With additional reporting by Chris Lundy and Brenda Ruggiero
This month TDmonthly interviewed retailers about their best-selling furniture and play houses. While many retailers didn't carry furniture or traditional play houses due to space concerns, several play tents, like the Kidoozie Royal Princess Play House, proved popular.
Learn more about the top-10 furniture and play houses below.
*No manufacturer paid to be included in the Top-10 list below. All products listed were designated by editorial staff without regard to the company's relationship with TOYDIRECTORY.com/TDmonthly Magazine.
Kidoozie Royal Princess Play House by INTERNATIONAL PLAYTHINGS LLC
Your little princes and princesses will enjoy hours of fun while playing in the Kidoozie Royal Princess Playhouse. The Kidoozie Royal Princess Playhouse is easy to assemble and big enough to fit two or more little ones. With a front flap door and two mesh windows, the Kidoozie Royal Princess Playhouse is made of durable materials. A carry case is included with the Kidoozie Royal Princess Playhouse. — In a June 2014 survey, two out of 10 retailers told TDmonthly that the Kidoozie Royal Princess Play House from International Playthings was their best-selling play house. — In a June 2015 survey, three out of 10 retailers told TDmonthly that the Kidoozie Royal Princess Play House from International Playthings was their best-selling play house.
LA SIESTA Joki Outdoor hanging crow's nest is made of HamacTex® (polypropylene). This fibre is weatherproof, fast-drying and surprisingly similar to cotton in look and touch. The large, soft seat cushion (filling: polyester) can be removed. In hanging crow's nest Joki children find the calm protection they need for playing and dreaming. Soft swinging stimulates the sense of balance, thus playfully promoting your child's development. LA SIESTA hanging crow's nests are recommended by the German Federal Association for the Promotion of Posture and Physical Exercise. — In a June 2014 survey, Dean Smith, owner of JaZams in Princeton, N.J., told TDmonthly that their best-selling furniture is "Joki swings from La Siesta. We are selling about 20 per month." — Peg Scholtes, owner of Capitol Kids LTD in Madison, Wisc., told TDmonthly in a June 2015 survey that Joki from La Siesta is their best-selling furniture item.
VW Camper Van Play Tent (Pink) by THE MONSTER FACTORY USA
Not to be outdone by their parents, these new licensed T1 VW Camper Van Play Tents are just what every hip and happening kid needs this summer. Perfect indoors and outdoors, these new mini-me versions of the iconic 1965 Split Screen VW Camper Van are too cool for school. Available in light blue and baby pink, they are packaged in a stylish and easy to store VW Wheel bag. Each tent accommodates up to three children comfortably. — In a June 2014 survey, Dean Smith, owner of JaZams in Princeton, N.J., told TDmonthly that their best-selling play house is "a VW Camper Tent which is selling at a rate of about 10 per month." — In a June 2014 survey, Dean Smith, owner of JaZams in Princeton, N.J., told TDmonthlyin a June 2015 survey that the VW Camper tent is their best-selling playhouse.
Outdoor Sling Lounger with Navy Stripe Fabric by KIDKRAFT
It's fun to stretch out and relax in the KidKraft Outdoor Sling Lounger with Navy Stripe Fabric. This comfortable chair is perfect for sitting on the front or back porch after a long day of playing. The KidKraft Outdoor Sling Lounger with Navy Stripe Fabric features: Smart, sturdy, all-wood construction; Weather-resistant paint to keep color vibrant; Detailed, step-by-step assembly instructions. — Helen Ulrich, sales clerk at Hardware Toys in Paoli, Pa., told TDmonthly in a June 2014 survey that children's canvas chairs are their best-selling furniture.
Kidoozie Pirate's Den Playhouse by INTERNATIONAL PLAYTHINGS LLC
Easy to assemble pirate’s den is generously sized to fit 2 or more little pirates. Flap front door, 2 mesh windows, sturdy material to withstand hours of play. Carry case included. — In a June 2015 survey, three out of 10 retailers told TDmonthly that the Kidoozie Pirate Den Play House from International Playthings was their best-selling play house.
Sesame Street Come 'N Play Cookie Monster Kitchen Cafe by PLAYSKOOL
Little chefs will love pretend cooking alongside Cookie Monster with this Sesame Street toy kitchen! It comes with 6 pieces of play food, a spatula and frying pan to make yummy and healthy snacks. Slide the windows open or closed to feed Elmo and Abby Cadabby, or slide both windows open to serve hungry customers. The Cookie Monster Kitchen Cafe has a stove burner that “lights up” and makes sizzle sound effects, and an order bell that dings. Just like a real café! This interactive toy kitchen has over 70 phrases and sound effects, and plays the Cookie Monster Kitchen Café Song. At 30 inches tall, it’s the perfect size for preschoolers over 18 months to 4 years. No assembly tools are required. It securely snaps together. — Teresa Ford, owner of Kids Ketch in Lewes, Del., told TDmonthly in a June 2014 survey that International Playthings' Kidoozie Pirate Den is their store's best-selling play house.
Simple and compact, this new Elves & Angels kitchen design features a top shelf for displaying and storing dishes. Like the Julianna's Kitchen the oven and cabinet compartment provide lots of storage space and endless opportunities for cooking fun. The simple slot-together assembly takes only a few minutes so little cooks can get right to work. Launch date: January 2013. — Candace Gooch, owner of At Once All Agog in Limerick, Maine, told TDmonthly in a June 2014 survey that various Elves and Angels kitchen sets are their best-selling furniture.
Calico Critters: Bunk Beds by INTERNATIONAL PLAYTHINGS LLC
Cloverleaf Corners is a magical place of imagination, where animal families all live together, as well as play, laugh, learn and love. There are charming homes, playgrounds, toy shops, schools and more! Each parent is about 3" tall, child 2.25 " tall, and baby 1.25" tall. The clothing is removable and everything is interchangeable. This is the Bunk Beds Set. — In a June 2014 survey, Joel Dinkins from Doodlehopper 4 Kids in Falls Church, Va., told TDmonthly that Calico Critters bunk beds is their store's best-selling furniture. — Mary Whitbrod, owner of Imagination Station in Toledo, OH, told TDmonthly in an August 2014 survey that Calico Critters was the store's best-selling line of collectibles.
Rosalina and her friends welcome you to an afternoon tea party at their brand new castle! What a lovely space for your child's imagination to run wild. Measuring 35 1/2" L x 20 3/4" W x 43 1/2" H, this tent will fit great in just about any playroom. Children will adore the vibrantly-colored and nicely detailed scene depicted on the outside of the tent! Tent material is made of polyester and frame is made of plastic rods, making both setting up, putting away and storage a quick breeze.
Planes are ready to take your little wanderer on a learning adventure. The fun doesn’t stop there…now they can learn to say planes on the clouds. This fun time tent will make any explorer a real world traveler.
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
