Toys, toys, and more toys - Reporting from International Toy Fair

Some of you may already know, but this is my 22^nd year in business. I won’t go into the detailed history here, but suffice it to say, it’s been quite a ride.

You see, I’m someone that can’t ever do something half way. I always end up right in the middle of the fray. It’s all or nothing.

Joining the American Specialty Toy Retailer Association or ASTRA, was a no brainer. Serving two years on the board of directors and four years heading the national convention, well, it just fit the way I do things.

My newest involvement is with the Good Toy Group. I’ve started my 2^nd year on the board and boy, what an education! This is the group that plans and implements our outstanding toy catalogs. The company is set up so that when you become a member, you actually take part ownership. Perfect fit!

You never know what or who you might see
at the International Toy Fair. This year
it's Waldo.

This year I have volunteered to be part of the Product Selection Committee.

So fast forward to this week…I’m here in New York City for my 15th International Toy Fair. This morning they asked me to coordinate our “plan of attack.” You have to try to visualize the enormity of the task. We’re talking miles and miles and hundreds of thousands of toys to sort and sift through to get to the 100 or so that we deem the cream of the crop. It’s truly stimulus overload.

So stay tuned and look for the Facebook posts throughout the next few days as I post pictures of new and wonderful “finds.” I’ll be looking for your thoughts and input. You see, always in the back of my head is the question, “What is my wonderful customer looking for?” It is ultimately for you.

The perfect Valentine's Day gift for your child

To parents, Valentine's Day has an extra special meaning. While husband and wife can celebrate the Hallmark holiday together with a nice meal and exchanging of gifts, it's also an opportunity to give gifts to those special youngsters in your life to show how much you love them as well.

Traditionally, kids have received the same type of gifts on Valentine's Day; plush stuffed animals being one of the most popular. And while cute plush can be a big hit with the kiddos, we'd like to offer you something different. Not only will both parents and children love it, it's extremely powerful in the development of the parent-child relationship.

It's called the "I Like Book."

This handy book is designed so each child has their own. It's okay NOT to share this time! Daily, weekly or when ever the thought comes, parents write things they "like" about the child. It's easy to do and it's super effective in communicating to the children just how special and loved they are.

"Parenting is hard. This little book helps us as parents remember why we had children in the first place," said Terry Myers, owner of Kaleidoscope Toys.

We highly recommend this book for Valentine's and for any other day when you might give your child a gift "just because."

You and your child won't be disappointed!

First Annual Lego Building Contest coming to an end

Last day of January. Just a few days before the big Super Bowl. While the big contest that concludes the NFL season is fast approaching, we have our own big contest wrapping up this week as well. If you've been by the store, you know what we're talking about - the Lego Building Contest.

For the last few weeks we've had numerous submissions in our contest. This week we expect a late rush of submissions as well. If you're deciding to enter now, you can get a look at your competition by checking out our Facebook page to see those who have submitted so far. (http://www.facebook.com/kaleidoscopetoys)

The contest is pretty straightforward.

RULES
1) Your Lego project needs to be put on display in the Kaleidoscope Toys window with a name and age card sometime between January 7 - February 4. Obviously, the longer in the window, the more votes you may get from the general public.

2) Friends, family, your postman and anyone else may vote for their favorite creation from each category. Votes will be received via facebook post to the Kaleidoscope Toys wall at www.facebook.com/kaleidoscope toys or in the store. However, only one vote per category per person per day. No stuffing the ballot box!

3) Votes received will help the judges determine the winners but will not be the only determining factor in choosing the winners. Why? Because while we want the excitement that "stumping for votes" will generate for the kids, we don't want this to be a popularity contest. Just because you are related to every one in the county does not make you the winner, though it does make finding a job easier. (Information on how to vote is below)

4) If an 8-year-old child is competing in the 8-year-old category, the child should put their creation together without help from anyone else. (Sorry mom & dad) Hey, we do have an adult category for you. And no fair getting your child to help you either.

5) Creations can be a set built according to directions or creative use of loose bricks to make an original structure.

6) When you bring in your entry, you are giving Kaleidoscope Toys the right to post your image on facebook and other store promotional material.

7) All Lego creations will be released to their creators after the judging has taken place and the winners have been announced.

8) Maximum size of entry is 18" x 18".

9) Employees and relatives of employees are not eligible to participate.

CATEGORIES
- Ages 3 to 5
- Ages 6 to 9
- Ages 10 to 14
- Ages 15 to adult


PRIZES
There will be a first place, second place and a third place for each of the age groups. First place will win a $25 gift certificate. Second place will win a $20 gift certificate. Third place will win a $15 gift certificate. All other entries will receive an "honorable mention" award and a $5 gift certificate.

Everything else you need to know...

We will taking entries on Saturday, January 7th thru February 4th. Voting will continue through Feb 4th. We will announce the winners on February 5th.

VOTING
1) Ballots will be available at the store
2) Online at the Kaleidoscope Toys facebook page at www.facebook.com/kaleidoscopetoys. We will post a picture of your entry on our facebook page. A post or a "like" on your entry's picture counts as a vote.
3) Limit one vote per person, per day, per category.

- Votes by email or phone calls will not accepted...Really. (It may also help to "check in" on your facebook account while you're here to remind your friends to vote for your creation.)

- Certainly the votes people receive will be considered, but final judging will be purely arbitrary based on criteria that may vary with the mood of the judges. Remember, it's all in fun, something to keep us all busy with a project in the dead of winter.

Lego Fun Day!

Lego Fun Day

Sunday, Feb 5th

12pm - 4pm

Learning Fun 101, our fabulous local Lego experts, are hosting a day full of Lego fun! Mark your calendars for a day of everything Lego!

"Come and go" activities from 12pm - 4pm:

Help us build a GIANT FIREMAN MINI FIGURE! We only have 4 hours so we'll need all the help we can get.

* Compete in the Lego Battle Tops arena. Be the last man standing!

* Dig into a swimming pool full of lego pieces for "Free Building". It's like a treaure hunt and that one special Lego piece is your treaure. Build anything & everything - just for fun!

* Play Pirates Plank Lego game. We'll be giving some of these games away, so be sure to enter the drawing.

Lego Building Contest

Kaleidoscope Toys First Ever Annual Lego Building Contest! From Saturday, January 07 2012 -  10:00 AM To Saturday, February 11 2012 - 7:00 PM Every day For Rules, Categories & Prizes visit www.kstoy.com/events