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TDmonthly 2014 Toy Fair Retailer Report
TDmonthly Magazine was at the 2014 American International Toy Fair in February, and we enlisted a trusted panel of Retailer Reporters to give us feedback on specific new toys, plus report to us some of their favorite finds of the show. Because these toy-store owners are experts in both playability and sales potential, their feedback is invaluable to their peers and to vendors, who may learn how to improve their products based on feedback. (See their coverage on Twitter!).
One of TDmonthly's Retailer Reporters, Tina Schwindt of Fairhaven Toy Garden in Bellingham, Wash., was even asked by her local paper to write an article on her Toy Fair experience to let her customers know the lengths to which she and other specialty toy-store owners go to when searching for the best and most innovative toys of the year. You can read it here.
TDmonthly's Retailer Reporter Panel reflected specialty toy-store owners from across North America: Kate Tanner of Kidstop Toys & Books and Sari Powazek of Dollhouse and Toy Store Too in Scottsdale, Ariz.; Sallie Kishawa of Timbuk Toys in Denver; Barbara Vininsky of Jack & Jill in Montreal, Quebec; Sarah Evers of Dancing Bear Toys in Asheville, NC; Fred and Karen Rosenberg of Toys & Candy on the Park in Kingwood, Texas; Mike and Susan Castor of Pentwater Toy Box and Air Fun Kites in Pentwater, Mich.; Priscilla Moore of Mr. Fubs Party/Toys and More in Yellow Springs, Ohio; Terri Bracken of Earth Explorer Toys in Zionsville, Indiana; Bob Breneman of G. Willikers in Portsmouth, NH; Terry Myers of Kaleidoscope Toys in Round Rock, Texas; and Tina Schwindt of Fairhaven Toy Garden in Bellingham, WA.
You can read more about them here.
SKULLDUGGERY
"Tracer Racers are cool! LED lights on the bottom of free-wheeling cars that zoom over glow-in-the dark track. Not only does this create a very cool light show experience, but the cars are solid and really fly. Boys are going to love the LED lights."
- Sallie Kashiwa, Timbuk Toys
"Skullduggery's Tracer Racers & Marble Racers are great fun & sell like crazy. Good price."
- Mike and Susan Castor, Pentwater Toy Box
DOUGLAS CUDDLE TOYS
"Douglas is wonderful in its styling of animals, whether for classic plush or stylized animals for baby toys. Douglas also has wonderful purses as well as wings and tutus. "
- Sallie Kashiwa, Timbuk Toys
"Douglas specialties include wings and tutus, accessories for young fashionistas and lots of cuddly plush. This season it spreads its wings in new directions, adding bird wings, wings for boys and wings attached to a new line of tutu dresses. More new wings and tutus for budding ballerinas and little angels. And there are coordinating masks too.
The Christine Clarke Sassy Kids Fashion accessories now have tutu ballerina bags and a very foxy fox bag.
Other news: Soft baby Cuddle Mats now come in monkey, lamb, fox and puppy models. There is also a sweet and cuddly Sleepy Fox collection to keep little ones comfy.
In their soft and cuddly plush, there are 8 puppies in a new 10-inch size and new larger 15-inch additions to their line of natural animals, including elephant, giraffe, mammoth, white tiger and more."
- Priscilla Moore, Mr. Fubs
"Douglas Cuddle Toys has a great woolly mammoth that adds a unique touch to their plush line. And, if Clifford the Big Red Dog is coming to visit your store, they have all the styles you need."
- Sari Powazek, Dollhouse & Toy Store
ADORA DOLLS
"Adora Dolls, as usual, has done a great job on toddler dolls. Cute faces, different hair and eye color combos are what really set these dolls apart. Their outfits are cuter than ever."
- Sari Powazek, Dollhouse & Toy Store
"Adora Dolls Bath Dolls are sweet! They also have a baby jogger that caught our eye."
