Suburban toys stores say buyers focusing on low cost

Suburban toy stores are finding top selling products have one thing in common. The price tags are under $25.

While parents trim family budgets, they still find a need to pick up birthday presents or something to keep the kids busy when they get out of school for the long summer.

"Parents are still buying, but just spending less than they used to," said Rick Derr, owner of Learning Express stores in Barrington and Lake Zurich.

While reviewing lists of top sellers from the seven suburban franchise stores, he finds that the top selling items at most locations fit into the $25 price range limit.

"Our number one item through the spring is the Frog EcoAquarium," Derr said.

The educational toy comes with a dwarf frog, bamboo shoot, snail and gravel that helps act as a filtration system.

The frog, which teaches responsibility, has to be fed only twice a week while the water has to be changed every five or six months.

The snail acts as the janitor to clean the algae and excess food, said Randy Horn, owner of Learning Express in Glen Ellyn.

"This is our top seller right now," said Derr, who sold more than 300 of the frogs during the first month they arrived. The self-contained aquarium sells for $24.99.

"They're turning out to be a good end-of-the-year gift or birthday present," Derr said.

Here are several other toys that are proving popular heading into the summer season:

It's crazy: Popular in the late 1990s, GoGo's Crazy Bones have returned to toy shop shelves. The inch-long plastic toy is the latest swapping craze to hit the market.

"The kids trade and collect them," Derr said. At $2 a pack, the toys are found everywhere from Target to Walgreens.

"We have them on back order and may run out," Derr said.

Almost unknown to adults, the tiny toys, best for 5- to 7-year olds, have caused a similar craze in the UK, Spain and Ireland.

Still alive: Webkinz are still one of the best sellers at Horn's 10-year old Glen Ellyn store.

The plush animals that allow children to play on an online Web site range in price from $10 to $13.

Attempting to capture a younger market, Ganz recently released Webkinz Jr. for preschool-aged children.

"These are selling very well. We sold out of our first shipment," Horn said.

Parents help the child with the online component that involves games and learning. "It's easy to navigate," Horn added.

Webkinz Jr. pets go for about $25.

Staying fresh: It's not really homework. Summer Bridge activity books are a way to assure that kids remember what they learned during the school year. The series of seven workbooks, that sell for about $14, are designed for preschoolers through sixth graders as a way to enhance retention. Each day's activity includes an exercise in reading, writing, math and language.

Slip Sliden' away: Think socks sliding across the hardwood floor. FunSlides Carpet Skates, for ages 6 and older, are bright plastic pieces that attach to the feet and allow for sliding on the carpets. Add hockey sticks and a puck and the carpet skates are perfect for a rainy day. The skates sell for about $17.

Not just for mistakes: Take Apart Puzzle Erasers have become popular for collecting. They come in all types of combinations from food to sports. Young shoppers can buy combination packs or single erasers for 99 cents. They resemble a dessert tray or items you'd find in a lunchbox.

Easy does it: The EZYRoller is one exception to the $25 rule. The cool toy combines the control of a bike and fun of a scooter. An EzyRoller sits low to the ground and moves like a snake without chains or pedals. Derr says the toy, selling for $119, is really catching on.

I'm bored: Parents looking to keep kids busy during long car trips or at the athletic fields while a sibling is competing are turning to popular Hangman books. This ingenious twist on the classic word game is a hit at toy and book stores. Word lovers can take the challenge with themed books for movie lovers to sports fans. It works much like a lottery ticket. Each page features a puzzle and 26 letters of alphabet accompanied by silver circles to scratch off.