Following a 14% decline in American Girl sales in 2015, Mattel is taking the brand into the construction category for the first time with a line of Mega Bloks toys aimed at girls eight and up.
Heading into a category largely dominated by Lego Friends, Mattel is looking to make a mark with highly detailed building sets and fully articulated mini-figures based on the brand’s previous Girl of the Year characters, which include Grace, Isabelle, Saige, McKenna and Nicki.
Each themed set comes packaged with a multi-page storybook and step-by-step building instructions. The line also includes two different style collections featuring additional figures and mix-and-match accessories.
The Girl of the Year construction line consists of Grace’s 2-in-1 Buildable Home (US$69.99), Isabelle’s Ballet Recital (US$39.99), Nicki’s Horse Stables (US$29.99) and McKenna’s Gymnastics Training (US$9.99), while collectible figure assortments will sell for US$3.99 apiece.
Products are currently available exclusively at Toys”R”Us in the US and Canada, and the line will head to mass retail in both countries starting July 1.