Nah, no grown up Big Wheels are coming out, but there will be some new ones for the kids. |Photo credit Jersey Family Fun

As you know from our tweets and Facebook updates last week, we spent some time at the Toy Fair 2012 in New York last week.  We walked the aisles of the Jacob Javits Center and streets of  New York meeting with several companies to see what exciting toys are coming out in 2012.  Here are the trends that we noticed.

Trends in Toys for 2012

• The toys are getting smaller- One of the biggest trends I noticed with toys is they are getting smaller.
  • Hasbro will have Star Wars Fighter Pods with miniature figures and Marvel Mini Muggs, both are collectibles, less than 1.5 inches in height, and are meant to be used in game playing activities.
  • Hasbro will also introduce a smaller line of Pet Shop products with the Littlest Pet Shop line.
  • Mattel’s Hot Wheels Ballistiks are race cars that start out as small balls, but when you drop them they open up and transform into cars.
  • Safari Limited offers several of their animal figurines in a miniature size as well.
  • Imperial Toys Roxx are collectible half-dollar size game pieces available in a variety of images.

The new Star Wars Fighter Pods with mini figures |Photo Credit Hasbro

• Glow in the Dark toys will debut- From Hasbro to Imperial Toys, we saw toys that will debut this year that glow in the dark.
  • Hasbro’s Nerf Light It Up line will have blasters that launch glow in the dark darts.
  • Nerf’s Fire Vision line has footballs and basketball products that light up in cool colors when played in the dark and special glasses are worn.
  • The Hi-Beam Illuminator with special Glow Fusion bubble solution from Imperial’s Super Miracle Bubbles blow glow in the dark bubbles.

• iPad, iPhone, toys that use your smart devices – Are you ready to let go and share your smart device with your kids?  There will be teddy bears that hold your smart device on their bellies and allow your toddlers to play games. Mattel will have a Kid Tough Apptivity Case and new apps for kids. Hasbro’s games will allow the game of Life to come to life. As you hit key milestones, like having kids or graduating from college, you use your smart device to play a video.  Hasbro also has Lazer Tag when your smart phone is placed inside a blaster, you and your kids can engage in a battle.  It’s like having a shoot out but nothing shoots out of the gun except electrical images. The game app keeps track of the score.

• Self-contained toys – Here is a trend with parents in mind, self-contained toys. Many of the toy play areas we saw close up when you are done and the toys stay inside. Mattel had a Dora house, a Little People princess castle, and other sets;  beds fold up, other pieces tuck away and when your are done it’s all self-contained.  Many of the large toy manufacturers are moving in this direction with all of their lines from dolls to superheroes, princesses to action figures, and everything in between. No more messes, yeah!

A self-contained dream house, when you are done playing it closes up and toys stay inside. |Photo Credit Mattel

• Princesses & Fairies – With the new Brave movie coming out, a re-release of Cinderella and the debut of some movies (we aren’t allowed to talk about), you know there will be several new toys for your princess in training. If you cross your fingers, we may even be hosting a giveaway for some.  Warning parents! Your daughters will love the new Cinderella costume dress coming out. It is motion activated. When your daughter moves it will light up.  The Brave dolls are absolutely beautiful. Whether you buy it as a doll or a Barbie-like figurine, her red hair and beautiful dress will make her unlike any princess your child has.

The new Brave doll to debut soon. Isn't she pretty? |Photo Credit Jersey Family Fun

• Superheroes & Action Figures – The upcoming months will also launch new superhero and action figure inspired movies. Spiderman, GI Joe, the Avengers, and Battleship will all be making their way to the big screen. With it, will be new toys. There will be figures in every size, playsets, and regular toys made over with a superhero twist. Yes, we even saw Mr. Potato Head dressed up as Spiderman.

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• New music on baby & toddler toys – Did you ever avoid letting your child play with a particular toy because of the music? Did you ever let the batteries drain down and not replace them because you didn’t want to hear the songs? Well now, some of these toys, especially ones from Hasbro, Mattel, and Fisher Price will come with today’s music loaded. So next time your child is playing with the ballaplooza or something similar you can be bopping along to the sounds of Jennifer Lopez or another current artist. Some toys will even work with your iPod or MP3 players.

• Strange is in. – Perhaps beauty and strangeness are in the eyes of the beholder, but I did find some toys to just be strange.  Annoying Orange looks like a typical orange, only he has a human mouth that talks. It looks strange but not only that he delights in annoying others. Definitely not a hit with me. But then there were other toys that either reminded me of telletubbies or something ugly. I’m just not a fan of toys that look gross (unless it’s a science toy) or make weird beeping noises and vibrate around. But if you are you are in luck, because several are hitting the market this year.

A Magical Mommy, Karen with Snoopy and Charlie Brown, because after all who doesn't love Snoopy and Charlie Brown? |Photo credit Jersey Family Fun

What do you think? Are you excited for what’s in store for toys this year?

Want to see more from the New York Toy Fair?

Check out our Facebook Gallery and get a glimpse of all we saw.

In full disclosure, this post was not sponsored.  As members of the media we were applied for media passes to cover the Toy Fair. GM Northeast did provide us with a vehicle for our use. We were responsible for all of our meals, lodging, parking, tolls and other additional expenses.