Mastermind Toys - Let's Talk Toys

Introducing the NEWEST Member of the Mastermind Toys Team!

2012-01-25T20:28:55+00:00

Hello Everyone! I would like to introduce the NEWEST member of our Mastermind Team: Toy Master Sharpie (now Lisa the Toy Whiz sounds meak in comparison)! Toy Master Sharpie (Or known around here as Ian) is going to help me, Lisa the Toy Whiz, bring you GREAT Blog posts about all our new and favourite toys AND tell you about some great things going on in the Toy World. While I'm away at the NYC Toy Fair (Feb 11-14) he will be my Facebook/Twitter/Blog correspondent here in Toronto to help answer any questions you may have AND to bring you great updates from the Toy Fair! Without further ado, I introduce, Toy Master Sharpie!: Toy Master Sharpie here, I am the newest addition to the Mastermind Toys team and I’m very excited about “Talking Toys” in the Mastermind Blogosphere! Since I began at Mastermind, I have been a part of some very exciting projects including coordinating and constructing the toy presentation for Mastermind’s appearance on CTV’s Canada AM. I got to play with and arrange many of the top toys that Mastermind has to offer. Currently, I am helping to promote some of the newest, coolest and most fun toys on the market with the marketing team here at Mastermind. After spending years browsing the magical isles of Mastermind’s stores, you can guarantee that Toy Master Sharpie – a genuine KID – knows the importance of play and about the careful selection of that perfect toy. Playing is all about learning, growing and having fun; and playing is what Mastermind is all about! Follow along and talk toys with myself and the other Mastermind Toy Experts to get the low down on how to FILL YOUR DAY WITH PLAY!

To ALL of YOU!

2011-12-23T15:01:22+00:00

To ALL our Friends! I can’t believe ANOTHER year has come and gone, and WHAT a year it was! Between giveaways, the warehouse sale, opening TWO new stores and MUCH much more, I have to say, it has been A LOT of fun! That all being said, I have to say my FAVOURITE part of this year has been getting to know all of YOU! When I was first hired on to be part of the Marketing Team and spear head the Social Media program, I was VERY excited (I get to be on Facebook all day? WHOOHOO!). However, over the past two years, it has become SO much more than a Facebook Page and a Twitter account – it had turned into something I could only dream of…a Mastermind Toys online community. I LOVE when I post on a Monday morning “How was your weekend” and having a lot of you ACTUALLY tell me how your weekend was and what you did. I also love when we post a product or a promotion and you will give us your HONEST opinion of what you think about it. You give us positive feedback, but you also let us know when we have failed to meet expectations. Any feedback is appreciated AND taken to heart. You are amazing! HOWEVER, I have to say, the shining moment this year for me was your AMAZING support for our Be a Star program. Within the first few days of launching our program, we had raised over $4,000 because of YOU! You helped spread the word, told your friends and family and encouraged them to help us out with our cause. This leads me to my next point: With your help, we have raised over $8,600 for Make-A-Wish® Canada through “Likes” and sharing of our statuses! Now, Mastermind Toys has decided that even though we aren’t QUITE at $10,000, we are still going to donate the FULL amount of $10,000 to Make-A-Wish BECAUSE of all your hard work and incredible support! Make-A-Wish is such a fantastic charity, and I am SO excited to be able to present them with a $10,000 Cheque! YAHOOOOO! I have to say, having all of you to chat with on a daily basis is a very happy and exciting part of my job here at Mastermind Toys. I can’t wait to see the page grow even more as we open more stores and add new faces and friends to our page, while continuing to talk to our existing fans. Happy Holidays to you and your families and I look forward to getting to know you all better in 2012! -Lisa the Toy Whiz and ALL of us here at Mastermind Toys

What is the VTech InnoTab?

