There are lots of great toys and games on the market at the moment, you just need to know what to look for and where to find them. That’s what Toy Talk is all about! 

Don’t waste money this gifting season, make wise purchases after you have had a “see, touch, feel” of what I am recommendng at Toy Talk™.  As a professional toy judge and and educational game designer msyelf, I look at toys very differently to a retailer. Toy Talk is a fun and informative experience.  You’ll also be able to do some of your Christmas shopping  too. Credit card facilities available.

SUMMARY OF TOY TALK

They’re everywhere from cheap Chinese junk, to expensive brands such as Fisher Price, Barney, Ben 10 and Bratz. From Lego and Meccano to battery-operated, winking, blinking, noisy toys, Playstation, Wii and computer games.

 Is there still value in jungle gyms, pot, pans, wooden spoons and the Tupperware cupboard? Do children need toys? What categories of toys are there? How do children learn? Why is play so important? What are the classic toys every child needs? What’s new on the market? Where do electronic toys fit in? How to select a toy, and more. Armed with a little bit of knowledge about toys and how children learn, this fun, interactive workshop will enable you to make better choices for your child and will make shopping for games and toys a piece of cake.

Toy Talk is a presented by Nikki Bush and Justine Heydra who are both toy judges on the professional panel of the SA Toy of the Year Awards, as well as being educational game designers. They are absolutely passionate about play not only because it is fun, but because it is such an effective way of connecting with your child. Nikki is well-known for her recommendations on appropriate toys and games to buy for your children. If you want to know what’s on her list – both the classics for each age group as well as what’s hot right now, then join us for Toy Talk 2009. Suitable for parents from birth to age 12.

DATES OF WORKSHOPS: 

• Friday, 23 October 2009, 9.00am – 12pm
• Saturday, 24 October 2009, 9am – 12pm
• Saturday, 7 November 2009, 9am – 12pm
• Monday, 9 November 2009, 9am – 12pm
• Tuesday, 10 November 2009, 9am – 12pm

All above dates at the Miele Gallery of Fine Living, Peter Place, Bryanston, GAUTENG

COST: R175.00 per head

Bookings:

nikki@brightideasoutfit.co.za

It’s a sell out! My colour & shape matching boardgame, Collect-a-Shape with Barney, designed together with Justine Heydra and distributed by Just Fun Toys, has been so popular it has sold out. There is not another unit in the warehouse and I have no stock left. So, if you still want the game for your children this year, visit Toys R Us, ToyZone, Pick ‘n Pay or Lilliputs to pick up the last of the games on the shelves. I am now out of stock too! We only expect another production run next year.

However, you can still get the Thomas version of the same game, Thomas’ Shape Station Game from me or in any of the stores mentioned above. Once again, stock is limited. Both games retail at R199.00.

My publisher, Metz Press, has confirmed that 4 000 copies of my new book, Easy Answers to Awkward Questions (co-authored with Ilze van der Merwe) have been sold in just 3 months! I am thrilled with this figure which includes both English and Afrikaans versions. Wilsia Metz is taking the book to the Frankfurt Book Fair in Germany in this month, so hold thumbs!

If you would like to place an order for any of the following, please click here nikki@brightideasoutfit.co.za  now:

• Future-proof Your Child (R140.00)
• Easy Answers to Awkward Questions (R125.00)
• Maklike Antwoorde vir Ongemaklike Vrae (R125.00)
• Thomas’ Shape Station Game (R199.00)
• Indahoo (R150.00)
• Sketch-a-Story (R199.00)
• Fun on the Run Box™ 3 – 6 years (R160.00)
• Fun on the Run Box™ 6 – 12 years R160.00)

** Please note, for out of town deliveries additional postage/delivery charges apply.

Colour Code won third place overall in the SA Toy of the Year Awards 2009.  This highly educational game is a real test of thinking and problem solving skills, also stimulating spatial planning and figure-ground perception.  Suitable for children from 8 and up.   Fantastic for use in the classroom and by therapists too.