Get Involved with The Toy Book’s 2023 Innovation & STEAM Issue!



The toy industry is fueled by innovation, and in our 2023 Innovation & STEAM Issue (out Dec. 15), The Toy Book team unpacks the trends and outlook for multiple categories, including STEAM, AI, Sustainable/Eco-Friendly toys, MESH, and more. If you have products that you want retailers and the rest of the industry to see, we’d love to share them. Submit your products here…

Exclusive: Hey Buddy Hey Pal Inks Egg-citing Licensing Deal for PEEPS Brand EggMazing Egg Decorator



Hey Buddy Hey Pal inked a deal with Just Born Quality Confections to produce PEEPS Brand EggMazing Egg Decorators for Easter 2024. The new range includes two Egg Decorators in the iconic PEEPS Marshmallow Bunnies shape. Read more…

National Toy Hall of Fame Reveals 2023 Finalists



The National Toy Hall of Fame recognizes toys that have inspired creative play and enjoyed popularity over a sustained period. Each year, the hall inducts new honorees and displays the chosen toys at The Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, New York. Read more…

The Hassenfeld Family Foundation to Donate $1 Million to Charity in Celebration of Hasbro’s 100th Anniversary



To commemorate Hasbro‘s 100th anniversary, Alan Hassenfeld and The Hassenfeld Family Foundation will donate $1 million to four charities dedicated to supporting kids and families: Games for Change, Hasbro Children’s Hospital, One Tree Planted, and Toys for Tots. Read more…

Jazwares to Bring Winter Wonderland to Toy Fair



Jazwares is gearing up to host a winter wonderland at Toy Fair this year, including a Squishmas tree for photo ops and other holiday surprises. Attendees will also be able to get a sneak peek at The Vault, a new direct-to-consumer online platform. Read more…

JAKKS Pacific Partners with Imua Family Services to Open Play Imua Store for Maui Wildfire Victims



JAKKS Pacific has partnered with Imua Family Services, a nonprofit organization, to launch Play Imua, a new toy store in response to the wildfires that have devastated communities across Maui, Hawaii. Read more…

Tonies Launches New ‘PAW Patrol’ Figure



Ahead of the theatrical release of the upcoming PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie, Liberty the Dachshund is joining the roundup of PAW Patrol Tonie figures. Read more…

WS Game Company Launches Costco Monopoly



WS Game Company has launched a custom-illustrated Costco-themed Monopoly game and it’s just as iconic as the $1.50 hot dog combo. Read more…

McFarlane Toys Kicks Off Football Season with NFL Action Figures



NFL fans can celebrate the beginning of the season with McFarlane Toys’ new NFL action figures. These new collectibles continue the company’s recently relaunched SportsPicks line. Read more at The Pop Insider…

Fun In Motion Toys Launches Duomoto Puzzle Cube



Much like the Shashibo puzzle cube, the Duomoto can transform into dozens of shapes and is powered by rare earth magnets. However, the Duomoto features two segments instead of just one, which can lead to more shapes. Read more…

PlayMonster, TigerHead Toys to Bring Pinky Promise Gemmy Friends to the U.S.



PlayMonster Group and TigerHead Toys are joining forces to bring Pinky Promise Gemmy Friends to the U.S. through a new strategic distribution agreement. Read more…

VTech Introduces New Lineup of Baby Toys



VTech is expanding its baby line with new additions. Featuring a play tunnel, tummy time pillow, and interactive baby toys, this expanded collection encourages little ones to make new discoveries and reach developmental milestones. Read more…

Steiff to Showcase Offerings at Toy Fair, FAO Schwarz

The luxury brand and inventor of the teddy bear will greet guests with a Disney pop-up shop and window displays at FAO Schwarz. The company will also feature events and promotions at its Toy Fair booth. Read more...

Kawaii Slime to Exhibit Latest Creations at Toy Fair 



Kawaii Slime Co. has revealed plans to exhibit at Toy Fair in New York City later this month. The family business will display several products from its best-selling and newest collections of slime creations at the show from Sept. 30 to Oct. 3. Read more…

Intersell's Lil Wish Lanterns Expands with New Products, App



Last fall, Intersell launched Lil Wish Lanterns, collectible lanterns that light up the included Wishimal characters. Now, the company is expanding the brand with new surprise toys and an app. Read more…

MGA, Nighthawk Bring L.O.L. Surprise! to Nintendo Switch



MGA Entertainment and Nighthawk Interactive teamed up to create a Nintendo Switch video game featuring L.O.L. Surprise! dolls. L.O.L. Surprise! Roller Dreams Racing is a Nintendo Switch roller-skating racing game full of vibrant tracks, friendly competition, and glittery surprises. Read more…

Minecraft, NERF to Blast Off with New Video Game



Launching Oct. 2, the Minecraft NERF World DLC (downloadable content) will be an additional “world” players can download and explore through Minecraft: Bedrock Edition via the Minecraft Marketplace. NERF blasters will be available for in-game use, including the Minecraft-branded NERF Ender Dragon Blaster. Read more at The Toy Insider…

Outright Games Reveals First ‘Bluey’ Video Game



BBC Studios and Outright Games have partnered to create the very first Bluey video game. Bluey: The Videogame is rated E for Everyone, so the whole family can gather around for some Bluey fun on Nov. 17. Read more…

Toy Fair Pavilion to Debut at The Temps at Total Home & Gift Market



Dallas Market Center and The Toy Association are teaming up to present the Toy Fair Pavilion during The Temps at Total Home & Gift Market in Dallas in January. The Toy Fair Pavilion will feature exhibits from major brands in the industry. Read more…

Melissa & Doug to Open First Retail Location in New York



The preschool brand that specializes in wooden and sustainable toys will open its first-ever retail store this fall ahead of the holiday season. The 1,600-square-foot store is scheduled to open its doors on Oct. 6 in White Plains, New York. Read more…

CAMP to Open Immersive ‘Bluey’ Experience in Los Angeles



Bluey x CAMP opens in Los Angeles on Nov. 6 at CAMP’s West Coast flagship store at Westfield Century City. Families will be able to visit Bluey’s home, a 5,000-square-foot house inspired by the Emmy Award-winning show and created in collaboration with BBC Studios. Read more…

From the Archives: Impact of G.I. Joe Continues to Grow

Take a dive into The Toy Book archives with this 1986 feature focusing on the growth of Hasbro’s G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero brand through line extensions, licensing, and the arrival of WWF Superstar Sgt. Slaughter. Read more…

WiT Stories: How to Play Up PR to Maximize Your Toy Fair Presence



With more than three years since the last in-person Toy Fair in New York and the new Q3 timing, this year’s event is rife with PR opportunities. Read more…

Holiday Predictions from Learning Express Toys & Gifts’ Rick ‘The Toy Man’ Derr



The holiday season is officially underway for the toy industry, and following the debut of The Toy Insider’s 18th annual Holiday Gift Guide, retailer predictions and hot toy lists are rolling out. Read more…

U.S. Video Game Spending Still on the Rise Despite Dip in Hardware Sales



Circana reported total U.S. video game year-to-date spending in August 2023 was 2% higher than last year at $34.9 billion. August 2023 U.S. consumer spending on video game content, hardware, and accessories totaled $4.2 billion, an increase of 3% when compared to August 2022. Read more…

Diamond Comic Distributors Appoints Ryan Shelkett as Executive Director of Vendor Development



Diamond Comic Distributors has appointed Ryan Shelkett as Executive Director of Vendor Development with a focus on toys and merchandise. In this position, Shelkett will aim to advance Diamond Comic Distributors’ presence in the marketplace. Read more…