COMMENTARY: Anticipated Summer Blockbusters Inspire “Super” Toys

April 24, 2013 By

This summer, the big screen will light up with superheroes, including the releases of Iron Man 3 and Man of Steel. And with summer superhero movies comes superhero toys, which range from role play to action figures to slingshots. Toys inspired by movies give kids the chance to be – and play with – superheroes. Here are some of my favorites from these two upcoming films:

Iron Man 3 (May 3)

Marvel Iron Man 3 Motorized ARC FX Gauntlet

0065356981893_300X300Kids can pretend to armor up like Iron Man with the wrist-mount disc-blasting gauntlet from Hasbro by firing foam discs more than 20 feet with the gauntlet’s motorized rapid-fire blasting action. Each Iron Man 3 Arc Fx Gauntlet comes with 10 Nerf foam discs.

 

Marvel Iron Man 3 Assemblers Action Figures

The Assemblers Action Figures allow fans to recreate the excitement of the film with this iron-man-toys-iron-man-3-avengers-initiative-assemblers-iron-patriot-figure-1buildable line from Hasbro. Each figure features an interchangeable Armor System, allowing one figure to create more than 25 armor combinations. The armor can be switched out between the 16 available figures in the line to create hundreds of more combinations.

Man of Steel (June 14)

Man of Steel Quick Shots Basic Figures Assortment

340x450Quick Shots figures from Mattel bring Superman’s flying abilities and heroism to life. The stretchy soft figures are designed to safely soar through the air, gently knocking down obstacles set-up in their path. And they’re simple to use! The Quick Shot figure attaches to the launcher figure and is pulled back and released like a slingshot. These will be available in May.

Man of Steel Movie Masters Action Figure

Movie Masters figures from Mattel are designed with authentic detail to bring Mattel - Man of Steel Superman Movie Masterfans’ favorite characters to life. This assortment of high-quality figures features heroes and villains from the movie Man of Steel. Fans can pose the figures in countless ways due to its high level of articulation. This action figures will be available in June.

Your adventure doesn’t have to stop once you leave the movie theater this summer. Continue fighting crime with your favorite heroes with great toys and collectibles.

For more commentary from Ali, check back often. Views expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Toy Book as a whole. We hope that you will share your comments and feedback below. Until next time!

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Hasbro Invites Fans to Help Create New Bot

April 19, 2013 By

final_AUTOBOT[1]For the first time, the Hasbro, Inc. Transformers brand is inviting fans of all ages worldwide to help create a new Transformers character that will be forever added to the Transformers world. In anticipation of the brand’s 30th anniversary next year, the “Fan Built Bot” Poll kicks off today, and will run through May 5 on Transformers.com/vote. Hasbro invites fans to vote daily to shape this new Transformers character. The new character will be made into an action figure featured in the “Thrilling 30” line of toys to celebrate the anniversary.

Votes will determine everything from being an Autobot or Decepticon to its vehicle or other mode, color, and personality.  Also, to keep with the theme of the fans being the ones who really shape and create this new Transformers character, Hasbro will also give fans a say in the naming of the new character. More details on the naming will be announced soon.

The results of the poll will be announced by Hasbro at this year’s Comic-Con International in San Diego, as part of the official kick-off to Hasbro’s Transformers “Thrilling 30” anniversary celebration. Kids and fans will be able to purchase the “Fan Built Bot” character as a toy and will see the new character appear in official Transformers comic books.

For further information visit the official polling page at Transformers.com/vote as well as the Transformers Facebook page at Facebook.com/Transformers.

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Kettler USA Introduces New Kids’ Ride-On Toys

April 10, 2013 By

Kettler USA has introduced 20 new licensed ride-on toys and pedal tractors for kids. Tractors, loaders, excavators, diggers, and backhoes with insignias from Case IH, Massey Ferguson , New Holland, Valtra, and Fendt join the existing line-up of CAT farm and excavating play equipment.

The ride-on toys are designed for kids ages 1 to 10, depending on the model. These foot-to-floor and pedal-powered vehicles have large tires, functional steering wheels, and moving parts that operate with levers. Some come with accessories. The construction, agricultural, and farming toys are available in bright colors to match the real-life equipment.

They are now available in limited quantities on the Kettler USA website and through select retailers of Kettler USA products. They will be fully stocked in late May.

