Please Play With the Toys Feb 19, 2009
LEGO, the plastic building blocks that have enthralled children for decades, is going back to basics but also going digital releasing a set of "regular" LEGOs called Builders of Tomorrow. The blocks look and feel like the LEGOs of yesteryear but these give you the opportunity to go online at legofamilytime. (Fox News)
Financial pinch returns focus to cheap toys Feb 17, 2009
Lego is doing extremely well in this economy, and Crayola had the biggest sales week in the history of the company right before Christmas, when nearly everyone else in the industry was scraping by. "It's play that's powered by kids' imaginations," said Stacy Gabrielle, a Crayola spokeswoman. (Huntington WSAZ-TV, WV)
Disney, Lego strike licensing deal Feb 17, 2009
Lego Group The first product lines under the Disney-Lego parternship will be based on Toy Story, Cars and Prince of Persia ... and the have signed a multi-year licensing deal giving Lego the ability to roll out a new line of products based on Disney properties, including Disney Pixar ... The first three product lines will launch in 2010 and are based on "Toy Story," "Cars" and "Prince of Persia." The products will encompass the company's Lego and Duplo lines of toys. (Raleigh Triangle Business Journal, NC)
Lego and Disney sign toys tie-up Feb 17, 2009
Toy maker Lego and Disney Consumer Products have announced a licensing deal that gives the Danish firm access to properties owned by the US firm. From January 2010 Lego will recreate characters from the film Toy Story, such as Woody and Buzz Lightyear ... Later in 2010 Lego will produce characters produced by the animated movie Cars. (BBC News -- Business)
G.I. Joe Preview Feb 16, 2009
You can play G.I. Joe as a solo experience, but, like LEGO Star Wars, the game seems designed for two-player cooperative play. You and a buddy will each pick two Joes and take them through twenty different missions in your quest to thwart the plans of Cobra. (IGN PS2)
New takes on old favorites at NYC toy fair Feb 16, 2009
NEW YORK (AP) - Barbie is turning 50, Legos are going digital and Razor is making girly pink scooters with tasseled handlebars ... Legos, for example, are selling despite the economic downturn because parents like giving their children toys they played with themselves, said Karen Lynch, staffing the toy fair's Lego display Sunday at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York ... Besides offering themed kits for building a pirate ship, a medieval castle or Indiana Jones' Temple of Doom,... (The Star Online, Malaysia -- Business)
Disney tries to crack an elusive audience - boys Feb 14, 2009
"Advertisers have been telling me for many, many years that they are looking for a competitor in this space." A bevy of companies have signed up as advertising partners for Disney XD's introduction, including Lego, General Mills, Kellogg's, Kraft and Pokemon USA.. Programming will be heavy on music. (International Herald Tribune)
LEGO Group Celebrates 10 Years of the Force Feb 14, 2009
Source: The LEGO Group ... -World's leading construction toy brand kicks-off year-long celebration of LEGO STAR WARS(TM), its first licensed construction toy line ... NEW YORK, Feb. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- American International Toy Fair -- LEGO STAR WARS(TM) celebrates 10 years of global toy success in 2009. (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
The richest people that youve never heard of Feb 7, 2009
Kristiansen's grandfather founded the Danish company Lego in 1932 ... Today, we simply call them Legos, and the company is the world's sixth-largest toymaker by sales. (MSNBC -- Business)
'Hot' Toys May Not Be the Best Present Feb 7, 2009
"Traditional toys, such as Lego, are also great, because they help build skills such as fine motor manipulation and creativity," Kramer said. "While they come with instructions on how to build certain things, kids can choose to build anything they want.". (MEDLINEplus)
Timing couldn't be worse for Mega Brands Mar 22, 2008
Mega Bloks, as Mega Brands was known then, wins access to the rich German market after a court strikes down the so-called Lego Doctrine, a 40-year-old law protecting the Danish giant from competitors in Germany ... The Supreme Court of Canada dismisses Lego's case against Mega Bloks over look-alike toys ... Wal-Mart Canada Corp. says it stopped selling toys made by Lego, Mega Brands' main rival. (Globe and Mail)
Have we struck oil yet? Mar 15, 2008
