Kaleidoscope Toys -Salida, CO

This week's special... Save 20% on all ARTS & CRAFTS

2011-12-13T10:49:00.000-07:00

Save 20% on all arts and crafts. We have a great selection of art supplies and craft kits. Make a unique piece of jewelry, put together a beautiful picture using Sticky Mosaics or get creative with a 'decorate-it-yourself' kit. 3D Coloring books, Shrinky Dinks, sketch paper, paint-by-number... the list goes on and on! This is a great opportunity to pick up a project to keep the kids occupied before and after the holidays.

The Giving Tree

2011-12-09T14:51:00.002-07:00

Once again we have 'The Giving Tree' set up in the store. Here is how it works... Pick a card off the tree that has a toy for a child in need listed on it, we will give you 20% off, gift wrap it and see that it gets delivered. Thank you to everyone who has already supported this great cause. We are so lucky to live in such a generous community. Thank You!

This week's holiday special... 20% off games and puzzles

2011-12-05T15:34:00.002-07:00

This week's holiday special...
Save 20% on all in stock games and puzzles.
We have great puzzles for every age- wooden peg, jigsaw and activity puzzles along with 30 to 1,000 piece cardboard puzzles, floor puzzles, puzzle balls, and brainteaser puzzles. We also have card games, active games, board games, family games, single-player games and trivia games for the great people in your life.

Santa needs our help!

2011-11-29T12:38:00.001-07:00

Some of you know our wonderful town Santa and his wife, Rick and Deb Papp. Rick has been here for the children for many years now every Holiday Season, greeting the youngsters and bringing joy to all. He has made appearances at the downtown Christmas House, in stores, also at community parties and children’s events.

Perhaps you have heard the news of his very serious illness and recent relapse. This may be last year that he is able to be Santa, as he will need to focus on his recovery. So we in turn would like to something wonderful for him. Much like in the movie Miracle on 34th St. we want to show Santa how much he is loved. This year instead of children just writing to Santa and asking for their favorite toys, we would like them to write a love letter to Santa to tell him how special he is and how much they thank him for the gifts he brings, special memories or stories about Santa etc.

We know that many of you have small children and may not wish to speak of Santa as having an illness, so instead you might just say to them that this is the year to write to Santa and Thank him for all that he does, the things he has done in the past, and to tell him he is being thought of with Love. Parents please feel free to write one as well, or include pictures you may have taken with Santa in past years.

( Call for more info 719 530-0544 ) Letters can be mailed or dropped off before Dec.17th
Fabulous Finds! 243 F. St.
Young Colors 134 F. St.
The Mountain Mail 125 E. 2 St. Salida, Co 81201

PLEASE HELP US DO THIS FOR A WONDERFUL MAN THAT HAS GIVEN SO MUCH TO THE COMMUNTITY OVER ALL THESE YEARS!!

PS: We want to keep this a secret so don’t tell Santa ok??!!!

Kaleidoscope Bucks Holiday Special

2011-11-29T12:29:00.002-07:00

The holiday season is upon us and this week we will be kicking off our weekly specials. This week you will receive one Kaleidoscope Buck for every $10 you spend. Kaleidoscope Bucks spend just like real dollars here at Kaleidoscope Toys. The bucks never ever expire and they make excellent stocking stuffers. We are here everyday if you have any questions or need suggestions to make this a very special Christmas for little ones in your life. We will be open till 7pm on Friday nights until Christmas. As always, we offer free gift wrapping with a smile.

The Parade of Lights and Black Friday Sale

2011-11-22T14:50:00.003-07:00

On Friday, November 25th we will be offering $15 off any purchase over $75.

Be sure to come downtown to catch The Parade of Lights and the lighting of Christmas Mountain. The parade starts around 6pm. Look for our parade car and sock monkey. Stop by the store after the parade for homemade treats!

Neighborhood Toy Store Day 2011

2011-11-08T11:57:00.003-07:00

Toy stores across the country will be celebrating the joy of play during Neighborhood Toy Store Day on November 12, 2011. To launch the holiday shopping season with community-minded fun, ASTRA (American Specialty Toy Retailing Association) members throughout the nation will be participating. Join us for our celebration and a day full of fun.

Demos- Neighborhood Toy Store Day is the perfect time to check out the 'Best Toys for Kids' winners. We will have hands-on and video demonstrations available so you can see for yourself what all the buzz is about!

Discounts- Find the coupon on the flyer you received in the mail to save 20%on all 'Best Toys for Kids' featured in the flyer.
During our 'Neighborhood Toy Store Day' celebration you can throw a dart at our magnetic dart board to receive a discount of 1% - 20% off any item of your choice. If your dart lands on the bulls eye you will get 40% off that item... WOW!

