The Toy Association’s The Genius of Play encouraged thousands of families to relax and play together all summer long through its #SummerofPlay sweepstakes, which ran from mid-June through August and garnered the most entries of any Genius of Play campaign to date.

This summer, toy and play professionals ​took 15-minute “play breaks” every Tuesday ​during the toy industry’s first-ever series of Virtual Recess sessions, hosted by The Toy Association in collaboration with Women In Toys.

Toy News Tuesday editors caught up with Darci Shaw, senior marketing manager at Learning Resources, about her role as a Play Ambassador for The Toy Association’s Genius of Play initiative and how the pandemic allowed her family to reconnect over game nights.

Toy News Tuesday editors spoke with Meg Anger, designer and founder of Meg Anger Design/Infinite Hugs, LLC about her role as a Play Ambassador for The Toy Association’s Genius of Play initiative and how she’s constantly infusing creative play into and outside of her work.

Don’t forget to submit your nominations for The Toy Foundation’s 2022 Toy of the Year (TOTY) Awards by Tuesday, August 31 at midnight (Eastern)!

Toy News Tuesday editors caught up with The Toy Foundation's Executive Director Pamela Mastrota about her new role at the Foundation and the ongoing evolution of its charitable programs.

The Toy Association and the Good Play Guide™ announced today the launch of a brand-new STEAM Accreditation Program for the toy industry that evaluates and certifies STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) products for children.

Toy News Tuesday editors spoke with Laurie Leahey, senior editor of TTPM, about how she is constantly on the hunt for new play ideas and why becoming a Play Ambassador for The Toy Association’s Genius of Play initiative was a natural extension for her.

Toy professionals are invited to listen in on the latest episode of the “EdX Education in Conversation with …” podcast, which discusses the work of The Genius of Play, the value of play and play-based learning, and play trends in the U.S.

Nominations for The Toy Foundation’s 2022 Toy of the Year (TOTY) Awards opened last week, and contenders are already vying to be recognized as the top toys, games, and properties of the year. The deadline to submit products for consideration is August 31.

Toy News Tuesday editors caught up with Malte Niebelschuetz, the creator & founder of Shore Buddies, about his new role as a Play Ambassador for The Toy Association’s Genius of Play initiative and why he believes play and sustainability go hand in hand.

From Bananagrams to Learning Resources, to PLAYMOBIL and Thames & Kosmos, more than 25 companies have shared engaging play resources with families and educators through The Genius Play’s new Genius Play Portal, which has garnered more than 15,000 pageviews since launching in May.

The Toy Association’s Genius of Play initiative is encouraging all play professionals to take a “play break” this summer through a series of weekly virtual events, developed and hosted in partnership with Women in Toys, Licensing, and Entertainment.

Toy News Tuesday editors caught up with Sarah Baskin, vice president of marketing communications at Far Out Toys, about her new role as a Play Ambassador for The Toy Association’s Genius of Play initiative and how the pandemic impacted her family’s own playtime routine.

The Toy Foundation’s Board of Trustees and The Toy Association are pleased to announce that Pamela Mastrota has joined The Toy Foundation (TTF) as executive director, effective today (June 28).

The Toy Foundation (TTF) is reminding toy manufacturers and distributors there’s still time to donate toys and games to thousands of deserving children this summer.

The Toy Association’s Genius of Play initiative is helping families recharge all summer long after a tough school year through the power of play and exciting toy giveaways.