The other night, for example, I cried a little after stepping on a Lego toy on the way to the bathroom at 2 in the morning. I step on a lot of stuff on the way to the bathroom shoes, scissors, Happy Meal toys but Legos are the worst, the hard edges digging into the soft, cake-like instep of my naked foot. (Albany Democrat-Herald, OR)
Toys celebrating anniversaries with special edition versions Mar 15, 2008
It was dad James, founder of the North Georgia Lego Train Club, who first brought Lego building bricks into the house ... Now his kids, 5-year-old Amy and 11-year-old Ian, are helping him build Lego train sets ... With help from a friend, Ian has created a Lego robot that plays tic-tac-toe. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Living)
Luis Humberto Crosthwaite: Memory may be the best gift of all Mar 9, 2008
But she decided to emulate her brother Santiago, a fanatical devotee of Lego. Unfortunately, all the toys for building things, not just Lego but also other brands, are aimed at boys: pirates, medieval knights or space monsters ... Very Lego, but without the monsters. (San Diego Union-Tribune)
Lego seeking to win over more girls Mar 7, 2008
A Lego fan in Berlin ... "I think there is something that genetically skews us towards boys, but we can do better," Lego's chief said ... Ida Fraende, a 9-year-old who lives in Copenhagen, likes to play with Lego bricks. (International Herald Tribune -- Business)
Lego wants to appeal more to girls Mar 6, 2008
com: Lego wants to build business by appealing more to girls. Lego wants to build business by appealing more to girls ... BILLUND, Denmark Nine-year-old Ida Fraende, who likes to play with Lego bricks, is not so unusual in Scandinavia but globally speaking she is not typical: Jorgen V. Knudstorp hopes to change that. (Globe and Mail -- Business)
Big Brother endorses playthings Mar 6, 2008
I highlighted a Lego construction set that included, as part of a police 18-wheeler, a surveillance and monitoring unit. I also noted a plastic play set, manufactured and marketed by Playmobil, depicting a police officer wanding a civilian figure as pretend belongings go through a pretend X-ray machine. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
Lego wants to build business with girls Mar 6, 2008
BILLUND, Denmark (Reuters) - Nine-year-old Ida Fraende, who likes to play with Lego bricks, is not so unusual in Scandinavia but globally speaking she is not typical: Jorgen V. Knudstorp hopes to change that ... To win girls over Lego -- whose iconic plastic bricks have entertained children and wounded unwary barefoot parents since the late 1940s -- is working to change its mindset, and taking its bid for their custom online ... The firm founded in 1932 by carpenter Ole Kirk Christiansen intends... (ABC News -- Wire)
Mega Brands Will Consider the Sale of Its Stationery and Activities Unit Mar 6, 2008
Lego A/S is the world's largest maker of snap-together blocks. To contact the reporter on this story: in Atlanta at. (Bloomberg -- Canada)
Unique and Unusual Office Designs Feb 29, 2008
A mini stair case of shelving or storage cubes with slinkies to race, a collection of stress balls in an interesting container, a puzzle, lego, wind-up toys and other fun play things can make coming to your office a real treat. Tea or Coffee Service. (Suite101.com)
'Lego Universe,' a brick MMO, is in development Feb 24, 2008
Lego Universe,' a brick MMO, is in development ... This concept art for the forthcoming online game, 'Lego Universe,' is from a player zone of that virtual world ... SAN FRANCISCO--On a regular basis, two of the things I most like to write about are Lego and virtual worlds. (CNET News.com)
'Dark Knight,' 'Indiana Jones' Secrets Revealed At 2008 Toy Fair Feb 21, 2008
Lego also had its share of Dr. Jones toys, with a wide assortment of miniatures from the upcoming "Kingdom" as well as from the previous films ... Lego, which holds a Batman license, opted out of producing toys for the heavily anticipated sequel given its dark nature, while DC Direct the toy arm of the comics giant kept its plans under wraps as it prepares a series of collectible statues and props. (VHI.com -- Music News)
Toys-R-New at NYC show Feb 20, 2008
Lego has playsets based on scenes from the popular film series, including the Temple Escape ($59. 99), available in stores now. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
Birthday celebrates a boy's generosity Feb 19, 2008
