Tune in Violin by SMALL WORLD TOYS

Kids can perform like a pro with the electronic Tune in Violin with bow that produces 18 pre-programmed tunes and a light show, too. Made of plastic, the instrument features volume control and requires 2 AA batteries (not included). "Featuring a bow that moves over faux strings to create realistic notes, flashing lights and 18 different programmed songs that children can listen to or play along with, the Tune in Violin is a playful way to encourage imaginative play, develop cognitive thinking and instill a lasting love of music," said Debra Fine, CEO of Small World Toys.
— “The Tune In Violin or the Saxophone from Small World still seems to be our most popular seller,” said Kim Emigh, VP of e-commerce at Growing Tree Toys in State College, Pa.
— This product was named as a top-10 best seller by Jamie Burdette, owner of LB Toys in Media, Pa., in spring 2008. “It’s a good, interactive toy and good quality,” he said, noting a few months later that he sells about 30 per month.
— Three of 45 retailers who spoke with TDmonthly in summer 2007 said Small World or Neurosmith musical toys were selling well, reporting average sales of about 10 to 20 units a month. Ten percent of 68 retailers listed Small World as their top supplier of musical toys in summer 2008.

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Zingo! by THINKFUN

Players try to fill their Zingo! cards with matching tiles from the Zingo Zinger. The first player to fill his or her card wins. Rules can be adjusted to favor more or less competition among players, and to vary the length of time each game requires. This game was a 2007 T.O.T.Y. Nominee for Specialty Toy of the Year. "It teaches memory, matching, vocabulary and social interaction skills. Kids have so much fun playing again and again; they don’t realize they’re learning essential thinking skills," Marketing Communications Manager Emily Peters of Thinkfun told TDmonthly.
—  “Customers use this game as their ‘standard’ party gift,” Owner Elaine Hackney of Boing! JP’s Toy Shop in Jamaica Plain, Mass. told TDmonthly in summer 2007.
— “We sell out as soon as they come in,” added Pam Horwitz, manager of Mr. Toad’s Toy Company in Naples, Fla. Four of 63 retailers singled out Zingo! as the hottest-selling game in their store. Seven percent of 56 retailers listed Zingo as a top-selling game in January 2009. Six of 38 retailers called it a best-selling game in Feb. 2010.
— “Zingo is a great game for 4- to 5-year olds,” Jamie Burdette, owner of LB Toys in Media, Pa., told TDmonthly about this game — a top seller in his store — in April 2008. “The basic Bingo concept starts to introduce words and spelling.”

Webkinz Chicken by GANZ

This feathery friend comes with a hangtag that grants its owner access to Webkinz World online, where it even has a special egg chair.
— “Enough said” was Jamie Burdette’s comment when he listed Webkinz as a continued best-seller in his store, LB Toys in Media, Pa., in April 2008.
— Nine of 66 retailers named Webkinz as their best-selling toy in May 2008. Donna Stone, owner of The Perfect Present in Suwanee, Ga., displays the plush in a glass case right inside the door and, on average, sells 790 Webkinz per month.
— In spring 2008, two of 55 retailers singled out Webkinz as their best-selling novelty toy.

Large Pirate Ship by PLAYMOBIL INC.

This pirate ship comes with a cabin, a working anchor winch, a functional loading crane, a boat hook and space for treasure and cannons. It also includes four figures, a monkey, a parrot and other accessories. The boat floats or drives on rollers and can be upgraded with the PLAYMOBIL Underwater Motor (Item #7530). The ship measures 26" L x 9" D x 22" H. “The Pirate Ship also includes string which is used to make the anchor winch and crane functional,” Playmobil Inc. Advertising and Marketing Manager Michelle Winfrey told TDmonthly. Launch date: August 2008.
— Three of 45 retailers shared with TDmonthly in early 2008 that Playmobil products are the hottest sellers in their stores.
— The pirate line by Playmobil made the top-10 best-sellers list at LB Toys in Media, Pa. in spring 2008. “Much of the line is made in Europe, and it strongly encourages imagination,”said Owner Jamie Burdette.

