Known for its signature playhouses, sand and water toys, ride on vehicles, swing sets and wagons, The Step2 Company is heating up summertime fun with new toys to foster hours of imaginative, active and safe play for your backyard or patio.

With a year-round commitment to safety, Step2 lets parents feel confident that they are not only buying fun toys, but smart toys for their family. The majority of Step2 toys (90%) are made in the USA and all are free of phthalates. Built to last with sturdy construction, Step2 puts all of their toys through rigorous safety testing to produce the highest quality products for families that will last year after year.

Check out The Step2 Company's summer 2008 product introductions that make the backyards the cool place to go to enjoy the summer sun:

New From the Step2 Company:

781800 - All Star Sports Climber (MSRP: $99.99) [View Demo]
It's game time with the All Star Sports Climber. Outfitted with a basketball hoop, rock wall, football toss, soccer and slide, this set is sure to win some big points! Kids will keep active as they learn how to toss, shoot, and kick on target at a young age. Keep score with the built in score keeper. Rock wall provides a safe and easy challenge for children. Junior-sized inflatable football, basketball, and soccer ball included. Durable poly construction is built for years of play. Adult assembly required. Ages 2+

785400 - Neighborhood Fun Center (MSRP: $299.99) [View Demo]
The fun never ends with Step2's Neighborhood Fun Center. Unique design features multiple activities so there is something for everyone. Activity stations include a hook & loop target board, two balls, ring toss, crawl-thru rotating door and wavy slide. Ring toss comes with four rings. Crawl-thru hole leads to slide and playhouse. Playhouse design has a working Dutch door, window and doggy door. Durable poly construction is built for years of play. Adult assembly required. Ages 2+

781600 - Fun Flow Play Sink (MSRP: $49.99)
A battery-powered pump keeps the water and fun times flowing through the Fun Flow Play Sink's gooseneck faucet (requires 2 "D" batteries, not included). Faucet rotates to allow children to direct water flow and play with the included accessory play pieces: cup, strainer, spinning waterwheel and funnel. Accessory pieces have handles that allow them to hang on outer rim so kids can clean-up after play time, just like the big kids. Water pump has built-in timer to save battery power. Durable poly construction lasts for years. Minimal adult assembly required. Ages 2+

785500 - Naturally Playful® Magic Fountain Cottage (MSRP: $299.99) [View Demo]
Imaginations can run wild with this magic cottage that hides surprises around every corner. The old-world inspired design features stone cottage-look with shale roof and battery-powered wall fountain that recirculates water (requires 3 "D" batteries, not included). Full size door and working shutters for peek-a-boo fun. Detailed interior features a secret crawl-thru door, stone fireplace, and a kitchenette with sink, swivel faucet, burner and clicking knob. Postal mail slot, electronic doorbell with realistic chime sound and electronic play phone (requires 4 "AAA" batteries, not included). Durable double wall poly construction lasts for years and is maintenance free. Adult assembly required. Ages 2+

780600 - Sand & Water Cart (MSRP: $79.99)
No beach? No problem with the Sand & Water Cart, the new raised sandbox and water table which offers elevated play. Two front wheels and handle help easily move sand cart from one place to another. Durable protective lid helps keep debris and water out. Elastic tie-downs help keep lid securely attached. Holds 40 lbs. of sand and 1/2 gallon of water (not included). Drain plug in water tray for easy cleaning. Accessories include: 2 boats, 1 water tower, 1 cup and 1 umbrella. Underneath storage shelf allows toys to dry after use. Comes with a 42" tilting umbrella to help shade children from sunlight. Minimal adult assembly required. Ages 2+

782200 - Skyward Summit (MSRP: $399.99)
Authentic design makes this climber look like a real rock climbing wall. Four unique climbing surfaces create varying challenges. Features 2 climbing cargo nets, 1 floor net, and 12 grips. Narrow top offers a challenging climb for children. Hole on the top of peak for children to peek out. Over 100 square feet of outer climbing area, and a total height of 80". Mounting hardware included. Adult assembly required. Maximum weight limit 300 lbs. Ages 4+

Returning Favorites from The Step2 Company:

764900 - Front Porch Playhouse (MSRP: $299.99)
Perfect for sunny or rainy days, the raised front porch with built-in bench provides shade when it's sunny and cover when it rains. Detailed interior includes a pass-through window with table surface, molded-in sink with swivel faucet, and stovetop with clicking knob. The playhouse is complete with a working Dutch door, side window with shutters and decorative peaked roof. Also features electronic doorbell with chime, mail slot, and electronic play phone. Ages 1.5+

