Dallas News Blog

Patrick Michels

This week's Fall Toy Preview is a private show up on the Dallas Market Center's 12th floor, but there are signs all around the building.

​For a few days in mid-October last year, the 12th floor of the Dallas Market Center buzzed with anticipation over the big new offering from the toymaker Bandai -- of Tamagotchi fame, you'll recall -- a short plastic mannequin and a few swatches of fabric, packaged as a fashion design toy called Harumika.

Those recently began hitting the shelves, with deluxe kits including digital cameras, and entry into Harumika's own virtual world for sharing design ideas, and Toy Industry Association spokeswoman Julie Livingston says Harumika was an early favorite for this year's top Christmas toy fad (above even the Burning Man cupcake car).

Once again this week, mass retailers like Walmart, Sam's Club and Target are trolling the booths of TIA's Fall Toy Preview and making their picks for what kids will want under the tree come Christmas 2010.

New for 2010: Yeah, probably more Star Wars toys

​This year's show has exhibits from 276 toy makers -- Farmers Branch-based Erector Set and R/C car maker Nikko Electronics among then -- and around 1,000 retailers looking to buy ... well what, exactly?

Livingston and other TIA officials can't say. They say they know all about the trends in the toy market for 2010 -- when this year's Transformers fad is gives way to next year's Toy Story resurgence -- but the specific toys are all under embargo. Meaning: They're in Dallas, but obscured from prying eyes. TIA'ers won't even hint at what's behind those partitions and curtains; state secrets aren't this well kept.

Look for more details of what's to come when TIA hosts its main event in New York this February.

​Short of that, Livingston offered to walk us through a few more of the toys that'll be big this hoilday season, like this iTouch-powered take on an old standby.

This one's more of an "executive level" gift, Livingston says, retailing for around $150, but perfect for busy captains of industry who love their iPhones and don't have time to turn the blocks of an actual Rubik's Cube.