July 2009 Notable Toys — Sporting Goods & Accessories

Combining the distinctive aspects of conventional kneeboarding and various wheeled products, the LandShark is designed to show off razor sharp steering and maximum maneuverability. It is ridden on the knees and powered by kicking or “pumping,” so users are presented with a sleek design optimizing a low center of gravity. Launch date: September 2009.

These lightweight batons have a shaft length of 48 cm and come in purple, blue and fire orange with coordinating handles, suede leather ends and sure-grip surfacing for ease of use. They are handmade in the USA.
— Lunastix are best sellers at Moon Rabbit Toys in Sante Fe, N.M., Owner Shana Hack told TDmonthly in early summer 2009.
— Lunastix were best sellers at Figpickels Toy Emporium in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, in the late summer of 2010. “Our employees are quite good at demonstrating Lunastix in the store,” said owner Brett Sommer. “When people see them performing they want to try it too.  Also, the elementary schools have juggling classes that use Lunastix, so there is an endless supply & demand in the area.”

My SportBEAR line-up features handmade 15" jointed bears dressed in authentic sport apparel and accessories. ChalkTalkSPORTS offers add-ons that can make this special gift ideal for players, coaches and fans. Customization is also available. "With millions of childrens and their parents involved in organized sports, the My SportBEAR line is a perfect gift to celebrate the sport they love and are dedicated to," the marketing director for ChalkTalkSPORTS told TDmonthly. Launch date: June 20, 2008.

"Boarding Basics" is designed as the perfect companion DVD for the award-winning Yo Baby Kick Flipper. The easy to follow DVD offers instruction on tricks such as the 180 and 360 Spin, Ollie, Peanut Flip, Caveman and lots more. It takes kids through each move, step by step, so they can follow along and learn. "It is the only step-by-step DVD that teaches kids how to do all the cool boarding tricks on a Yo Baby Kick Flipper (think 'skateboard without wheels') in the safety of their home," Bob Ellis, president of GarageCo Toys, told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 21, 2009.

Designed to combat boring kids' golf lessons, myminigolf employs obstacles the teacher can use to motivate kids in a playful way. "There is no competitor on market. myminigolf is the only product for this application," Hannes Weber, designer for defacto.GmbH, told TDmonthly. This product was a finalist of the "Golf Europe Product Award 2008."

The KaZAM provides an alternative way to learn to ride a pedaled bicycle based on the concept of balance first, pedal last. It is a training bicycle that assists children to balance, increase coordination and ultimately ride a traditional bicycle for the first time with confidence. "This customized toddler bicycle has the steering and balancing challenges of a traditional bicycle but it has no pedals, chain or training wheels. Unlike all the competitors on the market, there is no more awkwardness with where to put your feet when gliding and cruising on a run bike — the KaZAM is uniquely designed with a foot rest area thereby making the transition onto a pedaled bicycle quicker and seamless! Because of its unique patented footrest and design, KaZAM appeals instantly to children and their parents," John Lugo, partner at KaZAM, told TDmonthly. Launch date: November 15, 2008.
Awards: Dr. Toy 100 Best Children's Products - 2010
— "All colors are great,"Kate Tanner, owner of Kidstop Toys, told TDmonthly at Toy Fair 2010.
— Glisyn Lewis Jarrells, manager of Imaginations Toy & Furniture Colo. in Blacksburg, Va., told TDmonthly in a March 2013 survey that they sell around 10 Kazam balance bikes during the warm-weather months.
— In a July 2013 survey Diana Nelson, owner of Kazoo Toys in Denver, Colo., told TDmonthly that Kazam balance bikes are her store's overall best-selling toy.

The Fuzion Spencer Hawk H4 builds on current Fuzion 4-wheel Steering Technology (FST). With four oversized cast urethane wheels and a floating axle design, the Spencer Hawk H4 offers the ultimate in road hugging, ground slicing, street carving abilities. Integrated pro rubber grips and 360° rotation are designed to allow for maximum trick potential for athletes of any caliber. "Spencer Hawk represents a new generation of participants in the action sports arena. The H2 and H4 products will shed new light on an up-and-coming genre and help exemplify the traditions and quality standards associated with the Fuzion brand and Hawk name," Darren Yuen, marketing manager for Nextsport, told TDmonthly. Launch date: September 2009.

