The Toy Box- A Toy Competition The Whole Family Can Watch #TheToyBox #ABCTVEvent

Photo Credit: ABC

When I went on my recent press trip to San Diego, I learned so many new things, including learning about ABC's The Toy Box. This show is so cute, funny and creative. “The Toy Box” is from Mattel, Hudsun Media and Electus. Michael Rourke, Chris Grant, Drew Buckley, Richard Dickson, Catherine Balsam-Schwaber, Julia Pistor, Susan House and Hamilton South are executive producers.

What is it about? 

In each episode of “The Toy Box,” inventors present their toy concepts to a group of mentors that include Dylan’s Candy Bar owner Dylan Lauren, toy guru Jim Silver and Pixar creative director of Consumer Products, Jen Tan. If the toy maker gets past the mentors, they will move on to The Toy Box where a panel of young, no-holds-barred judges that include Sophia Grace Brownlee (“The Ellen Degeneres Show”), Aalyrah Caldwell (“Uncle Buck”), Toby Grey (“The Unexpected John Cena Prank”) and Noah Ritter (“The Ellen Degeneres Show”) decide which toy moves on to the finals and eventually crowned the winner. That winning toy will be sold exclusively at Toys“R”Us® after the series finale.

Meet your host! Eric Stonestreet From ‘Modern Family’. His jokes, his demeanor, his attitude- HILARIOUS. He is PERFECT for this show! 

Photo Credit: ABC

Photo Credit: ABC

Meet the Mentors! toy guru Jim Silver, Dylan’s Candy Bar owner Dylan Lauren, and Pixar creative director of Consumer Products, Jen Tan

Meet the JUDGES!

Photo Credit: ABC

Noah Ritter (“The Ellen Degeneres Show”)

Photo Credit: ABC 
Sophia Grace Brownlee (“The Ellen Degeneres Show”)

Photo Credit: ABC Toby Grey (“The Unexpected John Cena Prank")

 Photo Credit: ABC Aalyrah Caldwell (“Uncle Buck”)

I was able to screen the first episode and I laughed do hard! It was so funny! Episode 101 premieres today, FRIDAY, APRIL 7 (8:00–9:00 p.m. EDT), on The ABC Television Network. This episode introduces us to everyone! This episode will introduce you to the judges, and five passionate amateur inventors. They have poured their hearts out on these unique toy concepts AND they find out that the judges in The Toy Box are KIDS. The moment they see the kids is just hilarious. 

The toy mentors will decide on who goes to the toy box. When they go to the toy box, the kids decide on which toy is worthy enough to play with, and who goes home. The toy that moves on to the finals will compete to eventually be crowned the winner!

This weeks toy inventions include: 

Arya Ball – a reimagining of the soccer ball with special surprises inside

Inventor: Babak from Carlsbad, California 

Photo Credit: ABC 

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 

Photo Credit: ABC

Niya Doll – a multicultural doll collection who sings and speaks in multiple languages 

Inventor: Darla from Columbia, South Carolina 

Photo Credit: ABC

Swurfer – a backyard swing inspired by a surfboard 

Inventor: Rob from Charleston, South Carolina

Photo Credit: ABC 

Party Cannon – a party game that launches toys, prizes and candy 

Inventor: Rick from Miami Springs, Florida

Photo Credit: ABC

My thoughts:

I thought that making this show was just genius. This is a fun show that the whole family can watch. I can see my 10-year-old getting super excited to see which of these toys are going to end up at Toys R Us in the end! The idea to have REAL kids as judges to decide is also amazing. They get a kids perspective, rather than just an adult. The whole cast of this show is just amazing and they could not have picked a better cast. I love that we laugh and giggle throughout the whole show too. I also love the anticipation of knowing the final toy will be available the day after the finale!

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After screening the first episode, we were able to have a Q&A with Pixar creative director of Consumer Products, Jen Tan! She is so interesting! I wanted to share with you a few of my favorite answers from her! She was just the sweetest! 

• A question was asked on what she looks at in a toy: Her answer was "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". She also said that she looks for something that allows a child to be creative and sparks creativity and imagination.

• She was asked if she had ever been on a TV show. She said that it was nerve wrecking and she had never been on TV. "I was like, I wish I had a makeup and wardrobe team every morning." Oh me too!

•  She was asked what her favorite toy was. Her answer "When I was growing up I had a Texas Instrument Speak and Spell." She explained why! Both of her parents were immigrants and she gives credit to that toy for helping her learn English! So neat!

• When we interviewed her, we also learned she shot her scenes separate from the kids. She doesn't know who won! She gets to find out with the rest of us too! 

Overall, meeting and being in the same room as this creative mind was AMAZING!

Who will move on to the finals? TUNE IN today, FRIDAY, APRIL 7 (8:00–9:00 p.m. EDT), on The ABC Television Network. I will be watching with the family! Will you?

Photo Credit: ABC

Visit The Toy Box on their social channels below to stay up to date with the latest!

The Toy Box on Facebook | The Toy Box on Twitter | The Toy Box on IG