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Toys"R"Us® Announces 2011 Holiday Toy Trends

"Using various methods of testing and tapping into the extensive knowledge of all our toy industry resources, the trends we've identified reflect the way today's generation of kids is interacting with each other and the world around them, while also expressing a desire to explore their imagination," said Karen Dodge, Senior Vice President, Chief Merchandising Officer, Toys"R"Us, U.S. "Now that Christmas is mere months away, we're excited to share our unique insights about the types of toys we believe will create big smiles on little faces and help ensure the thousands of moms and dads who shop with Toys"R"Us this season become holiday heroes as kids open their gifts on Christmas morning."

By leveraging its position as a global, specialty toy retailer, and through a rigorous process that has been a year in the making, Toys"R"Us has identified the following 2011 top toy trends, as well as select items that exemplify each trend, all of which can be found in the company's stores nationwide and online at Toysrus.com:

App-cessories

From iPads to 3D TVs, the ways in which people engage with each other and enjoy entertainment have forever changed. And it's no secret that adults aren't the only ones placing the latest technological devices on their holiday wish lists. On public buses, in doctors' offices and during play dates, kids can be spotted tapping the screens and buttons of their parents' gadgets. To ensure tech-savvy children still have opportunities to enjoy traditional, kid-friendly play patterns, below are select toys now available at Toys"R"Us that interact with apps and are sure to excite and delight kids of all ages:

    --  Disney-Pixar® Cars 2 Appmates(TM) from Spin Master(TM) Combining the
        excitement of Cars 2 and kids' affinity for playing with their parents'
        iPads, these too-cute, tiny toy cars are sure to be a child's perfect
        playmate. Specially designed to transform any iPad into virtual raceways
        in Radiator Springs, World Grand Prix and more, each miniature Appmate
        car, based on kid-favorite Cars 2 characters, is automatically detected
        when placed on the surface of the iPad's touch-sensitive screen after
        downloading a free "Cars 2 Appmates" app. From there, the physical toys
        jump into virtual adventure without the use of Bluetooth technology or
        any cabling. For even more fun, players can customize their cars with
        unique sounds, racing stripes and gear, while carrying out unique
        missions. No batteries required. Ages 4 years and up.

    --  iCade Arcade Cabinet for iPad(TM) from Ion Audio Kids and kids at heart
        can flashback to the glory days of gaming with this iPad-interactive,
        arcade-style cabinet complete with joystick and buttons. Featuring an
        authentic retro design, users can challenge friends for high scores with
        this new app-cessory, which includes an iPad plug-in and cradle that
        offers a secure fit during the most intense gaming sessions, an ideal,
        vertical screen-viewing angle and wirelessly connects the system's
        arcade controls to iPad. It's game on after users download any
        iCade-compatible app, including the free Atari Greatest Hits app, which
        provides access to more than 100 Atari classics from Asteroids to
        Battlezone. 2 "AA" batteries are required (included). Ages 8 years and
        up.

    --  iMarker(TM) Digital Stylus + Crayola ColorStudio HD App from Griffin(TM)
        Coloring goes digital with this electronic drawing tool that transforms
        into Crayola crayons, markers, paint, colored pencils and more when
        interacting with an iPad. Featuring iconic colors from the Crayola 64
        Box, young artists can discover their inner Picasso by interacting with
        "live" animated pages, complete with sound effects, music and hidden
        surprises when they download the complimentary ColorStudio HD app for
        iPad. 1 "AA" battery required (included). Ages 3 years and up.

    --  MY3D Viewer for iPhone/iPod touch from Hasbro® To experience 3D and
        360-degrees of entertainment on any iPhone or iPod touch, users can
        simply insert their mobile device into this app-cessory before holding
        it up to their eyes. After downloading the free MY3D Presents app, the
        3D viewer will allow users to see content from a variety of specially
        formatted MY3D apps in a whole new way. All apps available for download
        in the App Store. Tilting and turning the iPhone or iPod touch will
        allow for interactive and immersive 3D experiences, including gaming and
        entertainment. No batteries required. Ages 8 years and up.

Quirky Stuffed Characters

While teddy bears have long made great gifts for babies, today's toy market is filled with hip, trendy plush characters that are far from traditional. From koo koo birds that ignite with sounds to stuffed creatures featuring uniquely ugly looks, kids are clamoring for these quirky characters that are both cuddly and cool:

    --  Uglydoll(TM) Plush from Pretty Ugly, LLC. From the creative minds of two
        love-struck artists, David Horvath and Sun-Min Kim, emerged Uglyverse, a
        universe where ugly means unique and special. What started as a drawing
        of a quirky, playful orange character known as Wage has turned into a
        whole new world of fun. After Sun-Min sewed Wage into a plush toy as a
        surprise gift for her then boyfriend, the couple soon pulled more
        characters from the Uglyverse to create the now iconic world of
        Uglydoll. Featuring unique shapes and silly expressions, these plush
        have special personalities. No batteries required. Ages birth and up.
        These items will be available at Toys"R"Us stores nationwide at the end
        of October.

