News & Stories

Industry Donations to The Toy Bank Reach 800,000 Children to Date in 2024

11 MAR

The Toy Bank, a key program of The Toy Foundation™ (TTF), is off to an incredible start in 2024 with hundreds of thousands of toys already collected that are actively being placed into the hands of more than 800,000 children in need.

The Toy Foundation™ Funds Play Therapy Projects to Improve Pediatric Care for 240,000 Children

05 MAR

The Toy Foundation™, the philanthropic arm of The Toy Association™, is proud to announce $380,000 has been awarded to 20 children’s hospitals and health systems that serve under-resourced communities, as part of its 2024 Childrens Hospital Play Grants program.

The Genius Of Play™ Launches “Let’s Play – A Playbook for Kids of All Abilities”

01 MAR

The Genius of Play™, a national movement spearheaded by The Toy Association™ to raise awareness about play’s vital role in child development, marked the first day of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month today with the launch of “Let’s Play – A Playbook for All Abilities.”

Toy Foundation & Industry Leaders Explore Toy-Focused Degree Program at University of Maryland

27 FEB

The Toy Foundation™ (TTF) is looking to expand its Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Pipeline Program by exploring the development of a degree program at the University of Maryland Robert H. Smith School of Business.

The Toy Foundation™ Releases 2023 Annual Report

20 FEB

The collective generosity of the toy industry delivered the joy of play to more than 680,000 children in need around the world last year, as detailed in The Toy Foundation™’s (TTF) 2023 annual report.

The Pokémon Company International & Toy Foundation™ to Light up Empire State Building on Pokémon Day

13 FEB

In celebration of Pokémon Day 2024 and the upcoming U.S. premiere of “Pokémon Horizons: The Series,” The Pokémon Company International (TPCi), in collaboration with longstanding charitable partner The Toy Foundation™, has teamed up with New York’s iconic Empire State Building to illuminate its world-famous tower lights the evening of Feb. 27, 2024.

University Students Present 'Language Learning Toy' as Part of The Toy Foundation™’s Competition

06 FEB

Two students have introduced the “Language Learning Toy,” a prototype plush toy developed to support a child’s brain development, bridge cultural gaps, and encourage family bonding through multilingualism. Conceived and presented by the University of Maryland students as part of The Toy Foundation™’s (TTF) fall 2023 semester Collegiate Case Study Competition, their participation served as an in-depth introduction to the toy industry and yielded both students internship offers at In Kidz.

Your Toy Donations Deliver the Magic of Childhood

30 JAN

The toy industry’s collective donations to The Toy Foundation™’s (TTF) Toy Bank℠ have helped bring that magic and deliver comfort, joy, and the extraordinary benefits of play to 31.5 million children in need worldwide since 2003.

Impact Report: Access to Play at Children’s Hospitals Improves Health Care Outcomes for Thousands

22 JAN

The Toy Foundation™ (TTF) has released the 2022/2023 Children’s Hospital Play Grants impact report, detailing the impact toy industry funding has on 19 under-resourced children’s hospitals nationwide.

Feature Your Toys in The Genius of Play™’s Spring Giveaway

19 JAN

The Genius of Play™ is launching its “Spring into Play” giveaway on March 1, featuring playthings that introduce kids to new hobbies and help families find joy through creative, screen-free play as the new season blooms.

Record-Breaking Amount of Consumers Voted for the 2023 TOTY® Awards

12 DEC

For the 2023 TOTY Awards, engagement was at a record-breaking high as more than 60,000 consumers voted to help determine the individual product category and People’s Choice winners.

Give the Gift of Play on Giving Tuesday

28 NOV

The Toy Foundation’s Pamela Mastrota, executive director, and Andrew Quartin, chairperson, call on the toy industry to support its work to deliver the extraordinary benefits of play to children in need.

The Toy Foundation™’s DEI Pipeline Program Welcomes First Hires into the Toy Industry

20 NOV

The Toy Foundation™ (TTF) is proud to announce that two student participants of its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Pipeline Program secured job placements during the program’s capstone event at Toy Fair®, a five-day program that offered networking, recruitment, and educational opportunities for college and university students and attending companies.

