NEWS Comment
A PARENT BLOGGER’S VIEW Parent bloggers are an increasingly influential part of the pre-school landscape. Each month, we ask a mummy or daddy blogger to
write a special blog post for ToyNews, giving their views on the toy market.
This month: Laura Robinson
IN JANUARY I headed to Toy Fair 2014 where I played with the latest toy releases, was repeatedly attacked by a tiny quadcopter, and
hobnobbed with the stars of The LEGO Movie. While industry award
givers, retailers and bloggers are seeking out innovative toys that embrace technology and offer educational value, I am simply looking for something that makes my heart pound and my mouth grin.
The first stand to get my
pulse racing was Thinkway Toys with their impressive collection of Despicable Meaction figures. The stand was covered with an army of little yellow Minions begging to be liberated from the confines of their packaging. For me, this was very
exciting because when the first Despicable Mefilm was released, I wanted a Minion more than life itself. But, alas, the merchandising at the time was woeful. Movie related toys tend
to enjoy short-lived appeal, but with the Minionsmovie due for release next year, and Despicable Me 3in the works for 2017, these toys will remain firm favourites with me (and my children) for a while yet. Next up on my list of Toy Tattle approved Toy Fair
offerings is the LEGO Juniors range. Based on feedback from parents, LEGO have created simpler sets within their normal character ranges, comprising of regular sized bricks, plus some prefabricated sections. Our family suffers from
regular bouts of a condition known as construction- brick-rage. After repeated attempts to build a model, son number two will catch a dose of the rage and scream for my assistance. After a few minutes I too
will succumb to construction-brick-rage, and the kit will be left for a more suitable grown up to complete at the weekend. LEGO Juniors kits are quicker to construct and more suited to the attention span of younger children (and LEGO- incapable parents). There were plenty of other toys that caught my attention including a modernised Mouse Trap game that looked a lot simpler to set up than the board game I remember, a zombie-style Nerf gun useful for scaring the children back into bed and some truly awesome new remote control Hexbugs. Now I just need to patiently wait until their birthdays, so I can pass off the new toys I want to play with as presents for my children.
Check out more from Laura Robinson online:
www.toytattle.com and on Twitter @toytattle.
New look revealed for Peter Rabbit nursery line
Rainbow Designs aiming to bring contemporary twist to the classic characters
By Samantha Loveday
RAINBOW DESIGNS has unveiled a fresh, contemporary new look for its Peter Rabbit nursery collection for 2014.
The line includes a
range of cute, cuddly and charming infant toys made from baby soft plush. These include a My First Peter and My First Flopsy soft toy, comfort blanket, bean rattles and a Musical Peter Rabbit. Toddler toys in the
range have been designed to encourage core development and learning skills including illustrated Stacking Blocks, a wooden counting Peg Puzzle and Wooden Dominoes. The new line will be launched in John Lewis stores and independent retailers from this month. “We’re extremely excited about the
extended product line which will be on shelves in March,” Anthony Temple, MD at Rainbow Designs, told ToyNews. “Our new Peter Rabbit baby and nursery collection is now much more focused product wise and sector defined, which means it fits with the quality and
style of products retailers are looking for. “The Peter Rabbit
range is fresh, contemporary and at the same time retains the timeless charm reflective of the classic Beatrix Potter stories.” Rainbow Designs: 01329 227300
‘Shape Kids ideal for UK market’, says inventor
Characters and books ‘teach shapes and morals’ By Robert Hutchins
A NEW Zealand-based toy inventor and children’s book author is looking for ‘that special someone’ to help bring her range of Shape Kids toys and books to the UK.
British-born Janet Grime started developing her range of buildable shape character toys and their tie-in books four years ago. Grime developed the
toys to encourage toddlers’ dexterity and imagination development, while the book series aims to help kids learn about sharing and honesty.
44 March
The self-funded inventor has spent over $80,000 on getting the range - aimed at children aged between three to six - to its current stage of development. “There are a few shops in
New Zealand that sell them as well as play centre shops,” explained Grime. “I would love to get these in the UK and am looking for that special someone to see the potential of the range in the UK market.” The wooden shapes connect together in various patterns and designs, and have so far been meet with positive
feedback from children and parent alike. “Teachers tell me these
are the best things they have ever seen because they teach kids shapes and morals in a great way.” Grime plans to bring the Shaoe Kids range to future UK toy expos in London.
www.theshapekids.com
www.toynews-online.biz
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