    --  KooKoo Zoo 6-Inch KooKoo Birds from Jay at Play International Kids are
        going koo koo for these 6-inch stuffed KooKoo Birds, available in
        various colors and styles. When squeezed, the quirky characters react
        with an alarming KooKoo Kall that elicits fun and laughter. Each has a
        unique KooKoo expression and long-winded names such as Hot-Pink,
        Fire-Plumed Bird of Paradise and Rainbow-Billed, Long-Tailed KooKoo.
        Plus, every KooKoo Bird comes with a listing of all birds in the
        assortment with pictures, serial numbers and names, so kids can collect
        the whole flock. No batteries required. Ages 5 years and up.

    --  Smurfs Plush from JAKKS Pacific® Kids and collectors can choose from
        8-inch, 11-inch and 21-inch stuffed versions of Smurfette, Papa Smurf
        and more fan-favorite Smurf characters that the world was able to
        reconnect with after the launch of The Smurf live-action film during the
        summer of 2011. Each plush character features the iconic blue hue, white
        accessories and classic faces they're known for. No batteries required.
        Ages 4 years and up.

    --  22-Inch Lion (Jackson) from Plushalicious®  Kids looking for a cuddle
        buddy that's hip and cool can bring this 22-inch lion to any slumber
        party and show him off with pride. Featuring a psychedelic tie-dye print
        and a long, shaggy mane, this plush pal is incredibly cute and has tons
        of character. No batteries required. Ages 3 years and up.

    --  Annoying Orange Talking Fresh Squeezed Plush from The Bridge Direct
        Serving up a delicious dose of "freshly squeezed comedy," these 3.5-inch
        stuffed characters are capturing kids' and fans' imaginations following
        the highly popular web series, The Annoying Orange.  Children and adults
        alike are sure to love the whole line of hilarious talking toys, each of
        which recite jokes and puns from the series. Available styles include
        Orange, Pear and Midget Apple. 3 "AG-13" alkaline button cell batteries
        required (included; non-replaceable). Ages 4 years and up. These items
        will be available at Toys"R"Us beginning in November.

Reverse Tech

In today's world, kids are not satisfied with, nor are they limited to, experiencing their favorite characters, shows, movies and games through just one medium. Instead, children of all ages are looking for ways to transport the excitement and entertainment of their favorite virtual properties out of the digital realm and into the physical world, too. This year, a variety of playthings, from plush pals to construction sets, offer tangible extensions of some of the most popular video games, social networks and apps for kids. The following tech-inspired toys can be found on Toys"R"Us shelves nationwide:

    --  Angry Birds(TM) Knock on Wood Game from Mattel® Kids can build
        structures and launch Angry Birds mini figures to score points as they
        destroy opponents' towers and knock down their green pigs with this
        skill-and-action board game based on the best-selling Angry Birds app
        from Rovio. Complete with Angry Birds and green pigs mini figures, a
        slingshot-style launcher, structure pieces and mission cards, this game
        is sure to ignite players' competitive nature.  No batteries required.
        Ages 5 to 7 years.

    --  Mario Kart(TM) Wii Bowser's(TM) Castle Ultimate Building Set(TM) from
        K'NEX Gamers can recreate the complete multi-level Bowser's Castle track
        from Mario Kart Wii with this Toys"R"Us exclusive set, featuring more
        than 650 pieces, that takes the experience of racing Mario and Luigi out
        of the video game and into the real world. Kids can connect the 26
        pieces of double-wide track and then race Mario in his Standard Kart,
        alongside Luigi in his Wild Wing Kart. The set also includes four
        collectible items that can help or hinder racers - a mushroom, green
        turtle shell, banana peel and Bullet Bill. 4 "AAA" batteries required
        (not included). Ages 6 years and up.

    --  Need for Speed Porsche GT3 RS Construction Set from MEGA Brands Kids can
        now construct their very own authentic Porsche model, straight from the
        Need for Speed video game franchise. Equipped with pieces authentic to
        the Porsche featured in the game, such as racing seats, functional
        doors, roll bar, high rear spoiler and real rubber tires, this set has
        everything a fan, collector or kid at heart will need to build and
        customize a highly detailed 1/14 scale Porsche GT3 RS. No batteries
        required. Ages 8 years and up.

