October 2008 Notable Toys — All

Crack the Code and Score the Gold: Only a true mastermind could pull off a caper like this. One vault door is the only thing standing between you and a much-deserved treasure. Will you play your cards right and be the first to open the vaunted vault? It’s a game of numbers as you use special Tool cards to beat your opponents and crack the code. So don’t play it safe. Get crackin’ and bust those codes. "This is a NEW card game that is fun for both parents and children alike," said Katie Hemlock, marketing specialist at Fundex Games, Ltd. "The action cards in the game give players a leg up on their crafty competition, including The Master Key, Double Cross, Thieves’ Curse. And the Bamboozled card will really toss a monkey wrench in their plans." Launch date: 2/2/2009.

Ten easy-to-understand phase cards help children identify what they are collecting each round. Scoring is simple: The first to collect what is shown on their phase card wins. Clear colors, numbers, shapes and kids' favorite "Sesame Street" characters make collecting easy. There are two levels of play: younger kids match three things, and older kids match four things in classic Phase 10 play. "This game expands on the worldwide popularity of Phase 10 and brings the game to a younger audience. Children love the "Sesame Street" characters, which during game play help them to learn colors, shapes and numbers," Katie Hemlock, marketing specialist for Fundex Games, told TDmonthly. Launch date: April 2008.

A high-quality bead loom from Alex puts the ability to make highly detailed, complex beaded designs right in kids' fingers. The kit includes more than 2,000 beads and instructions along with the loom itself.
- “We do some kits by Alex, to make your own beads,” said Dean Nelson, owner of Wizard Kids Toys in Toledo, Ohio, when telling TDmonthly about his best-selling jewelry in early fall 2008.
- “We do sell jewelry craft kits,” added Heather Rounds, buyer for Smart Kids Company in Greenwich, Conn. She listed Alex among her store’s top sellers when it comes to jewelry and accessories.

This kit is designed to give the feet a real spa experience. Girls can soak their feet in the inflatable pedicure pool with included confetti soap, file and buff their toenails, and then create interesting nail designs with three colors of nail polish and sparkly rhinestones. The set also comes with pink spa slippers, toe separators and a handy tote to keep it all together when not in use.  
- “The Pretty Pedicure kit from Creativity for Kids. That’s a great set,” said Janet Gregory, owner of Over the Rainbow Toys in Anchorage, Alaska.
- Linda Laramy, owner of Cracker Jacks in Easton, Md., told TDmonthly she sells about 40 Creativity for Kids kits every month.
- Twenty-four percent of 51 retailers surveyed in September 2008 said fashion-related products accounted for their best sellers to tweens.

This book allows girls to create their own poseable fairy dolls that feature petal dresses and flowing floss hair. Supplies to make 12 posey pixies are included, and the book is written by Rachel Haab.
- “Girls love Klutz; [it] sells constantly,” Jeanne McCullough, owner of Children’s Store Inc. in Boise, Idaho, told TDmonthly.  
- “Klutz is No. 1 by far,” said Ron Banducci, co-owner of Games Unlimited in Danville, Calif., when telling TDmonthly about best-selling items for tweens in fall 2008.
- “[Tweens] want to make something,” said Diana Gisolfi, co-owner of Sister’s Kids in Springfield, Mass.

This is the very first item based on Dexter, the star of the hit CBS/Showtime television series by the same name. A blood-splatter expert for the Miami Police Department by day, Dexter spends his nights murdering other serial killers. Now this so-called "good guy" is available in 7" bobble head form. He's made of resin and would love to make the world a safer place. Launch date: September 15, 2008.

This product combines Dowling's most popular magnets in one fantastic kit that includes one each of a 1" horseshoe, a 2" horseshow and a 2" bar magnet, plus a tube of iron fillings and steel shapes. "This product makes science fun. With something as classic as a magnet, you can really get the whole family involved in play and learning," Jessica McCulligh, in marketing at Dowling Magnets, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2008.

