My Best Sellers: The Parent-Teacher Store & Toys Too

Top-Selling Crafts Encourage Play That “Sticks”

By Brenda Ruggiero
December 2009

At The Parent-Teacher Store & Toys Too in Louisville, Ky., kids are happy to check out the “Toy Testing Area” in the back of the store, which includes a huge school house for play. Owner Kimberly Kopatz, who purchased and relaunched the store in 2008, shared with TDmonthly Magazine what customers are taking home most often.

PlayFoam Mini Single by EDUCATIONAL INSIGHTS INC.

PlayFoam Mini Single by EDUCATIONAL INSIGHTS INC. Each single-color mini pack is designed to introduce kids to the texture and possibilities of PlayFoam. The collection includes six colors, which may be used as party gifts or stocking stuffers.
— PlayFoam small bricks have been consistent best sellers for the last two years at The Parent-Teacher Store & Toys Too in Louisville, Ky., Owner Kimberly Kopatz told TDmonthly in fall 2009. 11/9/2009 (MSRP: $2.99; Age: 3 and Up)

Good Luck Mini Polar Bears by SAFARI LTD.®

This detailed miniature line features hand-painted, non-toxic polar bears that are soft to the touch. Each measures 0.75” to 1”, with 192 pieces included in the reusable bin.
— Safari mini animals have been best sellers at The Parent-Teacher Store & Toys Too in Louisville, Ky., for about three months, Owner Kimberly Kopatz told TDmonthly in November 2009. ( Watch Video) 11/9/2009 (Age: 5 and Up)

What Z'it by THE ORIGINAL TOY COMPANY

A wooden multi color item that will keep young ones busy for hours. Strung together with elastic for creating multiple shapes and orientations.
— This engaging toy has been a best seller at The Parent-Teacher Store & Toys Too in Louisville, Ky., for about 18 months, Owner Kimberly Kopatz told TDmonthly in November 2009. ( Watch Video) 4/1/2009 (MSRP: $4.00; Age: 3 and Up)

Holiday Snifty Scented Pens – Seasonal by INTERNATIONAL ARRIVALS

Scented pens available in Gingerbread or Candy Cane flavors. Holiday Snifty Scented Pens are seasonal. International Arrivals will begin shipping September 2010.
— Assorted Snifty pens have been best sellers at The Parent-Teacher Store & Toys Too in Louisville, Ky., for about four months, Owner Kimberly Kopatz told TDmonthly in November 2009. 10/22/2009 (MSRP: $2.49)

Rainbow Pack by WIKKI STIX

Rainbow Pack by WIKKI STIX With 24 sticks in a rainbow of colors (red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple), kids can construct shapes and figures without the use of glue or other materials. Each Wikki Stix is 8” long.
- Sallie Kashiwa, owner of Timbuk Toys in Denver, told TDmonthly in late summer 2009 that her store sells about 80 Wikki Stix sets per month.
— Wikki Stix have been consistent best sellers for the last two years at The Parent-Teacher Store & Toys Too in Louisville, Ky., Owner Kimberly Kopatz told TDmonthly in fall 2009. 9/30/2009 (MSRP: $3.25)

Placemat by CASTLE TOY INC.

Placemat by CASTLE TOY INC. A variety of placemats are available from Castle Toy, including themes such as addition, alphabet with animals, bugs and insects, ocean, and the solar system.
— Placemats by Castle Toy have been best sellers over the last two years at The Parent-Teacher Store & Toys Too in Louisville, Ky., according to Owner Kimberly Kopatz in fall 2009. 11/9/2009 (MSRP: $3.50)

Sticky Mosaics Jewelry Box by THE ORB FACTORY LIMITED

Use hundreds of glittering stickers and sparkling jewels to create a beautiful, personalized jewelry box with this easy-to-use kit. Simply peel and stick and follow the numbered pattern. No glue or tools are required. “It’s going to be our No. 1 item in 2008.” Melissa Milne of The Orb Factory’s sales and marketing department told TDmonthly.
— “Our best selling craft kits are Sticky Mosaics from the Orb Factory. … We sell five or six every day,” Scott Sloan, manager of Toys, Inc. in North Myrtle Beach, S.C., told TDmonthly in April 2008.
— “[Customers] like [Sticky Mosaics] so much because it is only $15, it is educational and it makes a great travel toy or birthday present,” Steve Ricks, owner of My Story House Toys in Roswell, Ga., told TDmonthly in April 2008.
— Five of 50 retailers who spoke with TDmonthly in April 2008 named Sticky Mosaics as a best-selling kit in their stores. As of November 2009, this jewelry box craft had been a best seller for eight months at The Parent-Teacher Store & Toys Too in Louisville, Ky., Owner Kimberly Kopatz reported. ( Watch Video) 4/11/2008 (MSRP: $15.00; Age: 5 and Up)

BANANAGRAMS® by BANANAGRAMS

The fast-moving word game consists of 144 ivory-like letter tiles in a zippered banana pouch. Players place the tiles face down on the table and randomly select 21 tiles. They turn their letters right-side up simultaneously and proceed to form as many intersecting and interconnecting words as possible, rearranging their own letters as many times as desired throughout the game. Awards: TDmonthly Top Seller 2007; 2009 TOTY Game of the YEAR, 2006 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Seal; 2007 iParenting; 2007 Parents' Choice Recommended; 2007 Dr. Toy Best Products. (Read Review)
— This product has been making the TDmonthly Best-sellers lists since 2007.
— As of 05/13/2011 this product had 4.8 out of 5 stars from 456 reviews on Amazon.com.
— Eight of 66 retailers vouched for its best-selling status in May 2008; seven of 63 did in Sept. 2008. Shani Watmough of Planet Toys in Rockland, Maine, said her store sells 60 per month. Fifteen of 38 named it a top-selling game in Feb. 2010.
— As of April 5, 2010, Bananagrams had spent 570 days in the top-100 best-selling toys and games on Amazon.com.
— According to owner Brett Sommer of Figpickels Toy Emporium in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, “It was the 2009 game of the year. The brilliant packaging definitely helps this product." ( Watch Video) 6/19/2006 (MSRP: $14.99; Age: 7 and Up)

Inflatable Globe by CASTLE TOY INC.

Inflatable Globe by CASTLE TOY INC. This inflatable globe from Castle Toy is available in blue or clear, and offers a fun way for kids to learn about their world.
— This globe has been a consistent best seller for the last two years at The Parent-Teacher Store & Toys Too in Louisville, Ky., Owner Kimberly Kopatz told TDmonthly in fall 2009. 11/9/2009 (MSRP: $3.75)

Puzzibits Prehistoric Predators by MANHATTAN TOY

Kids can create an alligator, a shark or a T-Rex in 3D puppet form with this 450-piece set. Each set offers three different design projects from simple to complex. The puzzle pieces are flexible, hexagonal and interlocking, allowing kids to be as creative as possible. A completion guide is also included for kids who wish to create the pre-determined projects. Launch date: January 2008.
— This construction toy has been a best seller for a year at The Parent-Teacher Store & Toys Too in Louisville, Ky., Owner Kimberly Kopatz reported in fall 2009. 1/8/2008 (MSRP: $19.99; Age: 8 and Up)