Top-10 Most-Wanted Items for Tween Girls

Klutz and Creativity for Kids Let Girls Make It and Wear It

By Julie L. Jones
November 2009

^{With additional reporting by Terri Hughes-Lazzell, Claudia Newcorn, Chris Lundy, Marie Raven and Brenda Ruggiero}

These days, if it’s not a craft to be made, an accessory to be worn or a cute animal to be admired, it’s probably not at the top of tween girls’ want lists. Creativity for Kids, Klutz and Alex-Panline give girls artistic activities to enjoy, while M3 Girl Designs, Sanrio and Pretty Ugly keep young shoppers adding to their collections. See the top-10 best-selling items for tween girls, based on a TDmonthly Magazine survey of 39 specialty retailers across the United States:

Ultimate Nail Studio by CREATIVITY FOR KIDS

Ultimate Nail Studio by CREATIVITY FOR KIDS This ultimate nail set includes a nail dryer, pedicure slippers, toe separators, 2 press-on French manicure sets, self-adhesive nail art, nail buffer and file, cotton balls, glitter, and 6 bottles of real nail polish in a rainbow array of colors. Items can be stored inside the bonus spa bag.
— Sisters Kids in Springfield, Mass., sells about a dozen Creativity for Kids pedicure and manicure sets monthly, Co-owner Diana Gisolfu told TDmonthly in fall 2009.
— Seven of 39 specialty retailers named Creativity for Kids kits as a best-selling item for tween girls in fall 2009. ( Watch Video) 8/26/2009 (MSRP: $25.99; Age: 9 and Up)

Paper Beads by KLUTZ

Paper Beads by KLUTZ Authored by Anne Akers Johnson, this book contains 200 precut strips of paper in 22 colors and patterns, plus a tool designed specifically for winding them into artful beads, whether round, straight or fancy. It also includes a bottle of glaze to polish of each bead creation, elastic cord for making bracelets, and glass accent beads. The book features color images and give pointers on style.
— Six of 39 retailers named jewelry titles and other artsy activities from Klutz as best sellers for tween girls in October 2009.
— “I consistently sell Klutz and art supplies for them,” Scott Loveless, owner of Toys That Teach in Bothell, Wash., told TDmonthly in fall 2009. 10/12/2009 (MSRP: $21.95; Age: 9 and Up)

Snap Caps® Who Said Hoot! by m3 girl designs LLC

Snap Caps® Who Said Hoot! by m3 girl designs LLC Snap Caps® are the original, interchangeable, magnetic bottle cap necklace. This set features bright, fun, trendy little owls to brighten up any outfit.
Awards: A TDmonthly Classics Award for being an all-time favorite toy.
— Six of 39 specialty retailers told TDmonthly in October 2009 that Snap Caps are a hot seller for tween girls.
— Black Forest Books & Toys in Charlotte, N.C., sold 50 Snap Caps in two weeks, Co-owner June Hargrove reported in fall 2009.
— "I sell about 10 per week with the straps," Jeanette Lauture, owner of Aunt Jean's Toys & Treats in Montclair, N.J., told TDmonthly of best-selling Snap Caps in late fall 2009. 7/14/2009 (Age: 5 and Up)

Uglydoll Ox Collection – Uglyverse Edition - Yellow by PRETTY UGLY LLC

This 14” Uglydoll is a limited edition produced for one year. Five other colors of Ox are available.
— Three of 39 retailers named Uglydolls as a best seller for tween girls in October 2009, citing sales of 24 to 30 per month. 10/12/2009 (MSRP: $20.00)

