June 2009 New Specialty Toys — Novelties

The objective of this product is to allow children as well as adults the opportunity to clearly allow others to see how they are feeling. Each wrist band has a character and a mood in writing that shows emotional states. These wristbands are designed as a fun way for kids to learn about emotions, colors and how to connect with themselves and others through feelings. "Moody Bands are an ideal tool to be incorporated in any school curriculum. This product is perfect for children, but what sets Moody Bands apart is that adults of all ages love them as well," Naif J. Faris, president of Moody Bands, told TDmonthly. Moody Bands received a 2009 Dr. Toy Best Children's Vacation Product Award, a 2009 Toy Man Award of Excellence, a 2009 Toy Man E-Choice Award, and a 2009 Toy Man Seal of Approval. Launch date: September 9, 2008.

Loofah-Art products are made with 100-percent all-natural loofah (a sustainable agricultural crop) and dyed with vegetable dyes, making them bio-degradable, eco-friendly, non-toxic and compostable. The whimsy of the designs aims to help encourage children to assist with the dishes and wash their fruits and vegetables. "The unique, whimsical designs that attract consumers to buy our products is what makes Loofah-Art stand out. Once the customer is attracted to that, the 100-percent natural fabrication as well as the practicality and functionality of our scrubbers performance create a winning combination!" Anita Liwette, creator and co-founder of Loofah-Art LLC, told TDmonthly. "Because of their natural fibers, they scratch absolutely nothing!" Launch date: January 25, 2009.

Loofah-Art products are made with 100-percent all-natural loofah (a sustainable agricultural crop) and dyed with vegetable dyes, making them completely bio-degradable, eco-friendly, non-toxic and compostable. "Because of their natural fibers they scratch absolutely nothing! The whimsy of our designs helps encourage children to assist with the dishes and wash their fruits and vegetables!" Anita Liwette, creator and co-founder of Loofah-Art LLC, told TDmonthly. Launch date: November 2004.

Loofah-Art products are made with 100-percent all-natural loofah (a sustainable agricultural crop) and dyed with vegetable dyes, making them completely biodegradable, eco-friendly, non-toxic and compostable. "The unique, whimsical designs that attract consumers to buy our products is what makes Loofah-Art stand out. Once the customer is attracted to that, the 100-percent natural fabrication as well as the practicality and functionality of our scrubbers' performance create a winning combination!" Anita Liwette, creator and co-founder of Loofah-Art LLC, told TDmonthly. This item was finalist for "Best New Product" at the New York Gourmet Housewares Show in October 2004. Launch date: May 2004.

Whenever there is an awkward pause, individuals can push the button on the key chain-sized theCRICKETtoy™ to hear "Chirp. Chirp." (crickets chirping). "There really is no other item out there like this designed for those awkward moments. It's a great conversation piece and it gets people asking, "Hey, where did you get that?" That's GREAT marketing and branding with multiple impressions throughout the week!" Jeff Anderson, owner of Kardandak Enterprises LLC, told TDmonthly. Launch date: November 5, 2008.

Chuckle Buddies are motion-activated rolling and laughing plush friends. Once activated, the Chuckle Buddy will roll around from side to side three or four times, filling the room with an hysterical, contagious laughter. Once he stops moving, an individual simply waves a hand in front of the sensor located directly above the eyes to reactivate. There's an on/off switch located on battery compartment. The product required 3 AA batteries (not included). A Dog, Monkey and Cat are currently available, and other styles are in development. Launch date: February 2009.

These frosting-flavored Cupcake Mints come in a 130-ct., 3"-tall tin. There are 36 shrink-wrapped tins in each illustrated display box. Launch date: July 25, 2008.

This set of seven mustaches is made specifically to accentuate feminine features. Each furry lip ornament has adhesive backing and is made of synthetic hair in a shade of pink. It comes on an illustrated blistercard. Launch date: April 2, 2009.

This 3"-tall disembodied head of Freud is made of soft foam rubber designed for squeezing. It can be kept in the car for stressful commutes and on the desk at work for those days when nothing seems to go right. It comes in a net bag with an illustrated header. Launch date: April 17, 2009.

Three-dimensional anaglyphic glasses are used for viewing print, movies, Web sites, games and computer applications in 3-D, defined as two views of the same subject (either moving or still) in contrasting colors and slightly offset for two different perspectives. These IYF (In Your Face) 3-D anaglyphic glasses are re-formulated and supercharged with red and cyan filters, designed to punch full four-color 3-D with depth-defying clarity without compromising colors, flesh tones and light. "With the phenomenon of 3-D movies and with all the new movies planned to be released in the next two years, you need to be prepared for the rush. More and more children are having 3-D movie-watching parties. Most DVD rentals only come with two glasses and only four are packed in a DVD when you purchase them," Mark Nidzgorski, director of retail for American Paper Optics, told TDmonthly. Launch date: June 2009.

