November 21, 2024
Sticky Mosaics Dinosaurs by THE ORB FACTORY LIMITED
This set includes four dinosaur designs that children can decorate by sticking colored mosaic squares in the appropriate numbered spot. It includes four plastic hangers and 3,000 sticky foam pieces.
— Sticky Mosaics have been “hot” at Pun’s Toy Store in Bryn Mawr, Pa., since last February, according to owner Joe Berardoni, Sr. “These craft kits are reasonably priced and have a tremendous attraction to kids ages 6 through 12,” he said in October 2008.
— "Combined SKUs surpass at least two dozen per week," Joe Berardoni, owner of Pun's Toy Shop in Bryn Mawr, Pa., told TDmonthly of Sticky Mosaics sales in his store in early 2009. 7/1/2008 (MSRP: $16.99; Age: 6 and Up)
Pony Ranch Dressage by PLAYMOBIL INC.
This set includes two ponies, four figurines, jumps, a tree, a stand for visitors and much more. Launch date: 2008.
— Seven of 63 specialty retailers named Playmobil as one of their overall best-selling products in September 2008, and five of 52 said the same the next month. Three of 32 retailers also told TDmonthly in October 2008 they expect Playmobil to be a top seller for the holidays.
— James Burdette, owner of LB Toys in Media, Pa., said his store sells about 100 units from the line each month.
— Playmobil was one of the top-10 best-selling items at Pun’s Toy Store of Bryn Mawr, Pa., in the fall of 2008, according to owner Joe Berardoni, Sr. “It’s well designed and has great play value,” he said. “It’s a toy that uses imagination — old-fashioned imagination.” 9/29/2008 (MSRP: $24.99; Age: 4 and Up)
Webkinz American Albino by GANZ
This fluffy white horse comes with a special code kids can use to access Webkinz World online.
— Kathy Mabry, owner of The Village Toy Shop in North Easton, Mass., told TDmonthly that Webkinz continue to be a top seller for her store. She reported sales of hundreds every month in early fall 2008.
— “Ganz’s Webkinz — they're still selling well here,” said Linda Laramy, owner of Cracker Jacks in Easton, Md., when asked about best-selling items for tweens. “They’re still very popular.”
— Webkinz was on the top-10 best-seller list at Pun’s Toy Store in Bryn Mawr, Pa., in October 2008. “Although not the sellers they were before, they still present the greatest play value in our industry,” Owner Joe Berardoni, Sr., said. 9/19/2008 (MSRP: $12.99; Age: 3 and Up)
Calico Critters Buttercup Cat Family by INTERNATIONAL PLAYTHINGS LLC
This family of cute, flocked cat figurines, all with names and characters in the storyline of Cloverleaf Corners — the neighborhood where International Playthings’ Calico Critters live — comes with a mother, a father and two babies, all just the right size for the wide variety of accessories and friends included in the series.
— “[They’re] nice imagination toys,” said Jackie Englehart, assistant manager of Great Rocky Mountain Toy Company in Bozeman, Mont. “[They] also have a variety of price points and little kits, so you can go all or small.”
— Of 64 retailers surveyed by TDmonthly in August 2008, 8 percent named Calico Critters as their best-selling collectible toy.
— “Calico Critters continue to develop new characters and play sets, and … provide what I feel is much-needed imaginative play,” said Joe Berardoni, Sr. of Pun’s Toy Store in Bryn Mawr, Penn. in October 2008. 9/29/2008 (MSRP: $19.99; Age: 3 and Up)
RC Mega X Morphibian by KID GALAXY INC.
This aggressive machine is fully functional with deep-tread tires that dig up dirt while riding across the terrain. Move it onto the lake, pond or stream and watch water spit up from the tires while twin propellers spin for extra power. This product is a 2007 Creative Child Preferred Choice Award winner.
— Radio-controlled vehicles were named as a much-wished-for-holiday toy by boys, according to a 2007 Reuters report.
