Taking the kids to a theme park is supposed to be an indulgent day of fun flights of fancy, where make believe lets the little ones (and the young at heart) escape for a few hours. But at Legoland something is perhaps afoul in Fun Town and elsewhere in the theme park based on everyone's favorite interlocking plastic bricks. more ›

Last weekend, DesignerCon 2011 took over the Pasadena Convention Center for the 6th annual art and design convention that brings together collectible toys, designer apparel, and urban and pop art. People were eager to get an early start on toy exclusives, get art signed by some of their favorite designers or like us—there to take in some great eye candy. more ›

Mattel is the world's biggest toy-making company, and their Barbie doll one of the world's most iconic. In June, Greenpeace climbed up the side of Mattel's El Segundo headquarters, and unfurled a banner declaring that Barbie's longtime love Ken was dumping his main squeeze because of Mattel's eco-unfriendly packaging practices. It turns out, Mattel listened. more ›

Cutest baby, favorite chef, best cover band, leader of the biggest nation in the free world: Forget all those opportunities to rock the vote, and have your say in the AIA Barbie® Dream House™ Design Competition. The AIA and its panel of jurors have selected five finalists out of the nearly 30 submissions, and the ultimate choice is up to you. more ›

Starting this week, when you purchase a kids combo meal at Jack in the Box, junior will reach inside the bag and feel a chintzy plastic bag full of Chiquita Apple Bites. And you can already hear the thud of the apple hitting Jack's round white face. more ›

Barbie's longtime love Ken has delivered her a big-time dumping in the form of banner just-unfurled on the side of the Mattel building in El Segundo. The issue: Ken doesn't date chicks who are into deforestation. more ›

Okay, so we're in the midst of the foggy grayscale grip of some serious June Gloom, but beneath those misty, low-hanging patches our landscape still has some of the most kick-ass coolness to offer Angelenos. So get outdoors, dammit! Take a hike, take a walk, take a run. Explore a park, some mountains, or a body of water. Just dress for the occasion, wear the right shoes, and be safe. Enjoy our amazing outdoors on National Get Outdoors Day. It's your duty! more ›

If the warm fuzzy feeling of buying a child in need a toy is not enough, some local bars are giving you more reasons to buy toys and donate canned goods this holiday season. more ›

Los Angeles has no shortage of amazing places to shop for toys. Whether you are shopping for a little one or a very big kid at heart, here are 5 suggestion for buying playful gifts this holiday season. more ›

Two people were shot and killed late this morning at a Toys R' Us in Palm Desert, just outside of Palm Springs. Witnesses say they heard an argument between two women--assumed to be over a Black Friday sale--before someone yelled "he's got a gun!" Then three or four shots were fired causing chaos in the store as people tried to evacuate. KNX1070 says the victims might be two women. more ›

Small independent toys stores bring charm to a neighborhood. The ones that stand the test of time become family traditions. The Dinosaur Farm in South Pasadena offers a unique inventory of every dinosaur toy one can imagine and many other favorites too. If the kid in your life loves toys and dinosaurs, this is the place. more ›

Matt Bilferd brings his very meticulous artwork to Ghettogloss in Silverlake. The show entitled, "8teen,000" is literally comprised of 18,000 wooden pegs painted and placed in the wall to re-create 50's iconic cartoon images. The artist urges you to experience his work from all different angles, but no matter which way you look at it, it's pretty freaking awesome. more ›

Unless you've got a 6-11 year-old girl in your life, you've probably managed to avoid the notorious American Girl Place at the Grove (and you consider yourself lucky, indeed). Oh, you've heard tell of their ostentatious parties for little darlings and their little darling dollies (that's around $90 a pop to sip tiny cups of tea and get matching hairdos for each girl and her girl doll) but you've steered clear, right?* more ›

Those cute and innocent helium-metallic balloons we give to kids may soon be outlawed by California legislators. Yes, that's right, the great State of California is outlawing fun. Apparently, if you want the f-word, go to Wisconsin or something. more ›

“Toys,” an exhibit of artwork inspired by classic toy brands, opened at Gallery 1988 on Melrose earlier this week. The collection pays tribute to the 40th anniversary of Hot Wheels cars – and LAist was there for the opening. We loved the artists’ representations of playthings we haven't thought about in more than 20 years. Think: a VW van made into a roller skate, Speed Racer on acrylic and even Gumby (who looks like he's tripping on acid). more ›

via BoingBoing TV. Check out RoBo's website for more wacky gadgetry. more ›

A friend of mine told me yesterday that she was feeling left out of all the Christmas merriment--she converted to Judaism prior to her marriage to a member of the tribe--so she sent her husband to the mall to buy her a gift. While my friend is a bit of a nutjob, I can imagine that for those who don't celebrate Christmas today, especially in this age of consumerism, there's a risk of feeling a bit left out. So here's Sarah Silverman's musical plea: "Give the Jew Girl Toys." more ›

Stuffed, A Plush Food Show, features over 30 artists creating culinary feasts made of felts and fabrics. more ›

You know you're in the Valley when real estate options are that old porn studio over there or the former sex toy manufacturing plant over there. Well, the LAPD went for the latter in a $37 million project to build a new station in Canoga Park on Schoenborn Street between Owensmouth and Canoga. The station is tentatively called Northwest Area Division. The reason for this new station in the West Valley is getting officers... more ›