Sunday, August 31, 2014

Did Ya Know?

Because everyone is going back to school, lets learn some
School Bus Fun Facts!


The earliest school buses were horse drawn and designed to carry about 25 kids. These buses were called "School Hacks"


In the 1930's, Blue Bird Body Company and Wayne Works began building steel bodies and motorized vehicles that could carry kids a bit more safely to school. 


In 1939, there was a conference held in order to standardize school buses across the country. After seven days, they decided on the length of the school bus, the ceiling height and even the color, which is officially called National School Bus Chrome.


When school buses retire from taking kids to and from school, they often go on to do other great things. Some will go to either South America or Africa, others will be used as a substitute bus and will provide transportation when a newer bus breaks down and sometimes a bus will be sold at auction for very low prices. Some buses have been refurbished to be "Adventure Buses" and have been outfitted like an RV.


Saturday, August 30, 2014

Boredom Busters

Bird Watching
There are so many beautiful birds in Durango, why not find some binoculars and see who has made a nest in your backyard? The other day, I found a bird nest right outside my window with some peeping chicks who were waiting for their mother to return with supper. Make sure you don't touch any of the nests, only watch them.

 

Build a Model
With some of the rainy days we've had, it can get kind of boring sitting inside. So be productive with that time, and build something like a model car! Start easy with a snap together model then you can move up to one that requires gluing and paint. It takes some patience, but the finished product is always worth the hard work.



Be a Superhero for the Day
Make yourself a cape and a mask, come up with your superhero name, and go about saving the day! It can be as simple as picking up a piece of litter and putting in in the trash can to helping someone with yard work and making their day that much easier. It may have only been a simple task, but you saved the day for someone out there!

Friday, August 29, 2014

Dinosaurs 101

The Slowest Dinosaur


The slowest dinosaur out there was the Stegosaurus. It had a HUGE body and itty bitty legs, and scientists believe it's fastest speed was only around 4 miles per hour. The stegosaurus is still one of my favorite dinosaurs though.

Thursday, August 28, 2014

#TBT

Lets take it back to when we met Spikey's Dad! Hans Dieter-Sues discovered Spikey Stygimoloch in Wyoming and Montana. Look at that Proud Papa!

 
It was so great to meet a real paleontologist!

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

WaCky WedNesDay

A little fun with animal words!
Anything unrelated to an elephant is IRRELEPHANT

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Game Review

Sleeping Queens
Imagine a place where there?s a queen of all pancakes, a king of cookies and a pack of over-protective dragons? If this sounds like something out of a dream, it actually is! Sleeping Queens was invented by 6-year-old Miranda Evarts, who thought up the game one night when she couldn?t fall asleep. She awoke the next morning and with help from her older sister, Madeleine and her parents, Denise and Max created this wonderfully whimsical world of napping nobles. As you immerse yourself in the Evarts fantasyland, you will find a game that helps develop memory, strategy, and elementary arithmetic skills. Just be careful when playing potion cards or you could wind up putting all the players to sleep! 
HOW TO PLAY
  Rise and Shine! The Pancake Queen, the Ladybug Queen and ten of their closest friends have fallen under a sleeping spell and it's your job to wake them up. Use strategy, quick thinking and a little luck to rouse these napping nobles from their royal slumbers. Play a knight to steal a queen or take a chance on a juggling jester. But watch out for wicked potions and dastardly dragons! The player who wakes the most queens wins.

Sleeping Queens takes about 20 minutes to play and is perfect for the family that has little prince and princesses in their house! The crazier you are, the more you'll enjoy this game!

Monday, August 25, 2014

FAQ's

 Do we have any ideas for fun snacks?
Who knew string cheese and 
cucumber slices could make a scooter? 
Use toothpicks to hold  the cucumber slices
 in place on the string cheese and a dab of 
peanut butter to hold the pretzels together....
 
 Laughing Apples! 
Apple slice, peanut butter, and mini marshmallows... this is something the whole family could do for dessert!

 Grapes &
Apple Slices.... Viola
Race cars! 
Just use a toothpick for the axels!
Nom nom nom!

Sunday, August 24, 2014

Did Ya Know?

Did Ya Know?
If you have 3 quarters, 4 dimes, and 4 pennies, you have $1.19. You also have the largest amount of money in coins without being able to make change for a dollar.

