Called a “classic” by several retailers surveyed, this technologically updated version saves the prankster’s breath because it reinflates after every use. Kids can place these under seat cushions and wait for an embarrassing noise when someone plops down. Ja-Ru holds the patent to this unique self-inflating item.
— First introduced by the Jem Rubber Co. of Toronto in 1930, the classic Whoopee cushion has been a favorite ever since, says Mark Newgarden, author of “Cheap Laughs: The Art of the Novelty Item” (Picturebox Inc., 2004).
— Phil French, co-owner of Whirligigs and Whimsies in Bethesda, Md., says he used to order the self-inflator by the dozen, “but now I’m buying in 24s.”
— The two top-selling practical joke items at Rebecca’s, in Euless, Texas, are the 8” Whoopee cushion and the 6” Whoopee cushion, according to Joe Nazarro, owner of the wholesale supplier.

These 6” guns transform potato pieces into flying pellets. When the tip is pressed into a raw potato, it breaks off a small piece that becomes ammunition. The harmless pellets can travel across a room. One potato can provide hundreds of shots.
— The potato gun can be taken apart for cleaning, but kids should be careful not to lose the spring, advises a “Kid Reviewer” on Amazon.com, who calls the gun “awesome!”
— The potato shooter was recommended as a great stocking stuffer by Mark Slotin, owner of Imagination Station in Spartanburg, S.C., because it’s inexpensive, small and fun.
— Popguns were also touted as fun stocking stuffers by retailers across the country.

These inexpensive PVC plastic dinosaurs are brightly colored and make an attractive counter display. Each of nine different packs include 12 dinosaurs.
— “Plastic dinosaurs from Ja-Ru,” said Joseph Baiocco, manager of Big Top of Scarsdale Inc. in Heathcote, N.Y. “There is a wide selection to choose from, they are a good size piece and it is a low-end priced item.”
— Plastic dinosaur figurines are a hit with boys, according to Jan Grimsley, owner of Trademarks in Little Rock, Ark.
— “Dinosaurs are always big,” agreed Debbie Scholl, owner of Fundamentally Toys in Houston.

Available in assorted colors, JA-RU adds its Flarp brand to this fascinating "goop" that makes its own distinctive sound and has its own distinctive texture.
— "We sell a lot of those," said John Beutler, associate at Tinkerz Toy Shop in Coeur D' Alene, Idaho, about Flarp Noise-Making Goop.
— Beutler told TDmonthly in summer 2007 that his store sells about two dozen cans of the Flarp Goop on a monthly basis.
— "We've branded the 'Flarp' name so that the quality of our product can be distinguished from other versions out there," said Russel Selevan, vice president at JA-RU.