Tag Archives: Toys

Barbie x Kodak collab gives instant photo printing a splash of pink

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Although it was never really gone, the Barbie franchise recently got a resurgence of popularity thanks to a fun yet odd live-action film. The toy has changed dramatically over the decades, but what has always stayed the same is its spirit of fun, whimsy, and connecting with loved ones. Oh, and the overabundance of the hot pink color. Just in time for the Barbielicious renaissance, Kodak and Mattel have joined hands to create a special limited edition instant camera and photo printer that embody those qualities, encouraging people of all ages and genders to shoot and share those special moments with big smiles and very pink accessories.

Designers: Kodak x Mattel

Instant cameras in the vein of the iconic Polaroid have very limited uses and printouts, but it’s that scarcity and rarity that have actually endeared these products to people, including the younger generation who may be hearing about the idea for the first time. There’s just something exciting about the thought of pressing a shutter button and instantly printing out a photo that you can share or treasure, knowing that that exact moment and that exact photo will never happen again. There’s a huge market for this retro camera design, and what can be more retro and more fun at the same time than Barbie?

The KODAK Printomatic Barbie Edition pours a splash of pink on the instant camera and scribbles the iconic toy line’s name all over the surface. The instant camera uses ZINK technology to print out those lively colors without the dangers of spilling ink in your bag or even your pocket. The 5MP sensor, while sounding like a bummer, lets you also have a retro-quality photo that you can save on a microSD card for future viewing or, better yet, reprinting.

Yes, it might feel like a bit of a cop-out, but you don’t have to sacrifice versatility just to get that nostalgic photography experience, at least not if you also grab the Barbie-themed KODAK STEP Slim Instant Photo Printer. Connected to a smartphone, you can easily print images on that same 2×3 inch instant photo paper format, from the photos you took using your smartphone, to photos you save from the Kodak Printomatic Barbie Edition camera as well. It’s the best of all worlds, allowing you to experience the instant joy of printing photos while still leaving the option to share that over and over again.

The Kodak x Mattel collab is a fun nod to the iconic Barbie brand and could give fans and collectors alike something to vie for when the products do launch. Unfortunately, availability details have yet to be disclosed, but the windows of opportunity to launch Barbie-themed products, like the HMD Barbie phone, are getting smaller.

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Easy-to-use Toybox 3D printer lets kids learn, design, and print their own toys

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If you’re an aspiring engineer or simply a hobbyist, you can find a 3D printer for your needs. But there aren’t many options for kids. What if there was a toy (3D printer) that could allow children, and concerned parents, to print their own toys, like they want, and as instantly as possible? Seems like a dream? Not anymore!

On showcase at the ongoing IFA Berlin, the Toybox 3D printer is a one-touch operable 3D printer for kids to design and print their toys. If you have been wanting to get your engineering-minded child a perfect birthday present that could align with his aspirations, the Toybox is definitely what you want. The easy-to-use 3D printer is developed for entertainment purposes, but it does the job of teaching and introducing kids to the idea of printing.

Designer: Toybox

A toy that makes toys; the Toybox is a fun toy for kids that even the adults wouldn’t mind using. The simple design of the printer comes with an onboard on/off button, a print bed, and a feeding slot wherein goes one end of PLA -non-toxic and corn-based plastic – roll, which is the printer’s food and the material it uses to print various outputs. PLA comes in a range of colors, so no matter the toy you are printing, you can do it with matching colors.

Children can print intuitive toys from a rich selection of options and content on the Toybox app. A child simply browses through an ever-increasing catalog of toys, find what they want to print, and hit print. To create their own toys on the fly, kids can connect the printer to their smartphone or tablet and build one object after the other.

The fun with Toybox is not limited to its library of content. Users have the option to import toy or object models from other platforms along with 1.75mm PLA filament of their liking if the sustainable, kid-friendly ones from Toybox are not interesting enough. Content from other platforms can be imported to the Toybox in STL, OBJ, and gCode formats. Then, with thousands of amazing toys available for print on Toybox and many more you can add from other places, this 3D printer will never give your kids the chance to get bored.

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Pharrell Williams’ space-themed LEGO set inspires everyone to chase their dream

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Pharrell Williams is already known for his exploits in the music, fashion and skincare industry. Now the music producer is all set for his LEGO movie titled Piece By Piece produced by the LEGO Group, slated for 11 October release. So how would someone not expect to have a LEGO set for the songwriter? The Danish toy company has been speculated to be working on the LEGO set’s release since last year but plenty more sets pushed the announcement. The LEGO set will now be released on 20th September for builders.

