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• Hasbro, Inc. Celebrates the Release of SHREK 2 With a Full Line of Plush, Play Sets, Figures and Games
  Travel to a 'Kingdom Far, Far Away' this summer as DreamWorks Pictures brings back America's most beloved ogre in the fun-filled SHREK 2. Hasbro, Inc. welcomes SHREK and friends back with a full line of SHREK 2 plush, play sets, figures and games available Spring 2004 at retail stores nationwide.
  Author: Stacey Holz - Date: July 25, 2004



• New PLAY-DOH ARTS 'N CRAFTS Line... Bringing Imagination to Creation in a Whole New Way
  For generations, the classic PLAY-DOH modeling compound has been a favorite way to create and play. This year, Hasbro's ever-popular PLAY-DOH brand mixes with traditional arts and crafts for a whole new kind of fun -- the PLAY-DOH way! Hasbro announces the introduction of the PLAY-DOH ARTS 'N CRAFTS line featuring PLAY-DOH crayons, markers and paints!
  Author: Stacey Holz - Date: July 25, 2004



• Spider-Man® 2 Already Spinning a Web of Success at BURGER KING Restaurants
  Just how popular is Spider-Man 2? According to Burger King Corporation, the Webbed Wonder's Spider-Active Kids Meal Toys are slinging their way into action at a record pace, while in-restaurant, point-of-purchase merchandising elements for the new Spidey Sense game is vanishing from restaurants as mysteriously as Peter Parker when trouble beckons. Could it be a love story in the making between Spider-Man 2 fans and BURGER KING merchandising and toys?
  Author: Shana Willox - Date: July 25, 2004



• Tony Hawk's Boom Boom HuckJam Tour and My Scene Featured in McDonald's Happy Meals
  Tony Hawk’s Boom Boom HuckJam Tour and My Scene dolls add style and adventure to McDonald’s 25 Years of Happiness Happy Birthday Happy Meal celebration.
  Author: Shana Willox - Date: July 25, 2004



• Akira Popularity Celebrated with New Capsule Toys
  From Katsuhiro Otomo's landmark sci-fi manga and anime, Akira, comes this awesome new set of trading figures, available exclusively in North America from Diamond Comic Distributors!
  Author: Marian Lorenz - Date: July 24, 2004



• The First Annual Toy Bank Collection at TOY FAIR 2004
  Thirty-five volunteers decked out in bright orange 'Toy Bank' t-shirts descended upon the Javits Center to collect toys at the close of TOY FAIR 2004. The collection – more than 6,000 toys valued at approximately $135,000 – will brighten the lives of thousands of children in the Tri-State area, thanks to the generosity of 165 TOY FAIR exhibitors in the Javits Center and Showrooms.
  Author: Vadim Moore - Date: July 24, 2004



• TOY FAIR is the showcase for the newest trends in toys
  Noting a renewed enthusiasm and optimism, attendees and exhibitors at the 101st annual American International TOY FAIR declared the 2004 trade show an overwhelming success, said Tom Conley, president of Toy Industry Association, Inc., which owns TOY FAIR.
  Author: Alex Drabing - Date: July 24, 2004



• American International Outdoor Toy Show™ joins TIA Events Calendar
  Toy Industry Association, Inc. (TIA™) announced that it will expand its international trade show offerings to support TIA members and the changing needs of their retail customers, specifically mass market and long-lead retailers.
  Author: Leila Pellucci - Date: July 23, 2004



• Hello Kitty® and Bandai America Incorporated Deliver Another Year of Bright Smiles
  Everybody’s favorite feline is back to delight girls as Bandai America Incorporated introduced its new Hello Kitty toy lineup at Toy Fair 2004. In its third year of bringing the imaginative world of Hello Kitty to life with a fanciful collection of products, Bandai America delivers a whole new set of themes, dolls and playsets.
  Author: Ryan Alton - Date: July 23, 2004



• Researchers Report: 'Play is Under Attack'
  Never has there been a more critical time to preserve play for our nation’s youth, says the Toy Industry Foundation (TIF), the philanthropic organization primarily supported by the North American toy industry. This statement comes as a result of recent research introduced by Yale’s Center in Child Development and Social Policy. Parents as Teachers, the nation’s leading child development experts, agree.
  Author: Ryan Alton - Date: July 23, 2004



• The Centre for Applied Research in Educational Technologies (CARET) fuses gaming and training-based simulations using Virtools
  Virtools™, the leading provider of interactive 3D authoring solutions, is pleased to be part of CARET's research program as a prototyping tool for their innovative educational applications.
  Author: Ryan Alton - Date: July 23, 2004



