Things are looking up for the toy industry as parents and grandparents, sad over the bankruptcy of Toys R Us, fueled massive sales in the first half of the year.

The toy industry's sales grew 7 percent to $7.9 billion through June, according to market research company NPD Group.

"It is likely that the Toys R Us news has kept toys top-of-mind for parents and grandparents when shopping for kids in general, benefiting both consumers and the industry," Juli Lennett, senior vice president and industry advisor, said in a statement Monday.

She said she was convinced that the jump in sales was at least partially due to empathy over losing Toys R Us.

"I think it brought about an emotional response that resulted in parents buying more toys overall," she said.

Lennett said that sales of toys priced between $5 and $19.99 and robotic and interactive toys were the two major drivers of growth in the toy industry so far this year.

Collectible dolls like LOL Surprise, Fingerlings and Soft'n Slo Squishies remain at the top of kids' wish lists as well as toys that feature dinosaurs and unicorns.