Meaningful Entertainment on the Go!

With texting, email, Facebook and iPods, it's getting harder and harder these days to get people to actually sit down and have a face-to-face conversation.
Around the Table games has a great solution to this dilemma with Family Talk, Grandparent Talk, Buddy Talk, Teen Talk and Camp Talk. These card-based games engage participants in colorful conversation as they answer the included questions. Even better, they are housed on a carabineer clip that is portable and can be attached to backpacks, sport bags or overnight bags for entertainment on the go. Each collection contains either 50 or 100 questions.

Burger King to host "Twilight" promotion

Burger King will support "The Twilight Saga: Eclipse" with an in-store promotion. Specific produc details are not clear yet, but for the second installment of the Twilight franchise last November, the chain rolled out a special New Moon fan pack, a series of limited-edition New Moon-themed BK Crown cars, New Moon water bottles and more. The Twilight Saga: Eclipse hits theaters on June 30.

Toys"R"Us makes buying alittle easier

Toys"R"Us is expanding its layaway program to include bikes, ride-on toys, swing sets, trampolines, pools, water slides and basketball systems.
The company also continues to offer layaway on a selection of must-haves for infants and toddlers such as car seats, play yards, travel systems and strollers in Babies“R”Us and Toys“R”Us stores nationwide.
Layaway is also offered on select dollhouses, play kitchens, karaoke machines, keyboards, musical instruments and indoor table games, including air hockey, foosball and table tennis.
All layaway orders require a 20% deposit of the total purchase and a $10 service charge. Customers have 90 days to pay for their items, with 50% of the total due 45 days after the initial purchase date. Payments may be made at the store in the form of cash, check, or credit, debit or gift cards. Merchandise will be made available within 14 days of final payment.

GameStop to host Jirachi download event

Pokémon fans can wirelessly download Jirachi to their pokedex at GameStop this Saturday (through March 13) by bringing their Pokémon Diamond Version, Pokémon Pearl Version or Pokémon Platinum Version Game Cards, along with their Nintendo DS or Nintendo DSi system. Jirachi cannot be acquired through normal gameplay and holds a secret that will be revealed in the upcoming Pokémon HeartGold Version and Pokémon SoulSilver Version games. When you trade Jirachi into one of those games, you'll be able to unlock a special Route inside the Pokéwalker accessory -- a Poké Ball shaped pedometer that helps Pokémon gain experience and allows Trainers to encounter special Pokémon and find hidden items, all as a result of walking around in real life. Obtaining this rare Pokémon Jirachi distribution is the only way the Route map for Night Sky's Edge can be accessed.

Nancy Drew game heads to shelves

Amateur sleuths can help solve a trio of mysteries while playing "Nancy Drew: The Model Mysteries" for Nintendo DS. The game from THQ is based on the three-book trilogy “Model Crime,” “Model Menace” and “Model Suspect." As Nancy, players will use their investigative skills to interrogate more than 15 suspects across the three mysteries as they attempt to unravel a knot of scattered clues. Players must complete six mini-games, solve baffling puzzles, search locations, interview evasive suspects and sidestep danger as they hunt for the evil mastermind behind the vicious plots.

Roaming Around in Toyland

Now that Toy Fair is behind me, I can't help but being struck by all the new technology that will ultimately make its way into consumers' anxious hands.

There were hairbrush-shaped microphones that played music and musical make-up bags from Virtual Experience as well as sculpted USB flash drives from Tyme Machine (www.tymemachines.com) with the "New Moon" drive complete with the movie soundtrack. Also cool were t-shirts from Think Geek Inc. (www.thinkgeek.com) including an Electronic Rock Guitar Shirt (with a mini amp and magnetic pick), Electronic Drum Kit Shirt (with built-in speaker) and Personal Soundtrack Shirt (with working speaker embedded in the shirt and room for an SD card).

Wild Planet, maker of Spy Gear products, created the Spy Video TRAKR, the first Spy Video RC with digital transmission, full-color screen, recording capabilities and the option for users to create, download and share custom programs online for free.

TechnoSource has created Rubik's Slide, a handheld electronic version of the game and for dog owners, Mattel showcased Puppy Tweets, a dog-shaped plush with a device that sends owners a tweet (from about 500 phrases) about what fido is doing while they're away.

