Let it Snow, let it snow, let it snow!!!

 And boy did it snow here!  After hurricane Sandy we were hit with a nor'easter which left about 7.5 inches of snow.  It also knocked out our power for 4 days, but that was nothing compared to what some other families were dealing with. 

So we made the best of it and enjoyed the perfect Snowman making snow that was covering our yard!

 Emily and Juliette's Snow Frog!!!

Celebrating Neighborhood Toy Store Day 2012

The 3rd annual Neighborhood Toy Store Day is coming this Saturday, November 10, 2012!!!!   

Participating stores will host local in-store events for families (such as activities, craft projects, live performances and/or special discounts) to help kick off the holiday shopping season and celebrate the joy of shopping for quality toys!  This annual event is coordinated by the non-profit organization ASTRA, the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association and introduces families to the fun of shopping locally and celebrates each toy store's commitment to the community.  You can find a participating toy store at Your Neighborhood Toy Store.  The new Your Neighborhood Toy Store website is an amazing online resource for parents looking for the best toys on the market and where to find them. The website also features articles with expert advice on toys and playing for children of all ages and a local toy store locator. 

I personally love finding quality unique toys that my children enjoy playing and also stimulates their minds and imagination.  Big box stores do not always carry these high quality toys and I feel they often cater to "fad" toys that children outgrow quickly and are usually cheaply made.  At your local toy store you can find a wide selection of the best toys on the market that your children will really enjoy playing with.  In addition, shopping locally offers better customer service and is a great way to support your community!

Here are some of the quality toys you could find for sale at your neighborhood toy stores, that are all winners of ASTRA's Best Toy for Kids 2012:

 

Ogo Sport RAQ by OgoSport is  a fun outdoor game where players can throw the racquets like flying discs, throw and catch the flux ball with the racquets or invent their own game with water balloons, baseballs or tennis balls.  The possibilities are endless and we can't wait to try out all the different  ways for open-ended and creative play once the weather gets nicer here. (We are currently recovering from Hurricane Sandy and a nor'easter that dumped 7.5 inches of snow!)

 

Puppet-on-a-Stick by Education Insights is a great toy to foster creativity!  The girls loved using these adorable puppets on sticks for puppet shows and making up stories.  Each puppet has an oversized head with googly eyes, a movable mouth and a handle.

 

 Kidoozie Deluxe Build-A-Road with Elevator by International Playthings was Emily and Juliette's favorite toy of all of the toys we were given to test out.  They loved creating and playing with all the different roadways that they created.  The interchangeable, flexible track was easy for them to create with and they loved watching the cars move all around once they finished creating it.

 

Feed the Woozle by Peaceable Kingdom is a great cooperative game where we all worked together to feed the Woozle.  The girls loved crossing the room in all different crazy ways to try to get the silly foods to the Woozle.  They learned body awareness, fine motor skills, counting and team work.

www.yourneighborhoodtoystore.org

You can find ASTRA/ The Woohoo Factor on Facebook HERE

   and on Twitter (@TheWoohooFactor)

Disclosure: I was asked by Child's Play Communications to help spread the word of Neighborhood Toy Store day. I was not paid for this post but I was compensated with the toys I reviewed.