March 2009 Notable Toys — All

This 16" fashionable doll is very stylish and full of mischevious charm. With a soft cloth body, vinyl face and hands, fixed eyes and colorful rooted hair. With their bright bold outifts and captivating personalities, they are sure to inspire fashionistas everywhere!

This 16" fashionable doll is very stylish and full of mischevious charm. With a soft cloth body, vinyl face and hands, fixed eyes and colorful rooted hair. With their bright bold outifts and captivating personalities, they are sure to inspire fashionistas everywhere!

This 12" bathtime doll has soft light brown skin and an adorable headband. Her soft body is so light, she floats! Filled with polystyrene "beads" that dry quickly, Tidoos are a favorite playmate outside of the tub too!

This 12" bathtime doll has soft light brown skin and an adorable headband. Her soft body is so light, she floats! Filled with polystyrene "beads" that dry quickly, Tidoos are a favorite playmate outside of the tub too!

Past videos: Product Demonstration

Aurora is commemorating Lamb Chop’s 50th Anniversary with its special edition puppet (15” MSRP $13.99), closely fashioned after the original Lamb Chop that caught the eyes of millions of viewers. The larger brown eyelashes, more prominent nose, and ribbed white sweater with three red buttons are a reminder of the Lamb Chop who have kept us laughing for more than 50 years.

Aurora released an adorable Bush Baby that retailers couldn’t keep on shelves. Now there are four more styles available, in vivid colors, and each of them makes funny sounds when squeezed. The bean filled plush animals (8”, MSRP: $6.99) have big ears, long tails and wide eyes and colors include Violet, Hot Pink, Turquoise and Lime Green.

Eco-friendly plush is generally double or triple the cost of its non-green counterparts. However, Aurora’s soybean based eco-plush line, which won a BabyZone.com Amazing Toy Award, retains quality without compromising affordability. Varying from 7.5 to 12 inches, suggested retail prices range from $15.99 - $39.99, respectively. The line includes arctic and endangered animals like polar bears, penguins and pandas, as well as jungle animals such as gorillas, monkeys, elephants and hippos.

Jazzy, a cuddly lion featuring long curly locks of hair, is one of the most adored characters from Aurora’s line of Flopsies. Kids love hugging and squeezing this beautiful ten inch, free-standing plush lion. For 2009, three vivid and colorful additions — called Mop Tops — are joining Jazzy’s “den” -- also ten inches in size, the violet, turquoise and pink assortment make sound when squeezed. Kids and tweens will appreciate choosing from the colorful options to match their personal style.

For the award winning category, Baby Talk, Aurora has released two new items for 2009 including My First Pet and My First Tool Kit. The plush carriers (6 inches in size) are easy for children to carry with them. Included in each carrier are four related plush characters (two to four inches depending on the character). Each plays a sound and has its corresponding name embroidered on the side, which teaches learning and development by association of words, shapes and sounds.

Aurora’s best-selling product and a favorite of kids and adults alike, Flopsies come in a variety of sizes, from mini 8” flopsies to standard 12” and 14.5” flopsies and 28” “super flopsies.” Best of all, Flopsies cover all the most popular creatures of the animal kingdom. Favorite jungle dwellers are on hand, parrots, tigers, zebras lions and elephants, as are those furry inhabitants of the forest such as woodchucks, meerkats, and otters. Many of the creatures that call the sea their home along with household pets are also included in the large collection. All styles are bean-filled and incorporate only lock washer or embroidered eyes for safety.

Cheeky Charlie and his pal Carmen (both 14.5”) are two bean-filled plush monkeys that like hanging around and creating smiles. Velcro hands can clasp or wrap around just about anything, making them as at home in a crib or playpen as they are on a bookshelf or windowsill. A brightly-colored bib and trademarked “banana in the tail” add instant interest and curiosity. There’s even a baby monkey (7”) that serves as Cheeky’s little buddy; also a 12” body puppet, and a western- wearing, ranger-hat outfitted “Wrangler” Cheeky Charlie (14.5”).

