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New York Toy Fair opens this weekend and our toy trend expert, Reyne Rice, has a sneak peek at some of the coolest toys this year!

LEGO DUPLO Batcave Challenge

Lego continues to innovate toys for younger kids. The LEGO DUPLO Batcave Challenge lets Batman fans be their favorite superheroes and drive the Batmobile and Batcycle as they look for The Joker and Poison Ivy. Create fun action scenes using these LEGO DUPLO bricks that are two times the size of a classic brick to accommodate smaller hands and help develop motor skills. Visit shop.lego.com to learn more!

LEGO Make Your Own Movie by Klutz

Klutz has new titles in their book-based activity kits including LEGO Make Your Own Movie. Bring your favorite Lego mini-figures to life with this beginner guide to stop-motion animation. Create short, funny clips on a phone or tablet using six backgrounds and thirty-six LEGO elements. Visit Klutz.com to learn more!

Sew Mini Animals

A follow up to Sew Mini Treats is Sew Mini Animals that lets you stitch and stuff an assortment of fuzzy animals from felt. These mini plushies deliver full-size fun and everything you need to make up to 14 animals is included. Add extra accessories like hats, bows, and glasses to personalize your animals. Visit Klutz.com to learn more!

My Egg Carton Animals

From the all-new Klutz Jr. line for preschoolers, My Egg Carton Animals lets kids transform specially made egg cartons into 6 barnyard animals. Fun animal facts throughout the book give an added giggle as kids paint and add googly eyes, cotton balls, and precut accessories to make their very own farm animal friends. Visit Klutz.com to learn more!

ZhuZhu Pets by Spin Master

Spin Master is reviving ZhuZhu Pets from their launch in 2009 with over 20 new Zhu’s to collect! Each little hamster has a special hidden talent to discover. With their unique personalities and unpredictable behavior, Pipsqueak, Mr. Squiggles, Num Nums and Chunk love to zoom around, dance, talk and even sing. Make sure to check these cute guys out at ZhuZhuPets.com!

Giant Volcano with T-Rex from Schleich

Kids can have hours of fun with the Giant Volcano with T-Rex from Schleich Dinosaurs play world. Press the skull to release the stalactites, set the dinosaur trap, or hit the large stone to see the fossil puzzle erupt from the side of the volcano. This playset encourages your child to explore the exciting world of dinosaurs with over 30 additional dinosaurs to collect. Click here to learn more!

Whiffer Sniffers

Following the collectability trend, Whiffer Sniffers have become the “It Toy” for kids who collect. The new Series 4 will be introduced this year including Sour Saul, and May B Minty that kids clip to their backpack or sports bag. They smell like everything from popcorn to jelly beans! Or take a chance with this mystery package to find a rare special edition character. Visit WhifferSniffers.com to learn more!

Aeromax Toys

Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, Aeromax Toys brings imagination to life. The Get Real Gear, My 1st Career Gear Tops, and accessories lets kids pretend to be firefighters, astronauts, chefs, and more. Pretend play inspires kids to dream big and helps build self esteem in their developmental years. They are known for their quality and durability, along with an affordable price. Visit AeromaxToys.com to learn more!

Licensing & Anniversaries That Will Continue to Drive Products into 2017

By Reyne Rice, Global Trend Hunter, Reporter/ Analyst, New York, New York Leave a Comment Dec 27

Originally posted on Spielwarenmesse.com

Over 40 movies are slated for 2017, throughout the entire year, that will appeal to fans of these favorite characters and brands: superheroes, classic characters, favorite playthings, all with relevant new content for today’s generations of movie-goers and experience-seeking customers.

The year of 2017 is shaping up to be another substantial year for strong licenses and licensed properties, and brands with multi-generational appeal. There are a number of factors that support this premise. Character licensing is no longer relegated to the merchandising power of toys and games. Strong theatrical releases, live events and multi-tier tentpole events are driving merchandising dollars into apparel, publishing, sports, entertainment theme parks, and even more branded lifestyle categories.

For example, it was no coincidence that Pokémon Go attracted a wide swath of the population across multiple age groups. In 2017, the Pokémon brand celebrates their 20th anniversary. Kids who grew up with Pokemon are now young adults, for whom augmented reality treasure hunts were a positive pat-time for Summer 2016. Kids and parents also joined the foot traffic, as tens of millions of people across the globe hunted for the elusive Pokémon characters. Expect more Pokémon news throughout 2017, in new and exciting formats that will continue to break barriers with technology innovations. Promoting inter-generational play, active outdoor activities and the “Gotta Catch Em All “mentality will continue throughout 2017.

