EL SEGUNDO, Calif – “Are you ready kids?” Just in time for the 20th anniversary of SpongeBob SquarePants, Alpha Group, the global master toy partner of Nickelodeon’s iconic and top-rated animated series, is introducing a brand-new, never-before-seen product line. Building upon two decades of incredible SpongeBob content and fandom, these toys have evolved from the conventional preschool toy range and are certain to excite a multi-generation fan base – Kids, Tweens, Teens and Millennials. The company’s imaginative range includes collectible pop culture figures, fun-loving novelties, plush and – for the first-time ever – SpongeBob toys that include Nickelodeon Slime! SpongeBob SquarePants has emerged as a global pop culture phenomenon since first premiering on Nickelodeon in July 1999. The series has been the most-watched animated program for more than 17 consecutive years, is seen in over 208 countries and translated in more than 55 languages. The Spring line up hitting retail now is as follows:

Slimeez with Nickelodeon Slime Experience the world of Bikini Bottom like never before with SpongeBob Slimeez Figures! Load each 3-inch figure with Nickelodeon Slime (included), push and watch the ooey gooey Slime ooze through the figures. Six figures are available this spring at Target, each packaged with 2oz. Slime and collectible SpongeBob cube for the ultimate blind package experience. Will you find the rare Gold SpongeBob Slimeez? Seven figures debut in Fall. Ages 6+, SRP: $6.99 – Slimeez in action :

SpongeBob StretchPants Play with SpongeBob in a crazy new way! Stretch his arms and legs to activate over 20 unique silly sounds and phrases from SpongeBob himself! Parents, siblings and friends can join in the fun by grabbing an arm and a leg. Keep pulling to hear what he will say next! The more you pull, the funnier he gets! Available on Amazon and Target for ages 4+, SRP: $24.99.

Masterpiece Memes 8-inch collectible vinyl figures bring to life fan favorite show and movie moments that have now become some of the most popular viral memes. Featuring exceptional details and window packaging for collector displays, the Spring Masterpiece Memes figures include Mocking SpongeBob, Imaginaaation SpongeBob, Surprised Patrick, Spongegar and Handsome Squid ward. Available at Amazon and Target for ages 6+, SRP: $19.99

SpongeHeads Young-and-old alike, dress up as your favorite SpongeBob SquarePants characters with the 20-inch soft, inflatable head wear! Made to fit most kid and adult heads, Sponge Heads allow fans of all ages to show off their favorite characters in a silly fashion statement! Let the party begin! Available on Amazon and Target for ages 6+, SRP: $12.99

Mini Plush – Bring Bikini Bottom to the toy collection with these soft, 6-inch Mini Plush friends! These adorable little SpongeBob characters are perfect for play and display. Six characters debut at Hot Topic and Target. Ages 4+, SRP: $7.99

SpongePop CulturePants The 4.5-inch vinyl collectible figures celebrate and capture iconic pop culture in a unique SpongeBob way. The Spring line includes B-Movie SpongeBob, Patrick and Dr. Plankton, based on the horror episodes from the show, as well as Old Timey SpongeBob, Patrick and Squidward in an all-new timeless style inspired by the golden age of animation. Available on Amazon for ages 6+, SRP: $9.99

Giggle Blaster – SpongeBob is silly and wacky and now kids can be too with the SpongeBob-styled Giggle Blaster. Featuring a real working periscope, the fun-themed blaster sprays aerosol party string (included) and shouts over 15 SpongeBob phrases and sounds. Packaged with one can of aerosol party string, and compatible with most standard size cans, the Giggle Blaster arrives in Fall. Ages 6+, SRP: $19.99

Socialize with Alpha Group Facebook – @AlphaGroupUS IG – @TheAlphaGroupUS Twitter – @TheAlphaGroupUS Stay Connected with SpongeBob SquarePants Facebook – @Spongebob IG – @Spongebob Twitter -@SpongeBob

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Fill, Tie and String 40 Balloons in only 40 seconds – Prep Less and Party More!

We are thrilled to share that a real game-changer for any kind of a party/get-together or specialized event (anniversary, graduation, weddings, baby and bridal showers, kids and adult parties) you can imagine for everyone at every age called Bunch O Balloons Self-Sealing Party Balloons™ (BOB Party) from ZURU! Balloons truly bring a sense of happiness to everyone and this is one of those (WOW kind of product’s) you really must see to believe how totally awesome it is!