Make Your Own Lip Balm by CREATIVITY FOR KIDS

Make Your Own Lip Balm by CREATIVITY FOR KIDS Young ladies can combine the soft and silky lip balm base with a variety of yummy flavors to create their own lip sensations. Simply soften the base in a bath of warm water and then add the flavorings. Mix up fun fruity combinations and add a hint of color, too. Cool cosmetic tins that come with the balm kit can be decorated with layers of fun sticker designs and labels. It's a fun, creative, and practical way for a girl to learn and role play.
— "Make Your Own Lip Balm from Creativity for Kids: It's a craft kit that gives you all the materials to make your own," said Mary Sisson, owner of Kazoodles in Vancouver, Wash., when asked about popular gift items for girls in her store.
— “The lip balm from Creativity for Kids does very well,” Ron Kutchik, owner of Grand Slam Toys in Kodiak, Alaska, said when asked about best-selling activity kits in spring 2009.
— About half of 49 retailers surveyed about their sales in activity kits or playsets mentioned craft items as top sellers in April 2009. Three of 39 retailers identified lip balm kits as a best seller for tween girls in fall 2009.
— “Creativity for Kids. The Make Your Own Lip Balm kit is best,” said Amy Hofsetter, owner of The Toy Store in Atlanta, Ga., of her top-selling item for tweens in September 2010.
— Three of 44 retailers said Creativity for Kids supplies their best-selling items for tweens. ( Watch Video) 8/7/2007 (MSRP: $17.99; Age: 7 and Up)

Wild Horse Lock & Key Diary by PEACEABLE KINGDOM

Featuring a cover image of a strong horse running in a field of flowers, this diary contains 240 colored pages with lines for writing. It includes a lock with two keys and measures 6 3/8” x 6 ¼” x 1.
— In fall 2009, three of 39 retailers named journals and diaries as best sellers for tween girls.
— Diana Nelson, owner of Kazoo & Co. in Denver, told TDmonthly her store sells 8 to 10 journals from Peaceable Kingdom Press each month. ( Watch Video) 10/12/2009 (MSRP: $12.00; Age: 5 and Up)

Hello Kitty Clear iPod Nano Case by SANRIO

This plastic case features Hello Kitty on a background with strawberries and polka dots. It’s designed to fit fourth-generation Apple iPods, 8GB or 16 GB. The case measures 6.5” x 0.5” x 3.25”.
— Three of 39 specialty storeowners mentioned Hello Kitty items when asked about best-selling products for tween girls in fall 2009. 10/12/2009 (MSRP: $22.00)

Forever Friends – My Friendship Scrapbook by ALEX BRANDS

Ready to be personalized, this friendship scrapbook is stocked with quizzes, slumber party ideas and a foam wheel and floss to make friendship bracelets.
— Two of 39 retailers named friendship bracelets as a best seller for tween girls during a fall 2009 TDmonthly survey.
― Of 39 retailers surveyed in October 2009 about their top-selling jewelry and accessory items, one listed Forever Friends by Alex as their best seller. 10/12/2009 (MSRP: $12.99; Age: 7 and Up)

Kentucky by CLAY-MATES USA

Kentucky by CLAY-MATES USA This tiny little animal figurine is a racehorse handmade of porcelain clay. Launch date: October 19, 2009.
— “We sell about 400 [Clay-mates] in a month,” Marianne Kearns, owner of Second Star to the Right in Bridgehampton, N.Y., told TDmonthly in fall 2009. 10/12/2009 (MSRP: $2.00)

Alphabet Bead Box Bead Kit by BEAD BAZAAR/KID JOURNEYS

Alphabet Bead Box Bead Kit by BEAD BAZAAR/KID JOURNEYS This colorful kit includes string, charms and wooden beads, and is packed with alphabet letter beads as well as decorative swirl beads in different colors.
— Magic Beans in Brookline, Mass., sells 50 craft kits per month by Bead Bazaar, CEO Isaac Judd told TDmonthly in fall 2009.
— Powell Phillips, owner of Phillip's Toy Mart in Nashville, Tenn., told TDmonthly in an October 2011 survey that Bead Bazaar items are their best selling jewelry and accessory products. 10/12/2009 (MSRP: $10.89; Age: 5 and Up)