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Get Healthy By Getting More Involved With Your Human Family

Many of us included the desire to "get healthy" as one of our New Year's resolutions this year.  When we think about what this entails, we think of eating less processed foods, maybe quitting bad habits like smoking, getting more exercise and things of that nature. We do recognize that many of our lifestyle choices are not the best choices we can make.  We struggle with these and usually our self-esteem suffers as year after year, our resolutions are forgotten as the stress of daily life overwhelms us.

Why do you suppose that all those resolutions and good intentions have not resulted in a healthier population?  Many of the diseases we suffer from are on the rise.  Is it possible that we have overlooked something in our quest for "good health"?  Why is it that the bachelor who practically lives at the gym can be less healthy than the Dad from the suburbs who eats pizza, drinks beer and leads a sedentary lifestyle?

Our Lonely Hearts Are Stressed Hearts

Studies have shown that people who live alone, or who feel isolated from society, can suffer health problems not seen in other groups of people.  An article from The Institute for Genomics and Systems Biology tells us how:

"...epidemiological studies have often found that socially isolated people have shorter life spans and increased risk of a host of health problems, including infections, heart disease, and depression."

The increase in stress hormones resulting from this type of isolation can impact the immune system, result in higher blood pressure and even lead to heart disease.  Perhaps a better resolution would be to sign up for dance classes or other activities where more focus is on the social aspect of the exercise.  Resolving to be less lonely could be as good for you as quitting smoking when it comes to longevity. 

A Loving Family Is Great Health Insurance

A loving family life naturally involves many aspects that lead to better health for all involved.  Eating together, sibling relationships, strong connections to our communities and even a healthy sex life can all greatly enhance our quality of life.  These activities boost our immune systems and give us a stronger sense of purpose and direction.  There is a direct correlation between a stressful family life and a weakened immune system and greater incidence of disease.

This article from the American Psychological Association describes how:

"Chronic stressors associated with health disparities include perceived discrimination, neighborhood stress, daily stress, family stress, acculturative stress, environmental stress and maternal stress."

It is apparent that a rich and rewarding social life and family life can be a factors in better overall health and well-being.  We think resolving to get more involved in our communities and spend more quality time with our families will bring a better return on our emotional investment than getting up at 5AM to jog or depriving ourselves of Starbucks or Twinkies.

Family Game Night is a great way to find quality time to spend with our family…our game selection includes new, award-winning choices as well as those classics we all remember.

How Are You Doing With Those Resolutions?

"Not so great" would be a typical response from most people.  In fact, the percentage of New Year's resolutions that actually "stick" is dismally low.  Why do we have such a hard time keep those promises we make to ourselves every January?  There are a number of reasons why we tend to fall back into our old habits within a few weeks.  There are also some ways of approaching the tradition of resolving to make a change that can give you a much better chance of turning your resolution into a habit that is hard to break.

First, let's examine 3 ways in which we might set ourselves up for failure:

• Making The Result The Goal

When we focus on our desired outcome, i.e., to lose 20 pounds, quit smoking, eat healthier, etc., we expect to see results very soon.  This is because from a young age we are taught to see goals as achievable within a certain timeframe and that change needs to be something we can actually measure.

• Taking On A Monumental Change

While those type of changes are often part of the New Year's resolutions we make, the sheer will power necessary to make big changes is not something that comes naturally to people.  We operate best on instinct.

• Not Changing The Outside

When we try to break bad habits our focus is on changing our thinking or depriving ourselves of a ritual we practice.  This is when we tell ourselves that we have to have strong willpower.  Unfortunately, for most people, will power is not known for being very strong.  Relying on will power to facilitate change is setting yourself up for failure.

