The Genius of Play recently held a successful “Benefits of Play” influencer campaign, garnering 6.1 million total social impressions and 31,000+ engagements on Instagram. The campaign focused on the 6 key benefits of play and featured products from 11 Toy Association members.

The Toy Foundation (TTF) has announced an exciting new partnership with First Responders Children's Foundation and its "Power of Play" program, which offers kids the opportunity to experience creative and physical play that enhances their social and emotional growth while also strengthening their physical and mental well-being.

Toy News Tuesday editors spoke with Jim Seymour, CTO of E-Blox, about his new role as a Play Ambassador for The Genius of Play – and how E-Blox’s mission aligns with The Genius of Play’s work to promote the power of play through hands-on, educational fun.

Today, The Toy Foundation, a charitable organization that works with the toy industry to support play programs for children, announced grants totaling over $215,000 to 11 children’s hospitals for innovative play projects designed to help hospitalized children heal.

Drew Vernon is the U.S. marketing lead at tonies®, a popular European children’s audio system that has recently launched in the United States. Toy News Tuesday editors recently chatted with Vernon about his new role as a Play Ambassador for The Genius of Play – and why he believes a child who is a strong player is a strong learner, a problem-solver, and an overall happy person.

The Genius of Play’s “Worldwide Headquarters of Play” Public Service Announcement (PSA) has won a 2021 Silver Telly Award.

Getting ready for a fun-filled summer of play? The Toy Association and Clamour today announced the “Spring & Summer 2021 Influencer Choice List,” which highlights the hottest toys and games as voted on by top-tier toy and family content creators in the Clamour network. Shoppers can browse the list to discover a variety of toys that will keep kids engaged all summer long – from exciting outdoor playthings to creative toys perfect for a rainy day.

From Hog Wild Toys and Magformers to The Learning Journey International and Waterline Toys, 27 Toy Association members participated in The Genius of Play’s successful #GeniusPlayHacks campaign this spring, providing thousands of families with inspiring toy and play ideas.

Toy industry veteran Phil Albritton is the founder of Power Kid Design & Development, a full-service design studio that helps develop toys and games for clients around the globe. Albritton also produces the Power Kid Podcast, the premier podcast focused on the modern toy and game industry, and was listed as one of Mojo Nation’s top 100 influential figures in toy and game design. Toy News Tuesday editors recently chatted with Albritton about his new role as a Play Ambassador for The Genius of Play – and the steps he takes to make play a part of his daily routine with his young son and daughter.

The Genius of Play announced today that it has launched the “Genius Play Portal,” featuring a library of engaging content and resources for families and educators.

As The Toy Foundation continues to provide philanthropic support and the vital commodity of play to children under stress and in dire situations, it has announced its next round of cash grants and in-kind toy donations to seven charities impacting children across the nation.

Marie LaPlante, chief marketing officer at Learning Resources since 2016, has spent over 30 years leading brand marketing strategy at companies such as Orbitz and AT&T Wireless. Given her relatively recent entry into the world of toys, Toy News Tuesday editors spoke with her about her first impressions of the toy community and her role as a Play Ambassador for The Toy Association’s Genius of Play initiative.

The Toy Association’s Genius of Play is kicking off an exciting campaign featuring toys that provide a mental and physical break for kids and families. Launching June 21 and running all summer, the #SummerofPlay campaign will spotlight the best items the industry has to offer for a fun-filled season – both indoors and outdoors.

Chris Byrne, known for decades as The Toy Guy®, is an independent toy analyst, researcher, and consultant. Most recently, Byrne has spent the past year talking with industry experts alongside co-host Richard Gottlieb on their new podcast, The Playground, discussing everything from retail, licensing, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the toy industry, and more with a variety of guests.

Does your company have a fun activity, game, or play idea that can help parents looking to engage their kids in more play at home? If so, be sure to take advantage of a unique opportunity to be featured in the new Genius Play Portal, launching this May. To be considered, applications must be submitted by April 16, 2021.

For Marissa DiBartolo, play isn’t just a pastime of her youth but an integral part of her daily life as the editor-in-chief of the Toy Insider and the Pop Insider, two leading toy and pop culture news and review sites produced by Adventure Media & Events.

Toy News Tuesday editors sat down with Bob Moog, president of University Games and chair of the Toy Industry Hall of Fame subcommittee on posthumous selection, to learn about recent changes to the program’s selection process for deceased candidates, and why the Hall of Fame continues to be so important to the toy and play community.

Toy Association member companies are invited to take advantage of a new opportunity to feature their resources in The Genius of Play’s new Genius Play Portal, which will launch in May.

Stacy Lellos, president of Klutz, has a long history of working in both children’s publishing and toys, having held a variety of executive-level positions at companies such as Scholastic and Toys“R”Us. In her current role, she helps leverage the rich history of Klutz, a division of Scholastic, while driving innovation with new products that tap into the hottest youth trends and inspire creativity. Toy News Tuesday editors chatted with Lellos about her role as a Play Ambassador for The Toy Association’s Genius of Play initiative, and how she incorporates play into her daily routine.