October 2008 Notable Toys — Play Sets

For a preschooler’s first foray into gardening, Sprig offers Honey Bee’s Garden Home. “Plantable” packaging grows into  wildflowers and herbs in the flower pot and beehive that double as a sand strainer and water bucket. Kids can help the included Honey Bee character grow a beautiful garden for the Sprig Hollow community.

Dune Bug’s Farm Truck is a durable vehicle that cleverly transforms into a sturdy sand tool. Sized for 
“take along” fun, this water resistant, five-in-one play set includes a Sprig Hollow insect character with interchangeable wings. Dune Bug’s Farm Truck has a sand bucket, a snap-on shovel and  rake that doubles as the truck’s cab.  Launch date: 2008.

Dragonfly’s Heli-Scoopter is a durable vehicle that cleverly transforms into a sturdy sand tool. Sized for 
“take along” fun, this water resistant, five-in-one play set includes a Sprig Hollow insect character with interchangeable wings.Dragonfly’s Heli-Scoopter is also a shovel and the helipad is a sand strainer.  Launch date: 2008.

Butterfly’s Farm features a water-resistant “farmhouse” with four play/garden shelves.  When assembled by an adult, a large funnel and chute fit into slots on the shelves, ready to be filled with sand or water for plenty of flowing fun. The two insect characters—Bee and Butterfly—have chunky bodies with soft, interchangeable wings and a simple slot that allows them to “sit” on the shelves and in the sturdy Farm Truck.  The hood of the truck doubles as a sand rake or plow. “We want parents to get outside and spend time with their kids,” says  Sprig Toys co-founder and toy industry veteran Chris Clemmer. “And, 
since Sprig Hollow is made from recycled materials, the toys provide an opportunity to talk about caring for the earth.” Launch date: 2008.

Past videos: Toy Fair 2009

This combo garden and playset gives girls the opportunity to grow a Lilly Bloom and Jasmine Fern while also utilizing the main flower as an enchanting doll house. The set comes with two dolls, two seed packets and 20 accessories.

This simple A-frame offers a loft and basic playspace marked by geometric elements.

This set includes two ponies, four figurines, jumps, a tree, a stand for visitors and much more. Launch date: 2008.
—  Seven of 63 specialty retailers named Playmobil as one of their overall best-selling products in September 2008, and five of 52 said the same the next month. Three of 32 retailers also told TDmonthly in October 2008 they expect Playmobil to be a top seller for the holidays.
— James Burdette, owner of LB Toys in Media, Pa., said his store sells about 100 units from the line each month.
— Playmobil was one of the top-10 best-selling items at Pun’s Toy Store of Bryn Mawr, Pa., in the fall of 2008, according to owner Joe Berardoni, Sr. “It’s well designed and has great play value,” he said. “It’s a toy that uses imagination — old-fashioned imagination.”

In addition to featuring Sen. Barack Obama, his wife, Michelle, and their daughters, Malia Anna and Sasha, this 32-page paper doll set includes a biography of Sen. Obama, an "Election Night Scorecard" and an array of outfits, including a tux and business suit for Barack and a gown and wedding dress for Michelle, along with shorts, shirts and coats for the girls. "We're doing well with McCain and Obama paper dolls from Dover Publications," Owner Teresa Ford of Kids' Ketch in Lewes, Del., told TDmonthly in late September 2008. "Obama's outselling McCain three to one, if that's any indication."

This commemorative set features Sen. John McCain and his wife, Cindy, along with outfits they've worn  during the campaign and during other important life events. McCain can be outfitted with a white tie and tails, a sweater and slack duo, and  other options, while Cindy can wear her wedding dress, an interview suit, a gown and more. The 38-page set includes a biography of John McCain plus an "Election Night Scorecard." Launch date: 2008.

This family of cute, flocked cat figurines, all with names and characters in the storyline of Cloverleaf Corners — the neighborhood where International Playthings’ Calico Critters live — comes with a mother, a father and two babies, all just the right size for the wide variety of accessories and friends included in the series.
—  “[They’re] nice imagination toys,” said Jackie Englehart, assistant manager of Great Rocky Mountain Toy Company in Bozeman, Mont. “[They] also have a variety of price points and little kits, so you can go all or small.”
—  Of 64 retailers surveyed by TDmonthly in August 2008, 8 percent named Calico Critters as their best-selling collectible toy.
— “Calico Critters continue to develop new characters and play sets, and … provide what I feel is much-needed imaginative play,” said Joe Berardoni, Sr. of Pun’s Toy Store in Bryn Mawr, Penn. in October 2008.

Fashioned after the house in the movie "Barbie & The Diamond Castle," this tri-level palace has a light-up tower and plays a song.

Suitable for children ages 9 months and up, the Busy Ball Popper pops colorful balls out of the top after they are dropped onto the track. It features sound effects and eight songs, and requires 4 D batteries. This product received a 2003 NAPPA Gold Award.

Mrs. Claus awaits Santa's return for Christmas in an overcoat, mittens and beret. This limited-edition set comes in window packaging, ideal for gift-giving. Launch date: October 2008.