Key Anniversaries of Brands and Movie/TV Characters

Property	Anniversary	Property Owner
In the Night Garden	10	DHX Media
YooHoo & Friends	10	Aurora World/ Mondo TV
Yu-Gi-Oh	15	4K Media
Build A Bear	20	Build-A-Bear
Pokemon	20	The Pokemon Company
TeleTubbies	20	DHX media
Power Rangers	25	Saban
Dragon Ball Z	30	Toie Animation
Care Bears	35	American greetings
Danger Mouse	35	Fremantle
Maya the Bee	40	Studio 100
Star Wars	40	Lucas Ent/ Disney
Thunderbirds	50	ITV Studios
Toie Animation	60	Toie Animation
Mr Potato Head	65	Hasbro
Wonder Woman	75	Marvel/ Disney
Daffy Duck	80	Warner Bros Looney Tunes
Goofy animated character	85	Disney
LEGO	85	Lego
Lincoln Logs	100	Knex
Teddy Bear	115	multiple
Märklin Trains	125	Marklin
Peter Rabbit: Beatrix Potter	150	Sony / Penguin/Beatrix Potter

Other strong cross-generational brands celebrating major milestones include Star Wars 40th anniversary. Their first action figures for boys were launched in 1977, and stores couldn’t get enough merchandise to meet demand, even then. This dual target audience brand (kids and adults) will be strengthened with another new Star Wars movie, Episode VIII in late 2017, and the Rogue One movie (Holiday 2016) will continue to offer new footage and characters with epic stories in late 2016 and spilling over into 2017.

On a softer side, Care Bears will be celebrating its 35th anniversary with a Fall 2017 movie release. TeleTubbies are back, marking a 20 year anniversary with new TV episodes. Their storyline has been updated for today’s kids by updating the television screen on their tummies with touch-screens. Power Rangers continue to appeal to new fans each year, and will be celebrating 25 years of Power Rangers with their own 2017 movie launch. DragonBall Z (30th) and even Dirty Dancing (30th) will continue to tug at Millennial heart strings, with young adults and new parents remembering their childhood favorites.

With this knowledge of upcoming movies and strong anniversaries, store shelves and online channels will continue to appeal to the dual-target market audiences, and offer an inter-generational connection for the young and the young-at-heart.

Blockbuster Movies 2017 with Popular License Properties

Blockbuster 2017

Title	Studio	Release Date
The Greatest Showman on Earth	20th Century Fox	Jan 2017
Monster Trucks	Paramount	Feb 2017
LEGO Batman	Warner Bros	Feb 2017
Beauty & The Beast	Disney	March 2017
King Arthur; Legends of the Swords	Warner Bros	March 2017
Smurfs 3: The Lost Village	Sony	April 2017
Guardians of the Galaxy 2	Disney	April 2017
Fast 8: Fast & the Furious	NBC Universal	April 2017
Power Rangers	Lionsgate	April 2017
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales	Disney	May 2017
Despicable Me 3 (Minions)	Universal	June 2017
Wonder Woman	Warner Bros	June 2017
Transformers 5: The Last Knight	Paramount	June 2017
Thor Ragnarok	Disney	July 2017
Cars 3	Disney	July 2017
Emoji Movie: Express Yourself	Sony	Aug 2017
Jumanjii	Sony	Sept 2017
LEGO Ninjago	Warner Bros	Sept 2017
Care Bears: The Movie	Not yet announced	Sept 2017
Justice League	Warner Bros	Nov 2017
Black Panther	Disney	Nov 2017
Croods 2	20th Century Fox	Dec 2017
Star Wars, Episode VIII	Disney	Dec 2017

Black Friday Toys and Games 2015

By Reyne Rice, Global Trend Hunter, Reporter/ Analyst, New York, New York Leave a Comment Nov 1

Originally posted on DailyLounge.com.

Black Friday weekend is quickly approaching and we have some great Holiday gifts for all the kids on your shopping list!

LEGO DUPLO Batman Adventure

This LEGO DUPLO Batman Adventure set is designed for young builders 2 – 5 years old. Kids can play with Batman™, Superman™ and Wonder Woman to save the day and create endless adventures with these iconic super-heroes. This set includes an easy-to-build opening bridge, Batman’s Batboat, Wonder Woman’s motorbike, and a cat. These Duplo bricks are over-sized and created to be fun and safe for small hands. As your little builder grows up, they will be able to use Duplos with other Lego sets as they are 100% compatible. Learn more here.

