November 2009 New Specialty Toys — Tween

The Amazing String Thing transforms an ordinary piece of string into a magical moving rainbow nearly 3' in the air. Point it up, down, even sideways and watch as the string playfully dances in mid-air. Gently touching the string generates wave patterns and interactive shapes that seem to defy gravity. Kids can operate The Amazing String Thing while inside the custom base (directly on any table top), or they can simply take the lightweight hand-held wand wherever they go and conduct their very own string show. It requires 4 "AA" batteries, not included.

With a gentle spin, watch in amazement as the Non-Stop Top™ picks up speed and keeps its balance — defying physics, gravity and logic. Add to this a light show that seems to change with every spin and watch as it fills the room with wonder. It spins on any hard surface and comes with replacement batteries.

The rules are simple but, unlike regular Tic Tac Toe, you never know who will win until the last chip is played. Each player takes a turn “flicking” his or her chip up the ramp and on to the “Chip Magic” playing area where the chips are held perfectly in place. You can even take over your opponent’s square by landing on top of their chip and changing that square to yours. There are even built-in side walls for bank shots. Two different skill levels - Beginner & Professional - means kids and families will never out-grow this game. Even though the playing field is over 2-1/2' long, it all folds up into a handy case for easy portability.

You have seen it in movies and on TV hundreds of times. Just before the marksman takes the shot, the red laser dot appears on the target. Now kids are able to do the same! Turn on the Laser AirZooka™, place the laser dot on the target and shoot a harmless ball of air. Laugh with amusement as, seemingly from nowhere, you are able to mess up a person's hair, ruffle their shirt, dress or office papers or simply try your luck at indoor target practice from a distance of over 50 feet away!

Watch in amazement as The Magical Animated Butterfly comes to life with the flick of a switch. Not only will you be amazed by the butterfly’s animated wings but you will be mesmerized by the optical effect that the built-in black lights create when the lights in your room are off. Use it where you want a center of attention. Use it in your living room, den or bedroom. Add to this a sleep timer that automatically shuts your butterfly off after 15, 30 or 60 minutes or you can choose continuous operation. The choice is yours.
Wings available in 4 black light responsive colors: Blue, Orange, Green and Pink

The box set includes Pet and Purse with Leash, Collar, Blanket, Celebrity Magazine, Matching Mini Note Pad, and a Pop-out Trading Card on the back of the box. Launch date: 2009.

Fashionably fit in designer fabrics treated with quilt stitching, this little 5" horse makes a colorful playmate or nice room decoration. It has beans in its body and legs, allowing it to easily stand up. The product is machine washable.

This equipment targets the cerebral cortex and can be used with one or two players. Movements can be achieved by simple motions exerted from the waist and arms. The large board with a 26" diameter comes with two base mounts of varied curvatures to provide different levels of challenge and fun. Maximum loading is 132 lbs. "These fun and entertaining boards allow children to move easily in multiple directions," Lynn Toves, in sales and marketing for Wee Blossom, told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 2009.

This colorful kit includes string, charms and wooden beads, and is packed with alphabet letter beads as well as decorative swirl beads in different colors.
— Magic Beans in Brookline, Mass., sells 50 craft kits per month by Bead Bazaar, CEO Isaac Judd told TDmonthly in fall 2009.
— Powell Phillips, owner of Phillip's Toy Mart in Nashville, Tenn., told TDmonthly in an October 2011 survey that Bead Bazaar items are their best selling jewelry and accessory products.

This tiny little animal figurine is a racehorse handmade of porcelain clay. Launch date: October 19, 2009.
— “We sell about 400 [Clay-mates] in a month,” Marianne Kearns, owner of Second Star to the Right in Bridgehampton, N.Y., told TDmonthly in fall 2009.

Ready to be personalized, this friendship scrapbook is stocked with quizzes, slumber party ideas and a foam wheel and floss to make friendship bracelets.
— Two of 39 retailers named friendship bracelets as a best seller for tween girls during a fall 2009 TDmonthly survey.
― Of 39 retailers surveyed in October 2009 about their top-selling jewelry and accessory items, one listed Forever Friends by Alex as their best seller.

This plastic case features Hello Kitty on a background with strawberries and polka dots. It’s designed to fit fourth-generation Apple iPods, 8GB or 16 GB. The case measures 6.5” x 0.5” x 3.25”.
— Three of 39 specialty storeowners mentioned Hello Kitty items when asked about best-selling products for tween girls in fall 2009.

