NEW YORK, April 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- After a long
winter at home, kids everywhere are ready to get outside and have
fun during the warm, sunny days ahead. Today, the Toy
Insider, the toy industry's most influential organization,
released its 2021 Spring & Summer Gift Guide online at
thetoyinsider.com. With more than 240 toys from 130 toymakers
across eight different categories, The Toy Insider's guide
showcases toys that teach and keep kids entertained; activities and
games that keep the boredom at bay; outdoor products that get kids
outside and active; and water toys for hours of wet and wild
fun.
In 2020, the NPD Group reported a 29% increase in the outdoor
and sports toys category, with sales totaling $5.35B. The outdoor fun will continue in 2021,
with families turning to their backyards and outdoor spaces once
again as the pandemic continues to limit summer camp and travel
options.
"Families can still keep the fun going at home and spend that
summer vacation money on toys that turn their backyards into
playgrounds for kids to enjoy all season long," says Marissa DiBartolo, Editor-in-Chief of the Toy
Insider. "The toys you'll find in our guide are jam-packed with
play value and will get the little ones off their screens and
outside. Plus, they may even sneak in a little summer
learning!"
Notable summer toy trends include over-the-top toys for
impressive backyard fun, educational toys to prevent the summer
slide after a year of remote learning, fun toys and games that
bring the best of summer camp to your home, and new toys inspired
by kids' favorite movies, TV shows and YouTube channels, including
Ryan's World, Blue's Clues & You! and Raya and
the Last Dragon.
The Toy Insider's gift guide is broken down
by play category and age group—from infants to tweens—and is never
separated by gender. Each category includes a variety of products
across a wide range of price points, from collectibles under
$10 to splurge-worthy backyard
staples:
- ACTIVITIES & GAMES: Tired of hearing the kids say, "I'm
bored!"? These hands-on activities, DIY kits and games will keep
kids engaged and off their screens while also keeping parents and
caregivers sane.
Toy Insider Picks: Summer Camp (Buffalo Games), Shimmer 'n Sparkle
Ultimate Tie Dye Creations Studio (Cra-Z-Art)
- BUDGET-FRIENDLY FAVES: Sticking to a budget is always
important, and you don't need to spend a lot of money to have fun.
All under $25, these toys,
collectibles and activities are packed with play value without
breaking the bank.
Toy Insider Picks: Birthday Cake Swirlz
Compound (WeCool Toys), Cutetitos Partyitos (Basic Fun!)
- ENTERTAINMENT TOYS: Kids' favorite characters from movies, TV
shows, video games and social media platforms are making their way
to the toy box. From classic Disney characters to YouTube and
TikTok stars, kids can bring their favorite characters to the real
world through play sets, collectibles and more.
Toy Insider Picks: Space Jam Super Shoot and Dunk
LeBron James (Moose Toys); Love, Diana Adventure Set (Just
Play)
- NATURE & EDUCATIONAL TOYS: Outside of the classroom, toys
are great teaching tools for introducing kids to basic STEM
concepts. Plus, with nature breaks becoming more appealing during
the pandemic, these toys encourage little ones to explore and
interact with the world around them.
Toy Insider Picks: Osmo Genius Starter Kit for
iPad (Play Osmo); Science4You (PlayMonster)
- OUTDOOR TOYS: Say hello to the great outdoors! These toys turn
your backyard into the ultimate oasis where kids can get some
much-needed fresh air and have a blast until the sun goes down.
Toy Insider Picks: FOAMO (MGA Entertainment);
Maxx Bubbles Bubble Flower Pot (Sunny Days Entertainment)
- PHYSICAL & ACTIVE TOYS: It's important to help kids stay
active and channel their energy after spending months indoors.
There are plenty of toys that will get kids off the couch and on
their feet, from outdoor games to exciting bikes and scooters.
Toy Insider Picks: Pop 2 Play (WowWee); WeeeDo 2 in 1
Ball Pit Bouncer (Jakks Pacific)
- TRAVEL TOYS: Keeping the kids entertained wherever you go is an
adventure in and of itself. Whether you're taking a family road
trip or going on a weekend getaway, you won't hear the kids ask,
"Are we there yet?" thanks to these portable, travel-friendly toys
and games.
Toy Insider Picks: 100 Words About Places I Go
(LeapFrog); Color Wonder Activity Pads (Crayola)
- WATER TOYS: Cool down in the summer heat with water toys that
are sure to make a splash, from durable pool toys and inflatables
to exhilarating water blasters.
Toy Insider Picks: Swimways Spring Float and
Recliner with Hyper Flate Valve (Spin Master); H2OGO! Beach Bounce
Kids Inflatable Water Park (Bestway)
The Toy Insider team of experts is always in the
know about the hottest, most exciting new toys. They review
thousands of products throughout the year, evaluating features and
overall value, and taking into consideration five main criteria:
play value, originality, skill building, product integrity, and fun
factor.
Visit http://www.toyinsider.com to read reviews, find the latest
in toy news, enter fun giveaways and get the latest parenting
tips.
About The Toy Insider
The Toy
Insider is the go-to source for product information about
children's toys, tech and entertainment. Its team of toy experts
publishes two annual gift guides—one for summer and one for
holiday—and reviews toys 365 days a year on thetoyinsider.com, a
trusted resource for parents. The Toy Insider's content is
produced by an editorial team with more than 100 years of combined
experience covering the toy industry. The Toy Insider is
published by Adventure Media & Events, publisher of the Pop
Insider, a daily pop culture news and review site that will
#fuelyourfandom, as well as leading trade publication the Toy
Book that stays on the #pulseofplay. For more information,
visit thetoyinsider.com and follow them on Instagram, Twitter,
Facebook and YouTube.
Media Contact:
Elizabeth
Tran
LKPR, Inc.
Elizabeth@LKPRinc.com
973-885-0056 (mobile)
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SOURCE The Toy Insider