Donations- The Giving Tree will be set up for the season starting on November 12th. Choose a card off the tree, buy the gift, we will give you 20% off, wrap it and see that it gets safely delivered. You will also receive 20% off toys that will be donated to the Elk's Club for their annual toy drive or for the Tree of Hope at Safeway!

We will also be making ornaments for our tree in Holiday Park. Stop by this Saturday to join the fun!

Shrinky Dinks 'Play Day' and other FALL FUN

2011-10-20T11:29:00.003-07:00

Join us on Saturday, October 29th from noon to 3pm to make Shrinky Dinks! Using the magic Shrinky Dinks paper, you will make your design, we will bake it in our toaster oven and your design will shrink to 1/3 its original size. Trace a fun pattern and make your own necklace or 3D animal!

Halloween is almost here and we are stocked up on costumes, hats, accessories, face paint, werewolf rubber ducks and edible and non-edible treats! You and your children are welcome to dress up and come by the store on Saturday the 29th for our Shrinky Dink 'Play Day'. We will also be giving out treats on Halloween from 3-6pm.

Look for our 'Save $10' coupon in the Mountain Mail the week of October 24th!

Playmobil Sale

2011-09-14T15:25:00.004-07:00

20% off ALL instock Playmobil until Sunday, September 25th.

Make Your Own Puppet 'Play Day'

2011-09-14T15:24:00.001-07:00

Join us on Saturday, September 24th from noon to 3pm to make puppets! We will have paper bag puppet kits from Alex and sock puppet kits from Creativity for Kids. This will be a fun activity for big and little kids alike. We will have a puppet theater set up so you can try out your puppet or just kick back and enjoy a puppet show.

Recycled Paper Beads Play Day

2011-08-20T11:45:00.000-07:00

Stop by the store on Saturday, August 27th from noon until 3pm to make Recycled Paper Beads! We will turn wrapping paper, newspaper comics and magazine pages into fun beads that can be made into a bracelet or a necklace.

2011 USA Pro Cycling Challenge

2011-08-18T09:51:00.005-07:00

World-class cycling comes to Colorado and we are excited to welcome the USA Pro Cycling Challenge to Salida on Tuesday, August 23rd. This is expected to be one of the largest spectator events in Colorado history. Be sure to head downtown Tuesday morning to experience this great event. Get in on the fun by participating in the 'Salida Moves' lap around the race course. Run, walk, roller skate, ride your bike with a sock monkey in the basket... anything goes in this pre-race parade lap. Meet at 10am at the starting line of F Street. For more infomation and a schedule of events click on the following link. Salida Stage Start

July's Play Day and Sidewalk Sale

2011-07-25T09:48:00.003-07:00

Swing by the store on Saturday July 30th from 11-2pm to help us 'Chalk the Block'! Get creative with the help of our friendly staff and some great ideas from Klutz! We will provide the chalk and sidewalk, you provide the priceless works of art. Also on Saturday the 30th many downtown Salida shops will be having sidewalk sales. Check out our $2, $5, and $10 sale tables featuring new sale items. For every item purchased off of the sale tables you will receive one Kaleidoscope Buck that can be redeemed for future purchases. Don't forget the 7th annual Salida Classic cycling event taking place on July 29th-31st. Click here for more details.

Happy 4th of July

2011-06-29T13:38:00.002-07:00

The 4th of July week is nearly here and there is certainly a lot going on. The Salida Circus will be in the park at noon. After that there will be choir and brass music along with fun family games from 1 to 3:30. The parade will be on F street at 4pm... followed by more music in the park. This is sure to be a fun day for the whole family, so head downtown on the 4th to enjoy the music, shows, arts and crafts and food! Last but not least, don't forget the fireworks at dusk!

June's Art walk Origami Play Day

2011-06-10T09:34:00.000-07:00

The 19th annual Salida Art Walk will be held the last weekend of this month and we want to get the kids in on the fun. For our 'Play Day' this month we will be creating origami art projects. Come by the store on Saturday , June 25th from 2-5pm to experience this fun event!

May's 'Play Day' Sticky Mosaics

2011-05-19T10:08:00.002-07:00

For our 'Play Day' this month we will be creating Sticky Mosaics! Join us on Saturday May 28th from 2-5pm for this fun event. This is a great project that encourages fine motor skills along with number and color recognition.

May Events

2011-05-12T12:23:00.000-07:00

There is a lot going on this month... Next weekend the Riverside Rampage mountain bike races will be held right here in Salida. This is stop number 3 on the Mountain States Cup circuit. Registration will be from noon to 8pm at the Boathouse on Friday the 20th. Races will begin Saturday morning and continue through Sunday. Also on Saturday at 3pm the FIBark Cruiser Crit will take place downtown Salida. This is a fun event to to participate in as well as to observe. Don't forget the "Green Up Clean Up" event on Saturday the 21st in Riverside Park.

