March 2009 New Specialty Toys — Novelties

The Pilloroo is the pillow with the surprise pouch. Each pillow has a zippered pocket at the top that opens to a hidden pocket big enough for a small toy, book or remote control. The pillow is stuffed just enough so kids can’t feel the toy from the outside. There are eight themes for girls and eight themes for boys. Each Pilloroo comes with a toy that coordinates with the theme. "The Pilloroo is the best hiding spot for kids!" President Vicky McQuoid of Pilloroo Designs told TDmonthly. This product received a 2008 Mom's Best Award. Launch date: September 2008.

These tiny helicopter erasers come in four colors.
— “We have been selling those really, really well,” Michelle Smith of Piccolo Mondo Toys told TDmonthly of Iwako erasers in fall 2008. “It’s amazing how many people are driving across town for these things because they heard we have them.”
— "We sell 5,000+ pieces a month" of the Iwako erasers, estimated Bill Sartain, co-owner of Tutoring Toy in Salt Lake City, Utah, in early 2009.

This costume comes complete with a deluxe, oversized mask with helmet that allows the user to gain an extra 12" in height by looking out of the neck. The costume also comes with hand/arm extenders, Sasquatch feet, muscle-suit padding and an attached latex chest piece. Launch date: 2009.

The Marine Life Grow-a-Head assortment includes goldfish, crab, penguin, leopard and tiger styles. Kids just add water and watch them grow "hair," or grass. It's a "great educational tool with info about plant biology, seed germination and more," Lori Wrubel, national sales manager for Sourcing International LLC, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2009.

PakNaks are decorative accessories that transform plain backpacks, bags and other stuff into personalized, ever-changing, colorful works of art. With more than 40 designs that are interchangeable, weather resistant and quickly and easily adhere (no ironing, sewing or pinning!), PakNak makes changing style easy, especially since they stick on with super-strong, custom, self-adhesive Velcro. PakNaks make terrific birthday party giveaways, tooth fairy leave-behinds, incentives, gifts, luggage identifiers and more. The newest designs are made from recycled plastic and are phthalate free. Launch date: January 8, 2007.

The Wildlife Animals Grow-A-Head Collection includes five styles: parrot, elephant, panda, leopard and tiger. Kids can just add water and watch them grow. Launch date: 2009.

These mini suede duffle bags are perfect for keys, coins and other small items. "Each bag is handmade and available in 13 distinct, unique colors of suede," Juniper Guerrero, owner of Tigo Gifts Inc., told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2009.

This colorful, translucent ball rattles when bounced.
— "I like that they have such a large selection of merchandise. They have a low level for free freight,” Fred Gross of Multi Kids Toys Inc. in Boca Raton, Fla., said of Toysmith in fall 2008, when 19 percent of 52 retailers named the company as one of their favorite vendors.

Ghosts, pumpkins and black cats can be found in this spooky collection of six glow-in-the-dark tattoos.
— Three of 52 retailers named items by Dover when asked by TDmonthly about best-selling Halloween items in fall 2008.
— Teresa Derry, owner of Annie's Toy Chest in Cocoa, Fla., told TDmonthly in a Winter 2012 survey that glow-in-the-dark tattoos were one of her Halloween bestsellers.

This set of three frightful characters move along when their string is pulled. Each is between 4.5” and 5.5” tall.
— Three of 52 retailers told TDmonthly in fall 2008 that Gund items sell well for Halloween in their stores.

Kids can flip this 2.25”-diameter Poppin’ Hopper inside out and watch it launch into the air.
— Three of 52 retailers mentioned Toysmith novelties when asked about popular Halloween items in their stores, in fall 2008.

Filled with tiny pellets that represent an outdoor sports field, this version of Find It contains more than 40 items that cover more than 35 sports. Things to find include a basketball hoop, football, boxing glove and jet ski. Launch date: Fall 2008.
— Mary Porter, owner of The Curiosity Zone in Ashburn, Va., sells “a dozen or so a month” of the Find It games, she told TDmonthly in spring 2009.
— Two of 64 retailers cited Find It Games when asked about best-selling travel toys in March 2009.

Mix and match your empty favorite beverage bottles to make this personalized lamp. Your glass recyclables will be glowing in no time. The lamp is packaged in a gift box.

A trash bin that is always happy to serve you. Includes a cleverly designed lid to hide away the rubbish. Size approx. 11"H x 8.5"W (at top)

Fresh and fruity mini lip gloss popsicles. So sweet in every way possible. Individually sealed and packed in 36 Piece canister. Each approx. 2"L x 1"W x .5"D

Have an out of this world good time with our wacky flyers. Flip & fly tossing with no hard edges makes catch and play fun for all! Available in 4 brightly assorted colors. Packaged individually in blister pack. Floppy flyer approx. 7" Diameter