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Kids Wish Network in Need of Dolls and Toy Cars

Kids Wish Network, a 501 (c) 3 organization that serves children with life-threatening illnesses, is in desperate need of donations of dolls and toy cars. Despite the demand for high-tech gadgets, dolls and toy cars remain on the top of the list of the most desirable toys. Playing with a toy is a calming and relaxing activity for kids who are suffering from illnesses, distressed while dealing with harsh circumstances like homelessness, or trying to cope with other traumatic situations such as abuse.

Through its gift giving Holiday of Hope Gift Bank program, Kids Wish Network distributes thousands of dollars worth of toys and games directly to children within approximately 150 hospitals and child care facilities per year across the country; there are no middle men involved.

K’NEX To Donate 10 Percent of Sales to CCFA

K’NEX has partnered with the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) for the second year to raise funds for research and patient programs. CCFA is a non-profit, volunteer-driven organization dedicated to finding a cure for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

During the month of April, K’NEX will donate 10 percent of online sales to CCFA. Additional donations will be accepted with or without making a purchase. A team of K’NEX Brands employees will also participate in the Take Steps for Crohn’s & Colitis events in Philadelphia. For more information about the program, visit the Take Steps information page and www.ccfa.org.

Video: Barbie Meets Ken in “Toy Story 3”

Disney has released the first official clip from Toy Story 3. Check out how Barbie met Ken!

All Aboard the Dinosaur Train! Four New Episodes to Premiere Starting May 24 on PBS Kids

PBS Kids will be airing four new episodes of the CG-animated preschool series Dinosaur Train from The Jim Henson Company. Airing May 24-27, the special summer vacation-themed episodes find the family packing up and boarding the train to discover the wonderful variety of dinosaurs inhabiting the globe as they journey to Asia, Europe, and Africa. Also joining this trip is a new character, Gilbert, the conductor’s young nephew.
In addition, two new games will be featured at PBSKIDS.org/dinosaurtrain. The All Aboard game (launching in May) will give kids control of the Dinosaur Train as a junior conductor, helping to seat different types of dinosaurs as the train moves from station to station. In Dinosaur Tracks (available now) Buddy and his friends are making tracks in the mud, and kids can help them figure out which footprint comes next.

Haywire Games to Attempt Guinness Record for Chicken Flinging

PETA, no worries. Haywire Games, manufacturer of the game Flickin’ Chicken, will attempt to set a Guinness World Record for the “Largest Rubber Chicken Toss” at the Finish Line Festival for the Charles River Watershed Association’s (CWRA) 28th annual Run of the Charles Canoe & Kayak Race.

Haywire will host the rubber chicken chuck on April 25 at the Artisani Park in Brighton, MA. Admission to the festival is free, but the company will sell official rubber chickens for $1, starting at 9 a.m. The proceeds from the rubber chicken sale will benefit the CWRA and its efforts to protect the health, beauty, and accessibility of the Charles River. Prizes will be awarded to those who don’t fowl up and can fling their rubber chicken onto the target’s bullseye.

TIA Calls for Companies to Oppose CT Bill

The Toy Industry Association and other organizations such as the American Chemistry Council, the Grocery Manufacturers Association, the Apparel and Footwear Association, and the Personal Care Products Association are calling for companies across the country to alert Connecticut state legislators that a proposed bill could be very costly for stakeholders involved.

More Attendees Visit Toy Russia 2010

Although Toy Russia 2010, held in Moscow, was one day shorter than the previous year, the number of visitors rose to 6,273, an increase of 25 percent. The share of trade visitors also increased to 84 percent, compared to 77 percent in 2009. The expo featured 11 exhibitors from China, Germany, France, Great Britain, Hong Kong, Italy, Spain, and Cyprus. Four percent of attendees traveled internationally.

Toy Russia 2010, held March 10-12, marked the debut of World of Toys, an international fair program by Spielwarenmesse eG that provides toy manufacturers support and advice for trade fair marketing presentations. The Nuernberg company, which organizes the Spielwarenmesse International Toy Fair Nuernberg, organized Toy Russia with the Russian National Toy Association (RTNA).

Toy Russia 2011 will be held March 15-18, 2011.

TIF Prepares for 2nd Annual Go Good Stuff-a-Thon

The Toy Industry Foundation, in partnership with The My Stuff Bags Foundation, is gearing up for its second annual industry-wide Do Good Stuff-a-Thon. Members of the toy industry will team up with local media and California state officials to assemble 5,000 My Stuff duffel bags for children in crisis. The bags will be distributed to kids in foster care across America.

TIF is looking for volunteers to stuff bags with essential items such as blankets, toiletries, and toys. Teams of 10+ will be recognized as Good Stuff Supporters. To register (the deadline is April 23), made a donation, or to learn more, click here.

LIMA Announces Keynote Panelists

Executives from Disney, LF USA, Hasbro, and more have been picked for the keynote panel at Licensing International Expo 2010, sponsored by LIMA. The panel discussion, “The Future of Entertainment Licensing,” will kick off the Expo, held June 8-10 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas.

Marty Brochstein, LIMA’s SVP of industry relations and information, will moderate the panel. Panelists will include Rick Darling, president of LF USA and executive director of Li & Fung Limited; Karen Dodge, SVP and chief merchandising officer of Toys “R” Us, Inc.; John Frascotti, global chief marketing officer at Hasbro, Inc.; Neil Friedman, president of Mattel Brands; and Andy Mooney, chairman of Disney Consumer Products.

New Product: “Galaxy Quest” Models

Paramount Licensing has licensed rights to Pegasus Hobbies for models based on the 1999 sci-fi spoof film, Galaxy Quest. The line of products include both buildable and pre-built models of the NSEA Protector ship and the ION Nebulizer & VOX Communicator featured in the film.