Games and Toys

Jamie Cygielman, right, general manager and president at American Girl, leaves a youngster browsing the company’s latest holiday showcase doll set, Friday, Dec. 2, 2022, in New York. Cygielman said roughly half its sales went to adults after a relaunch of the first six American Girl dolls in May 2021 to celebrate its 35th anniversary. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews)

Not just for kids: Toymakers aim more products at grown-ups

Ages 18 and older represented 14% of U.S. toy industry sales for the 12 months ending September 2022

 

Salvation Army Christmas Assistance Program volunteers Santiago Velasco and Tia-Rose Huber show off part of what will be transformed into a toy shop for parents participating in the program, where they will get to choose some toys for their children. (Courtesy of David Hickman)

Skyrocketing demand means Salvation Army needs more Christmas donations

Cash and toy donations are needed in order to serve 400 families

 

Do you know when the Slinky was first created? (Pixabay.com)

QUIZ: How much do you know about toys and games?

This is the season when new games and toys capture the attention of young and old alike

 

This image released by Warner Bros. Pictures shows Ryan Gosling as Ken, left, and Margo Robbie as Barbie in the upcoming film "Barbie." (Jaap Buitendijk/Warner Bros. Pictures via AP)

Think Barbiecore and all things pink for holiday gifts

Etsy saw a 34% increase in searches for hot pink fashion items over last year

This image released by Warner Bros. Pictures shows Ryan Gosling as Ken, left, and Margo Robbie as Barbie in the upcoming film "Barbie." (Jaap Buitendijk/Warner Bros. Pictures via AP)
FILE - Scrabble games are displayed at a store in Palo Alto, Calif., on Feb. 9, 2009. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma, File)

Happy hygge! Scrabble dictionary adds hundreds of words

Changes put some word-nerd glitter into the eyes of fans of the popular game

FILE - Scrabble games are displayed at a store in Palo Alto, Calif., on Feb. 9, 2009. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma, File)
This photo, provided by National Toy Hall of Fame at The Strong museum, in Rochester, N.Y., shows the class of 2022 finalists for induction, announced Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022. (National Toy Hall of Fame at The Strong museum via AP)

WOLF: Which toys would make the cut for induction into your own Hall of Fame?

COLUMN: Table hockey, Intellivision, Hot Wheels and Nerf balls stir memories

This photo, provided by National Toy Hall of Fame at The Strong museum, in Rochester, N.Y., shows the class of 2022 finalists for induction, announced Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022. (National Toy Hall of Fame at The Strong museum via AP)
In this photo released on February 23, 2020 the NERF FORTNITE GL ROCKET FIRING Blaster is debuted at the Hasbro, Inc. Showroom during Toy Fair New York. . (Charles Sykes/AP Images for Hasbro)

Bingo, Lite-Brite, Nerf among Toy Hall of Fame finalists

Public invited to vote online for their favourites

In this photo released on February 23, 2020 the NERF FORTNITE GL ROCKET FIRING Blaster is debuted at the Hasbro, Inc. Showroom during Toy Fair New York. . (Charles Sykes/AP Images for Hasbro)
A Wordle game is seen on a mobile phone, Friday, July 15, 2022, in Boston. Hasbro Inc. and The New York Times, which owns Wordle, announced Thursday that Wordle: The Party Game will be available for purchase in North America in October. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

5-letter word for fun? Hasbro, NYT create Wordle board game

Board version will give players opportunity to play against others, and play as much as they want

A Wordle game is seen on a mobile phone, Friday, July 15, 2022, in Boston. Hasbro Inc. and The New York Times, which owns Wordle, announced Thursday that Wordle: The Party Game will be available for purchase in North America in October. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
Peter Mingrone aspires to emulate his favourite grand masters when he plays chess. (Photo courtesy of Peter Mingrone)

‘There’s no luck in chess’: UVic student, 22, takes first place at Canada Day tournament

Saanich resident finishes first in the chess tournament held from July 1-3 in Richmond

Peter Mingrone aspires to emulate his favourite grand masters when he plays chess. (Photo courtesy of Peter Mingrone)
Riddle painting by Maureen Bruinsma (Contributed)

From B.C. to Nova Scotia: Mom and son duo sharing love of riddles

Hunting dragons and chasing snowballs could earn you over $10,000

  • May 10, 2022
Riddle painting by Maureen Bruinsma (Contributed)
Jadyn Harris, shown in a handout photo, and his sister have been searching for hidden cash since the hunt began on May 2. Their search lead them to French Fort Cove park. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Savannah Harris