These are 3 reasons why less than 10% of us keep those promises we make to ourselves as we begin the new year.  If we would focus on changing behavior rather than seeing results right away, we would be much more likely to turn those promises into habits that are driven by our instincts.  If we would just break down the goal to the smallest detail, like not smoking in the car or with the morning coffee, it becomes easier to achieve and resist cheating.  Allowing ourselves as much time as we need also means we take baby steps until the ultimate goal is reached.  Finally, if we don't change our environment to support our resolution, failure is almost guaranteed.  It is very difficult to resolve to eat healthier if the pantry and refrigerator are stocked with junk food.  Our environment is responsible for much of our instinctual behavior so changing it along with your internal resolve, is vital. 

Resolutions are best kept when they become part of your natural motivation so make sure you can really achieve the behavior changes you seek.  The best way to make big changes is one little bite at a time.

“Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right.” 

― Oprah Winfrey

If your resolutions include playing more…Grandrabbit's is a great place to start!

Gratitude For Christmas

Now that the Holiday Season is coming to a close, it is a good time to help our children remember the value of an "attitude of gratitude".  While a little over-indulgence can be good for everyone now and then, we can lose sight of just how fortunate we are when surrounded with all the glitter and abundance of Christmas.

An article from The Wall Street Journal last year reminds us that:

"The mere act of giving thanks has tangible benefits, research suggests. A 2008 study of 221 kids published in the Journal of School Psychology analyzed sixth- and seventh-graders assigned to list five things they were grateful for every day for two weeks. It found they had a better outlook on school and greater life satisfaction three weeks later, compared with kids assigned to list five hassles."

There are a number of ways that we can help "balance" the good fortune of this time of year with the more typical lives that we normally lead.

• Be A Good Example

If your "attitude of gratitude" is apparent in your everyday lives, you will be teaching by example and you can expect your children to see the world through your grateful eyes.  This will establish a solid foundation of gratitude for which to build on in the future.  Don't just tell your kids how grateful you are, let them witness your expressing that gratitude to other people.

• Say It Out Loud and Write It Down

To further cement your good example, have your children develop a daily routine of expression of gratitude.  A Gratitude Journal is an excellent tool and if writing is difficult, then have them tell you three things they are grateful for while you are having dinner or before bedtime.

• Be Grateful For The Challenges

While it is easy to remember to be grateful when things are good and the flow of abundance is great, a more important time to teach gratefulness is when times are tough.  Start with small things, like being grateful for rain because it feeds the plants and fills the pond, and work your way up to seeing how even the most distressing of situations can often have a positive outcome in the future.  Remember to look back and show your kids how things almost always work out for the best. 

Because we recognize the benefits of raising grateful kids it is important to remember that it all starts with a loving and nurturing connection with our caregivers.  When a baby is responded to with love and patience, the seeds of gratitude are then planted.  In nurturing that "seed" we will ensure that our children grow to be healthier and happier adults.

Please visit us at Grandrabbit's Toy Shoppe, to learn more about the benefits of toys and play, and how we are dedicated to helping our children grow and thrive.

Imagination Will Get You Everywhere

The next time your child approaches you wearing a crazy get-up and proclaiming themselves to be "Captain Of The Universe," take a moment to appreciate them and their creation.  By joining them in their pretend world, even for just a few moments, will give your child a confidence and self-esteem boost!  You will recognize this when your child "lights up," becoming more animated and expressive.  Their delight will be easy to recognize.  For the child, your participation gives them complete control of their world, when so often they feel like everyone else holds that power.

You can also encourage imaginative play by using toys that help your child create an alternate persona.  Toys like doctor kits, pretend kitchens with faux food, costumes or "stores" with pretend cash registers and money/credit cards.  Musical instruments are excellent for pretend play while also providing the child the benefit of making and manipulating sounds.

There are three very good reasons why an investment today in your child's imaginative play will bring a great return on that investment in the future.

• Development Of Language

One of the best things about pretending to be someone other than themselves is that it gives the child an opportunity to express that character verbally with words and language they wouldn't normally use.  This brings more sense to their world and understanding of how the adults relate to each other.

• Social Skills

Imaginative play with their peers offers the child an opportunity to "practice" how they relate to others.  Sharing is a natural behavior in this type of play and it gives us the opportunity to teach empathy skills and cooperation as well.

