A LEGO kit of the Sydney Opera House will be released on the 1 st September 2013.
2,989 bricks are used in this model, that recreates the unmistakable roof-lines and complex angled walls of the Australian landmark.Continue Reading
12 June 2013
The Entertainer Promise to Stop using “Boy” and “Girl” Signs in its Stores
Growing toy shop chain, The Entertainer, has promised to remove signs that indicate that areas of its store contain products specifically for boys or girls.
A meeting was held between senior management from The Entertainer and a campaign group called Let Toys Be Toys, whose aim is to stop retailers from “… limiting children’s imaginations and interests by promoting some toys as only suitable for girls, and others only for boys.”Continue Reading
11 June 2013
Moshi Monsters Cartoon TV Series in the Works
Moshi Monsters will soon be a cartoon series, as Mind Candy (the company behind the popular online game toy brand) plans 52, eleven minute episodes.
Darran Garnham – Mind Candy’s Chief Business Development Officer- will open distribution discussions with broadcasters at Licensing Expo in Vegas next week.
With a target audience of 6 to 12 year-olds, the online game and social network for children has over 80 million registered users worldwide.Continue Reading
5 June 2013
Toy Recall: Bright Starts ‘Start Your Senses’ Zebra due to Chemical Risk
Bright Starts ‘Start Your Senses’ Zebra has been recalled by Kids II, its supplier, because a chemical (undisclosed) used in this product does not fully comply with the statutory requirement for chemical risks.
The Toy Detectives know that the non-compliant chemical was used in the colouring of parts of this item.
However, not all of these toys are affected by this recall; and there have been no reports of any injuries.
Only Bright Starts “Start Your Senses” Zebra (Model 9078) with a code on its attached label beginning with the Letter “Q” followed by a four digit number are subject to this recall.Continue Reading
16 April 2013
Thomas & Friends Magazine Recalled Due to Toy Strangulation Hazard
Thomas & Friends magazine, issue 661 sold since 3rd April, has been recalled by its publishers, Egmont UK.
A toy hay bale – that was a part of an included ten piece Spring Farm play set – can be unravelled and is considered to be a potential strangulation hazard.Continue Reading
29 March 2013
Tamagotchi Can Now Enjoy Life on iPhone, iPad & iPod Touch
Tamagotchi L.i.f.e. is now available as an app for Apple’s iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch devices. The game app is based on the original popular virtual pet but in colour, with higher resolution graphics and more characters.
Like the Android version, that was released earlier this year, Tamagotchi L.i.f.e. is only available in the United States and Canada. It can be downloaded for free from iTunes, or a version without in-app advertising costs 99 cents.Continue Reading
16 March 2013
Mothercare & ELC Now Accepts Gift Vouchers in Australian Liquidation Sale
The administrators of Mothercare Australia have eased some of the restrictions it placed on the use of gift cards, returns, exchanges and the redemption of loyalty rewards, as it continues liquidation sales in Mothercare, Early Learning Centre and Kids Central stores.
The following changes were applied by the administrators on 15th March 2013 and will remain until 28th March 2013.
Gift cards will now be accepted if the total transaction amount is four times the value of the voucher. For example, if you have a $20 gift card then you must spend $80 in order to use it.Continue Reading
14 March 2013
Toys R Us Recalls Imaginarium Activity Walker in USA & Canada Due to Choking Hazard
Toys R Us has recalled its Imaginarium branded baby activity walkers, due a potential choking hazard.
The small bolt and spacer that attaches each front wheel to the Imaginarium Activity Walkers can become detach, posing a potential choking hazard to young children.
Toys R Us has received five reports of the front wheels detaching, however, to date there have been no reported injuries. These walkers were made in China and around 9,000 items are affected by this recall. It was sold for $30 from August 2011 until January 2013.Continue Reading
9 March 2013
Liquidation Sale Starts at Mothercare, ELC and Kids Central in Australia
No buyer has been found for the Australian Mothercare business. All stock in the company’s remaining stores has been reduced by 20 to 40% as the company is placed into voluntary liquidation.
This sale is advertised as a “TOTAL LIQUIDATION” and that “Everything Must Go”. All sales are final in Mothercare, Early Learning Centre and Kids Central stores, therefore refunds and exchanges will be refused. The company stopped accepting gift vouchers when it went into administration at the end of January, any gift cards or voucher are now worthless. Customers that paid deposits on orders for nursery furniture at Mothercare will have lost their money.Continue Reading
28 February 2013
Toy Industry’s Best Twitter Users Named in the 2013 Twitterwards
The winners of the 2013 Toy Industry Twitterwards have been announced, with the Best Supplier named as Top Trumps and the Best Retailer award given to Halesworth Toys.
Organised by directory website Toy Shop UK, the awards recognise the best use of Twitter by those associated with the toy industry. Over 400 voters named their favourite Twitter accounts, in the second year of the Twitterwards.Continue Reading
