May 2010 Notable Toys — All

A variety of designs are available in this pullback fighter jet collection from Daron.
— Katie Harris, manager of Key West Toy Factory in Key West, Fla., listed these planes as best sellers in May 2010. “Boys love to collect them,” she told TDmonthly. “They are affordable and fun toys that fit in any suitcase.”
— In a August 2014 survey, two out of 10 retailers told TDmonthly that die-cast planes were one of their best-selling die-cast toys.

These toy miner’s helmets come in a range of bright, fun colors, complete with an adjustable head lamp. They can be customized with a store’s logo.
— These miner’s helmets were listed as top-10 best sellers at Key West Toy Factory in Key West, Fla., in May 2010 by Katie Harris, manager. “They’re the perfect playtime accessory!” she told TDmonthly.

“Cosmo the Boat Cat” is created and illustrated by Key West artist Sherry Sweet Tewell and written by Marky Pierson. It follows her cat Cosmo as he goes on adventures in the Florida Keys.
— This book was listed as a top seller at Key West Toy Factory in Key West, Fla., in May 2010 by Katie Harris, manager. “It’s a story special to Key West, which is why people love it,” she told TDmonthly.

These 4” German Bavarian Bouncies come in many varieties of painted wooden animals and characters. They have a spring attached so that they continually bounce.
— Bavarian Bouncies were listed as a best seller at the Key West Toy Factory in Key West, Fla., in spring 2010 by Manager Katie Harris. “We carry over 20 different varieties,” she told TDmonthly. “Our favorites include the Pirate, Surfing Frog and Gator. They’re cute and unique items that you can’t find anywhere else, flown in from Germany.”

These hardwood classic yo-yos are assembled by Maple Landmark from domestic parts.
— Yo-yos with the Key West Toy Factory logo were top-10 best sellers at the store in May 2010, according to Manager Katie Harris. “These are classic items that everybody loves no matter their age,” she told TDmonthly. “Learning new tricks or practicing old ones with kids is perfect with the indestructible natural wood yo-yo we sell.”

From Ruffin Flag Company, these wooden painted slingshots come in several varieties, including a wolf, eagle and pirate.
— These slingshots were top sellers at Key West Toy Factory in Key West, Fla., in the late spring 2010, reported Manager Katie Harris. “These are the perfect gifts,” she told TDmonthly. “Pirates are loved here, and the unique wooden painted shot is fun for kids! Marshmallows make it safe at home, too.”

The 44 pieces in this kit from Elenco Electronics include a miniature motor and a working solar panel. Children can assemble six different machines and watch their creations come to life while learning how the energy in sunlight converts to powerful electricity. A detailed instruction manual is included with the kit.
― “I can't keep those in stock,” remarked Casey Sartain, buyer for Tutoring Toy in Salt Lake City, Utah, of Elenco's 6-in-1 Solar Kit. Sartain listed the 6-in-1 Solar Kit as his best-selling activity kit during an April 2010 survey of 48 storeowners.
— In a Fall 2013 survey, Kim Emigh, manager of e-commerce at Growing Tree Toys in State College, Pa., told TDmonthly that this solar kit is one of their best-selling science toys.

One of many adventure kits from Mighty World, the River Explorer set comes with two character figurines and a load of other accessories to stimulate kids' imaginations. The bright yellow, heavy-duty truck and trailer both have free-rolling wheels and are accompanied by a raft, boating and camping gear, and an alligator.
― “Our rack is empty right now, so they've been doing good,” Wallace Harvey, manager of Three Cheeky Monkeys in Los Angeles, Calif., told TDmonthly of Mighty World, which he listed as his best-selling playset during an April 2010 survey.

