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Toys & Collectibles

Up and Atom: Thames & Kosmos’ “Happy Atoms” Adds Android App

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Thames and Kosmos’ “Happy Atoms” combines physical and digital components for molecular exploration.

Combine and Define…
This interesting experimental kit from Thames and Kosmos first came to our attention at The Toy Association’s annual Toy Fair this year. Happy Atoms is a safe and fun method of exploring the chemical foundations of the world around us. The game oriented analog and digital kit allows young scientists to build combinations of atoms and elements from a bag full of magnetic physical representations. Then they can explore the molecular properties of their creations via a downloadable application.  It is perfect in a S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Math) classroom as well as at home on the kitchen table. Happy Atoms comes in a choice of three kit versions, the Complete Set, Introductory Set and the Educator’s Bundle. The App is a Free download.

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Film & Television Series Toys & Collectibles

Going Bots: Diamond Select’s “Forbidden” Mini-Mates

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Diamond Select Toy’s Dual Pack of “Forbidden Planet” mini-mates features Robby The Robot and a C-57D Crew Member.

Diamond Select Toys gives Classic Science Fiction fans something small to celebrate about in a big way. Recently hitting store shelves and online retailers are the company’s first Forbidden Planet Minimates. The 2-pack features the iconic Robby The Robot and a crew member of the spaceship C-57D. Each is nicely detailed and articulated for your posing pleasure.

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Toys & Collectibles

Go Figure: Mezco Toyz 2017 “One:12 Collective” Preview

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Strange Days Indeed. This beautiful rendition of Marvel Comic’s Dr. Strange will join Mezco’s One:12 Collective.

The Toy Industry Association’s (TIA) 114th North American International Toy Fair in New York City is less than 24 hours away and as always we are preparing to bring you coverage of the newest products and toy trends for the latter year gifting season. Cameras are packed, lenses are polished, and we’re stocking up on energy bars for the 4 day foray that encompasses the entire Jacob K. Javits Convention Center and parts beyond.

Another Fine Mez…
Thanks to the fine folks at Mezco Toyz we got an amazing head start. Their recent sneak peek event (held at their outer borough Fortress of Solitude) afforded the opportunity to grab lots of unfettered photos of their upcoming offerings. This post will reveal the additions to their One:12 Collective, but you can expect plenty of pix of Living Dead Dolls and other licensed goodies to appear here as well. Keep in mind this is an advance look and many of these prototypes are still pending licensor approval.

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Toys & Collectibles

2017 Toy of the Year Finalists Announced

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Just announced are The Toy Industry Association‘s finalists for the coveted 2017 Toy of the Year. 14 categories of finalists have been chosen from over 700 nominees by a pool of 25 judges including toy and play experts, retailers, academics and journalists.

The winners will be revealed at a special industry event on February 17, 2017, to be held on the Intrepid Air and Space Museum in NYC. The winning line-up is traditionally displayed at the annual New York Toy Fair also held in February. See links to our past coverage below.

In the meantime Adrianna and I are thrilled to see so many of our personal favorites on the list. We’re also very happy to see an Action Figure of the Year category has been added to the mix. We congratulate all the creators and companies honored.

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Toys & Collectibles

Shared Power: IAmElemental Donates “Courage” to Childhood Cancer Cause

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Core Power Courage embodies all the attributes of IAmElemental figures Series 1 (Photo: Dan Larson toy galaxy.tv)

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and our friends at IAmElemental, makers of the first line of female action figures aimed specifically at young ladies, are sharing the empowering message of COURAGE with a Buy One, Donate One program. During the duration of the month IAmElemental will give one of their Core Power Courage figures to the cause, for every one purchased via their web store.