Lego Minifigures At My Favorite Toys and www.MyFavToys.com

They're here! Series 2 of the Lego Minifigures has arrived! That's the good news. Bad news is that we only have 120! They're $3.95 each, so get 'em quickly at our store at University Mall in Carbondale, IL or online at www.MyFavToys.com

Twirling Spaghetti Fork Special At www.MyFavToys.com and My Favorite Toys

Twirling is a better way to eat spaghetti, and eating pasta has never been so much fun! It's the Twirling Spaghetti Fork from Hog Wild Toys! And this week at www.MyFavToys.com and at My Favorite Toys (our brick-and-mortar store at University Mall in Carbondale, IL), it's on special for $8.49!

Less mess, more satisfying bites, and 100% twirling fun!

We are www.MyFavToys.com!

Periodically, we like to remind our readers that our online store is www.MyFavToys.com.

There are several websites with similar names, some which spell out some or all of the words of our store.

BUT....we are the original www.MyFavToys.com, so when you want to visit "the world's specialty toy store in the Heartland of America," use this domain name: www.MyFavToys.com.

Thanks!

Our buds, the Spuds

What's with Mr. and Mrs Potato Head? Customers were buying every variety of the 'Heads today: the traditionals, the magnetic sets, and the Cardinal and Cub Potato Heads. Maybe the popular Potato couple was spotted at the Emmys?

Lego Games Arrive At My Favorite Toys And (Soon) at www.MyFavToys.com

It's the Lego series for which everyone has been waiting --- The Lego Games! And they're here, locally at My Favorite Toys at University Mall in Carbondale (now) and at www.MyFavToys.com on Monday, August 30!

Pictured above is Minotaurus. Build your game board, then be the first to lead your heroes through the labyrinth to the temple, avoiding the Minotaur. It's an epic game of chance and strategy!

Other Lego games in the series include Ramses Pyramid, Monster 4, Robo Champ, and Race 3000. Come see all of them at My Favorite Toys!

Benders Cheerleader Season At My Favorite Toys and www.MyFavToys.com

If it's football season then it must be time for the Bender Cheerleaders to make their appearance....and they have done so at My Favorite Toys, University Mall, Carbondale and at www.MyFavToys.com, our worldwide online store!

There's Hailey, pictured above in all her school-spirited radiance! Other members of her team include Debbi, Ashley, and Will. Each come with pom-poms, a tin megaphone and plenty of enthusiasm!

So don't miss out on showing your team spirit and boosting morale for your team. Hurry in today or visit us at www.MyFavToys.com

Sunny Patch Happy Giddy Tunnel At My Favorite Toys

Entering My Favorite Toys, University Mall in Carbondale, shoppers are now greeted by an extended Happy Giddy Play Tunnel from the Sunny Patch line by Melissa and Doug.

The tunnel is perfect for indoor or outdoor play. It's nearly five feet long with a hide-and-seek door. It's made of durable, wipe-clean material with a padded steel frame. It folds flat for storage and is water resistant.

Come see us and the Happy Giddy Tunnel or shop for it on line at www.MyFavToys.com.

Cardinals Pez (and Cubs) Back At My Favorite Toys!

St. Louis Cardinal and Chicago Cub Pez dispensers filled with candy are back in stock at My Favorite Toys, University Mall, Carbondale!

Super Soft Winnie The Pooh And Friends Arrive At My Favorite Toys and www.MyFavToys.com!

We've seen many Winnie The Pooh plush sets, but our new favorite is the new Kids Preferred set that just arrived at My Favorite Toys and www.MyFavToys.com. Winnie and friends, Tigger, Eeyore, and Piglet are super soft, and we've discounted the suggested retail price to $13.95 each.

So come see our new friends at My Favorite Toys at University Mall in Carbondale, or purchase them online at www.MyFavToys.com

$8.95 - My Reusable Bag Makes Me Better Than You At My Favorite Toys and www.MyFavToys.com

Those zany people at Accoutrements have done it again with their spoof on reusable bags!

The green "My Reusable Bag Makes Me Better Than You" tote can be found at My Favorite Toys at University Mall in Carbondale and at our online store, www.MyFavToys.com. So make your own "green" AND humorous statement with this special bag!

Cardinals and Cubs Items At My Favorite Toys!

Albert is definitely numero uno with St. Louis Cardinal fans, and now you can celebrate that fact by playing our Cardinals-themed Uno card game! We also honor the Chicago Cubs, the Cards' good-natured rivals, with their own Uno game.

