Gettin' Geeky

Get ready to start your engines! Volta Racers are gonna be hittin' the shelves soon.  A new innovative toy that teaches your kids…eh em…and you about renewable energy. We all know you will be testing this gadget out. These quirky foam cars use solar energy to take them across just about any terrain. A DIY car kit?! Sweet! 

Volta Racers are a good science lesson in a box. Get this…you get to build a car out of foam, bamboo axels, a solar panel, two terminal clips, foam pieces, straws and your bare hands. Pretty cool, right? You get a little lesson in mechanical engineering and renewable energy technology for a creative challenge. It's a great way to have fun and empower your kids to have a learning experience outside of the classroom. All materials to build these cars are recyclable too. They come in a variety of colors too. I know, it just keeps getting better right? Not too shabby. You get to do something cool, while protecting our environment.

Time for a little fun in the sun. NO BATTERIES INCLUDED OR REQUIRED. Finally, no trips to Costco to buy bulk batteries for these bad boys. They don't need them. Take that Energizer bunny;) Keep your eyes peeled for these educational and entertaining motorcar kits. They will be a hit at your summer bbq!

Suit Up!

Now, we've heard of DIY. This one is known as a DYO or design your own…costume that is. Maybe these will strike you as something out of the 80's. You may think of Tron or Daft Punk. Could go towards the rave parties from the 90's or a science fiction movie. Light Suits have been all the rage on YouTube lately.

Check out these light suits in action.

Looking for a nice way to win the kids over? How about a nice Light Suit party?! Imagine your next birthday party. Everyone shows up in these black jumpsuits with glow sticks on them. The lights go out and the music is pumping. Add roller-skates and you've got yourself a full-fledged Light Suit roller jam. How about a camping trip? How much fun would that be?! Blackout karaoke party? So many possibilities. You can even submit your videos to Light Suits on Facebook and you can become a star. 

Did you know the Blue Man Group used these glow-in-the-dark suits for their performances? Yup. They sure did. I'll bet you wanna run out and get a suit right now. There are even refill packs of glow sticks so you can keep the party glowing;) Check out Light Suits at World of Mirth and don't forget to make videos of how cool you can be with your Light Suit.

Vader: Best dad in the universe?

Father's day is just around the corner. Thinking of getting good ol' dad some bbq tools? How about a nice golf mug or a new fishing rod? This year, give dad something he really wants…something you can both enjoy together! Give the gift of a faraway galaxy. Jeffrey Brown has taken Star Wars to a new and very relatable level. Ever imagine Darth Vader as a normal dad? Nope…us either. You can catch a glimpse in this cool little twist on the Dark Lord of the Sith and classic parenting moments. Star Wars: Darth Vader and Son and Vader's Little Princess  are both hilarious and sweet. See Brown's take on the trials and tribulations of being a parent. Raising a girl is an ordeal, especially for the ruler of a Galactic Empire. Add mood swings, inappropriate outfits and teenage rebellion to the mix and that will surely test Vader's patience. Some sweet father and daughter interactions take place too. How about a tea party?

On the other hand, guiding a young boy into manhood is another challenge of its own. Luke  pushes Vader's boundaries by using "the force" to raid the cookie jar and throws in a little sibling rivalry in to keep things interesting. There are plenty of nice moments between a father and son to be seen too. Can you see The Dark Lord answering questions about the birds and the bees?! Yikes! We'll leave it at that and hope we piqued your interest enough. 

Get your copy of "Darth Vader and Son" or "Vader's Little Princess " in time for Father's Day…or just because;) Dad's love Star Wars and so does World of Mirth! 

GoldieBlox!

We all remember the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears…this a story of GoldieBlox and some innovative learning for girls. Move over bears, this is a story of a girl, her dog Nacho and the construction of a spinning machine. 

GoldieBlox Inc. was started by a female engineer from Stanford University, in 2012. Debbie Sterling wanted to remind the world that engineers are critical to the world economy, earn higher salaries and have greater job security. And they are 89% male. The female perspective plays an important role in how we responsibly build our world's future.

GoldieBlox is all about a female engineer…YAY for the ladies! Her most important job is to be a role model for girls. The world needs more intelligent girls using their amazing minds to create a brighter future. The female perspective is very much needed for many of our world's inventions. We know how to do more than just cook, clean, care for children and shop!

Many top media resources have discovered this innovative toy for girls. It's time to push aside the frilly tutus, princess dolls and typical girl toys, so we can make room           to empower our little ladies to use those big brains.

