January 2011 Notable Toys — Tween

Players form words with the letters in their hand. They add a letter, build a new word, and capture their opponent's word, all in one turn. Players score points and earn 'royalties' for words of all one color. The player with the most points at the end of the game wins. "Gameplay allows players to capture cards to build bigger, better words," Lynn Araujo, communications director for U.S. Games Systems, told TDmonthly. Launch date: May 2008.
Awards: A Games 100 Selection (2008, 2009, 2010)

Aurora's 14 all-new 12.5-inch sassy Mood Monkeys allow tweens and teens to express who they really are. The 14 styles include Book Worm, Catty, Soo Silly, Bad Hair Day, Chatterbox, Boy Crazy, Sweet Tooth, Ray of Sunshine, Oops Clumsy, I Love Shopping, Giggly, Sleepyhead, Party Girl and Spa Girl.

This historical fiction/fantasy mash-up explores romance and the afterlife, set during the chaos of the Russion Revolution. Offering an imaginitive explanation for the whereabouts of Princess Anastasia and Prince Alex when the rest of their family was murdered, author Laura Whitcomb creates a world in between worlds where Calder, a Fetch, attends the dying and excorts souls to heaven. This romance with Christian themes escalates when Calder and the young royals are pursued by the malicious Rasputin and a host of lost souls.  Ultimately, goodness and love prevail. This book received a Booklist starred review

The Connectors are the new "Connectable and Collectible" silicone string bracelets that can interlock to form various fashion accessories. Made from stretchy, hypoallergenic silicone, kids can use these 7 inch long multicolored strings alone or connect several together. The Connectors come in packs of four in a variety of colors and patterns. Variations include translucent Crystal Connectors and Team Spirit Connectors in all color combination that show team pride.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid has become a phenomenon.  It started online and then moved to the The New York Times best-selling book series by author/illustrator Jeff Kinney. The first of two 20th Century Fox movies was released in early 2010, with a second due out in spring 2011. Wimpy Kid Greg even flew fly high in the 2010 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade for the first time. In this latest book, Greg Heffley is having second thoughts about growing up fast. Greg suddenly finds himself dealing with the pressures of boy-girl parties, increased responsibilities, and even the awkward changes that come with getting older—all without his best friend, Rowley, at his side. Can Greg make it through on his own? Or will he have to face the “ugly truth”? Hardcover, 224 pages.

This patent-pending version of an elastic bracelet takes it to a whole new level – perpendicular to the wrist. Piggybacks, “The Bandz That Stand™" have incorporated a mini shaped band that “piggybacks” on top of the traditional shaped rubber band allowing, the top shape to be easily seen when placed on the wrist. A Piggyback Bandz looks similar to many other band bracelets until you slide it on your wrist and watch it stand at attention, upright. The bandz can be layered with one, two or a half-dozen more to create a word, a secret code, a design or whatever the imagination whips up.

Bestie Buds can show their bestie love with bestie necklaces based on sweet treats. There are nine adorable sets available, including peanut butter & jelly, milk & cookie and ice cream & cake. "We also have 2 charms on each necklace instead of the old style which is just one of each," Darcee Matlen, President of VioletGumDrop, told TDmonthly.

A winning design from High Intencity's Design-A-Charm contest, the Peace Love and Happiness charm was designed by Emily R. from Pleasantville, NY and rendered in vibrant detail in an enamel charm measuring approximately one inch.10 % of the proceeds from the sale of this charm will go to the World Wildlife Fund on behalf of its designer.
— “Charm It! works really well in this area,” said Blanche Snipes, owner of Tree Top Toys in Redmond, Wash., when asked about her top-selling items for tweens.
— Two of 44 retailers listed Charm It! as a best-selling item for tweens during a September 2010 survey.
— Katie Rook, manager of Be Beep A Toy Shop in Columbia, S.C., told TDmonthly in an October 2011 survey that High Intencity charm bracelets are their best selling tween item.
— Dean Smith, owner of JaZams in Princeton, N.J., told TDmonthly in a Summer 2012 survey that they sell between 40 and 50 Charm It! charms each month.

This Lip Balm kit can make up to 10 all-natural lip balms. Kit contains 2 bottles of essential oils, Shea butter, Safflower oil and Beeswax. To create the lip balm, the beeswax, safflower oil and shea butter are melted together over a stovetop or microwave followed by the addition of the essential oils. Lip balms are ready to use in 30 minutes.
— In a December 2012 survey about bestselling toys, Candace Gooch, owner of At Once All Agog in Limerick, Maine, told TDmonthly that they sell about 10 lip balm kits each month.

The Perfume Making Kit can produce 10 all-natural perfumes. To create the perfume requires a mix of perfume base, beeswax and safflower oil and choice of essential oils for custom scent. Perfumes are ready in 60 minutes.

The Soap Making Kit contains enough materials to create 16 SLS free, glycerine soap pieces. Kit includes 2 blocks of glycerine soap, 2 bottles of essential oils, 1 soap mold, stirring spoons, and dropper all in a zippered bag. Soap can be ready for use in 60 minutes.

With the Bath Fizzie Making Kit, one can make their own natural bath fizzies. The kit contains 3 jars of Secret Formula, 2 bottles of essential oils, safflower oil, witch hazel, and a soap mold. Ingredients are pre-measured. Bath Fizzies are ready within the next day.

Screen with words that have many different sayings. Over 20 different words, these are in tie dye or solid color colors and they glow in the dark.

Star Wars fans are likely to have this remote controlled Millennium Falcon on the top of their wish list.  It is very lightweight and takes a certain amount of practice to get it to fly well. It's not the type of toy that you can hand off to your 8 year old and they will be good to go right from the start.  That said, tween and teen testers really liked adjusting the trim and working on their own ability to work the remote control.
Awards:  Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Best Toy Award, Gold Seal, 2010.

Two 7" square wooden shadow boxes with plexi-glass windows come with paints, colored paper, foam squares and shapes that kids can use to make a three dimensional design. Another way to go, paint the frames and have kids make a 3-D setting with mini-toys that fit in the space.
Awards:  Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Best Toy Award, Gold Seal, 2010.

MOGO charmbands let girls link together different magnetic charms for nearly endless possibilities. Each band is made of durable nylon and contains eight silvertone charm holders.
— In September 2010, three of 44 specialty retailers cited MOGO products as a best-selling jewelry and accessory item. The same month, Jenny Bramhall, owner of Dandelion Toys in Fort Collins, Colo., told TDmonthly, “people are really attracted to them - buying them, and then coming back and buying them as gifts.”
— Elmer Carranza. assistant manager of Doodlehopper 4 Kids in Falls Church, Va., told TDmonthly in an October 2011 survey that they sell "a good dozen or two" MOGO bracelets each month.
— Joe Berardoni, owner of Pun's Toys in Bryn Mawr, Pa., told TDmonthly in an October 2011 survey that MOGO Bracelets are one of their best selling tween items.