Geppetto's Announces Top Ten Toys for 2009

Posted Monday 11-02-2009

GEPPETTO'S TOY STORES RELEASES TOP TEN TOYS AND HOT STOCKING STUFFER FOR THE 2009 HOLIDAY SEASON

** Local toy authority, Brian Miller, knows what toy wishes will be in letters to Santa this year**

SAN DIEGO - Geppetto's, San Diego's neighborhood toy store, announces the hot toys for the 2009 gift-giving season. This year the must-have toys are a fusion of award-winning modern takes on traditional classics and new inventive toys that children will enjoy at all stages of childhood.

"We've been observing toy buying trends all year," said Brian Miller, president of Geppetto's. "Toys that encourage children to ‘make believe' and take charge of playtime are top picks this year - this year it's all about imagination and creation."

The following are the Top Ten Toys and the hottest stocking stuffer for 2009 as identified by San Diego's local toy expert, Brian Miller:

BABY'S FIRST CHRISTMAS

Twilight Lady Bug from Cloud B brings the outdoors inside every night. This cleverly disguised bedtime friend radiates a multi-colored starry sky onto the ceiling helping children feel calm and peaceful every night. The 14" plush ladybug includes a 45- minute timer, a Star Guide to learn about constellations, a bedtime story, and adoption certificate. Always sleep under the stars, tucked snug as a ladybug in a rug. Ages 0-7 years.

LET'S MAKE BELIEVE

Tea Set from Greentoy teaches kids that serving "green tea" makes Mother Earth happy! Made from 100% recycled milk jugs, this stylish Tea Set is perfect for eco-friendly toddlers. The eco-chic tea set includes a teapot, sugar & creamer. All dishes are food-friendly and dishwasher safe to ensure every party is picture perfect. Ages 3-6 years.

Playmobil Pyramid from Playmobil unlocks the wonders of ancient Egypt's pyramids. The pyramid sides are removable, there's a secret chamber, collapsible stairs, a secret chute and a trap door inside. The award-winning pyramid is 16'' by 16'' and fantastic for hours of treasure hunting. Ages 5-10 years.

Automoblox by Manhattan Toys allows children to engineer sleek and retro vehicles. An evolution of the classic wooden toy car, the elegantly sculpted vehicles transform any playtime into the Indy 500. Every car includes interchangeable plastic body pieces, connectors, translucent roof and wheels. Ages 3-6 years.

CREATIVE CONSTRUCTION

Sticky Mosaic Fairy Box from Orb Factory will enchant little girls for hours as they design their very own jewelry box. Over 1,000 sticky foam and jewel pieces work just like paint-by-number. The memory of adorning a keepsake box will shine on for years. Ages 5-9 years.

Magnatiles from Valtech are beyond magnetic - they're mesmerizing! The 32 clear shapes are magnetically engineered to attract on all sides. Whether being built on a flat surface or in 3-D the different sized squares and triangles translate into hours of fun and building ingenuity. Ages 3-7 years.

FUN FOR ALL

Doink-it ^TM Darts from Marky Sparky (a San Diego based company) a bull's-eye of smart design! No more bouncing darts and having to guess scores. The powerful magnet darts are light, amazingly balanced, and land perfectly true on the 16'' dartboard every time. Ages 6-teen.

Bananagrams from Bananagram is an award-winning fast, fun, and delicious word game. Using the 144 letter tiles, everyone can play at the same time building, peeling, and dumping letters to create words and build crosswords until someone yells "Bananas!" Ages 7-adult.

Qwirkle from Mindware is a "qwick" moving game of fun! Mix, match, score and win. This strategy and high excitement game requires players to match colors and shapes in rows and columns. It's a stimulating game that can be adjusted for players of all levels. Ages 6-adult.

SILLY SCIENCE

Magic Science from Scientific Explorer instantly transforms any child into a bona fide wizard, armed with a full test tube lab. Make fingers smoke, create Wizard Wands, cast color-changing potions, all the while learning basic science principles. Ages 6-10.

STOCKING STUFFER

Japanese Erasers from Iwako Japanese Erasers are the hottest new trend among school kids. Trade them, collect them, and make schoolwork fun! The Japanese eco-friendly collectible erasers come in over two hundred animal, plant, toy, and international food shapes. There's an eraser for every personality. Erasers can be bought individually or in sets. Ages 8-adult.

All of the hot popular toys for the 2009 holiday season can be found at Geppetto's eight toy stores throughout San Diego County.

ABOUT GEPPETTO'S

Geppetto's has been a San Diego based tradition for over 30 years. Operated by the Miller family since 1992, the award-winning toy retailer offers a unique mix of high-quality playthings from around the world at eight locations. The company believes in partnering in education and child-related causes and donates toys to over 100 organizations including preschools, elementary schools, and social-service agencies throughout San Diego County.

For more information about Geppetto's, please visit www.geppettostoys.com or call (858) 551-1070.

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Editor's Note: High-resolution images of select toys are available upon request. Please contact Adriana Herrera of ERA Communications at (619) 573-9372 or via email at adriana@eracommunications.net.