"I have Legos. I don't need anything."His mother wasn't surprised by Samuel's generosity ... Meanwhile, in between conversing with me, Samuel worked on his latest Lego creation. (Fresno Bee -- Lifestyle)
The Hottest Toys for 2008 Revealed at 105th American International Toy Fair(R) Feb 18, 2008
An exciting kick-off to Toy Fair began on February 16th as Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen, a third generation of the LEGO family and former CEO of LEGO Group, was inducted into the 2008 Toy Industry Hall of Fame. The Toy Industry Hall of Fame, created in 1984, honors individuals who have made a significant mark on the American toy industry. (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
Safety concerns set to dominate New York toy fair Feb 16, 2008
Obviously the industry lost a lot of consumer confidence last year, said Soren Torp Lorsen, president of Lego Americas. Therefore, the industry has to prove that there are very tight procedures going forward that ensure we don't disappoint again, Lorsen said. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Business)
LEGO and learn Feb 13, 2008
Eda Davis-Lowe stared hard at the open LEGO manual in front of her, counting out each piece on the instruction page before she sorted through a large tray of pieces in front of her. Her team partner, Mario Magana, held the beginnings of a LEGO robot in his hand, and as she handed him pieces, he laboriously placed each on in its proper location, checking and rechecking the diagram every time ... While both Davis-Lowe and Magana have played LEGOs with their own children, they never expected to be... (Corvallis Gazette Times, OR)
Inexpensive Rewards for Children Feb 4, 2008
Encouraging Good Behaviour. Rewarding kids for achieving goals is part of learning. (Suite101.com)
Thon mom reflects on prior dancing days Feb 1, 2008
Lego blocks littered the floor of the finished basement, and the dog sat in the corner chewing on a foam dart from Max's Nerf gun. The only indicator that the Kirbys have conquered cancer with the help of the Four Diamonds Fund is a small scar that peeks out of Max's waistband and a signed basketball from Thon Hoops, which rests on a glass shelf above the family's television. (Daily Collegian, PA)
Happy happy| Jan 29, 2008
TECH NEWS Lego turns 50 in style Slim Allagui Tue, 29 Jan 2008. Lego's colourful bricks that have inspired kids' imaginations worldwide celebrated their 50th anniversary on Monday after resisting fierce competition from high-tech computer games that nearly brought the company down a few years ago ... "The Lego brick doesn't age with time and continues to fascinate because it allows children, and others, to develop their creativity, imagination and curiosity and let it wander free," said... (iAfrica.com)
Lego Celebrates 50 Years of Building Jan 29, 2008
Playing with lego MARCUS BRANDT / AFP / Getty Article Tools ... Lego has come a long way from the little bricks you might remember ... The Danish inventors of the Lego brick built a toymaking empire, and made every child an architect of their own imagination. (Time.com)
Lego turns 50 Jan 29, 2008
Workers at the Denmark-based Lego Group's North American headquarters in Enfield were to kick off a year-long celebration today of - wait for it - the 50th anniversary of the now ubiquitous little Lego bricks. To be precise, the original Lego brick reached the ripe old age of 50, "at exactly 1:58 p.m., when the original patent was filed," according to company spokesman Michael McNally ... "Celebrations are taking place in Lego offices around the world," McNally said. (Journal Inquirer, CT)
Lego Brick Celebrates 50th Anniversary Jan 29, 2008
Lego Brick Celebrates 50th (Lego) The 50th birthday of the LEGO brick is in January 2008 and there is plenty to celebrate. Children all over the world have played with LEGO bricks for the past 50 years, and LEGO is still right at the top of many wish lists just as it always has been ... Industry and trade associations also recognize the LEGO success. (FOX23 News, NY)
'Speed Racer' aims for multiple tie-ins Jan 26, 2008
What's more, Silver not only gets his cover of Cheerios -- he gets a McDonald's Happy Meal, Hot Wheels cars and Lego playsets ... That kind of backing from brands like General Mills, McDonald's, Target, Mattel, Lego, Topps and Esurance, among others, will create the "noise" needed to gets auds interested in the pic, Silver says ... nLego creating four playsets based around the pic. (Variety)
The Force Unleashed Jan 26, 2008