Here's what is included in the Spinning Machine kit: (Goldie designed it to help Nacho chase his tail)

1 Goldie (brilliant little girl)

1 Nacho (sorry…but Nacho is a dog)

4 friends (Nacho and Goldie's pals)

1 pegboard (sturdy surface for the spinning machine)

5 wheels (not the wheels on the bus)

10 axles (not Gun's N' Roses lead singer)

5 blocks (not city blocks)

5 washers (flat disk used to distribute the load of a threaded fastener)

1 crank (used in mechanical engineering)

ribbon (there has to be one girly element in there;)

Take your little lady to World of Mirth and get her a Spinning Machine. Our future ride may lie in her hands. 

Meet Mirabelle and Mr. Muller May 4th!

Mr. Muller and his wonderful Boston Mirabelle, star of "The Adventures of Mirabelle", will be here this Saturday, May 4th from 12-3! They will be signing books (we have lots!) and helping us collect food for the animals in need at the Richmond Animal Care and Control. So come down, meet a cute pup, and help some local soon to be pets.

Star Wars fans rejoice: later that day, we will be joined by the Dark Side as members of Garrison Tyrannus invade the store from 3-5. Bring some food for the animals, have your picture taken, and see if you can convince them that these are not the droids they are looking for.

May the 4th be with you!!

Do your Legos need a little something extra?

Did you think Legos could get much cooler?! Well, they just did. World of Mirth just got in a few super cool Lego-compatible (not actually made by Lego) items that make your creations even better than you imagined. Wanna light up your cars or buildings? Use these Brick Brites to illuminate your masterpiece. They come in different colors and you can use them with different compatible pieces. Check out the coolness.

Another awesome addition to your Lego doodads…Brick Stix (also not made by Lego, but rather for them;). These stickers come in different scenes. We currently have Comic, Zombie and Town in stock. Dress up your little dudes and theirs things with Brick Stix. Blood-spattered zombies and a town full of signs. How cool is that? Uber cool accessories for your Lego collection. Makes you wanna run over to a friend's house after school, right? Don't miss out. Come to World of Mirth for your Brick Brites and Brick Stix. Everyone is doing it.

Shop Local with your friends!!

Get ready for the mob! No, we don't mean any kind of Italian or Chinese mob…RVA Local Patronage Mob! We've been chosen to be the next local business to get mobbed by this cool and supportive group of people! Tell your friends, tell your neighbors…heck, tell anyone you  want! Thanks to Dixie Donuts, we are number 20 on the mobbed list;) It's going down on March 30th from 10:00am-7:00pm. 

Here's what this organization does:

"We go to a local RVA(Richmond, VA) business (chosen by the previously mobbed locale) on a certain day and give them an extraordinary day of patronage!! That business then gets to choose our next stop. The mobs are every 3 weeks on a Saturday and there is no spending minimum. The next event will always be posted here- make sure you RSVP so we know just how big the mob got! Every ten mobs there will be a "reset" where the mob will start up in a different location (north, south, east, west, downtown) and 'pay it forward' until the next reset!

The idea isn't to mob every store in Richmond, but rather to highlight different businesses and get everyone talking and thinking local! When you spend local, you're helping your neighbor and your city!"

We are honored to be one of the "chosen ones." Don't forget to "like" RVA Local Patronage Mob on Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/RVALocalPatronageMob?fref=ts and RSVP to this fun event. Check your nun chucks and tommy guns at the door and get your shop on at World of Mirth;) Thanks for putting heart back into the community. Remember to shop local.

The Nitty Gritty

We are about to have a wicked little conversation about some pretty cool candles. A Philadelphia-based company, Gritty City makes these amazing soy candles and they are special in more than one way. Don't you despise buying a candle that smells great in the jar or tin, only to find out it doesn't smell quite the same when lit? What a bummer. It's also nice when you don't have to go out and get candle, after candle because they just don't last.

With so many candle companies out there, how can you find one that suits you best? Gritty City has some pretty pleasant scents and they don't scream homemaker. There are even scents for men…you know, to cover up the smell of socks and other stale odors;) The labels are unique and cool. No cheesy floral labels. This company focuses on the Prohibition Era and vintage looks. There will be no peeling off the label to make it look less like a purchase from Bed Bath and Beyond. The graphics and packaging are already pretty hip and you won't feel like "Susie homemaker" leaving your tin on the table.

