Rent a Stick?

The American National Museum of Play, located in Rochester, New York, has just 41 toys in its National Toy Hall of Fame. Among them are the humble stick and the cardboard box, a reminder that the toy rental club cannot solve all of your children's play needs!

Inducted toys are selected on the basis of the following criteria:

1. Icon-status: The toy is widely recognized, respected, and remembered.
2. Longevity: The toy is more than a passing fad and has enjoyed popularity over multiple generations.
3. Discovery: The toy fosters learning, creativity, or discovery through play.
4. Innovation: The toy profoundly changed play or toy design. A toy may be inducted on the basis of this criterion without necessarily having met all of the first three.

Needless to say, the list includes good old Lego, but there are other names that only an American would recognise. Raggedy Ann and Andy, anyone? Or Lincoln Logs?

Why Have We Closed Our Playground?

We regret the closure of our indoor playground, a measure which we hope will be only temporary. We have been forced to close due to a significant rent hike. The steep rise took us by surprise in view of reports such as "Commercial Rents Feel the Slowdown" in the 24 January issue of The Business Times.

For the time being, we have contracted our operation into the unit on Level 5. Rentals (including birthdays @ home) will continue as usual. Meanwhile, we shall look for opportunities to open a new playground.

Meet America's Bestselling Car

There's an article in today's Guardian announcing good news for the US car industry. The toy car industry, that is. Unlike its gas-guzzling counterparts, the Cozy Coupe (by Little Tikes) has sold more than 457,000 units in the past year.

This zero-emissions wonder can, of course, be rented from the toy rental club. Choose from seven different models!