January 2012 Notable Toys — Tween

Kits include two Shains matching bracelets packaged with 100 multi-colored elements comprised of 75 letters, ten numbers and 15 icons. Matching bracelet colors can be specified, or can be mixed using any two of Shains’ 25 colors.

The three dimensional skill based toy is orbiting to the next level with the Astrojax MX. This version presents the futuristic, aerodynamic SPORT, and the eye catching POP as the first ever Modular Astrojax. What’s this mean? Not only are these two styles vibrant with color, but with a simple pull and click kids can easily change out their mantles, cores, string buds, and strings. Launch date: January 2012.

Young fashionistas get to design their own outfits, makeup, hairstyles, and accessories with our 75 pages of lightly printed outlines of faces, figures, and fashionable extras. The grand finale to the fashion show is the Look Book portfolio of keepsake album pages with die-cut frames, perfectly sized to display their best work. Launch date: August 2011.

Dragons exist. They’re ferocious. And they’re smart: Before they were killed off by slayer-knights, they rendered a select group of eggs dormant, so their offspring would survive. Only a handful of people know about this, let alone believe it – these “Slayers” are descended from the original knights, and are now a diverse group of teens that includes Tori, a smart but spoiled senator’s daughter who didn’t sign up to save the world. The dragon eggs have fallen into the wrong hands. The Slayers must work together to stop the eggs from hatching. They will fight; they will fall in love. But will they survive? Launch date: September 27, 2011.
— As of 11/23/2011 this book had 4.4 out of 5 stars from 10 reviews on Amazon.com.

BunkiMunki™ Keys are collectible trend merchandise kids can wear in unique ways to express their own style. When kids see other kids wearing the iconic key, they will recognize fellow members of BunkiMunki, an innovative social network that provides tweens a unique online experience. Kids create their own alias in the likeness of BunkiMunki™, the brand character, their own home space with realistic decor, and choose activities like journal writing, music creation, earning badges, games and virtual shopping. Launch date: October 2011.

This updated Password Journal includes a new look and feel with some of the cool features tweens love most about previous versions including a microphone to record voice for security access. Also, a voice recording alerts you when intruders have tried to access your journal. This version has a new feature: a hidden compartment that only the user can access by using a second voice—activated password. The Journal comes with a pen and an assortment of fun stickers to decorate with. Light allows girls to share special messages with friends.
— As of 11/04/2011 this product was 19.99 on Amazon.com
— As of 11/04/2011 this product had 3.2 out of 5 stars from 26 reviews on Amazon.com. Cons: Sound quality is poor; batteries ran out quickly.

Jiker didn't sign up for any of this! Did you? You don't look like you did. Who would! OK so Jiker was born... can't help that! So why does she have to follow these wacky rules! Says who! Well she's had enough. From this day on, Jiker is going to live the good life no matter what. And now that you're reading this, she figures she can leave it up to you to figure out the details, such as what in the world this all means, the purpose of life, and the other good stuff (like baking secrets, etc.). Jiker is approximately 12" tall.

Experience a whole new twist on accessory design with the Umagine Bizu Bead Style Studio. This must—have style center lets kids store, select and dispense their Bizu collection, making them the designer. With over 15,000 combinations, the Style Studio rotating tower allows kids to inventory their Bizu collection and create new fashionable accessories. Follow the trend by making Glam, Rock, Wild, or Funky styles, then become the trendsetter by mixing and matching to create an entirely new look. Create 4 stylish bracelets, link 3 together to make a necklace, or set the style with cool backpack and cell phone accessories. Includes Style Studio rotating tower, 40 beads (including 4 character heads), 4 elastic bands with toggle clasps, 1 beading tool, 2 clips, 4 character template cards and 1 instruction guide.

WowWee Paper Jamz are affordable and innovative instruments that provide an instant rock star experience and open-ended play. The creative blend of technology and play is made possible with Active Graphics Technology circuit-embedded paper, which allows kids to play like a pro by simply touching the paper surface. With cutting-edge technology, this Paper Jamz Pro microphone lets anyone sound like a pop star. USB cable included. For ages 8 and above. Batteries 3 x “AAA” (not included).

Frankie, Clawdeen and Draculaura have all been getting ready together to "cut up" the dance floor and boogie the night away at the Dawn of the Dance at Monster High. This three-pack is the only place you can find Draculaura in her Dawn of the Dance outfit.

