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NYC Toy Fair 2018 Sneak Peak

By Reyne Rice, Global Trend Hunter, Reporter/ Analyst, New York, New York Leave a Comment Feb 16

(Originally posted on DailyLounge.com, by Amelia Floyd.)

*Sponsored Content

Reyne Rice is back at the Toy Fair in NYC with this year’s hottest trends!

Lego adds fun to playing and taps into our imaginations! The LEGO brick is turning 60 this year and to celebrate, they have created five LEGO 60th Anniversary “What Will You Build?” sets, designed to inspire creativity and open-ended building. The boxes are colorful and filled with classic bricks, special elements and mini-figures. LEGO is a timeless, nostalgic toy that brings parents back to their childhood and connects them with their own kids. By focusing on Bigger Thinking, kids will build self-confidence with fun. No rules, just play, explore and discover. AND, in April, the Mini-figures celebrate their 40th anniversary~ Click here to learn more.

Fin Fun Mermaid

Kids can explore their dreams, while learning swimming skills with Fin Fun’s Mermaid Tails that let kids swim like real mermaids. The quality of these tails are spectacular, and Fin Fun offers a 60-day Tail Tip Guarantee. The patented monofins are inserted into the tail and the quick-release design, lets you remove the tail with just a tug and a kick of the feet. Mermaid tails are recommended for competent swimmers 6 years and older, and ONLY with adult supervision. Adults can wear them too! Coral Cloud is a NEW Limited Edition color and Mariana’s Tidal Wave is a consistent best seller. Click here to learn more.

Build or Boom

Are you looking for a fun game that challenges your kids? Build OR Boom by Goliath Games encourages kids, ages 4 and up, to hone their STEM skills. Each child sees who can be the first to bring the blueprint cards to life. Kids work on their own platform, quickly but carefully, to match the blueprint. Be the first one to finish, then SMASH the boomer and demolish the other players’ building to win the round. Driven by kids’ imagination and parents will love that no batteries are required. Click here to learn more.

SmartGurlz

Smartgurlz is a line of Award winning, self-balancing robots and action dolls that teaches girls to code. As Seen on Shark Tank, just connect your smartphone or tablet to the E-Learning app and give your daughter STEM confidence and provide loads of fun. Watch your robot roll across the room, perform dance moves or play learning games. The app includes missions, books and a step-by-step tutorial on how to code! Click here to learn more.

Greetings from New York in 2017!

By Reyne Rice, Global Trend Hunter, Reporter/ Analyst, New York, New York Leave a Comment Jan 30

Greetings Toy, Games & Toy Tech fans! Thanks for visiting my newly updated website!

So what’s new with me? I’m excited to bring you the latest news on what’s happening at Key ToyFairs and events in North America, and across the global world of Toys & Games, Kids & Family technology, Entertainment & Licensing. I am constantly on the lookout for new trends and products that affect kids and families with the “Trickle Down Effect” (What is happening now in adult products, will trickle down to kids products within the next 12 to 18 months, or before!) Kids toys have never been more fun, interactive or engaging.

I spent the New Year at the International CES in Las Vegas in January 2017, & previewed the latest technology products for kids and families. Live from the Kids at Play Summit, I reported live news and clips of hot new tech trends, worked with the other KAPI Jurors to judge and award the Best of the Best in KAPi (Kids at Play Innovations) Awards, and got to see, and play with the latest drones, robots, electronic pets, STEM to STEAM to STREAM products, and just be a big kid in the world of technology. Yup, I do LOVE my career!

Then, I flew over to Germany to play in the biggest playground in the world at the Spielwarenmesse 2017 ToyFair in Nuremberg, Germany, where 18 halls of toys, games, kids tech, baby and infant products, costumes and more were waiting to be discovered. (See my blog posts from that Fair, here on my blog page, as well as connections to articles where I was recently quoted). As their lead Global Trend Hunter and a part of the Trend Committee, I was busy reporting on the news, meeting with other journalists from around the world, providing daily Trend Gallery 2017 Speeches, providing journalist overviews at the new Tech2Play Pavillion and presenting then latest innovations in Future Emerging Tech, in the Toy Business Forum.

In mid-February, I returned to New York City for the American International ToyFair and the Digital Kids Conference for more trend sleuthing, digital toy trend presentations , media coverage and playing with games, toys and kids technology! Saw more amazing products, and met so many new manufacturers, in the Innovation Zones, Creative Factor areas and in the show floor exhibits.

Then back to Europe, in late February, to provide a Keynote speech at the Eastern European Kids Time Toy and Baby Fair in Kielce, Poland. This trade show focuses on sales to and between many European, Eastern European, Russian and other countries (17 counties in all, attended this year), My coverage will be appearing in April 2017 issues of the ToyBook and other international publications.

In early April, I travel to Bologna Italy, where I will be one of the KeyNote Speakers for the Bologna Licensing Trade Fair, which is running concurrently with the Digital Media Hall and the Bologna International Book Fair. There, I will be featuring a presentation on the latest Digital Trends in Toys and their impact on the kids toys & licensing business. I will share the stage with Kidz Global Research Kids & Digital study results and the power of Spin Master in new technology product arenas. More news to follow.

Living with Passion,

Reyne

Summer Fun 2015

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

Originally posted on DailyLounge.com.