• Enhancing Imagination

Using your imagination is not only fun but it is also essential to a happy and fulfilling life.  If we did not have people with great imaginations, we would not build rocket ships to journey into space or make new scientific breakthroughs.  Imagination offers us the chance to build a better world.

  

So the next time your child runs past you with a shield made from a colander and a sword made from a stick, grab a sheet and tie it around your neck and join your child in vanquishing the dragons from the backyard.  Your child will benefit in many ways and you will probably experience an uptick in your own self-esteem as a bonus.

“Logic will get you from A to Z; imagination will get you everywhere.” 

― Albert Einstein

For toy ideas that will bring out the super hero in your child, visit our website or give one of our toy guides a call at 303-443-0780.

ASTRA 2012 Best Toys for Kids

As a member of the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA) Grandrabbit’s is dedicated to providing toys and games that are educational, unique, fun and engaging. This year we are proud to carry thirteen of the 2012 ASTRA Best Toys for Kids. The 2012 Best Toys for Kids list features toys that support early childhood development, pretend play, constructive play, game play, creativity, science discovery, active play and lateral thinking! 

Here’s the best part! Our staff is knowledgeable about developmental milestones, how children play and the playability of all the products in our store. Come into a Grandrabbit’s store today and allow our outstanding staff show you the 2012 ASTRA Best Toys for Kids and guide you in finding the perfect gift! 

ASTRA Best Toys for Kids available in our stores:


Roll & Play- ThinkFun

This game designed for toddlers age 18 months and up and has been winning awards left and right. The colors on the cube correspond to colored cards each with a simple activity. It's designed to support your toddler's development and introduce play patterns and rules.



Puppet on a Stick- Educational Insights

For kids 4+ Puppet on a stick is an exciting addition to any play box. They are perfect for puppet shows, circle time, or story time, but the possibilities are endless. Inspire dramatic play and see where your imagination takes you.

E-Rangers Headquarters- Playmobil

Futuristic, Fantasy, Fun! The Playmobil E-Rangers' Headquarters is packed with pretend play potential and tons of special effect features including a real working solar cell, changing computer display and LED spotlight.



 The Zoob Challenge- Infinitoy

Zoob is an excellent building set with dynamic results. Unlike many other building sets, ZOOB peices move after you put them together! ZOOB Challenge comes with 175 pieces, string, wheels, a ball, rubber bands, a foam play pad and 25 challenges that are based on essential STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math) skills. (Ages 8+)



 Look Look- MindWare
Look Look is a fast-paced matching race comprised of eight interchangeable frames packed with visual cues. Players compete to find identical creatures or solve a math challenge. Game cards reveal the challenge and the winner keeps the card. Be the first to collect enough cards to spell "Look Look" and you take the game! (Ages 6+)


TENZI- Carma Games

(Description from ilovetenzi.com)  

OBJECT:

Be the first player to get all ten of your dice to show the same number.

HOW TO PLAY:
(2-4 players.) Each player chooses a set of dice. Players hold all ten dice in their hands. Someone says “Go” and everyone rolls at the same time. Quickly look at your roll and decide which number you are going to go for. (For example, if you have more 3’s than any other number, that’s what you want to go for.) Put all your dice with that number aside, collect the remaining dice and quickly roll again. (You do not have to wait for others to roll again. Everyone rolls together only on the first roll.) Keep rolling until all ten of your dice show the same number.

WINNING:
The first player to get all ten of their dice to match (ten 3’s, for example) shouts out “TENZI” and wins the game!
 
Additionally, there's lots of other ways to play. To get a preview download the free Tenzi app for iPhone and iPad.