For the first time ever, LEGO is making board games with kids able to build, play and change the environment as they like. The first five games will head to stores in March, with another five due in August. Ones to watch are Creationary (7+, March) and Hogwarts game (8+, August).

Another interesting item is Hasbro's U-Build customizable games featuring Battleship, Connect 4, Mouse Trap and Sorry that allows kids to build the game and then play how they want. Also new is Monopoly U-Build which offers a new concept in Monopoly game play with players able to determine the length of the game depending upon how they design the game track.

Tween girls should watch out for Pop Art Pixies, a line of 14 activity kits from Crayola tied to four girls with unique personalities and styles. The activities are coupled with Popartpixies.com, an online world that debuts in conjunction with the products in September.

A real showstopper is Dance Star Mickey, a new interactive plush (due in October) from Fisher-Price and Disney that walks, talks and dances to five different songs and includes games for kids and parents. Preschoolers will also love iXL Learning System from Mattel (due July), a 6-in-1 handheld device with a story book, game player, note book, art studio, music player and photo album. Both PC and Mac compatible, the product includes an SD card slot and comes with a USB cord.

Rokenbok made ROK Blocks, bulky new blocks that make it easier for preschoolers to build, while Learning Curve created the Early Engineers Line, a first-ever Thomas Wooden Railway line geared toward train enthusiasts 18 months and older.

Fans of "Sid the Science Kid" should look for PLAYSKOOL's Sid's Super Fab Lab Science Kit where kids 3 and up can use a real working light-up microscope, 5 activity cards, scale, and 12 specimens. Another one to watch is Learning Resources' Primary Science Set, a line of science kits for kids 4 and up complete with a beaker, magnifying glass, funnel, test tubes and more.

For bubble lovers, Little Kids created Bubble Dooods with fuzzy rubber hair and a no-spill top as well as Jelly Belly Squeeze N Blow Pop Up Bubbles. Also cute are the No-Spill Bubble Tumbler Minis with bright, fresh graphics that preschoolers will love!

Lots of movie, book and TV inspired products will be headed to stores as well such as "The Last Airbender" action figures, vehicles, playsets from Spin Master utilizing innovative technology enabling fans to recreate favorite scenes from the film; a board game from Cadaco based on "The Deadliest Catch;" "Project Runway" arts & crafts kits from Fashion Angels; games and puzzles based on "The Guinness World Records" books from Haywire Group; "Dinosaur Train" products including action figures and magnetic and foam puzzles.

How time flies! Some classic properties and characters are celebrating milestones this year:

• Dora the Explorer celebrates her 10th anniversary with a range of new games and toys including Day to Night Dollhouse and the singing and dancing We Did It Dora Doll from Fisher-Price.

• Hasbro plans some items to commemorate the 95th anniversary of Tinker Toys and the 40th anniversary of Dressy Bessy.

• Rubik's Cube marks its 30th anniversary with a range of toymakers creating new items.

• Thomas & Friends marks its 65th anniversary with the engines having a voice for the first time in upcoming DVDs.

• JAKKS Pacific creates a line of products celebrating Sanrio's 50th anniversary with products featuring Hello Kitty and other Sanrio friends in limited anniversary editions.

• 50th anniversary of Etch-A-Sketch with Ohio Art creating a new signature edition filled with copper powder and red metallic screen in retro packaging.

Mom's choose Baby Genius books

Baby Genius got a nod from The Mom's Choice Awards for the first four titles in its Interactive Sing ‘n Learn Board Book series. Gold Awards were awarded to: The Wheels on the Bus; 5 Little Monkeys Jumpin’ on the Bed; Old MacDonald Had a Farm; and 1 Little, 2 Little, 3 Little Elephants. New board book titles are scheduled for release in 2010.

Parr teaches kids that it's easy going green

Author/illustrator Todd Parr teaches kids about the environment and "going green" with his new book "The Earth Book" due in spring. The book features a circular die-cut on the cover, and is printed entirely with recycled materials and nontoxic soy inks.

