Heather Daykin was born to toys. Her mother ran a toy store, and when it came time to decide her own future, selling toys was the only option that appealed to her. She opened the first Pixie Toys three years ago, then changed locations twice, settling in the Bixy Knolls area of Long Beach, Calif., on a street lined with other specialty shops.
Choosing pixies as her theme, Heather created a woodland atmosphere in her store and chose open shelves that allow kids to grab and play with the many different types of specialty toys she offers. She offers extras to her customers, such as craft days and movie nights, plus has the bonus of an inhouse photography studio. By pairing up with shooter Vangie Ogg, Daykin gets to split the rent as well as the clientele, many of whom will pick up a toy as a treat for a good session.
This environmentally friendly tea set includes a tea pot with lid, a sugar bowl with lid, creamer, four cups, four saucers and four teaspoons. The set is constructed of bio-plastic made from renewable, sustainable resources in order to help decrease fossil-fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions. Starch-based bio-plastic is ultimately biodegradable. "We do our best to make environmentally friendly business decisions, given today's available technologies from product development to packaging," according to Laurie Hyman, a partner at Green Toys. Green Toys also produces all of its products in the U.S. which cuts down on transportation costs and CO2 emissions. "Green Toys products are ideal for parents looking to make environmentally conscious decisions when it comes to shopping for their children," stated Hyman. Launch date: September 2007. — “One of my new favorite toys is the Green Toys tea set and cooking set,” said Michelle Smith of Piccolo Mondo Toys in Portland, Ore., at the end of 2008.
Made in the USA of recycled plastic milk jugs, this tool kit includes flat and Phillips screwdrivers, a wrench, pliers, a hammer, a saw, and two each of nails, bolts, nuts and two-hole connectors. The environmentally friendly set also includes a tool box for storage of the toys. Launch date: 2009.
The Dinosaur Dish Set includes a plate, bowl, cup, fork and spoon. The melamine is BPA free and the set conforms to or exceeds U.S. and European safety standards. Gifts sets are 15"w x 11"H x 3"D. It is top-rack dishwasher safe or can be handwashed in warm water. 9/30/2009 (Price: $27.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
Toddlers who yearn to surf but aren't quite ready for a long board in a tube can tone their toes for hanging with the Yo Baby Kick Flipper, now in hot new colors. Kids can develop skateboarding, snowboarding and surfing skills on backyard grass or living room carpet. The Kick Flipper won a TDmonthly Innovations 2007 award due to its usefulness as a training tool for very young children, propelling them to develop board-sport skills they can use later in life. It's also won 2008 Preferred Choice Creative Child, 2007 Preferred Choice Creative Child, and 2007 ASTRA top pick. Launch date: 2006. New colors: 2009. — “We're doing well with Yo Babys, [and] ordering a case a month,” said Connie Hoeft, owner of C R Toys in Kearney, N.E., when asked about her best-selling sports toys in spring 2009.
PlasmaCar is made from high-quality ABS plastics, with a sleek, aerodynamic design that is rugged and durable. All it requires to operate is a driver and a smooth, flat surface. The driver propels the ride-on by continuously moving the steering wheel from left to right. — Three of 44 retailers named the PlasmaCar as an overall best seller going into the holiday season 2009. Erika Evers, owner of Dancing Bear Toys in Hendersonville, N.C., told TDmonthly in late fall 2009 that her store sells 20 to 24 PlasmaCars per month. 9/3/2009 (Price: $69.95; Age: 3 and Up) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
Soft and light, the 7.5” Cosmidoux Hang Up Rattle is a snuggly that can be hung on the stroller, on the cradle or simply manipulated in baby's hands. It jingles softy and is machine washable. 9/30/2009 (Price: $17.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
These colorful car seat covers are removable for washing and can also be transferred to shopping carts to keep baby clean. The covers are made by a Long Beach, Calif., mompreneur. 9/30/2009 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
Kimochis are small pillows with a feeling (happy, sad, silly, brave) printed on one side and a corresponding facial expression on the other. Each Kimochis plush character comes with a set of three feelings and a How-To Kimochis Feel Guide. The characters have a special pocket where kids can store their "Kimochis" — of feelings. Using the characters and their Kimochis, kids can get in touch with their emotions through puppetry and play. "Getting back to the basics by playing and communicating with Kimochis is a simple, yet powerful way to teach children how to: be aware of feelings, choose how to communicate in emotional moments, and redo mistakes. Children will be drawn to the fun, adorable, accessible characters. Parents will be drawn to the high-quality craftsmanship and the valuable educational content," Associate Susan Schroeder of Plushy Feely Corp. told TDmonthly. Launch date: August 2008. 11/24/2008 (Price: $25.00; Age: 4 and Up) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
The Tootsie Roll Metal Lunch Box is printed and embossed with “delicious” graphics. It measures approximately 8” x 7”. 9/30/2009 (Price: $13.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
The Pinx line includes birthday and greeting cards with whimsical watercolor designs. This company is no longer in business. 9/30/2009 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
This heavy duty, textured ball is great for indoor or outdoor play. The ball is 7" diameter. It is made of rubber and contains no PVC, latex or vinyl. The product conforms to or exceeds U.S. and European safety standards. 9/30/2009 (Price: $8.99; Age: All Ages) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
Violette, 12", has long blonde hair and is dressed in an adorable dress, tunic and jacket with coordinating rosette accented headband. Her soft features and happy disposition mirror those of the little girl who inspired her.