When rolled gently, this colorful tin wheel returns to the user. It is available in a variety of designs.
— Schylling products were listed as top sellers at Melody’s Choices in Fayetteville, Ark., by Owner Steve Melody in spring 2009. He likes that the vendor has small toys that sell consistently.

When placed in water for 30 seconds, this compact package expands into a 12" x 12" cotton towel.
— “Toysmith offers lots of small, inexpensive toys that go out the door consistently,” Steve Melody, owner of Melody’s Choices in Fayetteville, Ark., told TDmonthly in spring 2009.

This battery operated nasal aspirator uses Disposable Reservoir Nozzle Pieces. Thanks to the disposables, no clean-up is necessary after use; just toss away the disposable (one per day). The disposable reservoir protects the inside pump from germs to guard against germ spreading, making Cleanoz a sanitary solution. Replacement tips are sold in boxes of 10. This product received a Creative Child Magazine Award 2008 and PTPA Media Award 2008. Launch date: February 14, 2008.

Follow the simple instructions on the back of the box and you will be rewarded with a lifelike brain gelatin dessert. The mold is 9" x 7" x 4" (22.7 cm x 17.8 cm x 10.2 cm) and made of non-toxic green plastic.  It comes in an illustrated window box.
— Mary Porter Green, owner of Curiosity Zone in Ashburn, Va., told TDmonthly in a December 2013 survey brain molds are one of their best-selling Halloween toys.

This cross-bow shoots large marshmallows up to 40 feet. Launch date: 4Q 2009.

Kids don't have to drive their parents up the wall anymore ... now they can transfer their energy straight to this super cool Gecko RC car. It can travel horizontally or vertically for fun in all dimensions. Launch date: February 2009.

These trendy cowboys (and cowgirl) add a little twist to the classic rubber duck. Four designs are available.
— “We have Cowboy Rubber Ducks from Schylling. People like the cowboy theme in Wyoming,” Dalene Lockhart, owner of Toy Town in Casper, Wyo., told TDmonthly in March 2006. She said she sells about six per month of this particular line of rubber duckies.
— Four of 64 specialty retailers told TDmonthly in spring 2009 that rubber ducks are a best-selling bath toy in their stores.

Powered by baking soda, this classic 1950s toy submerges and resurfaces over and over again.
—  “I sell around 25 a month,” Molly McMullin, owner of Twirl in Taos, N.M., told TDmonthly in March 2009.
— Five of 64 retailers named products by Toysmith when asked about best-selling bath toys in spring 2009.

Billions of people a year catch the cold. Now you can get one too. Kids of all ages and degrees of health can learn about the Common Cold with this cuddly 5" to 7" companion (about a million times the actual size of the virus). Also available are three tiny Common Colds in a Petri dish for 12.95 and a Giant Common Cold (15" to 20") will be available starting April 10, 2009. Launch date: 2006.

When placed in water, these animals grow to 600 percent of their size in two to three weeks. The series includes the following designs: Alligator, Clownfish, Frog, Manta Ray, Penguin and Shark. "These wonderful Growing Animals truly G-R-O-W! [They are] beautifully designed and packaged for an attractive presence at retail," Shelley Williamson, in sales and marketing for Warm Fuzzy Toys, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2009.

The base of the Rolling Earth Puzzle Bank is a savings bank with a screw-on cover. The Earth Globe is a puzzle. Place the globe on the base and nothing happens; however, place the magnetic jet airliner on the equator and the globe begins to turn as the jet circumnavigates the Globe. It runs on 4 AA batteries and comes assorted with light blue and dark blue globes. "People will be amazed by the simplistic magnetic science that makes the Earth turn. The motion is mesmerizing as the plane moves around the globe," Richard B. Freeman, VP of domestic sales for Fascinations Toys & Gifts, told TDmonthly. Launch date: May 2009.

These one-of-a-kind, handmade fabric friends are fair trade and stand 1.5" tall. They feature large mouths and variety of colorful designs.

Girls can decorate their lives with these 1" (2.5 cm) to 1-1/4" (3.2 cm) vinyl Shimmering Jewels Puffy Stickers. There are eight different fade-resistant stickers in each package, an illustrated plastic sleeve. Launch date: April 15, 2009.

The A-Rest-A-Pest product line includes the A-Rest-A-Pest Buggy, A-Rest-A-Pest Picture Book, and A-Rest-A-Pest Cage.

A-Rest-A-Pest Buggies are 5" x 8" in size, with larger and smaller sizes available. The Picture Book tells the story of how each A-Rest-A-Pest Buggy met each other.

All 20 A-Rest-A-Pest Buggies® (5"x8" in size) wholesale for $3.89 each
A-Rest-A-Pest Book wholesales for $4.95-7.95
Shipping and Handling fees apply.