{{Short description|American toy company}} {{Rewrite|date=October 2024}} {{Infobox company | name = PlayMonster Group LLC | logo = PlayMonster logo.svg | type = Private | genre = | foundation = {{start date and age|1985}} (as Patch Products)<br/>{{start date and age|2016|02}} (as PlayMonster) | founders = Fran Patch<br>Bryce Patch | location = Beloit, Wisconsin, U.S. | products = {{Unbulleted list |Criminal Minds UNknown SUBject |Drone Home |Farkle |Five Crowns |Koosh ball |Loopdedoo |Loopdeloom |Roominate |Quiddler |Set (card game) |Spirograph Animator |The Magical World of Disney Trivia |The Original Magnatab |Utter Nonsense! | Windward |Wooly Willy |Yeti in My Spaghetti |5 Second Rule }} | industry = International toy, game, craft, and activity company | brands = {{ubl |Ann Williams |Colorforms |Craft-tastic |Craft-tastic Nature |Craft Crush |Fashion Plates |Glo Friends |Koosh |Latchkits |My Fairy Garden |Snap Ships |Spirograph |Take 'N Play Anywhere |The Original Magnatab |Waterfuls |Weeble |5 Second Rule }} | owner = Adams Street Partners and H.I.G. Capital | homepage = [http://www.playmonster.com PlayMonster] }}
'''PlayMonster''' (formerly '''Patch Products''') is a manufacturer and marketer of family entertainment products that specializes in games, children's puzzles, toys, activities, and teaching tools founded in 1985. In February 2016, Patch changed its company name to PlayMonster.<ref name=":0">{{Cite press release |last=PlayMonster |title=Patch Products' BIG Announcement with Corporate Name Change to PlayMonster! |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/patch-products-big-announcement-with-corporate-name-change-to-playmonster-300217635.html |access-date=2023-02-14 |website=www.prnewswire.com |language=en}}</ref>
== History ==
=== Patch Products ===
1971: Brothers Fran and Bryce Patch opened a commercial printing company, producing games and related items for other companies. They printed ''Trivial Pursuit'' game boards and ''Cabbage Patch Kids'' sticker books, among other products.
1985: Fran and Bryce Patch began their own toy and game company: '''Patch Products'''.<ref>Corporate Report Wisconsin, December 2003</ref> The company started a line of ''PuzzlePatch'' tray puzzles for preschoolers, which are still in production; the company produced its 100 millionth puzzle in 2008. The American Toy Institute, Great American Toy Contest, National Association for Gifted Children, Nick Jr. Magazine and Toy Tips have recognized the puzzles for helping educate children.<ref>The Janesville Gazette, June 16, 2008</ref>
1992: The company obtained the license for ''TriBond'', its first board game, which was inducted into Games Magazine's Hall of Fame.<ref>[http://www.gamesmagazine-online.com/gameslinks/hallofame.html Games Magazine] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100417062722/http://www.gamesmagazine-online.com/gameslinks/hallofame.html |date=2010-04-17 }}</ref>
2000: Patch followed the success of ''TriBond'' with two other board games, ''Blurt!'' and ''MadGab''. The company sold the brand rights to these games to Mattel in 2004.<ref>Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Feb. 4, 2004</ref>
2008: Patch Products acquired '''Smethport Specialty Co.''', the maker of ''Lauri Toys'' and specialty products, adding educational items to Patch's lineup, including Tall-Stackers pegging and crepe rubber puzzles, along with the ''Wooly Willy'' magnetic personality.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.smethportpa.org/news |title=News : Smethport Web : Smethport PA's Online News Magazine |accessdate=2014-01-07 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20140107210810/http://www.smethportpa.org/news |archivedate=2014-01-07 }}</ref>
2009: Patch Products secured the rights to create a fresh version of the popular ''Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader''? board game based on the TV show hosted by Jeff Foxworthy.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Westphal |first=Melissa |title=Company cranks out '5th Grader' game |url=https://www.hollandsentinel.com/story/news/2009/12/09/company-cranks-out-5th-grader/47396193007/ |access-date=2023-02-14 |website=The Holland Sentinel |language=en-US}}</ref>
