Skylanders

Toy Trend Expert, Reyne Rice, has this year’s best toys just in time for Black Friday!

LEGO Juniors was developed to provide builders ages 4 and older an easy-to-assemble brick-building experience to transition from bigger Duplo blocks to smaller LEGO bricks. NEW this year, LEGO Juniors NINJAGO Themed Sets The Lost Temple and Snake Showdown are perfect for the child who watches the TV show along with their older siblings and wants to get in on the fun! Now, they can build on their own — without help– and play along with the characters and stories they love. These sets feature familiar Ninjago characters with land and air vehicles and lots of interactive features, including a helicopter with spinning rotors, a super Ninja car with rolling wheels, and a swinging axe and a spinning saw blade. Click here to learn more!

Ozobot Evo STEM Robots

The Ozobot Evo smart STEM robot reads colors! Enjoy unplugged play with nothing more than markers and paper. Use Evo’s color language to control its lights, sounds and speed. You can also control Evo from your smartphone AND compete and play games with friends! You can even send and receive OZOJIS – emoticons that your Evo acts out. Evo Action Skins bring your favorite Marvel characters to life … transform your Evo into Iron Man or Captain America. Then, connect with the app to complete Stark Academy missions. Click here to learn more!

Skylanders Imaginators

Activision has taken Skylanders to a whole new realm with Imaginators, where kids can unleash their imagination, and create their own Skylanders characters. With the power of Imaginite Crystals and the guidance of the powerful Sensei Skylander Masters, kids can select their battle class, choose their gear, and pick their personalities to customize their creations. All of their previous Skylanders characters work in the Imaginators video game, and there are new side quest missions and mini-games to conquer. Click here to learn more!

Uncle Milton’s Virtual Explorer

Explore space, dinosaurs, and ants with Uncle Milton’s Virtual Explorer, a 4-in-1 interactive discovery system. With STEM-based learning at its core, the activity guides help to explore the stars with the Star Planetarium, create your own enclosed ant farm, and excavate a dinosaur skeleton. Use the virtual reality goggles with the 2-sided cards to see a 360 degree virtual reality view on one side and on the flip side, see 3D models come to life through an augmented reality experience. Simply download the FREE Explorer app onto your own smart phone, and use the included VR Goggles, to go on your journeys. Click here to learn more!

Last Minute Gifts for Kids 2015

By Reyne Rice, Global Trend Hunter, Reporter/ Analyst, New York, New York Leave a Comment Dec 14

Originally posted on DailyLounge.com.

Christmas is next week, are you ready? Yeah, we’re not either. Good thing we have Toy Trend Expert, Reyne Rice, to give us a heads up on some of the hottest Last Minute Gifts for kids this holiday season!

GameStop

GameStop is THE PLACE to help holiday shoppers find the gaming and tech items on their lists. With the LEGO Dimensions starter pack, you’ve got the classic LEGO building bricks, mini-figures, and the added magic of video gaming in the newest toys to life creation. It features Batman fighting side by side with Gandalf and Wyldstyle! GameStop has ALL the games that feature interactive figures like Skylanders, Disney Infinity, and Nintendo’s amiibo. Now you and your kids can play together with the characters you remember from YOUR childhood, too! They have deals on games for the whole family on ANY gaming system. Visit GameStop.com to learn more!

Bunchems by Spin Master

The award-winning Bunchems by Spin Master are the latest creation for kids. Bunchems are soft plastic spheres that squish, connect and stick together for hours of fun. Kids can pull them apart and start fresh. With over 400 pieces in the MegaPack, kids can start playing right out of the box. Accessories like eyes, wings, hats, and feet personalize kids’ creations. For children who may want some idea-starters, there are easy-to-follow instructions for creating owls, bears, cars, monkeys and more! The smaller Creation Packs have 60 pieces to create things like bugs and pets which are great stocking stuffers. Click here to learn more.

Laser Pegs

The original light-up brick construction toy is Laser Pegs which combine lights and building, two things every kids loves! Children will have fun constructing illuminated helicopters, jets, cars and more. Laser Pegs come with a patented “Slide, Stack and Spin” feature. These translucent colored blocks foster STEM concepts using technology, engineering, and math skills. They also encourage hand-eye coordination, creativity, and language learning. They offer a great value becauase you can build multiple models and they are compatible with other “leading” brick sets. Visit LaserPegs.com to learn more!

Mastermind Game

A fast, simple strategy game to continue your kids’ STEM education in a fun way is Matermind from Pressman Toy. It is one of the best-selling games of all time for kids ages 8 and up. The Codemaker sets a secret code, then the Codebreaker tries to match the code using logic, deduction, and a little bit of luck. It’s an easy-to-learn quick moving game with more than 2,000 possible code combinations. It makes the game different every time it’s played! Parents will love that all of the game’s pieces can be stored in the game board. No mess! Click here to learn more.

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!

Easter Toys and Games 2015

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

Originally posted on DailyLounge.com.

Easter is right around the corner and many families are looking for alternatives to candy to fill those baskets! We’ve picked some of the best last minute gifts to finish off the perfect Easter basket, including toys and video games!

LEGO Bionicle

The re-launch of the classic favorite, LEGO Bionicle, is a different kind of LEGO experience called the “Constr-action” or constructible action figures. Kids get all the pieces they need to build heroes and villains. Each set includes 2 masks, cool translucent accessories, and a creature sidekick. Six of the original Bionicle characters from 2001 are available, with 18 new sets to collect, trade and combine by year’s end. A completely new series of animated Webisodes explore the storyline with lots of upgrades that inspire kids to use their imagination. Learn more at www.shop.lego.com.

