Creative Kidstuff: Educational Toys for All Ages

Where is Spring?

2008-04-10T11:42:00.003-05:00

If you are like me living in the Midwest, you may be wondering “where is Spring?” One day we are out flying kites and the next building snowmen and shoveling snow. Today we are preparing for another snowstorm. YIKES!
The 4 foot first grader in my house is determined to bring Spring no matter what. We are planning the garden, dragging out the summer toys and putting pots of dirt with mystery seeds in every available sunny window. My son and I were looking at seeds and reading about gardening and the book referred to a seed as a “promise.” Promise meaning that inside every seed is a “promise” of the plant inside, of green and growing. This has me thinking of looking around our world and looking for the Earth’s promise of Spring. Have you seen a blade of green grass, a crocus trying to poke his tiny head through the earth or maybe a Robin? This weekend spend some time looking for Spring’s “promise.”

Fun Spring Activities

· Go for a walk look for the “promise”
· Build a Snowmen add a Flower Lei and a Hawaiian Shirt
· Place a bean seed in a small piece of wet paper tower, place this in a Ziploc bag and tape to a sunny window. Watch what happens.
· Grab a plastic bag, put on a pair of gloves and help clean up your neighborhood.
· Go Fly a Kite
· Take out the “sand” toys and with snow or sand make a castle.
· Plant a seed. (check out the amazing Green and Growing activities at your local Creative Kidstuff)

Happy Valentines Day

2008-02-11T09:48:00.000-06:00

Why is February 14th set aside to tell the special people in our lives we love them? The Romans believe it was because of Juno. Juno was the queen of all the Roman gods and goddesses and the goddess of woman and marriage. February 14th was a day set aside to honor Juno. Others believe it was because of Catholic priest named Valentine who married young couples in secret because marriage was banned under the ruling emperor. We may never know why or how this day began but it has become an important holiday to let the special people in our lives know how much we care.
Valentines Day once reminded me of a fancy dinner out and a special gift, now I look forward to glitter, glue, paper hearts and red crayons saying “I love you” Cherish the time when you are their one true “Valentine”. Eat a heart shaped pizza, toast each other with pink milk, and enjoy!! Happy Valentines Day. Let us know how you and your “special valentines” are celebrating the day.

Join us for Creative Kidstuff Story Time!

2008-02-01T14:12:00.000-06:00

All winter long, Creative Kidstuff has focused on the importance of reading in a child's life. We've met with parents, educators, librarians and reading enthusiasts of ALL ages to discuss how to foster a love for reading in your child. And all of them, every single one, unanimously agree that reading aloud is one of the best starts to get children on the road to reading.

We have been so thrilled in the last year to host Story Times at all our Creative Kidstuff locations. Every Thursday at 10:00 a.m., parents, grandparents and children clamor into our book nook to play, read, craft and talk about the book of the week. No registration is needed and it's FREE……and sometimes a special friend stops by for a visit! (See photo above!)

Here are a few comments and stories about our weekly event!

“I love story time. Books are fun.” – 4 year old at St. Paul store.

“One day, Clifford stopped by our Maple Grove store to read and take pictures with all the kids. Hugs, smiles and laughter filled the store. And one little boy went chasing after Clifford and hand delivered a note that read “I love you, Clifford!””

Mary at Minneapolis remembers on little girl who was goofing on how to make a snowman. “We use strawberries for the mouth.” “Really?” “No! Just kidding!”

“The kids were wondering why Curious George had to take a “banana break” and would look all over the store for him. One little boy ran up and asked “Is George in the bathroom?” – Jenny at Maple Grove

So join us each Thursday at 10 a.m. as our delightful staff reads their favorite storybooks!

February 7: Journey to the Moon: A Roaring Soaring Ride
February 14: Emily’s Valentines Party
February 21: Clifford’s Birthday Party
February 28: Tip Tip Dig Dig

The Joy and Importance of Reading

2008-01-20T12:23:00.000-06:00

Creative Kidstuff is ringing in the New Year with a bevy of great books! Cold winter months are perfect for cuddling up with a great story and we would like to encourage you to partake in the joy of reading with your little one this month.