From the movies to books to comics to action figures to LEGO toys to, of course, videogames, the Force is everywhere. Considering how much content there is out there, it can be considered an especially big deal when Lucasfilm deems a piece of fiction to be the next official chapter in the saga, making it an essential piece of the universe. (IGN PS2)
TODAY's holiday gift drive raises $25.5 million Jan 19, 2008
com), LEGO Systems (www ... com), LEGOLAND California and Jumeirah Essex House (www. (MSNBC -- International)
AG: Cambridge's KB Toys violated child labor law Jan 17, 2008
Lego Brand Retail, Burlington Mall, Burlington. Aeropostale, Silver City Galleria Mall, Taunton. (Cambridge Chronicle, MA)
Control your clutter| Jan 8, 2008
If things are looking a little messy try putting small toys such as lego or crayons in fun boxes. Alternatively, Belinda Frylink advises that you "cover up the open shelves with Roman or roller blinds on the front and sides to hide the clutter of books and toys". (iAfrica.com)
Firms turn to children's websites Dec 31, 2007
Add to the mix similar offerings from toy manufacturers like Lego and. Upstart technology companies, particularly from overseas, are also elbowing for market share. (Boston Globe)
Malls organize Christmas charities for children Dec 24, 2007
At Senayan City Mall in South Jakarta, the Lego Charity Toy Box is accepting toy donations for less fortunate children across the country. The program is the joint effort of ALJ (Lego's sole distributor in Asia) and the charity organization Wahana Visi Indonesia (WVI), and will be accepting donations until Jan 2, 2008 ... " WVI runs a sponsorship program for needy children in Indonesia, with 75,000 children currently under its care according to partner World Vision Indonesia. The Lego Charity... (Jakarta Post, Indonesia -- City)
Act your age? Dec 23, 2007
Jan and Russ Ray built giant and technical Lego sets at their home in Lodi, including the Eiffel Tower, center, that took them a total of 11 hours to construct ... Whether it's Legos, cars or kites, these 'kidults' are having fun ... Russ Ray, 52, has been playing with Legos those colorful plastic building blocks that can be snapped together to build almost anything since he was a kid. (Lodi News Sentinel, CA)
Santa's Elves Work Overtime to Create Homegrown Toys Not `Made in China' Dec 21, 2007
Mother-of-two Amanda Gray, 35, was at Hamleys choosing blocks made in Denmark by Lego A/S for a seven-year-old nephew. She said she does her best to avoid the cheapest toys. (Bloomberg -- Canada)
ABATE Toy Store is open for business Dec 21, 2007
Published: Thursday, December 20, 2007 12:59 PM MST The building was packed with Barbie dolls, board games, bicycles, clothes and other toys Wednesday night as Chuck Butler, Charlene Kirkendoll and Dusty McClintock ran up and down the aisles placing dolls, stuffed animals and Lego sets in the correct spot. It s a way for our group to give back to the community, McClintock said. (Gillette News-Record, WY)
Toy library: In South African slums, lives lifted by a chance to play Dec 20, 2007
A lease on play: In Alexandra, South Africa, library members can borrow toys for two weeks. Chief toy librarian: Precious Mathe runs the Alexandra toy library in South Africa. (Christian Science Monitor -- USA)
Mr Anderson goes to India Dec 16, 2007
Visually, it is inventive and eye-catching (it helps that most of the toys we see are recognisable brand names, such as Lego and the Muppets; there's even a Buster Keaton puppet). It's divided into chapters that have been given whimsical names ("Chapter 3: Fun and Mental is Fundamental") and it unfolds its optimistic message in a brisk, audience-friendly 90 minutes. (The Australian)
Letters to Santa Dec 13, 2007
I would want any kind of Legos, please ... For Christmas I would like a Hyperslide, an army set, a Blue Heller dog like Ace (but not real), and a Lego set like the one at Westside. (Rapid City Journal, SD)
Great gifts without the road trip Dec 12, 2007
Lego, Duplo and locally-invented berstix building and play sets. De riguer for every toy store, the Thomas the Tank Engine wooden train set is a fixture that draws kids in for hours of unplugged play. (Wood River Journal, ID)
Get a B.A. in toy design Dec 11, 2007
Ellis, who used to teach graphic design at Parsons School of Design in New York, said that FIT students have gone on to work for some of the world's biggest toy companies and inventors groups, such as Mattel Fisher-Price Brands, Lego and Disney. And the college's graduates have designed some of the most popular toys of the last decade, including Tickle Me Elmo and the WWE Bash and Brawl Wrestlers. (AZCentral -- Entertainment)