- Tina Schwindt, Fairhaven Toy Garden
"We LOVE Adora's 18-Inch doll clothes - I can see real girls wearing these outfits."
- Kate Tanner, Kidstop Toys
AURORA WORLD INC.
"I predict the next hot animal to be the SLOTH. Aurora has lots of sloth including a sloth hat! In pink, too - OMG!"
- Sarah Evers, Dancing Bear Toys
"Unlikely Friends at the AURORA booth are beautifully done by Miyoni."
- Sari Powazek, Dollhouse & Toy Store
BACHMANN INDUSTRIES INC
"Bachmann Trains has a lot of Thomas & Friends themed sets that would probably be popular."
- Tina Schwindt, Fairhaven Toy Garden
"Bachmann Trains would mesmerize my grandsons with both Thomas & Chuggington Electric Trains. Bachmann has trains for the kid in all of us."
- Sari Powazek, Dollhouse & Toy Store
C & I COLLECTABLES
"C& I Collectables could be cool sports party favor or Easter basket item for boys 7-13."
- Fred and Karen Rosenberg, Toys On The Park
"Normally I would not stop at a sports memorabilia booth but these are nicely done! I'm going to order."
- Tina Schwindt, Fairhaven Toy Garden
COLLECTA
"COLLECTA was a really nice collection of realistic miniature figurines. The company caters to the specialty market. Their miniatures have realistic texturing and coloration and they had a very interesting choice of animals. One of their unusual animals, new this year, is the Narwhal, which is really beautiful."
- Priscilla Moore, Mr. Fubs
"Nice quality!"
- Terry Myers, Kaleidoscope Toys
DREAM BIG WHOLESALE DOLL CLOTHES LLC
"Dream Big Doll Clothes are great for 18" dolls. Nice price point, style & quality."
- Fred and Karen Rosenberg, Toys On The Park
"Dream Big's clothes for 18 inch dolls are adorable and I love the baby soft Velcro closures. Nice touch!"
- Kate Tanner, Kidstop Toys
ZEENIE DOLLS
"Zeenie Dolls are articulated play fashionista dolls that allow for play while teaching about the environment,"
- Sarah Evers, Dancing Bear Toys
"I like the concept of Zeenie Dolls' eco-warriors."
- Fred and Karen Rosenberg, Toys on the Park
THAMES & KOSMOS
"New innovative line of GEEK & CO addresses the nerd in all of us!"
- Terry Myers, Kaleidoscope Toys
"Great science projects. Fantastic quality kits for 7+. Huge age range! Love the 'Wind Farm' kit."
- Mike and Susan Castor, Pentwater Toy Box
"LOVED Thames & Kosmos Geek sets, but my #1 pick is their new Robo car you drive with your iPad!"
- Kate Tanner, Kidstop Toys
NORMAN & GLOBUS INC.
"Science Wiz had great science kits, they're very educational. The new product called Cool Circuits 2013 was puzzle of the Year it has over 40 puzzles in one box. It can go from kids 8 to adults. They also have a chess game called Once a Pawn a Time. There's a teaching manual that goes with it, and the manual is even better than game itself! Great manual for learning chess."
- Mike and Susan Castor, Pentwater Toy Box
"Normal & Globus' new CHARGE science kit is a first for building a Van de Graaff Generator."
- Terry Myers, Kaleidoscope Toys
OWI
"OWI's new Super Solar Recycler kit has some different building kits than I've seen before."
- Terry Myers, Kaleidoscope Toys
"I was impressed by OWI Robotics. Products of high quality at a good price."
- Priscilla Moore, Mr. Fubs
"OWI has great reusable energy kits for kids 8 and up."
- Sarah Evers, Dancing Bear Toys
"OWI New Solar Recycler uses old CDs and bottles...all you need is fun!"
- Terry Myers, Kaleidoscope Toys
ELENCO
"I love Elenco products. Wonderful. Great educational sets. Quality is high. We see it being something that can lead to interaction between parent and child."
