With additional reporting from Chris Lundy and Brenda Ruggiero
When TDmonthly Magazine asked retailers about when they do their holiday buying, four out of 12 said that they start their ordering at Toy Fair or ASTRA. Other strategies included waiting until early Fall to see if any trends emerged, ordering throughout the year, and looking for "Deals, especially on freight and split orders" and "close-outs."
So, what products are retailers excited to order for their stores this holiday season? Take a look below, and see if these toys could be a good fit for your store, too.
Beyblade Metal Masters Triple Battle Set by HASBRO INC.
With a BEYSTADIUM™ arena to fight in and exclusive battle tops and launchers, kids can start their dueling practice as soon as they're set up. Customize the BEYSTADIUM with three battle cores: the Zip Core forces straight-line movement, the Chaos Core brings chaos to the tops' movement, and the Deflector Core brings craziness because it affects right-spin and left-spin tops differently. With the tournament grids and official rule book, kids will be ready to do battle . Set up the exclusive GALAXY PEGASUS™ and METEO L-DRAGO™ tops for a launching, spinning attack. — As of 10/18/2011 this product had 4.4 out of 5 stars from 7 reviews on ToysRUs.com. Pros: Fun; good starter kit. Cons: Expensive. — As of 10/18/2011 this product had 3.5 out of 5 stars from 22 reviews on Amazon.com. Pros: Bey Media L-Drago is is a left-spinning top and is great; beys come assembled. Cons: not very durable; top has to be set just right before spinning, otherwise it won't go. — In a Summer 2012 survey Deran Muckjian, owner of Catch a Falling Star in Lexington, Mass., told TDmonthly that they sell 40 Hasbro Beyblade figures every month.
HEXBUG® Scarab Micro Robotic Creatures by INNOVATION FIRST LABS, INC.
The HEXBUG® Scarab is an exceptionally high-speed, mechanical, beetle-like robotic bug that skitters around on six angled legs. The high energy micro robotic creature propels itself forwards and backwards, and is capable of popping from its back to its feet if placed upside down. The Scarab’s lifelike behavior is eerily mesmerizing to watch and interact with. Packed with advanced design and engineering, each Scarab has an inner body loaded with robotic intelligence, protected by a hard, transparent exoskeleton casing. The HEXBUG Scarab moves so frenetically that it is nearly impossible to follow without a slow motion camera. The combination of the HEXBUG Scarab’s six specially designed angular legs, coupled with its lightning speed, make it easy to for it to propel against obstacles in its path and flip over if caught on its back. Three button cell batteries are included. Available in an assortment of five translucent colors including: Green, Blue, Orange, Black and Red. Launch date: November 2012.
Kids can make a dozen dimensional rings, perfect to wear and share. This is also a great party activity. Layer 90+ printed acetate and chipboard flourishes with rhinestones and glitter gel accents onto 12 metal ring bases. This kit includes a sweet 6" diameter foam flower ring holder. Awards: Summer 2012 Tillywig Sterling Fun Award Winner; Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Seal
This multicolored magnetic building toy is a 30-piece set that includes 18 squares and 12 triangles with 108 magnets. Kids can create 2-D or 3-D objects for open-ended building possibilities. — Lynda Blankenship, owner of Smart Toys & Books in Knoxville, Tenn. told TDmonthlyin late Spring 2011 that Magformers were a best-selling construction toy. — Want this? As of 05/10/2011, this product was available for purchase at Smart Toys & Books
Thinking Putty Super Illusions by CRAZY AARON ENTERPRISES, INC.
Thinking Putty is high quality silicone bouncing putty enhanced with knock-your-socks-off colors. It is all Made in the USA, non-toxic, and never dries out. The three new Super Illusions are unbelievably vibrant colors that shift depending on how the light hits them. The dynamic colors shine like no others: when held up to the light and pulled thin, the colors magically disappear and kids can see right through them. Launch date: June 2012. — Mary Sisson, owner of Kazoodles in Vancouver, Wash., told TDmonthly in a Fall 2012 survey that Thinking Putty is one of her best sellers in the tween category.
Myachi Battle Paddles with Red Flames by MYACHI INDUSTRIES CORP.
Inspired by the design of a lacrosse stick head combined with the functionality of a baseball glove, when wearing a Myachi Battle Paddle on the back of one’s hand, players will be able to catch a hand sack thrown from much greater distances and heights as well as successfully perform more difficult tricks rather than when attempting the same feat bare handed. Now, players can compete harder, faster, and longer. Battle Paddles can be worn on both hands and used by one player while performing tricks alone or play with 2 or more players and battle it out 1 on 1 or make teams. Compete at any of the numerous games developed to play with a Myachi Hand Sack and Battle Paddles: Myachi Pong, Myachi Football, Myachi Lax, Myachi Golf, and many others. Awards: 2012 Creative Child Magazine Product of the Year Award
Prepare for take-off with this pocket-sized, take-anywhere, air-powered rocket launcher that blasts foam rockets 50 feet. Real rocket launch action that’s safe for indoors and out. Launch date: Spring 2012.
This vibrant, wooden, bear stacker has 5 colorful discs and a playful bear head topped with embedded magnets for easy stacking and is suitable for kids 9 months and up. Stacker is painted with a non-toxic finish, and also features a wobble base for an added element of fun. Launch date: 2012. Awards: 2013 TDmonthly Seal of Approval
Playmobil Pirates - Super Set Pirates Cove by PLAYMOBIL INC.
Complete with secret hiding place for storing buried treasure, the Super Set Pirates Cove is the perfect set for young swashbucklers looking for the next adventure. Set includes two figures, a fortress with secret compartment, a working cannon, dinghy and oars, and additional accessories. — In an April 2012 survey, Ming Yang co-owner of Richard's Variety Store in Atlanta, Ga., told TDmonthly that Playmobil is "always a stable item" in the construction category. — In a Summer 2012 survey, Cynthia Phillips Strinich, owner of Phillip's Toy Mart in Nashville, Tenn., told TDmonthly that Playmobil was an overall bestselling brand at her store.
Playmobil Advent Calendar - Forest Winter Wonderland by PLAYMOBIL INC.
Enjoy an outdoor Christmas with Santa and his forest friends. The Playmobil Advent Calendar - Forest Winter Wonderland contains twenty four surprise items for each day of Advent. Includes a backdrop, Santa, girl figure, sleigh, mother and baby fox, mother and baby dear, raccoons, rabbits, birds, and other accessories to help complete this woodland Christmas scene.
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
