ASTRA MARKETPLACE & ACADEMY 2014 FAT BRAIN TOY CO.
ROM T S D E H
HEDSTROM is set to debut new products to get kids moving this year. Kids ages 3 and up can bounce around on the Yellow Spring Hopper. The 18-inch hopper is made of durable vinyl and provides hours of active fun with exercise benefits. Kids ages 3 and up can bounce, throw, and collect their favorite characters from Nickelodeon, Marvel, and Hello Kitty with Sculpted Foam Balls. The Azteca Soccer Ball, for kids ages 4 and up, is a durable, 32-panel soccer ball that kids can play with outdoors. The ball is available in many colors and designs based on ancient Aztec artwork and heritage. Hedstrom’s line of sensory toys for babies ages 6 months and up will expand to include Sensory Light-Up Balls. Bright colors and lights will captivate babies while they bounce the balls. Each ball includes an LED light for visual stimulation as well as a scent that complements the graphics. Sensory Sportz is a cloth-covered sports ball, perfect for developing kids. Bright colors and bold patterns help engage a baby’s developing sense of vision and curiosity. The cloth exterior is soft and light so babies can bounce and roll the ball with ease. Kids can hop, step, and play with Sensory Stonez. The durable vinyl stones are great for helping children with balance, coordination, and gross motor skill development. Each stone Sensory Twistz has a different tactile feature that will keep kids engaged and entertained. Sensory Stepperz engage kids in play that helps to develop balance, coordination, and gross motor skills. Great for indoor or outdoor play, these durable vinyl Stepperz can be rinsed for easy cleaning. Kids can twirl and swivel Sensory Twistz to create shapes and designs with the colorful, connected foam balls. Sensory Stakkups allow kids to build, learn, and have fun. These versatile, stackable cups offer a safe way to develop coordination and gross motor skills. Kids can build a tower, play hide-and-seek, or nest cups together.
SPECIALTY TOYS & GIFTS
S50
FAT BRAIN TOY CO. introduces Arx 2.0, a colorful magnetic building toy for kids ages 3 and up. Each set consists of 24 pieces and two bases, and can be used to construct gravity-defying towers on any flat surface. Flink is a puzzle suitable for kids ages 12 and up. To solve a Flink challenge, players set up the board, follow the directions on the game tiles, and then return the jewel pieces to their proper place. But completing all three steps may test even the most astute puzzle lovers. Another new puzzler is Hex-Hive, which includes 40 challenges suitable for kids ages 8 and up, and combines visual spatial thinking with simple math. The object is to cover up all spaces in the hive so each color totals the number seven. Moonscape calls on puzzle solvers to fill in all the craters around the entire moon. Kids ages 8 and up can spin the inner sphere around and shift the quadrants. In Peek-a-Doodle-Doo, two to four players collect 12 eggs and return them to the crate. Game pieces are in constant motion in this fast-moving game, which is designed to improve concentration and memory skills in kids ages 3 and up. A fast-paced combination of block play and skill building, Smarty Blocks gives players one minute to complete as many challenges as possible. Designed to boost reading, spelling, sequencing, math, logic, visual spatial skills, and more, the game offers 120 multi-level challenges for kids ages 3 and up. The push ’em together, pop ’em apart game play of Squigz returns in Squigz Benders. This time around, the fun suckers bend, twist, and loop for creative play. Available in a 24-piece set, Squigz Benders are completely interchangeable with the original Squigz, and come in 4-inch and 6-inch sizes. Teeter Popper is a bright, colorful new activity toy for kids who cannot get enough of bubble wrap and popping sounds. Measuring approximately 18 feet by 30 feet, it features 14 Squigzsized silicone suction cups.
Arx 2.0
MAY/JUNE 2014