Getting your child to develop a love of reading is much harder in our current technological age. Gone are the days when their only diversion on a hot day was a good book under a shady tree. Now kids spend their free time with video games, television, at the mall or texting with their friends. So how do we persuade them to unplug and engage in this very important pastime?

Here’s a few suggestions:

Provide a reading area for each child. Someplace cozy with little to no distractions is best. A window seat full of cushions, a play tent with a lantern reading light or the fabulous Kapsule Chairs that also stores the books they are reading. (My favorite reading place was an old claw-foot bathtub filled with soft pillows in my first grade classroom!)
Give a child a book allowance every month – in addition to any other earnings they may receive. Then once month make a special trip to the store and let them pick out a book of their own. They will be so excited own a book and read it!
Read aloud to your child. And when they are inspired, let them read aloud to YOU! (Be patient – sometimes this can take awhile. But they are SO proud when they finish telling you the story.)
For the active child that cringes at the sight of a book – encourage them to read about their favorite hobby or athlete. Or try The Dangerous Book for Boys. This best selling book will have your couch potato making a go-cart in record time!
If you are still having trouble getting them interested, pick up a copy of How to Get Your Child to Love Reading. Providing over 3,000 recommended titles, Esme Raji Codell leaves parents with a great resource to guide them through the next trip to the library or bookstore.

TELL US YOUR HELPFUL HINTS TO GET KIDS ON THE ROAD TO READING!

A Company with a Conscience!

2007-10-02T21:37:00.000-05:00

Like you - we are always searching for the newest, coolest educational toys. Like you - we search through catalogs, we look online, we ask our friends and we talk to sales associates about the products they carry. AND LIKE YOU – we get frustrated by the majority of low-quality products on the market these days!

There are millions of toys and baby care items out there and finding the highest quality products is definitely a challenge that our buyers are happy to undertake! Trust me when I say that we only work with the best of the best. (Finding them is the hard part.)

But every once in awhile we come across a diamond in the rough. When this happens, we get SO excited that we want to rave on and on. And it also gives us faith that there are toy makers out there who carry more about just making a profit.

If you haven’t played a BLUE ORANGE game before you should definitely think of trying one out. They make some of the most popular board and travel games that the whole family can play. Blue Orange games are high quality, beautifully designed, challenging, smart, interesting and (last but not least) a whole lot of fun.

But what really tips the scale for me is that they are environmentally conscience. Here’s a statement that they released earlier this year:

“We love and respect our natural environment and understand the need to work towards the preservation of our planet. Therefore we at Blue Orange have committed to plant two trees for every tree used to create our games.

This campaign began in the summer of 2006 in central China, where Blue Orange’s manufacturers are located. Since we create an average of 35 games per tree, we have partnered with the Chinese Forest Office to replant trees on a yearly basis.

We expect to plant over 10,000 new trees this year. We use and replant a variety of trees to preserve the integrity of the natural environment, including Pine, Birch and Beech.

Opening communication on this vital campaign is an important step towards informing the public of how the choices they make as consumers can impact the sustainability of our entire planet.”

To are a some links to a few of these wildly popular Blue Orange games! Enjoy!

Gobblet

Bendominos

Ringgz

CooCoo the Rocking Clown

2007-08-22T22:41:00.000-05:00

It's probably safe to assume that for most people the end of summer arrives with mixed feelings. ‘Course I am thinking about parents and kids when I say that! The kids in my neighborhood have been running around, taking in these last moments of freedom - before they're subdued by homework, music lessons, soccer practice and a new sleep schedule. But, fortunately for them, the blow is softened a bit by new school supplies, clothes, sports gear or backpacks!

For parents, there’s the rush to get organized. My guess that most families are digging out the calendars they’d tossed aside for the summer and are now frantically back to planning their day to day. And some parents and kids are planning for their BIGGEST day. That bittersweet, momentous, “I can’t believe the day is finally here" very first day of Kindergarten.

On of my co-workers asked me if I remembered MY very first day of school. Honestly, I’m not sure if what I remember is entirely accurate. There are bits and pieces that are very clear to me and the rest is kinda fuzzy. I’ll elaborate…..

