tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6404046680226635672010-02-08T10:34:27.330-05:00I'm Tim Walsh and this is my playlog. I plog on toys and the essential skill of squeezing more fun from life. I've written two books on the history of toys, Timeless Toys and the WHAM-O Super-Book. Games that I've designed or developed include TriBond, Blurt! and Mad Gab. Coming later this year is TOYLAND, a documentary film about toy designers on which I am a creative consultant. It's a big year. Join the fun, seize the play!Tim Walshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18025955088626052366tim@theplaymakers.comBlogger147125SeizeThePlayhttp://feedburner.google.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-640404668022663567.post-83480575883305531582010-02-03T16:34:00.013-05:002010-02-04T06:23:46.344-05:002010-02-04T06:23:46.344-05:00

In 10 days I head to the Big Apple to attend my 20th International Toy Fair. It doesn't seem possible that we've been tinkering in the toy business for that long, but the proof is in the photos. Toy Fair 1990. Yours truly, Ed Muccini, Dave Yearick, Staci YearickSuspenders anyone?We loaded our $10,000 booth into my beat up Jeep at 3:30am and headed down the New York State Thruway to the future of

Tim Walshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18025955088626052366tim@theplaymakers.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-640404668022663567.post-74807619555083216462010-01-09T07:00:00.002-05:002010-01-09T15:33:47.540-05:002010-01-09T15:33:47.540-05:00

Check out this cool cupcake compendium of fun!Thanks to Colleen McCarthy-Evans for sharing the link on facebook.

Tim Walshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18025955088626052366tim@theplaymakers.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-640404668022663567.post-89469567862523213792010-01-07T16:29:00.003-05:002010-01-07T16:36:21.153-05:002010-01-07T16:36:21.153-05:00

As long as we're talking about recapturing our youth with vintage soda...I was in Target trolling the toy aisle when an overwhelming thirst hit me, so on the way through checkout, I peaked into the refrig and found this gem! Now what are the chances? I hadn't had a MD in a looooong time so I got one. WOW... sweeter than I remembered. Well, it is made with REAL sugar.

Tim Walshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18025955088626052366tim@theplaymakers.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-640404668022663567.post-15647701550379260122010-01-03T15:32:00.010-05:002010-01-03T19:10:46.693-05:002010-01-03T19:10:46.693-05:00

After my book Timeless Toys was published and the weight of actually meeting my editor's deadline lifted, I briefly contemplated doing two other books in a similar vein. The idea was to make them the same size as Timeless Toys so that the three books would sit side-by-side-by-side on a book shelf and lure readers back to childhood. The other two books would be Classic Candy and Simply Soda.

Tim Walshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18025955088626052366tim@theplaymakers.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-640404668022663567.post-33744146934663825892009-12-05T10:38:00.008-05:002009-12-05T11:12:47.511-05:002009-12-05T11:12:47.511-05:00

Murray the dog was about to die, when Tom Wehrli taught him how to play with a circular hunk of plastic. The two of them traveled the world playing in Dog Disc competitions. They went to Korea, they tossed and caught in Amsterdam, twice in Japan. “Do you have any idea how many dogs Frisbee has saved?" Tom asked me when I interviewed him for my WHAM-O Super-Book. "All these dogs were sitting in

Tim Walshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18025955088626052366tim@theplaymakers.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-640404668022663567.post-57372257429977075622009-12-04T15:53:00.000-05:002009-12-04T15:53:00.313-05:002009-12-04T15:53:00.313-05:00

Here's the audio from NPR. I was asked to comment on robotic rodents! I love my job.

Tim Walshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18025955088626052366tim@theplaymakers.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-640404668022663567.post-66972753100597310252009-12-03T06:19:00.003-05:002009-12-03T06:22:44.382-05:002009-12-03T06:22:44.382-05:00

When I was 8-years old, my brother left for college and bequeathed me all his Iron Man comics. 'Nuff Said.

