July 2009 Notable Toys — Novelties

Designed by Been KIM, the DrinKlip is designed to clip right onto tables or desks in order to hold drinks securely without requiring surface space. It is available in a several different colors.

In extreme miniature, these multi-colored erasers are made to look like delicious gourmet cakes decorated with thick frosting and fruit slices. Each cake has six separate slices and comes in a round case. Four differently colored varieties are available.
― “The Iwako erasers seem to be a hot one,” said Pat Selby, owner of Calico Cat in West Bainbridge Island, Wash., about her top-selling items for girls in summer 2009.
― Deran Muckjian, owner of Catch a Falling Star, told TDmonthly in June 2009 that both locations of Catch of Falling Star sell 1,000 Iwako erasers per month.

SOGGS™ are half a dozen (six pairs) fresh, free-range socks. They are available in three different designs: with stripes, stars and plain. In every box with striped socks, there are six different, fresh-colored pairs of striped socks. The free-range socks are available in one size, suitable for ages 0 to 12 months. Launch date: 2005.

The Pocket Referee is a conflict resolution tool that comes in the form of a shiny gold coin. The Ref comes packaged with a protective pouch and handy carrying clip that allows kids to keep it close by. This powerful tool helps teaches kids how to work out conflicts on their own without the help of parents or guardians. When a conflict arises that can only have one resolution (which TV show to watch, where to go for dinner) the holder of the coin can choose to get her way, which means she'll pass the coin on to her counterpart for the next conflict, or she can choose to keep the coin and pass the current choice over to the other child. In all situations both kids win. Also available in antique brass for MSRP $9.95.
Awards: Summer 2012 Tillywig Award Winner

This play phone has soft touch keys, operator voice, and ringing tone. Includes 2 x AG13 (Button Cells) batteries.

This flat, flexible vase expands into a three-dimensional piece of art when filled with water, and stands upright while displaying flowers. Several designs are available in addition to this classic curved model. It has a tear-off top.

The Tornado Tube is a fun and educational toy! Create a tornado in a bottle and watch the the whirling vortex! Add colored water and glitter and enjoy both creative and educational play. Made in the USA.
— Mary Porter Green, owner of Curiosity Zone in Ashburn, Va., told TDmonthly in a March 2013 survey that they sell "dozens and dozens" of Tornado Tubes each month.

Each uniquely designed, 6" Kooky Klicker character pen features a name, birth order and numbered holographic sticker. There are hundreds of designs available, each topped with brightly colored stringy hair that bounces and springs when kids write. "Fresh new characters coming out monthly add to the collectibility of the brand. Kids always have to have the next new krew," Melanie Ghiz, marketing manager of Courage Brands Inc., told TDmonthly. Launch date: June 2009.

The Gyro-discs spin up to 1000 rpm. Just hold the 11" metal ring and strike the smaller, colored discs. As you rotate the ring, the discs begin spinning faster and faster, like mini-gyroscopes. At first, the challenge is to keep all the discs spinning. Once you can do this, there are several tricks and stunts to master.

This product features two front teeth and "is the only 100-percent edible Christmas Candy Teeth," Colin Leier, manager of Triple Alliance LLC dba Bubbagum, told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 2008.

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.

What if you could have four of America’s favorite classic toys packaged conveniently in one box? Well, you can! Look no further than the new Hall of Fame Toy Pack from POOF-Slinky®, Inc. This one-of-a-kind product contains the world's original metal walking spring toy the Slinky®, the world's #1 Yo-Yo the Duncan® Butterfly®, everyone’s favorite bouncy, stretchy, rubbery Silly Putty®, and a classic gold and green metal tin of Crayola® crayons. Each toy in this Hall of Fame Pack was picked for inspiring creativity and imagination in children and for being loved throughout generations. This, “USA Made”, pack of classic toys is great for kids, or the kid in you! All of these famous toys are inductees in the National Toy Hall Of Fame. For ages 5 and up.

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.

This yo-yo LEDs lights up with movement, creating a neat lighting in low-light conditions. The Light-Up LED Yo-Yo is available in red, blue, green, purple and clear, with two ultra-bright LEDs. It comes in sustainable, "try me" packaging. Launch date: July 2009.