Play, Live, Repeat is a website providing editorials, gift guides, and pop culture news to keep parents and collectors informed! Tiffany Brucculeri is a wife, and mother to two adorable sons, and prides herself on her many collections from Barbie to Funko to Pokémon! With seven-plus years in the business of product reviews and everything else in between, Tiffany prides herself on honesty, and lots of play!
Party with Geoffrey at the new Toys R Us Opening This Year Photo Credit: Tru Kids Brands
I reported back in July the comeback of Toys R Us! Well, now there will be something sweet added to this relaunch! Throughout the holiday season, Tru Kids Brand, Toys R Us’ revivalist, has teamed up with Candytopia to create a fun and immersive experience to relaunch the power of play!
Candytopia just recently closed their successful run in NYC where patrons got to be fully immersed in a world of pure imagination where interaction was encouraged. Candy was dandy at Candytopia where patrons with a sweet tooth were able to be happily flooded with a fully immersive experience testing all of the senses.
Credit: Tru Kids Brands/Candytopia
Candytopia is powering this experiencing so it will also be fully immersive and all about the power of play. Joining in on the fun is, of course, Geoffrey, and other famous toy brands like Melissa & Doug who promotes the power of pretend play, Spin Master who just recently unveiled their brand new Hatchimal Llalacorn the Llamacorn, iconic toy brand Schleich with their line of realistic figures and play-sets. Kids and big kids at heart can get their tickets for two locations right now throughout the 2019 holiday season in Atlanta (October 26, 2019) and Chicago (October 24, 2019). Tickets are $28 each for adults and $20 each for kids. Just like Candytopia, the experience will move throughout the country in 2020. This is a small taste of what’s in store for Tru Kids Brands new and improved Toys R Us!
Rendering of Toys R Us location. Photo: TRU Kids Brands
It really takes a lot of imagination to bring something like this to the market, and I feel that Candytopia and Toys R Us are a truly winning combination.
Will you be attending? To stay up to date and to register for early ticket access be sure to visit www.toysrusadventure.com or follow on social media:
Fans of the Marvel Universe now can add a soft touch to their collections. New from Bleacher Creatures, the all-new Marvel Kuricha plush are available now. Coming October 15th, add the 10” plush to your collection.
The Power of Plush Compels Me
Bleacher Creatures has taken pop culture icons from sports to the entertainment industry and has turned them into fun and whimsical collectibles. You can even purchase the Son of God himself, Jesus in full plush form! Buy the two for one special, and really amp up your entry through those pearly gates holding Jesus and The Pope!
Plush figures add something to a collection that poseable figures just can’t do. For one, you can really display a plush anywhere—on your bed, on a shelf, or in your car (or your parent's car).
Kawaii Collectibles Added to the Marvel Universe
Available now in a variety of styles where you can show off your fandom in kawaii style. Order Captain Marvel or even Goose the alien cat! You can also get Spider-Man, Iron Man, Captain America, Groot, and Black Panther. Order the Kuricha Marvel plush on the Bleacher Creatures website or at your local AMC Theaters for $14.99 each. Also, check out the Kuricha bundles to save 10% when you combine certain Marvel characters together on the Bleacher Creatures website.
If you’re looking for something bigger, then wait until October 15th to purchase 10” Marvel plush featuring characters like Captain Marvel, Spider-Man, Iron Man, Captain America, Groot, and Black Panther. You’ll be able to find the 10” plush at AMC Theaters and on the Bleacher Creatures website for $19.99 each.
What Else Does Bleacher Creatures Create?
Enjoy free shipping for orders over $35 when you purchase directly from Bleacher Creatures. While you’re on their site, check out the other fun plush they have to offer. Choose from NBA Players, team mascots, and even US Presidents! Don’t miss out on the recently added WWE plush figures like Becky Lynch, Elias Samson, and Ray Mysterio. Also, newly designed legend "Macho Man" Randy Savage, Finn Balor, AJ Styles, and Seth Rollins. The WWE line is sold for $14.99 on the Bleacher Creatures website, too.
