CHITAG 2017: Highlights!

One of my favorite events of the year, CHITAG (Chicago Toy and Game Expo) has come and gone again.  It was fun while it lasted, and I already can't wait until next year.

This year I had a limited window to attend due to a bunch of family/holiday mishegas, including a giant Friendsgiving party that we attended and cooked several dishes for.  I could have probably spent a full day at the event or even longer, talking to vendors, trying out new games and toys, and talking to

In selecting what to feature in this post, I am trying  to focus on the stuff that seemed innovative and wonderful.  If possible, I also like to focus on smaller game and toy companies and local people if I can.  Not that I don't love me some big games too, but it's the little guys that make this super interesting.  Many of them are risking their IRA's and their kids college accounts on a game or toy that wouldn't get out of their head, and they had to follow it through.  My leading question to them is often, "So, what made you decide that you had $15,000 you didn't need?"

(Although to be fair, a lot of them also used kickstarter or other crowdfunding as methods to finance their ideas. Nevertheless, the point is they have significant time energy and money invested in what may be a foolhardy idea.)

Here's a few of the vendors/toys/games that I found most interesting this time around.

MINI-SPHERO

The Sphero people (they of the robotic programmable balls) have introduced a tiny version of Sphero, deemed Mini-Sphero.  It operates separately from the regular Sphero, with its own app, and one of the most interesting aspects of this is that they've designed methods of controlling the sphero using your face.  Yes, as you make faces into your camera, the sphero moves around!  You can also program it using javascript, use it as a game controller, and lots of other stuff.

BUY MINI-SPHERO ON AMAZON

I took a couple of videos of it working, but they aren't nearly as succinct or as well done as the promo for the sphero.  Here's that promo:



CARDBOARD PINBALL

I think one of my favorite booths/new products of the year was  PINBOX 3000's cardboard pinball machines.  They've combined cardboard techology with the maker movement to make cardboard pinball machine kits that you can make on your own and then modify.  They have three or four readymade pinball kits (along with art, such as SwampQuest featured)  But you can also build your own, swap it out, decorate it yourself.

What I loved about it is how it is low-tech STEM.  Here's an easy way for kids to learn about engineering and technology and solving problems without turning on a computer.  They've also got an online community to help share solutions and problems.

The cardboard games and constructions are surprisingly sturdy and easy to fix. BUY ON AMAZON

CHARMS- A GAME OF INSIGHT

It's a centuries-old practice to try to make meaning of your life by throwing stones (I Ching) or bones (Throwing the Bones).  An Evanston game maker has gamified this idea. You ask a question and throw the charms (each signifying a different aspect of your life) onto a board (which has as its map different spheres of your life.)

 Players write a 2-minute interpretation of what this could mean and the questioner decides who is the winner.  Then that person gets to throw the charms and ask their question.  I'm not 100% sure I'd want to play this game with any but my closest friends (and maybe not even them) but I think it's fascinating how they've turned a spiritual and religious practice into a thoughtful game with actual meaning for your life.

  BUY ON AMAZON

CARDS OF CONSEQUENCE

This is a clever add-on game to any other game.  It's a way to up the stakes for a game, or decide what happens to the Loser of a bet.  The Loser has to draw a card of consequence, and do whatever the card says they have to.  They are not all bad, but they are all family friendly (unless you are playing with the adult deck, which could have some romantic consequences. )  They do have a number of expansion decks.

You can also play the game on its own.

BUY ON AMAZON

YOYO TRICKS
Part of the day that I was there they had YoYo Trick competitions as part of the Illinois State Yoyo Contest.  Kids from all over the country competed with some amazing tricks.  You could stay the whole day and just watch some of these amazing yoyo competitors.  As well, yoyotricks.com (sponsor of the contest) was on hand with a large amount of different styles of yoyos, strings, trick videos and books.  BUY A YOYO ON AMAZON

Here's a video I took of one of the competitors 1 minute performance, posted from my Instagram account.   Please note this is NOT speeded up.  This guy is just moving that fast!

At #chitag2017 there are all kinds of amazing yoyo artists doing great routines #yoyotricks

A post shared by Adam G (@kafclown) on Nov 18, 2017 at 10:57am PST

BEN'S BUBBLES
The last few years I've been attending, I've watched Ben of Ben's Bubble Shows entertain the crowds.  He's an Evanston based artist, and he's great at showing off bubbles and doing the tricks.


He's not selling anything other than his show, and it's really really good.

Here's a video of Ben doing his magic.  (I didn't take this video, this is from YouTube)

Find out more at http://www.bensbubbleshow.biz

YOUNG INVENTORS- DIGIT DASH

Each year as part of ChiTAG, young inventors come and display their games or toys.  The stakes are high, including over $10,000 in scholarship prizes and potential monetization of the game. Last year's winners have a contract and were at the show this year selling their game!

I love meeting those inventors, not necessarily because the games are so great, but because of the great verve and inventiveness that these young game entrepreneurs show. It's invigorating!

