Toymaker goes wild with 'Madagascar' Aquapets
Characters from the movie "Madagascar" swim into toyland with the introduction of Wild Planet Toys' "Madagascar" Aquapets.
The line -- based on characters from the DreamWorks summer movie that overtook "Star Wars: Episode III" atop the box-office charts last weekend -- is the first issue of U.S.-licensed Aquapets.
"We are really excited about this product," said Kim Bratcher, spokeswoman for Wild Planet toys.
Aquapets are interactive pets housed in a water chamber that respond to their owner's voice or act on their own when the control buttons are used. Aquapets perform songs, dance and play games. The actions of the aquatic toys are controlled by two buttons, one to wake up the character, the other to initiate activity.
The quirky bunch of characters possess their own personalities and exhibit various moods.
"Aquapets are magical. They allow kids to bring their imagination to play," said Bratcher.
Aquapets are equipped with a microphone chip that records the owners' and other Aquapets' voices, which allows for interactive play.
The wild bunch of characters in the "Madagascar" line ($14.99), like the original Aquapets, are afloat in their own water dome.
"Madagascar" characters include Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Melman the Giraffe, Gloria the Hippo and Penguin.
Nickelodeon Television's children's character SpongeBob SquarePants is the company's second licensed Aquapet product, which will hit retail shelves this week ($14.99). Look for his buddy Patrick the Starfish to surface on shelves in July.
Also new this summer from Wild Planet Toys are Liqui-Freaks, a spin-off of its Aquapets line. These water pets are a collection of mutant characters with funky attitudes and impolite behavior. Like Aquapets, these interactive creatures make sounds and respond to the voices of fellow LiquiFreaks as well as their owner's voice.
LiquiFreaks perform five songs and make silly noises and gross sounds such as burping, snorting and blowing gas.
"LiquiFreaks are a reactive product," said Bratcher. "Boys were into the play pattern but didn't like the little cute Aquapets."
Four LiquiFreaks characters are included in the initial launch: Jekkel and Hydra, Mumpster, Diode and Stye ($14.99). For more information, visit the Web site www.liquifreaks.com.
All varieties of Aquapets and LiquiFreaks run on two AAA batteries and are recommended for children age 6 and up.
Wild Planet brings high-tech to the backyard game of tag with its Tek Tag.
The technology behind Tek Tag is identical to that used in the controls of the Apple iPod.
Integrating technology into toys is something Wild Planet prides itself on.
"Kids today are more technologically advanced and we keep our eyes open for what's out there and try to work it in a toy pattern," said Bratcher.
Tek Tag is equipped with an electronic scoring system that keeps track of who tagged whom. Players wear touch-sensitive devices on their upper arms. The device requires a light brush of the hand across the unit's pod to register a hit.
Each Tek Tag set is equipped with two units ($19.99).
Wild Planet's philosophy is children are the true toy experts. Each year, the company holds a kid inventor challenge. This year, two are residents -- Rachel Burton of Skokie and Ryan Burton of Park Ridge -- were selected as winners and will serve on a research staff as part of their duties as winners. The children will test products and provide Wild Planet with feedback.
"Kids are still open and creative, and we value their input," said Bratcher.
For information, call (800) 247-6570; www.wildplanet.com.
The line -- based on characters from the DreamWorks summer movie that overtook "Star Wars: Episode III" atop the box-office charts last weekend -- is the first issue of U.S.-licensed Aquapets.
"We are really excited about this product," said Kim Bratcher, spokeswoman for Wild Planet toys.
Aquapets are interactive pets housed in a water chamber that respond to their owner's voice or act on their own when the control buttons are used. Aquapets perform songs, dance and play games. The actions of the aquatic toys are controlled by two buttons, one to wake up the character, the other to initiate activity.
The quirky bunch of characters possess their own personalities and exhibit various moods.
"Aquapets are magical. They allow kids to bring their imagination to play," said Bratcher.
Aquapets are equipped with a microphone chip that records the owners' and other Aquapets' voices, which allows for interactive play.
The wild bunch of characters in the "Madagascar" line ($14.99), like the original Aquapets, are afloat in their own water dome.
"Madagascar" characters include Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Melman the Giraffe, Gloria the Hippo and Penguin.
Nickelodeon Television's children's character SpongeBob SquarePants is the company's second licensed Aquapet product, which will hit retail shelves this week ($14.99). Look for his buddy Patrick the Starfish to surface on shelves in July.
Also new this summer from Wild Planet Toys are Liqui-Freaks, a spin-off of its Aquapets line. These water pets are a collection of mutant characters with funky attitudes and impolite behavior. Like Aquapets, these interactive creatures make sounds and respond to the voices of fellow LiquiFreaks as well as their owner's voice.
LiquiFreaks perform five songs and make silly noises and gross sounds such as burping, snorting and blowing gas.
"LiquiFreaks are a reactive product," said Bratcher. "Boys were into the play pattern but didn't like the little cute Aquapets."
Four LiquiFreaks characters are included in the initial launch: Jekkel and Hydra, Mumpster, Diode and Stye ($14.99). For more information, visit the Web site www.liquifreaks.com.
All varieties of Aquapets and LiquiFreaks run on two AAA batteries and are recommended for children age 6 and up.
Wild Planet brings high-tech to the backyard game of tag with its Tek Tag.
The technology behind Tek Tag is identical to that used in the controls of the Apple iPod.
Integrating technology into toys is something Wild Planet prides itself on.
"Kids today are more technologically advanced and we keep our eyes open for what's out there and try to work it in a toy pattern," said Bratcher.
Tek Tag is equipped with an electronic scoring system that keeps track of who tagged whom. Players wear touch-sensitive devices on their upper arms. The device requires a light brush of the hand across the unit's pod to register a hit.
Each Tek Tag set is equipped with two units ($19.99).
Wild Planet's philosophy is children are the true toy experts. Each year, the company holds a kid inventor challenge. This year, two are residents -- Rachel Burton of Skokie and Ryan Burton of Park Ridge -- were selected as winners and will serve on a research staff as part of their duties as winners. The children will test products and provide Wild Planet with feedback.
"Kids are still open and creative, and we value their input," said Bratcher.
For information, call (800) 247-6570; www.wildplanet.com.
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