1 EXHIBIT 12.1 Hedstrom Holdings, Inc. Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges (In Thousands, Except Ratio) FISCAL YEAR ENDED JULY 31, ----------------------------------------------------- 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 Consolidated net income (loss) $ (8,116) $ 745 $(2,961) $(1,916) $ 96 Loss from discontinued operations $ 0 $ 585 $ 3,180 $ 0 $ 0 Consolidated provision (benefit) for income taxes $ (3,857) $ 1,440 $ (663) $ 103 $ 257 Fixed charges $ 5,896 $ 4,573 $ 2,512 $ 2,982 $ 2,728 TOTAL $ (6,077) $ 7,343 $ 3,304 $ (67) $ 3,081 FIXED CHARGES interest on debt and capitalized leases $ 5,896 $ 4,573 $ 2,982 $ 2,512 $ 2,728 TOTAL $ 5,896 $ 4,573 $ 2,982 $ 2,512 $ 2,728 RATIO (DEFICIENCY) OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES(A) $(11,973) 1.6x 1.1x $(2,579) 1.1x Proforma Proforma Six Months Ended Year Ended Six Months Ended JUNE 30, DECEMBER 31, June 30, ----------------- ---------------- --------------------------- 1997 1996 1997 1996 Consolidated net income (loss) $ (26) $(3,552) $ 5,985 $ 2,698 Loss from discontinued operations $ 0 0 0 Consolidated provision (benefit) for income taxes $ 573 $ (764) $ 3,536 $ 1,812 Fixed charges $14,260 $28,493 $ 4,709 $ 3,545 TOTAL $14,807 $24,177 $14,230 $ 8,055 FIXED CHARGES Interest on debt and capitalized leases $14,260 $28,493 $ 4,709 $ 3,545 TOTAL $14,260 $28,493 $ 4,709 $ 3,545 RATIO (DEFICIENCY) OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES 1.0x $(4,316) 3.0x 2.2x Five Months Ended DECEMBER 31, --------------------------- 1996 1995 Consolidated net income (loss) $(4,771) $ (8,574) Loss from discontinued operations $ 0 $ 0 Consolidated provision (benefit) for income taxes $(2,869) $ (4,074) Fixed charges $ 2,115 $ 1,773 TOTAL $(5,525) $(10,875) Interest on debt and capitalized leases $ 2,115 $ 1,773 TOTAL $ 2,115 $ 1,773 RATIO (DEFICIENCY) OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES(A) $(7,640) $(12,648) (A) If the ratio is less than 1.0x, the deficiency is shown