What To Buy for That Special 3-Year-Old in Arlington?
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What To Buy for That Special 3-Year-Old in Arlington?

Johnny Cooney is celebrating his 3-year-old birthday today and has come to One Two Kangaroo Toys on Campbell Avenue in Arlington to choose his present. He inspects an alligator, then a tiger on a display of Schleich animals. Owner Charlie Majdi says, "They are very realistic and I sell them individually instead of in sets so a kid can come in with a few dollars and walk out with an animal." He adds, "after all, it's all about the kids." But then Johnny spots a truck high up on a shelf. As Johnny walks out the door he is serenaded with "happy birthday … and many more."

Johnny Cooney is celebrating his 3-year-old birthday today and has come to One Two Kangaroo Toys on Campbell Avenue in Arlington to choose his present. He inspects an alligator, then a tiger on a display of Schleich animals. Owner Charlie Majdi says, "They are very realistic and I sell them individually instead of in sets so a kid can come in with a few dollars and walk out with an animal." He adds, "after all, it's all about the kids." But then Johnny spots a truck high up on a shelf. As Johnny walks out the door he is serenaded with "happy birthday … and many more." Photo by Shirley Ruhe.

Tuesday, December 5, 2017

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Photo by Shirley Ruhe

Tucked in a corner of One Two Kangaroo Toys are the all-in-one costume packages such as the firefighter. It comes complete with helmet, bullhorn, fire extinguisher and badge. Close by are the Magna-Tiles that stick together. “They are "super popular." Charlie Majdi (Mr. Man) the owner says, "We have so much for 3-year-olds. I like to avoid things on TV. I emphasize educational toys so the child can assign their own personality."

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Photo by Shirley Ruhe

Johanna Braden, owner of Two the Moon, a neighborhood gift store at Williamsburg Shopping Center, says, "These magnetic dress-up kits are like an updated version of old-fashioned paper dolls.” The "Best Friends" kit includes 52 magnets that stick on the figures to make more than 200 outfits.

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Photo by Shirley Ruhe

"Larry Gets Lost in Washington D.C." is an easy book to read and you can also buy Larry, the small brown and white dog, to go with the book. Johanna Braden, owner of Two the Moon, says she also has big silicon wipe-off mats with child-safe markers that have Washington monuments on them. "They are currently out of stock and we just have the farm animals because the monuments are so popular but we should have more in next week. They are perfect for the car. You just wipe them off and use them again."

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Photo by Shirley Ruhe

Trains and accessories cover a wall at Kinder Haus Toys on N. Fillmore Street. Tammy Hayes, a store employee, says they are big sellers because the parts are interchangeable between Brio and Melissa and Doug. My First Railway Train sits alongside Farm Animal Train with roller coaster sets and Ferris wheel kits as backdrops along with additional pieces of track. Children can use their imagination to create their own railroad scene.

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Photo by Shirley Ruhe

Around the corner there is a sports section with all kinds of choices. The air-propelled rocket is a hit because the rocket is foam so it can be used inside and out "and some of them glow." This year, Tammy Hayes at Kinder Haus Toys says, "Fisher Price has also re-released the retro toys like those little plastic camera and cash registers. "They're selling like crazy."

Does your favorite three-year-old like to play dress up? Zoom with dump trucks? Snap magnetic tiles or costumes together? Read a fun book complete with stuffed animal? Play with toys that light up? They have it all at Arlington neighborhood gift stores.

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