Memorial Day weekend will also be jammed packed with fun... Our monthly 'Play Day' event will be on Saturday the 28th from 2-5pm (more info to follow). On Sunday the 29th at 9am the Bluegrass Marathon will begin in Riverside Park. Followed by the Bluegrass on the Arkansas music festival, live music, food and awards ceremony.

Earth Day 'Play Day' and Easter Egg Hunt!

2011-04-18T12:00:00.001-07:00

Earth Day is this month and we are celebrating by having a 'GREEN' themed event. On Saturday April 23rd from 10am to 2pm stop by the store to participate in our Earth Day 'Play Day' event. You can color Earth Day pictures and take home a free recycled folder, pencil, ruler and pencil pouch all sponsored by Plan Toys. We look forward to seeing you after the Easter Egg Hunt which starts at 10am in the park by the county courthouse.

Enter to win a Playmobil Easter basket!

2011-04-11T10:28:00.002-07:00

Spring is here and Easter is near. We have lots of fun Easter themed goodies for those baskets! From now until the 23rd, for every $10 purchase you make we will but your name in the drawing to win one of two Playmobil themed Easter baskets that are on display in our front window. We look forward to seeing you soon!

Our March Play Day Event

2011-03-16T12:04:00.004-07:00

Suddenly spring break is upon us. It has been great to see everyone out and about enjoying the nice weather. Salida's spring break begins on March 28th and to celebrate we are having a very special 'Play Day' event that is going to last all week! Beginning on Saturday the 26th, be sure to stop in and check out our 'Decorate Your Own Japanese Eraser" station. We have plain white erasers and decorating supplies... let your imagination run wild. The decorating will continue through Tuesday the 29th. After you decorate your eraser you have the option of taking it home with you or you can enter it into the 'Best Looking Eraser in Salida" competition for a chance to win a $10 gift certificate to the store. Judging will begin Wednesday the 30th through Saturday April 2nd... make sure you stop in to cast your vote for your favorite.

Moby Wrap baby carriers

2011-03-03T13:36:00.002-07:00

We are now happily carrying Moby Wrap baby carriers! “What is a Moby Wrap?” you might ask… A Moby Wrap is a long piece of ultra soft, breathable cotton that is wrapped around the wearer to create a safe, custom-fitted and versatile baby carrier. The Moby is so versatile that it can be configured in many different ways to make carrying, feeding or sitting with a baby up to 35 pounds super comfortable for the user. The Moby conforms to the shape of the baby and the wearer and creates a strong and secure attachment between the baby and the wearer. Stop by the store to pick up a brochure and to learn more about the Moby Wrap!

Happy President's Day weekend!

2011-02-18T15:30:00.000-07:00

Happy President’s Day weekend everyone! We hope everyone has the chance to get out and enjoy this beautiful weekend. There is snow in the forecast so the skiing should be great. Highway 50 is scheduled to reopen sometime Sunday… so head this way and enjoy the long weekend !

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

2011-02-08T11:49:00.002-07:00

It is less than a week away. Be sure to swing by and check out all of the great heart-themed goodies we have for your special little one this week.

The Giving Tree is back

2010-11-27T15:18:00.003-07:00

The Giving Tree is back. This is a great way to give to those in need in our community. It is easy as can be... Pick a card off the tree (each card has listed on it the name and price of a toy that has been preselected for a child), hand the card to us, we will give you 20% off the price, wrap it and see that it gets delivered. A special Thank You goes out to everyone who is involved with and supports this great cause!

Stop by to update your customer information

2010-10-17T15:15:00.000-07:00

We finally got our new computer system up and running. To go along with the updated inventory we are updating our customer list. If you haven’t updated your information in the store recently you can email kaltoys@aol.com , call 719-530-0533 or just stop by to get updated. One great feature of the new computer system is its ability to keep track of your punch card points, so you know what that means… one less punch card in your life.

Fall Colors in Salida

2010-09-23T13:38:00.002-07:00

The week started out as summer, but sure as the calendar changes to Fall so does the weather. Now is great time to get out and check out all of the fall changing colors. Every morning the hillsides become more and more vibrant and colorful. After viewing all of the beauty that Chaffee county has to offer, be sure to swing downtown to check out what our main street has to offer. Now is great time to stroll downtown with cooler temperatures and thinner crowds. We hope everyone has a great weekend... get out and enjoy this beautiful fall weather!

Labor Day Weedend Sidewalk SALE

2010-08-31T14:04:00.002-07:00

To help celebrate Labor Day we are having a huge sidewalk sale on Saturday September 4th. Swing by to check out all of the great deals. Speaking of great deals... All weekend (Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday) all of our Playmobil items will be 20% off! This is a fantastic deal and we have all of the latest and greatest in stock! We look forward to seeing everyone out and about enjoying the great weekend.

