If the holidays are a happy season for adults, then it's a positively joyous time for kids!

Time with family, festive fun, and wonderful winter experiences will be memories they cherish for a lifetime. And of course, a visit from Santa might be on the table as well. Gifts are exciting at any age, but especially for children!

With this in mind, Canada’s largest specialty toy retailer is taking extra steps make shopping for presents a little bit easier in Toronto. 

Mastermind Toys has launched two pop-up holiday workshops at Union Station and Square One, where families can explore, play, and get their hands on this season’s must-have gifts. On-site experts will help you shop everything from stocking stuffers to the hottest holiday toys, including exciting new brands making their debut throughout the month.

But where to begin? Check out these seven toys, which are generating some serious buzz this season. 

B.Toys Balancing Beams

The floor is lava! This set of eight beams and five stepping stones takes the beloved game to another level while contributing to kids' physical development and motor skills.

Children age three and up will delight in creating endless combinations, navigating the sensory step-stones, and leading imaginary adventures. Plus the stackable design makes storage a breeze. 

MAGNA-TILES microMAGS Travel Set

MAGNA-TILES is behind some of the leading toys in magnetic building, which promote creativity, learning, and development for kids ages three and up. Its new travel set doesn’t disappoint, with portable pieces that are 75% smaller than traditional tiles.

The set is perfectly portable for fun on the go, but don’t worry — they’re still compatible with every other MAGNA-TILES piece on the market. 

Coco Village Educational Tower

This gift is as much for the parents as it is children. Toddlers are all about independence but don’t always have the size and skills necessary to keep up with grownups.

The Coco Village Educational Tower gives them a boost for more freedom and independence in day-to-day life. The design is sturdy and safe for toddlers to climb on and has three height adjustments so that it can grow alongside your child. 

Pinball Machine Maker

Newsflash: Psychics and mechanical engineering can be fun — especially when gumballs are involved! This toy helps kids ages six and up learn about force, motion, collisions, and gravity as they create their own pinball machine design.

The spinners, ring bells, tracks, and bumpers can be reconfigured and moved around for endless fun and creativity!

Melissa & Doug x Ms. Rachel Song Sound Puzzle

Parents, rejoice! Ms. Rachel now has toys. This six-piece puzzle for ages two and up features favourite songs from Ms. Rachel’s popular videos, including Hop Little Bunnies, I’m So Happy, and more.

The puzzle itself is designed by Ms. Rachel and developmental experts to support children through ages and stages, and is FSC-certified, which means it comes from responsibly managed forests to protect future generations.  

Holiday Sleep Set 

New tradition alert: Holiday jammies! The Holiday Sleep Set comes in five festive designs and fits children ages one to six. The organic cotton rib knit offers a snug and stretchy fit, ensuring safety and comfort.

Whether a stocking stuffer on Christmas morning or an early gift to use all December long, you can never go wrong with a good pair of pyjamas. 

Hydraulic Cyborg Hand Building Kit 

For kids 10 and up, this kit is a fascinating and hands-on (pun intended) introduction to engineering.

The Hydraulic Cyborg Hand simulates the movement of the user’s hand by using hydraulic power for mechanical transmission, without electricity. The sizing and fit are adjustable, making it suitable for righties and lefties, as well as children and adults alike. 

Plus, thanks to the Mastermind Promise, gift-giving is a breeze. This includes extended returns until January 15, next-day delivery in major cities, a price match guarantee, and free gift wrapping in-store.  

If you can’t make it to either of the pop-up locations, worry not — there are 48 Mastermind Toys stores across Canada, and online shopping is available 24/7.