October 2012 Notable Toys — Novelties

Box of 24 ct available in salt & vinegar, bacon cheddar and sour cream & onion flavors.   CRICK-ETTES® are genuine crickets baked and lightly coated with seasoning. (Think chips, popcorn or pork rinds.) CRICK-ETTES® appeal to a large demographic—children to grandmothers—and make a great gag gift.  HOTLIX® insects have been featured on the History channel, Discovery, National Geographic & in many newspapers and magazines.  HOTLIX® can be found in candy stores, airports, theme parks, nature centers, museums (Smithsonian, American Museum of Natural History, Universal Studios, Ripley’s Believe It or Not), etc. Launch date: 2005.

Box of 24 ct available in BBQ, Mexican Spice, Cheddar Cheese or Assorted flavors. Larvets® are genuine larva baked & lightly coated with seasoning. (Think chips, popcorn or pork rinds.) Larvets® appeal to a large demographic — children to grandmothers — & make a great gag gift. HOTLIX® insects have been featured on the History channel, Discovery, National Geographic & many newspapers & magazines. HOTLIX® can be found in candy stores, airports, theme parks, nature centers, museums (Smithsonian, American Museum of Natural History, Universal Studios, Ripley’s Believe It or Not), etc. Launch date: 1994.

This fun kit includes 4 colors of Body Glitter (2.8 g/0.10 oz); 1 Body Glue (3 ml / 0.10 fl oz); 12 3"x2" Self Adhesive Stencils; 2 pc. brush set; Instruction/Care Card.
— Barb Stine, owner of Toys on the Square in Hershey, Pa., told TDmonthly in a December 2013 survey that tattoos are one of their best-selling Halloween toys.

Where to buy:
NORTH WEST

This classic gumball machine bank includes over 50 "Dubble Bubble" gumballs. It measures 8-1/2" tall. It has a red base. Put a coin in, turn the handle, and out pops a gumball. Made of sturdy plastic. For ages 3 and up.
— Greg Larson, owner of Larson's Toys and Games in Columbus, Ohio, told TDmonthly in a late Summer 2012 survey that Bubble Gum machines are one of their best selling candy/food items.

Zotz is a candy with a fizzy, sour center. It looks and tastes like a regular hard candy, but when the center is bitten into there is a sour fizzing taste because of the powder reacting with saliva.
— Priscilla Moore, owner of Mr. Fub’s Party/Toys and More in Yellow Springs, Ohio, told TDmonthly in a late Summer 2012 survey that Zotz was one of their top-2 bestselling items.

These fun and tasty kits include a 9 inch long kaleidoscope in a primary color. The refillable image chamber on the end can be filled with the included variety of candy pieces to create custom kaleidoscope images. Assortment includes a combination of candy-stripe and solid color tubes. Made in the USA, handcrafted by Gemini Kaleidoscopes.
— Greg Larson, owner of Larson's Toys and Games in Columbus, Ohio, told TDmonthly in a late Summer 2012 survey that Candy Kaleidoscopes are one of their best selling candy/food items.

— Priscilla Moore, owner of Mr. Fub’s Party/Toys and More in Yellow Springs, Ohio, told TDmonthly in a late Summer 2012 survey that Whistle Candy was one of their top-2 bestselling candy items.

The 16-ounce Moo Mixer Supreme features an easy to use trigger button, fun to hold handle and large detachable clear tumbler. Battery operated (two AA batteries, not included), dishwasher safe clear tumbler and the totally cool mixing action that makes a whirling vortex of power to thoroughly dissolve chocolate powder mixes or syrups.
— As of 9/19/2012 this product had 3.5 out of 5 stars from 42 reviews on Amazon.com. Pros: Easy for kids to use; easy to clean; mixer "blade" is rounded and not sharp, so it's safe for kids. Cons: Some users reported leaking; some users reported that the motor was weak and broke after a couple of uses.
— Greg Larson, owner of Larson's Toys and Games in Columbus, Ohio, told TDmonthly in a late Summer 2012 survey that this is one of their best selling candy/food items.

Wind up this little rover and let it go on the fridge. It will grip and go up and down on the fridge surface, defying the force of gravity. The wheels grip the surface because the magnet pulls the Fridge Rover firmly against the fridge. Measure about 2 by 2 by 1 /12 inches.

petzombIeRock is a unique, collectible artwork hand painted and crafted in the USA by the artist, KC. PetzombIeRock makes a great Halloween gift. petzombIeRock arrives in its own coffin.

The interactive Polar Bear plays 12 Christmas carols on request, and 12 more by heart. Kids can sing along, or just smile as they listen to his tunes and witty banter. Wood piano with moving piano keys. Battery operated. Approximately 9" wide. Launch date: January 2012.

HipZips Bracelets are available in a variety of colors. These bracelets actually zip and unzip. Wear alone, or combine colors for a fun look.
— In a late Summer 2012 survey, Charles from Miller's Toys in Mamoroneck, N.Y., told TDmonthly that HipZips bracelets are their bestselling novelty item. "We get them in a 72-pack, and they fly out of the store," he said.

Itzabots are robot shaped ceramic planters that kids can customize with any of the included mix and match stickers. Create and recreate new companion as many times as kids like. When kids fill the planter with water and give it a little light, their itzabot will begin to sprout a thick head of grass "hair" within 5-7 days. The hair will continue to grow for 2 months with continued watering and styling. Available in three styles/sticker kits: Monster, Girl, and Robot.

Itzabots are robot shaped ceramic planters that kids can customize with any of the included mix and match stickers. Create and recreate new companion as many times as kids like. When kids fill the planter with water and give it a little light, their itzabot will begin to sprout a thick head of grass "hair" within 5-7 days. The hair will continue to grow for 2 months with continued watering and styling. Available in three styles/sticker kits: Monster, Girl, and Robot.

A happy tune and saying–reminding him to lower the seat when he’s done. A flashing LED light every 15 seconds lets users know when he’s left the seat up in the middle of the night. Peel-and-stick adhesive backing attaches easily to the flat underside of any toilet seat. Hygienic, water resistant case.

Three fun playbacks "alert" him when it’s time to tip the seat back down. A flashing LED light every 15 seconds lets users know when he’s left the seat up in the middle of the night. Peel-and-stick adhesive backing attaches easily to the flat underside of any toilet seat. Hygienic, water resistant case.

Super big, each button is larger than 1/2". 72 buttons per sheet (144 per pack). Kosher and peanut free. Comes in holiday flavors like Candy Cane, Merry Berry, Sugar Cookie, and Hot Chocolate. 30 units per carton.

Thinking Putty is high quality silicone bouncing putty enhanced with knock-your-socks-off colors. It is all Made in the USA, non-toxic, and never dries out. The three new Super Illusions are unbelievably vibrant colors that shift depending on how the light hits them. The dynamic colors shine like no others: when held up to the light and pulled thin, the colors magically disappear and kids can see right through them. Launch date: June 2012.
— Mary Sisson, owner of Kazoodles in Vancouver, Wash., told TDmonthly in a Fall 2012 survey that Thinking Putty is one of her best sellers in the tween category.

The Star Wars Talker is an interactive hand held toy with real character voice recordings. The Talkers also contain candy in the handle. This item is the only platform in the industry that uses voice recording in lifelike sculpted character. The characters, Darth and Yoda, each say four different messages. Launch date: October 2012.