- Mike and Susan Castor, Pentwater Toy Box
"Junior Detective Kits from Elenco" are one of Sallie Kashiwa's (Timbuk Toys) overall favorite toys from Toy Fair.
"Elenco has a great mini microscope at low price point; their other new products are also worth looking at!"
- Fred and Karen Rosenberg, Toys on the Park
"Elenco mini kits are a perfect birthday item, and have a great price point for great quality!"
- Terry Myers, Kaleidoscope Toys
Kidstop Toys' favorite toys at the show included ZipStix from Hog Wild, Color a Cape from Creative Education, Cloud b's cuddly Foxes, the Solar Recycler from OWI, and bath time doll Nici Wonderland from NEAT-OH!
NEAT-OH!
"Loved the bath toys!"
- Kate Tanner, Kidstop Toys
FUNNYBONE TOYS LLC
"Children's games that can be adapted for kids with special needs. They're good games - really good games. We liked them."
- Mike and Susan Castor, Pentwater Toy Box
"Funnybones is a fun pocket-sized game has 30 challenges. It's based on an ancient game, wherein players try to catch cool, colored 'bones'."
- Bob Breneman, G. Willikers
"Funnybone has several clever games."
- Tina Schwindt, Fairhaven Toy Garden
GENETIPETZ LLC
"Genetipez is a good concept for both toy and web. The Mooraffe & Quackaringo are cute!"
- Tina Schwindt, Fairhaven Toy Garden
"Very cute concept!"
- Fred and Karen Rosenberg, Toys on the Park
IMPROV ELECTRONICS
"Improv Electronics' Boogie Board JOT is priced well and is as small as a phone. The 'Sync' model is larger than the original Boogie board, and you can write small. They're introducing new colors for specialty!"
- Priscilla Moore, Mr. Fubs
"The new color screens for specialty is a neat product. Our staff uses one for restocking."
- Fred and Karen Rosenberg, Toys on the Park
HOHNER
"Hohner's new Green Tones line is awesome! Great sounding wooden musical instruments for younger kids."
- Tina Schwindt, Fairhaven Toy Garden
"Hohner's Green Tones wooden instruments have a natural look, nice tone, and some of the products are suitable for toddlers and younger."
- Bob Breneman, G. Willikers
SET ENTERPRISES
"Set has an amazing new card game called Karma. It can be played by 2 to 12 people. Not too many card games are fun for just 2 of you!"
- Terri Bracken, Earth Explorer Toys
"We love Set. We've carried since we opened the store. All of their games are great. Have new games for little kids: Set Jr, Quiddler Jr - bought them all. KARMA is a really good game. It's fun. It's gonna be a good strategy game.
I have people coming in from all over looking for new games because they can't find them in other places. Some of the JR games would also work well with special needs and geriatrics."
- Mike and Susan Castor, Pentwater Toy Box
"I played the card game Karma. It's a good family game requiring moderate strategy, for ages 8+ and 2-6 players. The Karma card can get you out of a jam- or come back to bite you!"
- Bob Breneman, G. Willikers
KANJAM LLC
"It was interesting. I think it's neat that they get two people on a team, one throwing and one catching."
- Mike and Susan Castor, Pentwater Toy Box
"Kanjam is a great outdoor game for all ages! Easy set up and easy to learn."
- Tina Schwindt, Fairhaven Toy Garden
"Good addition to any family's outdoor game collection. It's a multi-player game that challenges your Frisbee skills."
- Bob Breneman, G. Willikers
FABER CASTELL/Creativity for Kids
"Creativity for Kids is continuing rolling out its innovative Creativity Can project with 6 new cans that are theme based. Each can contains materials for open-ended art play. The product was tested last year when 50,000 cans were distributed, free, reaching 5 million kids. The introduction showed that open-ended creative play is still as powerful as it was when Phyilis Brodie and her partner founded CFK many years ago. Their company is now part of Faber Castell. Phyllis still is the creative genius for CFK , still continuing to inspire young artists.
