Do you remember how it felt to walk into your local toy store when you were a kid? That feeling of wonder and excitement? The way you would examine and touch every toy, and anticipate what treasure you might find on the next shelf or in the next aisle? I’m a little astonished myself, but I just had that exact experience when I visited the newest Mastermind Toys in Langley, BC!
Mastermind Toys is Canada’s premier (and most fun!) toy and book retailer. They have eighteen stores in the Greater Toronto area, another nine in the rest of Ontario, one store in Calgary, and their newest store in Langley, BC. Mastermind Toys is also known for their full-service website and online shopping, but as much as I love shopping from my couch in my pajamas, sometimes there’s no substitute for actually touching and handling items. So I was really excited when I heard they’d opened up a store not 15 minutes from my home!
I was invited to take a tour of Mastermind Toys’ newest store and check out some of the fun items on their Hot Holiday Picks List. Mastermind Toys believes that the best toys engage and inspire, and I couldn’t agree more! As soon I stepped into the store, I could see it was a different experience than what I was used to. This is exactly what I think of when I think “toy store”.
Mastermind Toys carefully curates their toy collection. They have a huge selection of about 12,000 quality toys and books, but they check out five to six times more toys than they accept. Only the best make the cut. They select toys that kids will want to play with over and over again. No disposable toys here!
I brought my 3 year old and 15 month old daughters with me, and they were both in toy heaven! The store is really parent and child-friendly. The knowledgeable staff pay attention to what will be at your child’s eye level when they’re stocking the shelves, and the aisles are designed to fit strollers comfortably. There are no massive floor to ceiling displays, so you can easily find your child when she inevitably wanders off to visit the seven foot giraffe or the giant stuffed panda.
You can see Kay made a new friend! Tee loved the store too and had a great time looking and touching all the toys. She told me, “There was lots and lots of cool stuff!”
Rainbow Loom – Hot Holiday Pick!
Have you heard the buzz about the Rainbow Loom? This is one of the most popular toys on Mastermind Toys’ Hot Holiday Picks List. Mastermind Toys kindly provided a kit for me to review, and I even got a hands on demo by Lisa the Toy Whiz!
It’s such a simple idea, but I can absolutely see why this keeps kids occupied for hours. You loop the colourful elastic bands on the plastic peg board and use the included hook to weave them together into beautiful bracelets, necklaces, earrings, lanyards, or whatever else you can think of. This is the perfect toy to engage and inspire!
The Totally Awesome Rubber Band Jewelry Book I received along with the Rainbow Loom has full instructions for dozens of patterns, and kids can create their own patterns too. Pair the Rainbow Loom and this book for a fantastic gift for any tween girl (and older). The instructions are pretty detailed and might be intimidating for younger kids under 8. Luckily, Rainbow Loom has over 80 how-to videos available on their Youtube channel. I have a niece who I know will be over the moon when she looks under the tree this Christmas!
Connect!
Like Mastermind Toys on Facebook to get information on all the fun sales, events, and giveaways! For every new like on their Facebook page this holiday season, Mastermind Toys will donate $1 to the Kids Help Phone! (This only makes me love them more!)
Follow Mastermind Toys on Twitter, Youtube, or Pinterest!
Shop!
Look for a store near you or go shopping online anytime day or night. Remember Mastermind Toys offers free shipping in Canada (with purchase of $60+) and free gift wrapping.
Win!
In celebration of their new Langley store, Mastermind Toys has generously offered a $100 gift certificate to one lucky winner to do some holiday toy shopping! This giveaway is open to residents of Canada and the U.S., 18+. The gift certificate may be used towards shipping costs, if any.
Check out my other open giveaways listed in the right sidebar!
Giveaway is now closed. Congratulations, Kristen!
Disclosure: I attended a blogger event at Mastermind Toys and received a sample item for review purposes. All opinions expressed are completely honest and my own, based on my personal experience. Your experience may differ.
I’d love to get the VTech InnoTab 3S Interactive Learning Tablet, Razor scooter and/or Legos
I would pick the Tegu Magnetic colourful wooden 24 piece set
I’d buy some Thomas & Friends trains for my son especially the Connor Engine as that’s on his wish list!
Anything Thomas! Both my son and my nephew are totally into Thomas, and that stuff is expensive lol
Love the thomas train table.
innotab
I would buy lego for my nephews
I would love to use the gift certificate to purchase the Calico Critters Tuxedo Cat Family and the Texo 210 Piece Building Set. Great stuff!
This would be a great christmas present! Thanks for the chance
It would! Please don’t forget to answer the question to get the extra entry.
It would! Please don’t forget to answer the question to get the extra entry.
I’d get the Zoku Quick Pop Maker
I am going to get the rambow loom for my kids
Some Thomas the train engines!
I love the JumpSmart Junior Electronic Trampoline
The Jumpstart Electric Trampoline is so cool!
Jennifer Alger Morse
i would get traditional lego and blocks
So many amazing choices at Mastermind’s! My nephew would love the MGP Flow Scooter! I think i’ll be the coolest aunt if I can make it happen! cheers!
I would get the Rainbow Loom and a variety of the Lego Friends sets that my daughter has been begging me for.
Thomas & Friends – Train Table with Playboard.
Some Lego
Rainbow loom for my best friends daughters
I would get the Hape City Parking Garage Playscape.
I would pick Elf on the Shelf, a Rainbow Loom and extra bands and a GoldiBlox set. Thanks for the giveaway.
I would select all Klutz products, I love their stuff — Klutz friendship bracelets, crochet, knitting, doodle journal, beaded bands, stencil art, bead rings etc…
I’d be torn between LEGO and board games!
I would buy the Chuggington Trainee Roundhouse Set
I would probably get the LeapFrog Tag Interactive World Map and LeapFrog LeapReader Reading and Writing System – Green for my son.
i’d love a Plan Toys Wooden Drum Set and the Alex My Giant Busy Box
I would buy some books
I would get some new Diary of a Wimpy Kid for my son and some Lego for my daughter!
My boy wants the Rainbow Loom SO BAD!
We’d love some MagnaTiles!
I’d get a Hape rocking horse and some Calico Critters.
I would get the Playmobil Princess Dream Castle for my two granddaughters. They would love it π
callawishes(at)hotmail(dot)com
I would get Thomas the Train set.
The elf on a shelf and that rocking horse!
I’d love to get the LEGO Chima Worriz’s Combat Lair.
one of their science kits
I would like to get some baby items, such as the Cloud B Sleep Sheep.
LOVE toy stores like this. Looks like it’s full of toys that make kids think! (Oh and that GC would come in quite handy this Christmas – I’ve got a bunch of little people to shop for!) π
Oh, I agree! I was really impressed by everything they had there. Don’t forget to answer the question to get the extra entry! π
I like the Plantarium Gel Garden Kit
I think I would get the Melissa & Doug Authentic Metal Grocery Cart
thanks
I would get my kids a set of tinkertoys and a set of lincoln logs. π
I would LOVE to get the Tegu 42 Piece Magnetic Wooden Building Block Set – Tints!! So fun!!
I would use it to go toward a Leap Pad Ultra for my little Girl.
I would get Bruder MACK Granite Snow Plow and Salter Truck. My son really Loves Bruder toys!
I’d get the LEGO City Coast Guard Helicopter for a lucky 5 year old!
I’d use it towards the LEGO The Lord of the Rings The Mines of Moria
I would buy Rainbow Loom Complete Kit and the Loom Magic Book for my granddaughter. The JumpSmart Electronic Trampoline for my grandson.
Suzanne
I’d get the Leapfrog Animal Adventure Learning toy for my baby grand-daughter. She’d love it!