With additional reporting by Terri Hughes-Lazzell, Chris Lundy, Claudia Newcorn, Marie Raven and Brenda Ruggiero
When surveyed about best-selling remote-controlled toys and hobby items in fall 2009, half of 40 specialty retailers named the Kid Galaxy brand, which continues to be a hot seller even in stores where battery powered toys are often banned. Twelve retailers told TDmonthly Magazine they don’t sell R/C toys at all, or that they focus on arts and crafts instead of traditional hobby items.
Only one storeowner noted that R/C sales have slowed lately. See which products are zooming out specialty doors: No manufacturer paid to be included in this article. All products listed were designated by editorial staff without regard to the company's relationship with TOYDIRECTORY.com/TDmonthly Magazine.
Morphibians™ Explorer by KID GALAXY INC.
This four-wheel drive, remote-controlled vehicle can be navigated over land and on water. It has working headlights. The vehicle takes three AA batteries and the controller takes two AAA batteries (not included). — J. Christopher Toys in Jonesboro, Ark., sold 68 Morphibians since August, Owner Mary Horne told TDmonthly in October 2009. — Five of 40 retailers specifically named Morphibians as a best-selling R/C item in fall 2009.
Interactive R/C™ Demolition Derby Cars by KID GALAXY INC.
Doors and hoods dislodge and trunks open when these remote-controlled vehicles are smashed and crashed together. The unhinged parts can simply be pressed back into place. The cars require 2 AAA batteries and the remotes take 3 AAA batteries (not included). — “We sell dozens and dozens of Kid Galaxy’s R/Cs,” Owner Joe Berardoni Sr. of Pun’s Toys in Bryn Mawr, Pa., told TDmonthly in fall 2009. — Patti Tepper-Rasmussen, owner of Learning Tree Toys, Books & Games in Oklahoma City, told TDmonthly in fall 2009 that her store sells about four Demolition Derby items per month. — Two of 40 specialty retailers pinpointed Demolition Derby as a hot-selling R/C item.
Elite Fleet™ Vertigo Helicopter - Sky Shark by KID GALAXY INC.
At 6” long, this tiny helicopter features a V-Wing design and can fly up to four or five minutes on a 20-minute charge. It has dual rotors and can be steered right or left while hovering. The charger/infrared controller requires six AA batteries (not included). — Kazoo & Co. in Denver sells two dozen per month of Kid Galaxy’s helicopter, Owner Diana Nelson told TDmonthly in fall 2009. — Two of 40 specialty retailers pinpointed Kid Galaxy’s helicopter as a hot-selling R/C item. Per a March 15, 2010, letter from Feldman Law Group, P.C., of New York, N.Y., Interactive Toys claims this product infringes on U.S. Patent 7,204,453.
Tomy R/C Tarantula by INTERNATIONAL PLAYTHINGS LLC
This large, hairy spider comes with a remote control to direct its movement. For a realistic effect, each leg moves separately. It requires two AAA batteries. — Fred Rosenberg, owner of On the Park in Kingwood, Texas, said in fall 2009 that these R/C Tarantulas are popular at his store. — Two of 40 retailers mentioned International Playthings when answering a TDmonthly survey about best-selling R/C and hobby items.
Kids create a 9” sparkly Christmas tree, then color Shrinky Dinks ornaments with the included color pencils, bake them, and then hang them on the tree. The kit includes 30 ornaments, eight colored pencils, a hole punch, metallic stars, ornament rings, a star-shaped tree topper, silver metallic tree branches, metallic foil paper for wrapping the base of the tree, and a pre-assembled tree base. — Two of 40 specialty retailers mentioned Shrinky Dinks when asked about best-selling hobby products in fall 2009. — Two other retailers named Creativity for Kids as a best-selling hobby brand in their stores.
My First Sticky Mosaics brings all the fun and excitement of Sticky Mosaics to pre-schoolers. The shape-to-color matching system allows easy creation of 5 favorite pretty things. — Two of 40 specialty retailers mentioned Sticky Mosaics when asked about best-selling hobby products in fall 2009.
Kids can learn to knit and design a wardrobe for 12" (30cm) tall Molly Dolly. Everything is included to knit a coat, skirt, dress, scarf, leg warmers and more. There is enough yarn to make 12 fashions. The kit includes colored yarns, ribbons, buttons, floss, wooden knitting needles, sewing needles and full color instruction book. Launch date: 2009. — Two of 40 specialty retailers referenced art products by Alex when asked about best-selling hobby products in fall 2009.
This little flyer is equipped with micro air-engine technology and comes with a mini pump. It’s sized for smaller hands, making it ideal as a backyard flyer for a junior pilot. — Two of 40 specialty retailers mentioned products from Spin Master when asked about best-selling hobby items in fall 2009.
SnapTite® Star Wars® Anakin's Jedi Starfighter™ by REVELL
This replica of the short, lightweight Delta-7B starfighter has four has four partially hidden laser canons. Parts snap together, and it does not require painting or gluing. Skill level for this project is 1. — Mud Puddle Toys in Marblehead, Mass., sells about 20 to 25 Revell kits of cars, airplanes and Star Wars items each month. “We’ve carried them for a few years now. People know we carry it,” he told TDmonthly in October 2009.
Writer's Bio: Julie L. Jones has written articles for both newspapers and magazines. Before joining the staff of TDmonthly Magazine, she worked as a communications writer and provided editorial support for a market research company. Read more articles by this author
Writer's Bio: Julie L. Jones has written articles for both newspapers and magazines. Before joining the staff of TDmonthly Magazine, she worked as a communications writer and provided editorial support for a market research company. Read more articles by this author