My First Super Science Kit- Be Amazing! Toys

Perfect for the little scientist eager to learn about their world. This Super Science kit comes with all the materials needed to conduct 75 experiments including a magnifying glass and Energy Stick to teach them about electricity and conductivity. (Ages 4-8)





Snap Circuits LIGHT- Elenco

This Snap Circuits kit makes it easy and fun to learn about electronics. There are over 175 projects you can create! Connect your ipod or any MP3 player to watch the lights change to the beat.   (Ages 8+)



Kickin' Putt- Begin Again

Begin Again toys is a local Colorado imaginative toy company. They focus on thoughtful toy design that inspires children and incorporate materials that can be or have been reduced or recycled. Kickin' Putt combines the fun of soccer, kickball, flying discs and golf! Players throw the flying disc to set the hole and then compete to kick their ball into the goal first. Sets can be combined to create a tournament setting and you can create your own version of the game! (Kids of all ages)
 
Ogo Sport RAQ- Ogo Sport

 A hand trampoline for balls: throw, catch, bounce! There's so many ways to play!

(Ages 3+)



Rush Hour- ThinkFun

The single-player traffic jam logic game! Help your little red car get out of the gridlock by shifting the rest of the traffic on the game board. The game comes with 40 challenge cards sorted by four levels of difficulty allowing players to progress at their own pace. (Ages 8+)




Rubik's The Void Puzzle- Winning Moves

A "hole" new take on the classic Rubik's cube with the added challenge of missing center "cubes". Grandrabbit's customers have reported that it moves super smoothly too! Are you ready to take on the challenge of the void?






Perplexus Twist- PlaSmart

This new 4D challenge game from PlaSmart puts a new twist on the classic Perplexus. The player must twist and realign the tracks to avoid traps, decoys and cliffhangers. A great toy for cognitive development that encourages creative problem solving, hand-eye coordination, motor skills and patience! (Ages 6+)

  

Musical Touch by Neurosmith

You have got to see this! Grandrabbit’s just got in a toy from Neurosmith called the Musical Touch. The toy is an interactive 2-4 player game that allows players to create music and sounds by holding onto one of the contacts and tapping the skin of their partner. Your skin becomes the conductor making your whole body a musical instrument. You have 8 classical melodies, 7 percussion sounds, and 7 animal sounds at your fingertips to play and create with. The tempo and the rhythm are up to you and your co-players so you can remix a classic or compose your own animal sound symphony!

Like their entire line of toys, this Neurosmith toy inspires and encourages exploration, creativity and cooperation. Children ages 3+ can practice taking turns while experimenting with music and sound.  You can trust the combination of current developmental research and technology to support your child’s critical thinking skills and creative potential. The Musical Touch is available at any of our Grandrabbit’s Toy Shoppe locations.

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Best Educational Toys of 2012

The OppenheimToy Portfolio recently released their list of the best educationaltoys of 2012. Seventeen kid tested and Oppenheim approved toys that will give your kids an educational boost while they play. Six of these toys are currently available at Grandrabbit's and more are soon to arrive! 

The Sci or Fi Files Game: The science version of two-truths and a lie for Ages 10 and up. Players take turns reading the science statements printed on their cards and everyone guesses which are true and which are false. Answers and explanations are on the flip side of the cards.  The game comes with 200 playing cards that are divided in to 4 categories (Physical Science, Earth and Space, Life Science, and Unclassified). When a player gets the answer right they get a score chip. In order to win a player must collect a chip from each category.

K’nex Ferris Wheel: Unlike previous K’nex models that had upward of 2,000 pieces this Ferris wheel checks in at just 475 pieces. The smaller number of pieces make it easier and faster to build but still satisfying to complete. Building this motorized masterpiece would be great for a parent/child activity and it’s recommended for children 7+.

Pathwords Jr.: Tagged as Kid’s Ultimate Word Search! A book of words fits under the playing board grid and a single player, age 6+, searches for words on a “find” list. As words are found they are covered up with transparent colored tiles. There are 40 puzzles in the book that require the player to find words spelled both backwards and forwards as well as overcome spatial challenges.

