Take a look at our fun and quirky brick-and-mortar shop in Kent Ohio!

 You might know Off the Wagon as simply a website, but our roots lie in our brick and mortar shop situated in the beautiful downtown district of Kent, Ohio (home of Kent State University). The store is our home base - it came a long way before the website, and it’s bristling with life (or at least full of stupid gags, games, and toys). We know some of you have been in our store plenty of times before, and this blog post isn’t as much for you (although you might still enjoy it for some good reminiscing). Instead, we wanted to give all of you who have never been here to get a glimpse at just how awesome it is (because it’s pretty awesome)! PLUS - we actually just renovated, getting some new floors and fun new paint on the walls, and we kind of wanted to show all of that off. Truthfully though, it’s a super fun place (are you surprised?) - and we really think you’re gonna enjoy taking a look.

First, we come in the front door, and this is the view. As you can see, we’ve crammed A LOT of stuff into this space. When we have to ask, “Should we really start selling ANOTHER really cool thing?” we usually say yes. We like cool stuff.

In this first room we have lots of different stuff, including candy, gags, pins, magnets, comic books, plush, some goofy t-shirts, and even some sodas (which are new). We also have a lot of our goofy, random gifts in this room (although those are kind of spread out everywhere), like instant underpants and delinquents with combs. This is the room that got the new paint, so consider spending some time just admiring those stars on the wall (because they were freakin’ hard to paint).

On to the second room!

This room has all our puzzles and games (including a whole wall of D&D stuff), as well as some toys for kids and other random stuff (like we said, all the rooms have at least some random stuff). The biggest section is definitely the games - we have a ton of games. If you’re a serious board-gamer, this room would probably feel like heaven. Thing is, even if you only like dumb party games, we have an entire rack dedicated to those.

Next, the kids room!

Tucked in the back we have the kids room. While there are some kids toys in the other rooms, this room is the jackpot for little ones. We’ve got crafts, toys, books, and more! There are even Bob Ross mugs stacked up in the back (but those are mostly there for storage)! Fun fact: before our days as conisuerriers of stupid and silly stuff, we were actually just a toy store and sold all sorts of kid’s stuff like this (although that shop went by a different name).

Anyways, that’s our store! If you live nearby or ever find yourself traveling through Kent, you should come check us out! Even if you’d rather wait till for a post-COVID era, we’ll still be happy to see you. Find us at 152 East Main Street, Downtown Kent, Ohio 44240. Hope to see you there sometime!

Or shop online 24/7 at OfftheWagonShop.com

The hardest people to shop for:

The one who has "everything" and the ones who you don't know what they have.

I hear it a lot...I just don't know what to get (fill in name here), she just seems to have everything!  OR I know he likes (fill in the item) but I don't know what he already has.

What are well meaning, loving friends and family to do?  There is always the safety net of getting a gift card but sometimes you want to have a more meaningful impact when giving gifts at the holidays.  The answer:  Lean on the knowledge and experience of your local toy guru.  Shopping in a specialty toy store gives you something you can't get elsewhere....actual help from people who know what they are talking about.  Here are a few suggestions we are confident will be a hit for some of those hard-to-buy-for people on your list.

For the newest member of the family:

You want to be looking for something the little one can play with now but will get them through the next few phases as well.  Look for something versatile and educational such as the NogginStik Developmental Light-up Rattle.  This category can be challenging because I'm sure this family has recently been blessed with lots of gifts but this one has won lots of awards, is very unique and even comes with an instructional guide for parents!

       

For the Preschooler:

These little bundles of energy need something to develop their gross motor skills.  Help them work on balance and coordination while burning off the energy we wish we all had.  Plus the suction action on these Teeter Poppers make it extra fun....and I'll bet even the kid who has it all doesn't have one!

For the kid with every Lego known to man:

If getting more bricks or a mini-figure display case doesn't tickle your fancy consider other construction-type toys.  These kids love to build and create which makes Straws and Connectors perfect for them and takes it to a whole new level allowing the kids to get inside their creations!!

