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Hasbro Re-Releasing Classic “The Real Ghostbusters” Toys

By Mark Chalifoux
Ghostbusters Toys rereleased
(Kenner)

The only thing better than the shows and movies we grew up with is the toys we grew up with. That sliver of the Venn diagram is the truly sweet spot when it comes to collectibles and the purest hit of nostalgia. If you were a kid in the 80s and 90s, Hasbro is here for you. Their latest re-release is a series of classics from “The Real Ghostbusters.”

You can’t see these toys without vivid memories of the old series and epic play sessions. Among these classics originally released by Kenner (the greatest of all toy companies) is the Ecto-1. It’s pricey ($49.99) but it’s also meant just as much for dads as it is for kids. I mean, sure, you may buy it for them, but when you’re playing it together, we all know who it’s really for.

The company also re-released a few of the classic ghosts, so your crew has a reason to fire up that Ecto-1. Bug-Eye and Fearsome Flush are two toys that ooze 1980s, even down to the packaging. There will be definitely be something weird in your neighborhood once you pick these up.

The trio of re-released “Real Ghostbusters” toys are available from Walmart. You can grab them in June, or pre-order them now just to make sure to lock down that trip down memory lane.

We Are Getting Yet Another Transformers Movie

By Mark Chalifoux
New Transformers Movie
(Paramount)

If we’re talking about toy-inspired movies, no franchise has had quite the longevity, justified or not, as Transformers. And Paramount is feeding the beast once more, as they head back to the well for a new Transformers movie. But this one will get a Marvel twist.

If you’re a little lost in the Transformers saga, that’s on you. There’s not *that* much to really get track of, outside of car-robots fighting each other while a human reacts and, like, tries to make friends with them.

We had the Michael Bay movies, for what they were worth (they could be fun if you didn’t think about them a lot), although the series started to lose some steam at the end. We got a Bumblebee movie, with a sequel supposedly coming in the next few years (which will serve as Transformers 7, for those of you concerned with canon).

We also have a pair of animated Transformer animated series moving forward, for those of you who prefer less CGI-human interaction. We’re even getting a Beast Wars movie (reportedly). And now, there’s another new Transformers movie coming down the pipeline.

Marco Ramirez, who created “The Defenders” for Netflix and wrote for “Daredevil” is writing a brand new, standalone Transformers movie. “Charm City Kings” director Angel Manuel Soto is directing. The Hollywood Reporter just broke the news this month.

The new project isn’t part of the normal chain, so you don’t need to know everything about the Autobots and Decepticons and Megan Fox to jump into this one. While little is known about the timeline or plot for the movie, there is a lot of potential for something cool since it isn’t necessarily locked into everything else that’s happened so far in the “Transformers”-verse.

And with a touch of Marvel magic, maybe this could be a project that puts a brand new spin on a franchise that was starting to wear down.

Outside-of-the-Box Lego Builds To Do on Your Own (or With the Kids)

By The Dad
Lego Ideas to Build
Omar Albeik/Unsplash

We love LEGOs. The bright colors. The satisfying “snap” when they fit together. The limitless possibilities — or, well, sort of, right? If you buy the official LEGO sets, you’re literally and figuratively boxed in where creativity is concerned. Don’t get us wrong; they’re frickin’ awesome. We may or may not have an entire shelf in the basement with boxes of LEGO’s Harry Potter Knight Bus, VW bus, and Sesame Street set. Some day, we might even get the chance to do them (if our kids stop hogging the LEGO table). But what about when you need to do more than just follow someone else’s rules? What if you want to make your own LEGO model? Blow off a little LEGO steam? You need some LEGO build ideas, friend.

When you think “outside of the box,” you create what’s known in the LEGO enthusiast world as a MOC, or “my own creation.” And if you’re here, MOC glory must be in your near future. So, we found some inspiration sure to bring out the badass rebel LEGO builder in you.

