2024 Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) Fairs Are Now Open

The first round of Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) 2024 trade shows, (the 50th HKTDC Hong Kong Toys & Games Fair, 15th HKTDC Hong Kong Baby Products Fair and 22nd Hong Kong International Stationery & School Supplies Fair), jointly organized by the HKTDC and Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd, have launched at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center. The three physical fairs will run concurrently until 11 January and bring together more than 2,600 exhibitors to showcase a wide range of inspiring toys, quality baby products and creative stationery.

Disney and Pixar Heroines Team Up for Chronicles of Light: Darkness Falls Game From Ravensburger

The Realm of Light needs you! Ravensburger, acclaimed publisher behind award-winning board games and high-quality toys and puzzles, is assembling heroines across popular Disney and Pixar stories to join forces and vanquish a sinister darkness threatening the world. Combining role-playing, storytelling, cooperation and the approachability of a board game format, Chronicles of Light: Darkness Falls (Disney Edition) creates an immersive adventure game that allows players to experience Disney heroines in whole new ways while they work together to win. Chronicles of Light: Darkness Falls (Disney Edition) will be available for pre-order on July 7 at Target.com and will be available for purchase at Target and hobby stores nationwide on July 21.

Spin Master Completes Acquisition of Melissa & Doug

Spin Master Corporation (“Spin Master” or the “Company”) (TSX: TOY), a leading global children’s entertainment company, has announced it has completed its previously announced acquisition of US-based Melissa & Doug, a well-recognized and trusted brand in early childhood play, for $950 million. With a mission to ignite imagination and a sense of wonder in children, Melissa & Doug is a beloved brand that is sought after and trusted by parents and children alike and highly relevant for families seeking sustainable wooden toys and screen-free play.

Kids Preferred Plans for Summer 2024 with ‘Welcome to the Universe Baby!’ Collection from Universal Products & Experiences

Retailers can anticipate an invitation from American toy manufacturer Kids Preferred in summer 2024 welcoming them to the arrival of Universal Products & Experiences, “Welcome to the Universe Baby!’ collection. The new line features an expansion of Kids Preferred Curious George range and a roll out of infant & toddler playthings that are gender neutral from across NBCUniversal’s beloved global brands including DreamWorks Animation’s Shrek, How To Train Your Dragon, Kung Fu Panda and Madagascar as well as, Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment’s Back To The Future and E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. Summer of 2024’s baby shower registry will be full of extra soft and developmental toys as only Kids Preferred can create. 

ZURU – Mini Brands Unveils New Collections for Holiday 2023

As part of its mission to make everything mini, and continued domination of the miniature collectibles space, ZURU’s latest Mini Brands ranges hit US shelves in early December. In a pre-holiday collectibles drive, Mini Brands Sneakers and Mini Brands Books introduced some of the most iconic global footwear brands and best-loved novels as miniature replicas of the real thing.

ZAG Partners with Institute Rafael to Establish Worldwide Program to Provide Free Holistic Therapies to Children with Cancer

ZAG Foundation, the charitable division of global independent animation studio ZAG, is partnering with Dr. Alain Toledano’s Institute Rafaël to provide free non-medical cancer care to children in a nurturing, supportive and uplifting environment with age-appropriate activities. These therapies aim to provide support and promote healing well-being beyond medical interventions alone. The first launch will be focused at the Paris headquarters in 2025, with plans for locations in several other countries over the next five years. The announcement was made by Jeremy Zag, Founder and CEO, ZAG, and Dr. Alain Toledano, co-founder of Institute Rafaël.

University Games Expands Again with Acquisition of The Learning Journey

University Games, the US’s top manufacturer of literary-based learning games for children, has taken another big step on its educational sojourn by acquiring The Learning Journey International, an award-winning maker of educational, sensory, active-play, electronic, and construction toys. JB and Debbie Frere, The Learning Journey’s founders, will continue to manage The Learning Journey.

Cry Babies Joins El Reino Infantil

IMC Toys, a prominent player in the toys and children’s content industry, announces an exciting collaboration with El Reino Infantil, a wold leading community for children in Spanish. Soon, Cry Babies Magic Tears, BFF and VIP Pets of Kitoons will become an integral part of the varied programming on El Reino Infantil’s YouTube channels. In a move to enrich the musical offerings of El Reino Infantil’s main YouTube channel, IMC Toys’ captivating musical content will be integrated into its main YouTube channel, which boasters over 60 million subscribers, promising to being an unparalleled musical and visual experience to it’s expansive global audience.