Everyone has seen those “Top Ten Hot Toys” lists that run continuously this time of year.  Our recommendation -- ignore them!  Each child, each family, is different.  With the thousands and thousands of toys on the market, that top ten toy list is a really tempting short cut, but with just a little more thought, you can find the perfect gift that will last.  Here is a list of the ten qualities of a good toy that will help you create your own “Top Ten Toy” list:
1)      Longevity:  How many different ways can a child play with the toy? 
2)      Scalability:  How will a child play with the toy as he/she gets older?  What ways can a caregiver add play value to the toy?
3)      Quality:  How well is the toy made?  How will it stand up to normal play?
4)      Creativity:  How much imaginative input does the toy encourage?
5)      Peer:  For school-age kids especially in the “trendy” toy category, stick to ones that have a social component with peers -- whether it is trading, collecting or sharing.
6)      Educational:  What developmental milestones does the toy address? (The educational value of a toy is much more than just ABCs and 123s.  It also comprises such things as cause/effect, sensory exploration, negotiation with peers or siblings, fine and gross motor skill development, spatial relationships, etc.)
7)      Expandability:  Are there additional pieces or items that can be added on for additional play value?
8)      Play Patterns:  Watch the child play and see what play patterns he/she is drawn to.   Does the child have an affinity towards building things, is obsessed with things with wheels, likes to paint or draw?
9)      Consult Knowledgeable Sales People:  Visit Kidtopia Toyologists to help clarify the toy’s qualities and be able to point out unique alternatives.
10)    Now go out and make your own top ten toy list!

If your looking for something fun to do as a family, this is it.  It's a win-win, as I like to call it, because this event not only is fun for your family, but it also benefits Children's Care Hospital.  Kidtopia is donating 2 $100 Gift Cards to the winners in the Kids Category, so I really hope you'll have fun with this!

Star Performance Complex 2707 S. Carolyn Ave. in Sioux Falls will host an event unique to our area.  With the help of the Hood Magazine on December 18^th a bake off will take place with all proceeds benefiting Children’s Care.  Adult categories will include Cookies, Candies, Gingerbread and Miscellaneous along with the Kid’s category of Gingerbread House Decoration.   Winners will be chosen in each area as well as, an overall winner and major prizes including a hotel stay, wine tasting/grape stomping and dinner at a local vineyard, Season Tickets to the Storm,  Kidtopia $100 gift cards, Golf Pro Package,  Hy-Vee grocery gift cards, Lots of kitchen gear and much more to be awarded. 


All home-baked items up for competition should be dropped off at Star Performance Complex Thursday or Friday.  For a $10 donation you and your kids can enter as many times as you like.  Announcement of winners will take place at the Big Bake Off Event, Saturday December 18^th from 10am-2pm. The event is open to the public for free will donation with lots of vendors (including the Lightening Girls from the Storm),  a silent auction of remaining competition goodies and merchandise, major give aways, Santa, Mr. Twister, Stomp the Stampede Mascot,  local celebrity judges,  a make and take project from The Hood Magazine, dance and tae kwon do performances, and more. 


At noon the winners of each category and overall winner will be announced and prizes awarded.  Celebrity judges including City Council member, Michelle Erpenbach, Melissa Johnson owner of Oh My Cupcakes, culinary chef Dirk Peterson, and children’s judge Mr. Twister, who is also performing at the event.  All proceeds will benefit the Kid’s at Children’s Care. Here is the link to our facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Annual-Sioux-Empire-Christmas-Cookie-Bake-Off/105904202811669  You can reach us by email at siouxempirebakeoff@gmail.com or by phone at 605-691-9319. 

We look forward to having you and your family join us at a new holiday tradition of giving and fun

The toy experts at Kidopia are counting down the 12 days of Christmas in a special way! We’re offering one special for each day leading up to December 25th.

It’s easy to get the sale scoop: simply get signed up on the Kidtopia’s email list and you will be the first to know about that day’s sale.  12 different emails will be sent out until Christmas. To get on the email sale blast stop by the store or send us an email to info@kidtopiakids.com . Emails will be sent out the night before revealing the next day’s sale item.

It’s the “12 Days of Christmas” sale beginning December 13th at Kidtopia. Stop in and talk to the local toyologist.

Kidtopia
Bridges at 57th
5005 s Western Ave
Sioux Falls, SD 57108
605-334-482

Top 2010 Toys for Under $20

 by American Specialty Toy Retailing Association-America’s Play Experts.

Bring light to kids’ eyes this holiday season with toys that don’t break the bank account.

These fun, top quality toys were selected by ASTRO-American Specialty Toy Retailing Association and can be found at Kidtopia in Sioux Falls.