Back to School

2010-08-23T14:28:00.003-07:00

Thursday is the first day of school for our Salida kids and to help you get ready we have a great selection of school supplies by Melissa and Doug. Stop in to pick up scissors, glue sticks, colored pencils, chalk and much much more. Thanks to everyone for the great summer! We had a lot of fun watching the kids enjoy their summer and we are very excited for the upcoming school year. Stop in and tell us all about the first day, we always enjoy a good story!

Support the Boys and Girls Club this weekend

2010-08-18T09:52:00.002-07:00

This Saturday the 21st is the Summer Celebration for Boys & Girls Clubs of Chaffee County - A wine and beer tasting event with live music and scrumptious appetizers prepared by local restaurants. Great door prizes and a chance to see what this vital organization does for the youth of our county. Indoors and outdoors at Buena Vista Community Center, 6-9 p.m. Admission is free, but donations are requested to BGCCC for continued programming for our 500 local youth members. Interested parties should contact Kathy at bv30195@msn.com to ensure they get an invitation. For more information go to www.bgcchaffee.org.

Salida Omnium

2010-07-29T08:08:00.002-07:00

This Friday, tomorrow, begins the 6th annual Salida Omnium! The fun begins Friday evening with an eight mile time trial course. Be sure to head downtown on Saturday for the figure-eight criterium. This is a super fun and exciting event to watch. Also on Saturday morning don't forget about the always good Farmer's Market at Alpine Park. The fun continues into Sunday with a new road course. For more information on the 2010 Salida Omnium... click here. Have a great weekend everyone!

Keep Them Thinking!

2010-07-19T13:06:00.002-07:00

As summer moves along it is important to keep the kids thinking and help them prepare for the quickly approaching school year. We have many new science kits that focus on harnessing solar energy. Other science kits explore the use of physics and chemistry. Not only are these kits fun they are a great way to learn and fully understand scientific theories that are sure to come up in the upcoming school years. We also have a great selection of Brian Quest workbooks and flashcards that are grade specific, another smart way to get a head start on the upcoming school year. There are also a number of board and card games that put a fun twist on learning important geographical facts along with keeping math skills fresh. So head on in and we will help you make learning fun, here at Kaleidoscope Toys!

Happy Birthday America!

2010-06-28T15:32:00.002-07:00

This is why we love summer, one fun weekend after another. As you know this Sunday is the 4th of July and there are plenty of fun activities planned. Trout Unlimited is sponsoring a Children's Fishing Derby for kids up to age 13. The event will take place at Franzhurst Lake and registration begins at 8:30am with the derby starting at 9:30am. After the fishing derby be sure to head to the park for an afternoon of fun. The afternoon kicks off early at 11am with a performance by the Salida Circus. From 12:30 to 4pm there will be a variety of music for your listening pleasure at the park. From 1-3pm there will be a host of family games to participate in also at the park. At 4pm be sure to get a good seat for the parade. After the parade head back down to the park to listen to some more great music and most importantly the fireworks at dusk. We here at Kaleidoscope Toys wish everyone a wonderful and safe weekend.

Art Walk in Salida, Colorado

2010-06-21T16:03:00.002-07:00

June is jam-packed with fun activities and Art Walk is one of our favorites. Beginning Friday and continuing through Sunday, Salida will host it's very own Art Walk. Head downtown on Friday from 5-8pm for the Gallery Preview. View art, meet the artists and get a head start on the weekend. Many downtown businesses, including Kaleidoscope Toys, will be open late on Friday for your shopping and browsing convenience. On Saturday be sure to visit each venue to enjoy the special entertainment and shop for that perfect gift. Also on Saturday we will host an art project event for all the children who stop by from 3-6pm. We will also have artwork on display from The Boys and Girls Club. The Art Walk fun continues on Sunday from 10am to 4pm to allow time for you to revisit your favorite venues. This is sure to be a great event, be sure to stop in and check out what the creative children of our community have created.

FibARK and Ride the Rockies

2010-06-14T14:34:00.002-07:00

We are gearing up for what is sure to be a big weekend in Salida. FibARK begins Thursday and continues through Sunday. Check out http://www.fibark.net/ for the full schedule of events. Be sure to swing by and pick up a few Frisbees or squirt guns to play with at the park. To add to the fun and excitement, Ride the Rockies will finish this year in our beautiful Salida, Colorado on Saturday. Also, don't forget your dear dad on Sunday, it is Father's Day after all. Sooooo needless to say this weekend is going to be full of non-stop fun and excitement, get out and enjoy it... every bit of it!

Memorial Day in Salida

2010-05-25T16:35:00.002-07:00

Memorial Day weekend is fast approaching and Salida is the place to be. The weather looks great with plenty of sun and highs in the 60s. The "Bluegrass on the Arkansas" music festival is scheduled for Sunday the 30th in Riverside Park. The music begins at 12 noon and lasts until 6pm. Food and drink will be available. Get out and enjoy the great music with your family, friends and neighbors.

