Step2 Acquires Thinkativity: An Award-Winning Creator of Learning Toys for Kids

The Step2 Company, a leading toy manufacturer and marketer of outdoor toys, playhouses and play kitchens, announced today that is is acquiring privately owned Thinkativity, Inc. Thinkativity is an award-winning maker of electronic and educational toys that teach children to create their own learning experiences.

Streetsboro, OH (PRWEB) February 16, 2008 -- The Step2 Company, LLC ("Step2"), a leading toy manufacturer and marketer of outdoor toys, playhouses and play kitchens, announced today that it is acquiring privately owned Thinkativity, Inc. ("Thinkativity"), headquartered in Englewood, New Jersey. Thinkativity is an award-winning maker of electronic and educational toys that teach children to create their own learning experiences.

Thinkativity toys, like the popular Little Storyteller® line of products, blend physical play with imaginative learning so that preschoolers independently control their early learning lessons.

Thinkativity will remain a key brand name for learning toys and its operations will be integrated to create a natural extension of complementary lines to the preschool category.

Yvonne V. Marsh, a Senior Managing Director of Liberty Partners, L.P., the majority owner of Step2 said, "The acquisition of Thinkativity demonstrates our strategy for future growth by providing a range of quality early learning products. With its commitment to innovative product development, Thinkativity adds a unique line of learning toys to our overall creative developmental play portfolio."

Jay Schiffman, Thinkativity President, added, "We are delighted to be teaming up with Step2 and we look forward to expanding our business alongside one of the market leaders in learning toys for toddlers and imaginative play.

About Step2:

Step2, based in Streetsboro, Ohio, is the world's largest rotational molding manufacturer, designer and marketer of children's and home products sold under the Step2 brand, including children's play kitchens, playhouses, outdoor toys and ride on toysStep2 distributes its toy and home & garden products through multiple retail channels including toy retailers, mass merchants, home centers, and the Internet. www.step2.com

About Thinkativity:

Thinkativity is a leading innovator of educational toys for infants, toddlers, and preschool children. Thinkativity's award-winning products help children learn as they grow. Thinkativity creates affordable learning toys that stand out in the marketplace for their innovative play patterns, original musical compositions and stories, and their unique ability to inspire children to explore, play and learn. www.thinkativity.com

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