April 23, 2024

TDmonthly Magazine

July 2009 | Vol. VIII - No. 7

TDmonthly Goes Inside ... The Dinosaur Farm, South Pasadena, Calif.

This Store Offers Everything From Triceratops to Tiaras

By Alison Marek
July 2009

Step inside The Dinosaur Farm in South Pasadena, Calif., and you'll be transported back to the Jurassic Age ... or not, depending on which room you're stepping into. Divided into three selling spaces and a back play room, The Dinosaur Farm counters its bounty of prehistoric beasts with more traditional toys, such as jack-in-the-boxes, plush and dress-up.

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In the video interview above, Owner David Plenn told TDmonthly Magazine he went prehistoric in 1994 after the birth of his son convinced the former musician it was time to get off the road and open a stable business. The name of the store, The Dinosaur Farm, raised customers' expectations for all things extinct, so Plenn beefed up his inventory and went online in 1999, with the web emphasis solely on the dinos. The store and website attract reptilian experts of all ages, from 4 to 4,000,000.

Aside from dinos, store favs include standards such as PlaSmart's PlasmaCars and Pretty Ugly's Uglydolls. Infant toys are big now, too, while older kids tend to trade in their T Rexes for iPhones. Scroll down to watch dinos and toy videos from the Dinosaur Farm:

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Carnegie Dinosaur Collectibles Diplodocus by SAFARI LTD.®

The Carnegie Museum of Natural History dinosaurs are the world's premier line of collectible, to scale dinosaur replicas. These dinosaurs have been researched and authenticated by the paleontologists at the museum. Their scale is either 1:20 or 1:40. Meticulously painted by hand, phthalate free and safety tested. Each comes with an educational hang tag in 5 languages. Size: 23” L x 6” H. Ages: 3+. View our entire collection at safariltd.com. ( Watch Video) 9/15/2008 (Age: 3 and Up)

Wild Safari® Dino Tyrannosaurus Rex by SAFARI LTD.®

The Wild Safari® Dino Tyrannosaurs rex is authentically sculpted, hand painted and phthalate free. Each Safari dinosaur replica includes 5 language educational information to educate children about the dinosaur species that used to inhabit the earth. Replica size: 7” L x 4.5” H. View our entire collection at www.safariltd.com ( Watch Video) 5/14/2007 (MSRP: $4.00; Age: 3 and Up)

Carnegie Dinosaur Collectibles Oviraptor by SAFARI LTD.®

Safari Ltd proudly presents our latest Carnegie Oviraptor with feathers. The untimate dinosaur collectible in the world! This award winning collection of dinosaurs are made to scale and developed with the collaboration of the paleontologists from the renowned Carnegie Museum of Natural History. The collection consists of over 40 authentic replicas. Educational information included with each dinosaur. Phthalate free PVC and hand painted. Replica size: 5.75” L x 5.5” H

View the entire collection at www.safariltd.com ( Watch Video) 1/5/2007 (MSRP: $7.00; Age: 3 and Up)

ZipBin™ - Dinosaur by NEAT-OH! INTERNATIONAL LLC

10-year-old Max Rothschild co-invented these storage bins/toys with his father, Wayne. Unzipped, the Dinosaur ZipBin becomes a dinosaur island activity surface for use with dinosaurs, animals, vehicles, boats and action figures. Fantasy play is encouraged by a prehistoric world featuring a volcano, a river, a tar pit and a mysterious cave. ZipBins also come in Road & Rail, Castle, Medieval Castle, Farm, Unicorn and other versions. ZipBins were launched in January 2006.
— Katherine and John Hodge of Neat-oh! International consider their Zip Bin line of toys to be a “a new way to play ... and put things away!” ( Watch Video) 2/6/2006 (MSRP: $19.99; Age: 3 to 8)

Dino Pull Toy by RICH FROG INDUSTRIES

Dino Pull Toy by RICH FROG INDUSTRIES This classic pull toy is made of velour that rolls around on sturdy wooden wheels. Launch date: July 2006. ( Watch Video) 6/29/2009 (MSRP: $17.95; Age: 2 to 8)

