Bryan Stalder
Contributor

“Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi… you’re my only hope!”

Some parents might feel the same way this fall as kids start buzzing with holiday excitement and bouncing off the walls during winter break. Luckily, there’s plenty of Star Wars to go around both on and off the screen.

On October 29, Star Wars: Visions Season 3 arrives on Disney+, bringing nine new animated shorts from top international studios. Each episode offers a bold reimagining of the galaxy far, far away — a treat for kids, film lovers, and anyone who appreciates stunning animation.

But Kansas Citians won’t need a streaming subscription to experience a Star Wars-themed adventure of their own:

The Nostalgia Awakens: Retro Kenner Star Wars Action Figure Toys at the National Museum of Toys and Miniatures (5235 Oak Street) continues to delight fans of all ages. This exhibit — recently extended through May 4, 2026 (“May the Fourth”) — features every action figure produced by Kenner from 1978 to 1985, the golden age of George Lucas’s original trilogy.

Rows of vintage figures, original packaging, and prototype playsets line the displays, capturing the wonder that swept across moviegoers in the late ’70s and ’80s.

“These toys connected kids to the Star Wars story long before home video existed,” said Jarrod Roll, collector and museum professional behind this exhibit. “When we held those figures as children, we could create our own stories of heroes and villains. Having something tangible empowered our imaginations.”

Roll’s collection includes not only every officially released Kenner figure and vehicle, but also rare prototypes and display materials. “The exhibit lets visitors see how the movies and the toy line influenced each other,” he said. “It’s a timeline of creativity — a dance between cinema and play.”

Visitors can also meet Roll in person during Meet the Experts: Jarrod Roll, a special program on Thursday, October 23, from 6–7 p.m. at the museum. Guests will hear about the history of Kenner’s legendary toy line and explore the full exhibit before or after the talk. Admission is $10, with refreshments provided by Boulevard Brewing Company.

General admission to the museum is $10 for adults and $5 for children under 17. Admission is free on the second Sunday of each month — including November 9 and December 14 — making this an easy outing to add to your fall and winter calendars.

With more than 100,000 toys and fine-scale miniatures, this museum offers hours of exploration beyond the Star Wars universe.

Visit toyandminiaturemuseum.org for hours, exhibits, and other special programs.

Want to know more about the man behind this collection? Read our follow-up feature about Jarrod Roll’s collecting journey next week in the October 22 digital edition of The Northeast News.