What kind of mermaid can’t swim? These mermaids are fully submersible for bathtub or swimming pool fun. They come with either magenta or purple hair that can be combed. 9/30/2009 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
The Mermaid Cookbook by Barbara Beery is filled with delicious, nutrious recipes that get kids thinking about healthy eating while engaging their imaginations. This spiral-bound book is perfect as a gift or for creating themed parties. 9/30/2009 (Price: $14.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
This mermaid doll is soft and cuddly enough for a young child, but carries detail to foster the imagination of older girls. 9/30/2009 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
The Only Hearts Club dolls are wholesome playthings meant to foster healthy self-images in young girls. Karina Grace comes decked out for a day of healthy fun at the beach. 9/30/2009 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
This three-piece set — part dinnertime, part storytime — is a fun take on classic children’s tableware. Made of keepsake-quality ceramic and designed for older kids (4-6) who’ve mastered table manners, each piece depicts a different scene and caption from one of three original, Piggy Story tales. The entire set is microwave and dishwasher safe, and comes nestled in a tin box with matching placemat and a small storybook. The tin box measures 7” x 7” x 4.75”. 9/30/2009 (Price: $40.00; Age: 4 to 6) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
This 9.5" soft and cuddly frog with removable clothing is based on the beloved characters from Arnold Lobel's classic books. NOTE: THESE ITEMS HAVE BEEN DISCONTINUED. 9/30/2009 (Price: $13.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
This book allows girls to create their own poseable fairy dolls that feature petal dresses and flowing floss hair. Supplies to make 12 posey pixies are included, and the book is written by Rachel Haab. - “Girls love Klutz; [it] sells constantly,” Jeanne McCullough, owner of Children’s Store Inc. in Boise, Idaho, told TDmonthly. - “Klutz is No. 1 by far,” said Ron Banducci, co-owner of Games Unlimited in Danville, Calif., when telling TDmonthly about best-selling items for tweens in fall 2008. - “[Tweens] want to make something,” said Diana Gisolfi, co-owner of Sister’s Kids in Springfield, Mass. 9/19/2008 (Price: $16.95; Age: 8 and Up)
The bug “pod”, with six ribbon legs and antennae, hides a sleepy, 8” doll inside. Ideal as a first baby doll, Snuggle Bug encourages and develops nurturing skills in children. With its embroidered detailing, satin-lined interior and soft exterior, Snuggle Bug will be a favorite snuggle buddy for years to come. It’s for babies 6 months and up. 9/30/2009 (Price: $15.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
Rub-a-dub-dub, there’s a big duck in your tub. Schylling Toy Company believes that bigger is better, which is why this duck is 12” long from beak to tail. The Large Rubber Duck comes with an assortment of hats for virtually any occasion a child might have in mind: rain hat, bonnet and sailor’s hat. — "Rubber duckies by Schylling" were bath best-sellers according to Tristan Hewitt, manager of Dragon's Toy Box in Seattle. Another agreed. — Both retailers noted that ducky sales are sporadic throughout the year. — "Rubber Ducks have been around for hundreds of years, but now they are considered one of the hottest trends in collectibles," said Stephen Medina of Schylling Toys. He also said that the Rubber Duck Large "is the biggest one we know of." The duck’s bottom is sealed to prevent bacteria, he added. 4/10/2007 (Price: $11.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
Writer's Bio: ALISON MAREK is a writer/artist/filmmaker whose work has been published by Fairchild Publications and DC Comics (Piranha Press), among others. Her short films have played in festivals around the world and have been broadcast on Showtime and other cable networks. She recently completed a short comedy sponsored by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, titled "The Three-Body Solution." For the past four years, Alison has been documenting the specialty toy industry with a series of articles and videos for TDmonthly Magazine. Read more articles by this author
Writer's Bio: ALISON MAREK is a writer/artist/filmmaker whose work has been published by Fairchild Publications and DC Comics (Piranha Press), among others. Her short films have played in festivals around the world and have been broadcast on Showtime and other cable networks. She recently completed a short comedy sponsored by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, titled "The Three-Body Solution." For the past four years, Alison has been documenting the specialty toy industry with a series of articles and videos for TDmonthly Magazine. Read more articles by this author
