With additional reporting by Chris Lundy and Brenda Ruggiero
When it comes to infant and toddler toys, the classics are always in style. When TDmonthly interviewed retailers in April 2015 about their best-selling infant & toddler toys, old stand-bys like Comfy Cozy Blankets and the Fun Time Tractor topped the list. Take a look at these proven best-sellers, along with a few new choices, in our list of the Top-10 best-selling infant and toddler toys 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.
Comfy Cozy Cow by GUND INC.
Gund’s Comfy Cozy is a 24-inch plush blanket with a full satin underside and a plush animal pillow. The blankets come in a variety of colors and animals including a monkey, cow, lamb, horse, lion, bear, puppy, and kitten. — “There are so many that are good, but I say Gund Comfy Cozies — the larger size a baby can lie on” are my best-selling baby gifts, Dennis Hofstetter, owner of The Toy Store in Atlanta, told TDmonthly in July 2008. — “For babies, we have had a lot of success with the My First Teddy Bear [Comfy Cozy] blanket by Gund,” added Donna, owner of Treasured Child in LaGrange, Ky. “I have re-ordered twice and we just started carrying them six weeks ago.” — Eleven percent of 66 retailers mentioned a Gund product when discussing as top-selling gifts for babies in summer 2008.
This tractor has a farmer that drives around with five removable plastic farm animals that make their animal sounds when placed on the plastic vehicle. — Out of the Blue Ltd. Store Manager Kara Fichtner, in Albuquerque, N.M., told TDmonthly in May 2006: “It’s one of my favorite toys. It’s something we show customers when they come in looking for a toy for a 1-year-old.” — “We sell 144 tractors a year, and we don’t have many people coming in,” Grafton Stine, owner of Toys on the Square in Hummelstown, Pa, told TDmonthly in summer 2007. — “For a first birthday toy, it’s the Fun Time Tractor from iPlay — it really sells,” noted Teresa Ford, owner of Kids’ Ketch in Lewes, Del., when asked about best-selling baby gifts in July 2008. Six of 39 retailers told TDmonthlyin March 2010 that International Playthings supplies their best-selling infant and toddler toys. Two singled out the Funtime Tractor as a top-selling individual item with sales of four per month. — In a 2012 survey about best selling infant & toddler products, Joe Berardoni, owner of Pun's Toys in Bryn Mawr, Pa. told TDmonthly, "Pun’s best selling baby toy continues to be the Funtime Tractor from International Playthings. Even though it retails for more than $30, this store sells a disproportional amount- up to 12 a month, even during slow times. Of course, my staff all love it also, so it is usually recommended."
A charming representation of HABA with natural colored beech wood along with a rainbow of wooden beads. A cheery addition to any baby’s rattle collection. Non toxic water based stains. 6mo+ — David Stelzer, owner of Shananigans Toys in Baltimore, Md., told TDmonthly in an April 2015 survey that Haba rattles and toys are their store's best-selling infant & toddler toys.
What a cute idea: vegetables kids can cuddle with and listen to. The carrot and tomato rattle, and the lettuce leaf rustles. Later, this trio will make a great addition to any play food set. — David Stelzer, owner of Shananigans Toys in Baltimore, Md., told TDmonthlyin an April 2015 survey that Haba rattles and toys are their store's best-selling infant & toddler toys.
When children press a key on the piano, they not only hear a sound, they see stars pop up! The clear arch guides the popped stars onto a different pipe so when another note is played, they’ll pop some more! Adults can remove the arch to allow the stars to land on the floor, encouraging children to crawl after them. Pop! Pop! Piano measures 9" x 11" x 5.34" with clear arch attached. For ages 12 months and up. — Dean Smith, owner of JaZams in Princeton, N.J., told TDmonthly in a January 2015 survey that Pop Pop Piano is their store's best-selling musical toy. They sell around 10 each month. — Dean Smith, owner of JaZams Toys in Princeton, N.J., told TDmonthly in an April 2015 survey that the Pop-Pop Piano is their store's best-selling infant & toddler toy. They sell around 12 each month.
