October 2008 Notable Toys — Novelties

Made of stretchy material, this 2" block of cheese is home to two mice that can be moved around to the different holes.

Each hand-painted Kooky Klicker features a distintive personality and fun design. The 5" characters have rubbery strands of hair and a metal clip.

Kids just pull back this 2.25" helicopter and watch it glide along the ground.

Over 12" tall. Includes 6 packs of PEZ and plays the Star Wars theme.

Sugar-Free gum tape in 3 different flavors. Available in 6 different collectible versions.

Lick to reveal the hidden message.

Snoopy Gumball Dispensing Jack-In-The-Box. Plays music and dispenses edible gumballs.

This 10" melamine plate features illustrated letters by artist Shelley Dieterichs, spelling out the word COOKIES for Santa. Launch date: October 15, 2008.

Silver shimmery Snowflakes from FunToSee are the simplest way to create beautiful feature walls or simply add a tasteful touch of color and fun around a room or on furniture. Easy and fun, removable and re-usable, and splash-proof and washable, a package of 30 FunToSee Snowflakes provide hours of holiday decorating fun. The product is "re-usable and will not damage walls," Elizabeth Marquis, account director for Serendipity Communications, told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 2008.

Top Race promises hours of racecar thrills. Players send the racing cars down the track, ready for anything in their quest to get to the top of the podium, and use the advanced rules to thwart their opponents. They go on to win if they bet on the right drivers. The easy-to-learn game was created by German designer Wolfgang Kramer. Launch date: September 2008.

Each player receives a card that lists three secret challenges to be carried out during the play period in front of other players without getting caught. With family or during a party, players then try to expose other players in order to win. The small box takes up little counter space and is easy to take along. Launch date: March 2008.

Magical fairy dust reveals the fairy's treasure. Kids read Claresa's story of Fairy Treasure Stones, follow her instructions, and in the morning, the stone's treasure is revealed. The product is made in America. Claresa is "a fairy that is dedicated to bringing fun, imagination and quality into the lives of little fairy believers. Claresa has the highest standards because she believes they are an extension of her and a representation the fairy world," Clare Grindy, owner of Claresa the Fairy: Authentic Fairy Gifts, told TDmonthly. Launch date: June 11, 2003.

The Mommy and Me collection features one-of-a-kind pieces and makes wonderful gifts for "Daddy's Girls." Both are made from the same fabric and coordinated with appropriate shoes. The company loves doing custom work and is happy to work with any décor. The "handcrafted, one-of-a-kind, whimsical footstools ... are finished with REAL shoes and socks," Owner and Designer Nancy L. Brown told TDmonthly. This product was named a 2004 Best New Product at the New England Products and Trade Show. Launch date: October 2008.

Glee Gum is all natural chewing gum made with sustainably harvested rainforest chicle. It comes in EIGHT great flavors: cinnamon, peppermint, tangerine, bubblegum, spearmint, triple berry, sugar-free lemon-lime and sugar-free refresh-mint. Glee Gum is the #1 healthy alternative to synthetic chewing gum and bubble gum.

This resin creation comes with chrome or gold plating. It is a bank cast from a pig that died a natural death and will hold more than $10,000 in bills Dimensions: 5.25" x 10" x 18". Allie Shartle of Areaware told TDmonthly the  product is "a modern interpretation of a classic piggy bank."

This spinning top, with a diameter of 4 cm, is available in pear, maple, cherry, walnut and plum woods.

Made of durable plastic, this "pocket rocket" flies when launched from the hand. The user simply presses down on the tip of the Boink with his or her index finger, holds it securely without restraining the top, and then lets in go.

It's a bird... It's a plane...no, it's AirShark, the glider with attitude. Soft and safe, with rubber-band propulsion it flies over 50 feet. "It is a simple glider with attitude.
Any one can make it fly," said Laura T. Brewer, VP of marketing, Play Visions. Launch date: July 28, 2008.

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.

Designed by artist Kari Makoutz, this handmade kaleidoscope entraps the Aberrant Quadrator, a friendly boggart known to reside in closets, ruining fine clothing by creating stains, wrinkles and tears. The kaleidoscope is 6.5" long, and the glass globe has diameter of 1.75".

Given the proper name of Cheerful McBliss when born, Bliss Bliss quickly earned his nickname because he was always so...well. blissful; even when inappropriate. Like the time when his Grandfather passed away. Bliss' eulogy was comprised of a string of off-color jokes followed by hysterical laughter; or during his first job interview when he cracked jokes about the owner's toupee. While sometimes outlandish, Bliss has something that many people strive for...to always have a smile on his face...but then again, that's probably because he's laughing at you.

Hannah Montana fans can choose from one of two singing boxes to store their jewels and accessories. One box plays "Rock Star," while the other plays "True Friend." Launch date: Fall 2008

This bright set features 30 multi-colored balloons plus a pump.
— Randy Austin reported that Rocket Balloons were popular sellers during the summer of 2008 at her store, The Gifted Child, in Lenox, Mass.
— “Rocket Balloons were fabulous [last year] and we have people waiting for them now,” said Eric Masoncup, owner of Geppettos Toy Box in Oak Park, Ill., of his top-selling outdoor item during a March 2010 survey of best sellers.
— Two of 37 retailers named Rocket Balloons are a best-selling outdoor toy in spring 2010.

Republican VP contender  Sarah Palin is immortalized in this superhero action figure, which sports a 45-caliber sidearm. An excutive version is available for $27.95. Launch date: September 8, 2008