Neighborhood Toy Store Day 2012 #shoplocal #toystoreday

When it comes to buying toys for kids who are the same age as my kids, I'm pretty much an expert. I know what those kids like. But it hasn't always been that way. Before I had kids, I had no idea what to get for birthdays and Christmas. Even now, I don't usually know what to buy for older kids.

I've gone to big box stores with no clue as to what to buy, and the only time I have gotten any help is when I happen to come across an employee who has a child the same age as the one I am buying a gift for. Usually when they ask me if I need help finding something and I tell them that I am looking for a gift for a child who is xx years old, I get the "well, girl toys are over here..." line. Thanks for nothing.

Shopping at local, independently owned toy stores has so many benefits over shopping at those big box stores. The main draw for me is that the employees are usually much more knowledgeable. They KNOW toys. They can tell you what the popular toys are for certain age groups, and will usually be able to help you find that perfect gift. In addition, independent toy stores tend to carry many of the high-quality, boutique and specialty products not typically found at big box stores.

Shopping local also fosters a sense of community and provides economic stability, community development and reduced 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 - in contrast with only $43 when consumers spend their money at a national chain.

Because of those reasons listed above, I am happy to support the 3rd annual Neighborhood Toy Store Day, which is this Saturday, November 10th. This annual event is coordinated by the non-profit organization ASTRA (American Specialty Toy Retailing Association) and sounds like a lot of fun!

Participating stores will host local in-store events for families (such as activities, craft projects, live performances and/or special discounts) to help kick off the holiday season and celebrate the joy of shopping for toys! Neighborhood Toy Store Day introduces families to the fun of shopping locally and celebrates each toy store's commitment to the community.

To find a local Neighborhood Toy Store Day event near you, visit yourneighborhoodtoystore.org, also known as The WooHoo Factor.

Yourneighborhoodtoystore.org is an online resource for parents interested in learning more about the best toys on the market and where to find them. It's mission is to help parents discover the "woohoo factor", or the delight, the joy and the excitement of finding and playing with today's best toys! Even if you're not a parent, this site is a great resource for finding great toys for the children in your life. The website features articles with expert advice on toys and play for children of all ages, a local toy store locator, toy buying guides and much more.

I received a few examples of the types of quality products available for sale at your neighborhood toy store -

These are really some great toys, and ones that I may not have even known about if I had walked into a big box store. With all of the "usual" items on display, toys such as these are either not available or are often overlooked.

BRIO Classic Figure 8 Train Set by Schylling Toys

• Winner of ASTRA's Best Toys for Kids 2012 award (Category: Classic Play/0-7).
• The classic wooden railway set includes 15 track pieces, a sleek engine, two railway cars plus accessories to build the perfect "figure 8" train track.
• For children 2+.
• Suggested retail price: $49.99.
• Can be found at independent toy stores nationwide.

Puppet-on-a-Stick by Educational Insights

• Winner of ASTRA's Best Toys for Kids 2012 award (Category: Pretend/Doll Play).
• These adorable puppets on sticks can be used for puppet shows, pretend play, story time, YouTube theater and more!
• Each puppet has an oversized head with wacky googly eyes, a movable mouth and a handle.
• For kids 4+ years.
• Suggested retail price: $9.99.
• Can be found at independent toy stores nationwide.

My First Super Science Kit by Be Amazing Toy Company

• Winner of ASTRA's Best Toys for Kids 2012 award (Category: Science Play).
• Junior scientists can explore, experiment and discover with the My First Super Science Kit. It includes materials for over 70 exciting science experiments.
• For children 4+.
• Suggested retail price: $39.99.
• Can be found at independent toy stores nationwide.

Like all winners of the ASTRA's Best Toys for Kids 2012 award, these toys were chosen for their ability to promote open-ended and creative play, their creative design features and their exceptional safety standards.

My kids are going to LOVE finding these great toys under the Christmas tree this year! Bryce will have a great time with the train set, Rylie will enjoy doing science experiments, and both kids will be able to put on some fun puppet shows with those wacky puppets!

If you are looking to check some toys off of your Christmas shopping list, I urge you to shop local and give your Neighborhood Toy Store a try. Make sure you visit yourneighborhoodtoystore.org to find a local, independently-owned toy store near you. You can also follow The WooHoo Factor on Facebook and Twitter for more great talk about toys!

Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received the toys mentioned above as a thank you for sharing the information about Neighborhood Toy Store Day 2012. No other compensation was received.