All Children Are Not Created Equal!

OK, so the title was meant to be provocative, but it's actually something I believe in. It just may not be what you think. I purchased PlayFair Toys in 2004, and at that time they had just shut down their long-time, successful catalog division. On the cover of each catalog, mailed out to hundreds of thousands of US households twice a year, was the tagline, "All Children Are Created Equal."

I began reinventing the business, and we are still working on that reinvention. Hopefully we'll never stop working on it. And here's where we are today - I strongly disagree with that statement. Yes, all children definitely deserve an equal chance. They do not get it, but I know that we all believe strongly that they deserve it. But deserving a fair chance and actually being created equal are different things. What would a world with all equal children look like? Presumably we'd just flip a coin to see who played football this year, because they'd all be about the same. Class valedictorian? We'll draw a name out of a hat.

To be fair, I should explain that this tagline and this company were both developed on a principle that I do hold dearly, so I am picking on semantics a bit when I make the bold statement that I disagree with it! PlayFair Toys was the nation's first toy store founded on the principle that toys should be independent of gender bias or ethnic/racial stereotypes, and that they should be completely non-violent. This was groundbreaking, and it set the tone for the business for decades to come.

We have evolved to meet the extraordinary need for exceptional children to find playthings as special as they are. Whatever age, gender, ethnic or racial background they come from, exceptional children need exceptional playthings. Some of these children are intellectually gifted, even highly or profoundly gifted. Some of them have very special needs. Others have a special talent, a great sensitivity, a strong creative streak, or other way of being different. Some of them are what's called "twice exceptional", with a combination of profound gifts and learning differences that are hard to comprehend. These may be some of the planet's most misunderstood and overlooked kids.

We are not an ordinary toy store! Our customers are truly extraordinary people looking for extraordinary things. Our toys, books, and games are an exceptional mix from around the world, designed to stimulate, educate, challenge, and be enjoyed. Our sales staff is exceptional - they understand these thousands of products and can explain their features and benefits to you, and how these features will benefit your exceptional child. They won't let you leave with the wrong item. Even our silly owner, the writer of this piece, is not an ordinary toy store owner. How many toy store owners have published dozens of scientific articles on global change and ecosystems, or have had a species named after them? How many toy store owners have explored the far reaches of northern Siberia during the Gorbachev era of the USSR? How many toy store owners have chapters in books on High IQ children?

If you have an ordinary child, grandchild, niece, nephew, or young friend, I think you'll greatly enjoy shopping at PlayFair Toys. Our incredibly well-trained sales staff will be there to help you pick out some things that will be enjoyed for months or years. But if you have an extraordinary child in your life, then you will love PlayFair Toys. You will feel believed here. You will feel that finally, someone understands you, understands that your needs and your child are beyond the ordinary.

PlayFair Toys is the store where all the babies are strong, all the grandparents are fabulously good-looking, and all the children are anything but average!

Here's to a world where all children get an equal chance. While we're waiting for that world, let's raise the next generation of leaders to be the best they can be, so they can help us meet this essential goal.

The Haiku Fun Begins

Are you up to the Haiku Challenge? Find your inner muse and we'll share it with the world!

My Destination Haiku

Business owners must
Run faster and faster now
To be the most best!

Submitted by Jon Schallert, March 31, 2009

My April 1 Haiku:

April fool haiku
A tiny little poem
With a great big heart

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

If you're getting ready for Spring Break, the little Dover Activity Books for only $1.50 are great to bring along. Get a handful of them so there's always something new when you need it. We also have Audio Books that are great for travel.

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!