TOMY Launches Lamaze Play App, Offering New Developmental Guidance for Toys
TOMY International announced its new mobile app, Lamaze Play, available for free download on the Apple App Store or Google Play. Created in conjunction with child development experts, the app offers a guide to bonding with baby incorporating Lamaze developmental infant toys from TOMY International. At launch, the app corresponds with six Lamaze toys, available at select Target stores and on Target.com.
Users can scans a code on a toy’s tag to uncover more ways to explore and play with infants, and to determine the most developmentally appropriate and engaging toys during different ages and stages. Lamaze Play also provides 30-second videos that show each toy in use. Lamaze toys compatible with the app include: Spin & Explore Garden Gym, Mortimer the Moose, Rainbow Rings, My First Fishbowl, Counting Animals, and Mini Teether Penguin.
Horizon Group Expands Slime Offerings with New Fall Introductions
Horizon Group expands on the slime-making trend with new Slimygoop Mix’Ems kits, complete with pre-made Slimygoop and themed embellishments. The company also launches SQUOOSH-O’S, a line of all-inclusive stress ball kits based on trending social media themes.
In fall 2018, Horizon Group will unveil new forms of tactile play with Fizzygloop, a fizzing, slimy reaction that turns into Slimygoop. The themed kits, available in unicorn, confetti, holographic, and other themes, include all ingredients needed. Horizon Group will also launch OOZ-O’S, a D.I.Y. kit that allows children to create oozing, slimy spheres that they can pop and squish to reveal gooey centers.
All the new introductions will be available this fall at retailers nationwide, including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Five Below, Michaels, Party City, Target, Walmart, and others.
Playmates Toys Unveils New TMNT Toy Line, Loyalty Program Based on New Series
As the longtime master toy licensee for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Playmates Toys will release an all-new product line based on Nickelodeon’s new animated series, Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, which premiered on September 17. The toy line includes an assortment of action figures, as well as vehicles, a playset, and roleplay toys.
Playmates Toys will also introduce a Sewer Squad Pizza Points Loyalty Program, harkening back to the debut 1980s loyalty program, in whiche fans can collect and redeem pizza points for exclusive toys and more. A unique, secret code is included in every Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles toy package from Playmates Toys. Fans can visit playmatestoys.com to register and join the Sewer Squad, in order to qualify for exclusive toys and other rewards.
The Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles toy line from Playmates Toys features the following:
Action Figures
- The Action Figures are uniquely sculpted and fully articulated. The assortment features the four Turtles, April and Splinter, as well as new characters Baron Draxum, Meat Sweats, and others.
- The Deluxe Ninja Action Figures, available in the four Turtles, bend to activate flipping action, with each Turtle letting out an action shout as they flip.
- The Giant Figure assortment stands between 10.25- and 11-inches tall, with 13 points of articulation.
Vehicles
- The Turtle Tank is the new group vehicle. The tank transforms from vehicle mode into a Mobile Ops unit with a secret lab for Donatello.
- The Shell Hog Vehicles connect to each other and can also launch off the Turtle Tank group vehicle
Playsets
- The 43-inch Epic Lair Playset is the biggest playset ever from Playmates Toys. It includes four levels of play, seven rooms, and more than 20 action features.
Roleplay
- The assortment of roleplay toys, available in the four Turtles, features a signature Turtle bandana, a newly designed throwing star, and the all-new weapon for each Turtle.
Minecraft Launches Target Take-Over Ahead of MineCon Earth
Minecraft has landed at Target with an exclusive collection of apparel, toys, home décor, and more, launching in advance of the September 29 MineCon Earth event.
Last week, the retailer unveiled a collection of 75 new items and more than 80 Target-exclusive Minecraft finds, from backpacks to bedding to apparel.
In addition, Target will host a special in-stores event on September 22, complete with a scavenger hunt, giveaways, and early access to the never-before-seen mini-game Grid Runners. Superstar Minecraft content creators will be on hand at select stores for a meet-and-greet with the first 200 guests, including FavreMySabre (Atlantic Terminal Target), Shubble (Los Angeles Target), AntVenom (Houston North Central Target), and JeromeASF (Redmond Target).
More than 74 million people play Microsoft and Mojang’s popular game, where users creatively build worlds and embark on adventures with their friends. And we’re getting in on the fun at Target, with 75 new items and more than 80 only-at-Target finds, like backpacks, bedding and apparel.
Microduino Debuts New STEM Toy
Itty Bitty Buggy is the newest in the next generation of 2018 STEM Education toys from Microduino. The coding programmable toy (CPT) is designed for creators from as young as 8 to more seasoned makers. The Itty Bitty Buggy allows kids to build and program four different creatures— the Sloth, the Ladybug, the Dodo bird, and the Alien —using the foundational base buggy.
The Itty Bitty Buggy comes with four modes: Ranger, Cruiser, Voice Control, and Musician. Different modes can be applied to the individual creatures via the Itty Bitty Buggy free app for iOS and Android devices. Users begin by building the base buggy and set it up to “cruise” around the black line and play music in the color zone on the included map. Then, build upon the base buggy to create the other creatures and explore all the exciting capabilities that each one can offer. Creators can remotely control the movements of the Sloth and use its long, modular arms to move across a rope or enable the Dodo Bird to flap its wings.
The Itty Bitty Buggy kit includes Bluetooth, remote control, voice-controlled line tracing, musical color recognition, and LEGO®-compatible pieces, providing users with endless design possibilities and playful configurations. As coding skills become more advanced, users can program and modify the behaviors of a specific creature using a variety of popular coding languages, including Scratch, Python, and Arduino, and then control it remotely with Microduino’s free mDesigner software for Windows and Mac operating systems.It’s now available on Amazon.
New Kohl’s Charitable Holiday Toy Collection Features Mickey & Friends
Kohl’s has launched the Kohl’s Cares Holiday collection featuring Mickey Mouse and Friends. Available now in Kohl’s stores nationwide and on Kohls.com/Cares, the collection features first-reader books with five-minute stories and activities and coordinating plush pals. One hundred percent of Kohl’s net profit sales from the items will go to charitable organizations nationwide.
Items include:
Books and Plush
- Disney Mickey Mouse 5-minute stories and plush
- Disney Minnie Mouse 5-minute stories and plush
- Disney Donald Duck 5-minute stories and plush
- Disney Goofy 5-minute stories and plush
- Disney Mickey Mouse Activity Book
Holiday Gift Assortment
- Crayola Winter Wildlife Creativity Kit
- Holiday Movie Trivia
- Big Book of Bedtime Stories
- Grinch Bundle
- Lost Gift Bundle
- Build a Christmas Tree Kit
- I Spy Puzzle
To date, Kohl’s has raised nearly $340 million through the Kohl’s Cares merchandise program to support community initiatives nationwide. To learn more about the impact this purchase has on Kohl’s partners, visit Kohls.com/Cares.