Top-10 Most-Wanted Toys

By Justina Huddleston
August 2013

When TDmonthly interviewed retailers in July 2013 about their overall best-selling toys, the top products were arts & crafts activities. Many of the items were also relatively inexpensive and easy to merchandise near the register.

Take a look at all ten of the overall best-selling toys below.

Rainbow Loom - Twistz Bandz by CHOON'S DESIGN LLC

Rainbow Loom - Twistz Bandz by CHOON Package includes: Rainbow Loom(TM), Mini Rainbow Loom(TM), hook, a bag of c-clips, instruction manual and 600+ mix rubber bands (colors may vary). Makes up to 24 rubber band bracelets.
— Chris Lowe, owner of Beanhead Toys in Sandy Springs, Ga., told TDmonthly in a May 2013 survey that Rainbow Loom is their best-selling activity kit. They sell about 50 each month, and if they could keep it in stock, would likely sell more. "I got 24 the other day and they were gone instantly," she told TDmonthly.
— In a July 2013 survey, four out of 12 retailers told TDmonthly that the Rainbow Loom was their overall best-selling product.
— In a Fall 2013 survey, two out of 12 retailers told TDmonthly that Rainbow Loom was their best-selling novelty toy. 10/25/2012 (MSRP: $14.99; Age: 8 and Up)

My Tape Town™ by ALEX BRANDS

Tape up the town. Create your own Tape Town by taping roads, ponds, and trees onto a paper landscape. Then add buildings and cars to your tapetastic town by bringing them to life first with colorful tape. Easy to tear tape in six colors and stickers makes it fun to create your own town. Decorate the paper landscape, then enjoy hours of interactive and creative play in one deluxe activity.
— In a July 2013 survey, two out of 12 retailers told TDmonthly that products from ALEX were their best-selling toys overall. 2/8/2013 (MSRP: $18.70; Age: 3 and Up)

Sparkling Hair Accessory Set by CREATIVITY FOR KIDS

Sparkling Hair Accessory Set by CREATIVITY FOR KIDS Sparkling Hair Accessories provides your child with all the items needed to create fashionable hair accessories with trendy ribbons, feathers, rhinestones, bows, gemstones and sparkle accents and make an endless array of interchangeable designs with six glittery headbands and four spring hair clips. Complete set includes glue and all the crafting essentials needed.
Awards: 2012 Dr.Toy Best Picks
— In a July 2013 survey, two out of 12 retailers told TDmonthly that products from CREATIVITY FOR KIDS were their best-selling toys overall. 12/14/2012 (MSRP: $20.00; Age: 5 to 12)

LEGO Minifigure Series 7 by LEGO

LEGO Minifigure Series 7 by LEGO Each of the 16 all-new minifigures come in a sealed "mystery" bag, so kids never know which minifigure they might get. And each minifigure has its own special accessories, display plate and collector's leaflet. Series 7 includes: Aztec Warrior, Evil Knight, Galaxy Patrol, Jungle Boy, Viking Woman, Ocean King, Grandma Visitor, Rocker Girl, Tennis Ace, Computer Programmer, Bride, Swimming Champion, Daredevil, Bunny Suit Guy, Hippie and Bagpiper.
— In a Summer 2012 survey, Deran Muckjian, owner of Catch a Falling Star in Lexington, Mass., told TDmonthly that "Lego continually sells really well, across the board, for boy gifts," and that the LEGO minifigures were an overall best seller.
— In a late Summer 2012 survey, two out of 12 retailers said that LEGO minifigures were one of their bestselling novelty items.
— In a July 2013 survey, two out of 12 retailers told TDmonthly that LEGO minifigs are their best-selling toy. 8/3/2012 (MSRP: $2.99; Age: 3 and Up)

KaZAM™ by KAZAM LLC

The KaZAM provides an alternative way to learn to ride a pedaled bicycle based on the concept of balance first, pedal last. It is a training bicycle that assists children to balance, increase coordination and ultimately ride a traditional bicycle for the first time with confidence. "This customized toddler bicycle has the steering and balancing challenges of a traditional bicycle but it has no pedals, chain or training wheels. Unlike all the competitors on the market, there is no more awkwardness with where to put your feet when gliding and cruising on a run bike — the KaZAM is uniquely designed with a foot rest area thereby making the transition onto a pedaled bicycle quicker and seamless! Because of its unique patented footrest and design, KaZAM appeals instantly to children and their parents," John Lugo, partner at KaZAM, told TDmonthly. Launch date: November 15, 2008.
Awards: Dr. Toy 100 Best Children's Products - 2010
— "All colors are great,"Kate Tanner, owner of Kidstop Toys, told TDmonthly at Toy Fair 2010.
— Glisyn Lewis Jarrells, manager of Imaginations Toy & Furniture Colo. in Blacksburg, Va., told TDmonthly in a March 2013 survey that they sell around 10 Kazam balance bikes during the warm-weather months.
— In a July 2013 survey Diana Nelson, owner of Kazoo Toys in Denver, Colo., told TDmonthly that Kazam balance bikes are her store's overall best-selling toy. ( Watch Video) 6/29/2009 (MSRP: $99.95; Age: 3 to 5)

Original TEDCO Gyroscope by TEDCO INC.