DoArt Watercolor Pencil Art: This is a great introductory kit with a beginners guide to painting with watercolor pencils. Recommended for children age 9+ the kit comes with 10 colored pencils, a zip-lock storage pouch, an illustrated instruction book, water color paper, a water color brush and a pencil sharpener. Grandrabbit’s also carries the DoArt Color Pencil Art kit. 

 

eeBoo 12 Jumbo Double-Sided Color Pencils:  Aesthetically pleasing, easy to grasp, colorful pencils that make writing and drawing more fun! The set comes with a pencil sharpener to fit the larger pencils. Each pencil has two different colors and they are suitable for ages 5+.

eeBoo Sketchbook with Glow in the Dark Covers:  These 8.5 x 11.5 60 page spiral sketchpads have impressive and enchanting glow in the dark covers that will appeal to both boys and girls. Take the basic sketch pad up a notch and grab a gift that the child in your life can use in school even when the holiday season is long gone.

LEGO Friends (Heartlake Vet): There was a lot of negative hype surrounding LEGO's most recent gender specific product but the young toy testers are loving it! With a wide variety of sets that have interchangeable pieces and moving parts, there are still nearly limitless possibilities when it comes to creating with these LEGO sets. Small details are even included such as a stethoscope, thermometer, charts and clipboards.


***Grandrabbit's just got a shipment of a variety of these sets and we recommend getting them now while they are still in stock- this will be a popular holiday product***

COMING SOON!

Ravensburger Augmented Reality Puzzles: We just ordered these new techy puzzles that combine the nostalgia of a jigsaw puzzle with apple technology. Putting the puzzle together is a great cooperative activity for families or groups of children. Once it’s complete, download the free app and use an iPhone or iPad to bring the images on the puzzle to life!

To see the toys in action check out Stephanie Oppenheim's appearance on the Today Show last week: 

http://video.today.msnbc.msn.com/today/49256354#49256354

The Good Toy Checklist

Play is learning and toys are learning tools. If we stop to contemplate how important and essential play is to our children’s’ development, we would realize the importance of careful and well informed selection of their playthings.  Here is our list of characteristics found in good toys.

For continued updates on our stores, products and resources be sure to follow us on Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter and Google+.

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Source: grtoys.com via Grandrabbits on Pinterest

Eyes on the Sky

Grandrabbit’s has products to get any little astronaut off the ground, including space suits, books, solar system models and more! Come into the store for our full selection.

Since the beginning of August our attention has been turned to the sky. On August 5 (Neil Armstrong’s birthday by the way) NASA’s Curiosity Rover successfully landed on the surface of Mars. The nights of August 12^th and 13^th were lit up by the Perseid Meteor Shower, and on the 25^th Neil Armstrong, the first man to ever set foot on the moon, passed away.

With all this space talk, you may find your kids wanting to know more about our solar system, NASA and space travel.  Here are some tidbits we picked up to help get your conversations started.

Did you know?!?-- Neil Armstrong was flying planes before he could drive, he served as a Navy fighter pilot in the Korean War and was a student of aeronautical engineering at Purdue University. He never dreamed that he would someday fly to the moon. In fact, during Armstrong’s first year of college Charles E Yeager broke the sound barrier in an experimental aircraft called the Bell X-1 and Armstrong felt that he “had missed all the great times and adventures in flight.” Good thing he was mistaken! Once he got a job at NASA Neil Armstrong piloted many of the most innovative aircrafts of all time, including the successor to the Bell X-1, and eventually moved on to flying spacecrafts. Armstrong took the first human steps on the moon on July 20, 1969 accompanied by his colleague and friend Buzz Aldrin on the Apollo 11 Mission. In a statement regarding Armstrong’s death, his family stated that “He remained an advocate of aviation and exploration throughout his life and never lost his boyhood wonder of these pursuits.” What an inspiration. In remembrance of Neil Armstrong, rekindle your own sense of childhood wonder and see where it takes you. You never know, you could end up on the moon!

