For nearly as long as television has been around, programs have been made especially for children. Kids’ TV is a big part of the world of grown-ups, too, from sleep-deprived parents who shudder at a particular theme song to adults who find themselves suddenly all in their feels over a show’s touching themes or lessons. There’s also the simple fact that kids’ TV shows are enriched with warm and fuzzy nostalgia.  But whether it be a lullaby in cartoon form or a live-action tweenage adventure, whoever’s holding the remote is likely to have their own favorite children’s TV program — but just ..read more

With its simple mechanics that allow for limitless creativity, Minecraft is the ultimate sandbox game. Perhaps that is why it has captivated millions around the world across the generational divide, from little kids all the way to senior citizens.  Whether you want to battle zombies, build your dream house or craft whole continents, you can do it in Minecraft – all by combining blocks of just a few different types. The sky is quite literally the limit! Minecraft is a great game for kids because as they explore dungeons and craft their very own worlds, they also practice their creativity a ..read more

Toy Story is up there as one of my favorite Disney films. Heck, I’d go as far as to say it is one of my favorite films, period.  The idea that your toys could come to life when you’re not around makes for a spellbinding story that sends kids’ imaginations running wild. Couple that with a whole host of loveable characters, and it’s easy to understand why this franchise has withstood the test of time, with fans always eager for more.  For many Toy Story fans like myself, it all began back in the 90’s. Growing up alongside Andy, sharing the same double-sided duvet covers emblazoned with ..read more

It’s hard to imagine a person on earth who doesn’t know the words to at least one Disney song. It might be a couple of verses of ‘Let It Go’ by the wickedly talented Idina Menzel, or some of the easygoing anthem, ‘Hakuna Matata’. One could say that having a few Disney songs in your back pocket might be like one of life’s ‘Bare Necessities’!  Disney is the monolith of children’s entertainment globally. They’ve been around in some form since 1923, which means we’ve been enjoying their films for a whole century. They came into great success in the late 1930s with the huge commercial boom of ..read more

“Yer a wizard, Harry.” Such nostalgia and excitement. At that moment, Hagrid’s words opened the doors to a vast and fascinating world of magic previously unknown to us muggles. Even after years go by, all Potterheads rejoice at delving into the Harry Potter magical universe over and over again. We know the story, the characters, the chain of events. And yet we feel the thrill and emotion as if it were the first time. Every time.  Just like J.K. Rowling said, “Whether you come back by page or by the big screen, Hogwarts will always be there to welcome you home.” It’s that sense of being ho ..read more

Y2K didn’t cause the apocalypse and Kylie Minogue was making a comeback; the new millennium was looking to be a good one. But now the noughties have slipped into the murky depths of nostalgia, and we can finally look back with rose-tinted glasses on the toys that defined our childhoods. The 2000s saw the rise of card games like Yu-Gi-Oh! and Pokémon, and iconic board games like Ticket to Ride. However, most iconic toys from the 2000s reflected innovations in electronics and technology – with many toys showing off some form of walking-talking capability and a virtual version you can interact wi ..read more

Whether you know him as The Caped Crusader, Dark Knight or plain old Batman, the superhero vigilante has been cleaning up the gritty streets of Gotham in comics, cartoons and movies for over 80 years. Like countless others, my memories start with that iconic theme tune that never fails to result in a BATMAN! warcry. While the POW! BIFF! and WHAM! motifs that littered the retro comic strips made the story jump off the page. These days, we’re used to seeing a darker, more mysterious Batman figure. And not just because this superhero gets to work in the shadows.  Film franchises such as Chri ..read more

About Hello Kitty Hello Kitty was born in the suburbs of London. She lives with her parents and her twin sister Mimmy who is her best friend.  Her hobbies include baking cookies and making new friends. As she always says, “you can never have too many friends!” She is good at baking cookies (although she claims that she is an awful chef in The Wonderful Sisters) and loves Mama’s homemade apple pie.  She likes to collect small cute things. She is a 3rd grade student and her favorite subjects in school are English, music and art. Her blood type is A. Her trademark signature is a ..read more

If you don’t like the hand fate’s dealt you with, fight for a new one. – Naruto Uzumaki. Doesn’t this quote perfectly capture Naruto‘s personality? A true fighter through and through, Naruto Uzumaki stands as a well-known ninja from Konoha, the Hidden Leaf Village. Having Kurama, the nine-tail fox demon, sealed inside him as a baby, Naruto had a challenging upbringing, always longing for recognition and being cast away by his fellow villagers.  But Naruto never gave up; his cheerful yet determined personality helped him win the toughest flights, reshaping his destiny with perseverance and ..read more

Gone are the days of writing Christmas lists by hand. With the internet enabled on seemingly every device, kids only need to take to Google to track down the exact URL of their desired toy in time for Santa’s visit — and let’s be honest, they’re probably better at it than grown-ups. Toys aren’t just for kids, though: one study found that 58% of adults in the U.S. have bought a toy for themselves. And whether those grown-ups are battling it out on a console or zooming around the block on a scooter (does anyone else’s back hurt thinking about it?), one thing’s for sure:  ..read more