The Fashion Illustrator kit from Fashion Angels contains everything young designers need to make a portfolio of their own original clothing designs.  The kit includes double-tipped artist markers, colored pencils, fabric swatches and a design workbook along with techniques to help kids learn how to represent their fashion ideas realistically on paper.  Whether starting from the design guide included with the kit, or dreaming up something totally new, the Fashion Illustrator is a place to capture all those innovations with the right tools and skills.  
— “Fashion Angels… the line is pretty diverse.  We sell a couple dozen every month,” said Jenny Thomas, owner of Applause! Give Your Kids a Hand in Bracebridge, Ontario, Canada.
— Theresa Oppenheimer, owner of Toy World in Chanhassen, Minn., said in early fall 2008 she sells “mostly Fashion Angels” to tweens in her store.
— “A lot more fashion items are popping up,” remarked Kim Emigh, VP of e-commerce at Growing Tree Toys in State College, Pa.

This Betty Boop figurine wears a sleek, black evening gown. The company offers a full collection of Betty Boop items, including T-shirts, jewelry boxes, pens, clocks and more. Launch date: September 1, 2008.

This journal includes a light-up pen that attaches securely to the cover, making it perfect to keep on a bed-stand to record dreams or late-night inspirations, or just settle down for some quiet time before catching some shut-eye. The kit includes a pen, a 100-page journal and a small information booklet on dreams and creative inspiration.
— Lauren Obenour, manager of Green Frog Toys in Portland, Ore., noted in fall 2008 that her top sellers to tweens tend to be “diaries and kits from Creativity for Kids.”
—  “Arts and crafts have consistently been one of the three best departments in the store since we opened,” said Gregory Sahagian, owner of Learning Express of Beverly in Beverly, Mass. “This age [tweens] also favors journals.”
— Eight percent of 51 storeowners said they consider diaries and journals to be top sellers for tween-aged children.

By toy designer Maria Sarmiento, these vinyl, 2.5" figurines have articulated heads and are single-boxed. The first series features 10 characters (Super K, Kumaniac, Graphitti, Nippon, Metal Kiss, Geek, Polar Madness, Samurai, Love and YII). The limited edition line contains only 500 units per character. Launch date: December 2, 2004.

Also known as urban vinyl, Gonks have a high bounce-ball head and poseable arms. Standing 3" tall, each has its own name and personality. The collection of art toys includes Flipps, Slick, Binko, Be-Bop, Bernie and Bonko. Gonks combine "super-unique urban vinyl and distinct artwork," Kate O'Donnell, sales and marketing assistant for Schylling Toys, told TDmonthly. Launch date: April 1, 2008.

This whimsical jewelry box is painted on all sides with rich watercolors in a scene out of a fairy tale. The main chamber hides a dancing prince and princess that twirl as the enclosed music box plays when the lid is open. The box features a divided, flocked tray, a large drawer in the bottom, and smaller drawers that come out of the sides for sorting out various treasures.
— “Jewelry boxes … the top seller comes from Enchantmints,” David Ekwall, owner of The Wooden Toy in Wethersfield, Conn., told TDmonthly in September 2008 when speaking about best-selling products for tweens.
— “Musical jewelry boxes by Enchantmints,” agreed Diana Nelson, owner of Kazoo & Co. in Denver, Colo., who sells more than two dozen a month. “[They’re] very nostalgic.”
— These music boxes were best sellers at Twirl Toystore & Playspace in Taos, N.M., in early 2009, according to Owner Molly McMullin. “Grandparents love to give these to their granddaughters … a classic we remember receiving as kids,” she said.

This fluffy white horse comes with a special code kids can use to access Webkinz World online.
— Kathy Mabry, owner of The Village Toy Shop in North Easton, Mass., told TDmonthly that Webkinz continue to be a top seller for her store. She reported sales of hundreds every month in early fall 2008.
— “Ganz’s Webkinz — they're still selling well here,” said Linda Laramy, owner of Cracker Jacks in Easton, Md., when asked about best-selling items for tweens. “They’re still very popular.”
— Webkinz was on the top-10 best-seller list at Pun’s Toy Store in Bryn Mawr, Pa., in October 2008. “Although not the sellers they were before, they still present the greatest play value in our industry,” Owner Joe Berardoni, Sr., said.

