#TBT

Throwback Thursday

Lets throw it back to Christmas of 2013 when Santa came to Durango, folks got serious with their Doink it Darts and this snow bunny was ready to shred!
 

WacKy WedNesDay

Believe it or Not!

Mark Sollors teeters on top of a giant natural quarterpipe on the side of glacier 

with a 40-foot drop to greet him if he doesn’t land correctly! 

The glacier is so remote that he was transported by helicopter!

Steve Fisher, Dale Jardine, and Sam Drevo 

paddled to the edge of Victoria Falls, 

the tallest and biggest waterfall in the world.

They’re looking down 350 feet in this picture!

No only is the destination dangerous but the journey is as well. The river running between Zambia and Zimbabwe is filled with Hippos known to be extremely aggressive to humans and often considered the most dangerous animal in Africa!

Game Review

Pick up Sticks! A classic game of skill!

 

Pick-up sticks were originally played by the American Indians with straws of wheat and taught to the pioneers who settled this country. Pick-up Sticks can be made from wood or plastic and are often tapered to a smooth blunt tip. 

Pick up sticks is a fabulous game because no batteries are required. Good old time entertainment for kids and adults. Pick up sticks are also a great travel game, great for rainy days, and great for family game night. Pick up sticks will help develop hand - eye coordination,reinforce counting skills, and will also help to reinforce the learning of colors. Take a nostalgic trip down memory lane! 

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens in the 7 minutes before bedtime?

Did Ya Know?

Who Invented the game SORRY?

The earliest variation of today's Sorry! can be traced back to William Henry Storey of Southend- of- Sea filed for a patent. Sorry! was registered as a trademark on 21 May 1929 . It was also trademarked in the UK to a British games manufacturer who sold it from 1934.

Sorry! is a board game based on the ancient game of cross and circle. Players try to travel around the board with their pieces faster than any other player. Originally manufactured in the United States by Parker Brothers, Sorry! is ideal for two to four players, ages six through adult. The game title comes from the many ways in which a player can block the progress of another, while issuing an apologetic "Sorry!"

Boredom Busters

  Boredom Busters

 Make your family tree

Making a family tree is is a fantastic way to illustrate your family's history. Start by researching your ancestry to find out who should be included, then diagram each generation to create your family tree. You can embellish your diagram to turn it into a display-worthy work of art, or simply save your research so you'll always have your family history on hand.

  

Experiment and make your own flavored iced tea without all the sweet!

 Use spices and flavorings you already have in the house like cloves, crystallized ginger, almond extract, vanilla extract, raspberry extract, fresh mint from the garden, cinnamon chunks or sticks. The tea basket allows you to add spices easily and let them steep with the tea in the fridge.

 Be the Fairy Garden!

That's right! 

You can put on your best Fairy clothes and explore your own garden as if your were a fairy living there! Explore where you could live, what you could eat, and how many new friends you could make!

Dinosaurs 101

Dinosaur Jokes

Pick your favorite!

What happened when the dinosaur took the train home?
She had to bring it back!

Mitchell: Why did the Triceratops cross the road?
Robert: He didn't, the chicken crossed the road.
Mitchell: Well, why did the chicken cross the road?
Robert: To get away from the Triceratops!

How do you know if there's a dinosaur under your bed?
Your nose hits the ceiling!
  
What do you call a dinosaur with one leg?
Eileen!

Mother: Why are you crying?
Daughter: Because I wanted to get a dinosaur for my baby brother.
Mother: That's no reason to cry.
Daughter: Yes it is! No one would trade me!

What was the scariest prehistoric animal?
The Terror-dactyl!

What has a spiked tail, plates on its back, and sixteen wheels?
A Stegosaurus on roller skates!

What do you call it when a dinosaur slides in to home plate?
A dinoscore!

What do you get if you cross a Triceratops with a kangaroo?
A Tricera-hops!

What do you get if you cross a pig with a dinosaur?
Jurassic Pork!

What made the dinosaur's car stop?
A flat Tire-annosaurus!

What type of tool does a prehistoric reptile carpenter use?
A dino-saw!

Who makes the best prehistoric reptile clothes?
A dino-sewer!

Which dinosaurs were the best policemen?
Tricera-cops!

#TBT

Safari So Good! 

Our custom hats in Celebration of SnowDown in Durango!

Take a daydream trip to the savannah and hear the roar of the jungle animals!

WacKy WedNesDay

 The Dog Days of Summer.....

Scout answering the phones! 

He has a summer job!

 Right Rorge?

