Day 3 of ASD Show Proves Perfect for Kiddos

While kids aren’t allowed to attend the ASD Show held in Las Vegas, that doesn’t mean they don’t benefit from this bi-annual show. Vendors representing thousands of children toys, puzzles, novelty items, apparel, backpacks, plush goods, pretend play items and more  line up aisles after aisles of exhibitors at the ASD Show. Retail Minded discovered some of the best picks for independent retailers, ranging from handmade finger puppets to sugar candy art to backpacks that kids can stand on. Below, meet some of our favorite children vendors from the August 2013 ASD Show.

Finger Puppets

Robby Sorensen is a college student who – like many college kids – enjoys traveling, hanging out with friends and discovering new things. Unlike other students, however, he has built a rapidly growing business that has him spending more time working than going to school. Lucky for him – and retailers nationwide – his commitment to growing his business doesn’t seem so much like a job, but simply something he enjoys. Founded not even a year ago, Sorensen works with women from Peru who skillfully knit handmade finger puppets in over 300 animal and character shapes. Bringing economic relief to this small region of Peru while bringing smiles and fun to children nationwide is a job perk for Sorenson, but it doesn’t stop there. Each packaged Finger Puppet is put together by Desert Arc, an organization that offers work opportunities for adults with disabilities. The colorful, playful and inspiring products from Finger Puppets were first shown at the ASD March 2013 show, and have returned better than ever with more styles and more fun for kids and adults alike to enjoy. Visit their booth at SL3006 and learn more at FingerPuppets.com.

Squire Boone Village 

Indiana based Squire Boone Village has countless candies and other specialty foods to choose from, but our favorite find was their newly introduced Sugar Candy Art. Either offer your customers their own takeaway, sugar candy art kits or bring in all the tools you need to be master candy art specialists for kids to craft in your store. Squire Boone Village even offers a Sugar Candy Art selling stand, as seen in the picture to the left, for retailers to have some fun with this tasty craft. “Shock your buds” is what they are known for, with their very own candy scientists crafting colorful, tasty tubes of sugar for retailers to taste at the ASD Show. Curious what Sugar Candy Art will look like in your store? This fun addition will have your customers happy and kids pulling their moms to return again and again and again. Repeat store visits? Unique product to sell? You can’t beat that. Visit them at booth SL1007 and at SquireBoone.com.

Rubber Duckie & Friends

Toys don’t take all the spotlight at the ASD Show. Among their vast assortment of products to choose from, Rubber Duckie & Friends offers a refreshing twist to the products to choose from – showerheads for kids. With Duckie the Duck, Froggie the Frog, Hippie the Hippo, Dollie the Dolphin and Rickie the Rhino, kids and parents alike can enjoy bathtime just a little bit more. These showerheads may look like toys – but don’t be fooled. They offer a two-way water flower diverter, 6-foot universal shower hose, rubber suction cup mount, soft and soothing spray pattern and more. Move your Rubber Duckie & Friends from tub to shower or use without the diverter. Either way, they are a great addition to kid bathtime routines! With a MSRP of only $29.99, this is a fun addition to store shelves. Visit this first time vendor at the ASD Show at booth SL2811 or visit them at RubberDuckieAndFriends.com.

Piggyback Rider

Making their first appearance at the ASD Show, Piggyback Rider is quickly becoming a must have accessory for every parent. Dad invented and mom approved – as described by Piggyback Rider themselves – the Piggyback Rider is a standing child carrier that offers a range of styles pricing from $95 to $150 retail. Featured on the Rachel Ray Show, Good Morning America and countless other shows, the Piggyback Rider is ideal for children 2 1/2 plus and up to 60 pounds. The compact, durable and light weight features of the Piggyback Rider make it easy to travel with everyday. Celebs Naomi Watts and Liev Schreiber are even fans, using the Piggyback Rider while strolling the streets of New York City. As the dad inventors of Piggyback Rider say, “why use a cab when you have dad”, this fun addition to child carriers is safe, exciting and easy to use. Plus, they have over 14 awards to credit to their name in less than two years! Be the first in your neighborhood to introduce this to your customers. Learn more at ASD booth SL 2813 or visit them at PiggybackRider.com.

World Tech Toys

Who doesn’t love things that fly? World Tech Toys is the leader when it comes to remote control helicopters, offering a full, exclusive range of sport teams, players and more from the NBA and other sport leagues. With only a six piece minimum, it’s easy and affordable for independent retailers to introduce World Tech Toys to their store shelves. Whether you are an LA Lakers fan, Derrick Rose lover or superhero obsessed, there is something for everyone. Discover more about World Tech Toys – an ASD regular exhibitor – at the ASD Show at booth SL1213 and online at WorldTechToys.com.

Melissa & Doug

A popular brand among indie retailers, Melissa & Doug is an ASD Show regular. Whether you are looking for educational, creative or fun toys, games or crafts, Melissa & Doug has it all. From stickers to pen sets to pretend play items to puzzles to crayons to posters and much, much more, Melissa & Doug truly has it all. But it doesn’t stop there… they also know what retailers love, which is no minimums and guaranteed sales or items be returned! How nice is that? The ASD Show offers both popular brands and newly discovered vendors – creating the perfect balance for retailers. Make sure to check out one of their show regulars, Melissa & Doug, at the ASD Show. Visit them at booth SL2400 and MelissaAndDoug.com.

Whether you have been to the ASD Show before or have never been at all, making the ASD Show a routine trade show to visit should be on your top list of retail things to do. While toys certainly stand out at ASD, it’s their collective, diverse assortment of product categories that truly makes the ASD Show one of a kind. Learn more about ASD at ASDOnline.com.