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Melanie Notkin, Toy Expert and America’s Savvy Auntie®, Reveals the
Savvy Auntie Coolest Toy Award Winners - Toy Fair 2016
Savvy Auntie List Celebrates
10 Inaugural Winners
New York, NY – February
17, 2016 – Melanie Notkin, founder and CEO of Savvy Auntie®, the
multiplatform lifestyle brand for aunts and godmothers, has revealed the SAVVY AUNTIE COOLEST TOY AWARDS - TOY FAIR 2016. While Notkin has announced an annual
list of coolest toy awards at the holiday season since 2009, for the first time,
Notkin has added a preview list of coolest toys discovered at Toy Fair. Toy
Fair NY (February 13-16, 2016) is produced by the Toy Industry Association.
While many toy marketers and toy lists focus on primary
caregivers, Notkin created the Savvy
Auntie Coolest Toy Awards to give aunts and all secondary caregivers the
toy-savvy they need to make the best gift choices for the children in their
lives. Savvy Aunties may be secondary caregivers, but they are primary gift
givers.
The inaugural list of SAVVY
AUNTIE COOLEST TOY AWARDS - TOY FAIR 2016
offers savvy gift-givers the opportunity to get a head start on knowing which toys
the children in their lives will be coveting when the toys are available later in
2016. Notkin looked for toys that are fresh and innovative, and as the award
suggests, “cool.” Her awardees list includes toys from the largest toy makers
like Mattel and Spin Master, to startups like the crowd-funded iBesties. The
awardees feature some of the 2016 trends in play, including: coding; robotics; latest
technology; makers; “blind bag” surprises; and girl empowerment. Gift-givers
will also spot nostalgic toys modernized for Generation Z on the list.
The 2016 winners will
also be listed at SavvyAuntie.com
SAVVY AUNTIE COOLEST TOYS AWARDS – TOY FAIR 2016
Ages 3+
Fisher-Price: Think & Learn Code-A-Pillar™ - Fall 2016
Why Savvy Auntie loves it: Like reading and counting, coding is
now becoming part of preschooler learning and development. Fisher-Price has
developed a seamless way to help the youngest children learn how to code, while
also helping their new buddy navigate the playroom! Imagine the satisfaction on
a child’s face when he or she realizes they are in control of how their
Code-a-Pillar™ moves!
From Fisher-Price:
The Think & Learn Code-a-Pillar™ is a caterpillar that encourages
experimentation while developing coding, sequencing and critical thinking
skills. Preschoolers can arrange Code-A-Pillar’s easy-to-connect segments in
endless combinations to send Code-a-Pillar™ on his path: forward, left, right,
or even wait for a couple seconds before moving again. Kids can configure the
segments in such a way that the Code-A-Pillar™ can reach targets they set up
throughout the room. When kids connect the segments to make Code-A-Pillar™ move
-that’s sequencing! When they figure out a sequence that will create a path for
Code-A-Pillar™ to reach a target, that’s programming (and problem solving,
too)! It’s all coding—and it’s all fun! Includes 8 light-up segments, motorized
head segment with lights, sounds and blinking eyes, and 2 targets. 4 AA
batteries required. Additional segment add-ons sold separately. A companion app
will expand on the learning & fun with the Code-a-Pillar™ facing new
challenges the child has to plan & sequence and gets to overt learning like
counting & patterning. MSRP: $49.99
Wicked Cool Toys: Cabbage Patch Kids So Real Baby - Fall 2016
Why Savvy Auntie loves it: There are a few techno-driven baby dolls
comings to market in 2016, but the Cabbage Patch Kids Baby So Real is really
special. Wicked Cool Toys has teamed up with Seebo, an innovative technology company,
to develop a baby doll that needs a child’s attention to feed her, make her
feel better when she’s sick, sooth her when she cries, put her to bed when she’s
tired, and play with her when she awakens. The bond between this baby doll and
it’s “mommy” or “daddy,” along with seeing the child develop nurturing skills and
empathy, will be wonderful to watch.
From Wicked Cool
Toys: Cabbage Patch Kids (CPK) Baby So Real allows you to enjoy one of the
most magical and interactive experiences in the baby doll category. These
life-like babies combine traditional play patterns with groundbreaking
technology. Baby So Real’s interactive sweet baby sounds and random reactions
are designed to surprise and delight. With your touch, Baby So Real comes to
life with beautifully animated LCD eyes that open, close and look around.
Loaded with realistic features that encourage interactive nurturing play, Baby
So Real has sensors for peek-a-boo and tickle play feeding from a special bottle,
burping, diaper changing, and rocking to sleep. If your baby should develop a
fever, you can calm those red cheeks by administering TLC from a magical spoon.