• Toy Industry Association Releases Summer Toy and Play Safety Tips
  Sandboxes, squirt guns, bikes and kites…these images of summer mean more hours of sunlight and school vacation. With thousands of innovative summer toys on store shelves, summer months present more playtime than other seasons, necessitating a heightened awareness by caregivers for child safety
  Author: Leila Pellucci - Date: July 23, 2004



• Palliser Furniture Ltd. Announce Recall of Toy Boxes
  In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission , Palliser Furniture Ltd., of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, is voluntarily recalling about 4,500 toy boxes. The toy box's lid can fall suddenly, posing entrapment and strangulation hazards to young children. In addition, spaces at the end of the hinge on the lid can cause pinched, crushed and lacerated fingers.
  Author: Sam Amin - Date: January 28, 2004



• Politician Proposes Toy Gun Buy-Back to Prevent Kids' Violent Behavior
  A politician in Maryland wants to start a buy-back program for toy guns -- yes, toy guns -- and it's got Libertarians baffled: They don't know whether to support the program or snicker at it.
  Author: Sam Amin - Date: January 28, 2004



• The Toys Are Back In Town And They're Wound Up And Ready To Play In Toy Story 2
  This exciting all-new sequel to the landmark 1995 blockbuster Toy Story makes its highly anticipated video and DVD debut from Walt Disney Home Video and Pixar Animation Studios.
  Author: Art Rowe - Date: January 27, 2004



• CPSC, Advantage Publishers Group Announce Recall of Children’s Activity Books
  In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Advantage Publishers Group, of San Diego, Calif., is voluntarily recalling about 5,300 Amazing Baby Listen and Play activity books. The hub of the pink dial embedded in the inside back cover can come off during use in some of these books, posing a choking hazard to young children.
  Author: Amy Bush - Date: January 27, 2004



• CPSC, BRIO Corp. Announce Recall of Toy Drums
  The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announces the following recall in voluntary cooperation with the firm below. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.
  Author: Amy Bush - Date: January 27, 2004



• Prestigious Game Developer Achieves Top Success
  BioWare Corp. is honoured to announce that it has been recognized as one of Canada's Top 100 Employers. This award is a great honour, and it reflects the continuous hard work of our Human Resources department to make BioWare a great place to work. It is important to BioWare because it reflects our core value of quality in our workplace, and it also demonstrates that BioWare is an employer of choice for prospective employees not only in Canada, but world-wide, said Joint CEO Dr. Ray Muzyka.
  Author: Amy Bush - Date: January 27, 2004



• The Betesh Group Announce Recall of Busy Bug Plush Toys
  In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, The Betesh Group of New York, N.Y., is voluntarily recalling about 11,200 Busy Bug plush toys. The antennae of the plush toy can be chewed or pulled off, posing a choking hazard to young children.
  Author: Art Rowe - Date: January 27, 2004



• American Medical Association, National Education Association, YMCA among the groups supporting the switch to a TV-free lifestyle
  More Than Games proudly joins the American Medical Association, the Association for Childhood Education International, the National Association for Gifted Children, the YMCA, and 70 other supporting organizations, plus thousands of schools, libraries, and community groups nationwide in a coordinated effort to encourage millions of Americans to turn off their TV sets for seven days.
  Author: Ushi Boor - Date: January 26, 2004



• BBC Multimedia takes Gold Award at Good Toy Awards with Tweenies - Play to the Music
  BBC Multimedia, the video games publishing division of BBC Worldwide, has taken the Gold Award in the Electronic & Multimedia category of the Good Toy Awards 2002, with Tweenies - Play to the Music PC CD-ROM.
  Author: Ushi Boor - Date: January 26, 2004



• EnterTheGame, the Leading Gaming Chat Network in America
  EnterTheGame, the Leading Gaming Chat Network in America, today announced the details of an on-line party they are hosting to commemorate their 3rd year anniversary on Febuary 5th, 2002. The party will be held on the EnterTheGame IRC Network in the channels #etgforever, #etgpickup, and #etgallstars and will have music, interviews, gaming, an all-stars gaming series, and over $1000 worth of giveaways.
  Author: Ushi Boor - Date: January 26, 2004



• Mark Noble wins the Astra Plasma Screen
  Congratulations to Mark Noble of Noble Leisure on being the lucky winner of Astra’s ATEI 2003 Party Games plasma screen competition.
  Author: Ushi Boor - Date: January 26, 2004



• More Than Games names 2002 Party Games of the Year
  As the holiday party season moves into full swing, the gurus at More Than Games announced their 2002 Party Games of the Year list today.
  Author: Ushi Boor - Date: January 26, 2004