Our Cardinals and Cubs section includes all sorts of Cards and Cubbies items including Scrabble, Potato Heads, puzzles, books, plush and more. Come see at My Favorite Toys, University Mall, Carbondale!

Rack-O At My Favorite Toys and www.MyFavToys.com!

One of our favorite card games from childhood was RACK-O, and we finally convinced Winning Moves, a primary game distributor, to bring it back this year!

RACK-O is played in rounds. Each round ends when a player goes “RACK-O” by getting his or her cards into order, from LOW at the front of the rack to HIGH at the back. Continue play until one player reaches 500 points.The player to the left of the dealer goes first. So it's great fun for all ages and builds skills in math and sequencing for youngsters! Come try your hand at RACK-O at My Favorite Toys in University Mall in Carbondale, or order online at www.MyFavToys.com.

Learn To Dress Emma and Jake At www.MyFavToys.com and My Favorite Toys!

Two of our favorite toddler items at www.MyFavToys and My Favorite Toys are the Learn To Dress Dolls, Emma and Jake. Distributed by International Playthings, these 15-inch plush dolls feature learn-to-dress activities with hook-and-loop closures, snaps, laces, buckles, ties and more. Each include velcro-like play accessories.

Come see Emma and Jake at our University Mall store in Carbondale, IL, or visit us at www.myfavtoys.com

My Favorite Toys Welcomes Green Toys!

This convoy of cute little dump trucks, by Green Toys, USA, has arrived on the shelves of My Favorite Toys and on the pages of www.MyFavToys.com. They join a sanitation truck, a stacker toy, and a tea set now on sale at our brick-and-mortar and online stores.

Aside from the great play value in Green Toys products, they meet two of the objectives we're pursuing at My Favorite Toys --- finding "green" playthings and stocking more items made in the USA.

All Green Toys products are 100% made in the USA. To be more specific, they are produced in California, a state known for strict toy safety and environmental laws. It's cool to buy USA, but also think about this: transportation is one of the biggest contributors to greenhouse gasses. We all know driving less is good for mother nature, but did you ever think about how many miles a toy logs before it ends up in your local store?

Their toys are truly local creations. Every step in the process, from milk container recycling to toy production to final assembly, occurs in California. Their raw materials and toys aren't shipped from overseas, which saves a lot of energy and reduces greenhouse gasses. It also guarantees your toys won't get seasick before they get to your home!

Green Toys products are tested by nationally recognized, independent, third-party labs (located, yes, in the USA.) They contain no traceable amounts of Phthalates or BPA. They are also designed without any external coatings, eliminating the fear of lead paint.

They use recycled milk containers as the main ingredient in creating our toys. Yes, the exact plastic milk jugs that you and your family drink from every day. When you finish your milk and toss the container in the recycling bin, these milk containers are collected at your curb by a local recycling company, who then sorts them from all the other types of plastic. Next, the milk containers are reprocessed into super clean fresh plastic. For you plastic geeks, the plastic material they use is called high-density polyethylene (or HDPE). This material is considered one of the safest, cleanest plastics around.

Green Toys environmental mission even extends to their packaging. They strive to minimize packaging, and all of their boxes use as little material as possible. All Green Toys products are packaged in recycled corrugated boxes with no plastics, cellophane or twist-ties, and are 100% recyclable. So, not only are they earth-friendly and ready for your recycling bin, they are really easy to open for those little fingers just itching to get at the toys!

So come check out the Green Toy products at My Favorite Toys, University Mall, Carbondale, or at www.MyFavToys.com!

Flatwoodsey And Mij At My Favorite Toys!

Yes! The two newest darlings from Uglydoll arrived at our backdoor yesterday and are on our shelves ready for you today! Mij and Flatwoodsey wish to make your acquaintance!

But wait, there's more! Ket and Wippy are also here, and we are completely re-stocked with your favorite Uglydolls! And now we can display more Uglies with our highly attractive new Ugly displayer with a spiffy red and white striped awning!

It's Uglydoll season! Come check 'em out today at My Favorite Toys at University Mall in Carbondale or online at www.MyFavToys.com

My Favorite Toys Silly Bandz For Back To School!

By now you're probably familiar with Silly Bandz, those hard-to-explain but great fun to collect, wear, and trade rubber band bracelets.

They're are still very popular! With kids headed back to
school, they're about to get hotter!

So when grabbing those back-to-school specials, don't forget the large selection of Silly Bandz at My Favorite Toys, University Mall, Carbondale, and www.MyFavToys.com!

Suggestions For My Favorite Toys Holiday Items?

"Back in the day," Christmas in July sales were a quirky gimmick for a few retailers brazen enough to mention Christmas during the summer months.

Well, no more.

Our friends at the big box toy store (you know, the one with the big giraffe) now run a no-kidding holiday promotion during July complete with decor! And we bet that, by Labor Day, it won't be just the hobby and craft stores that will sport a full range of holiday accessories.

No, it's not Christmas yet at My Favorite Toys at University Mall in Carbondale, IL or www.MyFav Toys.com. We ARE preparing orders and planning for our best Christmas season ever! Several of our primary vendors have warned us to expect shortages this year, so we're hard at work.

Which brings us to a question for our customers: what creative, quality items would you like to see in our store this holiday season? Several of you have already given us ideas that we're pursuing. For instance we'll have the broadest selection of family board and card games anywhere in southern Illinois. Our Cardinals and Cubs section will be larger. We'll have more selections of play kitchens, and more fun stuff for older kids and adults.

Now's the time to bring us your ideas, and we'll do our best to stock those items.

So....we'll not spring Christmas on you before Labor Day, but we are doing behind the scenes work to give you a wonderful holiday season when the time comes!

"Tickle Me Freud" Comes To My Favorite Toys

We've been looking at products from that zany group, The Unemployed Philosophers Guild, for some time, and now they have joined our My Favorite Toys family at University Mall in Carbondale, IL and at www.MyFavToys.com. We have some great Freud items for Sig fans: the Tickle Me Freud plush, pictured above, Freudian Slipper houseshoes, and Sigmund and his couch as a finger puppet set!

But wait, there's more! There are coffee mugs in themes of Global Warming, Presidential Slogans, and Great Supreme Court Cases; Alice In Wonderland Alarm Clocks; Revolutionaries Puppet Sets; Van Gogh Post-It Notes; and............well, you get the idea. Fits right into the My Favorite Toys environment, don't you think?

Well, come see us soon....or hit the Unemployed Philosophers Guild tab on the homepage of www.MyFavToys.com.!!

My Favorite Toys Has Book and Plush Combos!

Today we have a baby gift idea! My Favorite Toys at University Mall in Carbondale stocks several book/plush sets parents and child will cherish as the years go by.

An example is the delightful Nutbrown Hare book, "Guess How Much I Love You" from Candlewick Press, accompanied by the bunny plush from Kids Preferred.

Or who can resist the classic "Tale of Peter Rabbit" combined with the original style Peter Rabbit plush in his blue jacket?

Other book/plush sets feature The Cat In The Hat, Babar, and Curious George.

Come in and check out these items, as well as our extensive section for newborns and toddlers

www.MyFavToys.com and My Favorite Toys Have Legos For All Ages!

At www.MyFavToys.com and My Favorite Toys, Lego sales have been on an uptick during the past year, and not just with the kids!

Did you know there is a growing community known as Adult Fans Of Lego (AFOL), estimated by Lego to be 40,000 strong worldwide and growing, as children who grew up using the construction toy have become parents themselves.

AFOL members hold conventions, organize group meetings, and buy and trade bricks. They represent the first and second generations of Lego users. Although the Danish company dates back to 1932, the plastic Lego brick did not debut in the United States until the 1960s.

So Moms and Dads, grandparents, uncles and aunts, etc --- no need to build those Lego designs behind locked doors! Check out one of our many Lego themed sets at www.MyFavToys.com. Or if you're within driving distance of our brick-and-mortar store at University Mall in Carbondale, IL, come see us there!

Linky Sprinks Best Prices On The Web!.....www.MyFavToys.com

It is definitely backyard play-in-the-sprinkler time in southern Illinois and elsewhere! We're having an incredible sale on a great sprinkler set, Linky Sprinks, the thinking, linking, sprinkling toy. There are four 20-piece sets which can be connected/designed by kids. The water flow can be customized, and there's a fun sprinkler head creature for each set including: the Whirly Bird; the Spinning Spider; the Splattering Spinosaurus; and the Spitting Cobra!

These sets normally sell for $29.95, but at www.MyFavToys.com through June 30, they're on sale for $9.95!


To order click here, or if you're within driving distance of our brick-and-mortar store at University Mall in Carbondale, IL, come see us!

My Favorite Toys' and www.MyFavToys.com Father's Day Sale

All Franklin Sports sets, including volleyball, croquet, bocce ball and horseshoe sets are 30% off this week! These are the authentic, quality Franklin sets that will impress Dad and provide years of fun for the entire family!

Thomas The Tank Engine At My Favorite Toys....and www.MyFavToys.com

New toys come and go at My Favorite Toys (University Mall, Carbondale, IL) and www.MyFavToys.com, but Thomas The Tank and his friends keep chugging along. The little guys and gals (as well as many big kids) make a bee-line to the Thomas play table at our store, and our online customers also seek out Thomas Wooden Railway items.

So if you're wondering whether Thomas is still active, yes he is, and still popular, at My Favorite Toys!

My Favorite Toys Releases The Butterflies....and Rosie Makes A Friend!

Many of you know that My Favorite Toys is carrying The Butterfly Garden Kit from Insect Lore this spring. We've had great fun with a demo kit, growing our own butterflies. Yesterday was freedom day for our first family of butterflies, and when released by Suzanne, they escaped happily!

But some paused a few minutes to enjoy the carnations we provided. Above is young shopper, cute-as-a-button, three-year-old Rosie Staff, of Carbondale, enjoying her new friend who stopped to say hi before fluttering off with the rest of his butterfly family! Rosie's grandmother, Kathy Staff, was the photographer.

We plan a release of the second family, about to emerge from the chrysalid stage, within the next few days....and we have a few Kits left for sale!

My Favorite Toys and www.MyFavToys.com Like City Creek Press!

If you are looking ahead to summer math skill exercises which are fun and lively, check our the three products we've just received from City Creek Press:

(1)"Times Tables The Fun Way," pictured above, is a picture book method of learning the multiplication facts. It's conversational, engaging and parents have told us it holds kids attention well.

(2) If you have a student who learns best from music/rhythm, the City Creek Press CD, entitled "Songs To Remember The Times Tables," may be a good companion piece to "Times Tables The Fun Way." With vocals by Tessie Shaw, these songs include creative songs such as "Stay Put Big Foot, " "The Fireman's Bell," and "Mud Pies In Their Eyes."

(3) For the slightly younger set, we recommend "Addition the Fun Way!," a learning picture book in the same format as "Times Tables The Fun Way."

All three are available at My Favorite Toys at University Mall in Carbondale, IL and at our online store, www.MyFavToys.com

Penguins Are Back At My Favorite Toys

The Melissa and Doug plush penguin continues to be one of our most popular items at My Favorite Toys at University Mall in Carbondale, IL!

And they're back in stock. Get one now, by visiting our store! Mention this post and get 15% off the penguin through April 30 (Regularly $19.95, with the 15% off $16.95!)

Now What? At www.MyFavToys.com and My Favorite Toys

Now What?, a new game from Patch Products, has arrived at www.MyFavToys.com and is also on the shelf at My Favorite Toys, our brick-and-mortar store at University Mall in Carbondale, IL.

Read an outlandish dilemma out loud. Then all players dream up a tall tale to get out of the situation using solution cards they have chosen. Solutions can be totally serious or totally senseless! The goal is to pick items that others won't. Get ready to tell some unbelievable stores as you play Now What?

Order today from www.MyFavToys.com, or if you're within driving distance of My Favorite Toys, come see us there!

My Favorite Toys Has Cardinals and Cubs Items!

At My Favorite Toys at University Mall in Carbondale, IL, we've introduced a section for St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs baseball fans which includes a variety of Cards and Cubs-themed games; puzzles and blocks for the little ones; plush items; books; and even pet dishes, collars and leashes.

The Major League season is underway so if you're a Cardinals or Cubs fan, show your colors! If you aren't within driving distance of My Favorite Toys, give us a ring at 618.529.TOYS (8697) or email us at info@MyFavToys.com and we can tell you what's in stock!

Silly Bandz Are Also Fun For Big Kids At My Favorite Toys and www.MyFavToys.com!

We've blogged previously about Silly Bandz, the collectible rubber bands in fun shapes. Kids wear them as bracelets, and when you take them off, they retain their original shape! Silly Bandz are made of silicone and die molded in many different fun shapes. Pick from Zoo Animals, Pets, Alphabet letters, Fun Shapes, Sea Creatures, Western, Princess, Dinosaurs or our newest themes soon to be in stock --- Rock Bands and Spring Shapes!

Silly Bandz come in packs of 24 (36 for the Alphabet letters) and are $4.95/package ($5.95 for the Alphabet letters). But grab 'em soon because they sell out quickly!

As you can see, the big kids can also have fun with Silly Bandz. Above, some good-spirited Southern Illinois University students share the fun resulting from their purchases at My Favorite Toys at University Mall in Carbondale, IL. If you're not within driving distance of our store, order them online at www.MyFavToys.com

The Little Roadster---A My Favorite Toys and www.MyFavToys.com Favorite!

Whenever a customer asks for help choosing a gift for a one-year old, we often wind up at International Plaything's Little Roadster, pictured above. What a fun toy!

Turn the wheel to steer the car on the screen. This is the perfect driving simulator for your toddler! The steering wheel toy's light-up blinkers are activated by steering left and right. The sounds on this toddler learning toy include engine starting, reverse, brakes, blinkers, horn, ambulance, fire truck, police car and two radio stations.

Best of all, it's on sale right now for $24.95, both at My Favorite Toys, our brick-and-mortar store at University Mall in Carbondale, IL, and online, at www.MyFavToys.com

Silly Bandz Arrive At My Favorite Toys!

The craze that started in Birmingham, AL last year has hit the Midwest! Yes, indeed, Silly Bandz are here! They are the hottest fashion jewelry!

These colorful rubber band-like guys return to their original shape when you take them off the item they're holding (or off of your wrist). Pick from Zoo Animals, Pets, Fun Shapes, Princesses, Dinos, Sea Creatures or Alphabet Letters. They come in packs of 24 (36 for the Letter packs). Wear them, collect them, or trade with friends!

Be the first in your neighborhood to join the next national craze! And they're now available at My Favorite Toys at University Mall in Carbondale, IL, or soon on our website at www.MyFavToys.com

My Favorite Toys --- Your Trusted Source For Atomic Food Containers!

Tired of scampering to the refrig to devour last night's chicken and rice leftovers and discovering some other household inhabitant has pirated your snack?

Then our Atomic Food Containers from Hog Wild Toys are for you! This set of three plastic bowls in industrial strength colors are FDA approved, dishwasher/microwave safe, sealable air-vented wonders. They absolutely scream "Keep Out! This tasty lunch is mine!" There will be no more mixups because these containers are instantly recognizable...and highly questionable! Their labels read, "Nuclear Waste: Eat and Glow," "Experimental Meal: Consume At Own Risk," and "Biodangerous: Yesterday's Leftovers."

The set of three bowls is $8.95. Order yours today at www.MyFavToys.com or if you are within driving distance of our brick and mortar store, My Favorite Toys, at University Mall in Carbpndale, IL, come see us there!

My Favorite Toys and www.MyFavToys.com --- A Mom and Pop Operation!

My Favorite Toys at University Mall in Carbondale, IL is definitely a Mom and Pop store. Oh, we do have other staff, and we carry the latest brands of toys, games, puzzles and games (in fact we stock unique and up-and-coming toys from small manufacturers before the Big Box stores grab them)!

And we pride ourselves on customer service, and knowing many customers by name. We delight in watching our customers grow from newborns to big kids!

But we also work hard at making www.MyFavToys.com,our online store, a Mom and Pop cyberstore. Sound like a contradiction in terms?

Well, it is a bit more difficult, but we often chat back and forth at info@MyFavToys.com with customers before and after a purchase is made. This pleases but surprises most of our customers. Just the other day we responded to a customer who had ordered an item that was out of stock but soon to be returning. We explained this and asked the customer how he'd like to proceed. "I've never had an online store take the time to respond so quickly and thoroughly to an order, " he wrote. We thought, "Doesn't everybody?"

Apparently not. So this motivates us to become even more widely known as "that great online site that thinks it's a Mom and Pop store."

We also remember our new friend, Grace, in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, who purchased a "Lily" My Name Piggy Bank from us. Both Grace and we had to jump through a few hoops to get the transaction completed. Upon her receipt of the Bank, Grace sent us a picture and told us a little about Lily, the recipient. We exchanged holiday greetings and Grace promised to visit us in Illinois when she visits the United States. Now is that cool or what?

So you get the idea. We're a Mom and Pop business, whether in person at our brick-and mortar store or "on the web!"

What Should My Favorite Toys Bring Back From Toy Fair?

In two weeks, we'll be galloping through the hundreds of manufacturers' booths at the 2010 International Toy Fair in New York City. Our goal is to find the very best toys, games, puzzles, puppets and books to offer to our customers at My Favorite Toys, our brick and mortar store at University Mall in Carbondale, IL and to our friends who shop at www.MyFavToys.com, our great online store.

We invite your participation in this venture. What products would you like us to seek out at Toy Fair? Let us know, and we'll do our best, and then report back to you personally upon return from the Fair. Come give us your requests in person at My Favorite Toys, or email your ideas to: info@MyFavToys.com.