Kids Become Superheroes with Blockbuster-Inspired Toys

June 6, 2011 | From Green Lantern to Captain America, action-packed blockbusters are lighting up big screens across the country this summer and toy companies are rolling out a batch of products that tie-in to this season’s kid-friendly flicks.

Role play and action figure toys inspired by Hollywood’s big tickets run the gamut. From play sets that re-create fantastical worlds to props, weaponry and costumes, fun can be found in the toy aisle for boys and girls of all ages.

“Extending the enchanting worlds from the big screen into every day play is a fantastic way to engage and excite little ones,” says Adrienne Appell, a trend expert at the Toy Industry Association (TIA). “These toys encourage kids to role play scenes from their favorite movies … or to use their imaginations to act out their very own stories!”

A few of TIA’s picks from the new crop of toys and games include:

• Re-creating the onscreen action from the movie Thor is a cinch thanks to Thor Lightning Hammer and Armor of Asgard Helmet (Hasbro; sold separately.) The Lightning Hammer is a replica of the warrior Thor’s signature weapon – it even includes electronic battle sounds and a launching projectile. The Armor of Asgard Helmet brings superhero action to life –the helmet lets kids feel just like their favorite hero when villains rear their ugly heads! Hasbro’s line also includes 3.75” Thor Action Figures featuring Thor, Odin, Loki, Frost Giant and The Destroyer.
  
  
• Green Lantern Who’s in the Tower? Game (Pressman Toy) allows players to immerse themselves in the intergalactic world of one of the summer’s hottest new superheroes – the mystical Green Lantern. Players set up a secret code of Green Lanterns and the ring and try to guess the order of their opponent’s tiles. 
  
  
• New to the Transformers line are Cine-Mask 3D Masks (Hasbro), offered in Optimus Prime and Bumblebee styling. The one-of-a-kind masks let fans gear up and play out the Transformers fantasy … complete with RealD 3D lenses that allow fans to watch any RealD 3D compatible movie!
  
  
• Queen Anne’s Revenge (JAKKS) is a replica (30 x 24 inches) of the ship seen this summer in Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. The ship boasts cannons with real-working projectiles, a crow’s nest for spotting enemy ships, a launching deck, a zip line and a retractable plank walk.
  
  
• The Jack Sparrow Sword and Role Play Set (Creative Designs; sold separately) allows kids to play the part of the legendary pirate Jack Sparrow from the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise.  The deluxe, electronic sword features a custom molded handle and a safe foam blade with motion activated sounds. The role play set includes Jack’s hat, sword, map, coins, rings flag and tattoos!
  
  
• Now kids can have their very own iconic Captain America Disk Launching Shield (Hasbro), a premiere role-play item that fires miniature foam disks to defend against combatants. The shield is 15 inches in diameter and comes with 5 disks.

These are just a few of the many blockbuster-inspired toys that are sure to excite superhero fans of all ages. For more toy trends and tips, make ToyInfo.org your year-round resource for fun in every season.