Step into Brilliant Sky Toys & Books and discover something different. Discover a retail experience unlike any other, with a focus on enrichment, enlightenment, and enjoyment. Explore an unparalleled spectrum of the finest, most developmentally sound playthings that the world has to offer. Interact with people whose sole mission is not just to satisfy our customers, but delight them. Enjoy our passion for play, our commitment to fun, and our dedication to helping every visitor find their way to play.
Discover, experience, explore, interact, and enjoy. That’s the Brilliant Sky way, and it’s the way to play.
When I was a kid, it was a big deal to go to the toy store. It was an actual, stand alone, brick and mortar store filled with toys and other fun items for kids of all ages. Now, those buildings are few and far between, with more big box stores offering growing aisles of toys amongst clothes, cleaning supplies, and cat food. Or, the frugal shopping experience of online retail, where we usual grab the toy our kids have begged for, without them every knowing until it shows up on the door step.
This is why I’ve fallen head over heels for Brilliant Sky Toys & Books. Founded in 2002 by Brent and Sonia Taylor, the couple had one goal in mind, become the finest upscale specialty store in America. After 10 years in business and with stores now stretching from North Carolina to Colorado and in between, Brilliant Sky Toys & Books has succeeded and surpassed their main goal. The stores are filled with high quality toys and books while making the entire environment inviting, warm, interactive, and safe for children!
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| The Marble Drop |
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| So many figurines, it touches the sky |
I was able to visit a local store in Cary, North Carolina. We had an early morning of taking care of an errand and decided to spur of the moment check out the store. I went back and forth about calling or e-mailing, but felt that spontaneity of a random visit would help me see the store as it truly was.
Our local store has large windows on three sides of the store, with the fourth side attached to another store. I loved how big and bright the store was with so many windows, allowing real sunlight inside instead of relying on fluorescent lights. We were warmly greeted the moment we stepped into the store and after introducing myself, I took awhile to look around. I was amazed. The store immediately felt inviting. There was a toddler running around, pushing a little shopping cart around the store and, unlike most specialty stores where the owner would huff about it, Lori just smiled and told me to look around. I met up with my husband and Sonshine by what we started calling the marble drop.
It was an elaborate building with ramps and holes for kids to drop marbles onto and watch them go around and drop out. We made our way around the perimeter of the store, stopping here and there to check things out and I noticed that, even though there was a lot of toys and books, it never felt cluttered or crowded. If I looked hard enough or not, there was bound to be something perfect for my son there and something for my friend’s three week old who also came with us! There is so much going on in the store, I could stay in there for hours and nobody would get bored!
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| Train table in back of store |
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| Tree house painted wall mural at Brilliant Sky Toys and Books |
I think one of the best features is the bright colors used on the walls. The sections where painted in different, vibrant colors, like pink, blue, and green. Some walls had quotes on them, the simple description of the area, or, my personal favorite, a tree house nestled in branches! It really added a unique and fun touch that can’t be replicated at a big box store!
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| What fun! Make your own lip gloss, lotion, and spa bubbles station! |
Seven distinct toys, ideal for preschoolers to tweens, made this year’s Brilliance Award list and all these toys are available starting at $16.99 and in the Brilliant Sky Toys Books 2012 Holiday catalog. I was able to try out one of these fun toys with my son, the Magic Moves Electric Wand. This toy is perfect for ages 3+ and offers a fun way to burn off energy in doors with the impending winter months! Your child presses the green jewel button and is told an activity to do, a few of our favorites are, “Dive like a dolphin,” and “Hop like a frog,” along to a few seconds of musics and a mini light show. All three of us get up on our feet and play along, it’s a fun, family activity that usually ends in a fit of giggles, especially watching dad “Grow like a pumpkin” only to hear “freeze” in the middle of his performance!
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| Brilliant Sky Toys and Books side window in Cary, NC |
I can’t wait to go back to Brilliant Sky Toys & Books. We’re so lucky to have not one, but two in our area! I can’t wait to see where the open up their next family friendly store, because everyone deserves a bit of brilliance while shopping!
Connect
You can connect with Brilliant Sky Toys & Books on their website and Facebook page
Buy It
You can find a location near you or purchase the Magi Moves Electric Wand online for $19.99