1. Dr. Strange’s Place

Holy crap, guys. The details on this build are insane. If Marvel isn’t your scene, that’s cool. The idea here isn’t necessarily to build this exact model but to look for inspiration in the places you see on television. Can you construct a model of the I Love Lucy set? Bonus points if you do it all in grayscale!

2. Serenno

 

Channel your inner Jedi to build these or any other of the detail-rich scenes from Star Wars that haven’t already been turned into sets.

3. The Dad Getaway Spot of Your Dreams

Remember that Airbnb in the woods you loved so much that you told your partner you want to get buried there? Or the plans you used to draw up for that dream beach house where you could teach your kids to surf? Build it with LEGOs. Add to it and change it as your needs or ideas change. Your 3D model will remind you of the real deal (and why you hustle so hard).

4. LEGO Self-Portrait

What kid wouldn’t get a kick out of building their own head out of blocks? The fact that this MOC build includes colored “brains” takes it to the next level. If you want to get a good laugh out of this one, ask your kids to build your head.

5. Seasonal Dome

You may not win every decorating battle in your household, but you might just win this one. Adding a glass dome to your LEGO creation elevates it into, well, art. If your partner tries to nix it, pull on the ol’ “but the kids have so much fun doing these every season” heartstrings.

6. A Catapult

Kids love catapults. Dads love catapults. What’s not to love about this DIY version? Well, except for maybe stepping on the LEGOs you forgot you flung across the room.

7. A Wall Patch

So, someone knocked a hole in the wall or the movers took out a whole corner of drywall? In both instances, it’s easy to repair with the proper materials. But, honestly, where’s the joy in that? Why not fill the spot with LEGOs for added color? Do it.

8. A Cake

When a basic cake simply won’t do — whether it’s your best dude’s wedding or your four-year-old’s birthday — create your own personalized LEGO masterpiece. You could even cut away part of a real cake and replace it with blocks so you can have your LEGO cake and eat it too. But, like, don’t actually eat the LEGOs.

9. House Numbers

These numbers are celebrating a follower threshold, but we like the inspiration. What about building a small plaque and using LEGO bricks to piece out your house numbers? It’s a unique way to let visitors know exactly what kind of fun people live inside (fun people, obviously).

10. A Glimpse At Real Life

Can you make a model of your home? Or maybe capture a favorite family moment using LEGOs? Whether you take on ballet practice, cooking in the kitchen, or that full-family wrestling match you had last week, recreating the moment with LEGOs is a rad keepsake — especially if you have your kids help you build.

11. Oven Hood

This takes time. And a ladder. And a laidback partner. We’re by no means suggesting you try to build a range hood with just LEGOs. That’s probably not very safe. But we love how Chef Christina Tosi has wrapped part of hers. You could hunt out free LEGOs of any color and wrap your hood all the way to the ceiling. Or you could give it a belt, like Tosi’s. Is your partner being a bit picky about adding in all those colors? Hit that killer brick wall at the LEGO store and opt for colors that are already in your kitchen. It’s still a little zany but keeps the look more cohesive.

12. Something Personalized

Try to resist the urge to stack your bricks and spell out a four-letter word. We’ve done it already. It just gets a ton of eye rolls. Instead, what about spelling out your kids’ names? Then you can put it up on a shelf in their room or on one of the many, many shelves around the house that your partner insists you need.

Kids (and Parents!) Will Want This Hot Wheels Mario Kart Rainbow Road Set

By Nigel Jones
Hot Wheels Mario Kart
(Hot Wheels/Nintendo)

Mario Kart and Rainbow Road are like peanut butter & jelly.  You really can’t have one without the other.  Throw Hot Wheels into the mix and well, you’ve got a match made in racing heaven.

Shortly after MAR10 Day, this brand-new Hot Wheels Mario Kart Rainbow Road Raceway snuck online without any major announcement.  Well, there wasn’t a major announcement because it wasn’t supposed to leak online in the first place.  The set won’t actually be available to purchase until later this Summer.