Entitled Over the Moon, this spaceship LEGO set draws inspiration from the childhood experience of the star. The space-themed set represents the launchpad that shoots him to success and inspires others to live their dream too. According to Pharrell “When I was a child, my perception of reality was based on a 20-mile radius. And at the center of it was Atlantis Apartments. We lived in the crash zone of the Air Force Base, where the Blue Angels would fly all the time.”

Designer: LEGO Group

 

The 19.5-inch tall space shuttle set comes with an opening cockpit and attachable landing gear to replicate the take-off and touchdown. It has a total of 966 pieces along with 51 different minifigure heads in seven different color tones. The minifigure of the artist along with his wife Helen Lasichanh in titanium space suits and gold-color visors take centerstage. The heads can of course be swapped with the other minifigure heads. The outstanding visual element of the LEGO set is the detachable jet stream which is actually an array of multicolored bricks that mounts on the back of the shuttle. Each of these colored streams is interchangeable, so one can create a unique look every time they put it together.

A third of the bricks are used to build the jet stream which makes it stand out from any other spaceship set. Pharrell’s Over the Moon LEGO set is up for pre-order right now for $110, so fans better watch out.

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Top 5 Trendy & Detailed LEGO Sets Every Netflix-Binging Adult Will Love

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If you love spending your downtime binging on Netflix shows or building LEGO sets for fun, then you’ve reached the right spot. This collection includes five spectacular designs where the world of Netflix meets the haven of LEGO! That’s right, we’ve curated a collection of super fun, detailed, and intricate LEGO collections based on some iconic TV shows and movies. From a LEGO model of the 99th precinct from Brooklyn 99 to an amazing set of the Central Perk Café from Friends – this collection of fantastic LEGO builds is a must-have for the Netflix-binging adults out there.

1. LEGO Brooklyn 99

If I had to pick a comfort show – it would be Brooklyn 99 for me. So you can imagine my excitement when I discovered that LEGO builder Ben Fakhauser has created an amazing build for it! The LEGO model includes the entire 99th precinct, including all the different rooms and characters as well. The build is extremely precise and intricate, consisting of everything – ranging from the bullpen to the printer room, and the captain’s office. Secret details like Holt’s pet corgi Cheddar were integrated as well.

2. LEGO Downtown Abbey Set

LEGO builder BRO3 built a dedicated LEGO set for the historical drama series Downtown Abbey to celebrate the show’s 15th anniversary! This marvelous set displays the old Highclere Castle and is truly detailed. It includes the massive Crawley family, even the butlers and the castle caretakers who are the main cast of the show. The set contains multiple rooms, and 15 minifgures or 16 if you count the dog Pharaoh. It even contains Lady Mary’s bench.

3. LEGO Godzilla

This LEGO version of Godzilla is the first LEGO Godzilla out there, even though there have been ten or more movies already. The build was created by the LEGO lover Matthew Esposito, and it is a small-scale variant of the city-destroying reptile. The LEGO Godzilla is inspired by the ‘King of Monsters’ Godzilla from the 2019 movie. It is a couple of inches tall, equipped with a heavy body and long ass tail. The Godzilla can blow blue flames as well!

4. LEGO Men in Black

Created by the KostyanMan, this custom set of Men in Black depicts the final battle of the first movie in the MIB movie series. It involves MIB agents K and J, driving on a hyperdrive car to the park, to save the world from an evil alien monster! The set includes a diorama with decorations, transforming LTD, the Bug, and some Easter Eggs too. The mini-figures include Agent K, Agent J, Dr.Laurel Weaver, Frank the Pug, and a couple of other characters. J is also holding a baby squid in his arms!

5. LEGO Central Perk

Another LEGO fan created a collectible model of the Central Perk Café to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the iconic show! You can build the legendary TV set, and relive hilarious moments with this detailed building toy. It includes a stage for musical performances, allowing Phoebe to stand tall and sing her legendary songs. The set also includes the iconic seating area, which is removable for easy play. It includes 7 minifigures – Ross, Chandler, Joey, Monica, Phoebe, Rachel, and Gunther!

