June 2009 Notable Toys — Outdoor Fun

Lil Red Tractor is a high-quality, rechargeable, battery powered mini-tractor for boys or girls. It can be driven up to 2 mph indoors or out, on semi-hard surfaces. It has a large, adjustable seat for growing legs, and on-off foot pedal, and a one-year limited warranty with a free second year extended warranty and toll-free customer service. It is made in Canada. "Lil Red Tractor is a very high quality product, powered by a rechargeable battery (included). Kids love the bright shiny red finish and it's the perfect size for use indoors or out. [It is] not distributed in big-box stores," Ken Maxwell, VP of marketing for Peg Perego, told TDmonthly. Launch date: June 2009.

Double Ladderball consists of placing each ladder 25 feet apart, and each team consisting of one or more players stands at one ladder and  tosses their colored bolas (either red or blue) at the other ladder. Bolas that hang onto any of the crossbars scores points for the tosser. Top bar is 3 points, middle bar is 2 points, and the bottom bar is worth 1 point.

Metal Ladderball is exactly like Ladderball, but built tough for durability against wear and tear. Similar to the rules of Double Ladderball, Metal Ladderball consists of placing each ladder 25 feet apart, and each team consisting of one or more players stands at one ladder and tosses their colored bolas (either red or blue) at the other ladder.

Tail Wags helmet covers are designed to fit over all makes and models of bike, ski, snowboard, toboggan, skate and equestrian helmets. They come in more than 35 animal character designs. Tail Wags was a 2008 JPMA finalist and received a 2009 iParenting Media Award. Launch date: June 2009.

Parents may indulge their child’s imagination with this enchanting unicorn helmet cover, designed to encourage kids to wear their safety helmet. Tail Wags helmet covers are designed to fit over all makes and models of bike, ski, snowboard, toboggan, skate and equestrian helmets. They are available in more than 35 animal character designs. "Tail Wags helmet covers uniquely fit over all safety helmets, thereby, making it an ideal all-year-round product," Karyn Climans, owner of Tail Wags Helmet Covers Inc., told TDmonthly. Launch date: June 2009. Tail Wags was a 2008 JPMA finalist.

Tail Wags helmet covers are designed to make it fun for kids to wear their safety helmets. They are made to fit over all makes and models of bike, ski, snowboard, toboggan, skate and equestrian helmets, and come in more than 35 animal character designs. Tail Wags was a 2008 JPMA Finalist. Launch date: June 2009.

The MOOV by BERG is both a construction toy and a rideable vehicle for children, ages 5 to 12. Children can construct MOOV by themselves without the use of any tools or help from parents. The wooden parts, rings, shafts and frames are multi-functional. Once the model is complete, the fun continues. MOOV construction toys are available in three kits: Starter, Advanced, and Street. The Starter kit ($210.00) can create three wooden models, the Advanced ($300.00) seven models, and the Street ($376.00) up to 10 models. For each new construction, the old model must be taken apart.

Designed for older girls (ages 4 to 10), Junior BanZ feature UV400 polarized polycarbonate lenses and sturdy frames, while offering new shapes and temples for protection and style. Junior BanZ come with their own solid pink neoprene carrying case complete with zipper clasp, as well as a removable neoprene strap for active girls on the go. Launch date: April 2009.

The Astro Disc has four motion-activated, rainbow LEDs built into the outer rim. Batteries are included and replaceable, and it has an auto on/off switch. The sustainable packaging features a "try me" switch so customers can see functionality of the product, the LED brightness and the rainbow effect before they buy. "[The] patented rainbow LED looks amazing at night," Karlie, in marketing at Buztronics, told TDmonthly. "[The] disc throws great and extends the play time into the night by lighting up." Launch date: July 2009.

This product is designed so that realistic flashes attract real fireflies, which can fly in but can't fly out. It allows kids to see fireflies up close and could serve as a house for nocturnal insects. It offers five light modes for five firefly species. The Firefly Attractor "safely attracts fireflies and captures them without anyone touching or harming them," a representative of Summit Products told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2009.

Have lariat fun like the a real cowpoke! Our high-quality lariats are perfect for children and big kids who want to become lasso pros. 13 colors provide the perfect choice for cowboys and cowgirls. Each lariat is made from 20 feet of 5/16” polypropylene blend rope.

Specially contoured to hug little bodies, children will get the best fit, mobility and safety at the water's edge, or while swimming and boating. The only Children's vest that offers Ensolite soft foam for exceptional comfort.

Sold in the following sizes: Infant (20-30 lbs), Child (30-60 lbs), Youth (60-90 lbs).

