Two Games Every Family Should Own

by Playmatters on July 14, 2011

Yahoo has an article that was posted to days ago entitled “Ten games every family should own.” I am pleased to see that on the list (which includes electronic games as well as board games) there are two games that Playmatters carries.

The first game that the article mentions is Qwirkle:

Qwirkle “Winner of this year’s prestigious Spiel des Jahres award, Qwirkle’s accessible color-matching gameplay makes it just as much fun for six-year-olds as it is for adults. Think of it as a cross between dominos and Scrabble…”

I agree with Yahoo’s description, and I would also say that it is somewhat like a Sodoku as you can only use one of the same tile per line!

The last game that the article mentions is Settlers of Catan:

“Can you be the first to settle the plains, mountains, and fields of Catan? Strategic, simple, and tactile, Settlers was the one of the first European strategy games to really make it big in the US. If your family hasn’t found out why, it’s about time you did.” Settlers of Catan

If your family likes long, strategic board games (like Risk) I would highly suggest this game. Players try to be the first to get 10 victory points before their opponents. Points can be achieved by building the longest road, having the largest army, etc.  The neat thing about this is the game board always changes, so every time you play it’s different!

 

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July Craft Schedule!!

by Playmatters on July 1, 2011

Children ages 4 to 11 can enjoy exciting hands on craft activities.
Sessions start at 11am & last about 40 minutes.
Please call in advance to reserve your place and materials.
Solon: (440) 542-7200 | Mentor: (440) 266-1909 | Avon: (440) 937-7773


July 9th
Pop Stick Art:
Using colored sticks kids can make giraffes, caterpillars, peacocks, flowers and cow puppets. We supply the materials and lots of helpful staff to show the way. A perfect summer activity for little ones! Do the craft and then once you get home let the puppet show begin. Ages 3 and up. Only $5.

PopStickArt1 Pop Stick Art Box Pop Stick Flower

July 16th
High Flying Foam Fliers: See the creative juices flow as you design and paint these 4 fantastic flying foam planes. The inspired artwork on these fliers will make them the most colorful objects in the sky. Each planes has a 7″ wingspan and durable foam construction, making them easy to send soaring through the skies. Ages 5 and up. Only $5.

Red Foam Flyer Foam Flyer Box Green Foam Flyer

July 23rd
Make Your Own Badge Art: Have something to say? Badges are perfect for telling the story, and then share them with friends and family too! Make 4 badges using our templates or design your own, color with markers and get ready to share and wear! Design, snap together and clip them anywhere. Bring a favorite picture and try out a positively perfect project for summer fun. Ages 5 and up. Only $6.

Crown Badge
Badge Art Box
Flower Badge

July 30th
Paint Your Favorite Pet: Paint your pets? Yes! There are dinosaurs, cats or dogs all ready to be painted and brought home to be your own special pet! Paint with different colors of non-toxic paint; imagine them in any wonderful color combination. Each child gets two animals to paint, maybe a blue dog or purple dino. It’s up to you! Ages 5 and up. Only $8.

Dog and Cat Paint Dino Paint Pet

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Outback Ray’s Amazing Animal Show!

by Playmatters on July 1, 2011

Animal Fun With Outback Ray!

Come to Playmatters to see Ray present his amazing animals in a fun and educational show. Your child will learn about and safely interact with pythons, lizards, tortoises, chinchillas, parrots, and more from Ray’s personal collection of hand-raised and hand-fed pets! 

Also, save 20% before and after the show on “anything animal!” For example: an animal themed puzzle, a stuffed animal, or an animal themed craft!

Outback Ray

This is a FREE event, but please call now to reserve your places! Also, bring chairs along for comfortable outdoor seating!

Avon: Thursday, July 14th at 6:30pm  Phone: 440-937-7773

Solon: Thursday, July 21st at 6:30pm  Phone: 440-542-7200

Mentor: Saturday, July 23rd at 10:00am  Phone: 440-266-1909

Shaker Square: Saturday, July 23rd at 12:00pm  Phone: 216-752-3595

Pepper Pike: Wednesday, August 24th at 6:30pm   Phone: 216-464-2424

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Create it, Make it, Take it! & Outdoor Fun!

by Playmatters on June 7, 2011

Looking for something fun do to on the weekends? Don’t forget about Playmatters weekly Saturday crafts where kids can create it, make it, and take it!

