Skip Hop – The Next Kid Thing

Toy Fair 2014: The Year of the Hedgehog

February 24, 2014 by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

For the past few years, there seems to be a few popular themes or animals throughout exhibitors’ booths at Toy Fair. Whether reflecting popular shows, songs or designs, without fail, there’s always a cool new creature that makes the rounds at the show and then all over baby in kid products. A few years ago, the owl ran rampant, followed by the fox and other animals. This year, I noticed that the hedgehog was trending all over Javits.

Be on the lookout for these cool new products featuring the fuzzy face of the hedgehog:

Skip Hop

One of my absolute favorite hedgehog interpretations appeared on a Skip Hop Lunchie. That sweet face, combined with the cool color combo of teal and red, will, no doubt, make for another popular extension of Skip Hop’s versatile lunch packs. I didn’t get word on when it will be released, but my guess is probably before the push for next school year.

Prince Lionheart

Another interpretation of the hedgehog was found on Prince Lionheart’s classic Wheely Bug. The wooden toddler ride-on toy has been seen in ladybug and bumblebee varieties, so this plush version made my head turn. The softness of the hedgehog is a fun take on this popular toy and easily the cutest ride-on toy at the show. The hedgehog Wheely Bugis already out and can be found at retailers such as Yoyo.com and Amazon.com

Hape

Another adorable hedgehog themed toy was found at Hape’s booth in the form of a Walk-a-long Toy. This toddler totable toy touted Hape’s beautiful wooden construction and kid-safe paints. It looks like it comes in a big and small size, with plenty of cuteness to go around. My friends and fellow trendspotters over at Popsugar Moms were just as smitten with this Hape hedgehog.

Tomy and Sonic Boom
I have much more information on what’s up and coming for Sonic, but as a quick preface, the Blue Blur has an upcoming new show, Sonic Boom, and Tomy has been named as the master toy licensee. Be on the lookout for Sonic plush, action figures, RC, role play, vehicles and novelty based on the re-imagined Sonic the Hedgehog.

Safari Ltd.
After ogling at all the cute hedgehogs, leave it to Safari Ltd. to bring me back down to earth with their life-life figure of a hedgehog. Safari Ltd., known for their Toobs and educational figures, has a hedgehog in their Incredible Creatures collection, which is the largest figures in any set.

The Next Kid Thing or Next Big Flop?

April 1, 2013April 1, 2013 by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

It’s that time of year! If you check the calendar, then you must know what today means. If you’re gullible like me, you’ll believe almost every “new” product everyone’s shilling today. Here’s a collection of just some of the funniest Next Kid Things floating around the interwebs:

Crib Dribbler

The Crib Dribbler sounds like the perfect answer for exhausted parents. Better yet, this automatic feeding system, fashioned like a water bottle hung in a rodent’s cage, would be a must have for the lazy parenting types. You know the kind.

Thank goodness this system is just a gag box from Prank Pack. The back of the box, though, is the best! Ha!

Munchkin Naughty Mouth Soap

The Munchkin Naughty Mouth Soap actually sounds like it would have some weight in the tough love aisle. According to the spoof press release: Parents of little children who are prone to potty mouth now have a valuable tool in their parenting arsenal. The Naughty Mouth Soap is non-toxic but foul-tasting deterrent to stop the future use of inappropriate language. As a sushi fan, my favorite is Whining Wasabi. Other flavors include: Lying Liver, Spoiled Child Spoiled Milk, Vulgarity Vomit and Extra-Strength Sour Pout Face. Well played, Munchkin!

I’m actually a big fan of Munchkin products (I swear by the White Hot Safety Duck Tub!), so I got a big kick out of this funny April Fool’s Day joke!

Skip Hop Sippy Helmet

This Sippy Helmet would’ve been perfect on our whirlwind road trip. For a sippy cup wielding baby having to ride in the car for 12 hours in one weekend, this gag would actually come in handy for the trip. Too funny, Skip Hop! Haha!

Even though these fun products are just gags for April Fool’s Day, it’s fun to chuckle at all of crazy possibilities for the next big thing for kids. What crazy things have you seen today?

Happy April Fool’s Day. Be careful and have fun!

Skip Hop Adds Frog and Zebra Zoopacks and Lunchies

August 4, 2010August 4, 2010 by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

NKT fave, Skip Hop has added more fun animals to their cool lineup up of animal-themed backpacks and lunch bags Frog and zebra designs are the latest animal designs available for Skip Hop’s Zoopacks and Lunchies, joining faves such as the owl, dog and penguin. Zoopacks, durable and kid-sized, are ideal for back to school and yes, the last few weeks of summer, too!

I personally can’t get enough of Skip Hop gear; we could often be found toting our penguin Lunchie. What’s so great about Skip Hop’s Zoo Lunchies, is that they’re so easy to just clip onto a stroller, bookbag strap or they can just as easily be slipped onto a kids’ wrist. But above all, I love the playful, but modern designs that Skip Hop is so well known for; and at just $20 for the Zoopacks and $13 for the Lunchies, you really can’t go wrong with Skip Hop gear.

Skip Hop Debuts Central Park Outdoor Blanket + Cooler Bag

April 8, 2010 by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

Just in time for prime picnicking weather, Skip Hop, a brand associated with smart, modern and fun designs, has introduced the Central Park Outdoor Blanket + Cooler Bag. With their new blanket + cooler bag, the NYC-based company covered their bases by meeting parents’ need for portability, functionality and style.

As city dwellers, I find that we’re outside eating all the time, whether it’s for Movie Under the Stars, family concert night in the park or for a regular picnic while we play at the playground. Schlepping a big blanket stuffed in a big bag, in addition to a bag of food or toys can get cumbersome, so I appreciate that this blanket + cooler bag can be carried as a messenger bag or a backpack.

Unfolded, it’s 5×5, but folded up as a bag, it’s 11.5in x 11.5in x 3in, which is compact. It’s big enough for a small family to sit together, or even just mom or dad and a babe. It’s seems like it’s easy to wipe clean, but in case there are minor spills, it can be thrown into the washing machine. The cooler part, isn’t huge. It looks like it can hold several smaller containers, sandwiches and a few drinks, but not much else. Less is always more.

The Central Park Outdoor Blanket + Cooler Bag retails for about $45 and is available in the chocolate/uptown stripe or the black/wave dot. The kid and I plan on spending as much time as possible outdoors this spring and summer, so this would be a perfect addition to our picnicking aresenal.

Skip Hop products can be found at retailers such as BRU, Buy Buy Baby, giggle, Whole Foods and more.

How Zoo you like me now?

June 1, 2009June 4, 2009 by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

Over the weekend, I spotted the super cute Zoo Packs by Skip Hop while we were at the Time Out New York Kids Fest. This wasn’t the first time I eyed the animal-themed kiddie backpacks; I actually fell in love with them even before they came out!

The Zoo Packs, which are now available, are the most recent addition to Skip Hop’s burgeoning line of great kid’s gear. The BPA-Free, Phthalate-free and PVC Free kiddie backpacks come in dog, mouse and penguin themes and are roomy, yet small enough to accommodate the kiddie contingent. At only $20, the Zoo Packs are functional, practical and Zoo cute.