Bitty Bobble Pet Shop by CREATIVITY FOR KIDS

The Bitty Bobble Pet Shop includes bobble-head dogs that kids can paint with fur-colored paint and bright accent colors, as well as accessorize with included trimmings. Launch date: 2010.
— “The kits from Creativity (have) the biggest sell-through for young girls,” George Emerson of The Walrus & Carpenter Toys in Middletown, R.I., told TDmonthly in June 2010.
— Thirty-two percent of 40 retailers named craft kits a top seller for girls in early summer 2010. Ten percent of the 40 retailers mentioned the Creativity for Kids brand.

Sticky Mosaics ® Sweet Dreams by THE ORB FACTORY LIMITED

Sticky Mosaics bring the fun and excitement of mosaic art home. This package includes peel-and-stick tile sheets in 12 assorted colors and styles, used to create four glow-in-the-dark bedtime projects.
— “They're good for car rides since they stick and you don't lose them, and they don't need any glue,” Gwen Bowden, manager of Doodlehopper for Kids in Springfield, Va., told TDmonthly in June 2010. Bowden estimated the store sells about 30 Sticky Mosaics sets monthly.
— Five of 40 specialty retailers cited Sticky Mosaics as a best-selling product for girls ages 4 to 12 in early summer 2010.
AWARDS: 2010 TDmonthly Top Seller (entire Sticky Mosaics line)

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Snap Caps® Hair Bows by m3 girl designs LLC

Snap Caps, the interchangeable, illustrated, magnetic bottle caps, also come on fashion accessories, such as huggers that can be used on hair, boots or ankles, plus hair clips. Snap Caps hair bows are available in red, orange, yellow, green, turquoise and hot pink.
— In a June 2010 survey, Linda Hanzelko of Timmy’s Toy Chest in Lake Mary, Fla., told TDmonthly her store sells 30 to 40 sets of Snap Caps each month.
— Three of 40 retailers names Snap Caps a top seller for girls in early summer 2010.
— Christine Osborne, co-owner of Wonder Works in Charleston, S.C., told TDmonthly in October 2011 that they sell 300-500 Snap Caps each month between their three stores.
AWARDS: 2010 TDmonthly Top Seller (entire Snap Caps line)

Nail Art by KLUTZ

This photographic instruction book is full of tips, techniques and hundreds of designs to paint on fingernails. The book comes with six non-toxic, peel-off nail colors.
— “We do a lot of Klutz for the 10- to 12-year-old girl,” Jason Curtis of Funtopia Toys in Middletown, Calif., told TDmonthly in June 2010.
— Eight percent of 40 retailers cited Klutz books as a top seller for girls in early summer 2010.
— Mary Holmes from Go Bananas LLC in Ashburn, Va., told TDmonthly in a December 2011 survey that books from Klutz were her best seller in that category, selling about 12 each month. Two other retailers also named Klutz books as their best sellers.

Charm It! Chocolate Strawberry by HIGH INTENCITY CORP.

This 1" bedazzled, chocolate-covered strawberry charm adds a hint of sparkle and sweetness to any Charm It! bracelet or necklace.
— In a June 2010 TDmonthly survey, three of 40 retailers said High IntenCity charms are a best-selling product for girls.

Silly Bandz Art Fest by BCP IMPORTS LLC

This festival-themed Silly Bandz 24-pack includes brushes, tents, suns, dancers, ballerinas and fiddles. These rainbow-hued bands can be collected, worn or traded with friends.
— “Rubber band bracelets … are a big hit for both boys and girls,” Patti Tepper-Rasmussen, owner of Learning Tree Toys, Games & Books in Oklahoma City, Okla., told TDmonthly in early summer 2010.
— Three of 40 retailers cited rubber band bracelets as a top seller for girls ages 4 to 12 in June 2010.
— TDmonthly  first reported on kids collecting rubber band animals back in 2005.

