ASTRA MARKETPLACE & ACADEMY 2014 BERG
The new Berg Compact Sport and Berg Compact Pink are designed for pedalers ages 4 to 12. These new karts from BERG are equipped with the BFR hub—pedal forward, stop, and pedal in reverse—so that kids can drive their kart with dexterity. As with all Berg pedal karts, adjusting the seat is simple and quick, so they can easily be shared with family and friends. The karts have fun swing axles that keep the tires—which are designed specifically for compacts— on the riding surface, and the tires are infatable.
MANHATTAN TOY CO.
The MANHATTAN TOY CO.’s imagine i CAN line consists of colorfully designed tins, each containing a game, craft, or role-play activity that requires only imagination. Joining the line are four themed adventures that include fashion design, temporary tattoos, and more. Character Mix-Up includes 101 magnetized pieces, four paper background scenes, and endless combinations of characters and creatures. Kids simply place a background scene on the inside of their tin box and then select which magnetic pieces to add. When play is done, everything goes back into the sturdy case. With Fashion Friends, little fashionistas can make their own statement by mixing and matching outfit and accessory pieces. Packed inside this kit are four paper background scenes and 85 magnetized pieces, including pants, dresses, and hats in a variety of colors and choices. The kit also includes a fashionable tin case with a handle for easy storage and portability.
Berg Compact Sport
PATCH PRODUCTS PATCH PRODUCTS announces two new additions to its preschool toy line Mirari, which consists of back-tobasics play with a unique twist. The 5.5-inch durable myPhone play phone features a touch screen with 12 colorful light-up icons that kids ages 6 months and up can press to hear the ABC song, a lullaby, a “snapshot” sound, and more. The phone also features a record and ring ability so adults can record a message on the phone for children. Using the included remote-control heart, adults can activate the phone ringer from up to 25 feet across the room and kids can hear the message. The Bouncy Bop Shape Sorter is a classic shape sorter with added bouncing fun. Kids ages 1 and up can enjoy fitting the six colorful shapes into the coordinating holes on top of the 8-inch-tall sorter. When the shapes fall inside, they bounce on the bouncy surface, and once all of the shapes are inside, kids can push the side handle to activate the paddle and watch the shapes bounce. Patch Products is also the exclusive specialty distributer of the Perplexus line of 3-D maze games. This year, it offers the latest design, Perplexus Warp. The warp-shaped maze game also features Warp Drive, an external slider used to manipulate the ball inside, which is crucial to a certain section of the maze track. Perplexus Warp features nine internal cups that act as “baskets” when the marble is manuevered to leap into them, and a new internal pivot that gives the illusion of a magnet sticking to the ball, defying gravity, as it travels across a bridge with no rails. Designed for kids ages 6 and up, Warp has six flagged check points and 80 challenging events.
SPECIALTY TOYS & GIFTS
S40
MAY/JUNE 2014