Ryan's Room: Home Is Where the Heart Is by SMALL WORLD TOYS

This sturdy, three-story dollhouse is the perfect setting for expansive living. There’s plenty of room for all kinds of accessories and endless imaginative play. Features include an open design for easy access, stairs from the second to third floor, and a built-in handle in the roof for easy carrying. "With its sturdy, heirloom-quality wood construction and open design, this beautiful dollhouse is not only a home where little imaginations can play and grow, but also a wonderful setting to encourage cooperative play with caregivers and other children," said Debra Fine, CEO of Small World Toys.
— "They're really good quality," said Tristan Hewitt, manager of Dragon's Toy Box in Seattle, when asked about Ryan's Room dollhouses.
— Seventeen of 62 retailers told TDmonthly  in spring 2007 that Small World is generally the best-selling brand in play houses. One or two dollhouses a year was a common sales figure given among retailers — especially those concentrated in the Northwest — regarding the Ryan's Room brand.
— Ryan’s Room dollhouses and furniture are in the top-10 best sellers at LB Toys in Media, Pa. “The traditional dollhouses and furniture are made of natural wood,” Owner Jamie Burdette told TDmonthly in spring 2008. “That’s obviously a plus with the lead-paint situation.”

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Lift-Off Rocket by INTERNATIONAL PLAYTHINGS LLC

Suitable for children 18 months and up, this rocket lights up and emits realistic rocket sounds with the push of a button. It has a handle for take-along play and comes with an alien, a moon crate, a dune buggy, a space puppy dog and two astronauts. The rocket features a cargo hold, a Murphy bed and toilet, a cockpit and an on/off switch and volume control. "The Lift-Off Rocket by iPlay is designed to encourage young imaginations and introduce them to new worlds. This high-quality playset has a space theme with an at-home-feel," Sue Tice, public relations director and product manager at International Playthings Inc., told TDmonthly. Awards: TDmonthly Top Seller 2007. Launch date: March 2007.
— As of 5/12/2011 this product had 4.5 out of 5 stars on Amazon.com from 98 reviews. Cons: Doors fall off too easily; the dog and alien figurines are too large to fit in the rover.
— Lynda Blankenship, owner of Smart Toys & Books in Knoxville, Tenn., told TDmonthly in late Spring 2011 that Lift Off Rockets were among her best-selling activity kits and playsets.
— “One of my favorite toys this season, for 18 months and up, is the iPlay Lift-Off Rocket," said Deb Necker, owner of Necker’s in Simsbury, Conn., when discussing hot-selling infant toys in her store.
— The Lift-Off Rocket is popular at LB Toys in Media, Pa., according to Owner Jamie Burdette. “It’s a great 1- to 2-year-old toy for a boy,” he said in April 2008. “Rocket ship toys for this age are hard to find.”
— Want this? As of 05/11/2011 this product was available at Smart Toys & Books

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Winkel by MANHATTAN TOY

Stunning colors give this perennial favorite a lively look. Babies will be engaged and amused by the responsive rattle, and caregivers can safely refrigerate this pliable plastic toy to produce a soothing teether. “We have so much of the Manhattan baby...we sell a lot,” Owner Amy Barrett of Lasso the Moon Wonderful Toys in Helena, Mont., told TDmonthly in early 2007. “People buy them for baby gifts...baby shower gifts. They like them because the colors are so bright.”
— “Winkels from Manhattan Toy — [we sell] about 30 per month,” Burdette told TDmonthly in March 2008. Five percent of the 40 retailers who spoke with TDmonthly in spring 2008 singled out this item as their stores’ best-selling infant and toddler toy.
— "I sell 18 or so a month," Mary Ellen Cerney, owner of Dear Friends & Children in Duncan, Okla., said in March 2009. In June 2009, four of 47 retailers listed Manhattan Toy as their best-selling baby line. In March 2010, two of 39 specialty retailers cited Winkel as a best-selling baby toy.
— In June 2010, five percent of 40 specialty retailers named Manhattan Toy’s Winkel as a top-selling baby product.
— As of 05/21/2012 this product had 4.5 out of 5 stars from 299 reviews on Amazon.com.

Healthy Foods Playset by LEARNING RESOURCES INC.

Children can play their way to a healthy lifestyle with these three baskets that are full of healthy meal choices. They are packed with realistic-looking, nutritious foods and include Activity Cards for each meal. All pieces are actual size and washable.
— This play set made Jamie Burdette’s top-10 best sellers at LB Toys in Media, Pa. “These very realistic play fruits and vegetables come with a shopping basket,” he said in April 2008.

Toddler Tote by LAURI, a division of PATCH PRODUCTS INC.

This 14-piece set includes foam puzzles and peg toys, all in a handy package with a handle. Great for traveling, it includes lots of colorful shapes and animals.
— This tote is a top seller at LB Toys in Media, Pa., according to Owner Jamie Burdette. “It’s also made in the U.S.A.,” he told TDmonthly in April 2008.

Writer's Bio: Brenda Ruggiero is a freelance writer from western Maryland. Read more articles by this author