What toys are going to be popular in 2019? Will there be any new board games to hit the market and will you struggle to find age-appropriate birthday presents to give to nieces, nephews and so on?  I spent a few days last month at the annual Toy Fair at the Jacob Javits Center in New York.

If you have never been before, The Toy Fair is massive. Toy manufacturers, promoters and importers in every conceivable sector display their products. The items also cover every age group from newborns, pre-schoolers, tweens, teens and, yes, a liberal smattering of items for us adults as well.

I personally found it a great introduction to the many toys that will be on the market in 2019. Based on what I saw at The Toy Fair, I have picked out a handful of items. They come from a variety of sectors and have various price ranges. Here’s what impressed me.

Educational Insights

Learning Resources produces a number of items that will help your children with coding. Artie is robot-style toys that you can control using coding commands. Artie is a higher specification model aimed at children who are aged seven years and older. Using drag and drop coding. Artie can also be programmed to draw pictures.

Artie looks like great fun and I would consider this as a toy for all kids.  I love to encourage  the concept of coding. I think this is definitely a toy to look out for in 2019.

Crayola

Crayola is all about providing kids with new and innovative products that help to spark creative experiences.  I love working with Crayola because it inspires imagination and kids the kids away from their screens. Here a preview of what is coming this year.

• Crayola Glitter Dots: Crayola Glitter Dots is a fun and innovative way for kids to create with glitter without all the mess. Each dot contains a special coating so all the glitter is contained in the dot and features a unique adhesive which sticks to multiple surfaces including paper, wood, felt, papier-mâché, fabrics, styrofoam and more. Glitter Dots will be available in single serve packs and creative activity kits that enable kids to create sparkling keychains, stickers, mosaics and sparkly signs.
• Crayola Sprinkle Art Shaker: With the new Crayola Sprinkle Art Shaker, kids can create custom 3D art with glue and sprinkles – with less mess and waste! The contained art project is housed in an enclosed case so kids can lay down custom glue designs and shake until the sprinkles stick. After each creation, the remaining sprinkles will roll back into the included sprinkle tubes for continued use over and over again.
• Crayola Scribble Scrubbie Safari Oasis: Following the popularity of Crayola Scribble Scrubbie Pets, Safari Oasis features all new safari-themed pets that kids can customize with color, wash in the kid-powered tub with a fun slide attachment and customize all over again. In a matter of minutes, kids are transported to an imaginative safari where they can create, nurture and collect four new pets, including a monkey, elephant, giraffe and lion.
• Crayola Spin and Spiral Art Station: Creating spiralized art has never been easier (and more fun!) until now. Using a combination of markers, inks and stencils, kids can use the Crayola Spin and Spiral Art Station to create endless unique color and shape combinations using circular cut out discs. The 2-in-1 kid powered station allows kids to rotate paper cut-outs and drop the ink to create splatter art on one side and spiral designs with markers on the other.

Mattel

This is a big year for Mattel, who is celebrating 60 years of Barbie. The iconic doll debuted at the fair in 1959 and the legacy continues with a vast assortment of new Mattel products revealed to the world for the first time. Disney fans will be excited to see new Mattel toys from Toy Story 4 and Disney Pixar’s Cars. There were a few other Disney surprises in the showcase of classic toy lines that include brands like Hot Wheels, Polly Pocket, Fisher Price, and Little People.

Toy Story 4

A lighted poster display in Mattel’s atrium was the first sign that they have big plans for Toy Story 4. Not only are they bringing classic and new characters to life, they are also applying the Toy Story brand to some classic Mattel products. Mattel is taking playtime to “Infinity and beyond” with the Buzz Lightyear Star Command Spaceship Playset. The Buzz Lightyear figure that comes with the set features glow in the dark accents. As for the ship, it splits apart to become four separate vehicles, including a moon rover, flying pod, and base camp. The ships all have lights and sounds, in addition to some extra accessories. You won’t find this in stores when the movie hits theaters, but it will be available in the Fall just in time for the holiday shopping season.

Barbie

Barbie is celebrating her 60th anniversary this year. Before entering the gallery, the very first Barbie in her black and white bathing suit was on display.