Speaking with IGN, a Mattel representative had this to say:

“Hot Wheels new Mario Kart Rainbow Road track set was mistakenly posted for pre-sale on Amazon over the weekend. While we love to see fans’ excitement about the new product, it was listed in error. Customers who purchased it via pre-sale can receive a full refund by requesting one on Amazon. The Hot Wheels Mario Kart Rainbow Road track set will be available for purchase this summer, so fans can keep an eye out for more details in the coming months.”

Hot Wheels Mario Kart
(Hot Wheels/Nintendo)
Hot Wheels Mario Kart
(Hot Wheels/Nintendo)

The set was listed on Amazon and was originally supposed to release on May 29th, 2021 for $119.99 USD.  While we’re waiting for the official release, we do know that the set will include “Mario and King Boo karts,” as well as a customizable track that can run in either a straight line or with twists and turns.  If you already own some of the Hot Wheels Mario Kart racers, they’ll fit right in on this new track

If you are interested in grabbing one, you’ll have to be extra vigilant.  The fact that it sold out with very little notice means this thing is going to fly off shelves when that official announcement hits.

Toys R Us Is Making a Triumphant Return in 2021

By Mike Julianelle
Toys R Us is Reopening
(Getty/Justin Sullivan)

Of all the horrible things that have happened over the past few years, the dissolution of the Toys R Us brand probably isn’t super high on the scale. But it was a shame nonetheless, especially for kids of the 90s.

Who among us didn’t grow up wanting to be a Toys R Us kid, and suddenly our own children were deprived of the chance to cavort with Geoffrey the giraffe and his friends inside a store teeming with every possible toy you could imagine? Thanks 2020!

(The brand’s 700 U.S. stores actually closed in 2018 amid chapter 11 bankruptcy but still: THANKS 2020!)

Well, it’s now 2021, and things may be looking up!

WHP Global has purchased Toys R Us and according to a press release they put out on Monday, they plan to resurrect the brand and re-open stores in North America.

“We’re in the brand business, and Toys R Us is the single most credible, trusted and beloved toy brand in the world,” WHP chairman and CEO Yehuda Shmidman said, according to IGN. “We’re coming off a year where toys are just on fire… and for Toys R Us, the U.S. is really a blank canvas.”

Toys weren’t literally on fire, of course; he must be referring to the fact that with kids stuck inside for much of the year, avoiding the pandemic, the need for toys with which to pass the time was greater than ever.

The stores may not all be what you’re used to – some may be pop-ups, etc. – but they plan to open them before the holidays this year. So your kids may still get to be Toys R Us kids after all.

Have fun with those Christmas lists!

Airline Worker Returns Boy’s Lost Buzz Toy With the ‘Story’ of His Adventure

By Mark Chalifoux
Lost Buzz Lightyear is Returned by Airline
(Facebook/SouthwestAirlines)

Traveling with young kids is hard enough, but if you throw a lost toy into the mix it could derail everything. And seeing your kid reunited with his beloved lost toy? One of the wildest rollercoasters of travel. A young boy lost his beloved Buzz Lightyear toy on a last-minute flight the family took to Texas for a funeral, but the airline worker who tracked it down wins the award for taking customer service to infinity and beyond.

“I realized we didn’t have Buzz when we got to the rental car,” his mom wrote. “My son was devastated, he loved his Buzz so much and even had his name written on the bottom of the boot just like the Buzz from the movie has Andy on his.”

His mom chalked it up as a lost cause until they got an email from an airline worker in Arkansas, where Buzz ended up after he was left on the plane. He spotted two-year-old Hagen’s name on the boot of the toy, which gave him a starting point. With a little detective work and help from a colleague, he found out there was only one Hagen on the plane that day. That could’ve been the end of the story and it still would’ve been great customer service.

