A Toy Guyz Review of the Create-a-Face Activity Pad

Even though I work around children and toys everyday - it's nice to sit down and play every once in awhile. This past weekend I had one of those wonderful opportunities to create, color and play with the Create-a-Face Activity Pad from Melissa & Doug. It's actually a simple concept that a young visitor had suggested I do before the Super Bowl started. So with a trusty crayon in hand and a large blank face in need of some features, we took to creating our very own masterpieces. I was told to start with the eyes first. That would make it easier. Then the nose should be drawn next. I was pleased to hear that I was doing an excellent job on my subject's nose. It's always nice to get validation from a 5-year-old. The conversation was as colorful as the wonderful features that we were displaying on each face. Before we knew it - we had lips, eyebrows, jewelry and some crazy hair. After about 15 minutes of intense focus, my portrait was complete.

My little art teacher saw my finished work and asked, "Who is it?".

After looking at it for a few seconds, I answered "Lady Gaga!"

She laughed and responded with, "That's good. Mine is Aladdin! I think Lady Gaga needs a boyfriend.".

I agreed. "Lady Gaga does need a boyfriend and Aladdin would be perfect."

I think what I found so wonderful about the activity was the simplicity of it. You start with a blank face and the possibilities are endless. Just start drawing. I have to thank my 5-year-old friend for slowing me down that day before Super Bowl. I had been in the kitchen for two hours before she arrived preparing food for the big game. Super Bowls are fun but they can be a lot of work. Everyone needs a break at some point. I have come to the conclusion that whether you are Creating-a-Face or just coloring a picture, an activity like this can be relaxing and fun for kids and grown-ups alike.

We have plenty of Create-a-Face Activity Pads at Pure Imagination. Only $4.95 and worth every penny! So the next time you want to have a little fun - just Create-A-Face!

-Rhett

Birthday Parties at Pure Imagination!

Start by Filling Out A Wish List!
Pure Imagination makes planning a birthday party simple with our "Easy To Do" Gift Registry. Bring your child to the store to fill out a Wish List. It's a fun activity your child and you can do together and you don't have to spend a dime. Then your party guests can come in to get your child exactly what he or she wants. You and your guests will receive 20% off any items purchased off the Wish List in honor of the birthday party.

Party Package
Pure Imagination requires 2 weeks advance notice for birthday party bookings. We are only able to do 1 birthday party per week so there is limited availability. Birthday parties will take place on Saturday evenings starting at 6:00pm. A standard party package starts at $75.00 for up to 8 children. Each additional child will cost $10.00. A $50 deposit is required upon booking.

Additional costs include a craft activity at 20% off for each child and pizza from the Hofbrau Restaurant. Parent or relative is to provide any decorations, plates, cups, desserts and drinks based on theme of party. A Pure Imagination staff member will set up for, run, and clean up after the party. Most parties should last around an hour and a half. The birthday child and the guests will have free reign of the toy store. There will be different play areas set up around the store to keep the kids active.

A Typical Party
Pure Imagination encourages playtime at different areas around the store as guests arrive. We let the kids play for awhile and then we do a craft activity. After the craft, the kids can play some more while the pizza is being served. This will be followed by the birthday cake and presents being opened. Party may bring in (pre-approved) outside entertainment (face painters, clowns, balloon artists, food, magician, etc.).

Our Take On Themes
The staff at Pure Imagination feel it is important to let the birthday child and parent pick out their own theme. We will work to create your party around something that is special to you and your child.

Please stop by the store, give us a call or e-mail us to discuss your birthday party -

Pure Imagination
102 E. Bishop Street
Bellefonte, PA  16823

814-355-1134
e-mail us at toyguyz@hotmail.com

 Visit the Toy Guyz as they celebrate their HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE this weekend at Pure Imagination!

Friday, November 18th through Sunday, November 20th. Visit the Toy Guyz at their new location - 102 E. Bishop Street. Open from 10:00 - 7:00 on Friday and Saturday. 12:00 - 4:00 on Sunday.

 

What's Going On?

• Enter to win the $100 Giraffe from Melissa & Doug. You have seen him for years outside, inside and all over the place at Pure Imagination. He has consistently been a best seller for us. Now you can win him!
• Free Old World Ornament with the first 50 purchases of the weekend! Old World Ornaments are a wonderful addition to any Christmas tree.
• Fun Toy and Craft Demonstrations for the kids and grown-ups! We will have a table set up for kids to play with some of our newest toys! You have to play before you purchase. Those are the rules.

On top of all that - We have all sorts of new toys for everyone to see. Shipments are arriving daily! And our usual "play stations" will be open with our Train Table, Cook's Kitchen, 3-Story Dollhouse and much more! So bring the kids in (or not, if you need to do some shopping) and experience a whole bunch of fun at Pure Imagination. 'Tis the Season!

