The Diego character name tag, available in two different character poses, is perfect for attaching to back-to-school items, such as backpacks, lunch boxes, duffle bags and coats. Each oval tag reads, “Hola, My Name Is,” followed by a line underneath where the child’s name can be printed. The tag also comes with an oversized clip for ease of use. Dora the Explorer and Thomas and Friends varieties are also available.

Introduced in 1962, the Chatter Telephone was designed with a rotary dial to teach children how to dial a phone. Today’s Chatter Telephone makes children smile just the same with eyes that roll up and down, and a dial that rings. This friendly phone was re-introduced for a whole new generation of children to enjoy.
— Reproductions from Fisher-Price have been named as hot sellers since 2005 by the specialty retailers that talk to TDmonthly.

— Mike DiAndrea, manager of Hardware Center Inc., reported to TDmonthly sales of about 40 Chatter Telephones per week in November 2009.

In preparation for the anticipated 2007 Transformers movie, this keychain transforms from robot to vehicle and features a classic Transformer character. Brawn, Windcharger and Cliffjumper are also available. “The play value of these products, in a licensed format and with a price point of under $5.00, gives them a lot of appeal to any retailer or consumer,” Jenn Devine of Basic Fun told TDmonthly. Launch date: January 2007.

The original Atari Plug n Play now comes in a miniature, take-along keychain form. Basic Fun has miniaturized these classics for take-along gaming anytime or anywhere there’s a TV. Featuring the classic Atari paddle and the original joystick controllers, these mini units come complete with favorite retro games like Pong, Breakout and Warlords (for paddle version), and Asteroids, Centipede, Millipede and Missile Command (for joystick version). Kids can plug them in at home or in the car, or bring them over to a friend’s house for hours of retro game play. Each unit comes complete with a separate pocket-sized reel that holds six feet of cord and RCA jacks. Powered by 3 AAA batteries (not included).

Kids can have a blast with the Gigglator — the electronic voice and sound toy. Roll, shake, twist and slide Gigglator up, down and all around to distort 12 pre-recorded crazy sounds. Pre-recorded sounds include funny phrases, laughs, belches and wacky sound effects. Kids can even record and distort their own voice, music, or any sound. They simply hold the top of the Gigglator about 6" from the source of the sound and press the record button. Then they can Gigglate the recording! Shake, rock and turn to make the sound high and low pitched, fast and slow, or short and long. More than a giggle, it’s hilarious and simple to use.

Already popular in Japan, the basic, colorful “head” pods of Pontiki are only 1” to 2” long. Mini-geometric parts are stored inside the pods and can be used as hands, feet or eyes.
— Pontiki has an officially licensed “Franny K. Stein” version, based on the popular book series by Jim Benton.
— “The sets build on each other,” explains Sandy Friedman, owner of Accipter in Raleigh, N.C., where the toy is selling very well.
— “They’re an impulse item,” says Wendy Kramer, manager of Big Fun Toys in Hoboken, N.J. She keeps them by the counter for quick sales.

Squirting toys are on almost everyone’s top-10 list. This squirt toy is a miniature water pistol based on the Super Soaker by Larami. Attached to a keychain, it’s approximately 4” long.
— The manufacturer claims this mini item can squirt water up to 20'.
— Squirtable disappearing ink is a favorite at Uncle Fun in Chicago, says Alicia Bobheck, chief fun officer of the store.
— Other squirt toys include squirting cameras, calculators, ice-cream cones and even a toilet, while the squirting rose is still a favorite, says Mother Elf of Unnecessary Necessities in Queen Creek, Ariz.

This affordable train comes with an innovative track system that can be broken down into easy-to-assemble tiles. Sets have interchangeable, interlocking pieces that encourage group play. The engine and pull car design incorporate new MICRO styling, plus the technology of "kit/bit" racing car assembly, which makes it easy to pack up the train and take it anywhere. The trains are battery operated.