Speaking of childhood wonder, who else is still waiting for some aliens to show up on the camera of the new Mars Rover Curiosity?!? Okay, so the Rover is actually looking for microbial life forms, but we can dream right?

Here’s some real info!--Unlike previous mars rovers the Curiosity has greater mobility and the ability to explore more of the red planet than we’ve ever seen before.  Previous Rovers such as the Mars Pathfinder and Mars Exploration relied on solar energy, limiting them to areas of Mars that received enough sunlight to keep them powered. The power for the Curiosity Rover however, comes from a “radioisotope power system that generates electricity from the heat of plutionium’s radioactive decay.” Wow! Thanks to this new power source, over the next martian year (687 earth days) the Curiosity will send us never before seen images of mars, and assess whether or not the red planet has, or ever had, an environment that could support life. We can’t wait to see what’s out there!

Just for fun, if one martian year= 1.88 earth years. How old would you be if you were a martian? (Hint: Divide your age in years by 1.88)

Want to know more?

NASA has heaps of great information and cool interactive material such as Be A Martian so be sure to explore their website if you’re interested in keeping up to date with Curiosity’s location, photos, technology, etc.

Going Green at Grandrabbits!

The demand for Eco-friendly, "green" and all natural toys is slowly on the rise as people become more aware of the effects of synthetic materials on the environment and the human body.

At Grandrabbit's Toys Shoppe we provide parents with Eco-friendly alternatives including, toys that are made of organic, recycled, and wooden materials.

Vendors at Grandrabbit's That Provide Eco-friendly Toys:
Sprig, Plan Toys, Haba, Hape, Educo Toys, Maple Landmark, Mama K's, Blue Orange, Citi Blocs, Green Toys, Kapla, Thames and Kosmos, Clementine Arts, Sara Silks, and Bead Bazaar.

Some of Our Favorite "Green" Toys at Grandrabbits Include:

1. Sophie the Giraffe - a popular teething toy for infants, made of an all natural rubber and painted with a safe, non-toxic food dye

2. Skwish (Manhattan Toy)- a great wooden toy also for infants. Comes in a colorful version or a  plain, natural version with a water-based, non-toxic finish.

3. Recycled Paper Beads Art Kit (4M) - this is a fun art kit that recycles leftover paper by turning it into fashionable jewelry. A great way to get rid of leftover wrapping paper!

4. Green Toys - products from this company are made directly in the USA. Green Toys provides a wide variety of toys made from recycled milk jugs, including trucks, tea sets, building blocks, and pretend play food.

5. Sprig Toys - a fun, Eco-friendly company that provides phalate-free vehicles made of recycled plastic and wood.

6. Earth-opoly - this is the Eco-friendly themed Monopoly made from recycled paper and uses soy ink. As you play you pick up great tips about the Earth and ways to "Go Green".

GOING GREEN FACTS
• Americans purchase 5 billion batteries a year
• Those 5 billion batteries leaves behind 146,000 tons of battery waste
• 25% of the pesticides produced each year are used on conventional
(sources: Children's Health Environmental Coalition, Eco Choices)

Shop Made in America Toys for the Holidays

ABC News image

“Shop Local” is a vital philosophy when it comes to our purchasing choices. But what about where products are manufactured? In these tenuous economic times, buying products made in the USA, maybe even in your own state or hometown, is a great way to help give our economy a boost and help create jobs this holiday season.

ABC News has been running a great “Made in America”series all year, culminating with a “Made in America Christmas.” According to the interviews with economists that ABC news conducted as part of that series, if every American pledged to spend $64 on products made in the U.S.A. we could create 200,000 jobs – right now!

At Grandrabbit’s Toy Shoppe we are proud to carry many products that are made in America. Here’s a sampling of several products and companies to consider putting on your list when you’re doing your holiday shopping. Make sure to ask a Grandrabbit’s associate for any questions you may have about finding toys made in the U.S.A.!