Bleacher Creatures plush figures add lots of humor to the collectibles world. Let me know in the comments if you’ll be adding Marvel Bleacher Creatures to your collection! I know my kids would love their own stuffed Groot or Spider-man. I’ve even seen them sold at Target, Walmart, as well as Buy Buy Baby!
With 12 new Hairdooz dolls to collect for series 2, your collection will shine bright! One ultra-rare Hairdooz even glows in the dark. Bottled in a new color, NEON orange, makes the shampoo bottles totally pop! Thank you Headstart Toys for sending us new Hairdooz for our "revooz!"
Surprise in a Bottle
Spin to reveal your Hairdooz just like series one, and inside you will find the Hairdooz doll, a cape, their stand, their seat, a suction cup, and maybe a pair of glasses if your Hairdooz needs them, plus a full-color collector’s guide! There are two variations for each doll with different, colorful and intricate hairstyles. Plus, they all have a “frooty scent!” Make sure you add this new mystery toy to your Holiday shopping list. Series 2 Hairdooz NEONZ comes out to North America this October 2019 for $12.99 each.
Tiny is Mighty!
Now joining the Hairdooz “croo” are the new Minidooz! Minidooz are mini versions of Hairdooz dolls. They are packaged in neat spinning nail polish bottles. Spin to reveal a mini Hairdooz doll perched on her little chair. Each Minidooz has a fun hairstyle that pertains to her personality, and each one is scented. Their scents are scrumptious! You can decorate your nails (or their little nail polish capsules) with the included stickers. They also include a suction cup to stick them to a window or to a mirror. Plus there is a hole at the bottom of their seat make them fun and fancy pencil toppers! Minidooz are available now in-store at Five Below. They will make the perfect Stocking Stuffer for under $5.
Why I Love the Hairdooz Line of Dolls
What I love about the Hairdooz line is that the play doesn’t end with revealing your doll. The Hairdooz containers act as a playset and even a storage container for your Hairdooz. Create a whole salon-style set up on your child’s vanity table for a whimsical look. You can even decorate a mirror with Hairdooz and Minidooz hanging out for some style inspiration.
For series 3, I hope we see some accessories for the Hairdooz. I think that will further enhance playtime without compromising the overall feel and look of Hairdooz. They really are just fun dolls with no fuss for changing outfits. Your kiddos will love collecting them all!
Thank you to Headstart Toys again for sending us this sneak peek of Series 2 Hairdooz NEONS and the new Minidooz for our review! Check out Headstart Toys other great toys that we really do enjoy like Baby Secrets, Micro Wheels, and Ooshies!
Learning Resources sent us Coding Critters for free for our review! Before we get into an in-depth look, read on how to enter to win their Write-a-Story contest!
Do your kids like to make up stories while they play? Nurture that creativity and earn the chance to win a great prize pack from Learning Resources with the Coding Critters Write-a-Story contest! With the help from a parent, future coders can download the story sheet, and create an adventure for the adorable coding sets, Coding Critters.
Coding Critters are comprised of three play-sets featuring a dog, Ranger, a triceratops, Rumble, and a cat, Scamper. Each critter has its own little friend and accessories that coincide with the critter. Playtime is just more fun with these little guys and encourages screen-free playtime all while learning early coding concepts.Kids can command their coding critter to play games like and hide and seek, knockdown boulders, go through tunnels, and more!
Play alongside the including story booklet that features different ways to have your coding critters do fun tasks. While in code mode, you can input a coding sequence up to 30 steps, and each step is about four inches. Playing alongside the story booklet with help guide the Coding Critters around their included play-set and accessories. While in play mode, Coding Critters can eat, dance, patrol the area, and even nap!
You can play with your child, or they can code on their own with the help of laying out the directional tiles. Press their nose to switch to play mode, and the Coding Critters can even communicate with their little included friend. The best part is that you can get all three sets, and the Coding Critters can interact with the accessories.
There are so much that these Coding Critters can do that I need another blog post to show you the value of play within each set!