Spring Weekend!

2010-05-14T16:36:00.000-07:00

Although the weather leads us to believe it is still winter, all of the great activities this weekend are all about springtime fun. Salida High School's graduation is tonight at 8pm. We as a community are so proud of each and everyone of these hardworking students and all that they have accomplished. Secondly, the Cruiser Crit is tomorrow May 15th at 4pm. This is a great FIBArk fundraiser. Registration starts at 3pm in Riverside Park. Kids are $5 and adults are $15. Costumes Preferred... Helmets Required. This is sure to be a great time for everyone. Get out and enjoy your weekend and we shall all keep our fingers crossed for good weather!

Solar Power

2010-05-03T11:53:00.005-07:00

With the snow starting to melt and longer days upon us, all everyone can think about is sunshine. It is so nice to get out and enjoy the beautiful days with your family and friends. To make summertime even more fun and educational and to celebrate the sun we are now carrying solar-powered built-it-yourself kits. These kits include everything you need to build your own solar-powered creation. There is a solar-powered hopping frog, a horse, a robot and even a solar-powered solar system. We built up the frog so if you want to check him out here is here for your hopping pleasure. As solar power is a very real alternative energy option for those of us living in sunny Colorado, we think it is really great that solar power is being incorporated into toys. A generation of children who grow up with solar powered toys will have the appreciation and understanding to take this technology to the next level in their adult lives.

KEVA Planks

2010-04-20T11:19:00.003-07:00

We just got in this great Keva Planks Contraptions kit and we are so excited about it. What are KEVA Planks you might ask? KEVA Planks are high precision identical construction blocks that stack with surprising stability . Practically perfect planks make it possible. Contraptions are made simply by stacking the planks. No glue or connectors are used, just gravity and imagination. Construct ramps, chutes, tracks, towers, tunnels, funnels and much much more. The kit comes with two specially designed KEVA balls that are lightweight and bouncy for maximum Contraption action. The Contraption manual uses great full-color photos, tips, tricks and great instructions to show the simple steps needed to build numerous clever Contraptions. The real fun starts when builders come up with their own ideas for great Contraptions. We love how KEVA Planks easily appeal to every age group and how they instantly inspire imagination and creativity.

End of the ski season

2010-04-06T12:27:00.002-07:00

With spring time upon us and ski season coming to an end it is a great time to head up to Monarch for some last minute turns. The snow is still in excellent shape and it continues to accumulate... this last weekend is shaping up to be a great closing day. This is also the last weekend for season pass holders to receive 15% off one item in the store when they present their pass while checking out. Come on down and take advantage of your pass holder discount while the deal lasts. We will be open Saturday from 10 to 6 and on Sunday from 12 noon to 5 so you can get in some skiing and shopping on Monarch's last weekend. Have a great week everyone and we look forward to seeing you soon.

Now carrying Breyer Horses

2010-03-30T11:20:00.002-07:00

We are happy to announce that we are now carrying Breyer Horses. The horses are beautiful and the play sets are so detailed they are sure to offer hours of fun. If you have any questions or special Breyer requests, feel free to swing in and we will do our best to help you out.

Spring Cleaning Sale

2010-03-19T13:39:00.002-07:00

It is spring time in the rockies and we are having a Spring Cleaning Sale to celebrate. Everything in the "Rainbow" window is 40% to 50% off now through Easter, April 4th. There is everything from large dollhouses and castles to rocking horses to smaller science kits. Swing by to see all of the great deals.

Robeez Shoe SALE!

2010-03-09T13:07:00.003-07:00

Now through March 15th all Robeez shoes and booties are $25. Come check out all of the great designs and choices while supplies last.

What's New?

2010-02-22T14:55:00.002-07:00

With the new year comes new toys. This is an exciting time for all of here at Kaleidoscope Toys, it is the time of year when we get to see all of the new toys for 2010. We are seeing new toys come in weekly and there are plenty more on the way. So far we have received orders from Melissa and Doug, Folkmanis and Playmobil just to name a few. As always Playmobil has come out with some really fun new toys this year... The ghost pirates and Ocean Royalty are some of our favorites. We also have a new sticker display with new sticker designs and sizes. Swing in and see what is new at Kaleidoscope Toys.

Happy Valentine's Day!

2010-02-08T13:06:00.003-07:00

There is one week left to swing in and pick up something for your little sweetie. We have lots of fun heart-themed gifts large and small to make Valentine's day special for the whole family!

The Giving Tree

2009-12-07T15:17:00.003-07:00

The Christmas season is upon us and what better way to spread the Christmas cheer than by helping a family in need. Be sure to swing by and check out the Giving Tree! Simply pick a card off the tree, have our helpful staff help you locate the gift, you pay for it (we will give you 20% off!), we wrap it and have it picked up and delivered to a family in need. This is a terrific way to brighten the Christmas season for a local child that might not otherwise have a bright holiday... and it is super easy on your part. If you don't have time to swing in give us a call 719-530-0533 and we can help you locate a gift in your price range and take care of the rest.