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Golden Girls get their own fan-made LEGO kit featuring characters Dorothy, Blanche, Rose, and Sophia

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I’m a 90s kid myself, but the beauty of growing up in the 90s was to see sitcoms building on the success of great comedies of the 70s and 80s. I was raised on Full House, Cartoon Network, and Nickelodeon, but also on the greats before it – Diff’rent Strokes, Small Wonder, Three’s Company, and Golden Girls. I was raised on these shows because of how mom would watch them on TV, while I hung around in the background, chuckling away at funny moments. Decades later, LEGO sets like these bring back that familiar feeling, as they capture the intricate details of our favorite shows. Designed by Martin_Studio, this fan-made recreation of award-winning show Golden Girls captures the iconic kitchen setting where protagonists Dorothy, Blanche, Rose, and Sophia tackled important issues like aging and friendship in a way that was both relatable and uplifting.

Designer: Martin_Studio

“The Golden Girls won Emmys and Golden Globes, showcasing its quality and impact on television. The show’s clever writing, exceptional performances, and heartfelt storytelling have left an enduring legacy that continues to delight audiences,” says designer Martin_Studio. “A LEGO set based on the show would not only celebrate its remarkable history but also offer a unique way for fans to engage with it.”

Imagine building the iconic Miami home of Dorothy, Blanche, Rose, and Sophia with LEGO bricks. This fan-made set offers a detailed recreation of the show’s most recognizable rooms, from the cozy kitchen where countless conversations were shared over cheesecake to the sun-drenched lanai where the girls enjoyed their morning coffee. The minifigures, each with their own distinctive personalities captured through facial expressions and accessories, would allow fans to recreate their favorite scenes or create new adventures entirely.

Beyond the nostalgia factor, a Golden Girls LEGO set offers a delightful building experience for fans of all ages. Although Martin_Studio doesn’t declare how many pieces the set uses, it caters to both casual builders and experienced LEGO enthusiasts. The building process itself is a fun and engaging activity, allowing fans to relive cherished moments from the show while putting their creativity to the test. The kitchen scene even features studio lights on the top, bringing the feeling of being on set down to the small LEGO mini-scale.

The appeal of this potential set extends far beyond just fans of the show too. LEGO is known for its ability to bridge generations through its building sets, and a Golden Girls set could be a wonderful way for families to connect. Parents who grew up watching the show can introduce their children to the characters and themes in a new and interactive way, quite like the Full House LEGO Ideas set we covered just last month. Building the set together can spark conversations about friendship, aging, and the enduring power of laughter.

The LEGO Ideas Golden Girls set is currently a submission on the LEGO Ideas forum, where fans build and share their own creations with the global LEGO community. You can vote for the set on the LEGO Ideas website, and if it hits the 10,000 vote mark, LEGO might turn it into a retail kit for everyone to buy!

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This Totaled “Not Wheels” by MSCHF is an unexpected addition to the Hot Wheels universe

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Ever since its inception, Hot Wheels changed the dynamics of toy car models that were cooler and performed better than any other toy back in the late 1960s. Even after more than six decades, the iconic brand has the same enthusiasm for a set of Hot Wheels.

Some early models are now prized collectibles since they were created only in a handful of units. While every car lover has had his/her collection of Hot Wheels cars ranging from hot rods to supercars, the brand has thought out of the box this time to create a Not Wheels sedan.

Designer: MSCHF and Mattel Creations

The idea comes from the creative pool of MSCHF, a streetwear brand known for its off-the-wall designs. It’s their first-ever Hot Wheels collectible, and going by the packing labels and text, it seems this is certainly not their last. The beat-up car inside the clear packaging carries the label “HW Normal Cars” on the front, hinting there could be more coming. This heavily used car look is inspired by the 1990s Japanese import scenario when worn-out cars were the norm.

This “Not Wheels” car has a missing wheel and two Real Riders classic tires, ensuring it doesn’t roll like any other Hot Wheels. To complete the busted look, the car has a yellow spare and a rusted hub. The rugged look continues onto the body with dents, incomplete repairs and dents scarring the exterior. MSCHF wasn’t going to stop there and went all in with a cracked windshield, hanging seat belts and dirty-fogged rear window with “WASH ME” finger inscribed to complete the theme.

There are cheap fix-ups dotting the bodywork including, mismatched doors and taped-on taillights. If you look closely, the cracked windshield has a yellow parking ticket hooked onto the wipers. Definitely, this car has been ditched for a long as the headlights are all fogged up. The $30 totaled vehicle scale model is all set to be released for buying on August 30 and this one will sell like hotcakes for its exclusivity. You could sport it in your post-apocalyptic diorama, industrial-themed desk or even shoot a short movie with a couple of these Hot Wheels mixed along with the more exotic ones.

