The 59th International Toy Fair has begun today in London at the Olympia exhibition centre. Toy manufacturers big and small set-up stall for three days at this annual trade event; to show-off their wares for the coming year.
2011 has been a good year for the UK toy industry with sales increasing by 3%, despite many families the tightening purse-strings because of worries about the current economic situation. The UK toy market is now valued at £2.96 billion.
The show features awards for the Best New Toys for 2012; where 32 winners were picked by a panel of independent retailers.
Among the many familiar categories of toys which the judges had to consider, there was a new one: App Toys. Afterall, there’s no getting away from the fact that advanced, touch-screen, commutative and computational devices have been seen for what they really are by children : shiny toys.
Majen Immink, Communications Manager, British Toy & Hobby Association, said: “This year’s Toy Fair Best New Toy Award winners show just how innovative and ‘on the pulse’ the UK toy industry is with exciting new product launches across traditional and cutting edge categories.”
The BTHA International Toy Fair continues until Thursday 26th January 2012; this event is open to members of the trade only.
Best New Toys of 2012: that list in full
Action Figures/Accessories
Ben 10 Omniverse Rooks Truck (Bandai, £29.99)
Pirate Ship (Playmobil,£59.99)
Gladiators and Battle Rhinoceros (Schleich, £41.49)
App Toys
AppGear (Character Options, £9.99+)
Moshi App Monster (Vivid Toy Group, £22.99)
Tardis Smart Safe (Zeon, £19.99)
Construction/Building Sets
Friends Olivia’s House (Lego, £69.99)
Ninjago Dragon (Lego, £89.99)
Construction Advanced Tool Box (Meccano, £19.99)
Creative
Crayola Colour Wonder Metallic Paper (Vivid Toy Group, £8.99)
myStyle Japanese Best Friend Dolls (Interplay, £9.99)
Aquarelle (Ravensburger, £4.99+)
Games and Puzzles
Logo “What Am I?” (Drumond Park, £20.00)
The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Puzzle (H P Gibsons, £11.99)
Poppin Hoppies (University Games, £19.99)
Girls
Sylvanian Families Ice Cream Van (Flair, £22.99)
Dizzy Dancer Dix Studio (Hasbro, £19.99)
Hello Kitty Vellutata Mushroom House (HTI, £19.99)
Hobby and Models
Scalextric Micro – Star Wars Death Star Attack (Hornby Hobbies, £69.99)
Outspeeder (Revell, £19.99)
Infant/Preschool
Mike the Knight Action Playsets (Character Options, £14.99)
Letter Factory Phonics (Leapfrog, £14.99)
Winnie the Pooh Spin n Play Acorn Train (Tomy Europe, £19.99)
Olympics
Team GB Mini (Golden Bear, £14.99)
London 2012 Pictagram Figurine Collection (Hornby Hobbies, £19.99)
Team GB Trunki (Trunki, £40.00)
Outdoor
Fireman Sam Rescue Tri-Scooter (MV Sports, £29.99)
Plush Toys
Lalaloopsy Talking Plush (Underground Toys, £5.99+)
Roaring Raa Raa (Tomy Europe, £29.99)
Pocket Money
The Trash Pack (Flair, £2.49+)
Corgi Toy Die-cast (Hornby Hobbies, £2.00+)
Redakai (Spinmaster, £12.99)
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