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Location: Northwest, North, Southwest, In/Outdoor: Indoor Activity level: Varies Features: Toys “R” Us is a large international chain store that specializes in toys, but also sells baby gear, clothing, and video games. They now feature a small playscape area and provide birthday parties. Cost for a family of four: free to browse, merchandise cost varies Best for ages: all |  |
The Experience: Toys “R” can be a pleasant place to go spend some time on a weekday or during the morning hours of the weekend, as long as you are not desperately searching for a toy for a birthday party that starts in an hour. Little kids can have fun climbing in the playscape or playing with the Thomas the Train table that is set up near the Thomas toys. There are some chairs near the playscape for parents to sit in and watch. Or there is always the traditional unsanctioned activity for children of climbing into all the ride-in vehicles on display.
The prices are a little higher than those of Target or Wal-Mart for the same items, but they do have toys you will not find at those places. We like the educational toy section, as it has a lot of great plastic animals, puzzles, science, and craft toys, and a variety of other toys. They also have very good clearance prices, so look for the large white tags on various spots on the shelves announcing a clearance price.
Before you go: Try not to go around lunch or nap time when your kids may be cranky. It is a large store that will take a while to get through.How to go cheaper: Coupons sometimes arrive in the mail, especially around Christmas. You can also sign your child up for the birthday club, and they will mail you a birthday party planner a month before his or her birthday with a $5 coupon included on a purchase of $25 or more.
Birthday Parties: The parties at Toys “R” Us let you choose from among a list of themes and adventures. There are over 30 themes to choose from, and the store will decorate the party room for your theme, like Barbie, Elmo, Dora the Explorer, or Spiderman. Right now the adventures to choose from are: Color Me Silly, Music and More, Pirate's Passage, Princess Adventure, Scavenger Hunt Adventure, Thomas and Friends, and Yu-Gi-Oh. The price for a party on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday is $10.99 per person with a minimum of 12 children. The parties are 1 ½ hours long and include tablecloths, plates, napkins, and cups with the theme of your choice, a birthday cake with the theme of your choice, helium balloons, an employee to guide the party, the birthday adventure of your choice, food and drink, a birthday T-shirt for the birthday child, a special visit from Geoffrey, and free invitations if you sign up for the wish list gift registry. You can reserve the parties on-line at www.Girafficparty.com.
Accessibility: Automatic opening doors; wide aisles that are easy to get through.
Fun Factor: 7/10
Yum Factor: N/A
Value Factor: 6/10
The Lowdown: A large toy store with a wide selection, now also featuring a small playscape and birthday parties.
Hours: Mon-Sat 10 am. - 9 pm., Sun 11 am. - 7 pm.
Website: http://www.toysrus.com
Address: 4025 Capitol of Texas Hwy, Austin Map: Google Map Phone: (512) 441-7216
Address: 12901 N. I-35, Austin Map: Google Map Phone: (512) 989-6298
Address: 11066 Pecan Park Blvd., Cedar Park Map: Google Map Phone: (512) 336-8697