For the Only Child:

This one is near and dear to my heart since I was that kid.  I always wanted games but people were afraid to buy them for me because they were afraid I didn't have anybody to play them with.  My first piece of advice is not to worry.....parents, friends and cousins were always there ready to play!  I also know there is a concern because these kids tend to have more than the average bear but here are some great games that are 1-multiple players that are sure to please.

Set is one of our all time best selling card game and winner of 12 Best Game Awards.  This game helps kids identify patterns and develop visual perception.  The more you play, the more you learn so kids can practice on their own then show off their skills when they challenge others.

Doodle Quest is one of our newest and hottest games right now.  You study the illustration on one of 36 different challenge cards then follow the drawing instruction trusting your eyes to guide you on a separate transparent sheet.  Place the sheet over the card to score your success.  Great for developing spacial awareness!  My teenagers are hooked on this one right now.

The Teenager

I have come to realize that teenagers are looking to relive their childhood.  Now, I know they just came out of that period of their lives but for some reason they are just itching to escape the impending doom of adult life by being just plain silly.  Here are some games to scratch that itch....

Furt could not be anymore fun if it tried.  I have to admit, I have never won this game.  You have to make it around the board to the volcano by completing various challenges and I am ALWAYS the first one there....the problem is that once there, you have to win a 30 second straight-faced challenge.  Meanwhile, the other players are doing their best to make sure that does not happen.  I have no hope of ever winning this game but I play every time I am challenged by my teen aged kids and their friends....which is often.

Telestrations combines the telephone game with pictionary.  Super fun, super crazy and super easy to play.

JUST REMEMBER......No matter who is on your list, what they already have or how hard they are to buy for, it is why you are giving them the gift that counts.  It is to show them you care, you took time out of your busy life to think about just them.  You can come to us anytime and we will be more than happy to spend time thinking of your special somebody with you, find the perfect gift and wrap it with care.  But what remains after the ribbon, the wrapping and even possibly the gift are gone is the feeling you leave in their heart.  That you cared enough to think of them.

--

Tammy Richey

Manager

Open-ended and Creative Play....so hot right now!

As an educator I understand why the terms Open-ended Play and Creative Play are trending right now.  The younger generation needs help developing and increasing their problem solving skills, improving their self-esteem and creating connections.  These are the skills that will prepare them for a bright future and real-life. In today's age of technology, kids are sometimes missing out on the organic experiences we had as children.  These kids will be able to (and probably already can) spin circles around me when it comes to computers and technology but thinking outside the box is still our generation's strong suit.

Remember when you went to a relative's house as a kid and there weren't any toys (at least good ones) to play with so you would dig through their stuff, create something amazing and have the best day ever?  My kids used to go out in the yard, collect sticks and twigs then run in and out of the house a few times collecting random things to create the latest and greatest Fluefenflogen.  That is what my husband and I call those creations because, quite honestly, we had no idea what they were.  Those experiences cause the brain to grow, develop and make connections in ways that only organic hands-on play can.  They are learning and they don't even know it!

Today's toy developers are catching on to the fact that not only do kids crave that type of open-ended, creative play, but parents love it too because it reminds them of their childhood.  Here are some of my favorites:

~ Creativity for Kids has a line of Creativity Cans that are chalk-full of not only supplies but imagination.  They come in different themes too such as Music, Building, Stories, Art, Motion to help get the fun going. 

~ Fashion Plates....that's right, just like the ones you had as a kid but without the bell bottoms and fringe-lined skirts.

~ Spirographs have made a come back in a big way too.  They are great for those kids who are creative but also hit the mark for those linear thinkers who want order and structure to their creations.

~ Arterro makes a line of unique crafting kits that focus on eco-friendly projects and truly different materials.  Have you ever done Needle Felting?  Super cool.

The unintended benefit of these activities is that they create keepsakes, and provide family bonding opportunities.  Conversations take place that probably wouldn't have while playing a video game.  Parents and children are creating something together and it isn't just another Fluefenflogen.

Written by:  Tammy Richey

A FEW of Michelle's favorite Toddler toys...