Squishmallows from Jazwares Takes Home Prestigious “Toy of the Year®” Award for 2023

20 NOV

Squishmallows by Jazwares and Monster High Skullector Line by Mattel, Inc. received top honors today, taking home the Toy of the Year® (TOTY®) Awards’ coveted overall “Toy of the Year” award and “People’s Choice” honor, respectively. A representation of the most creative, imaginative, and fun products perfect for gifting this holiday season, The Toy Foundation™ (TTF) previously announced the product category winners at the 2023 TOTY Awards celebration in September.

Brighten a Child’s Holiday with a Donation to The Toy Bank℠

06 NOV

The Toy Foundation™ (TTF) is collecting product donations from the toy industry this holiday season to distribute to deserving children and families in need.

Rock Band KANSAS Launches Limited-Edition Apparel in Support of The Toy Foundation™

02 NOV

This holiday season, America’s legendary rock band KANSAS is spreading joy to children in need through limited-edition “Dust in the Wind” and “Carry On, Wayward Son” T-shirts and hoodies. Passionate about children and the power of play, the band is donating 100 percent of the profits in support of The Toy Foundation’s work delivering play to children in need.

The Genius of Play™ Speaks to 300 Educators About Infusing Play in STEAM Education

27 OCT

The Genius of Play™ was featured in an Education Week webinar on October 19, titled “Joy and STEM: Igniting Creativity and Curiosity in Your Pre K-5 Classroom,” reaching an audience of more than 300 registered educators.

Play Enthusiasts Invited to Help Decide the Toy of the Year® Awards People’s Choice Winner

23 OCT

The Toy Foundation™ (TTF) is calling on play enthusiasts to be a part of toy history and cast their votes for the Toy of the Year® (TOTY®) Awards People’s Choice award, which is solely determined by consumer votes.

The Toy Foundation™ Opens Children’s Hospital Play Grants Application to Fund 2024 Play Projects

17 OCT

The Toy Foundation™ (TTF) is inviting children’s hospitals nationwide to apply online for funding for 2024 play projects and activities that will help improve children’s care and wellbeing. Companies and individuals involved with a children’s hospital are encouraged to share this application for the hospital(s) to complete and submit.

The Genius of Play™ Highlights Benefits of Creative Play with Online Pumpkin Picasso Giveaway

17 OCT

There are no tricks — just treats — as The Genius of Play™ launches a Halloween-themed giveaway from October 17 to 31 on Instagram and Facebook.

Call for Support: The Toy Foundation™ is Mobilizing Donations Amid Israel-Hamas War

10 OCT

In response to the devastating attacks from Hamas on Israel, The Toy Foundation™ (TTF) is calling on the toy industry to collectively support the thousands of displaced and injured Israeli children and families with the comfort of new toys and other essential items.

‘Ready, Set, STEAM’ Giveaway from The Genius of Play™ Spotlights STEAM-Accredited Toys

09 OCT

The Genius of Play™’s “Ready, Set, STEAM” giveaway, which featured 12 companies and 15 officially accredited STEAM toys, reached 59,000 consumers during the back-to-school shopping season.

Toy Fair® Exhibitors Joined to Donate $2 Million in Toys to Children in Need through The Toy Bank℠

09 OCT

The impact of Toy Fair® extends well beyond the halls of Javits Center to children in need in New York City and the surrounding area. At the close of the 118th trade show, The Toy Foundation™’s (TTF) Toy BankSM collected $2 million in toys, books, games, and other playthings from hundreds of exhibitors that together are delivering the extraordinary benefits of play to more than 30,000 children.

TOTY® Awards Embrace Play with Purpose, Raising Nearly $1 Million for Children in Need

03 OCT

The power of play was on full display at the 2023 Toy of the Year® (TOTY®) Awards as the toy industry enjoyed an unforgettable night of entertainment, awards, and philanthropy. Hosted by The Toy Foundation™ (TTF), the industry collectively raised nearly $1 million through sponsorships, ticket sales, auction bids, and on-site donations to deliver play to children in need.

The Best in the Toy Industry Takes Center Stage at the 2023 Toy of the Year® Awards

29 SEP

An animated game to create movie magic, an activity table to drop musical beets, and an 8-foot inflatable obstacle course to spark endless outdoor fun are among the inventive finalists for the prestigious Toy of the Year® (TOTY®) Awards. Today, The Toy Foundation™ (TTF) announced the top 122 toys, games, and properties across 17 product categories (listed below) that are advancing the world of play.