This year TDmonthly Magazine is reporting to you live from the 2014 ASTRA Marketplace floor, along with the help of our trusty retailer and talented kid reporters! This article will be updated throughout the day with new feedback on the coolest toys at ASTRA.
Our Kid Reporters are visiting ASTRA booths to try out some of the latest and greatest specialty toys available. Their unique kids' perspective will come in handy when deciding which toys to order for your customers. Stay tuned for videos and feedback from Kinzer, Bali, Alicia and Max!
TDmonthly also had our Retailer Reporters at the show, so you you can learn about new toys at ASTRA from the perspective of seasoned specialty toy store owners. You can check out their favorite products and notes on the show below.
From the Endless Games booth, Fairhaven Toy Garden reported that "Oddly Obvious is one of my favorite new party games this year. It's fun and funny and great for a large group. We carry both oddly obvious and crazy legs."
"Artterro's new packaging this year is really great," Fairhaven Toy Garden told TDmonthly.
Of particular note were the Needle Felting Kit and Deluxe Bubble Wand Kit. They have "high quality materials that make great finished products," they said.
LEADING EDGE NOVELTY
Fairhaven Toy Garden found a cool new product at Leading Edge Novelty - water speakers. "Water speakers are cool, both the light up version and motion sensor, with nice sound," they reported.
EDUCATIONAL INSIGHTS
"Educational insights has a lot of new games," Fairhaven Toy Garden said. "Pancake Pile Up is my favorite. It's a stacking game with a fun theme!"
The Doll House and Toy Store loved the plush toys at the DOUGLAS CUDDLE TOYS booth, especially Dawn Fawn and Tundra Wooly Mammoth. The toys were "Soft & cuddly," and there were "very expressive eyes on the fawn," they told TDmonthly.
Kidstop Toys loved the new puppets at Folkmanis. "Just when you think puppets couldn't get any cuter - wow! Just love the new ostrich and the pig," they told us.
In fact, they loved the Ostrich so much they ordered six on the spot!
Kidstop Toys told TDmonthly that the Jumping sacks and Teepee at Pacific Play Tents "are great. Love the quality of the jump sacks!"
RAINBOW PRODUCTS LLC / MAGFORMERS
"Children love magnetic toys. Free play, here I come," The Doll House and Toy Store proclaimed.
A GIRL FOR ALL TIME
One product from A Girl for All Time caught The Doll House and Toy Store's eye. "New in September, this doll from the Georgian era (1760s) moves from England to Boston."
OUT OF THE BOX GAMES
The Doll House and Toy Store saw two products that sparked their interest at Out of the Box Games.
Quack-a-doodle-Moo! is like "War with animals & memory. I'm in trouble!"
And, "New this year, Snake Oil is for the little ones. Such a great way to teach OUT OF THE BOX thinking," The Doll House and Toy Store shared.
IELLO
The Doll House and Toy Store found an interesting new game at Iello: The Hare & The Tortoise.
"It's the 3rd in the Tales & Games series. For kids age 7 and up, 20 minutes of game play for up to 5 people and $30 retail," they told TDmonthly.
Stay tuned for more updates and videos from the 2014 ASTRA Marketplace!