Papo Spinosaurus by HOTALING IMPORTS

Papo Spinosaurus by HOTALING IMPORTS This dinosaur is almost a foot long, 6" tall, and designed to be in a realistic, frightening pose. Like other Papo dinosaur figures, the Spinosaurus's mouth opens and closes. Launch date: June 2007. ( Watch Video) 6/29/2009 (MSRP: $23.99; Age: 3 and Up)

Allosaurus by SAFARI LTD.®

The allosaurus is a predecessor of the T Rex. Watch out for his claws! This meticulously hand-painted replica comes with an educational hangtag in five languages. ( Watch Video) 6/30/2009 (Age: 3 and Up)

Dinosaur Pilloroo by PILLOROO DESIGNS LLC

Dinosaur Pilloroo by PILLOROO DESIGNS LLC Pilloroo Pillows have a hidden pouch for hiding away a toy or gift item. The pillow is stuffed so the item cannot be felt from the outside. This product is made in the USA and received a 2008 Moms Best Award. Launch date: November 2008. ( Watch Video) 6/29/2009 (MSRP: $32.00; Age: 3 and Up)

Dinosaur Hand Puppet by TOYSMITH

Dinosaur Hand Puppet by TOYSMITH These flexible hand puppets will let dino-buffs take their play to a new level. Assortment of three, approximately 8” long. ( Watch Video) 6/23/2009 (MSRP: $5.99; Age: 5 and Up)

Papo Allosaurus by HOTALING IMPORTS

Papo Allosaurus by HOTALING IMPORTS The articulated jaw of this Allosaurus really opens and closes. The hand-painted dinosaur is approximately 1:20 scale and measures about 10.5". It is made of durable synthetic material. Launch date: July 2008. ( Watch Video) 6/29/2009 (MSRP: $21.99; Age: 3 and Up)

Brachiosaurus by SCHLEICH NORTH AMERICA, INC.

This Brachiosaurus replica is handpainted. It includes a to-scale human figure and an educational pamphlet. ( Watch Video) 6/30/2009 (Age: 3 and Up)

Tyrannosaurus Rex by PROCON (ASIA) LTD.

Tyrannosaurus Rex by PROCON (ASIA) LTD. This 17 x 9 cm replica of the fiercest prehistoric predator is handpainted. ( Watch Video) 6/30/2009

Nigersaurus by PROCON (ASIA) LTD.

Nigersaurus by PROCON (ASIA) LTD. This recently discovered dinosaur is reproduced in a 1:20 scale. It measures 32 x 11.5 cm. ( Watch Video) 6/30/2009 (Age: 3 and Up)

How Do Dinosaurs Say Good-Night by MERRYMAKERS

Jane Yolen and Mark Teague's remarkable series is a delight for children and adults. The books are a warm and no-nonsense way of helping kids manage the important things in their lives—going to bed, eating their food, coping with being sick, and going to school. By using humor and showing what a dinosaur would and wouldn’t do, the books make things easy to understand for even the smallest child. Dolls come in 14" ($16.00) and 8" ($9.00) sizes. ( Watch Video) 6/30/2009 (MSRP: $16.00)

Babees Brontee by MANHATTAN TOY

Baby’s first prehistoric plush pal! This extremely soft, loveable baby dinosaur was designed especially for infants. Its embroidered details, soft blue color, orange spikes, and smiling face make this a toy that children of any age will cherish. ( Watch Video) 6/30/2009 (MSRP: $12.00; Age: 0 and Up)

Apatosaurus by SAFARI LTD.®

The apatosaurus from Safari includes an educational hangtag in five languages. It's meticulously handpainted. ( Watch Video) 6/30/2009

Replica Saurus – Spinosaurus by SCHLEICH NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Schleich is introducing three new dinosaurs to the popular category Replica-Saurus. All the Replica-Saurus are to a scale of 1:40 and are all hand-painted. Each model comes equipped with a booklet containing the scientific data on each of the saurians and a figure of a human to the same scale to facilitate size comparison. ( Watch Video) 6/26/2008 (MSRP: $17.99; Age: 3 and Up)

Feather Boas by LITTLE ADVENTURES LLC

These fluffy feather boas with silver tinsel make a glamorous addition to any dress up outfit. Each boa measures 3 feet long; the perfect size for little ones. One size fits most. They come in pink, lilac and white.
— In an early fall 2010 TDmonthly survey, seven percent of 44 retailers cited Little Adventures costumes as a top-selling accessory item. ( Watch Video) 6/30/2009 (MSRP: $6.99)

