We have a brand new Space section in our Transportation department!  And, our science section is not lacking for space themed fun!  If you’re a future Space Ranger, we’ve got all your needs covered.

Want to eat like an astronaut?  Check out Astronaut Ice Cream.

Astronaut Ice Cream, $4.49

Need to brush up on your space knowledge?  We’ve got books, puzzles, star projecting flashlights and more!  Check out these great “Reach for the Stars” Space Flashcards.

Space Flashcards by Flash of Brilliance, $12.99

Room decor?  Pick up some Glow in the Dark Stars, Moons and Supernovas (starting at $4.99).  Or make your own Solar System Mobile ($19.99).  If your ceiling is still lacking after all of that, hang up a Self-Orbiting Space Shuttle!  Turn it off, give it a push and watch it go!

Orbiting Space Shuttle, $9.99

After studying, decorating and snacking, you’ll definitely need some toys to have fun with!  We’ve got awesome play sets, including Shuttle Launch and Space Exploration.  If you just need one rocket or figurine, we’ve got that too.   Space Blasters, Rockets and Aliens are all on hand, as well.  And, coming soon, Educo’s Discovery Spaceship!  It’s like a dollhouse for space rangers!

Discovery Spaceship, $129.99

To infinity and beyond!

-Child’s Play

This month the Royal Mail released a fantastic set of Roald Dahl stamps.  Check them out here.

Roald Dahl stamps available from Great Britain's Royal Mail

Chrissy is one of our resident Book Experts and today she wanted to share her love of Roald Dahl’s The BFG with you.

In honor of the release of the official “grumptiously collectible” Roald Dahl stamp and current movie that is in production, Child’s Play’s book pick of the week is… THE BFG!

Sophie’s an orphan who is kidnapped from her bed one night by a giant after witnessing him blowing dreams into children’s minds with a long thin trumpet through their bedroom windows. It turns out Sophie need not fear because said giant goes by the moniker “BFG” short for “Big Friendly Giant.” As big as he is, he is small by comparison to the other giants, and is constantly being bullied by them for not ever eating “human beans” as the other giants do. He is not without defense however and fights back against them using nightmares!

Roald Dahl wrote books that kid’s love; funny, fantastic and strange. He didn’t talk down to children, he understood them. In Dahl’s world, his protagonists are often neglected & misunderstood children. Dahl sees their value and turns them into heroes. His stories often have the weak, pitted against the strong but the clever, virtuous & kind always win at the end.

His books make great read alouds & early chapter books for middle readers. Recommended for ages 7 through adult! FYI: 10% of Dahl’s author royalties go to The Roald Dahl Foundation, a charity which benefits sick children!

Read the book before you watch the movie!

Have a scrumdiddlyumptious day!

-Child’s Play

New tunes are a great way to get your week going.  And, what’s more fun than making your own tunes?  We just got the new Woofer Guitar.  It’s adorable!  And, it has 3 play modes – acoustic, electric and hound dog!  Hound dog!  It sings “rawr” right in tune with any of the pre-recorded songs, or just signing it’s own tune.  And, make sure to try out the Whammy Bone for special effects.  20 pre-programmed sing-alongs (lyrics booklet included), volume knob, chord buttons and strings to strum, auto off after 2 minutes.

Woofer Guitar by Just B - B You, $54.99

For the more ambitious, check out the My First Music Science Kit.  Not only do you get to make your own tunes, but you make your own instruments too!  Create 6 musical instruments, learn how sounds are created, then put on your own concert!  Score!

My First Music Science Kit by Scientific Explorer, $20.00

Have a Zip-A-Dee-Do-Dah Day!

-Child’s Play

Did you have a long week?  Need a hug?  Come visit our giant stuffed panda Lin Lin.

Lin Lin with Anne, our Executive Plush Hugger

Then once your hug has refueled you, check out some of these great weekend events:

If bike riding is your thing, check out this weekend’s Kidical Mass happening.  Meet at 6334 N Williams Ave.  for coffee & tea, then ride over to SCRAP for Milk Carton Bird Feeder Making (BYOMC).  Saturday 12pm-4pm.  Details here.

If you’d rather stay indoors, Saturday is Family Day at the Oregon Historical Society.  This month’s family day celebrates Latino Culture.  Don’t miss the new bilingual exhibit created by the Smithsonian, and the pinata at noon!  Details here.

And, if you’re up for a trip, head to McMinnville’s Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum to see John Collins, the Paper Airplane Guy.  At the age of 9, John invented his own plane that flew 150 yards to the other side of a pasture across from his house. From that moment on, he knew that he would be an airplane inventor. Shows on Saturday 11:00 am and 2:30 pm, RSVP suggested. Free with admission. All ages. Event details.

Have an absolutely fantastic weekend!

-Child’s Play

Hey there!