The centerpiece of the Barbie gallery included a giant dream house surrounded by dolls engaging in recreational activities, plus a fantasy section themed to Dreamtopia. This Dreamhouse debuts this Fall and retails for $199.99 This gallery gives a thorough overview of the wide range of Barbie products available now and coming soon. In celebration of Barbie’s 60th Anniversary, a playline updates six of her most iconic careers over the decades. The back of the packaging showcases Barbie’s history in that field, including an astronaut, political candidate, pilot, news anchor, firefighter, and an athlete.

From the Barbie Signature line of collector dolls comes three releases that celebrate Barbie’s 60 years of iconic fashions. The official 60th Anniversary Barbie celebrates Barbie’s diamond anniversary in a gemstone dress and her most modern style. Proudly Pink Barbie is a throwback to her original Silktone style and the first time a Silktone doll has had pink hair. Both of these dolls will debut this Spring, while a third release is expected later this year in a black and white ball gown inspired by Barbie’s original bathing suit.

Barbie Dreamtopia is a fantasy line that expands this year with even more mermaid, princess, and unicorn fun. This Spring, kids can add Brush n’ Sparkle Unicorn to their Barbie playtime, which features four different light and sound shows when her hair is brushed. This Fall, the Barbie Slime Mermaid adds sensory fun to the franchise where each doll comes with two colors of sparkly slime that can be added inside her transparent fin.

Just Play

This is always one of my favorite toy companies to visit. They have so many products that make playtime fun for everyone. They were a couple of lines that stood out for me.

Flutter Friends

The birds can perch on your finger or its included branch accessory. Each bird has two sensors, one on its head and one on its back. Touch the sensors to pet and care for your bird, and the bird will respond with sounds and movement. Petting the head three times will unlock musical tweets. Tapping the bird’s back two times activates a tweet, and then after another two taps, the wings will fully open and play a different sound effect. The birds also respond to sound, such as clapping, or to each other.

These do have realistic hummingbird movements, especially when feeding. There’s a lot of glitter on the birds and fun colors that give them a nice visual appeal when moving. Holding these birds on your finger sort of reminds us of another finger pet toy, so for kids who like these types of interactive animals, Flutter Friends will be fun to play with.

Hairdorables

Just Play launched Hairdorables Series 2 this month. The collectible dolls, featuring plenty of attitude and stylish ‘dos, are back with a new collection of styles, accessories, and surprises.

Kids can pull open the pink display box and open up the mystery compartments inside to reveal which member of the girl squad is waiting inside, plus discover an additional 11 surprises. Each inside compartment holds different outfits, hairstyles, and accessories kids can use to style their dolls.

As with the first series, the dolls are based on the social media personalities from the Hairdorables YouTube videos. Series 2 offers 26 new dolls to unbox, dress, and collect, including one rare and ultra-rare collectible. The dolls — Kali, Brit, Willow, Dee-Dee, Skylar, Bella, Neila, Sallee, Kat, Noah, Harmony, and Rayne — each have their own personality, fierce hair, and different accessories to collect.

New for Series 2, each collectible doll includes one unique Color Reveal accessory that matches each girl’s personality. To change colors, dip the Color Reveal accessory (noted by a small label inside that accessory’s compartment) in water and watch it change color. What a perfect way to match her accessories to her different outfits!

What’s a girl without a loyal best friend, right? Just Play also launches the new Hairdorables Pets Series 1, featuring a collectible group of lovable, loyal pet figures. Just as with the dolls, kids can pull, peel, and reveal eight different surprises inside. Each Pets packaging includes a mystery pet (available in different animals), accessories, stickers, and a brush to comb their own stylish “Big Hair Don’t Care” ‘dos.

Jazwares

I got a chance to tour the booth and check out a few of the top items that they are coming out with this year. Continuing to build on their success from the holidays.

Fortnite

Fortnite will expand, bigger figures, more figures, and highly collectible figures in stackable display cases, compatible with a ton of other licensed collectibles from Jazwares! Fornite hits the 3 3/4 inch scale hard with 13 characters from the video game. 19 points of articulation and multiple weapons along with pieces of wall/ stand. They also offer up blind pack treasure chests packed full of weapons and wearable bling for the 3 and 3/4 line. Aside from figures, there is a sort of pinata style blind pack exclusive Llama that when broken open offers one exclusive figure with multiple weapons and wall pieces.