First of all, I remember my very first backpack. Red. Carried the basics - crayons, pencils, paper and my name Sharpied on the back. Nothing fancy or complicated yet I compulsively packed and repacked it preparing for the big day. I wanted to be ready.

Next comes the classic first day of school picture. Fresh clothes, new backpack, perfectly combed hair and an eager smile. I was the youngest - so it was finally my turn to have the “big” picture taken in front of the garage with the dog.

Third was the bus ride. And this is where my 5 year old terror kicks in. I walked up the huge steps on the big yellow bus and didn't know what to do. I basically froze in place and refused to move. My older brother was forced to walk back up to the front and fetch me. All I could do was close my eyes and hang onto the back of his jacket for dear life and refuse to sit absolutely anywhere else other than right next to him until the ride was over. Unfortunately for him, this same event reoccurred daily for approximately two weeks.......

And finally I walked into my kindergarten class. Actually I was not too gently shoved in by my brother - who at that point decided he’d done his part and departed for his own class room. And then, my teacher came up, gave me a hug and showed me were to sit and everything was alright.

The rest of the day sorta fades out. I remember recess. I remember missing my mom. I remember that I was sad I couldn’t watch the Price is Right. All in all...not a bad day!

Now it’s your turn…..Do you have a first day of school memory?

2007-07-19T10:20:00.001-05:00

The number of safety recalls issued in the past 6 months has been alarming. And it’s not in just one area of the market. Recalls have been announced for pet food, people food, toys, toothpaste and tires. And many of these items were suppose to be of the "highest quality." Here at Creative Kidstuff, we have always prided ourselves on carrying safe, high-quality and educational toys. But with the recent Thomas Wooden Railway recall - well, it sorta left us speechless.

None of us could remember the last time – or if ever – recalls took center stage in the national spotlight. And, to us, all this media attention is very good thing! It results in an important conversation begin started.

There is no doubt that there are issues with our global market. The thought of a child playing with an unsafe, even toxic, toy is unsettling. So what's the silver lining??? That these problems that keep reoccurring will finally be addressed and higher standards and regulations will be created. One way to make an impact is for us, the consumer, to demand quality over quantity; that we will buy well-made, quality products instead of cheap, disposable one - sending a message to the manufacturers.

One thing that we try to remember at Creative Kidstuff is that "It’s not the country. It’s the company that is responsible." Just because a product is made in China doesn’t automatically mean it's dangerous. And don’t assume that if a toy is manufactured in Italy or Germany - or even here in the U.S. - that it is automatically safe to play with.

“So what can Creative Kidstuff do?” we asked.
- We will continue to only buy high quality, educational toys.
- We will continue to keep an open dialogue with toy companies, our staff and our customers about any product concerns.
- We will continue to educate customers about the toys we carry.
- We will continue to stay up to date on any safety issues for any toy we have ever carried in any of our stores and pass that information onto our customers.

So can you do on the home front? (That’s a question we’ve been asked quite a bit.)

1. Inspect your toys regularly and throw away the broken ones - even if it’s your child’s favorite. Trust me. They’ll get over it. The tantrum will end and your child will be safer for it!

2. Buy only age appropriate toys. Don’t be tempted by that “cool, sophisticated” toy labeled for ages 6 and up if you are buying it for a five year old!

3. If you are buying a gift for someone else’s child, ask the parent what kind of toy would be appropriate. Or even better - ask them to create a gift registry for the birthday, shower, etc. It takes away the guess work and makes shopping a whole lot easier and fun.

4. Parents AND children should learn the right way to play with a toy - and to pay attention to what they are playing with. If the child is young, teach them the appropriate way to play. If they continue to have trouble (and instead the toy is being kicked or thrown around) maybe it’s not the right plaything for him or her. It is the parents’ responsibility to monitor their child’s play.

5. Keep up to date with toy safety recalls and tips. Here are a few resources with up-to-date information:
Consumer Product Safety Commission - Recalls
Consumer Product Safety Commission - Safety Tips
Toy Industry Association
Toy Recall Info
Toy Safety/ Public Interest Rights Group

6. Get involved. Contact your senators and representatives and let them know your concerns about toy safety.

Please let us and other blog readers know your tips, ideas and concerns about toy safety. Respond to this entry below.

