Charity Day: Friday, May 28th to support SLP ECFE

Charity Days are one of our favorite events at kiddywampus -- it's a designated day we give 20% of our retail sales* to a specific charity.

This Friday we've chosen St. Louis Park ECFE (Early Childhood Family Education), a local organization that offers classes, events and support for children ages birth through five and their parents or caregivers. Parent and child enjoy play and learning activities together under the guidance of a licensed early childhood teacher. We love the impact ECFE has on our local kids, families and community and are happy to support its mission.

*retail sales only, does not include gift cards, on-line purchases, parties, OS2, kiddyplay or special events.

slumber party, kiddywampus style!

We're always on the lookout to do something different...so when WAMSO (the Minnesota Orchestra Volunteer Organization) asked us to design a table setting in true kiddywampus style, we were thrilled. Each year WAMSO hosts "Settings of Note," a beautiful event that raises funds for the Minnesota Orchestra (including Kinder Konzerts, the program that exposes young children to classical music). The event was hosted at IMS and included dozens of expertly designed tables in a wide variation of themes.



After much deliberation, we chose the theme "Girl's Birthday & Pajama Party," and created a sparkly, glittery & imaginative table complete with party favors and pajama party games. We hope the winner and her guests have as much fun with the table setting as we did in creating it!

Win a Chance to See Sesame Street Live!

There are just 3 days left to to stop in and pick up a Sesame Street Live "Color To Win Elmo" Sheet, with a chance to win a "Family Four-Pack of Tickets". Deadline for entries is 5pm December 18. All coloring sheets include a $3 off each ticket coupon.

Black Friday kiddywampus style

We think throwing paint is fun and so is giving to charity.

On Nov. 27th, kiddywampus played host to 36 kids and their families who paid $8 each to get their art groove on by throwing paint Jackson Pollock-style. And together we raised $288 for the Starlight Foundation.

When you're a retailer with a charitable mission, the biggest shopping day of the year is something to celebrate.

Starlight Foundation helps seriously ill children and their families cope with their pain, fear and isolation through entertainment, education and family activities. Check them out here.

a positively perfect day

Today was an amazing day at kiddywampus. Owning a toy store makes every day a fun day, but today was spectacular. We hosted Free Art Friday, and KidzArt gave sample "mini-sessions" of the weekly art classes they'll hold at kiddywampus this fall. Many parents told us how impressed they were by the quality of the curriculum and instruction. We're very happy to have KidzArt with us and look forward to seeing them in action this fall. The place was jammin' and you could tell the toys were happy.

And a very famous customer, Edwin, was in the house today. I led Edwin's 3rd birthday party some two years ago...back in our little studio in the alley with no running water. Three years can be a little on the young side for paint throwing -- and over time we've learned that the stronger the arm muscles and gross motor skills, the farther the paint flies. And I will never forget looking over at Edwin during his party and seeing him going to town splashing and splattering paint in his own little studio corner....he was full of joy, completely oblivious to everyone around him and having the time of his life....just as I imagine Jackson Pollock must have been when in the middle of his huge creations. Edwin's 5 now and probably doesn't remember his party like I do, but it makes me happy every time I think about him, virtually unstoppable, at the paint wall.

Another very active customer today also brought back a happy memory...his Dad reminded me that this little guy (who was basically a blur in the store today he was moving so quickly) took his first determined steps at kiddywampus not so long ago. Wow. Big memories.

Sometimes the best parts of having a toy store have little to do with toys.

Bake Sale this Sat!

We first met the Christopherson family two years ago, when we were lucky enough to help grant a part of Abi's wish through the Make-A-Wish organization. Abi wished to create a basement playarea to enjoy with her 2 younger sisters and parents. Abi came to kiddywampus with her sisters and friends for a giggly paint throwing afternoon and created three inspired canvases to hang in the new playarea.

We've been cheering this family on for two years and Abi's medical issues, as well of those of one of her younger sister's, have continued and expanded.

Abi's Mom, Tracie, has been keeping a journal of her family's experiences for several years. The writing, a compelling snapshot of parenting a child with serious health issues, is at times startling, funny, raw and inspiring.

Read her journal here. You will laugh and cry, you will hug your kids, and if you're like me, you'll marvel at how this family just keeps on going on.

Abi needs to go to Chicago next week to meet with a new neurologist, and this Sat (7/18) the family is hosting a bake sale from 10-2 at their home to help defray the expenses of the trip. Please stop by if you can, or help in any way if you're able. The address is: Christophrson Family, 2337 Harding St. NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418.

Third Anniversary Party

It’s so good to see you again. There have been many changes since we last spoke. The seasons have changed, but so has our open studio, class offerings, we turned 3 years old and of course a new smattering of fabulous and quirky toys at kiddywampus.  What has stayed the same is kiddywampus’ dedication to being an inspired and fun place for kids to play and create.

Recent news at kiddywampus was our third anniversary party last week. We had a jammin’ concert and mini session by the Okee Dokee brothers band, face painting by Miss Sarah, art projects by Kids Art, an ice cream truck, as well as new additions to our town instillation in open studio that we’d been working on for the two weeks prior.  It was so much fun!

We are also excited to welcome Mannerly Manners to kiddywampus. Offering the fanciest tea parties in town the 3-6 year olds who attended in June learned etiquette and respectful behavior and came out as ladies and gentleman. It will be fun to see the 7-12 year old tea party in July.

Kiddywampus has also been pleased to house a slew of abrakadoodle summer camps. Thus far we’ve had weeks of female artists, pirates, my museum artists and so many more to come.  We have seen so many masterpieces!

As the summer is approaching its half way point it is so good to continue to see new and old friends in and out of our store, open studio, kiddyplay, camps and classes. The rest of the summer is sure to be just as fun and creative in kiddywampus.  Hope to see you soon!