Tag Archives: toy insider

Features, PiercingKen Says

The Toy Insider Experts Reveal the Hottest Toys & Games of 2025

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The Press Release:
The Toy Insider, the toy industry’s most influential organization and a trusted go-to resource for parents and gift-givers, unveiled today its expert picks for the best toys, games and gifts of 2025 in its 20th annual Holiday Gift Guide. The guide includes three featured lists that spotlight this year’s hottest toys: the Hot 20, the most sought-after toys of the year; the STEM 10, top educational toys that promote STEM learning; and the 12 Under $20, budget-friendly toys packed with all the fun. Altogether, the milestone holiday gift guide is its biggest one yet, with nearly 400 toys from 182 toymakers.

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Between the rising cost of living, supply chain disruptions amid tariff pressures, and a short shopping window between Thanksgiving and Christmas, shopping for toys with a game plan is crucial this holiday season. Despite these headwinds, toy manufacturers are laser-focused on keeping playtime accessible and affordable for families: more than 70% of the toys featured in this year’s gift guide are less than $50, with more than 175 toys less than $25.
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Features, Interviews

Toy Exhibitor Interviews from Toy Insider’s “Sweet Suite” 2024: Part Two

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Continuing along with my adventures from the recently attended “Sweet Suite”, which is the mega-toy preview event held by the fine folks over at The Toy Insider. I was among other select media and assorted influencers at a space called The Glass House. While some of my coverage was shared over on the PiercingMetal website, it seems like much more of it was settling over here on “The Chronicles”. Its a bit more work doing it like this but I don’t mind since each audience is a little bit different, This post brings the remaining Exhibitor Interviews from our YouTube Channel into the website in a compiled post to add to that coverage traction. First up are the folks from the Jumbo Group who were showcasing a newly revised edition of the classic strategy game “Stratego”.

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Talking To The Jumbo Group About “Stratego” @ Toy Insider’s “Sweet Suite” 2024


Continue reading Toy Exhibitor Interviews from Toy Insider’s “Sweet Suite” 2024: Part Two →

Features, Interviews

Toy Exhibitor Interviews from Toy Insider’s “Sweet Suite” 2024: Part One

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As previously noted, I was once again invited to participate in the annual “Sweet Suite”, the mega-toy preview event held by the fine folks over at The Toy Insider. Assorted media and influencers assembled over at The Glass House to learn about the latest and greatest toy releases from a respected batch of exhibitors. I’d be doing double duty at this one with some content being posted over on the PiercingMetal side and the rest over here on “The Chronicles”. Sure its more work but once you get the hang of it all its rather easy. This post brings our Exhibitor Interviews from our YouTube Channel into the website in a compiled post to add to that traction. I’ll start off with our friends at Moose Toys who had a cool new release called “XOX Kweenie”.

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Talking To Moose Toys @ Toy Insider’s “Sweet Suite” 2024


Continue reading Toy Exhibitor Interviews from Toy Insider’s “Sweet Suite” 2024: Part One →

Features, PiercingKen Says

The Toy Insider Experts Deliver Most Affordable 2024 Spring & Summer Gift Guide Ever

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The Press Release:
The Toy Insider, the toy industry’s most influential organization and a trusted go-to source for parents and gift-givers, launched its 2024 Spring & Summer Gift Guide online at thetoyinsider.com so families can gear up for endless summer fun with the hottest toys and entertainment. With more than 275 toys from more than 120 trusted, vetted toymakers, the guide has a vast selection of outdoor and active toys to enjoy the warmer weather; travel-friendly options that entertain on the go; educational toys to combat the summer slide; games and activities that foster bonding and creativity; and water toys to cool down in the summer heat.

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Click HERE for The Summer Gift Guide

As shoppers continue to embrace a mindful approach to spending, this year’s expert picks make this guide the most budget-friendly assortment yet: more than 80% of the guide is made up of toys that cost less than $50 and more than 170 products are less than $25.
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Features, Interviews

Video Highlights From Toy Insider’s “Spring Fling” 2024 @ Lavan Midtown (Part Two)

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Hey there once again. I’m back to finish up the video overviews that I did at the first-ever Toy Insider “Spring Fling” Toy Preview. As previously mentioned, the event was held at the Lavan Midtown event space and it was a proper good time for sure. During the adventure I did a number of videos for the YouTube Channel in addition to the photography rundowns that you saw earlier. Lets continue along with the remaining clips and wrap up the coverage of this fun event.

Checking Out Beverly Hills Teddy Bear Company at The Toy Insider “Spring Fling” Toy Preview 2024


Continue reading Video Highlights From Toy Insider’s “Spring Fling” 2024 @ Lavan Midtown (Part Two) →