A tribute to family, friendship and forty-five years at summer camp, "Campingly Yours" paints a poignant picture of character, charisma and courage, lovingly nestled in America’s heartland. Punctuated with vivid imagery and laugh-out-loud humor, Thomas C. Adler’s memoir is "a heartwarming journey of a lifetime at summer camp," Sue Defabis, project manager at Five Star Publications, told TDmonthly. Launch date: January 15, 2009.

Kids can line up the arrows on Froggy's belly and watch him spin through the water from one end of the pool to the other. He uses 2 AA batteries. The "patented random direction makes him zip in random directions," Doug Rubel, CEO of MindWalk, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2009.

Hasbro has relaunched this original water blaster. It has a retro look but modernized power. The Super Soaker 50 holds up to 25 oz. of water and shoots up to 35’. Launch date: Spring 2009.

Designed for use at sporting events, this noise-making plastic item is 1-meter long and sounds like an elephant. Orders over 5000 pieces can be customized with team logos. Launch date: 2009.
— As of 7.26.2010, this product had 4 out of 5 stars from 17 reviews on Amazon.com and was listed No. 12 in the top 100 best-selling toys and games. PROS: Captures the spirit of the World Cup. Easy to use and features different play modes. CONS: Some might consider the sound annoying.

The Spooner is a balance trainer that simulates board maneuvers associated with surfing, skateboarding and snowboarding but not limited to that. The Spooner helps to develop flexibility and strength in the legs as well as creating a better center of balance. The Spooner is a core trainer, a stabilizer and a pasteurizer because of the ability to work the muscles closest to the spine. Also, it's loads of fun and can be done on any surface indoors or out. Made of H.D.P.E. it is unbreakable. Our guarantee is "You break it, we replace it."  Made by Hand in the USA. Launch date: 2006.
— In a March 2012 survey about outdoor toys, two out of 12 retailers told TDmonthly that Spooner Boards were among their best sellers.
— In a March 2012 survey, Chris Lowe, owner of Beanhead Toys in Sandy Springs, Ga., told TDmonthly that Spoonerboards were one of her best selling ride-on toys.
— Alexander McPherson, toy supervisor at Little Dickens in Lynchburg, Va., told TDmonthly in a March 2013 survey that Spooner Boards are their best selling item - they sell about 114 each year, with sales of the item concentrated in 4th quarter.

Designed for children who are learning to ride a bike, the Go Glider allows kids to practice balance and movement on a model that does not consist of pedals or training wheels. It has 16" EVA foam tires (no air), adjustable handlebars and a seat that is adjustable from 17.5" to 23". Launch date: 2008.

This trainer bike is designed without pedals or training wheels in order to help young children learn balance and crucial motor skills as they ride. It is available in red, blue, green and pink.

For the pair of Mashoonga!® Warriors who want a very challenging dual that requires a higher skill set than playing with the sabers. You and your opponent will have hours of fun with the Mashoonga!® Bo-Staffs by Revel King. These are quality made products that will hold up to the intended abuse they will get. So, revel on!

For the group that likes to have some competitive fun. Mashoonga!® Sabers by Revel King are new and unique sport toys for playing the new game of Mashoonga!. These are quality made products that will hold up to the intended abuse they will get. So, revel on!

Rubber chicken meets disc golf in this ridiculously fun game.  Players each choose a different colored rubber chicken.  One player throws the target nice and far!  The target becomes the "hole," like in golf.  Players then take turns flickin' their chicken at the target.  If you don't make it on the target, throw again from where it landed. Each throw counts as a point.  Try to land any part of your rubber chicken on the target within the least amount of throws as possible. The player with the lowest score after nine-rounds is the winner.  For 2- 4 players. 

In this highly competitive game, the goal is to become a Mashoonga! Warrior™ by being the first player to win six rounds, thereby completing a Mashoonga! Match.™ Opponents utilize their Mashoonga! Saber™ or Mashoonga! Bo Staff™, aiming to end a round by issuing a full-contact hit to the other player's body or limbs (certain types of hits are prohibited).

When swung and thrown by the tail attached to the hollow ball that houses the Klutz Sling Chute, kids and adults alike can send this parachute high. Once aloft, the brightly colored 32” parachute deploys and floats the ball gracefully to the ground. Users quickly stuff the chute back in the ball to repeat the process. While easy enough for a young child to handle, the Sling Chute can provide lots of entertainment and observation for older children as well.
— “The Klutz Sling Chute. I sell tons of those,” Patti Tepper-Rasmussen, owner of Learning Tree Toys in Oklahoma City, Okla., told TDmonthly when asked about her top-selling outdoor products in spring 2009.
— Two of 60 retailers surveyed in March 2009 reported this product as a best-selling outdoor toy, with one store averaging sales of about 15 per month.