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War Toys @wartoys.org · 18/09/2026

The boardgame War Toys: Evac Ops™ is now available for purchase in the US! We're so proud to bring these impactful and extremely-affordable toys to market. wartoys.org/shop #toyphotography #wartoys #photography #photojournalism #warplay #boardgame #armymen

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War Toys @wartoys.org · 05/06/2026

Ten years ago, photojournalist David Gilkey was killed while on assignment for @NPR in Afghanistan. David covered wars in Iraq, the 2010 Haiti earthquake, and Ebola in Liberia. We are fortunate to work with David's family and friends to honor his legacy. #toyphotography #photography #photojournalism

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War Toys @wartoys.org · 20/01/2026

After years of development and more than a few setbacks, our first fostered products are finally hitting the market! These are the first production samples of our standalone boardgame, prepared for Spielwarenmesse - the toy industry’s largest trade event. #wartoys #armymen

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War Toys @wartoys.org · 04/12/2025

Detail of our Dickey Chapelle pewter figure, showing her #Nikonos underwater camera used for the @natgeo assignment “The Water War in Vietnam.” Support our programs by give someone (or yourself) a unique gift this holiday season! wartoys.org #photojournalist #photojournalism #photographer

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War Toys @wartoys.org · 02/12/2025

War Toys will be documenting children's stories from within the US. Although kids here aren't enduring missile strikes and tank brigades, many experience levels of violence that are comparable to what their peers face in recognized war zones. It's time to give these children more of a voice.

wartoys.org

War Toys: News & Events, War Toys to Document Children's Accounts of Violence in the US

After five wars and absorbing hundreds of children's stories, we are struck by just how similar they really are. Except for the occasional flag, you'd never know what "side" a kid is on. And really...

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War Toys @wartoys.org · 06/11/2025

To support our toy industry program, War Toys® is releasing a special, pewter “army man” of legendary photojournalist Dickey Chapelle. wartoys.org/shop #photography #photojournalism #wartoys #armymen

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War Toys @wartoys.org · 21/06/2025

“Hadil” drew her life before the war in #Syria, her dad watering a tree at home. She then drew the #refugee tent she was surviving in with her brother and sister in #Lebanon. Her father has been notably erased from her drawing of the camp. #photography #toyphotography #wartoys #worldrefugeeday

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War Toys @wartoys.org · 07/06/2025

At a #Syrian #refugee camp in #Lebanon, 11-yr-old “Hana” drew a seemingly happy scene of her family at dinner. She revealed it was the last time she saw her dad alive. He got up to investigate sounds of gunfire outside and was killed steps from their door. #wartoys #toyphotography #photography #art

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Brian McCarty @brianmccarty.com · 10/05/2025

@wartoys.org will never be as cool as No War Toys back in the 60s. I mean, seriously… The Doors played their friggin anniversary party!! #wartoys #thedoors

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War Toys @wartoys.org · 24/05/2025

In East Jerusalem, local #Palestinian children play a constant cat-and-mouse game with #IDF, often throwing tiny pebbles to harass them. “Mahmoud’s” drawing shows what happened to his friend when the soldiers didn’t want to play one day. #wartoys #art #photography #toyphotography #armymen #arttoys

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War Toys @wartoys.org · 24/04/2025

6-yr-old "Iryna" imagines her cat waiting outside of her destroyed home in #Ukraine. Displaced families had to leave pets behind while running for their lives. There wasn't time to find them; the animals ran away or hid from the explosions. #wartoys #toyphotography #photography #art #toys #cat

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War Toys @wartoys.org · 18/03/2025

“Yusef” was imprisoned, beaten, and tortured by ISIS because his uncle was a police officer who resisted their takeover of Mosul. Yusef was taken to force compliance, alongside other boys with family deemed a threat to ISIS rule. #wartoys #toyphotography #photography #art #iraq #childreninwar #war

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War Toys @wartoys.org · 13/03/2025

"Farid" said that Lebanese were mean. Half of his drawing is about fleeing #Syria. The other shows his dream of going back to Homs and finding everything destroyed, except for his home. He was sure it must be ok, and it had to be better than here. #wartoys #toyphotography #photography #refugee #art

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War Toys @wartoys.org · 06/03/2025

Asked about the future, #Palestinian children in East Jerusalem imagined an uprising against #Israel. The photo was taken by the wall that separates the West Bank. The child in the background was an orphan living on the streets nearby. #wartoys #toyphotography #photography #art #activism

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War Toys @wartoys.org · 25/02/2025

7-year-old #Ukrainian Alisa imagines a happy future w/ a soldier, understood to be her father. She said water is trapped underground by the war, and will surface to feed the trees, flowers, and a rainbow when he is home again. #wartoys #childreninwar #ukraine #photography #toyphotography #art

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War Toys @wartoys.org · 21/02/2025

"A warrior who is brave" throws a Molotov cocktail at a Russian APC in a drawing by 7-year-old "Artem." The #Russian tank, destroyed by #Ukrainian forces outside #Kyiv, now occupies a neighbor's cabbage patch. #wartoys #childreninwar #toyphotography #photography #arttherapy #ukraine #war #art

