Spring is in the Air...

I love this time of year... where every day above 10 Degrees..is a cause for celebration!
We are cleaning up the store.. adding lots of new items from light up Lego Lanterns, Iron Man Toys to Melissa and Doug Puppets and Easter Webkinz Bunnies and Lambs. Spring is also my favourite for Balloons - I can finally start to decorate outside with hanging colourful displays. Today.. is St. Patricks day so I blew up a bunch of green and white. This weekend.. I hope to do a full colourful rainbow assortment or perhaps some GIANT balloons, our big 16 inch ones.

To celebrate spring we are having a Spring Balloon Sale starting in April.
Large Foils Reg. 9.60 each on for 5.99 Each
- Butterfly Balloons
- Lady Bug Balloons
- Animal Balloons
All huge, colourful foils that will make you smile or your child smile.

What makes your spring day?

How to Choose Loot Bags

So many people come in our loot bag area with their list of kids.. many know exactly what they want and others need a little help. Here is some basics that I go by:

Kids under 2 yrs.. keep it safe with board books, age appropriate items one or two things rather than little things. (choking hazards)
- bath items are also a great choice for this age group

Kids 3-6yrs
- it is the age of " I want what you have", so either get them all the same or give the boys one style and girls another.
- books are a great choice with a few smaller toys for that instant play value. Watch for books that are age appropriate (many are not independent readers yet and so story books are best - quiz books etc. are better for older kids)

Older Kids 7-11
- trust their judgment... if they like it, there friends will too.
- they can handle getting different loots bags geared to each child
- love all the little things (even though many parents don't)
- activity oriented things are perfect (boys love building, girls and crafts)

Don't sweat the small stuff.. I often see too much worry over the colour of a 10 cent item.. when the kids will love the blue or the red one. If you are not sure.. ask for help. That is what we are here for. Judy and I have worked with kids in two Toronto School Daycares for over 20 yrs each.. and we know what's hot, what they will enjoy and what will last. When we get your emails on how much the kids enjoyed their gifts or loots.. we love it! While we miss working directly with the kids.. we do enjoy hearing all about it.

Store update: It's the second week of January and so we are taking down our Christmas Decor and setting up all our new Love Webkinz for Valentines! Hope to see you in our store soon.

New Lil Web Kinz have arrived!

Finally.. the Lil Webkinz have arrived!
I had so many kids waiting for them to come in.. as they are a great price just 5.99 and of course extra cute. As as loot bag they sell for 8.79 We have kittens, puppies, froggies and jungle pets too.
Other new arrivals this week - Melissa & Doug Puzzles & New Craft sets.
New Games & Toys including Sponge Bob Sorry and In the Night Garden Dolls.
Now.. we wait for Lego.

PS> the hockey game was great and Playdium was also a huge success. NOTE. Playdium is for kids 11 yrs and up. If you take little ones there they will do a lot of watching and not a lot of playing.

We Won Gold for Best Toy Store!

On this dreary day.. I got a real boost when I heard that we had won Gold in the Readers Choice Bloor West Villager Awards for Best Toy Store. Thanks for your votes.. it made my day.

Today is a day of unpacking..no the new webkinz are not here yet. (They will arrive Tues. next week.. they promised me.) I have been ordering like mad for Christmas from Lego to In the Night Garden, but is was the new Melissa and Doug Toys that came.

We have all kinds of wood toys now.. in all budgets. Puzzles, dress up dolls, build a fire engine - we got it. I really want to unpack them and play with them myself to be honest. Luckily.. there is family coming this weekend and it may be the excuse I was looking for. It is a big birthday month for our family. Alexander my nephew turns 11, Owen my step grandson is turning 5 and his mom is turning.. well. She may not want me to say.

Lots to celebrate.. lots to be thankful for. So Happy Thanksgiving everyone and thanks again for voting for us. Carol aka the loot lady

Back to School & Webkinz

I am sure most parents were busy getting their kids ready for back to school.. but I was busy with web kinz! We just got them in stock and I brought one to my step grand daughter Katie.. she loved it and went online shopping for her new pet for the first time.
This was my first real attempt at entering the webkinz world and now I understand the appeal. We made Katie's little pet wave and smile in just a few minutes. My nephew and niece had told me how great they were.. and now I understand.
Back in Toronto, we spent our Friday night setting up the store with our webkinz display with all the different styles and price points...then wow Sat. all my lil' webkinz found a new home. Some went out in loot bags, others in purses or backpacks.
I have re ordered more Lil' Kinz because they are at a price parents can afford and small retailers like me can afford to offer at a great price. As for back to school.. for us that means school fairs, prizes and donations. We hope all the kids get a great teacher that inspires them this school year.