November Staff Picks

By Justina Huddleston
November 2014

Whether you're finishing up your holiday buying or getting ready to stock your shelves for 2015, check out the toys below. These toys were selected by the TDmonthly staff for their high-quality and sales potential in the specialty market. Take a look at the items below and see if any of look like they could sell in your store.

HO Thomas' Christmas Express by BACHMANN TRAINS

Sporting a merry hat and equipped with a snow plow, Thomas is ready to brave the winter weather to make sure the Christmas tree and important cargo arrive on time for the Island of Sodor holiday party. The festive Thomas’ Christmas Express will deliver Yuletide fun to children of all ages! This ready-to-run train set includes Thomas the Tank EngineTM with plow, holiday hat, and moving eyes and three cars with international-style hook and loop couplers—Open Wagon with decorated tree, Flat Car with Crated Load and “Merry Christmas” Ventilated Van—56" x 38" oval of snap-fit E-Z Track® (16 pieces), power pack and speed controller. 10/29/2014 (MSRP: $215.00)

"Firehouse" House Tent Item by PACIFIC PLAY TENTS INC

This "Firehouse" House Tent is big enough for the whole Fire Department! The exterior has a bright red brick graphic with all the accessories a firehouse would need to put out a fire! This tent is so durable it can be used indoors or outdoors. This house tent is always an excellent way to have fun while developing cooperative skills. This tent comes with mesh panels at the top for ventilation on hot days, as well as easy viewing for parents. One tunnel port comes with roll up flaps that secure with Velcro tabs. This house tent comes with two roll-up windows and two extra-large roll-up fire doors to drive your fire truck in. This also creates a nice tunnel-like experience and pass through. Color-coded poles make for easy assembly. A must have for every little firefighter! 10/29/2014

Blossom White Bunny and matching Blossom White Bunny Bag by DOUGLAS CUDDLE TOYS

Blossom is a 12" tall new Douglas "Sweet Petite!" Sweet Petites come with a matching bag and feature the most original, designer, fresh spring fabrics. Blossom is a breath of fresh air and fun to carry with a working Blossom Bag in the same material. The bag is 7" wide. Sweet Petites come in 4 pair styles Blossom Bunny, Bonnie Bunny, Madeline Mouse, and Dotty Pig. SRP Bunny: $14, Bag: $15 10/29/2014

STRIDER 12" Sport (Green) Bike by STRIDER SPORTS INTERNATIONAL INC.

STRIDER™ balance bikes are industry-leading training bikes that help children as young as 18 months learn to ride on two wheels. STRIDER balance bikes focus on the fundamentals of balancing, leaning, and steering without the distractions and complications of pedals or training wheels.The STRIDER’s simple, no-pedal design builds confidence and eliminates fear by allowing kids to have their feet on the ground and progress at their own pace. This unique design teaches young children balance on two wheels right from the start. Parents love it for its light weight, adjustability and ease of assembly. Age grade: 18 months – 5 years.

10/6/2014 (MSRP: $119.00; Age: 1 to 5)

Threadz - Jewelry Kit by PLASMART INC.

Quick and easy. Sew, wrap, and wear a Necklace and Bangle with a Threadz Jewelry kit. These unique fabric creations are available in pastel or neon color combos. 9/24/2014 (MSRP: $11.99; Age: 6 and Up)

Craft-Tastic String Art Kit by ANN WILLIAMS GROUP LLC

Craft-Tastic String Art Kit by ANN WILLIAMS GROUP LLC String art has never been more fun, easy or artful. Simply push pins into our sturdy foam canvases and string away, no hammer or nails needed. Use our patterns or design your own. String'em, love'em, hang'em right away! Kits contains all materials needed to make three 8.5" canvases. 9/22/2014 (MSRP: $19.99; Age: 10 and Up)

Ultralight Airplanes by THAMES & KOSMOS

Product Description: Ready to learn about how airplanes work by building awesome flying gliders? With this kit, you can build five different glider models and test them to learn how they fly. You can try all sorts of wing positions and angles. You can even design your own gliders! You’ll learn how wings generate lift and how the wing’s shape and the configuration of the wings affect the plane’s flying performance. (16-page manual, 44 building pieces). Ages 8 and up.
— In a May 2014 survey Mary Porter Green, owner of Curiosity Zone in Broadlands, Va., told TDmonthly that Thames & Kosmos makes her store's best-selling activity kits. They sell dozens of toys from the brand each month. 4/29/2014 (Age: 8 and Up)

Balance Boat - Endangered Animals by BEGINAGAIN

Kids develop dexterity, patience and pretend play skills with the BeginAgain Balance Boat. Inventing their own games and stories, kids will stack the brightly colored endangered animals as high as they can, balancing them atop the 6"x12" wooden boat. The animals are also perfect pocket pals, starring daily in pretend adventures. Made from eco-friendly rubber wood with non-toxic, child-safe stains, each of the 15 pieces in this playset is double-sided and one inch thick. Recommended for ages 3+, the Balance Boat includes a 14" x 12" wood tray for storage and display.

9/22/2014 (MSRP: $35.00; Age: 3 and Up)

B. Oddballs by BATTAT INC.

B. Oddballs by BATTAT INC. Four unique balls come in gorgeous patterns and colors to bounce, kick, squeeze, splash, roll, chase and love. Each ball feels different, offering a unique sensory experience. Each plays differently. (Just like kids.) Chew away. They’re BPA-free. Yes, there are an even number of them, but they're still odd. 6/29/2014

Train by GREEN TOYS INC.

Train by GREEN TOYS INC. All aboard! The Green Toys® Train is pulling out of the station! This sturdy locomotive is ready to chug along from one eco-friendly adventure to the next. Made in the USA from 100% recycled plastic milk jugs that save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the brightly-colored steam engine pulls two additional cars that link together to form a long train, or easily unhook for stand-alone play. The open wagon is perfect for hauling all kinds of sustainable cargo, while the caboose features a spacious interior and removable roof. Two conductor bear figures are included with the set, encouraging open play as little engineers' imaginations lay the tracks for all sorts of creative narratives. With no metal axles or external coatings, the Green Toys® Train is safe and versatile for both indoor and outdoor play, and is dishwasher safe for easy cleaning. No BPA, phthalates, or PVC. Packaged using recycled and recyclable materials and printed with soy inks.
— In a March 2015 survey, two out of 10 retailers told TDmonthly that Green Toys is their best-selling brand of eco-friendly toys. 6/29/2014 (MSRP: $29.99; Age: 2 and Up)