735300 - Neat & Tidy Cottage (MSRP: $159.99)
Your kids will enjoy this playhouse year-round! Molded-in floor keeps kids out of the dirt, and dirt out of your house. Open design provides easy view of children at play. Interactive phone and pass-through mailbox. It features a molded-in kitchen table, faucet, burner and two seats. Also includes a working doorbell for visitors. Ages 1.5+

774600 - Naturally Playful® Adventure Lodge Play Center with Glider (MSRP: $999.99)
Active and imaginative play abounds with the versatile Adventure Lodge Play Center! Fill the summer hours with this giant play set designed for variety, stability, and maintenance-free fun! The two-story playhouse with a rustic lodge theme encourages imaginative play while the slide, swings, glider, climbing ladders and ball toss provide plenty of opportunities for more physical activities. Ages 3+

Labels: new toys, summer toys

iVillage's Elizabeth Werner Spotlights Latest Backyard Toys

(STREETSBORO, OHIO) — April 30, 2008 — Let the outdoor fun begin! Reeling from the wicked winter of 2007, the backyard is a welcome oasis for outdoor creative play and an important outlet for kids who've been cooped up inside for months.

Elizabeth Werner is "Chief Toy Officer" for online parenting community iVillage and offers advice for parents picking outdoor toys for kids. She predicts that with rising travel costs, many families may forgo the annual road trip vacation and stick close to home this summer. "With so many new outdoor toys on the market, parents can turn their outdoor space into a safe playground of fun," Werner said. "This year the hot new toys are updated twists on classic fun — like sand and water carts, playhouses with running water, and jungle gyms turned into sports centers."

Werner recommends parents check the labels, pick familiar brands and look for toys that can foster different kinds of play throughout the season. The Step2 Company, famous for its signature play kitchens, ride on toys and playhouses, offers new outdoor toys that transform an ordinary yard into a magical cottage, silly funhouse or haven of water toys with no landscaper or contractor required. The majority of Step2's toys (90%) are made in the USA and all are free of phthalates.

New Toys for Fun in the Sun
Here are new toys from Step2 designed to promote creative, self-directed play for kids this summer:

• All Star Sports Climber: Outfitted with a basketball hoop, rock wall, football toss, soccer and slide, kids will keep active as they learn how to toss, shoot, and kick on target at a young age. Keep score with the built in score keeper. Rock wall provides a safe and easy challenge for children.
• Neighborhood Fun Center: Unique design features multiple activities so there is something for everyone. Activity stations include a hook & loop target board, two balls, ring toss, crawl-thru rotating door and wavy slide. Ring toss comes with four rings. Crawl-thru hole leads to slide and playhouse. Playhouse design has a working Dutch door, window and doggy door.
• Fun Flow Play Sink: A battery-powered pump keeps the water and fun times flowing through the Fun Flow Play Sink's gooseneck faucet. Faucet rotates to allow children to direct water flow and play with the included accessory play pieces: cup, strainer, spinning waterwheel and funnel.
• Naturally Playful® Magic Fountain Cottage: Imaginations can run wild with this magic cottage that hides surprises around every corner. The old-world inspired design features stone cottage-look with shale roof and battery-powered wall fountain. Full size door and working shutters for peek-a-boo fun. Detailed interior features a secret crawl-thru door, stone fireplace, and a kitchenette with sink, swivel faucet, burner and clicking knob.
• Sand & Water Cart: No beach? No problem with the Sand & Water Cart, the new raised sandbox and water table which offers elevated play. Two front wheels and handle help easily move sand cart from one place to another. Durable protective lid helps keep debris and water out. Underneath storage shelf allows toys to dry after use. Comes with a 42" tilting umbrella to help shade children from sunlight.

Step2's spring and summer 2008 products are currently available at toy stores and retailers nationwide. For more information on the full line of Step2 toys and products, please visit www.step2.com.

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About Step2
Step2 is the world's largest rotational molding manufacturer, designer and marketer of children's and home products sold under the Step2 brand. Known for providing durable, imaginative and active fun, Step2 is a market leader in outdoor toys, playhouses, play kitchens, sand and water play, ride on toys, swing sets, wagons and kid's furniture; as well as mailboxes, home & garden outdoor furniture and trash cans. Some of the company's most popular brands are Naturally Playful®, LifeStyle®, MainStreet Village® and MailMaster®. Step2 is based in Streetsboro, Ohio, and distributes its toy and home & garden products through multiple retail channels including toy retailers, mass merchants, home centers, and the Internet. www.step2.com

CONTACT:
Dotti Foltz, Vice President Marketing Communications
dfoltz@step2.net; 330-656-0440

Margaux Vega, Current Lifestyle Marketing
mvega@currentlm.com; 415-449-0126

Labels: outdoor toys, summer toys