King Arthur's Court

You know what I didn't love as much as I wanted to? King Arthur's Court toy store.


Don't get me wrong, I did enjoy it. It's a very sweet little store with a lot of cool options. I can imagine a kid going nuts in this kind of store, if they haven't been spoiled by the giant warehouse toy stores that are far more common.


And there was a great selection of LEGOs too, which is always a deciding factor for me. The problems I had were twofold: 1) not a fantastic game selection-- good, but not the vast expanse I'd thought I'd find, and 2) clearly separated "girls" and "boys" toys. I'm talking an entire third of the store that was solid pink, and on the far opposite of the store: cars, trains, blue-and-black color scheme. I'm anti... that.

The toy I ended up buying from the boy-themed section was a black "stealth fighter" kite, and I would have just as soon purchased it for a 7-year-old girl as for the 30-something dude who received it. I dislike this separation of gender-- I think it gives kids an early idea that there is a place for them, a toy for them, a passion for them. (And, more importantly, a "wrong" part of the store for them.)


But that's a personal thing. It's everything a toy store ought to be: bright and colorful, full of toys and clever games and Erector sets. (And dollhouses and fairies and unicorns. Girl side.)

King Arthur's Court website: http://www.kingarthurstoys.com/