Elektrokidz

Dance to the beat with the new Music Series of Elektrokidz by Wow Wee. There are six collectible figures with fantastic new looks and they are sound-activated. They are THE only figures whose hair “dance” to the beat of the music you are listening to. Each character has its own special hair dance, activated by music and together the Elektrokidz are United by the Beat. They come with their own pair of stylized shades and 2 sets of batteries so the fun will definitely last! Available exclusively at Target and at www.elektrokidz.com.

G ameStop

Most families love playing video games and GameStop is THE PLACE to help you find your favorite gaming and tech items, at affordable prices. GameStop offers great deals on new and pre-owned video games, consoles, accessories and consumer electronics. Some of Spring’s most popular new releases for the whole family include Mario Party 10, MLB 15, and games with interactive figures like Activision Skylanders, Disney Infinity, and Nintendo amiibo. With their buy-back program and PowerUp Rewards credit card, gift-givers get a boost to purchase gifts for their family’s Easter baskets and Spring wish lists! Learn more at GameStop.com.

Black Friday for Kids 2013

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

Originally posted on DailyLounge.com.

Written and Produced By: Amelia Floyd

Reyne Rice is showcasing the absolute must-haves this holiday season. From tablets to dinos, you’re sure to find the perfect gift for any kid. Check out our list below, get your lists ready and gear up for Black Friday!!

Kurio 7S

Here’s a tablet for everyone! The Kurio 7S is a real Android 4.2 Wi-Fi enabled family tablet with all the features kids want! (And the parental controls mom & dad love.) Create up to eight profiles and manage internet access, set daily time limits and select age-appropriate games. It even comes pre-loaded with over 60 family-friendly apps, like Angry Birds! Learn more about the Kurio 7S here.

LEGO Winter Village Market

Just in time for the holidays, LEGO is releasing their Winter Village Market! Continuing with their popular collectible Winter Village series, the Winter Village Market comes with a rotating carousel and over 1200 pieces. It also includes nine mini figures to really make this Winter Village Market come to life. Check it out here.

Skylanders – SWAP Force

The award-winning, top-selling Skylanders franchise have just released the much anticipated new title, SWAP Force. With 16 new swapable figures, players can mix & match the top and bottom halves of their figures to create more than 250 unique characters. What’s even better is that all 100+ characters from the previous two Skylanders games can now be played in the new version. PLUS, they are cross-platform compatible which allows you to play them on almost all of the gaming systems, including the PS4 and Xbox One. Learn more about SWAP Force here.

Xbox One

This needs no introduction. The HIGHLY anticipated Xbox One has been released and is better than ever! It’s an all-in-one game and entertainment system that brings your TV, movies, games, music and apps together. It has some of the best games including, Forza Motorsport 5, the family-friendly Zoo Tycoon, Ryse: Son of Rome, and more. Plug your cable box right into it and use your voice as your remote to find your favorite shows. The Skype app allows you to use the included Kinect camera to video chat with your friends & family … right there on your big screen. There is so much more to say about the Xbox One, why don’t you check it out for yourself, here.

VTech Switch & Go Dinos

Kids love dinosaurs and vehicles. Wouldn’t it be neat if there was a toy that combined the two? Yeah, we think so too. Well, we’re in luck … VTech has released the super popular Switch & Go Dinos! Allow us to introduce you to one of the Dinos now. Jagger, the T-Rex, has new voice recognition technology that recognizes and responds to 20 different voice commands. He easily transforms from a fierce T-Rex into a cool construction vehicle with movable crane. Awesome. Want more fun? This guy comes with over 90 realistic dinosaur sounds and phrases that teach some interesting dinosaur facts. Learn more here.

Pop Culture Appeals to an Avid and Targeted Fan Base. Are you On-Trend?

By Reyne Rice Leave a Comment Jul 14

By Reyne Rice, Trend Analyst and Trend-Spotter/ Consultant, New York, New York. July 2013

First posted on the YourToyCom.com blog forum and community website serving the toys, games and childrens’ technology industries, on behalf of the Spielwarenmesse. Spielwarenmesse is the leading and largest International ToyFair in the world, held annually in Nuremberg, Germany in early February.

Pop Culture, as a trend factor, influences many categories of goods, including toys and games. Some areas where Pop Culture plays a significant influencing role are Blockbuster in-theater movies, character licenses from TV entertainment or publishing, music & musicians, celebrities, fashion brands & icons, sports franchises, comic books, etc. Let’s review some of the latest new licenses and entertainment properties for second-half 2013 and as we approach 2014. Are you on-board?

In Theater Movie Entertainment is on the Upswing

Just-released statistics reveal that the blockbuster movie summer slate in 2013 boosted theater ticket sales through the beginning of July 2013, and is projected to increase the summer box-office dollars to over 18 percent this year, in North America (Source: Box Office MoJo). 2012 Summer movies captured 4.3 Billion US dollars. The 2013 summer box-office take is expected to surpass the best-ever US summer box-office record of .4 Billion US dollars, achieved in Summer 2011. This prediction was made even BEFORE Despicable Me 2 and Smurfs 2 hits the big screens! Internationally, many of the same movies are also creating Box office increases for global markets, so we may be in for a worldwide record breaking summer season at the movie theaters.

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