Toys for the brave new world

The advent of cyberspace and the information superhighway has altered dramatically people’s the way of life of throughout the world and given birth to an altogether new concept of leisure and entertainment among young kids.

Whereas before a toddler’s activities revolved around playthings in his day-to-day development and growth from childhood to adolescence to adulthood, the computer age has inspired a new genre of toys and games designed to keep pace with his rapid mental and physical development brought about by the modern technology of the new millennium.

These new models and makers of toys feature ultra-modern designs and concepts that not only serve as recreational tools in a kid’s leisure activities, but constantly challenge and stimulate the fertile mind of today’s child reared in computer technology and high-tech electronic gadgets.

Retailers and distributors got a peek into the new generation of toys during the annual trade show sponsored by Ban Kee Trading Inc., a leading importer and distributor of some of the world’s best known and most popular toy brands on Sept. 5 at the Garden Ballroom of Edsa Shangri-La at Ortigas Center in Pasig City.

The annual trade event showcased all kinds of quality products, ranging from juvenile accessories, pre-school and infant toys, robots, miniature cars, remote-controlled cars, girls and boys’ play sets, fashion dolls, collectible figures, trading cards and assorted gifts.

Aside from best-selling brands such as Tomy, Mattel, Bandai and Takara, other crowd-drawers were new toy lines such as Activity Works, Bakuso Robo, Boppin Rockers, Crush Gear, Uno Games, Gundam, Hello Kitty toys, Marvin’s Magic, Micro Pets, Pop Dreamers, Road Rats and Shoe Fairies.

Among the major international manufacturers represented in the show were Graco, The First Years, Tomy, Mattel, Fisher Price, Ohio Arts, Brand Masters, MGA International, Thinkwave toys, Blue Box, Intex, Wizards of the Coast, Toymax, Takara and Bandai.

The one-day exhibit, which served as a preview of Ban Kee’s 2002-2003 collection of toy items, drew the attendance of all of its major retailers from all over the country. Also on hand for the occasion were top executives from the marketing and advertising industry as well as media representatives.