Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Bears For Humanity expands with 14 new organic plush friends

Bears For Humanity is expanding their feel-good, do-good collection of organic plush teddy bears with an animal kingdom of lions, tigers and a total of 14 new animal friends, featuring cutting-edge and interactive Smart Organic Toys Collection that utilizes iOKids, an IoToys platform service by Dynepic, with whom Bears for Humanity is partnering in 2016.

When you buy from Bears For Humanity, the company donates equal quantity and quality plush toys to children in need through its Buy One Give One program in the United States. Stop by Bears For Humanity booth 6144 at the American International Toy Fair to see and feel them for yourself.

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Paper Punk building kits partners with My Little Pony

Visitors to the American International Toy Fair who visit Booth 1875 will see the brilliance of Paper Punk tactile kits. Whether building a unicorn or a cityscape, the construction kits have been described as "the love child of Lego and origami" by Wired magazine.

Each Paper Punk kit begins as colorful 2D flat shapes that transform into bold 3D geometric paper blocks to create paper toys and art forms. Every kit allows anyone to become a toy designer with part-construction and part-craft sets that promote creative building fun.

New for 2016 is a license with My Little Pony where little fingers can create six magical ponies, including Applejack, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Rarity and Twilight Sparkle. Inside the six Paper Punk My Little Pony ($9.95) sets are 11 punch-n-fold shapes, more than 120 stickers and 40 adhesive dots to construct a 3D paper figure. For more information, visit paperpunk.com.

Wednesday, January 13, 2016

ToyFest West is in Full Swing Prep Mode for 2016's Largest Toy Show in the West

The people in the toy industry experience the holiday season like no other. Giving a gift to a child is more than a kind gesture. It is the opportunity to create magic. And it is that chance to make an eight year old believe that a sleigh full of toys circles the whole world with something perfect just for them that drives our industry.

There is no better place to see, touch hold, learn, experience and plan than the aisles of ToyFest West. While 2015 is winding down, plans for WTHRA's 2016 show are in full swing. As with new toys being offered, the show will be innovative and include improvements on the classic set up.

Taking place in Las Vegas from March 6 – 8 at the South Point Hotel, Casino and Spa, the show will include WTHRA's Sunday night Gala on March 6th, celebrating industry leaders from all aspects of the industry. This year's Retailer of the Year is Cheeky Monkey from Menlo Park, CA. The 2016 Hall of Fame inductees include Bernice Baird, John Hansen Jr., John Hansen, Mark Philips, and Dennis Daniello. The Gala will be longer than in previous years with dancing added at the end of the evening. It will be a very celebratory night. Game Night will take place on Monday, March 7th, 6:30 – 9:30 pm. Participants will enjoy pizza and beer while learning some of the new games on the market.

This year the show is offering attendees a special opportunity to make the most of their travels to Las Vegas. The EDexpo show will be taking place at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino, adjacent to the Las Vegas Convention Center, beginning on March 9. Buyers who attend ToyFest West will receive free entrance to the EDexpo Show on Opening Day, March 9.

Wednesday, January 6, 2016

Baby, pregnancy monitors thriving in the body sensor market

According to a Tractica report, the body sensor sector is experiencing a transition as heart rate monitors decline in unit volume and newer devices like baby and pregnancy monitors, headbands, posture monitors and 3D trackers begin to build momentum. Smart fashion apparel is still limited to the high end of the market and will require the support of mainstream fashion brands to gain momentum. Tractica forecasts that smart clothing shipments will grow from 140,000 units in 2013 to 10.2 million units by 2020, while body sensor shipments will decrease from 3.0 million units in 2013 to 1.2 million by 2017, before rising again to 3.1 million units in 2020. The Tractica report examined the market opportunities for smart clothing and body sensors.

Find more information at reportbuyer.com.