Party planning can be tons of fun, but the execution itself can literally take your breath away, especially when it comes to balloons, but there is a magical solution to it all! With Bunch O Balloons Self-Sealing Party Balloons™you can fill, tie and string 40 balloons in only 40 seconds. There is literally no more blowing, no more tying and no need to add ribbon or string! Simply attach the balloon stems to the Electric Party Pump and press go! Within seconds, ZURU Bunch O Balloons Party Balloons will fill and self-tie with ease and convenience. Think how many balloons you can make in minutes without losing your energy and making every event a showstopper and the talk of the town!

See it for Yourself – BOB Party In Action:

ZURU Bunch O Balloons Self-Sealing Party Balloons are reusable and refillable and come in a variety of colors and themes.  In addition, they can also be filled using a helium tank or an air compressor.

RETAIL INFORMATION:

The ZURU Bunch O Balloons Party Starter Pack comes complete with the Electric Party Pump, 48 Self-Sealing Party Balloons, helium tank adaptor and fast-fill hose attachment for other inflatables, priced at  $29.99 plus postage and is available now at wwwbunchoballoonsparty.com.

In May 2019, the product will be available in Walmart. The ZURU Bunch O Balloons Party Pump Starter Pack with attachment accessories and two balloon stems (16 balloons) will be available for SRP $14.99 and ZURU Bunch O Balloons 3 stem (24 Balloon) packs including a helium adaptor will be offered in various colors for SRP $9.99 each. 

ZURU Bunch O Balloons Party Follow Bunch O Balloons on Facebook @BunchOBalloons. For more info, visit www.zuru.com, and follow on Facebook @ZURUToys, Twitter @ZURUToys and Instagram @ZURU.toys.

Embassy Skateboards
Model: John Gibson

Our Score: 4.5 out 5 stars

Looking to find that special something for the skateboarder on your Christmas list this year? Embassy Skateboards has just what you need to put a smile on that loved ones face this holiday season. Based deep within the heart of Texas and helmed by John “Tex” Gibson and Lee Leal the company has been churning out quality skate goods since 2009. From old school to new school Embassy has something for every generation of skater.

I had the chance to check out one of the brands John Gibson models and put it through the paces at our local skate park and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. The board we received was a beautifully deep red dipped new school shaped board with a width of 8.5” and length of 32”. The screen printed graphics were vibrant and reminiscent of Pushead graphics of the 1980’s (a definite plus for an old school guy like myself) and after a quick set up I was ready to go. When just cruising around the board’s wide wheel base provided good stability and the mid depth concave gave a nice comfortable shape for your feet to rest in. The 7 ply Canadian maple offered plenty of pop and at times made tricks feel a touch easier given the boards responsiveness.

After putting the deck through a couple more sessions I can safely say that Embassy makes a quality product through and through. Detailed craftsmanship combined with great looks and functionality makes for a product you will surely be happy with and one that is built to last. At the time of typing this, the exact board we received was not currently available for order however there are plenty of other killer decks and products available. If you have ever tried to wade through the sea of online skateboard shops or made a trip to a certain sometimes pushy retail mall shop you know what a hassle it can be to find a good skate product. Save yourself some time and head over to Embassy Skateboards you won’t be disappointed.

To find out more about Embassy Skateboards click here

Now is the time to start the holiday shopping for the 2018 season! I always like to try and be done before Thanksgiving that way we van enjoy the holidays and get to relax. At Media Mikes, we try to find the newest and coolest items to help you get the best gifts during the holiday season. 2018 is shaping up to be one of our busiest years to date with product coverage. Check out below for just a few of the must-own  products this year!

One of this year’s top items to keep an eye out for would be the MIQRO vaporizer. Da Vinci has already delivered amazing products and the MIQRO has an all zirconium ceramic vapor path and mouthpiece which allows you to draw the purest vapor you’ll ever taste in a vaporizer. What makes Da Vinci stand out is that these vaporizers they stand behind their legacy on perfecting the purest flavor. This vaporizer is 33% smaller than its predecessor and with a fully functional adjustable oven, this small vaporizer is sleek and simple!

