By Donna Cornelius
Visit a large chain store in search of the perfect toy, and it’s likely the most help you’ll get is a “Let’s see – I think that’s on Aisle 6.”
Stop by or call one of the Over the Mountain area’s individually-owned toy stores, and you’ll get not only advice but firsthand experience.
That’s because the folks at our Fab Five – Homewood Toy and Hobby Shop, Learning Express, Smith’s Variety, Snoozy’s Kids and A Tiny Kingdom – actually play with the toys before they sell them. They deliberately crash remote-control helicopters to test their endurance, rock the baby dolls to check out their cuddliness and challenge their co-workers to the newest board games.
That’s why, especially at this time of year, they’re the frantic parent or clueless aunt’s best friends. They’re experts at recommending gifts that won’t be whisked away to the Island of Misfit Toys three days after Christmas.
“When people call us for suggestions, we ask about the age of the child, about his or her personality and also about their budget,” said George Jones, owner of Snoozy’s Kids in Crestline Village. “We’re very price-conscious.”
Sometimes, there’s a “Mom, I Gotta Have It” toy that’s hot for the holidays. That’s not the case this Christmas, said Tricia Busenlehner, owner of Homewood Toy and Hobby.
“There’s not a big standout toy this year,” she said. “Outdoor toys are popular – and so are blocks, Legos, dolls, puzzles and kitchen sets.”
Like any business, the toy industry has its ups and downs. This year, that’s literally true: Yo-yos are at the top of the list for many children.
Several stores are stocking the snazzy Yo2 models, priced from $9.99 to $19.99, with names like Dark Gem, Flexgap and Triple Action.
“You can play with these in the traditional way or turn them on and make them do tricks,” said Steve Sudduth of Smith’s Variety. “They have brains.”
Brannon Bruno, owner of A Tiny Kingdom, said he has a hard time keeping these new yo-yos in stock.
“One kid gets one, the others want one and they’ve just taken off,” he said.
Sometimes old favorites get a facelift. One example is Tile Lock Scrabble, available at Homewood Toy and Hobby and Smith’s for $19.99. The game’s letter tiles actually snap into place.
“With the old game, you’d get your word in place and somebody jiggles the board and knocks the letters off,” said Tricia with the air of a serious game player who’s had this frustrating experience. “With this one, you don’t have to worry.”
Not everything is revamped or retro. Steve and George are excited about Cyber Fire for ages six and up. One set comes with a football and two pairs of LED glasses; it’s $29.99. At night, players put on the glasses, and they’re the only ones who can see the ball light up.
Another set includes one tennis ball-sized ball and one set of glasses for $14.99.
“This is a top seller already,” said Steve.
Another amazing toy is the Fun Fly Stick ($19.99) at Snoozy’s. The “magic” levitation wand uses static electricity to make metallic shapes hover in mid-air.
If you’re eager to start checking off your Christmas toy list, check out our other suggestions.
The Great Outdoors
Kids need to work off energy during Christmas vacation, so outdoor toys are likely to be a hit not only with children but with their parents, too.
“One item that has been in high demand is the Spooner Board,” said Melissa McCollum of Learning Express. “It’s a balance toy that can be used outside as well as inside. It’s kind of like a skateboard without wheels.”
Homewood Toy and Hobby and Snoozy’s have the Spooner Board, too. Prices range from $39.99 to $49.99.
Get your little ones hopping with pogo sticks, available at Homewood Toy and Hobby and Snoozy’s ($39.99 to $79.99).
“The secret is to get one with the right weight limits,” said Tricia. “Otherwise, it’s not going to work correctly.”
Homewood Toy and Hobby has stilts, too ($34.99 for ages 5 to 10 with a 100-pound weight limit).
“Stilts can be hard to find,” said Tricia. “These have ‘trainers’ that fit on them like feet to make things easier.”
For the younger set, Smith’s has the Pogo Ball ($24.99).
“It’s a kickback from the 1990s,” said Steve. “It was crazy big then. You just get on it and hop.”
At Snoozy’s, Hopper Balls ($29.99) have fabric covers to make them look like poodles, lions, Dalmatians – even smiling spiders.
Also at Snoozy’s are two great ride-on toys that even children as young as 18 months will love.
The ultra-cool BIT bike ($129) is made of light wood and comes in pink or green.
“It’s from Europe and looks like a piece of modern art,” said George.
The Plasma bike ($80) has an extra-wide wheel that makes it easier to balance, he said.
New this year is the Y Pewi (say “peewee”) walker/bike, at Snoozy’s and Homewood Toy and Hobby for $59.99. It’s for ages 1 to 3; kids can push it like a walker or ride on it. They don’t even have the steer; the bike’s pivoting wheels go in any direction.
For football fans, A Tiny Kingdom offers Tailgate Toss games in mini, tabletop and large sizes in both Alabama and Auburn motifs.
Boy Toys
The Michigan State folks may be wondering why their foam footballs ($7.99) are such hits in the heart of Tide and Tiger country. A Tiny Kingdom, Smith’s and Snoozy’s are stocking them because the Mountain Brook High School faithful like the MSU colors and mascot.