Toy Guyz Picks For Really Fun Craft Kits For Fall!

Well we are all moved into our new space! Pure Imagination is now located at 102 E. Bishop Street in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania. We are so excited to have a bigger and better location. It's time to get into the swing of things so we thought it would be fun to select a few "Toy Guyz Approved" crafts kits for the Fall season. Here are just a few of the great craft kits we carry at Pure Imagination along with being customer favorites!

Magic Picture Maker - $19.95

The Magic Picture Maker is three activities in one! Trace magic stencils to reveal mystery pictures! Design with Dial-a-Pattern template! Make spiral art! Marker and paper included. Manufactured by Alex Toys. Ages 4+

Melissa & Doug Fashion Press - $12.95

Show off your design skills with an amazing tri-fold playboard featuring two models. Create fashions you and your friends might wear on the model in the neighborhood setting. Imagine the glamour when designing for the princess in her fairytale setting! 12 fabric swatches can create hundreds of designs! ...feel free to add your own! Dimensions: 11.25" x 10.25" x 1" Packaged. Ages 3+

Decorate-Your-Own Wooden Jewelry Box - $12.95

The Decorate-Your-Own Wooden Jewelry Box kit comes with everything you need to make a wonderful keepsake box to store your jewelry.  Includes glitter glue, stickers and stick-on gems. Manufactured by Melissa & Doug.  Ages 4+

Metal Pot Holder Loom - $11.95

Your kids will have fun just like you did when they make their own pot holders with this classic weaving loom. The set includes instructions, 150 loops, metal loom and hook. The loom measures 7 1/8 x 7 1/8 square. Manufactured by Schylling. Ages 4+

My First Sewing Kit - $27.95

My First Sewing Kit includes everything you need to start sewing right away! Comes with cool pre-cut patterns for quick and easy projects! 8 colors of embroidery floss, shapes to make felt animals and a notebook cover, stuffing, fabric, ric rac, needles, scissors, measuring tape, straight pins, thimble, pin cushion, buttons and a pom-pom strip. Carrying case measures 10'W x 7'H x 3.25'D. Learn to sew. It's so easy! Manufactured by Alex Toys. Ages 7+    

Shrinky Dinks are a Toy Guyz favorite!

 The Toy Guyz wanted to show you this great video that features Shrinky Dinks from Alex Toys. These Shrinky Dinks sets are sold at Pure Imagination (www.PureImaginationToys.com) and customers love them! Shrinky Dinks were first invented in 1973 as a Cub Scout project. They later reached quite a bit of popularity in the 1980s. It's so cool they are still being sold for new generations to experience! For those of you who are not familiar with Shrinky Dinks - this video will show you how it all works. This is a great craft activity for kids and grown-ups alike. Enjoy!

This video is brought to you by AlexToysVideos on YouTube.

Check out the Toy Guyz YouTube Channel where we feature this video along with some other great toy demonstrations.

Sidewalk Sale Going On All Month Long!

That's right folks! Our 50% Off Sidewalk Sale is going on all through the month of May. Weather permitting that is. So far so good!

You won't believe all of the great toys and gifts we are discounting at 50% Off. Each day there will be new items put on sale - so don't miss out on all these super deals! Stop by Pure Imagination and celebrate our "Big Move" with our "Big Sidewalk Sale".

The Toy Guyz Are Moving On Up!

Dear Customers,
What's going on with Pure Imagination and the Toy Guyz?

Lots of crazy fun stuff!

Well...the Big News is...We Are Moving!

After 10 years of business and only 900 square feet of space, we are moving to a larger location up the street and around the corner. Pure Imagination will now be located right beside the Hofbrau Restaurant in the old Mike's Video building. Our new store will be almost double the size of our current location. We will also have parking right in front of the store. How great is that?

Pure Imagination's new location should be up and running by the end of Summer - if not sooner.
This move will help us provide and expand new product lines and services to our customers. We will have the space to do all kinds of activities for the kids and parents. Mr. Marc has been coming up with all kinds of ideas from Music Workshops to Spelling Bee Contests. We are so excited to finally have the room to do Craft Activities also.

More Big News...We Are Having A Moving Sale!

Pure Imagination's Moving Sale is going on now! 25% Off Storewide! Right in time for Easter! As things clear out and the weather warms up, we will also have a Sidewalk Sale. This will not only include Toys but Christmas Merchandise and some Gift Products. Merchandise on the Sidewalk Sale will be 50% Off! So take advantage! It's going to help make our move a lot easier.

Thanks to all of our wonderful customers - past, present and future! We only hope this expansion of Pure Imagination adds to Bellefonte and the community. Here's to another 10 years...

Thank you,
Rhett