toys Archives

Winter essentials to grab before they sell out

Don’t wait for the holiday chaos to hit. The best shopping trick this season isn’t about gifts — it’s about stocking up on essentials now. Beat the rush, avoid packed stores and snag better prices while you still can. This will save you time, stress and money. Get it done today and make your winter easier.

Power banks

There’s been some crazy weather this year, so get a high-capacity power bank before you really need it. I have a couple at home. This M arbero portable power station ($76, 30% off) charges multiple phones and laptops at once and has built-in flashlights.

For smaller gadgets: Anker PowerCore 10K (under $20)
For fast charging: JOYROOM power bank ($27, 28% off)
Small but strong: Anker 737 (29% off)

Space heaters

Is yours putting off that weird burning smell? Grab a new one before you start shivering. A solid option is this Dreo space heater ($79, 11% off) with a bunch of heating modes to choose from, plus overheating and tip-over protection.

Multitasker: Heater-humidifier combo (11% off; click the coupon for an extra $20 off)
Affordable: A sleek-looking $29 option
Mini for your desk: Small, efficient and $14

Heated blankets

They sure beat burying yourself under four layers and rubbing your feet together for warmth. The Bedsure heated blanket ($39, 33% off) comes in lots of pretty colors and has six heat settings and an auto-shutoff mode for sleeping.

Thick and fluffy: A comfy sherpa blanket (16% off)
On the go? Grab a heated shawl (11% off)
Budget: A heated throw ($29, 19% off; click the coupon for another 5% off)

Christmas toys

It’s hard to explain to an 8-year-old Santa’s workshop is low on inventory, so get to shopping before these sell out. This 3D-printing pen ($39) is super popular this season — think “Harold and the Purple Crayon” brought to life.

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The future is here: Amazing robots that cook, clean and carry your stuff

Did you ever watch “The Jetsons” and wish the robotic maid Rosey was real? She was responsible for many household tasks, including cleaning, cooking and caring for the family — George, Jane, Judy, Elroy and their pet dog Astro. And boy, oh boy, Rosie was built.

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Chairing is caring

How about some new patio chairs to upgrade your outdoor setup? Let’s face it: You need ‘em.

Two zero-gravity lounge chairs for $100 (23% off!). They have over 42,000 five-star reviews, and everyone says, “Comfy!”
This oversized zero-gravity chair is also on sale for $80. Dang! It’s 27% off!
Adirondack chairs look and feel great. This durable no-crack and no-fade option has a retractable ottoman and cup holders. Sweetness.
Put your pool toys, gardening tools, sports gear — you name it — in this 70-gallon lockable storage bench. It has a 551-pound weight capacity, so plop down. It’s $110 — that’s 38% off right now!
This hammock just screams summer. Best of all, it’s 46% off (only $75). Love all the colors.

Btw, here’s a link to find money-saving coupons on Amazon.

We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

🐶 Your best friend’s best friend: Content Queen Allie was telling me about how much her pup, Nova, loves her BarkBox subscription. It shows up in the mail monthly (or however often you want), packed with treats and toys. There’s a standard option or the Super Chewer box if your pup tears up soft toys.

The NFL may owe you a ton of money

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Paid for the “Sunday Ticket” subscription service? A jury found that the NFL broke antitrust laws in how it handled some Sunday games. Uber’s “One Less Car” challenge, and no more green texts with your Android buddy. Also, a creepy AI ad from Toys ‘R’ Us!

A wicked amount of money: A mom is suing Mattel for $5 million. The “Wicked” movie doll she bought for her daughter had a link to a p*rn website instead of the film’s official page. Mom says visiting the site caused lots of emotional distress for them both … that only money can help.

5,000% jump

In Google searches for “tonies set.” They’re the hot Christmas gift for little ones. Tonieboxes are $99 screen-free wireless speakers. To start a story, pop a Tonie doll on top (that costs extra). The starter set with Disney princesses is $154, dang. How do I get a Kim Komando Toniebox?