Aurora’s super-soft and interactive 14” teddy bear provides cuddly comfort while helping kids learn valuable skills. Through the bear’s colorful pair of overalls children learn how to tie a ribbon, fasten a snap, close a button and put items in a pocket. As they practice their motor skills, they will also learn the names of popular fruits that correspond to the colored parts of the overalls, banana and orange feet, and an apple and pear to put inside a bib pouch. Sound effects, a rattle and a squeak, on the hands round out the educational and developmental fun.

The ALL NEW ZAXX Typhoon ATV is a realistic battery powered ATV. It is a fantastic value ATV, great fun and easy to drive. This ATV is equipped with a horn and sound effects. The Typhoon will suit children from 3 to 7 years old. Powered by two powerful 25 watt motors and controlled by a single foot pedal, this robust and reliable 12V ATV can achieve a top speed of 6 km/h. A handlebar shifter provides 2-speed forward gears and reverse. This fun and unique model makes an ideal outdoor toy. Such a big and robust ATV will give your child hours of fun! This ride on toy car is provided to you by ZAXX, the source of premium ride on toy cars. This product is available in black or flashy green.

The ALL NEW ZAXX Scorpion is equipped with two seats, mirrors, head lights, a horn and seat belts. Suitable for children from 3 to 8 years old, this all new design is sure to turn heads. Powered by two powerful 25 watt motors and controlled by two realistic foot pedals, an accelerator and a brake. This robust and reliable 12V jeep can achieve a top speed of 6 km/h. A real shifter 2-speed forward and reverse gears, this fun and unique model makes an ideal outdoor toy. Such a big and impressive jeep will give your child hours of fun! This product is available in black with flames only.

The ZAXX H2 STYLE JEEP, a battery powered off road jeep, a fantastic value ride on jeep, great fun and easy to drive. The Jeep is equipped with two seats, mirrors, head lights, a horn and seat belts. This ride on jeep will suit children from 3 to 8 years old. The seats are fully adjustable so the jeep will grow with your child. A large rear compartment for storage is included. Powered by two powerful 25 watt motors and controlled by a single foot pedal, this robust and reliable 12V jeep can achieve a top speed of 6 km/h. A real shifter 2-speed forward and reverse gears, this fun and unique model makes an ideal outdoor toy. Such a big and robust jeep will give your child hours of fun! This product is available in black or flashy yellow.

The ZAXX MEGA JEEP is an outstanding battery powered off road jeep, a fantastic value ride on jeep, great fun and easy to drive. The Jeep is equipped with two seats, mirrors, head lights, a horn and seat belts. This ride on jeep will suit children from 3 to 8 years old. The seats are fully adjustable so the jeep will grow with your child. A practical “spare tire cover” that serves as storage is also included. Powered by two powerful 25 watt motors and controlled by a single foot pedal, this robust and reliable 12V jeep can achieve a top speed of 6 km/h. A real shifter 2-speed forward and reverse gears, this fun and unique model makes an ideal outdoor toy. Such a big and robust jeep will give your child hours of fun! This product is available in camouflage green, surfer blue and sunshine yellow.

This American-made, child-powered ride-on toy features an injection-molded polyethylene seat. Kids simply put their feet on the handlebars and swing the handlebars side to side with their hands to generate movement. The Flying Turtle, which comes pre-assembled, may be used both indoors and out, and holds up to 150 lbs.
— Deborah Smith, owner of Toys That Teach in Richmond, Va., listed the Flying Turtle as her best-selling ride-on toy in a March 2009 survey. “In spring and summer, [we sell] at least a dozen per month,” she said.
— Five percent of 60 retailers told TDmonthly in spring 2009 that Mason Corporation's Flying Turtle is a best seller in their stores.
— Three of 37 retailers named the Flying Turtle when discussing best-selling ride-on toys in spring 2010. Creative Kids Inc. in Columbia, S.C., sells about three dozen annually, Owner Melodie Ingwersen told TDmonthly in March 2010.

This brightly colored trike offers kids and parents a large array of features to adjust to various situations. The durable metal body supports an adjustable seat to accommodate the growing preschooler, and the tricycle easily goes from a kid-powered pedal-along to a push trike that the parent can easily steer. Patented internal gears allow the wide, stroller-style push bar to turn the front wheel of the trike, and free-wheeling pedals allow the rider to comfortably coast while the adult pushes. 
— “Radio Flyer Steer & Stroll Trike. [We sell] four per month,” Mike DiAndrea, manager of Hardware Centre Inc. in Paoli, Pa., said of his best-selling ride-on toy during TDmonthly's March 2009 survey.
— Seven percent of 60 retailers listed Radio Flyer as the manufacturer of their top-selling ride-on toys in spring 2009.
— Two of 37 retailers named a trike by Radio Flyer as a top-selling ride-on in spring 2010.