Announced at the show is their first 6 inch Legendary figures. First of the series is Rabbit Raider, he will come complete with Hard Boiled Back Bling and Carrot Stick Harvesting Tool. Besides 30-plus points of articulation, the most exciting aspect about this line are the swappable faces/emotes finally revealing the character behind the mask. Excited for this line and what great things will come.

Also announced is the was the 12 inch Victory line.  DJ Yonder is the first to be shown off for the Victory line. This Retro style line comes with 7 points of articulation and is fairly inexpensive for a 12-inch line.

Feisty Pets

Some of the prettiest Batman and Harley Quinn designs come out of this line.  New to the line is the mini figures, will be available in blind bags at Walmart!

Spin Master

Packed to the top of the walls with amazing toys, and we got to take a look at them!  What was our favorite?

Owleez

These adorable little creatures need you to teach them how to fly.  But once you do, and they are ready, you put them in their base, and they take off!

Their super expressive eyes will tell you if they are happy, sad, hungry and more. Love them, care for them and they will be so happy, they will fly. Just like a real pet that you can feed, pet, tickle, and rock, Owleez will respond to your touch. Includes one Owleez pet, one nest for nap time and charging and one bunch of berries for feeding.

How To Train Your Dragon

Toothless become a Hatchimal, but Spin Master has some amazing lights, sounds, and steaming dragons available for 2019! The Dragons Hatching Toothless, from the makers of Hatchimals, comes inside an egg that needs to be agitated before the dragon emerges. After he’s hatched, the Night Fury can play games like Hot Potato and Ask Toothless.

MGM Entertainment

Coming off the heels of industry wins from around the world, L.O.L. Surprise! is primed to make 2019 even bigger and even more exceptional with the “Year of Surprises” initiative!  There will be exciting product introductions, epic entertainment shows and fan-favorite retail promotions.  L.O.L. Surprise! fans won’t want to miss out!

L.O.L. Surprise!

• L.O.L. Surprise! Makeover Series #Hairgoals™ have REAL HAIR or GLITTER HAIR! Collect all 12 fabulous new characters each with 15 surprises inside.
• L.O.L. Surprise! Fuzzy Pets™ L.O.L. Pets got a colorful fuzzy makeover! Unbox the new shampoo bottle package to find 7 surprises inside and bathe the pet to wash the fuzz off and reveal the pet underneath.
• L.O.L. Surprise! Bubbly Surprise™ Bubbly Surprise comes in a pink or orange glitter carrying case/purse with an exclusive L.O.L. Surprise! doll and pet hidden inside a heart-shaped case that doubles as a doll stand. Unbox six more surprises by opening surprise balls and digging through kinetic sand.
• L.O.L. Surprise! DIY Glitter Factory™ Customize L.O.L. Surprise! dolls, pets and accessories with glitter or fuzz and wash them off with warm water to glamorize them again and again! Collect duplicates of favorite characters to DIY.
• L.O.L. Surprise! Boys Series The very first, all-boy L.O.L. Surprise! series will debut this summer each with 7 layers of surprises inside! Each Boy will have water features, including color change!
• L.O.L. Surprise! Monopoly game: The L.O.L. Surprise! dolls and accessories will now be a part of the classic Monopoly game.  Players travel around the board to buy, collect, swap and trade the rarest dolls from their favorite L.O.L. Surprise! series. Whoever has the best collection at the end of the game wins!

Poopsie Slime Surprise™

• Cutie Tooties Surprise™ is the slime surprise that oozes fun! Following the successful Holiday 2018 launch of the Poopsie Unicorn Surprise toy, Cutie Tooties are the next exciting toy from the Poopsie brand. Snip or pop the glitter unicorn poop to reveal one of 25+ mystery characters and 30+ slimes.
• Poopsie Sparkly Critters™ are packaged in a soda pop can with adorable animals each with a sparkly unicorn horn that spit or poop slime! Transform slime by adding Unicorn Magic, Unicorn Shimmer, and ultra-rare Unicorn Sparkle! Both products include a resealable food-themed bag to store slime and take it on the go.

