Mattel Lines Up New Thomas & Friends Mobile App

Mattel has partnered with StoryToys to release the new mobile app Thomas & Friends: Let’s Roll in April.

For children ages 2 to 4, the app is designed to foster problem-solving and creative thinking skills through open-ended play experiences. It was designed under the guidance of neurodiversity consultants to be autism-friendly.

The app will be supported by ongoing updates with new characters, locations and seasonal content, providing a consistent flow of learning opportunities.

Thomas & Friends: Let’s Roll is being released in April, which is Autism Acceptance Month. In celebration, Bruno the Brake Car, Thomas & Friends’ first autistic character, will be available free from launch. Bruno was first introduced in 2022 and was developed in close partnership with The Autistic Self Advocacy Network and Easterseals Southern California.

“StoryToys has been a wonderful partner in helping bring to life an app that keeps inclusion at the heart of play,” said Mike DeLaet, global head of digital gaming at Mattel. “This collaboration further propels the ongoing expansion of Mattel’s digital portfolio aimed at providing players of all ages with captivating experiences and firsthand play opportunities with beloved characters like Thomas the Tank Engine, Bruno the Brake Car, Kana and more.”

“It has been a pleasure to collaborate with Mattel to create a safe and accessible environment for all children, both neurodiverse and neurotypical, to learn and play,” commented Emmet O’Neill, CEO of StoryToys. “We are committed to ensuring neurodiverse users can have the best possible experience in Thomas & Friends: Let’s Roll. Each element of the app has been carefully designed to cater to the diversity of players and to help each one learn life-long skills through play. Children can set their own pace in our app, fostering confidence and autonomy.”