Top-10 Most-Wanted Gifts for Boys

Stomp Rockets Let Boys Take Play to the Great Outdoors

By Ashley Heaton
August 2010

^{With additional reporting by regional correspondents Marie Raven, Brenda Ruggiero, Chris Lundy and Claudia Newcorn}

In June 2010, TDmonthly Magazine asked 40 retailers to name their top-selling gifts for boys ages 4 to 12. Their responses confirmed that the season for outdoor play had arrived, with boys taking full advantage of the sunny summer weather. Stomp Rockets from D & L Company top boys’ most-wanted list, but other backyard toys are not far behind. Rubber band guns, darts, scooters and water toys were all cited as best sellers for summer. Below are this month’s top-10 best-selling gifts for boys.

Super High Performance Stomp Rocket by D & L COMPANY

Individuals can stomp this rocket up to 400' high and, in some cases, out of sight. It's available in a new color with flame decals. "We're the original creator of Stomp Rockets. We started the stompin' revolution. We are known for our name, quality, and excellent customer service. We ARE the one the customer asks for," Cynthia Peeks, Marketing Manager, D&L Company, told TDmonthly. Launch date: June 2010.
— “Stomp Rockets are still a huge seller,” Marc Slotin, owner of Imagination Station in Spartanburg, S.C., told TDmonthly in June 2010. The same month, Sherry Phipps, owner of School Crossing in Williamsburg, Va., cited sales of 40 Stomp Rockets per month.
— Eighteen percent of 40 retailers named Stomp Rockets a best-selling toy for boys in early summer 2010. 2/11/2010 (MSRP: $19.99; Age: 16 and Up)

Star Wars Luke's Landspeeder by LEGO

This Star Wars LEGO set includes Luke Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, R2-D2, C-3PO and a sandtrooper. The landspeeder vehicle conceals a secret lightsaber compartment and measures 6" x 2" x 2".
— “We sell an amazing amount of LEGO,” Barbara Fineblum, owner of Barston’s Child’s Play in Baltimore, Md., told TDmonthly in June 2010. Shanna Frieling, owner of Giggles Toy & More in Bozeman, Mont., agreed: “Legos are still the best sellers.”
— In a June 2010 survey of 40 retailers, six named LEGO a top seller for boys ages 4 to 12.
AWARDS: 2010 TDmonthly Top Seller (entire LEGO line) 7/30/2010 (MSRP: $24.99; Age: 7 to 12)

Dragon by PLAYMOBIL INC.

Dragon by PLAYMOBIL INC. This green dragon add-on has red eyes and claws and breathes "fire." The dragon can be used with Playmobil castle and Dragon Land sets.
— Ten percent of 40 retailers cited Playmobil as a best seller for boys in early summer 2010. 7/29/2010 (MSRP: $17.99; Age: 4 and Up)

Silly Bandz Dinosaurs by BCP IMPORTS LLC

This dinosaur-themed Silly Bandz 24-pack includes T-Rex, Velociraptor, Brontosaurus, Triceratops and more. These bands can be collected, worn or traded with friends.
— “Rubber band bracelets … are a big hit for both boys and girls,” Patti Tepper-Rasmussen, owner of Learning Tree Toys, Games & Books Inc in Oklahoma City, Okla., told TDmonthly in June 2010.
— In a June 2010 survey of 40 retailers, three named rubber band bracelets a top-selling toy for boys.
— TDmonthly i first reported on kids collecting rubber band animals back in 2005. 7/30/2010 (MSRP: $4.95; Age: 5 and Up)

Aqua Pump Rocket™ Jr. by GEOSPACE INTERNATIONAL

— David Campbell, owner of Amazing Toys in Great Falls, Mont., told TDmonthly in early summer 2010 that his store sells about 12 Pump Rockets a month.
— In June 2010, five percent of 40 retailers named the Pump Rocket a top-selling gift for boys. 5/29/2009

Morphibians Shark by KID GALAXY INC.

