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Tag: toys

  • This millennial-founded Chinese company scored a $6 billion valuation selling mystery toys. Now it wants to cash in on America’s cuteness craze

    This millennial-founded Chinese company scored a $6 billion valuation selling mystery toys. Now it wants to cash in on America’s cuteness craze

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    Tiny toys are a big business in China.

    So big, in fact, they’ve propelled one Beijing-based company to a staggering $6.3 billion valuation, and made its founder a billionaire three times over.

    Pop Mart, founded in 2010 by now 37-year-old Wang Ning, has kickstarted a mystery-toy boom in China. The company’s “blind boxes” conceal the exact design of a figurine until it’s opened. Shoppers choose between colorful boxes promising one of 12 designs—and depending on what they find inside, go back for more.

    In 2021, blind boxes overtook assembly toys to become the largest pop toy segment in China, according to a Statista analysis. The blind-box craze has even pushed the Chinese government to regulate them—retailers banned from pricing an individual blind box at over 200 yuan ($31.46) and from selling blind boxes to children under eight years old without the consent of a guardian.

    “A lot of kids love our products, but that’s not our majority of customers,” Larry Lu, Pop Mart’s head of North America, told Fortune.

    Instead, the company’s biggest fans in both China and the U.S. are “kidults”—adults whose consumption habits mirror those of children—aged between 20 and 35.

    Pop Mart’s 2023 global revenue totaled $871 million—a 36.5% increase year-over-year. Globally, Pop Mart operates more than 450 retail stores and over 2,300 Robo Shops—vending machines.

    Now, Pop Mart is betting its “designer toys” will take off in the West. The brand has eight retail stores and 15 Robo Shops across the U.S., where its blind boxes typically retail for $14.99 a pop, while special 30-inch figurines go for up to $1,399.90.

    Whether Pop Mart can replicate its Asia success in the West is still a mystery waiting to be unboxed. But if the rising stateside popularity of Japanese blind box toys such as Sonny Angels, Calico Critters, and Smiskis is any indicator, there’s plenty of room to grow.

    Pop Art

    Pop Mart began in 2010 as a variety store in Beijing, when founder and CEO Wang Ning was a college student. The store sold a range of knick-knacks and toys—and the Japanese brand Sonny Angels was among the most popular.

    The Sonny Angels—three-inch-tall, naked cherubs that come in blind boxes—hovered in Wang’s mind. He was inspired to get into the blind-box game, but with a “designer” spin. In 2015, Pop Mart crowdsourced ideas from its customers, asking on the social-media platform Weibo what characters they’d like to see.

    “Molly, Molly, Molly,” the comments read, said Lu.

    Molly, the brainchild of designer Kenny Wong, is a girlish character with emerald eyes and a permanent pout. Wang flew to Hong Kong in 2016 to meet Wong, and signed him as Pop Mart’s first artist. Pop Mart gained exclusive rights over Molly through the deal.

    “We push designers and artists forward—not hide them behind characters,” Lu said.

    Wong was also pushed forward as a shareholder in Pop Mart. In 2019, CEO Wang sold a 2% stake in the company to Wong—worth around $127 million today. But other Pop Mart artists are typically compensated with a percentage of sales or a commission rate, Lu said.

    After signing Wong, Pop Mart bolstered its portfolio with even more rising artists to introduce new characters, such as Dimoo the puzzled little boy, Skullpanda the edgy humanoid, and Duckoo the costumed duck.

    The company listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 2020, and today commands a market capitalization of about $6.4 billion. Forbes pegs Wang’s net worth at about $3 billion.

    Pop Mart’s artist-forward ethos has resonated with fans in Asia. The brand has hosted meet-and-greet events for fans to get their items signed by artists—and fans go “crazy” at these events, Lu said.

    “The loyal fans know Kenny is the designer of Molly,” Lu said. “Do you know, who is the designer of Mickey [Mouse]? Nobody knows that. And who is the designer of Kung Fu Panda? Nobody knows that.”

    Courtesy of Pop Mart

    Bubble Pop?

    While the majority of its revenue comes from product sales, Pop Mart also licenses its original characters to other companies to use in products or advertisements. For example, a Crocs collaboration featured Pop Mart characters as Jibbitz, and a collection with Uniqlo saw Molly and others grace the Japanese fashion brand’s graphic tees.

    These licensing deals go both ways. Pop Mart has produced figurines in collaboration with major entertainment brands such as DC Comics, SpongeBob SquarePants, Harry Potter, and The Big Bang Theory. But these licensed IP products made up only 16.5% of Pop Mart’s revenue in 2023, while original artist products accounted for 76.5%. 

    Repurchase rates of Pop Mart products in China are very high, according to Lu.

    “If you stand in a store, you’ll find that there are a lot of customers who finish the payments, and then they will unbox it and check it, then they will go back to pick one more to buy,” he said.

    But while social-media posts of fans showing off rooms full of Pop Mart products is an affirmation of the brand’s power, it’s also a cause for concern.

    “If their room is full of products, are they buying more?” Lu said. “We’re not sure.”

    That’s why Pop Mart is diversifying its revenue streams via gaming, animation, and theme park ventures. Pop Mart launched an official mobile game in May 2023, and opened the doors to its Pop Land amusement park in Beijing in October.

    Pop Psychology

    Pop Mart fandom is on the rise in the U.S. One of Pop Mart’s “kidult” fans is Alyssa Tan, 23, a San Francisco-based content creator who specializes in unboxing videos. (Tan has received publicity gifts from Pop Mart in addition to purchasing them on her own.)

    “With everyday life, the nine-to-five grind, life is kind of boring sometimes,” Tan said. “But I get a burst of dopamine whenever I open [a blind box.]”

    Shortly after Pop Mart opened its first U.S. store in Santa Clara, California, Tan took an hour-long Uber ride from San Francisco to shop there.

    “Everyone and their mothers were in there,” she said. “It was packed.”

    Tan, who owns about 30 Pop Mart items, said she can feel the care put into each figurine’s design, as well as their sturdy quality. She has also turned blind-box unboxing into a social experience with her friends, sometimes buying and opening them together.

    “It almost brings out the child in me that I can’t express now,” she said. “So I express it through unboxing these.”

    Economists have long theorized about the lipstick effect—the idea that consumers’ spending on small indulgences such as lipstick increases during periods of recession. For Tan, Pop Mart figures have a similar effect: a little luxury for times of monotony or uncertainty.

    “It’s just a little treat,” she said. “It’s not too much, but it gives you that dopamine that you need.”

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    Jasmine Li

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  • E-commerce is witnessing the Amazon-ification of Shein, as the fast-fashion behemoth woos skincare and toy brands

    E-commerce is witnessing the Amazon-ification of Shein, as the fast-fashion behemoth woos skincare and toy brands

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    E-commerce giant Shein is spreading its arms to envelope more than just the fashion and apparel for which it’s known—and it’s starting to look like another familiar online market platform in the process.

    Shein is wooing brands such as household goods conglomerate Colgate-Palmolive, toy maker Hasbro, and skincare brands to sell their products in its marketplace, Reuters reported Tuesday. The company, known for affordable and stylish clothes—albeit made with concerns about labor practices and its environmental impact—is taking steps to create a platform that is everything to everyone.

    “Everybody associates Shein with fashion, but we are doing all verticals,” Christina Fontana, Shein’s senior director of brand operations for Europe, Middle East and Africa, said at a Paris conference on April 17, according to Reuters.

    “Our consumers want brands, [so] if that’s what they’re looking for, that’s what we’re going to give them,” she added.

    Shein’s outward expansion is a clear tactic to take a bigger piece of the e-commerce pie, Steve Tadelis, economic analysis and policy professor at the University of California at Berkeley, told Fortune. 

    Shein has the largest fast-fashion market share in the U.S, and its annual profit doubled to $2 billion in 2023 from the year before. It’s eyeing an IPO and a whopping $90 billion valuation. While the size of its retail empire still pales in comparison to Amazon’s stranglehold on 38% of the U.S. e-commerce market, Tadelis said Shein will want to go after the industry leader. 

    “It shouldn’t be surprising that with all of the regulators around the world and talking about the Amazon monopoly that needs to be reined in, well, Shein is now taking a bite out of their apple and will probably take more of those bites,” he said.

    Shein’s big wins

    Shein, a China-based fast-fashion platform founded by billionaire Sky Xu in 2008, has skyrocketed to success and 45 million monthly users through its massive and efficient production and distribution strategies.

    Using AI and electronic monitoring, Shein is able to identify online trends, turn to its suppliers to manufacture small batches of products, then take initial sales data to decide to mass produce a product. The system nearly guarantees the company has its finger on the pulse of trends and can deliver goods fast, though it’s gotten into hot water over allegations of copyright infringement and data scraping, as well as the proliferation of counterfeit product listings.

    Even as regulatory bodies, like the European Union’s European Commission, have tried to put checks and balances on the company to stymie its questionable business practices, Shein may have found a way around that. 

    John Deighton, professor emeritus at the Harvard Business School, told Fortune that Shein’s strategy of incorporating more brand names onto its platform will only help the company dodge increased attention: The site could soon be flooded with thousands of listings from familiar and trusted products, such as Colgate toothpaste and Play-Doh, essentially telling regulatory bodies there’s nothing to see here.

    “They won’t get caught up by the scrutiny,” Deighton said.

    Butting heads with Amazon

    Shein’s behind-the-scenes methodology makes expanding beyond fashion a natural next step, Tadelis argued. With an efficient infrastructure in place, Shein is able to be more nimble in expanding outward from apparel.

    “I really think this is a smart business decision of saying, ‘We have an amazing logistics network, let’s start expanding it into other areas where we could procure cheap products,’” he added.

    Rui Ma, tech analyst and COO of market research platform AlphaWatch.AI, told Fortune that Shein’s secure spot in apparel offers another advantage in its race to beat Amazon. Fashion is a notoriously finicky sector, and Amazon, despite dipping its toe into the world of apparel, hasn’t been able to see the same success as Shein, Ma said.

    “It’s been very—historically—very difficult to match up demand supply,” she said. “It’s not been a particularly easy category.”

    But as Shein takes pages out of Amazon’s playbook, Amazon is simultaneously doing the same to Shein. Amazon announced last December it would slash seller fees from 17% to 5% for apparel under $15, with apparel between $15 to $20 triggering a 10% fee, starting in January. The company said on Monday its packages are getting delivered faster than ever: 60% of orders placed in 60 major U.S. cities arrived the same day or day after the order was placed. According to the company, that’s part of its longstanding efforts to stay on top of the e-commerce market and tend to customer needs. Shein customers may have to wait 14 days for their orders to arrive.

    Tadelis believes this is par for the course. Just as in most markets, company philosophies start to converge on each other when one finds an effective formula.

    “There’s no surprise that these things are looking more alike,” he said. “Because once there’s a good, winning strategy … then you’re going to see imitators.”

    For the consumer, there will certainly appear to be copycatting and similarities in promotions and perks across e-commerce platforms. But Ma said, don’t be fooled by Shein’s bid to mime its competitors. The site might start to look a lot like Amazon in its offerings, but behind the scenes, it’s very much sticking with its unique logistics network.

    “It might feel the same to us as consumers. It’s going to become more of an everything store,” she told Fortune. “But how it builds that experience, I think the logic is very different from Amazon.”

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    Sasha Rogelberg

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  • Movie-inspired LEGO sets for kids who love the cinema – Growing Family

    Movie-inspired LEGO sets for kids who love the cinema – Growing Family

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    Collaborative post

    For kids who adore the big screen, movie-inspired LEGO sets are the perfect way to bring the magic of cinema into the playroom. These sets not only recreate iconic scenes and characters from beloved films, but also provide a hands-on experience that can spark creativity and narrative play.

    From epic space odysseys to magical wizarding worlds, LEGO offers a range of sets that cater to all kinds of film enthusiasts. Here’s a look at some of the best LEGO sets inspired by movies, perfect for children who dream of directing their own blockbusters or stepping into the shoes of their favourite characters.

    child playing with LEGO

    A galaxy of adventure

    Among the vast array of movie-themed LEGO sets, there’s one that stands out as a favourite amongst adults and kids alike. The Star Wars LEGO collection is known for its rich history and appeal across generations. These sets allow young fans to construct detailed replicas of famous spacecraft, intriguing locations, and dramatic battle scenes from the Star Wars saga. Whether building the Millennium Falcon or reenacting the Battle of Hoth, children can dive deep into role-play, developing both their building skills and their storytelling abilities.

    Other notable film franchises represented in LEGO form include the thrilling world of Jurassic Park. Kids can build and interact with the iconic gates of Jurassic Park or create exciting chase scenes featuring the fearsome Indominus rex. Each set comes with detailed minifigures, dinosaurs, and often interactive features like traps and hidden doors, enhancing the play experience with surprises and adventure.

    Journey into the wizarding world

    For those enchanted by magic and mystery, the Harry Potter LEGO sets offer a portal straight into the heart of the wizarding world. These sets cover everything from the Hogwarts Express to the intricate alleys of Diagon Alley. Building Hogwarts Castle itself is a challenging and rewarding project, replete with hidden chambers, classrooms, and the characters that made the books and movies so special.

    Children can recreate the magic of the Yule Ball, the tension of a Quidditch match, or the secrecy of a meeting in the Room of Requirement. Each set is designed to be interactive, so after the build is complete, the storytelling and role-playing can bring the magical scenes to life.

    LEGO marvel minifiguresLEGO marvel minifigures

    Superhero action

    Superheroes are a staple of cinema, and LEGO’s superhero sets let kids construct their own action-packed adventures. Sets inspired by Marvel and DC Comics bring characters like Spider-Man, Batman, and the Avengers into the playroom. Children can build detailed scenes such as the Batcave, Stark Tower, or a street battle scene with their favourite superheroes and villains.

    These sets often include special features like launchers, hidden compartments, and light-up elements, which make the superhero battles even more exciting. They also provide a great foundation for children to develop their own superhero stories, enhancing their creative thinking and problem-solving skills.

    Animation comes alive

    Animated films are a hit among younger children, and LEGO sets inspired by these movies make for colourful and fun building projects. Sets based on Disney’s Frozen, Pixar’s Toy Story, or DreamWorks’ Trolls invite children to recreate their favourite moments. Whether it’s Elsa’s Ice Palace, Andy’s room, or a musical scene with the Trolls, these LEGO sets are perfect for fans of animation.

    The vibrant colours and diverse characters enhance sensory play and help develop fine motor skills. Moreover, the familiar plots provide a comforting base from which children can venture into their own imaginative worlds.

    In conclusion, movie-inspired LEGO sets are more than just toys; they are gateways to creativity, learning, and endless fun. They allow children to merge their love for cinema with the joy of building, offering both entertainment and educational value, especially if you’re homeschooling. Whether recreating scenes, inventing new adventures, or simply displaying their cinematic creations, these LEGO sets are sure to delight any film-loving child.

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    Catherine

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  • Horrifying and dark sh*t we’re actually glad we grew up with

    Horrifying and dark sh*t we’re actually glad we grew up with

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    Zach Nading

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  • Best of 2021: Supermom In Training: 5 Responses to your child saying “I’m bored”

    Best of 2021: Supermom In Training: 5 Responses to your child saying “I’m bored”

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    How many times have you heard your child say, “I’m bored”? OK, not you saying it in your head… your child whining it while they pick at a thread on their shirt. This said kid is also probably surrounded with toys, books, games and more (ahhh, to be bored like a kid!). So, here are 5 responses to your child saying “I’m bored”.

    “Figure it out.” I mean, seriously – when did we become responsible for entertaining our kids 24/7?! Truth is, when your kids are bored, it’s pretty amazing how creative they will get to find their own ways of keeping busy. Just keep an eye on them – the mischievous ones might get into trouble.

    “Go outside.” I really don’t think kids spend as much time outdoors as we did as kids (I remember practically living outside from sun up to sun down). We’ve all got the gear for winter or summer play, so send them out for some fresh air.

    “Make something.” In our house we call it a “craft challenge” where we rummage through the recycling bin, or pull out random craft supplies, and we challenge each other to create something. It’s quite cool to see what your kids come up with.

    “Read something.” We have a very accessible well-stocked bookshelf that the bean keeps very organized to make book-finding easy. We also subscribe to a number of magazines, and I have other “books” around like word searches and hidden pictures.

    “Do something for someone else.” Whether it’s helping mom and dad with a household to-do, writing a letter to a long-distance family member, shoveling the neighbour’s walkway, there’s always a way to help someone else (and keep your child occupied too).

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  • Mattel announces cost cuts after fourth-quarter results miss expectations

    Mattel announces cost cuts after fourth-quarter results miss expectations

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    Toy maker Mattel Inc. on Wednesday reported fourth-quarter results that missed expectations, with the company saying it plans to cut costs this year while continuing to buy back stock.

    The cost cuts would follow layoffs by rival Hasbro Inc.
    HAS,
    +1.34%
    amid a slowdown in demand for toys. They also come as other companies over the past several weeks have announced layoffs and plans to tighten up expenses, as investors seek out bigger profit margins.

    Shares of Mattel
    MAT,
    +1.57%
    were up 1.5% after hours.

    “Looking ahead, we are launching a new cost-savings program focused on profitable growth and expect to improve profitability and continue share repurchases in 2024,” Mattel Chief Financial Officer Anthony DiSilvestro said in the company’s earnings release.

    Mattel — known for its Barbie and Hot Wheels toys and, increasingly, its efforts to turn them into content — reported fourth-quarter net income of $147.3 million, or 42 cents a share. That compares with net income of $16.1 million, or 4 cents a share, in the same quarter in 2022.

    Adjusted for things like severance, product recalls and changes to deferred tax assets, Mattel earned 29 cents a share. Sales rose 16% to $1.62 billion.

    Analysts polled by FactSet expected Mattel to report adjusted earnings per share of 31 cents, on revenue of $1.65 billion.

    “Execution on our toy strategy was strong and we made meaningful progress in entertainment across film, television, digital and publishing,” Chief Executive Ynon Kreiz said in the company’s earnings release.

    “We ended 2023 with the strongest balance sheet we have had in years, putting us in an excellent position to execute our strategy to grow Mattel’s IP-driven toy business and expand our entertainment offering,” he continued.

    Mattel reported earnings after the key holiday-shopping season, and as analysts try to gauge the sales impact from the success of the “Barbie” movie released last summer. Mattel executives have said they want to make more films based on some of its other popular toys, and turn “Barbie” into a film franchise.

    However, toy demand has been cooler recently, thanks to two years of inflation-fueled higher prices for goods and necessities. Retailers have taken a cautious approach toward stocking their shelves, after getting caught two years ago with too many toys and electronics that people didn’t want.

    The Wall Street Journal reported this month that activist investor Barington Capital had taken a stake in Mattel, adding that Barington believed the company should consider “pursuing strategic alternatives” for its Fisher-Price and American Girl businesses.

    Bank of America analysts on Tuesday said Mattel and Hasbro were among the companies that were “most at risk of direct impact” from shipping disruptions in the Red Sea. Yemen-based Houthi fighters opposed to Israel’s war in Gaza have attacked ships in the area, forcing lengthy detours and driving up shipping costs. Mattel, the analysts noted, got around 24% of its total sales from the Europe, Middle East and Africa regions in 2022.

    During a conference in December, Kreiz said he believed in the long-term growth of the toy industry. But he said that after a jump in growth between 2019 and the pandemic, 2023 would likely be tamer.

    “We believe 2023 will be back to normal in terms of shopping patterns and consumer behavior,” he said. “And also even inventory at the retail level and at our level is now reverting back to historical norms.”

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  • The life-size Psyduck is coming back, and it’s available to pre-order

    The life-size Psyduck is coming back, and it’s available to pre-order

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    The Pokémon Company’s life-size Psyduck is back. It’s up for preorder on The Pokémon Center United States-based store, just weeks after it was restocked on the Japanese site. The Pokémon Company originally released its 31-inch Psyduck plush back in 2020, a blessing to Pokémon fans during the depths of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. It’s been back in stock a few times before, and here it is again, with perfect timing with Netflix’s Pokémon Concierge, starring Psyduck.

    Psyduck remains exactly the same as it was then, both stunning and perpetually stunned by its chronic headaches. (Psyduck is a migraine-haver’s icon.) Psyduck measures 31 inches in its Pokédex entry, making the big yellow duck true to life. The only problem is that it’s $324.99 — $45 more expensive than it was in 2020. That’s inflation for you.

    The good news, though, is that you now can read user reviews to tell you how awesome owning a life-size Psyduck is:

    Words cannot express how pleased I am with this massive Psyduck. Truly, massive. I’m thrilled that he finally came back in stock, and I had no qualms about purchasing him this time around. He shows up in random places around the house and it’s always a shock at first when I see him (most definitely he is using his confusion attack) but then a calmness quickly washes over me, and I feel comfort in knowing that he too, is confused all the time. Be aware that the shipping box is quite large, and says Psyduck on the outside, so don’t let him sit unattended for too long or someone else might try to capture him! He is way too rare and precious. Trust me – buy him and you will not regret it!! PS…he looks fantastic in hats.

    There are actually two four star reviews out of the total 70 — the rest are top scores. The main gripe is that Psyduck is a little top heavy, so it falls over relatively easily. But for the most part, Psyduck has been worth the purchase for many Pokémon fans:

    He is incredibly rotund and looks confused and distressed at all times, it’s like looking into a mirror! I couldn’t bring myself to place Psyduck on the floor so he takes up half my bed instead. A small price to pay for Psyduck to watch over me while I dream about an Appletun plush restock.

    Also, Psyduck came in a box that was not discrete at all. Anyone will be able to read in big bold letters that a 31” Psyduck plush is inside so be ready to intercept the package once it is dropped off otherwise Team Rocket might steal him away.

    The Pokémon Company expects to start shipping this new batch of yellow ducks in October. If you can’t wait until then but don’t care about what big Pokémon you have, a tall Lucario, big round Spheal, and massive Wailord are all in stock. In the past, The Pokémon Company’s sold big Mareeps, Slowpokes, and Gigantamax Pikachus among several other large dudes.

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    Nicole Carpenter

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  • 30 Years of Stories: Our Generation Marks Its 30th Anniversary With a Year of Celebration 

    30 Years of Stories: Our Generation Marks Its 30th Anniversary With a Year of Celebration 

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    Press Release
    •

    Feb 2, 2024

    Celebrating three decades of inspiring children across the globe, Our Generation is proud to commemorate its 30th anniversary in 2024. Known for its beloved range of 18-inch dolls, storybooks, accessories, and playsets, Our Generation has been at the heart of children’s playtimes since 1994 – creating cherished memories, encouraging them to dream big and exploring the limitless bounds of their imaginations.


    NUREMBERG, Germany, February 2, 2024 (Newswire.com)
    –
    Celebrating three decades of inspiring children across the globe, Our Generation is proud to commemorate its 30th anniversary in 2024. Known for its beloved range of 18-inch dolls, storybooks, accessories, and playsets, Our Generation has been at the heart of children’s playtimes since 1994 – creating cherished memories, encouraging them to dream big and exploring the limitless bounds of their imaginations.

    As a show of appreciation to the loyal fans, the 30th anniversary was first announced to the OG community on Instagram and in newsletters last week. To kick off this exciting milestone, OG unveiled a commemorative 30th anniversary logo.

    The anniversary celebration is for all the fans – whether they’ve been part of the OG community for generations or are just joining in on the fun now. In collaboration with partners around the world, the celebration will include special activities, exclusive events, fun surprises, ‘OMG!’ giveaways, and the release of new collections in fall 2024. 

    In a world where it feels like children are growing up too quickly and where screens are increasingly part of early childhood playtime, Our Generation remains committed to the core values of friendship, kindness, imagination, screen-free play, and letting kids be kids. With an expansive collection of dolls, thoughtfully designed accessories and intricate playsets, children can see themselves represented and find life-long friends in the world of Our Generation.  

    Wirecutter (New York Times) named Our Generation amongst the Best Dolls of 2023, noting the unbeatable variety of dolls, accessories and affordability offered across the brand. In addition, Our Generation has won many awards and accolades throughout the years from major publications including but not limited to: Good Housekeeping; Parents Choice Awards; Family Choice Awards; Creative Child Magazine; The Toy Insider; Family Fun Magazine; Today’s Parents; National Parenting Product Awards; Scholastics and more.

    “Our Generation is more than dolls and accessories – it’s a canvas for children’s dreams. Each toy we create has a story, mirroring the friendships, adventures, and limitless imaginations of the children who welcome them into their lives and who are the heart of our brand – inspiring us every step of the way. This anniversary is a celebration of every child who has grown up with us, every parent who has chosen us, and every story that has intertwined with ours.”  ~ Team OG

    Source: Our Generation

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  • Supermom In Training: 6 Ways to make snow play more fun

    Supermom In Training: 6 Ways to make snow play more fun

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    We’ve got to live with the white stuff, so why not embrace it and make it as fun as possible? After all, it’s our safest play-place this winter. Check out these 6 ways to make snow play more fun.

    Make shapes. Snow is super moldable, especially the wet, sticky stuff. Break out buckets and bowls, sand toys, tupperware, or lightweight metal baking pans. Fashion bricks or unique shapes for giant animals and snowmen. Even the dollar store has rectangular building moulds for snow as well as snowball makers.

    Make it colourful. Spray bottles with coloured water can add whimsy and personality to any snow creation.

    Make it glow. Nighttime snow play can be almost more fun than in the daytime, and since darkness creeps in earlier these days, this is totally doable. Glowsticks look super cool under the snow and make for a fun game of hide-and-go-seek.

    Make a science lab. You can get as messy as you want since you’re outdoors! You could create a snow volcano: fill the top with baking soda and add some vinegar. Coloured water and alka-seltzer tablets are also fun.

    Make something delicious. Outdoor snow cone stand? Frozen lemonade cafe? An iced coffee for the adults? What about your own sugar shack where you pour warm maple syrup on the snow for a gooey sweet treat? Let the snow be your sous chef.

    Make it an ongoing project. Rome wasn’t built in a day and neither was your snow castle, or snow mechanic’s garage, or snow restaurant. Start a larger backyard snow-build that you can work on over the course of a few days.

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  • Marshmallow Double Barrel Blaster – Wicked Gadgetry

    Marshmallow Double Barrel Blaster – Wicked Gadgetry

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    Marshmallow Double Barrel Blaster 2







    With this Marshmallow double barrel blaster, you can unleash a blast of tasty marshmallow goodness on your enemies. With up to fifty mini marshmallows in its barrel, this double barrel blaster will launch marshmallows at high speeds into your enemies’ mouths at distances of up to forty feet.

    Wickedgadgetry.com is a participant in the Amazon Associates Program, an affiliate program that allows sites to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

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    Kyle

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  • “Sweetest” way man gives his dog a surprise in the morning

    “Sweetest” way man gives his dog a surprise in the morning

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    Waking up is always a joy for this lucky golden doodle, who often starts the day with a staircase filled with his favorite toys.

    Over the past two years, Sampson has woken up full of excitement to see what his dog dad spent the morning doing for him before heading off to work. Michele Miller, 41, explained that once a week, her husband Colin puts a bunch of Sampson’s toys along the staircase “so he starts his day with a fun surprise” as soon as he rolls out of bed.

    Of course, he doesn’t want this to become a predictable game, so Miller told Newsweek that “he changes it up each time” to keep Sampson guessing. It’s normally a mixture of his favorite socks, squeaky toys, a ball, and sometimes, if he’s particularly lucky, “his favorite frisbee.”

    It’s become such an adorable ritual in their San Diego, California home that Miller couldn’t resist sharing a TikTok video of Sampson waking up to his latest surprise. Since posting the clip on his dedicated social media account (@sampson_the_dood), it has already gained more than 206,900 views and 8,400 likes in a matter of days.

    Sampson the doodle waking up to his toys on the staircase. Sampson’s owner loves to surprise him with different toys each week, as it keeps him stimulated and happy.
    @sampson_the_dood / TikTok

    “My husband has been doing this ever since we started living in this house two years ago. If Sampson left toys out from the night before, he may include one of those, or a sentimental stuffed toy like the limbs he chewed off his oldest toy,” Miller told Newsweek.

    “Sampson always looks up at me as if to say, ‘is this for me?’ Then he immediately starts wagging his tail and will sniff each one before choosing the one he wants. It’s so cute.”

    Waking up to a house full of toys is not only hugely exciting for any pup, but it can also help with their mental stimulation. PetMD suggests that destructive behavior can be resolved by just giving a dog more mental exercise each day, as it can improve their mental health, cognitive function, reduce hyperactivity, and strengthen our bond with them.

    Rotating their toys is a great way to keep a dog engaged and prevent them from becoming bored with the same old games each day. But if that doesn’t appear to work, owners are also encouraged to try games such as hide and seek, hiding a toy and telling them to go find it, changing your daily walking route, and even freezing treats (such as carrots) to keep them occupied for longer.

    When Sampson wakes up to “the sweetest surprise” on the stairs, he knows he’s in for a fun-filled day before it’s even begun. After sharing the video on TikTok, Miller has loved seeing the responses from so many dog owners, and she hopes more people might consider rewarding their pup with surprises.

    She continued: “You don’t have to have stairs to surprise your dog like this. You can leave toys by the front door, or a trail around your house. Everyone thinks it’s just the cutest idea and that Colin and Sampson have a very sweet bond. Some are sharing it with their dog dads hoping they will do the same.”

    Among the comments on the viral post, there was great praise for the novel idea, as one person commented: “That is so sweet and thoughtful.”

    Another TikTok user responded: “That’s a good idea! My puppy always has something in his mouth when he sees me.”

    But not everyone thinks it could work for them, as one person joked: “my dog would ignore all the toys and steal the slippers at the bottom.”

    Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.