Mindy

A Celebration of Meatballs

2007-06-28T14:30:00.000-05:00

The best thing part of the Fourth of July is that the day means something different, something unique, to every American.

For some the Fourth is about tradition - the annual get together in the backyard, marching in the big parade, BBQs, fireworks, baseball and apple pie.

For others, the day is a celebration of our nation's history. It's about learning our country's past, the struggles of our fore-fathers and the sacrifices made so that freedom could reign. We remember those who serve - past and present - to keep us safe.

And for others it is about freedom. The freedom to speak, think and believe any way we want. And, just like our ancestors, there is also the promise of freedom to so many who want to make America their home.

That's what is so GREAT! The Fourth means something different to everyone and we have the freedom to celebrate it in the way that means the most to each one of us.

So, what does the Fourth of July mean to me? Well? Meatballs. Let me explain...

The Fourth was one of the few times every year my mom would make her legendary meatballs. And for my cousins – it was their only chance that year to get a taste. Even though she made more and more each year, there was always a fight over who got the last one. You kept one eye on your food and with the other, scanned the room to see who was going to empty their plate first. It was a friendly rivalry...and it brought us together as a family.

And that's what the Fourth really is to me. Family. Kisses from distant aunts and uncles (who's names I can't even remember), taking turns holding all babies born in the last year, potato sack races, getting soaked in the sprinkler regardless if you have a bathing suit or not, holding hands and covering your ears when the fireworks begin. It's about the little things we do to make this special day belong to each of us.

What are your favorite Fourth of July traditions? What makes the Fourth of July special to you?

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE RAINY DAY ACTIVITY?

2007-06-05T16:47:00.000-05:00

Growing up, rainy days were always fun at our house. It was a time to build forts with the sofa cushions and bedsheets. Find a cozy place to read a good book. Bake cookies. Have a tea parties with Holly Hobbie and all my stuffed animal friends. Basically, anything and everything I could think to do until the skies cleared and I was free to run and play outside.

At some point, especially after the rain dragged on for days, I was itching to get back outside. (And after 48 hours of running around the house, playing with every toy in sight and leaving a huge mess of glue, construction papers and popsicle sticks – my mother wanted me out of the house as well!) So away I went – running and playing in the warm summer rain.

Right away I kicked off my galoshes, threw my umbrella to the wayside and - ignoring my mother’s voice in my head telling me to stay clean – jumped right into the middle of the first puddle I could find. After about 20 minutes and all the puddles on the farm were emptied by my enthusiastic stomping, I would set out looking for a new diversion.

Mostly I would make up my own fun. One of my favorites was to search for prettiest rock in our driveway (because the rain always brought out the hidden colors in each stone.) Or I would climb a tree in search of a bird’s nest, watching for the momma to bring back worms and bugs for her tiny babies. Or, I would just find a muddy spot and giggle at how cool it felt to squish mud between my toes.

Looking back, what I learned was that there are many beautiful things to discover when the world around us is covered in rain and gloom. It was a time to stop and see everything in a different light. And for me, it is still a time to discover a new world within a book. Or become a famous painter. Or learn how a garden does grow.

Next time your plans are stopped by a rainy day, just let you kids out to see the world in a new light. And maybe, for old times’ sake, you can find a puddle for yourself and jump on in!

Please tell us your Favorite Rainy Day Activity by posting a response below!

And be sure to check out our favorite RAINY DAY toys and games.

The Annual Creative Kidstuff June Sale!

2007-06-03T11:09:00.000-05:00

That's right!......the 25% off absolutely everything in stock sale begins June 7th.

For us at Creative Kidstuff, the June Sale really kicks into gear around February. (There' s quite a bit of planning involved in making a sale this big.) By then our buyers have traveled the world in search of the newest, coolest, funest, educational toys around. And they work very hard to get all these great new toys to the stores in time for the big sale.

For example, they found a unique and creative product called ClippyKits. Our buyers stumbled across this line and their creator, Calypso Rose, while in London. They were both charmed by her and her invention - fabulous bags, umbrellas and pencil cases that can be "scrapbooked" to show off the personality of the carrier. So COOL! So FUN! And something that hasn't been seen in the United States before. After months of planning, they've brought this new, hot toy to the U.S. market...and to the Creative Kidstuff customer.