This weekend's events

2009-11-30T14:03:00.003-07:00

The holidays are upon us and we are lucky to live in a great community that offers so many activities to be enjoyed by the entire family. This weekend we kick off the Holiday Prelude activities Friday with many downtown shops staying open till 7pm and serving refreshments. Saturday is "Tea with Santa" from 1pm to 3pm at the Steamplant. Sunday the "Deck the Dogs" parade starts at 1pm. Be sure to catch this event and check out Salida's best dressed canines!

Salida Parade of Lights

2009-11-23T15:46:00.002-07:00

Don't miss Salida's Parade of Lights on Friday November 27th. The Parade starts at approximately 6pm with Santa lighting Christmas mountain at the end of the parade route. Stores will be open late and most serve refreshments. Holiday park, an avenue of Christmas Trees adopted by community groups, businesses and individuals, will be lit after the parade. There will be a free jazz concert at the Steamplant Ballroom later in the evening. This is wonderful family event that showcases the community of Salida.

2009-11-16T15:13:00.005-07:00

We truly believe that learning can be fun and that's why we carry many educational toys. Among these educational tools are books, flashcards and kits to help children learn a second language. It has been shown that learning a second language is much easier for children than it is for adults. Children who learn a second, or third language gain a better understanding of different cultures, language systems and get a head start in the global world that we are now living in. Here are a links to great articles about children learning second languages... USA Today's More children learn more than one language and Babies Today's Bilingual Babies

ASTRA's Best Toys for Kids

2009-11-09T12:36:00.005-07:00

Need ideas for Christmas Gifts? Check out ASTRA's Best Toys for Kids website. We have most of these toys in stock right here in the Heart of the Rockies, Salida, Co. We will be happy to wrap your gifts and if your from out of town we can wrap and ship, or wrap and have your gifts ready for pick-up at our store if your shopping for someone that is local. We are looking forward to a great, fun-filled Christmas season! http://www.astrabesttoysforkids.com/

New American and Swiss made toys!!!

2009-11-02T14:45:00.002-07:00

This last week we have received a couple shipments of American and Swiss made toys. These toys are made with superior quality and are more open-ended and hands on than most toys on the market these days. The Holgate company has been in operation in the US since 1789. They began manufacturing educational pre-school toys in 1929 that were designed by Javis Rockwell, brother of illustrator Norman Rockwell. A strong emphasis is placed on safety, durability and educational play with each toy that Holgate manufactures. We are happy to have these toys on the shelf, Check out a sample of what we have in stock by visiting out website.

Project 350

2009-10-26T12:28:00.002-07:00

Kaleidoscope Toys is now a Project 350 participant and has always encouraged saving shipping charges by shopping locally. We contribute to many local non-profits and schools. As always we strive to carry unique, engaging, open-ended, fun and safe toys for all ages. We have many toys that are made in the USA, Canada, Thailand and Europe, but all our toys meet the new strict toy safety regulations. Project 350 is the largest "Shop Local" campaign in the history of this area. Take advantage of Project 350 today by picking up your FREE Project 350 card at the Chamber offices in Salida, Buena Vista and Westcliffe. We also have Project 350 cards in the store so feel free to stop by and pick one up for great local savings all over the valley.

Why we like Blue Orange Games

2009-10-12T10:18:00.004-07:00

We are happy to carry Blue Orange Games. From the beginning wood has been the material of choice for Blue Orange due to its quality, durability, warmth and appeal. Blue Orange is very environmentally minded as they have vowed to plant two trees for every one tree that is used to produce their games. Their good work is not going unnoticed as their games have won many awards including "Oppenheim Toys Portfolio, Best Toys Award" and "Dr. Toy, 10 Best Games Award" along with being featured on the Today Show. We have many games in stock and as always we are happy to support a company that supports a good cause.

Shop early and save

2009-10-03T12:25:00.005-07:00

As October rolls around it is time to start thinking about Christmas shopping. Shopping early is a great idea for many reasons. First of all you can get just what you want and we have time to order items that you want that aren't in stock. Also, the store isn't as busy and we have more time to help you make the perfect gift selection. Getting your shopping done early will allow you to enjoy all of the wonderful activities that take place in December with out the shopping worry looming over your head. Most importantly, early shopping allows you to spread the Christmas expense over several months. To help with that expense we will be offering weekly sales in October and November exclusive to our facebook friends... so if you are not yet our friend add us at www.facebook.com/kaltoys. Here's to a great Christmas season and remember, we always offer FREE GIFT WRAPPING!!!