The number one scent is "The Smelly Dog", and no it doesn't smell like a dog. If you have a dog, it will help relieve you of  odiforous smells that accompany your four-legged friend. It's an odor neutralizer and you'll be glad you found this scent. Other delightfully dapper smells for gents include, "Bathtub Gin", "Bootleggers", Prohibition" and Whiskey Run." Don't worry ladies, there are some pretty fruit and plant-based smells for you too. Try out these Fall smells for instance; "Autumn Apple", "Birch", "Brown Sugar Fig", "Spruce", Winter Holiday" and one for the outdoorsy type…"Campfire."

These sensory pleasers will last up to 100 hours of burn time! They come in 2, 4 and 8oz. tins. They are 100% soy wax, with clean fragrances and essential oils. Each one is hand poured and they make great gifts. It's that time of year, for candles and fall smells. Pick up your Gritty City candles at World of Mirth and have your place smelling so fresh and so clean;)

Lollacups are FINALLY back in stock!

Pssttt….a little birdie told us about these cool little cups a while back. Well…after a 5 month hiatus (see below), they're back at World of Mirth! Lollacups are BPA-free, they have a no-valve system, a weighted straw to make it easy for even younger kids…even if they tilt the cup! 

These aren't your average sippy cup. They have a flexible straw that has a weighted end that anchors it in the liquid, so even a 9 month old can use it.  It's easy to clean and comes with a straw cleaning brush. You can even purchase replacement straws. Now that's a bonus! These whimsical cups are made in the good ol' US of A!

Cheep, cheep…there is nothing cheap about this cup, but it won't test your wallet either. The cute chicken design is fun for kids and it comes in cool colors like bold red, good green, happy orange, and proud purple. There are even two new additions- brave blue and posh pink! Which color suits your little guy or gal?

World of Mirth is a world of whimsy and we will take you to Lollaland! Lollacups are fun and functional and your kids will love them. Pick one up today;) 

Did you see them on Shark Tank? They pitched their cups and WON! That's why they've been gone from our shelves for so long.

Chomp on this!

Chewbeads

So what is it with kids putting everything in their mouths?! They have to taste and feel everything with those little mouths of theirs. It's part of discovering new things and getting used to textures, tastes and just for sensation's sake. 

We all know teething can be quite a challenge for some little guys and gals and it seems we try all of the tricks…from warm washcloths to chilled teething toys, to ointments and over-the-counter medicines. For some, it seems nothing helps. Of course, there are some children who don't seem phased by it at all. Consider yourself lucky if this applies to you, but your little one will still want to chomp on anything and everything. If you have ever had a toothache, you know that putting pressure on the source of the pain helps. Now there is a sassy solution to this dreaded phase.

A very clever mommy took her experience in the jewelry and fashion industry, and created Chewbeads! These non-toxic silicon necklaces and bracelets are just the right thing to keep mommy and baby happy. Moms don't have to skimp on accessories anymore and baby is free to nibble on them. These chic beaded necklaces and bracelets have no detachable parts, so baby can't choke. There is no taste or smell from the materials. The silicon helps keep bacteria at bay and makes for a soft and comfortable chew toy for those newly forming teeth. The best part is, they are dishwasher safe! Woot!

Thank you for creating this stylish jewelry line, that doubles as a soothing mechanism for one of the toughest stages in a young person's life! Moms can still look cute;) With all that being said, you will still wear your newest accessories under those brightly-colored beads….spit up, drool and…well, other not-so-pleasant fluids;) But hey, you'll still look wonderful!

Chewbeads are a fun gift for moms and a necessity for teething babies. Get yours at World of Mirth now! (Most styles in stock as you are reading this!) You too can be as chic as Beverly Hills Nannies' Marika Tsircou. Also featured on the Today show.

Got a box? Make a toy!

Remember the days of playing outside until the sun went down? How about climbing trees, making Barbie beds out of stacked paperbacks and a washcloth? What ever happened to building a fort or playing cops and robbers? Those days of flashlight tag are a distant memory for some of us, as the digital age is taking over. Nowadays, a tin can and some string isn't gonna cut it. 

