At Key West Toy Factory in Key West, Fla., shoppers are seeking fun vacation toys that are easy to take on a cruise ship and then on a plane back home. Manager Katie Harris told TDmonthlyMagazine which items have been most popular with tourists this spring — think pirates! — since the store’s opening in February.
Pirate Slingshot by THE RUFFIN FLAG COMPANY
From Ruffin Flag Company, these wooden painted slingshots come in several varieties, including a wolf, eagle and pirate. — These slingshots were top sellers at Key West Toy Factory in Key West, Fla., in the late spring 2010, reported Manager Katie Harris. “These are the perfect gifts,” she told TDmonthly. “Pirates are loved here, and the unique wooden painted shot is fun for kids! Marshmallows make it safe at home, too.”
These hardwood classic yo-yos are assembled by Maple Landmark from domestic parts. — Yo-yos with the Key West Toy Factory logo were top-10 best sellers at the store in May 2010, according to Manager Katie Harris. “These are classic items that everybody loves no matter their age,” she told TDmonthly. “Learning new tricks or practicing old ones with kids is perfect with the indestructible natural wood yo-yo we sell.”
These 4” German Bavarian Bouncies come in many varieties of painted wooden animals and characters. They have a spring attached so that they continually bounce. — Bavarian Bouncies were listed as a best seller at the Key West Toy Factory in Key West, Fla., in spring 2010 by Manager Katie Harris. “We carry over 20 different varieties,” she told TDmonthly. “Our favorites include the Pirate, Surfing Frog and Gator. They’re cute and unique items that you can’t find anywhere else, flown in from Germany.”
“Cosmo the Boat Cat” is created and illustrated by Key West artist Sherry Sweet Tewell and written by Marky Pierson. It follows her cat Cosmo as he goes on adventures in the Florida Keys. — This book was listed as a top seller at Key West Toy Factory in Key West, Fla., in May 2010 by Katie Harris, manager. “It’s a story special to Key West, which is why people love it,” she told TDmonthly.
These toy miner’s helmets come in a range of bright, fun colors, complete with an adjustable head lamp. They can be customized with a store’s logo. — These miner’s helmets were listed as top-10 best sellers at Key West Toy Factory in Key West, Fla., in May 2010 by Katie Harris, manager. “They’re the perfect playtime accessory!” she told TDmonthly.
My Little Sandbox Play Set – Pirates Ahoy! by BE GOOD COMPANY
This little wooden sandbox measures 10” x 10” x 2” and comes with a 20” x 20” no-mess play mat. It features ultra-fine sand, two pirates, a sailing ship, palm trees, a treasure chest, treasure, a booty bucket, a grooming rake, a treasure shovel, a monkey, a parrot and a crocodile. Other new sets include Princess Dreams and Nativity. “Kids are engaged in My Little Sandbox Play Set twice as long as other play sets because of the ultra-fine craft-quality sand. This is proven out by the eight successful themes in the line previously launched (Beach, Construction, Dinosaur, Farm, Mermaid, Fire Rescue, Monster Truck, Space),” Vince Kurr of BE Good Company told TDmonthly. — Though the sandboxes had been available since 2003, it wasn't until the company introduced a demonstration display for retailers in 2004 that the product really took off. "The mom will go into the store and the kids will be at the display the whole time. Even though it's a $25 item, it's an impulse purchase, and then it becomes a great birthday gift," Kurr explained. Launch date: June 2007. — These sandbox play sets were listed as best sellers at Key West Toy Factory in Key West, Fla., in late spring 2010 by Manager Katie Harris. “We carry eight different versions of these adorable 12" sandboxes,” she told TDmonthly. “Each one has a different scene that kids can build and play with.”
A variety of designs are available in this pullback fighter jet collection from Daron. — Katie Harris, manager of Key West Toy Factory in Key West, Fla., listed these planes as best sellers in May 2010. “Boys love to collect them,” she told TDmonthly. “They are affordable and fun toys that fit in any suitcase.” — In a August 2014 survey, two out of 10 retailers told TDmonthly that die-cast planes were one of their best-selling die-cast toys.
These pens are carved from wood and painted in vibrant colors to depict a wide variety of fun animals. — “We carry a ton of different animals to choose from. It’s not your typical ink pen!” said Manager Katie Harris of Key West Toy Factory in Key West, Fla., of these best sellers in May 2010.
These snap bracelets come in a wide variety of animal shapes. — Animal snap bracelets were a top-10 best seller at Key West Toy Factory in Key West, Fla., in late spring 2010. “These cute and sparkly snap bracelets are a fun favorite accessory for kids!” Manager Katie Harris told TDmonthly.
— These pirate monkeys were popular in spring 2010 at Key West Toy Factory in Key West, Fla., according to Manager Katie Harris. “An adorable stuffed monkey with the perfect pirate costume is a popular take-home gift,” she told TDmonthly.
Writer's Bio: Brenda Ruggiero is a freelance writer from western Maryland. Read more articles by this author