"The Fuzion Spencer Hawk H2 is the first freestyle scooter to hit the market," Darren Yuen, marketing manager at Nextsport, told TDmonthly. It has a lightweight aluminum frame and wide polymer deck, custom solid core wheel technology and one-piece alloy bars. "Driven by the performance and quality standards of Spencer Hawk and his family, the H2 and H4 were developed to provide the ultimate in next-generation scooters. With edgy new looks and superior materials, both scooters are guaranteed to outshine the average two-wheel scooter," Yuen said. Launch date: September 2009.

The goal of this patent-pending, fast-paced game is for players to swing their ring onto their hook. One to four competitors frantically try to out-duel one another while tuning out the screams to focus on the perfect release. "Hookum is the first collapsible, multi-player Bimini Ring game," Joe Parrish, chief creative officer of 5mississippi, told TDmonthly. Launch date: September 2009. Watch Hookum: Top-5 Video, Toy Fair 2010

These clear display cases are suitable for baseballs, basketballs, footballs, bobble head dolls, die-cast cars and more. Each display has a beveled stackable edge and comes packed in a decorative retail box with either a cut-out grass image or basketball court floor image, or both, making the sports item look as if it's sitting in its natural environment. Each display is also available with a wood base. MSRP ranges from $.99 each to $18.50.

Designed for young golf players, this journal has colorful graphics and divided sections that allow kids or teens to keep track of their goals, lessons, statistics, practice, tournaments and more. It also includes a pocket for scorecards and quotes from famous golfers throughout.

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.

Tri-a-Puzzle College Edition consists of three puzzles in one. Players choose how they want to create their puzzle. Launch date: June 2009.

Kids can add safety and style to their bikes. The motion-activated Stix Sparx screw onto a bicycle tire’s valve stem, and the rainbow LEDs create a lighting effect around the bike’s wheels. Each sustainable package has "try me" packaging that allows customers to see the LED brightness and color before they buy. The package includes batteries and an extra set of replaceable batteries. Launch date: July 2009.

Kids can add safety and style to their bike while riding. The Blue or Rainbow LED Skull Sparx screw onto a bicycle tire’s valve stem. When riding, the LEDs create a rainbow lighting effect around the bike’s wheels. Each sustainable package has “try me” so customers can see the LED function, brightness and color before they buy. The package comes complete with batteries and an extra set of replaceable batteries. "[The] patented rainbow LED also offers safety and fun to riders at a low price point," Karlie, in marketing at Buztronics, told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 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.

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.

Toss it in the air and watch the colors magically flip! Handheld, magical color-flipping balls make a fun, portable toy. Collect all four cool color combinations. Toss just one or try to juggle with three.

The Salus Numbus just made waterplay safer for children and more relaxing for adults. Designed for comfort, the Salus Nimbus is soft to the touch, encouraging children to wear it for hours at a time. All PFD's float but they can't save lives when kids won't keep them on.

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

The award winning Salus Bijoux Baby Vest's unique design offers unprecedented security, safety and comfort for babies 9 to 25 lbs. The one piece front design ensures that the baby will turn face up from a face forward position. The 3 piece collar cradles the head when lifted by the collar straps or while the baby is floating on their back. Mesh harness and a short front provide enhanced comfort for sitting upright, lying down or while positioned in a baby carrier. Available in pink, blue and red.

The Oball Stranz Football is made with yards of soft strands and may be used for any indoor or outdoor tossing activity. Just like the original Oball, it can be crushed, stomped or kicked, and it bounces right back to a perfectly formed sphere. It's an all-around ball that is designed to be soft, durable and super catchable. Launch date: August 2008.

This product offers hospital technology direct to oral appliance. It's designed to combat a growing fear of sickness, infection, and even death from antibiotic resistant germs recently found to thrive in micro-fissures and cracks in mouth guards, night guards, veneers, dentures and pacifiers. It also eliminates odors from used oral appliances. This battery operated product is portable and has an 8000-hour bulb life. "Incorporating ozone ions into the UV sanitizing process increases effective destruction of infectious germs that are harbored in and on oral appliances," Joseph Manzo, president of BRAIN-PAD, told TDmonthly. Launch date: April 2009.