New for 2014 include:
Big Cans - Open-ended play with enough materials for hours of creative play, or for a bunch of people to play together.
Small Cans have themes that encourage imagination, creativity and input from parents and are easy to supplement with stuff from around the house.
Grow & Glow terrarium - Greening of the planet in a starter kit. Comes with soil, sand, rocks, organic wheat grass & chia seeds. Includes glow in the dark stickers; packaged in a plastic mason size jar with a lid. Plant it, mist it, put the lid on and watch nature at work. Geared to boys & girls.
Fedora-ble - A color-it hat in black & white patterns with fabric markers. On track for all young trendsetters.
Rhinestone Wrap bracelets kit - Comes with enough supplies to make two arm loads (15 bracelets), or some for everybody at the party. Faux suede, button clasp.
Faber Castell -2014
3D elephant - Color by Number Kit (numbers optional) with 3D glasses. Fine effect.
Stencil art for 6+ - comes with blow pens and a stencil spinner; kids blow on the color to add dye to cut shapes.
With more than 24 new products, this is just a taste."
- Priscilla Moore, Mr. Fubs
FASHION ANGELS
"Fashion Angels is a hot line. They are very trendy and pricing is good. They have revamped their packaging. Nail Designer Kit #11836 (7.00 cost) is especially eye catching with nail stickers and colorful nail polish bottles."
- Sallie Kashiwa, Timbuk Toys
"Love the new packaging and love the easy peasy tape cutter. Also like the new nail design center and how you put the tape over the nail, then cover with clear polish!"
- Kate Tanner, Kidstop Toys
"Fashion Angels is really on trend! I loved new Monster High collection, particularly Zipper Bag and Sketch Portfolio."
- Barbara Vininsky, Jack and Jill
GEOSPACE INTERNATIONAL"This year they have light up stomp rockets - Night Shotz - and refills that can be added to their original stomp rocket. They also have a new wired geometric sphere named Toroflux." - Terri Bracken, Earth Explorer Toys"We really liked Geospace's LED Stomp Rocket, Night Shotz - it's great for nighttime launching at beach, etc." - Mike and Susan Castor, Pentwater Toy Box"I was impressed by Geospace's Skipping Rope with LED lights, the Whip-n-Skip. I also liked the ToroFlex, silver spheres you have to figure out how to put together. Also loved Expandit - put it in water and it expands to be a sports ball!" - Barbara Vininsky, Jack and JillGEOCENTRAL"Geocentral has museum-worthy rock collecting and archaeology kits. Great for high-end specialty." - Mike and Susan Castor, Pentwater Toy Box"If you are into rocks & minerals, this is definitely the place to see!" - Sari Powazek, Dollhouse & Toy StorePACIFIC PLAY TENTS INC"Pacific Play Tents' new teepee is beautiful! All tent poles are color coded [for easy assembly] and connector pieces are glued on." - Sarah Evers, Dancing Bear Toys"Pacific Play Tents organic cotton canvas cottage tent is beautiful! Their tepees are cool too and now have bamboo poles, so they're lighter to ship." - Tina Schwindt, Fairhaven Toy Garden"Pacific Play Tents has a great assortment of new tunnels. My favorite is still the canvas tent though - quality through and through!" - Kate Tanner, Kidstop Toys
WHITE MOUNTAIN PUZZLES"New collage puzzles for adults (1000 pieces) in themes like cereal and bacon. They also have a new line of kids puzzles and family puzzles with pieces in three different sizes." - Terri Bracken, Earth Explorer Toys"White Mountain Puzzles are Made in the USA! The puzzles feature very eye catching themes." - Tina Schwindt, Fairhaven Toy Garden"White Mountain Puzzles have new 'Easy Grip' puzzles with bigger pieces with texture for geriatrics and kids. Their great new line for kids features puzzles with 24, 60 & 100 pcs. and simple themes like 'Princess,' bright colors." - Mike and Susan Castor, Pentwater Toy BoxWIGGLES 3D INCORPORATED"Eye Know looks like a game we could do well with, at a great price point. RANDOMonium looks like fun party game too!" - Sarah Evers, Dancing Bear Toys"Yikers is a good educational game for kids 14+ that teaches magnetism." - Mike and Susan Castor, Pentwater Toy Box"The game Eye Know - a Mensa award winner - has a fresh look &more cards. A great app is available too!" - Bob Breneman, G. WillikersSAFARI LTD.