July 2010 Notable Toys — General Toys

This cute cowboy spud is ready to wrangle up some fun. Dressed like Woody from the "Toy Story" movies, this potato character features a removable cowboy hat, vest, boots and belt.

When unzipped, ZipBin Ice Cream Shoppe becomes an activity center and messy mat perfect for building Ice Cream creations. When play is done, all the toys can be captured inside. This play set includes four colors of modeling dough and five utensils. It "creates a fun and educational area to play and makes clean up a breeze!" Neat-Oh! International Sales & Marketing Specialist Noah Winterer told TDmonthly.

The Bloose Pluffie's floppy body and plush exterior are both super soft, inviting cuddles from babies on up.  The cozy fabric is provided as a desirable tactile sensation for the littlest ones to explore, and the toy is machine washable, making it both safe and sanitary for infants.
— In May 2010, two of 43 retailers said Ty is their best-selling brand of plush.

Simmons the Siamese is part of Russ Berrie's Yomiko Classics line of soft, realistic plush animals.  The cat's coat is soft Caress™ material printed with the distinctive point markings of the fine pure breed.  Finished with long whiskers and soulful blue eyes, Simmons's face is believable and detailed.
— “The Yomiko Classics plush from Russ Berrie.  Those are selling well,” said Pat Cooley, owner of Cooleykatz Toys in Livermore, Calif., when asked about the best sellers in his plush department.
— Out of 43 retailers surveyed in May 2010, three named Russ Berrie as their top-selling plush.

Two toys in one: a cute plush dog sized for taking along, and a fashionable quilted purse to carry the stuffed pet, or other items.  The dog is a pitch black lab puppy with floppy ears and glossy eyes, while the purse features modern printed fabric along with a crochet flower embellishment.
— Fred Rosenberg, owner of On the Park in Kingwood, Texas, sells approximately 100 Douglas dogs per month, he told TDmonthly in late spring 2010. “It's a good price. They're cute. We've never had a problem with any of them,” Michelle Bears, owner of The Toy Store in Highlands, N.C., said of what makes Douglas the top-selling brand of plush in her store.
— Five out of 43 storeowners listed Douglas as a top-selling brand during an interview on plush and puppets conducted in May 2010.

With his nose up attentively and tail poised mid-wag, Melissa & Doug's Basset Hound could almost be mistaken for the real thing. Covered in soft, dense plush and stuffed fully enough to stand upright on his short legs, this realistic canine features an authentic three color coat, detailed hues on the face, a leathery nose and bright, shiny eyes.
— Five of 43 retailers told TDmonthly during a May 2010 survey on plush and puppets that Melissa & Doug supplies their best-selling plush.

Yardley Jr. is a 9” plush dog with floppy ears, a friendly face, and long fur. His silky coat is light brown and cream colored with facial features in black. He has enough stuffing to sit up but is soft enough to be floppy and cuddly.
— “Gund is always a good plush line,” remarked Sue Hottel, owner of No Kidding in Mattapoisett, Mass., in late spring 2010. “Our No. 1.”
— During a May 2010 survey of 43 specialty retailers, five told TDmonthly Gund is a top-selling plush line in their stores.

With velvety wings and a rich plush body, the Webkinz Bat is far more cuddly than creepy.  He has big soft ears, polished eyes and tiny teeth that poke out from his mouth. Like all Webkinz, this plush animal comes with a unique secret code that allows kids to access the online Webkinz world, a secure website designed to be fun and safe for kids. Interactive computer games and toys accompany the cyber pet's own room and special online item, a purple and black bat winged chair.
— “Webkinz are still very popular. We do a lot with Webkinz,” Diane Gervais, manager of Amato's Toy and Hobby in Middletown, Conn., told TDmonthly during a May 2010 survey.
— Five of 43 retailers named Webkinz as a strong plush seller in their stores in late spring 2010.