But instead, Jason, the airline agent, took it up a notch, and a few days later the family got an out-of-this-world surprise. Not only was it Hagen’s beloved Buzz, but it came in a special hand-decorated box and a letter describing his adventure at Southwest Airlines. He also included a picture of Buzz on the runway.

His mom said the thought and care he put into getting Hagen his Buzz was beyond thoughtful and sweet. “It will be a memory he has to cherish forever and an incredibly cool story to tell as he gets older,” she wrote. “There’s definitely not enough good in this world, and for someone to take the time out of their day to do that for strangers means the world to us.”

So not only did the boy get his Buzz back, but he got his own personal Toy Story sequel in the process.

LEGO’s Botanical Collection Lets You Build Her Flowers

By Mark Chalifoux
Lego Flowers
(IG/LEGO)

Buying your significant other flowers is always a nice gesture. But then they die, and generally look pretty gnarly before you finally pull the plug and dump the vase. What if there was another way? A way to get flowers that LIVED FOREVER, but still required some more effort than buying a cheap synthetic arrangement? That day has come, with the new LEGO Botanical collection, a pair of intricate builds that are the newest adult-level kit from the toy company.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by LEGO (@lego)

Let’s be real, Legos have always been awesome, and always fun for even adults to play with. It can be really cathartic to build something cool out of hundreds (or thousands!) of tiny pieces, with the very real risk that even one misstep could end with tiptoeing around your house to avoid a painful discovery. But, once finished, you can’t really show off your creation in a prominent spot in the household. The Mrs. isn’t going to be down with putting your kick-ass Millenium Falcon in the family room, or your LEGO Batmobile in the kitchen.

But the understated vase of flowers, or a peaceful Bonsai tree? Those, my friends, have staying power. That’s the angle behind the hype for the new sets. The LEGO Flower Bouquet and LEGO Bonsai are the first two offerings from this new line and are on sale now. The sets do include parts made from plant-based plastic, so it’s not like they are entirely fake.

And what better time to lock this in than right before Valentine’s Day? You can buy yourself a relaxing project (it’s way more gratifying to put together Legos than IKEA furniture) that also checks the box (maybe?) for the holiday.

At a time when we could all use a new way to relieve stress, a Lego spokesman said the customizable botanical collection could be the answer:

“I think many people are looking for ways to change their mood and relax. We are delighted to be able to help you seek comfort in your busy daily life through this beautiful Lego botanical collection.”

The first two sets are on sale now on the Lego website and at stores across the country.

The LEGO Flower Bouquet ($119) and LEGO Bonsai ($86) are available on Amazon.

Just a heads up, if you buy stuff using the provided links, The Dad may collect a small commission.

This Fan-Made Sonic the Hedgehog Lego Set Is Getting an Official Release

By Nigel Jones
Sonic Mania Lego Set
(Viv Grannell)

Sonic the Hedgehog is taking over the world.  We’re getting a sequel to the hit movie, a Netflix animated series coming out next year, and now a sweet new LEGO set to build (while watching the movie and the animated series at the same time if you’re really hardcore.)

24-year-old Sonic fan/LEGO builder Viv Grannell started her “Sonic Mania – Green Hill Zone” project back in 2017 and it amassed a following of 10,000 supporters on the LEGO IDEAS page.  LEGO took notice and has rightfully decided to move the project forward to the product development phase.  It’s very well deserved and Grannell is so overjoyed that her “brain is coming out of her ears”.

The official Sonic the Hedgehog Twitter account even had something to say about it.

Since this is a fan-made project, LEGO will fine-tune all the pieces before its official release.  No price has been set either, but I’m definitely going to be picking this one up, whenever it decides to grace us with its presence.

In the meantime, if you love LEGO, definitely check out this touching tribute to Alex Trebek and these LEGO sets for grown-ups to build once the kids are in bed.

