Use the following TDmonthlyMagazinevideos and let other storeowners train your holiday staff about toys and lines that have made your holidays bright for 5 years or more. If you have a social networker on staff (or in your family), they can even add the videos to your selling site to increase your chances of conversion.(See terms of use.)
Now more than 10 years old, PlasmaCar continues to intrigue and fascinate with millions of units sole and multiple awards in over sixty countries worldwide. Just sit, put your feet up, and turn the steering wheel to propel yourself forward up to 6 mph on any smooth, flat surface. With a maximum weight capacity of 220 lbs., even parents and grandparents have experienced a giggle by taking it for a spin. Made from state-of-the-art, high-quality ABS plastics, this kid-powered, durable, ride-on vehicle comes in a variety of colors. — “I can't believe how many of these I sell,” remarked Jacque Flagg, owner of Jacque’s Inc. in Bryan, Texas. In a March 2009 survey, Flagg reported sales of around 20 per month. — In spring 2009, 41 percent of 60 retailers listed PlasmaCar as a best-selling ride-on in their stores, reporting sales of a dozen per month on average. Awards: 2012 Parents Choice Awards Recommended, 2009 Green Parents List Check Mark, 2009 DisneyFamily.com Top Action Figures and Toys for Toddlers, 2009+2008+2005 The National Parenting Centre Seal of Approval, 2008 iParenting Media Toy Award, 2008 Fat Brain Toy Award Active Play, 2006 TIA Outdoor Toy of the Year - Specialty Toy of the Year, 2006 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award, 2005 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Seal Award, 2005 Dr. Toy Best Vacation Products, 2005 Creative Child Seal of Excellence, 2001 International Patent Fair, Hong Kong Gold Medal
CfaftLace is flexible, durable plastic making it easy to work with. It can be used for making lanyards, jewelry and other children's crafts. The smooth texture allows it to stay in place with little effort, making it easier for children's hands to maneuver. The cool colors brighten up each design. — This product is a best seller at Neely's in South L.A.
Wage is a hard worker, just like you! He works at the local Super Mart and wears his apron to serve his customers best. Does Super Mart know that Wage works there? Nope.But 14" tall Wage doesn't mind.He likes to put things in bags, especially snacks. Wage is the Ugly Doll that started a cultural phenomenon. Watch Video to learn more. Launch date: 2001.
Calico Critters Pickleweeds Hedgehog Twins by INTERNATIONAL PLAYTHINGS LLC
Hazel likes to make a lot of noise. She loves banging on the cymbals of her father's drum set. Honey really likes playing in his father's mail bags and throwing envelopes in the air. He tends to make a big mess. This pair is part of the Calico Critters of Cloverleaf Corners collection. — Mary Sisson, owner of Kazoodles in Vancouver, Wash., named the Pickleweeds family among her top-30 best sellers in early June 2010.
Babipouce Pink Striped is a tender snuggly doll for babies 12 months and up. Soft, washable Babipouce is lightweight and 12 inches tall, perfectly sized for tiny hands to grasp and explore. Corolle’s collesction also includes African-American and Asian faces.
As a creative, educational action toy, it’s loads of fun — kids jump on the air bladder to launch a 9" all-foam rocket into the air. The Junior Stomp Rocket is used by science teachers to help children learn about trajectory, force and motion. It is also valued by psychologists, physical therapists, special-ed teachers and parents of children with special needs. “Stomp Rockets are recognized for their positive contribution to the lives of millions of children and adults around the world,” Frank Reed, of D & L Company, told TDmonthly. Awards: Top Toy of the Year 2005, Creative Child Magazine; Excellent Product 2005, iParenting Media. — “Our top selling flying toy is The Stomp Rocket Jr.,” confirmed Sallie Kashiwa, manager of Timbuk Toys in Denver, in October 2008. “We go through about four cases (40) a month.” — Six of 68 retailers said in fall 2008 that the Stomp Rocket is their best-selling flying toy. Holly Anvers, manager of Ages & Stages Toy Box in Golden, Colo., cited sales of about 40 units per month in late fall 2009. — Eighteen percent of 38 specialty retailers named Stomp Rockets an overall best-selling toy in July 2010. Scott Loveless, owner of Toys That Teach in Bothell, Wash., told TDmonthlyin summer 2010 that his store sells “somewhere along the lines of 40 to 60” Stomp Rockets each month. “Stomp Rockets … are always a summer favorite.” — In autumn 2010, Marc Holcomb, owner of Toys & Co. In Greensboro, S.C., said he sold approximately 50 per month per store. “It's our #1 gift item,'' he told TDmonthly.