Just like the original Cabbage Patch Kids, Baby So Real is soft and cuddly with
removable clothes. And for advanced play, Baby So Real has its own free app
that allows your phone or tablet to simulate a baby monitor. The online mode
allows you to see the virtual nursery where you can play with your baby, feed,
diaper burp and administer TLC. You can also play games, watch video clips and
earn baby points for additional virtual accessories and new features. Baby So
Real comes with a fully removable outfit and diaper, a special interactive
bottle and medicine spoon, birth certificate and adoption papers and a free
baby monitor style app for additional virtual play. MSRP $99.99
Ages 4+
Wonder Forge: Disney
Imagicademy Storymation Studio: Fall 2016
Why Savvy Auntie loves
it: Wonder Forge has a knack for developing games that are truly original
and innovative, while helping develop the preschool and young student mind.
Storymation Studio, the stop motion movie kit, stops us in our tracks (no pun
intended!) when we saw it at Toy Fair. While Wonder Forge released a version of
the toy in 2015, the second generation coming later this year allows for much more
flexibility and creativity for kids - and a lower price-point. While it comes
with Disney characters, we’re sure kids will add their own favorite toy mini
figures, or create their own movie characters with cardboard and markers. The
app even allows for a title image so kids can introduce their movies. Image unavailable
From Wonder Forge:
It’s a stop motion movie kit for children! Kids get creative with a collection
of Disney characters, backgrounds, clay, and costume molds! With the free,
easy-to-use Storymation Studio animation app, children will be making their own
animated masterpieces inspired by their favorite Disney films! MSRP
$19.99
Ages 5+
Spin Master:
Hatchimal -: Fall 2016
This one is a secret! Lucky Savvy Auntie got a sneak peek at
Toy Fair and we’ve promised to keep it a surprise! Wait until you see the magic
and enthralling experience hatching from Spin Master this fall. MSRP $59.99
Ages 6+
Mattel: DC Super Hero
Girls™ Action Dolls - Spring 2016
Why Savvy Auntie loves it: We almost want to say: “What took so
long?” The DC Super Hero Girls are absolutely beautiful and diverse, muscular
and powerful. Any gift giver will be a super hero for giving any one – or all –
of these action hero fashion dolls to a child. Let them create their own hero’s
journey!
From Mattel: Inspired by a new
interpretation of iconic DC Comics characters in an all new high school
setting, who are learning to hone their super powers, girls can explore their
own inner heroes with this assortment of dolls designed to lead to Super Hero
fun. Fashions include elements from original DC Comics Super Heroes while
accessories highlight the characters’ super powers. Articulation allows for
lots of action and Super Hero poses.
MSRP $19.99
Mattel: Barbie Hello Dreamhouse™ - Fall 2016
Why Savvy Auntie loves it:
There’s no question that Savvy Auntie loves a Barbie Dreamhouse. And while
we gave the latest Barbie Dreamhouse a Savvy Auntie Coolest Toy Award in 2015,
this smart house, is beyond our wildest imaginations. Sure, it’s a high priced
luxury pad at nearly $300, but the technology driving this dream of a playhouse
is like nothing we’ve seen before.
From Mattel: Go
high-tech with the world’s first smart dollhouse -Barbie Hello Dreamhouse™!
This two-story home has innovative features designed for a modern girl and
reflective of the next wave of innovation in the home. Floor sensors recognize
where Barbie® and her friends are in the house. Embedded speech recognition
allows you to control elements of the house, including the slide and elevator. An
accompanying app allows further customization. Through a combination of voice
commands and embedded switches, kids can imagine, customize, and control their
house play. MSRP: $299
iBesties: iBesties Middle
School Moguls - Now
Why Savvy Auntie loves it: There are a number of cool dolls coming
in 2016, but iBesties, a Kickstarter funded toy, is one of the coolest we’ve
seen. iBesties Middle School Moguls is designed to empower any girl to become a
leader. From McKenna the Business Boss to Sunny the Coding Queen, with three
more iBesties available, each doll inspires leadership and/or STEAM
development. They each come with a book with vocabulary words like “CEO” and “Mergers
and Acquisitions.” But it’s not all “business.” Savvy Auntie loves is that each
doll comes with fabulous hair and fashions that many FashioNiecetas adore, so it combines girl empowerment with a classic
play pattern.
From iBesties: These
middle-schoolers are the new girls at Mogul Academy— an unconventional school
run by eccentric billionaire business woman Sherry Rocketsmeller. Each with their own unique talents, the girls
find themselves in a high-tech, faced-paced, world of adventure as they work to
build businesses, friendships and unforgettable fun! The Middle School Moguls
are as diverse as the girls who love them. Distinct in culture, personality and
talents, they come from backgrounds that include blended families, bi-racial
families, military families and single-parent households. The girls are smart,
fun and talented, yet not at all perfect. In fact, that’s what makes them such
good friends, they can all be real with each other and they always help each
other out. It’s the combination of all their unique (and sometimes random)
personalities that make them the talk of Mogul Academy! $40.00
Ages 8+
WowWee: CHiP - Fall
2016
Why Savvy Auntie loves it:
This robot dog is so lovable – and loving, you’ll probably forget he’s not a
real dog. CHiP is the puppy children are wishing for – if they aren’t able to
have a real dog as a pet. Plus, he’s easier to take care of then the real thing.
