Toronto based studio merges premium toy design with digital verification technology, launching major Care Bears x Pudgy Penguins collaboration
The collectibles industry has a counterfeiting problem. An estimated 20 to 30% of high value collectibles sold online are fake, eroding trust and devaluing legitimate pieces. Enter Playground, a Toronto based collectibles studio that’s rewriting the rules.
On December 12, 2025, Playground will release its most ambitious drop yet: a western themed blind box collaboration between Care Bears and Pudgy Penguins, two properties that together command millions of followers across traditional media and digital communities. However, what makes this launch significant isn’t just the crossover; it’s the infrastructure that supports it.
The TOYMAK3RS Difference
Playground’s collectibles are manufactured by TOYMAK3RS, widely regarded as one of the world’s most sought after toy design studios. Over the past decade, TOYMAK3RS has created collectibles for Netflix, Adidas, Fortnite, and dozens of high profile brands, earning a reputation for craftsmanship that rivals luxury fashion houses.
“Most toy companies optimize for scale. We optimize for story,” says Bart Lipski, founder and CEO of Playground. “Every drop we do is treated like a limited art release, not a retail product.”
The Care Bears x Pudgy Penguins collection features five characters, each reimagined in western attire with miniature hats, bandanas, and desert toned palettes. The blind box format creates equal rarity distribution, encouraging full set collection while maintaining accessibility.
Authentication Meets Innovation
What sets Playground apart is Jellybean, its proprietary authentication platform. Every collectible includes an embedded NFC tag that connects to a digital certificate of authenticity. Collectors can scan their piece to verify authenticity, unlock exclusive content, and track ownership history all through a simple mobile experience.
“We’re not building for tech enthusiasts. We’re building for collectors who want confidence in what they own,” Lipski explains. “Jellybean removes the guesswork. You scan, you verify, you’re done.”
This approach addresses a core pain point in the collectibles market. According to a 2024 Collectors Universe report, 68% of collectors cite authentication concerns as a barrier to purchasing high-value items. Playground’s embedded verification removes that friction entirely.
Bridging Nostalgia and Digital Culture
The Care Bears x Pudgy Penguins collaboration isn’t random; it’s strategic. The Care Bears, launched in 1983, represent generational nostalgia and emotional resonance. Pudgy Penguins, a digital native brand with over 1.6 million Instagram followers, brings contemporary internet culture and community driven storytelling.
“This is where Playground lives,” Lipski adds. “We find the overlap between what your parents loved and what the internet loves now. That’s the sweet spot.”
Early demand signals suggest the strategy is working. The Playground’s waitlist for the December 12 drop surpassed 50,000 registrations within 72 hours of the announcement, with engagement coming equally from traditional toy collectors and digital communities.
The Bi Weekly Drop Model
Playground operates on a bi weekly release schedule, positioning itself as a cultural event rather than a storefront. Each drop follows a standardized 10 post social media cadence designed to build anticipation, reveal details incrementally, and create a ritual around the release.
“We’re not competing with Amazon or Target,” Lipski says. “We’re competing with Supreme and Sotheby’s. The experience matters as much as the product.”
This approach mirrors successful models in streetwear and art, where scarcity, timing, and presentation drive value. Industry analysts note that Playground’s positioning could represent a new category: premium digital physical collectibles that sit between mass market toys and fine art.
What’s Next
Following the Care Bears x Pudgy Penguins drop, Playground has collaborations lined up with Nobody Sausage (the viral internet phenomenon with over 35 million followers across TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube) and several undisclosed entertainment properties. The studio’s roadmap includes expanding Jellybean authentication to third party brands and potentially licensing the platform to major toy manufacturers.
For now, Playground remains focused on establishing itself as the go to destination for culture driven collectible drops. If the early traction is any indication, they’re succeeding.
The Care Bears x Pudgy Penguins collection launches December 12, 2025, exclusively at playgrounddrops.com. For more information, please visit TOYMAK3RS or Jellybean’s websites.