The numbers '172' can be found on the back of the U.S. $5 dollar bill in the bushes at the base of the Lincoln Memorial.

 President Kennedy was the fastest random speaker in    the world with upwards of 350 words per minute.
                   In the average lifetime, a person will walk the equivalent of
                                            5 times around the equator.
                Odontophobia is the fear of teeth.
             The 57 on Heinz ketchup bottles represents the number of
                         varieties of pickles the company once had.
In the early days of the telephone, operators would pick up a call and use the phrase, "Well, are you there?".
It wasn't until 1895 that someone suggested answering    the phone with the phrase "number please?"

                The surface area of an average-sized brick is 79 cm squared.

Saturday, August 23, 2014

Boredom Busters


Boredom Busters!
 Help make dinner for the whole family!
 Spend some time in the
 kitchen cooking up your favorite meal!

 Start an ant farm and see how the little critters dig their tunnels and build their colony.

Build a tree house or even a tree fort! 
Better yet, design your tree house for a future build! 
How many rooms will your house have?

Friday, August 22, 2014

Dinosaurs 101

A very Grumpy Dinosaur or a very Grumpy Person 
could also be called a Grumposaurus!
Dinosaurs have feelings too! 
Just take it from Gracie the Grumposaur who was grumpy from first thing in the morning until last thing at night! Her parents tried everything to cheer her up, but nothing worked. Would anything make her smile?
We think we might be able to get her to smile by telling some silly Dinosaur jokes, by wearing silly hats, or just by hanging out with Gracie for a day.... who knows, Gracie might even let us read her a story> We would choose one that had a happy ending!


Thursday, August 21, 2014

#TBT

 This is the 3rd version of our Logo before we took it to the 
professional Graphic Artist, Kirk James!
Ah yes, our first pallet of toys! Sigh....

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

WacKy WedNesDay

 Celebrate WacKy WedNesDay by being the Lorax! 
Make a Lorax moustache on a stick

Make a Lorax flower pot and plant a Truffula tree. 
It just takes a pot, some yarn and some googly eyes!

Tuesday, August 19, 2014

Gme Review

Muuli the Donkey can carry a load!

Lay donkey down in the box. Spread the elastic string in a circle. Fill up the circle with colorful bamboo rings. When the circle is taut, stand donkey up; you're ready to begin.

You think unloading the donkey is as easy as loading? Not so much. Remove the rings with caution. Jerky movements or hastily picked rings could result in a disaster. Simple logic and a steady hand are needed - a bit of luck is helpful too.

There are three ways to play Muuli:

1. Turns: Take turns clockwise pulling rings. Select the color you desire.

2. Color: Select one color and only pull the rings in that color.

3. Rounds: Solo or group play. Count Muuli's rings. See how many you can pull, before they all come falling out. Reload and pass donkey to the next contestant.

With Muuli, unloading is so much fun!

Muuli
  • Pull rings without dumping Donkey's complete load
  • Develop simple logic, strategy
  • Features donkey with circular elastic string
  • 3 ways to play - Turns, Color, Rounds
  • 4 brilliant bamboo rings: royal purple, kelly green, natural bamboo, sky blue
  • Includes 64 rings (16 of each color)
  • Rings handcrafted from bamboo
  • Donkey measures 3 x 6.5 inches
  • Quality made for lasting play

  • Friday, August 15, 2014

    Dinosaurs 101

    The Shonisaurus


    This aquatic beast lived over 250 million years ago during the late Triassic period. The Shonisaurus grew to be about 50 feet long and over 40 tons! It was part of the the Ichthyosaur family and had a long narrow nose and long fins. The Shonisaurus was first discovered in 1920 in Nevada and British Columbia and has since been excavated. These fossils can been seen at the Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park. It grew to be this size mainly because of it's protein rich diet of sea creatures smaller than itself. 



    Thursday, August 14, 2014

    #TBT

    The Infamous "Spinmallow" marshmallow 
    roast at the beach in the toy store!
    There was always time for a spontaneous puppet show!

    Wednesday, August 13, 2014

    Wacky Wednesday

    Rammy the Bighorn Sheep is learning how to play the Chimalong. 


    It is some sweet music to my ears!


