HOW-TO Get Your Toy Made & Distributed Throughout the Country? #TheToyBox

The answer is simple enough! The TOY BOX! If you are a toy or game inventor and do desire for your invention to be sold in this country, you may have a chance when and if you go through The Toy Box experience!

ABC Television Network has a treat for all of us to watch, to laugh and cry, and eventually see the next American toy being released into the world. Tune in FRIDAY, APRIL 7 (8:00-9:00 p.m. EST) for the first episode of The Toy Box on ABC.

I had a privilege to watch the first episode before it airs out and find this show to be the ultimate entertainment in the coming months. It has everything you want to see in a show: laughter and humor, sadness and disappointment, hope and perseverance to move on against life’s circumstances.

NOAH RITTER, AALYRAH CALDWELL – The Excitement Is REAL!
(ABC/Jeff Neira)

What draws me to this serialized show is a story. There are many stories that you will hear and connect to on the human and emotional level. You will care about each participant and will find yourself sitting on edge many times during each episode.

The judges are surreal, but real! Four amazing kids with exceptional verbal skills and opinions as broad and tall like this Universe! Just take a look at this intro video of NOAH!

What Is The Toy Box?

The Toy Box is an opportunity for a toy-inventor to get her/his toy made and distributed in this country. To do so, each toy-inventor has to go through a 3-step process.

STEP 1 – Pass Through Mentors

Each toy-inventor has to present to and pass through a panel of mentors who are represented by Dylan’s Candy Bar owner Dylan Lauren, toy guru Jim Silver and Pixar Creative Director of Consumer Products Jen Tan. Each episode will have three winners who will be competing inside They Toy Box

THE TOY BOX – Dylan Lauren is a Judge on ABC’s “The Toy Box.”
Her stores are considered “the most original candy emporiums on the planet” and “must-see American cultural icons.” Dylan is also the author of “Dylan’s Candy Bar: Unwrap Your Sweet Life.” Her book shares candy-centric tips for entertaining, decorating and gift-giving for every occasion—along with her chic and colorful, signature style.

THE TOY BOX – Jim Silver is a Judge on ABC’s “The Toy Box.”
Jim Silver is an energetic and dynamic innovator in the Toy and Children’s Entertainment industries, and is nationally recognized as one of the preeminent experts in play.

THE TOY BOX – Jen Tan is a Mentor on ABC’s “The Toy Box.”
Jen Tan works side by side with studio executives and filmmakers to ensure that any product – including action figures, play-sets, games, ride-ons, journals, plush – is made to be appealing and authentic to the studio’s designs and stories of the films.

STEP 2 – Pass Through The Toy Box

After a toy-inventor has passed through the Mentor’s stage, she/he moves on to be presented to the Judges – a 4-panel kid-judges – who will decide the fate of the invention to continue or to end its journey through The Toy Box competition. The young judges are represented by: Sophia Grace Brownlee, Aalyrah Caldwell , Toby Grey and Noah Ritter.

SOPHIA GRACE BROWNLEE, TOBY GREY, NOAH RITTER, AALYRAH CALDWELL Are Testing a New Toy Made by Toy Inventor Rick.
ERIC STONESTREET Is There to Make Sure All Goes Well!
(ABC/Jeff Neira)

Every Judge Has Her Own Unique Character & Flare!

Aalyrah Caldwell will surprise you with her playful personality, yet who takes her responsibilities seriously.

Eric Stonestreet Is The Show’s Moderator.

Eric Stonestreet (Modern Family), The Toy Box Host!
THE TOYBOX – Eric Stonestreet
(ABC/ Heidi Gutman)

Do You Recognize This Judge?

STEP 3 – Ultimate Winner

There will be seven episodes with one winner in each. In the eighth episode, the seven finalists will compete to reveal the luckiest winner of this show.

Meet the Judges And Mentors

“Where the stakes are high – and the judges are short!” – Eric Stonestreet

Winning Toy to Be Made by Mattel and Sold Exclusively at Toys“R”Us® After Series Finale

This week’s toy inventions include:

Arya Ball – a reimagining of the soccer ball with special surprises inside
Inventor: Babak from Carlsbad, California

JIM SILVER, DYLAN LAUREN, JEN TAN Are Presented with A New Toy Concept – ARYA BALL – by the Toy Inventor.
THE TOY BOX on the ABC Television Network.
(ABC/Jeff Neira)

Wacky Worm Racing Game – a racing game where players dressed in a worm costume race to cross the finish line
Inventor: Cedric from Orlando, Florida

JIM SILVER, DYLAN LAUREN, JEN TAN.
Dylan is Testing a New Toy – WACKY WORM RACING GAME!
THE TOY BOX on the ABC Television Network.
(ABC/Jeff Neira)

Niya Doll – a multicultural doll collection who sings and speaks in multiple languages
Inventor: Darla from Columbia, South Carolina

SOPHIA GRACE BROWNLEE, TOBY GREY, NOAH RITTER, AALYRAH CALDWELL Are Testing a New Toy Made by Toy Inventor Darla.
(ABC/Jeff Neira)

Swurfer – a backyard swing inspired by a surfboard
Inventor: Rob from Charleston, South Carolina

JIM SILVER, DYLAN LAUREN, JEN TAN Are Presented with A New Toy Concept – SWURFER – by the Toy Inventor ROB.
THE TOY BOX on the ABC Television Network.
(ABC/Jeff Neira)

Party Cannon – a party game that launches toys, prizes and candy
Inventor: Rick from Miami Springs, Florida

The Toy Inventor ERIC Presents his Toy – PARTY CANNON – to the MENTORS Panel.
The eight-episode series hosted by Eric Stonestreet (“Modern Family”) premieres on FRIDAY, APRIL 7 (8:00-9:00 p.m. EST), on the ABC Television Network.
(ABC/Jeff Neira)

You will be rooting for your favorite toy, I can assure you! And be ready to laugh bursting at the seams when it comes to our competent judges at The Toy Box!

To get the best toy to the market takes a lot of effort. We asked Jen Tan, Pixar Creative Director of Consumer Products, in our interview with her at PIXAR Studios what exactly the mentors are looking for in a good toy.

Jen Tan

There’s a lot of different things, in a really good toy. And it’s hard ’cause as an adult, sometimes you forget what it’s like being a kid. And how to play – which is why I love this show. But I always look for something that is not a one-trick pony. So you can play with it multiple times and there’s like various ways to play with it. You know, I have a 2-year-old now, and it’s really important, whatever I give her, she can play with it for a good amount of time.

Tune In FRIDAY, APRIL 7, 8/7 CENTRAL, ABC Network
RETWEET This Total Entertainment!

NOAH RITTER, AALYRAH CALDWELL, TOBY GREY, SOPHIA GRACE BROWNLEE, ERIC STONESTREET
(ABC/Jeff Neira)