Kids ages four to 10 will enjoy Coding Critters, and each set is $39.99. Three AAA batteries are required, but not included. Otherwise, right outside of the box you can quickly start the fun!
Stay tuned for a more in-depth review, our unboxing and demo video on YouTube channel and IGTV.
The contest ends September 30th, so get your entries in now and have fun! Good luck!
Prizes:1 Grand Prize Winner will win a $300 coding prize pack, and have their story turned into a real book!5 Finalists will win their choice of Coding Critter.
This giveaway is not affiliated with Tubey Toys Review! I am sharing this contest with my readers! Coding Critters are wonderful sets to help jumpstart a long love of coding, and supports all STEM concepts.
The first leaf has not quite fallen here in NY, but I am already checking my list for the big guy and have my eye on several products by Jakks Pacific. This year’s toy line includes many products that promote pretend play, will get kids up and moving, and also include that age-old element of surprise that kids absolutely love! From Disney Princess to storming Bowser’s Castle to save Princess Peach, there are plenty of toys for kids and big kids at heart. I saw a bunch of new products at the TTPM Holiday Showcase, and these are the top toys for fans of Super Mario, Harry Potter, Little Mermaid, Toy Story, and more!
Look at these toys, aren’t they neat?
Celebrate 30 years of The Little Mermaid with Jakks Pacific’s adorable line of The Little Mermaid themed products.
Start with the Ariel Music & Lights Vanity. Packaged like fancy luggage, the unique clamshell shaped vanity opens up to a whole new world of wonder and magical discovery. The vanity plays “Under the Sea” and it also lights up. The set includes the vanity Flounder jar with lid, ply perfume bottle, tiara, a pair of earrings, pretend to play curling iron, a brush shaped like a dinglehopper, a comb, and found bracelets.
Make Ariel part of your world in real life with the 32-inch tall Ariel doll. Ariel is articulated at the neck, shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, and knees. She is also really lightweight so it’s easy for your little one to pose and play. The doll looks so realistic and your little one will love brushing her iconic long, red hair. Pair the doll with the Ariel Lights & Music Vanity to take pretend play to a whole new level of fun. Get Ariel on Amazon for under $60!
Life is the bubbles with this imaginative Little Mermaid Bubble stroller that will give your little one plenty of pretend play storylines. Play outdoors with the bubble option, or use indoors for hours of pretend play. This stroller has realistic settings just like a real stroller, so little ones will love placing their dolls (up to 14-inches) inside for magical walks exploring a whole new world. Pair this with the Ariel toddler doll for some added magical fun! Find it now for the holiday rush for $59.99.
Toys that Work Hard and Play Hard!
Let’s start with a brand new toy by Jakks Pacific that has that wow factor, the new X-Power Dozer. The X-Power Dozer is a bulldozer that packs a big punch, it has a high torque motor that can push or even pull up to 200 lbs! Kids can play indoors or outdoors, and they will seriously have a blast pushing and pulling anything that isn’t nailed down. We saw the X-Power Dozer in action twice, and both times it proved its worth! First we saw it pushing pounds of paper confetti, it had to be about 50 lbs worth of confetti that came from a giant piñata. Then we saw it again in action and it pushed a whole garden of rocks. Not only did it push, but it even climbed the rocks like it was scaling a mountain of cotton. The price is right at $59.99 (on Amazon under $55), you’ve got endless play value, lights and sounds, and it’s also an indoor/outdoor toy.
Jakks Pacific also makes a bunch of other fun vehicles like Mr. Banks or Mr. Hosey. Check out our review of Mr. Banks, my son’s favorite way to save money!
Wise Cracking’ Fun!
As a plumber’s daughter, I feel it necessary to share the hilarity of the Toilet Paper Blasters Sheet Storm. This is more of a big kid's toy and a novelty than anything, but kids eight and up can join in on the fun, too. Fill the Blaster with water, pump it up to create a rapid-fire shootout of toilet paper spitballs. You just need one roll of toilet paper to create 350+ spitballs. It’s neater than paintball, and actually easier to clean up!Just pump and blast your opponents of the toilet! Get it for $39.99 on Amazon, and be the talk of the loo. You can now also find Skid Shot, a similar blaster for just $9.99 on Amazon!