Morphibians Shark by KID GALAXY INC. This four-wheel drive, remote-controlled vehicle can be navigated over land and on water. It has working headlights and requires two AA batteries. The controller takes an additional two AAA batteries (not included).
— Grafton Stine from Toys on the Square in Hummelstown, Pa., told TDmonthly in a Summer 2011 survey that R/C vehicles from Kid Galaxy were their best-selling electronic toy.
— In a November 2011 survey, Elmer Carranza, assistant manager of Doodlehopper 4 Kids in Falls Church, Va., told TDmonthly that "The Morphibians are great. They can run through dirt, grass, puddle of water and look like sharks and frogs. We sell about 6-8 in a month."
— As of August 2010, this product had 3.5 out of 5 stars from 40 reviews on Amazon.com. Parents liked that it is versatile and easy to use, but some complained that it required two types of batteries. ( Watch Video) 7/29/2010 (MSRP: $29.99)

Giant Skyryders by AG INDUSTRIES

Giant Skyryders by AG INDUSTRIES These large, foam gliders are now available in three new styles in the rubberband-powered gliders and three new styles bundled with an electric winder. They are not sold to mass-market accounts. "The first launch in this series sold out three times in the first six months of release," Dennis Edlund, marketing director for AG Industries, told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 30, 2009.
— “AG airplanes (are) really great products. They’re 8 and up, so they’re great for the older boy,” Diana Gisolfu, co-owner of Sisters Kids in Springfield, Mass., told TDmonthly in early summer 2010.
— In June 2010, five percent of 40 retailers cited AG planes as a top seller for boys 4 to 12. 3/23/2009 (MSRP: $20; Age: 9 to 0)

Hexbug Nano Newton Gravity Series 5 Pack by INNOVATION FIRST LABS, INC.

These robotic creatures behave like real bugs. Kids can go online to register and track their Nano collections. Additional bugs, track, habitats, carrying cases and more are available separately.
— Five of 40 retailers told TDmonthly in June 2010 that the Hexbug is a top-selling product. In July 2010, 11 percent of 38 retailers named Hexbugs an overall top seller.
— In a June 2010 survey, two of 40 retailers told TDmonthly Hexbugs are a top-selling gift for boys ages 4 to 12. ( Watch Video) 5/14/2010 (MSRP: $49.99; Age: 3 and Up)

Micro Scooter Bullet by NATIONAL SPORTING GOODS

Micro Scooter Bullet by NATIONAL SPORTING GOODS This scooter has 120mm wheels and ABEC5 bearings for a smooth ride and high speed. It weighs 6.4 lbs. and can hold a rider up to 220 lbs. Measurements are 27” x 38” x 13” (unfolded) and 26” x 10” x 4” (folded).
— “It's perfect for the age group with the bigger wheels and [the] construction is stellar, and it's responsive. It's a medium price point, retails for $80, so it's not something that sells all the time, but does well. This is the time that will start picking up,” Eric Masoncup, owner of Gepetto’s Toy Box in Oak Park, Ill., told TDmonthly in March 2010.
— In early summer 2010, Brooke Andrews, owner of Millers Toys in Mamoraneck, N.Y., cited sales of 18 Micro Scooters a month. 3/30/2010

Uberdart by A&J SUPPLIERS

Uberdart by A&J SUPPLIERS This giant flying foam toy can be thrown in 12 different ways and flies up to 200'. The Uberdart is soft and light, making it easy to catch and throw, and may be used for group games and family fun activities. It is ASTM safety tested for ages 6 and up. Launch date: March 2007.
— Two of 47 retailers named Uberdarts as their best seller for boys in June 2009.
— In March 2010, TDmonthly surveyed 37 specialty retailers about their top-selling outdoor toy. Sheryl Guidera, owner of Kaleidoscope the Parent Teacher Store in Capitola, Calif., said, “There is no question, it's the Uberdart. Absolutely the best.”

Past videos: WTHRA 2008 ( Watch Video) 3/12/2008 (MSRP: $10.00; Age: 6 and Up)