With the school year wrapping up, many parents are making plans for a summer getaway with the kids. Reyne Rice is here with the Summer Fun must-haves this season!

LG G4 Smartphone

Many parents use their cell phones to capture family memories but those photos weren’t always the sharpest shots. Now, LG has a new smartphone with a 16 megapixel digital camera that takes professional photos, even in poor lighting and is easy to use! The LG G4 is on par with a DSLR camera and its laser auto-focus captures photos in milli-seconds, so you don’t miss that perfect shot. You can admire your pics on a brilliant 5.5 inch Quad HD IPS Quantum Display. It will be available in genuine full-grain leather (in six colors!) through Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, US Cellular and Best Buy.

ETY Kids Safe-Listening Earphones

Ever hear sounds blaring from your child’s headphones in the backseat? The ETY Kids safe-listening earphones from Etymotic block background noise so your child can hear every sound in near hi-definition detail WITHOUT turning up the volume! Even at the maximum volume setting on portable players, kids can listen safely for up to four hours per day. Learn more here.

ZoomKIT

No longer do you need to scramble to find crayons, coloring books, snacks or other items as you rush out the door. Invented by a mom, ZoomKIT is a portable activity table-top that you can grab and go. It works great with your car seats and strollers or as a stand-alone activity center. It is designed to hold modular, swappable activity kits. This portable system allows parents to keep moving and keeps kids engaged during travel and wait times such as doctor’s offices, road trips, airplanes and more! Learn more here.

LEGO Indominus Rex Breakout

Summer blockbuster movies inspire toys that allow kids to re-create all the thrilling action from the film. In LEGO Indominus Rex Breakout, the huge Indominus Rex from the movie Jurassic World is on the loose in the impound! You can set off in hot pursuit in the helicopter making sure to evade the dinosaur’s snapping jaws and swiping claws! You must get that dangerous dino safely back in the pen. It includes 4 minifigures with accessories: Zach, an ACU trooper, Dr. Wu and a vet. Visit LEGO.com for more information.

Hot Wheels Avengers Tower Takeover Track Set

This awesome track set is inspired by the new Avengers: Age of Ultron movie. You use the multi-speed launcher to send your Iron Man car whipping around the track at lightning-fast speeds. Get your speed and timing right and save the day by defeating Ultron and making him explode! Visit HotWheels.com to learn more!

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.

Last Minute Gifts for Kids 2013

By Reyne Rice, Global Trend Hunter, Reporter/ Analyst, New York, New York Leave a Comment Dec 15

Originally posted on DailyLounge.com.

Written and Produced By: Amelia Floyd

With the biggest shopping weekend ahead, there’s still plenty of time to get the kids something awesome! Reyne Rice is bringing you the best last minutes gifts for kids!

LEGO DUPLO

The new LEGO DUPLO “My First Train Set” is designed for preschoolers which features a steam train model! With a simple push of a button, the motorized train travels around the tracks making some really awesome realistic train sound effects. DUPLO building toys are specially designed for small hands and are 100% compatible with all LEGO sets. Learn more about LEGO DUPLO’s “My First Train Set” here.

Sphero 2.0

Ever heard of a smartphone controlled robotic ball? Well, now you have … and it’s awesome! The people at Sphero have launched their new Sphero 2.0 just in time for the holidays. Kids and adults alike will love this little futuristic toy, cats & dogs will love it too! It’s a little unique gaming device that you control using your smartphone or tablet. iOs and Android compatible. Learn more here.

Kyocera Hydro Elite

You can’t talk holiday shopping without talking about phones. Meet the Kyocera Hydro Elite. Sounds fancy, and it is! The Hydro Elite is the sleek new 4G LTE Smartphone from Kyocera. It’s durable, waterproof and comes protected out of the box. No need to spend big bucks on a case! Drop it in the pool, you’re good. Drop it in the toilet (because who hasn’t done that before), you’re still good! (Just make sure it gets a good cleaning.) This phone is certified to be dispensed in water a meter deep for half an hour! The perfect gift for your teen, tween or clumsy family member. Free with Verizon. Learn more here.

Digipals

Available in four adorable animal characters, Digipals are mobile device companions for kids that feature a microfiber compartment fitted for most Smartphones, MP3 players and small point-and-shoot cameras. The unique microfiber allows kids to clean their screens without the use of any chemicals, and the material does not leave behind dust, lint or scratches.They come with a zippered compartment to carry ID’s, money, earbuds or lip balm making them the ideal accessory for protecting children’s devices. Learn more about these cute companions here.

Summer Travel 2013

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

Originally posted on DailyLounge.com.

Summer and Travel time is dedicated to family fun so here are some of the hottest toys and devices to keep families engaged and happy throughout the summer.

Sifteo Cubes

Portable digital gaming cubes with games and activities for the whole family, and they’re wireless! Play solo or with multiple players, these games will keep young minds fresh until the next school year with Intelligent Play.

VTech InnoTab 2S

A Wi-Fi Learning App Tablet for kids! Keep kids occupied throughout the summer with their very own tablet computer designed to keep them on a fast track for learning.

Kajeet

The smart phone for kids! Families can have access to each other with peace of mind knowing Kajeet offers free, unlimited, award-winning parental controls that allow parents to set time limits on phones, block unwanted calls and more!

Disney Club Penguin