These and thousands of other great toys will be 25% off June 7th thru June 10th. So mark your calendars, make your shopping list, and preview our summer catalog, filled with the newest and coolest toys, at www.creativekidstuff.com

Why do kids L-O-V-E Dinosaurs?!?!

2007-06-01T09:58:00.000-05:00

Some kids just can't get enough of these awesome creatures. And trust me - it's not something they will grow out of. Dinosaurs bring out the kid in everyone. As for me, I still get goosebumps everytime I drive past a Science or Natural History Museum.

Why? Well for starters - They were as big as a house. Seriously! A HOUSE! To someone who's just three feet tall (for four or five or six...), their size alone makes them worthy of awe!

Also, they're scary - but extinct. That makes them "safe" monsters!

But maybe it's because a dinosaur can be anything the child imagines. We don't really know what a dinosaur roar sounded like - or what they looked like, or how they behaved. They can be whatever we want them to be!

But mostly they're just plain cool!

For years my nephew would alway ask for "something dino" for his birthday. I'd send him stegosaurus puzzles, velociraptor replicas and - his favorite - the I Dig Dino T-Rex. According to him, he's grown up and out of that phase. Now he asks for more "adult" toys (i.e. video games, clothes, etc.) But, I always include a little dinosaur along with his gift. He acts too cool - but the smile on his face tells me he still loves his dinos!

If your kid lives and breathes DINOS (you know what we mean), come to Creative Kidstuff THIS Saturday June 2nd from 11am to 1pm as we dig for bones, play in our "dinosaur land" and make a prehistoric surprise to take home. No charge, of course!

DINO EXTRA...fun links to some awesome dino websites for your kids:

A fun Australian Website called "Dinosaurs Alive!"

The Smithsonian Museum's Dinosaur Hall Exhibit

A Virtual Dinosaur Dig!

Click here to read about an amazing and RARE dino discovery!

Together, families and the community are responsible for our children.

2007-05-08T12:55:00.000-05:00

The Greater Minneapolis Crisis Nursery (www.crisisnursery.org) provides temporary child care and support services for families in our community. The Crisis Nursery works on a foundation that abuse and neglect are 100% preventable, and no child ever needs to suffer. Also, no parent plans to hurt their child. But when an adult experiences extreme stress - the stress of poverty, of hunger, of an inability to provide their family with life's most basic necessities - often one more crisis can bring that parent to a critical boiling point, and bring harm upon a child.

This facility is a warm, loving, and safe place where kids get to be kids while their parents take care of a family emergency. The Nursery gives parents a supportive, safe, and non-shaming environment in which to ask for help. In addition, families are provided with immediate and long-term support in the form of family services, child care and on-site medical care.

Greater Minneapolis Crisis Nursery was the first and remains the only residential crisis nursery in Minnesota. But in recent years, this facility has suffered from major budget cuts. While demand for such facilities across the state has increased, state funding for this program has been reduced by 27 percent. The Crisis Nursery has been forced a reduce many of their critical community support programs.

The Greater Minneapolis Crisis Nursery and the families of our community need our help. Your generosity can have a direct impact on the children who benefit from the Nursery’s services. This facility depends on donors for items large and small. From diapers and formula, to blankets, teethers, and everyday toys and art supplies. Your gift can ease the suffering of a family in need.

Please donate to the Greater Minneapolis Crisis Nursery. The following link will take you to a Crisis Nursery Gift Registry where you can donate toys and supplies needed by this vital facility.

Crisis Nursery Gift Registry - Help Us Help Kids

Behind all of the statistics and stories are real families and real children.

And thank you, thank you, THANK YOU to the Crisis Nursery for all that you do……

Meet Calypso Rose: From a simple dream….to a BIG trend!

2007-04-20T14:30:00.000-05:00

In September 2003 Calypso Rose sat down at her kitchen table with a sewing machine, some PVC plastic and a simple idea. What she created was the very first, very trendy ClippyKit bag. The inspiration was drawn from her desire to display the piles and piles of Polaroid photographs laying around in a new and unique way. In essence – a portable scrapbook!

