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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

Spielwarenmesse – Toy Trend 2013: Toys 3.0

By Reyne Rice Leave a Comment Apr 30

Latest product trends at the Spielwarenmesse 2013. One trend is represented by Spielwarenmesse’s Toy Fair Special 2013: Toys 3.0. Smartphones, tablets, apps are joining traditional toys and offer a multi-channel playing experience. In this video I presents five brand new products that are part of this digital toys trend.

Second Screen Viewing and Media Stacking

By Reyne Rice Leave a Comment Mar 18

By Reyne Rice, ToyTrend Analyst and Trend-Spotter, New York, New York

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.

A currently evolving trend in home entertainment and media viewing is the use of internet-enabled devices to allow consumers to stream their content on multiple screens simultaneously, thereby “Media Stacking” their experience.

The 2^nd Screen viewing experience defines the use of a primary larger screen (for example, for multiple family members to share a viewing experience on the family TV screen), while each individual viewer may be monitoring or engaging with a second screen simultaneously (usually with a tablet or smartphone). This behavior of screen-stacking or media-stacking is an evolution of our multi-tasking society.

Here are some stats to ponder:

More than 80 percent of US smartphone and tablet owners use these devices while watching TV.
At least 25 percent of US smartphone and tablet users use the devices while watching TV multiple times per day.
51 percent of those who post on social media while watching TV do so to connect with others who might also be watching the same thing.
24 percent of Facebook users report posting about the movie they’re watching (in the theater!).

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2012 USA Annual Toy Industry Sales Numbers are Flat

By Reyne Rice Leave a Comment Jan 15

Reported by Reyne Rice, Toy Trend Analyst, from New York, USA

The latest retail results on the toy and game industry in the USA were revealed today by The NPD Group as flat for Annual 2012. This came as a relief, due to the weak sales in November 2012, which were followed by an impressive second half in December 2012.

Apparently, December 2012 sales finished strong, with the last two weeks of December capturing an 18% increase in dollar sales and a 10% increase in units, over the comparable sales period in 2011. This represented a 5 Billion dollar strong showing in the month of December 2012, which was the highest December sales period in the last three years.

November 2012 represented a dismal sales month in the USA, compared to annual 2011, with declines based on uncertainty over the US presidential election , the looming “fiscal cliff” and the devastation from Hurricane Sandy. Industry watchers were concerned that the annual sales numbers would be lower. Fortunately, for the industry, and for the economy, consumers did finally pull out their wallets and buy toys and games, in the final two weeks of the year.

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Holiday Toys for Kids 2012

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

Originally posted on DailyLounge.com.

The holidays are around the corner, and have we got a treat for you! Reyne Rice is here with a list of today’s must have gifts for kids!

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. Your kids can easily cuddle and clean their screens. 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.

Talking Dave

Bring home your child’s favorite Despicable Me character, Talking Dave! This cute little guy comes with 55 Minion sayings and sound effects in the original voice. To get him to talk simply press his pocket or move his head! Wanna have a silly Minion moment? Switch to banana mode to feed him and hear him fart! Kids (and let’s face it, us adults as well) will laugh and have a lot of fun with adorable Minion! Learn more here.

Pinkie Cooper

Speaking of cute gifts for your kids, check out these adorable dolls! Pinkie Cooper and the Jet Set Pets is a fun new fashion doll line that combines high-style, world travel, hair play … and pet affinity! Your little fashionista will love to share Pinkie’s fashion adventures with her jet-setting BFF’s as they travel the world and report back about their fashion finds on Pinkie’s blog, Pinkie Post. Each doll has trendy mix and match hairstyles to create endless combinations that complement every possible outfit! Learn more about Pinkie Cooper here.

Crayola Melt & Mold Factory

With Crayola’s Melt N Mold Factory, kids can create customized multicolored swirled crayons, rings and more! The fun begins by adding colorful crayon bits to the melting tray and start the timer. Watch the crayons melt together, once melted simply pour the wax into molds to create custom crayons and other fun shapes that leave colorful marks when used. Get more shapes to create with by getting one of Crayola’s expansion packs, sold separately. A great gift for the artistic kid! Learn more here.

Rainbow Loom

Rainbow Loom is a kit used for making super fun rubber band link bracelets. The colorful rubber bands can make different patterned bracelets, rings and more! Because this is such a new product, new patterns are still being discovered! The creative process is endless! Learn more about Rainbow Loom here.

Back to School 2012

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

Originally posted on DailyLounge.com.

It’s that time of year again, time to get the kids ready for school! Where to start?! What do kids want and need?! No worries, below are some of our favorite Back To School must haves!

TI-Nspire CX Graphing Handheld

With school emphasizing STEM concepts in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math, most teachers recommend the Texas Instruments graphing calculators. Students can use these in math and science courses from Middle School all the way to College! Plus, they’re approved to use during college entrance exams like the SAT or ACT. Explore their website to learn more!

VTech InnoTab 3S Learning Tablet

Kids can have their very own tablet with the VTech InnoTab 3S. There is a world of interactive gameplay and learning, perfect to get kids ready for back to school. Plus, kids can stay connected with friends and family with tablet-to-mobile or tablet-to-tablet communication. One of the features we love is the kid-safe web browser and parent-approved websites. Learn more here!

MyCricket .com

Kids today are all about smart phones, but the prices can be over the top! Check out MyCricket, they offer a variety of phones kids want at the prices parents love! They have the Samsung Galaxy line including Discover, Admire 2 and the Galaxy S4! There is no contract for unlimited plans, AND they have flexible payment plans. Might be time to send your kids off to school in style, without breaking the bank!

K’NEX – Intro to Simple Machines

How’s this for hands-on learning!? K’NEX has this neat new set from their Education Line called Intro to Simple Machines, and it’s exactly what it sounds like. With nearly 200 pieces, kids (and adults) can discover how different gear sizes affect speed and output. Build a replica of real world machines, I mean, watch your kids build a replica of real world machines! It’s designed to give students the skills and knowledge needed to solve problems, think critically, work together and adapt to change in today’s tech world.