The
Best of Toy Fair
HE 108th AMERICAN
INTERNATIONAL TOY FAIR in February at New York’s
Javits Center was packed with countless awesome new products
that will amaze children (and their parents). Our Junior
P.E.T. has to wait a decade before he’s allowed on the floor
to see the toys he wants to review (children under 18 are
prohibited from the exhibition), so the senior member of our
Product Evaluation Team (otherwise known as grandpa)
represented Johnathan and made relevant selections for him.
We’ll be bringing you news and views of marvelous products
throughout the year, each endorsed with the 15 Minutes
Magazine P.E.T. Seal of Approval.
GLIDE BIKE is the biggest
winner for the 15 Minutes Product Evaluation Team. The
glider is the best way for kids to learn. Minus training
wheels and pedals, the Glide Bike easily helps a child to
learn how to balance. There are three models: Ezee Glider
for ages 2-4, for $100; Mini Glider for ages 2-5, for $110;
and Go Glider for ages 5-10, for $130. The seat is
adjustable for the right height, from 17.5 inches to 23
inches. Comes with rear brake mounted on the handle bar, a
steel kickstand, 16-inch durable foam tires, and rubber
coated aluminum feet pegs.
See more at
glidebikes.com.
LITTLE
HOUSE SORTER is one of the items of the Dandelion
earth-friendly goods produced by Re-Think It, based in
Winter Park, Fla. Dandelion is the eco division of this
family owned company. They offer greener choices for the
planet and its kids. The Dandelion brand uses organic
cotton, bamboo velour and corn fiber stuffing in recycled
packaging—all to reduce the environmental impact on the
world. Little House Sorter is part of a line of Pink for
Baby Girls, which includes organic rattles and teethers. A
portion of Dandelion profits is donated to organizations
engaged in breast cancer research. Available for $39.99 at
www.dandelionforbaby.com.
GLOWCRAZY
DISTANCE DOODLER guarantees much fun, especially in
the dark. Hang up the jumbo wall cling and your child will
surprise you as he unleashes his inner Picasso or Warhol by
painting on the wall with the magic light wand to create a
GlowCrazy light show. Nice touch: You can remove the cling
from your wall without damage or sticky residue. $24.95.
SCRUBLE
CUBE is a catchy game for everyone over 8 years who
can spell. Play solo or compete with three others. Keep
score as everyone takes turns to twist and turn the rows and
columns to rearrange the letters and form new words. Each of
the 96 letters has a point value which adds to your score.
Use the included sand timer to set the time each one gets to
create a word. Game retails for $24.95 at Barnes & Noble and
FAO Schwartz. See more at
www.scrublecube.com.
MINIMUS
of Newbury Park, Calif., carries thousands of travel-size
items to keep you and your kids occupied on those long
trips. From the toys and games aisle they offer
Phase 10 rummy type card
game at $6.69; Simon, an
electronic memory game of lights and sounds on a mini
carabiner, $9.98; Blink, a
lightning fast card game in a travel tin by Mattel, $5.49;
Sequence, a card game with
pegs on corresponding space on the game board, in a compact
travel case, $9.69; Operation,
a Hasbro game with mini carabiner, which can drive you to
distraction as you play the role of surgeon, $7.60. Order at
www.minimus.biz.
WISE
ALEC is the brainchild of Reisa Schwartzman, a former
educator in Vancouver. It figures. It takes the brains of a
teacher to create Griddly Games Inc. and create compelling
family trivia games including this one with "a witty twist."
Roll the dice, land on a square, pick up the relevant
colored card and answer the question for points. There are
four decks of cards in categories of science, history,
spelling and Wise Alec. The fun accelerates when you land a
Wise Alec card. One card worth four points asks you to name
five things beginning with "s" that you can wear on your
feet. Time’s up; let’s go to the next one. For five points
repeat five times: Which wristwatches are Swiss
wristwatches. You lose points if your card says, Oops! You
forgot to recycle. Play the game for laughs, but you’ll also
learn positive lifestyle habits. Funtastic game! MSRP $26 at
Amazon.com.