Did you know we’re on Pinterest?  Search people for Child’s Play, then follow our boards.  Or, click the handy follow me on pinterest button, right here

We’ve been pinning new favorite toys, craft projects, activity ideas and anything else kid, toy and fun related.  Here’s a few of the craft projects we’ve seen.  Click the links provided for tutorials.  Then check out Pinterest for more!

Make Your Own Jellyfish in a Bottle

Make Your Own Jellyfish in a Bottle from Bhoomplay’s Blog

Make a Bird Feeder out of a Slinky!

Make a Bird Feeder out of a Slinky from Apartment Therapy

Or pick up a craft kit from us.  Check out these new Eye Can Art kits.  Available in Layered Wax Drawing, Sumi-e Ink Painting, Amate Cut Paper and Collage Print Making, these kits include everything needed to make one of a kind art.  We’re excited to get these in some little hands.  They’re not quite like anything else we carry, and are sure to create one-of-a-kind art!

Eye Can Art Kits, $21.99 and up

Have a day full of creativity and possibility!

-Child’s Play

Did you know Portland has a Jr. Roller Derby team?!  We know, crazy!  If your Friday is open and you’d love to see the Rose City Rosebuds in action, you should totally enter PDX Kids Calendar’s family four pack giveaway, right here.

See the Rose City Rosebuds this Friday!

And, for more awesome family fun time, pick up a new board game!  Our shelves are overflowing with new games for all ages and interests.   For the tots try out BBQ Blitz – roll the die, then use the provided flippers to build your burger.  If your family is a little bit older, then try the best-selling Story Cubes or Dixit.  Both games engage your family’s imaginations and story building skills.

And, just in:

Angry Birds Board Game Ages 5+, 19.99

Have a marvelous day!

-Child’s Play

In honor of Valentine’s Day Child’s Play’s book pick of the week goes to: Kiss the Cow!

Written by Phyllis Root (One Duck Stuck), illustrated by: Will Hillenbrand (Counting Crocodiles

Annalisa isn’t the youngest, and isn’t the oldest in Mama May’s house full of children, but she is the most curious and the most stubborn. Everyday Annalisa sees her mother sing to her magic cow before milking: “Lovely Luella, Your milk never fails, My children are hungry, So please fill my pails!” Afterwards, her mother always kissed Luella on her velvety brown nose. “Ughhh!” Annalisa says. “Imagine kissing a cow!” But after awhile Annalisa begins to wonder… What is it actually like to kiss a cow?  This is a sweet book and fun to read aloud! We recommend it for 3+!

And, keep us in mind if you need any last minute Valentine’s gifts.  Check the display near the door for gift ideas, like puzzles, bubbles, scratch ‘n’ sniff stickers, and even plastic rats covered in hearts.  We’ve got all your child’s likes covered.

Hugs,
Child’s Play

Scratch Magic kits - Mini, Regular and Deluxe! Starting at $1.99

Use the drawing stylus to scratch away the boring black layer to reveal anything from rainbow colors, sparkles to glitter!  The latest kits even come with stencils for dinosaur, sea life and safari fun.  Or for the future Project Runway contestants out there, try the Scratchin’ Fashion Dress Up Stickers sets.  Oh my gosh, so much fun!

Hope you have a magnificent day!!!

-Child’s Play

Yesterday we shared our hot air balloon display, and today we want to show you our festive DIY Valentine’s Decorations!

Make your own Valentine Wreath!

To make your own you’ll need:

2-5 Feather Boas (depending on the size of boa and hula hoop)

1 Hula Hoop

Ribbon or String or anything else to tie the boa to the hoop

Step 1  Wrap your feather boa around the hula hoop.  Make sure to wrap tight enough that your hula hoop doesn’t show through.

Step 2 When you get to the end of a boa tie it to the hula hoop so it doesn’t unravel.  Repeat steps 1 and 2, as needed.

Step 3 Hang and enjoy!  Then head out to enjoy some of the weekend happenings below!

Weekend Happenings

Agate and Mineral Show at OMSI Saturday and Sunday 9:30-5:30, Free with admission.  Explore the wonders of geology at the 61st annual Agate & Mineral Show. Enjoy a wide array of beautiful cabochons (cut, shaped, and polished rocks) including agate, jasper, and obsidian from the Pacific Northwest.

Take a Family Tour of the Portland Art Museum Sunday 12:30-1:30, free with admission.  Take a tour of the art museum with a docent skilled at engaging visitors of all ages.

Have an absolutely fantastic weekend!!

-Child’s Play

Toys are taking off in their new hot air balloons!

Have you seen our new window display?  We’ve got critters flying high in tissue paper hot air balloons and origami box baskets.  We know the groundhog predicted 6 more weeks of winter, but these guys are so bright and cheery they’re bringing spring right into the store!

Want to make your own?  Check out the following two links for instructions:

Easy Tissue Paper Balloon Lanterns

Easy Origami Box

Friendly Finger Puppet Mouse

Hope your day makes you want to yell Hip Hip Hooray!

-Child’s Play