www.toynews-online.biz
SECTOR GUIDE PRE-SCHOOL 47 Small wonders
One toy in every ten purchased is in the pre-school sector, making it the largest standard category in the market. From traditional wooden toys, through to licensed lines and interactive tablets, suppliers continue to innovate to keep ahead of the pack. Samantha Loveday takes a look at what’s coming up…
MATTEL
As the number one manufacturer across infant and pre-school, Mattel’s Fisher- Price label is further bolstering its line in autumn 2012. Little People has embarked on a
Disney royal adventure with the launch of the Princess Songs Palace play-set and figures. Little People Wheelies is also revving up for Christmas with the Loops n Swoops Amusement Park, offering a new play experience with two feet of track.
Imaginext is heading for medieval
pastures with the launch of the Imaginext Castle. It will be backed by an extensive TV ad campaign highlighting all the play features and multiple configurations on offer thanks to its ‘Action-Tech’ technology.
01628 535000
There is also news from Fisher-Price’s licensing partners, with the launch of the new breakdancing plush Master Moves Mickey, Mickey’s Farm Play-set and Mickey’s Jet from Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. Autumn sees the first ever Minnie Mouse Bow-tique TV campaign, featuring the brand new Precious Pets Tour Van. Mattel’s partnership with Disney is also highlighted by the Jake and the Never Land Pirates toy line, which continues to expand with the likes of Jake’s Musical Pirate Ship Bucky. There are also two new play-sets for Thomas & Friends – Thomas’ Daring Drop from the Trackmaster motorised range and The Great Quarry Climb from portable range Take-n-Play. Other new Thomas & Friends launches in pre-school will include the Busy Conductor Thomas and Steam n Speed R/C Thomas, with remote control, special moves and realistic, safe-to- touch steam.
The firm will be looking to capitalise on the success of last year’s Octopod play-set with its autumn releases. The Gup-X Shoot & Rescue Vehicle, Gup-C and Kwazii’s Pirate Ship will all benefit from continued marketing support and TV advertising. Finally, evergreen pre-school property
Dora the Explorer will also receive support for Dive and Swim Dora with a big TV drive.
TOMY
Tomy’s range of Chuggington collectables has been bolstered, with hero items for autumn/winter including the Portable Double Decker Roundhouse, which is also being supported by TV advertising. Tomy’s key line, Raa Raa the Noisy Lion, includes interactive play-sets and vehicles, plush, bath toys and chunky
020 8722 7300
figures. Raa Raa’s Bath Activity House is a particular highlight – shaped like the character’s treehouse, it floats and can be separated into different pourers. New to the popular Play to Learn
range are the Load n Go Racing Car and Activity Auto. Each toy in the line has been specifically designed with developmental benefits in mind. Aquadoodle remains a
strong seller, and has been bolstered with new large Winnie the Pooh and Disney Princess mats. Finally, there will also be new introductions in the Britains Big Farm range this autumn. The John Deere 6210R Tractor features functioning steering wheel, detachable cab plus working cab lights and sounds. The firm will also launch the John Deere 6190R Remote Controlled Tractor in November.
LEGO DUPLO
The latest launch from the Lego Duplo brand – the Read & Build range – enables pre-schoolers to bring their stories to life.
Launched in conjunction with Dorling Kindersley, the series features three unique sets – Grow Caterpillar Grow,
01753 495000
Busy Farm and Let’s Go Vroom – each with a storybook and bricks. As children read along, they can also build sets to bring the story to life. Read & Build is designed to teach children about concentration, listening and how to follow instructions, while improving fine motor skills and colour recognition. Lego Duplo has also further
strengthened its portfolio of Disney licensed products. The four sets have an entry-level price of £9.99 each.
Also offering an introduction to the world of construction for pre- school girls is cake-themed building set, Creative Cakes. In addition, there are also starter sets such as the Creative Sorter (for teaching stacking, sorting, shape and colour recognition) and My First Build. Themes such as zoo, safari, fire and farm have also been added to the rest of the Duplo line.
GALT TOYS
Galt Toys has expanded its popular Early Activities home learning book range this year, adding the All About School Sticker Book (£2.99) to help youngsters prepare for their first school term. The new book includes a host of activities and
stickers designed to help young children find out about school life, introduce them to its unfamiliar environment and learn what to expect by taking them through some typical school activities in a fun way. It is pitched as the ideal aid for parents preparing
HASBRO
Sesame Street Tickle Time Elmo (£29.99) is aimed at ages 18 months and over and is the latest addition to Hasbro’s hit licensed range. Little ones just need to press Elmo’s tummy or feet to see him giggle and shake. The more the tummy or feet are pressed, the more the
0161 428 9111
children for starting school, helping them to raise and deal with any fears or concerns and encouraging them to discuss their first experiences of school. “Starting school is such a crucial time for children and their parents, and our new All About School Sticker Book is a wonderful way for parents to share with their children what they can look forward to at school, to help ease fears or maintain enthusiasm for what is to come,” said Galt MD John McDonnell. The Galt Toys Early Activities range is a series of 24-page full colour activity books designed specifically for pre-school kids by educational consultants.
020 8569 1234
toy laughs and shakes. Meanwhile, Elefun Busy Ball Popper (£29.99) is aimed at nine months and over. Drop the five balls into the Elefun character’s ears, and they could pop out the trunk or roll into the belly. The truck also rotates 360-degrees, while the toy also features ten tunes.
SEPTEMBER 2012
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84