December 2008 Notable Toys — Outdoor Fun

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.

Kids can watch a Gazillion bubbles soar into the air with the Gazillion Bubble Rocket. They simply pour Gazillion Bubble solution into the tray of the launch pad, place the rocket on the launcher, and with stomping power, launch the bubble rocket for a bubble trail of sky-high fun. The product comes with a cool rocket, a launcher, a stomp pad and 6 oz. of Gazillion solution for continuous rocket-fueled action. No batteries are required. Launch date: 2009.

With the VIPER Radio Control Airplane with a patent-pending M.A.S.C. Controller, the user can tilt his wrist to the right or left and the plane follows the hand and turns the appropriate direction. M.A.S.C. puts the user in the pilot's seat. The throttle is controlled by squeezing the variable speed trigger for more altitude. The powerful twin motors and aerodynamic design add to the fun of M.A.S.C. as VIPER climbs and dives across the sky. The Estes VIPER is easy and intuitive for a beginner pilot to learn to fly and also delivers better maneuvers and is more fun for an advanced pilot. It requires six AA alkaline batteries (not included). Launch date: June 2008.

Estes introduces the revolutionary XENOX Radio Control Airplane with the new Patent Pending M.A.S.C. Controller - a breakthrough in R/C technology. The user just tilts his wrist to the right and the plane follows the hand and turns right. Tilt wrist to the left and the plane turns left. M.A.S.C. puts the user in the pilot's seat. The throttle is controlled by squeezing the variable speed trigger for more altitude. XENOX R/C twin motors and aerodynamic wings add to the fun of flying with M.A.S.C. The XENOX Airplane is easy and intuitive for a beginner pilot to learn to fly and cruise the sky; plus it also delivers lots of fun for an experienced pilot. It requires 6 AA alkaline batteries (not included). Launch date: June 2008.

The Fuzion Electron is great for cruising the neighborhood or going big in the park, and it's perfect for all ages. The Electron features an innovative new folding mechanism and ultra-light, compact design so it can be taken anywhere with ease. Although it is a new model, the Fuzion Electron still uses the same Fuzion Steering Technology (FST) as the original Fuzion scooters for maximum carving. "Fuzion scooters are the only four-wheeled carving scooter[s] on the market," Akiko Ezuka, marketing coordinator for Nextsport Inc., told TDmonthly. Launch date: September 2008.

These waterproof coveralls offer toddlers full-body coverage and protection from the rain and elements. The lightweight, breathable coveralls can be worn outdoors in the rain and dirt or worn indoors for messy arts and crafts. They keep kids dry, clean and comfortable, and come with handy waterproof bag for travel. The product has dual front zippers for quick changes, a generous fit for easy movement, extra-heavyweight nylon reinforcement on the seat and knees, sealed seams for waterproof coverage, elasticized wrist and ankle cuffs that fit over mitts and boots, and an elasticized hood with a brim to shed water. Launch date: 2007.

Kids can shoot, kick, throw and catch more easily than ever before. Spalding Rookie Gear is designed to weigh 25% less than standard Youth balls for kids 8 and under. A lighter ball creates a better playing experience for kids, allowing them to practice proper fundamentals more easily and build the confidence they need with a ball that is appropriate in size, and now, weight. Watch as your young athlete learns faster and performs better than ever. These technologically advanced, age-appropriate balls are available for basketball, soccer and football in a variety of colors and patterns. Launch date: 2008.

It's a bird... It's a plane...no, it's AirShark, the glider with attitude. Soft and safe, with rubber-band propulsion it flies over 50 feet. "It is a simple glider with attitude.
Any one can make it fly," said Laura T. Brewer, VP of marketing, Play Visions. Launch date: July 28, 2008.

Go back to prehistoric times and tame one of these meat eating predators! Hand crafted from shock absorbing recycled tires. Fully assembled and ready to ride. Hanging instructions included. Supports up to 200lbs.

Ride the wind! No need to tell them they can't ride the neighbors motorcycle, head for the backyard and jump on this mini hog! This swing, handcrafted from a shock absorbing recycled tire is fully assembled and ready to ride. Hanging instructions included. Supports up to 200lbs.

Fire not included! How much fun would it be to take yourself to an enchanted land and tame one of these fire breathing beasts? Handcrafted from shock absorbing recycled tire. Fully assembled. Hanging instructions included. Supports up to 200lbs.

Imagine your little dare devil flying through the backyard in this handcrafted biplane tire swing. No flying license required. Guaranteed safe landing for dinner! Handcrafted from a shock absorbing recycled tire. Fully assembled. Hanging instructions included. Supports up to 200lbs.

Protected by a worldwide patent, this aluminum-construction scooter features 7"-diameter urethane wheels, a bicycle-style hand brake, and a height-adjustable, folding-handle pole. Maximum rider height and weight are 6'5" and 300 lbs. Launch date: July 2008.

This scooter features steel construction, no-foot-down propulsion, a bicycle-style handbrake, 7"-diameter urethane wheels, a paddle-actuated gear drive mechanism, and a folding handle pole. It is height adjustable and is protected by a worldwide patent. Maximum height: 6'5". Maximum weight: 300 lbs. Launch date: July 2008.

This bright set features 30 multi-colored balloons plus a pump.
— Randy Austin reported that Rocket Balloons were popular sellers during the summer of 2008 at her store, The Gifted Child, in Lenox, Mass.
— “Rocket Balloons were fabulous [last year] and we have people waiting for them now,” said Eric Masoncup, owner of Geppettos Toy Box in Oak Park, Ill., of his top-selling outdoor item during a March 2010 survey of best sellers.
— Two of 37 retailers named Rocket Balloons are a best-selling outdoor toy in spring 2010.

Recommended for outdoor use only, this lightweight glider comes with a launcher and is available in different styles. It is easy to assemble and fly, and can soar up to 50’. The safe, soft flyer has a wingspan of 9” and comes with instructions.