One game I saw this year was actually really great!  It should be a commercial product.  It's called Digit-Dash, and it's got great game play, useful math learning, and can even be tweaked or adapted by teachers for their own uses.  The creator is 12 years old, from a local suburb of Chicago.  (I redacted his name on the photo for privacy reasons.)

The game is played like this:  Players draw 10 random number tiles from a bag.  They could be repeated numbers.  Each player has a couple of each operand tiles: +, -, x, ÷  and some parentheses.

The teacher pulls another number tile and says go. The players have to create an equation that creates the teachers number tile using their random numbers and their operands.   Player who wins gets new number tiles and a point.  First person to win five rounds wins.

You can't buy this game yet, but I hope someday you will!

Here's an interview I did with the young inventor.



There was a lot more that I really loved at the show, including a few more kids I interviewed about their games, and a lot of fun games, but I might save those for a different post.

Vote For the Toy of the Year!

Are you ready to doll up your hair, get out a tiny red carpet, and start the imaginary Paparazzi's camera bulbs popping?

The Toy Industry Association has recently announced the finalists for the 2018 Toy of the Year Awards. There are a number of categories, including categories new for this year, including Action Figure of the Year, Doll of the Year, Rookie of the Year, and Vehicle of the Year.

Toys are nominated by companies, and there is big business to be had in winning one of these awards, so the companies are duking it out. This year’s finalists were selected from 700 nominees submitted by more than 250 companies of all sizes. They introduced a more rigorous and transparent judging method this year, with 25 judges, including toy and play experts, retailers, academics, and journalists, reviewing and ranking products in specific categories relevant to their areas of expertise. The judges then participated in a live discussion to debate any categories that did not draw an undisputed roster of finalists during the judging period. They considered each product’s creativity, originality and innovation; design and promotion; excellence; and marketplace acceptance before narrowing the field to the slate of finalists.

We have one of the toys nominated! 
Still working on building our Disney Castle!

The winners in each of the 14 categories and the coveted “Toy of the Year” will be selected based on votes from mass and specialty toy retailers, media, TIA members, and consumers. The “People’s Choice” award winner will be selected solely by consumer votes.

That's right, you have a vote in this! to vote, go to http://www.toyawards.org and cast your vote by January 15, 2018. The winners will be announced in February at a live gala kicking off Toy Week in New York.

More information about the TOTY voting and selection process can be found in the “About the Awards” section of www.ToyAwards.org.

Here's the full list of categories and the nominees!

I've linked each one to their Amazon Page.  Please note that the links are affiliate links, so if you end up buying one of these toys from this link, I will make a small commission-- usually a few pennies on the dollar.  It helps keep the lights on and me in lattes.  But please, feel no obligation to purchase, unless your kid is dying for that particular toy, in which, Be My Guest!

ACTION FIGURE OF THE YEAR
Toys that include action figures and their play sets/accessories
DC Super Hero Girls™ Action Figure Assortment by Mattel, Inc.
Fossil Hunter Lottie by Arklu, Ltd.
IAmElemental Series 1/Courage Lunch Box Carrying Case With Complete Set of Action Figures by IAmElemental
PJ Masks Headquarters Playset by Just Play
Pokémon Throw 'n' Pop Poké Ball Duel Set by TOMY
Stikbot by ZING
Transformers Generations Titans Return Fortress Maximus Action Figure by Hasbro, Inc.


ACTIVE/OUTDOOR TOY OF THE YEAR
Toys that are designed for active/outdoor play
3-in-1 EZ Fold Wagon by Radio Flyer
Air Hogs Helix Sentinel Drone by Spin Master Ltd.
Bunch O Balloons by Zuru
Hot Wheels® Sky Shock™ RC Vehicle by Mattel, Inc.
Nerf N-Strike Modulus Tri-Strike Blaster by Hasbro, Inc.
Sky Viper v2400FPV HD Streaming Drone with FPV Headset by SkyRocket Toys
VEX Robotics Zip Flyer by HEXBUG
Xtreme Cycle Moto-Cam by WickedCoolToys


ACTIVITY TOY OF THE YEAR
Arts and crafts, construction and other indoor toys that inspire creative play through various forms of activity
Circuit Scribe Maker Kit by CircuitScribe
Crayola Air Maker Sprayer by Crayola, LLC
K’NEX 3-in-1 Classic Amusement Park Building Set by K’NEX Brands
Lionel Mega Tracks Corkscrew Chaos Master Set by Lionel
Mighty Makers Directors Cut Building Set by K’NEX Brands
Mover Kit by Tech Will Save Us
My Fairy Garden Magical Cottage by Play Monster


COLLECTIBLE OF THE YEAR
Toys that compose a set; can include novelty playthings, miniature versions of existing lines, licensed collectibles, etc.
Dorbz by Funko, LLC
Gift 'ems™ by JAKKS Pacific
LEGO Minifigures - The Disney Edition by LEGO Systems, Inc.
Num Noms by MGA Entertainment
Pop! By Funko, LLC
Shopkins Season 6: Chef Club by Moose Toys Pty Ltd
Tonka Tinys by Funrise


