Toys to Talk About

By TDmonthly Staff
December 2013

These toys didn't make this month's Top-10 Most-Wanted lists, but were mentioned by at least one retailer as being a best-seller. Take a look at the products below and see if any would be a good fit for your store.

Mood Rings - Heart, Flower and Other Designs by SCHYLLING

A well-recognized throwback to yesteryear, Schylling's Mood Rings combine glossy, color-changing cabochons with silver-toned settings styled with the 1960s in mind. The “stones” in the rings sense the mood of the wearer and change accordingly from anxious orange-black to content jewel-tone blue-violet. Styles are assorted, and the metal rings are made in the USA.
― “We sell dozens of mood ring pick-ups at the counter,” said Joe Berardoni Sr., owner of Pun's Toy Shop in Bryn Mawr, Pa., during an October 2009 survey.
— In a September 2010 TDmonthly survey, seven of 44 retailers named mood rings a best-selling jewelry and accessory item, with one claiming sales of 43 a month.
— In an October 2011 survey about best selling jewelry and accessories, 4 out of 12 retailers told TDmonthly that mood rings were their best sellers. They sold an average of 2 dozen each month. 10/27/2009 (MSRP: $1.99; Age: 3 and Up)

Mini Super Sports OgoDisks Set by OGOSPORT, LLC

Award-winning, active-play device that adapts for many sports and games. Catches and throws balls up to 150 ft., Mini Super Spots Disk Set comes with two sports disks 12-in in diameter and a soft, rubber filaments, ball.

Where to buy:
NORTH EAST ( Watch Video) 8/27/2007 (MSRP: $33.00; Age: 3 and Up)

U.S.A. License Plate Game Travel Game by MELISSA & DOUG

Add excitement to travel with this sturdy, reusable classic travel game. Learn the name and location of all fifty states, identify states by their license plate design or simply plot your trip by flipping the states along your rout. No loose pieces to leave a trail.
— Gladys Griffin, owner of Main Street Toy Shop in Columbus, Ga., told TDmonthly in an April 2013 survey that this game is their best-selling travel toy. 4/22/2013 (MSRP: $19.99; Age: 8 and Up)

RingStix Standard by SYSTEM ENTERPRISES LLC

RingStix Standard by SYSTEM ENTERPRISES LLC How to Play: RingStix is played by 2 players passing the ring back and forth using two sticks per player. To launch the ring place both sticks through the ring. Next, pull the sticks quickly apart causing the ring to be launched. The ring begins to spin (stabilizing it's flight). Each game contains a full set for two players. 11/29/2013 (MSRP: $19.99; Age: 10 and Up)

Wall Coaster by ACTIVE PRODUCTS INC.

Wall Coaster by ACTIVE PRODUCTS INC. The Wall Coaster is NOT an ordinary marble run. Kids can just stick it to the wall and let their imaginations soar. The Wall Coaster uses the basic laws of physics and gravity to enable hours of fun and imaginative play. Plus, it is super easy to use. What makes the Wall Coaster different? The Wall Coaster can be applied to almost any vertical or horizontal surface. The new add on parts allow the user to build all kinds of crazy contraptions.
— Dean Smith, owner of JaZams in Princeton, N.J. told TDmonthly in late Spring 2011 that he sells between eight and 10 Wall Coasters each month.
— Want this? As of 05/10/2011, this product was available for purchase at JaZams ( Watch Video) 2/9/2010 (MSRP: $19.95; Age: 5 and Up)

Ready, Set, Pogo! by ALEX BRANDS

Ready, Set, Pogo - Jump high, fast and far. This Pogo Stick has soft grip handles, non-slip footrest and a wide rubber foot for extra stability. It has a padded frame for added comfort, too. Includes an encased metal spring for extra safety. Bounces up to 24 inches. Recommended weight is 44-99 lbs.
— Patti Tepper-Rasmussen, owner of Learning Tree Toys, Games & Books, Inc in Oklahoma City, Okla., told TDmonthly in a March 2014 survey that the pogo sticks were a best-selling outdoor toy. 4/30/2012 (MSRP: $39.95; Age: 6 to 8)

Homework Helper Workbook - First Grade Activities by CARSON-DELLOSA PUBLISHING

First Grade Activities Homework Helper provides children in first grade with extra help in learning important skills. Packed full of fun-to-do activities and appealing art, children will have fun completing the reproducible pages while learning first grade skills at the same time. Answer keys are also included where needed. These workbooks provide help for students who need extra practice with basic skills, for the accelerated student who enjoys an extra challenge, and for the young learner who is developing basic concepts and readiness skills. They also help boost self-confidence and reinforce basic skills with activities that are geared to the specific grade level.
— Gregory Sahagian, owner of Learning Express of Beverly in Beverly, Mass., told TDmonthly in a Fall 2012 survey that they sell 4-5 dozen Kumon Homework Helpers each month, making them a top-2 best selling educational products. 11/7/2012 (MSRP: $2.99; Age: 6 to 7)

Match It! - First Words Memory by THE LEARNING JOURNEY INTERNATIONAL

Match It! First Words Memory is a fun memory game that will challenge problem solving and develop memory skills of young children as they try to find a pair of matching cards. Bright, colorful illustrations help children learn first words through images and reading.
Awards: 2013 TDmonthly Seal of Approval 6/8/2012 (MSRP: $11.99; Age: 3 and Up)