Games and Toys

FILE - The Hasbro logo is seen, April 26, 2018, in New York. Toy maker Hasbro said Monday, Dec. 11, 2023, that it is cutting about 1,100 jobs, or 20% of its workforce, as the malaise in the toy business extends through another holiday shopping season. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, File)

Toy giant Hasbro cuts 1,100 jobs, as malaise grips the toy business

Like many toy companies, Hasbro is struggling with a slowdown in sales

 

Mastermind Toys, which sells items that include LEGO, has filed for creditor protection. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

‘Deteriorating’: Mastermind toy store files for creditor protection

Mastermind has stores in Coquitlam, Langley, Abbotsford, Tsawwassen, Langford and Prince George

 

This photo provided by the National Toy Hall of Fame shows their 2023 inductees. From left, NERF, Fisher-Price Corn Popper, Cabbage Patch Kids, and baseball cards. They will be permanently installed at the Toy Hall of Fame in Rochester, NY. (National Toy Hall of Fame via AP)

Perennial runner-up corn popper rolls into the Toy Hall of Fame

Toddler push toy part of a class that includes baseball cards, Cabbage Patch Kids and NERF

 

Salmon Arm’s Auldin Maxwell poses with members of his movie family, Nikki Deloach and Lucas Bryant, on the set of A World Record Christmas. (Hallmark Movies photo)

Salmon Arm youth’s record-breaking achievements inspire holiday movie

Auldin Maxwell given cameo in A World Record Christmas

Salmon Arm’s Auldin Maxwell poses with members of his movie family, Nikki Deloach and Lucas Bryant, on the set of A World Record Christmas. (Hallmark Movies photo)
This photo provided by the National Toy Hall of Fame shows five toys that have been finalists for induction multiple times. One will be voted in by fans as the Hall of Fame celebrates its 25th anniversary. The winner, and the rest of the Class of 2023, will be announced in November. (National Toy Hall of Fame via AP)

Childhood’s Forgotten 5 need your help to join Toy Hall of Fame

Fan vote can end runner-up status for My Little Pony, PEZ dispensers, Transformers and more

This photo provided by the National Toy Hall of Fame shows five toys that have been finalists for induction multiple times. One will be voted in by fans as the Hall of Fame celebrates its 25th anniversary. The winner, and the rest of the Class of 2023, will be announced in November. (National Toy Hall of Fame via AP)
Toys “R” Us at Willowbrook Shopping Centre. File photo

Amid a mental health crisis, toy industry takes on a new role: building resilience

As more children emerge from the pandemic grappling with mental health issues,…

Toys “R” Us at Willowbrook Shopping Centre. File photo
Martin Shane, right, customizes the button layout on the Sony Access controller before playing a video game at Sony Interactive Entertainment headquarters Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023, in San Mateo, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Sony’s Access controller for the PlayStation aims to make gaming easier for people with disabilities

Paul Lane uses his mouth, cheek and chin to push buttons and…

Martin Shane, right, customizes the button layout on the Sony Access controller before playing a video game at Sony Interactive Entertainment headquarters Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023, in San Mateo, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
A scene from “Lego Movie 2,” to be shown Saturday (Aug. 17) at Holland Park as part of the Movies Under the Stars series planned by Downtown Surrey BIA. See listing under Movies.

Toymaker Lego to stick to its quest to find sustainable materials despite failed recycle attempt

Denmark’s Lego said on Monday that it remains committed to its quest…

A scene from “Lego Movie 2,” to be shown Saturday (Aug. 17) at Holland Park as part of the Movies Under the Stars series planned by Downtown Surrey BIA. See listing under Movies.
Salmon Arm’s Auldin Maxwell sits with the five Guinness World Records certificates he received for his record-breaking Jenga block towers. (Kelly Murray photo)

Towering achievement: Salmon Arm teen earns spot in 2024 Guinness World Records

Auldin Maxwell’s knack for stacking Jenga blocks has earned him five world records

Salmon Arm’s Auldin Maxwell sits with the five Guinness World Records certificates he received for his record-breaking Jenga block towers. (Kelly Murray photo)
Co-owner of Cherry Bomb Toys, Candice Woodward, in front of newly painted mural in her toy store. (Ella Matte/News Staff)

VIDEO: Beloved Victoria toy store finds a new home

Cherry Bomb Toys includes a toy museum

Co-owner of Cherry Bomb Toys, Candice Woodward, in front of newly painted mural in her toy store. (Ella Matte/News Staff)
This image provided by Mattel, Inc., Tuesday, April 25, 2023, shows its first Barbie doll representing a person with Down syndrome. Mattel collaborated with the National Down Syndrome Society to create the Barbie and "ensure the doll accurately represents a person with Down syndrome," the company said. (Mattel, Inc. via AP)

Mattel introduces first Barbie with Down syndrome

Toy company Mattel revealed its first Barbie doll representing a person with…

This image provided by Mattel, Inc., Tuesday, April 25, 2023, shows its first Barbie doll representing a person with Down syndrome. Mattel collaborated with the National Down Syndrome Society to create the Barbie and "ensure the doll accurately represents a person with Down syndrome," the company said. (Mattel, Inc. via AP)
The iconic Barbie doll has been a part of popular culture since 1959. What is Barbie’s last name? (Pixabay.com)

QUIZ: How well do you know Barbie and her friends?