Quadrilla Marble Maze Sets

2009-09-28T12:35:00.003-07:00

Just in from the German company Hape- Quadrilla Marble Maze sets. These sets are made of wood and feature colorful, sturdy peices that can be used to construct a variety of marble mazes. We like these sets due to their high quality of construction and by the way they encourage children to think critically and creativly in order to constuct each maze. To make your marble maze musical there is a musical extension kit available that includes xylophone-like landings for your marble drops. A classic kit that is recommended for ages 4 to 99.

Just in... and just in time

2009-09-21T11:32:00.002-07:00

Today we woke up to sunshine that quickly turned into clouds, rain and much cooler temperatures. This was all a little disheartening until the mornings first delievery arrived... from the creators of Bananagrams (2009 toy of the year) Appletters and Pairs in Pears. These new games make cloudy days a joy and are a great way to pass the time while practicing your spelling. Each of these games come with multiple sets of rules for different difficulty levels, number of players and time duration of each game. The best part about these games is that they travel well, they each come in their own fruit shaped cloth pouch, which makes for a handy game that can be played at restaurants and doctors offices. We have all three games in stock so stop and pick up your own Bananagrams, Appletters and Pairs in Pears!

Changing Colors

2009-09-14T10:31:00.002-07:00

The leaves are changing color and it’s a great time to get out and absorb all of the “soon-to-be” autumn wonder. The days are warm and cheery while the nights are feeling cool and crisp. If you are in the area be sure to keep your eyes peeled for the brilliant yellows and oranges. If you’re not in the area it’s a great time to make a quick trip up this way and see all there is to see. A trip over Monarch, Poncha, or Cottonwood pass is a great way to get a glimpse of what this beautiful season has to offer in our area.

Inspire Young Imaginations

2009-09-08T09:57:00.000-07:00

Puppets are a great way to inspire young imaginations. They encourage children to use their imaginations to give the puppet a voice and a story line. We have a great selection of Folkmantis and Melissa & Doug puppets. These puppets are some of our favorites due to their superior quality and great attention to detail. Each puppet has its own personality and children love to make up stories and give their puppet a life all its own. Perhaps the greatest thing about these puppets is that they are soft and cuddly enough that children can take them everywhere… a multi-purpose favorite toy.

Gift Registration

2009-08-31T10:34:00.002-07:00

Don't forget, we have free gift registration available to anyone and everyone. Gift registration helps kids get exactually what they have been wishing for, makes birthday shopping a breeze and helps to reduce the risk of duplicate gifts. To make special events a little easier yet we also always offer free gift wrapping.

11th Annual Crest Crank

2009-08-22T15:23:00.001-07:00

This is a one day fundraising event. Spectacular singletrack starting at 11,300’ atop Monarch Pass! All riders receive pre-ride bike inspection, shuttle to the trailhead, rider goody bag, post-ride BBQ and an event t-shirt! The rider who raises the greatest amount in pledges will receive a super stylish Cruiser! Proceeds to Benefit the Alliance Against Domestic Abuse of Chaffee County. www.crestcrank.blogspot.com

Back to School

2009-08-15T08:08:00.000-07:00

With the mornings feeling just a bit crisp and cool it can only mean one thing... Its time to go back to school!!! We had such a great summer with great weather and lots of fun festivals and activites. We at Kaleiscope Toys wish everyone a great 2009/ 2010 school year. To help you get ready for school we recieved a big shipment of Melissa and Doug art supplies so stop in and let us help you get ready for the big first day of school.

Snap Caps!

2009-08-07T19:30:00.000-07:00

We are all about promoting creativity in kids and we are excited to carry "Snap Caps". What are Snap Caps?, you might ask. Snap Caps are quickly becoming the latest fashion accessory among young girls. What makes Snap Caps so exciting is that they were invented by a 10 year old girl. The necklace and charm combos are fun to collect, trade, mix and match. Easy to use thanks to the power of magnets, Snap Caps are a great way for girls to express their individuality. We also like Snap Caps because they are also an inspiration to young girls to pursue their creative ideas and follow their dreams.

Salida Omnium

2009-07-31T09:51:00.003-07:00

Its so great to see all cars with loads of bikes on them start to trickle downtown this morning. Today through Sunday the Salida Omnium bike race will be in full force. We would like to send out a huge welcome to all of the cyclist and their families. We are keeping our fingers crossed for great weather this weekend and from the looks of today it should be excellent.

Car Show

2009-07-28T14:03:00.003-07:00

It may be a little early to start thinking about the weekend... then again its never too early to think about the weekend. The 18th annual Angel of Shavano car show is this Saturday, August 1st at Riverside Park in downtown Salida Colorado. So far the weather forecast looks great- a super sunny day with highs in the upper 70s. We look forward to seeing all the new faces and shiny cars downtown.