First Officially-Licensed “Premium” Collectable Poké Ball Launches This Month

By Yael Meshulam
First Officially-Licensed Premium Collectable Poké Ball
(YouTube/ The Wand Company)

With every franchise, there’s a subgroup of fans that simply cannot get enough merch. We’re not talking knock-off junk you can find on Amazon for the low low price of “who cares, it’s gonna break in 20 minutes.” The real Merch-Heads demand the real deal, meaning that unless it’s sanctioned and licensed by the official creator of the franchise, it’s worthless.

Pokémon has been prominent in the world of video games for over 20 years, and in that time, they’ve changed the way we game forever. From our beloved Game Boys to the Nintendo Switch, Pokémon has kept up with the ever-evolving video game market to give us more of our favorite games. Niantic even created the groundbreaking AR adventure that is Pokémon Go, allowing us to catch Pokémon and defeat gyms while getting our steps in.

Now, for the first time, Pokemon, Nintendo, and The Wand Company are teaming up to bring Pokémon fans around the world a line of officially-licensed and cool-as-heck collectible Poké Balls. Though the collectibles come with a hefty price tag (£99.99, which is about $135 USD), they also come with some pretty incredible features.

The die-cast Poké Balls come with sensors that tell them to light up when your hand is near (or, you know, when your cat rubs against them). The Poké Balls change color as they do in the anime, lighting up white, then red, then green, after users double-click.

To protect your balls (your Poké Balls. Get outta here), each Poké Ball comes with a display case and light-up presentation case to impress even your grumpiest guests. If that’s not enough, each collectible Poké Ball comes with a unique hologram so you know it’s the real deal.

The Poké Balls are set to be released on Pokémon Day, February 27, at select retailers. No word on how many the company is releasing, so if you’ve gotta catch em’ all, get in there early. The Wand Company says more Poké-llectables are on their way – so if you can’t get your hands on these, there’s more to come.

Lost Woody Toy Gets a Job at Home Depot Before Reuniting With His Kid

By Mark Chalifoux
Woody Works at Home Depot
(Facebook/Sarah Huberdeau)

“Toy Story” taught us the cold hard truth that toys are alive and have their own adventures when we’re not around. Real-life has taught those adventures can sometimes involve getting a job, which was the case at least for one lost doll in New Hampshire. Left in the Home Depot parking lot, Woody didn’t get down on his luck, or fight to get back to his kid, he…just went inside and GOT A JOB.

The Woody Doll was found by an employee, and soon the whole staff was training Woody in a variety of tasks. They posted about their new employee on Facebook.

“He is really having fun here learning all the departments! He learned how to mix paint, how to cut on the saw in lumber, how to help customers at the service desk and even helped sanitize to keep everyone safe…but he’s getting home sick and I’m sure someone misses him very much!”

As dads know, there are way worse places to kill time than Home Depot. The store posted the pictures on Facebook in the hopes that the engagement would help the toy find its way back. And it worked!!

The employee who put together Woody’s working adventure (Toy Story 5?) got to reunite the toy with its owner when the little boy and his family saw the Facebook post and came back for the toy. She said he was holding a little Buzz Lightyear and had a huge smile on his face when he saw Woody.

“The main goal of the entire thing was just to get Woody back to his home and that’s exactly what we did,” she said. “It made my heart so full.”

Jeopardy Superfan Creates Incredible LEGO Tribute to Trebek

By Mark Chalifoux
Jeopardy Lego
(YouTube/Douglas Hughes)

As Jeopardy navigates through the post-Trebek era and the brave new world of interim hosts, some fans still aren’t yet ready to say goodbye to Alex. After the longtime iconic gameshow host passed away last fall from his battle with pancreatic cancer, everyone in the community paid tribute and memorialized the legend.

And some fans have found their own way to pay tribute to his memory. One Jeopardy superfan in Canada took it to the next level, though, with his kinetic Lego recreation of Trebek presiding over the Jeopardy GOAT tournament of champions.

The creation has actual moving pieces, including the GOAT contestants Ken Jennings, James Holzhauer, and Brad Rutter reaching for their buzzers and the podiums also light up. Doug Hughes created the masterpiece to honor Trebek’s memory. His wife shared it on social media.

