TDmonthly Magazine!
May 2014 | Vol. XIII - No. 5


Tools:


Top-10 Most-Wanted Bath Toys


With additional reporting by Chris Lundy and Brenda Ruggiero

Which bath toys are making a splash in specialty? Read below to find out! TDmonthly Magazine interviewed specialty retailers to find out which bath toys were best-sellers in their stores. Learn more about the Top-10 Bath Toys below.

*No manufacturer paid to be included in this article. All products listed were designated by editorial staff without regard to the company's relationship with TOYDIRECTORY.com/TDmonthly Magazine.




Age Range: 1 and up
Launch Date: March 2010
Gender: Boys And Girls
Category: Infant & Toddler
American-Made
Eco-Friendly



Designed for ages 6 months and up, this toy for bathtubs and mud puddles is made in the USA of recycled plastic milk containers. It floats, is equipped with a spout on the front for scooping and pouring water, and is free of BPA, PVC, phthalates and external coatings. It comes in packaging made of recycled or recyclable materials and featuring soy inks. Launch date: March 2010.
— In an April 2012 survey about bath toys, two of eleven retailers told TDmonthly the Tugboat from Green Toys was their best seller.
Kristen Dolle, Manager of Playthings Toy Shoppe in Louisville, Ky. named the Green Toys Tugboat as a best-seller in the bath category when surveyed by TDmonthly in late Spring 2011.
— Want this? As of 05/06/2011, this product was available for purchase at Playthings Toy Shoppe.
ToyDirectory Product ID#: 26560      (added 1/5/2010)
.
TD


Dropship Available?: (Log in to view)
MSRP: $9.99
Age Range: 3 and up
Gender: Boys And Girls
Category: Bath
Water Activities
Preschool



This shaving set comes with a 7-oz. can of Foaming Body Soap, plastic play razor, shaving brush, comb and an unbreakable, child-safe mirror. Awards: iParenting Media Award; Parents Magazine Best Toys of the Year, 2004.
— Retailers have been telling TDmonthly that Shaving in the Tub is a best-selling bath toy since 2007. Other Alex bath toys have been best-sellers in their category for several years as well.
— Shaving in the Tub was specifically named as a best-selling bath toy by three of 39 specialty toy retailers in spring 2007. Only six of 37 retailers surveyed didn’t mention Alex when asked about best-selling bath toys. In March 2009, four of 64 retailers told TDmonthly this product is a best-selling bath item in their stores, selling anywhere from half a dozen to two dozen units each month. Nine of 39 retailers cited it as a best-selling bath product in March 2010.
— As of 4/19/2012, this product had 4.5 out of 5 stars from 5 reviews on Amazon.com. Pros: Fun for younger kids; rinses easily; nice bonding activity for fathers and their kids. Cons: One reviewer said her child had fun with it once, but not a lot of creativity is involved and he lost interest the next time.
— Want this? As of 05/06/2011, this product was available for purchase at My Imagination Station.
ToyDirectory Product ID#: 12270      (added 4/10/2007)
.
TD


MSRP: $11.99
Specialty: Yes (as of 2013)
Gender: Boys And Girls
Category: Bath
Water Activities
Preschool



Rub-a-dub-dub, there’s a big duck in your tub. Schylling Toy Company believes that bigger is better, which is why this duck is 12” long from beak to tail. The Large Rubber Duck comes with an assortment of hats for virtually any occasion a child might have in mind: rain hat, bonnet and sailor’s hat.
— "Rubber duckies by Schylling" were bath best-sellers according to Tristan Hewitt, manager of Dragon's Toy Box in Seattle. Another agreed.
— Both retailers noted that ducky sales are sporadic throughout the year.
— Mike DiAndrea, manager of Hardware Toys/Big Smile Toys in Paoli, Pa., told TDmonthly in an April 2013 survey that they sell about 5 of this toy each month, making it a best-seller in the bath toy category.
ToyDirectory Product ID#: 12271      (added 4/10/2007)
.
TD


MSRP: $14.99
Specialty: Yes (as of 2013)
Gender: Boys And Girls
Category: Bath
Eco-Friendly
Preschool



