GAMES, PLAYTHINGS AND PLUSH Finds for Families Best-Sellers at Toy Stores

Best-sellers and toy trends may change, but one thing is always true: toys are a part of everyone’s life from tiny tot to adult, and toy stores are a great place to enjoy a wide selection.

At At Toys N More in Reno, Nev., known for providing fun and unique items in a family-owned and family-welcoming environment, CoOwner John Forgie said an interest in learning toys is a big trend for his customers. But he isn’t talking about toy items that are specifically engineered as teaching tools. “There are lots of items which we can recommend and emphasize as a learning experience just from our general toy mix. For ex- ample, a Hot Wheels toy isn’t just a toy car, when we build tracks at home, my sons and I talk about physics, energy, and inertia. Whether building LEGOS or playing with cars, or something as simple as playing a Backgammon game, there are plenty of fun toys that are also learning experiences, experiences that can be STEM related.” He added, “Monopoly is another example, and we have so many versions of it and other historic board games, as well as Chinese Checkers. They are all learning opportunities, and that is what we try to impart.”

Regarding the biggest toy sellers in the 8,500-squarefoot store, Forgie reported that “We specialize in Hot Wheels, so they are a big part of our overall mix. LEGOS are still very popular because they’re such a great toy, and some of my biggest sellers there go to adults. It’s important to keep a wide range of toy items that appeal to all ages.” Other popular items include “Fidgets, even though they have been around for eons, kids love them,” he laughed. “Then there are Bruder toys. They are basically an upscale version of Tonka Toys that really work. For example, if you put water in the toy firetruck, the pump actually sprays water.” The store is well-known for carrying these realistic, durable items, which have a big following.

Asked about continuing pandemic practices still kept on by the store, Forgie asserted that the store has generally kept performing consistent, frequent sanitation.

“It’s just about washing your hands, keeping the store clean, wiping down all the doors, things which we do all the time. It keeps things looking nice, too, as well as clean,” Forgie said.

In Bend, Ore., at the independently and locally owned Leapin’ Lizards Toys, Sales Coordinator Nate Pereira related that the store’s top sellers include the

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