Top 10 Things I Saw at Toy Fair 2017
Toy Fair 2017 in New York was, as always, a smorgasbord of awesome new toys, collectibles, etc. What stood out the most?
Continue ReadingToy Fair 2017 in New York was, as always, a smorgasbord of awesome new toys, collectibles, etc. What stood out the most?
Continue ReadingHatchimals slowly hatch to reveal hidden toy inside.
Continue ReadingHave a dino-loving kid (or adult) on your list this year? Chances are you do. Well, it just so happens that there was a rather major movie out earlier this year that centered on dinosaurs. Remember that one? ‘Jurassic World’ may not be entirely appropriate for young kids, but that doesn’t mean some of its merchandise isn’t perfect for all ages.
Continue ReadingIn 2015, the debate over “boys toys” versus “girls toys” is so old as to almost be cliche. But two categories in the Toy Industry Association’s Toy of the Year Awards haven’t gotten the memo.
Continue ReadingLast week I had the opportunity to attend a media event for Spin Master, the Canadian success story and one of the global leaders in the toy industry. That’s a long way to have come in just 20 years and Spin Master’s rise from a start-up selling the grass hair-sprouting Earth Buddy to a multinational children’s entertainment company with products ranging from the robotic Zoomer line to Air Hogs RC vehicles and the hit PAW Patrol animated TV series shows how quickly things can change in the industry. With its three co-founders still in leadership roles, an emphasis on innovation and a laser focus on entertaining kids, Spin Master is well positioned for further growth.
Continue ReadingHow to Train Your Dragon 2 is the latest hotness around my house, so my kids (and I) were delighted when Spin Master sent over a big box of several toys from their dragon lineup. Here’s a peek at a few of them.
Continue ReadingHey, check this out. It’s an ad that features dads enjoying time with their kids, and maybe even being big kids themselves and playing with toys, without being incompetent. Turns out it’s possible after all.
Continue ReadingIf you live in or near Portland, Oregon, I’ve got a giveaway for you! Win tickets to an advance screening of How to Train Your Dragon 2 on Tuesday, June 10.
Continue ReadingWe at GeekDad have a long history with Spin Master, the Canadian company behind well known toy brands like Air Hogs, Ionix, Spy Gear and Meccano, licensed products for properties including Disney Pixar’s Monsters University and Dreamworks’ How to Train Your Dragon, game apps and TV series like PAW Patrol. Going back to 2007, I was posting about flying Air Hogs with my kids, but until a few years ago I didn’t clue in to the fact that I live only a few hours from Spin Master’s headquarters. A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity take advantage of this proximity, visiting Spin Master HQ, touring the facilities, demoing the latest and greatest toys and meeting the co-CEOs of the company.
Continue ReadingI recently got the opportunity to try out a few flying toys from Spin Master. Two of them, the Flutterbye Fairies and the Air Hogs AtmoSphere, are simple sensor-driven toys, but the Air Hogs Elite X4 is a remote-control quadcopter that requires a bit more practice.
Continue ReadingEvery year around this time, Time to Play Magazine starts thinking about the hot holiday toys and invites bloggers to see their recommendations. I love having this chance to get hands-on with new toys, and toys that have come a long way since Toy Fair back in February. One of the most exciting thing to […]
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