If toilets are your thing, then pair the Toilet Paper Blaster with something sweet! Chocolate Poop Maker pairs the novelty of chocolate candy making with a quirky kid’s obsession - poop! Melt down the chocolate, pour it in the toilet bowl, and then use the plunger to remove sweet treats of poop shaped chocolate! You can even use own our chocolate from home. I would make fun varieties like Krispees Poop, Popcorn Poop, and more! Get this silly set just $9.99 for ages six and up.
Prehistoric Gigantic Fun!
Gigantosaurus, the new Disney Junior show has stomped its way into my our hearts. We just love watching the merry band of dinosaurs navigating everyday life in Crustacea. We follow along friends Tiny, Bill, Mazu, Cror, and more as they keep a watchful eye on Giganto! Keep Giganto in check at home too with the Roar & Stomp Giganto doll for $29.99. He really does roar and his mouth opens wide, too. Kids will love making him stomp, because with each step you can hear the thunderous stomp that belongs to Giganto. Roar & Stomp Giganto has six points of articulation: legs, arms, tail, and his mouth. Roar & Stomp Giganto is actually the perfect size at 15-inches long and 8-inches tall, so you can easily pair Giganto with the other Gigantosaurus figures that Jakks Pacific has out now. From poseable figures and vehicles, there are plenty to choose from. For the younger kids, plush dolls featuring the cast of the show are the perfect gift option. The 4-pack gift set is just $12.99 on Amazon. Gigantosaurus Mobiles that bounce up and down are just $9.97 each and feature fixed figures inside the vehicles. Watch our unboxing video on YouTube and IGTV!
Save the Princess!
Bowser’s Castle Playset is perfect for any gamer kid or big kid at heart - like me! Explore two-sided action from the front to the inside of the castle where iconic sounds from the gameplay. Trigger the in-game sounds and music by pressing the top spire to relive the magic of your childhood! Fireballs and cage included for realistic pretend play in real life. This set also includes a 2.5” Bowser figure, and also plays well with most 2.5” figures. The price is right at just $39.99 on Amazon. It’s a massive display of awesomeness, and I highly recommend it for playtime for kids ages three and up, or for the massive gamer/collector as it will look amazing on a shelf with other collectibles.
Go to Infinity and Beyond…in your Living Room
Toy Story 4 gave us all of the feels. Keep Buzz close and explore the gamma squadron of sector four with your very own Buzz Lightyear Star Command Center! This is a luxury gift, but you get a lot of bang for your buck as there are many modes of play. Stand upright in Launch Mode and man Star Command; give out orders over your own PA-style system that really works. Kids will love talking in that microphone and announcing their countdown to blast off. I can also picture kids using the upright mode (Launch Mode)to create an intergalactic drive-thru fast food restaurant. Fight off Evil Emperor Zurg with the blaster buttons and joystick with trigger action, and practice your skills with the moving targets. Flight mode is horizontal where pilots can blast off into space while sitting down in the cockpit. If that wasn’t enough, turn over the console panel and reveal a mini desk for study time or to plan out your next adventure! Available now for $119.99 on Amazon, and for ages four and up. More Toy Story themed products by Jakks Pacific include Andy’s Toy Box, Toy Story figure set, and Buzz Lightyear blaster.
Wise Gift Choices
Take home Hedwig, Harry Potter’s trusty owl. With 12 realistic, owl-like movements, interact with Hedwig and watch as she responds to your voice by turning her head. Hedwig is not only beautiful, but her details are very realistic, and any Potter fan would be proud to receive such a gift. Wise choice, indeed. Find Hedwig the owl for $19.99 for on Amazon ages four and up.