 Everybody's favorite 

futuristic cartoon dag!

Sydney!

Our very own mascot 

enjoying some summer sun!

Game Review

Spot It! Splash

Make a splash wherever your adventures take you with the durable waterproof version of Spot it! Surf and sand are no match for the waterproof playing cards, so you can play all five game variations any time, any place. Spot the match between the most card combinations to win! No matter where you play, the summery symbols will put everyone in the mood for fun in the sun. Stash the cards in the waterproof travel bag and soak up the excitement on the go!
Spills, water, snow, mud, dirt, jelly or anything your kids spill on it won’t matter! I love games like this. You can take it anywhere, and kids love it,  best of all its almost indestructible!  Spot It Splash is played the same as other versions except for that whole water part of course.We give this new industrable version 2 thumbs up!

FAQ's

Choosing toys for children might seem simple, but when you take into account that, when chosen with care, a toy can offer an opportunity for a child to learn something, but can also be a serious health hazard. With the overwhelming amount of children's toys available to consumers currently, choosing toys for children can be confusing or intimidating, but when you know how to select toys for their amusement and educational values, as well as for safety, durability, and pricing, you can quickly find the right toys for the child.
Guideline #1
Learn what interests and attracts children of different age.

• Infants and toddlers are constantly learning about the world around them by means of their senses. That's why they like toys that they can touch, squeeze, poke, smell, see and hear. They find bright colors and fun noises entertaining. In addition, toddlers enjoy toys that can be opened, pulled, pushed, stacked or poured.
• Preschool children have a lot of energy and use their playtime to learn new skills. They enjoy painting, drawing and making things. They also like to use their imagination to play dress-up, make up stories, or pretend with their toys.
• Older children like more realistic toys that are recognizable from the "real world." Think of children's jewelry or fashion, TV or movie-related products, or music. Sports also become very important at this age and many children will focus on a game or favorite physical activity.

With these things in mind  Determine what age group you're choosing toys for.
Research what kinds of toys are suitable for the appropriate age group.

• For babies up to 1 year old, choose brightly colored objects; mobiles with attached objects that can be hung so the baby can see but not touch them; unbreakable toys, preferably ones that make a squeaking or rattling noise; washable toys and dolls with embroidered eyes so the child can't swallow any loose parts; or stacking ring cones. Avoid toys with small parts especially detachable small parts or glass or button eyes; sharp edges; toys with long chords; push and pull toys.
• For children between 1 and 2 years old, choose brightly illustrated books made of cloth or stiff  pasteboard pages; mirrors not made of glass; toys they can take apart into large pieces; building blocks made of cardboard, plastic, or foam; floating toys for in the bath tub; pounding and stacking toys, or musical toys. You should avoid small toys and toys with small parts that can be swallowed, and toys with sharp edges.
• If the children are 2 or 3 years of age, select creative toys like modelling clay; sandbox toys; large crayons; pegboards with big pieces; brightly colored books with music; children's simple musical instruments; sturdy cars or wagons they can climb onto, ride, or push; low rocking horses; soft foam balls; or simple dress up items. Avoid electrical toys; tricycles that are higher than 12 inches; small objects such as marbles, beads, or coins; sharp- edged toys or toys with small parts that can be removed.
• For 3- and 4-year-olds, select dolls with clothes that aren't difficult to put on or remove, non-electrical trucks, tractors or trains; balls; building blocks and interlocking plastic blocks; and creative toys such as modelling clay, blunt scissors, large non-toxic markers and crayons, and sewing cards. You can also choose "pretend" toys such as toy telephones, sturdy play dishes, and dress-up clothes; books; puzzles; or simple board games. Don't choose electrical toys or toys with small, removable parts or sharp edges.
• 4 to 5 year-old children enjoy playing with building blocks; modeling clay; finger paints; simple construction sets; puppets; stencils; card and board games; simple children's musical instruments; books; 9-24 piece jigsaw puzzles; children's bicycles with 20-inch wheels as well as training wheels; and small sports equipment. Avoid electrical toys ;  sharp-tipped shooting toys or darts; and fireworks.
• For children between 5 and 8 years old, choose roller skates, sleds, and bicycles with 24-inch wheels; jigsaw puzzles, games, and dominoes; kites; uncomplicated tool sets; magnifiers and magnets; dolls; children's cameras; printing sets, as well as stamp sets; painting and drawing utensils; or sewing materials. Avoid  fireworksand sharp-edged tools.
• For children between 8 and 12 years old, select arts and crafts materials and hobby materials; construction sets; electrical trains; models they can build themselves; 26-inch wheel bicycles; musical instruments; science kits, practical jokes, jigsaw puzzles or sports equipment.

