Neighborhood Toy Store Day – Saturday November 10th! #toystoreday

Have you ever heard of Neighborhood Toy Store Day? This is the 3rd annual year running and this year Neighborhood Toy Store Day falls on Saturday, November 10th! Participating stores across the country will be hosting in-store local events for families to help kick off this special day and the holiday shopping season. Events may include activities, craft projects, live performances, and/or special discounts. Neighborhood Toy Store Day is all about celebrating the local toy stores in your community and shopping locally as you support your local toy store’s commitment to the community you live in. This yearly event is coordinated by the non-profit organization, ASTRA – The American Specialty Toy Retailing Association.

There are lots of benefits of shopping locally including helping to provide economic stability and community development in your area all while reducing the environmental impact. According to the 3/50 project, for every $100 spent in local, independently-owned stores, $68 returns to the community in the form of taxes, salaries, charitable contributions and more! This number is in contrast to only $43 that returns to the community when consumers spend their money at a national chain store. You will also often be able to find a diverse product selection with boutique and specialty products you can’t typically find at a larger retailer and better customer service by shopping locally! You can find out more about the best toys available on the market and where you can find them locally at YourNeighborhoodToyStore.org! While there, you’ll also find expert advice on toys and play for all ages, a local toy store locator, toy buying guides and much more.

Award Winning Toys Available Locally!

When looking for some fun toys this Holiday, here’s a few ideas to get you started that are perfect examples of what you can find at local toy stores!

Puppet-on-a-Stick by Educational Insights – The adorable puppets on a stick are winners of ASTRA’s Best Toys for Kids 2012 award in Pretend/Doll Play! They can be used to inspire imaginative play and creativity and work well for puppet shows, pretend play, story time and more! Each puppet has an oversized head with wacky googly eyes, a moveable mouth, and a handle that makes them easy to hold. They are suggested for ages 4+ and retail for $9.99.

My First Super Science Kit by Be Amazing Toy Company – Winner of ASTRA’s Best Toys for Kids 2012 in the Science play category, this toy is sure to capture the attention of junior scientists that love to explore. With over 70 exciting science experiments your child can discover, experiment, and explore! My First Super Science Kit retails for $39.99.

BRIO Classic Figure 8 Train Set by Schylling Toys – This classic wooden railway set includes 15 track pieces, a sleek engine, two railway cars and accessories to create a “figure 8” track that’s sure to please. This set encourages open-ended, creative play and is approriate for children ages 2+. This set is a winner of ASTRA’s Best Toys for Kids 2012 in the Classic Play 0-7 years category. The BRIO Classic Figure 8 Train Set retails for $49.99.

Be sure to look for a local toy store near you that will be participating in the Neighborhood Toy Store Day events by visiting YourNeighborhoodToyStore.org! Get social by connecting with other fans of shopping locally through their Facebook Fan Page or Twitter accounts.

Disclosure: I received samples of the three toys showcased above in exchange for this post. I was not compensated in any other manner. The opinions expressed above are my own and any claims should be verified on the sponsor’s site.