    Tuesday, August 12, 2014

    Game Review

    Continental Game Risk 


    2-8 players
    60 - 90 minutes of play
    Ages 8 and up

    Make the right moves and you'll conquer the world with this classic reproduction of Risk. Just like it was made in 1959, this timeless game contains six sets of beautiful wooded "army" pieces conveniently stored in clear plastic boxes with lids, a deck of cards, dice, and a rules book featuring the History of Risk. 

    The object of the game is to occupy every territory on the board and in doing so, eliminate the other players. Players control armies with which they attempt to capture territories from other players, with results determined by dice rolls.

    You'll Need sound strategy-and some luck- plus great diplomacy to persuade your opponents to spare you and attack the others. 

    Monday, August 11, 2014

    FAQ

    Why did the chicken cross the road?


    To get to the other side

    Because it was the other chicken's day off

    To prove it could be done

    It had to go change a light bulb

    I don't know, ask the chicken!



    Sunday, August 10, 2014

    Did Ya Know?

    Where does the Coonskin Cap come from?

    The Coonskin Cap was originally a part of Native American culture, but when European pioneers came over and began to settle in Kentucky and Tennessee, they adapted them to be worn as a hunting caps. Over the years, the coonskin cap became associated with the American Frontiersman such as Daniel Boone and Davy Crockett. Daniel Boone never actually wore coonskin caps, but instead preferred felt hats. Meriwether Lewis of the Lewis and Clark Expedition wore a coonskin cap as they traveled across the west. 

    In the 1950's, the coonskin cap became a fashion trend among young American, Canadian and British boys. This was because of a widely popular television show called Disneyland and it showed the American Hero, Davy Crockett, decked out in a buckskin shirt and a coonskin cap. Fess Parker, who played Davy also went on to play Daniel Boone in a different television series where the costuming was practically the same. During this time there was also a coonskin cap marketed to girls and it was called the Polly Crockett. This particular hat was all white, usually made out of rabbit fur and featured Polly Crockett on top of the hat. 

    Throughout time, the coonskin cap will always tie in closely with the American Pioneer and I think everyone should have one in their wardrobe.



    Saturday, August 9, 2014

    Boredom Busters

    Boredom Busters

     

    Googly Eyes
    Give something some Googly Eyes and it instantly becomes hilarious. We've been armed with a giant tub of googly eyes and some double stick tape and have so much fun with it. Sometimes we get to work and find that something like the stapler, the fridge, or even the door has a set of silly eyes. 



     
    Climb a tree
    This is an essential summer activity for any kid to do. Pick a really big tree and limbs that aren't too steep. If it is your first time climbing a tree, get an adult or older sibling to help you or spot you just in case you fall. If you find a comfy branch, bring a book or eat your lunch in the tree!




    Give a Pogo Jumper a try
    Kidoozie, a brand that is carried here at Durango Toy Depot has an awesome alternative to the pogo stick; The Hop and Squeak Pogo Jumper. The base is a solid foam block with a squeaker inside of it. the handle is attached by a stretchy bungee tube that accommodates any height. The Pogo Jumper even supports up to 250 pounds! I must say that it is so much fun to bounce around the store.


    Friday, August 8, 2014

    Dinosuars 101

    The Kronosaurus



    Name:
    Kronosaurus (Greek for "Kronos lizard"); pronounced CROW-no-SORE-us
    Habitat:
    Oceans worldwide
    Historical Period:
    Middle Cretaceous (110 million years ago)
    Size and Weight:
    About 33 feet long and 7 tons
    Diet:
    Fish, mollusks, and other marine reptiles
    Distinguishing Characteristics:
    Enormous head with short neck; numerous sharp teeth


    About Kronosaurus:
    Kronosaurus was a classic example of a pliosaur, marine reptiles characterized by their thick heads, short necks, stocky trunks and outsized flippers.
    The middle Cretaceous Kronosaurus appears to have made its living much like a modern Great White Shark, simply eating anything--fish, squids, and other marine reptiles--that swam across its path. As big as it was, though, Kronosaurus didn't approach the bulk of the most massive pliosaur of all time, Liopleurodon, which may have weighed as much as 35 tons (compared to about 10 tons for the largest Kronosaurus individuals). And both of these reptiles were outclassed by the giant shark Megalodon, which lived tens of millions of years later and attained weights in the 50 ton range.
    The fragmented remains of Kronosaurus were discovered fairly early in paleontological history, in 1899 in Queensland, Australia. A much more complete specimen was unearthed three decades later, during a fossil-hunting expedition to Australia sponsored by Harvard University, and a few decades after that, a second Kronosaurus species was discovered in Colombia, South America, proof that this fearsome reptile attained an especially wide distribution during the Cretaceous period.