• Outset Media Produces Surplus of Fun With New 2003 Party Games
  Outset Media is showing that it’s more than an educational game company… it also knows how to party. In 2003, two new party games will be added to its growing product line – Telepaths and Similarius.
  Author: Ushi Boor - Date: January 26, 2004



• SAFE KIDS Coalition Offers Tips to Play it Safe for the Holidays
  The beginning of the holiday season inevitably means the beginning of the toy-buying season. In fact, more than 50 percent of toys are purchased between September and December alone. Although the majority of toys are safe, they can become dangerous if misused or if they fall into the hands of children who are too young to play with them.
  Author: Ushi Boor - Date: January 26, 2004



• A Monthly Reward through New Cartoon Pen Pal Program
  To kick off the launch of the new Sharing Precious Times children's business, Sharing Precious Times today announced a new and unique gift idea for parents, which encourages camaraderie, helps with reading skills, and provides a year-long treat. The Sharing Precious Times new Cartoon Pen Pal program features a series of cartoon characters with varied interests and personalities.
  Author: Rex Lowe - Date: January 26, 2004



• Start-up in Children's Market to Provide Fun, Monthly Gift for Children
  To kick off the launch of the new Sharing Precious Times children's business, Sharing Precious Times today announced a new and unique gift idea for parents, which encourages camaraderie, helps with reading skills, and provides a year-long treat. The Sharing Precious Times new Cartoon Pen Pal program features a series of cartoon characters with varied interests and personalities.
  Author: Ushi Boor - Date: January 26, 2004



• Toy innovators use SolidWorks to expand company focus and create consumer health care breakthrough
  One of the world’s leading toy invention, design, and development firms has used SolidWorks 3D mechanical design software to broaden its customer base and bring innovations to the consumer health care market.
  Author: Alex Gore - Date: January 24, 2004



• Educational Toys for the Refrigerator
  A new venue for learning has evolved from an unlikely household appliance: the refrigerator. According to ToyMagnets.com, a specialty online toy store, combined with the proper items, a refrigerator can become an effective educational tool in any household.
  Author: Alex Gore - Date: January 24, 2004



• First Annual TIA & TOY Wishes Holiday Preview
  The Toy Industry Association has formed a partnership with Toy Wishes, the celebrated magazine created to put the fun back in toy shopping, to kick-off the holiday editorial season. The First Annual & Toy Wishes Holiday Preview will be held at the Metropolitan Pavilion in New York City. In addition to the much anticipated announcement of this year's Hot Dozen - the toys predicted to be the must haves of the season - more than 500 new toys from nearly 50 toy manufacturers will be on display at this media-only event.
  Author: Alex Gore - Date: January 24, 2004



• Classic Children’s Story, Now Major Motion Picture
  LeapFrog Enterprises Inc., a leading developer of innovative technology-based educational products, is proud to announce its newest reading adventure for the LeapPad learning system--the classic children's story, Dr. Seuss The Cat in the Hat, will be available at Wal-Mart stores nationwide through the holiday season.
  Author: Dana Wells - Date: January 24, 2004



• VTech Introduces the First True Teen Phone
  VTech Communications, Inc., a pioneer in cordless telephony since its introduction of the world’s first fully digital 900 MHz cordless telephone, today announced the introduction of its revolutionary new.
  Author: Dana Wells - Date: January 23, 2004



• Learning Resources Earns Prestigious Awards
  Learning Resources, the trusted source for quality, award-winning math, science, early childhood and language educational toys, is announcing its recent product award winners that are sure to be the top of holiday wish lists! Adding to the company’s list of over 300 product awards, this year’s award winners include: Talking Math Mat Challenge Game - Kids get to think on their feet! Interactive talking floor mat with fast and crazy quiz games make learning math fun! Kids listen to the equation, do the math, then step on the right answer. The game gets faster as their scores get higher! Features six different games and two skill levels to reinforce numbers, counting, addition and subtraction up to the number 20.
  Author: Dana Wells - Date: January 23, 2004



• Leonardo Dicaprio and National Geographic Kids Magazine Team up to Inspire a Million Kids to be Habitat Heroes
  Actor Leonardo DiCaprio may have gone down on a sinking ship in the movie Titanic, but now he's asking kids to help him make sure the Earth doesn't sink in pollution. As guest editor of the April issue of National Geographic Kids magazine, DiCaprio encourages kids to think green and take the Habitat Hero Pledge.
  Author: Dana Wells - Date: January 23, 2004