Produced since 1917, the gyroscope has been a classic educational toy for generations that continues to fascinate young and old alike with its mysterious force that seems to defy gravity. Gyroscope technology is used in numerous applications such as guidance and navigation systems in ships, planes and spacecraft. Instructions with several amazing enjoyable tricks available with each gyroscope. YouTube video link available to assist with selling. Manufactured in Indiana (USA Made). "Still a popular selling product after many years in the market. Our #1 selling toy out of over 450 products offered," Bob Sherman, sales associate at TEDCO Toys, told TDmonthly.
Awards: 2010 Seal of Approval from Homeschool.com; Dr Toy's Classic Toy Award 5/27/2011 (MSRP: $7.19; Age: 6 and Up)

Strange Attractor Thinking Putty by CRAZY AARON ENTERPRISES, INC.

Deep black with subtle green sparkles, this slightly stiffer Thinking Putty has a mind of its own. Near a powerful magnet it comes alive! Strong enough to defy gravity. It can even lift tacks and paperclips on its own after charging in a magnetic field. One would be mesmerized by the invisible forces at play.
— Candace Gooch, owner of At Once All Agog in Limerick, Maine, told TDmonthly in July 2010 that this product is one of her top-three best sellers. She cited sales of 12 in the last month and three in the last week.
— In a late Summer 2012 survey, three out of 12 retailers said Crazy Aaron's Thinking Putty was their bestselling novelty item. Richard Gibson, owner of Learning Express of Newton in Newton, Mass., told TDmonthly that the putty brings in $5-6,000 a year, and "the best is the magnetic one."
— In a Fall 2013 survey, three out of 12 retailers told TDmonthly that Crazy Aaron's Thinking Putty was their best-selling novelty toy. ( Watch Video) 11/19/2009 (MSRP: $10.95)

Vet Clinic Carrying Case by PLAYMOBIL INC.

Vet Clinic Carrying Case by PLAYMOBIL INC. Kids will have fun even when they're on the go with the Carrying Case Vet Clinic. This easy to take-along case comes with a figure, kitten, puppy, guinea pigs, and accessories to help the vet treat the animals.
— In a July 2013 survey Donna Frederick, owner of The Play House Toy Store in Durham, N.C., told TDmonthly that toys by Playmbil are one of her store's overall best-sellers.
— In a May 2014 survey Suzi McMullen, manager of Doodlehopper 4 Kids in Falls Church, Va., told TDmonthly that Playmobil was her store's best-selling play set. 10/24/2012 (MSRP: $12.99; Age: 4 to 10)

Outdoor Mandala by RAVENSBURGER

Outdoor Mandala by RAVENSBURGER New outdoor mandalas. What could be more fun than coloring outdoors on a sunny day? With the super-sized Mandala-Designer®, kids can be be an amazing street artist, sketching beautiful designs on any paved surface. Includes 1 large mandala stencil, 6 colored chalks and instructions.
— In a July 2013 survey Donna Frederick, owner of The Play House Toy Store in Durham, N.C., told TDmonthly that the Outdoor Mandala is one of her store's overall best-selling toys. 7/30/2013 (MSRP: $24.99; Age: 5 and Up)

Turbo Twister by MINDSCOPE PRODUCTS INC.

Turbo Twister by MINDSCOPE PRODUCTS INC. This RC Stunt Car with lights on the wheels comes in its original box. Highly detailed features make this car one of a kind. It comes with a fully functional remote which allows the car to move forward, reverse, left and right.
— Megan Pettit, manager of The Toy Maven in Dallas, Tex., told TDmonthly in a July 2013 survey that the Turbo Twister is her store's overall best-selling toy.
— In a July 2013 survey, two out of 12 retailers told TDmonthly that the Turbo Twister was their best-selling electronic or battery-operated toy.
— In a Fall 2013 survey, Mike D'Andrea, manager of e-commerce at Hardware Center & Toys in Paoli, Pa., told TDmonthly that Turbo Twister was one of their best-selling novelty toys. 7/30/2013 (MSRP: $29.99; Age: 3 and Up)