TDmonthly - A Trade Magazine For The Toy, Hobby, Game, Juvenile and Gift Industry

SCIENCE & NATURE

Science and Nature Toys Inspire Kids to Get Smart

From Erector and chemistry sets to microscopes and sea monkeys, buying a child a science-based toy opens them up to a whole new world. Through these products, children can learn the disciplines of scientific methods, appreciate the value of observation, and realize that good results are predicated on following directions...READ MORE

Five Science Books to Captivate a Child

With the educational and science-related book category enjoying increased visibility and sales success, TDmonthly magazine takes a look this month at five all-ages titles that will entrance young readers with surprising perspectives, compelling narratives and timeless themes. The unifying thread, of course, is science...

Science and Nature: Not Just For GeeksFor the child or teen that loves an intellectual challenge, many Toy and Hobby manufacturers have created products that will challenge and entertain the science-oriented young mind...

Thriving Fat Brain Toys is a Family AffairCall it magnetic attraction. Or, you could say they were “drawn” to the toy business. But one thing is certain: a magnetic construction toy led Mark and Karen Carson to found Fat Brain Toys in 2002. The Elkhorn, Nebraska, company boasts five specialty online toy stores and a burgeoning toy distribution business. And it all began with GeoMag, an Italian toy given to their son, Adam, for his 10th birthday....

MAGIC SETS

Magic Sets Overview

No matter what the season, the mysteries of magic entice young and old alike from a variety of innovative and classic magic sets....READ MORE

It´s No Trick: The Power of MagicWho isn’t fascinated by magic? Audiences have been spellbound since Harry Houdini first captivated audiences with his feats of escapism in the 19th century. One hundred years later, another Harry has taken the world by storm. With 80 million books in print and a movie franchise, Harry Potter is a marketing juggernaut. The boy wizard and his cohorts, Ron and Hermione, have captivated global audiences, broken print records, and literally made author J.K. Rowling wealthier than the Queen of England...

Magic Sets: They Appeal Because “It’s Magic”Click on the link to read the full article...

Magic: These Tricks Are For KidsClick on the link to read the full article...

Marvin´s Magic: Treasure For Wizards of All AgesClick on the link to read the full article...

Product Summary: Easy to Learn Magic SetsClick on the link to read the full article...

TDMONTHLY TOY BUZZ

Gaming is Relative at The Five of Us

The Five of Us, Inc. is a team of veteran storytellers turned game developers. Their product? Narrative driven play in a “world of whimsy and wonder.” Their logo? A hand; each finger representing the three brothers, one sister and her husband that make up the company....READ MORE

Construction Character Toys, Here to StayThrough most of its long history, the success of the construction toy had been built squarely on its ever-increasing level of playability. While many can debate the birthdate of the construction toy, few can argue that its popularity continued over the decades is due to the constantly-evolving engineering that accompanied its development...

TDMONTHLY BRASS RING

Heritage Puzzles: A Beacon of an Idea

If there is a special landmark in your memory, there is a good chance that it has been made into a quality puzzle by some local artists and Karen Everhart. She searches out some of the best works by well known local artists and makes them into jigsaw puzzles for the sophisticated puzzler. Heritage Puzzle Inc., with a distinguished eye for marketing, works very hard to stand out from other puzzle makers by using well-known local artists to depict historical landmarks....READ MORE

TDMONTHLY HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

Holiday Toy Shopping Never Easier With TDmonthly Holiday Gift Guide

Out of gift-giving ideas this holiday season? Sick of braving throngs of shoppers at the same boring malls? Put down that stale fruitcake: The TDmonthly Holiday Gift Guide has arrived, displaying an array of fun and unique products for young and old alike....READ MORE

TDMONTHLY COOL COMPANY

RobotiKits for the Robot Generation

OWI, Inc. is famous for their consumer and educational products. Known for durability and reliability, the company would seem a natural for producing robots. ...READ MORE

RETAILER SPOTLIGHT

Paul Daniels Magic: Store of Illusions

Paul Daniels is enjoying a long and prominent career as a magician. His international audiences have brought him acclaim few can equal. Known for his sense of humor and polished on stage presence, Daniels is an entertainer to emulate. In October 2003 he opened the Paul Daniels Magic Store. He carries everything from simple card tricks to elaborate instruction materials ...READ MORE