2011-12-14T21:53:07+00:00

There has been A LOT of Buzz this holiday season over learning tablets for kids! Kids love them because there are SO many fun activites to explore, and parents love them because little ones are no longer hogging THEIR iPads! We think these learning tablets are SUPER cool too. Now, the two most popular tablets have been the LeapPad and the VTech Innotab. Here we're going to tell you about the VTech Innotab and all the amazing features! The Vtech InnoTab is a Learning App Tablet for children ages 4-9, and it features: - Interactive, animated ebooks: stories come to life on the touch-screen tablet with interactive animation, sounds, activities and more! - Motion Learning Games: The InnoTab makes use of its touch screen and motion sensor in dynamic games that teach as they entertain! - Creative Apps: The InnoTab comes pre-loaded with a variety of creative apps including colouring, photo editing, 3D pictures and more! - More pre-loaded apps: the InnoTab is ready for right-out-of-the-box fun as it also comes loaded with an MP3 player, video player, photo viewer, calculator, calendar notepad, clock, address book… and so much more! - Software Cartridges: add to the InnoTab experience with feature-rich software cartridges that expand on its already impressive capabilities! - Dowloads: Connect to a PC or Mac through a simple USB port and download even more, including ebooks, learning games and other content from Vtech’s Learning Lodge Navigator! The best part? We just recieved a LARGE Shipment of these amazing tablets and will be available in ALL stores by Friday December 16th, 2011!

‘Tis the Season at Mastermind Toys!

2011-12-07T20:17:50+00:00

We love getting ready for the holidays at Mastermind. It puts us in a very festive mood! You can imagine how much fun we have decorating the stores, putting up displays of holiday-themed toys and crafts. Here is a smattering of some of our favourites, found in the Gift Guide and online. Lego Advent Calendars ($49.95 each, ages 6+, GG page 52): This year we have two Lego Advent calendars:Lego City and Star Wars. Lego City comes with an assortment of mini figures, cars to assemble, Santa, reindeer and trees, etc. Star Wars includes Yoda, Chewbacca, a Rebel Fighter and Jar Jar Binks. The kids (and maybe an adult or two), will be full of anticipation, wondering what will be behind each door every morning. Put together the pieces daily and watch the collection build into a full scene. Playmobil Christmas Post Office Advent Calendar ($39.95 each, ages 5+, GG page 52): We also have our classic Playmobil Christmas Post Office Advent Calendar. Put together a charming little scene of a post office, day by day The set includes classic Playmobil toys, figurines including Santa, an elf a sleigh and reindeer. Shrinky Dinks Christmas Tree Kit ($19.95, Ages 7+, GG page 53): I am a self-confessed “Shinkydinkaholic” – I love doing Shrinky Dink crafts. Recently Shrinky Dinks has developed themed-based sets with one of the latest being the Shinky Dink Christmas Tree. How much fun can you have drawing and baking ornaments for the included velvety ShrinkyDink tree? When they’re shrunk, you can finish decorating them with included metallic beads, glitter glue and more! Christmas HexBug nano in Ornament Ball ($6.95, Ages 6+, GG page 52): What’s more fun than a HexBug Nano? A HexBug Reindeer Nano of course! This HexBug comes in an ornament ball, complete with little antlers attached. Perfect for skittering around the floor next to the tree and driving your cat wild! Chanukah Lights Pop-up book ($40.00, Ages 5+, GG page 52): Chanukah starts on December 20th, 2011 and what better way to start it that with this beautiful gift pop-up book. Using a classic Chanukah poem by Michael Rosen, Robert Sabuda has developed this pop-up book, using one page for each day of Chanukah, depicting Chanukah through time as well as through different places around the world. The scenes travel from Herod's temple to an Isreali kibbutz and a Russian shtetl.

Summer in Winter! Favourites from the 2011 Mastermind Toys Gift Guide!