The Original Moj Moj™

• Moj Moj Crunch™ Series adds texture to the world of squishes! Squeeze Crunch to uncover all different sparkly, crunchy textures including sand, beads, glitter and foam!
• Moj Moj Itty™ Series contains five adorably tiny squishy characters.
• Moj Moj Min™ Series includes an adorable pop surprise when you squeeze your character and a tiny Min character pops out again and again.

Num Noms®

• Nums Noms Mystery Makeup™ Unbox these adorable surprises in a bottle to find all new Yummy characters with a makeup surprise inside – nail polish, shimmer, body spray, or lotion, that all smell so delicious!
• Num Noms Snackables™ Slime Kits New slime experiences packaged as a fun ‘to-go’ meal with so much food fun to unbox! Each kit comes with slimes and Snackables themed characters such as ice cream slime to scoop, egg yolk slime to crack, and jelly slime to smear!
• Num Noms Snackables Pizza Kit™ includes crust, sauce and your favorite toppings to create fun custom pizzas or treatzzas, again and again.

Another highlight of the event was finding out the top Toy Trends of 2019, here is a look at what those will be.

• Unboxing 2.0Unboxing continues to be a big trend as kids love the surprise element of unwrapping a toy and enjoy searching for rare or limited-edition versions. Unboxing goes to a whole new level in 2019 with added play patterns and features that extend the elements of surprise by encouraging new ways to play with the toy, making this trend more than just unwrapping and collecting. This is done when the unboxing play becomes “part of the story,” such as a secret decoder or unique packaging that transforms into storage or playsets, etc.
• Compound Crazy: Dough, Slime, Sand and More…. Creative and reusable compounds like slime, kinetic sand, dough, putty, and others are popular not only on their own such as in playdoh sets or as part of the slime craze, but also within the unboxing trend, where compounds are being seen as another layer kids have to “dig through” to get to the prize – adding even more suspense to the toy. Activities that are compound-based are a good way to get kids to tap into their creative side, allowing them to familiarize themselves with different textures and styles of design and construction. According to The Toy Association’s Genius of Play initiative, creative play provides children the freedom to explore new possibilities and to learn to think outside the box, enabling them to practice original thinking and devising unique solutions to challenges they face – a skill kids will likely need later in life. This element of educational value is sure to get parents on board with the craze for compounds.
• Throwback Toys 2019 will usher in big anniversaries for some of the entertainment world’s most beloved characters and movies, as well as iconic toys and games that will ignite a wave of nostalgia for parents and grandparents back to their childhood. Parents are looking to share toys and characters that played a big part of their childhoods with their kids and this will include classic low-tech playthings.
• Foodie Fun From trendy foods to farmer’s markets to food trucks, there are a myriad of scrumptious and creative ways that food and drink items have made their way into the toy aisle as popular playthings. This is a reflection of the strong priority that millennial parents have placed on being health conscious and fundamentally aware of where their food is sourced. It is also apparent that both girls and boys are equally interested in toys and games that reflect the foodie culture. In addition, from fruity to spicy to even off-putting or gross-out smells, scented toys have become a must-have item for kids, who find it fun to pick a scent that appeals to them and to collect characters, toys, backpack charms, and other playthings that consist of a favorite smell.
• Inspirational and Aspirational Play Whether it’s a fashion designer, a chef, or learning to build a robot, there is a growing trend of toys, games, and activities that can help prepare and inspire kids for the future. These playthings incorporate features that enhance learning, such as using innovative technology, nurture a child’s natural curiosity, and motivate them to explore skills and interests that could potentially lead to their future career path. According to The Toy Association’s Decoding STEM/STEAM report, toys play a crucial role in teaching STEAM concepts to kids by helping develop these necessary skills and competencies through play. In addition, the report said toys can motivate kids to get excited about new areas, make mistakes without fear, and help facilitate collaboration among peers.
• Explosive Entertainment! In 2019, the entertainment industry has a number of family-friendly movies sure to delight the kid in all of us. From live-action remakes such as The Lion King and Aladdin, to Toy Story 4 to the next Star Wars and Avengers installments, not to mention the hugely popular Frozen is finally getting a sequel in 2019, it should be a busy year not only on the big screen, but also for licensed toys and games. Licensing continues to be a huge part of the toy business, representing about 30 percent of all U.S. toy sales. These playthings continue to be enhanced – infusing popular licensed properties in all types of unique products from plush to playsets to tech toys.