Ken Jennings, the first interim host, saw the creation and was pretty impressed. And, true to his style, he was quick with a dad joke-esque pun: “LEGOAT”

12 Badass LEGO Sets For Grown-Ups To Build After Bedtime

By The Dad
Ghostbusters Lego Set
(Lego)

Whoever said LEGOs are just for kids clearly never read the box. If they had, they’d know that classic LEGO boxes list the max-age as 99. So, ha! Most of us are still young enough to build some badass LEGO creations. And we should be able to do so without judgment, Todd. We feel no shame about our obsession with these toy building blocks — or that we’ve decided to devote an entire article to the best LEGO sets for adults. Because here’s the thing: These toys aren’t just popular with nerds and parents. They’ve been used and referenced throughout pop culture. Both The White Stripes and AVICII had music videos made of LEGO pieces. Ed Sheeran famously named a song “Lego House.” They’ve even been name-dropped on hit shows like Arrested Development and The Simpsons.

Further proof that LEGOs can be for any age can be found simply by wandering a LEGO store. Sure, you’ll find the classic bricks and kid-friendly themed sets. But you’ll also find a whole collection of options geared towards adults. Take, for instance, the 12 grown-up-approved sets below. (It’s us; we’re the grown-ups who approved them.)

Best Lego Sets for Adults

1. Aston Martin DB5

Aston Martin LEGO Set
LEGO

Name a kid who knows what the DB5 is. We’ll wait. Sure, you might have raised a spy-obsessed, Ian Fleming-reading tween. (And if so, good on you.) But since most kids couldn’t tell Sean Connery from Pierce Brosnan if their life depended on it, this James Bond car is strictly for dads.

2. VW Camper Van

VW Van Lego Set
LEGO

Did you know Dave Grohl owns a VW bus? If the former Nirvana drummer turned rock-god-lead-singer of Foo Fighters rolls around in a camper van, these beasts are clearly cool. This set is for all of us who can’t afford to buy a 16 window VDub and realize our dream of living in a van down by the river.

3. VW Beetle

VW Beetle LEGO Set
LEGO

Yes, we put both Volkswagen sets on our list. Just check out the surfboard that comes with this Beetle! While there might be a few 16-year-olds out there familiar with the “Bug,” we’re wagering that the majority of people interested in building this are older.

4. Statue of Liberty

Statue of Liberty Legos
LEGO

Hey, look — it’s a LEGO set that isn’t a vehicle. While they actually have a ton of killer architectural builds, the Statue of Liberty is arguably one of the most impressive. Not only do we love Lady Liberty for all the history and symbolism, but we also dig how deceptively hard it is to build this set.

5. Ghostbusters Car

Ghostbusters Lego Set
LEGO (Lego)

We ain’t afraid of no ghosts! This one is hard, but it’s for the whole family. We love all the bells and whistles they included on ECTO to make it live up to the movie’s standards.

8. The Colosseum

Colosseum Lego Set
LEGO

The Colosseum is huge, right? It only makes sense, then, that this set would be, well, monumental. Fellow history buffs, join us in completely geeking out over the painstaking detail (not to mention over 9,000 pieces) that went into recreating this symbol of Italy’s imperial Roman past.

9. Farnsworth House

Lego Farsworth Set
LEGO

The historical significance behind the Farnsworth house, built by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, is no doubt lost on the vast majority of people. The absolutely striking style of the house, however, is not. Whether you’re an actual architect or just a fan of funky homes, this build is meant for you.

10. 123 Sesame Street

Sesame Street Lego Set
LEGO

Is Sesame Street a “kids’ show?” Sure. But it’s also been around for 50 years, meaning this set is loaded with nostalgia. So, yep, this set is one of our favorites and certainly one of the most colorful options on this list.

