It’s All About Toys, Games And Parties
Playing with flower sticks
PHOTO COURTESY ANNA LAU-PARISH
I suppose you can either thank or blame the organizers of Hawaii Toy & Game and Party Expo for scoping out the next craze.
They were on to kendama before most of us, and they’re at it again. They will feature the top toys of 2014 this weekend (Oct. 11 and 12) at the second annual Hawaii Toy & Game and Party Expo at Neal Blaisdell Center Exhibition Hall.
The central theme, according to organizer Anna Lau-Parish, is to “promote active play in our families through toys and games.” In other words, the name of the game is to introduce cool toys that are fun and safe while growing healthy minds and active bodies.
The “active play” lifestyle stimulates creativity while encouraging increased coordination and advanced fine motor skills. At this expo, children and parents are encouraged to play and test out toys to get a jump start on the holiday rush.
There will be many opportunities to do that with more than 150 vendors and 12,000 people expected to attend.
All day Saturday and Sunday, Toys R Us invites kids to explore and discover the hot toys of 2014 play area.
For old-school “gamers,” there will be a family area featuring classic board games.
The Attacknids Battle Arena will give kids hands-on experience controlling a robot and battling for arena supremacy.
A Saturday highlight at 11:30 a.m. is Pokemon Card Gaming and Trading. It’s described as Pokemon 101, with opportunities to trade cards and play in a tournament.
Two other crowd-pleasers include kendama tricks by the Razors crew Saturday at 1:30 p.m., and Flower Stick demos Saturday at 3 p.m. and Sunday at 10:30 a.m.
If you’re like me, you’re new to flower sticks. They’re juggling sticks that challenge your hand-eye coordination. You’ll also learn all about jitter rings and diablo, or Chinese yo-yo.
Razor Sports always tries to look out for trends in what’s hot, what kids have fun playing and classics that stand the test of time, like Legos.
Look for a Lego build area and contest. No word if Bugs Bunny or Daffy Duck will be competing, but look for them at the expo.
Second annual Hawaii Toy & Game and Party Expo is featured at the 11th annual Oh Baby! Family Expo Oct. 11 and 12, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. each day
Neal Blaisdell Exhibition Hall
General admission $5.50, free for ages 5 and under
239-7777
ohbabyfamilyexpo.com
tjoaquin@hawaiinewsnow.com