A "Dino" mite reading experience

Kids will have a "dino"mite time reading VIZ Media's latest manga, "Dinosaur King."
Volume 1 is already on store shelves and tells the story of Max who is obsessed with dinosaurs. He knows his Tapejara from his Pteranodon and can find fossils better than a trained paleontologist. When he discovers a stone tablet that transports him to the age of dinosaurs, he meets his new friend King and an evil genius Dr. Z who has enslaved the dinosaurs. Max must defeat Dr. Z and his Alpha Gang to save the ancient beasts.
In Volume 2, due April 6, King's mother is trapped and Max must rescue her while avoiding the attacks of Dr. Z and the Alpha Gang.
Both volumes contain bonus trading cards inside, limited quantities are available.

The die is cast

A range of die-cast vehicles featuring the likes of Marvel's Super Hero Squad, classic Marvel properties, and Marvel Studios’ upcoming feature films, "Iron Man 2," "Thor," "The First Avenger: Captain America," and "The Avengers" will be hitting toy shelves in late second quarter.
The collection from Maisto International will include a range of cars, off-road trucks, motorcycles, planes and trains, as well as die-cast vehicle playsets. The Marvel collection will be available at all channels of retail distribution, including mass market, collector, specialty and toy stores.

Wubbzy to wow audience with new DVDs

Look for two new "Wow! Wow! Wubbzy" DVDs heading to retail shelves over the next few weeks.
In stores on Feb. 16, "Wow! Wow! Wubbzy! Go For Gold," is timed to the 2010 Winter Olympics and features the voices of Kwanzleberry (Michelle Kwan) and Touchdown Tiki (Tiki Barber). These sports celebrities headline a collection of athletic-themed episodes created to get kids and their families up and moving. A new 8x8 paperback book by Scholastic also heads to stores.
To commemorate the 40th anniversary of Earth Day comes "Wubbzy Goes Green" on April 6. Anchor Bay partnered with the Alliance for Community Trees (ACT) on a mini-grants program. For every "Wubbzy Goes Green" DVD sold, the company will donate $1 to ACT to help support the planting of trees in playgrounds and schoolyards across the country.

LEGO builds presence in the Bahamas

Thousands of LEGO bricks and hours and hours of building fun will greet kids at the Atlantis Kids Adventures club in the Atlantis Paradise Island resort.
The new LEGO Construction Zone also has a wall covered in a LEGO base plate which kids can build directly onto. The kids' club will also offer fans a number of hands-on activities, as well as a sign-up for a premium LEGO building experience.
In July, the kids' club will host the world's first LEGO Atlantis Fantasy Camp with a sweepstakes tie-in with Toys"R"Us and JetBlue Airways.
In other brand news, the world's largest Legoland will open in the former site of Cypress Gardens by the end of 2011.

A BIG campaign with a heart

Clifford the Big Red Dog fans can celebrate Valentine's Day and a good cause at FAO Schwarz' Fifth Avenue store on Thursday, Feb. 11 from 3:30 to 4:30.
Kids will be able to listen to a special reading of Norman Bridwell's "Clifford the Big Red Dog" by author and co-host of "The View" Sherri Shepherd, have a meet and greet with Clifford and participate in a "Make Your Own Valentine" activity.
The event is part of the Scholastic BE BIG campaign which encourages
everyone to take action and raise awareness for how Clifford’s BIG ideas (Share, Play Fair, Have Respect, Work Together, Be Responsible, Be A Good Friend, Help Others, Be Truthful, Be Kind and Believe In Yourself) can make the world a better place.
Scholastic will also donate 10% of the net proceeds from the sale of any BE BIG Clifford plush to the BE BIG Fund at HandsOn Network.

Sweepstakes is cookin' over at Food Network

NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc. and Food Network have cooked up an appetizing sweepstakes for the Wii game, "Food Network: Cook or Be Cooked."
Participants can register to win one of five grand prizes at www.FoodNetworkStore.com through Feb. 28, 2010. Prize packages include a Wii, a copy of the Food Network: Cook or Be Cooked video game, a Food Network apron, and two Food Network reusable shopping bags.
Using the motion control capabilities, players can master an array of culinary techniques as they progress through more than 30 fun and delicious Food Network recipes. Designed to take the cooking experience from practice to practical, the game gives players the cooking “chops” they need to create each dish in their real kitchen with ease. For those looking for company in the kitchen, or a little friendly competition, the game lets up to four players cook side-by-side in cooperative Hot Potato multiplayer mode, or face-off in a two-player split screen competitive mode.