TDmonthly Magazine wanted to know which toys would be the biggest hits at Toy Fair 2012 - so we asked! Manufacturers told us which of their products are the most innovative and exciting, and which they think are destined to be best sellers. You can see the products they mentioned below, and don't forget to check out part two: Games, Kits, and Activity Sets.
Green Toys Build-A-Bouquet by GREEN TOYS INC.
With the Green Toys Build-a-Bouquet, budding florists can create countless floral arrangements while saving energy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Made in the USA from 100% recycled plastic milk jugs, this brightly colored 44 piece set includes 4 bases, 16 stem and leaf pieces, and 24 flower pieces. The vibrant lilies, petunias, and daisies stack interchangeably in the assorted stems for limitless fun that blossoms in all seasons. It’s no secret that this garden is as safe as it is fun, with no BPA, phthalates, PVC or external coatings. Packaged using recycled and recyclable materials and printed with soy inks. Launch date: 2012.
Charmtastic is a jewelry line for young girls featuring bracelets and necklaces that can be personalized with clip-on charms. The charms are available in the following themes: Amazing Animals, Awesome Activities, Birth Stones, Bling, Incredible Icons, Tween Talk and Tween Treats. Offered at an affordable price, Charmtastic adheres to all safety standards. The Charmtastic 4-sided spinner offers a unique assortment of 80 charm styles and 6 bracelet styles. Janlynn also offers a 2-sided spinner. "The extensive charm options and affordable price points make Charmtastic highly collectible and accessible to young girls," Thomas J. Lonergan, executive vice president of the Janlynn Corporation, told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 2010.
Containing 72 soft felt triangles in 9 colors, a flocked game board, and 50 illustrated cards, teach color, form, and design to kids without their knowing that they are learning the fundamentals of design. The instructions offer increasing challenges, from Elementary Figures to Negative Space to Perspective to Translucency and Representational Imagery. "Mosaics offers a highly sophisticated introduction to the basics of art and design for children," Regina Gelin, sales and marketing rep at eeBoo, told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 2012.
Wooden castle has a simple connector system with many construction possibilities. Large - 26" x 28" - with lots of room for knights and royalty. Figures not included, but can be ordered separately. Launch date: January 2012.
Build and roll this Construction Toolbox around like a vehicle. 5 projects included; kids can use their imagination to build anything. Includes 11 Geometric Shapes, 4 Wheels, 12 Screws, 10 Nuts, 1 Screwdriver, and 1 Wrench. This Toolbox also provides easy storage for all the pieces. Develops imagination, hand-eye coordination, manual dexterity, and problem solving and fine motor skills. Tested to meet European and U.S. safety standards. "Unique design - the attractive colors, unique features, super play value, learning elements and cute character of this toolbox draws kids attention and become their best friend in no time," David To from Biokido/Georgeous Products Inc. told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 2012.
Space Adventure series is an extension of Cube Figures where each of the three packages (episodes) include two Cube Figures along with over 90 blocks to create two space crafts for them to go in and fight the evil. In addition, the package contains a Manga (Japanese-style comic book) which outlines the background stories of the characters and links the three episodes. The instruction booklet included details the steps needed to build not only the two space crafts but also the mega robot which can be assembled by collecting all three packages. Launch date: October 2012.
Find your sea legs with this floating tug boat, with detachable life buoy. Perfect for any skipper’s bath time. Available in Green, Red or Blue. Launch date: January 2012.
Pillow Pets™ Nickelodeon - Dora the Explorer and SpongeBob SquarePants by CJ PRODUCTS
"It's a Pillow, It's a Pet" is more than just a jingle, it has branded the name Pillow Pets™ in millions of households. With a strap that closes underneath to transform the pillow into a friendly pet, Pillow Pets plush are an ideal travel pal, naptime buddy and all-around cuddly friend. The iconic stuffed animal is just one part of the Pillow Pets family of products which also includes books, games and video games, hats, blankets, and slippers. Launch date: September 2011.
Meet Moopus McGlinden, canine side-kick to Mrs. Pinkelmeyer, Silliest, Warmest Know-It-All. Tag along with Moopus on his adventures. He is 12" tall, with plush, cuddly fur. Moopus is designed to provide children with love, warmth and care. Surface wash only.