Made in the USA Toy Companies We Carry

Aerobi

Block-n-Roll

Clementine Art

Constructive Eating

Do-a-Dot Art

Fractiles

Gamewright

Green Toys

I-Spy Books and Games

Keva Planks

Knex

Late for the Sky Games

Lunastix

Mama K’s

Mighty Mind

Perler Beads

Zome Tool

Products Made in the USA

Astronaut Food

Brainquest Workbooks

Boomaphone Whack Pack

Bubblegum Factory Kit by Scientific Explorer

Carson Delosa Home Workbooks

Herd Your Horses! Game

Ice Cream Kit by Scientific Explorer

Illustory

Light Crystal Prism

Name Train Letters and Cars

Melissa and Doug Drawing Pads and Construction Paper

Mentos Geyser Tube

Mindware Coloring Books

Potato Chip Science

Sassafrass Fairy Princess Cookie Kit

Slinky

Spooner Board

Sun-Art Paper

Tasty Science Kit by Scientific Explorer

Trunki by Melissa and Doug

Uno Card Game

Wikki Stix

Yo Baby Kick Flipper

Yomega Raider Yo Yo

Zipfy Freestyle Mini Luge

Our Favorite Advent Calendars for 2011

The first known Advent calendar was handmade in Germany in 1851. Since then, Advent calendars have become a beloved family tradition for both religious and secular families alike. Although the observation of Advent for Christians begins on Sunday, November 27th, the secular observation tends to begin on the 1st of December and counts down to the 25th.

The daily ritual of opening the doors and counting down to the holiday is exciting for both children and parents alike. There are a myriad of Advent calendar options out there, but here are some of our tried-and-true favorites at Grandrabbit's.

PLAYMOBIL puts out a fun series of Advent calendars. With themes such as Dinosaur Expedition, Dragon's Land and Pony Ranch, there are a wide variety of unique themes to chose from. For more a more traditional Christmas motif, they also have a cute Christmas Post Office calendar. No matter which one you choose, each PLAYMOBIL calendar comes with 24 unique figures and accessories, as well as a backdrop. A great choice for PLAYMOBIL fans, that they can play with long after advent is over.

LEGO makes a cool advent calendar every year, and this year is no exception. The LEGO City Advent Calendar features 24 LEGO toys for your children to build and play with each day leading up to Christmas. The toys can be added to other LEGO sets, making the "build-up" to Christmas extra fun!

Everyone likes chocolate, right? Well Madelaine Chocolate Company makes tasty and traditional Advent calendars. Their Santa's Toy Factory and Village Toy Shop calendars. feature a different chocolate treat every day. Yummy!

Finally, for a simple but magical advent countdown, eeBoo's gorgeously designed, charming calendars will inspire holiday storytelling. Each calendar is designed by a renowned children's book illustrator, and printed on sturdy cardboard with eco-friendly ink. The beautiful and whimsical designs include bears dancing in the woods, rabbits celebrating christmas in their den, woodland sprites creating holiday joy, a snowman band, and a sweet scene of a father bringing home a christmas tree with his children.

You can come check out all these calendars at any of our three locations or order them online from grtoys.com. Happy Holidays from Grandrabbit's!

Grandrabbit's is proud to be a part of The 3/50 Project!

Grandrabbit's is proud and excited to be a supporter of The 3/50 Project, aimed at bolstering local economies. 

Here's some history on the project and how it works:

Having been an independent stationery store owner for fourteen years, Cinda Baxter understood the pain felt by retailers when the economy sank and consumers held back. What began as an economic downturn in the autumn had become a psychological tsunami by March 1st.

What the country needed, in her opinion, was a meeting of the minds between two groups that held valuable stakes in the game—small business owners and members of their communities.

Enter The 3/50 Project.

With a tag line “Save your local economy three stores at a time,” the Project’s goal is to promote shopping in locally owned businesses while thanking customers for the positive impact that decision has on a local economy.

