Welcome to Tookie's Toys Blog!

We're an award-wining specialty toy company with retail stores in Raleigh, NC and on the web. Our blog will highlight products, events and promotions at our stores and talk about the value of play.

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

"Train" Tables Are Not Just for Trains!


One of the busiest spots in our retail stores is around our train table. I call it a "train" table because we have a wooden train set displayed on our Nilo table, but it's not just for trains! Many people don't know that the Nilo Multi-Activity Table is designed to do much more than keep your trains from rolling onto the floor.

It is the best train table on the market, measuring an optimum 35" x 51" x 20", and coming complete with a removable train mat. What's more, it's an art center with a wipe-off melamine surface grooved into the frame and sides that helps contain spills. It's a work station that allows children to pull their chairs up, lay out a puzzle, take on a board game, set up their action figures, and really become engaged in their play.

The table also holds LEGO-compatible block mats (Lego sized on one side and Duplo sized on the other side) that can fill part or all of the table surface (4 mats fill the entire top) creating a great place to build.



We often get asked "what are those holes around the top of the table for?" They are for "nails" that make your table a great pounding bench for young builders.


To store all those blocks, trains, games and art supplies, Nilo has rolling storage bins that fit neatly under the table. Unlike some tables with build-in drawers, the bins recess inside the perimeter of the table to allow for kid toes (and parents' knees) to have room to play.



No matter what activity you use the table for, the most important feature for you to evaluate is its quality and durability. This table is a piece of quality furniture with a finely finished hardwood frame and a solid top, so strong it can support the weight of all your children and all their multi-uses for many years to come. Speaking of years to come, Nilo has also designed longer legs for your table to extend its life well past the "train" years. The original 18" legs simply get replaced with 24" legs, allowing kids to pull a chair under the table and keep playing.

We see lots of "train" tables made by lots of reputable companies, but no one else has designed one with the quality, versatility and durability of Nilo!

To see more about our Nilo Multi-Activity Table and accessories, visit our website www.tookiestoys.com.

Monday, July 28, 2008

SandBox Band Releases "Are We There Yet?"

Our favorite kids group, SandBox Band, has released their long-awaited second album, "Are We There Yet?." This album features original songs by the band and is even more fun than their debut album "KidSongs."

SandBox is a group of local dads whose twangy, upbeat performances keep kids (and adults) on their feet and singing along.

SandBox always performs at our Parking Lot Parties and you will get the chance to see them there again soon. We are planning another concert for October, so keep checking our Events Calendar for details.


Their CDs are available at our stores or on our website. Click the image for more details.

Here are a list of titles from "Are We There Yet." Click the link for a sample.

  1. Pajama Party
  2. Dream Song
  3. Keep the Water in the Tub
  4. That's Not Nice
  5. Car Rides
  6. Ladybug
  7. Jump Jump!
  8. Nautical Song
  9. Coconut Stew
  10. Chromosome
  11. The Circus
  12. PB Jam
  13. Hot Dogs
  14. I Like to Win
  15. Follow Me
  16. Bedbugs (Good Night)
We know you and your family will enjoy SandBox's music as much as the Tookie's family does!