• MADAME ALEXANDER Takes Another Trip Down The Yellow Brick Road
  This time Cissy becomes Dorothy. Dorothy Cissy with a Flat Chest Torso and glittering ruby red slippers is one of the most innovative and enchanting Cissys ever done. Dressed in a blue and white gingham dress with straps, she wears a white taffeta shirt with puffy sleeves underneath. Toto comes with Dorothy, carried in a small basket.
  Author: Dana Wells - Date: January 23, 2004



• Mega Bloks Inc. Presents Fun, Educational Toys for The Holidays
  Mega Bloks Inc. sets the standards for creativity and innovation. The award-winning MEGA BLOKS product line consists of a full range of integrated building blocks and imaginative hybrid toys that merge blocks with other toy concepts such as figures and vehicles.
  Author: Dana Wells - Date: January 23, 2004



• Cause-Marketing Initiative Boasts World-Class Brand, Play-Based Child Development Strategy and Wide Array of Licensing Opportunities
  The momentum behind PBS KIDS educational products continues to build as the Public Broadcasting Service today announced a new comprehensive strategy for the line that focuses on the power of open-ended play as a means of encouraging child development. Featuring the PBS KIDS brand -- the #1 brand in children's educational entertainment -- this cause-marketing initiative will create high-quality educational products and services and support public television. A number of product categories remains available for licensing partnership.
  Author: Dana Wells - Date: January 23, 2004



• SolidWorks® software Helps Make an 8-Year-Old’s Dream a Home
  Challenge is nothing new to Jacob Dunnack, who was just four days old when doctors performed the first of several surgeries to combat a congenital heart defect. During an ensuing operation when he was still less than a year old, he suffered a stroke that doctors feared would leave him blind and paralyzed. Now at eight years old and doing things other kids his age do in his home town of Willimantic, Conn., Jacob is about to overcome a new challenge: bringing his own invention ¾ a hollow plastic baseball bat that stores balls inside ¾ to market. Thanks to the help of a design engineer and the easy-to-use SolidWorks software for making 3D computer aided design (CAD) models, Jacob has been able to see the JD Batball through design, modeling, and production as it prepares to hit the shelves at Toys R Us Thanksgiving weekend.
  Author: Dana Wells - Date: January 23, 2004



• TRADING CARD GAME Collectible Tin
  To preserve the world’s most-popular Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME as a collectible, trading card game distributor Upper Deck Entertainment and the Konami Corporation, the game’s manufacturer, today announced plans to retire five of the eight existing Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME booster packs.
  Author: Stan Russ - Date: January 22, 2004



• First Matchbox Collectibles Edition of Barrett-Jackson Collection Released
  The first series in the Matchbox Collectibles edition of the Barrett-Jackson Collection has now been released. The 2002 Miniature-Scale Collection of die-cast vehicles features a set of six truly unique collector cars. Each example, authentically decorated and detailed in the 1/64 size, represents one of the exceptional vehicles that have actually crossed the auction block at the famed Barrett-Jackson Auction in Scottsdale, Arizona.
  Author: Stan Russ - Date: January 22, 2004



• VIZ, LLC Announces Limited Edition Foil Covers for YU-GI-OH
  VIZ, LLC, North America's leading publisher of manga for English-speaking audiences announced today something for every manga collector's set -- limited edition releases of YU-GI-OH!,Volume 1 and NARUTO, Volume 1 featuring special foil covers. In addition to the special cover, each copy will feature an imprinted serial number on the cover so that collectors can experience the thrill of owning one of only 5000 printed editions.
  Author: Stan Russ - Date: January 22, 2004



• LAMAZE® Extends its Award-Winning Line to Include Play Gyms and Mobiles
  The Lamaze Infant Development System, which has built its reputation in educational and developmental toys, applies its tradition of developmental excellence to other infant product categories this year. The new Lamaze mobile and Lamaze play gym collections offer expanded sales opportunities for retailers by translating the same quality and trusted Lamaze name known in the toy aisle into other areas of their stores.
  Author: Stan Russ - Date: January 22, 2004



• Learning Curve International Acquires Certain Specialty Toy Assets of Eden
  Chicago-based Learning Curve International announced today that it has acquired the Madeline and the Eden branded infant and preschool specialty plush lines of Eden, L.L.C. For more than fifty years, Eden has been the creator and distributor of high-quality, distinctive children's toys and gifts, and has been the Madeline master doll licensee for over ten years.
  Author: Stan Russ - Date: January 22, 2004



