I’ve been delighted to have my marketing consulting and blogging worlds intersect in the aisles of Stone’s Education & Toys. This is our very own locally owned wonder emporium. Visiting the store is fabulous fun for all ages, and it’s always a chore to get my boys to scoot out the door. Stone’s offers so much more than the regular big box suspects. I know I can count on the quality and variety. It’s also an education supply store, making the pretend teacher in me swoon. Bird and Deal actually marvel at both the education supply and toy sections of the store. There are amazing art supplies and doodads to fill a playroom and a stocking (It is almost that time of year, after all.) I took the boys to Stone’s recently to create a wish list. Here’s what they whittled down from a list that was originally too long to fit on a legal pad.
Bird – What every 11-year old boy needs, he tells me.
Simon – He proclaimed this was way more fun than playing it on the iPad. Win for old school!
Rail Twirler – A grad student at the planetarium once explained the science behind this toy. Bird hasn’t forgotten it. It’s a cathartic doohickey to play with.
Suspend – The game for anyone who needs a little balance in life.
Super Stadium Baseball – Mac Daddy had a similar game when he was a kid. Bird loves dragging it out of grandma’s toy closet when we visit her in Wisconsin.
Smartphone Science – What every 11-year old boy needs is a smartphone, apparently. Bird doesn’t have one. Ahem.
Pentago – Bird and I played this game in the store. Let’s just say I have a hunch Santa will be bringing this.
Thinking Putty – This is what I call a tactile pleasure. Perfect for assuaging homework edginess.
Temple Trap – Bird loves a good game of logic, and this game is never the same twice. That’s a winner in my book.
Apples to Apples – The boys have played this with neighborhood kids. Much guffawing ensued.
Deal’s List – for a nine-year old fourth grader who loves games and gadgets
Thinking Putty – Deal has always been a seeker of tactile pleasures.
Slackers – We spent an afternoon watching a guy in a Barcelona park do tricks on a slackline. Deal has been entranced ever since.
Ezy Roller – The boys rolled through the store on this and have inquired if the hallways in our house are wide enough for it. Hmmm…
Smartphone Science – This must be a winner if both boys agree on this toy!
tummple! – A game that involves blocks and knocking things down? Right up Deal’s alley.
Snap Circuits – Deal has a set of these, but the dog ate some pieces. He’s a little bionic now. Deal finagled the pieces to play Happy Birthday for me. This is a very cool toy.
Demolition Lab – Build and blast. This is Deal’s speed.
Stratego – This is another favorite toy from Grandma’s closet that the boys love. I think this might be a gift for Mac Daddy.
Laser Khet 2.0 – Lasers and mazes and mummies, oh my! Toy of the year finalist? I’ll take it.
So there you have it. Holiday wish lists for the boys who want everything. And don’t worry if Stone’s isn’t in your neck of the woods. Order online and support a local retailer!
Saturday, November 8 is Neighborhood Toy Store Day! Visit Stone’s Education & Toys 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. to celebrate! Come in and try out the games and toys on this list. There will be lots of give-aways, activities, snacks, prizes, and FUN!
Love this list, thanks boys (and mom)! Took some great ideas for a Certain Someone.