These snap bracelets come in a wide variety of animal shapes.
— Animal snap bracelets were a top-10 best seller at Key West Toy Factory in Key West, Fla., in late spring 2010. “These cute and sparkly snap bracelets are a fun favorite accessory for kids!” Manager Katie Harris told TDmonthly.

The Belisima Ballerina dress is made of stretch velvet, satin, organza and tulle — "darling fashion that matches your favorite Groovy Girls doll," Manhattan Toy Marketing and Sales Manager Julie Flann told TDmonthly.

These adjustable 100-percent cotton toy straps allow parents to keep a child's favorite items on a seat or stroller. "Toy tossing has come to an end," Victoria Turner, president of Simply on Board, told TDmonthly.

The Rubber Band Shooter Blaster Supreme shoots rubber bands when users loop one end of the band around the site and place the other into the expanded gripper area. It comes with 100 red rubber bands and can also be used as a pen.

Children can squeeze this pig's belly to launch soft foam balls. The harder the pig is squeezed, the farther it shoots. Six soft foam balls and a convenient carry net are included.

These wooden stamps are available in two sizes. The large sized stamp measures 2 3/4 x 2 3/4. The medium sized stamp measures 1 1/2 x 2 3/4. Each size comes with 6 assorted designs.

The Colorfelts play board, with its rich and vibrant colors, brings the world of Dora the Explorer to life.

These robotic creatures behave like real bugs. Kids can go online to register and track their Nano collections. Additional bugs, track, habitats, carrying cases and more are available separately.
— Five of 40 retailers told TDmonthly in June 2010 that the Hexbug is a top-selling product. In July 2010, 11 percent of 38 retailers named Hexbugs an overall top seller.
— In a June 2010 survey, two of 40 retailers told TDmonthly Hexbugs are a top-selling gift for boys ages 4 to 12.

The LEGO Mars ZipBin Large Basket is a traditionally shaped basket with handles for easy storage and mobility. The ZipBin Basket becomes an activity center for play when unzipped, and captures toys within when play is done. LEGO blocks are not included. Awards: Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Seal Award - March 2010. Launch date: 2010.

The LEGO CITY ZipBin Large Basket is traditionally shaped with handles for easy storage and mobility. ZipBin Baskets become an activity center for play when unzipped and capture toys within when play is done. LEGO blocks are not included. Launch date: 2010.
Awards: Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Seal Award - March 2010.

"The Final Funktier" presents Recess Monkey on an intergalactic voyage in outer space: 15 songs of high-energy funk and new-wave grooves, taking listeners on a stratospheric dance party that occasionally touches down on solid ground with moon boots, jet packs, sunglasses, satellites and booster seats in hand. Jack Forman of Recess Monkey told TDmonthly, “We think of our classrooms as focus groups for what's on kids' minds. ... Laughter permeates our experiences with kids, in the classroom and out!” Launch date: June 15, 2010.

These plastic photo frames come in assorted shapes, designs, and colors.

These children's key chains come with a keyring and an assortment of plastic everyday items connected to the key chain.

LEGO RACER ZipBin Tool Box & Playmat unzips from a tool box into a workshop playmat. A ramp is included for racing and test driving creations. The playmat zips back into the tool box capturing the LEGO® Blocks inside and is ideal for portable play. LEGO Blocks are not included. Choking Hazard - Small Parts. Not for Children under 3 yrs.  Launch date: 2010.
Awards: 2010 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Seal Award.

The ZipBin® T-Rex Large Basket is a traditionally shaped basket with handles for easy storage and mobility. Unzipped, ZipBin® Baskets become an activity center perfect for play. Choking Hazard - Small Parts. Not for Children under 3 years. Launch date: 2010.

The ZipBin® Superstar Condo Medium Size Basket is a traditionally-shaped basket with handles for easy storage and mobility. Unzipped, ZipBin® Baskets become an activity center perfect for play. When play is done, all the toys can be stored inside. Choking Hazard - Small Parts. Not for children under 3 years. Launch date: 2010.