Tag: outdoor toys

TTPM Highlights Top Trends and Best in Play at Spring and Summer Showcase

by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

It may feel like we were just unwrapping Christmas gifts, but thankfully, after the longest winter ever, we can finally focus on spring and summer.  And with a new season comes more new toys!

 

 Last week, TTPM highlighted the key top trends and best in play at their annual spring and summer showcase. Time to Play Mag, which has expanded and officially rebranded to TTPM, is the same juggernaut and resource for reviews on playthings and beyond.  

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The TTPM editors pinpointed three trends that will contribute to the popularity of toys this summer, including: bigger blockbuster movie lineup, innovative outdoor toys and breakout hits.  

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The movies that are expected amp up toy sales include Transformers: Age of Extinction, Disney Planes: Fire and Rescue, Godzilla, and The Amazing Spider- Man 2.  We’re hardcore Spider-Man fans, so our house alone may contribute to this increase in sales.  Untitled

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Innovative outdoor toys such as automated bubble blowers, our favorite: the bike bubbler and Grab n’ Go Chalk Games are just a few of the many toys that are sure to keep the kids entertained for hours.  There are so many fantastic breakout hits, but Paw Patrol, Lego Movie, The Happy’s and not surprisingly, Frozen take top honors in this category.

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There were quite a few standouts for spring and summer toys in the showcase.  Ride-on toys such as Razor’s Power Ride 360 and the Kawasaki TMNT 4-wheelers made it on to the hot list.  Personally, Hasbro’s Spider-Man toys and TMNT Combat-a-Bubbles are on our current list of must-haves.

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I have tons of photos to share from the event which I’ll include within this post.  I also did a gifting suite haul, something I had fun doing with my older son. 

Attending the TTPT showcases is always a highlight of the season for me, but getting to test out the toys via the gifting suite is a true highlight for the whole family.  So, many thanks to the companies who participate in the gifting suite. 

 

Gift ideas for 3 Year Old Girl

by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

Friend and NKT reader, Sarah, posted a really great question on the NKT FB page last week.  With her daughter turning three soon, she asked if I had any gift ideas.  On the heels of last month’s Toy Fair, I have stacks of ideas, actually.  As a mama to a three year old boy, I was excited to research some answers to Sarah’s question.

Three year olds are known for continuing to express their individuality and independence. They are honing their gross motor skills, and for most, attention spans are still quite limited. Role playing and group play is a growing trend at this stage, too.  And as much as I’d like to ignore the whole gender toy issue, like many of you, I’ve seen firsthand just how different play patterns are of boys and girls at this age.

Sarah said her three year old is into girly toys, pets, bubbles and jumping.  And since I haven’t had a chance to talk about many of the fun toys I saw at Toy Fair, this is a great topic to discuss since I saw so many great products that embrace these exact themes.

Princess

Princesses, long-loved favorites to toddlers, preschoolers and beyond, still have a strong presence on the toy front, especially with the success of last year’s Rapunzel.  Even though Disney has hinted at no more new princesses in the near future, toy makers still have a strong grip on this multi-million dollar license.

Squinkies, the tiny bubblegum machine-inspired trinkets that the kids love (and moms not so much), are now available in Disney Princess themes.

Word of caution: these toys are rated 4+ for safety purposes.

With the upcoming release of Tangled on DVD and Blu-Ray, there are quite a few cute dolls that focus on Rapunzel’s hair.

My favorite Tangled-inspired toy is the Toddler Tangled Rapunzel Doll from the Disney Store.  Only caveat with this adorable doll? She’s sold out on Disney Store’s site, but is probably available at select stores.  She’s cute and her hair looks manageable for the littler girls.

Tangled Sing and Glow Rapunzel doll, with her light up hair and singing voice is another cute doll that might be of interest to little girls.

Dolls and Doll Accessories

Doll and doll accessories are, no doubt, a big hit with toddlers and preschoolers because of the imaginative and creative play involved.  Quite a few toy makers have cool new doll accessories coming out, but Hasbro’s Baby Alive and Step 2’s Deluxe Nursery Station are two products that stood out for me at this year’s Toy Fair.

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Gift Glossary: Outdoor Toys

by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

First up on the Gift Glossary includes my round up of some of the most innovative outdoor toys from the year.  Scooters and caster boards continue to gain popularity in this section, which is exactly why I included quite a few in our list.  Other notable goodies include fun toys that have the potential to get a lot of play time outside from kids of all ages.

Whiplash Scooter

The Whiplash was one of the most notable scooters I saw this year.  First spotted at Toy Fair in February (maybe you remember the video I posted over on FB?),

this scooter combined elements of a caster board and scooter, making it a versatile vehicle choice with a lot of twists and turns. It boasts speed and swift maneuverability, but for those with skill, the Whiplash can turn heads.

Pulse Slither

The Pulse Slither, unlike other scooters, has the capability to drift.  Like its name implies, the scooter’s back end can drift in such a way that it slithers.

When first learning the Slither’s nuances, we found that the maneuverability, isn’t as smooth, but once riders got the hang of it, it’s fun to slide and drift around. Check out one of our kid reviewers take the Pulse Slither for a ride.

Zipfy Mini Luge

It’s snow season for many parts of the U.S. already, but I first caught eye of the Zipfy Mini Luge at the Discovery Store’s Holiday Preview this summer.

The Zipfy, which comes in a variety of bold colors, might be small in size, but its design puts speed on its side.  The feet first design of the Zipfy, which gives kids an easier handle to break with their feet, was one of my favorite aspects of the mini luge, which is sure to be a staple for kids and parents alike.  As with all outdoor sports like sledding, helmets and proper safety gear is highly recommended.

Little Nutty Helmets

With all these fun outdoor toys that made the list, how could I not include some stylish safety gear?  Little Nutty from Nutcase Helmets are among my favorite, eye-catching helmets for kids.

All Little Nutty helmets comply with US CPSC Bicycle Helmet Safety Standards for persons age 5 and older. Who says you can’t be safe and stylish at the same time?

Ybike

Ybike is a new, 3-wheel balance bike that combines the basics of riding a bike–minus the pedals.
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Preschoolers can scoot, navigate and “ride” on their own, which makes the Ybike a fun way to learn and implement balance.  Made of a durable plastic that can seemingly take a beating from little learners, the Ybike comes in a spectrum of vibrant colors.  Low to the ground, easy maneuverability and a sleek design make this balance bike an instant favorite for the preschool set.

Full disclosure: select samples were provided for editorial review.  As always, all opinions on NKT are my own.

Playground Pick: Alex Toys Catch N Stick Monster Mitts

by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

Having just spent a wild and crazy afternoon at a dance party with our favorite characters yesterday and with a beautiful weekend ahead of us, I thought I’d share a quick playground pick today.

Catch N Stick Monster Mitts from Alex Toys is a fun twist to the playground favorite.  Playing catch helps kids with hand-eye coordination, which is a fine motor activity that’s important for development.  And what better way to work on playing catch than with oversized mitts and a soft tennis ball that both stick!

The ball and mitts have a Velcro front surface and adjustable strap on the back that make for a crazy good time for preschoolers and up.  The set that usually retails for around $13 is just $6.50 on one of my favorite kiddie sale sites, Totsy.

You need to register for the site, but in case you need an invite, feel free to go here.

I have a $15 credit from Totsy that I’m giving a random Facebook Friend for commenting on the update associated with this post!  Not a friend?  Be sure to “Like” NKT to find out about Facebook-only giveaways and fun discounts.