®"Safari Ltd.'s new product looks really good! New TOOBS include: President busts, musical instruments and soldiers. We also love Safari Ltd.'s new BioAquatics line. Hope they'll have freshwater too (we are on a lake!)" - Mike and Susan Castor, Pentwater Toy Box"Safari has some of the neatest Toobz: Deep Sea Creatures or Cryptozoology. Different!" - Sari Powazek, Dollhouse & Toy Store"Love Safari's new dragon! Looks friendly, not mean!" - Terry Myers. Kaleidoscope Toys
MARKED PRIVATE"Marked private is cool. Kids can send invites to friends that only they can see, and make a party page that's not public like FB." - Sallie Kishawa, Timbuk Toys
YOMEGA CORP"Check out Yomega's Kandamas! They are original. They have new plastic Kandamas for 8 year olds, as starter. Yomega says kids are collecting Kendama with different colored balls. Coming out with MORE colors at the end of Feb." - Mike and Susan Castor, Pentwater Toy BoxSCHOENHUT"These toy pianos sound pretty close to the real thing! I appreciate instruments that have musical quality.They also have an awesome drum set!" - Sarah Evers, Dancing Bear Toys"Schoenhut's new electric pianos sound really nice! Their drum set looks real and sounds professional. And, the drums ship nestled inside one another, so they don't take up lots of space." - Tina Schwindt, Fairhaven Toy Garden
KETTLER INTERNATIONAL INC."Kettler's new items are quality and priced competitively. [We] like idea that all three can be purchased from one supplier." - Fred and Karen Rosenberg, Toys on the Park "Kettler's new balance bikes look cool. There are two sizes (3-5 and 5-7), both with quick-adjust seats. Also, they have a nice display that can grow or shrink to accomodate different amounts of inventory...and it's on wheels, so you can roll it outside!" - Sarah Evers, Dancing Bear Toys
"Upside Down Games brings yoga and body strengthening to the entire family."
- Terri Bracken, Earth Explorer Toys
"We bought - we LOVED them. All Yoga, and for old people, Yoga is tough, so it would help them - good for special needs kids too. Great deal with a beginner package so you get a few of every one of the games, so you can see which sells with. Gets kids active and away from TV and electronics. The person that we talked with has has two teen girls. She and her husband played the game with them and the kids were in hysterics the whole time because the husband doesn't do yoga. Good; gets families laughing together."
- Mike and Susan Castor, Pentwater Toy Box
"UPSIDE DOWN GAMES is good fit for us!"
- Tina Schwindt, Fairhaven Toy Garden
THE FIAMMETTA TOY COMPANY
"Fiammetta dolls are a nice product at a good price. The dolls are perfect for party favors, Easter baskets, stocking stuffers, gift toppers, etc!"
- Fred and Karen Rosenberg, Toys On The Park
THE ORB FACTORY
"This company has grown fast over the last few years. This year there are a few individual items of note. In the Plush Craft category, the Petal Flower is ideal for showing off how the no-sew method of creating this craft. Their "Fancy Fish" looks like Rainbow Fish and will entice many kids to create a dazzling pillow creation. But my favorite item in the whole booth was their Journal and Jewel Jewelry Box. It's classic Orb Mosaic fun with a 3-drawer jewelry box plus a slot for a cute little journal."