While you are using your amazing MIQRO, would better way to relax than to kick back with a screening of “The Big Lebowski”. Well, get ready for this holiday season because there is an amazing 20th Anniversary Limited Edition debuting for the first time ever on 4K Ultra Combo Pack that also includes Blu-ray™ and Digital via the digital movie app Movie Anywhere on October 16, 2018, from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. The Big Lebowski 20th Anniversary Limited Edition is the perfect gift for any fan and the exclusive set includes a collectible bag, bowling ball pencil holder, polishing cloth and sweater packaging offering delivering the perfect gift for any fan.

Now if you want to win the holiday season, head over to Forever Collectibles (FOCO) because they  just released their first series of Bluetooth enabled ugly Christmas sweaters… That’s right I said, Bluetooth Ugly Christmas Sweater.Now if a sports fan, get ready to make that purchase because the time is now! The officially-licensed knitted NFL team light-up Bluetooth sweaters for the 2018 holiday season are a must have for all sports fans there are a ton of amazing professional and collegiate sports to choose from. I know the point of the “ugly sweaters” is to be ugly but these shirts look amazing as well as add a little extra cheese factor. The Bluetooth lighting is an amazing addition to the ugly sweater tradition. You are able to display blinking lights on front so you can light up the room and keep the party going all night!

Since the season is just starting off, this piece is only the beginning for us here at Media Mikes, we will have many more gift guides for you to check out this holiday season. Don’t get caught out of time and without a gift. Hopefully this gift guide allows you to get a jump on the shopping this year and makes your loved ones very happy in return!

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When it comes to anything inflatable, the company that is the leader is no question, Gemmy. They come out with literally the best airblown inflatable products for all the holidays. Christmas has always been the big go-to for inflatables but recently Halloween has been stealing some of the spotlight with Gemmy putting out some excellent products.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of “Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas” and Gemmy has delivered four new products to celebrate. The one that we received from Gemmy to feature is a scene with Jack Skellington, Sally and even Zero. It is runs about 6 feet tall and is available at Walmart. There is also an inflatable with Jack and Oogie Boogie, that was a close second to this one.

“The Nightmare Before Christmas” Jack Skellington and Sally Airblown Inflatable Scene is easily one of our instant favorites and what is even cooler is that this scene could also work well for the Christmas season as well if you are a big fan of the film like our house is. The lights are really bright on these and I love how it has a base stand around it which makes it VERY easy to display in small areas since it stands up easily.

Gemmy also has great other Halloween products including a Minion Ghost (also a great purchase, I can see this side by side with the Jack & Sally scene) as well as a Bewitched Pumpkin Carriage with a Fire and Ice Projection. Easy year they are outdoing themselves with these products. I am very proud to display this product in front of my house and I see cars slow by as they pass just to get a good look at night cause honestly, it looks amazing from the street. Don’t wait head to Walmart now!

This week my daughter mentioned to me if she can get a headphones for her iPad for when we are in the car traveling. So, I said well maybe you can ask Santa Claus for it for Christmas. In my searching, I came across CozyPhones, which are a super cute and also multi-functional. These  super comfortable 3-In-1 Headphones within the headband with kid safe volume control. The headband also serves as a sleep mask. This is literally a must have for all kids.

As a parent yourself, who else has issues if their earbuds falling out or breaking and the ugly bulky over-the-ear headphones?! These headphones are a great gift for kids. It also mentioned that this product is a wonderful solution for children with sensory issues and special needs. Still need more reasons? Well, the speakers are able to be easily removed, which means that you can even watch the headband if it gets dirty! BOOM!

Lastly, I should mention all the different type of headband designs that you can get. There are featured original style favorites, including a Fox, Frog, Panda, Bunny and (sure to be every girl’s favorite) a Unicorn. CozyPhones also has aligned itself with some of the top shows and brands in children’s entertainment and have partnered with Nickelodeon’s Paw Patrol for Chase, Marshall & Skye designs available now also – with more favorites to come! So there is only great things to come from this company! Stay tuned and definitely consider this for your kids this holiday season!

All CozyPhones are compatible with Apple iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android, Samsung Galaxy, Blackberry, Nokia, LG, HTC, Google Nexus, Lenovo, Asus, Sony, Dell, Toshiba, HP, MP3, MP4 and other audio devices.  Ages 4+, SRP $19.99 on Amazon, click here to purchase.

