Late on Tuesday, snow blanketed New York's Javitz Center. But inside, manufacturers at Toy Fair 2010 were showing off new vehicles for outdoor fun just in time for spring. All the classics were on display, from kid-sized bicycles to Razor-styled scooters, with bright colors and tough new materials to make riding easier and more fun.
But the real excitement on the show floor centered on all the new ways kids can get moving. First Lady Michelle Obama has brought attention to the epidemic of childhood obesity, and toymakers have responded with plenty of options to get them rolling. And some toys are great for grown-ups as well.
For decades, kids have learned to ride bikes without training wheels, which means kids eventually have to learn how to ride without them. Balance bikes take the training wheels out of the equation; kids can push themselves on the pedal-free bikes, learning balance and making the transition to a real two-wheeler that much easier.
Easy Rider, a British balance-bike designer, makes bikes safe even for very little ones by restricting the steering radius of their smallest bikes, so it's harder for small children to make reckless turns or take a tumble. And the weather-treated hardwood frames ensure that the bikes can take a beating and keep rolling on.
If an old-fashioned bike is a little passé for your kids, they can hit the streets with a variety of innovative skating-styled vehicles. The Shred Sled is modeled after the two-wheeled skateboards that hit the streets a few years ago; sturdy construction and four-wheel design add stability to the model. By shifting their weight, kids and grown-ups can zip around without pushing on the ground.
Meanwhile, an independent company called Brooklyn Industries bring extreme sports to your driveway with the Free Rider. With a patented, innovative design, the Free Rider introduces a new level of freedom and competition to the free-riding market. By rotating their legs back and forth, kids can build up enough momentum to safely ride uphill, downhill and even over rough terrain without losing their footing.
Riding-safety equipment also made leaps and strides at Toy Fair 2010. Nutcase Helmets has made stylish, sassy helmets for grownups for a long time; now they're stepping into the kids' market with their line of Little Nutty helmets. The helmets range from 8-ball designs to kitschy retro themes, and they can be sized for toddlers to kids age 5. Their custom dial controls mean that the helmets will grow with the kids who wear them.
With all the options hitting stores in the coming months, there's no reason kids can't roll into a speedy, safe spring this year.
Copyright 2010, Sears Brands, LLC. All Rights Reserved.