November 12, 2026
In short
Pokemon is back in McDonald's Happy Meals with 15 toys and 15 trading cards, a tiny record player made the UK's official DreamToys list, and MGA wants collectors watching 30-second movie clips on a palm-size TV. Plus a new Toys"R"Us store in Florida and a PAW Patrol spinoff for Skye. Here are five toy stories worth knowing on Nov. 11, 2026.
1. Pokemon Happy Meals Return to U.S. McDonald's With 15 Toys and 15 Cards
The Pokemon Company said on Nov. 10 that Pokemon Happy Meals are back at participating U.S. McDonald's restaurants through Dec. 14, 2026, while supplies last. Each meal comes in one of three boxes themed to Pikachu, Umbreon or Torchic. Inside is one of 15 toys shaped like a miniature Happy Meal box, plus two Pokemon Trading Card Game cards from a 15-card set that includes seven foil cards. McDonald's toy list for the promotion (posted on its Australia site, and matching USA Today's U.S. list) names Pikachu, Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle, Eevee, Umbreon, Torchic, Piplup, Rowlet, Sprigatito, Sobble, Munchlax, Minccino, Espurr and Weedle. USA Today, citing McDonald's news release, reports a QR code on the box opens a digital game where kids hunt for all 15 toys.
For toy retailers, the timing matters. The promotion lands in the same weeks shoppers are looking for Pokemon cards and plush for stockings, and Pokemon says the meals reach Australia, Canada, Fiji, France, New Zealand and Spain this month, with dozens more countries in December. McDonald's notes it has special toys for children under 3.
Pros: A low-cost way for kids to start a Pokemon collection; 15 toys and 15 cards give families something to trade; it runs for about five weeks.
Cons: You can't pick your toy or cards; supplies vary by restaurant; collectors chasing all seven foils will need a lot of meals.
Source: Pokemon.com
2. A £19.99 Mini Record Player Makes the UK's DreamToys 2026 List
The Toy Retailers Association released its DreamToys 2026 list this week: 15 toys a panel of independent toy retailers and experts expects to be most in demand in the UK this Christmas. The list is alphabetical, not ranked. It includes ZURU's Mini Brands Really Works Vinyl Playset (£19.99), a rechargeable miniature turntable that spins and plays music and comes with an exclusive mini vinyl of "APT." by Rosé and Bruno Mars, with 45 mini records to collect in blind capsules. Also on the list: Hasbro's Beyblade Sneak Attack Battle Set, Mattel's KPop Demon Hunters HUNTR/X Singing Dolls and Hot Wheels City Ultimate T-Rex Garage, the LEGO Creator 3 in 1 Iconic Pirate Ship, Spin Master's PAW Patrol Megasaurus Dino Vehicle, NeeDoh Swirl Niceberg and the Pokemon TCG 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box. In the U.S., the Mini Brands Really Works Vinyl Playset was $19.97 and in stock on Amazon on Nov. 11.
Circana said UK toy sales grew 13% to £2.64 billion in the first nine months of 2026, the fastest growth in more than 10 years, with 257 million toys sold, 38 million more than a year earlier. Explorative toys (+45%) and building sets (+32%) led the growth.
Pros: A working toy record player for under $20; collectible records give kids a reason to keep coming back; a credible holiday signal from UK toy retailers.
Cons: The Guardian reports each disc triggers a 30-second clip stored in the player, so it is not a real turntable; extra vinyls come in blind packs; small parts make it unsuitable for children under 3.
Source: Toy Retailers Association: DreamToys 2026
3. MGA's Miniverse Real TV Plays 30-Second Clips From Shrek and Back to the Future
MGA Entertainment announced MGA's Miniverse Real TV on Nov. 10: a working mini TV that plays collectible mini videotapes, each holding a 30-second clip. The more than 30 tapes are based on NBCUniversal properties including Back to the Future, Shrek, Kung Fu Panda, The Office and Saved by the Bell. The Real TV Player comes with one exclusive tape, a mini TV stand and a mini video display case, and was $24.99 on MGA Shop on Nov. 11. The Real TV Videos are sold separately in mystery capsules of three tapes plus a mini keychain for $11.99. MGA says both are available now on MGA Shop, with more retailers coming later this month.