In this technology-driven world, we have Nintendo DS, iPads, iPods, Wii…you name it! How can anyone compete with that? It's a tough job, but this eco-friendly sticker company Box Play for Kids has figured out a way. They have really used their thinkers and designed an imaginative way to recycle your boxes and turn them into a world of fun for your children. Save those tissue boxes, cereal boxes, mac n' cheese boxes and more…imaginative play is makin' a comeback;)

Don't throw out those toilet paper rolls, empty milk cartons or old shoe boxes! They can delight your child and save you some money. These nifty little stickers transform a blah old box into a camera, a piano, a turntable, a bento box of sushi and more exciting things! They even have small collections of themed stickers, such as Asian and sea life.

What a clever way to reuse and up cycle. These awesome little packs are super economical and you won't stretch your wallet! Yippee for that. Anything helps theses days. There all sorts of designs and no matter what your kid is into, he/she is sure to find something to strike their fancy;) From firetrucks to xylophones, your child will be thrilled to have such an 

awesome new toy.

Listen up kiddos…put down the toy guns, step away from the squawk box and give your parents a break. Turn up the creativity and get ta stickin'! Everybody's doing it. Thanks Box Play for Kids;) 

Now Available at World of Mirth! Get some.

It's Watermelon Time!!!

Howdy folks!

This Saturday, Aug 5th is Watermelon Festival- the largest one day festival on the East Coast.  Come to Carytown and hang out with 100,000 of you best friends.  Enjoy some watermelon, funnel cakes, bands, and more!  We will have the Amazing Jonathan the Juggler performing out front and the lovely ladies of the River City Rollergirls will be painting faces benefiting the Bryan and Kathryn Harvey Family Memorial Endowment.  So what about the deals, you ask?  Boy oh boy, we are having a HUGE sidewalk sale out front that you will not want to miss.  I promise.  See you Sunday!!

ManCans are here!

We are so very honored to be working with ManCans!  The company was started by an 11 year old who thought that there should be some manly scented candles out there.  Glass jars?  NO WAY!  ManCans start out as a can of food bought from a grocery store, donated to a local soup kitchen, cleaned out, and hand poured into a masculine can.  Some people in need get fed, and you end up with an awesome smelling candle.  Ny Pizza, Campfire, Coffee, Dirt, Bacon, Fresh Cut Grass- can you think of a better Father's Day gift?

French Film Festival time!

It's time again for the French Film Festival here in Carytown!  We love to meet all friends and hear their beautiful accents... so much fun.  It's also race day here in RVA, and we wish everyone running the best of luck.  Our very own Stone will be running his first race and then coming into work- is he crazy or what?

And to top it all off, we will have Girl Scouts out front selling their delicious cookies all day Saturday.   Stop by and help support these awesome little ladies.

See you this weekend!

New World of Mirth commercial!

We've been working super hard and we're excited to share it with you!  Be sure to tell us what you think when you stop by this Saturday, Nov 12 for Neighborhood Toy Store Day! 

 Click here to watch!

Neighborhood Toy Store Day!
Join us Saturday, November 12th as we celebrate being your locally owned, independent toy store!  We'll have sweet treats from local baker Hausfrau Cakes, crafts for the kids, giveaways, and lots of fun!  Best of all, a portion of our sales will benefit Art 180, enriching the lives of local kids through art.  It's going to be a blast and we can't wait to see you there!

Come party with us!

Saturday, November 12th is going to be one of the best parties RVA has ever seen.  It's Neighborhood Toy Store Day!  We will have crafts, treats, and much more fun for the whole family.  The best part?  We will donate a portion of our sales that day to ART 180.  You can learn more about them here: art 180.
Stay tuned for more updates!

Back to school!

That wonderful time of year is upon us again- back to school!  We are fully stocked with reuseable, washable sandwich and snack bags, lunch boxes, backpacks, pencils, Japanese erasers, water bottles, and so much more!  We even received another shipment of the ultra cool Mad Pax today... you'll be the coolest (or have the coolest) kid at school with one of these spikey packs.  Don't blend in- stand out!

Watermelon Festival 2011!

WF 2K11 is upon us!  Come see us and 150,000 of your best friends this Sunday, August 7th.  The fun starts at 10 Am and goes all day until 6 PM.  We'll have Jonathan the Juggler, face painting benefiting the  Harvey Foundation done by the lovely River City Rollergirls, and a crazy sale outside.  You won't want to miss it!

New balance bikes!

Love our kid powered plasmacars?  You will adore our new BALANCE BIKES!  Choose red or black, let your 18 month old hop on, and watch them go!  Extra wide wheels provide a a steadier ride.  Holds up to 55 pounds.  Whoo hoo!