Come celebrate Neighborhood Toy Store Day Nov. 12 at Earth Explorer Toys. We’re hosting a special Day of Play to encourage people to shop their locally-owned toy stores with several planned activities you won’t want to miss. We’ve got games, contests, crafts, demonstrations, not to mention prizes, prizes and more prizes planned!

And, since Christmas is right around the corner, we’ll be collecting Toys for Tots, with the help of a U.S. Marine (who will also be available for photos from 10 a.m.-Noon). Plus, children can write a letter to Santa and then drop it in Santa’s Official Mailbox outside of the store. We’ll make sure it gets to the North Pole and to parents too in case they need to give Santa a little help !

Our planned activities for Nov. 12 include:

• All day – Games and contests.
  All day – Free crafts.
• All day – Demonstrations of remote controlled toys.
• 10 a.m.-5 p.m. – Five winners will be selected every hour and will get to choose from a table full of prizes. You can enter on our Facebook page and we will call or text you if your name is called so you can hurry in and select from the prize table.
• Noon-5 p.m. – Balloon creations by balloon artist Joe White.
• All day – Collection for Toys for Tots. Marine on hand 10 a.m.-noon. 20% discount on any item bought for Toys for Tots.
• All day – 10% off any toy that is on ASTRA’s 2011 list of Best Toys for Kids.

The American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA) put together this second annual Day of Play, which is held at independent toy stores nationwide, to not only celebrate independent toy stores, but also highlight local talent and bring together neighbors in the spirit of giving.

We take toys seriously here at Earth Explorer Toys. We understand toys are just plain fun, but they also play a role in a child’s development. We think of ourselves as more than just a store. We strive to be a central part of this community.

Come celebrate with us! We look forward to seeing you.