With additional reporting by Chris Lundy and Brenda Ruggiero TDmonthly Magazine interviewed retailers in August 2015 to find out which collectibles were flying off their shelves. From dolls to wind ups, you can see their picks 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.
This young helper with delicate yellow wings is a real addition to the elf wedding. Harp Elf is a talented musician and will gently strum the harp resting on her knees to create beautiful music for the bride and groom’s first dance. She will play late into the night providing the perfect atmosphere for a Bayala celebration. Launch date: May 2011. — Erika Evers, owner of Dancing Bear Toys Limited in Hendersonville, N.C., told TDmonthly in a Summer 2011 survey that she sells 5 Schleich figures each day. She sites the figures' "museum-quality resin," and the store's large display, as reasons for their popularity.
Start your super-cute Shopkins™ collection with the 2 Pack! Includes 2 characters and a shopping basket for you to shop with! Collect them all! — In February 2015, Barbara Vininsky of Jack & Jill in Montreal, QC, told TDmonthly that "SHOPKINS are the hottest thing since Rainbow Loom!"
Kids can watch these animals walk, then flip for fun. The assortment includes a dog, cat, frog and monkey. Launch date: 2006. — “Wonderful wind-up toys from Toysmith,” Candace Williams of The Toy Maven in Dallas, Texas, told TDmonthly when asked to name the best-selling novelty item in her store. — “Toysmith wind-ups are most popular,” Fred Rosenberg, owner of On the Park in Kingwood, Texas, told TDmonthly in May 2008. According to Rosenberg, they sell “hundreds” per month. — In May 2008, 11 of 55 retailers named Toysmith as the manufacturer of their best-selling novelty toys.
This classic 8" Maggie doll has light freckled skin, rosy cheeks, auburn hair styled in fat bouncy curls, blue eyes in dressed in an Irish fisherman knit sweater, green tweed kilt and coordinating derby hat, plus she arrives carrying her shillelagh walking stick. A perfect doll honoring traditional Irish folklore.
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.
This three piece set comes with a mystery foal, whose color is a surprise. This set features a grey stallion and a black mare, and their foal remains hidden in its stall until the package is opened. A fun visual lesson in horse genetics, the foal's coat color and pattern will be based upon the coat color and patterns of its parents. — Denise Magstadt, owner of Imagination Station in Whitefish, Mont., told TDmonthly in a Summer 2012 survey that they sell 10 Breyer Horses each month. — Sari Powacek from Doll House & Toy Store in Scottsdale, Ariz. told TDmonthly in an August 2013 survey that Breyer horses are one of her store's best-selling collectible lines.
This 12 inch baby doll with blue eyes and light brown painted hair wears a soft, pink knit top and pants. The shirt, pink textured knit with princess seams and self-binding, has a pink and white striped yoke and sleeves. The pink and white, striped, knit pants has pink, mini polka dot binding at the ankles and an elastic waistband. A pink knit headband with a white bow that has mini, pink polka dots, completes this baby.
The Tribute Kendama is a Japanese wooden skill toy that challenges hand-eye coordination, focus, balance, and creativity. Enjoyed by millions in Japan, its only recently been introduced into the USA thanks to KendamaUSA. " It is the only Kendama designed so that the cups can never fall off the handle, which is the #1 customer complaint with copy-cat brands," Jeremy Stephenson, president of Kendama USA, told TDmonthly. Launch date: January 2007. Awards: 2012 ASTRA Toy of the Year Award Nominee — David Castillo, vice president of The Red Balloon Toy Store in Salt Lake City, Utah, told TDmonthlyin a November 2014 survey that Kendamas, especially ones from Kendama USA, are one of their store's best-selling toys.
Each of the 16 all-new minifigures come in a sealed "mystery" bag, so kids never know which minifigure they might get. And each minifigure has its own special accessories, display plate and collector's leaflet. Series 7 includes: Aztec Warrior, Evil Knight, Galaxy Patrol, Jungle Boy, Viking Woman, Ocean King, Grandma Visitor, Rocker Girl, Tennis Ace, Computer Programmer, Bride, Swimming Champion, Daredevil, Bunny Suit Guy, Hippie and Bagpiper. — In a Summer 2012 survey, Deran Muckjian, owner of Catch a Falling Star in Lexington, Mass., told TDmonthly that "Lego continually sells really well, across the board, for boy gifts," and that the LEGO minifigures were an overall best seller. — In a late Summer 2012 survey, two out of 12 retailers said that LEGO minifigures were one of their bestselling novelty items. — In a July 2013 survey, two out of 12 retailers told TDmonthly that LEGO minifigs are their best-selling toy.
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.
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
