Toy Fair 2008 was a Blast

Despite the doom and gloom over the economy and the recent glut of safety recalls, the 105th Annual International American Toy Fair was in a word…fun.

In a continued effort to clean its own house, the Toy Industry Association held numerous safety seminars and lectures throughout the Jacob Javits Center where Toy Fair is held. The four-day show set attendance records with a reported 30% increase in people looking for and displaying the latest and greatest in the realm of playdom. There was energy in the aisles that I hadn’t felt in several years.

There was excitement at the WHAM-O stand as they kicked off their 60th Anniversary celebration. Another prominent birthday bash was held for the Cabbage Patch Kids who turn 25 this year. Who could forget the riots they caused in 1983?

I saw several neat collectible toys, but my favorite was Clay-Mates. They are “They are Hugely Tiny, Hand Made Real Porcelain Creatures” and the moment I saw them, I knew my collect-crazy daughters would be go ga-ga for them.

My favorite use of the internet was a company making customizable flash cards called Goosie Cards. Clever, educational and fun.

Innovation was alive and well in a product called Bakugan from Spin Master. They are magnetized playing cards with magnetized “marbles” that kids flick and roll. When the marble or “battle brawler” comes to rest on a magnetized card it pops open, transforming into a creature. Very cool.