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The Meditative Art of Hikaru Dorodango: How Japanese Schoolchildren Turn Mud Into Shiny Spheres

These decorative mud balls can end up so shiny and colorful you’d assume they’re some sort of jewel. But you can actually make them at home.

The 10 Most Popular Rides at Walt Disney World, Ranked by Fans and Hashtags

This $80 Galactus Popcorn Bucket Just Set a World Record

Banana Boat S‘mores Are the Ultimate Campfire Dessert

Amusement Park vs. Theme Park: What‘s the Difference?

Ever wondered if a theme park is just another name for an amusement park? Discover the real distinctions.
CaLea Johnson|

Mapped: Theme Parks With the Longest (and Shortest) Lines

Spend less time waiting in line and more time holding on for dear life.
Jessica Young|

Mental Floss’s 2026 Desk Calendars Are for Word Nerds and Fact Fans of All Kinds

Our Amazing Facts 2026 calendar features fun facts from all areas, while the Word Nerd 2026 calendar is especially for language lovers.
Ellen Gutoskey|

Toys

7 Retro Toys From the Atomic Age

From a dollhouse with a nuclear bunker to an atomic energy lab with real uranium, some of these toys from the ‘50s and ‘60s have us scratching our heads.
Kaeli Conforti|

Labubu Looters: Thieves Swipe $7000 Worth of Trendy Dolls in California

A Labubu heist joins the long list of infamous toy-related crimes throughout history.
CaLea Johnson|

When WWF Wrestling Figures Ruled the ‘80s

When it comes to ‘80s toys, wrestling figures from the WWF (now the WWE) were all the rage. Here‘s what to know about their creation and the big impact they had on pop culture.
Jake Rossen|

10 of the Most Valuable Beanie Babies That Could Be Hiding in Your Attic

Beanie Babies like the purple Princess Diana bear are sometimes listed for $900,000 on eBay. But how much money are the nostalgic toys really worth?
Michele Debczak|

15 of the Most Valuable Star Wars Action Figures

Discover some of the most valuable vintage Star Wars action figures, including a Jawa with a vinyl cape and the 1979 Kenner Boba Fett action figure, plus so much more.
Jake Rossen|

Everything You Need to Know About Labubu

Labubu dolls are more than fashion charms—they‘re rare art collectibles with a cult following.
CaLea Johnson|

Hold on to Your Straw Hat: ‘One Piece’ Is Getting the LEGO Treatment

LEGO’s “One Piece” collection features a chibi Luffy figure, the Baratie Floating Restaurant, and more.
CaLea Johnson|

The Iconic Subway Scene From ‘Spider-Man 2’ Gets the LEGO Treatment

This 393-piece set recreating Spider-Man 2’s subway scene is a perfect addition to your superhero-themed LEGO collection.
CaLea Johnson|

Games

Chuck E. Cheese Rolls Out Arcade Spin-Off Aimed at Nostalgic Millennials

Remember Chuck E. Cheese? He’s back with arcades aimed at grown-ups featuring classic games, collectibles, and throwback vibes.
CaLea Johnson|

Why Are Soccer Balls Made of Hexagons?

Dive into the history of soccer balls, including how they evolved from their earliest form, when they were made out of pig bladders, into the hexagon design we see today.
Erik van Rheenen|

A Cut Above the Rest: How To Care for Your Lawn, According to a FIFA Turf Expert

Want to make your lawn look even better this year? Get expert-backed tips from FIFA’s Alan Ferguson, plus other insights ahead of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.
Greg Zapata|

Entertainment

11 of the Most Famous People of 1985

Two Michaels, Madonna, and a murderer kept themselves in the headlines throughout '85.

Calling All Golden Retriever Owners: Your Dog Could Be the Next Air Bud

Quiz: Can You Match the Opening Line to the TV Show?

10 Forgotten Bands of Solo Stars

Amusement Parks

When San Francisco Considered Putting a Roller Coaster on the Golden Gate Bridge

One man’s dream was a city planner’s nightmare.
Jake Rossen|

Going Fishing: When Universal Studios’s ‘Jaws’ Ride Terrorized Park Guests

The original 'Jaws' ride at Universal Studios Florida closed after two months—but not before terrorizing theme park guests (and their children).
Michele Debczak|

12 Amazing Underground Destinations to Visit

Discover some of the world’s most amazing underground tourist destinations, from the Edinburgh Vaults to the Basilica Cistern in Turkey.
Miss Cellania|

LEGOLAND Reveals Christmas Tree Made of Over 364,000 LEGO Bricks

LEGOLAND has a lot to offer, including at 35-foot LEGO tree.
CaLea Johnson|

Board Games

Netflix Is Turning the Drama of ‘Monopoly’ Into a Reality Competition Show

Get ready for a high-stakes competition series combining strategy, drama, and cash prizes.
CaLea Johnson|

The Surprising Origins of the ‘Guess Who?’ Game

The game of familiar faces has surprising connections to Anne Frank and fidget toys.
Jake Rossen|

Be the Very Best at Monopoly’s New Pokémon Edition

Make your way around the board of ‘Monopoly: Pokémon’ and catch ’em all.
CaLea Johnson|

10,000 Questions: How ‘Trivial Pursuit’ Saved Board Games

The ’80s trivia game was turned down by board game giants. It wound up outselling Monopoly.
Jake Rossen|

Video Games

When Nintendo’s Game Boy Helped Video Games Grow Up

Despite its name, the Game Boy's mission was to lure adults into the world of video games.
Jake Rossen|

A Brief History of ‘The Sims’

Discover the evolution of ‘The Sims’ video game, including how it shot to popularity in the early 2000s and become one of the most successful PC game franchises of all time.
Jake Rossen|

Watch Out, Cheetozard—A “Pikacheeto” Is Up for Auction

In the latest Pokémon-shaped snack news, a “Pikacheeto” is selling for over $2500. Cheetos shaped like Super Mario and Michael Jordan are also up for auction.
CaLea Johnson|

Lego

Canadian Museum Builds LEGO Mobility Device for Its Three-Footed Resident Turtle

A clever team at Canada’s Museum of Natural History built a LEGO mobility aid to help a turtle named Root move around with ease.

This Working LEGO Xylophone Sounds Better Than You’d Expect

Squid Game’s Colorful Staircase Is Now a 1735-Piece Toy Set

Pikachu and More Pokémon Are Finally Getting the LEGO Treatment in 2026

lightning bolts in purple

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