New Brunswick town captivated by mysterious figure offering clues to hidden cash

No one knows who’s behind the Miramachi game, started by a Facebook user

Jadyn Harris, shown in a handout photo, and his sister have been searching for hidden cash since the hunt began on May 2. Their search lead them to French Fort Cove park. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Savannah Harris
The suspect in Monday’s theft of items from a Yates Street balcony is described as a Caucasian man, age 30 to 40, with a slim build. He was wearing a blue jacket, dark hoodie, red baseball cap and beige pants at the time. (Courtesy of VicPD)

VicPD searching for balcony bike thief

Shared children’s bike, toys stolen from Yates St. patio early Monday morning

The suspect in Monday’s theft of items from a Yates Street balcony is described as a Caucasian man, age 30 to 40, with a slim build. He was wearing a blue jacket, dark hoodie, red baseball cap and beige pants at the time. (Courtesy of VicPD)
Lego has gone through considerable changes over the years. When was this toy introduced? (LEGO via AP)

QUIZ: How much do you know about toys and games?

From long-lasting traditions to fads, there’s a lot of history to play and recreation.

Lego has gone through considerable changes over the years. When was this toy introduced? (LEGO via AP)
Toy Drive organizer John-Andrew Pankiw-Petty of Victoria hands donated gifts to Chilliwack Community Services fundraising co-ordinator Shirley Triemstra at the Chilliwack Airport on Dec. 14, 2021. (Jennifer Feinberg/ Chilliwack Progress)

Santa flight toy drive from Victoria touches down in Chilliwack

‘When we asked people to help out, the response was incredible,’ toy drive organizer says

Toy Drive organizer John-Andrew Pankiw-Petty of Victoria hands donated gifts to Chilliwack Community Services fundraising co-ordinator Shirley Triemstra at the Chilliwack Airport on Dec. 14, 2021. (Jennifer Feinberg/ Chilliwack Progress)
Muppet Man of Duncan B.C.’s Helmet Head Canada has shared the locations of this year’s holiday toy drive. (Courtesy of Helmet Head Canada)

Helmet cover company undertaking Vancouver Island hospital toy drive

Donations accepted at Bay Centre, Barnes Harley Davidson, North Oyster Fire Department

Muppet Man of Duncan B.C.’s Helmet Head Canada has shared the locations of this year’s holiday toy drive. (Courtesy of Helmet Head Canada)
Walmart kicked off the season with its Top Toys of 2021 list late last month. (Pixabay photo)

Grumpy Care Bear rounds out Walmart Canada’s must-have retro toy list this Christmas

Spark a Miracle campaign aims to raise $200,000 for children’s hospitals

Walmart kicked off the season with its Top Toys of 2021 list late last month. (Pixabay photo)
Saanich Police Department crime prevention team members Abby Stamper and Sydnee Moore get toy donations ready to be delivered to children being cared for at Victoria General Hospital. (Photo courtesy of the Saanich Police Department)

Greater Victoria police and fire departments spearhead toy drive for children at VGH

July 30 event sees toys of all kinds delivered for children in hospital’s pediatrics unit

Saanich Police Department crime prevention team members Abby Stamper and Sydnee Moore get toy donations ready to be delivered to children being cared for at Victoria General Hospital. (Photo courtesy of the Saanich Police Department)
This Saturday, the Esquimalt Lions Club is collecting donations of toys and other items to be passed on to children being cared for at the Victoria General Hospital pediatric ward. (Pixabay photo)

Esquimalt Lions gathers toys for kids at Victoria General Hospital

COVID-19 protocols saw communal toys put away in VGH pediatric ward

  • Mar 25, 2021
This Saturday, the Esquimalt Lions Club is collecting donations of toys and other items to be passed on to children being cared for at the Victoria General Hospital pediatric ward. (Pixabay photo)
Puzzle lab offers a series of locally designed and crafted, high-quality puzzles. (Courtesy of Robazzo design studio)

Victoria design studio launches line of picturesque puzzles

Puzzle Lab jigsaws locally designed and crafted

Puzzle lab offers a series of locally designed and crafted, high-quality puzzles. (Courtesy of Robazzo design studio)
Tim Hortons delays hockey Barbie roll out to rush production of Black doll

Tim Hortons delays hockey Barbie roll out to rush production of Black doll

Currently, stores are selling the white version of the doll

Tim Hortons delays hockey Barbie roll out to rush production of Black doll
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