All About Angry Birds!

Earth Explorer Toys in Zionsville, INAlmost any parent with a smart phone has done it … downloaded the game Angry Birds. And chances are you have played this game very little, but your kids have mastered every level!

If you haven’t heard about it, this addictive and hilarious touch-screen game involves using a slingshot to launch birds (because they don’t have wings) at pigs that are sitting on or within various structures made of wood or ice. Aim the bird and send it flying. Earn points when the birds knock over the pigs and structures. Earn blank stares from the pigs when you don’t.

As you advance through the levels, different birds and pigs appear. There are red, blue, black and white birds. There are pigs wearing armor, pigs wearing helmets and of course, pigs wearing crowns.

Much to your kids’ delight, we have started carrying the plush toys featured in the Angry Birds game. They’re quite a hit with the kids!

We have several of the birds including the red Angry Bird and Angry Bird Big Bro. Plenty of the pigs are hanging out in our store too, like green pigs, including Grandpa Pig! All of the characters are plush and cuddly and make authentic sounds from the game.

We also have collectible erasers, which make great stocking stuffers.

Come on down and pick out a few of the Angry Birds plush toys while supplies last! Slingshot not included. :)

 

 

‘Elf-Made’ Holiday Traditions

Earth Explorers toy store in Zionsville, INThe holidays are a special time of year for kids and grown-ups alike and Elf Magic Elves make them even more so. How can your family not get into a festive spirit when an elf appointed by Santa himself “magically arrives” in your home after Thanksgiving? Upon arrival, an Elf Magic Elf will quickly become part of your family and unlike some visitors, bring everything they need with them to help enrich the holiday season. We like to think of Elf Magic Elves as a more interactive version of the popular “Elf on the Shelf”.

To get things started, children will need to write a letter to Santa asking him to reserve a special elf to visit and spend Christmas in your home. When the elf arrives, he or she will bring a poem that explains his or her visit. The elf also brings Magic North Pole Snowflakes, which your child will sprinkle on the elf each night to bring him or her to life. The snowflakes match the snowflake that’s been embroidered on the elf’s heart, which lets you know this is a true Elf Magic Elf.

While your child is sleeping, the elf will get into all kinds of “elfcapades” and will find a new place to hide each night so your child can play hide and seek the next morning.

Parents should not underestimate the power of elf magic. Elf Magic Elves not only help reinforce the true meaning of Christmas and family values, they also can report back to Santa so he can keep tabs on who’s been naughty and who’s been nice. :)

Come on down to Earth Explorer Toys to get your Elf Magic Elves. We’ll help you choose an elf, outfit them with accessories (including clothes and a reindeer!), and give you suggestions for ways an Elf Magic Elf can be part of your “elf-made” family traditions. We’re also happy to “ship” the elves for long distance customers. Have an a very “magical” Christmas!

 

‘Best Toys’ List Makes Holiday Toy Shopping Easy

Earth Explorer toy store in Zionsville, INThe 2011 Best Toys for Kids list is a great tool to use when you’re making your holiday shopping list. It features toys that deliver exceptional value and expand a child’s imagination, toys that invite discovery and exploration, toys that get kids moving, toys that build creativity, toys that fascinate babies, and even toys that delight hard-to-shop-for pre-teens.

This list is created by the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association, ASTRA for short. The group is made up of 500 local and independent toy retailers across the country, including Earth Explorer Toys. We all get together every year and use our collective experience to vote for toys in a variety of categories. It’s an honest impartial evaluation of the toys we truly believe are great!

When you see the Best Toys for Kids seal that means we believe the toys are:

  • Engaging: Encourage creativity, invite exploration and spark a child’s interest and imagination anew each and every time he/she plays.
  • Unique: Delight children with original concept and ambitious design.
  • Open-Ended: Grow with the child as he/she advances from one developmental stage to the next. Introduce and reinforce age-specific skills while opening up limitless possibilities.
  • Fun and Safe: Most of all, provide hours of fun play, while meeting or exceeding all current federal safety standards.

Click here to browse all the wonderful toys Earth Explorer Toys carries with the Best Toys for Kids seal.

And here are a few quick examples of toys from the 2011 list that we think rock!

Falcon Knights’ Castle: Activate traps and prepare the knights to guard the Falcon’s Knight Castle from intruders. This Playmobil castle comes with a drawbridge, breakout wall, drop-down ladder, trap door, four Falcon Knights, a horse, functional cannon and many other accessories for hours of entertainment. Age 4 to 10.

Nanoblock Easter Island: Explore world famous architecture with these small-scale models. Nanoblock is a micro-sized building block system with its smallest piece being a mere 1/8″ x 1/8″ x 3/16.” Each kit is a challenge that every generation will enjoy, together or alone. Age 8 to adult.

Shrinky Dinks Fairy Garden: Color and bake these Shrinky Dinks and transform a pop-up garden into a fun fairy hide-away. 50 pre-cut Shrinky Dinks come ready to color and shrink. Decorate the playscape with 3D fairies, flowers, forest friends and sparkling glitter glue accents. Garden measures 14” wide by 11¼” high. Age 7 to 12.

Let us know if you have questions about any of the toys on the list. We’re happy to help!