-‘Crewmates’ Combine the Adventure of Action Figures With Emotional Connection Of A Child’s Favorite Stuffed Animal-
Northampton, MA (October 2015) – Wonder Crew, a new line of Crewmates that combine the adventure of an action figure with the emotional connection of a child’s favorite stuffed animal, is poised to shatter traditional gender stereotypes in the toy aisle and beyond just in time for the holiday rush. Founded by mom/psychotherapist Laurel Wider, Wonder Crew gives boys the opportunity to build emotional intelligence and creativity, addressing the developmental needs of the whole boy. While inspired by boys, Wonder Crew is committed to empowering all children to see themselves as connected, creative, strong people with the ability to Go Anywhere. Be Anything.
“As a psychotherapist, I’ve worked with many individuals who felt stifled by hyper-masculine stereotypes; I was shocked when my own son came home from preschool one day with the message that boys aren’t supposed to cry,” says Wider. “Frustrated by the lack of toys on the market for boys that encourage empathy, connection or nurturing type play, I decided to develop Wonder Crew to fill this gap in a fun and engaging way.”
Studies show that strong relationships and the ability to connect are key to happiness, health and even career success. Yet boys grow up with cultural messages that tell them feelings and relationships make them weak. Wonder Crew brings emotional connection into boys’ play because it’s time to address the developmental needs of the whole child and move beyond stereotypes – and parents agree.
This past April, Wonder Crew completed a successful Kickstarter campaign, with backers from 35 states and five continents. This initiative launched the line into production with its first Crewmate, “Will” Superhero Adventure, now available for purchase. Will comes complete with a superhero cape, mask and a matching piece of adventure gear for the child to wear. Standing at 15 inches tall, Will brings adventure through friendship and sparks imaginative play. This adventurous crewmate features a smooth vinyl head and limbs and a soft, yet durable thermal body and retails for $49.99.
Wonder Crew’s initial wave of success is indicative of a new wave of toys coming into the marketplace, ones that eschew limits and stereotypes about what boys and girls are supposed to be like or to become.
“Wonder Crew’s more inclusive message plants seeds for imagination and emotional intelligence. By inviting children to experience play as the open-ended activity it’s meant to be, the values of self-confidence, creativity, kindness, nurturing and flexibility flourish,” Wider concludes.
Wonder Crew is available online at www.wondercrew.com for $49.99. For more information, please visit our website or log onto our social channels at:
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/WonderCrewToys
Twitter: @WonderCrewToys
About Wonder Crew
Wonder Crew was founded by Laurel Wider, a psychotherapist and mom, who was shocked when her son came home from preschool one day and announced that “boys aren’t supposed to cry.” Inspired to break the gender barrier in the toy aisle and beyond, she developed Wonder Crew, a new toy line that builds emotional intelligence, imagination, confidence, and is 100% fun! Crewmates are for the kind, cool and creative child – that’s what it takes to live our motto: “Go anywhere. Be anything”.
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