— “This remote-controlled car goes on land and water and is designed for kids ages 5 and up,” said Joe Berardoni, Sr., owner of Pun’s Toy Store in Bryn Mawr, Pa., in the fall of 2008. “It has been popular for several years now.” 7/19/2007 (MSRP: $79.99; Age: 5 and Up)
Rocket Balloon Fun Set by COLD SPRING DIRECT
The Rocket Balloon Fun Set gives the user 50 reusable rocket balloons and a two-way action pump. The balloons inflate into 36"-long rockets that fill the sky with color. Rocket Balloons are a safe alternative to fireworks on the Fourth of July, and adults have a great time letting them fly indoors on New Years Eve. An additional pump can be added to the set to keep the balloon ammo flowing.
— "Rocket balloons. We sell them from Cold Spring," said Linda Angel, owner of Kidoodles Toys in Norman, Okla., when asked about popular novelty items with her customers.
— Three of 38 retailers TDmonthly spoke with in spring 2007 said rocket balloons were hot-selling items in their store. Sales of rocket balloons appeared to be concentrated in the Southwest, according to research conducted by TDmonthly.
— “This is the best-selling outdoor product we have ever had in the store,” said Joe Berardoni, Sr., owner of Pun’s Toy Store in Bryn Mawr, Penn. “Just blow up the balloons and watch them whistle and fly all over.” 5/22/2007 (MSRP: $9.95)
babyGUND Tinkle, Crinkle, Rattle & Squeak Activity Toy by GUND INC.
A vibrant, multicolored caterpillar with tiny red antennae, this educational plush pal’s rainbow-hued segments are accented with embroidered numbers and letters. Two of the numbers flip up to reveal mirror accents, while two of the letters double as pockets; one pocket holds a friendly, rattling bee and the other, a crinkly purple flower. The Activity Toy’s green tail tinkles and the head rattles. It is suitable for ages 6 months and up. Launch date: January 2007.
— Gund products were listed as best sellers by Joe Berardoni, Sr., at Pun’s Toy Store in Bryn Mawr, Pa., in October 2008. “It’s the name that everyone knows and trusts when it comes to plush products,” he said. “They have everything from new baby through childhood (and beyond).”
Awards: 1997 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Blue Chip Classic Award Winner. 4/18/2007 (MSRP: $18.00; Age: 1 and Up)
Sour Candy Factory by SCIENTIFIC EXPLORER
This kit comes with all the supplies children need to make hard candy, liquid candy, powder candy, lollipops and much more.
— “A variety of kits for a variety of ages make this brand a top seller,” said Joe Berardoni, Sr., owner of Pun’s Toy Store in Bryn Mawr, Pa., in the fall of 2008. “They have exciting projects for 4-year-olds to do with Mom and Dad and kits for older children to explore on their own.” 10/27/2008 (Age: 8 and Up)
SET® – The Family Game of Visual Perception® by SET ENTERPRISES INC.
SET is a board game where any table becomes the board. It is a highly addictive, original game of visual perception. The goal is to be the first to see a SET from the 12 cards laid face up on the table. A SET is three cards that are either all the same or all different in each individual feature. With no turns and no luck, SET is challenging, fast and fun!
Players 1 to 20 (or as many as can fit around a table)
Ages 6 to 99
— “It's a really great game, one that we sell day in and day out,” Sally Lesser, owner of Henry Bear’s Park in Massachusetts, told TDmonthly in spring 2007.
— Two of 63 retailers mentioned Set when asked about their overall best-selling toy or game in September 2008. Ten of 64 retailers named Set as a best-selling card game in August 2008, and more than 25 percent of 38 retailers said the same in late summer 2009. In Feb. 2010, five of 38 retailers cited it as a top-selling game.
— “[Set is] popular mainly because all ages can play it at the same time,” pointed out Greg Bonner, owner of Heights Toy Center in Little Rock, Ark., in summer 2008.
— In a late summer 2010 TDmonthly survey, 23 percent of 43 retailers surveyed named SET a best-selling card game.
AWARDS: 2010 TDmonthly Top Seller; 2007 TDmonthly Classic
(
Watch Video) 9/13/2005 (MSRP: $12.00; Age: 6 to 99)
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