Items tagged “Toys & Recreation”

Commemorating ten successful years of products and programs designed to help children sleep, Cloud b is set to take center-stage in 2012! The company thrives on innovation, sleep technology and most importantly- passion. With these elements, Cloud b has mastered the art of creating plush toys with a purpose and continues to do so every year.

The creators of the award-winning Twilight Turtle and Sleep Sheep introduce the ultimate innovation in Sleep Sheep to help children sleep safely and soundly through the night, allowing parents to rest easy too!

Mindtwister USA works to play a part in the importance of family game nights. Its initial game, Pentago, originated in Sweden. Two professional skateboarders thought the unique game would also be popular in the United States. They formed Mindtwister and introduced Pentago to the U.S. in 2006. By 2011, they had sold over one million games worldwide.With Pentago as its base, Mindtwister USA has expanded to include an entire line of original games and toys. The company is rooted in the idea that playing fun games is essential to strong relationships with our family and friends.

The Ice Cream Hotel by Jack Johnston reminds us of the childhood battle cry, “We all scream for ice cream!” And your customers will think it’s a scream when they get a look at this book that’s long on imagination with a yummy story line that will appeal to the younger crowd. The thirty-two pages within a hard cover offer witty, colorful illustrations on every page and the plot is packed with fun and flavor. Kids love the idea of paddling in the hot fudge pool, meeting new friends at the shake shack, and dropping in on the best ice cream party ever.

Back in the day, when we wanted to unplug or our parents were out of batteries, we would reach for the simple things like a Rubik’s Cube or those little maze games with marbles. Once they were solved (or we gave up in frustration), there was little use for the toys and they were promptly put on a shelf in favor of the latest video game. What if you could offer your customers an alternative to video games, but with just as many player options? And kids six and up could be entertained for hours with minimal noise and no batteries necessary? You can, with Perplexus!

New York International Gift Fair - New York City, New York (8/18/12 - 8/23/12)

August’s New York International Gift Fair (NYIGF) was an opportunity for the best new children’s products to be recognized for their creativity. This year, the focus seemed to be on natural materials, particularly wood. Wooden toys are making a comeback after years of being upstaged by rubber, plastic, and other synthetics. Original art is also trending at the moment, and makes an appearance in books and other learning supplies that feature the work of professional artists. Here are some of the innovative companies that caught The Giggle Guide’s™ attention at this year’s event: OOTS!, Tree by Kerri Lee, Black Eyed Guy, and Home Grown Books.

Introduce customers to Ben KaChoo, Harry Hiccers and Norman PhartEphant and watch their eyes light up! Fierce Fun plush toys and the accompanying Zoo Tales books use humor to offer gentle lessons about typical kid concerns like adjusting to a new school, coping with allergies, making friends and yes, what to say when a burp or other unplanned noise occurs. The toys are soft and squeezable, make up to six different sounds, and are made of all new, safe materials.

There are a lot of great trends to sift through this season. We have culled some newbies to bring retailers a few of the market innovations that carry perfect designs for display throughout the fall and winter seasons. Focus holiday shoppers on earrings with a practical twist from Triple Sweet; continue the accessory trend with matching head and toe bumbums; show off a classical yet playful look with Olivia & Owen; and offer doll lovers of any age a modern Lille Huset dollhouse.

PlanToys is an innovative collection of educational green toys that are bright, affordable, and as safe for little ones as they are for the planet. This line is full of new and traditional toys, from long-time favorite pull toys to one-of-a-kind dollhouse designs. Each toy is designed to inspire children’s imaginations, engaging them in educational play that will provide physical and intellectual stimulation and development. The educational value of PlanToys has been recognized with the prestigious Parents’ Choice and Oppenheim Toy Portfolio awards.

Playtime New York - New York, New York (8/4/12 - 8/6/12)

The Spring/Summer 2013 Playtime New York show, held August 4-6, 2012, proved a winner for all involved with 13% more visitors than the previous year’s Playtime event. 90 international brands, of which two-thirds were from the U.S., were on hand to strut their stuff and strut they did. Once again, Playtime New York brought together all key sectors of the children’s universe including clothing, shoes, accessories, jewelry, décor and gifts. With so much to offer, Playtime has positioned itself as a must-visit trade show. Here’s a peek at some of our favorites: Luna Leggings, Baby Baazaar, Cutility and Everbloom.

Flimsy plastic toys break so it’s no wonder shoppers are turned on by well-crafted, long-lasting wooden playthings. To show them what’s out there that both encourages creativity and lasts, turn to Discoveroo, an Australian company that aims to encourage kids’ imaginations, teach basic skills like colors and sorting, and engage young minds by showing how each toy works.

Girls remember their first one: the glamorous exterior with rich colors, the graceful winding staircase, the upper stories with fabulous sleeping rooms fit for princesses, and the model kitchen that set every cook’s heart aflutter. Yes, before you moved into your first place, your first “dream home” was your dollhouse. Dollhouses have evolved, and there are homes for every taste — from little girls to avid collectors to (yes!) boys. Rooms with a view include dollhouses from En Gry & Sif USA, Greenleaf, Teamson and brinca dada.

For many customers, God is present in all aspects of their daily lives, making them appreciate visual reminders of God’s goodness. Retailers can tap into the spiritual needs of customers by offering brands that inspire, with a lively spirit of practicality and fun. Dedicating and reflecting a family’s faith on baby’s clothes and other items is a way parents celebrate and give witness to their beliefs. Products from LittleDisciples, Wee Believers, Band Angels and Dicksons, Inc., proclaim a Christian message.

Login:

Username:
Password: