02/01/2025
Just before the holidays, I came across a TED Talk with The Toy Guy, Chris Byrne, a toy historian, about how toys shape us. He noted that while toys reflect current fads and prevalent values in society, the toys and games that people are drawn to in their youth can be an indicator of who they will become. Byrne gave the example of how famed composer Stephen Sondheim enjoyed puzzles and games like Scrabble, which turned out to be beneficial as he became a remarkable musical wordsmith.
When I can, I like to use a fun ice-breaker at the beginning of my interviews. One of my top options is what game or toy a person enjoyed growing up. (Fun fact, I tended to gravitate toward plush animals – I grew up in the midst of the Beanie Baby craze – and trivia games, Disney trivia being my favorite.) It not only sets a playful tone to our conversation, but it also acts as a reminder of why we are here: to carry on the tradition of evoking wonder, enjoyment, even education in people – from kids and families to kidults.
Toys reflect who we are, especially when it comes to games. As I’ve stated in previous columns, my family forges connections through play. Extended relatives have revealed hibernating cut-throat natures as they “play to win.” My parents prefer games that allow space for conversation alongside strategy. During the summer, my sister and I would play basic board games with our babysitter; when she would fall asleep between rounds of Candyland – one of the simplest board games we could play – we would pause gameplay and brew her a mug of herbal tea. (Don’t worry. We survived, and our babysitter turned out to be one of our dearest friends.)
The beauty of the specialty toy industry is that manufacturers and retailers can provide games that not only entertain and hone skills, but they can also unlock interests. You can curate a line of toys and games that are instrumental in developing future generations, inspiring them through play.
We begin this year with a fun selection of stories in edplay. Retailers, manufacturers and sales reps curate their top product choices. Crazy Aaron’s Founder and CEO Aaron Muderick talked with us about how his Thinking Putty encourages customers to discover and learn. Members of Kala Brand Music, which turns 20 this year, highlight how the company inspires and supports musicians of every age and skill level. Hakabohu, a store in Florence, SC, seeks to support the toy community – from its customer base to fellow retailers. Not to mention, there’s an exciting array of shows coming up this year, including the return of Astra’s Toy Boat and the second annual North East Toy Show. There’s so much to look forward to, and I wish you all the best in 2025!
Happy reading!
You can e-mail Victoria at victoria@fwpi.com.
