Remember those little egg-shaped toys from the late ’90s and early 2000s? They were called Tamagotchis. Kids used to play with them all the time. Most people thought these toys were old news, but guess what? They’re back! And they’re doing more than just being fun toys. They’re helping people make friends and feel better.

Twoey Gray from Toronto started the Tamagotchi Club. It’s the first club like this in the world. Twoey got the idea when she went on a long bike ride – 3,000 kilometers all the way to Halifax! During her trip, her Tamagotchi helped her meet new people. This made her think that maybe other people would like to meet up and play with Tamagotchis, too.

Twoey started the club with a small meeting in Allen Gardens. Now it’s gotten really big: about 50 people come to each meeting. There are even Tamagotchi Clubs in other countries now. This isn’t just about playing with old toys. For some people, like William Maneja, who helps run the club, Tamagotchis are more than that. They give people something simple to do each day. In a world that can feel really busy and hard sometimes, these little digital pets help people feel better. William says it reminds him that “life goes on, but you can still keep on trying anyway.”

Want to know more about how this old ’90s toy is helping people make friends and feel good in today’s world? Keep reading to learn about the Tamagotchi Club and how it’s making people’s lives better.

Tamagotchi lovers are connecting ‘over a shared language of play’ thanks to this Toronto-based club