DC Super Friends RC Mobile Command Center
Imaginext

Our Score: 4 out of 5 Stars

With the Imaginext DC Super Friends RC Mobile Command Center, young Super Heroes can steer the action from the palms of their hands with the remote control, sending the command center forward and in a backward turn. At the press of the transform button, the Batwing platform rises, revealing the full command center with projectile launcher, jail, and cockpit for Batman. This transforming, crime-fighting machine is the perfect home base for your young Super Hero to create all sorts of action-packed, crime-fighting adventures with their favorite Caped Crusader!

Imaginext continues to really impress me with their DC Super Friends line. One of their newer releases the RC Mobile Command Center is packed with features that will surely enhance your child’s play experience. From the Centers remote control action to its impressive lights and sound and to top it all of a launching Batwing! Imaginext pulled out all the stops on this one. The toy is controlled by a four button remote which has good sized buttons making easy for even younger children to use and when not in use the remote hooks nicely to the back of the center for easy storage. Some other nice details were the fold down sides which house a jail cell and an additional projectile shooter. The cockpit of the vehicle also folds down where there is a seat for the included Batman figure.

Toy Tester Ian w/ the Command Center

Our toy tester Ian really gave the Command Center a good workout as he patrolled up and down the hallway of our house for what seemed like hours pausing only to see who he could land the launching Batwing on. (That thing really launches a good distance) From a parents point of view the toy offers quite a bit. Like all Imaginext toys the Center features a rugged build design that will survive even the roughest play. The only real drawback we could find was that once the toy is off the wheels lock which does not allow users to push the toy around freely. With the toy being a touch on the heavier side this may make moving the center a touch difficult for smaller children. That aside the DC Super Friends Mobile Command Center is a rolling, talking, lighted, launching good time that will certainly put a smile on your young ones face this holiday season.

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Teen Titans Tower
Imaginext

Our Score: 3.5 out of 5 Stars

Fans of Cartoon Networks “Teen Titans Go” can now bring the fun of the show into their playrooms with Imaginext’s new “Teen Titans Go” line of figures and play sets. At the center of the series is the Teen Titans Tower a, multi tiered play set which features transforming couch launchers, a movable elevator and a gym area complete with sparring dummy. The Tower is a great addition any growing Imaginext collection or as your first introduction to the Imaginext toy line.

Toy Tester Ian w/ the Teen Titan Tower

Included with the set are three figures (Robin, Mammoth & Silkie) which allow you to jump right in and start playing without the need for additional purchases. This was something our 5 year older tester Ian really liked as the figures are just as much fun as the play sets they accompany. Another cool feature was the couch launchers which are nicely hidden within the third level of the tower. With a turn of the Power pad the couches transform in to projectile launchers complete with pizza shaped missiles ready to defend the tower from whatever Mammoth can throw at it.

Though the Teen Titan Tower might not pack as many features as some of Imaginext’s more elaborate play sets it’s still a fun toy that fans of the television series will want to get their hands on. The colors and details of the set are spot on and the included three characters is a great bonus. With only a few shopping days left until Christmas the Teen Titan Tower is a toy that you can’t go wrong picking up for that special someone on your list.

Toy Review: Imaginext DC Super Friends Batbot Xtreme

DC Super Friends Batbot Xtreme
Imaginext

Our Score 4 out of 5 stars

The Imaginext DC Super Friends Batbot Xtreme is the ultimate toy for Batman fans. Your young Super Hero will have a blast defending Gotham from all sorts of diabolical Super-Villain attacks! At over two-feet tall, the Batbot Xtreme towers over enemies and is packed with tons of features such as extendable wings, multiple projectile launchers, a hidden Batcycle, a voice changer, and real punching fists all accessible with turn of a power disk making this a great toy for any age.

Imaginext delivers the goods once again as they continue to build on their already impressive DC Super Friends lines. This time around is the Batbot Xtreme. Direct from the DC Comic series comes this towering toy that based on just size alone is pretty impressive. Coming in at just over two feet tall youngster are eye level with this immensely interactive toy. Our five year old toy tester Ian was immediately in awe of this toy even before we got it out of the box.

