Backyard Bands, Nature First, Get Your Move On, and Techno-cation Will Influence How Kids Stay Active and Engaged this Summer

WAYNE, N.J., May 12, 2008 -- Toys"R"Us today identified four trends that will impact how kids learn, get active and stay entertained throughout the summer months. After thoroughly reviewing new toy introductions and researching themes that encourage the creativity of today's youth Toys"R"Us named the following top play trends for summer 2008: Backyard Bands, Nature First, Get Your Move On, and Techno-cation. Examples of toys that support these trends are available at Toys"R"Us stores nationwide and, where noted, online at www.Toysrus.com.

"One of the advantages of being a dedicated specialty toy retailer is our unique insight into how toy choices affect kids' play time," said Bob Giampietro, Senior Vice President, Trend and Innovation, Toys"R"Us, U.S. "These summer play trends reflect a growing fascination with home-grown artistic and musical talent, things good for the earth, the importance of physical activity opportunities, and making learning an exciting, fun-filled experience."

As the leading global toy retailer, Toys"R"Us continually tracks toy and play trends around the world. As a result, this summer, parents will find Toys"R"Us stores stocked with items reflecting the popularity of these summer play trends, including an extensive assortment of musical instruments, gardening and nature tools, toys and games to keep kids moving, and indoor/outdoor portable electronic and educational products.

TOYS"R"US 2008 SUMMER PLAY TREND LIST

Outlined below are the top trends that will define summer play, as identified by Toys"R"Us:

BACKYARD BANDS

With the Jonas Brothers and the Naked Brothers Band exploding on the scene, kids are coming together to mix their musical talents in hopes of becoming the next pop sensation. This summer, from Maine to California, backyards are the new proving grounds for bands. Before ever picking up an instrument, kids can learn the basics with the Essential Rock Guitar DVD from Alliance, which makes musical instruction easy and interactive. And, after studying the notes, younger kids can make a big sound with three-quarter guitars like the Hannah Montana Electric Guitar from U.S. Music Corp. that is made for smaller hands. The sleek and stylish LK-100 Keyboard from Casio® includes 100 fun tones and tunes, flashing lights and 50 rhythm patterns that allow kids to create their own beats. The keyboard also offers a three-step learning system and Voice-Fingering Guide that audibly coaches kids about which finger to use to play the correct keys and notes. For aspiring drummers, the pro-style designed 5-Piece Drum Set from First Act™, found only at Toys"R"Us, includes a bass drum, mounted tom drum, mounted snare drum, brass cymbal and a comfortable drum seat. For those who want a more portable rock and roll experience, there is the highly anticipated Guitar Hero® On Tour for Nintendo® DS™. Kids simply place a simulated guitar grip into the Game Boy Advanced slot of their Nintendo DS and strum the touch screen to a selection of classic rock, pop and alternative favorites. Kids can even play against one another. Beyond musical games, guitars, drums and keyboards, Toys"R"Us offers an expansive selection of instruments and other accessories needed to create a winning backyard band.

NATURE FIRST

This spring, Crayola® introduced eight new colors, selected and named by kids, symbolizing what children think is important today. Giving Tree, the newest shade of green in the updated Crayola® 64 box, signifies a lifestyle dedicated to respecting and protecting the earth. Many of this summer's must-have toys are aligned with this lifestyle and teach kids about nature and the planet. The Bugville Live Butterfly Treehouse from Spin Master™ allows kids to watch caterpillars grow into beautiful Painted Lady butterflies, before setting them free. The Grow Your Own Tomato Plant all-in-one pack from Buzzy, Inc. also takes kids through the journey of life and growth by combining water, soil and seeds to start a garden. Once the seeds are sown, kids can nurture their plants with the Disney® Fairies and Pooh Gardening Accessories from Brass Key®, including small trowels, hand rakes, watering cans, gloves and more. When the sun sets on the summer sky, kids can observe the atmosphere above with the Astro-Gazer 70 Telescope from Edu Science that comes with a padded carrying case, six 25mm Finderscopes and two Barlow lenses for extra close star-searching. Also included are the Cybersky CD-ROM, instructional DVD, Star Chart and manual, which offer an eye-opening experience for kids looking up to nature.

GET YOUR MOVE ON

Today, more than ever, children are encouraged to participate in physical activity to help them lead healthier lives, and there is no better time for kids to be active than summer. Although games of it-tag, hide-and-go-seek and hop-scotch are still popular, there are new ways for kids to have a great time while getting their move on. Wii™ Fit from Nintendo®, the newest addition to the Wii gaming platform, takes physical fun to a whole new level. Kids can create a fun, personalized workout regimen, practice yoga, train muscles or aerobicize using the included Wii balance board that measures weight, body fat, balance and more. Wii Fit also offers several games to keep kids in motion by requiring players to swivel their hips to a single hoola-hoop, or multiple hoops depending on the skill level, or head soccer balls as a team's goalie. Playing outside is the perfect way for kids to stay active, and in doing so, they can choose from some of the summer's best, new outdoor playthings. The Pulse Kick 'N Go from Bravo Sports reengineers the original scooter, with a high-tech design using a unique kick pedal self-propulsion system to help riders achieve speed and maintain maneuverability. Children can also keep active and cool in their own backyards with the Banzai™ Skimboard Surfer and the Banzai™ Pipeline Twist Aqua Park™, both from ToyQuest®. Roll out the Banzai™ Skimboard Surfer™ mat, lined with built-in spray rails on both sides to create a water arch, so tots and teens can take the 30" pro-quality wakeboard for a ride. And budding daredevils will spend the summer scaling the Banzai™ Pipeline Twist Aqua Park™, which offers two slippery, swirling slides and two bay pools, transforming the backyard into a personal water park.

TECHNO-CATION

Active young minds continually look for easy and fun ways to be quickly "in the know," utilizing a mash-up of technology and education toys that can be taken anywhere this summer. Kids can keep up on their summer reading with the Tag from LeapFrog®, which looks like a pen but reads aloud when scrolling over the words of a story. Young learners can choose from an 18-volume library that includes "The Little Engine That Could" and "Olivia," while parents can track their child's learning accomplishments by attaching Tag to a computer. The new pink handheld Leapster 2 from LeapFrog®, available in a travel-friendly design, also offers tech-savvy learning and is found only at Toys"R"Us. The updated system builds on the original Leapster with new games and USB capability to unlock online rewards, and a tracking system for parents to oversee their child's progress. To learn the value of saving money and acquire skills involving numbers and counting, kids can enjoy the talking, portable Pig E Bank available exclusively at Toys"R"Us. The bank features a large LCD display of total savings and announces every coin's value as it is deposited. Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader?™ Handheld from Techno Source®, based on the record-breaking hit game show on FOX, helps kids feel like they're live-in-studio without ever leaving their home, car or backyard. The game features an easy-to-use, illuminated touch screen that answers over 2000 questions in 13 subjects. Class might be out, but techno-cation is always plugged in.

About Toys"R"Us, Inc.

Toys"R"Us, Inc. is the world's leading dedicated toy and baby products retailer. Currently it sells merchandise through more than 1,500 stores, including 584 Toys"R"Us stores and 260 Babies"R"Us stores in the U.S., more than 680 international stores in 33 countries, which includes licensed and franchise stores, and through its Internet site at www.Toysrus.com.