While carrying the bag around, friends and strangers approached her wondering how they could get one too. Suddenly she knew she was onto something! So, with the help of a small family loan, she started production on the first line of ClippyKit bags. And the orders started to pour in. Since then Calypso has designed and created bags, umbrellas, lampshades, etc. – all of which can be personalized the ClippyKit way!

Her idea is simple: “You can put whatever you want in the pockets, photographs, fabrics, business cards, trinkets and mementoes, absolutely anything. The great thing is, nobody will have a bag the same as yours and you can change it whenever you want.”

Calypso's hard work and dedication to her products has won the the awards "Most Creative Young Brit of 2005" and the "Young Business Person of the Year 2004" as well as a host of fans throughout the land.

ClippyKits are a great gift to buy when you’re unsure what the girl in question likes - she’ll get a blank canvas to do what she likes with. Artistic licenses at the ready… And, ClippyKits make an excellent children's party activity, with prizes for the best bag, umbrella or pencil case.

And here is the testimony of some very satisfied customers (and celebrities):

“I keep little trinkets that Ripley (my 5 year old daughter) has given me or made. I’ll keep it to five her when she’s older, each thing that fits into those little pockets tells a story.”
- Thandie Newton

“I am indeed a big fan of your bags which are a blend of the ingenious and fun, eliciting envy (always a good thing) wherever it goes with me…..They’ve also made great personalized [gifts] – fun to compose and touching to receive.”
- Helena Bonham Carter

They make GREAT gifts!” - Debbie Harry

You can buy ClippyKits at: www.creativekidstuff.com the first retailer in the country to carry this fabulous new line from across the pond.

Let Kids Be Kids

2007-04-19T12:27:00.000-05:00

The other day I came across an article entitled “33 Things Kids Should Do Before They're 10”. Reading the list brought back many, many, MANY memories from childhood. I found myself smiling as I checked off the things I had done… and remembering how fun and cool it felt to squish mud between my toes!

This list was originally created by a British detergent company to encourage kids to experience play without the worry of getting covered in dirt. According to their study, one third of children avoid certain types of play because they are worried about getting dirty – AND what their parents will say when they do! It seems a bit silly to be getting parenting tips from a detergent company, but what they say does make a lot of sense. We need to LET KIDS BE KIDS!

It seems that we’re in such a hurry for our children to have full lives that we forget that they need to discover life on their own. We shuffle them from museums, to zoos, to play dates, to soccer practice and back home again. We forget the simple, pure fun of digging for earthworms in the garden…or making a mud pie…or building a fort with a couple of bed sheets and the couch cushions. My good friend Jim lowered the clothing rack in his closet just so that his grandkids would have a secret hiding place. Those are the experiences that kids will remember and cherish all their lives.

I have included the link to the article for you to print out and hang on your fridge. Or better yet – make you own list! Think about your favorite childhood memories and give your kids the chance to experience them as well. Another suggestion - create a memory album filled with photographs of your kids playing in the dirt, etc.

http://lifestyle.uk.msn.com/schoolholidays/article.aspx?cp-documentid=598368

One thing that I also realized was that there are items on the list I still haven’t done! So, the next time I travel home to visit my parents, I’m going to follow the advice of #32 and make them a long overdue breakfast in bed…

Please share with us your favorite “Kids Must Lists” by clicking the comments button below.

Kids and Collecting

2007-04-11T12:00:00.000-05:00

Kids as well as adults love having collections…with toys such as the critters above, your child can expand his or her world and language skills with the imaginative play involved; for living proof, just stand back and listen. But collecting critters or stamps or bugs or other things also teaches organization (lots of kids write down every item and meticulously chart their collections), as well as self esteem (the idea that "I may not be able to control the world around me, but my collection allows me to bring this one tiny corner of it into order.") One parent marvels at how her 5 year old suddenly "got" what it meant to save her quarters for her next little purchase--a big step toward understanding the value of saving, even for the near future.
Source: Smithsonian Education

Meet One of Our Favorite Vendors!

