January 2010 New Specialty Toys — All

This see-through tube features a collection of small river animals, all of which are phthalate free and sized from 1.5” to 3” H. It includes a beaver, bald eagle, snapping turtle, salamander, frog, snake, river otter, alligator, mallard and cottonmouth snake.

This zebra is part of Schleich’s extensive collection of wild animal figurines. Launch date: January 2009.

Darth Vader pilots this vehicle that first appeared in Episode IV: A New Hope. The original LEGO model debuted a decade ago, and this mold incorporates a new style, coloration and firing action. Includes Darth Vader and 250 other pieces.
— Two of 44 specialty retailers named LEGO when asked about overall best sellers leading up to Christmas 2009.
— Star Wars Legos are top sellers at the Toy Shop of Concord in Concord, Mass., Owner David Hesel told TDmonthly in late 2009.

Every time a player passes Go, he builds and watches a city come to life. Players choose what to build and compete as they collect rent like traditional Monopoly.  It features 80 3-D buildings and includes a game board, six movers, 22 District cards, 25 Chance cards, six Reminder cards, one Rent Dodge card, two dice, one money pack, one trading unit and instructions. It requires 2 AAA batteries (not included) and is for two to six players.

Rocky, “the hardest working truck on the block with the most engaging personality,” not only hauls like a dump truck toy; he also tells jokes and dances. Headlights light up and sensors allow him to interact with kids. Batteries are included.

This talkative dump truck says over 40 phrases and sounds. Sound recognition cues him to roll his tires when he's called, so that he starts moving when children want him. A storybook and batteries are included.

Battle Strikers combines hand skill and strategy to a game of defeating other players' tops. The eight-piece starter pack includes a Turbo Launcher, a magnetic Controller, and a Striker (top). Batteries are included. There are 16 different Strikers in the set. Extension packs with additional pieces are $4.99.

With a brand motto of “Be True! Be You!” the Moxie Girlz doll line pushes individuality, self-expression and courage to follow dreams. The Jammaz line shows the four key girls expressing themselves through music. There's a website the characters live in that provides more play opportunities. Launch date: Aug. 15, 2009.

This gun has the highest dart capacity of any toy Nerf has produced. The drum magazine holds 35 darts and has a clear window so the user knows when it’s getting low. Single or multi-shot modes allow variations on how it fires. It also includes an adjustable shoulder stock.

From the day the baby crawls through the archway to when she's walking up to it, there are plenty of activities. Shapes and objects can be counted, sorted, flipped and spun. Many activities trigger sing-along songs, lights, sounds and phrases. It requires 3 AA batteries and is suitable for ages 6 months and up.

This product is designed to teach children about music as well as art. As a child colors, music is played that matches the strokes of the crayon in speed. There's salsa, swing, country or rock tunes, plus toddlers can add layers of trumpet, guitar, piano and drums over the music.

Girls can decorate their dolls and the loft they live in. They drop colored PixOs onto the toys and spray them, making their styles permanent. The set boasts plenty of variation fueled by a child's creativity. Launch date: Fall 2009.

Surah, the lost one. Fate separated the sisters Surah and Sera, as one calamitous night Surah fell into the clutches of the princess of darkness.
— Schleich figures are top sellers at the Toy Shop of Concord  in Concord, Mass., Storeowner David Hesel said in December 2009. “They just put in a beautifully backlit displayer [at the end of October], and business has gone up 40 percent since,” he told TDmonthly.

Kids can make five shaggy canines with this kit that includes pipe cleaners, novelty yarn and materials for decoration, as well as instructions, style and grooming tips, and punch-out dog carriers. The book was written by Theresa Hutnick and Megan Smith.
— When asked about the best-selling arts and crafts items in her store, Amy Barrett, owner of Lasso the Moon Wonderful Toys in Helena, Mont., told TDmonthly, “Klutz books are definitely up there.”
— “All of the Klutz kits do really well,” said Julie Vaughan, manager of Village Toy Shop in North Easton, Mass., when asked of their top selling craft kits in January 2010.
— “Klutz books are still really, really popular,” said Steve Ellerhoff, manager of Finnegan's Toys and Gifts in Portland, Ore. Ellerhoff was one of five retailers, out of 48, who listed Klutz as their top-selling craft supplier at the beginning of 2010.

Wearing a soft, two-piece pastel outfit, Baby Stella has embroidered facial features, a belly button and a round tummy. She comes with a pacifier that magnetically attaches to her mouth.
― “I sell a lot of Baby Stella. She's so darn cute,” said Jean McCullough, owner of Children's Store Inc. in Boise, Idaho, when asked about best-selling dolls during a May 2010 survey.
― Four of 43 retailers told TDmonthly in late spring 2010 that Baby Stella is one of their best-selling dolls.
― Donna Frederick, owner of The Play House Toy Store in Durham, N.C., told TDmonthly in a May 2012 survey that Baby Stella is their best selling doll. "This is a good first doll for kids. They come in different skin tones, and they're not awfully expensive," she said.