A live action movie, inspired by the iconic doll, will be shown this summer

The iconic Barbie doll has been a part of popular culture since 1959. What is Barbie’s last name? (Pixabay.com)
Jamie Cygielman, right, general manager and president at American Girl, leaves a youngster browsing the company’s latest holiday showcase doll set, Friday, Dec. 2, 2022, in New York. Cygielman said roughly half its sales went to adults after a relaunch of the first six American Girl dolls in May 2021 to celebrate its 35th anniversary. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews)

Not just for kids: Toymakers aim more products at grown-ups

Ages 18 and older represented 14% of U.S. toy industry sales for the 12 months ending September 2022

Jamie Cygielman, right, general manager and president at American Girl, leaves a youngster browsing the company’s latest holiday showcase doll set, Friday, Dec. 2, 2022, in New York. Cygielman said roughly half its sales went to adults after a relaunch of the first six American Girl dolls in May 2021 to celebrate its 35th anniversary. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews)
Salvation Army Christmas Assistance Program volunteers Santiago Velasco and Tia-Rose Huber show off part of what will be transformed into a toy shop for parents participating in the program, where they will get to choose some toys for their children. (Courtesy of David Hickman)

Skyrocketing demand means Salvation Army needs more Christmas donations

Cash and toy donations are needed in order to serve 400 families

Salvation Army Christmas Assistance Program volunteers Santiago Velasco and Tia-Rose Huber show off part of what will be transformed into a toy shop for parents participating in the program, where they will get to choose some toys for their children. (Courtesy of David Hickman)
Do you know when the Slinky was first created? (Pixabay.com)

QUIZ: How much do you know about toys and games?

This is the season when new games and toys capture the attention of young and old alike

Do you know when the Slinky was first created? (Pixabay.com)
This image released by Warner Bros. Pictures shows Ryan Gosling as Ken, left, and Margo Robbie as Barbie in the upcoming film "Barbie." (Jaap Buitendijk/Warner Bros. Pictures via AP)

Think Barbiecore and all things pink for holiday gifts

Etsy saw a 34% increase in searches for hot pink fashion items over last year

This image released by Warner Bros. Pictures shows Ryan Gosling as Ken, left, and Margo Robbie as Barbie in the upcoming film "Barbie." (Jaap Buitendijk/Warner Bros. Pictures via AP)
FILE - Scrabble games are displayed at a store in Palo Alto, Calif., on Feb. 9, 2009. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma, File)

Happy hygge! Scrabble dictionary adds hundreds of words

Changes put some word-nerd glitter into the eyes of fans of the popular game

FILE - Scrabble games are displayed at a store in Palo Alto, Calif., on Feb. 9, 2009. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma, File)
File - Just like the Realtor Monopoly tournament in Langley, Pair-a-Dice and the Campbell River Hospice are teaming up to use board games for a charitable cause. (Ryan Uytdewilligen/Special to the Langley Advance Times) (Photo: Ryan Uytdewilligen/Special to the Langley Advance Times)

Hospice, game store rolling the dice for a good cause in Campbell River

Inaugural Tabletop tourney kicks off on Friday, Oct. 28

File - Just like the Realtor Monopoly tournament in Langley, Pair-a-Dice and the Campbell River Hospice are teaming up to use board games for a charitable cause. (Ryan Uytdewilligen/Special to the Langley Advance Times) (Photo: Ryan Uytdewilligen/Special to the Langley Advance Times)
This photo, provided by National Toy Hall of Fame at The Strong museum, in Rochester, N.Y., shows the class of 2022 finalists for induction, announced Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022. (National Toy Hall of Fame at The Strong museum via AP)

WOLF: Which toys would make the cut for induction into your own Hall of Fame?

COLUMN: Table hockey, Intellivision, Hot Wheels and Nerf balls stir memories

This photo, provided by National Toy Hall of Fame at The Strong museum, in Rochester, N.Y., shows the class of 2022 finalists for induction, announced Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022. (National Toy Hall of Fame at The Strong museum via AP)
Tom Wall and his daughter Emma have been riding in the Port Alberni Toy Run together since Emma was five years old. They will take Wall’s Spyder on the 2022 run, Sept. 17. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

Longtime volunteer Tom Wall ‘lives and breathes’ Port Alberni Toy Run

Annual motorcycle event kicks off at noon Saturday, Sept. 17 at Little Qualicum Falls

Tom Wall and his daughter Emma have been riding in the Port Alberni Toy Run together since Emma was five years old. They will take Wall’s Spyder on the 2022 run, Sept. 17. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)