Hi Readers,
Every January the British Toy and Hobby Association (BTHA) Toy Fair is held in London. From the 21st -23rd, Kensington Olympia held this amazing event, where many exhibitors showed their new first end products for 2014. I was very pleased to get to go to this event, the atmosphere at these kind of exhibitions are always amazing, and lots of fun. There is far too much to see in three days alone, and the whole occasion is one massive whirlwind. The exhibitors list included the likes of Lego, Hasbro, Mattel, V-Tech & Leapfrog, to name but a few well-known companies.
I know this was now a couple of months ago now, but after this event, the Toy Industry Awards are presented following the first day of the BTHA. And I thought I would share with you some of the results, so you can see what makes it to be one of the best toys of the year for 2013. It might give you an insight into what to watch out for in the upcoming year.
Toy of the year
Teksta Robotic Puppy, Character Options
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| Teksta Robotic Dogs |
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These robotic puppies lead the way in robotic interactive toys for kids. These little guys flew off our shelves at Christmas, and was a toy that was very much in demand. Coming in both blue and pink, and also now a Dalmatian version which was released just before Christmas, these guys really provide a lot of fun and entertainment. Touch sensors means that they will react to your touch, as well as to its bone and ball, and they can learn neat tricks as you play with them. Looking into 2014, we can expect to see a Dino version of this toy, which looks like a lot of fun! Its no surprise this bagged Best Toy.
Supplier of the Year
John Adams
Congratulations to John Adams, they do a wide range of excellent toys from Puzzles and Craft Kits to Board Games, Construction and Science. They are brilliantly efficient, and always have stock of their great selling lines. A very much well-deserved award.
Pre-School Toy of the Year
Toot-Toot Drivers Train Station, V-Tech
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| Toot Toot Drivers Train Station Set |
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V-Tech always seem to get it spot on with their products. They're game is pre-school toys, and they play it incredibly well. The whole toot-toot range is a roaring success, and this is just one of the best in a very nice range of toys. Interactive sounds based on the child's actions, incorporating track and roads with push along cars, and adding in lights and music, makes this such a stimulating play-time for little ones. And like any train/road track, you can keep adding an adding; increasing the fun value for you child.
Pre-School Licensed Toy of the Year
Doc McStuffins Doctor's Bag Set, Flair
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| Doc McStuffins Doctor's Bag Set |
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We have been seeing a lot more Disney in our children's television schedule now, with Jake & The Neverland Pirates, Princess Sofia, and Doc McStuffins. And they have all been very successful, Doc herself is one of the more popular characters with kids at the moment. This item in particular, we could not seem to stock enough off. A highly sought after product leading up to Christmas, this is a great gift for a little girl. The whole Doc McStuffins range in fact, seems to hit the nail on the head.
Fashion Doll of the Year
Monster High 13 Wishes Dolls, Mattel
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| Draculaura, Clawdeen Wolf & Frankie Stein |
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The Monster High doll range has certainly been giving Barbie a run for her money. An extensive range of dolls, which are eagerly collected by girls who aren't 'pink' enough for barbie, but are still interested in playing with dolls. With video games and animated films, this range is going from strength to strength, and 13 wishes is just the latest installment. Expect to see a lot more from Monster High in 2014.
Construction Toy of the Year
Friends Dolphin Cruiser, Lego
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| Lego Friends Dolphin Cruiser |
The time when Lego does not win the Construction Toy of the Year is when I will eat my hat. Lego dominates this category in such a massive way, because everything they do is just awesome. The Friends series has been hugely successful in bringing in a female audience to their product. Of course girls played with Lego before, but the Friends characters, and their charming Heartlake City, really attracts their attention. This particular item was very popular in the lead up to Christmas.
Action Game of the Year
Gooey Louie, John Adams
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| Gooey Louie | |
Honestly, what sounds more fun then pulling bogies out of a guys nose, until his brain pops out? This game was around when I was a kid, and has resurfaced, and was very popular last Christmas. The combination of a sit-down game, with the grossness really attracted kids to this. I find a lot of toys come back around after a few year, and Gooey Louie is one of these. A simple game, with lots of fun, that can be enjoyed by the whole family.
Lifestyle Toy of the Year
ChillFactor Squeeze Cup Slushy Maker, Character Options
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| ChillFactor Slushy Maker |
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We have only had these in since end of February, and despite the cold weather, these have flown out. A simple idea, with great effect. Genuinely easy to make as a home foodstuff, and the colours are so vivid and bright, Character have really made such a simple product into a great, and affordable thing, and this would make a nifty little Easter gift. I'm looking forward to stocking the ChillFactor range in 2014.
Action Toy of the Year
Nerf N-Strike Elite Rapidstrike CS-18, Hasbro
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| Nerf Elite Rapidstrike |
Nerf, gotta love it. A big contender for the boys, and with the edition of their Rebelle range, girls are now getting in on the action. Shooting foam darts at your relatives when they least expect it never gets old , no matter how old you are. I've had a group of guys my age come in and buy a big Nerf gun each, just so they can take part in their very own sort of Laserquest - good times. Look out for the new Zombie range in Nerf, should be in stores now.
Innovative Toy of the Year,
Furby Boom!, Hasbro
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| Furby Boom with IPhone hatchling |
Here is another toy that has been resurrected. When I first started selling toys 9 years ago, these guys were huge, now they are back again, and this time they work with your smart phone or tablet, and can even have babies hatch on them! These Furbies can change personality depending on how you interact with them, feed them lots, or pull their tail lots, see what emotions you can evoke! Expect to see the Furby back in stores near Easter time, along with their baby Furblings, which come at a much more friendly retail price.
Collectable Range Toy of the Year
Robofish by Zuru, Geemac
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| Clown Fish Robofish |
Robofish, these guys are quite the craze at the moment. Pet fish you don't have to feed, what could be greater? With choice of colours of both fish and sharks, and usually under £10 its a nice pick up purchase, and for its cost, its a nice product. It looks impressive when its working, and you can buy a fish bowl set which can come with a little castle for decoration. I personally think these are very much a one hit wonder, and kids will lose interest very easily. They run on button cell batteries, which are never easy to work with. And although they are great in the bath, you cannot really have them on the go all the time, as they tire out within a couple of hours, after which you have to rest them, and are never really the same after.
Outdoor Toy of the Year
Smart Trike, Mookie
Mookie is known for its outdoor play toys, its most known product is probably Swingball, which I think most gardens have seen. The Smart Trike is great simply because you can transform it so that it develops along with your child. It has 3 different formations, dependent on how old your child is, so you only need to buy one trike to cover the ages 10 months to 24 months. Its also not overly expensive, and can be found in an array of colours.
Board Game of the Year
Monopoly Empire, Hasbro
Monopoly, will this beast ever cease? Each year seems to bring round a new transformation of this classic game. This version is a much more simplified and shorter game from the original. No more hours upon hours trying to get the one property you need. The rules are simple: build your empire column first to win the game. Action cards can give you an advantage or hinder your opponents. I was outplayed at this by my 7 year old nephew...twice. Anyone can win, and it only takes about 20 minutes to play. Perfect!
That is it for the main awards for 2013! If you guys ever have any questions you want to ask me, do leave a comment and I will endeavor to answer them on one of my later posts.
Never Grow Up,
The Peddler
