With additional reporting by Chris Lundy and Brenda Ruggiero
Water toys were named a top trend at the 2015 New York International Toy Fair, and bath toys are at the top of the list. From boats to ducks and everything in between, these on-trend best-sellers were reported to us by 10 specialty retailers across the country.
*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.
WaterBlocks Super Set by JUST THINK TOYS
WaterBlocks brings classic block play into a watery environment. The bath tub and pool are the perfect places to create floating towns, bridges, waterslides, ball runs, towers and more. The "sticky" viscosity of water creates a helpful cling between blocks, and the movement, buoyancy and flow of water add an engaging twist to classic block play. The set includes 20 pieces. — Laura Turman, owner of One Two Kangaroo in Shepherdstown, W.Va., told TDmonthly in an April 2012 survey that Waterblocks are their best selling bath toy. — Joe Berardoni, owner of Pun's Toys in Bryn Mawr, Pa., told TDmonthly in an April 2015 survey that floating playsets from Just Think Toys are their best-selling bath toys.
Bath time just isn’t complete without our classic rubber duck. Made in Spain of all-natural, phthalate-free latex, the Original Rubber Duck comes in 7 fun and goofy styles. — Dean Smith, owner of JaZams in Princeton, N.J., told TDmonthly in an April 2013 survey that they sell 10 of the Original Rubber Duck each month, making it the store's best-selling bath toy. — David Stelzer, owner of Shananigans Toys in Baltimore, Md., told TDmonthly in an April 2015 survey that Rubber Duckies by Rich Frog are their store's best-selling bath toys. "It's a cute item and the best rubber duck," he told us.
Take the helm of the Green Toys™ Submarine for a nautical journey to help protect the planet. Submerge it underwater to explore the terrain at the bottom of the tub, and let it resurface to scan the horizon in search of the next earth-friendly adventure. Made in the USA from 100% recycled plastic milk jugs that save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, this sturdy watercraft features a spinning rear propeller, a flat bottom for added stability, and the classic handle and wide-mouth opening combination for plenty of scoop-and-pour fun. The cabin can be opened for easy cleaning, while the whole vessel is also dishwasher safe. No BPA, phthalates, PVC or external coatings, and also meets FDA food contact standards. Packaged with recycled and recyclable materials and printed with soy inks. — Teresa Derry, owner of Annie's Toy Chest in Cocoa, Fla., told TDmonthlyin an April 2013 survey that this was the store's best-selling bath toy. — In a March 2015 survey, two out of 10 retailers told TDmonthly that Green Toys is their best-selling brand of eco-friendly toys. — Taka Andrews, owner of Miller's Toys in Mamaroneck, N.Y., told TDmonthly in an April 2015 survey that the Green Toys submarine was one of their store's best-selling bath toys.
Designed for ages 6 months and up, this toy for bathtubs and mud puddles is made in the USA of recycled plastic milk containers. It floats, is equipped with a spout on the front for scooping and pouring water, and is free of BPA, PVC, phthalates and external coatings. It comes in packaging made of recycled or recyclable materials and featuring soy inks. Launch date: March 2010. — In an April 2012 survey about bath toys, two of eleven retailers told TDmonthly the Tugboat from Green Toys was their best seller. — Kristen Dolle, Manager of Playthings Toy Shoppe in Louisville, Ky. named the Green Toys Tugboat as a best-seller in the bath category when surveyed by TDmonthlyin late Spring 2011. — Want this? As of 05/06/2011, this product was available for purchase at Playthings Toy Shoppe.
These floating drums introduce kids to rhythm while they bathe, and can be pitch-adjusted according to the amount of water in the drums themselves. They come with a waterproof rhythm chart. — “We sell tons of Alex's bathtub musical instruments. A dozen or so [per month],” Mary Porter, owner of The Curiosity Zone in Ashburn, Va., told TDmonthly in spring 2009. — In March 2009, eight of 64 retailers named instruments by Alex-Panline as their best-selling bath toys. — Alex products are always top sellers for Melody’s Choices, Owner Steve Melody told TDmonthly in spring 2009. “Stock it well and it will sell well,” he said.
The 3-in-1 Music Island includes three real instruments for the tub on a fish-shaped floating island. It's part of the famous Tub Tunes' line of bathtub musical instruments for toddlers. The Island includes a drum, xylophone and Octopus Jingle Shaker. It also comes with two mallets, music sheets and a music holder. — “Alex is where it is at for bath toys. We sell at least two a week,” said Alison Cox, owner of Animal Quackers in Raleigh, N.C. — “Alex bath toys do well, all of them. We especially do well with Tub Tunes,” Patricia Masing, co-owner of Tree Town Toys in Ann Arbor, Mich., told TDmonthly in March 2008. — Five of 37 retailers cited the Tub Tunes' line as a hot-selling bath toy with customers in spring 2007. Thirty percent of 40 retailers who spoke with TDmonthly in March 2008 singled out this item as the best-selling bath toy in their stores. — Want this? As of 05/06/2011, this product was available for purchase at Hardware Toys.
Ahoy there, ship mates! Sail the high seas and have lots of bathtime fun with Pirate Pete aboard the Pirate Ship. Pirate Pete can climb the mast for a bird's-eye view over the bubbles. His playful Octopus is ready to give a quick squirt to any unwelcome visitors. For a more masterly blast of water, Pirate Pete merely needs to activate his big red cannon at the helm of the ship. Enemy gaining ground? Quick--add more water to the big spinning wheel for extra power. And if all else fails for our loveable Pirate, he can climb into the getaway dingy and launch himself into that wet and bubbly ocean. Man overboard! Pirate Bath Ship is great bathtime fun! No batteries required. — Elizabeth Royall, buyer of Wonder Works in Charleston, S.C., told TDmonthly in an April 2015 survey that this Pirate Bath Ship was their store's best-selling bath toy.
This set includes a basketball net and three squirting balls. A suction cup rim and mesh net allows the product to be mounted easily to a smooth surface for bath-time fun. —Margy Peine, owner of Tree House Toy Shop in Cumberland, Md. named Rub a Dub Shapes For The Tub as a best-seller in the bath category when surveyed by TDmonthly in late Spring 2011. — In an April 2012 survey about bath toys, five out of 11 retailers named Alex as their best selling brand. — Want this? As of 05/06/2011, this product was available for purchase at Tree House Toy Shop.
HEXBUG Aquabot 2.0 with Fishbowl by INNOVATION FIRST LABS, INC.
Part pet, part toy, the HEXBUG Aquabot 2.0 provides kids with the fun experience of having a pet fish, without all the messy clean-up. The portable fishbowl allows kids to bring their pet fish with them wherever they go! Includes repositionable background and name tag. HEXBUG Aquabot 2.0 is available in two styles, the Angelfish and Hammerhead Shark, and ten translucent colors. The Aquabot 2.0 swimmers are equipped with an inner pulsating LED glow and a hi-tech sensor allowing you to wake the sleeping fish by tapping on the tank. Styles and colors are selected randomly at time of shipment based on availability. — Mary Tague from Toy Town in Key Biscayne, Fla., told TDmonthly in an April 2015 survey that the Aquabot was their best-selling bath toy.
Splash and make waves in the bath with this set. The fun never ends! Float them on the water, fill’em up and squirt the water out. Set of 4 animals: Shell, Starfish, Turtle, and Dolphin. — In an April 2015 survey, two out of 10 retailers told TDmonthly that squirt toys were their best-selling bath toy.
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
