Bloomfield, NJ (August 17, 2026) – Keeping children up and active when it’s super cold outside can be arduous for both child and parent. Getting in and out of tons of layers to keep warm, while not tracking snow into the house – it’s easy to understand the temptation to stay inside and veg. But that’s why toys that can be enjoyed both indoors and outdoors make such great gifts; kids get value from them year-round, no matter what the weather! In advance of holiday 2026, the eclectic and one-of-a-kind toy company Bright Stripes – best known for their incredible selection of kids’ arts and crafts kits – is seizing the opportunity to show U.S. families some incredible active play toys developed from trusted European partners! These toys from distribution partners Find That Hippo and Wheely Bug are thoughtfully designed to encourage gross motor skill development and keep kids active and exercising with screen-free playtime. Bright Stripes is excited to offer these well-designed active play options for holiday gift giving.
Kiddos are bouncy balls of energy, running around like little animals; consider a gift that’s perfectly on brand! Find That Hippo – a Danish toy company founded by two sisters – produces active, exciting toys as whimsical as their playful name suggests. Gift hunters seeking presents for children 2 to 4 years old should give Find That Hippo a look, but children up to 6 years old enjoy their products as well! Their Bouncy Animals ($49.99) line is introducing two new styles to the collection – Holger the Hippo and Maya the Bear. Bouncy Animals are sturdy yet flexible inflated animal-shaped mounts for kids to sit on and hop, jump and bounce to their heart’s content. Both Holger and Maya have well-placed ears for children to get a grip as they get lost in the bouncy zone. 
Bouncy Animals stand on four legs when not in use but have enough give to squash and stretch for continuous, bouncy up and down play. And when these pals need a little boost from months of extensive play, the included air pump easily makes them good-as-new again, and their surface is super easy to wipe down clean. Holger and Maya join the existing Bouncy Animal lineup of Luna the Unicorn, Dexter the Dino and Lela the Fox, all with adorable colors and features. All Bouncy Animals feature soothing, soft Scandinavian color schemes and a pleasing matte finish. These flexible friends measure at 23.62” x 9.06” x 20.47” when fully inflated and are the perfect gift for energetic little ones age 2 and up.
For even more toy options on the quest to sate a child’s need for bouncy, tumbly playtime, Find That Hippo also has the Peanut Ball ($49.99), new for Fall 2026! This sturdy, bouncy, inflatable toy (measuring at 39.4” x 19.7” x 19.7”) is shaped like an asymmetrical peanut, making it a deceptively versatile active play toy. The ergonomic design allows for kids to “giddyup!” and bounce around on the Peanut Ball like a steed or drape themselves over it to roll forward and back while reading or relaxing. Little ones can bounce, roll, and relax, all on this super-sized Peanut! Conscientious gift hunters can choose either Morning Blue or Tuscany Pink Peanut Balls depending on the lucky recipient.
Sometimes when it comes to bouncing toys, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it! The iconic design of the Hopper Ball ($24.99) instantly screams “play with me!” as soon as a kid sees it.The 17.7” diameter sphere is made of the same sturdy and flexible material as Find That Hippo’s other bounce offerings but streamlines the design to elegant simplicity with a single handle on top. No directions needed; kids know instantly to hop on, grab the handle, and bounce like crazy! As the Hopper Ball is sure to be well loved, Find That Hippo includes an air pump to both get the play started ASAP and provide occasional refills to keep the bouncy fun going. The Hopper Ball comes in four playful yet understated metallic colors: Turkish Rose, Persian Orange, Old Gold, and Dark Cyan.
But let’s say the child you’re gifting for is more about scooting than bouncing? A young enthusiast of all things that roll is also in luck, thanks to Wheely Bugs ($119.99), the mounted riding toy company owned and run by two Dutch brothers.
Wheely Bugs are ultra-sturdy ride-on toys that take the shape of a cute and friendly animal. These impeccably designed riding toys can make 360° turns and roll forwards, backwards, left, right and diagonally with ease. Kiddos can ride, glide, roll, and even cuddle with Wheely Bugs. The Wheely Bug has four castor wheels for maximum maneuverability, a padded push bar, and a soft, easy-care body. While the structure is made of sturdy wood and metal, the Wheely Bug’s body itself is padded and lined in vinyl, making them comfy for kids to sit on for extended play sessions and easy to clean. Even the wood is ergonomically curved to make sure playtime is completely safe. Wheely Bugs are best enjoyed on hardwood floors but can be used on low-pile rugs or outdoors without issue. These incredible riding toys come pre-assembled and are guaranteed to provide years of fun for children ages 1-3. Bright Stripes, as the exclusive U.S. distributor for Wheely Bugs, vouches for their incredible quality. Gift hunters can buy with confidence knowing that the company will gladly provide free replacement parts in the highly unlikely event of an issue, no questions asked. Available designs for 2026 include Ladybug, Bee, Tiger, and Mouse.
Bright Stripes’ offerings from their European partners encourage screen-free playtime and gross motor skill development, making them perfect holiday gifts for any energetic child! These products are available to buy at specialty retailers across the U.S. To explore their wide selection of new products from overseas partners, as well as the art kits and craft projects you know and love, give https://brightstripes.co/pages/euro-shop a look!
About Bright Stripes
After working in the Toy & Children’s Product world for over 25 years combined, Sabre Mrkva and Eric von Stein started their dream company, Bright Stripes, in 2018. With a shared love of all things craft and DIY, they believe in the power of creative play to empower kids to create the world they want to live in. Sabre brings her 15+ years of experience of nuts & bolts kids’ product development and a strong business analysis to every decision and design choice. Eric studied Toy Design at FIT in NYC, where he learned the ins and outs of industrial design, childhood development and toy concepts, and has been working in toys for the past 13 years. They excel at transforming inspiration into market-ready, eye-catching products packaged in dynamic, trend-right graphics. For more information and to see what’s fresh and new, visit their delightfully colorful website at https://www.brightstripes.co/.