Did Ya Know?

What about the Spirograph? When was it invented?

Spirograph was invented by Denys Fisher in the early sixties. Spirograph's geometric patterns were beautifully in tune with the swinging sixties. Like the Lava Lamp, the timing of its launch in 1965 was perfect. Spirograph won Toy of the Year and was the top selling toy in America in 1967. It is still available today, as MB Spirograph in the UK and Hasbro Spirograph in the US.
Denys Fisher was an engineer who supplied precision components to NATO in the early sixties. His passion though, was a Victorian idea for creating patterns using cogs and wheels. He tried to improve on what the Victorians did using Meccano gears during the Christmas break of 1962. However, his first attempt was unsuccessful. His original idea came  whilst he listening to Beethovens Ninth Symphony. His inspiration was to use a series of perforated cogs and racks, into which a pencil could be inserted. Denys Fisher's original intention was to market Spirograph as draftsman's tool, but he later decided it would sell better as a toy.
Spirograph first went on sale in 1965. Its geometric and swirling patterns chimed perfectly with the Op Art and geometric designs that were popular in the 60s. It also fitted in fantastically with the psychedelic patterns of the later swinging sixties.
Spirograph was featured on the BBC children's programme, Blue Peter, and very soon was selling in large numbers. In the first four years Spirograph took the turnover of Denys Fisher's company from 30,000 to 3 million.
The original Spirograph had a series of large and small cogs, wheels and racks. It was supplied with four coloured pens in black, red, blue and green. You could buy special Spirograph paper for drawing on.
You placed the special paper onto a corrugated cardboard base. Then pinned one of the large wheels or racks to the paper, using drawing pins supplied with the Spirograph. Then one of the smaller geared cogs was lined up against the larger cog or rack and a colored pen was inserted into one of the smaller cog's holes. You then turned the smaller cog, using the pen, which then drew the Spirograph pattern. A huge variety of different patterns were possible. The instructions gave you some examples, but many more combinations could be produced with experimentation.
Spirograph was a very creative toy. Denys Fisher's creation was loved by adults and children alike. Newspapers and magazines recommended it as an marvelous toy for older children. Spirograph won the Educational Toy of the Year three years running  from 1965 to 1967 and became Toy of the Year in 1967. The original version cost about $23.00 in today's mone] from Hamley's in 1966.

Spirograph was a top selling toy in Britain and America. It became the number one selling toy in the US for Christmas in 1967.

Spirograph was so successful that it started to influence the world of fashion. Op Art and geometric prints were already popular, but Spirograph patterns appeared on evening dresses in black and white printed crepe by John Cavanagh in 1966.

Boredom Busters!

 Make a photo collage of your summer 

vacation

adventures! 

Or just make a summer collage of your dream vacation!

 Play a game with your brothers and 

sisters so Mom and Dad can relax for

 an hour or two. Or, become a full fledged 

official type babysitter and earn some extra spending money! Or some money for new school clothes!

Train your dragon!

You never know when your 

Dragon might need a refresher 

course in manners!

Dinosaurs 101

Dinosaur Extremes

Among the dinosaurs with the most teeth is maiasaurus

Maiasaura was a duck-billed dinosaur with a flat skull and small crests in front of the eyes. This plant-eater had a toothless beak, cheek pouches, and many self-sharpening cheek teeth; hard enamel was found on both the outer surface of the upper teeth and the inner surface of the lower teeth.

 Among the longest necks... 

the Diplodocus!

Diplodocus held its neck more-or-less parallel to the ground. The long neck may have been used to poke into forests to get foliage that was otherwise unavailable to the huge, lumbering varieties of sauropods. 

Thickest Skulled Dinosaur

 Pachycephalosaurus was a dome-headed dinosaur. Its huge head housed an incredibly thick skull, a tiny brain, and large eyes. Its rounded skull was up to 10 inches thick!

#TBT

It's Lamb Chop and her Mom, Shari Lewis !

For children of the 90s, a Lamb Chop was more than just a tasty cut of meat. It (well, she) was also a fluffy little sheep puppet who, along with Shari Lewis and her delightful puppet barnyard peers, entertained us through the magic of  public television.

Other fictional sheep aside, the true star was Lamb Chop. The pure cuteness of her very being was almost overwhelming. She was adorable incarnate. She was sassy and fun. She was an innocent little sock puppet we could all look up to. And her name was Lamb Chop.

