Flying, Glamping, Spinning & Splashing are In Style This Summer: Rain or Shine!
TORONTO, ON - April 28/2011…While the kids have already started dreaming about the last day of school, parents may be concerned by the 2011 Active Healthy Kids Canada Report Card. The report reveals that kids are sitting idle indoors and spending over 40 hours a week in front of screens.
To help parents keep their kids amused, energetic and alert during the summer months, the toy experts at Mastermind Toys, Canada’s leading specialty toy retailer, have been busy compiling a Hot Summer Hits List featuring a fun-filled assortment of 26 toys, including a large selection of items to keep kids active and occupied - rain or shine! All items are available at Mastermind’s 11 GTA locations and online at www.mastermindtoys.com.
OUTDOOR & ACTIVE
1. Radio Flyer Tailspin “Spin-Out” Trike, ($119.95) Ages 5+
This big-wheel trike is great for riding straight, but comes with a twist; yank the spin-out bar and the back wheels are raised so that the trike will power slide through a turn!
2. Spiro Bouncer Teeter Totter, ($79.95) Ages 2+
What do you get when you cross a bouncy ball with a spinning see-saw? Teeter-Totter fun with a bounce and a twist! This pint-sized, 360° teeter-totter features two balls for lots of bounce and extra-padded seats to ensure a smooth ride.
3. Razor Graffiti Scooter, Ages 6+ ($69.95)
Colour your ride with the Graffiti Scooter! This spiffy scooter has a spring-loaded chalk attachment on the back that leaves a chalk-line trail as you scoot. Make your mark as you spin around the block.
4. Turbospoke Bicycle Exhaust System, ($22.95) Ages 6+ Meet Turbospoke, the bicycle “exhaust” system that makes your bike look and sound like a motorcycle. This cool new accessory transforms your bike into a super cool street machine. Using only the power of your bike’s pedals, Turbospoke produces pretty nifty engine sounds from chopper to dirt bike, and then amplifies them for a realistic rider experience. The harder you pedal, the louder the roar!
5. Crayola Glow Chalk Kit, ($11.95) Ages 4+
Create sidewalk art that glows in the dark! It’s simple, just mix chalk dust and glow powder, give it a shake, add water and shake again. Makes four different brightly glowing colours that will provide hours of outdoor fun.
Let’s Go Glamping! (A blend of glamourous + camping)
6. Sunny Patch Tents, ($59.95) Ages 3+ / Sunny Patch Sleeping Bags, ($34.95) Ages 5+
Take bland camping gear and make it fun with Sunny Patch! These playtime tents come in two fun styles: Giant Tootle Turtle Tent, or Mollie the Ladybug Tent! Stay warm inside with the colourful Mollie Sleeping Bag, or crawl into the Augie the Alligator sleeping bag through his mouth!
7. Sunny Patch Happy Giddy Picnic Set, ($39.95) Ages 5+
A tisket, a tasket, every glamper needs a funky picnic basket! The colorful Sunny Patch set comes with everything you need for a pretend or authentic picnic!
8. All-Natural Spa Day Kit, ($29.95) Ages 7+
Relax! Glamping doesn’t need to mean “roughing it”! With this great kit, you’re invited to explore the natural science of beauty! Use the party-planning guide and kit contents to plan your spa day and make all-natural skin pampering spa treatments.
9. Colour A Yumbrella, ($19.95) Ages 4+
Whether it’s raining water, gumdrops, or cats and dogs, your Colour A Yumbrella Kit is a glamourous and fabulous way to keep dry! Produced by Alex, in collaboration with Dylan’s Candy Bar (founded by Ralph Lauren’s daughter Dylan), kids can personalize this candy-clad umbrella, waterproof markers included.
10. Lego Head Lamp, $12.95, Ages 3+
Boring flashlights no more! This headband light is great for hands-free fun, AND the light comes from a Lego man’s feet!
11. Ice Cream Mugz, ($9.95), Ages 4+
Make your own ice cream anywhere and anytime with this fun animal ice cream maker! Ice Cream Mugz makes ready-to-eat, personalized ice cream in only three minutes! Just mix simple ingredients, shake your mug and you’re done! Comes in assorted and colourful animal characters.