• Collector Online Enables Participating Dealers To List On Yahoo! Classifieds and Yahoo! Auctions
  Collector Online announced today that it is working with Yahoo! Inc.to enable Collector Online's participating dealers to place more than 30,000 antique and collectible items for sale on Yahoo!® Classifieds, a free service providing consumers with access to one of the Web's most extensive classifieds databases available today. In addition, Collector Online is helping auction sellers using Collector Online's Inventory Management System™ to list and sell their items on Yahoo! Auctions, the fastest-growing, globally-branded auction site on the Internet.
  Author: Stan Russ - Date: January 22, 2004



• The Dolls House Emporium receives Good Toy Guide recognition
  Derbyshire-based dolls’ house and miniatures supplier, the Dolls House Emporium, has been recommended again by the Good Toy Guide 2003, this time for their outstanding Junior Collection house, Battenburg Hall.
  Author: Stan Russ - Date: January 22, 2004



• Computer Toys Can Enhance Social Skills in Children
  The findings come in the wake of a Government report this week, which blames computer games for the decline in language skills among primary school pupils.
  Author: Britt Halle - Date: January 21, 2004



• Hasbro Selects Thinque Systems' Merchandising Sales Portfolio Solution
  Hasbro, a worldwide leader in the design, manufacture and marketing of Children's and Family Entertainment, has chosen to implement Thinque Systems' Merchandising Sales Portfolio software throughout their Retail Merchandising Organization. We expect Merchandising Sales Portfolio to play a key role in ensuring successful and profitable field management execution, comments Roy Brunson, Director of RMO.
  Author: Britt Halle - Date: January 21, 2004



• Zocker Toys Introduces a New Football Product Line to the Sporting Goods Industry
  New Patented Products for the Sporting Goods Industry. Perfect for beaches, parks and backyard play; Fun new products that promote exercise with play.
  Author: Britt Halle - Date: January 21, 2004



• Holiday Season Arrives Early For Canada's Retailers
  The holiday season arrived early for Canada's retailers in the form of more than 65,000 new jobs across the country, says Retail Council of Canada .
  Author: Britt Halle - Date: January 21, 2004



• Lotta Littles Pets, Accessories and Playsets
  There's no doubt about it, kids love pets. And, with over 100 Lotta Littles pets to choose from, they’ll have a wonderful time collecting all their favorites. Lotta Littles Pets will find a wonderful home in their Lotta Littles Secret Play Park Van that actually converts into a fun-filled amusement park. These products and several other exciting Lotta Littles were introduced by Playmates Toys Inc. at the American International Toy Fair that opened in New York .
  Author: Britt Halle - Date: January 21, 2004



• Acclaim International to Publish inXile Entertainment's Forthcoming Game 'The Bard's Tale'
  Acclaim Entertainment International, a wholly owned subsidiary of Acclaim Entertainment, Inc., and inXile Entertainment announced today a European publishing agreement for inXile's first game in 2004, The Bard's Tale. Under terms of the agreement, Acclaim will publish inXile's new original role-playing game on multiple console platforms and the PC.
  Author: Britt Hall - Date: January 21, 2004



• Making Their List And Checking It Twice
  It’s a holiday tradition. Dreamy-eyed children making their holiday wish list, hopeful their selections will magically appear under the Christmas tree.
  Author: Britt Halle - Date: January 21, 2004



• Toy Wishes Unveils Annual Hot Dozen at First-Ever Holiday Preview
  TOY WISHES Magazine, the celebrated resource guide designed to put the fun back in toy shopping, today announced its coveted Hot Dozen, the list of twelve toys it predicts to be the top sellers of holiday .
  Author: Ross Mak - Date: January 20, 2004



• Funds Benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities™, Hundreds of Children’s Organizations Worldwide
  McDonald’s restaurants around the world teamed up to raise more than $15 million for children during the annual World Children’s Day at McDonald’s fundraiser in more than 100 countries. Funds raised benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities™ and critical children’s causes worldwide.
  Author: Ross Mak - Date: January 20, 2004



• Hasbro Celebrates 40 Years of EASY-BAKE
  Believe it or not, EASY-BAKE, the original kid's oven brand introduced in 1963, is celebrating 40 years of delighting the young and young-at-heart with pint size cooking fun! To commemorate this exciting milestone and honor America's most beloved cooking toy and pop culture icon, Hasbro, Inc.is expanding the EASY-BAKE Oven line by introducing a brand new deluxe oven that cooks real meals, and does not require a light bulb!
  Author: Ross Mak - Date: January 20, 2004



