On November 17, 2023, the highly anticipated third installment of the Trolls franchise, Trolls Band Together, was released. But it didn't come alone; that same day, CAMP, a family-experience company, launched their Trolls X CAMP experience at their flagship 5th Avenue location in New York City.

CAMP: Pioneering Immersive Play: In December 2018, CAMP began its journey as an immersive retail experience for all to combine play, entertainment, and products in New York City. They wanted to create a unique, hybrid experience for people to be able to both shop and play. Their website, CAMP.com, is an extension of this vision, showcasing engaging activities for families, expertly curated product collections, future play trends, and more. 

From a young age, Michael Harring’s love for monster movies and horror legends like Rick Baker and Stan Winston fueled his imagination and creative ambitions. His early experiments in creature-making may have started with DIY garage kits, but his journey was far from traditional. Michael explored filmmaking, advertising, and even collaborated with icons like Disney and Star Wars, but his heart never left the world of monsters. With encouragement from family and friends, Michael finally returned to his roots, launching Wayward Ghouls—a unique line of collectible, nostalgia-filled monster toys for fans who share his passion for the strange and supernatural. Now, Michael’s creations capture that same childhood thrill, making Wayward Ghouls a must-have for any monster-loving collector.

For the upcoming 2024 holiday season, visit Toys R Us in Macys or through their website to discover toys for your kids created by those who love them best: parents, caregivers, and everyday people! These creators tap into their daily experiences to design toys that resonate with what kids really want and need, creating joyful play moments that last. This year's top Toys R Us picks are perfect for inspiring kids to explore, imagine, and engage with the world around them! Here are this year’s standout toys at Toys R Us, crafted with care, insight, and a dash of holiday magic.

Moose Toys, an Australian-based toy company, began its journey in 1985 as a family-owned business. Manny Stul, the founder, wanted to create innovative, quality toys that brought joy and laughter to children worldwide. Initially, the company focused on distributing toys and novelties before evolving into a manufacturer of original products, eventually gaining a reputation for its creativity and quirky approach to toy design. To this day, their mission statement includes a commitment to working closely with communities and charities to "give kids the chance to be kids" (Moose Toys "Our Story") by giving them the chance to enjoy play through collaboration, innovation, and toys with their "own kind of WOW."

Developing a toy on your own is possible and has been successfully achieved by numerous entrepreneurs. Some top toy companies today were startup toy companies, like Hasbro and Wow! Stuff. While the process can be complex, with careful planning and resourcefulness, you can make it happen. Here’s a process to do it on your own:

Developing a toy involves a structured process that transforms an initial idea into a market-ready product. The standard timeline to take an idea to a product that can be put on shelves is 1 year. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you navigate this journey…

As we approach the holiday season, it's time to explore the exciting trends in children's toys showcased at the Toy Insider Holiday of Play 2024. This year's event highlighted innovative products that blend play with learning, sensory experiences, and active engagement. Here are some of the standout toys that highlight the trends in children’s toys this year!

For many years, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) has been debated among artists in and outside of the toy industry. However, as AI continues to evolve, major players in the industry are starting to see its potential.

Earlier this year, Hasbro faced a wave of scrutiny following their job listing seeking AI concept artists. This was after users had found that in some of their loved games such as Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) and Magic: The Gathering, there seemed to be a continuous use of AI, something end users were not happy with. However, in June of 2024, Hasbro's CEO Chris Cocks stated that Wizards of the Coast will be utilizing AI for "campaign development or character development or story ideas" (Linward) and that they will be utilizing AI in their future video game projects, not tabletop games. 

Another major player in the industry, Mattel, revealed that they would be joining hands with Adobe's Firefly Generative AI to create packaging for their hit brand, Barbie. They had been working to make strides in AI, offering support to their designers in a more understated way before.

With toy industry giants like Mattel and Hasbro openly embracing AI in their toy development processes, is the toy industry finally ready to leap to embrace the tool?