    Thursday, August 7, 2014

    Throwback Thursday

    Lets go back to when Sydney was just a little pup and and first came into the store. It was love at first sight with this dog and we demanded that her Mom bring her back every week. She is often featured on our Facebook site in the Sydney Sunday Posts.



     Hope I'm lucky enough to see this fur-ball soon!

    Wednesday, August 6, 2014

    Wacky Wednesday

     Meet Mocha, the most adorable bear in the whole store!


    Its CRAZY how big and snuggly this bear is. I cant go a day without giving him some cuddles.

    Tuesday, August 5, 2014

    Game Review

    Camp

     Up to 8 Players 
    20-30 minutes of play 
    Ages 4 and up. (Multi-generational play)

    Camp is a game that is great for the whole family. It provides a family with the opportunity to have everyone be challenged in the process of the game. Camp is a trivia game with the trivia cards asking four different questions, all varying in difficulty.
     
    Players shake a die to move along the game board. If the player lands on a space with white footprints, the turn ends. If the player lands on a space with green footprints, the player gets a question. If the player answers correctly, the player can shake the die and move again. If incorrect, the turn is over. 

    Along the way there are spaces that send a player back to the camp clubhouse. When a player goes there, the player (or someone else playing who can read) reads a fun fact. These cards are simply educational; there is no need to answer anything on them.

    This would be an ideal game for a multi generatoinal family or those who want to learn more about the great outdoors. 

    Monday, August 4, 2014

    FAQ's

    What is there to do in Durango?


    There is so much to do in our fun little town! You could go hiking on one of the many mountains that surround us. Biking is also a great choice. The Animas River flows right through town and provides hours of fun. you can either raft, tube or just sit by the river. I like to fish in the Animas too.There is also the Train that takes you up to Silverton for the day. Maybe Shopping is more your thing and you could check out all the cool stores that Durango has to offer. There are also some spectacular restaurants if your inner foodie needs to come out. If you drive north, you could spend your day at Durango Mountain Resort. In the winter DMR has some great skiing and in the summer, there is some great hikes, bungee trampolines and a zipline. Durango may be a small mountain town, but there is plenty to keep you busy.

    Sunday, August 3, 2014

    Did ya Know?

    Did you know what these animals are called when they are in a large group?

    an ARMY of Caterpillars.

    a POD of Dolphins.

    a TROOP of Kangaroos.

    a ROMP of Otters.

    a CRASH of Rhinoceroses.

    a SHIVER of Sharks. 

    a DAZZLE of Zebras. 


    Saturday, August 2, 2014

    Boredom Busters

    Boredom Busters


    Create your own water park! Find some sprinklers and a blue tarp and you have an exciting and refreshing slip 'n' slide. If you put some dish soap on the blue tarp, You'll have extra slip for your slide!

     


    Reread your favorite book. When you reread your favorite books, you could pick up on things that you might have missed while reading it the first time. I like to read Harry Potter in the summer time. Plus it transports you to a different place when your are fully engulfed in a good story.


    Do something nice for your friends. Give your best friend a manicure, or teach someone how to throw a baseball. Not only will it give you something to do, but you'll also make a great memory with your friends.

    Friday, August 1, 2014

    Dinosuars 101



    The smallest dinosaur out there was the Saltopus. A bipedal dinosaur that only grew to be about 30-40 inches long. They lived during the late Triassic Period in Scotland. The Saltopus was discovered by William Taylor and named by Freidrich von Huene in 1910. Freidrich came up with the name Saltopus from the Latin word saltare meaning to jump and the Greek word pous meaning foot. It would only be the size of a domestic cat and because the Saltopus had hollow bones, it would have only weighed about two pounds. Pretty small for a dinosaur, but this little guy was still a vicious carnivore. It would probably be fun to have a pet Saltopus running around the house though.