With all of the launching abilities this robot offers coupled with the expandable wings complete with punching power you would think that would be enough but, the creators really went the extra distance with this product as you also get a launching bat cycle, an opening chest compartment complete with elevator which can transport figures in to the cockpit of the robot and, to top it all off a voice changer which allows a users voice to be transformed into that of the robot. This feature was one that Ian really loved as not only did it add to the creative play experience it provided a good amount of giggles both for him and mom and dad.

Toy Tester Ian w/ the Batbot Xtreme

Imaginext really hit it out of the park with the Batbot Xtreme. Yes the $99 price tag might seem a bit steep at first glance but, once you really take a look at all the toys features and its rugged construction you can quickly see that this toy is one which will provide hours of fun and enjoyment for many years to come. Ian certainly put the Batbot through its paces and after a weekend of play the only negative we could find is that for smaller children it can be a bit difficult to move because of the size. This resulted in a few calls from the play room to mom and dad for a little help.

Possibly the addition of a few small wheels on the bottom would enhance the play even more and make moving a little easier however, its always nice to get that call for help as my wife and I were quickly recruited in to the play. With the holidays right around the corner Imaginext’s Batbot Xtreme is a near perfect toy to add to your loved ones list this year no matter what age.

The holidays are approaching quickly and it is time to get your gifts in order! Well look no further than one of the coolest gifts someone can receive (within ages 12+). Jenga has always been fun but rather small in scale. Well, that has all changed with Jenga Giant JS7, this game definitely lives up to the name. This game is the literally the largest authentic hardwood JENGA® game you can buy and it can scale as high at FIVE FEET! Yes, five feet tall!

This game features 54 oversized, precision-crafted, high quality, smoothly polished hardwood blocks packaged within a heavy duty carry bag. The game is a little higly priced to be honest at an MSRP $169.95 but Amazon has it for less than $120, so might want to consider that angle or if not they are available on jengagiant.com.

Personally, I have always been a huge fan of Jenga and with the releases of their “Giant” product it has re-won me over as an adult now (or at least a pretend adult, lol). Note that if you do get this product to heights of five plus feet, it falls hard and if it hits your toes..OUCH! So make sure you have plenty of room to play. Get some friends/family around and get ready to have a blast!

When it comes to getting kids outside these days and away from phones, tablets or video games and getting outside and running around. I want that! Ultra Dash from PlayMonster is your answer to get those kids outside and running around. At first, this reminded me of a Bop-It toy, which is still cool but this is so much more. When the colors flash you need to move fast! You can design your own course with targets. There are also three modes to play. You can play against yourself or with all your friends in each of these modes:

• Beat the Clock: See how quickly you can run the course and hit the taggers as colors flash!
• Target Tally: Choose your time and then see how many targets you can hit!
• Relay Race: It’s team vs. team in a race to hit targets!

Ultra Dash has taken the age old game of tag and made it even cooler. As soon as the first color flashes, you start and race to the targets! The tagger knows if you tag the right color! If the light’s green and you tag a yellow target, the tagger will know and keep track! Re-setup and play again. This game features endless fun within its game modes. You will thank me later, when the parents have some house time all to themselves with the wonderful sounds of kids playing outside.

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Kids these days are obsessed with mystery box and toys like Hatchimals where what you get is a surprise. These Egg Babies are super cute and a great alternative to the Hatchimals craze. They are priced at only $12.99 on Amazon, which is a steal to some other products that are similar. Series 1 features 6 different plush animal babies. These animals were very cute and VERY soft and squishy (my daughters words).

Here is a breakdown of each of the characters you see in the picture to the right:
Turtellini is a colorful turtle who’s outgoing, caring and livens up the party. She’s a true gift to those around her! Bubble Gum is a fluffy pink bunny full of confidence. She is a natural leader, has a true rock and roll spirit and loves to express herself through music.

Hamlet is a cheeky and mischievous pig. He can sometimes be found stirring up trouble but don’t worry, he’s sweet enough to clean up his mess. Kiwi is a true extrovert. This fun-loving chick loves to be in the spotlight.

Kiwi can usually be found center stage as lead singer of the band, Deviled Eggs. Patches is an energetic and determined puppy. He knows good sportsmanship and is more important than the final score.

Snowflake is a sweet and lovable kitty cat. She makes new friends wherever she goes. Her cheerful personality is truly infectious.

