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."

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.

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. 

Joeydolls celebrates Asian heritage and culture by producing a high quality, and authentically representative toy line. Now available in 19 stores across the world, you may be surprised to know that this small toy business began during the COVID-19 Pandemic, and was funded by 1 powerhouse mom, Samantha Ong. The brand has won three awards for its effort towards creating more inclusivity and diversity during a period of Asian-hate, has just paired up with five new retailers to make its diverse, award-winning dolls more readily available to the public.

The digital age is here and just like everyone else, toy inventors need to embrace the internet and social media in particular. E-commerce managers, distributors, licensors and other professionals who scour the web for new toy inventors to work with look at social media, in addition to sites like Kickstarter to find the next big thing. How will you “wow” them? Keep reading to find out.

Have you ever wondered what it takes to write and illustrate a children's book? Maybe you have a few ideas but you’re not sure if they’re good. Or maybe your book is complete but you don’t know what to do next. How do you find a talented editor, agent, or publisher? Most people have a great idea to create something but they get caught up in the little things, which stops them in their tracks. Instead they watch other people’s ideas come to life.