The Zazoo Photo Clock is a multi-media photo alarm clock that visually shows children when they should stay in bed or when it is time to get up and start the day. The photo clock comes pre-programmed with two sets of awake and asleep images. The photo clock can be personalized by parents so that the awake and asleep images feature digital photos of their own children. Can also be used by older children, offering rotating photo frame, alarm clock, video, MP3 and calendar features. The photo frame supports SD, MMC, xD and MS cards and also features a built-in speaker, headphone jack, and USB port.
Now, Baby Stella can talk. Features three sounds: pacifier sucking noise when pacifier is attached, giggling when foot is squeezed, and saying "mama" when hand is squeezed. Doll comes with pink ruffled onesie with Velcro-like closures in back and magnetic pacifier. Comes with 2 replaceable AA batteries. Launch date: January 2012.
Flarble is The Smallest Flying Toy in the World. Flarble is safe to fly indoors and are decidedly low-tech, but requires no batteries, and no on-line or computer connections whatsoever. Newly patented and 100% made in the USA. "The single thing that sets our toy apart is that there ARE no other toys like ours, and it's absolute universal appeal," Gordon Bopp, President of Rock Creek Molding Inc, told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 2011.
Feather Hair Accessories by MIDWEST DESIGN IMPORTS INC.
Midwest Design Imports offers many styles of feather hair extensions to choose from. We carry ready-made and individual feathers for those people who prefer to design their own "Feather Hair Extension" look. Launch date: June 2011.
The innovative Wind n Sun Specialty Kites were design with the Museum, Gift and Specialty customer in mind. There is a wide selection to choose from and each WNS kite has incredible graphics. The Wind n Sun also includes Lawn & Garden decor. "Customers will not only want to fly these kites you will see them displayed in children's bedrooms as room decor," Richard Brady, SR VP of Sales at BrainStormProducts/X Kites told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 2012.
These large plush Uglydolls have a mini Uglydoll in their pouch. Launch date: May 2012. — Shana Hack, owner of Moon Rabbit Toys in Santa Fe, N.M., told TDmonthly in a Summer 2012 survey that they sell a couple dozen Ugly Dolls each month, though sales have slowed slightly. — Bill Sartain, owner of Tutoring Toy in Salt Lake City, Utah, told TDmonthly in a Fall 2012 survey that Ugly Dolls are one of their best selling tween products.
Lyla Tov Monsters are one of a kind, plush monsters. They are intended to make kids less afraid of monsters, after kids see how cute and cuddly they can be. "Lyla Tov Monsters' original design was by 3 year old (now 5) Lyla Black. The form and intent of the monsters is perfect for children as it was designed by one of their own," Eric Black, owner of Lyla Tov Monsters, told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 2010.
Kids love our backpacks and lunch boxes, but hugging a backpack isn't much fun. So we've made some of our favorite forest creatures into squishable, squeezable, stuffed toys. These furry guys are sized for maximum huggability and are suitable for kids of all ages. There's no plastic or other little pieces that might be swallowed. Tested lead free and phthalate free. Launch date: December 2011.
Writer's Bio: Justina Huddleston graduated Magna Cum Laude from Emerson College with a BA in Writing, Literature, and Publishing in 2009. After graduating she was the on-site director of the Boston Children's Museum gift store for a year, selling educational, developmental, and creative activity toys that tied in with the museum's exhibits. Justina also interned at children's book publisher Candlewick Press before moving from Boston to Los Angeles, where she is now Editorial Director of TDmonthly Magazine. Read more articles by this author
Writer's Bio: Justina Huddleston graduated Magna Cum Laude from Emerson College with a BA in Writing, Literature, and Publishing in 2009. After graduating she was the on-site director of the Boston Children's Museum gift store for a year, selling educational, developmental, and creative activity toys that tied in with the museum's exhibits. Justina also interned at children's book publisher Candlewick Press before moving from Boston to Los Angeles, where she is now Editorial Director of TDmonthly Magazine. Read more articles by this author