2007-04-11T10:30:00.000-05:00

BEKA ,Inc. is a specialty manufacturer that has been producing HEIRLOOM quality toys for over thirty years in their St. Paul, MN shop. (Believe me! A rarity in today's toy business!) And since we opened our first Creative Kidstuff store over 25 years ago - BEKA has been a part of our family.

BEKA is owned and operated by an large extended family, headed up by brothers Jamie and Peter Kreisman, both of whom go back to their 1973 decision to do it their way - and do it right! They originally designed and built hand weaving looms and related accessories for sale primarily to specialty yarn stores and schools. Many of our original looms and accessories are still in production today.

In the early 1980s, when their own kids began to grow, their focus shifted to the design and production of large scale creative play products for children. The BEKA name is now well known throughout the specialty toy market and school supply industry for high quality art easels, puppet theaters, unit blocks and more. All their products are made from high quality, hard maple and made by some of the most dedicated and skilled woodworkers around.

Trust us on this one: It is the BEST easel we've ever (Ever EVER EVER) had in our stores. We've tried bigger easels, smaller easels, fancier easels and snazzier easels, but we've always come back to THIS wood easel simply because it's the best on the market.

And not only do they make the best easel, best blocks, best everything around - they are also the nicest people you could work with.

If you own a BEKA easel - you know what we're talking about! For the rest of you, we have provided links below to some of their fabulous wooden toys.

www.creativekidstuff.com/woodarteasel1.html
www.creativekidstuff.com/beka-unit-blocks.html
www.creativekidstuff.com/construction-zone.html

Easter Basket Hide & Seek

2007-04-02T11:10:00.000-05:00

"Each year, since my kids were toddlers, we'd hide the Easter basket so they had to go through the whole house searching for it....something plenty of parents do. But in our family, with a sense of mischief, we'd make it harder and harder each year. The kids loved it...as they grew older, it took longer and longer for them to find their surprise (once the basket was hidden in the laundry dryer, once in the refrigerator) but we'd never let the search get frustrating...if things became tough, we'd give "hot cold" hints to keep things moving."
C.G.

Reach for the Stars

2007-03-27T10:39:00.000-05:00

Spring is officially here! And if you are like me, you're ready to get outdoors and shed off your cabin fever. Tulips are popping out of the ground...birds are returning to roost...and the world is waking up from its winter slumber. And I just can help wanting to be outside, especially on a cool, spring evening.

When I was a kid, I use to bundle up in a blanket and watch the stars from my parents' front porch. Those quiet evenings have stayed with me all my life. To this day, I still remember the names of constellations, my first shooting star and the night I stayed up to 2 AM to watch my first lunar eclipse. It is a moment I'll never forget.

But for me, it was more than a learning experience - in the textbook kind of way. They were nights that allowed my imagination to roam, to think about the world around me and my place in it. "Way up there is the moon...and someone as actually walked on it!" The realization still takes my breath away. Looking back on those nights, one thing that I have learned is that kids contemplate too - just as much as an adult does. "What do I want to be when I grow up?" "What is my place in this world?" And it's these experiences and emotions that help shape them into the people they will grow up to be.

So...here's my suggestion. Take the time to let you kids experience the stars and to wonder about the world around them. National Astronomy Day falls on April 21, 2007 and is part of the larger Astronomy Week, April 16-22. Go for a walk at night. Sit quietly and stare at the stars. Dream.

Below I have included links to get you started:
http://www.minnesotaplanetarium.org/mnsky.htm
http://www.astronomy.com

--Mindy

Why are babies SO attracted to this?

2006-11-21T17:09:00.000-06:00

Babies 3 months and older go nuts over the soft, silky "tags" on our super-soft GRABBY ELEPHANT TAGGIE, providing a security-blanket comfort we simply can't describe. Grabby Elephant Taggie includes Wiggle Mouse, his little friend, tucked into his belly. Pull him out and he wiggles right back into place. 7.5" x 10"
Child Magazine Toy of the Year.
Birth to 3 years. #111096 $20
Why we love this:
Created by an early childhood educator and mother of three, TAGGIES are cuddly, soft security items based on the idea that babies and kids love to rub satin edges, clothing labels and tags. which provide both tactile and visually stimulating activities.

