Get Speks Magnetic Blocks on sale for 40% off with this code

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As adults, it’s automatically expected that we have the capacity to sit still and stay calm, cool, and collected at all times. But if our addiction to social media is any indication, idle moments must be filled with some sort of distraction.

We’re not asking for much, just something to focus all that excess energy that doesn’t include a screen.

This was the entire point of fidget spinners — and though those aren’t cool anymore, new stress toys have emerged to fill the void and our hands. Speks is leading the way with the coolest geometric toys around, showing up on our list of the best new stress toys this year. Through April 12, you can get the Magnetic Blocks for 40% off with free shipping using code SQUAREUPRead more…

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A new crop of stress toys is here to take over where fidget spinners left off

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March Mindfulness is our new series that examines the explosive growth in mindfulness and meditation technology — culminating in Mashable’s groundbreaking competitive meditation bracket contest. Because March shouldn’t be all madness.


Reaching for your phone as a distraction from uncomfortable situations has become a reflex at this point. It’s a handy tactic to avoid eye contact in public, but bolting to social media or even self-care apps when you’re stressed or anxious could subconsciously be making you feel worse.

It’s time we find something to focus our energy that’s more productive than listening for Twitter’s refresh “pop” sound every five minutes. Read more…

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Google built a digital Etch-A-Sketch that’s just as hard to use as the real thing

Want to relive a frustrating yet addictive childhood experience? Now you can!
A Google Chrome Labs developer has built a web version of the classic Etch-A-Sketch. It’s called Web-A-Skeb, which is a name that rocks. And I am happy to report that attem…

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Amazon adds toys to its growing list of private labels

Batteries. Clothing. Household goods. Supplements. Diapers. Furniture. Toys? Yes, toys. It seems Amazon’s private label business is preparing to enter the toy market next. The retailer’s initial toy listings include an indoor play set for toddlers, along with other toys for climbing and playing on, as well as a toy storage system. The listings were […]

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Google’s search data shows YouTube’s influence over this season’s hottest toys

If there was any doubt about YouTube’s power to influence children, look no further than this year’s list of the hottest holiday toys, based on Google shopping search data. According to the search giant, at least four of the top 10 most searched toys were among those heavily featured in YouTube unboxing videos — subsequently […]

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Save an additional 20% off these exclusive Black Friday deals in the Mashable Shop

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Black Friday is finally here, and there’s no shortage of deals to choose from in our shop. 

From Star Wars drones to robot vacuums, here are 20 amazing Black Friday deals you won’t find anywhere else, and you can get them for even less than their sale price. Just use the code BFSAVE20 to save an additional 20% at checkout.

1. Star Wars Propel Drone: Collector’s Edition

Fight for the Rebel Alliance or the Galactic Empire with these awesome drones, available in X-Wing, TIE Fighter, or Speeder Bike versions. Normally they cost $149.95 each, but you can take 66% off and get one for just $49.99. Use the code BFSAVE20 to save an additional 20%. Read more…

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The e-waste nightmare lurking in your kid’s toy box

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Welcome to Small Humans, an ongoing series at Mashable that looks at how to take care of – and deal with – the kids in your life. Because Dr. Spock is nice and all, but it’s 2018 and we have the entire internet to contend with.


Buzzing remote control cars, singing puzzles, peeing dolls, and animated T-rexes don’t just set off major headaches for parents dodging toys in the playroom. They pose a real hazard to the future our kids are inheriting. 

When a toy police car’s lights still flash but its siren no longer sings, it is often impossible to repair and nearly impossible to recycle the cheap embedded electronics. Very few toys are made with screws to enable anything other than a replacement battery. So, if the Mickey doll can no longer do the Hot Diggity dance, you might feel inclined to chuck the thing.  Read more…

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Save $20 when you spend $100 on select toys on Amazon (and it’s not even Black Friday!)

It was a sad day in the world when Toys ‘R’ Us officially closed it’s doors in the U.S. For all we know it could come back in one form or another someday, but it probably won’t be the same and neither will Geoffrey. (Poor Geoffrey.)
But if you’re loo…

View More Save $20 when you spend $100 on select toys on Amazon (and it’s not even Black Friday!)

Walmart’s Black Friday ad for 2018 is finally here: A lot of toys, plus gaming gear, Instant Pots, and iPads

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Nov. 1st is unofficially the start of gifting madness, and the biggest players in the online shopping game did not hesitate to throw their massive Black Friday ads our way. Thanks to our sidekicks at BlackFriday.com, we were able to hop on 2018 ad scans from Target, Kohl’s, and Macy’s right when they were released. Walmart stayed behind to lurk in the shadows and keep us waiting — and then naturally, dropped the ad scan at midnight.

Walmart has been referring to themselves (and rightfully so) as America’s Best Toy Shop this year, so we assumed that the 2018 Black Friday ad would be full of mostly toys with not much else — we were wrong. This thing is full of deals on tech toys for adults too and we are psyched. Read more…

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View More Walmart’s Black Friday ad for 2018 is finally here: A lot of toys, plus gaming gear, Instant Pots, and iPads