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War Toys @wartoys.org · 10/02/2025

We’re grateful to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for the review of the touring exhibition “War Toys: Ukraine,” currently at the MacArthur Museum of Military History in Little Rock. #wartoys #toyphotography #photography www.arkansasonline.com/news/2025/fe...

arkansasonline.com

Little Rock museum exhibit shows war in Ukraine through children’s eyes | The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette - Arkansas' Best News Source

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War Toys @wartoys.org · 09/02/2025

Asma Elementary School, #Gaza City in 2012 - Amara drew soldiers, helicopters, and tanks but only pointed out the girl and the missiles, the girl and missiles, again and again… #wartoys #photography #toyphotography #art #childreninwar #arttherapy #photography #palestine #israel #cinderella

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War Toys @wartoys.org · 09/02/2025

The American Journal of Play published an in-depth interview about War Toys® and our toy industry program. We are grateful to have had the opportunity to encapsulate so much of the work, from its origins to what it’s become! www.museumofplay.org/app/uploads/... #wartoys #toyphotography #arttoys

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War Toys @wartoys.org · 29/12/2024

Sa'eed and his mother must cross #Israeli checkpoints for his #PTSD treatment in East Jerusalem. He imagines Palestinians in control and Israelis waiting "their fair turn." #wartoys #toyphoto #toyphotography #childreninwar #arttherapy #eastjerusalem #kalandia #checkpoint #Palestinian #photography

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War Toys @wartoys.org · 08/02/2025

In 2017, several Iraqi children drew Angry Birds, always the yellow one named "Chuck." In the game, he shoots down like a missile. Kids used him as a way to talk about airstrikes on their homes in a less scary way. #wartoys #toyphotography #childreninwar #arttherapy #iraq #angrybirds #photography

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War Toys @wartoys.org · 08/02/2025

With social media becoming increasingly problematic, we hope you’ll signup for our mailing list to stay informed! wartoys.org #wartoys

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War Toys @wartoys.org · 05/02/2025

In the Dheisheh Refugee Camp outside #Bethlehem, an 8 year old named Fatima said that she was afraid that her little brother would be killed in an airstrike. Her drawing shows them playing together, exposed, as soldiers and bombs close in. #wartoys #toyphotography #photography #childreninwar #art

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War Toys @wartoys.org · 31/01/2025

Recorded by photojournalist David Gilkey in Afghanistan (courtesy of his estate and @npr.org) wartoys.org/shop/vinyl-r... #photojournalism #toyphotography #photography #armyman #wartoys

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Brian McCarty @brianmccarty.com · 24/01/2025

Prototype “army man” of photojournalist Byron Smith, shot in Chernigiv, Ukraine at a location where he worked a few weeks before. Figures coming soon from @wartoys.org #toyphotography #photography #photojournalism #armyman #ukraine #toys

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War Toys @wartoys.org · 19/01/2025

First test shot of player tokens for our board game Evac Ops! #boardgame #wartoys #evacops

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War Toys @wartoys.org · 30/12/2024

$83k isn’t chump change, but it’s an unbelievably low budget for a toy line w/ 12 figures, boardgame, mobile app, and lesson plans, all delivered in 30+ languages. For $1.50 wholesale, we are giving kids real play value while shaping lifelong perceptions. Donate to support more! wartoys.org/donate

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Brian McCarty @brianmccarty.com · 29/12/2024

I sadly didn’t get to meet the man, but I was incredibly honored by the invite to present @wartoys.org work at the Carter Presidential Library. He was a true leader, not afraid to roll up his sleeves and work for a better future, especially when it seemed naive.

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War Toys @wartoys.org · 29/12/2024

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War Toys @wartoys.org · 26/12/2024

Noor participated in an art-based interview in Northern Iraq in 2017. She was a new arrival at the Debaga Camp east of Mosul. To ensure her safety, Noor worked with art therapist Myra Saad inside a child-friendly space provided by the humanitarian organization TdH Italia. #wartoys #photography

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War Toys @wartoys.org · 23/12/2024

Just 5½, Vanya drew #Ukrainian grandmother Raisa Smatko, known for making Molotov cocktails. She is there, protecting an IDP camp from a #Russian bomber dropping bananas since, according to him, those are way more funny than bombs. #wartoys #toyphotography #photography #childreninwar #ukraine #art

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Brian McCarty @brianmccarty.com · 21/12/2024

Informal camp for #Syrian #refugees in #Lebanon near the border. Heavy rains foiled my first shot attempt, but got to talk and hear stories from folks displaced while waiting. So many have stayed with me. Photos by Myra Saad. #wartoys #toyphotography #photography #behindthescenes #bts #process

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Brian McCarty @brianmccarty.com · 19/12/2024

My fixer in #Gaza trying to explain what I was doing to a passing #Hamas patrol in 2012. VERY skeptical until I just invited them to look through the viewfinder. No matter where, that usually works. #wartoys #toyphotography #behindthescenes #photography #toyphoto