Saturday Crafts in June!
Children ages 4 to 11 can enjoy exciting hands on craft activities.
Sessions start at 11am & last about 40 minutes.
Please call in advance to reserve your place and materials.
Solon: (440) 542-7200 | Mentor: (440) 266-1909 | Avon: (440) 937-7773

June 11th
Fabulous Stepping Stones

Our Garden Stepping Stones gets rave reviews for providing a fun experience as kids mix and mash the stone mixture and add bright sparkly gems for decoration. The garden stone makes a great gift for Mom or Dad or anyone special! Bring your favorite trinkets from home to make the stone extraordinary! All ages. Only $8.

Stepping Stone Box Stepping Stone Kids Stepping Stone Handprint

June 18th
Color-In Tattoo Party

Bright and colorful, easy to do and fun to “wear” this activity will appeal to boys and girls who want to show off their art! Provided are plenty of designs, lots of skin-friendly ink markers in cool summer shades, and our staff to help kids enjoy this wearable art experience! Suns, moons, stars, insects, skateboards, rockets, dragons, soccer balls, and pets– pick the ones you like, apply and color! Ages 5 and up. Only $5.

Color In Tattoo Box Tattoo Materials Tattoo Sample

June 25th
Welcome to our Science Lab!

How does that little marble expand to 300 times its size? Come and explore with us to find out how super absorbency polymers do the work. We will use jelly ice crystals, garbled marbles, jumbo jelly spheres, and colored crystals to demonstrate some amazing “scientific magic.” Ages 5 and up. Only $5.

Garbled Marbles Big Bag Of Science


Don’t Forget: Playmatters has Tons of Fun Outdoor Toys!

Spooner Boards- One of our newest toys! This is a new take on a balance board where kids can practice stability and do tricks like 180ºs and more! 

Ages 4 and up. Freestyle: $39.99 Pro: $49.99
Spoonerboard
Pumponator- Allows a child to fill water-balloons with ease. Comes with 500 water-balloons and tying strings. One of our favorite summer toys! 

Ages 6 and up. $19.99

Pumponator
EZY Roller- Our favorite ride on toy! Kids sit down and move the handlebars from side to side with their feet! This side to side motion makes the EZY Roller go forward with great speed. Length can be adjusted so that even the tallest of kids can ride! 

Ages 4 to adult. $99.99

EZYRoller

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Survival Kit for Memorial Day Weekend

by Playmatters on May 27, 2011

Hello everybody, I sent this out in an email yesterday and thought that it couldn’t hurt to re-post it here as I really agree with my boss’s message in the beginning, and of course I agree with my toy descriptions in the second half:

Hi, I’m Michael Ziegenhagen, founder of Playmatters Toy Stores. 

As a father of three daughters, I remember when I was confronted with the challenge of keeping the children engaged over a three day holiday weekend. They always looked to Dad for a new kind of fun! Those days of discovery became some of the most memorable family moments.

So, what new kind of fun are you bringing to your children this weekend? Come to any Playmatters location and we will show you rewarding activities for indoor and outdoor play that are sure to make lasting memories.

Michael Ziegenhagen

Sunny Days!

Bubble Machine- Easy to use and tons of fun, the bubble machine can fill up your backyard with bubbles with just the click of a button! 

Ages 3 and up. $19.99
Bubble Machine
Pumponator- Allows a child to fill water-balloons with ease. Comes with 500 water-balloons and tying strings. One of our favorite summer toys! 

Ages 6 and up. $19.99

Pumponator
Blast Pad- Children can launch safe, foam rockets into the air by running and jumping on the launch pad. Rockets are very durable and fly several feet into the air! 

Ages 6 and up.  $29.99

Blast Pad

Rainy Days!

Kabam- In order to win this card game you have to be a quick thinker! Players shout out words made out of the word segments given on the cards. The first one to yell the word gets a point. For example, LOU could be LOUD, and WA could be WACKY! 

Ages 7 to Adult. $ 12.99

Kabam
Color Stix- Easy to learn, fun, and quick to play. Players race against the timer to try and line up as many blocks of one color as possible! The more of one color in a row the more points you get. 

Ages 5 and up. $19.99

Color Stix
Bananagrams- A fun word game where players try to use up all of their letter tiles by forming interlinking words. Be sure to be fast: the first person to use all of their tiles wins! 

Ages 7 and up. $14.99
Bananagrams

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Rainy Weather and Outdoor Toys

by Playmatters on May 17, 2011

I hope that everybody has been staying dry in this non-stop rainy weather! If you’re feeling like you’re stuck inside your house with nothing to do come on in and we can suggest a great family game or puzzle to do while you wait for this weather to pass.

Hopefully this rain leaves us soon, as we have a bunch of fun, new outdoor toys in stock! Many of them are featured in our 2011 Summer Flier, which was mailed out recently. There is an online version of it here through The Good Toy Group. (Note that you can browse the toys there, but you cannot purchase them. Feel free to come on in to any Playmatters to buy one of these great new toys.)

