The New Rules Project developed this list and asked that it be freely distributed. I think these are such great ideas that I am passing them along. I urge you to do the same.
4 Ways Your Rebate Check Can Help You and Our Local Economy
Pay Off Credit Card Debt
Americans wasted over $60 billion last year on credit card finance charges—money that could have been put to much more productive use.
Invest In Your Future
Investing doesn't just mean stocks and bonds. You could enroll in a class to improve your skills. Or insulate your home. Or buy a bicycle and save on gas all summer long.
Help Your Neighbors
By donating to a local food bank or nonprofit, you can put your rebate to work helping neighborhood families put food on the table and meet other basic expenses.
Buy From Locally Owned Businesses
Every $100 you choose to spend at a locally owned, independent business generates more than $50 in additional economic activity in our region. That same $100 spent at a big-box store creates only $14 in benefit for the local economy. Much of the difference is due to the fact
that local businesses buy more goods and services from other local businesses, while chains siphon money out of the state.*
* This flyer was published by the Institute for Local Self-Reliance and may be
freely copied, distributed, and published. To read the studies and learn more, visit the
institute's web site at www.newrules.org/retail.
PlayFair Toys is an independent, locally-owned business located in Boulder, Colorado. We are proud to provide healthy educational toys and jobs to our community.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
4 Ways Your Tax Stimulus Check Can Help You and Our Local Economy
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Top 5 Ways to Save Money on Toys
Is it that I've gained, or did someone put the economy in the dryer on high? It's feeling a bit tight!
Whatever is going on in the world, we all understand that childhood comes but once. We want our children to have rich and happy childhoods, no matter what. We want to be able to offer them great toys, we want them to attend birthday parties, and we want them to have fun. So what can you do when money is tight? Whether you are shopping for birthday gifts, something to make a trip go a bit better, or just planning ways to keep the kids busy this summer, we've got ideas that we will help you save money on your toy purchases.
Consider a group present for birthday parties - It's true that all children are different, but I can't count how many times I've attended a birthday party only to watch the birthday girl or boy quickly become overwhelmed by the number of new things they were presented with, each gift needing and deserving hours of attention. Although it might take a bit more planning on your part, having multiple guests give one present that will be truly appreciated can not only save money but will also make for a less overwhelming and less stressful party experience.
Make a budget and stick to it - Decide what you can afford, and then take only that much in cash with you when you shop. That sounds obvious, but how many times are we swayed by kids who want that next better one? Paying with cash can help them understand the finality of it. Money isn't magical - I have a $20 bill, and that's all I have. We have to find something that fits what we have. So you save money while imbuing a habit for a lifetime - living within our means. Now there's a gift that your children can use!
Consider organizing a toy club - This works mainly for babies and toddlers, but it can work wonders for them. This takes about 4-8 families with similarly aged children to work well, although if you have good organizational skills it could be bigger. Each family has an agreed upon number of toys that they contribute to the club, while they are participating in it (your toys remain your property). It works best if that number is equal to the number of families in the club, so that, for example, in a 4 family club everyone puts in 4 toys. About each 4 weeks, clean and sanitize the toys, get together, and swap, so that the sets of toys rotate among the families. When you get your own toys back, you might consider rotating a new set in. Toy rotation can also be practiced in your own home, but what a cost savings to do it this way! Make it a play date and everyone will look forward to this special day.
Take your time to find the right toy - Take the time to pick out toys that are durable, open-ended, and age appropriate. I emphasize that last point because often we are influenced by what our children may have seen on television or at a friend's house, etc, but if that toy is not developmentally appropriate for our child at this point in time, then it may well end up being a complete waste of money. Once a toy is relegated to a corner because it's either too complex to figure out or too simple to hold interest, it's unlikely to come back out, even when the child is ready for it.
Shop your local, independently-owned toy dealer - This tip really brings all the others together, and it is ultimately the one that makes them all possible. Where else will you find someone who can find the right gift at the right time at the right price? They will spend the time necessary to shop with you. Rather than pointing you to one section of a giant store, "Toys", instead you will be presented with nothing but toys, each carefully selected by an expert in toys and child development. Compare prices, and I suspect you'll be pleasantly surprised at how affordable your local toy store is.
So yes, the economy is very tight, if not downright recessive. But we buy toys because we love our children, plain and simple. Keep your toy buying plain and simple, too, and you'll still be able to help your children have great playthings without breaking the bank.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Boulder Families Celebrate Earth Day 2008
PlayFair Toys Presents EARTH DAY 2008 with events and happenings to help raise awareness of our role and our children's role in keeping our planet clean and sustainable for many millennia. All events are free and open to the public. Call 303-444-7502 for more information.
FREE NATURAL SCULPTURE MAKING CLASS
Saturday April 19, 12-2 PM
Join local artist Diana Mercer of Clementine Arts Kits and Clementine Studios as she leads children through an open-ended sculpture making activity. There is no charge for this drop-in event. Participants and customers can register to win a free Clementine Refillable Reusable Art Kit of their choice! Free reservations are suggested to assure a space. Please call 303-444-7502 to reserve.
THE PRINCESS AND THE POLAR BEAR: AN ENVIRONMENTAL PUPPET FABLE
World Premier, Tuesday, April 22nd, 4
PM Encore performance Saturday April 26th, noon
Presented by our very own PlayFair Players, The Princess and the Polar Bear presents the lighter side of global warming and environmental change, offering kids concrete ways in which they can help shape their future to be safe and sane.