Activision Skylanders SuperChargers

Activision just launched Skylander SuperChargers introducing “vehicles-to-life” that are playable in the real world and virtually come to life in the video game. Now, kids can play in the air, under the sea or on land with NEW Super-Charged characters and vehicles, including race cars, jets, submarines and more! ALL of the existing 300+ characters can be used in this new game and NOW, they all can drive! Get it here.

VTech Kidizoom Action Cam

Kids can capture digital photos or videos of their active lifestyle with the VTech Kidizoom Action Cam. It is designed to be durable for kids as young as 4 years old, with different mounts to attach to their helmets, bikes, skateboards and scooters, plus a case that is waterproof up to 6 feet and will protect from splashes. An affordable way to introduce kids to photography. Parents or older siblings can help them download and share their images. Get it at VTechKids.com!

R.E.V. by Wowwee

R.E.V. are super-fast Robotic Enhanced Vehicles from WowWee that are app-enabled remote control battle cars. The starter pack includes 2 cars AND 2 ways to play: One player can play versus the Artificial Intelligence controlled drone car OR battle against their friends. Simply download the free app, connect your device to sync with the vehicle, and start playing right out of the box! These cars are super-fast AND do NOT require a special track or surface to race, or battle on. Play anywhere! Learn more here.

ArcKit Architectural Model Building Kit

For the Maker in your life, the ArcKit Architectural model building kit is a great hands-on way to teach practical STEM concepts with architectural design. The award-winning model kit comes with re-usable construction pieces like walls, windows, and floors. You can customize your design with printable adhesives like solar panels, wood textures, and terracotta tile. Easily put the set together using quick-click assembly and then re-construct something completely different. The sets include access to the digital materials library and the Sketch Up 3D Warehouse. Developed by a real architect in Ireland, Damien Murtagh, and available exclusively at Barnes & Noble this Holiday Season! Winner of multiple awards such as, The Parents Choice Gold Award, Irish Design 2015 Award, and the Red Dot Design Award! Learn more at ArcKit.com!

Toy Fair New York 2014

By Reyne Rice, Global Trend Hunter, Reporter/ Analyst, New York, New York Leave a Comment Feb 19

Originally posted on DailyLounge.com.

Written and Produced By: Amelia Floyd

We are coming to you straight from Toy Fair 2014 in New York City! Reyne Rice is giving us a rundown of some of the neatest finds this year!

Juniors

New in 2014, LEGO announced a new line called LEGO Juniors. They are tailor made to transition young builders from DUPLO to classic LEGO brick building. We are showcasing the LEGO Batman: Defend the Batcave! We also have the LEGO Pony Farm. There are other sets which include superheroes, police and princesses! They all come with step-by-step story book style instructions and photo inspirations to get young builders started. Learn more about the new LEGO Juniors here.

The Beatrix Girls

The Beatrix Girls are a whole new line of collectible dolls. They form a REAL pop-star band standing at only 12 inches tall! With fully developed personalities, the four band members live and interact in the human world producing real music, real hits and real fans! Kids can collect their music, join their fan club and vicariously live the fantasy of being a pop-star through play. Learn more about how these dolls empower and inspire young girls through their music here.

Mookey

Today, more than ever, children need a way to explore their feelings and learn about courage, acceptance and forgiveness in the face of bullying. The “Mookey” app is the newest installment in the Mama Mae and Lee Lee ebook activity series created by Grammy Award winning musician and mother, Alicia Keys. The topic is current and the app has the ability to facilitate the conversation among families, kids and teachers. Set in a colorful location, “Mookey” features an engaging digital eBook, activities, original music and a story topic that appeals to both girls and boys. Learn more about Mookey and the Mama Mae series here.

Kurio Phone

From the makers of the best-selling Kurio Android family tablets, comes the first ever Kurio Phone, the safest Smartphone for kids! It is an Android 4.2 fully loaded smartphone that has all of the features kids want, combined with the advanced parental controls and safety features that parents have been waiting for. Some key features include app management, time management, time control features and the Kurio Genius Internet filtering system for selecting age appropriate apps. Kids can alert parents in case of emergency and parents appreciate the geolocation and geofencing features so they know where their kids are. Learn more about the Kurio Phone here.