Here are a few outdoor toys that we have at the store that I find really fun:

Z-Curve Bow

The Z-Curve Bow is the ultimate foam arrow shooter for high tech archery! It uses safe, soft, arrows, so you don’t have to worry about anybody getting hurt. The set includes the bow, two long range arrows that can soar up to 100 feet, and one arrow that has a Zartz tip that can stick anywhere for accurate target practice! ~$24.99

Z Curve Bow in Package Z Curve Bow in Use

 

Trapp Ball

Trapp Ball is a fun outdoor game of catch for two. Players use the net to not only catch the ball but also spring the ball forward as a “throw”. Balls can be “thrown” up to 100 feet! The set includes two nets, and three balls: one water bomb, one rubber ball, and one fun gripper ball! ~$19.99

Trapp Ball Packaging Trapp Ball in Use

 

BeamO

The BeamO is probably the biggest Frisbee that you will see! You throw and catch the BeamO like you would a normal Frisbee, but with the giant hole in the center, you can also catch the BeamO by letting it land over your head! Also, feel free to take the BeamO to the beach as it floats and won’t get lost in the water! ~$21.99

BeamO BeamO in Use

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May Craft Schedule!

by Playmatters on May 3, 2011

Hello everybody! I hope you all are doing well, despite all of this rain. Anyway, I wanted to let everybody know what fun crafts we have coming up this month! So, get your creative juices flowing and head to Solon, Mentor, or Avon this Saturday for our first craft of the month!

Here is the full schedule:

Saturday Crafts in May!
Children ages 4 to 11 can enjoy exciting hands on craft activities.
Sessions start at 11am & last about 40 minutes.
Please call in advance to reserve your place and materials.
Solon: (440) 542-7200 | Mentor: (440) 266-1909 | Avon: (440) 937-7773


Craft your Mother’s Day Gift this Saturday: May 7th
Mosaic Trinket Box

Just in time for Mother’s Day, your child can decorate this heart shaped trinket box with sparkling acrylic mosaics and glitter gloss. Includes a velvet lining. Only $5.

Trinket Box Box Trinket Box Sample

 

May 14th
Make Your Own Kaleidoscope!

Decorate the outside cylinder and create the inside optical effects of your very own kaleidoscope! $10 materials fee.

Kaleidoscope Box Kaleidoscope Inside Kaleidoscope

 

May 21st
Color a Paper Lantern!

Each child will color a pre-printed paper lantern globe with felt tip markers and stick-on gem stones. Only $5.

Paper Lantern Box Paper Lantern Sample

 

These crafts look like a lot of fun, so come on over to a participating Playmatters and have some crafty fun with us!

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Easter and Passover are Coming!

by Playmatters on April 19, 2011

Hello everybody! In case you didn’t notice, Easter is this Sunday! So with that I would like to remind you about Pat the Bunny! If you missed him last week at Solon, Shaker, and Pepper Pike, don’t worry you have a second chance! Pat will be at our Mentor location from 10-11am this Saturday and at our Avon location from 2-3pm! There will be coloring pages available for kids to color and Pat will be handing out plastic eggs that have a coupon inside to be used on the day of his visit!

And since we’re on the subject I thought I’d mention a few little toys that might be cute in the Easter Baskets (candy is so over-rated), or good for giving children when you see them for Passover. So without further adieu, and in no particular order:

1) Lego Minifigures – $2.99 each.

Lego Minifigures Series 4

These Minifigures come in individual, small bags which make them a perfect little gift, especially for boys. You only get one Lego figure in the bag, and you never know which one you are going to get, but that’s the fun of it! And don’t worry, all of the styles are very cool! Kids love to put these little figures together, collect, and trade them.

2) Peaceable Kingdom Scratch and Sniff Stickers – $1.99 each

Peacable Kingdom Press Scratch and Sniff Stickers

These Scratch and Sniff stickers have 80 stickers in each box! Each box is an individual smell (grape, strawberry, bubblegum, chocolate, and pizza) that smells so good, you’ll wish you could eat them!

3) Sqwishland Tube Six Piece Assortment – $4.99

Sqwishland Tube

Sqwishland is the next new thing! Each capsule contains one little, soft, squishy animal and one code. Kids love to collect and trade their Sqwishland animals and they use the codes to go to sqwishland.com to play games and earn points.  And gift givers, if you have more than one child to give to, you
could always buy one tube and split up the capsules between the children!

4) Yomega Yo-Yo’s:  Fireball and Brain – $12.99 each

 

Yomega Fireball Yo-Yo Yomega Brain Yo-Yo

Yo-yos are not only a “classic toy” but they are also really popular right now! These two yo-yos by Yomega are a lot of tun. The Fireball has has a special axle in it that allows for long spins, whereas the Brain yo-yo has automatic returns!