Featuring a cover image of a strong horse running in a field of flowers, this diary contains 240 colored pages with lines for writing. It includes a lock with two keys and measures 6 3/8” x 6 ¼” x 1.
— In fall 2009, three of 39 retailers named journals and diaries as best sellers for tween girls.
— Diana Nelson, owner of Kazoo & Co. in Denver, told TDmonthly her store sells 8 to 10 journals from Peaceable Kingdom Press each month.

This 14” Uglydoll is a limited edition produced for one year. Five other colors of Ox are available.
— Three of 39 retailers named Uglydolls as a best seller for tween girls in October 2009, citing sales of 24 to 30 per month.

Authored by Anne Akers Johnson, this book contains 200 precut strips of paper in 22 colors and patterns, plus a tool designed specifically for winding them into artful beads, whether round, straight or fancy. It also includes a bottle of glaze to polish of each bead creation, elastic cord for making bracelets, and glass accent beads. The book features color images and give pointers on style.
— Six of 39 retailers named jewelry titles and other artsy activities from Klutz as best sellers for tween girls in October 2009.
— “I consistently sell Klutz and art supplies for them,” Scott Loveless, owner of Toys That Teach in Bothell, Wash., told TDmonthly in fall 2009.

Fred Figglehorn, the first YouTube star to land 1 million subscribers, is featured on these packs of stickers that come in bundles of 36. There are 13 stickers on the Hey It’s Fred – Red Stickers, which come on a red backer card, and 14 stickers on the blue version. "Fred is the hottest licensed property of 2009," Kristin Baker, in sales admin at Kamhi World, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2009.

Fred Figglehorn, the first YouTube star to land 1 million subscribers, is the star of these buttons that come on a blister card with a standard butterfly hole. The pack contains four different 1.5" buttons: Oh My Garnet, Hey It's Fred, On Offense, and May Day. Launch date: 2009.

This bright side bag is made to drape over the shoulder and across the body. It features a soft, furry exterior and shiny satin interior and straps.

This 3" designer mini speaker has a lot of attitude. Featuring artwork by Jeremiah Ketner, it hosts a built-in hi-fi amplifier, internal rechargeable battery and can play for four to eight hours. It comes with an audio cable, a USB charging cable and a keyring clip for attachment to bags or other accessories. Headphonies can work with MP3 players, portable DVD players, computers and most mobile devices. Launch date: August 2009.

The "Figure 8" brush features a girl gliding on the ice, with a little bunny friend in the background. Launch date: June 10, 2009.

Hair Noodles feature a spiral design in multiple colors that create many different looks. Launch date: July 2009.

Ficklets interchangeable eyewear charm huggers are designed to provide an innovative and affordable way to update kids' eyewear and help them feel more comfortable in their glasses. "Ficklets are the first eyewear charm hugger in the marketplace specifically targeted for kids at an affordable price," Ros Guerrero, president of Ficklets, told TDmonthly. Launch date: April 2007.

Adina's Deck is a group of 8th-grade friends who use technology to solve a different mystery in every episode. In episode 1, the team is on the case to figure out who has been Cyber Bullying Skye, the most popular girl in the 8th grade. In episode 2, Adina's Deck tries to find out if Ally's online boyfriend is really a dream come true. In Episode 3, someone plagiarized his/her paper in Mr. B's class and the club investigates to find the cheater. "Adina's Deck is the first DVD series of it's kind addressing the social challenges that arise with increased technology use amongst teens," Debbie Heimowitz, co-founder of Adina's Deck, told TDmonthly. "The show is action-packed, filled with comedy and fun for students and parents alike." Adina's Deck has received these awards: International Family Film Festival, Best Educational Film, 2009; Eugene, Oregon, Best Film For Youth, 2009; Kid's First Film Festival, 2nd place, 2008; Honolulu Film Festival, Silver Lei Award, 2009; Approved by the Coalition for Quality Children's Media; and Dr. Toy's Best Summer Vacation Products, 2009. Launch date: August 2009.

Decked out in designer fabrics treated with quilt stitching, this little dog makes for a colorful playmate or nice room decoration. It has beans in its body and legs, allowing it to easily stand up. The product is machine washable.