- Sallie Kashiwa, Timbuk Toys
"The Orb Factory is a Canadian company that promotes creativity through crafts. New for 2014:
Plush Craft Fabric by the number kits. One punches bits of colored fabric into a pre-patterned pillow with an enclosed stylus. Newest additions to the line are fish, alphabet, lady bug and fox. Make a sophisticated 3D fabric picture on a plush pillow. No sewing no mess. Exciting to watch the transformation from flat fabric to textured design.
Also worth looking at are the new tween fashion craft kits. A new brand that includes 3 kits for making jewelry and fashion accessories from wire, lace or tassels.
Both lines let young people make very professional looking objects that appeal to all ages, including teens and adults."
- Priscilla Moore, Mr. Fubs
FOLKMANIS
"An evergreen brand that continues to encourage creative play, Folkmanis enchants children with the magic of bringing a puppet to life. Their puppets are awesome. New puppets added to their already fabulous menagerie include a Golden Retriever, Airedale Terrier and an Ostrich."
- Priscilla Moore, Mr. Fubs
"Folkmanis is a personal favorite! They have the cutest new pig that snorts."
- Sarah Evers, Dancing Bear Toys
PLAN TOYS, INC.
"Plan Toys Special Needs toys are outstanding, we will order for our store! These were some of the best products we saw at the show."
- Fred and Karen Rosenberg, Toys On The Park
"Plan Toys had our favorites so far. The bath toys made from their Plan Wood are super cute and eco friendly."
- Tina Schwindt, Fairhaven Toy Garden
"Their great new tub toys are made from Plan Wood, a recycled wood by-product. Bring a splash of color to the tub or pool!"
- Bob Breneman, G. Willikers
TMI TOYMARKETING INTERNATIONAL INC.
"TMI's offerings were good as always. They have the best quality hop ball and Rody horses!"
- Fred and Karen Rosenberg, Toys On The Park
"Love all the colors of Rody & Rody Max from TMI/Gymnic! Seeing bronze color in this and many booths. Also received a tip from Jennifer at TMI - blow up one of each color of Rody in your store to DOUBLE sales."
- Kate Tanner, Kidstop Toys
"TMI Rody is a MUST-HAVE for active toddlers! Friendly horse gives kids a bouncy ride and helps kids learn balance safely."
- Bob Breneman, G. Willikers
SMART GEAR LLC
"Smart Gear is good for their innovative Trix Tracks marble runs."
- Sallie Kashiwa, Timbuk Toys
"We liked the ball run at Smart Gear. The ease of construction is great. Can make it perpetual play by combining two sets."
- Fred and Karen Rosenberg, Toys On The Park
MADAME ALEXANDER
"This line is great if you want beautiful dolls. For baby dolls, they have Sweet Baby Nursery, life-size dolls that feel and look so real, people mistake them for real babies. The new line of dolls include a sound mechanism so the babies coo like real babies. This is an amazing doll to experience...Each doll comes with a birth certificate, and gets a newborn medical check-up before being 'adopted.'"
- Sallie Kashiwa, Timbuk Toys
"Madame Alexander's price points have made them a excellent replacement for Corolle, which is reducing the scope of their line."
- Fred and Karen Rosenber, Toys on the Park
"Alexander Dolls has a wonderful 18" substitute for American Girl Dolls called Favorite Friends. These dolls also have wigs that you can switch."
- Sari Powazek, Dollhouse & Toy Store
SkyHigh International LLC.
"Ever changing licensed product like My Little Pony, Transformers, Peanuts, Snoopy; notepads, activity kits, collapsible storage bins etc. Working on entering specialty market."
- Priscilla Moore, Mr. Fubs
"Sky High has licensed stationery and activity sets. They know what might appeal to the contemporary parent."
- Tina Schwindt, Fairhaven Toy Garden
TDC GAMES INC.
"They have a great new game called Hollywood Game night that is a take off of the show. It's a fun team game with eight different parlor games. Looked really good. Also saw a new dice game called Makin' Bacon that had cute packaging and a great price point."