Designed to help young children learn balance and coordination, the inflatable Rody Horse is made of strong, latex-free vinyl. Its ride-on qualities and softness make it suitable for therapy, too.
— “The Rody is good for little guys — definitely No. 1 there,” Linda Hamm, owner of Early Work Toy Station in Petaluma, Calif., told TDmonthly in spring 2009 of the top-selling ride-on toys in her store.
— “People love them for the age range,” added Lauren Obenour, manager of Green Frog Toys in Portland, Ore., noting that Rody’s high weight limit contributes to its status as a customer favorite. It’s been a best seller for a year at Pufferbellies in Staunton, Va., Co-owner Susan Blanton in fall 2009.
— Of 60 retailers surveyed in March 2009, seven named the Rody Horse as a best-selling ride-on. Three of 64 retailers named Rody as a top-selling infant and toddler toy in March 2009.

Where to buy:
NORTH WEST

When swung and thrown by the tail attached to the hollow ball that houses the Klutz Sling Chute, kids and adults alike can send this parachute high. Once aloft, the brightly colored 32” parachute deploys and floats the ball gracefully to the ground. Users quickly stuff the chute back in the ball to repeat the process. While easy enough for a young child to handle, the Sling Chute can provide lots of entertainment and observation for older children as well.
— “The Klutz Sling Chute. I sell tons of those,” Patti Tepper-Rasmussen, owner of Learning Tree Toys in Oklahoma City, Okla., told TDmonthly when asked about her top-selling outdoor products in spring 2009.
— Two of 60 retailers surveyed in March 2009 reported this product as a best-selling outdoor toy, with one store averaging sales of about 15 per month.

Made from durable rubber, this textured, heavy-duty ball may be used on the playground or in the gym.  The 7”-diameter ball sports whimsical illustrations of dinosaurs, as well as their names. Suitable for indoor or outdoor use, the rubber used to make this ball contains no PVC, latex or vinyl.
— When asked about the best-selling sports items in her Fort Collins, Colo., store, Dandelion Toys owner Jenny Bramhall told TDmonthly, “Playground balls by Crocodile Creek.” Retailers reported sales averaging about six per month of playground balls.
— Seven percent of 60 retailers interviewed by TDmonthly during a March 2009 survey regarding sports and outdoor toys listed play balls as their top sellers in this category.

Designed especially for beginning kite fliers, the colorful Bird of Paradise from Premier Kites features a durable but lightweight fiberglass frame, and strong, bright ripstop nylon. Kids can send this graceful avian into clear skies on winds between 6 and 20 mph with the included 300’ of 50-lb Dacron kite string. The string comes on a plastic handle, and the kite is packaged in a reusable carry case.
— Thirteen percent of 60 retailers surveyed in March 2009 listed kites as their best-selling outdoor or sports toy, with sales of between six and a dozen per month.

There are over 1,400 standard baby names available for this license plate collection, with options for special names as well.
— These license plates were named as a top-10 best seller at Twirl Toystore & Playspace in Taos, N.M., in early 2009, according to Owner Molly McMullin. “Families of tourists love them for souvenirs. We had them printed with ‘Twirl-Taos, NM,” she told TDmonthly. “Kids love to see their name on products, and people think they’re a great tie-on for packages. A fellow toy-store owner encouraged me to bring these in, and I am grateful for the advice.”
— “We always sell a bunch of those,” said Molly McMullin, owner of Twirl in Ranchos de Taos, N.M., of her top-selling personalized item, Blue Sabre License Plates.
— Two of 44 storeowners said License Plates from Blue Sabre are their most-wanted personalized item during a September 2010 survey conducted by TDmonthly.

These one-of-a-kind, handmade fabric friends are fair trade and stand 1.5" tall. They feature large mouths and variety of colorful designs.