Take the helm of the Green Toys™ Submarine for a nautical journey to help protect the planet. Submerge it underwater to explore the terrain at the bottom of the tub, and let it resurface to scan the horizon in search of the next earth-friendly adventure. Made in the USA from 100% recycled plastic milk jugs that save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, this sturdy watercraft features a spinning rear propeller, a flat bottom for added stability, and the classic handle and wide-mouth opening combination for plenty of scoop-and-pour fun. The cabin can be opened for easy cleaning, while the whole vessel is also dishwasher safe. No BPA, phthalates, PVC or external coatings, and also meets FDA food contact standards. Packaged with recycled and recyclable materials and printed with soy inks.
— Teresa Derry, owner of Annie's Toy Chest in Cocoa, Fla., told TDmonthly in an April 2013 survey that this was the store's best-selling bath toy.
— In a March 2015 survey, two out of 10 retailers told TDmonthly that Green Toys is their best-selling brand of eco-friendly toys.
— Taka Andrews, owner of Miller's Toys in Mamaroneck, N.Y., told TDmonthly in an April 2015 survey that the Green Toys submarine was one of their store's best-selling bath toys.
ToyDirectory Product ID#: 36154      (added 4/22/2013)
.
TD


Dropship Available?: (Log in to view)
MSRP: $6.49
Age Range: 2 and up
Gender: Boys And Girls
Category: Bath
Infant & Toddler



Colorful works of art can be created on someone’s tummy, or on the bathtub wall, using this set of six bathtub crayons. A duck-shaped sponge is provided to erase the “canvas” and start anew. “This is one of our top bath items,” said Elin Kabo, director of communications for Alex.
Cons: May stain some tubs (especially tile grout). Crayons disintegrate quickly in the water. One user said the crayons were much smaller than indicated on the package, due to being encased in a misleadingly long plastic holder. (Reviews from Amazon.com)
— Ten of 64 retailers named the Bathtub Crayons from Alex as a top-selling bath item, citing monthly unit sales of anywhere from six to 80 per month, in March 2009. Nearly 70 percent of the respondents named the Alex line in general, or a particular product from the range, when discussing best-selling bath toys.
— Eight of 39 retailers named this product a best-selling bath item in March 2010. Nearly 67 percent of retailers cited Alex as their No. 1 manufacturer for bath toys.
— Want this? As of 05/06/2011, this product was available for purchase at Doodlehopper 4 Kids
ToyDirectory Product ID#: 3964      (added 7/15/2005)
.
TD


MSRP: $14.95
Age Range: 2 and up
Gender: Boys And Girls
Category: Bath
Water Activities
Preschool



Includes 5 colors of soapy finger paint, a fish-shaped sponge for clean up and a hand-shaped palette to hold the paints. Safe, clean and fun for kids.
Awards: Dr. Toy’s Best Classic Toys for 2011
— In an April 2013 survey, two out of 12 retailers told TDmonthly that Paint in the Tub is one of their best-selling bath toys.
ToyDirectory Product ID#: 31867      (added 3/7/2011)
.
TD


MSRP: $24.99
Age Range: 3 and up
Gender: Boys And Girls
Category: Bath



The 3-in-1 Music Island includes three real instruments for the tub on a fish-shaped floating island. It's part of the famous Tub Tunes' line of bathtub musical instruments for toddlers. The Island includes a drum, xylophone and Octopus Jingle Shaker. It also comes with two mallets, music sheets and a music holder.
— “Alex is where it is at for bath toys. We sell at least two a week,” said Alison Cox, owner of Animal Quackers in Raleigh, N.C.
— “Alex bath toys do well, all of them. We especially do well with Tub Tunes,” Patricia Masing, co-owner of Tree Town Toys in Ann Arbor, Mich., told TDmonthly in March 2008.
— Five of 37 retailers cited the Tub Tunes' line as a hot-selling bath toy with customers in spring 2007. Thirty percent of 40 retailers who spoke with TDmonthly in March 2008 singled out this item as the best-selling bath toy in their stores.
— Want this? As of 05/06/2011, this product was available for purchase at Hardware Toys.
ToyDirectory Product ID#: 12269      (added 4/10/2007)
.
TD