He’ll even find his “bed” to go to sleep and recharge so he’s ready for the
next day of play.
From WowWee: CHiP
(Canine Home Intelligent Pet) is the ultimate AI Robotic Dog. Based on new Mechatronics,
the latest in a combination of wireless technology, telecommunications
engineering and a suite of advanced sensors, CHiP is truly the latest and
greatest in robotic pets. CHiP recognizes its master and responds to commands
using the included SmartBand, a sleek, rechargeable wearable controller. Also,
CHiP plays fetch and fun games with the SmartBall, interacting in all the ways
a real dog would. CHiP even knows when it’s time to head to its special
SmartBed and recharge. With a 360-degree system of play that’s physical,
digital and tactile, with an intuitive, evolving app, CHiP is a welcome
addition to today’s connected home and fun for all ages. MSRP: $199
Moose Toys: SelfieMic™ - Fall 2016
Why Savvy Auntie loves it:
Some tech toys are so high-tech, there’s a long learning curve before kids can get
to play. The SelfieMic™ is so simple and fun, combining all the trends kids and
teens are into: selfies; lip syncing; social sharing; and the maker trend – that
it’s an easy gift choice.
From Moose Toys: Combining
the love of Selfies with the popular past time of singing karaoke, the SelfieMic™
allows kids to become a pop star and create their own music videos right from
their smartphone. The SelfieMic is a selfie stick with a working karaoke
microphone, ear piece, and music app. Kids can record their own voice or lip
sync to over three million songs, creating music videos which they can share
with their friends! The SelfieMic’s voice and video effects make anyone sound
and look like a star. MSRP: $24.99
Ages 9+
Innovation First: Vex
IQ Robotics Construction Set - Now
Why Savvy Auntie loves it:
Construction paired with robots is a hot trend and Vex is one of the
leaders with its latest Vex IQ Construction set. While a high price-point, it’s
endless in its play and learning value. Children can build the models – and also build their own
robotic creations from the parts. Vex is releasing smaller sets this summer, at
under $20, so kids can decide if Vex IQ is the right choice for them before a
larger investment.
From
Innovation First: The VEX IQ Robotics Construction Kit is loaded with advanced
robotics technology, including a brain with 12 self-configuring input/output
ports, as well as 750+ pieces that include four smart motors, one color sensor,
one bumper switch sensor, one touch LED sensor, and built in rotational sensors
on the motors. This technology is accessible enough to jump right in and snap
these robots together using the intuitive, tool-less pieces. Follow simple step
by step instructions to build your first robot, and then take advantage of the
unmatched versatility of the VEX IQ system to build anything you can imagine!
It comes with a video game style remote control with a rechargeable lithium ion
battery, and with two programming software options - Modkit for VEX or ROBOTC,
as well as VEX IQ Curriculum that is free for all users. MSRP: $299
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About Savvy Auntie®
Founded by Melanie Notkin, Savvy Auntie is the multiplatform
lifestyle brand that empowers and engages aunts, serving the PANK® –
Professional Aunt No Kids - demographic discovered and coined by Notkin, and
heralded by fabulous kid-loving women everywhere as a modern celebration of
Aunthood. Notkin launched SavvyAuntie.com in 2008 and it remains the first and
only resource and online community for this demographic. The brand also
includes a popular and engaged social media following, Auntie’s Day® - a
national day founded by Notkin to honor aunts and godmothers each fourth Sunday
in July, and Melanie Notkin’s national bestseller: Savvy Auntie: The Ultimate Guide for Cool Aunts, Great-Aunts,
Godmothers and all Women Who Love Kids (Morrow 2011). As a lifestyle
expert, toy expert and a taste-maker for children’s trends, Notkin appears on
TV and as a spokesperson for brands.
About PANKs®
Savvy Auntie attracts PANKs®, or Professional Aunts No Kids,
the term Notkin coined in 2008 for the growing demographic of female consumers
who are not moms, by circumstance or choice, and have a special bond with a child
in their life. According to the 2012 joint-study entitled: The Power of the
PANK, by Savvy Auntie and Weber Shandwick, there are 23 million PANKs in North
America. PANKs spend $9 billion each year on nieces and nephews, baseline just
one child per PANK. A whopping 76% of PANKs spend over $500 per niece and
nephew, per year.
For additional information on the Savvy Auntie Coolest Toy
Awards or press / on-air and talent inquiries: Press@SavvyAuntie.com.