• Yahoo! Charity Auction Benefits the Starlight Children's Foundation
  Going, going, gone...the first Spring Furby sold to the highest bidder for $5,500! For the past week, Furby fans had the opportunity to own the #1 in the series of the Spring Special Limited Edition Furby on as part of an online charity auction hosted by Yahoo!® Auctions. In addition, Furbys no. 45, 47, 48, and 49 were unveiled on the virtual auction block. Thanks to the generosity of bidding Furby fans and the winning bidders, $8,270 will go to benefit the Starlight Children's Foundation.
  Author: Ross Mak - Date: January 20, 2004



• Intel And Lego Company To Bring Best-Selling Bionicle® Toys To Life On The PC
  Intel Corporation and LEGO Interactive announced today they are working together to deliver and co-market a fast-paced adventure game that combines the top-selling BIONICLE® toy line with the latest in PC technology. The game, co-published by Electronic Arts, is scheduled for release in fall 2003.
  Author: Ross Mak - Date: January 20, 2004



• Killjoy Toys: Beware of Playthings That Snuff Out Play
  The Alliance for Childhood joined forces with TRUCE today to issue a joint warning about killjoy toys—unhealthy products sold as toys that inhibit rather than promote imaginative, creative play.
  Author: Ross Mak - Date: January 20, 2004



• Buy.Com Inc. Launches Toy Store
  Buy.com, Inc., The Internet Superstore™, today announced a brand new Toy store on its site in partnership with KBtoys.com™. As an introductory offer, customers will receive $10 off instantly for every purchase over $75 in the Toy store for a limited time on brand names including Mattel, Hasbro, Fisher-Price, Barbie, LEGO, Hot Wheels and more.
  Author: Ross Mak - Date: January 20, 2004



• Canadian Toy and Hobby Fair
  Imagine telepathic games, wacky magic characters that dance in your hand, bricks that let kids build their own houses, and jigsaw puzzles that make images move. The toy industry has broken new barriers to turn the impossible into child's play. Come see for yourself at the biggest Canadian Toy Association Canadian Toy & Hobby Fair in years.
  Author: Ross Mak - Date: January 20, 2004



• Noah, the Creature Teacher Receives Sixth Honor in 2003
  Jazz Toys, Ltd.™ is pleased to announce the recent endorsement of Noah, the Creature Teacher Game™ by Parent's Guide to Children's Media. The endorsement comes after their comprehensive annual review of children's products.
  Author: Ross Mak - Date: January 20, 2004



• Retail Sales of Gifts Such as Toys, Games, Jewellery, Ceramics, Glassware and Leather Goods were Valued at £4.42bn in the UK
  This report on Giftware considers the sectors of toys and games; jewellery, watches and silverware; ceramics; glassware; and small leather goods. Retail sales of such items intended as gifts were valued at £4.42bn in 2002, representing a modest increase of 1% on the previous year. Consumers are taking advantage of low interest rates and are accumulating personal debt. According to the Confederation of British Industrys Quarterly Distributive Trades Survey, the volume of UK retail sales increased at their fastest rate in 6 months in May 2003, amid good weather and the end of the Iraq war. The survey found that sales were increasing year-on-year in most retail sectors, with the strongest growth seen in sales of footwear and leather goods. However, all the companies operating in the sectors covered in this report are challenged by cheap imports, high domestic production costs and high-street discounting.
  Author: Ross Mak - Date: January 20, 2004



• Infant toys are really their tools for growth and development
  Infant toys are really the tools of growth and development for a child as they are learning and growing. As children play they are learning new skills from motor coordination to fine arts. Manufacturers of quality infant toys put a great deal of effort into determining the most effective toys for each learning stage a child will travel through. Toys for new-borns are basically moving colors and shapes. As children age the toys become more of a challenge for them and encourage curiosity and the skill development they will need as adults. It may seem like children are just wasting away the day playing with toys. They are really working very hard at the important job of learning.
  Author: Laurie Simpson - Date: August 2, 2003



• Toys and games for teens usually means something electronic or computerized
  Teens take toy buying into a whole new area of interests. Teens are not as easily satisfied as younger children and toys and games for teens need to be challenging for them. Their kind of play is not usually simple play and these days usually involve electronics. The computer and electronic age has created a whole new wave of toys and games for teens. They can play games on their computers with other players all over the world. Or they can buy all kinds of toys that are electronics bases. Toys and games for teens can also be more physical in nature. Teens are often very sports minded and enjoy active team sports, skate and snow boarding, biking and more.
  Author: Laurie Simpson - Date: December 11, 2002



