No doubt your little quarantine buddy’s rotation of toys is getting a bit played out after all this time spent at home. Liven things up with some new toys, books and art projects for kids, while also helping support local businesses. We’ve got the best kids entertainment and toy recommendations from Geppetto’s Toys, a must-read from Warwick’s bookstore, top picks from San Diego’s coolest family-owned toy boutiques, and a few art studios offering to-go kits for kids. Read on for where to access the fun via curbside pick-up or delivery to your door!
Geppetto’s Toys
Keep ‘em busy! For over 40 years Geppetto’s Toys has been providing unique toys for San Diego kids. To order toys for your kiddos, you can go online or call your local store. Your goodies can be delivered (via ordering online) or you can stop-by for curbside pick-up.
Geppetto's Toys' owner Brian Miller said parents are welcome to call ahead so their Toy Experts can customize boxes for families for pick-up. Call 760-632-1107 for this service.
Here are some of Brian Miller's recommendations for fun toys to bring home:
Genius Square $24.99
Fun, FAST, and Challenging! Grab a grid, roll the dice to see where to put the blockers (there are 62,208 possibilities!), and race to fill the open spaces with game pieces. It reinforces spatial reasoning, logic, and critical thinking skills. For 1-2 players. For ages 6 yrs-adult, from Mukikim.
Ultra Glow Air Power Soccer Disk $19.99
It floats and hovers on a cushion of air, with a built-in "electric colors" LED light show that never burns out! A lively and fun combination of soccer and air hockey that develops coordination and cooperative play. The soft outer rim is furniture friendly and gives amazing rebound! Requires 4 AA batteries. For ages 6 yrs-teen, from Toysmith.
Pencil Nose $24.99
Those with a nose for drawing will sniff out this hilarious party game. Just picture drawing a trout with your snout, while others try to guess what it is–with time ticking. Rollicking fun every time. For ages 8 yrs-adult, from Fat Brain Toys.
Hey Clay Animals $17.99
Even beginners can make impressive "claymates!" Why? Because the kid-friendly app (the access code is in the box) shows you every little step. 18 cans of light, flexible, non-sticky, non-toxic, colorful clay air-dries to permanent status. For ages 3 yrs-teen, from Fat Brain Toys.
Glow in the Dark Rock Painting Kit $15.99
Make someone smile when they find a treasure in the dark! Special glow paints turn these real river rocks into works of art. For ages 6-12 yrs, from Faber-Castell.
Order by phone for curbside pick-up, or order online via website:
Locations with curbside pickup. Available Mon.-Hours., 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
The Forum, Carlsbad: 760-632- 1107
Del Mar Highlands: 858-755-2100
4S Commons: 858- 674- 9990
La Jolla on Girard: 858-456-4441
Coronado: 619-522-0918
Online: geppettostoys.com
Delivery notes: For online orders placed on weekend, the order will be ready to ship the first weekday.
Warwick's
Help support the country's oldest family-owned and operated bookstore, located right here in La Jolla. Their collection is extensive and all-encompassing so you're sure to find a great read for all the bookworms in your brood. One of Warwick's top picks for young readers is the topically relevant book The Hero Next Door. This collection of short stories explores acts of bravery and features some of the best known children's authors, including R. J. Palacio (Wonder), Rita Williams-Garcia (One Crazy Summer), Linda Sue Park (A Long Walk to Water), and many more.
Order online: Warwick's is currently processing web and phone orders Mon.-Fri. from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Delivery notes: Phone or online orders may either be delivered, free of charge, in La Jolla or shipped via $2.50 flat rate shipping for books only.
Online: warwicks.com
Hot Spot Studio
Curbside pick-up! Inspire little Picassos to paint and create with Hot Spot Studio's To-Go pottery kits. What’s more, you can customize with paint colors, items and more. From dragon cups to teddy bears there’s tons to choose from––and prices range from $15-$46. If you want to join in the creativity, you can order the Kids & Adults Value Kit with 4 projects for $40. So call or email to schedule your order today.
Order by phone or email for curbside pickup: 858-312-1019 or thehotspotdelsur@gmail.com
Curbside pickup at 16445 Paseo Del Sur #135, San Diego, CA, 92127
Hours, Tues. & Thurs., Noon-4 p.m.
Online: thehotspotstudio.com
DIESEL, A Bookstore
Support DIESEL, A Bookstore located at Del Mar Highlands by ordering ebooks through their website. One recommended series for half-pints ages 6-9 years-old is Nate the Great. Can Nate solve the case for his friend Annie? Perfect for beginning readers to follow Nate on his detective adventures.
DIESEL, A Bookstore has a large selection of books to entertain every age, from parents to young ones. They are available for easy online ordering and their book experts are available Mon.-Sat. from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for front door pick-up and special orders.
Don't miss live storytime with DIESEL on Apr. 23 at 10:30 a.m.!
12843 El Camino Real Suite 104
San Diego, CA 92130
858-925-7078
Online: dieselbookstore.com
$5.99 per ebook
Order online: dieselbookstore.com/kobo-ereader
Color Me Mine
Get ‘em happy painting the day away! Color Me Mine is offering same day delivery of their To-Go Kits, so you can have fun delivered right to your door. Popular items right now are unicorns, the Porsche car bank and the tic-tac-toe set. To-Go Kits come with brushes, pottery and paint and you can select 6 colors for each item you choose.
$25 and up
Order online for same-day delivery: ranchobernardo.colormemine.com/to-go-kits-available
Online: ranchobernardo.colormemine.com
Delivery Details: If you order by 1 p.m. they will deliver to you by 5 p.m that day. Pick 6 paint colors per item. There is a $10 fee per delivery.
Sandcastle Tales
Help keep Sandcastle Tales afloat during the Covid-19 closure by ordering some adorable toys and books from this sweet, mom-owned boutique. Shop online for toys and books to be shipped to your home. We love their Dino Island creative dough set that lets littles have fun making dinosaur and tree molds and using crayons and coloring pages. The set includes a modeling tool, play mat, four tubs of modeling dough, five dinosaur molds, three tree molds, six crayons, and three coloring pages. It's all that you need to keep your kids entertained. Recommended for kids age 3 and up, $25.
Order Online: sandcastletales.com
Magical Child
Pretend play at its finest! Your little SoCal foodies will love playing with this toy Taco Van from local, family-owned and operated toy shop Magical Child. Magical Child has a wealth of amazing toys, plushies, books and apparel you'll love perusing. You can either pick-up their timeless, classic and entertaining toys curbside at the store in Encinitas or have them shipped to your door.
Taco Van, $17
Order by phone, Facebook or online. Delivery to your door, curbside pick-up or via online.
937 S Coast Hwy 101
Encinitas, CA 92024
760-633-1326
Online: magicalchild.com
Delivery notes: Magical Child is offering personal shopping via phone and FaceTime with curbside pick-up. Call or message for details.
A Colorful Universe
Paint and pottery! Your littles will love painting A Colorful Universe’s party animals. You can buy kits for curbside pick-up or delivery. They include your choice of pottery.
Order online for curbside pick-up or delivery:
Curbside pick-up at 1523 San Elijo Rd. #106, San Marcos, CA 92078.
Hours, Mon., Weds., Fri. from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Delivery to San Marcos, Encinitas, Carlsbad. Mon., Weds. Fri. Noon-4 p.m.
Order Online: acolorfuluniverse.com
Delivery notes: Check A Colorful Universe's website here for instructions on how to place an order for either curbside pick-up or home delivery.
–Nikki Walsh
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