toys Archives - Page 7 of 7

What better way to cool off in the summer than with some super fun water toys! We got some great ones for you!

Bunch O Balloons Marvel™ Avengers™

Bunch O Balloons, by ZURU, has teamed up with Marvel Avengers to take down the summer heat. With blockbuster character symbols printed on the balloons, such as Iron Man, Captain America and the Hulk, water balloons have never been so powerful! Simply connect, fill and make hundreds of water balloons in minutes, and let the superhero water balloon warfare begin. Balloons are made from natural latex and recyclable.

$9.99
Ages 3+

OgoDisk H2O

Take the water balloon toss to the next level with OgoDisk H2O. It can flyly, float, and dominate any water balloon fight. This flying disk designed just for water balloon play can also double down as the ultimate pool or beach toy with its ability to float in the water. Let the games begin!
$20.00
Ages 8+

Aquarium by PLAYMOBIL

Explore underwater worlds with PLAYMOBIL’s Aquarium. Stand on the visitor’s bridge and watch as the sea lion jumps through the hoop and balances a ball on his nose. Stick around for the next feeding or move over to the rotating carousel to observe small sea creatures. If you stand inside the underwater viewing area, it feels like you’re a part of the ocean as the fish swim by! Aquarium tank can be filled with water.
$59.99
Ages 4+

Watermelon Smash

Watermelon Smash from YULU is a twist on the water roulette challenge. Will you end up dry or soaking wet? Fill the watermelon with water or use the watermelon seeds for indoor play. Players take turns spinning the spinner to determine their fate. Follow the instructions on the spinner and press the watermelon against your head. Watch out, you never know when the watermelon will crack. The last player left in the game wins!
$19.99
Ages 6+

Now go out there and have some fun and remember to #PlayLearnConnect with #NAPPAAwards!

Elena Epstein is a mom of two and the director of NAPPA Awards, the longest running and most respected awards program in the industry, celebrating the best in family products for 28 years. For more product reviews, visit nappaawards.com.

We just got back from the annual International Toy Fair in New York and what fun we had!

The Javitz Center in Manhattan was overtaken by all things fun – imagine the size of 7 football fields filled with the latest toys and games. STEM/STEAM-related toys, that teach coding and robot building, were a big trend. Toy makers are focusing on creating engaging toys that also teach kids strategically thinking and spatial understanding. We also saw a whole other spectrum of games big this year focusing on super silly and gross-out games, which are expected to be a huge hit – lots of bathroom humor coming our way.

Through-back toys like My Little Pony, Lite Brite and Beanie Babies are making a comeback with good old nostalgia for the Millennial parents. And our kids’ current obsession with “unboxing,” “surprise” and collectible toys is expected to continue strong as well. According to the Toy Association, sales of collectible toys grew 14 percent globally in 2017.

“The top trends reflect a continued demand for collectibles, family games, creative toys, and tech-infused products that allow kids to create and explore new worlds and build lifelong skills through play,” says Adrienne Appell, trend specialist at The Toy Association.

The popularity of classic toys, including dolls and plush toys, are expected to continue to grow as parents seek out non-tech toys to balance our constantly plugged-in daily lives. Families’ need to unplug has also lead to the huge growth of old-school board games that encourage family time. Hot this year are niche games, licensed games, classics with a twist and silly, gross-out games.

Pretend pets, whether the furry plush kind or the digital kind was another popular trend. We saw lots of dinosaurs, even some sparkly ones, sharks and adorable huggable monkeys and cute squishy pet pillows.

Toys that inspire imagination such as doll houses, play kitchens and outdoor barbeques, dress-up items, building kits and arts and crafts that offer endless opportunities for creative play are super popular. According to The Toy Association’s Genius of Play initiative, studies show that kids who play make-believe games have enhanced language and problem-solving skills and can better self-regulate their emotions.

Cute Animal Friends

Toys that Teach

Pretend Play

Gross Out Games