• Toys and games for tots should be fun and educational!
  Tots is an interesting age for children. Children are considered tots from about the age of one year to four or five. It is a time when they learn the necessary things like walking and talking and they are learning at a faster rate than they ever will again in their lives. Toys and games for tots should be considered well before any purchases are made. There is more to think about than just if the toy is fun. Most parents want to encourage learning during this time and look for educational toys and games for tots. Children are practicing dexterity and learning how to communicate. Many at the age of three or four are ready to learn their letters.
  Author: Laurie Simpson - Date: December 11, 2002



• Consumers should always consider toy safety before they make any purchases for children
  It’s all fun and games until someone gets hurt. This is a situation that parents and society tries to prevent with the careful regulation of toy standards. Toy safety is vital when you are producing products for young children. They do not know enough to avoid hazards and it is up to the adults of the world to keep them safe. Toy safety is important enough that most countries control the safe of toys as far as only the toys that meet their standards will be allowed sold. New toys are required to pass safety tests that have evolved from hard lessons. Often standards and laws are changed only after there have been enough sad accidents to draw attention to a situation.
  Author: Laurie Simpson - Date: December 4, 2002



• It is important to do some research and learn how to choose the right toy for the children in your life
  Toys may seem like they are all toys and games but there is really much more to them. You can go and buy any toy or you can think about how to choose the right toy for the child you are making the purchase for. Toys are really a child’s tools that help him with the task of learning and growing. Considering how to choose the right toy should involve more than grabbing the cutest one on the shelf. You will want to think about the age of the child and the skill level they are at. Toys can encourage children to achieve more, increase their dexterity and improve their problem solving skills.
  Author: Laurie Simpson - Date: October 9, 2005



• Online Toy Companies Bring A World Of Toys Right To Your Door
  There was a time when toy companies relied on toy stores and catalogues to sell their products. The needed retail outlets or mail order to help have their toys reach the children. Today toys are made available through online toy companies that make a huge number of toys accessible to all. Online toy companies can reach consumers in all corners of the world and sell products in places that they would never have otherwise been able to service. It is no longer a matter of trying to have a retail outlet carry the stock and to ship out what they all hope will sell. Now toy companies can display their wares in vivid color and respond to orders as they come in. They put up online catalogues and shopping carts and makes toy shopping easy and fast.
  Author: Laurie Simpson - Date: September 4, 2005



• Online toy stores can help make toy shopping a pleasure instead of a battle with crowds and children
  Shopping for children’s toys can prove to be an exhausting and frustrating experience for many parents. Popular toys are hard to find and shopping in the mall can be very stressful especially if you have your children with you in the toy store. Online toy stores can help relieve much of the stress that parents have to suffer when they are selecting the best toys for their child. The shopping can be done after the children are in bed and there is not fear that they will start crying in a toy store aisle. You can take the time to study the options that best suit your child’s age and stage of development. Online toy stores allow you to see a very large selection without the rush of other shoppers and crying children at your back.
  Author: Laurie Simpson - Date: December 3, 2002



• Toy boxes and chests help to keep all your child's little treasure organized
  All you have to do is follow a child around for a while and you will soon see a trail of toys and other fun things. It seems you can never have too many toys to amuse most children. This often leads to the need for toy boxes and chests in many households, just to try to keep things organized. Some families have one big chest that they just toss everything into as they tidy up. This means that the whole thing needs to be dumped out if you want the thing on the bottom. Other families get a little more organized and have several toy boxes and chests. Each one holds a different type of toy and makes finding the one you want much easier.
  Author: Laurie Simpson - Date: December 3, 2002



• Children Can Play And Learn With Playmobil Toys
  Imagination is a great thing when you are a child as it leads you into curiosity and learning. Toys play a big role in this learning process and in providing entertainment for children as they grow. Playmobil toys are available for children from a very young age. They are quality toys meant to entertain and instruct through the various ages and stages of childhood. Playmobil has always been known for its wide array of creative play worlds, but the solid and unifying foundation for all of them is still the same. It is a two and three quarter inch figure with legs that bend, hands that grip, and a neutral facial expression that suits just about any play situation. All Playmobil men, women, children, babies, and animals are fully compatible with all other Playmobil accessories and environments, allowing kids to use their imaginations to the fullest.
  Author: Laurie Simpson - Date: July 17, 2005



• Lego Toys Help Children Build A Great Future
  Lego is a name known all over the world for producing quality educational toys. Lego toys are often among the first toys a child will receive to encourage motor skills and problem solving techniques. The LEGO Company believes that learning is intimately connected to play, and that both learning and play involve creativity and imagination. They also believe that a caring environment is what makes playful learning possible. They have carried their concepts through in a big way by going so far as to build and open Legoland parks all over the world that incorporate fun play with all ages of family activity. It offers unique possibilities for children’s imaginations to run wild and brings out the child in most adults.
  Author: Laurie Simpson - Date: July 31, 2005



