Do you have a dad in your life that is incredibly difficult to buy for? Do you have one of those dads that when they want something they usually just go out and buy it for themselves? Quite often people don’t think of their neighbourhood toy store as a resource for gift ideas for adults but in reality these experts in “fun gift giving” can steer those in search of a unique gift towards tried and true, or novel and hilarious items dad won’t have found himself. Almost every man has that boy inside that needs to be released.
Check out these themes that have proved popular year after year with a few specific examples of top “Big Boy Toys.”
Novelty: Classic tricks and jokes (like the self-inflating whoopee cushion), yo-yos, slinky, milk straws, 
the possibilities are endless and most are under $5 which make a light hearted add-on to a more significant or luxurious (i.e., serious) gift. Moustache sunglasses for the hairless man, one with “Movember” envy, or just going for the laugh at the office.
Brain Teasers and Jigsaw Puzzles: Challenge a genius or novice to countless hours
of testing their own patience and logical thinking with single player brain busters. Ravensburger puzzles, made in Germany, have designs to appeal to dads. The number of pieces you choose would depend on how long he wants to work on it. There are even super size pieces for easier handling and viewing. The Perplexus Epic is a best-selling, award winning, mind twisting challenge for adults.
Active: Get dad outside with friends and family, and not just on the golf course or playing a team sport. It’s just about picnic season and the Stomp Ro
cket for age 16+ is sure to impress with heights well past the top of any neighbour’s house. Pocket Discs can fold up in the pocket or fit nicely in a glove compartment for impromptu games of high flying fun. Only those wearing the special optics will see the steaks of glowing light as the football flies through the air with the Cyber Fire Football!
Board Games for the Group: 
Settlers of Catan, Quirkle, Ticket to Ride are all games that will prove addictive for 4 or more players bringing the family together for quality memory making.
Building and Construction: Lego (especially Star Wars—actually anything Star Wars for that matter), Meccano, and Magformers keep the hands busy and the tinkering mind satisfied not to mention the nostalgia factor.
Office Toys: Sometimes a solitary office or cubicle can get tiresome, but not when
outfitted with the silliest and interactive slingshot monkeys propelled at the unsuspecting, unusual wind-up toys, or an actual Marshmallow Shooter (also great for camping trips). This is the best kind of “office warfare.”
Tickle his silly bone or choose gadgets ‘n gizmos, whatever route taken in the gift selection path the ultimate goal is to bring a smile to the man that means so much in the family. Cheers to all the wonderful dads out there!
‘Toyologists’ are available to personally prescribe custom Father’s Day gift ideas, including details about the above-mentioned toys, at The Village Toy Shop, a member of Neighbourhood Toy Stores of Canada (NETS), located in the quaint, European-style Newport Village of Port Moody, BC. Kirsten Anderson is the original Canadian ‘toyologist,' starting her toy career over 20 years ago. With two active boys under age seven she happily shares her toy-testing duties with the family. You can watch her monthly ‘Toyologist Tips’ interviews on Global Noon News or on the Village Toy Shop YouTube channel.
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