Need something with a “wow” factor for under the tree on Christmas morning? Bruder Toys’ bright yellow Mack Crane Truck ($99.99) at Homewood Toy and Hobby and Snoozy’s telescopes up to 51 inches. The store also has the Park Tower Garage ($159.99). Its seven layers include a gas station, working elevator, helipad and car wash. Some cars are included, but all Matchbox and Hot Wheels vehicles work, too.
Two can play at this game: Spin Force, $39.99 at Smith’s and Snoozy’s, encourages friendly combat. The set includes a big bowl-shaped arena; two players each have a radio-controlled car. The object is to knock the other guy’s vehicle out of the ring without sending yours sailing, too.
Tosy AFOs – Alien Flying Objects – light up, shoot up and then boomerang back to you. Smith’s has them for $19.99.
The Blade Scout CX radio-controlled helicopter ($49.99) comes highly recommended from the experts at Homewood Toy and Hobby. It’s easy to fly and very durable; in fact, you’ve got to hit something really hard to damage it. It bounces and then is ready for another takeoff.
George at Snoozy’s likes the Lite Hawk helicopter ($49.99 to $74.99, for ages 8 and up).
“This is a good remote control helicopter,” he said. “I’ve purposely crashed ours, and it still works fine.”
The well-dressed little football freak will cheer for NFL jerseys stitched with the names of players popular in these parts: Mark Ingram, Cam Newton and Marcell Dareus ($39.99 in youth medium and youth extra-large sizes). They’re at A Tiny Kingdom.
To really show their colors, kids can don super-hero capes ($32.99) that come in Alabama and Auburn styles, from Snoozy’s and A Tiny Kingdom.
Startle poor grandma out of her wits – but harmlessly so – with the Airzooka ($19.99) at Smith’s. It’s a fun gun that blows a soft ball of air toward any object or person.
“We sell about 300 of these a year,” said Steve.
For Girls Only
Girls like to get creative, said our toy experts. One way for even the artistically-challenged to get in on the fun is with Paint-A-Doodle sets ($24.99 to $29.99) from Snoozy’s and Homewood Toy and Hobby. Ages 8 and up (adults like these, too) can create a work of art with pre-printed, ready-to-hang canvases. Designs include a peace sign, flowers, owls, elves and ornaments.
Another simple way to be a budding Van Gogh or Klimt is by using Master Kitz ($29.99) that allow you to create your own masterpieces by these artists. Painters ages 4 and up can produce their own versions of “Starry Night” or “Tree of Life” that are ready to hang when they’re finished. You find these at Smith’s and Homewood Toy and Hobby.
Most stores have a great selection of craft sets. At Learning Express, the Stick ’N Style Really Pretty Wristlet Kit (starting at $14.99 for ages 5 and up) and Slap ’N Switch Watch Kit ($29.99 for ages 7 and up) let girls create their own accessories.
Snoozy’s and Homewood Toy and Hobby have fashion headband sets ($19.99 for ages 5 and up) that include 10 satin bands with ribbons, flowers and butterfly attachments. These make great party favors, too.
Smith’s has an entire aisle dedicated to girls ages 7 to 11. You’ll find everything from stocking stuffers like flower-shaped bath gels and lip glosses to room doorbells ($24.99). Smith’s and Snoozy’s have a bright idea for girls’ rooms: a delightfully posh chandelier ($179.99) from Molly and Me.
Pint-sized shopping carts ($49.99 for ages 2 to 6) at Homewood Toy and Hobby and Snoozy’s can be filled with faux food from Melissa and Doug – fruit, sandwiches, pizza, sundae and birthday-themed sets.
Snoozy’s is the only Alabama store that carries the Casdon Little Cook series from England. The line includes a stove, washing machine, sink, iron and pink vacuum, all of which make sounds ($14.99 to $44.99).
Also at Snoozy’s is a play kitchen that falls into the “why didn’t someone think of this before” category. The Hideaway Playtime Kitchen ($249.99) folds up so it can be stored under the bed or in the closet. It’s wooden and comes in white or pink.
Dollhouses are making a comeback, according to Tricia at Homewood Toy and Hobby. She likes Educo’s contemporary-style, multilevel house with the ever popular open floor plan ($99.99, age 2 and up).
Christmas morning, for girls, wouldn’t be complete with a special doll. At A Tiny Kingdom, the Lee Middleton nursery is full of adoptable babies, including Wee Wonders “preemies.”
Several of our stores have Baby Stella ($29.99), designed for ages 12 months and up; she’s soft and comes with a magnetic pacifier. Adora’s Nursery Time baby dolls ($79.99 for ages 2 to 8) come in their own carriers and are weighted to feel like real babies.
You’ll find a variety of tea party sets at Smith’s and A Tiny Kingdom, from sturdy plastic and tin to metal that replicates mom’s good sterling silver.
Girls have a thing for nightlights, said George. Snoozy’s has an assortment of mod designs, fairy and butterfly shapes and some that flicker like a candle ($9.99 to $19.99).
For infant girls – and boys, too – the Twilight Ladybug ($29.99) at Smith’s Variety and Homewood Toy and Hobby is a nightlight that projects constellations on the ceiling.