We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

Teddy bears with AI: Cool, creepy or a true security risk?

In the not-so-distant future, you could walk in on a teddy bear reading a bedtime story to your child. And it wouldn’t be just any story — it’d be a saga tailored to everything the toy knows about your child, including likes, dislikes and even their deepest secrets.

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The best eBay treasures to sell

A recent analysis of over 17 million sales on eBay uncovered the best-selling items to make extra cash. I bet you have a few of these products stashed in closets — or maybe your parents do.

If you want to make a few bucks, check out the list below and start scavaging.

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🙊 Not that kind of Barbie girl: Mattel says it’s deeply sorry for printing the wrong URL on boxes of its “Wicked” movie-themed Barbie dolls. The mix-up swapped the movie’s site for trailers and tickets for another wicked site that offers a very different kind of girl-on-girl action — porn.

Baby got back: Researchers used a custom-built robot (wheeled and padded with foam) with eight toddlers to assess the kiddos’ physical activity. When the kids got close, the robot rewarded them with sounds, lights and bubbles. No surprise, the two- and three-year-olds moved around way more while playing with the robots than with a regular toy. Toddlers getting robots for Christmas is just a year away, unfortunately.

3,000-plus parts

Make up the new walking, talking Buzz Lightyear robot. For a whopping $599, you can recreate the “Toy Story” franchise’s scenes and missions. That’s a lot of money for a toy the kiddos will use for a week and never look at again. I know what you’re thinking: “My bathroom scale is nicknamed Buzz Lightyear. When I step on, it goes to infinity and beyond.”

The big 4-0

Mark Zuckerberg celebrated turning 40 on his new $300 million superyacht. The 387-foot-long vessel, “Launchpad,” is the big boat. A smaller yacht behind it carries his staff and toys. All this and he still can’t figure out how young girls won’t get DM’d by creeps on Instagram.

Remember when your mom nagged about toys and games everywhere? That old stash could be worth a fortune. That mint Pikachu card? A cool $6 million. Pristine SNES games and special-edition Barbies? Thousands. Even an old Nintendo 64 is worth a pretty penny.

AI toys: Cool or creepy?

In the not-so-distant future, you could walk in on a teddy bear reading a bedtime story to your child. Not just any story, a saga customized based on everything the toy knows about your child — their likes, dislikes and deepest secrets. All thanks to artificial intelligence (AI).

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15 affordable products you didn't know you needed

There are tons of little ways technology can impact our lives. Get enough gadgets, and they add up to a significantly improved quality of life. With our list of affordable products you didn’t know you needed, you don’t have to worry about the little things anymore.

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PSA: Buy your holiday turkey soon or you may be paying $100+

Lots of holiday prep talk has been around shopping earlier than usual because of chip shortages, supply chain issues and more. There’s also a shortage of cargo containers and labor slowing everything down.

Prices for tech, toys, furniture and more are set to increase as availability becomes more scarce. You might want to get a jump on things ahead of the inevitable Black Friday shortages. Tap or click here for our list of 6 things you should buy now.

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Easy way to help your child start their own online business

Kids are now born into a world of technology, innovation and a growing market of non-traditional jobs. In contrast, most of those from our generation couldn’t work until we were a teenager. Today’s entrepreneurial environment has changed things for our children.

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11 must-have pet products dog and cat owners swear by

Fluffy and Fido aren’t just pets. They’re family. So why not treat them to a few new toys and maybe even some tech now and then?

Our furry friends only get about a decade with us, so it just makes sense to shower them with all the love, toys and treats we can. They love us unconditionally, so the least we can do is spoil them, right?

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The best puzzles and toys to get your dog's mind working

Dogs love their humans unconditionally. You can see it in their eyes as they gaze up at you and in the excited wag of their tails. Since the average lifespan of your furry friend is only about a decade, don’t you owe them the best life has to offer?

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