A classic heirloom project, the woven potholder, gets an overhaul in this informational, whimsical book from Klutz. The loom is provided, as well as a generous quantity of cotton-blend loops made specifically for the kit. Projects include potholders, a purse, a picture frame, a chicken and more. Detailed instructions and illustrations are provided.
― “I have a huge Klutz assortment. I really love it because the quality is so good,” said Amy Barrett, owner of Lasso the Moon Wonderful Toys in Helena, Mont., in April 2010.
― “Klutz always sticks out for me, as far as activity kits go,” said Janet Gessner, owner of Deep River Toy Company in Deep River, Conn., of her top-selling activity kits in spring 2010.
― Four of 43 retailers told TDmonthly in April 2010 that Klutz is a top-selling activity line in their stores.

With this 40-piece restaurant playset, little ones can design their pretend menus with many different pretend food items, and step into fully into their roles with a guest check pad, a waitress's apron and a hat. The table is set with menus, cloth napkins, cups, plates and flatware. The set, which packs into a carrying case, even comes packaged with two play credit cards.
― “The Sweetheart Cafe from Alex does very well,” said Lori Hershman, owner of Evan's Toy Shoppe in Camden, Conn., in spring 2010.
― Five out of 43 retailers who took part in an April 2010 survey of best-selling activity kits and playsets named Alex as their top supplier for this category.

Measuring 4” x 5” each, the three blank books are packed with markers and sticker accents. Kids create their own stories, photo albums, journals or anything else they can think of. The books are unlined to accommodate any style of contents imaginable.
― Three out of 43 retailers in an April 2010 survey listed Creativity for Kids as their top-selling provider of activity kits and playsets.
Awards: Dr. Toy 100 Best Children's Products - 2010

The Belisima Ballerina dress is made of stretch velvet, satin, organza and tulle — "darling fashion that matches your favorite Groovy Girls doll," Manhattan Toy Marketing and Sales Manager Julie Flann told TDmonthly.

This infant toy is based on the book by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault. The "Chicka Chicka Boom Boom"-themed soft stacker includes three alphabet stacking rings, plus a removable tree top to complete the coconut tree.

The goal in this Word Golf course is simple – complete each hole with as few strokes as possible. Strokes are calculated by the number of words it takes to finish a hole. Players can work against the course or compete against their friends. Word Golf is portable and is designed to be a fun way to expand vocabulary and spelling skills. "Word Golf combines the challenges and fun of a word game with the excitement of a round of golf!" All the King's Games Owner Kevin Greenberg told TDmonthly.

These adjustable 100-percent cotton toy straps allow parents to keep a child's favorite items on a seat or stroller. "Toy tossing has come to an end," Victoria Turner, president of Simply on Board, told TDmonthly.

This iron crib was designed to reflect a commitment to quality and attention to detail. It is made in the USA. "Experience, skill, and beautiful craftsmanship set Corsican Furniture apart," Corsican Furniture General Manager Jon Anderson told TDmonthly.

The Rubber Band Shooter Blaster Supreme shoots rubber bands when users loop one end of the band around the site and place the other into the expanded gripper area. It comes with 100 red rubber bands and can also be used as a pen.

Zoo Buds are zoo-themed, in-ear headphones. They come with three different ear tip adaptors for a custom, comfortable fit. Zoo Buds fit the iPod, iPhone and other 3.5mm plug-in devices, and are available in six styles.

Children can squeeze this pig's belly to launch soft foam balls. The harder the pig is squeezed, the farther it shoots. Six soft foam balls and a convenient carry net are included.

The Preschool Activity Pack for uses different textures to create activities.

The Preschool Activity Pack uses different textures to create activities.

These doll-sized toy buggies are styled in varying fabrics with true-to-life details and functionality. The toys are suitable for a doll sized 15" to 19." The activity center includes a quest umbrella buggy, nighttime travel cot with carrying case, daytime rocker and matching travel bag.

The doll-sized toy buggies are styled in varying fabrics with true-to-life details and functionality. The toys are suitable for a doll sized 15" to 19."

Thse doll-sized toy buggies are styled in varying fabrics with true-to-life details and functionality. Toys are suitable for a doll sized 1" to 19".