2011-12-07T19:48:10+00:00

There are certain people out there who dread six months of the year -- those dark dreary, cold and miserable days. They look forward to the swealtering heat and humidity of summer and cross days of their calendar waiting for the grass to grow again and the snow boots to go away. I know this from experience because one of my own children positively hates winter (sigh). Do you think his having been born in Mexico and living there for the first two and a half years of his life could have had anything to do with it? For those of you who feel the same way, why not bring a little summer wonder into the house during the dark days of February, when it seems like spring will never come. We have a few suggestions: Fireworks Light Show ($34.95, Ages 6+, gift guide page 46): Why wait until Victoria Day weekend to celebrate with fireworks? Choose your firework, pump up the fireworks launcher, point at your wall, pull the trigger and be amazed by the fireworks light show on your wall. Also provided with sound effects for maximum firework effect! Zoku Single Quick Pop Maker ($34.95, Ages 8+, gift guide page 47): Enjoy homemade popsicles in about 7 minutes with this instant frozen pop maker. The secret is keeping the Zoku maker in the freezer for at least 24 hours, and then use it to make up to 3 popsicles! Great for adults and kids alike who like to concoct all kinds of cool and yummy treats, regardless of the time of year. Use it to make frozen smoothie popsicles, juice popsicles, or fruit popsicles. Easy to use with a quick treat ready in minutes! Note: all prices are as of December, 2011 and are subject to change.

Winter Wonderland Favourites from the 2011 Mastermind Toys Gift Guide!

2011-12-07T18:11:55+00:00

If you're going to live in Canada, you'd better accept that winter is a big part of our lives -- and what better way to do that than to dress warmly, go outside and play! You can have lots of fun making snow forts and having snowball fights, and toboganning. There are two toboggans that are lots of fun: The Snow Screamer Foam Sled F47 ($39.95, Ages 5+, gift guide page 51): Whiz your way down the hill on this super fast sled! Made from lightweight foam, it's easy to climb back up the hill with this sled in your hand. Laminated on both top and bottom means it goes super fast, while also preventing it from splitting or cracking. One or two riders. Zipfy Mini Luge ($49.95, Ages 7+, gift guide page 51): A fast luging-style sled, the Zipfy is easy to steer: simply grip the handle and lean to the right or left to turn in either direction. To stop, use your heels to slow down. The luge travels long distances and is easy to pull up the hill because it's so light-weight. There is a mini version too, the Zipfy Junior, great for younger kids. Zipfys come in four colours, pink, yellow, blue, red and green. Sno-Paint Sno-Crayons ($5.95 each, Ages 5+, gift guide page 51): Great for the artist who wants to use his or her creative juices outdoors! Flip the lid, fill the compartment with warm water and add the colour solution. Shake to mix then squirt and aim for the snow. Comes in three colours, blue, red or green, each sold separately.

Construction Favourites from the Mastermind Toys’ 2011 Gift Guide

2011-12-07T17:06:49+00:00

Who doesn't love to build? Putting things together can be so satisfying; knowing that you've created something, whether it's a structure, sculpture or vehicle. In addition to classic LEGO, or Kapla building blocks, we have lots of other choices available to suit your child's creative energies. MagnaMobiles ($24.95, Ages 6+, gift guide page 40): The dump truck shown at the left is one of eight different vehicles available. The truck consists of different pieces that are held together with magnets. When the pieces are put together they make a clicking noise as they are rotated. Create different configurations of the vehicle by moving the piecesaround. Laser Pegs ($44.95, Ages 7+, gift guide page 42): Exclusive to Mastermind Toys! Imagine LiteBrite and LEGO in one package! Build one of the many structures with the Laser Pegs building blocks, place it on one of the two power bases included in the set and watch your structure light up into an amazing display! Each block contains a small LED light and each light has a projected lifespan of 100,000 hours. This is one fun way to build. Go online to Laserpegs.com for more ideas about what to build with your set. Other sets are also available: Mini Construction Monster Bug Kit and The Dune Buggy Kit. Magformers Jumbo 30 piece set ($89.95, Ages 6+, gift guide page 42): Pieces stick together magnetically so you can create lots of different kinds of structures. No need to worry about frustration setting in due to magnetic repulsion either, these pieces have "intelligent magnet technology" meaning two pieces will always attract and stick together. This jumbo set includes 12 triangles and 18 squares, each piece measuring about 5" in length. Note: all prices are as of December, 2011 and are subject to change.

Remote Control Favourites from the Mastermind Toys’ 2011 Gift Guide!