Our staff's very favorite GAME of 2006

2006-11-21T16:51:00.000-06:00

BLOKUS TRIGON is a simple yet mind-bending family game that takes LESS THAN A MINUTE to learn and is different every time. Ages 5 & up. MENSA Select winner. ASTRA Good Toy Award. Dr. Toy 100 Best. Parent's Choice Gold Award. Oppenheim Platinum Award. Teacher's Choice Gold Award. The awards speak for themselves, but honestly, folks, this game is going to knock their socks off. #327136 $32
Why we love it: An entire family, from Kindergarteners all the way to adults, can play this game, because the twists and turns it takes allows for ANYBODY to end up as the winner.

Stop the Madness!

2006-04-12T07:47:00.000-05:00

When I was 10, I still sucked my thumb.
There. I said it. And yes, I needed braces. Dysfunctional as that was, I worry that today’s kids are headed into a far more dysfunctional future; one where they never got to be kids, one that a year’s worth of orthodontia won’t fix.
Hasbro just released MP3 players for toddlers. The Star Tribune ran an article about the strong reaction against Sesame Street’s new video series directly aimed at babies. Seven-year old girls worry about ruining their pantyhose at the Easter Egg Hunt. And moms stop me on the street saying “Oh our kids LOVED your store but now they’re all grown up!”...Yet those kids are now all of 8 and 10.
What’s going on? When did our kids stop being kids? Why aren’t they playing dress-up? Does it even matter? And if so, what can we do about it?
We may all think it’s cute to see a little Britanny Spears singing her heart out, but do we honestly want OUR girls crying through their makeup at 9? Do we want OUR sons glued to the racy images in their newest PlayStation game while we turn away, breathe a deep sigh and think “Well, it’s everywhere these days.”
Don’t get me wrong, I’m a parent, too, and my 14-year old has a drawer-full of Xbox games. I’m also a toy store owner who loves to sell toys. (Well that’s a “duh disclosure” for sure.) But I was once also a teacher, and I know early childhood experts are also shaking their heads in dismay, because the importance of play in development cannot be underestimated. We need to balance our 9-year olds’ experiences with play. Our kids need to be free a little longer. Don’t let your kids miss the joy of books, the delight of beating a parent at Scrabble, the satisfaction of finishing a sophisticated beading art project, or the creativity of figuring out, by themselves, what to do when they’re bored. Put a limit on “screen time”...it’s hard, so start small. There’s danger in accepting EVERYTHING being pushed at our kids media-wise to the sad loss of allowing them a few more years of play. Not “toys” at the 8-12 age range necessarily, but play nonetheless. It’s gotten so bad that the industry has even tagged a name to this phenomenon of kids growing up so fast: “Age Compression.” And when our kids are truly adults, will they have the same light heart in life we’d so love for them to savor? Will they know how to enjoy their free time? Will they resent having grown up so fast even if it was at their own insistence? Will they have the satisfaction of having had a true childhood? I’m not so sure. So give ‘em a jump rope, a brain teaser game, a learn-to-knit project, and now more than ever, as they have one leg in childhood and one in the next stage of growing up, give them your time.
Of course we can’t stop the madness...but we can slow it down if we try.

Lego Maniacs

2005-08-09T15:25:00.000-05:00

CONGRATS to this year's Lego Contest Winners!

We'll soon publish a list of last weekend's winners, but I feel it's imperative that you tell your children, those who worked all summer long on their entry, that I was flabbergasted as I went from store to store looking at the creativity of the entries. Whether they were officially recognized as "winners" or not, PLEASE tell them I said "Kudos" to them and their designs. What incredible creativity! Congratulations from my heart, kids. I was wowed at the work you did!

Sign Up Now for Our Educational Toys Newsletter

2005-07-15T15:03:00.000-05:00

If you're looking for educational toys, stop right here...Creative Kidstuff has one of the largest selections of educational and learning toys anywhere. Join our "Tiger Tails" newsletter for reviews on educational toys, discounts and special access to FUN & FREE members-only offers. Take a quick minute to discover Creative Kidstuff, and find out why we've been named Best Toy Store again and again and again and again and created raving fans every step of the way.