The girls from Monster High are fabulously freaky and ready to cheer in their fearleading uniforms. The three Draculaura, Cleo de Nile and Goulia Yelps dolls come with a set of pom poms and a Skullete megaphone and they're ready to get the high school crowd up on their feet and out of their seats. Draculaura and Cleo are dressed in cheer uniforms and ready to rock the crowd and Ghoulia is there to "represent" as the ultimate Monster High fan.
— As of 10/18/2011 this product had 4.8 out of 5 stars from 5 reviews on ToysRUs.com. Pros: Great attention to detail; lots of accessories.

Watching the rising and falling colored blobs in these lamps is hypnotizing. They measure 13.75 inches tall and come in three assorted colors: pink, green and blue.
— Mary Porter, owner of Curiosity Zone in Ashburn Va., told TDmonthly in an October 2011 survey that she sells several of these lamps each month, making them her best selling tween item.
— Marc Slotin, owner of My Imagination Station in Spartanburg, S.C., told TDmonthly in a Fall 2013 survey that lava lamps were a big seller with tweens.

This bracelet features a pink band covered in orange rhinestones, and bright orange ties. 7" long.
— Joanne Smith, owner of JaZams in Princeton, N.J., told TDmonthly in an October 2011 survey that jewelry from Natural Life is a best selling product for tweens at her store.

A class trip to a local natural history museum  takes a  dangerous turn for the characters of this book, the fifth and allegedly final installment of The Secret Series, when a mummy with a missing finger goes missing. Launch date: September 2011.
— As of 10/19/2011 this book had 5 out of 5 stars from 155 reviews on BarnesandNoble.com.
— As of 10/19/2011 this book had 5 out of 5 stars from 7 reviews on Amazon.com.
— As of 10/19/2011 this book had 4.39 out of 5 stars from 106 ratings on GoodReads.com.

Battle for control of the four Spinjitzu weapons has begun. Sensei Wu, Kai, Zane and Nya need help to keep Lord Garmadon and his evil skeleton army from taking the ultimate Spinjitzu weapon – the Dragon Sword of Fire. As the temple splits into two, the fearsome Fire Dragon emerges to protect the sword by spitting fire at Lord Garmadon. Set also includes Samukai and Kruncha figures, all four golden weapons and 14 other weapons. 1174 pieces. Launch date: Summer 2011.
— As of 10/14/2011 this product had 4.7 out of 5 stars from 3 reviews on Amazon.com. Pros: Helps build fine motor skills and logic skills; challenging. Cons: Finished structure not very durable.
— As of 10/14/2011 this product had 5 out of 5 stars from 2 reviews on ToysRUs.com. Pros: Very detailed; lots of moving parts.

OMG! Hand painted tin charms bring fashion and fun together. The adjustable necklace makes the perfect fit for any girl. Each one comes in an organza bag. 16" long, adjustable necklace. On the back of each necklace is a text expression, such as "BFF," "I<3U" and "LOL." 12 styles available.
— Joanne Smith co-owner of JaZams in Princeton, N.J., told TDmonthly in October 2011 that they sell 3-4 dozen items from Natural Life each month. They have "lots of quirky jewelry and accessories for teens and tweens," she said.

Clear directions for ten different kinds of bracelets, with all the colorful floss and beads needed to make them. A built-in clipboard provides the ideal work surface for this craft.
— Mike DiAndrea, manager of Hardware Toys in Paoli, Pa., told TDmonthly in October 2011 that they sell about 8 of these kits each month, making them a best seller in the jewelry and accessories category.
— In a January 2012 survey about arts and crafts toys, two out of 13 retailers said that Klutz's Friendship Bracelets book was a best selling toy.
— In a December 2013 survey three out of 10 retailers said that Klutz made their best-selling books.

ZOMBIEZOO is a family of fun loving animals including Boo the black cat, the natural born leader of the group, and Stich, a pig obsessed with hygiene.  Along with their friends, Muck, the “party animal” monkey, Rob the poetic rabbit and Toxic the competitive red snake. These new Mini ZOMBIEZOO clip-on plush are 4" replicas of Boo, Muck, Rob, Stich & Toxic are made out of soft velboa fabric. With a red hook they are great to hook onto your keychain or backpack.