Come Out and Play on Neighborhood Toy Store Day

Remember the magic of your local toy store growing up – where kids were encouraged to play and picking out the perfect toy was as special as the toy itself?  The folks at American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA) do and they are inviting you to relive the magic on November 12, 2011 as toy stores nation-wide celebrate Neighborhood Toy Store Day.  With free crafts, giveaways, face painting and more planned, it’s a great way to kick off the holiday season with your neighbors and help support the local businesses that make our communities great.

We all know that Seattle loves a party as much as we love our coffee, so it won’t be a surprise that numerous local toys stores will be celebrating Neighborhood Toy Store Day in a big way.  While you can find links to participating stores right on the ASTRA website, here are some of the hottest events planned in our neck of the woods.

Top Ten Toys in Greenwood — 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
No one parties quite like Top Ten Toys in Greenwood.  Their managers will tell you that they never miss a chance to party and one step into the shop on Neighborhood Toy Store Day will easily confirm this.  With well-organized areas for face painting, science experiments, kid’s activities, arts and crafts, and entertainment as well as great giveaways, Top Ten Toys is a great place to come for some hands-on play time during the festivities as well as prizes and goodies for the kids.

104 N 85th St
Seattle, Wa
206-782-0098
online: toptentoys.com

Planet Happy Toys — 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
A favorite shop for the eco-conscious child at heart, Planet Happy is a quaint little shop north of the U-District shopping center that always has a full calendar of events for kiddos.  During Neighborhood Toy Store Day, the shop will be showcasing their favorite toys of the holiday season along with free face painting, a coloring station, and offering eco-friendly treats as well as a coupon to help cut back on the holiday costs. In addition, for every $10 spent at Planet Happy, a tree is planted!

2914 NE 55th St
Seattle, Wa 
206-729-0154
online: planethappytoys.com

Creative Mom Toys — all day
An intimate store with a focus on educational and development toys, Creative Mom Toys will be celebrating the event with giveaways, crafts, and more in their Redmond shop.  They will have stations set up to play house and dress up and will be showcasing all the hottest toys of the holiday season.

840 N. 10th Pl. Ste. A
Renton, Wa
206-388-3940
online: creativemomtoys.com

Other Participating Stores:

Treetop Toys – Redmond
15752 Redmond Way
Redmond, Wa
425-869-9713
online: treetoptoys.com

Snapdoodle Toys — Kenmore
7330 NE Bothell Way
Kenmore, Wa
425-408-0021
online: snapdoodletoys.com

Leanne is the editor and head writer at Rave and Review and, when not playing with toys herself, spends her time exploring the Seattle area with her family.