5) Bead Bazaar Bead Tube – $2.99 each

Bead Bazaar Bead Tube

With these bead tubes children can be creative and make their own bracelet or necklace. The beads are big enough for young children to string, and since there aren’t a ton of beads in the tube parents don’t have to worry about the beads spilling all over the place. With themes like animals, pirates, and more, both girls and boys can enjoy stringing up some fun!

6) FS-USA Marbles- $2.99 per bag

FS USA Butterfly Marbles FS USA Cardinal Marbles FS USA Dragonfly Marbles

These marbles are fun, colorful, and beautifully made! Teach your kids how to play the classic game of marbles, or have them create their own! We have over 20 different styles of marbles, so you are bound to find one that strikes you!

=-~=-~=-~=-~=-~=-~=-~=-~=-~=-~=-~=-~=-~=-~=-~=-~=-~=-~=-~=-~=-~

Okay, well that should give you a few little ideas! If you need more suggestions you could always leave me a comment below, or ask any Playmatters worker and they will be happy to help you! Happy holidays everyone!

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<td><a href=”http://www.playmatterstoys.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/brain.jpg”><img class=”alignnone size-full wp-image-81″ title=”Yomega Brain Yo-Yo” src=”http://www.playmatterstoys.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/brain.jpg” alt=”Yomega Brain Yo-Yo” width=”144″ height=”144″ /></a></td>
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Tegu Blocks!

by Playmatters on April 14, 2011

New toys are arriving at Playmatters and we can’t wait to share them with you! Today’s toy is: Tegu Blocks!

Tegu Blocks

What are they?

Tegu Blocks are wooden blocks that have magnets safely embedded inside them, though you wouldn’t know just by looking at them, as their seam lines are invisible. They are a fun building toy as the magnets can help children create different shapes than they normally could with plain, non-magnetic blocks. Children can also learn about the difference between magnetic poles and why some block sides either attract or repel with others.

The Name.

Tegu Blocks get their name from the capital city of Honduras, Tegucigalpa, where Tegu blocks are made. Yes, that’s right, Tegucigalpa! Say it with me: tay-goo-see-GAL-pah.

Eco-Friendly.

The company that creates Tegu Blocks can create over 1,000 sets of blocks from a single tree. For each tree that they use they plant more than 100 new trees.

Create. Capture. Share.

Tegu Blocks wants to see what you can create! You can take a picture of your creation and upload it onto their website or onto their facebook page. See what fun things you can build, and take a look at what others have created as well!

Colors and Sizes.

Tegu Blocks come in a variety of colors and sizes!

Sizes include 8 piece sets which come in felt bags, and 26 and 52 piece boxed sets.

Colors include: Natural, Mahogany, Tints (think rainbow colors), and Jungle (browns and green).

 

Tegu Pouch Tegu Tints Tegu Jungle

 

 

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April Craft Schedule

by Playmatters on April 12, 2011

Children ages 4 to 11 can enjoy exciting hands on craft activities! Sessions start at 11:00am and last about 40 minutes. Cost is $5 per sign up. Please call in advance to reserve your place and materials.

Solon: (440) 542-7200    Mentor: (440) 266-1909    Avon: (440) 937-7773

 

Saturday, April 2nd

Ready, Set, Paste!

Pre-school aged children love to use a special paste that goes on purple and dries clear. Choose two colorful collage projects: animals, people, or nature themes.

readysetpaste3.jpgreadysetpaste2.jpgreadysetpaste.jpg

Saturday, April 9th

Paint Your Own Flower pot

Design a terracotta pot with water resistant paints! Plant fast growing wheat-grass in your pot, which is edible!

flowerpot3.jpgflowerpot2.jpgflowerpot.jpg

Saturday, April 16th

Pop art Jewelry

Add some “pop” to your style! Decorate bottle caps with stickers and opti-domes that magnify your design. Each child will make a necklace, bracelet, and a keychain.

popart.jpgpopart2.jpgpopart3.jpg

Saturday, April 23rd

EcoCrafts

Celebrate Earth Day when you create with recycled stickers, papers, and pencils! Create flowers, animals, jewelry, or people.

ecocrafts.jpgecocrafts2.jpgecocrafts3.jpgecocrafts4.jpg

Saturday, April 30th

My First Scissors

Children practice fine motor skills on beautifully patterned papers. Then use glue sticks and wiggly eyes to turn their cut out shapes into amazing animals!

scissors.jpgscissors3.jpgscissors4.jpg

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