RETAILING TIPS

Meltdown Comics: Selling To Collectors

Known as the West Coast´s largest and most influential comics dealer, Sunset Strip-headquartered Meltdown Comics and Collectibles is only one of five southern California stores owned by Gaston Dominguez-Letelier and his partner. The Meltdown family of stores are delightful, singular shopping experiences...READ MORE

TDMONTHLY MOM�S PERSPECTIVE

Mom´s Perspective: Weird Science

I have a friend who used to think her son was a prodigy. "You don´t have to get smashed over the head with a beaker to realize that Ralphie is going to get the Nobel Prize in Science someday," she´d brag. It all began when Ralphie was just a wee lad. In an effort to "see the pichers inside de telebishion," he dismantled his mother´s computer monitor. Ralphie´s father was appalled ...READ MORE

TDMONTHLY TOP-10 MOST-WANTED LISTS

TDmonthly Top 10 Most Wanted Lists

The TDmonthly Top 10 lists are mostly used by specialty retailers to better anticipate market demands and trends. These lists are based on thorough research and interviews....READ MORE

TDmonthly´s Top 10 Most Wanted Toys for Tiny BoysHigh-tech gadgets and retro favorites are hot commodities for little boys. Electronic gaming has reached the preschool set, with companies like VTech, Leap Frog and Fisher-Price hoping to corner the market with educational game systems. Meanwhile, Learning Curve and Radio Flyer bank on the classics by updating old-time toys....

TDmonthly´s Top 10 Most Wanted Vehicles for Boys

Boys will be boys and cars and trucks will be their toys. Fueling the highest vehicle sales for boys 6- to 10-years-old are 1:64 die-cast cars. Larger models of heavy duty metal construction trucks and machines are near the top of the list for 3- to 6- year-old boys. ...

TDmonthly’s Top 10 Most Wanted Girls´ PlushThe hottest toys of previous seasons have successfully combined interaction and cuddliness and created rage sensations among tots and parents alike. According to Michelle McLaughlin, director of retail development for Nickelodeon Consumer Products, interactive plush is on the rise. This year, these toys are tackling some difficult tasks including singing, walking, dancing, and even potty training....

TDmonthly’s Top 10 Most Wanted Girls Arts & CraftsAccording to Stevanne Auerbach, Ph.D./Dr. Toy “Children learn best through play.” Whether they are playing a game, drawing, reading, running or building they are learning by experiencing the world around them. Some manufacturers are even working to incorporate the ever-changing world by adding electronic interaction and digital activities to arts and crafts projects....

TDmonthly´s Top 10 Most Wanted CollectiblesClick on the link to read the full article...

TDmonthly’s Top 10 Most Wanted TV Action FiguresClick on the link to read the full article...

TOYS TO TALK ABOUT

Kid’s Furniture--Tweens & Teens Expressing Their Individuality

Tweens and teenagers continue to be the target of this industry, a population estimated at 31 million according to the American Furniture Manufacturers Association (AFMA). Both age segments have a huge desire to express their individuality....READ MORE

DollsThe Dolls category was the industry to watch in 2003. NPD Group reported brisk sales of $2.8 billions and dolls show no signs of slowing down. Little girls want the option to choose and this season doesn’t disappoint with an array of lovable babies and new best friends....

Outdoor FunWith sales of $2.4 billion last year reported by NPD group and this year’s launch of the first annual American International Outdoor Fun Showcase (formerly the American International Outdoor Toy Show), outdoor toys show promise of continued growth. ...

Videos and DVDsThe video and DVD market saw double-digit revenues last year. DVDs boosted video sales by 37%, a total of $22.5 billion was spent including combined DVD/VHS sales and rental revenue according to the Hollywood Reporter....

Card GamesCard games have come a long way since Solitaire and the perennial UNO. Card games have struck a chord with consumers and this industry continues to see strong sales gains. The trading card frenzy has revitalized the category....

Board GamesIn 2003, this $870 million dollar industry saw a 65% surge in sales according to market researchers NPD Group. Some analysts contribute this to the overall economy. When the economy is sluggish, Americans seek cost effective alternatives to have fun....

PlushLicensing, particularly licensing tied to big name movies, continues to be a hot trend. Getting a seat aboard the gravy train on monster hits such as “Shrek 2,” “Spider Man II,” the “Incredibles” and “Shark Tales” proves to be a daunting task. ...

BooksLearning new words, building confidence and exploring the world around them, nothing impacts a child’s learning like the magic of books. Reading with children stimulates their brain development and improves language skills, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics....

ToyDirectory.com´s Toy List for DecemberClick on the link to read the full article...