CONSTRUCTION TOY OF THE YEAR
Toys that include building and engineering sets
Arckit Go Colours by ARCKIT
Grippies® Builders by Guidecraft USA Inc.
LEGO Friends Amusement Park Roller Coaster by LEGO Systems, Inc.
Marine Rescue Center by Build & Imagine
Meccano Micronoid by Spin Master Ltd.
Tinkerbots by Tinkerbots
Walking Robot 45PC Set by Magformers, LLC


DOLL OF THE YEAR
Toys that include plush, baby, toddler, and fashion dolls, and their play sets/accessories
Barbie® Fashionista™ Doll by Mattel, Inc.
Disney Frozen Northern Lights Elsa by JAKKS Pacific
Elena of Avalor Adventure Dress Doll by Hasbro, Inc.
Project Mc2 Experiments with Doll Sets by MGA Entertainment
Shopkins Core Shoppies by Moose Toys Pty Ltd
Stargazer Lottie Doll by Arklu, Ltd
American Girl® WellieWishers™ by Mattel, Inc.


GAME OF THE YEAR
Children’s board, card, electronic, or other physical game formats or puzzles (does not include video games or apps)
Bloxels™ by Mattel, Inc.
Circuit Maze by ThinkFun Inc.
Escape Room the Game by Spin Master Ltd.
Imhotep by Thames & Kosmos
Maze Racers by FoxMind Games
Simon Air Game by Hasbro, Inc.
Speak Out by Hasbro, Inc.
Yeti in My Spaghetti by PlayMonster!


INFANT/PRESCHOOL TOY OF THE YEAR
Toys that are developed for infants/preschoolers (up to 5 years)
Doc McStuffins Toy Hospital Care Cart by Just Play
Go! Go! Smart Friends ® Enchanted Princess Palace™ by Vtech
IO Blocks® Vehicles by Guidecraft USA Inc.
Razor Jr. T3 Scooter by Razor USA LLC
Robot Engineer by Thames & Kosmos
Wash 'N Go Wooden Car Garage by KidKraft
Zoomer Marshall by Spin Master Ltd.


INNOVATIVE TOY OF THE YEAR
Toys that utilize innovative design, technology, or manufacturing processes to enhance play value
CHiP by WowWee USA, Inc.
Cozmo by Anki
Fisher Price® Think & Learn Code-a-pillar™ by Mattel, Inc.
Hatchimals by Spin Master Ltd.
Mebo by SkyRocket Toys
Project Mc2 H2O Car by MGA Entertainment
Special Edition Battle-Worn BB-8 with Force Band™ by Sphero


LICENSE OF THE YEAR
Character or property that has had success spreading its brand throughout the industry
DC Super Hero Girls
Disney's Elena of Avalor
Paw Patrol™
Pokémon
Shopkins
Star Wars
Trolls


ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
A new company (created within the last 2 years) that has brought to market an outstanding toy
3DoodlerStart Essentials Pen Set by WobbleWorks
Acids, Bases and pH Chemistry Kit by Yellow Scope
CogniToys Dino by CogniToys
Geometry Strategy by Games by Bright of Sweden
IAmElemental Series 1/Courage by IAmElemental
Malia's House by Build & Imagine
Superhero Will by Wonder Crew


SPECIALTY OF THE YEAR
Toys primarily distributed through specialty retailers
Automoblox C9 Sportscar by PlayMonster!
Design & Drill® BrightWorks™ by Educational Insights
Flappy Animated Elephants by Gund a Division of Enesco LLC
LEGO Disney Castle by LEGO Systems, Inc.
American Girl® Melody™ Doll and Book by Mattel, Inc.
Nano Nitro Slingshot by HEXBUG
Perplexus Q-bot by PlayMonster!


TECH TOY OF THE YEAR
Physical toys that are electronic or interact with a smart-phone, tablet or gaming device
Air Hogs Connect: Mission Drone by Spin Master Ltd.
CodeGamer by Thames & Kosmos
LUMI by WowWee USA, Inc.
MOTA JETJAT Ultra Streaming Nano Drone by MOTA
Sky Viper Hover Racer by SkyRocket Toys
Wonder Workshop’s Dash & Dot by Wonder Workshop
Zoomer Chimp by Spin Master Ltd.


VEHICLE OF THE YEAR
Toys that are powered or non-powered vehicles, and their play sets/accessories
Air Hogs – Star Wars X-wing vs. Death Star, Rebel Assault - RC Drones by Spin Master Ltd.
Disney Princess Carriage by Dynacraft
Go! Go! Smart Wheels® Treasure Mountain Train Adventure™ by Vtech
Hot Wheels® A.I. Intelligent Race System by Mattel, Inc.
LEGO Technic Porsche 911 GT3RS by LEGO Systems, Inc.
Telsa Model S for Kids by Radio Flyer
XPV® RC Skateboarding Mikey by JAKKS Pacific