 

We have our own Lamb Chop who was wondering what's for lunch today.....

 

WacKy WedNesDay

Is it pretty pretty Ariel Cowgirl?

Is it Barrel Racing Betty?

What will you do today?
Who will you be?

As if it is different from any other day....

Game Review

A Cooperative Game from our friends at Peaceable Kingdom!

What is a cooperative game?

A cooperative game is a game where all players play together against a common obstacle, not against each other. In a cooperative game no one feels left out and everyone has fun! Peaceable Kingdom’s cooperative board games use familiar game mechanisms – spinning a spinner, matching cards, moving a token, strategizing a win! The difference is that players play together. Playing together helps kids in many ways – they experience shared decision-making, they build self-esteem, they learn to share, to feel compassion, and to work as a team. Playing cooperative games teaches kids to cooperate.

How to Play:

Work as a team to build the three animal puzzles before the rain comes. Players take turns spinning the spinner and adding puzzle pieces. Finish the puzzles before all of the rain drops are on the board and everyone wins!

Why kids love this game:

Unlike most games, Sunny Day Pond encourages kids to work together to build their puzzles. This way, kids work together, learn together and they help each other! A cooperative game eliminates stress, builds self-esteem, and teaches kids that playing together can be fun!

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I pick a toy for a one year old?

Here's a few things to remember when choosing a gift!

One-year-olds are on the go! Typically they can walk steadily and even climb stairs. They enjoy stories, say their first words, and can play next to other children (but not yet with). They like to experiment—but need adults to keep them safe.

Good toys for 1-year-olds can include:

• Board books with simple illustrations or photographs of real objects
• Things to create with—wide non-toxic, washable markers, crayons, and large paper
• Things to pretend with—toy phones, dolls and doll beds, baby carriages and strollers, dress-up accessories (scarves, purses), puppets, stuffed toys, wooden chunky animals, and wooden “realistic” vehicles
• Things to build with—cardboard and wood blocks
• Things for using their large and small muscles—puzzles, toys with parts that do things (dials, switches, knobs, lids), and large and small balls
• Pull toys, push toys, & bath squirties!

Did Ya Know?

Did you know that every action has an equal and opposite reaction?

A scientist named Isaac Newton figured this out in the 18th century and it became one of his Three Laws of Motion.  Think about the time you sit in a chair. Your body exerts a force downward and that chair needs to exert an equal force upward or the chair will collapse. If you push an object, that object pushes back in the opposite direction equally hard. You can see this demonstrated in a Newton's Cradle.The silver ball will hit the rest of the silver balls in the cradle and the force will travel through them til it   pushes the last ball out and the whole process starts all over again.

Boredom Busters

 Sing a song, 

write a song, 

dance to your favorite song or

Make up new words to an old song! 

Get happy and get singing!

 You too can play mini golf

 in your own backyard,,,,,

this example is pretty schwanky 

when all you really need is a ball, 

a golf club, and a couple of

empty cans.

What? No! Really?
That's right, everything 
you need to make your 
own super bouncy crazy 
looking powerballs.
Mix the goop and pour it into a mold....

Dinosaurs 101

Kritosaurus

It's name means separated lizard and had a very large nose and a crested beak. The Kritosaurus was a herbivore and was discovered in 1904 by Barnum Brown. This dinosaur was discovered in San Juan County, just a little south of Durango! It is very similar to other dinosaurs, but has some very distinguishable features like some crazy shaped bones in it's skull. This guy lived during the late Cretaceous period.

 

#TBT

Best 4th of July Pic nominee!

But wait, there's another....

WacKy WedNesday

 I bet I can pull my ears harder than you can pull yours!

What kind of a key opens a banana?
A monkey!
                                                                                  Why did the monkey like the banana?
                                                                                                 Because it had appeal!
What did the banana say to the monkey?
Nothing, bananas can't talk!
                                                                                         What do monkeys do for laughs?
                                                                                            They tell jokes about people!
What do you call a monkey with a banana in each ear?
Anything you want, it can't hear you!
                                                                What did the monkey say when he cut off his tail?
                                                                                              It won't be long now.
Where should a monkey go when he loses his tail?
To a retailer!
                                                                        Why don't monkeys play cards in the jungle?
                                                                               There are too many cheetahs there!
Why did the giant ape climb up the side of the skyscraper?
The elevator was broken!
                                                                              Where do chimps get their gossip?
                                                                                             On the ape vine!
What key won't open any door?
A monkey!
                                                                             How do monkeys get down the stairs?
                                                                                 They slide down the banana-ster!
Where does a 2,000 pound gorilla sit?
Anywhere it wants!