HIGH IN THE SKY
12. Lite Hawk “XL”, ($79.95) /“Pro”, ($69.95) Ages 9+
The Lite Hawk family of RC Helicopter Toys has two new additions: the XL and Pro models! The XL is an extra-large model designed for stable outdoor flight, and the Pro model introduces a “fourth channel” to the control mix, allowing for even-more precise turns and dips!
13. Z-Curve Bow, ($26.95) Ages 8+
The Z-Curve Bow is the ultimate foam arrow shooter. Uses safe, soft long range arrows that can soar 100 feet and uses memory foam “zartz” technology to stick to almost any surface while still being soft to the touch.
14. Beamo 30” Flying Hoop, ($19.95) Ages 5+
Soft, safe, easy to catch… and GIANT! The Beamo is the world’s best flying hoop: easy to throw and glides gracefully through the air!
15. Alien Kite, ($19.95) Ages 4+
Start UFO rumours with this out-of-this world kite! This large kite with a 3’+ wingspan features an alien design complete with giant green legs that trail in the wind!
16. Barrel Blaster Parachute Man Launcher, ($16.95) Ages 5+
Load your no-tangle paratrooper into the hand-held tube, fling him high into the air, and watch him float safely to Earth!
17. Graffiti Sky Ball and Fat Bat Set, ($15.95) Ages 6+
Baseball will never be the same with the addition of the Sky Ball to the mix! The sky ball is power-packed with air for maximum bounce…and maximum spring off of the fat bat’s giant sweet spot! Swing for the fences and smash a fly ball up to 300 ft… almost a major-league home run!
SPLISH SPLASH FUN
18. Splash Darts, ($24.95) Ages 5+
Who needs the lawn when you can challenge your friends with these specially designed floating darts? Toss the target into the pool and then take aim with your darts!
19. Catch of the Day Magnetic Fishing, ($24.95) Ages 3+
Little anglers can hook the catch of the day with this working rod and reel, two lures and a battery-powered fish. Watch as the fish swims gently in the water until the magnetic lure clips into its mouth and the fish fights wildly just like a real bass! Perfect for the pool or bath.
20. Wigglin’ Water Snake, ($24.95) Ages 3+
Attach this giant 20-ft. long sprinkler snake to any garden hose for refreshing summer fun! The Wigglin’ Water snake sprays crazily in all directions as it writhes around the lawn!
21. Swimming Pool Crash Mat, ($14.95) Ages 6+ Perfect for cannon-ballers! Put this floating foam target into the pool, and then bombs away! The pieces come apart when you crash them, so it’s just reassemble… and reload!
22. Speed Splash, ($9.95) Ages 4+
Fill the sponge ball with water and zip it back and forth on a line between two players with handles… the faster you go, the more you splash!
SAVE IT FOR A RAINY DAY
23. Baby Bubble Bouncer, ($49.95) Ages 12 months +
An indoor trampoline for toddlers! This small-sized trampoline has a stand for extra balance so that little ones can grab and bounce!
24. Lego Sort and Store Head, ($49.95) Ages 4+
The ultimate Lego collection companion! This giant toy is shaped like a Lego head, and inside the head are differently-sized sieves. Drop your mountains of Lego pieces in the top, and then they get sifted and sorted by size for better storage!
25. Rack N Roll Bowling Game, ($44.95) Ages 5+
Table-top bowling with big lane excitement! This 10-pin game is almost five feet long and has an adjustable launcher, pin rack for easy resetting, bowling balls and an automatic ball return.
26. “Be Amazing” Energy Stick, ($9.95) Ages 8+
Celebrating its 27th year in operation, Toronto-based Mastermind Toys was founded in 1984 by brothers Andy and Jonathan Levy. Mastermind is Canada’s largest and most successful privately-owned, specialty toy retailer with 11 locations across the Greater Toronto Area. Both in-store and online, Mastermind carries over 10,000 educational and fun toys, books, games, puzzles and software offering exceptional service and complimentary gift wrap. Visit http://www.mastermindtoys.com/. Mastermind Toys can also be followed on Facebook, Youtube and Twitter.