EARTH WEEK BOOK SECTION All Year Long
We've always offered you a strong selection of science books. This week we introduce our strongest ever environmental book selection for children and teen. Help your children develop an awareness of their place on the planet early.
GREEN TOYS All Year Long
We've always offered you a great selection of environmentally friendly toys. Now we take that further with more offerings of naturally-made products and better information on your toys. We are here to help you understand what makes a toy safe for your child and safe for the environment. Let us help you find that perfectly safe perfect toy for the child you love so much.
OUR CEO
PlayFair Toys may well be the planet's only toy store run by an international expert on global warming and the environment. Dr. Marilyn Walker has authored dozens of papers and book chapters on this topic, and she brings her passion for the environment to PlayFair and to the books, toys, and games we offer you.
We are always here to help you. You can support a local business that's here to support your smart kid by shopping now, either online or in our award-winning Boulder toy store.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
What's New at PlayFair Toys in Boulder, CO, March 11 2008
We continue to restock your favorite toys, games, books, etc. Here's what's come in the door since my last update on February 15:
Lots of Arts and Crafts kits and art supplies including:
- Make Your Own Pinata Kits, which are featured in our Spring Flyer (hitting Boulder mailboxes any day now)
- New Wire Art kits that are both thematic and large and general including horses, bracelets, sculpture, creatures, and more
- Make a Plates are back in and make a great project for Easter
- Old favorites are back including Monster Trucks Custom Shop, Ancient Egypt Mummies, Make Your Own Fleece Pillow
- Wee Enchanted Fairy Garden is a great choice for Spring! Other good spring projects include the EZ Build Birdhouse and EZ Build Biplane
Legos are back in! We are so happy to see those shelves full again. There are new sets for 2008 a well as old favorites in the area of Lego City, Star Wars, and racers, our customer's favorites. We also have many new and returning Gears! Gears! Gears! sets by Learning Resources.
Magz toys and Magna-Tiles, plus Quadrilla is back.
New and old dolls by Corolle, and finally your favorite Ryan's Room dollhouse furniture!
There is a new spring Calico Critters playset - Spotty and Stella's Swimming Adventure. (And a sneak warning - there will be a new Calico Critters Manor House available in 4th quarter 2008 only - preorders will be taken until we have no more stock)
New Groovy Girls are in, including the bubblegum princesses, and some new supersize Groovy Girls dolls.
At your request, we have a small but nice selection of Polly Pockets.
Only Hearts Club dolls, horses, and stables are in with many new pieces, outfits, and now pets!
Woodkins are in- all styles.
Your favorite Zoobies are in. New styles are coming before summer.
Puppets puppets puppets puppets! Folkmanis has just introduced new Gift Box puppets, a kitten and puppy for that special occasion. Also they have expanded their line of Stage Puppets following their popularity last year. While the standard Folkmanis puppets are more like stuffed animals, the stage puppets are just a head and are perfect for putting on a show.
And how convenient that Puppet Theaters are also in!
For puzzlers, be sure to ask about Puzzibits, a way to make 3-dimensional creations from hexagonal plastic pieces - hard to describe but plenty of fun.
As always, we have new puzzles daily, everything from wooden peg puzzles to 5000 piece jigsaws for the most avid adult puzzle lovers.
Plasmacars! Also every single Kettler tricycle and bicycle is now in stock, fabulous springtime gifts. The face of your preschooler or toddler on a tricycle is a memory you will cherish forever. We also have Kettler scooters in both a beginning and more advanced style.
One of my personal favorites, the Schleich Animal Nursery, is back in, along with all the accessories to create a realistic African Kraal playspace. These play sets are not only unusual but also incredibly authentic and detailed. They would be great for a classroom activity on Africa, but they are designed as toys and have loads of play value.
WOW - Science Kits, Science Models - so much to see! Brand new Heart and Brain models by Learning Resources - incredibly detailed models help simulate dissection of a human brain and heart. Also we now have the Visible Woman and Visible Man models that you have been asking for. Our science kits have been restocked with kits from Scientific Explorer, most under $20 and perfect especially for young kids (they go as young as 4), Young Scientists Club (perfect for homeschoolers, the entire series is back in stock).
You asked for them - you got them - Lab Coats for kids! Coming soon, imprinted with Professor PlayFair, just like our staff wears!
The weather is changing fast, and we have plenty to do outdoors. Kites, jump ropes, juggling sticks, hopscotch, frisbee golf, and more.
New in our gift area are Anamalz, handcrafted wooden animal figurines, each one unique. Must be seen and touched to be appreciated.
Many continuing and new Train Sets from Learning Curve, as well as the popular and well-priced train and activity table by Melissa and Doug.
Darda Car Sets - basics are in, plus new Glow in the Dark and super looping sets.
Keep checking back here to see what's new. Call the Boulder store at 303-444-7502 or visit the PlayFair Toys website. Not everything mentioned here is immediately available for sale through the website. And don't forget to keep up with that crazy Professor PlayFair - she's always got suggestions for science, play, and just plenty to think about!
Thank you for making us a part of your lives for the 26th straight year!
Monday, November 26, 2007
Nov 10: Schleich Animal Nursery in spot 44
Schleich Animal Figurines now have their very own nursery. You can play Wild Kingdom right in your living room.
See the Schleich Animal Nursery at PlayFair Toys
Nov 9: Bananagrams anagram madness!
Nov 8: Keva Planks named to spot #46 in PlayFair Top Toys of 2007
Simple, yet with astounding possibilities. Keva Planks are about 1/4 inch thick, 3/4 inch wide and 4 1/2 inches long.