• Wooden Toys Are Often Carved From The Heart
  The first toys made for children were wooden toys and this tradition has lasted though out the years. Fathers and grandfathers to the delight of little children lovingly carved toys. These were the simplest of toys compared to the toys of today. Wooden toys have developed a reputation for being durable and innovative. Wood is a material with a limited lifespan unless cared for very carefully so ancient wooden toys are a rare and valuable find. They can govern a very high price at the right antique auctions. These old toys are often replicas of such things as trains, boats and figurines.
  Author: Laurie Simpson - Date: July 10, 2005



• Lego Dinosaurs ... From Ages Ago
  You've always wondered just what dinosaurs are all about and now you can learn first-hand with Lego Dinosaurs series. The Lego Dinosaurs are now here.
  Author: drummeroy marples - Date: April 16, 2002



• Lego Bionicle introduces the mighty Toa and Turaga
  You need to know more about Lego Bionicle and the vast amounts of information available to bring you up to date and inform you all about the Lego Bionicle characters and their adventures.
  Author: drummeroy marples - Date: April 12, 2002



• Lego Build Online
  Have you looked on the computer lately and searched the official LEGO.COM website? Lego Build means so much more than you'd have guessed. @Lego Build you'll find endless amounts of relevant and helpful Lego information.
  Author: drummeroy marples - Date: April 10, 2002



• Lego Alpha Team ...Deep Sea Adventures
  So you like underwater adventures - do you know about Lego Alpha Team? Well Lego Alpha Team's Mission Deep Sea Series has an abundance of exciting characters to keep you endlessly entertained.
  Author: drummeroy marples - Date: April 9, 2002



• Lego Studio - Ages 6 - 16
  You'll love the wonderful creativity involved in using Lego Studio Kits. Not only can you film whatever scenes you design and build but with Lego Studio Kits you can edit all your video footage to produce fantastic home videos on your own computer. You can then e-mail your latest footage to all your friends and also submit it to Steven Spielberg who is searching for potential Lego Studio Moviemakers.
  Author: drummeroy marples - Date: April 2, 2002



• Lego Jurassic Park III ... More Lego Studio fun
  You've seen the Lego Jurassic Park III Kits already and they're so popular that Lego has continued with another exciting chance to build Lego Jurassic Park scenes which you can then capture on film to make your own action packed home videos.
  Author: drummeroy marples - Date: April 2, 2002



• Lego Jack Stone...Jack Stone to the rescue
  The arm of the law is defended by the official hero, Lego's Jack Stone who'se motto is "Can do... Will do...Done!" Whatever the situation, you can be assured that Lego Jack Stone and his team will race to action fighting crime or fires in the Lego neighbourhood.
  Author: drummeroy marples - Date: March 30, 2002



• Lego Mindstorms ... the Height of Toy Evolution
  Lego Mindstorms … the Height of Toy Evolution
  Author: drummeroy marples - Date: February 14, 2002



• Lego Alpha Team ...Rescue Agents
  Lego Alpha Team characters, man your stations! You can have some great fun manning the Lego Alpha Team vehicles as they fight off the evil Ogel who is attempting to take over the world with his mind controlling orbs.
  Author: Roy Marples - Date: February 8, 2002



• Lego Media ... Media Magic
  Part of the extensive Lego Group includes the Lego Media Group responsible for the Lego Media CD-ROM's available today.
  Author: Roy Marples - Date: December 4, 2001



• Lego Rock Raiders ...Lego rock and roll toys
  Who would have thought that mining could inspire the very popular Lego Rock Raiders? From hours of research and development, including visits to actual Scandinavian mines, the intricate Rock Raiders toys were designed and added to Lego's long list of successful toys.
  Author: Roy Marples - Date: December 4, 2001



• Lego Baby ... Toys for Infants
  There are a lot of different LEGO BABY Toy Sets available today.
  Author: Roy Marples - Date: December 4, 2001



• Lego Bricks ...Virtually Endless Possibilities
  Just exactly what is a Lego Brick?
  Author: Roy Marples - Date: December 4, 2001



• Lego Dacta.....toys without limit
  The versatility of the Lego Dacta building system makes it the perfect companion for your computer. With Lego Dacta the possibilities are practically limitless.
  Author: Roy Marples - Date: December 2, 2001



• LEGO DACTA ...OPTIMAL LEARNING CONCEPTS
  The versatility of the LEGO DACTA building system makes it the perfect companion for your computer. With LEGO DACTA the posibilities are practically limitless.
  Author: Roy Marples - Date: November 27, 2001