June 2009 Notable Toys — Novelties

The objective of this product is to allow children as well as adults the opportunity to clearly allow others to see how they are feeling. Each wrist band has a character and a mood in writing that shows emotional states. These wristbands are designed as a fun way for kids to learn about emotions, colors and how to connect with themselves and others through feelings. "Moody Bands are an ideal tool to be incorporated in any school curriculum. This product is perfect for children, but what sets Moody Bands apart is that adults of all ages love them as well," Naif J. Faris, president of Moody Bands, told TDmonthly. Moody Bands received a 2009 Dr. Toy Best Children's Vacation Product Award, a 2009 Toy Man Award of Excellence, a 2009 Toy Man E-Choice Award, and a 2009 Toy Man Seal of Approval. Launch date: September 9, 2008.

What if you could have four of America’s favorite classic toys packaged conveniently in one box? Well, you can! Look no further than the new Hall of Fame Toy Pack from POOF-Slinky®, Inc. This one-of-a-kind product contains the world's original metal walking spring toy the Slinky®, the world's #1 Yo-Yo the Duncan® Butterfly®, everyone’s favorite bouncy, stretchy, rubbery Silly Putty®, and a classic gold and green metal tin of Crayola® crayons. Each toy in this Hall of Fame Pack was picked for inspiring creativity and imagination in children and for being loved throughout generations. This, “USA Made”, pack of classic toys is great for kids, or the kid in you! All of these famous toys are inductees in the National Toy Hall Of Fame. For ages 5 and up.

Loofah-Art products are made with 100-percent all-natural loofah (a sustainable agricultural crop) and dyed with vegetable dyes, making them bio-degradable, eco-friendly, non-toxic and compostable. The whimsy of the designs aims to help encourage children to assist with the dishes and wash their fruits and vegetables. "The unique, whimsical designs that attract consumers to buy our products is what makes Loofah-Art stand out. Once the customer is attracted to that, the 100-percent natural fabrication as well as the practicality and functionality of our scrubbers performance create a winning combination!" Anita Liwette, creator and co-founder of Loofah-Art LLC, told TDmonthly. "Because of their natural fibers, they scratch absolutely nothing!" Launch date: January 25, 2009.

Loofah-Art products are made with 100-percent all-natural loofah (a sustainable agricultural crop) and dyed with vegetable dyes, making them completely bio-degradable, eco-friendly, non-toxic and compostable. "Because of their natural fibers they scratch absolutely nothing! The whimsy of our designs helps encourage children to assist with the dishes and wash their fruits and vegetables!" Anita Liwette, creator and co-founder of Loofah-Art LLC, told TDmonthly. Launch date: November 2004.

Loofah-Art products are made with 100-percent all-natural loofah (a sustainable agricultural crop) and dyed with vegetable dyes, making them completely biodegradable, eco-friendly, non-toxic and compostable. "The unique, whimsical designs that attract consumers to buy our products is what makes Loofah-Art stand out. Once the customer is attracted to that, the 100-percent natural fabrication as well as the practicality and functionality of our scrubbers' performance create a winning combination!" Anita Liwette, creator and co-founder of Loofah-Art LLC, told TDmonthly. This item was finalist for "Best New Product" at the New York Gourmet Housewares Show in October 2004. Launch date: May 2004.

Whenever there is an awkward pause, individuals can push the button on the key chain-sized theCRICKETtoy™ to hear "Chirp. Chirp." (crickets chirping). "There really is no other item out there like this designed for those awkward moments. It's a great conversation piece and it gets people asking, "Hey, where did you get that?" That's GREAT marketing and branding with multiple impressions throughout the week!" Jeff Anderson, owner of Kardandak Enterprises LLC, told TDmonthly. Launch date: November 5, 2008.

Chuckle Buddies are motion-activated rolling and laughing plush friends. Once activated, the Chuckle Buddy will roll around from side to side three or four times, filling the room with an hysterical, contagious laughter. Once he stops moving, an individual simply waves a hand in front of the sensor located directly above the eyes to reactivate. There's an on/off switch located on battery compartment. The product required 3 AA batteries (not included). A Dog, Monkey and Cat are currently available, and other styles are in development. Launch date: February 2009.

These frosting-flavored Cupcake Mints come in a 130-ct., 3"-tall tin. There are 36 shrink-wrapped tins in each illustrated display box. Launch date: July 25, 2008.