NogginStik® Developmental Light-up Rattle by SMARTNOGGIN INC
The NogginStik® developmental light-up rattle is baby’s first learning toy. It might look like a cute version of a baby rattle, but it has a powerful agenda. The NogginStik® was designed to help parents, caregivers and early intervention therapists begin encouraging early milestones in infants. The NogginStik head lights up red, blue and green to stimulate a baby’s eyes and to encourage visual tracking. The base of the NogginStik makes a soft rattle sound to please the ears. It has an easy to hold handle for mastering grasping and fun textures to delight the sense of touch. Your baby’s NogginStik® will help you begin to encourage her beginning milestones from the day she is born! Awards:2014 TDmonthly Top Toy Award — Joe Novak, owner of Kazoo Toys of Buckhead in Atlanta, Ga., told TDmonthly in an April 2015 survey that the Noggin Stik is one of their store's top 2 best-selling infant & toddler toys.
Pounding sends the balls tinkling over the xylophone. Pull out the keyboard and the xylophone can be played solo. All Hape products comply with EN71 and ASTM quality standards - wood used comes from FSC managed forests. Awards: May 2012 TDmonthly Top Toy Award. Why it won: This item was named a Top-10 Musical toy in February and a Top-10 Wooden toy in March by specialty retailers interviewed by TDmonthly. Its innovative design combines the elements of the popular shape sorting/tapping toy and the xylophone, giving it great play value. — As of 1/6/2012 this product had 4.2 out of 5 stars from 13 reviews on Amazon.com. Pros: Durable; lots of ways to play. Cons: The keyboard is not properly tuned. — In a 2012 survey about Musical Products, three out of 13 retailers said this item was their best seller. Kelly Boone, manager of The Elephant's Trunk in Greenville, S.C., told TDmonthly that they sold at least 36 during the holidays. — In a February 2012 survey about wooden toys, two out of 14 retailers said that this was their bestseller in the category. Kristin Dolle, manager of Playthings Toy Shoppe in Louisville, Ky. told TDmonthlythat they sell between 8 and 12 units of this item each month.
Fantasy play just got more entertaining with the Folkmanis® WINGED DRAGON puppet. Fierce and bold, this green flying reptile is a handful of fun. Create your own fairytale by animating the mouth and wings of this magical beast. — Mary Porter, owner of Curiosity Zone in Ashburn, Va., told TDmonthly in an April 2015 survey that Folkmanis puppets are one of her store's top-two best-selling infant & toddler toys. — In a June 2015 survey, three out of 10 retailers told TDmonthlythat Folkmanis was their best-selling puppet brand.
Meet pipSquigz, a set of three Fun Little Suckers for ages 6 months and up. Adored by baby and parents alike, pipSquigz are perfect for the stroller, highchair, bathtub, and anywhere-travel. Simply push pipSquigz down on any smooth surface and watch baby interact with this high-quality silicone suction toy. With super-suction, each shape can be tugged, pushed, shaken and pulled. Or, push and stick the shapes together for new play experiences. Babies delight in the versatile movement, sound and texture. — Heather Rounds, buyer for Smart Kids Company in Greenwich, Conn., told TDmonthly in an April 2015 survey that Pipsquigz was their store's best-selling infant & toddler toy.
Suitable for babies 0 to 3 months and up, this teether and discovery toy features a contrasting spot pattern that offers visual stimulation, plus a squeaker for amusement. It is made of natural rubber from Hevea tree and colored with food paint. Sophie is distributed in the United States by Calisson. — Retailers surveyed by TDmonthly have been naming Sophie the Giraffe as a best-seller since 2009. ― Nicole Boomhover, assistant manager of Learning Express in Cahaba Heights, Ala. told TDmonthly in late Spring 2011 that they sold between five and ten Sophies a month. — In an April 2012 survey, three out of 11 retailers told TDmonthly that Sophie the Giraffe was their best selling infant & toddler product. ― “Sophie giraffe is a great baby product that we order over and over again,” Diana Nelson, owner of Kazoo & Company in Denver, Co., told TDmonthlyin June 2010. “I can't keep them on the shelf,” agreed Keith Schumacker, general manager at Talbot’s Toyland in San Mateo, Calif. ― During a March 2010 survey of 39 retailers, seven said Sophie the Giraffe is a top-selling toy for infants. Sales averaged 24 per month. — Want this? As of 05/06/2011, this product was available for purchase at Learning Express of Cahaba Heights, Ala. AWARDS:2014 TDmonthly Magazine Top Toy Award,2010 TDmonthlyTop Seller
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