“We’re constantly inundated with doom and gloom,” says Baxter, now a retail consultant and professional speaker. “The system is broken, the banks are frozen, the economy is bleeding. That’s all we hear. The images painted by the media are ghastly and devoid of hope. What we need - what we crave - as a nation is to pinpoint areas where positive change can occur, then feel good about having promoted them."

By early March, she’d decided enough was enough, and that it was time to give retailers ammunition to fight back with. Rather than get tangled in complex messaging and deployment, Baxter combined a straightforward theme, a free flyer, and her blog as the mechanism to launch The 3/50 Project.

“We ask consumers to think about which three stores they’d miss if they disappeared, then remind them to return there,” explains Baxter. “Shoppers have become so rooted in thinking about the essentials that they’ve forgotten about the little gift store on the corner whose owner remembers their name.”

“Fifty comes from the idea that if even half the employed population spent a mere $50 per month in locally owned retail stores, those purchases would generate more than $42.6 billion in revenue,” she continues. “That’s a huge impact for a relatively small investment.”

Which leads to a third number on the flyer, sixty-eight—the dollar amount that remains in a community’s economy for every $100 spent in locally owned stores. By contrast, only $43 per one hundred remains local when spent in national chains; little or no revenue results from online purchases.

“In essence, the whole thing boils down to Pick 3, spend 50, save the economy. It’s really that simple."

The year, The 3/50 Project launched their free iPhone app. It's called LookLocal and it allows users to search for locally owned businesses coast to coast, and share their favorite businesses with their friends. You can learn more and download the app here.

For more information and to find out how you can become a supporter visit their website at the350project.net

Building Good Parent-Teacher Relationships

It's back to school time! Parenting.com  has some great tips on how to develop a good parent-teacher relationship. Help support your children's hardworking teachers by learning about what pet peeves to avoid, what you can do to score some major brownie points and what you can do at home as a parent. to make a teacher's life easier.

Read the article here, and think back on all the teachers who inspired you as a child!

Bananagrams Featured on NPR's Morning Edition

We love Bananagrams at Grandrabbit's. This super fun and fast-paced anagram puzzle game is one of our best sellers, one we are always eager to recommend to folks looking for a new game.

In case you missed it, last week NPR's Morning Edition ran a great story on the founding and success of Bananagrams:

 Adrienne Appell, spokeswoman for the Toy Industry Association, says she thinks Bananagrams will continue to flourish, citing its mass appeal.

"Bananagrams is really turning into a classic game," she says. "Although it was only introduced in the last couple of years, it's really starting to have that stature of a long-lasting game that we envision will be played by generations of kids to come."

Check out the full story here, and make sure to stop into Grandrabbit's to pick up Bananagrams! 

August Play Days

 

JOIN US FOR PLAY DAYS AT ALL THREE OF OUR LOCATIONS!

  

Designed for children ages 2-7 and an accompanying adult, each Play Day focuses on a different theme, with engaging stories, creative crafts, exciting science experiments and fun games. Add some play time this August at Grandrabbit's!

  

ORCHARD TOWN CENTER - MONDAYS AT 11

August 1 

Green Scene - Celebrate the color of summer. Make a veggie magic print!

August 8 

Twirl and Swirl - Create tie dye art to wear using all of the colors of the rainbow.

August 15  

Scientrific! - Experiment with some concoctions that are sure to make you laugh. 

BOULDER - TUESDAYS AT  10:30

August 2 

Green Scene - Celebrate the color of summer. Make a veggie magic print!

August 9  

Twirl and Swirl - Create tie dye art to wear using all of the colors of the rainbow.

  

August 16 

Scientrific! - Experiment with some concoctions that are sure to make you laugh!  

  

FLATIRONS - THURSDAYS AT 10:30 

August 4 

Green Scene - Celebrate the color of summer. Make a veggie magic print!

August 11

Twirl and Swirl - Create tie dye art to wear using all of the colors of the rainbow.

August 18 

Scientrific! - Experiment with some concoctions that are sure to make you laugh. 

We will take a Play Days break August 22nd through 31st for back to school time!