Guide to last minute (online) shopping Dec 10, 2007
You won't find the frivolous range of some warehouse-sized toy stores but you will find almost 3000 well-considered toys from household brands such as Lamaze, Hasbro, Lego and National Geographic. Music and outdoor gifts rate highly. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Technology)
Event Combines Learning with Fun Dec 10, 2007
LEGO Competition at the U of R ... The LEGO Competition at the University of Rochester promotes higher level thinking, creative problem solving, teamwork and research ... They use LEGO bricks and other elements such as sensors, motors, and gears. (R News)
Not toying around Dec 8, 2007
He bought as many LEGO toys (made in Denmark) and Playmobil products (made in Germany) as possible. And he added new lines, including German stacking toys and wooden trains from Maple Landmark Woodcraft of Vermont. (Boston Globe)
Make a donation Dec 7, 2007
Customer Service from FLORIDA TODAY. 30-day news archives. (Florida Today)
Psst, Santa, Id really like ... Dec 7, 2007
Shay Costley, 5, is just one young boy who wants a Transformer, along with a Lego castle and army toys ... Boys seem to be asking for Lego, stuffed animals and Hot Wheels, and girls often want dolls and makeup, explained Santa. (Moose Jaw Times-Herald)
Fantasy versus reality| Dec 5, 2007
Jrgen wants to bend his boyfriend over the Lego aisle in Toys R Us. Holly wants to don a velcro suit with the barman at Su Da Da, where they'd both be thrown up against a velcro wall. (iAfrica.com)
VCAC Angel Tree holiday project underway Dec 5, 2007
Most popular this year, according to Thomason, for the boys are: Transformers, Spiderman items, Lego s and Army men. Girls have mostly requested Barbies, clothes, Dora items and Littlest Pet Shop items. (Leesville Daily Leader, LA)
The Holiday Hot List Dec 1, 2007
Even some of the hottest toys this season have been around for decades the most popular searches include "Barbie," "Lego" and my favorite childhood toy, "Hot Wheels." New-guard toys, like "Bratz," "American Girl" and "Transformers," round out the list. The biggest difference between modern toys and those of yore is perhaps the webification of the former. (Time.com)
Australian Gaming Bargains - 29/11/07 Nov 30, 2007
84 LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga: $78 ... 98 LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga: $19 ... 98 LEGO Star Wars: The Videogame: $24. (PALGN)
Toys for Tots Are Going High-Tech Nov 30, 2007
It's not the fuzzy toys or the sports equipment or even the Lego sets. Video. (ABC News)
Entertaining Party Games for Kids Nov 29, 2007
Give each child a pile of wooden blocks or Lego. They have one minute to build the highest structure that is still standing by the time the minute is up. (Suite101.com)
Classic '80s toys make a comeback Nov 29, 2007
Boomer-era grandparents can also get nostalgic, with LEGOs designed for imaginary trips to Mars and an Etch A Sketch for the mobile phone ... LEGO, The LEGO Group ... 2007: Most every cultural and historical phenomenon has made its way into LEGO form, including this year s relaunch of the Space line, now as Mars Mission. (Rapid City Journal, SD)
Don't fear the recall Nov 26, 2007
Among the companies that have gone PVC-free: Brio, Ikea, Lego, Primetime Playthings, Early Start, Sassy and Tiny Love ... One that gets high marks: Legos. (The Daily Reflector)
What's hot, what's not Nov 26, 2007
We sold 25 sets of a Lego version during Black Friday. . (Pocatello Idaho State Journal, ID)
Simple fun with simple toys Nov 25, 2007
Sunday, November 25, 2007. KEITH BEATY / TORONTO STAR Elliott, 4, and Polly, 2, explore in The Toy Space, which opened two years ago. (Toronto Star)
Area residents are caching in on a global game that has people hunting high and low in a game that can be fun for one or fun for the family Nov 24, 2007
Emma picked a sandwich-sized bag of Lego blocks from the cache at Mad Creek Greenbelt. Her grandfather deposited a toy Jeep travel bug, a trackable item that moves from place to place. (Muscatine Journal, IO)
Tips to Dress Kids Free or Cheaply Nov 19, 2007
For toys and equipment, buy Lego, Little Tikes, Fisher Price, and other well-known names. By shopping smart and getting lucky, one may be able to buy low-priced items to use until outgrown, and then sell them for as much as or more than was originally paid. (Suite101.com)
