A Mug By Any Other Name...

Well, we have these cool mugs here at Town Square Toys. They are bright and colorful and come in dozens of different names. You should check them out. They are hard plastic, durable, and dishwasher safe; perfect for your little one or for you. Be honest: haven't you always wanted your name on a mug? And not some boring old coffee mug, but a groovy, knock around the house kind of mug! Here is your chance!

The Bucket List: A Pail Rider? (ha ha ha)

Just wanted to drop a quick note about our little tin pails over at Town Square Toys. These are the classic type of metal pails or buckets with wooden handles. They are not too large and not too small; perfect for little hands to carry. Children can tote toys from room to room or place to place with ease. They also are metal so magnets stick to them. I don't know if that is relevant to your world, but I love magnets and so I thought I would bring it up. They also make neat little party gifts or take aways. Fill them with candy at your child's next birthday party. We currently have three to choose from:


Why if it isn't Curious George? Who doesn't love that little mischievous monkey? All those fantastic tales with George and the man with the yellow hat - don't get me started.

Here is your chance to have a little reminder of that monkey in your very own house. I know, I know, it is for the kids. But, you love George too! Now you can enjoy looking at scenes that take you back to the books you know and love from your own childhood. Bright yellow and vibrant red accents make this pail pop!

By the way, if you need any other Curious George stuff, we have it at Town Square Toys.


Next is the unforgettable little engine that seems to be able to do almost anything! That's right, it's Thomas the Tank Engine! Straight from Sodor island, Thomas is "toot, toot, tooting along" right to your front door. Or, actually, he will toot to your mailbox, but let us not pick nits.

Bright blue with shiny pictures of Thomas and some of his best friends, this pail with remind you and yours of the fun of being a kid, using your imagination and the hours and hours of fun with trains.

And, again, if you need more Thomas the Tank Engine toys, don't hesitate to come to Town Square Toys and get some.


Last, but certainly not least is the Rocket Robot pail. Kids love robots! I know I always did when I was younger. C-3PO, R2-D2, and Twiki from Buck Rogers were always favorites of mine. It wasn't until Terminator that I had second thoughts about robots. But hey, technically the Terminator is a cyborg and we don't carry a Terminator pail. No sir. Instead we carry a classic Rocket Robot pail. Friend to all!

Look at that face! He is just excited to be here. Bright red and blue colors show off this pail. With background images of stars and space, how can you go wrong? Take one of these wonderful pails home.

Town Square Toys also carries other Rocket Robot stuff that you might be interested in. Find out now!

Bubbles, Bubbles, a Gazillion Bubbles!

Last week we took the family to the park with some friends. We were going to play on the playground, throw the ball around, do a little geocaching and play with bubbles. The weather was phenomenal, the company was fabulous and the geocaching went swimmingly. So, as we wound down the afternoon, we kicked off the Gazillion Bubbles bubble machine.
Now, let me set the stage for you:
There was a large, multi-story play area - you know, with swings and tunnels and monkey bars and slides - just brimming to the top with kids and parents and grandparents. We were about twenty or so feet away, upwind. A gentle breeze was blowing. The sun was shining. The birds were singing. The children were playing and laughing. Then we turned on the bubble machine.
Oh, the happiness and unbridled joy that erupted forth from all around. Kids slowly started noticing the bubbles and going crazy! Life is great, but life with bubbles is indeed grand! Parents and Grandparents began to smile even more as their children and grandchildren squealed with glee. The wind carried the bubbles up and over to the play area. Bubbles were everywhere! Somewhere, Lawrence Welk was smiling.
We ran the bubble machine for a half hour or so and then our schedule necessitated our departure. Alas, our trip, just like the life of a bubble, was short lived. But, for that moment in time, the world was a brighter place, children were happier, and a Gazillion Bubbles flew home at last.
Wow - got a little poetic there at the end. Honestly, it was a total blast. I want to go and do it again. Maybe sneak into a mall and shoot bubbles over the balcony or something. You should seriously score one of these awesome Gazillion Bubbles bubble machines. And, don't forget to stock up on bubbles! You can power through this stuff quickly and you don't want to run out! I have blown a lot of bubbles in my life and this is possibly the best bubble mix out there. Grab some today. Also - you will need 6 AA batteries for the machine - don't forget!

