Archive for the ‘New Products’ Category
« Older Entries | Newer Entries »This post was written by Elizabeth A. Reid
Skylanders Announces Beta Launch of its Virtual World
Tuesday, December 20th, 2011
Image Credit: universe.skylanders.com
Activision Publishing, Inc. has launched Skylanders Spyro’s Universe, in beta, which will add another dimension to Skylanders Spyro’s Adventure. The virtual world allows kids to engage with Skylanders characters and fellow players.
Found online at www.universe.skylanders.com, the Universe is a fantasy realm of floating islands designed to encourage world-building, exploration, and friendly competition. Players who own the game or figures can input each figure’s code, or use the Portal of Power, to bring them to life inside the universe.
Those who don’t own a figure can join the virtual world by creating a free online account. Eon, the helpful Skylanders guide, will then provide newbies with a digital starter kit. For more information, visit www.universe.skylanders.com.
Tags: Activision, beta, Skylanders, Skylanders Spyro’s Adventure, Skylanders Spyro’s Universe, virtual world
Posted in New Products, News, holiday season | No Comments »
This post was written by Ericka Johnson
BabyZoo Introduces Line of Sleep Aid Products
Friday, December 16th, 2011
Bedtime and morning rituals for young children have just become easier. BabyZoo, a manufacturer of sleep aids for kids, recently launched the BabyZoo Sleep Trainer, a timer-based night-light, and more.
The BabyZoo Sleep Trainer features a monkey named Momo who signals the child when it’s time to get up and when it’s time to sleep by opening and closing its eyes. The Sleep Trainer also displays a digital and analog clock to teach children how to read time. Parents can also choose between different alarm sounds with volume control. The alarm is available in two color combos: green-and-yellow and pink-and-blue.
Tags: BabyZoo, BabyZoo Sleep Trainer, Coco, Gus, Night Light, Woolly
Posted in 0-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9 and up, New Products | No Comments »
This post was written by Elizabeth A. Reid
Nick Toy Machines Featured in 100 Simon Malls
Tuesday, December 13th, 2011
Nickelodeon debuted its first virtual Nick Toy Machines last weekend at 100 Simon malls across the country. Inspired by the classic vending machine, each virtual Nick Toy Machine is a colorful, double-sided standee (seven-foot tall and 3.5-feet wide) that shoppers can walk up to, scan, and buy Nickelodeon toys from via smartphones.
The Nick Toy Machine features images of Dora the Explorer and Victorious toys, along with a corresponding QR code that allows shoppers to quickly “scan and buy” gifts using their smartphones. The Nick Toy Machines are placed in high-traffic areas.
Tags: dora the explorer, Nick Toy Machine, Nickelodeon, QR code, Simon malls, Victorious
Posted in New Products, News | No Comments »
This post was written by Ericka Johnson
The Juno Company Releases New Book
Monday, December 12th, 2011
The Juno Company recently released its latest book, The Day the Music Stopped. The 40-page, illustrated hardcover book builds on the company’s mission to inspire an appreciation for music in children. The Day the Music Stopped is based on the popular Emmy Award-winning Juno Jr. DVD of the same name.
In the book, readers go on a journey through the magical world of Harmonia Springs where everything is made out of music. Readers will learn lessons of friendships through musical concepts, and find out how to bring music back to the world.
For a limited time, The Juno Company is offering a special promotion for fans that “like” the company on Facebook. For every book purchased, the company will donate a music education DVD to a child in need. The Juno Company has also partnered with the National Head Start Association with a goal to bring the gift of music to one million children in need.
Tags: juno baby, national head start association, The Day the Music Stopped, The Juno Company
Posted in 3-5, 6-8, 9 and up, New Products | No Comments »
This post was written by Melissa Tinklepaugh
Cody Simpson Debuts New Dolls at Toys “R” Us
Friday, December 9th, 2011
Teen pop singer Cody Simpson and The Wish Factory, Inc. unveiled two Cody Simpson dolls at Toys “R” Us Times Square today. I attended to learn more about the dolls and meet Cody Simpson.
The collection consists of two dolls, both 11.5 inches, featuring the Australian singer’s side-swept surfer-styled hair and clothes Simpson wears. One doll is dressed in a Gold Coast T-shirt and khakis, and the other doll wears a denim jacket and black pants. Both dolls include a pair of shoes, sunglasses, a microphone, a guitar pick, and lanyard. The guitar pick included varies from box to box, some with angel wings and the word “Angel,” and others with an emoticon smiley face and the numbers “143” to mean “I love you.”