SKU or Item #: 5013
Gender: Boys And Girls
Category: Bath
Infant & Toddler
Preschool



This squirter measures 9 cm in length and squirts water for bath time fun.
— In an April 2012 survey, Dean Smith, owner of JaZams in Princeton, N.J., told TDmonthly that they sell 2 dozen bath squirters from HABA each month.
— In March 2008, Nancy Barringer, owner of Jamie Two Coats Toy Shop in Shelburne, Vt., told TDmonthly that these “little squirters” are so popular that her store has been selling 20 per month since Christmas.
— Five percent of 40 retailers who spoke with TDmonthly in March 2008 singled out HABA toys as their best-selling bath toys.
— Many other varieties are available, including a sea horse, pirate, ship, frog and fish.
ToyDirectory Product ID#: 18655      (added 4/30/2008)
.
TD


Age Range: 1 to 3
Specialty: Yes (as of 2012)
Gender: Boys And Girls
Category: Infant & Toddler
Bath
Water Activities



For ages 6 months and up. The bathtub is baby's ocean. Set includes 13 toys in a floating boat; captain; life preserver; fishing hook & 4 ready-to-catch fish; 3 nesting cups that shower, stack & pour, octopus comb & whale nailbrush. Everything stows away below deck.
Awards: American Baby Toy of the Year Award.
— Mary Porter Green, owner of The Curiosity Zone in Ashburn, Va., told TDmonthly in a 2012 survey that their best selling infant & toddler products are from Toysmiths "B." line. "Though expensive, it has great packaging and is perfect for gift giving. Fish & Splish is an especially great product," she told TDmonthly. She also said this item was a best seller in the bath category.
ToyDirectory Product ID#: 34057      (added 4/6/2012)
.
TD


MSRP: $3.50
Specialty: No
Gender: Boys And Girls
Category: Bath
Water Activities
Preschool



Mr. Bubble Foam Soap will whip up bath time fun. Kids can use their imagination to make all kinds of fun shapes with silly floating foam. Safe and gentle, it washes thoroughly and leaves skin soft and smooth.
— Katie Roo, manager of Be Beep A Toy Shop in Columbia, S.C., told TDmonthly in an April 2012 survey about bath toys that they sell about a dozen units of Mr. Bubble Foam Soap each month.
— In an April 2013 survey about best-selling bath toys Kate Noreen, manager of MudPuddles Toys & Books in Sherwood, Ore., told TDmonthly that "Mr. Bubble stuff has sold really well. It's that classic name, but it's thick foam so it's really fun to play with."
ToyDirectory Product ID#: 34109      (added 4/20/2012)
.
TD




Justina HuddlestonWriter's Bio: Justina Huddleston graduated Magna Cum Laude from Emerson College with a BA in Writing, Literature, and Publishing in 2009. After graduating she was the on-site director of the Boston Children's Museum gift store for a year, selling educational, developmental, and creative activity toys that tied in with the museum's exhibits. Justina also interned at children's book publisher Candlewick Press before moving from Boston to Los Angeles, where she is now Editorial Director of TDmonthly Magazine. Read more articles by this author


THIS BANNER IS AN AD:






Back to TDmonthly's front page

Advertise on TDmonthly



Related Articles
·Top-10 Most-Wanted Bath Toys
(5/1/2015)
·Top-10 Most-Wanted Bath Toys
(5/1/2013)
·Top-10 Most-Wanted Bath Toys
(5/1/2012)
·Top-10 Most-Wanted Tween Toys
(11/1/2015)
·Top-10 Most-Wanted Construction Toys
(12/1/2015)
·Top-10 Most-Wanted STEM Toys
(1/1/2016)


Also See
·Halloween Toys For Toddlers and More 2021
(10/1/2021)
·Three VTech Toys Nominated as Finalists for Toy of the Year Awards
(11/1/2020)
·Better Family's Beebo receives first order from Burlington for their Baby Depot Outlets
(8/1/2020)
·Learn how one family worked together to bring their toy to market
(9/1/2015)
·2014 ABC Must-Sees
(9/1/2014)
·Videos from the 2014 ABC Kids Expo
(9/1/2014)
















Advertisement: