ASTRA, the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association

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Like toys? So do we!

We are excited to announce that Neighborhood Toy Store Day is almost here and ASTRA, the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association want you to know about the nation-wide event!

• The 3rd annual Neighborhood Toy Store Day is on Saturday, November 10th. The special day helps celebrate the benefits of shopping local and participating toy stores will host in-store events and activities for the entire family!

• Have a child to buy for this holiday season but don’t know what to get them? ASTRA’s new website: www.yourneighborhoodtoystore.org, is packed with expert advice on toys and play for children of all ages. That way you’ll discover the “whoohoo factor” – or the delight, the joy and the excitement – of finding and playing with today’s best toys! You can also find your local Neighborhood Toy Store near you on the website.

Here’s another ‘WooHoo Factor’ of Neighborhood Toy Store Day; shopping local helps keep independent toy stores in your local community in business. According to the 3/50 Project, for every $100 spent in local, independently-owned stores, $68 returns to the community in the for of taxes, salaries, charitable contributions and more – in contrast with only $43 when consumers spend their money at a national chain.

I got to see some winning toys of ASTRA’s “BEST TOYS FOR KIDS 2012” award, and they are terrific examples of the types of quality products available for sale at your neighborhood toy store!

BY FAR the award from my 3 and 5 year old nephews went to the Kidoozie Deluxe Build-A-Road with Elevator

This amazing toy allows kids to create and play with their own roadways.

The set includes over 240 pieces (including an elevator lift and a turn around ramp)

Over 12 feet of interchangeable, flexible track and two battery operated cars

— best of all no tools required to put it together!

Recommended for kids 3+ – srp $49.99

Some of the other toys that are available at your Neighborhood Toy Store are:

Ogo Sport RAQ by OgoSport

• This fun outdoor game combines disc and racquet play. Players can throw the racquets like flying discs, throw and catch the flux ball with the racquets or invent their own games.

• The Ogo Sport RAQ includes two racquets with elastic mesh nets and a flux ball with movable tail parts.

• For kids 6+ – srp $34.99

Puppet-on-a-Stick by Educational Insights

• Each puppet has an oversized head with wacky googly eyes, a movable mouth and a handle.

• For kids 4+ – srp $9.99

Feed the Woozle by Peaceable Kingdom

• Feed the Woozle is a cooperative game where all players work together against a common obstacle. It is a great way to learn body awareness, fine motor skills, counting and team work.

• For children 3-6 – srp $19.99

To learn more about Neighborhood Toy Store Day visit Facebook.com/TheWoohooFactor, and follow on twitter @TheWoohooFactor.

Tammy Litke, the author, received promotional consideration such as gifts, samples, content, or other incentives related to a product, service, or topic mentioned in this message.