 1. Squigz - One of my new favorites.. toddlers are intrigued by the suction fun. Customer's are reporting these have a high entertainment value! Stick them to each other, the floor, the wall, the window (car window for a travel toy), to the table... we even had one customer sticking them to their bald dad's head!

2. Mountain Tunnel Bead Maze - an extra large wooden bead maze is intriguing to toddlers. This toy kept my kids entertained for long periods of time. Plus we always get people looking for non-messy toddler toys... and this one is perfect!

3. Good old fashioned fisher price telephone - remember your own childhood favorite toy? Well, this was one of mine!

4. A good wooden Brio or Thomas starter set is always a good bet for toddlers. We just got a shipment of both of these in stock!

 

Hope's Top 5 Toys for the Holidays

Our toy guru, Hope, gives us her top 5 favorite toys for the Holidays!

1.Picwits - like Apples to Apples but with Pictures!

2.Squigz - a sucky little toy... that is additively fun.

3.Boogie boards - Write on them then push the button to erase.  

   Great for doodling and practicing writing and math.

4. Kinetic sand - So fun to play with.  Leaves no residue on your hands.

5. Everything and anything by Janod..Magnetic maps  -
    Great wooden toys like the pictured magnetic USA map. 

Monique's Top Toy Picks for Christmas

I asked my staff to share with me their TOP 5 favorite items for the year.  Monique had trouble keeping it at 5... so we have a TOP 10 toy favorites for Christmas 2013 by Monique!

1.  Roll and Play: Child can start with just learning colors when very young and later on learn following directions.  Can be played with siblings.  (ages 18 months - 3 years)
2.  Squigz: Can be used for many age groups (versatile) + can be used in cars for car trips.  They stick really well to windows.
3. Block Buddies: Just plain fun.  Learn colors, shapes, and follow directions. Large pieces that can easily be handled.
4.  Straws and Connectors; Make large structures over and over.  Straws are very durable.
5.  Kinetic Sand: Clean, remained contained, and relaxing.  For young and not so young!!!
6.  Chocolate Fix Game: For the future mathematicians and engineers!!!  Fun and challenging.  Incremental learning!
7.  Recycled Paper Beads: Like that you can use old and new papers! Original!
8.  Dutch Blitz/ Spot-it / Pizza party: fast and small.  Can be carried in purses to have on hand at anytime.
9.  WordARound: For lovers of letter games!
10.  Boogie Boards.. write on LCD boards that erase with the click of a button.

Mother's Day Craft this Friday

This Friday, kids can come in from 6:30pm to 7:30pm to make a fun gift for Mother's Day.  We won't give all the details, (shh... it is a surprise for Mom).

Perfect for kids ages 4 to 12 years old.  Please RSVP to us by email or by phone (330-650-1295), so we can plan to have enough materials.

Craft will only take about 15 minutes to finish.

2012 - New Toy Hunt in New York City

It is pre-toyfair week. I am gearing up to head out to New York City this weekend for my annual hunt for new toys. It is always so exciting to see all the new toys that 2012 has in store for us.

Many people will ask me what is the hot new toy for 2012. But that is not what toy fair is about for this small toy shop. Instead of looking for that HOT toy (which by media and hype standards usually includes lots of bells, whistles, lights, batteries and such), we are out looking for that innovative toy that invites kids to be imaginative and use their little noggins. Sometimes for us the hot new toy is an old classic brought back. Some of my favorite finds for last year include the Airbolt, high powered air rocket, the Fastrack game, and Contraptions building toy.

This year I'm looking for great outdoor and active toys, new games, and new toddler toys. Keep tuned in as I will be posting throughout the trip.

Tell me what toys do you think I should carry in 2012?

Healthy Appetite

My husband tells me I need to update my blog and then in the next breath explains that he is eating a banana for the first time in 30 years. I wonder at that. "Why are you eating a banana?" "Because it is healthy for you. And I am going to eat more fruits and vegitables." So I ask "Why not stick with fruits and vegetables you actually like, it might make your endeavor more successful?". His reply "I figured it had been so long since I ate a banana I should give it another try". He went on to inform me that he will not be eating another banana for another 30 years.