Pair Hedwig with the Harry Potter wave die-cast wands for $4.99 each. Now you can collect wands from Narcissa Malfoy, a Death Eater’s wand, or even Neville Longbottom’s wand in four-inch scale. Each of the wands is resting on a beautiful stand that looks like the magic of the pensieve. These wands are tried and true collectibles!
High Five for Toys!
Slap Ninja is a fun, new game by Jakks Pacific that tests your ninja skills. Test your reflexes and see who is the slyest and fastest ninja in the East. You can choose your destiny - to be a Ninja Master and protect your coin or be the Ninja Student and try to not get slapped and tap the coin. Either way, it’s knee-slapping fun! Available now for $19.99 on Amazon and for ages four and up.
Surprise Party Gifts!
Piñata Fiesta are a fun new way to reveal surprise toys. Each piñata comes with a ring or a bracelet to attach your charms, so you can wear your collectibles. You can collect mini charms like winking hot dogs, metallic treats and shapes, spicy peppers, rainbows, tacos, and watermelons - each charm explodes with personality! When you pull the string, a mystery compartment opens up and out pops your charm or jewelry pieces along with colorful confetti. You can get Piñata Fiesta at Walgreen’s and Hot Topic for $6.99 each.
You can also create your own Piñata with the Piñata Fiesta Activity sets. Choose from a donkey, pony, unicorn, rainbow, taco, and more! These sets are so much fun because kids can create their very own piñata from scratch. Each set even include Piñata Fiesta surprises, stickers, and more! Each set is $16.99 on Amazon.
Who’s Your Llama? are my favorite figures, and kids love them too! These adorable llamas come in RV-shaped packages and each have fun outfits and different personalities. Each Llama is capable of doing one of four silly features: they may spit, wink, stick their tongue out, or crack a big toothy smile. Some llamas like to move fast like Roller Llama, some are sleepy like Dreamy Llama, and some are sandwich experts like Deli Llama. Get the 2-pack on Amazon for the best bang for your buck for under $13!
Let's Go Shopping!
We’ve started off really strong, but there are more toys to show you! Make sure you follow my blog and my social media accounts to get informed of new toys by Jakks Pacific first! You can watch our Jakks Pacific unboxing videos on our YouTube channel too to see how these amazing toys work.
To make your shopping easier, I included links where possible. These are affiliate links that cost you zero dollars to click through. I get a really small commission just for you to buy through my link. Even if you don’t purchase that product, I appreciate the click! Your support helps me buy more coffee, more toys, and more diapers! Thank you! Happy Shopping!
IMC Toys sent us Club Petz Spitzy, Bim Bim, and Bam Bam for our review. Club Petz are already plush sensations overseas, so it's no wonder that their cuteness is taking North America by storm.
Toys With Character!
My son loves Bim Bim and Bam Bam!
Meet Club Petz, adorable plush toys with loads of personality. Kids sometimes need to just take a break from all of these highly educational toys, and pepper in some colorful fun. They are made of high-quality plush and have intelligent devices to make them truly unique toys. Club Petz cuteness factor seriously makes collecting them super easy.
Collect Spitzy the Llama who spits, burps, and acts like a llama in just the cutest way possible. Press her tummy, and her cute little mouth moves in a circle. Play a trick on your sibling or parent with a face full of water - it's all in good fun!
We also reviewed Bim Bim and Bam Bam, a squirrel and hamster team that probably work best when purchased together. Priced at under $10 each, they would make great gifts without breaking the bank. Press their buttons to reveal bopping, shaking, vibrating fun - watch out for Bam Bam though, he likes to bop behind the couch!
Kids can also visit the Club Petz website to play games, and do fun activities. You can also see all of the varieties of Club Petz toys. Take home the whole collection or pick and choose from a large variety of adorable Club Petz like a whale, unicorn, cat, dog, parrot, and more! Club Petz are highly responsive and some even interact with one another like the beautiful collie dogs that respond to commands like Lucy does with her sister Lola.
Thank you so much, Club Petz and IMC Toys -- creators of Cry Babies -- for sending us this amazing collection for our review!