Tags: Cody Simpson, The Wish Factory, Toys R Us
Posted in 6-8, 9 and up, New Products, People | No Comments »
This post was written by Ericka Johnson
New ThunderCats Figurines from Bandai
Wednesday, December 7th, 2011
Lion-O six-inch figure from Bandai
The ThunderCats toy line from Bandai America Incorporated is being updated with a six-inch figure line. The line, based on the classic 1980s animated series and the re-imagined new series from Warner Bros. Animation, will launch in the spring.
The six-inch figures are highly articulated, detailed, and designed to complement any fan’s collection. The Lion-O and Mumm-Ra figures will be the first available in the Classic Series line. The Tygra and Cheetara figures, a new introduction from Bandai, are inspired by the new animated series. Bandai will continue to offer the successful classic 8-inch ThunderCats figures in a limited-edition capacity.
Tags: Bandai America Incorporated, Cartoon Network, Thundercats, Warner Bros. Consumer Products
Posted in 6-8, 9 and up, New Products, News | No Comments »
This post was written by Ericka Johnson
New Product: Hebrew Bananagrams
Wednesday, December 7th, 2011
Bananagramas, Inc., creator of word tile game Bananagrams, announced the North American release of Hebrew Bananagrams. Hebrew Bananagrams launched in Israel this past summer, and the company said it was well received.
Hebrew Bananagrams can be played by those who possess basic Hebrew knowledge as well as advanced players who want a challenge. The game is available online now, and will make its North American retail debut in the coming weeks.
Tags: Bananagrams
Posted in 3-5, 6-8, 9 and up, New Products | No Comments »
This post was written by Ericka Johnson
Zynga Introduces FarmVille Plush Toys
Wednesday, December 7th, 2011
Zynga, the world’s largest social game company, is introducing a line of FarmVille collectible plush toy game critters. A first for Zynga, these limited-edition toys are available now, exclusively at Best Buy.
The FarmVille plush is available for 99 cents with the purchase of a $25 game card or by itself for $9.99. Each purchase comes with a collectible “blind” barn-box that houses a surprise FarmVille animal decked in winter garb, 10 free Farm Cash redeemable for virtual items, and an exclusive in-game version of the plush toy. Players who fill their farm with eight animals receive a bonus, in-game Super Orchard.
Tags: Best Buy, FarmVille, Zynga
Posted in 6-8, 9 and up, New Products | No Comments »
This post was written by Elizabeth A. Reid
Report: More Than Half of Children Own a Toy Based on a Virtual World
Tuesday, December 6th, 2011
Moshi Monsters
Dubit Research has released a new study focused on the popularity of toys based on online worlds. The study looked at Disney’s Club Penguin, Mind Candy’s Moshi Monsters, Build-a-Bearville, Poptropica, and Webkinz.
In the survey of 500 kids, 55 percent of children owned a toy from at least one of these games. Disney’s Club Penguin took the top spot with 32 percent of children owning a Club Penguin-branded toy. Moshi Monsters was a close second with 24 percent, followed by Build-A-Bearville (16 percent), Webkinz (5 percent), and Poptropica (2 percent).
Most of the surveyed children, 73 percent, had played at least one of these online games, with half having played Club Penguin and 47 percent stating that they have played Moshi Monsters.
Tags: Build-A-Bear, Build-a-Bearville, Club Penguin, Disney, Dubit Research, Moshi Monsters, online, Poptropica, virtual worlds, Webkinz
Posted in Licenses, New Products, News | No Comments »
This post was written by Ericka Johnson
Cody Simpson Doll Launches This Week, Exclusively at Toys “R” Us
Monday, December 5th, 2011
Australian recording artist and teen heartthrob Cody Simpson will appear at Toys “R” Us Times Square this Thursday, December 8 to launch his new doll collection by The Wish Factory. Fans will be able to purchase one of the dolls in the line and also get it signed by Simpson. The event starts at 3 p.m.
Available exclusively at Toys “R” Us stores nationwide and toysrus.com, the Cody Simpson doll line includes two basic dolls, both 11.5 inches. The dolls are fashioned after Simpson, complete with his signature side-swept surfer-do. One doll features a Gold Coast T-shirt and khakis, and the other doll features a denim jacket and black pants. Both dolls include a pair of shoes, sunglasses, a microphone, a guitar pick, and a lanyard.
Tags: Cody Simpson, Times Square, Toys R Us
Posted in 6-8, 9 and up, Licenses, New Products, News | No Comments »
