Hello, Boys! I'm Baaacccck!

...so said a semi-intoxicated gentleman, shortly before he flew an aeroplane into a big alien gun. But I'm not here to talk about that.

No, I'm here to let everyone know that I am, once again, a Toys R Us Toyologist. I have the shiny badge to prove it. Look -

Cool, eh?

I'd post my (successful) application review, but since it's the post immediately prior to this one (I've been away!) doing that seems slightly pointless.

I'm in Green Group, which means I'll be receiving toys 'suitable' for 4-6 year olds. In the short term, this means I spend a lot of time studying boxes in shops to see what sort of thing is recommended for 4-6 year olds. In the mid-term, this means I'll be getting a big box with toys suitable for 4-6 year olds very soon. And in the slightly-longer-term, this means that soon there will be slightly unique (would you expect anything else from me?) toy reviews for these 4-6 year old toys appearing on the web.

In 3 different places, no less.

There's an official Toys R Us blog, located here.

All reviews will also be on the main Toys R Us site.
And I will, of course, stick everything here on my blog too.

That's it for now. I guess I'd better get on with writing my profile for the TRU blog...

Toys R Us Toyology 2012

As I mentioned a couple of days ago, Toys R Us are once again recruiting toyologists. The application brief is to review a 'must have toy or product for your child's age'. Despite setbacks such as smashed cameras and children being away at their grandparents, my application is finally complete. Officially it's for the 4-6 age group, but unofficially I think you'll agree it's a 'must have' for everyone, young and old.

News: Toyology 2012

As you are more than likely aware, last year I was a Toyologist. This meant that Toys R Us sent me a lot of toys and in return I wrote(/created) a lot of reviews. Some of the formats I used were a little...unusual. Crossword? Yep, did that. Choose Your Own Review? Yeah, did that too. And a comic and a bunch of videos and various other things. I like to experiment.

They're all listed here, if you happen to have missed them.

The programme is running again this year, albeit with a few modifications. This time around it'll be running for 3 months and to ensure people receive toys appropriate for their children there will be 3 age categories.

Interested in taking part?

Applying is simple. Just review a toy & fill out a form.

To save reinventing the wheel (aka 'typing out a load of stuff someone else has already done') I'll direct you to the Toys R Us Facebook page, specifically this bit which tells you all about it.

The application deadline is Thursday 23rd August.

News: £500 trolley dash at Toys R Us

Competition closes at 5pm today

Anyone wanting to take part, time is running out fast! Film you/your kids/the cat singing/dancing/acting along to the Toys R Us theme for 2011, upload to YouTube and fill out the form here.

News: 3 for 2 at TRU

They say an image is worth a 1000 words, and I think that's more than enough to describe this piece of news.

News: £500 trolley dash at TRU to be won!

My name is Damian and I like the new Toys R Us advert. Yes, I think I like it even more than the old one. I will admit that the repetition of 'kid, kid, kid, kid' at the beginning is a bit annoying, but otherwise I think it's great.

To celebrate its arrival, Toys R Us are holding a competition to win a £500 trolley dash. To enter all you have to do is post a video of the children and/or you singing and/or dancing to the new song on their Facebook page. 'But my filming skills are non-existent!' you cry. Well, that doesn't matter. The idea is to have a bit of fun, not win an Oscar for Best Director. The winner will be chosen at random from all the entries.

What's even better is that so far there has only been a single entrant. This means if you entered now you'd have a 50-50 chance of winning!

Hang on, if you do enter then you'll be making my upcoming entry slightly less likely to win.

Hmm...

Yeah, don't enter. Don't go here and read all the details. Don't download the mp3. Don't get your mobile and film your kids for 30 seconds singing & dancing (or sitting staring at the camera, like my 2yo). Don't post it on Facebook. Don't make my entry less likely to win!

News: 20% off at TRU

Until Thursday, there's 20% off a number of brands at Toys R Us if you use this voucher.

News: Shock! Horror! TRU changes their ads!

There's currently uproar on the TRU Facebook page. Why? Because Toys R Us have dared to change their Christmas advert from the usual 'magical place, we're on our way there...' to something new!

Lots of people are complaining that it's not as good as the old one (fair enough). Lots of people are complaining that their 8 month old children are upset about it (what the?!).

It's all great publicity for TRU. Lots of people are talking about it and, if/when the 'classic' advert returns, it's another great burst of publicity for them.