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

 

Kanchan Makhija and Aziza Subramanian’s third annual toy drive at the Topham Elementary School on Saturday, Dec. 3 attracted dozens and collected more than 200 toys. (Tanmay Ahluwalia/Langley Advance Times)

Langley moms collect toys for kids in low-income families

Dozens help them in their initiative

 

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

 

Keian Blundell with dad Ryan and RCMP Staff Sgt. Major John Buis at Canuck Place (Ryan Blundell/Special to the Langley Advance Times)

Organizations reach out to the community for toy donations

Some bring Santa and celebrities to attract donors

Keian Blundell with dad Ryan and RCMP Staff Sgt. Major John Buis at Canuck Place (Ryan Blundell/Special to the Langley Advance Times)
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)
Matthew Purdy, store owner with his four-year-old daughter, unveiled the new dino display. (Tanmay Ahluwalia/Langley Advance Times)
Matthew Purdy, store owner with his four-year-old daughter, unveiled the new dino display. (Tanmay Ahluwalia/Langley Advance Times)
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)
Past Bridge Club chair Lynn Burr (centre) has been a member for 12 years and enjoys it as a social outing. (Jim McGregor/Special to Langley Advance Times)

SENIORS WEEK: Bridge, for fun and health

Langley card club offers much more than strategic game play, it offers social interaction

  • Jun 5, 2022
Past Bridge Club chair Lynn Burr (centre) has been a member for 12 years and enjoys it as a social outing. (Jim McGregor/Special to Langley Advance Times)
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

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
Children of all ages, as well as a few adults, recently lined up to have their photos taken with Santa Vader and the 501st Legion, a group who dress up in Star Wars costumes. (Special to Langley Advance Times)

Force was strong with Santa Vader

Two area charities benefit from photo sessions at a Langley toy store earlier this month

Children of all ages, as well as a few adults, recently lined up to have their photos taken with Santa Vader and the 501st Legion, a group who dress up in Star Wars costumes. (Special to Langley Advance Times)
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 Traders Michael Brown and owner Matthew Purdy will spend much of the week unpacking and stocking shelves with the popular Funko POP toys. But just as quickly, the figurines are expected to be gone. (Roxanne Hooper/Langley Advance Times)

VIDEO: Pop culture Funko toys top ‘must’ list

Last-minute shipments mean shelves are restocked with figurines, plushies, LEGO, and Playmobil

Toy Traders Michael Brown and owner Matthew Purdy will spend much of the week unpacking and stocking shelves with the popular Funko POP toys. But just as quickly, the figurines are expected to be gone. (Roxanne Hooper/Langley Advance Times)
Toy Drive organizer John-Andrew Pankiw-Petty of Victoria hands donated gifts to Chilliwack Community Services executive director Diane Janzen at the Chilliwack Airport on Dec. 14, 2021. (Jennifer Feinberg/ Chilliwack Progress)

Santa flight toy drive touches down in Chilliwack

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

Toy Drive organizer John-Andrew Pankiw-Petty of Victoria hands donated gifts to Chilliwack Community Services executive director Diane Janzen at the Chilliwack Airport on Dec. 14, 2021. (Jennifer Feinberg/ Chilliwack Progress)
Raptors Knoll Disc Golf Park is ranked the second best course in Canada (Facebook/Raptors Knoll Disc Golf Park)

Aldergrove disc golf course throwing a fun day Saturday

This is the first year Raptors Knoll Disc Golf Course has hosted an open house event

Raptors Knoll Disc Golf Park is ranked the second best course in Canada (Facebook/Raptors Knoll Disc Golf Park)
A look at the food-themed board game Steam Up: A Feast of Dim Sum. (submitted photo)

Surrey woman’s ‘Steam Up’ game serves dim sum-inspired fun with lesson in Asian culture

Game-loving pair launch company to create and publish Asian-themed games

A look at the food-themed board game Steam Up: A Feast of Dim Sum. (submitted photo)
The LangleyOpoly game is available via local WalMarts. (Outset Media/Special to the Langley Advance Times)

A Monopoly-style board game uses Langley locations for its squares

A Canadian game company has made city-specific games for several local towns

The LangleyOpoly game is available via local WalMarts. (Outset Media/Special to the Langley Advance Times)
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