Tim Walshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18025955088626052366tim@theplaymakers.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-640404668022663567.post-67577247360520789042009-12-02T15:27:00.010-05:002009-12-02T16:05:38.825-05:002009-12-02T16:05:38.825-05:00

Thank you Al Gore, for inventing this Internet thing. It really takes Word of Mouth Marketing, which in the past was known as powerful, but s-l-o-w, and made it quite timely. Take this little tale, for instance:This morning I got up early and headed to San Antonio to promote my game, Blurt! Before I left, I signed onto facebook and announced that I was headed this way. When I landed (after a "no

Tim Walshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18025955088626052366tim@theplaymakers.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-640404668022663567.post-49807715048372878992009-11-23T13:52:00.013-05:002009-11-26T11:55:28.466-05:002009-11-26T11:55:28.466-05:00

Today is a day to reflect back, take stock in the present and acknowledge the gratitude we have for the millions of little things that make up a life. I can't possibly sum up the feelings of love and appreciation I have for my family, friends and the God who blessed me with them... in a blog post. You can't sum up a life, but a career? That's digestible.Last Friday night I had the incredible

Tim Walshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18025955088626052366tim@theplaymakers.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-640404668022663567.post-4561794805012347582009-11-23T12:05:00.017-05:002009-12-01T02:45:13.535-05:002009-12-01T02:45:13.535-05:00

I've been on The John Williams Show numerous times over the past 15 years, but this one will go down as most memorable. I got to Tribune Tower early on Friday and stopped for a picture of the Showcase Studio before my segment.As you can see, the window at far left is intact as it reflects the white truck. I then headed into the studio reception area and relaxed.As I waited for the producer to

Tim Walshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18025955088626052366tim@theplaymakers.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-640404668022663567.post-57971198877731786122009-11-22T09:53:00.002-05:002009-11-22T09:57:56.924-05:002009-11-22T09:57:56.924-05:00

I'm in the Windy City for the Chicago Toy and Game Fair and will post something in a few days on all the crazy details. Until then, here's a bit of fun on WGN TV!

Tim Walshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18025955088626052366tim@theplaymakers.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-640404668022663567.post-88805466231107549952009-11-13T07:55:00.006-05:002009-11-13T08:08:39.665-05:002009-11-13T08:08:39.665-05:00

I was in our local Learning Express yesterday talking games with Mia McCormick of SNN News 6 and as we scanned the huge selection of games, we commented on our favorites. One that we both agreed on was a game called Sequence. There were others, but I'm curious to know what your favorites are.So what are your favorite games, and why?

Tim Walshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18025955088626052366tim@theplaymakers.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-640404668022663567.post-54398996603521595582009-11-06T10:13:00.004-05:002009-11-06T10:20:08.603-05:002009-11-06T10:20:08.603-05:00

Maybe I'm obsessed with Mouse Trap because we've been editing our documentary film, TOYLAND which includes an interview with Burt Meyer, co-inventor of the game, but this commercial made me want to turn the crank on that classic piece of plastic. Thanks, Dave!

Tim Walshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18025955088626052366tim@theplaymakers.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-640404668022663567.post-75659023278352471662009-11-04T12:38:00.004-05:002009-11-04T12:42:43.948-05:002009-11-04T12:42:43.948-05:00

Played some fun games on Daytime today with Dave Nemeth. Great guy! He really liked Djubi!Also check out:Jishaku: The Game of Magnetic Action from RSV Productions. Carefully place all your magnets before your opponent, but be careful! The magnetic force make the magnets AND YOU, jump! Suspenseful fun at its best. In my 20 years in the industry, I've never seen a strategy game that plays like a

Tim Walshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18025955088626052366tim@theplaymakers.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-640404668022663567.post-8079892242788367032009-11-01T08:15:00.016-05:002009-11-01T18:03:17.977-05:002009-11-01T18:03:17.977-05:00

Checking a bag on United?$20Want an exit row seat on United?$15Peace of mind in knowing that The Great Pumpkin will be handling all the important procedures should we encounter an emergency?PRICELESS

Tim Walshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18025955088626052366tim@theplaymakers.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-640404668022663567.post-6861538505866206772009-10-30T08:13:00.002-04:002009-10-30T08:19:38.825-04:002009-10-30T08:19:38.825-04:00

I'm in Minnesota, not far from the place where Tonka Trucks were first made, getting ready to head over to KARE TV for the Showcase Minnesota Show! Rob Hudson and I will be playing some fun games, including one of the biggest hits for this year.... Jishaku!Jishaku: The Game of Magnetic Action from RSV Productions. Carefully place all your magnets before your opponent, but be careful! The

Tim Walshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18025955088626052366tim@theplaymakers.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-640404668022663567.post-65611040011460209362009-10-22T09:18:00.003-04:002009-10-22T09:52:09.970-04:002009-10-22T09:52:09.970-04:00