Switching careers isn’t easy, but Chrissy Fagerholt has made it look like a breeze. Coming from a background in floral design, Chrissy has become a recognizable voice in the toy industry. She’s built a reputation for guiding aspiring toy creators through the process of turning their ideas into shelf-ready products—especially when it comes to landing in big-name stores like Barnes & Noble. In this post, we will explore her inspiring career path, the passion that drives her, and the strategies she uses to help others succeed in the toy industry.

Creating toys is not just a business—it's a blend of imagination, engineering, and marketing skills. If you have a brilliant toy idea but have no clue how to turn it into a reality, then Toy Creators Academy is the perfect place to start your journey in the toy industry. If you're unsure as to whether this program is the right fit for you, keep on reading to learn more!

Toy Creators Academy is an innovative educational platform designed specifically for aspiring toy creators. It provides a wealth of resources, including expert-led courses, mentorship, and networking opportunities. Whether you're a novice or someone with a few projects under your belt, the academy aims to nurture creativity and equip you with the skills necessary to succeed in the toy industry.

In a world that often feels more divided than ever, Lynn Herring set out on a mission to help people reconnect through the power of art. Leaving behind her successful career at an advertising firm and her dream home in Woodstock, NY, she persevered to design a game that would bring joy and connection into the lives of others. Her invention, XOX! Share the Love, is a fun and strategic coffee table game that serves as both a challenge and a piece of modern art - a game that might be easy to learn but challenging to master, making it so you can't help but want to play again and again.

Making the switch from one industry to another is never easy, especially when one goes from being a successful health journalist to a toy entrepreneur. Marina Khidekel, creator of Hugimals, took on this challenge and set out on a mission to address the emerging issues of anxiety and stress through her weighted plush toys. The two year old award winning toy and wellness brand has been featured in prominent media outlets such as Time Magazine, Parents Magazine, Good Housekeeping’s Best Toys, and the Today Show’s It List.

Have you ever wondered how toy inventors pitch their ideas to executives in major toy companies like Toys R Us? The process might be more personal and varied than you think! This article will give you a deep dive into insights from Azhelle Wade, aka The Toy Coach, who spent almost three years working at Toys R Us as a design manager and a product development manager. Here's a glimpse into her journey at Toys R Us and the key details that could help you get ahead when it comes to pitching your ideas in the toy industry.

Once upon a time, Gerardo Davila worked at Mattel, managing their commercial operations in Latin America. Today, he's a TCA Alumni who credits the program with keeping his toy dream alive and getting his products onto shelves. Gerardo shares his story of launching his toy on Episode #219 of the Making It In The Toy Industry Podcast.

On September 9th, 2024, MESH Helps, Inc. announced the first-ever group of toys and games to receive the MESH (Mental, Emotional, Social Health) Accreditation. 

Meet Kelly Clement, a former middle school educator who now tutors test prep for students preparing to enter specialized middle schools and high schools. At the end of her lessons, she would often hand out homework assignments to supplement the students' learning but felt terrible assigning them because she saw the assignments as dull and unreliable. Seeking out something more engaging and beneficial for her students, she took a chance as she leaped into the toy industry with the latest introduction in her line of products, "Watermelon Math".

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, the Tamagotchi was one of the biggest toy fads that had a grip over children in Japan and in the United States. This phenomenon began on November 23rd, 1996 when Bandai released their first Tamagotchi in Japan.

It originally consisted of a 32x16 pixel screen and three buttons to be used to take care of the Tamagotchi - the name of the creature and the device it was in. These buttons controlled simple tasks such as playing games with your pet, feeding it, or turning the lights on/off in its room. If you failed to complete these tasks, the Tamagotchi you raised would end up dying.

The Underconsumption Core TikTok trend has rapidly gained traction in 2024, resulting in major impacts on the toy industry. Underconsumption Core, a term coined by Gen Z and millennials on TikTok, is characterized by making every dollar count by being more selective and mindful of your spending by searching for products that provide lasting value. Driven by the increase in living costs and widespread budgeting efforts, this trend is almost a reflection of what we saw in the 2008 recession when low-cost, high-value toys and games were the heroes of the toy industry. The only difference? Customers aren’t just looking for cheap thrills. They want toys that matter, worth the effort they’ve put in to get them.