove, co-owner of Black Forest Books & Toys in Charlotte, N.C., told TDmonthly that they sell 24-30 of Toysmith's Critter collection each month.

Young bird watchers can get in on the fun with this kit for building and painting a birdhouse. No hardware is required, and the kit includes everything needed to create and paint a 5.5” x 7” x 7” birdhouse.
— With the eagerly anticipated arrival of spring around the corner, birdhouse kids were popular items at My Club Tabby in Lake Charles, La., in March 2010. Owner Natalie Comeaux reported that they had been selling well for over a month.

This kit comes in various colors and includes a pair of jersey knit garden gloves, a trowel, a rake, a shovel and a metal watering can.
— Spring items were very popular in March 2010 at My Club Tabby in Lake Charles, La. Owner Natalie Comeaux reported that the kids watering can kit had been selling well for over a month.

The Bubbleizer lights up bubbles as they stream out and float in the air. The light show lights the bubbles and entertains you at the same time, making bubbles look great both in the light and in the dark. Requires a bottle of bubble solution and three AA batteries, all included. Launch date: 2010.

This Dr. Seuss by Trend Lab ABC print bucket hat is great for the beach or any sunny day. It's available in infant and toddler sizes. Trend Lab's Marchelle Lyons told TDmonthly the "Dr. Seuss ABC scatter print design makes it fun and playful for your little one!" Launch date: December 2009.

Kids can make mud pies with this Little Tikes outdoor kitchen set. They use the hand-crank mud mixer to get the right consistency. The real working sink uses the water reservoir that releases when the pump button is pushed. No batteries are needed. The outdoor fun table includes a sink strainer, a shaker and lid, a pie mold, a large mixing bowl, a mixing spoon, a measuring cup and a cutting board. Makin' Mudpies is "one-of-a-kind," Susan Hale, PR Director of MGA Entertainment, told TDmonthly. Awards: Parent's Choice Award 2010. Launch date: 2010.

This APS-core foam sled comes complete with adjustable lap belt/buckle, knee pads, and a contoured design with bold graphics.