With additional reporting by Chris Lundy and Brenda Ruggiero
Dress up clothes, sticker books, and face paint are great toys year round, not just at Halloween. But merchandise them together during the spookiest season of the year and suddenly you have your very own Halloween section. Check out the items below, Halloween best-sellers according to retailers interviewed by TDmonthly Magazine, and decide which to carry in your store, so you can be prepared next fall.
*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.
Construction Worker Costume by MELISSA & DOUG
This construction worker kit comes with a realistic vest in high-visibility neon orange trimmed with reflective tape, a bright yellow hard hat, work gloves, goggles, a tool belt, a toy hammer and saw, a measuring tape, and a name tag for personalizing. The vest is machine washable, and the measuring tape really works. — “The Melissa & Doug Construction Worker set sells very well,” said John MacDougall, owner of Golden Apple Learning Store in Pleasanton, Calif., in early 2009. — In a December 2011 survey about best selling Halloween items, seven out of 12 retailers named Creative Education as their best selling brand of costumes. — “Since the introduction of costumes by Melissa & Doug, they have been selling well,” said Joe Berardoni, owner of Pun's Toy Shop in Bryn Mawr, Pa.
Snazaroo Face Painting Activity Book by COLART AMERICAS, INC.
The new Snazaroo Face Painting Activity Book features 54 pages filled with 23 face painting designs and creative play ideas. Also included are 6 face paints and a sponge & brush. The three step designs are easy to follow, even for non-readers. Snazaroo face paints are easy to use and remove. Snazaroo is safe and easy to use! All Snazaroo products meet both US and EU toy and cosmetics regulations. Launch date: MAY 2014 — Emily Bieritz, manager of The Toy Box in Amherst, Mass., told TDmonthly in a December 2014 interview that Snazaroo face paint is one of their best-selling Halloween toys.
This new edition of Face Painting was completely refreshed, revised, and revitalized for a new generation. Klutz added more detailed directions for simple sponge and brush techniques and created tear-out cheat sheets to make painting birthday parties easier than ever. But the biggest change is the Wolfe Brothers face paints. They go on smoothly, dry quickly, last longer, and wash off easily, with bold, bright colors. The book comes with a six-color palette of face paints, a brush, a sponge, and 12 tear-out take-along design cards. — Her Halloween 2010 crowd liked the Klutz face painting book, reported Gwen Bowden, manager of Doodlehopper for Kids in Springfield, Va. — In a December 2011 survey about best selling Halloween products, 3 retailers said face painting kits were among their best sellers. — Syd Clarke, owner of Ali-Cat in Carrboro, N.C., told TDmonthly in a December 2014 interview that Face Paint from Klutz is one of their best-selling Halloween toys.
There's no rest for the wicked in this Wicked Witch Deluxe Hat! This sleek and sophisticated witch hat comes with an attached fitted head and neck scarf. Just what you need for causing wicked mayhem in the land of Oz. Officially licensed by Disney. — Emily Bieritz, manager of The Toy Box in Amherst, Mass., told TDmonthly in a December 2014 interview that witch hats from Elope are one of their best-selling Halloween toys.
PlayBac: EyeLike Stickers: Halloween by WORKMAN PUBLISHING
EyeLike Stickers are the freshest, most vibrant sticker books on the market with 400 high-quality photographic stickers in each book. — Syd Clarke, owner of Ali-Cat in Carrboro, N.C., told TDmonthly in a December 2014 interview that EyeLike Stickers: Halloween is one of their best-selling Halloween toys.
Now your child can be a vet, scientist, lab tech, doctor or dentist; this is the perfect garment for their imaginative play. It is a 3-pocket design with button-front closure and it will stand up to tough kid’s play. Sizes: 2/3, 4/6, 6/8, 8/10, 12/14 — Sean O'Neal, owner of Science Safari in Cary, N.C., told TDmonthly in a December 2014 interview that Lab Coats are one of their best-selling Halloween toys.
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.
Let your little one fulfill her dream of becoming the Ice Princess. The frosty swirl pattern on this skirt will have your princess swirling ice sculptures in minutes. The decorative lining along the neckline is polished with a single gem. Enjoy the unique sheer drape that delicately falls behind her to create a royal effect. The sleeves and sparkly bodice are made of a stretch-knit fabric and are embellished with a custom glitter print. The dress is finished with a silver sequin detail along the hem. To complete this winter story see our Scandinavian Princess. Features: clothing quality fabrics; machine washable. Stretchy, soft and very comfortable. Sizes: S-XL — Peg Scholtes, owner of Capitol Kids LTD in Madison, Wis., told TDmonthly in a December 2014 interview that the Ice Princess costume is one of their best-selling Halloween toys, due to the popularity of Frozen.
Let your little one dress up like her favorite heroine princess in this unique dress. The gathered inset, china silk sleeves and intricate gold trim frame the black velvet bodice. The royal blue skirt features a black border consisting of sparkly ruffled tulips. The dress is adorned with a gold sequined hem along the bottom of the skirt. To complete this winter story purchase the Scandinavian Princess and her sister the Ice Princess. Features:: clothing quality fabrics; machine washable. Stretchy, soft and very comfortable. Sizes: S-XL — Peg Scholtes, owner of Capitol Kids LTD in Madison, Wis., told TDmonthly in a December 2014 interview that the Scandinavian Princess costume is one of their best-selling Halloween toys, due to the popularity of Frozen.
Great Pretenders - Baby Bat Cape by CREATIVE EDUCATION OF CANADA
Great Pretenders - Baby Bat Cape is a NEW fan favorite. This bat cape has been redesigned to fit Toddlers 18 Months to 3 Years. Our unique Soft velour is washable and a great addition to any wardrobe. Launch date: January 2012. — Lisa Dallegos, manager of Out of the Blue, Ltd. in Albuquerque, N.M., told TDmonthly in a December 2014 interview that the Bat Cape costume from Great Pretenders/Creative Education of Canada is one of their best-selling Halloween 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