Kids can paint with sweeping gestures when they use this generous-sized easel. One side is a chalkboard, the other´s a dry-erase board. Load a piece of paper into the paper holder and kids can paint and scribble to their heart’s content. Each side of the easel features a colorful tray that can hold paints, cups, chalk, erasers, clips and more. “Our Deluxe Easel has become one of our best-selling items because of its great value, high-quality construction and versatility,” said Rick Davis, part of the marketing team at Melissa & Doug. It has two adjustable boards that allow children of all sizes to enjoy painting and creating, and the easy-to-clean trays are removable in seconds.” — This product has been making the TDmonthly Best-sellers lists since 2005. — As of 1.06.2011 this product had 4.5 out of 5 stars from 647 reviews on Amazon.com and was No. 18 on the top 100 bestselling toys and games. Pros: Double Sided; easy to clean. Cons: Supplies must be purchased separately. — "The Melissa & Doug Easel, hands-down, beats everything in terms of dollars. It's well-made and good value," was the praise given by David Campbell, owner of Amazing Toys in Great Falls, Mont. — “Our easel, from Melissa & Doug, just blows out of here,” said Nishan Shepard, owner of Rockridge Kids in Oakland, Calif., in early 2010. — Seven of 48 retailers named the easel as their top-selling art item in January 2010, reporting average sales of three per month. — This easel has been a consistent best seller for Jillie Beans Toys & More of Westminster, Colo., since the store opened in 2006. (April 2010)
Healthy breakfast, refreshing snack-time treat? Whatever the occasion, kids can cut into this 17 piece set of bright colored wood fruits, such as kiwis, oranges and a big slice of melon. Velcro rounds between the segments serve the dual purpose of holding the uncut fruit together and creating a satisfying crunch sound as the included wooden knife slices right through. It comes with a wooden crate in which to store the food. ― “Anything Melissa & Doug. Play food is probably the best,” Linda Hanzelko, owner of Timmy's Toy Chest in Lake Mary, Fla., told TDmonthly regarding best-selling wooden toys. ― “All wooden cutting food from Melissa & Doug” sells well, added William Bingham, owner of Firefly Toy Shop in Milford, Pa. ― Seven of 56 retailers surveyed said cutting food was a top-selling wooden toy.
Mighty Beanz are collectible and playable versions of the old Mexican jumping beans. These little characters can do tricks, race each other down along and come in more than 100 fun characters with sports, ocean and zoo themes and more. Accessories are sold separately. — As of 8.12.10, this product had 4 out of 5 stars from 28 reviews on ToysRUs.com and was listed No. 13 in best-selling toys and games. PROS: Easy to play, entertaining, interactive. CONS: Some parents felt this product did not hold children's interest.
According to Valtech Co., Magna-Tiles were inspired by Pythagoras of Samos (560-480 BC), an important historical mathematician. (Perhaps you recall the Pythagorean Theorem from high school.) If this lofty inspiration doesn’t impress you, perhaps the design of the magnetic tiles themselves will. While using the tiles to build various constructs, children will also be developing familiarity with geometric shapes, which will lay a strong foundation for advanced mathematics, such as geometry and calculus. This product has no equal, Michael Ziegenhagen, owner of Playmatters in Cleveland, told TDmonthly. "It's used in some schools to teach geometry and spatial reasoning," he added. — Two of 50 retailers who spoke with TDmonthly in spring 2008 singled out this item as the best-selling construction toy in their stores. — “We're constantly selling Magna-Tiles. This is a weekly seller, and they're even high end,” said Peggy Sebert, owner of Becky & Me Toys in Glenview, Ill., during an April 2009 survey of 49 retailers on their best-selling construction toys. — “We sell the Magna-Tiles from Valtech really well on a consistent basis,” Kim Emigh, VP of e-commerce at Growing Tree Toys in State College, Pa., told TDmonthlyof her store’s top-selling construction items in spring 2009.
This kit includes a 7" pump and 20 balloons. Kids and teens can use the pump to fill the balloons, then let them go and watch them zoom high into the air.
This natural wood car transporter can tote two chunky vehicles and load and unload them for endless imaginary adventures with its driver Woody Click. A water based paint adds bright colors to playtime that begins with building the vehicles first and then play. It won the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Seal Award in 2006.
The soft, smiling doll is composed of funny, appealing colors and is perfect for cuddling with, day or night. It is made from fine cotton and terrycloth, making it long lasting and washable. Launch date: February 2008.