2011-12-07T16:45:47+00:00

Remote control toys can be a lot of fun for the whole family! We enjoy playing with them too! Mastermind carries RC toys that are age appropriate so little ones don't get frustrated trying to use something they may not be ready for. Air Swimmers ($39.95, Ages 8+, gift guide page 45): These nifty, giant blow-up remote control fish "swim" through the air and are guided by you with the help of the remote controller. The mylar balloons are filled with helium (not included), can move forwards, backwards, up or down. You can get them turning corners and sneaking up behind people. Available in Great White Shark model or Clown Fish. Torch Firetruck ($59.95, Ages 6+, gift guide page 45): While not an RC toy per se, it is an interactive truck that comes with its own book that describes what's going on in detail inside the firetruck. When you enter a code from the book on the Firetruck's keypad, specific features will light up. Dimensions: 11.5" long by 4" wide by 5.5" high. Lazer Chaser Car ($49.95, Ages 4+, gift guide page 45): A remote control super racing car that follows the light-guided path from the remote control! There are two speeds -- regular and turbo. When racing, the wheels light up, and if it flips over it will continue to go! Size: approximate 4.5" long. Note: all prices are as of December, 2011 and are subject to change.

Science Favourites from the 2011 Mastermind Toys’ Gift Guide!

2011-12-07T16:13:21+00:00

We love inventing, experimenting and creating interesting chemical reactions as much as the next person, and our customers do too -- because we sell A LOT of science kits! We have a huge selection of kits that are age appropriate in many different categories including making solar-powered vehicles or learning about electrical circuits. Magic School Bus Chemistry Lab ($39.95, Ages 5+, gift guide page 39): If your kids are fans of The Magic School Bus books and TV show, they will enjoy performing the experiements included in this kit. Colourful instruction cards help kids perform experiments such as creating sticky ice. They will learn how to do chomatograpy, and make an erupting volcano. There are 51 experiments in all. Weird and Wacky Contraptions Lab ($39.95, Ages 8+, gift guide page 36): There are 60 crazy pieces to create interesting and convoluted pathways down which your ball can travel. A guide is also included to give you an idea of what to create, but you can also create as many different pathways as you want, limited only by your imagination. The board stands at just over two feet, so there is lots of room for developing those pathways too! Zoomy Handheld Digital Microscope ($59.95, Ages 4+, gift guide page 37): This little device takes digital photos and video of anything you put in front of it, and magnifies it on your computer between 35 and 43 times so you can see very specific detail. The camera is powered when plugged into the USB port of your computer, so there is no need for batteries. It is also a great teaching tool and can be plugged into computer-ready whiteboards or projectors to show results to classes. Note: all prices are as of December, 2011 and are subject to change.

Board Game Favourites from the Mastermind Toys 2011 Gift Guide!

2011-12-06T17:44:49+00:00

The winter school break is a great time for families to play board games together. Without the usual weekly obligations it's a good time to have some fun and create a little competition (without tears hopefully) between siblings and parents with board games. Here are a few of our favourites: Classic 50th Anniversary Stratego ($24.95, Ages 8+, gift guide page 28): The classic strategy game is celebrating its 50th birthday! This vintage looking set has been redesigned with its original nostalgic theme. The set includes metalic-printed board and pieces, set-up shield, folio book and 4 bonus cannon playing pieces. Lego Champion Game ($44.95, Ages 7+, gift guide page 29): The LEGO champion game is a fun way to play with LEGO, while playing a competitive board game all at once. In LEGO Champion you construct the dice and the track and race to the finish line! 3-8 players. Hedbanz ($19.95, Ages 7+, gift guide page 28): The classic "Who am I?" game for kids! Kids wear their card facing outwards so all players can see and then have to guess who (or what) they are with yes or no answers. 2-6 players. Bananagrams ($18.95, Ages 7+, gift guide page 29): A great way to introduce your kids to word games. Similar to Scrabble in that you build words out of letters, but much faster paced as you work on your own and there is no board, so you aren't restricted by squares. Great for travelling too as the 144 tiles and instructions pack up into the banana-shaped carrying bag. Note: all prices are as of December, 2011 and are subject to change.