October 29, 2010
Educational Toys | Shop Gears Up For Gift-giving Season
A one-stop shop for all types of gifts would be a more appealing destination, and Dorine Ad thinks her store, The Cute Little Shop in Frisco, is just that kind of place.
“I know during the holidays it’s a crazy time,” Ad said. “What I try to do is save people time and have everything in one store. We have top-of-the-line items, so they’re not compromising anything.”
“We were looking around in the area, and we loved the fact that the shopping center is awesome and it is a young area,” Dorine said. “There is nothing similar to our business here.”
Toni Wood, an assistant at The Cute Little Shop, used to work for a company that sells toys wholesale. She is involved in buying the hot items for the season, and both women have a good idea of what toys will make popular gifts this year.
Dorine recommends HEXBUGS for boys. The miniature six-legged robots are shaped like ants and motion detectors keep them trotting around rapidly. Girls are likely to get attached to Pawparazzi pets, dogs that have their own hotel, carrying bag and accessories. Webkins, small stuffed animal pets that can be registered online, should be big hit again this year.
“The kids feed them online, learn how to treat the pet and take care of it, just like a regular pet,” Dorine said. “It helps build confidence in kids that they can take care of the pet. Parents love it because it teaches the kids responsibility.”
Both men and women have been buying Buckyballs – 216 magnetic balls that can be molded to form an infinite number of shapes. Dorine said that many adults like to keep them on their desk as an office toy, and they also are a great stress reliever.
Mind games make creative gifts that can be shared with friends. One example, Perplexus, requires a user to maneuver a small marble through 100 barriers inside a 3D puzzle maze without it falling. Children also gravitate to puzzles, like the educational toys designed by Melissa and Doug, or 3D puzzles. “A number one seller is the Earth puzzle, because kids will be doing the puzzle and at the same time learn all the features of the Earth,” Dorine said.
The Cute Little Shop also has a lot of toys that are presented on TV, coming in right now. Look for names like Spin Master, Mighty Beanz, Liv Fashion Dolls and Pop on Pals at the top of wish lists. Movie-related toys from “Tron: Legacy” and “The Last Airbender” are showing up on shelves already.
“Everyone that’s come in has been very happy that we opened in this area,” Dorine said. “They like that we are a family-owned business. We always try to work with people to find the best toy or gift they’re looking for.”
Dorine said she wants to help her customers not only save money, but save time by providing a selection of exclusive items in one location.
“It’s not finding a present, it’s finding something that you can’t find anywhere else,” she said. “What I’m trying to do is find unique things that are really beautiful and at the same time people enjoy for a long time, quality-wise and design-wise.”
So what’s her biggest advice for shoppers?
“Shop early,” she said, “and enjoy the holiday season.”
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10 Comments on Educational Toys | Shop Gears Up For Gift-giving Season »
April 2, 2011
clickiz @ 11:03 pm:
lol! might be a good idea, never mind educational toys!! mine plays with a plastic bowl! she is 4!! lol!
April 9, 2011
"hawk" @ 1:55 am:
Lady you have a big job ahead of you, but it sounds like you're doing the right thing by having separate stations for them to entertain themselves. My only comment would be, don't set anything up in your areas of doing things, like the kitchen or your bedroom. The kitchen you need for food and other types of preparations, and the bedroom you need to make more babies. Did you think it was going to be easy with six, try seven or eight, you're on roll. LMAO
June 30, 2011
Ultimate Colossus @ 2:03 am:
[b]Buy Toys Online: An Easy and Prompt Buying Option[/b]
Are you one of them who want to buy toys online for kids? If your answer is affirmative, then no need to get fretted as there are a number of online stores available selling numerous types of toys at affordable rates. Some even ships the toys the very same day at the customer's doorsteps. Nowadays, toys are no longer just playing commodity, Infact, they have been proved as great products that assist in the overall development of a child. With this concept in mind, the educational toys was designed and manufactured that help child to learn with playway method.
Buying toys from online stores
Individuals are suggested to buy toys online. Reason being, the process is not only promt and easy, but also brings the toys at affordable rates. With the presence of online stores, no one needs to waste their time in moving around shops on their week offs. Some of the popular toys available in the online market include barbie dolls, car toys, transformers or Lego toys, etc. One can order toys according to his/her requirement and budget.
Types of toys
With the presence of online stores, kids can buy different types of toys such as educational toys, activity toys, learning toys, toddler toys and play toys. Most of the stores categorize as toys for boys and toys for girls; therefore buying toys for your kids is now not a hard nut to crack. Toys aid children in all round development and make them able to learn the skills of life. Buy toys online but keep in mind that the toys you are going to buy must not only be safe and sound, but also play an important role in your child's development. You also need to ensure that the store is reputed and doing well in the business of selling toys.
Reading testimonials
Online stores bring testimonials of customers. Before buying toys from online stores, people need to read the testimonials of parents who have already purchased such toys. And thus, they come to know about the advantages and disadvantages of the toys. In fact, environment friendly toys can also be considered as a good option for your kids.
July 10, 2011
KYOlsens @ 12:29 pm:
Well said! I'll have to check this book out. Contrasting development and modernization makes the issues so clear. Mere modernization is like a parent who chooses to give their child lots of great toys (even educational toys) but never teaches them life-skills or builds their character. Or if your math teacher shows you how to work a calculator but never teaches you to add.
I pray the Lord will give us wisdom as an organization how to invest our diverse resources (spiritual, financial, time, man-power, emotional…) – into things that truly develop the individuals and communities that we influence, whether Haitian or foreign.
Thanks to you and Danielle for the investment of heart, spirit and mind that you are making in Haiti.
July 20, 2011
Find Free Articles - ArticlesBase @ 6:08 am:
Wikki Stix Educational Toys –
July 30, 2011
Twitter @ 5:23 am:
We are committed to helping parents help their children develop their young minds and learn important skills which will be useful as they grow We uphold our commitment through our extensive collection of educational toys for children of all ages
August 20, 2011
HelloTxt @ 7:24 am:
Wooden Cow Alphabet/Number block Puzzle Educational Toy
August 28, 2011
@ 8:35 pm:
Educational toys? Have you tried toys 'r us? My mil asked me the same question this morning too. And I really don't know where to find educational toys. Buy online lah? I guess? Hrmmm…]]>
October 8, 2011
grumpy girl @ 11:15 am:
It sounds like fun, but don't stress out too much on how to set it up because in the end the dress up will be in the grocery store, the dolls in the construction site and the microphone lost the the book nook.
November 2, 2011
J K @ 9:57 pm:
I suggest love dice or maybe a sex boardgame or even a sexy secret santa outfit. But if you want to give her a toy a massage vibrator, it's not really about the size but on how much and how hard it could vibrate. Brands that are mainly and mostly recommended and popular are: Touch, Conair Massage