April 20, 2024

TDmonthly’s Top 10 Most Wanted Glow-in-the-Dark Toys

The Zodiac 1,000-Piece Glow-in-the-Dark Puzzle by RAVENSBURGER

Created by David Penfound, a young and talented fantasy artist, this complicated puzzle includes detailed illustrations of the 12 zodiac signs. Measuring 20” x 27” when completed, this puzzle serves as a useful tool when opening up young minds to the world of astrology.
— Lorena Lopez, manager at Puzzle Zoo in Santa Monica, Calif., said this puzzle is a hot property. “It sells really well,” she said. “People really seem to like the 1,000-piece [puzzle].”
— The “quality of their puzzles is probably the best in the world,” owner Kathleen Tutone of Treehouse Toys in Portland, Maine,  told TDmonthly.
— Ravensburger, a German-based jigsaw manufacturer, is one of the largest and best-known puzzle-makers in the United States and abroad. 9/30/2005 (MSRP: $13.99; Age: 10 and Up)

Twinkle Stars by GREAT EXPLORATIONS

These ceiling stickers light up the bedroom when the lights are turned out.
— The package comes with 40 plastic stars.
— Jordan Walden, store manager at Finnegan’s Toys & Gifts in Portland, Ore., said that glow stars are big. “They were really popular about 10 years ago,” she said. “They faded out, and now it seems like they’re making a comeback.”
— “Our glow in the dark stars sell very well, too,” explained Rhia Abarquez, logistics manager of EpartyUnlimited.  9/30/2005 (MSRP: $6.95; Age: 3 and Up)

FireFly Nature House by TWC OF AMERICA INC.

This is a great glow-in-the-dark habitat for glow-in-the-dark bugs, fireflies and other insects as well. It’s even great for taking under the blankets at night to watch your insect friends without a flashlight.
— “Fantastic, very good, inexpensive, anything glow in the dark always sells,” explained Betsy Dees, district manager of Bright Beginnings & Cotton Tots in Texas.
— A patent-pending design keeps the case cricket-proof.
— The Habitat is durable and yet weighs a mere 1.5 pounds.  9/30/2005 (MSRP: $15.99; Age: 6 and Up)

GloBonz by CURIOUS TOYS

From the successful DinoBonz line, GloBonz are plastic pieces that can be put together to form the skeletal frames of dinosaurs.
— It was a Family Fun Magazine Toy of the Year Award winner.
— The package comes with 32 glow-in-the-dark pieces.
— Susan Holden, a partner at Curious Toys, said that GloBonz “continues to be a great seller for Curious Toys.” She went on to say that many customers “write to us about how they make a character and hang it on fish line from their ceiling to watch it glow at bedtime."  9/30/2005 (MSRP: $19.95; Age: 5 and Up)

Ouija Board: Glow-in-the-Dark by HASBRO INC.

This classic, controversial game consists of a board with all the letters of the alphabet and all 10 digits written on it. Players ask the Ouija a question and then give into a “mysterious” power, letting their hands roll across the board using a special arrow-shaped game piece to select letters and numbers that “answer” the question.
— “This is even scarier than the original. Kids and adults love it,” said John Strait, owner of 2Kool Toys in Chicago, Ill.
— “This is the best sleep-over toy we sell. It’s scary, fun and now it glows in the dark,” said Robin Cosby, owner of Cosby Toys in Austin, Texas.
— The Glow-in-the Dark model has caught on at The Lucky Mojo Curio Co. in Forestville, Calif., according to Diana Edler, personal assistant and buyer.  9/30/2005 (MSRP: $17.99; Age: 5 and Up)

RX Fire Lite Up Football by POOF-SLINKY INC.

Kids don’t need stadium lights to play at night anymore. This football uses LED lights for easy tracking in the dark. THIS ITEM HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED.
— Doug Ferner, executive vice-president at Poof-Slinky, summed up this product’s success by explaining that “the whole glow-in-the-dark thing has caught fire at the retail level.” Ferner also estimates that with new lighting technology becoming less expensive, products like the RX Fire Lite Up Football will be more available to consumers.
— The Fire Lite Up Football is in Amazon.com’s top five bestselling footballs.
— It comes in an assortment of colors and weighs a shade under half a pound. 9/30/2005 (MSRP: $9.99; Age: 5 and Up)

16-inch EarthBall by ORBIS COMPANY

Inspired by the original photographs of the whole Earth taken by NASA astronauts, Orbis World Globes has created the first and only inflatable globe to depict Planet Earth as it appears from outer space. Featuring the newest generation of NASA satellite imagery, the EarthBall is the most visually authentic globe available anywhere and the most fun a child can have holding the whole world in their hands! The EarthBall is the only globe to display the world's city lights with glow-in-the-dark printing, providing an exciting dimension of realism. The 16 page Global Handbook, included with every EarthBall, is packed with resources, games, activities and fun information for global explorers of all ages.
— Lorena Lopez, manager at Puzzle Zoo in Santa Monica, Calif., said that the Earth Ball is a favorite among astronomically-inclined consumers. “The sales are good,” she said. “It’s probably our best selling glow-in-the-dark product.”
— Using satellite imagery as a guide, the world’s major cities glow in the dark, recreating the view from space.
— Please visit their Web site (www.earthball.com) for a soon-to-be-released 1-meter EarthBall. 9/30/2005 (MSRP: $18.00; Age: 4 and Up)

Gloworm Glow and Teething Blankie by HASBRO INC.

This Gloworm Teething Blankie is the perfect teething companion for babies. It´s soft to touch with three teething rings, and of course has a glow-in the-dark face right in the middle. It´s colorful and easy to take anywhere.
— There are three teething rings attached to the blankie.
— “They’re very comforting for babies, not only as a teeth-er, but as a sleep aid,” explained Wanda Glock, buyer for Starline Babies in Boston, Mass.
— The Gloworm in the center of the blankie glows when the lights go down.  9/30/2005 (MSRP: $4.99; Age: 0 to 1)

Glow-in-the-Dark Chameleon Stars and Mini-Black Light by OUT OF BOUNDS

This set turns traditional glow-in-the-dark wall stars on their head by making each star glow a different color depending on how dark the room is.
— Greg Hancock, owner of Space Toys in Show Low, Ariz., expects big things from this set. “I expect the Chameleon Stars to be a big hit during the upcoming holiday season,” he said. “It’s a really neat product, and I can pretty much guarantee we’re going to sell a lot of them.”
— The stars appear to glow white during the day, then a multitude of different neon colors at night.
— The stars glow extremely brightly for approximately one hour, and can be fully recharged in 30 seconds by pointing the mini-black light at them.  9/30/2005 (MSRP: $8.95; Age: 3 and Up)

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