Suburban toy stores say Star Wars, new trends emerge
A galaxy far away still attracts young boys and girls with Star Wars-related toys that are hot sellers this holiday season at suburban toy stores.
Getting a boost from the new movie, Star Wars Lego sets priced from $8 to $200 are flying off shelves quickly, said Steve Zdunek, owner of Learning Express in Naperville.
"There's always a frenzy when a new movie comes out," he said.
A variety of Star Wars toys, from lightsabers to action figures, have found their way onto Christmas lists this season. Suburban shoppers are not seeing that one specific item creating a shopping frenzy such as Cabbage Patch dolls, virtual reality pets or Webkinz of years past.
Besides Star Wars, other toys that are hot sellers involve arts and crafts, building blocks and even snow.
The Snow Kick, a popular pick this season, is a scooter that has skis instead of wheels for the winter months. It folds up like a Razor scooter, sells for $80 and is geared toward children ages 5 through 9 with a weight limit of 110 pounds, Zdunek said.
Another big seller this season is Shopkins, little collectible characters shaped like food items that can be pushed around in shopping carts. Shopkins are for 4- to 8-year-olds and range from $3 to $20. There are about 140 in the series and have been a trend for the last seven months, he said.
At Snickel Fritz Toys in Vernon Hills, Plush Craft has been a popular pick. The item features hedge hogs, unicorns, butterflies and other creatures that each can be woven into a plush pillow using fabric and a stylus tool. This gift is for children ages 5 and up and sells for $18, said Manager Heather Edwards.
Another hot selling item for the younger child is the Toybox that features small plastic animals that ride on scooters, airplanes and trains. They are for children 1 to 3 years and sell for $20 to $60.
Edwards agreed that Star Wars toys are flying off shelves. She is finding that the Perplexus 3-D maze with its sounds and lights has been popular pick.
Those seeking to add an educational element might consider Magna Tiles, magnetic building blocks, said Nikki Cortopassi, manager of Brilliant Sky Toys & Books in Deer Park. The 100-piece set with clear tiles is on back-order and sells for $120. Brilliant Sky also has been selling a lot of Lux Blox, another building block toy that includes hinges and other flexing parts. The 450-piece set is $130.
And many arts and craft sets are popular, including Fablossom, which allows young people to create fabric flowers without gluing or sewing. It's for ages 6 and over and costs $18.
1. Lego2. Star Wars3. Cars & Trucks4. Video Games5. Hot Wheels6. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles7. Xbox One8. PlayStation 49. Nerf10. Marvel Action FiguresFor girls:1. Barbie2. Disney's Frozen3. Dolls4. Monster High5. American
Top toys for 2015 holiday season