Filed Under: 0-2, 3-5, 5-8, 6-8, 8 and up, 9 and up, New Products Tagged With: , , , , ,

COMMENTARY: Everyone Has One, But I Want Mine to be Unique

March 18, 2013 By

Last Friday marked my niece Courtney’s eighth birthday, and what was she hoping for most? An iPod. Now, in my opinion, an 8-year-old doesn’t have much business with an iPod, but kids today are getting into electronics at a much younger age. Though part of Courtney’s argument for “needing” an iPod was, “everyone has one except for me,” the first thing she did when she got it was personalize it. Before even putting a song on it, she slapped a peace-sign sticker right on the back of it—10 minutes out of the box (hence why 8-year-olds probably shouldn’t have iPods). But, this was her way of making it her own.

For parents buying their children expensive devices such as smartphones, iPods, or even portable gaming devices like the Nintendo 3DS or the PS Vita, there are some awesome products on the market that will allow kids to dazzle and personalize their devices without placing a never-gonna-come-off, gooey-backed sticker on said device.

Plugy

Plugy, from Hashy, is a universal 3.5mm plug that fits snuggly into all standard headphone jacks. Plugys come in more than 40 different styles, including zoo animals, robots, and glow-in-the-dark options. Plugy has something for everyone, including a rainbow, Eiffel Tower, and an apple stem, and allows kids to  take their smart device to a more personal level in a not-so-permanent way. Plugys are made of rubber and will not break when inserted into the headphone jack. They even protect the device from rain, dust, and sand when earphones are not plugged in. Plugys are available on amazon.com and from Hanging Mobile Gallery. For more information on Plugys, email plugyUSA@gmail.com. [Read more...]

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Moose Toys Introduces Glitzi Globes

March 7, 2013 By

 

Paul Solomon, Co-CEO, Moose Toys

Paul Solomon, Co-CEO, Moose Toys

Moose Toys, Australian toy company and creators of arts & crafts lines Gelarti and Blingles, introduces Glitzi Globes, a new DIY line that comes with all of the materials girls need to create their own miniature, collectible snow globes. Glitzi Globes will be available at select toy retailers nationwide starting this fall.

Glitzi Globes took home top honors at the Australian Toy Association’s (ATA) Toy Hobby & Nursery Fair earlier this week. Moose won Toy of the Year, as well as Craft & Activity Toy of the Year for Glitzi Globes. [Read more...]

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Oots to Release New Products in Time for New York International Gift Fair

January 22, 2013 By

Oots will introduce a new range of products at the upcoming New York International Gift Fair (NYIGF), to be held from January 26 to 30 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City.

First introduced last year, Woodmobiel now comes in four new models: a vanity table, a dollhouse, a helicopter, and a moped. Woodmobiel is a do-it-yourself kit of wooden parts and real tools that get kids active, stimulates creativity, and will help them understand construction.

[Read more...]

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Need Help Shopping for a Child with Special Needs? Check This Infographic

January 14, 2013 By

Toy Guide infographic brought to you by Child Birth Injuries.

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Lego Travel Adventure Lands at the National Museum of Play in January

December 21, 2012 By

Where will you travel? How will you get there? The Lego Travel Adventure exhibit lands at the National Museum of Play at The Strong on January 19. The newest Lego exhibit is filled with colorful backdrops, kid-friendly building activities, and eye-popping Lego brick sculptures built by Lego Master Builders.

In Lego Travel Adventure, museum guests are invited to fly, drive, or float anywhere their imaginations take them by creating extraordinary vehicles out of Lego bricks. Hands-on activities will include: [Read more...]

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Kids Wish Network Supports U.S. Military with Toys, Necessities for Operation Toy Drop

December 20, 2012 By

Florida-based children’s charity Kids Wish Network has provided more than $280,000 in toys and necessities in support of the U.S. Army’s Randy Oler Memorial Operation Toy Drop for children in need in Fort Bragg, N.C., and in agencies across the U.S. Kids Wish Network is an international charitable organization dedicated to infusing hope, creating happy memories, and improving the quality of life for children having experienced life-altering situations. [Read more...]

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LeapFrog, Festival Five Records Partner to Offer Dan Zanes and Friends Music to Users

December 12, 2012 By

LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc., and Festival Five Records have partnered to bring the Grammy-winners Dan Zanes and Friends music to LeapFrog’s learning platforms. Beginning mid-December, exclusive playlists will be available for purchase in the “Music” section of the LeapFrog App Center for LeapPad1, LeapPad2, Leapster Explorer, and LeapsterGS. [Read more...]

Filed Under: 0-2, 3-5, 5-8, 6-8, 8 and up, 9 and up, Awards, New Products, People Tagged With: , , ,
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