Top-10 Most-Wanted Electronic Toys

The ferocious Morphibian Killer Whale packs a lot of features into one durable, adventure-seeking package. This full-function, radio-controlled vehicle performs on land and in the water. Whether pond-side, pool-side, in the house or in the yard, the Morphibian tackles all kinds of terrain. The Killer Whale works on a 27MHz frequency, allowing it to coexist with another of Kid Galaxy's 49MHz vehicles without controller confusion, and requires two AAA and three AA batteries (not included).
― “Kid Galaxy's Morphibian does great,” said Terry Myers, owner of Kaleidoscope Toys in Round Rock, Texas, in June 2010.
― “[The] Morphibians are popular items,” said Sandy Challinor, owner of Owl's Nest Toy Store in Southlake, Texas. In Summer 2010, Challinor reported sales of 30 to 40 Morphibians per month.
― Sixteen of 40 retailers surveyed in June 2010 told TDmonthly Kid Galaxy is their best-selling electronic line.

This small, 12-legged microrobotic creature is battery powered and designed to behave just like a real bug. It moves very quickly and can even flip over by itself. Five colors are available in the Newton Gravity Series. Awards: Parent's Choice Award 2010. Launch date: Fall 2009. See article: Innovation First Sues Urban Trend Over HEXBUG Nano Knock-off
— Pufferbellies toy store in Staunton, Va., "tweeted" the Hexbug Nano as No. 1 of its top-5 sellers during the first two weeks of December 2009.
― “Hexbugs are doing very well,” said Jenny Bramhall, owner of Dandelion Toys in Fort Collins, Colo., in summer 2010. Fifteen percent of 40 retailers polled in June 2010 said Hexbugs are their best-selling electronic item.
— Hexbugs were great sellers at Figpickels Toy Emporium in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho in Aug. 2010. “They fill the affordable techno/RC need - grab and go,” said owner Brett Sommer.
AWARDS: 2010 TDmonthly Top Seller

The R/C Tarantula from Uncle Milton puts control of this large, realistic spider in the palms of kids' hands. The flocked texture and detailed coloring of its legs and body give it a lifelike texture, and all eight legs move as it rolls along on wheels concealed under its abdomen, for a convincing scurry. Even the remote control is a creepy spider egg. The Tarantula works best on smooth, flat surfaces and requires two AAA and two AA batteries (not included).
― “[We carry] some battery operated R/C toys. The most popular is the [Tarantula] from Uncle Milton,” Patti Tepper-Rasmussen, owner of Learning Tree Toys in Oklahoma City, Okla., told TDmonthly about her best-selling electronic toys in June 2010.

The Robocar Jr. features a rotating front wheel carriage that allows it to spin in 360 degrees in either direction, providing traction even when it's on its side or upside down. When the car gets stuck, simply rotate the front axle to free it or change direction. Flashing LED lights in the rear hubs and in the cockpit add a touch of exuberant fun.
— “Our best seller right now is the RC Stunt Robocar Jr. from Geospace,” Jason Curtis of Funtopia in Middletown, Ca., told TDmonthly in October 2009 when discussing best-selling hobby and R/C products. “It’s a great R/C for younger kids, too. It’s not too complicated.”
― “The R/C Stunt Robocar Jr. from Geospace is a great birthday item,” said Jason Curtis, owner of Funtopia in Middletown, Calif., when asked about his top-selling electronic toys. Curtis cited sales of six to 10 per month in June 2010.
― Two of 40 retailers listed Geospace as their best-selling electronics supplier when surveyed by TDmonthly in summer 2010.

Beyond the basic motion detector or potato clock, Elenco's Snap-Micro I Standard kit allows children to learn about the theory and application of micro-controllers while building their own complex projects. A variety of components and software included in the kit guide children through the basic commands and flow charts required to assemble and operate the micro-controller, which can then program more than 25 different projects. 
― “Snap Circuits do well,” said Sherry Phipps, owner of School Crossing in Williamsburg, Va., during a summer 2010 survey of top-selling electronic toys.
― Two of 40 retailers told TDmonthly in June 2010 that Snap Circuits are their best-selling electronic item.

At the pool, on the pond, or on the shores of a small lake, Kid Galaxy's Barracuda is a fun, refreshing water toy. Durable, fast and easy to steer, the boat is designed with a distinctive hull for stability on the water's surface and a steerable prop for responsive handling. The boat comes in two colors: bold red and white, and bright yellow. The two designs are 49MHz and 27MHz respectively, allowing for two boats to race and play together without crossing the signals from the controllers. The vehicle requires one 9V and 6 AA batteries, which do not come with the set.
― Barbara Fineblum, owner of Barston's Child's Play in Baltimore, Md., said in June 2010 she sells three Kid Galaxy Barracudas per month, and listed this item as her best-selling electronic toy.
― “They're really good and sturdy. [Kid Galaxy] is a great company to work with,” said Sarah Evers, owner of Dancing Bear Toys in Hendersonville, N.C., after telling TDmonthly Kid Galaxy is her top-selling electronics line during a summer 2010 survey.

Coat hangers and twigs are a thing of the past now that the Spinmallow has been invented. Just stick a marshmallow on the telescoping skewer, hold over the fire and let the roasting begin. It includes a flashlight on top to help easily locate the graham crackers and chocolate. Launch date: 2009.
― John Naisbitt, owner of Thinker Things in Solana Beach, Calif., told TDmonthly in June 2010 that Spinmallow is one of his top-selling electronic items.
― “Marky Sparky is the best company for the older boy,” remarked Diana Gisolfu, owner of Sister's Kids in Springfield, Mass., about what makes Marky Sparky her best-selling line of electronic toys.
― Two of 40 retailers said in summer 2010 that Marky Sparky supplies their top-selling electronics.

This Astrojax swinging ball toy features three balls on a string with the center ball free to slide. Each ball has super-bright LEDs that are impressive even in broad daylight.
— “The Astrojax line doesn't really have any competition. Some skills for the yo-yo are transferable to Astrojax, but yo-yo tricks are done within a plane, whereas Astrojax is a completely new toy, a ‘free-dimensional orbiter™.’ Upon introduction of the Blue Diamond, this model instantly became our best-seller because the light displays it creates are so beautiful,” Larry Shaw of Astrojax told TDmonthly. Launch date: January 2005.
― “Astrojax, and they sell like hotcakes!” Shana Hack, owner of Moon Rabbit Toys in Santa Fe, N.M., said when TDmonthly asked about her best-selling electronics and battery operated items in June 2010.

A die-cast model of Sodor's cheerful green engine, Learning Curve's Battery-Powered Percy brings life to a child's wooden railway. With an easy start button and glowing headlights, the four-wheel-drive engine powers itself around the track and can even pull other cars. It requires one AA battery (not included).
― “There's quite a bit [of growth] in the battery powered engine category with … the Learning Curve items,” said Keith Schumacker, manager of Talbot's Toyland in San Mateo, Calif., when asked about his best-selling battery-operated toys during a summer 2010 survey.

These bright tropical fish swim around their bowl all day long while requiring none of the feeding, cleaning, or careful temperature monitoring of a real aquarium. The round bowl and simulated rock base offer an attractive and realistic appearance.
― When asked about her top-selling electronic or battery-operated toys in June 2010, Diana Nelson, owner of Kazoo & Company in Denver, Colo., said “this whole line” from Fascinations, including the Magic Fish Bowl.