2010: Patch Products introduced ''5 Second Rule''. ''5 Second Rule'' would go on to be played on The Ellen Show for over six years. Patch Products also developed a nostalgic line called Treasured Toys, which included bringing back favorites ''Yakity-Yak Teeth'', ''Shark Attack'', and ''Bed Bugs''.<ref>{{Cite press release |last=LLC |first=PlayMonster |title=PlayMonster's 5 Second Rule game celebrates its 10th anniversary with a chance to win a virtual seat to one of "Ellen's 12 Days of Giveaways" |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/playmonsters-5-second-rule-game-celebrates-its-10th-anniversary-with-a-chance-to-win-a-virtual-seat-to-one-of-ellens-12-days-of-giveaways-301161759.html |access-date=2023-02-14 |website=www.prnewswire.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=McCraw |first=Justin |date=2010-06-08 |title=Patch Set to Reintroduce Three Retro Products • The Toy Book |url=https://toybook.com/patch-set-to-reintroduce-three-retro-products/ |access-date=2023-02-14 |website=The Toy Book |language=en-US}}</ref>
2011: ''5 Second Rule'' was a finalist for Game of the Year TOTY Award.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2011 TOTY Winners |url=https://www.toyassociation.org/Events2/TOTY_Awards/2011_TOTY_Winners.aspx |access-date=2023-02-14 |website=The Toy Association}}</ref>
2012: Patch Products was honored with a Wisconsin Family Business of the Year Award. The Work Hard—Play Hard Award was given to Patch to recognize the company's emphasis on family fun to promote togetherness.<ref>Beloit Daily News, May 11, 2012</ref>
2013: Patch Products, was the distributor of the ''Perplexus'' 3D maze game to independent toy and gift stores.<ref>Beloit Daily News, March 11, 2013</ref> It also became the new manufacturer and distributor of the well-known ''The Game of THINGS...''<ref>The Toy Book, Feb. 8, 2013</ref> Patch debuted its new collectible soft doll line ''Planet Sock Monkey'' which adds attitude and style to the classic sock monkey: each doll features a its own name, personality, clothing, and accessories.<ref>The Toy Book, Vol. 28, No. 2, Mar./Apr. 2013</ref>
2014: Patch Products was acquired by the private equity firm Topspin Partners.<ref>{{Cite web| title = Patch Products Purchased by Topspin Partners| accessdate = 2020-11-11| url = http://finance.yahoo.com/news/patch-products-purchased-topspin-partners-123000537.html}}</ref> Shortly after, Patch Products grew with the acquisition of '''Onaroo''', previously owned by American Innovative, LLC. This brand allowed Patch Products to expand into a new, complementary category of children's room décor.<ref>{{Cite press release |last=Engage121 |date=2014-11-03 |title=Patch Products Growing Under Topspin Partners' Ownership With Acquisition of Successful Onaroo Line |url=https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2014/11/03/1302306/0/en/Patch-Products-Growing-Under-Topspin-Partners-Ownership-With-Acquisition-of-Successful-Onaroo-Line.html |access-date=2023-02-14 |website=GlobeNewswire News Room |language=fr}}</ref>
=== PlayMonster ===
2016: In February, Patch Products changed its name to '''PlayMonster'''. The new name better reflected the company’s values and commitment to providing play for all ages.<ref name=":0" />
2017: PlayMonster had multiple TOTY Award finalists, and won Game of the Year with their kids game ''Yeti in My Spaghetti''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2017 Toy of the Year (TOTY) Award Finalists Unveiled by Toy Industry Association |url=https://www.toyassociation.org/PressRoom2/News/2016_News/2017_Toy_of_the_Year__TOTY__Award_Finalists_Unveiled_by_Toy_Industry_Association.aspx |access-date=2023-02-14 |website=The Toy Association}}</ref> PlayMonster also acquired Tinkineer and its Marbleocity line (laser-cut STEM kits).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Michalik |first=Maddie |date=2017-05-11 |title=PlayMonster Acquires Tinkineer and Its Marbleocity Line • The Toy Book |url=https://toybook.com/playmonster-acquires-tinkineer/ |access-date=2023-02-14 |website=The Toy Book |language=en-US}}</ref>
2018: Topspin sold PlayMonster to Audax Private Equity.<ref>{{Cite press release| last = Partners| first = Topspin| title = Topspin Partners II Exits PlayMonster| work = GlobeNewswire News Room| accessdate = 2020-11-11| date = 2018-11-21| url = http://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2018/11/21/1655289/0/en/Topspin-Partners-II-Exits-PlayMonster.html}}</ref> PlayMonster also acquired the UK-based toy company '''Interplay UK Ltd'''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Michalik |first=Maddie |date=2018-05-29 |title=PlayMonster Acquires Interplay • The Toy Book |url=https://toybook.com/playmonster-acquires-interplay/ |access-date=2023-02-14 |website=The Toy Book |language=en-US}}</ref>