    --  Moshi Monsters(TM) Moshling Mini-Figures 3-pack from Spin Master(TM)
        Since 2008, kids have been interacting with their own monsters online at
        MoshiMonsters.com, creating virtual rooms, playing games and adopting
        pets, called Moshlings, for their Moshi Monsters to care for. Now, the
        miniature Moshlings from the hit online community are ready to leave
        their virtual world and come home to fans nationwide with this Toys"R"Us
        exclusive line of plastic figurines. With more than 30 available,
        children can build their Moshling collection with three-packs that each
        showcase two Moshlings, while leaving one shrouded in mystery.  For
        additional fun, kids can use an included secret code to retrieve one
        special item for their Moshi Monster online at MoshiMonsters.com. No
        batteries required. Ages 6 years and up.

    --  Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure(TM) from Activision® Skylanders: Spyro's
        Adventure(TM) lets gamers bring their toys to life when they place their
        action figures on the "Portal of Power," instantly teleporting
        characters into a video game world. Players can then complete
        adventures, collect surprises and more that will be retained when their
        character leaves the game world. Upon reentering Skylanders, each
        character retains in-game experiences and can transfer weapons, skills
        and more across platforms when playing on a Wii, PlayStation 3, Xbox
        360, PC or Mac. This starter set comes with everything needed to
        complete the game, including the "Portal of Power;" Spyro, Gill Grunt
        and Trigger Happy playable action figures; the game and more. No
        batteries required. Rated "E10+." This item will be available beginning
        October 16.

Gross is Good

While parents have been known to deter kids from rolling in the mud, picking through trash and eating anything that squirms or skitters, this season, children may be encouraged to enjoy friendly, foul fun - sans mess! Here are some examples of the icky, gruesome, funky toys that are as exciting as they are gross:

    --  The Trash Pack(TM) from Moose Toys Tiny, squishy garbage-themed
        characters named after the icky, stinky delights found in the trash,
        such as Mucky Maggot, Rankenstein, Smelly Sock and more, are the newest
        in collectible crazes. With more than 100 hilariously disgusting - yet
        adorable - characters to collect, share and swap, kids are already
        clamoring to snap up their favorites. Trashies come in three colors and
        have unique features and molded edges that make them feel gross to the
        touch. No batteries required. Ages 5 years and up.

    --  Incredible Edibles Fright Factory from JAKKS Pacific Kids will drool
        over this new laboratory set as they create disgustingly delicious
        goodies, such as gummy body parts, bio brains, gooey guts and fizzing
        alien blood, before daring family, friends and foes to eat these
        frightful creations. With various flavored mixes to choose from,
        including apple, strawberry and grape, kids won't be able to pass up
        tasting their own icky treats. Additional molds and refills sold
        separately. No batteries required.  Ages 6 to 10 years.

    --  Doctor Dreadful Zombie Drink Lab from Spin Master(TM) This ultra icky
        mad scientist lab includes a cup, faux syringe, brain molded beaker,
        zombie head gear base and three body parts molds for endless hours of
        mixing and making disgusting, yet delectable, drinks. Kids' taste buds
        will be crawling when they create and taste the more than 40 possible,
        repulsively yummy treats, or use them to spook family and friends. No
        batteries required. Ages 5 years and up.

    --  Creepy Crawlers Bug Maker Creation Station from JAKKS Pacific Kids can
        create a wide variety of creepy crawlers to scare off siblings and
        friends. From scary spiders, beetles, maggots and frogs, to lizards, sea
        creatures, zombies and more, the bug maker makes it easy to craft these
        creepy creations. Children will love to fill them with goo and smash
        them for the ultimate in gross play. Additional molds and refills sold
        separately. 4 "D" batteries required (not included). Ages 8 years and
        up.

About Toys"R"Us, Inc.

Toys"R"Us, Inc. is the world's leading dedicated toy and juvenile products retailer, offering a differentiated shopping experience through its family of brands. Merchandise is sold in 875 Toys"R"Us and Babies"R"Us stores in the United States and Puerto Rico, and in more than 520 international stores and over 200 licensed stores in 34 countries and jurisdictions. In addition, it exclusively operates the legendary FAO Schwarz brand and sells extraordinary toys in the brand's flagship store on Fifth Avenue in New York City. With its strong portfolio of e-commerce sites including Toysrus.com, Babiesrus.com, eToys.com and FAO.com, it provides shoppers with a broad online selection of distinctive toy and baby products. Headquartered in Wayne, NJ, Toys"R"Us, Inc. employs approximately 70,000 associates annually worldwide. The company is committed to serving its communities as a caring and reputable neighbor through programs dedicated to keeping kids safe and helping them in times of need.

SOURCE Toys"R"Us