With additional reporting by Chris Lundy and Brenda Ruggiero
From horse masks to whoopee cushions, novelty toys can add some fun to any store. TDmonthly Magazine interviewed retailers in September 2014 to find out just which novelty toys are making the biggest waves specialty. Check out the top-sellers below.
*No manufacturer paid to be included in this list. All products listed were designated by editorial staff without regard to the company's relationship with TOYDIRECTORY.com/TDmonthly Magazine.
Set includes 5 pounds of Sands Alive!, 6 Geometric Shape Molds, 4 Deluxe Castle Molds, 4 Small Castle Molds, 5 Mini Castle Topper Molds, 2 Sculpting Tools, 1 Paver, Brick and Pebble Rollers with Interchangeable Handle and Large Play Tray. — In a March 2014 survey, 2 out of 9 retailers told TDmonthly that Sands Alive! was a best-selling product. — Kelly Ratoff, owner of Kennebunk Toy Company in Kennebunk, Maine, told TDmonthly in a May 2014 survey that Play Visions sands are consistently best-sellers. "As many as we can get, we sell through," she said. — David Castillo, vice president of The Red Balloon Toy Store in Salt Lake City, Utah, told TDmonthly in a November 2014 survey that Sands Alive is one of their store's best-selling educational toys. "Sands Alive especially has been hard to keep on the shelf," he told us.
Deep black with subtle green sparkles, this slightly stiffer Thinking Putty has a mind of its own. Near a powerful magnet it comes alive! Strong enough to defy gravity. It can even lift tacks and paperclips on its own after charging in a magnetic field. One would be mesmerized by the invisible forces at play. — Candace Gooch, owner of At Once All Agog in Limerick, Maine, told TDmonthlyin July 2010 that this product is one of her top-three best sellers. She cited sales of 12 in the last month and three in the last week. — In a late Summer 2012 survey, three out of 12 retailers said Crazy Aaron's Thinking Putty was their bestselling novelty item. Richard Gibson, owner of Learning Express of Newton in Newton, Mass., told TDmonthly that the putty brings in $5-6,000 a year, and "the best is the magnetic one." — In a Fall 2013 survey, three out of 12 retailers told TDmonthly that Crazy Aaron's Thinking Putty was their best-selling novelty toy.
Connect these speakers to computers, iPhones, iPods, tablets, Android, game players & more. Multi-colored jets of water dance to the volume and beat of the music. That, added to the 4 multicolored LEDs, creates an incredible light and water show. The speakers stand 9" tall and are compatible with any audio device that has a 3.5mm audio jack connection. They are lightweight and portable. All connection cords are included. — In a August 2014 survey, Stan Giliberto, owner of Over the Rainbow Toys in Glastonbury, Conn., told TDmonthly that this is one of their best-selling toys. "It's good for older kids who are starting to age out of toy stores," he explained. — In a September 2014 survey, Beth Snyder, manager of Growing Tree Toys in State College, Pa., told TDmonthly that these speakers are one of the store's best-selling novelty items.
The Self-Inflating Whoopee Cushion by WESTMINSTER INTERNATIONAL CO.
This whoopee cushion self-inflates and comes in a “Try Me!” package. It is available in yellow, orange or pink. — “The whoopie cushion — that's your perennial novelty item,” Tye Steinbach of Thinker Toys in Portland, Ore., told TDmonthly in May 2008. — According to Thea Brown, buyer and general manager at World of Mirth LLC in Richmond, Va., whoopee cushions are best-sellers, running out the door at a rate of “10 per month.” — In May 2008, three of 55 retailers surveyed by TDmonthly singled out prank products as best-sellers in the novelty category.
“You can be a super star every day!” says the illustrated blister card from Schylling. In assorted shapes, sizes, and colors, Schylling's Self-Adhesive Mustaches are instant personality. Whether for a disguise, fancy occasion, costume, or day-to-day fun, each of the seven mustaches is great for a laugh. — “We sell a ton of those. I'm always amazed at the number of those we sell!” said Greg Larson, owner of Larson's Toys and Games in Columbus, Ohio, of Schylling's Self-Adhesive Mustaches during a September 2010 survey of 49 retailers. — Two of 49 retailers listed Self-Adhesive Mustaches by Schylling as a best-seller in September 2010. — In a late Summer 2012 survey, two out of 12 retailers said that mustaches were their bestselling novelty item.
This latex mask with a realistic fur mane fits most adult heads and comes with an illustrated tag. — In a September 2014 survey, David Campbell, owner of Amazing Toys in Great Falls, Mont., told TDmonthly this horse mask, and other masks from Accoutrements, are the store's best-selling novelty items. "It's become a big deal on the internet," he explained. — Peg Scholtes, owner of Capitol Kids LTD in Madison, Wis., told TDmonthly in a December 2014 interview that the Horse Mask from Accoutrements is one of their best-selling Halloween toys.
A delightful sticker book with over 500 colorful stickers to complete the summery scenes. There's a summer flower garden to decorate with buzzing insects, pirate mice to add to a treasure ship, and stickers for beaches, boats, airports, picnics and other summer scenes. An amusing activity with lots to talk about on journeys and long summer days. — In an April 2012 survey about best selling travel toys, three out of 11 retailers said that sticker books from Usborne were their best sellers. — In a September 2014 survey, Kai Rady, owner of Shenanigans Inc in Charlottesville, Va., told TDmonthly that their store sells "hundreds and hundreds" of these sticker books each month, making them one of the store's best-selling novelty items.
Multi color. 24 pack in full color display box. Size 10"L x 1"W. — In a September 2014 survey, Lynda Blankenship from Smart Toys & Books in Knoxville, Tenn., told TDmonthly that What'Zit is one of the store's best-selling novelty toys.
Plus-Plus is a brand new breed of construction toy. Made in Denmark (the land of LEGO!), it is the ultimate in open-ended, imagination-driven simplicity. Each piece is the same shape - two plus symbols joined together - allowing for endless possibility. Available in Basic or Neon colors, and in 100pc, 300pc, 600pc and 1200pc. MSRP from 9.99 to 59.99. Launch date: July 2012. — In a September 2014 survey, Kai Rady, owner of Shenanigans Inc in Charlottesville, Va., told TDmonthly that Plus Plus is one of the store's best-selling novelty items.
Comes with 4 wrestlers on a card. Twist them together and watch them fight their way free with their best moves. Wild wrestling action! — In a September 2014 survey, Melissa Pennille, co-owner of Teaching Toys & Books in Tacoma, Wash., told TDmonthly that Wrestle Razzle was one of the store's best-selling novelty toys.
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