This 89-piece set measures 3.5” tall and includes a functional mast and forks that lift a cargo pallet. Please check with LEGO directly to see if this particular item is available for the specialty market.
— “Lego's been a big huge boost,” Ron Banducci of Games Unlimited told TDmonthly in early fall 2008 when discussing hot-selling tween items.
— “The kids like the challenge of building all the pieces,” said Linda Kapnick, owner of Ambassador Toys in San Francisco.
— Twelve percent of 51 retailers said Lego is a best-selling item for tweens.

This easy-to-build plane is made of pre-cut pieces of balsa wood. The double-wing design is stenciled with dramatic details for an authentic World War I look, with the spacing of the structure maintained by light plastic pieces to keep everything in place.  
— “Balsa wood planes, by Guillow,” said Joel Hardy of Magpie Toys in Red Lodge, Mont., of the store’s best-selling flying toys.
— Eight percent of 68 retailers reported Guillow’s balsa flyers as top sellers among aircraft in October 2008.

The mittens, scarf and hat in this set can also be purchased individually. "Our unique, adorable accessories appeal to kids and adults alike; they are both fun and functional," Julie Dennis, designer at BearHands & Buddies, told TDmonthly. Available in a rainbow of fleece colors with a variety of animals. BearHands received a 2008 Product of the Year award from Creative Child Magazine. Launch date: July 1, 2008.

Who knew saving waste can save money and the environment? These eco-friendly banks, recycled from paper, mud and glue, come in 13 wildlife and marine varieties. Kids can smash the bank once it's full; it's biodegradable and will decompose by itself, plus it doesn't leave any sharp edges. "It's the only recycled bank in the U.S. market ever featured, as of the moment. We are educating the kids to save up and, at the same time, care for the environment," Janelle Go-Lin, president of King-Max Products told TDmonthly. Launch date: January 2009.

Kid Galaxy’s Morphibians unite a wide variety of play types as they are safe not only for land, but also for water. Battery-operated and remote-controlled, a Morphibian is an all-terrain vehicle, going from driveway to living room to bathtub easily. Simple controls and aggressive styling make this chunky, four-wheel-drive vehicle appealing to a wide range of ages. Morphibians are available in two frequencies to allow two cars to be driven at once without interfering with one another’s signal.
— “For RC toys, we turn to Kid Galaxy for dependable electronics and age-appropriate play value,” said Sallie Kashiwa, manager of Timbuk Toys in Denver, who noted the Morphibian as a best seller for older boys.
— Ten percent of 68 retailers named the Morphibian as a best-selling hobby toy in October 2008, citing average sales of eight to 10 per month.

Martha™ Mom and Baby is a 10.5” fluffy mom duck with an orange beak and feet. She sports a yellow and lilac chiffon neck bow. Her chick is crafted of yellow plush and wears white and pink bunny ears. When you press mom’s wing, mom’s mouth and body move to the music “How Sweet It Is” while the chick’s wings flap up and down. It includes three replaceable AA batteries. The product's "animated movement" and "design concept" set it apart from similar items, according to Shallu Chhabra, marketing manager for GUND. Launch date: 2009.

This hip and stylish pink and brown flowered print reverses to super sized pink and brown polka dots.

Cocoa Brown with Blue Paisley highchair cover for the most stylish toddlers!

A tropical escape for your little one. Bright red and white hawaiian floral print reverses to a surf scene print on a bright blue background. Completely reversible and washable.

Perfect for your little soldier, this cushioned stroller liner has a classic green and tan camouflage print on one side and reverses to a tan chenille on the other.

MiniMitts are a thumbless, easy on/off pair of child-size wash mitts designed for "little hands” that enable children to master personal hygiene skills. While parents teach children how to wash with BellyLaf’s coordinated Grippees™ adult wash mitts, children model after Mom and Dad by using MiniMitts. MiniMitts incorporate SmartShapes™, geometric shapes of colorful circles, squares, triangles and stars that are combined together to create clever characters that appeal to kids and parents alike. They are made with an ultra-soft, eco-friendly bamboo/cotton blend. "MiniMitts teach children bathing independence and make bath time an interactive and learning experience. The SmartShapes™ appliqué designs on the top of each mitt allow parents to teach children about shapes and colors," Denise West of BellyLaf told TDmonthly. Launch date: September 7, 2008.