Because trouble comes in all sizes.
Vincent Daly 
At the 2013 NY Toy Fair, I had the opportunity to visit Innovation First International’s booth. I was treated to seeing the latest HEXBUG micro robot toys including the award winning HEXBUG Warriors Battling Robots Battle Station. Yet what really caught my attention was TAGAMOTO, a new series of interactive toy cars that respond to interchangeable codes placed on racetracks.
Press from all over the world converged upon the 2013 NY Auto Show for two days to take a meticulous look at the latest innovations the car industry has in store for 2014 and beyond. In my own experience at the show, I was able to sit in several of the most desired and exotic luxury cars in the world. Curiously, I discovered that exorbitant cost doesn’t always translate into vastly improved design, comfort, and convenience. In addition, the influx of so called “green” cars has become pervasive. Nearly every automaker had a variant of either a hybrid or an all electric vehicle. Generally speaking, the state of the auto industry could best be described as evolutionary.
Thinkfun has a well deserved reputation for developing addictively fun games that build reasoning and creative thinking skills. I’ve had the opportunity to review several of their games over the years including Zingo: Sight Words, Roll & Play, Snack Attack! and Chocolate Fix. This year at the 2013 New York Toy Fair, I was introduced to ThinkFun’s latest game for toddlers called Hello Sunshine!
As a parent, you attempt to respond appropriately to your children’s behavior. In a NY Times article titled “Train a Parent, Spare a Child” by Bruce Feller, the topic of modifying a child’s behavior without resorting to bribes is addressed by several Parenting experts. You may ask “Was there any consensus to be found in their opinions?” In short, no. In fact, some even condoned the occasional bribe. Go figure.
One of the great joys of exploring the myriad of toys being presented at the NY Toy Fair is the opportunity to discover wonderful toys that may still be under the radar for most parents. On the last day of the 2013 NY Toy Fair, most of the toy exhibitors were furiously packing up their wares before the showroom floors were officially closed. But a few independent toy makers were intent on having their merchandise seen up until the very last second. That’s how I stumbled upon Bloco Toys.
The animated feature film “Escape from Planet Earth” produced by Rainmaker Entertainment and distributed in the United States by The Weinstein Company, can best be described as a slick formulaic comedy adventure movie aimed at pleasing the masses. Yet what lifts “Escape from Planet Earth” from the shallow depths of junk food like mediocrity is the tremendous heart of the actors’ performances.
We spent countless hours this year at the 2013 New York Toy Fair walking from aisle to aisle scrutinizing hundreds of the latest and greatest toys. From the toy manufacturing giants such as Mattel to the tiniest independent toy makers, we focused in on the best combinations of innovation and fun. The following list represents what we feel to be the best of show at the 2013 New York Toy Fair.
In the past 3 years of attending the New York Toy Fair, I’ve found the experience to be informative about the industry’s direction. Without question, the integration of technology has become pervasive in almost every toy category. Yet there’s also been a considerable amount of stagnation in respect to big ideas. Instead, innovation seems to occur not from the larger well established companies but rather the small independent upstarts who have the hunger and flexibility to take huge risks.
At a recent media even held at the New York Times building , Hasbro unveiled its toy lineup for 2013. As with the toy industry as a whole, technology continues to play an increasing role in the innovative products being offered by this heralded toy maker. Based on our first impression of the previewed toys, we’ve selected what we feel to be the best of Hasbro Toys for 2013.