Henrietta the Pull Along Hen- a fun first pull toy from iPlay. It’s great for encouraging beginning walkers and learning about cause and effect.  For ages 12+ months $19.99

Bake and Decorate Cupcake Set- Be sure your little baker uses the oven mitt to remove these four delectable-looking wooden cupcakes! Decorate and wipe-off. For ages 3+- $19.99.

Solar Rover- Place your Solar Rover by Toysmith/4M outdoors and watch it zip along as its solar panel turns sunlight into electricity to the run the motor. No batteries needed. For ages 8+ $19.99.

Bubber-Kids can’t keep their hands off this soft, fluffy, ultra-lightweight modeling clay from Waba Fun! Gluten-free, no grit, no sticky reside, no staining and never dries out. Ages 3+-$12.99.

Spot it!- There is always one, and only one, matching symbol between two cards in this game. With fast action and endless fun, this unique card games is sure to be a family hit. Ages 7+-$12.99.

Anomia-this fast-paced card game from Anomia Press fuses trivia with word recognition.  For ages 10+- $15.00.

You can find these and other great toys for under $20 at Kidtopia. For expert toy advice, ask the local toyologist, Sheryl.

 

Kidtopia

Bridges at 57^th

5005 s Western Ave

Sioux Falls, SD 57108

605-334-482

The holiday shopping season is in high gear here at Kidtopia. We’ve got that unique gift you can’t find at the mega stores. Check out what’s happening this week  at Kidtopia:

Monday, Nov. 29th Kidtopia start its seasonal store hours.  They are: Mon-Fri 9am to 9pm; Saturday- 9am to 7pm and Sunday 12pm to 6pm.

Wednesday Dec. 1st is Thomas the Train Night at Kidtopia. You could win our Thomas demo table valued at more than $500!  Many other Thomas drawings will be held throughout the evening along with Thomas activities for the kids.  Get a free Thomas At Sea Train Pack with each Thomas Wooden Railway purchase.  You MUST BE PRESENT to win.  Savor some hot chocolate and goodies as you shop.

We kick off our Discounted Gift Card Wednesdays.  Buy a $25 gift card for $20! It's each Wednesday until the end of December from 4pm-9pm.

See you soon!
Sheryl-your local toyologist

BEST TOYS FOR KIDS 2010

- by American Specialty Toy Retailing Association-America’s Play Experts.

Shopping for holiday toys this year is getting less confusing thanks to the experts at ASTRO-American Specialty Toy Retailing Association and Kidtopia

These fun, top quality toys were selected by neighborhood toy stores owners-like Kidtopia-who care about your kids and know toys inside out.

Rody Horse-is a fun bouncy ride and safe way to learn balance and coordination. Made of soft, heavy duty, latex-free vinyl and is washable. For ages 3+.

Faux Bow-It’s the safest and best performing toy bow on the market. Every enthusiast’s jaw will drop at the distance and accuracy of this beast.  For kids ages 8+.

Calico Critters Country Tree House-Welcome to the Country Tree House.  Fuel imaginative, pretend play with four spacious rooms, water slide, and lake. For ages 3+.

Furnished School Building- Let’s play school has a whole new meaning with this play set.  It comes complete with classroom, science room, art and music room and accessories. For ages 3+.

 

There’s more toys on the list. Kidtopia is a member of the ASTRA-and carries toys for all ages including three months and older. Come see us and talk to the region’s only toyolgoist, Sheryl. Kidtopia is  opening Black Friday at 7am-9pm with 20 percent off.

 

Kidtopia

Bridges at 57^th

5005 s Western Ave

Sioux Falls, SD 57108

605-334-4825

 

 

Thanks for coming out to our Grand Re-Opening.  It was a hit!  Remember, more one-day sales start this Friday at 7 am.  See you soon!

Watch the KDLT Morning show video to see the toys in acton. 

Click the photo to watch the video!

Check out this video about Rockboards that we just got in at Kidtopia!  They are super sweet!  Your kids will love them as much as my kids do--I'm sure of it!  They are awesome!

This Sunday, Kidtopia is having an Exclusive Grand Re-Opening Party!  We have been at the Bridges for 3 years now, and want to thank YOU our loyal customers for continuing to shop and buy locally from us!  We are going to preview the Hottest Toys for Christmas this SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 21st from 5pm to 7pm!  You are NOT going to want to miss this one!  We are offering 20% OFF STOREWIDE on all of our toys with drawings for prizes every 1/2 hour!  We will be serving treats and really want you to come in and discover Kidtopia all over again!  Nothing beats your local toy store!  Thank you for your continued business!

*20% discount only excludes 3 items in the store:  the large NILO playtable (all other NILO will be included), the Thomas the Train playtable, and the Calico Critter Treehouse.  EVERYHING else in the store is included!