What does this have to do with toys you ask? Not unlike our bodies, our brains are in need of healthy diet (ok yes I know a brain is part of the body). As the brain learns and grows at such an incredible speed in the first years of life, this is the time to start. A child's brains need freedom of time to explore and the proper tools in which to do so. Some of these tools might include simple things around the house, like a bucket. A bucket is a perfect tool to go exploring with, and collecting delightful little finds. Other tools might include blocks or a puzzle. Blocks for creative play and a puzzle for problem solving.

I could go on and on, but instead I will quickly make my point. A child's brain needs healthy tools to aid in healthy play. AND, unlike my husband's line of reasoning, there is no need to start with the tools we dislike (bananas in my husband's case). There are so many wonderful, fun and delightful tools (and toys) that the experience can be extremely enjoyable. Amazingly it is the seemingly simple activities and child's play that do the most in building pathways in a child's brain.

Great Christmas gifts for Grandma and Grandpa!

Definitely some of the most difficult people to buy for during the holiday season are Grandma and Grandpa. How many sweaters and kitchen gadgets can one have after all? A toy store might not be the first thing that comes to mind when shopping for the grandparents, but we might have some of the best choices! Here are our top 5 gifts for grandparents for the 2011 holiday and Christmas season:

1. Tilt (single player game) (the Staff's favorite for 2011!)
The goal is to slide the green sliders into the center hole without sliding in the blue sliders. Pick one of the 40 challenge cards and place the blockers and sliders according to the card. Then you tilt away until you've puzzled out how to slide the green sliders into the center hole without the blue sliders going in. A super fun game that is one of this staffs favorites!



2. Pathwords (single player game)
This is a single player game that starts out simple and becomes progressively more difficult. Players get a set of colored transparent shapes that they use to try on show the paths of the different words in the puzzle. All of the letters must be covered and be part of a word. This game is a fun twist on traditional word games.

3. Square Up (One OR Two player game)
Square Up will have your fingers and your brain racing simultaneously! To begin, shake the cube to find your pattern. Replicate the pattern in the inner 9 squares by sliding the tiles and slap down the frame first to win the game!

4. Forbidden Island (cooperative game for for 2 to 4 players ages 10 and up)
We picked this one for grandma or grandpa to play with the grandkids during the holidays!
Join a team of fearless adventurers on a do-or-die mission to capture four sacred treasures from the ruins of this perilous paradise. Your team will have to work together and make some pulse-pounding maneuvers, as the island will sink beneath every step! Race to collect the treasures and make a triumphant escape before you are swallowed into the watery abyss!

5. Spot it! (a great game for grandparents and grandkids to play together)
This quick and easy to learn game is great for young and old to play together! Little kids do surprisingly well and older kids and adults are challenged (and sometimes humbled!). Each and every card ALWAYS has a match (just one) to every other card. Spot the match first and you get the card. The player with the most cards wins. The different sizes make spotting a match much harder than it might sound. This is our staffs all time favorite game for the last 2 years running. The box recommends 7 and up for ages, but after playing with dozens and dozens of kids we recommend ages 4 and up! A great game for grandparents to play with grandkids!

Neighborhood Toy Store Day: Nov. 12th

As a child, nothing compared to the enchanted feeling of shopping for toys at your local toy store. Gazing with wonder at the aisles of exciting choices…holding your new toy for the very first time…anticipation building inside you as you finally took your new gifts home.

In a world where new gadgets pop up every day, it is heartening to know that some good things never change.

On November 12, My Little Red Wagon will join hundreds of locally owned stores across the country to celebrate the second annual national Neighborhood Toy Store Day.

"When you shop at an independent toy store, you are entering a universe of play possibilities," explains Kathleen McHugh, President of the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA). "Neighborhood Toy Store Day is about celebrating the role the local store plays in the community. We are highlighting the expertise your local store has in selecting just the right innovative, exclusive and engaging toy to help your child grow and learn through play."