Kevin Tjaden, owner of Scientific Wizardry in Boise, Idaho, had this to say: “It's an electronic kit — kind of like the ones we had when we were kids. … It's really taken off. It also targets the right age range: 8-14, which allows for increased market share. It's become easier to use and easier to understand. As parents, everyone remembers it, but certain parts didn't work that well, certain springs would fall apart. … By solving those problems, people say, "This is like what I had as a kid, but better!” — As of 12/17/2012 this product had 4.9 out of 5 stars from 477 reviews on Amazon.com and was No. 16 on the top 100 bestselling toys and games. PROS: Fun and educational, lots of possible circuits. CONS: Kit doesn't always explain how the circuits work. — In a late Summer 2012 survey, four out of 12 retailers told TDmonthly that Snap Circuits were one of their best selling Science & Nature toys. .
Shoot an edible miniature marshmallow over 30´ with this pump-action shooter, complete with LED sight for aiming accuracy. The easy-to-refill magazine holds 20 marshmallows (or foam pellets—which are included) for fast, nonstop action. The LED sight shoots a safe beam of red light to help locate a target. Barrel and magazine are top-rack dishwasher safe, and the back of the box even has a target for practice. — "The Shooter did excellent for us this past year [2005]," said Andrew Saucier, general manager for the Marshmallow Fun Company. "We were on Jay Leno and Good Morning America. We're about to go on David Letterman, and AOL picked us as a top toy of the year." In November the company launched the Marshmallow Blaster, which fires "big marshmallows," he added. — Warren Brown, owner of French’s Toy Shop Inc. in Concord, N.H., claimed he never fired marshmallows at lax storeworkers, but later admitted, “I did use it on a couple of customers!” — "Marshmallow Shooters are really hot," Mary Alice Miner, co-owner of Miner’s Doll & Toy Store in Ocean Springs, Miss., told TDmonthly in fall 2007.
Taggies Naturals are ideal for the family that embraces a natural lifestyle and has both safety and the environment in mind. These small 12" x 12" blankets are made of exceptionally comfortable, 100% certified organically grown cotton fibers, pure silk ribbons and safe dyes. With an eco-friendly conscience, the Naturals collection offers sophisticated and unexpected prints. Launch date: 2009
Bright red velvet-like flocked vest, black and white striped pants with drop crouch, swagger style yellow satin belt, black taffeta scarf, eye patch and white poly-cotton shirt make this pirate garb fun for boys or girls.
The front end loader from the ROADMAX series is a sturdy toy with a design suitable for small children with many realistic functions for playing fun. The transparent driver's cab that opens from above can be equipped with a play figure. Front and back end loader are fully functional and can be locked in position. The front shovel and the rear shovel can also be tilted or moved by operating the respective lever. Fold-out support legs ensure stability and soft tires complete the picture.
Under the Sea Collection: Beneath the Waves Treasure Box by ENCHANTMINTS
This box is just right for treasures like note cards, stationery and mementos. Three drawers, one on the front and one on each side, could easily accommodate pencils, pens markers and crayons. Measures 10” x 6” x 2 1/4”. Launch date: 2009. ― Two of 39 retailers told TDmonthly in October 2009 that music boxes are their top-selling jewelry or accessory item.
Wild Safari® Dino Tyrannosaurus Rex by SAFARI LTD.®
The Wild Safari® Dino Tyrannosaurs rex is authentically sculpted, hand painted and phthalate free. Each Safari dinosaur replica includes 5 language educational information to educate children about the dinosaur species that used to inhabit the earth. Replica size: 7” L x 4.5” H. View our entire collection at www.safariltd.com
Writer's Bio: ALISON MAREK is an award-winning writer, director and cartoonist whose work has been published by Fairchild Publications and DC Comics (Piranha Press), broadcast on Showtime and other cable networks, and viewed worldwide in film festivals. See her short films and print work on www.alisonmarek.com. Watch her nefarious villains in the web series www.MuggsMovers.com. Get inspired by her cartoons "Daily ARFFirmations to Unleash Your Inner Fido" at www.ARFFirmations.com. Phew! And then ... Read more articles by this author
Writer's Bio: ALISON MAREK is an award-winning writer, director and cartoonist whose work has been published by Fairchild Publications and DC Comics (Piranha Press), broadcast on Showtime and other cable networks, and viewed worldwide in film festivals. See her short films and print work on www.alisonmarek.com. Watch her nefarious villains in the web series www.MuggsMovers.com. Get inspired by her cartoons "Daily ARFFirmations to Unleash Your Inner Fido" at www.ARFFirmations.com. Phew! And then ... Read more articles by this author
