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Grandparents Find Holiday Shopping Help in Early Toy
Trends
Toys "R" Us says five gift themes have already
emerged this season
 Nov. 8, 2005 Shopping for holiday gifts for
grandchildren is often a challenge for grandparents, who do not keep up
with the latest toys as well as they did when they had children in the
house. Toys R Us has identified five toy categories they say have
already caught shoppers attention for the 2005 holiday season.
Early shoppers, the company says, have gravitated
towards some distinct product categories and several trends have
emerged, including: entertainment-on-the- go, electronic learning aids,
return of the classics, get up and play and music "accessories."
"This holiday season, there's some great innovation
and exciting new product introductions that are striking a chord with
customers," said John Barbour, president, Toys "R" Us, U.S.
"We continue to see an evolution of toys designed
for today's tech-savvy kids and the customer response to these items has
been fantastic," continued Barbour. "At the same time, many parents
remember their own magical experiences with toys and are hoping to
introduce their children to some of the true classics."
Below are the five key toy trends that Toys "R" Us
has identified for Holiday 2005 along with some of the best product
examples within each trend:
● Trend #1: Entertainment On-The-Go
The popularity of portable entertainment products
is on the rise with kids of all ages. While this category has been
evolving over the past few years, it has never been more exciting than
this holiday season.
One of the most innovative items in this category
is Pixel Chix from Mattel, which combines LCD screen technology
with the excitement of 3-D video play. In the Pixel Chix world, a
virtual girlfriend lives inside a small 3-D house where kids can
interact with her and build relationships.
In addition, an electronic version of the
addictive Japanese puzzle game, Sudoku is creating a lot of
excitement among game-enthusiasts. The new Handheld Sodoku from
Techno Source, perfect while traveling or during dedicated game
time, features an LCD touch-screen that allows players to easily place
and replace numbers as they zero in on the right combinations.
In the growing segment of handheld video gaming
units, Game Boy Advance (GBA) Micro from Nintendo helps keep kids
occupied on long road trips with the smallest screen yet while utilizing
the entire GBA library of more than 700 games.
And, Hasbro has introduced VCamNow, a
pocket-size digital video camera that lets budding film makers or
photographers capture memorable moments by recording a movie or taking
still pictures.
● Trend #2: Electronic Learning Aids
Parents continue to seek the newest interactive
toys that can provide educational value for their children. As
technology improves, so does the opportunity to make learning fun.
Heading up the list of teaching toys for the young school-age set are
the new V.Smile Pocket Learning System from V-Tech and
Leapster L-Max Learning Game System by LeapFrog.
For tweens and early teens, LeapFrog has introduced
the FLY Pentop Computer which acts as a pocket-sized tutor by
helping students solve math homework problems, practice spelling lists
and translate words from English to Spanish.
In addition, LeapFrog, in partnership with Enfora,
has introduced TicTalk, the first parent- controlled cell phone
with parents and educators in mind. This special cell phone for
elementary school-aged children comes loaded with fun learning games
that teach over 400 school skills.
● Trend #3: Return Of The Classics
Several beloved toys are returning this holiday
season, ready to delight a whole new generation of kids -- and kids at
heart. Off store shelves since the 1970's, Classic Mystery Date from
Hasbro Games is back challenging players to dress appropriately for
their prom, snowboarding or "popular guy" date.
The Magic Glow Doodle Bear from Play Along
is an updated version of the loveable plush toy that combines cuddling
and drawing in one. Kids can write messages on the bear with their magic
glow light pen and see them glow in the dark.
Cabbage Patch Kids Baby Twins from Play Along
are new versions of the beloved Cabbage Patch Kids from the 1980's. And
now, for the first time ever, the patient speaks (his mind) in the
classic game of Operation from Hasbro Games. Homer Simpson is the
patient in this updated version of the game, and players will hear some
of Homer's famous phrases as they are challenged to cure his many
ailments from a "chip on shoulder" to a "pea brain."
● Trend #4: Get Up and Play
A whole new crop of toys are being introduced that
inspire children to get up off the couch and play. Among the items
designed to promote active play is JoJo's Dance Mat from Pop Rocket,
an interactive playmat that encourages pre-schoolers to march, spin and
jump.
The Bella Dancerella Cinderella Dance Studio
from Spin Master lets young princesses-in-training learn the steps
to ten classic dances, with fun excerpts from the Disney classic,
Cinderella.
Also, kids can become karate masters with the
Black Belts Karate Studio from Spin Master.This item includes a
step-by step training video and inflatable heavy bag that allows
children to safely learn karate moves, punches, blocks, stances and
kicks.
And, for hours of outdoor play, the Nerf Big Bad
Bow from Hasbro helps kids take their archery skills to a whole new
level.
● Trend #5: Music "Accessories"
In this MP3 player generation, it was only a matter
of time before toy manufacturers found a way to marry today's hottest
musical "must have" item with some cool new toys.
I-Dog from Hasbro is a palm-sized robot dog
that plugs into any music system and plays tunes through a built-in
speaker. This loveable pooch loves to listen to music and will wiggle
its ears and sway its head along to every beat.
IZ from Zizzle celebrates the fusion of
music and toy by allowing owners to plug into any music source and
listen to their favorite songs. Plus, music fans can twist iZ's ears to
create new rhythms or press his belly to change the beat.
For the car lover and music enthusiast, the new
Lincoln Navigator (1:6 Scale RC) with MP3 Player Sound System from Fast
Lane is a full function radio control car with detailed street
styled interior. It features a real MP3 player built into the vehicle
that allows kids to download 30 minutes of their favorite tunes into the
car's sound system.
About the source
Toys "R" Us, Inc. is one of the leading specialty
toy retailers in the world. It currently sells merchandise through more
than 1,500 stores, including 674 toy stores in the U.S. and 633
international toy stores, including licensed and franchise stores as
well as through its Internet sites at www.toysrus.com,
www.imaginarium.com and www.sportsrus.com. Babies "R" Us, a division of
Toys "R" Us, Inc., is the largest baby product specialty store chain in
the world and a leader in the juvenile industry, and sells merchandise
through 223 stores in the U.S. as well as on the Internet at
www.babiesrus.com.
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