TDmonthly's Top 10 Most Wanted Spy Toys!

By TDmonthly Staff
October 2005

Mata Hari! James Bond! “Mission: Impossible”! Austin Powers! Playing spy never goes out of style; each generation discovers a new icon. But the toys we play with get more and more sophisticated. Invisible ink with lemon juice has given way to UV-tipped pens. Plastic decoder rings have evolved into wristwatches with real lie-detector technology housed in the band. TDmonthly Magazine “interrogated” over 20 retailers, making them give up their secrets on spy toys.

Spy Alley by SPY ALLEY PARTNERS LLC

Deceptively simple and surprisingly intense, Spy Alley keeps players on the edge of their seats. Players become a spy for their given country and try to uncover their opponents’ identity while keeping their own identity a secret. Players use deductive reasoning to expose other spies while attempting to complete their mission by obtaining the necessary codebooks, disguises, keys and passwords.
— Dan Leighter, manager of Totally Toys in Orlando, Fla., has nothing but praise for Spy Alley: “Parents come in all the time saying they’re hooked as well as their kids. They want to share it, so they do a lot of birthday gift buying with it.”
— It sold out at three different online sites.
— It has won multiple awards including those from Mensa, Family Life Magazine, Games Magazine and Parents' Choice. 9/14/2005 (MSRP: $29.99; Age: 8 and Up)

Rearview Spy Glasses by ALEX BRANDS

These super cool rearview spy glasses have specially treated lenses that allow kids to stay undercover and see who´s behind them without turning around!
— “This is the one the little kids really like. They think it’s so great and ‘tricky,’” explained Sonny Palmer of Kids ‘N’ Kids Toys.
— “It’s low-priced, perfect for birthday parties and stocking stuffers,” said Julie Reilly, of Lincoln Toys, Lincoln, Neb.
— Cody Woods, manager of Spy Exchange and Security Center in Austin, Texas said the Rearview Spy glasses “are a big seller.” 9/14/2005 (MSRP: $3.99; Age: 5 and Up)

Spy-Tech Lab by LOGIBLOCS

Spy-Tech Lab by LOGIBLOCS Create four kinds of intruder alarms with voice warnings, secret message devices, a pressure-activated security mat, a metal detector or a lie detector. Record your own secret messages and play them back automatically. The set includes 10 electronic blocks, one jack plug, two pressure mat cards, decorative stickers and an Inventor´s Manual. Each kit includes bright transparent electronic blocks that connect into circuit systems to create fun activity toys. All Logiblocs integrate with each other to provide an ongoing, expandable discovery system of endless creative fun.
— The Toy Chest manager, Winnie Chaffee, likes the Spy-Tech Lab because, “It does so many things. It keeps a child occupied and challenges their thinking. They have fun ‘spying’ while learning about electronics. It’s a fantastic toy.”
— John Verloc, owner of Electro-Toy in Topeka, Kan., said about Logiblocs: “They’re both informative and fun. Because of their plug-and-play nature, younger kids can enjoy them, while older kids can expand and use their creativity.”
— It won a Dr. Toy´s Best Vacation Product. 9/14/2005 (MSRP: $37.95; Age: 7 and Up)

Spy Night Vision Goggles by WILD PLANET

Spy Night Vision Goggles by WILD PLANET First: these are not infrared goggles, but eyepieces with two small lights on them that project up to 25 feet in the dark. The lights turn off and on automatically when kids flip up/down the goggles. The goggles are lightweight and comfortable. The tech-style battery pack attaches to an adjustable headband. It features impact resistant green lenses.
— According to The Secret Shop owner Simon Phelps, in Portland, Ore.: “Little kids love these. Sure they’re not infrared night vision goggles, but they serve the same purpose, and for the price, who can argue?”
— Nancy Blaise, manager of the Toy Tech Toy Store in Denver, Colo., said this is her #1 spy seller. “More than any other spy toy, this gets kids ‘into’ the role.”
— This toy was given the Best Toys of the Year award by Parents Magazine. 9/14/2005 (MSRP: $19.95; Age: 6 and Up)

Under Cover Spy Scope by ALEX BRANDS

The Under Cover Spy Scope has specially designed lenses that allow kids to see around almost anything. The top of the scope extends to a full 14” so kids can hide behind a chair, door or other object and see what’s happening on the other side. This is an essential piece of spy equipment for any secret agent who wants to go undercover.
— Joseph Young, salesperson at Worldwide Toys, said, “A lot of little brothers need something for them, and this is the spy toy they like. It’s easy to use and very sturdy. And it’s fun.”
— Petaluma, Calif. ToyLand manager Terry Wiseman sells a lot of these because, “They’re so simple and fun. No kid can resist them. I have one at the front counter, and nobody can refuse to peek.”
— Janet R. Lee, owner of Wudgets toy shop in Noble, Okla., thinks the Under Cover Spy Scope is “too much fun to put down. I like it as much as the children do.” 9/14/2005 (MSRP: $9.99; Age: 5 and Up)