These twin doggies, William and Fiona, join the cute cast of characters that make up the Calico Critters world. They love to play in the sandbox together, and wear pastel blue and pink outfits.
— Calico Critters are strong sellers at Piccolo Mondo Toys in Portland, Ore., according to Owner Michelle Smith, who spoke with TDmonthly in December 2008.

These tiny critters — Brown Bear Brother, Polar Bear Sister and two others from Cloverleaf Corners — are decked out in costumes for Halloween. The critters are poseable and wear removable clothing. The two bears retail together for $19.99. Launch date: October 2008.

The arm of this colorful excavator is moveable, and the cabin rotates for added play value.
— Six of 66 retailers named Playmobil as an overall best seller in July 2008.
— “[It’s] probably a good 40 percent of my sales each month,” Linda Hanzelko of Timmy’s Toy Chest in Lake Mary, Fla., told TDmonthly.
— According to Randy Austin, owner of The Gifted Child in Lenox, Mass., Playmobil items were best sellers at her store during summer 2008.

Indiana Jones has the treasure map but will first have to make it through the gate if he wants a chance at finding the Holy Grail. The set includes the following: Indiana Jones with accessories (hat, whip and bag), Professor Henry Jones, a guard, a motorbike with a detachable sidecar, and a gate that moves up and down. Please check with company, as not all LEGO sets are available in the specialty market.
— Nine of 66 specialty retailers named LEGO as a best-selling gift for boys in a July 2008 TDmonthly survey.
— "Any new LEGO that comes in is out the door,” said Tina Benoit, operations manager for Kidstown in South Burlington, Vt., which sells about 50 units of LEGO per month.
— LEGOs are a top-10 best seller for Randy Austin of The Gifted Child in Lenox, Mass., she told TDmonthly in summer 2008.

This play airport featuring Alaska Airlines includes everything needed for authentic play. There is a die-cast airplane and ground equipment, including signs.
— This playset is a best-selling item at Santa Claus House in North Pole, Alaska, Operations Manager Susan Miller told TDmonthly in summer 2008.

This 59-piece nativity set includes Mary and Joseph, the three wise men, manger animals, and even a storybook that tells about the first Christmas. A cardstock stable is included for display.
— The nativity set and advent calendars by Playmobil are best sellers at Santa Claus House in North Pole, Alaska, according to Operations Manager Susan Miller.

These baby piglets are designed to sit or stand, and are outfitted with denim overalls and brightly colored neckerchiefs. Calico Critters are adorable little families designed with play themes in mind. Accessories build on imaginary play opportunities and include a townhome, village house, play park and more.
— In a summer 2008 poll, Calico Critters products were the clear leader in sales when it comes to gifts for girls, with 10 of 66 retailers mentioning the critters and accessories as their top seller.
— “Calico Critters is our top girl line,” Angel Stahl, owner of Angel’s Toy Barn in Greensburg, Pa., told TDmonthly.
— “Calico Critters sells lots more than the LEGO,” noted Kara Fichtner, manager of Out of the Blue Ltd. in Albuquerque, N.M.
— Owner Randy Austin of The Gifted Child in Lenox, Mass., also noted Calico Critters as a best-selling line in her store.

Kids can create their own crazy robots with Muduppy's Robots Magnetic Action Figures. Pablo Bernasconi has illustrated four background scenes and three pages of anthropomorphic robot parts and accessories. The kit contains over 35 magnets, packaged in a hinged tin box that measures 7-7/8" x 6-3/10" x 1". The three sheets of magnets include the robot dolls, clothes and accessories. Two, two-sided cards provide background images. The magnets adhere to the tin for compact, portable fun. The product is printed with nontoxic inks. The company's line of magnetic figures received a 2007 iParenting Media Award. Launch date: June 2008. Display Ideas: Keep a variety and mix the stock. There should always be special setups and endcaps with a mix of formats and themes to get shoppers of one or two styles to consider something new.

Suitable for ages 9 months and up, this three-story home features nine rooms and measures 17" x 17.5" x 17". It includes a spiral staircase, bay windows, French doors, a balcony, and front-porch steps and lanterns. It comes assembled except for some accessories.
— “Calico Critters has a townhouse that was given to us … [and] sits on a play table,” Jennifer Vanderish, co-owner of Picayune Toys in Dunwoody, Ga., told TDmonthly in early summer 2008. “Kids just love it; it's amazing.”
— “Calico Critters — they've moved away from wood,” said Margy Pein, owner of Tree House Toy Shop in Cumberland, Md., when asked about best-selling furniture and playhouses. “We also have Plan, and Calico Critters outsells it six to one.”
— Four of 62 retailers named Calico Critters when asked about best-selling furniture and playhouses in June 2008.

The Calico Critters Pony Stable includes Sweetbriar, a pony figurine with his own stable, saddle, bridle, brush and comb, bucket, shovel, rake, broom, pitchfork, gaet lock and horse jump.