This set of seven mustaches is made specifically to accentuate feminine features. Each furry lip ornament has adhesive backing and is made of synthetic hair in a shade of pink. It comes on an illustrated blistercard. Launch date: April 2, 2009.

This 3"-tall disembodied head of Freud is made of soft foam rubber designed for squeezing. It can be kept in the car for stressful commutes and on the desk at work for those days when nothing seems to go right. It comes in a net bag with an illustrated header. Launch date: April 17, 2009.

Three-dimensional anaglyphic glasses are used for viewing print, movies, Web sites, games and computer applications in 3-D, defined as two views of the same subject (either moving or still) in contrasting colors and slightly offset for two different perspectives. These IYF (In Your Face) 3-D anaglyphic glasses are re-formulated and supercharged with red and cyan filters, designed to punch full four-color 3-D with depth-defying clarity without compromising colors, flesh tones and light. "With the phenomenon of 3-D movies and with all the new movies planned to be released in the next two years, you need to be prepared for the rush. More and more children are having 3-D movie-watching parties. Most DVD rentals only come with two glasses and only four are packed in a DVD when you purchase them," Mark Nidzgorski, director of retail for American Paper Optics, told TDmonthly. Launch date: June 2009.

This yo-yo LEDs lights up with movement, creating a neat lighting in low-light conditions. The Light-Up LED Yo-Yo is available in red, blue, green, purple and clear, with two ultra-bright LEDs. It comes in sustainable, "try me" packaging. Launch date: July 2009.

These super-bounce balls light up and make a "boing" noise with every bounce. Boing balls are available in clear, red or blue with two ultra-bright LEDs — one red and one blue — that create a lighting effect when the ball is bounced. “Try Me” packaging allows customer to see LED brightness and colors before they buy. Launch date: July 2009.

Each Body Dazzler is secured to a nylon lanyard with a safety break-away cord. Body Dazzlers come in a variety of shapes and colors and may be worn day or night as a necklace or used as a keychain. The product helps to increase safety by enhancing visibility in low-light conditions. Body Dazzlers can also be clipped to backpacks, bags or even attached as zipper pulls. Shapes include Alien, Skull, Whistle and Ballistics, and colors include Pink with red LED, Blue with blue LED, and Green with green LED. Launch date: July 2009.

The Light-Up Airglow Ball is designed as the ultimate super bounce ball. The special aerodynamic design allows the ball to bounce high as the LEDs create a cool lighting effect. Soft rubber makes the ball easy to throw and catch. Each ball has one red and one blue ultra-bright LED that is activated upon impact. “Try Me” packaging allows customers to see the LED brightness and color before they buy. Launch date: July 2009.

This remote-controlled gadget offers five different fart sounds that are said to be very realistic.

When rolled gently, this colorful tin wheel returns to the user. It is available in a variety of designs.
— Schylling products were listed as top sellers at Melody’s Choices in Fayetteville, Ark., by Owner Steve Melody in spring 2009. He likes that the vendor has small toys that sell consistently.

When placed in water for 30 seconds, this compact package expands into a 12" x 12" cotton towel.
— “Toysmith offers lots of small, inexpensive toys that go out the door consistently,” Steve Melody, owner of Melody’s Choices in Fayetteville, Ark., told TDmonthly in spring 2009.

Toss it in the air and watch the colors magically flip! Handheld, magical color-flipping balls make a fun, portable toy. Collect all four cool color combinations. Toss just one or try to juggle with three.

This battery operated nasal aspirator uses Disposable Reservoir Nozzle Pieces. Thanks to the disposables, no clean-up is necessary after use; just toss away the disposable (one per day). The disposable reservoir protects the inside pump from germs to guard against germ spreading, making Cleanoz a sanitary solution. Replacement tips are sold in boxes of 10. This product received a Creative Child Magazine Award 2008 and PTPA Media Award 2008. Launch date: February 14, 2008.

Not only can children enjoy wearing their Easter Bunny Teeth, but the product is made to taste great as well. Each set is packaged with a temporary tattoo. "We are the only company that makes completely 100-percent edible bunny teeth," Colin Leier, manager of Triple Alliance LLC dba Bubbagum, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2009.

This portrait bracelet key ring features the Jonas Brothers logo and music/band graphics with pictures of all three Jonas brothers together and individually. It comes with a detachable clip for keys or to attached to backpacks or purses. Launch date: June 2009.