With additional reporting from Chris Lundy and Brenda Ruggiero TDmonthly Magazineinterviewed retailers to find out which Halloween products scared up the most sales in 2012. The answers varied from inexpensive novelties, like Glow-in-the-Dark Halloween Tattoos, to spooky costumes, like a Spider Dress from CREATIVE EDUCATION OF CANADA.
Learn more about all of the top-selling Halloween products below.
No manufacturer paid to be included in this article. All products listed were designated by editorial staff without regard to the company's relationship with TOYDIRECTORY.com/TDmonthly Magazine.
Glow-in-the-Dark Halloween Tattoos by DOVER PUBLICATIONS
Ghosts, pumpkins and black cats can be found in this spooky collection of six glow-in-the-dark tattoos. — Three of 52 retailers named items by Dover when asked by TDmonthly about best-selling Halloween items in fall 2008. — Teresa Derry, owner of Annie's Toy Chest in Cocoa, Fla., told TDmonthly in a Winter 2012 survey that glow-in-the-dark tattoos were one of her Halloween bestsellers.
Glitter Rainbow Wings by CREATIVE EDUCATION OF CANADA
These glitter wings come in an organza bag with maribou trim. Six layered pieces feature a three color base and two colors of glitter. — In a Winter 2012 survey Melissa Pennille, co-owner of Teaching Toys & Books in Tacoma, Wash., told TDmonthly that butterfly wings were one of their bestselling items this Halloween season.
Nano Mutant Glow in the Dark Skeleton Zombie by INNOVATION FIRST LABS, INC.
Get a robotic creature that behaves just as a real bug would. This robotic HEXBUG Halloween Nano speeds around in random patterns, finds its way around obstacles and more all by using vibration-propelled movements. Each one comes with a unique registration number too, so kids can register their HEXBUG online and earn points, play games and learn scientific facts. — Jessica Wood from Northshire Bookstore in Manchester Center, Vt., told TDmonthly in a Winter 2012 survey that Halloweeen Hexbugs were their top-selling Halloween toy.
Kids can never have too many stickers. Make sure to have lots on hand for fun little projects – decorate, embellish, give them as gifts. 2 sheets of 44 permanent acid-free stickers. More than 90 designs to choose from. — In a Winter 2012 survey Julie Steinbach, owner of Rainbow Toys in Falmouth, Maine, told TDmonthly that they sold 65 packs of stickers from Peaceable Kingdom this Halloween season.
Bop 'n' Glo Halloween Pen by RAYMOND GEDDES & CO., INC.
Bop pen on hard surface to activate light up feature. Assortment contains pumpkin, witch and skeleton light up pens. Black ink; approximately 7" long. — In a Winter 2012 survey one retailer told TDmonthly that novelty pens from Raymond Geddes were their bestselling Halloween toy.
This laugh-out-loud funny and devilish send-up of Ludwig Bemelmans's Madeline is for little monsters everywhere. Frankenstein is the scariest of all the monsters in Miss Devel's castle. He can frighten anything-animals, parents, even rocks. Until one night, Miss Devel wakes up and runs downstairs to find that Frankenstein has lost his head. — As of 12/5/2012 this product had 4.9 out of 5 stars from 8 reviews on Amazon.com — In a Winter 2012 survey Jessica Wood from Northshire Bookstore in Manchester Center, Vt., told TDmonthly that this was their bestselling Halloween book.
Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson by PENGUIN GROUP USA
The witch and her cat are happily flying through the sky on a broomstick when the wind picks up and blows away the witch's hat, then her bow, and then her wand. Luckily, three helpful animals find the missing items, and all they want in return is a ride on the broom. But is there room on the broom for so many friends? And when disaster strikes, will they be able to save the witch from a hungry dragon? — As of 12/5/2012 this product had 4.9 out of 5 stars from 128 reviews on Amazon.com — Pat Siegfried, co-owner of Black Forest Books & Toys in Charlotte, N.C., told TDmonthly in a Winter 2012 survey that Room on the Broom was their bestselling Halloween book.
Spider Dress is a black and red spider web print full-length dress. Unique open sleeve design shows the spider web print inner sleeve. Versatile dress can be used as a witch, vampire, or other spooky costume. — Melissa Pennille, co-owner of Teaching Toys & Books in Tacoma, Wash., told TDmonthly that this dress was one of their top-2 Halloween toys.
The perfect addition to any Halloween party, Vampy Vince sings a Halloween song and dances along to the music (well, his arms and head move to the beat). With a cool black/red/gray outfit and a classic vampire haircut Vince is ready to party this Halloween. Just press the button on his left foot to start the action. Vince comes with 3 AA replaceable batteries. — In a Winter 2012 survey Teresa Derry, owner of Annie's Toy Chest in Cocoa, Fla., told TDmonthly that Gund monsters were one of her Halloween bestsellers.
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
