TOY NEWS AND INDUSTRY COVERAGE
By John Besmehn
Senior Writer
Playmates Toys stands at a pivot point in 2026, more like a Rubik's cube that's just had all its sides scrambled by an overly enthusiastic toddler.
By John Schulte
Senior Writer
As we survey the toy industry in 2024-25, the landscape reveals both the dazzling successes of individual releases and the lingering malaise of creative stagnation. While pockets of ingenuity shine brightly, they illuminate the broader struggle: A marketplace hungry for true innovation, where risk often takes a backseat to tried-and-true formulas.
By John Besmehn
Senior Writer
The New York Toy Fair is one of the most significant events in the toy industry, where manufacturers, retailers, and toy enthusiasts converge to showcase, discover, and discuss the latest innovations in playthings.
By Blythe Abigail Su-Ren
Staff Writer
Toys and music have long held a symbiotic relationship, entwining the worlds of imagination and melody for generations. From the humble music box to modern digital marvels, toys have been instrumental in introducing children to the enchanting world of music.
By John Schulte
Senior Writer
Look! Up on aisle 7! It’s a third Superman DC Comic Rebirth Multiverse Action Figure!
By Cheryl Ann Wong
Senior Writer
Food-related toys not only serve as a source of entertainment but also as a gateway to understanding food, culture, and creativity. They have the power to inspire future culinary enthusiasts, encouraging a lifelong appreciation for the art of food.
By John Besmehn
Senior Writer
This analytical report delves into the intricate relationship between popular culture and the toy industry. It investigates how blockbuster movies, television shows, and video games exert a significant influence on toy sales and collectibles within the industry.
Imagine a world where every child, regardless of their abilities or background, has the chance to dive headfirst into the magical realm of play.
By John Besmehn
Senior Writer
Toys have always been an integral part of childhood, serving as more than just sources of entertainment. They are powerful tools for learning, exploration, and skill development. In this in-depth news article, we delve into the significance of toys in child development by seeking insights from child development experts.
By John Besmehn
Senior Writer
With the rise of streaming platforms, video games, and augmented reality experiences, traditional toy manufacturers have had to adapt to keep up with the ever-evolving taste du-jour for both children and adults alike.
By Cheryl Ann Wong
Senior Writer
It’s age-old advice: Safety first — especially when it comes to babies and kids. Because common sense doesn’t always rear its head, safety regulations do — and that’s a good thing.
By John Schulte
Senior Writer
Labubu dolls arrive not as toys in the traditional sense, but as provocations. They stare back at you from the shelf—wide-eyed, mischievous, faintly feral.
By Cheryl Ann Wong
Senior Writer
The toy industry has long been a source of joy and imagination for children worldwide. As society evolves, however, so too must the products we create for our youngest consumers. Embracing diversity and inclusion (D&I) in the toy industry is not just a matter of social responsibility; it's also a smart business move.
By John Besmehn
Senior Writer
In a world where trends come and go, one hobby has endured the test of time and continues to captivate enthusiasts around the globe – toy collecting. Whether it's vintage action figures, rare vinyl records, or limited-edition sneakers, collectors find joy in hunting down, preserving, and admiring items that hold sentimental value.
By John Schulte
Senior Writer
The so-called fashion-side of the toy industry — where trends emerge, ebb and flow, and on occasion swell into tsunami-sized waves of influence, infiltrating pop culture and affecting the confluence of industries — between licensing, toys, lifestyle products, and entertainment, is often obvious from observation, or intimated via analysis of data.
CURRENT REVIEWS
By John Schulte
Senior Writer
Furby has never been subtle, and its 2025 return makes no attempt to change that reputation. This is a toy that fills rooms—sonically, emotionally, culturally.
By John Besmehn
Senior Writer
Bluey toys succeed by honoring the ordinary. The Heeler Family Road Trip Vehicle doesn’t invent spectacle, it preserves it
By Cheryl Ann Wong
Senior Writer
The Snap Circuits Spy Kit doesn’t sell science—it seduces curiosity. By wrapping circuitry in the aesthetics of espionage, it transforms wires and switches into secrets waiting to be uncovered.
By Cheryl Ann Wong
Senior Writer
Move over, Lego, your reign of terror over the delicate flesh of unsuspecting parents’ feet is officially over. The Jelly Blox Creative Kit has arrived, and it’s here to make family playtime safer, squishier, and about 80% less painful.
By John Besmehn
Senior Writer
Listen up, parents. If you’ve ever dreamed of turning your toddler into the world's cutest gig economy worker, Radio Flyer has delivered the perfect ride-on toy. This little red beauty not only screams classic charm but also serves as your toddler’s first introduction to the hustle of meeting delivery deadlines. Let’s dive into the adorably chaotic fun.
By E.M. Dekel
Associate Writer
Oh, dear reader, gather 'round, and let me regale you with my tale of Dog-E by MINTiD
By Greg Berman
Associate Writer
Hasbro Gaming's Dungeons & Dragons: Bedlam in Neverwinter Game is a thrilling adventure that brings the beloved tabletop RPG to life on your tabletop.
By John Schulte
Senior Writer
For Holiday 2025, Barbie’s most compelling statement comes not from fantasy excess, but from grounded creativity.
By Cheryl Ann Wong
Senior Writer
Playmates Toys has once again proven why they are the definitive brand for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles(TMNT) fans. Since 2024, their latest wave of TMNT toys has delivered exceptional quality, innovative features, and a fresh take on the bodacious beloved franchise. Here’s why this line is a must-have for both collectors and kids alike.
By John C. Besmehn
Senior Writer
Air Toobz from Fat Brain Toys are the air-powered tube-building set that turns curious kids into master designers of tube mazes and soaring foam ball races!
By John Schulte
Senior Writer
In an era of rapid technological advancement, Embodied, Inc. has emerged as a trailblazer, dedicated to creating state-of-the-art companion robots that are revolutionizing human-centric care and wellness.
By Blythe Abigail Su-Ren
Staff Writer
Ah, pickleball — the sport that’s taken the retirement community by storm. It’s tennis-lite for Grandpa, cardio-friendly for Grandma, and apparently inspiring for kids who are too young for mid-life crises.
By Greg Berman
Associate Writer
It’s a splash of adventure with Spin Master’s PAW Patrol Aqua Pups Wale Patroller!
By Blythe Abigail Su-Ren
Staff Writer
The Jazwares Big Fat Yarn Squishmallows Accessories Bundle Kit offers an exciting way to enhance the play experience with Squishmallows. Its strengths lie in its diverse accessory selection and high-quality materials. However, it faces some competition in terms of pricing and ease of use when compared to other similar products on the market.
By Cheryl Ann Wong
Senior Writer
At first glance, Tikduck’s Flying Bouncing Ball looks like a simple, colorful sphere — but the moment it springs to life, it becomes a tiny spectacle of motion, surprise, and giggles. This is the kind of toy that doesn’t just bounce… it performs.