11. Millennium Falcon

Star Wars Lego Millennium Falcon
LEGO

At just shy of $800, Han’s ship is one of the most expensive sets on our list. It’s absolutely worth it, though. Right? Who’s with us on this? It contains 7,541 pieces. That’s hours upon hours of glorious nerd entertainment. So, don’t make any plans for a couple of weeks.

12. Central Perk (From Friends)

Friends Show Lego Set
LEGO

Could it be any cooler?! This set might just be the perfect activity for you and your lobster to do together.

Just a heads up — if you buy stuff using the provided links, The Dad may collect a small commission.

LEGO Jokes

Building LEGOs is exciting! Besides using them to create incredible structures, you can also use LEGOs to tell hilarious jokes. 

What’s the most common operation in a LEGO hospital?
Plastic surgery.

A new LEGO store opened up in my town.
People were lined up for blocks.

What do most LEGOs have?
Separation anxiety.

What’s the best way to keep intruders from entering your home?
Put LEGO bricks all over the floor.

What has four wheels and eats LEGO bricks?
The vacuum cleaner.

Why was the LEGO guy so bad at basketball?
Because he kept throwing up bricks.

4-Yr-Old Is Reunited With Stuffed Deer After Its Rescue From a Frozen Canal

By Yael Meshulam
Stuffed deer rescued from frozen canal
(Twitter/NCC_Skateway)

Most kids have one or two toys that are both essential and irreplaceable. Kids develop such a strong attachment to their comfort toys that losing them is almost like losing a family member. Wherever we travel, we remember to double and triple check for That One Toy because leaving it behind would be a devastating loss for our kids. Unfortunately, their siblings don’t always put as much weight into protecting their Holy Grail toy as we do – and sometimes, their ambivalence has heartbreaking consequences.

When 4-year-old Nico Lavallée was out walking with his family, he made sure to bring along his favorite stuffed animal. Rudolph the stuffed deer has the scruffy, worn look of every well-loved stuffed animal, the type that only gets cleaned after a particularly nasty situation out of fear it would somehow get ruined in the wash.

On that fateful winter day, Nico’s mom Brenda Duke had the misfortune of looking away at the worst possible moment. In a split second, Nico’s little brother Santiago grabbed Rudolph and tossed him onto an ice-covered canal. Rudolph was too far onto the ice to grab from the family’s side of the rail, and Duke was tasked with explaining to her inconsolable 4-year-old that it was unsafe to retrieve the small stuffed deer.

For days, Duke and her sons would visit Rudolph at the pond, watching the snow slowly bury him. They noticed animal tracks nearby, fabricating soothing stories of neighborhood wildlife taking care of the beloved toy. With her 6-year-old son Sebastian’s encouragement, Duke hesitantly posted the story on Facebook.

“I didn’t want to bother anyone. I don’t think anyone would care,” Duke told CBC News.

Before long, Duke realized just how wrong she was. Suggestions for the toy’s retrieval poured in almost immediately, while some even tagged the National Capital Commission in the hopes of a daring rescue.

The people spoke, and the NCC listened. They promised to look out for Rudolph, and soon, a brave member of the skateway crew located the frozen deer and pulled it to safety.

The NCC crew posted a picture of Rudolph recovering after his harrowing journey. They captioned the photo, “After several hours of relentless searching, our courageous NCC Skateway team saved a stuffed baby deer from a most tragic end. He is now safe and sound while he defrosts! We know a young owner who will be very happy to find him.”

When Duke showed Nico the photo, he couldn’t believe his eyes. “Utter disbelief,” Duke recalled. “He stared. It took a while to click. He’s like, ‘Wait, that’s mine?’ He was just in shock, and then he was really excited.”

Before long, the deer was reunited with its family, and Duke was reminded of just how meaningful little acts of kindness really are.

“You just have to just have to ask. People do care. Assuming that they don’t is something that adults do,” she explained. “[My kids] are growing up knowing that other people have our backs and other people care, and that’s really heartwarming.”