 

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LEGO Coldplay Music Of The Spheres Kit crosses 10,000 votes after being endorsed by the band itself

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Considered to be the biggest band on the planet (with nearly 80 million monthly listeners on Spotify), it’s sort of a shame that Coldplay still hasn’t gotten a LEGO set of its own. Getting your own LEGO set is almost a rite of passage to icon-dom, and we’re at a point where the Brit pop-rock band is well on its way to being immortalized in the brick form. LEGO master-builder MIKEYDENDEN decided to build is own kit based on Coldplay’s Music of the Spheres tour, featuring the band members, two stages, and even hovering fireworks. With an official nod from Coldplay themselves, the fan-made build cruised past its 10,000 vote mark on the LEGO Ideas forum, and is currently being reviewed by the LEGO internal team. If things go smoothly, Coldplay could have its own official LEGO kit for fans to buy!

Designer: MIKEYDENDEN

I had the privilege of attending the Music of the Spheres tour during its Asian leg, and while the LEGO kit doesn’t even scratch the surface of how grand and awe-inspiring the production was, it’s definitely something. It has its own easter eggs, so to speak, with the presence of a main stage along with a smaller C-stage that the band often takes to in the middle of the show for acoustic covers of their songs. For added flair, you’ve even got fireworks at the top that go off during the songs Fix You, Sky Full of Stars, and right at the end of the show.

Zoom in deeper and the kit has a few more surprises, from butterfly and star confetti, to a colorful piano that Chris plays, ‘Believe In Love’ written on the stage backdrop, and Chris in his signature ‘Everyone Is An Alien Somewhere’ tee shirt.

The set obviously also has the usual suspects – band members Chris Martin, Will Champion, Guy Berryman, and Jonny Buckland all with their signature instruments. The only thing really missing here is the B-Stage, which extends off the main stage, connected through a ramp. The B-Stage is arguably where most of the action happens, as Chris performs on it, sometimes solo, and at other times with his crewmates. Given it’s the Music of the Spheres, it would also make sense to have some of the floating spheres that get thrown into the audience during the show! Maybe the redesign post LEGO’s internal review will feature these details.

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HMD Barbie Phone is Real and Really Pink

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A few months back, HMD Global, which now brands itself as “Human Mobile Devices,” teased the existence of a Barbie-branded flip phone. Since it has Mattel’s name riding it, was surely not some simple marketing ploy or early April Fools, but an actual product that was just biding its time. That time has finally come and the official and functional Barbie Phone is finally here, or at least for some markets. The retro-chic flip phone is unabashedly pink and, well, totally Barbie, and just like the era that it pays homage to, the phone goes back to a time when mobile phones were really just mobile phones. Perfect for a GenZ vacay, or so HMD says.

Designer: HMD x Mattel

Although the recent live-action film put the iconic doll in a very different perspective, generations will always remember Barbie and her friends as fun-loving teens. Of course, the franchise has a rich history with many twists and turns, but the spirit of the product has always revolved around the joy of the moment and spending it with friends. That’s the kind of almost Zen-like message that the HMD Barbie Phone is trying to send, telling the GenZ crowd to give their phones a vacay and enjoy their own vacay the old-fashioned way.

In terms of technology, the Barbie Phone is pretty much just a specially-branded feature phone with a classic clamshell design. It opens up to reveal a small 2.8-inch “QVGA” (that means 320×240 pixels) screen above a conventional T9 keypad. It runs the old Nokia S30+ platform, which means it barely does anything other than make calls, handles text messages, and a few specialized utilities and light games. Even the 0.3-megapixel camera is terribly old-school, and not because HMD is trying to be cheap. Every facet and feature of the Barbie Phone is designed to deliver a retro phone experience for a reason.

In addition to decades-old aesthetics, the HMD Barbie Phone tries to embody the “digital detox” lifestyle that some GenZers are embracing, at least during vacations and breaks. The phone focuses on features that immediately connect friends on a more personal level compared to just tapping hearts and giving likes. You can still take photos, of course, but even that will be in the style of classic, old-school photos where everyone has to squeeze together to fit.

That’s not to say HMD is using it as an excuse to skimp on details. In fact, the HMD Barbie Phone is quite overloaded with knick-knacks and accessories that will make any Barbie fan gush. Two interchangeable colors add some pizzazz to that hot pink motif, while stickers, a beaded lanyard, and charms offer plenty of room for personalization. On the software side, you have a special watermelon-theme Snake game variant, themes and sounds from the franchise, as well as apps that guide you to be Zen in the middle of a summer beach vacation. The HMD Barbie Phone is going for 99 GBP, around $130, but it won’t launch in the US until sometime in October.