Flip Em Flops by ALEX BRANDS

The Flip Em Flops from Alex are actually seven pairs of flip flops in one. Kids can ear a new style every day of the week. The set comes with one pair of flip flops and seven pairs of ribbon straps. Kids just snap their ribbons in place. It's that easy. The Flip Em Flops come in small size two to fit most kids ages six to eight, and large size five to fit most kids ages eight to ten.
— "I just got the Flip Em Flops by Alex — sold half of [what's in stock] already.  The smalls have sold out.  There is also the larger size," said Patti Leo, owner of Toys Galore and More in Kent, Conn.
— In a June 2010 survey, three of 40 retailers namedd Alex craft kits as a best seller for girls. Two of the three told TDmonthly that Flip Em Flops sell especially well.

Groovy Girls Fleurabella by MANHATTAN TOY

This plush doll is ready for a garden party in her perfectly coordinated hair and outfit. Her jewel-toned hair is styled into a bun and echoes the bright hues of her flower-adorned dress.
— In a Summer 2011 survey, 2 out of 14 retailers told TDmonthly that Groovy Girls were their best-selling doll. Linda Laramy, owner of Crackerjacks Toys and Childrens Books in Easton, Md., told TDmonthly that she sells about 5 Groovy Girls each month.
— Five percent of 40 specialty retailers told TDmonthly in early summer 2010 that Groovy Girls dolls are a top seller for girls ages 4 to 12.
― In a May 2012 survey about dolls, 2 out of 11 retailers said that the Groovy Girls line was their best seller.

Calico Critters Baby Playground Tea Cup Ride by INTERNATIONAL PLAYTHINGS LLC

This set allows girls to take their critter babies for a fun tea cup ride again and again. The base rotates and each individual cup spins when the handle is turned. The tea pot also spins and lifts its lid. Puppy babies Chubby and Spottie are included.
— In late Spring 2011, 4 out of 12 retailers said toys from Calico Critters were their best-selling play sets. Barb Stein, owner of Toys on the Square in Hummelstown, Pa., said she sells between 30-40 Calico Critter products each month.
— “Calico Critters is one of our best sellers as a brand,” Kristen Dolle, owner of Playthings Toy Shoppe in Louisville, Ky., told TDmonthly in early summer 2010.
— In a June 2010 survey, five percent of 40 retailers named Calico Critters as a best-selling toy for girls.

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Butterfly Garden by INSECT LORE

This net habitat (almost like a Chinese lantern) encloses caterpillars, food and the setting for a caterpillar’s eventual metamorphosis. It requires mail-sent larvae. “The Butterfly Garden not only shows actual insect metamorphosis, but it does so in just three weeks' time. Many other animal habitats can take up to six months for any changes to occur. This makes it a perfect item for kids who have short attention spans and is an ideal science project for any classroom,” John White, marketing director of Insect Lore, told TDmonthly.
— Fred Rosenberg of On the Park in Kingwood, Texas, named this as his No. 1 seller in May 2008, with sales of 50 to 60 units monthly. “I just can't keep them in stock right now,” he told TDmonthly. “We have a display on our counter with the real butterflies so people can see it go through the process,” said Kim Emigh, VP of e-commerce at Growing Tree Toys in State College, Pa.
— 25% of 64 retailers surveyed in August 2008 named this as their top-selling nature toy, reporting average sales of 12 per month. Five of 38 retailers named Insect Lore’s butterfly habitats as best-selling science and nature products in late summer 2009. In an August 2010 survey, 21 percent of 43 specialty retailers said Insect Lore is a top-selling science and nature brand. Five retailers specifically cited Butterfly Garden as a best seller.
— As of 5/21/2012, the Butterfly Garden had spent more than 1,600 days in the top-100 best-selling toys and games at Amazon.com and has 4.4 out of 5 stars from 461 reviews.
AWARDS: 2010 TDmonthly Top Seller

Writer's Bio: Ashley Heaton has written articles for magazines and websites including 944 Magazine and Pricegrabber.com. Before joining the staff of TDmonthly Magazine, she spent five years providing editorial and administrative support in the luxury accessories industry. Read more articles by this author