It has also started a 'toilet roll challenge', offering prizes for the best toilet roll creations.
Toys”R”Us has launched a new online initiative called ’10 Days of Play’ that encourages families and carers now at home to provide their best tips, tricks, games and activities to keep their children entertained during the widening COVID-19 restrictions.
The initiative launched this week on the Toys”R”Us website, YouTube and social channels with a video featuring Toys”R”Us’ very own marketing manager Tristan McLindon and his three children, as he hilariously and often chaotically tries to engage them in play.
The day’s activities featured Bluey with games such as ‘Cheese and Crackers’, ‘Bingo’s Bingo’ and make your own, colouring-in Bluey’s masks.
The video has been viewed by more than 130,000 people so far.
McLindon will feature a different activity each weekday for ten days offering those who submit their ideas the chance to win prizes and sharing their ideas with the community.
“The 10 Day challenge is all about making the most of this very challenging and unexpected time we all find ourselves in," McLindon says.
"A lot of parents are working from home now and have children at home and it’s going to be a tough few weeks ahead, but we want to try and make life as easy as possible. We want lots of game ideas and activity ideas to share with as many people as we can to keep homes happy!”
Toys”R”Us has also launched a ‘toilet roll challenge’ with the hashtag #trutoiletrollchallenge that asks people to send in photos or videos of their best toilet roll creations for the chance to win a LEGO or Bluey toy pack.
“The ‘toilet roll challenge’ has revealed the amazing creativity and imagination of Australia’s children – with everything from Bluey and Bingo play figures to marble runs," McLindon says.
"We will be announcing our winner on 2nd April so stay tuned.”
These initiatives follow last week’s announcement that Toys”R”Us is offering grandparents free shipping on their toy purchases in the wake of COVID-19 social distancing measures, which will see grandparents unable to visit their grandchildren for special events, such as birthdays and Easter.
Under the initiative, grandparents simply select the ‘free shipping’ button during check-out when they buy online.
A minimum order of $50 will apply.
In Australia, more than one third of toy purchasers are grandparents, followed by mums.
“Thousands of grandparents have already made use of the initiative and have embraced the opportunity to post birthday gifts and fun activity packs free of delivery costs to their grandchildren nationwide," Toys”R”Us CEO Louis Mittoni says.
"The commencement of school holidays in some states has further increased demand for the free shipping option for grandparents.
“What has been extremely heart-warming is that the vast majority of mainstream shoppers are opting for the regular delivery options, a demonstration of what we stand for as a nation. We are proud to be Australian as we take care of each other and continue to support our seniors who are particularly at risk under the current circumstances.”
Mittoni says play is particularly important for children and families during difficult periods such as Australia is experiencing together now.
“Play assists us to support our wellbeing and psychological health. Roll play and toys help children naturally develop their imagination and general mental health, while allowing them to remain occupied rather than ruminating on the news and panic that they may occasionally witness surrounding them," he says.
“Play and indoor activities are also very constructive for adults and families. During periods such as this, playing games, constructing a LEGO set together or tackling a great jigsaw challenge together is a wonderful way to reconnect as couples and as families.”