Classic Toys Are Back

Did you ever see that movie Toys? Not Toy Story by Pixar. Or Toy Story 2. But, did you ever see Toys, starring Robin Williams? No? Well go and rent it. It is a great movie. This blog isn't about movies though, is it? So what is my point?

There is a scene towards the end of the movie when the characters pull out all of these old toys that kids don't play with any more; classic toys that you played with yourself as a child, or that your parents or grandparents played with. They use these toys to help defeat the common enemy.

Well, we have some of those toys. Schylling makes some awesome toys that harken back to a simpler time. Classic toys that you remember, or have seen or read about, that never go out of style. We carry a lot of those great toys. You should come and check it out. Take a walk down memory lane and hang out for a while on nostalgia avenue. We'll be waiting for you here at Town Square Toys.

Let the Kids Make Some Music! (or at least some noise)

One of the best things about kids is their unabashed love of making noise. Whether they are running around yelling and laughing, singing, or just banging pots and pans together; kids love to make some noise. If you are like most parents, you think that maybe they will actually pick up an instrument later in life. Maybe they will be good at playing this one or that one? Maybe they will be a virtuoso? Who knows? Well, here at Town Square Toys, we can help you get started. We have all kinds of things to throw in front of your little performer. Both Melissa and Doug and Schylling offer up excellent choices.

Now, if you want to start small and simple, you can always go for the simple percussion of the castanets or even the maracas. For heavy duty percussion, though, you will have to bring in the drums. That's right, the drums. If carrying a tune is not too important right now, pick up a kazoo or even a whistle. If your little one looks like he or she may have the chops, you can always try a harmonica - a perennial favorite to be sure.

That is the first round. Her comes some serious decision making:
You have some great choices for some awesome musical explosions at your house. Start slow with the Beginner Band Set 1 or the Beginner Band Set 2.

• Set 1 comes with a xylophone, kazoo, and castanets.

• Set 2 comes with a jingle stick, harmonica, and recorder.

• Or, you can go a little crazier with the Beginner Band set which has a xylophone with mallet, kazoo, two castanets, harmonica and a jingle stick.

• And just when you thought your head was going to stop spinning and your ears couldn't be tickled enough, you have the penultimate Band in a Box! This magnificent creation has a triangle, a tambourine, cymbals, maracas, a wooden clacker and tone blocks. It is a percussionist's dream!

I know, I know: it is all too much. "Maybe my kid isn't cut out for all of this music," you might be thinking. Well, honestly, that is okay. Fall back on the old tried and true and you can't go wrong.

Small Flocked Animals

Okay, my wife is not a big fan of the flocked Christmas tree. "The what," you say? You know, the tree that is coated, often smothered in fake snow. The wife hates that. So, what was going to be her feeling on the little, flocked creatures now inhabiting our wonderful store?

Personally, I think that the Calico Critters of Cloverleaf County are adorable. They are these ridiculously cute mammals that are flocked with a fuzzy kind of fur all over. Their eyes are always shining at you, asking you to play. Maybe not you personally, but your kids for sure. I am, and always have been, opposed to monkeys and most other animals dressing up like humans; but these sweet little guys pull off the look with style. And there is quite a variety of Calico Critters to choose from:

The Slydale Fox Family, the Cottontail Rabbit Family, the Hawthorne Hamster Family, the Dalmatian Dog Family, the Fisher Cat Family, the Beagle Dog Family and the Marmalade Bear Family.

Just look at some of the cuteness:




Okay, okay. You may not be a fan. But your little ones will love the Calico Critters. But, not too little. Calico Critters are small and some of their accessories are too. Ages 3 and up!