Toy Fair 2009 Wrap-Up

Annual Show Brought Smiles With New Toys and a Positive Spirit

By Julie L. Jones
March 2009

With more than 1,100 exhibitors and in excess of 100,000 products to see in the four days of Toy Fair that overtook New York City, TIA's annual toy show issued a high calling for the 10,000+ retail buyers who walked the aisles of the Javits Convention Center. Despite falling sales in late '08 and confusing new safety standards under the CPSIA, the toy industry put its best foot forward in showing an array of new product — though not as overly innovative as in years past — and, for the most part, a hopeful contigency of buyers and sellers. (See day-by-day coverage of the show.)

WATCH THE SHOW FROM HOME

If you're lamenting that you missed that hot new toy you've been hearing about, or just want to review in detail some of the product launches from the show, let manufacturers give you the scoop on their own lines by watching our toy video demos from Toy Fair. As we upload more videos throughout the month of March, you'll see demonstrations of construction toys, plush, puppets, dolls, games and items for outdoor fun. You can also take a look at the more than 1,500 videos in our collection, as well as the post-show specials offered by manufacturers.

DON'T-MISS PRODUCTS OF THE DAY

If you're wondering what cool products TDmonthly Magazine's editorial crew scoped out on the Toy Fair floor, we've got the lists for you!

See Products of the Day: Day 1 for a look at an eco-friendly baby line in soft pastels that easily captured the attention of specialty buyers, games that require a little "sense," and a squishy-squooshy pig that goes splat!

Also, check out a fashionable twist on the classic friendship necklace, tear-jerking materials that help kids share their feelings, faux sand that seems to have a personality of its own, and a classy dress-up cape for boys who just can't decide whether they'd like to be the frog ... or the prince — all in Products of the Day: Day 2.

Discover the flying fairy that caused much more than a stir at the show, check out a new fruit from Bananagrams, and contend with a loveable and aesthetic new line of plush super heroes in Products of the Day: Day 3.

Finally, take a look at Products of the Day: Day 4 for a couple of sensational solar kits, a line of snazzy vehicles gearing up to speed down the digital highway, an assortment of tween art ready for "bling," and a collection of perhaps the tiniest hand-painted babies you've ever seen.