- Terri Bracken, Earth Explorer Toys
"Hollywood Game Night from TDC Games looks like it will be popular - it's like the TV show in board game format."
- Tina Schwindt, Fairhaven Toy Garden
"We liked the Tootsie Roll Game - great for 8 year olds! Other good games they have for kids are Chaos, Greed, Makin' Bacon and Bologna."
- Mike and Susan Castor, Pentwater Toy Box
"Loooooved TDC Games' TOOTSIE ROLL GAME! It comes in a Tootsie Roll carrier."
- Barbara Vininsky, Jack and Jill
WORLD TRADING 23/HOBBYTRON
"World Trading 23 has the largest RC Helicopter on the market, for a reasonable price! They have a great variety of smaller RC Helicopters too."
- Tina Schwindt, Fairhaven Toy Garden
"Kids can step on RC helicopters from World Trading and they won't break! We are enamored."
- Mike and Susan Castor, Pentwater Toy Box
WORX TOYS INC.
"BO-PO is great for young girls, and the peel off feature is nice. Will bring into our store!"
- Fred and Karen Rosenberg, Toys On The Park
"Bo-Po looks like a great product! Peel off nail polish = no need for toxic remover!"
- Tina Schwindt, Fairhaven Toy Garden
"BoPo from WORX is a peel off polish without a strong smell. It has a good price and nice variety. And, the bottle doesn't spill!
I also loved the upgrade of WORX toys for older kids, 7 and up. These toys teach repairs."
- Priscilla Moore, Mr. Fubs
BABY BANANA BRUSH TEETHER
"Baby Banana Brush Teether is a flexible toothbrush. There are two models, one with handles for newborns to be used as a teether, and a brush without handles is for 12 to 24 month olds to learn with. Comes in banana and shark shapes, and a new octopus teether/brush. Flat discs on the teether are soft and soothing. All products are food grade silicone, all under $10. Retail. Great addition to Mr. Fubs baby corner!"
- Priscilla Moore, Mr. Fubs
The Baby Banana Brush Teether was one of Sallie Kashiwa's (Timbuk Toys) overall favorite toys from Toy Fair.
"We loved and ordered the Baby Banana Brush at Booth 5549! These food grade silicone toothbrushes and teethers are under $10."
- Terry Myers. Kaleidoscope Toys
YAMIE CHESS
"Yamie Chess was one of the most interesting items of the day. Chess becomes the vehicle to help kids work on STEM concepts (Science, technology, engineering and math). The chess set come with a book that introduces kids to the Yamie Mind Galaxy, which is a fantasy land where the main character goes in his dreams and explores mathand science concepts through problem solving challenges. The purpose of this item is to be a math education tool, more than a chess set. Chess is the vehicle for teaching STEM concepts. This item will be great for home school families, educators and highly motivated parental mentors."
- Sallie Kashiwa, Timbuk Toys
"Yamie Chess is a great package involving chess and a series of math lessons."
- Tina Schwindt, Fairhaven Toy Garden
IMPORTS DRAGON
"Imports Dragon is a Canadian company with Lines that feature licensed characters:
Caillou Is a lovable 4 year old with a big imagination. He experiences all the wonders of being a child. The show has been shown on PBS for over 13 years,and is currently on PBS Sprout 5 times a week.
New for 2014
Bath time Safari set - soft squishy figures of Caillou and his wild animals to play with in and out of the water.
Fire truck - battery operated and made of modules to take apart, then build back together. Bright red clear, durable plastic. Has sounds, lights, a siren and also included is a Caillou figure. Good play value, good pricing, good toy. I ordered, it's a keeper.
Large talking Caillou doll - teaches preschoolers skills they need and is a good pal as well. He wears his school uniform. Promotes learning in a fun way.
Johnny Test is the most aired show on Cartoon Network US. Johnny Test is a fearless 11 year old. His 13 year old genius twin sisters use Johnny as a guinea pig for their science experiments and he has been transformed into 276 characters. 7 seasons on Cartoon Network and appeals to both boys and girls. Promotes science and provides action packed fun for all.