Game Review

NEW Best known for the award winning Play With Your Food books, artist Saxton Freymann has returned with another inspired bit of metamorphosis: Photographs of objects found at the sea shore and on the streets of New York, that can be arranged to create millions of expressive faces.

About Face gets kids thinking about ways to make their own faces and characters out of things they can find in the yard or around the house.

This simple game that sparks creativity and can be enjoyed by a broad range of ages, working alone or with friends.  It is a good language tool for the youngest players, too! About Face explores words like "fern", "bulb", and "bolt" - words that don't come up all that often in day to day life, but that are nice additions to the small child's vocabulary.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it fun to work in a Toy Store all day?

Of course it is! It is always exciting to see what new toys are coming out. We like to test the toys to see how they work and that is so much fun. I also like to see the faces on kids when they first walk though the door. They are filled with excitement and wonder. Being able to make a person's day when they get a toy of their dreams is sure to bring a smile to everyone's face. So yes, it is fun to work in a Toy Store.

Did Ya Know?

Did ya know that we now carry Paparte? 

Paparte is a line of awesome gifts, mugs and other goodies that can be personalized to your choosing! Just choose what you want personalized, the pattern and what you want it to say and we'll be able to make it for you in the store. Just the other day, I made myself a blue polka dotted coffee mug with my name written in green. There are so many designs to choose from like chic stripes and flowers to an outta this world space scene. Come by the store today and let us design something just for you!

Boredom Busters

Create your own board game! 
Just grab some old cardboard and markers and make your own version of your favorite board game! it can be very simple with moves that are decided on by dice. Use rocks as playing pieces and decorate the board with glitter and googly eyes. If you want, you can get more complex and make cards that are drawn on every turn. The possibilities are endless!


Look at bugs in the grass!
Have you even wondered what lived in the great beyond? The great beyond of the backyard of course! If you go and lay in the grass and stay very still, then you will see all sorts of bugs and critters that you wouldn't have noticed before. Then you can roll over and look at the clouds as well and see what there is to see in the sky.

 
Go for a hike!
Durango is a great place to live because there are so many outdoor activities to choose from! This weekend, take some time to go explore the surrounding area and hike around the town. Take a notebook and write down what wildlife you see on your walk about. Nature is pretty neat after all.

Dinosaurs 101

We are going to continue learning about the people who discover dinosaurs; Paleontologists. The have to dig through the dirt to find these fossils, but how do they get to these bones that tell us so much about the prehistoric times of dinosaurs?  

 ROCK PICK - The classic geologist's pick is always the most useful.  It has a square and flat end for busting rock and striking chisels and a pointed  pick end for digging, turning and splitting rock.

CHISELS - They come in various sizes. The all purpose size has a 1/2  inch wide blade and is about 6 to 9 inches long. Other useful sizes are 1/4 inch  for fine work and 1 inch or bigger for heavy work. Another very useful chisel is  known as a BRICK SET. It has a wide(2-3") blade and is excellent for
splitting and trimming.

TWEEZERS - A good pair of tweezers will come in handy if you must collect small pieces without disturbing the matrix or dirt around the specimen.  A good example would be a specimen that is starting to fall apart and must be collected in pieces for later assembly such as a trilobite.

NOTEBOOK - Keeping good notes is very important. There are all kinds of notebooks to choose from. Anything from a steno-pad to a waterproof surveyor's log. Mainly it should fit in your pack or pocket, be stiff enough to write on while standing and sturdy enough to hold up to the environment.

#TBT throwin it back!

We are throwin it waaaay back, all the way to yesterday! When we got a whole pallet of toys to unpack and check in. It took a while to do this cause there were so many cool toys we had to play with. It is pretty tough work, let me tell you. We are expecting to get even more pallets of toys tomorrow. You are gonna have to stop by to see all the new stuff.

Wacky Wednesday

 

It's July!! The fourth is just around the corner and everyone is gearing up for a great weekend. Even our resident Gnome. I smell barbeque and fireworks in the very near future, my favorite! 

What kinda things are you going to do to celebrate The Fourth?

Game Review

EEboo Parlor Bingo!

It's all in the numbers!

Simply said,

A hundred numbers in a sack: draw them one by one.
As each one's called, you'll search your card. Learning can be fun!
Mark all the numbers that you find with coins across your card;
Complete a row and you have won! It's really not so hard!

Features

• For ages 5 and up
• 12 Double-sided Bingo Cards
• De-bossed Master Sheet
• Red cloth bag included