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Mario Kart™ comes to LEGO® with six super sets to arrive in 2025

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The Mario Kart series is probably the most played series on Nintendo Switch. Aside from the games itself, we’ve seen several toys and tie-ins, the most recent being the appearance of characters in the Super Mario Bros Movie last year. Fans of the Mario Kart series and collectors of LEGO® sets will have something to look forward to next year as not one but six LEGO® Super Mario™: Mario Kart™ sets will be available in 2025.

Designer: LEGO®

The addition of LEGO® versions of beloved characters in the Mario Kart universe brings a new dimension to an already popular franchise. Aside from the characters, you also get customizable karts and unique track items in each set so that collectors, fans, and builders will be able to experience the digital game in the physical universe, even though of course you won’t be able to actually race. At least, not like in the games.

The Yoshi Bike set includes the light-blue Yoshi, a shell item, and a brick-built bike and is made up of 133 pieces. The Standard Kart is a 174-piece set which has a buildable standard edition Mario Kart, a workstation, a Toad toy figure and a detachable Super Glider. The Donkey Kong & DK Jumbo set features the DK Jumbo kart and launch items like shells and a banana and has 387+ pieces.

Baby Mario vs Baby Luigi has 321 pieces and features the former in his Biddybuggy and the latter in his Tri-Speeder and includes 6 buildable balloons. The 390-piece Toad’s Garage has two Blue Toads (Pit Crew) getting the B Dasher kart ready. Lastly, the Baby Peach & Grand Prix set features Baby Peach in the Wild Wiggler kart, Lemmy in the Landship kart, and Toad on the standard bike. This comes with a whopping 823 pieces, making it the set with the most pieces.

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DIY Mini-Mutoscope Kit Revives the Charm of Analog Animation and Escape Digital Live Photos

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For most of us, the term “mutoscope” might sound like a fresh, modern concept. But in reality, this ingenious device is a blast from the past, harking back to the early days of cinema. Tentacle Media, a UK-based animation studio, has taken this vintage technology and given it a contemporary twist with their latest creation: the Mini-Mutoscope.

Designer: Tentacle Media and Typoretum

The Mini-Mutoscope is a nod to the earliest days of film, where the magic of motion was first captured and presented to wide-eyed audiences. Imagine the tech behind the very first films, now condensed into a charming, miniature version that you can hold in your hands. It’s almost as if the moving images from history have been resurrected and transformed into a compact, personal experience.

James Wilkinson, the creative director at Tentacle Media, introduces this device as a modern take on 19th-century motion picture technology. Essentially, the Mini-Mutoscope functions as a mechanical flipbook, featuring 36 still frames that, when viewed in quick succession, create the illusion of movement.

The company emphasized the analog quality of the Mini-Mutoscope, noting that it was a deliberate departure from the digital screens that dominate modern life. The creative director expressed that while they loved animation, consuming it only digitally lacks the tactile quality, texture, and presence of print media or physical art. The Mini-Mutoscope, according to Wilkinson, reintroduces that tangible connection, offering a physical interaction with animation that he likened to experiencing a live photo on a phone, but with a vintage, handcrafted feel.

Tentacle Media collaborated with Typoretum, a studio renowned for its antique and vintage printing expertise, to design a visually striking body for the device. The result is a plywood-based product that’s not only durable but also aesthetically pleasing. With bold colors, crisp lines, and a satisfying tactile feel, the Mini-Mutoscope is as much a piece of art as it is a tool for animation. The importance of the design was emphasized, with a focus on creating a device that would be visually appealing and something people would want to display on their desks or shelves for a touch of animated inspiration.

Beyond its design, the Mini-Mutoscope also embraces sustainability. The mechanical components are locally sourced in the UK, and the studio partnered with The Laser Hut, a laser engraving and cutting service, to create precise mechanics from plywood. This sustainable approach makes the Mini-Mutoscope not just an object of nostalgia but also a forward-thinking product in terms of environmental responsibility.

Available as a kit, the Mini-Mutoscope is accessible to craft enthusiasts and easy enough for anyone to assemble. The initial release offers a selection of five custom animations featuring vintage movie monsters, appealing to fans of classic cinema. For those who wish to personalize their experience, there is also an option to purchase a version with blank frames, allowing users to create their own unique animations.

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