March 2012 New Specialty Toys — Tween

A super-soft chenille plush folding stuffed animal.  Starts out as a plush pal, then un-velcro its belly, and it quickly becomes a pillow. The line includes a neon dog, neon monkey, and a neon hippo. 18" (mini 11 inch also available). Launch date: 2012.

Kids can just tear, stick, and wear. Create unique duct tape fashions using the fluorescent and animal print tape and easy templates included in this fun Alex kit. Get all "duct" out in colourful rings, bracelets, necklaces, earrings, headbands, brooches, belts and more. Includes 8 rolls of duct tape (2.74 metres each) and other items needed.
Awards: 2013 TDmonthly Seal of Approval
— In a Summer 2012 survey, Deran Muckjian, owner of Catch a Falling Star in Lexington, Mass., told TDmonthly that "anything Alex releases that has to do with duct tape" becomes a best seller at his store.
— In a Fall 2012 survey, two out of 12 retailers told TDmonthly that duct tape kits from ALEX were their best selling hobby item.
— In a December 2012 survey about bestselling toys, four out of 12 retailers said that Duct tape kits from Alex were their bestselling Arts & Crafts toy.

Hot Duct Tape Fashion - 54 Feet of Tape. Tear, stick and wear. Kids can use these hot colors to make fun creations- belts, headbands, glasses, a purse and more.
— In a March 2012 survey, 2 out of 12 retailers told TDmonthly that Alex was a best selling brand. "Alex has about 4 SKU’s that are selling as fast as they come in. They have only been here for a month but we have sold dozens of them," Joe Berardoni, owner of Pun's Toy Shop in Bryn Mawr, Pa., told TDmonthly. He specifically mentioned that the new "Duct Tape" line is doing well.

It's all about you in this 96-page, fun-filled activity book. Covers flip from one colorful image to another. "Along with the lenticular covers these activity books are creative and hip," Jennifer Kamen, general manager of Iscream, told TDmonthly. Launch date: January 2012.

The Groovy Girls Sparkeltastic Jewelry Set lets kids create their own personalized jewelry, show off their creative side and get shimmerin'. Kit includes 3 plastic bracelets, 3 plastic pendants, 6 tubes of sparkly glitter, 3 colored cords, 8 different glamtastic gem styles in plastic spin wheel dispenser, felt work mat and an instruction sheet. Each pendant and bracelet has a sticky texture once the protective sheathe is pulled off making it easy to adhere glitter and jewels. Launch date: January 2012.

Kids will explore the magic of crystal chemistry as they design and grow their own crystal ring. They will discover the secrets of crystal chemistry, learn to make sugar jewels and find out which household salts make the best crystals using the included magnifying glass to study them. Launch date: 2012.

This plush item is based on the real life Boo, a Westminster Dog Show champion who has more than 3 million Facebook fans. Launch date: April 2012.
— In a May 2012 survey, Joe Berardoni, owner of Pun's Toys in Bryn Mawr, Pa., told TDmonthly that "Normally I would tell you a line of plush sells well rather than an item but this past month there has been a standout. We quickly sold out of a dozen of 'Boo' from Gund, the Westminster Dog Show winner. I have more on order."
— Greg Larson, owner of Larson's Toys and Games in Columbus, Ohio, told TDmonthly in a late Summer 2012 survey that Boo from Gund is one of their top-two bestselling novelty items.

Create the hottest hair trend with these temporary hair coloring chalks. The uniquely designed Hair Chox and grips make applying color fun and mess-free.  Wild color that washes out. Includes 5 temporary hair color chox, 5 grips, 24 beads, 24 rubber bands and bead threader. Launch date: February 2012.

For Young Fashion Designers! Choose a border from transparency pages. Then place the trace paper over any of the hairstyles, shirts, skirts, shoes and accessories. Use the colored pencils (included) to create unique fashion styles. The possibilities are endless.
Each spiral bound book includes 8 colored pencils in a re-sealable pouch, 16 pieces of trace paper with colorful borders and 10 pages of traceable clothes, shoes and accessories.

For Young Fashion Designers! Choose a border from transparency pages. Then place the trace paper over any of the hairstyles, shirts, skirts, shoes and accessories. Use the colored pencils (included) to create unique fashion styles. The possibilities are endless. Each spiral bound book includes 8 colored pencils in a re-sealable pouch, 16 pieces of trace paper with colorful borders and 10 pages of traceable clothes, shoes and accessories.

Clips on to most kinds of footwear, backpacks, handbags, gloves, hats, and scarves. Quick and easy to attach and remove, comfortable and fashionable to wear. Instantly adds glamor and dazzle to girls' favorite looks. Available in a variety of colors and styles.

Kits include two Shains matching bracelets packaged with 100 multi-colored elements comprised of 75 letters, ten numbers and 15 icons. Matching bracelet colors can be specified, or can be mixed using any two of Shains’ 25 colors.

Young fashionistas get to design their own outfits, makeup, hairstyles, and accessories with our 75 pages of lightly printed outlines of faces, figures, and fashionable extras. The grand finale to the fashion show is the Look Book portfolio of keepsake album pages with die-cut frames, perfectly sized to display their best work. Launch date: August 2011.