Wicked Cool Toys delivers another winner for your kids! Perfect time just for the upcoming holidays. Get those stockings filled with these great toys and get ready to see your kids enjoy opening their egg to reveal which FURRiendly surprise they receive and end up loving forever!

Concert Review: The Machine, Ridgefield Playhouse – Ridgefield, CT

New York Comic Con has become the premier East-Coast destination for all things pop culture and 2017 was no different. New to the convention floor this year was Fisher Price’s Imaginext toy  line which features a wide variety of multi-faceted play sets, figures and vehicles taken from the pages of the DC universe. As an exclusive for this year’s convention Imaginext creators brought a special themed version of their DC Bat-Bot Xtreme for a lucky few to purchase. Media Mikes had the chance to speak with designer Rob Hageman about the piece as well as what the brand has in store for this year’s holiday season.

Ian Lawton: How did you come up with the original idea for the original DC Bat-Bot Xtreme?

Rob Hageman: We actually started off by making a smaller version of the toy. It had all the same workable features and everything but when we got it all done we realized it would be cooler if we made it a lot bigger. The smaller version was great but once kids got a hold of the larger version that’s the one that everyone really enjoyed.

IL: Can you tell us about some of the feature on the Bat-Bot Xtreme?

RH: I think the best feature is when you turn one of the action discs as it opens up the wings of the robot. Once you do that you have access to the punching power triggers on each hand. You can also fire discs out of the fists as you punch. Across the top are a number of buttons which shoot several rockets. On the opposite foot of the robot is another action disc which opens up the chest of the robot to reveal an elevator which takes figures up into the head of the robot. Also featured is a voice changer which allows you to talk into the back of the toy and transform your voice in to that of a robot. There is a hidden bat cycle in one foot of the robot which can be shot out while the other foot features a jail for locking up any bad guys.

IL: The Comic Con version of the Bat-Bot Xtreme is different from the one in stores. Can you tell us about that?

RH: There is a comic book version of this robot that is much more metallic than the retail one. The retail one is still super cool but it’s done in standard blue plastic where the 300 we did for Comic Con have a special blue metallic paint job that is closer to what is seen in the comic. With this special version I really was trying to make sure it looked as close to the one pictured in the book. The exclusive version also comes with in special packaging featuring some really great art work, magnetic switches and LED lights.

IL: How do you decide which characters you are going to make into a figure?

RH: Each year all the designers get together and draw a bunch of concepts. We will take them to the team and give them our best pitches for each one. From there we work as a team to finalize designs and figure out which look the best, are the most relevant and will help Imaginext flush out the DC Universe.

IL: What other characters/figures are you set to release?

RH: We have Mongul and Green Lantern set to come out along with Black Canary and Night Wing around Christmas time. Also set to come is Steppenwolf as well as Swamp Thing and Survivor Batman. I think that’s probably one of our best packs we have done so far.

IL: How would someone go about becoming a toy designer?

Designer Rob Hageman and Media Mikes Ian Lawton

RH: When I was a kid I loved to draw and it was something I always did. I would draw my toys along with other toys I may have wanted. I also drew a lot of robots as I love robots. When I got to high school a teacher of mine had a friend of his who worked for a toy company come to class. He brought in all the things he had worked on and told us it was his job to make toys. I knew then it was something I wanted to do. I kept drawing more and more and after high school I went to art school and focused on toy design. I am now doing what I wanted to do ever since high school.

IL: What has been your favorite toy that you have created/worked on?

RH: My favorite is the regular Bat-Bot which transforms from a tank to a robot. It was an uphill battle for me to sell that in as I wanted the transformation to be able to happen while the toy was still in the package. I wanted there to be two different forms while making things easy to maneuver and play with. The voice on it is really great as well.

 February 18, 2017, — BELOIT, Wis. – During Toy Fair in New York, PlayMonster LLC is showcasing its new Wonder Crew® Buddies, the toy line for boys designed to empower boys to connect, nurture and build empathy through friendship, imagination and adventure.

Wonder Crew is turning the table on the conversation about gender stereotypes and toys, which has largely been focused on presenting more options for girls to play. Wonder Crew fills a hole in the market by offering a toy that helps boys develop their emotional maturity, including compassion and kindness, to help them grow to be good men, husbands, fathers and more.

