Despite Blizzard, Toy Fair Draws Crowds

The 110th annual American International Toy Fair came to New York City February 10-13, bringing together more than 1,000 exhibiting manufacturers, distributors, importers and sales agents from around the globe. Vendors showcased toy and entertainment products that ranged from classic toys to interactive entertainment and everything in between. Despite a blizzard that socked New York the preceding Friday, events ran as scheduled to the delight of vendors and attendees.

The Toy Fair playground included action figures and dolls, games and puzzles, construction toys, arts and creative activities, earth-friendly products, bicycles, tricycles and ride-ons, radio-controlled vehicles, infant and preschool toys, cars, trucks, and trains, puppets and plush, audio and video cassettes, computer software and video games, playground and sporting equipment, seasonal gifts, books, stationery, party supplies, and much more. Notable lines included American Educational Products, LaLei, Laurent Doll, and Bigjigs Toys.

American Educational Makes Learning Fun

American Educational Products offers everything to equip the classroom ranging from toys for early childhood and active play to maps and science activity materials. Among the newest entries from the company is Chemistry, an atom-building game in which players use their knowledge of chemistry to construct the atom with the most protons, neutrons and electrons. The game is made up of 177 cards that include question cards, color-coded by topic, periodic table cards and others.

Another new product is a realistic, large-as-life lung model that has removable lobes so kids can see the internal structures. Also new is the brass weight set that has eight weights ranging from 500 to 20 gram sizes.

The popular 12-inch scooter now comes in sets of six in assorted bright colors. Made of durable polypropylene, these scooters have smooth swivel wheels and handles for added balance and stability.

The Money Clever Catch Ball gives kids grades one through five a great way to learn about using money. The ball is covered with clever facts and answers questions like “What president’s face is on the one dollar bill?” For little ones learning about time, AEP offers Clock hands, simple hands that can be attached via a suction cup to a whiteboard or simply clicked into place with a supplied magnet. This is a great learning device for kids grades 2-6.

It’s a no-no brainer to check out www.amep.com

LaLei: Oh the Places You Have Beans

Discover the Beandolls from LaLei — seven unique dolls drawn from different parts of the world. These adorable dolls, with bean-shaped heads, live in a pod and have an important mission: to save the planet from pollution. Of course, they are also here to be held and talked to by kids who find their small size fits little hands to perfection.

Designer/Owner Lei Zarboulas has two mixed-culture kids, which influenced her development of the dolls as she has worked to keep her children involved in the world and in speaking more than one language. LaLei has as its motto “Where Imagination is Everything.” The Beandolls encourage kids to imagine scenarios that span cultures while also learning about the greater good of Mother Earth.

Dolls include a tag showing where they come from, for instance, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East and also are identified with a different power, as in the Power of Hope, Power of Water, Power of Imagination or Power of Love. Each beandoll is 6” tall, but there are pods that are both 16” and 22” — the smaller one houses two dolls and the larger one, three.

The newest LaLei additions are Geniusdolls, the first and only plush dolls that introduce children to some of the most creative and important minds in human history. The first collection includes Confucius, Leonardo DaVinci, Shakespeare, Beethoven, Einstein, and Steve Jobs. Also new are the Frootdolls, that are round and represent an apple, pear, orange, lemon and strawberry. Frootdolls each have a hanger on the top so they can be displayed when not being played with.

Little and loveable: www.beandolls.com

Laurent Dolls Them Up in Style

As every doll mother knows, dolls need all manner of accessories to live their lives to the fullest. Laurent Doll, winner of many prestigious awards including the 2012 National Parenting Seal of Approval, the 2012 Creative Child Magazine award in the Kids Room category and the Tillywig Top Fun Award, introduced several new items.

The Doll Travel Trunk has a brown faux-leather exterior; opens to an antique-gold interior; and features faux leather edges, straps, and brass nail head accents. It fits the belongings of 18” to 20” dolls and has a sturdy carrying handle on top as well as a 5” high inside drawer to hold small items, plus a rod to hang doll clothes.

The Doll Loft Bed Set lets two dolls play sleepover. The bed comes with two mattresses, two pillows, four drawers (two in pink and two in green) and a ladder. The Bed Set measures 22” x 11.75” x 23” and includes a desk with two shelves behind a pink and green door, a lap drawer and a ladder-back chair. When the dolls get ready for bed, their clothes can be hung at the end of the beds.

The Doll Adirondack chair is a comfortable place for doll relaxation at the end of a busy day. The chair is made of wood, measures 10.75” x 12” x 14” and is available in pink, blue or lavender so it will work beautifully in the owner’s room.

Find just what doll lovers need at www.laurentdoll.com

Bigjigs Toys are Set for Construction

Established in the UK in 1985, Bigjigs Toys is a family business that offers high-quality wooden toys that use child-friendly paints, stains and lacquers. Show customers their enchanting wooden fairy tale palace with white, pink and blue exterior; two towers; hanging balconies; working doors and windows; a removable roof; rope ladder; a secret entrance that kids can find; and a set of six figures for hours of imaginative play.

Jigsaw puzzles are available for little kids who can put together six chunky pieces to reveal a mother horse and her foal. Older children will enjoy a colorful forty-eight-piece puzzle showing fantasy characters and mythical creatures.

Bigjigs Rail offers tracks, train sets and accessories that are childhood classics. The Construction Train set of 116 pieces for youngsters three and up includes two trains, building equipment, a tower crane, bridge/tunnel, people, trees and other vehicles. Want cars instead of trains? Select the Car Transportation set with two car wagons, a loading ramp and two cheerful push along cars.

For hours of play: www.bigjigstoys.us