Abstract: Toy kits and methods of using toy kits including a light-up object and near-invisible tether are described herein. The light-up objects can be of any suitable size and shape, and includes a plurality of light sources disposed along its inner or outer surface(s).

Abstract: A toy having changing facial features. Upon using the toy, its facial features change from a first configuration that appears “nice” to a second configuration that appears “mean” or “scary” in a way that is designed to cause an emotional reaction in a person that sees the change. To cause the change, an activator engages the transmission such that the transmission causes the eye features of the toy to rotate and the mouth to open in a coordinated fashion.

Abstract: A marionette toy kit is provided where the container forms a portion of a performing stage that is easily assembled by the player and where the marionette is supported by a near-invisible tether. The kit may be further configured to integrate consumer electronics that permit the player to incorporate programmed special effects or electronic media into their play in an interactive fashion, and/or to integrate personalized items with at least one component of the toy kit.

Abstract: A light-weight toy is attached to a player via a near-invisible fixed-length tether, typically using a low-tack adhesive at the ends of the tether. In especially preferred embodiments, the toy has a mechanism that creates an appearance of plausible possibility of flight without actually providing sufficient lift and/or propulsion for flight. Imaginary flight is achieved by manual lifting and moving the toy via the tether. Thus, the tether forms an integral part of the imaginary play for the player and is not used as an implement of a ‘magic trick’ for an audience.

Abstract: A neutrally buoyant flying toy has a tail fin assembly and a movable weight element that are configured such that the toy moves forward and can be steered left and right by controlled motion of the tail fin, and such that the toy ascends or descends by controlled motion of the weight element. Most preferably, the toy is configured as a fish and is remote controlled.

Abstract: A neutrally buoyant flying toy has a tail fin assembly and a movable weight element that are configured such that the toy moves forward and can be steered left and right by controlled motion of the tail fin, and such that the toy ascends or descends by controlled motion of the weight element. Most preferably, the toy is configured as a fish and is remote controlled.

Abstract: A light-weight toy is attached to a player via a near-invisible fixed-length tether, typically using a low-tack adhesive at the ends of the tether. In especially preferred embodiments, the toy has a mechanism that creates an appearance of plausible possibility of flight without actually providing sufficient lift and/or propulsion for flight. Imaginary flight is achieved by manual lifting and moving the toy via the tether. Thus, the tether forms an integral part of the imaginary play for the player and is not used as an implement of a ‘magic trick’ for an audience.

Abstract: A neutrally buoyant flying toy has a tail fin assembly and a movable weight element that are configured such that the toy moves forward and can be steered left and right by controlled motion of the tail fin, and such that the toy ascends or descends by controlled motion of the weight element. Most preferably, the toy is configured as a fish and is remote controlled.

Abstract: One or more ready-to-use near-invisible fixed-length tethers are provided on a carrier such that each tether can be removed from and reattached to the carrier without tangling. Most typically, such attachment is facilitated by modifying the ends of the tethers with a low tack adhesive and by winding the tether around a spool portion. Especially preferred low-tack adhesives provide adhesion of the tether ends to a user, the carrier, and the toy. In particularly preferred aspects, the tether is attached such that one end is removable while the other end remains attached such that the tether can be unwound from the spool by inverting the carrier.

Abstract: A launcher for a flying cylinder has a elongated guide member to which a base is slidably coupled. In preferred aspects, a pair of resilient elements is coupled at respective first portions to one end of the guide member while respective second portions are coupled to the base. Most preferably, coupling is performed via cutouts in the guide element and the base to permit simple replacement of the resilient elements.

Abstract: An apparatus has a container with a cavity containing a medium, and the container is sealed with a membrane that ruptures at a rupture pressure. A pressurizer pressurizes the cavity to at least the rupture pressure, and a projectile is disposed externally to the cavity during the pressurization. The projectile is propelled by the medium following rupture of the membrane. Preferred containers include pressurized cylinders, gun barrels, and ammunition cartridges, and preferred media include air, pressurized air and explosives, and a particularly preferred apparatus is a toy rocket launcher.

Abstract: A light-weight toy is attached to a player via a near-invisible fixed-length tether, typically using a low-tack adhesive at the ends of the tether. In especially preferred embodiments, the toy has a mechanism that creates an appearance of plausible possibility of flight without actually providing sufficient lift and/or propulsion for flight. Imaginary flight is achieved by manual lifting and moving the toy via the tether. Thus, the tether forms an integral part of the imaginary play for the player and is not used as an implement of a ‘magic trick’ for an audience.

Abstract: One or more ready-to-use near-invisible fixed-length tethers are provided on a carrier such that each tether can be removed from and reattached to the carrier without tangling. Most typically, such attachment is facilitated by modifying the ends of the tethers with a low tack adhesive and by winding the tether around a spool portion. Especially preferred low-tack adhesives provide adhesion of the tether ends to a user, the carrier, and the toy. In particularly preferred aspects, the tether is attached such that one end is removable while the other end remains attached such that the tether can be unwound from the spool by inverting the carrier.

Abstract: A flying toy has a rim and a plurality of discontinuous airfoils that are coupled to the rim such that a plurality of openings are formed between the airfoils and the rim. Most preferably, the total area of the airfoils is less than 40% of an area enclosed by the rim and the airfoils have a weight of less than 40% of the rim.

Abstract: A flying toy has a spiral-shaped tail to which a head portion is coupled to effect a wiggling flight pattern of the toy. In preferred embodiments, the spiral-shaped tail is fabricated from a material that maintains the spiral shape of the tail during flight, and has a configuration effective to impart a wiggling motion of the tail.

Abstract: A free spinning gyroscopic device has a hollow body with leading and following open ends, in which the outside perimeter of the leading open end has particular relationships to other characteristics of the device. In one aspect, the perimeter may advantageously measure at least 600, 800, 1000, 2000, 3000 or 4000 times the average thickness of the leading edge, or 150, 200, 250, 500, 750, or 1000 times the point of greatest thickness of the body. In another aspect, the perimeter may advantageously measure at least 4.7, 5.0, 7.5 or 10, times the length of the body. In another aspect, the perimeter may advantageously measure at least 9 inches, 12 inches, 15 inches, or 20 inches.