Brand new for 2014...
Collectible mini characters with 45 different Johnnies packaged in several ways including foil blind packs. Also sold individually in a display.
Pull-back Test vehicle in box with exclusive Johnny character, for 3+
I liked the line and the characters. Fun way to learn and play with non violent contemporary characters who promote curiosity."
- Priscilla Moore, Mr. Fubs
PLAYMAISCANADA INC.
"Made in Germany from biodegradable corn pellets. Kids use water to glue pellets together, which also stick to cardboard or paper. New sets for mosaics and figures. Markets only to Specialty stores. It's a non-messy, fun, creative product, and well priced. I liked it and I ordered, it's a great new addition. You can mix match orders. Shipping from California. Great prices. They also have demo videos and images available."
- Priscilla Moore, Mr. Fubs
"PLAYMAIS was a hit of our TDmonthly Educational Giveaway and we love it. It was a big hit with K-5 and special education HS students. Kids flatten it, create sculptures, hats, butterflies, etc."
- Tina Schwindt, Fairhaven Toy Garden
"Playmais is fun corn-based construction/art. Great for open-ended creative play or following patterns. A real hands-on activity for 3 and up."
- Bob Breneman, G. Willikers
KNUCKLESTRUTZ
"Building construction toy for younger kids 6+. Simple 2 to 3 plastic pieces that allow kids to create bright, colorful, jointed creations. For engineering enthusiasts."
- Terri Bracken, Earth Explorer Toys
HARVEST TIME
"Both a board and card game that encourages discussions about real life issues. It's a game that helps build strong personal development."
- Terri Bracken, Earth Explorer Toys
"I think it's fantastic! There are questions that stimulate conversation. It's a good party game. There are three editions: Kids, teens and dinner party. Some of the topics are hysterical, some not so, but it gets conversation flowing and there's a board game that goes along with it."
- Mike and Susan Castor, Pentwater Toy Box
"This is a conversation-starter board game that challenges kids to think deeply and opens dialogue. Well priced."
- Bob Breneman, G. Willikers
GAMES WORKSHOP
"Games workshop is an interesting cross between gaming and artistry. Great for hobby stores."
- Terri Bracken, Earth Explorer Toys
"Figures you build, decorate and play with. Very collectible. Has lots of play value and helps develop skills. Also, it's for 12 and up, and it can sometimes be very difficult to find things for 12 year olds."
- Mike and Susan Castor, Pentwater Toy Box
"Games Workshop is a great combo of model building, painting and game playing themed after licensed movies and games."
- Sallie Kishawa, Timbuk Toys
"Games Workshop is a hobby vendor breaking into the specialty toy store market. Their fantasy game figures that you can paint are high quality and good for model enthusiasts or gamers."
- Bob Breneman, G. Willikers
ANN WILLIAMS GROUP
"This line is simply outstanding. The new Loop-de-Loom makes some of the most beautiful textile crafts ever seen in the children's market! And the pom-poms are gorgeous as well. These items will not launch until fall, but it will be well worth the wait!"
- Sallie Kashiwa, Timbuk Toys
SMAKABALL
"Great active toy. Set comes with 2 large catching rings & large ball. Breaks down for easy storage on the go; if I can do it, any kid can! Seems to be marketed to older boys but fun for everyone. Can be used in the water well. A slam dunk for Mr. Fubs."
- Priscilla Moore, Mr. Fubs
 Writer's Bio: Justina Huddleston graduated Magna Cum Laude from Emerson College with a BA in Writing, Literature, and Publishing in 2009. After graduating she was the on-site director of the Boston Children's Museum gift store for a year, selling educational, developmental, and creative activity toys that tied in with the museum's exhibits. Justina also interned at children's book publisher Candlewick Press before moving from Boston to Los Angeles, where she is now Editorial Director of TDmonthly Magazine. Read more articles by this author
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