Chaffee County Fair

2009-07-23T16:38:00.005-07:00

Starting this Saturday July 25th through Aug 2nd is the Chaffee County Fair at the Chaffee County Fairgrounds of course. This week is sure to be fun for everyone and it is a great way to get out and support our great Chaffee County community. Check out the Chamber's event calender for a full listing of times and events. Salida Chamber of Commerce

Fair Trade Toys

2009-07-20T09:21:00.004-07:00

These great soft and flexible Frisbees are handmade in Guatemala using fair trade practices. In return for the amazing artistry that these Guatemalan women create, they are paid a fair wage and work under good conditions. The money they make crocheting Frisbees and other hand-made products enables their children to go to school and helps keeps them out of poverty in a country in which 56% of people now live below the poverty level. The crocheted Frisbee was first invented by a 3rd grade girl in South Carolina. The Frisbees come in two styles- one is softer and intended for indoor use while the other is thicker and is more suited for outside play. This safe and natural toy makes a great summertime gift or stash one in your picnic basket for a fun afternoon at the park. Kaleidoscope Toys is proud to support toys made using fair trade practices.

Waldorf Inspired Toys

2009-07-16T08:59:00.000-07:00

As it seems that Waldorf inspired education is becoming more and more popular in our Salida community, Kaleidoscope Toys is beginning to carry Waldorf inspired toys and art supplies. Our website shows a sample of what we have in stock so feel free to check it out at www.kaltoys.com . If you have any questions, or suggestions of Waldorf inspired items that you would be interested in seeing in the store leave us a comment or contact us by email at kaltoys@aol.com.

Moonlight Movies in the Park

2009-07-10T18:41:00.001-07:00

Be sure to check out the movie showing in Riverside park every Friday in July. This is a great way to kick off the weekend and spend some time with the family under the stars. Sponsored by Salida Recreation Boys & Girls Clubs of Chaffee County Family Plus Program, the Salida Youth Advisory Council and Moonlight Pizza. Showing begins at approximately 9 to 9:30. Bring a blanket and enjoy the show.

New Green Toys

2009-07-07T18:52:00.001-07:00

This tool kit by Green Toys is sure to put a child's imagination to work. The kit is made from 100% recycled milk jugs and includes every thing you need to get the job done including a hammer, screwdriver, saw, fasteners and many more peices. It is so neat to see all the recycling we do come full circle in a great quality toy that encourages problem-soloving skills and earth friendly behavior. This is a great way to show children the importance of recycling. Thanks to Green Toys for their great products.

4th of July Salida downtown shuttle

2009-07-02T15:51:00.002-07:00

Kaleidoscope Toys is a proud sponsor of the shuttle running hourly all day Saturday from 9am till after the fireworks are finished. The shuttle will pick up along participating Hwy 50 hotels and drop off at the Salida Steamplant downtown area.

4th of July

2009-06-30T21:05:00.002-07:00

Its time to start making plans for this weekend, the 4th of July!!! There is a fun day full of events right here in Salida starting with a kid's fishing derby at Franzhurst Lake from 9 to 11 am, then games in Riverside Park downtown from 1-3 pm, followed by the parade on F street at 4pm and ending with a great fireworks show from Tenderfoot mountain at dusk. Hope to see everyone out enjoying the beautiful weekend.

Artwalk

2009-06-26T15:27:00.002-07:00

Believe it or not June is coming to an end and what a better way to wish it farewell than to spend the weekend in beautiful downtown Salida enjoying the 17th Annual Artwalk. We are located at 116 F Street, number 35 on your Artwalk map. This year we will feature art work and projects by children from the local Boys and Girls Club. We feel that it is extremely important to nurture a child's creativity and encourage their artistic ability from an early age, because afterall the greatest artists were once children. By being artistic children gain confidence, become independent and learn to express themselves at an early age.

Travel Charmers

2009-06-25T14:57:00.000-07:00

Travel Charmers help children learn about other cultures around the world and offer children the chance to help children in different countries. A portion of the retail price goes to the children's charity Plan International that provides for children in developing countries. Children can log onto the website http://www.karitokids.com/ to play great games, earn World Change and choose how to put their donation to work for their favorite cause- school, home, health or food. Travel Charmers are a great way to teach children about the importance of learning and being tolerant of other cultures along with the importance of sharing and caring for others.

Ride Your Bike to Work Day!

2009-06-24T08:55:00.002-07:00

Today is "Ride Your Bike to Work Day". Take advantage of the beautiful weather and experience all the day has to offer from the seat of your bicycle.

New Blog

2009-06-23T12:36:00.005-07:00

Welcome to the new blog for Kaleidoscope Toys! If you are interested in purchasing any of the toys featured on the website or blog, either stop by the store or call our toll-free number (1-877-530-0533) to inquire about availability and price. We have many more toys in the store and new items arriving daily.