Combining the adventure of an action figure with the emotional connection of a stuffed animal, 15″ Wonder Crew Buddies are available now. The crew includes Will (Caucasian), Marco (Hispanic), James (African American) and Erik (Asian). Each comes dressed in superhero gear, complete with matching mask and cape for kids.

Wonder Crew also has three Adventure Packs: Builder includes a construction outfit and hard hat for the buddy, and a matching vest for kids; Explorer features a safari-looking outfit and hat for the buddy, and a matching hat for the child; and Snuggler is a set of pajamas for the buddy, and a blanket for kids!  Each is sold separately.

Bringing “adventure through friendship” to boys ages 3‒5, Wonder Crew buddies are priced at $29.99‒$34.99; gear sets from $14.99‒$19.99.

Wonder Crew was created by Laurel Wider, a psychotherapist and mom, after her son came home from preschool one day and announced that “boys aren’t supposed to cry.”  Frustrated by many of the messages boys were (and weren’t) receiving and inspired by the way play influences child development, Wider created Wonder Crew to encourage kids to connect emotionally and be their full selves.

During North American International Toy Fair in New York, February 18‒21, 2017, PlayMonster can be found at booth #439. 

About PlayMonster LLC

Beloit, WI-based PlayMonster is a toy and game company that believes in the power of play to make a positive difference in people’s lives. Delivering great play value by designing, manufacturing and marketing quality products like the award-winning The Game of THINGS…®, 5 Second Rule®, Mirari®, Stinky Pig™, Yeti in my Spaghetti®, Farkle, Chrono Bomb®, OK to Wake!®, Lauri®, Stratego®, Roominate™, My Fairy Garden™ and Wooly Willy® is how PlayMonster helps keep play alive for all ages.

Having Owned several drones and RC toys in my past I would best describe as a very suitable pick-up and fly mini drone. Parrot Did a great job on this drone of making it user friendly to the point of pairing it to your phone and in 3 seconds your flying around with ease. Now while the Parrot Mambo is close to your typical quadcopter drone, Parrot made sure to tuck in a few extra goodies to make it an even better buy at the under $150 range.

Below are some of the key features of the Parrot Mambo:

• High Performance Sensors For Stability
• Easily Do Flips and Stunts With the Push of a Button
• Remotely Fired Cannon With 6 Shot Capacity (1 Shot every 1.5 seconds)
• Remotely Triggered Grabber That Can Carry Up To 4 gram objects
• Ability to Toss To Takeoff
• Pilot with Free iOS or Android App
• Fly With Optional Parrot Flypad
• 65 Foot range with Smartphone, 200 Foot range with Flypad
• 1 Year Support and Assistance Warranty

As parrot continues to push it affordable line of drones with the Mambo (seeing as how other drones can run 300 and up). Coming in at only 15cm the parrot Mambo pack a lot of power in a little frame. The body is made to withstand some punishment (the average user would see a long life form the drone) while Parrot included the options for guards or no guards (hull) to keep the weary mind at bay. I even noticed during prolonged use that I hit a wall and bent one propeller but thanks to the materials used by Parrot the blades damage almost fixed itself as if it never happened (may just be a one instance thing but the strength of the blades on the propellers seem stronger than the normal).

When it comes to flight you’ll notice right away that the Mambo is easy to control for even the newest drone users. The Mobile app used to fly the drone come pre-programmed with a handful of flight maneuvers for your Mambo to do with just a push and even just sitting around and trying to do trick over stuff can be extremely entertaining. Now while I’d like to see more out of the battery life it excusable seeing how much power this little guy put’s out. Also Parrot includes a pair of batteries to switch out for longer flights. But extra batteries can always be purchased. The 9 minutes of flying time per charge may not seem like much at first but when you compare that to other mini-drone’s it stacks up pretty good and even gives you enough time to really enjoy what its capable of before it comes time to charge up again.

The extra fun comes with the Mambas add-ons that Parrot included and even featured in their video demo station on their site. With the Cannon it was very surprising to see the amount of force that it can produce fun for an obstacle course. Followed by using the Arm attachment to garb little things and carry them to you drones next destination (like say your spare battery.. just joking). So for those who are looking to have a little bit of fun with their new purchase they’ll find that the Mambo has some interesting features which you will not find on your typical drone for a very affordable price.

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