2019: PlayMonster acquired '''Set Enterprises'''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://toybook.com/playmonster-bolsters-game-lineup-with-set-enterprises-acquisition/|title=PlayMonster Bolsters Game Lineup with Set Enterprises Acquisition • The Toy Book|date=2019-04-30|website=The Toy Book|language=en-US|access-date=2019-12-19}}</ref> PlayMonster also acquired '''Kahootz Toys'''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://toyworldmag.co.uk/news/playmonster-acquires-kahootz-toys/|title=PlayMonster acquires Kahootz Toys {{!}} Toy World Magazine|website=toyworldmag.co.uk|date=15 November 2019 |access-date=2019-12-19}}</ref> Patriot Capital became an investor in PlayMonster at this time.<ref>{{Cite web| title = Patriot Capital Supports PlayMonster and Audax Private Equity's Acquisition of Kahootz Toys – Patriot Capital| accessdate = 2020-11-11| url = https://patriot-capital.com/2019/12/patriot-capital-supports-playmonster-and-audax-private-equitys-acquisition-of-kahootz-toys/}}</ref>
2021: Interplay, acquired in 2016, rebranded to PlayMonster.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Zahn |first=James |date=2021-01-19 |title=UK-Based Interplay Rebrands as PlayMonster • The Toy Book |url=https://toybook.com/uk-based-interplay-rebrands-as-playmonster/ |access-date=2023-02-14 |website=The Toy Book |language=en-US}}</ref> PlayMonster also acquired '''Ann Williams Group''', a Michigan-based manufacturer of craft and activity kits for kids and adults.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Michalik |first=Maddie |date=2021-06-23 |title=PlayMonster Acquires Ann Williams Group • The Toy Book |url=https://toybook.com/playmonster-acquires-ann-williams-group/ |access-date=2023-02-14 |website=The Toy Book |language=en-US}}</ref> Additionally, PlayMonster partnered with Dude Perfect to relaunch the Koosh brand, licensed by Hasbro, in time for the 35th anniversary of Koosh.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Zahn |first=James |date=2021-05-11 |title=PlayMonster Teams Up with Dude Perfect for Koosh Relaunch • The Toy Book |url=https://toybook.com/playmonster-teams-up-with-dude-perfect-for-koosh-relaunch/ |access-date=2023-02-14 |website=The Toy Book |language=en-US}}</ref>
2022: PlayMonster promoted Tim Kilpin to CEO and gained investments from private market firms Adams Street Partners and H.I.G Capital. PlayMonster also relaunched Glo Friends, licensed by Hasbro. PlayMonster's take on the Glo Friends line introduces products featuring elements of Social–Emotional Learning.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pelletier |first=Ashley |date=2022-09-12 |title=PlayMonster Introduces New Chief Parenting Officer in Tandem with Playskool Glo Friends Launch • The Toy Book |url=https://toybook.com/playmonster-chief-parenting-officer/ |access-date=2023-02-14 |website=The Toy Book |language=en-US}}</ref>
2023: Tim Kilpin transitioned to the newly created role of Executive Chairman and a member of the Board of Directors. Sitting President, Steve Adolph, was appointed Chief Executive Officer.<ref>{{Cite press release |last=Group |first=PlayMonster |title=PLAYMONSTER APPOINTS STEVE ADOLPH AS CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/playmonster-appoints-steve-adolph-as-chief-executive-officer-301724042.html |access-date=2023-02-14 |website=www.prnewswire.com |language=en}}</ref>
== ''Million Minute Family Challenge'' == From September through December every year, PlayMonster sponsors the ''Million Minute Family Challenge'', a grass-roots effort to promote interaction and communication among family and friends through playing board games. The goal is to encourage at least one thousand families, groups, or organizations in each of the fifty states to play a board game together for twenty minutes, or a cumulative million minutes.{{cn|date=April 2026}}
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == * [http://www.playmonster.com PlayMonster] * [http://www.millionminute.com Million Minute Family Challenge] * [http://www.perplexus.net Perplexus] * [http://www.thingsthegame.com The Game of Things...] Category:Toy companies of the United States