We want you to see the toys we see, so you can determine if they're right for your store! Check this space every weekday to see brief video clips of new and specialty products.
In the spotlight today? Intrigue your customers by carrying truly unique products, like this Okapi from SAFARI LTD
Unknown to the western world until the 20th century, the reclusive okapi’s only living relative is the giraffe. Like the giraffe, they have very long blue tongues that allow them to clean their eyelids and ears. Safari Ltd.’s stunning new 2011 Okapi measures 7” L x 5.75” H and every white stripe is hand-painted. Phthalate and lead free, this figure meets or exceeds all safety standards. Includes educational information in 5 languages. Appropriate for ages 3+.
MSRP: $19.99 Age Range: 2 to 5 Target Age Range: 3 to 5 Specialty: Yes (as of 2011) Made in: China SKU or Item #: 9781601691392 Launch Date: July 2011 Gender: Boys And Girls
Ten sturdy earth-friendly boxes to stack, build and nest with early-learning concepts on each side. Learning letters, numbers, shapes, colors and baby animals has never been so fun and easy. It's a "Classic development toy made entirely from earth-friendly recycled materials," Rich Hill, director of marketing at innovativekids, told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 2011.
This game is easy enough for first time game players and the game can be made infinitely more challenging simply by adding more owl tokens into the game. This allows the game to age with the child or for older kids (or even adults) to play with younger kids. Like in Candyland, kids practice color recognition and moving tokens. Unlike Candyland, Hoot Owl Hoot is a cooperative game, meaning all players are playing for the same outcome together. A cooperative game eliminates stress, builds self-esteem, and teaches kids that playing together can be fun. Kids learn to work together, they share in the game play, and they practice cooperation. The object of the game is move all the owls from start to the nest before the sun rises. Players take turns, but work together. Launch date: May 2011. Awards: A Dr. Toy Best Green Product for 2011; 2011 Parents’ Choice Silver Honor Award; 2011 Parents’ Choice Major Fun Award; 2011 Disney FamilyFun magazine Toy of the Year (T.O.Y) Award. — As of 05/23/2011 this product had 4.8 out of 5 stars from 10 reviews on Amazon.com. Pros: Teaches kids to work together; difficulty can be increased as players get better; eco-friendly.
Hit the Trail comes packaged in a mini backpack which includes 72 cards, 3 dice, and pencil. Each player is dealt 7 cards. The player then picks a card and lays it face up. (This is where the strategy comes in) Do you pick a lower point card or a higher point card? The Youngest player then rolls the three dice, trying to match one of the die or combination of dice to their card amount which is face up. Each time the die/dice combination match the player's card that is face up, the player gets to move the card into their “mile pile” trying to be the first to hike 100 miles. Players must beware of getting caught with a “cooler card” – like the mother bear & cubs in the trail. If you get caught with one of the three cooler cards you loose 10 miles. Other twists in the game include bonus rolls if the player’s dice totals the card amount that is face up. Don’t forget to look out for the trips /doubles rule which is when any of the dice come up with doubles or triples. You take a card from the person to your right. Launch date: May 2011. Watch Toy Fair 2011 Video