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Brian McCarty @brianmccarty.com · 20/12/2024

No idea who Sam is, but I wore the crap out of his army shirt in the 80s as a kid. Bought secondhand for backyard battles, war play was a big deal, heavily promoted in cartoons and toy aisles, and I ate it up. I begged Santa to fill my toy box with plastic soldiers and an arsenal of cap guns. 1/6

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War Toys @wartoys.org · 18/12/2024

Like many children, Karima deemphasized the most important / vulnerable elements in her drawing made in #Gaza City. Hiding within the chaotic scene is a mother holding a child, afraid of the fighting. #wartoys #toyphoto #toyphotography #photography #childreninwar #art #palestine #israel #war #toys

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Brian McCarty @brianmccarty.com · 10/12/2024

This was a challenging shoot along the Lebanon-Syria border, and I’m happy that no one decided to take a shot at us. Photos by art therapist Myra Saad. #behindthescenes #bts #wartoys #lebanon #bekaa

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War Toys @wartoys.org · 13/12/2024

Noor’s story of her family fleeing #Mosul was recreated in a liberated section while fighting raged 1km away. She was one of 950k displaced and forced to cross frontlines to reach safety. Toys shot under #ISIS billboard from safe angle. #wartoys #childreninwar #photography #toyphotography #iraq #art

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War Toys @wartoys.org · 09/12/2024

#Syrian #refugee Alya drew a before-and-after of Aleppo. She said it was beautiful before the war. The music-box houses, found near her camp along the Lebanon-Syria border, were sold cheap due to distorted songs. #wartoys #childreninwar #toyphoto #toyphotography #photography #arttherapy #art #syria

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War Toys @wartoys.org · 06/12/2024

Ali drew a barrel bomb being dropped on children in #Syria. He said they were injured, not killed. Scars on his face and neck show that he was likely talking about himself. At the top: “Syria will come back.” #wartoys #toyphoto #toyphotography #photography #childreninwar #arttherapy #barrelbomb

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War Toys @wartoys.org · 06/12/2024

Last day of the sale! Get a deal on some unique collectibles and support our work!

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War Toys @wartoys.org · 04/12/2024

Excited to giveaway copies of our boardgame in West Hollywood today! #westhollywood

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War Toys @wartoys.org · 03/12/2024

The Young V&A museum in London acquired Evac Ops™ for their permanent collection! We are honored by this amazing validation after years of hard work developing our toy industry program. Thanks to the curators, Evac Ops team, and you for the support! #wartoys #givingtuesday #toys #boardgame

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War Toys @wartoys.org · 30/11/2024

Asma Elementary School, #Gaza City in 2012 - Amara drew soldiers, helicopters, and tanks but only pointed out the girl and the missiles, the girl and missiles, again and again. #wartoys #toyphoto #toyphotography #art #childreninwar #arttherapy #photography #palestine #israel #cinderella #airstrike

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War Toys @wartoys.org · 29/11/2024

Our collaboration with Madeleine Peyroux, @npr.org, and the estate of photojournalist David Gilkey is on sale for 20% off until 12/6. All proceeds support War Toys’ programs! wartoys.org/shop/vinyl-r... #blackfriday #givingtuesday #nonprofit

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War Toys @wartoys.org · 26/11/2024

6-year-old Roman from Kramatorsk, #Ukraine drew two tanks (one bigger, one smaller) attacking a wall. From his young point of view, this is what war is all about. #wartoys #toyphoto #toyphotography #warinukraine #childreninwar #arttherapy #war #donbas #art #photography

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War Toys @wartoys.org · 26/11/2024

Share a pic of your go-to place for inexpensive toys and tag it with #mytoystore! We want to better understand where and how these toys are sold around the world. #wartoys

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War Toys @wartoys.org · 25/11/2024

Next Wednesday, War Toys® is giving away copies of our soon-to-be-released board game Evac Ops™ at the West Hollywood Library from 3-7pm. Grab a table and learn how to play while learning about the vital, lifesaving work of humanitarian heroes in war zones! #wartoys #westhollywood #giveaway

This event is supported in part by an arts grant from the City of West Hollywood.

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War Toys @wartoys.org · 24/11/2024

#Al-Fakhura School, #Jabalya Camp, #Gaza in 2012 - Yousef feared for his fisherman dad and older brothers. IDF embargo line is just 3 miles from shore, he said, where all the good fishing is. #wartoys #toyphoto #toyphotography #childreninwar #palestine #israel #photography #art #war #arttherapy

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War Toys @wartoys.org · 22/11/2024

9-yr-old Ali drew his home in #Mosul #Iraq. He felt guilty leaving it after an airstrike, imagining it saved him. The vintage toy was found in the Langa Bazaar in Erbil, among used toys sold by the kilo to local distributors by US+EU charities. #wartoys #childreninwar #toyphoto #toyphotography

Vintage Fisher-Price pull toy house, lit on fire and photographed at the remains of the Great Mosque of al-Nuri in West Mosul, Iraq in 2018.

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