Tiara, Silver/Pink by CREATIVE EDUCATION OF CANADA

Tiara, Silver/Pink by CREATIVE EDUCATION OF CANADA This silver and pink tiara is trimmed with marabou feathers and embellished with pink gemstones. "This tiara is our unique design and it's sold only in the specialty toy market," Veesha Knight, sales and marketing manager for Creative Education of Canada, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2009. ( Watch Video) 7/19/2009 (MSRP: $6.00; Age: 3 and Up)

Princess Catherine Castlehoff by MELISSA & DOUG

Princess Catherine Castlehoff is regally dressed in purple and gold. This unique royal puppet features elegant hand detailing and materials carefully crafted for years of pretend play. She measures 17" x 7" x 8". ( Watch Video) 6/30/2009 (MSRP: $19.99; Age: 3 and Up)

Wild Thing Sassy Pet Sak by DOUGLAS CUDDLE TOYS

With a bold giraffe and leopard print, this soft plush purse comes with an orange tabby cat tucked inside, covered in cuddly material and ready for any adventure a young child might come up with. At about 8” wide, the purse is an easy take-along, either for the included pet or other treasures that a little girl might consider essential. Note: Video depicts an earlier version of a Sassy Pet Sack.
— “Douglas plush handbags with plush animals” are best-selling plush, Casey Sartain, buyer in his family's Salt Lake City, Utah, toy store, Tutoring Toy, told TDmonthly in spring 2009, citing sales of between 20 and 25 per month.
— Thirteen of 43 retailers surveyed in May 2009 listed Douglas as one of their top-selling plush lines. ( Watch Video) 6/9/2009 (MSRP: $15.75; Age: All Ages)

Ryan's Room - Friends and Family by SMALL WORLD TOYS

Ryan Wooden dolls with yarn hair are available in an assortment of ethnicities, ages and genders. ( Watch Video) 6/30/2009 (MSRP: $6.00)

Mack Meerkat by DOUGLAS CUDDLE TOYS

This 10" tall (25 cm) stuffed Meerkat is alert and super-soft. ( Watch Video) 6/30/2009 (MSRP: $12.60)

Elephant by FLAKY FRIENDS

Elephant by FLAKY FRIENDS An L.A.-based mom designer created this supersoft plush elephant ... plus some more animal friends. ( Watch Video) 6/30/2009 (MSRP: $20.00)

My First Purse by iPLAY

My First Purse by iPLAY Little girls can act just like mommy with their very own soft purse by I-Play, full of accessories.

- This item rates as a top seller on Amazon.com and Target.com as of February, 2005.
- Imaginarium.com’s toyologists have given this toy a top rating in independent play and motor skills.
- This item was on the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association’s (ASTRA) list of Hot Holiday Toys for the 2004 season. ( Watch Video) 2/14/2005 (Age: 2 and Up)

Calico Critters Plush Lauren Fisher Cat by INTERNATIONAL PLAYTHINGS LLC

Featuring Lauren Fisher Cat, Penny Petite Bear, Willow Cottontail Rabbit and Nibbles Norwood Mouse, each Critter comes with removable clothing and can easily be placed in a sitting position. The plush Critters are approximately 8” tall. "The Calico Critters plush dolls are unique additions to a popular product line that formerly only featured miniature characters. This loveable, hugable, Calico Critter character provides children with a cuddly version of the characters they've already come to know," Vickie Cullen, account executive for International Playthings LLC, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2009. ( Watch Video) 6/29/2009 (MSRP: $12.99; Age: 3 and Up)

Circus Jack in the Box by SCHYLLING

Circus Jack in the Box by SCHYLLING This tin box features a plush Circus Jester puppet and plays “Pop Goes the Weasel.” It is suitable for children over 18 months. Launch date: February 14, 2007. ( Watch Video) 3/29/2007 (MSRP: $19.99; Age: 2 and Up)

Toys demonstrated by Cecily Gambrell and David Plenn. Direction and videography by Alison Marek. Editing and effects by Trevin Matcek. Dinosaur "microphone holder" provided by Safari Ltd.