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Lots to see in toy industry
Show Biz Toy Fair
Tanya K. Merritte -- Kids Today, 2/26/2009 8:25:00 AM
NEW YORK—Toy Fair 2009 got under way here last week in the midst of a national recession and just a few days after the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act went into effect. Still, manufacturers were upbeat, with many saying they were seeing the buyers they expected and writing orders.
Green remains a hot category, with companies promoting plush and toys made of organic cotton and recycled materials. And exhibitors were also ready for questions about CPSIA compliance. Many said they had their certifications in place, while a few noted they are still in the testing process.
But even with the tightened regulations, there was still plenty for retailers to consider – from simple fabric toys to cuddle to stimulating electronic developmental toys. Here’s a peek at what we saw:
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Anatex Enterprises ’ toddler-size Rocket Ship has a different activity on it four colorful wooden panels, including tic-tac-toe and a maze game, $499. (818) 908-1888 |
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P’kolino debuted the Puzzle Stacker, a two-in-one developmental toy. Each wooden ring is a puzzle with a colorful half. The stacker is 5.5” wide and 8.5” tall and retails for $38; a mini stacker retails for $25. (888) 403-8992 |
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Dandelion , the new eco-friendly division of juvenile products manufacturer Re-Think It, made its Toy Fair debut with a variety of play and feeding wares. The machine-washable plush toys, such as the sorter, are made of organic cotton, terry, velour and waffle canvas and are stuffed with a corn fiber filling, $9-35. (888) 222-3053 |
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Simmons Kids Furniture, a division of Delta Children’s Products , has unveiled its first line of furniture. The collection includes a table and chair set, a toy box and a storage bench, all in a deep chestnut finish in a modern, sophisticated design. Storage is key as shown by these chairs, which uniquely offer space for toys at the base. (800) 377-3777 |
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Push his paws to hear Infantino ’s Learn with Me Monkey say words and phrases in English and Spanish. The colorful plush also sings several nursery rhymes in both languages, $23. (800) 365-8182 |
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Children can learn to count to 10 when they feed the special fish to the Feed & Fun Learning Penguin from Thinkativity . Each fish features a color and a shape name on the reverse for more educational fun, $15. (888) 703-2025 |
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The All Around Art Tower by Step 2 has two round bins on a center pole for art supplies and toys, and kids can display their handiwork using the four spring-loaded clips attached to the arms at the top of the pole. The table comes with one stool, $80. (866) 429-5200 |
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Mary Meyer ’s Fuzz that Wuzz collection is made of plastic bottles, with an average of 10 bottles used per plush toy. The 10 characters include a cat, bear and dog, retailing between $13 and $40. The recycled critters are part of Mary Meyer’s Earthmates collection, which also features lines made of bamboo and organic cotton. (800) 451-4387 |
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Tiny Love launched a line of box toys designed to last kids from 6 to 36 months. Younger babies can explore shapes by tossing them into the pelican’s open mouth. Later, they can flip down the “tongue” and drop the pieces through the shaped slots and hear the shape and color in different languages, $25. (800) 843-6292 |
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The Learn to Crawl Tunnel from Alex has a removable cushioned pad with a mirror, giving baby a reward when she reaches the end. And the whole set folds up into a carrying case for travel, $45. (201) 750-8010 |
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The new Early Star by Earlyears collection, an International Playthings brand, is composed of a variety of electronic toys for baby. The Monkey Tunes shade attaches to the car window and features blinking lights, music and a shimmying monkey that parents can activate via remote control from the front seat, $40. (973) 316-2500 |
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Trunko is the newest member of the popular Uglydoll family. The huggable creature is offered in four sizes and retails between $5.95 and $50. (866) HEY-UGLY |
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Folkmanis introduced a varied collection of bird puppets at the show. The small duck is made of cuddly microfiber and measures 10” long, ideal for smaller hands to handle, $18. (800) 654-8922 |
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Best know for its glue products, Elmer’s is growing its line of education toys. The new Kinder-Ready series includes a collection featuring the artwork of Eric Carle, such as this puzzle and matching game that teaches numbers and colors. (614) 985-2660 |
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Taggies’ new organic blankets are made of 100% certified cotton fibers, silk ribbons and safe dyes. The 12” by 12” blankets come in four prints, all featuring Taggies signature loops, $29. (877) 482-4443 |
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Chicco’s Sing ‘N Learn Orchestra lets kids hear each instrument individually or select modes to hear the whole orchestra in different musical styles and melodies, $45. (877) 4CHICCO |
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