This morning I'm in Phoenix to play some great games with Jan Atri at Arizona Midday. Why on earth would she want a freakishly tall guy on her show? It's the games I bring, silly.Here's the line up of fun we'll be playing. Last Word: The Uproarious Race to Have the Final Say from Buffalo Games. Be the first Player to advance to the Finish by creatively connecting Subjects and Letters, while

Tim Walshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18025955088626052366tim@theplaymakers.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-640404668022663567.post-16414513781984855252009-10-20T05:05:00.007-04:002009-10-20T05:28:08.589-04:002009-10-20T05:28:08.589-04:00

Can adding a bit of fun to something change people's behavior for the better? Could it change the world? I stumbled upon this Volkswagen experiment and love it. Their website says, "This site is dedicated to the thought that something as simple as fun is the easiest way to change people’s behavior for the better. Be it for yourself, for the environment, or for something entirely different, the

Tim Walshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18025955088626052366tim@theplaymakers.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-640404668022663567.post-49661608528342071972009-10-08T16:55:00.006-04:002009-10-08T17:19:29.644-04:002009-10-08T17:19:29.644-04:00

Laura Daniels challenged me to a game of Blurt, because no one in Albany can come close to beating her! Every week Ric Mitchell reads clues from the game and Laura goes one-on-one against a caller... and every week she wins. She's quick! How quick? I edited the game and all the clues in it and I just b-a-r-e-l-y defeated her.Thanks Ric & Laura! Great show. Tune in live on on the web on

Tim Walshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18025955088626052366tim@theplaymakers.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-640404668022663567.post-30612943429685706472009-10-07T09:44:00.000-04:002009-10-07T09:45:15.007-04:002009-10-07T09:45:15.007-04:00

Tim Walshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18025955088626052366tim@theplaymakers.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-640404668022663567.post-64963766408503727132009-10-03T08:20:00.017-04:002009-10-03T11:39:38.357-04:002009-10-03T11:39:38.357-04:00

Just returned from Nashville and a trip to one of the coolest toy stores I've ever seen, Phillips Toy Mart. The relationship people have with this place was evident to me before I'd even set foot inside. I was on the TV show Tennessee Mornings before my promotion at the store and the co-host, Kelly Sutton, chatted with me off the air. "I see you're going to be at Phillips Toy Mart later today,"

Tim Walshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18025955088626052366tim@theplaymakers.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-640404668022663567.post-47609885400456958192009-09-26T11:00:00.012-04:002009-09-26T12:06:38.279-04:002009-09-26T12:06:38.279-04:00

A local ice cream shop on Siesta Key makes good, homemade ice cream, but everyone talks about the bubbles. Out front of their shop, up on a pole, runs an automatic soap bubble blowing machine. I don't know if it runs constantly, but it has been blowin' bubbles every time we visit. Last night my daughter and I sat outside and ate our ice cream. We heard one person after another comment on the

Tim Walshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18025955088626052366tim@theplaymakers.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-640404668022663567.post-79954440508947123822009-09-17T07:33:00.013-04:002009-10-03T10:51:32.767-04:002009-10-03T10:51:32.767-04:00

As I write this, the bathroom off my office is no longer a bathroom. It has been reimagined by my 11-year old daughter as an establishment known as The Mermaid's Cafe. It should be noted that our house is on the market and that keeping it clean and presentable is a big, big challenge for us. When I first saw the bathroom I was not happy. I was not thinking of mermaids, I was thinking of using my

Tim Walshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18025955088626052366tim@theplaymakers.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-640404668022663567.post-21073356849499591952009-09-10T11:34:00.000-04:002009-09-10T11:34:02.393-04:002009-09-10T11:34:02.393-04:00

Imagine how hard life would be if you always had to blaze your own trail. That's why I love a good quote from someone older and wiser than I."Life is a great big canvas; throw all the paint on it you can." -- Danny Kaye Lose the smock, let 'er fly, seize the play!

Tim Walshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18025955088626052366tim@theplaymakers.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-640404668022663567.post-16108207142606247712009-09-07T15:28:00.064-04:002009-09-07T20:39:35.511-04:002009-09-07T20:39:35.511-04:00

I headed to Naperville, Illinois on Thursday for some Labor Day weekend fun. I had a whirlwind of events across four days. The weather was a gorgeous 70 degrees with a good chance of flying dogs. I got into town on Thursday and had a long, relaxing dinner with a dear friend (and creative genius), Peggy Brown. We ate good food and had good conversation. Peggy's the kind of friend I might not see

Tim Walshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18025955088626052366tim@theplaymakers.com0