As part of the festivities, My Little Red Wagon will be celebrating Neighborhood Toy Store Day
with a visit from Santa's elves and some fun activities and treats for the kids. There will be a
drawing for prizes including a $50 gift card. The event will take place form 11am to 2pm in
their Hudson store.

Independent toy stores can even help you find top toys for the children on your list this holiday
season with help from The 2011 Best Toys for Kids Award list.

Michelle Sahr, owner of My Little Red Wagon explained, “With our expert understanding
of how kids play, ASTRA members have created a list of toys that deliver the highest value, inviting imaginative discovery and encouraging creative thinking.”

And consumers can be confident that more of the dollars spent in local, independently-owned
stores, stay in the community—25% percent more in contrast with national chains, according
to the 3/50 Project. Resident business owners pour more money and energy back into the
community in the form of everything from tax dollars to charity donations to participating in
local initiatives through civic associations and area chambers of commerce.

McHugh urged shoppers to take this opportunity to be part of a celebration of community and to get to know their neighborhood toy store on Neighborhood Toy Store Day.

“By shopping locally, consumers will find great toys while supporting vibrant communities and
sustainable economic development. Visit your neighborhood toy store and you may bring home
more than just the perfect gift, you'll share the spirit of the season.”

My Little Red Wagon, 220 N. Main Street, Hudson, OH 44236, 330-650-1295

New Toy 2011: Nanoblocks

Just arrived in time for the holiday season, Nanoblocks. Nanoblocks are just like Legos only much much smaller. Because of their size, they can make some incredibly detailed structures and animals. The kits come in two sizes. The smaller size is $9.99 and includes things like a panda bear, a giraffe, a frog and a koala bear. The larger size includes "sites to see" like the Eiffel tower, the Moai Statues, and the Neuschwanstein Castle.

Nanoblocks have won two amazing awards in 2011. The ASTRA Best toys for kids award (selected by neighborhood toy stores like us) and the 2011 Preferred Choice award.

Mere Human or Super Hero???

Our world is filled with villans and heros alike. We had this masked wonder stop in our store today. We wondered if indeed we were being graced by a mere human or a true super hero. It is a question we will continue to ponder. Indeed, we were unable to extract any information from this mysterious visitor. She made a quick entry and quick exit alike. Perhaps she was on the lookout for a victim in need of her assistance. Have you seen her? Who is she?

Learning to Count - 1 2 3...

When I first became a parent, I was under the impression that the way children learn to count was teaching them their numbers.... 1, 2, 3, 4. I thought they learn their numbers by us showing them flashcards or writing numbers down for them to see. It wasn't until I went to a convention for specialty toy retailers (ASTRA) and heard speaker Dr. Jane Healy speak that I realized I was dead wrong about how kids learn to count. Dr. Jane Healy has made it her life long study researching how the child's brain works and learns. She has written several books including "Your Child's Growing Mind: Brain Development and Learning from birth to adolescence".

I learned that children learn first through hands on play. In fact, this is necessarily precursor to learning the abstractions such as the numerals 1, 2, and 3. Kids begin to learn though simple hands on touching, feeling and observing. We might see a kid stacking blocks, lining up play cars or dropping toys. To us it is a kid "just playing", but to the child it is learning about how the world works through a beginning lesson in gravity and numbers.

One of the best instruments for learning to count and beginning to understand mathematics is unit blocks. Unit blocks are of proportional sizes which help build kid's understanding of proportions, counting and fractions. Kids begin to understand that 2 of the 1/2 size block makes up one of the full size block, and 4 of the triangles make the same size as one full block and so forth. Child learning experts tell us that unit blocks help with other math skills too including area, size, order, space, shape, numbers, mapping, patterns, measuring, fractions, operations, estimating, negative space, adding, one on one correspondence, and seriation.

Next time you are tempted to reach for the flashcards for you smart little preschooler... reach into the toybox instead.