It sits alongside MGA's Real Music mini record player in the Miniverse line, which aims at kidults as much as kids. MGA lists the tapes for ages 8 and up.
Video: MGA's Miniverse Real TV : Actually Works | Does It Fit Barbie? by MyFroggyStuff. TDmonthly did not make this video and has no connection to the channel.
Pros: Real playback makes it more than a shelf collectible; nostalgic movie and TV clips appeal to parents and teens; it's doll-scale for play scenes.
Cons: Clips are only 30 seconds; tapes come in mystery packs, so finishing the set costs extra; wider retail availability starts later in November.
Source: MGA Entertainment via PR Newswire
4. Toys"R"Us Opens a Year-Round Store at Oviedo Mall in Florida
Pictured: a Toys"R"Us store in San Marcos, Texas (Toys"R"Us photo).
Toys"R"Us has opened a new store at Oviedo Mall near Orlando, FOX 35 reported on Nov. 11, citing mall officials. The 5,200-square-foot store is in the mall's west wing and will stay open year-round, not just for the holidays. Oviedo Mall says the store carries LEGO, Barbie, Hot Wheels, NERF, PAW Patrol and other brands.
The opening is part of a national expansion. Toys"R"Us, owned by WHP Global, said in September it would open 120 standalone stores this holiday season with Go! Retail Group, for 160 standalone U.S. stores, on top of its Toys"R"Us shops inside Macy's. Some locations will add Creator Studios for creators and toy brands to film content and host product reveals, and some will have candy shops and cafes.
Pros: Another place to see toys in person before Christmas; the store stays open after the holidays; more shelf space for toy manufacturers.
Cons: At 5,200 square feet it is a small-format store; selection will be a curated mix, not the full catalog; it's one store, so most readers will need to check the store locator.
Source: FOX 35 Orlando, citing Oviedo Mall; Toys"R"Us via PR Newswire
5. PAW Patrol's Skye Gets Her Own Nickelodeon Series in March 2027
Spin Master and Nickelodeon announced Skye's Pup Squad on Nov. 10, a new 2D animated PAW Patrol spinoff starring Skye, the fearless cockapoo. Skye and her best friends Everest and Liberty go on a road trip through Rescue Ridge, rescuing animals in trouble, with real animal facts and campfire sing-alongs. Season one debuts on Nickelodeon in March 2027. "She's been a hero from day one, and it's about time she got her own moment," said Vishnu Athreya, EVP and President of Spin Master Entertainment.
Spin Master says PAW Patrol has aired more than 600 11-minute episodes since 2013, is available in more than 180 territories and 33 languages, and has more than 10 million YouTube subscribers. Nickelodeon pointed to the success of the earlier spinoff Rubble & Crew. Toy plans for the new show were not announced. For now, PAW Patrol toys that include Skye, such as the Pup Squad Racers 6-pack ($26.99 on Amazon on Nov. 11), are the gift tie-in. Spin Master's Megasaurus Dino Vehicle, also on the UK DreamToys list, was $49.99.
Pros: A lead role for one of PAW Patrol's most popular pups; the animal-rescue stories include real animal facts; retailers get a 2027 hook for the brand.
Cons: The show is months away; no Skye's Pup Squad toys have been announced yet; families waiting for new toys will have to wait.
Source: Spin Master
Missed earlier news? Read Ms. Rachel Yoto Card, Mario Kart World Race Sets: Toy News 11/5 and Care Bears FAO Workshop and the Netflix KPop hub.
For the full weekly market brief: The ToyDirectory Intelligence Report
Sources:
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