Fisher-Price Goes Retro for New Laugh & Learn Collection

Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Retro Collection | Source: Mattel/The Toy Book

The latest additions to Mattel‘s popular Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn collection of toddler toys are inspired by some familiar entertainment tech items from the ’80s and ’90s.

Taking cues from the continued popularity of retro toys, the Laugh & Learn Puppy’s Mixtape, Busy Boombox, and Lil’ Gamer are new ways for parents and other caregivers to introduce some classic form factor to a new generation with features that teach the alphabet, counting, colors and more with lights and sounds.

Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Busy Boombox | Source: Mattel/The Toy Book

“One of our designers pulled an old boombox out of the attic and quickly realized the product’s many knobs offered the opportunity for it to be turned into a toy,” says Chuck Scothon, senior vice president of Fisher-Price and global head of infant and preschool, Mattel. “Enter the Busy Boombox, a light-up pretend stereo loaded with activities, music, and sounds. When we tested the item in our Play Lab, kids loved it, gravitating toward the various buttons and levers.”

Related: Mattel Celebrates 90 Years of Fisher-Price with a Virtual Toy Museum

The Busy Boombox, along with the Puppy’s Mixtape — complete with an interactive tape ribbon that kids can wind — and Lil’ Gamer — featuring a light-up screen and console-inspired buttons — are available now at Target and other major retailers.

About the author

James Zahn

James Zahn

James Zahn, AKA The Rock Father, is Editor-in-Chief of The Toy Book, a Senior Editor at The Toy Insider and The Pop Insider, and Editor of The Toy Report, The Toy Book‘s weekly industry newsletter. As a pop culture and toy industry expert, Zahn has appeared as a panelist and guest at events including Comic-Con International: San Diego (SDCC) Wizard World Chicago, and the ASTRA Marketplace & Academy. Zahn has more than 30 years of experience in the entertainment, retail, and publishing industries, and is frequently called upon to offer expert commentary for publications such as Forbes, Marketwatch, the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, USA Today, Reuters, the Washington Post, and more. James has appeared on History Channel’s Modern Marvels, was interviewed by Larry King and Anderson Cooper, and has been seen on Yahoo! Finance, CNN, CNBC, FOX Business, NBC, ABC, CBS, WGN, The CW, and more. Zahn joined the Adventure Media & Events family in 2016, initially serving as a member of the Parent Advisory Board after penning articles for the Netflix Stream Team, Fandango Family, PBS KIDS, Sprout Parents (now Universal Kids), PopSugar, and Chicago Parent. He eventually joined the company full time as a Senior Editor and moved up the ranks to Deputy Editor and Editor-in-Chief.

archivearrow-chevron-downarrow-chevron-left-greyarrow-chevron-leftarrow-chevron-rightarrow-fatarrow-left-blackarrow-left-whitearrow-right-blackarrow-rightarrow-roundedbookscalendarcaret-downclose-whiteclosedocumenteditorial-archiveeyefacebook-squarefacebookfilesgifthamburgerheadinghearthomeinstagram-squareinstagramlatestlinkedin-squarelinkedinmailmedia-inquiresmessagenewsopen-boxpagination-leftpagination-rightpauseplayprintproduct-archiverecent-productssearchsharesort-filterspotifysunteamtiktoktime_purpletimetrendingtvtwitter-squaretwitteryoutube