Game Spot: Gotcha Party Game

We had a lot of laughs playing this game at our last staff meeting. Gotcha is a party game for 3-8 players. The rules are fairly simple, but following them is another story. Each player is dealt a few cards and the rules are set initially. Players are trying to follow the rules and at the same time trying to catch their friends breaking the rules. It gets tricky because the rules keep changing. Rules might includes things like all females have to use their last name before speaking. Or all people wearing socks have to use finger quotes before speaking. Or all people with red on have to play the air guitar before playing a card. With the rules always changing, someone is bound to get confused. When a player breaks a rule you hit the gotcha button and you move ahead while they move back. The first person to the finish line wins.

Because players can place a new rule during their turn, players can change a rule they don't like or add a rule they do like. We were picking on Kyle this time. "Players with facial hair must use air quotes", "males must not speak unless it is their turn". (I wonder if they have a players with dreads card?).

We give this game a thumbs up for a fun game that will add a few laughs to your evening. The game is easy to learn and easy to play (if you can follow the rules). Play time might last anywhere from 15 minutes to 30 minutes.

Featured Toy: Ezy Roller Ride On

The Ezy Roller is a great toy for active kids. It takes no batteries and moves remarkably easily. Kids just move the bar back and forth with their feet, and it goes. The Ezy roller features a nice hand break (great when you hit a bit of a hill) and adjustable bars. It will adjust to fit kids ages 3 to 14 (or adults if they don't mind scrunching up a bit).

Here is a video of the Ezy Roller we made at our last sales staff meeting.

This Just In: Safari Dinosaurs, Horses, Dragons and more

Our beautifully detailed Safari replicas arrived yesterday. We now have a nice selection of Dinosaurs, dragons, horses, princesses, fairies, and mythical creatures. We also brought in a large selection of the Safari the mini-animals that sell for only 99 cents each!

99 cent animals include farm, jungle, horses, dinosaurs and more.

Classic Dolls by Corolle

Baby dolls are a timeless classic for a reason. Children love to imitate Mom and Dad, and what better way than in nurturing and cuddling their own baby doll. Doll play is a great way for kids to learn to express their emotions as well as creatively play acting out situations in life. It helps with problem solving and interrelationship skills.

Corolle is our favorite baby doll company. They have been creating beautiful quality dolls for over 30 years now. They pay the close attention to the features of their dolls. The soft vinyl helps the dolls look and feel like real babies. Some of the bodies are soft bean filled and flexible (Calin, Chouquette) so they sit and feel like a baby. They have a nice vanilla scent that does not go away. Their hair is carefully rooted in small amounts. This means their hair looks and feels like real hair. All Corolle dolls are either surface washable or you may wash them in the clothes washer.

We just received a shipment of Corolle dolls and clothing. You can see some of the baby dolls on our website. The Les Cheries Corolle dolls are new for us this year (and not on the website yet). They are a 13" fashion doll, made with exceptional Corolle quality standards. They also have additional clothing available.

New Toy 2011: Airbolt, highest fastest air powered rocket

Find it in our stores or at www.mylittleredwagon.com

New Squishables

I've been buying toys for our stores for about 20 years now. I'm not sure that I could even pretend to count the number of times I've been told this or that toy is going to be the new big trend, or a huge hit for the holidays. Mostly I just ignore those comments completely and judge for myself. I also don't go looking in other peoples stores to try to glean off them what is selling.

Instead what I do is try to look at all the toys out there and bring in my very favorites. Sometimes I hit on something that becomes extremely popular. We were one of the first stores (in Akron at that time) to have the Ty Beanie Babies and we were one of the first (maybe the first) to have Webkinz (in our Stow store). In fact, I had both of those in for a while before they went real crazy. They were a little slow at first believe it or now. I started to wonder if they were going to sell well. Then all of the sudden it hit and from then on I couldn't keep them in stock.

That brings us to these Squishables. A fellow specialty retailer (not in this area) told me that these are blowing off the shelves. I took one look and was sold. These guys are so soft and squishy. I love the size of them... big enough to make a nice pillow! I don't think these will be on the scale of popularity with Webkinz or Beanie Babies (especially at around $40 a pop). I do think they are going to do very well though. Stop in and give one a hug.

www.mylittleredwagon.com