toys news stories on Newser

Barbie Will Get Bald Friend

Dustin Lushing — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 15:33:34 CDT

Barbie-maker Mattel is creating a special doll for children who have lost their hair to illness. The new doll will be bald and a friend of Barbie, and she'll come with fashion accessories including hats, scarves, and wigs. Earlier this year, a Facebook campaign that garnered 150,000 "likes" urged...

Another Steve Jobs Doll Is Out

Dustin Lushing — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 15:19:05 CDT

Cuddle up with your favorite CEO: A 15-inch plush stuffed doll of the late Steve Jobs is now for sale. The "iCEO," released by pillow company Throwboy , will set you back $60. It features removable glasses, a black turtle neck, and real denim jeans, reports Mashable . The toy is limited-edition,...

D'oh! Iran Bans Homer Simpson Doll

Neal Colgrass — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 15:38:30 CST

Maybe the Supreme Leader doesn't giggle at lines like "Homer no function beer well without" and "I felt a surge of power … like God must feel when he’s holding a gun." But whatever the reason, Iranian officials have placed the Homer Simpson doll alongside Barbie on the nation's no-buy...

Russian Cops Pitch Tantrum Over 'Toy Protest'

Mary Papenfuss — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 01:15:00 CST

Don't toy with us, furious Russian officials are warning activists. But that's just what they're doing. Government critics have staged a miniature protest in the Siberian town of Barnaul using tiny Lego men, South Park figurines, and rubber animals holding little placards emblazoned with messages like "I'm for Clean Elections,...

Sorry, Kids: Iran Bans Barbie

Kate Schwartz — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 10:04:46 CST

As the US tries to crack down on Iran , Iran is doing some cracking down of its own—on that oh-so-American symbol, the Barbie doll. The country's morality police have begun enforcing a Barbie ban issued in 1996. (Authorities blasted the doll's "destructive cultural and social consequences" at the time....

Mind-Reading Remote, Other CES Gizmos You Missed

Matt Cantor — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 11:54:05 CST

This year's Consumer Electronics Show had the predictable high-tech TVs and other conventional items—but the 3,100 exhibitors also showed off some rather bizarre devices. A few highlights: Solowheel. An electric unicycle with no seat and footboards that allow riders to stand and lean in the direction they want...

Cops Ticket Kid in Toy Motorcycle Accident

Matt Cantor — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 11:48:05 CST

He's only six years old, but he's already tangoed with police for reckless driving. After Gael Noriega plowed into an SUV, police in Mexico ticketed him for the offense, as well as driving without a license and failure to register his vehicle: a miniature motorbike. The small, gas-powered bike was...

Burger King Gets Around 'Happy Meal Ban,' Too

Evann Gastaldo — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 08:18:39 CST

Burger King is taking a page from the McDonald's handbook : In order to "comply" with San Francisco's so-called "Happy Meal ban," the fast food chain will stop giving away toys in its kids' meals … but it will offer them for purchase for just 10 cents more. While McDonald's is...

McDonald's Sidesteps SF Happy Meal Ban

Rob Quinn — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 07:39:00 CST

San Francisco's Happy Meal ban kicks in tomorrow, but McDonald's has found a very simple way to dodge it. The law bans restaurants from including a toy with a meal if that meal doesn't comply with the city's nutritional guidelines. So McDonald's is selling Happy Meals without toys—and selling...