Hop on over to Doodlehopper 4 Kids for great holiday gifts

Doodlehopper 4 Kids is one of those fun, original, neighborhood toy stores that you need to make a point of going to rather than just expecting to casually bump into one day. I don't know how many times I had passed the sign along the Fairfax County Parkway while zooming toward Dulles Airport and thought to myself, "One day, I really should stop there...".  Finally, this week, a friend suggested a playgroup outing to a nearby park and a subsequent visit to the toy store. My chance had arrived!

Located inside of a small, quiet mall in a shopping center in Springfield, Va., Doodlehopper 4 Kids is a welcome relief for parents who are turned off by the larger chain toy stores.  While our kids occupied themselves at the train table, we moms scouted around for baby gifts and holiday presents.

The 16-year-old store offers a variety of toys, books, baby gifts and clothing. Some of the items that caught my eye included the Bamboo E-Racers... funkily designed, brightly colored racecars made out of bamboo; the Chalet Dollhouse with Furniture, comprised of two wooden units that can be arranged however desired; and the super fun-looking Fropper, a preschool-age vehicle which glides & hops, and can be folded up for easy transport. 

Granted, some of the store's offerings are pricey; however, they also sell a number of smaller ticket items, and there are coupons on the store's Web site, www.doodlehopper.com/.  The staff is friendly and helpful, and they provide free gift wrapping.

While you're in the area, if you happen to have your kids in tow, you also might want to hop on over to the Dorothy Lane playground at Huntsman Park. Surrounded by woods, it's a secluded little play area with two climbing structures and swings, and there's a footpath leading down to a lake. 

 

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