The Pocket Laser Light Show has been designed for home use or take it outdoors — it's wireless. It's so portable it fits into the palm of your hand. Simply turn it on and watch as a spectacular array of laser light designs perform on your walls or ceilings. The most portable laser light show ever, the Pocket Laser Light Show is so small it can fit in your pocket. But don't let its size fool you; the Pocket Laser Light Show™ creates giant-sized light shows.

The Laser Kaleidoscope is not just a laser pointer; it's real holographic and laser technology combined to create an infinite star-like display of kaleidoscopic images that you control, at your fingertips.  All this power and still just the size of a pen; it even has a pocket clip. Use it anywhere you want a light show; it fills a whole room with kaleidoscopic moving images.

The Woodstock Kid's Accordian has true authentic sound and a 2-octave range in the key of C. The adjustable strap ensures a comfortable fit. Comes packaged in a 4-color gift box and includes a songsheet with instructions and 8 songs. Additional songs are available for download from the Woodstock Chimes website. "This children's instrument has true authentic sound and comes with detailed playing instructions and eight easy-to-play songs so your child (or you!) can play songs the first time you use it," Peggy Daniel, Web Development Director of Woodstock Chimes, told TDmonthly.

Sized just right for the next generation of pickers and strummers, the Woodstock Folk Guitar is a great kid's instrument at a really great price. It looks just like a full size guitar and comes with a guitar strap, pick and vinyl carrying case. Also included is an easy-to-follow instruction booklet that teaches how to hold the guitar, the basic guitar chords, and 11 songs. Additional songs are available for download from the Woodstock Chime website. "This realistic-looking guitar will make any child feel like a pro," Peggy Daniel, Web Development Director of Woodstock Chimes, told TDmonthly.
— "It was a newer item for us and they were gone shortly after Thanksgiving," Chris Cahalane of Cape Cod Toys told TDmonthly in 4Q 2010. “We sold about 8 or 10 in the last month.”

Tuned to a C Major scale, the Chimalong is an 8-note metallophone that can be played by number, color or notes. The youngest children will use the included 15-song songbook to play by color; older children can play by number. As they progress, they'll learn to read the music and play by note. Additional songs are available on the Woodstock Chimes website. Packaged in a 4-color window box. Comes with 2-mallets, 15-song songbook and an extra #7 tube, which changes the B (for key of C) to B flat (for key of G), giving greater musical flexibility. Chimalong is "recommended for its educational value by many professional musicians, including John Sebastian, Marilyn Horne, André Watts, Peter Schickele and the late Jim Henson," Peggy Daniel, Web Development Director of Woodstock Chimes, told TDmonthly. The Chimalong has received the following awards: 2003 Parent's Choice Top 25 Toys in 25 Years; 1995 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Classic Toy, Blue Chip Award; 1995 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Best Toy Award, Platinum; 1995 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Best Toy Award, Gold Seal; and 1987 Parent's Choice Gold Award. Launch date: 1986.
―  Karen Park, owner of Zaks Gifts in Manchester-by-the-Sea, Mass., only recently began selling Chimalongs, she told TDmonthly in 4Q 2010; she sells about four per month.
— Patti Tepper-Rasmussen, owner of Learning Tree Toys, Games & Books, Inc. in Oklahoma City, Ok.,  told TDmonthly in a January 2015 survey that the Woodstock Chimalong is their store's best-selling musical toy.

The Amazing Wave of Light Animatronic Dolphin is a work of art that combines lights, sound and movement. The visual experience is hypnotic, creating a relaxing tranquil environment for any room in your home or office. You can choose from three modes: 1) Watch it move in a well-lit room with the Sound & Movement Mode; 2) Bring it into the bedroom shut the light off and watch the Movement, Sound and Light Mode take over - completely relaxing you; 3) Simply use it in the Movement Only Mode (with no sound or light) and be mesmerized by the slow graceful movement of the Dolphin. The Amazing Wave of Light Animatronic™ Dolphin has a built-in Sleep Timer Mode; with the push of a button it can be set to turn off in a 30 minutes to one hour. Cons: One user reported that the dolphin's nose got stuck and wouldn't go back down.

This magical light show can be held in the hand. It includes 36 built-in light show patterns from super bright LEDs.  It's so portable kids can take it anywhere: parties, concerts, amusement parks ... anywhere they want to dazzle their friends! Even the batteries are included so they can enjoy their Light Show Stick immediately.

The Amazing Magnetic FridgiGears Deluxe Light Show Puzzle Gear Edition lets kids make creations light up & glow in the dark. Each gear is a puzzle that a child puts together to create a moving work of art. A rotating magnetic black light is included. The motorized picture frame gear powers all 20 gears with an easy "tap on/tap off" function. Included are over 103 black-light responsive magnetic fridgi puzzle pieces.

 Airzooka is a hand-held device that  blows a harmless "ball of air" towards any object or person. Laugh with amusement as, seemingly from nowhere, you are able to mess up someone's hair, ruffle their shirt or just plain blow them away! It's available in four blacklight-responsive colors: Blue, Green, Orange and Magenta.
― Out of 39 retailers who participated in an October 2009 survey of specialty retailers, two said the AirZooka is their best-selling item for tween boys.