7 Go-to Birthday Gifts
W hile it’s easy to shop for your child, it can be tricky to find the perfect birthday gift for their friends or
classmates. Shopping at independent toy stores can make the process easier, says Bridget Stickline,
founder and owner of Wee Chic Boutique, with stores in Maryland and Virginia. Staff at your local toy store
know their products well and can suggest the best gift for each type of kid.
Don’t live near an independent toy store? Here are Stickline’s top picks for birthday gifts.
Jellycat Bashful Elephant
Little kids will love to snuggle with Jellycat’s adorable plush animals, including elephants,
bunnies, dinosaurs and dragons. Ages infant+, $22.50, jellycat.com
Fat Brain Toys InnyBin
This colorful shape-sorting box offers a fun tactile experience as
babies and toddlers experiment and practice their fine motor skills. Ages
6 months+, $24.95, fatbraintoys.com
Tiger Tribe Colouring Set
Available in fun themes like animals, fairies, monsters and sci-fi, each kit
contains activities, coloring pages, stickers and markers in a handy portable
storage box. Ages 4+, $20, amazon.com
Hey Clay
Future animators will get a kick watching their clay creations come to life by snapping a
pic on the Hey Clay app. Ages 6+, $16.95, hey-clay.com
Eonmo Push Pops Bubble Fidget Toy
This bubble wrap-like fidget provides a sensory distraction for
restless kids and helps relieve stress and anxiety. Available in
a range of bright colors and fun shapes. Ages 1+, Prices start at $11.99,
amazon.com Bandai Tamagotchi
Today’s kids will have as much fun feeding, cleaning and
playing with their virtual pet as ’90s kids did back in the day.
New features include an app that lets them connect with their
friends’ Tamagotchi. Ages 8+, $19.99,
bandai.com MindWare Q-Ba-Maze 2.0
Little engineers can create their own intricate mazes with colorful interlocking
cubes, then race steel balls through the routes. Ages 6+, $24.95,
mindware.orientaltrading.com T
— KATIE BEECHER
22 Washington FAMILY MAY 2021
PARTY DIRECTORY
2021 PARTY DIRECTORY
LET’S GET THIS PARTY STARTED!
Whatever you’re celebrating — birthdays, graduations, anniversaries — Washington FAMILY’s Party Directory has all of the
resources you need to make your party memorable. From fantastic locations and party planners to entertainers and musicians, you’re
sure to find that special something to make your virtual or socially distanced in-person party spectacular.
ANIMALS 703-544-9304
Kids go WILD for Reptiles Alive!
Bring our fun, exciting and engaging
live animal show to your next party,
school assembly or special event. Our
20 years of experience in delighting
audiences of all ages guarantees your
event will be a success.
LEESBURG ANIMAL PARK
leesburganimalpark.com admin@leesburganimalpark.com
703-433-0002 19246 James Monroe Highway
Leesburg, VA 20175
Go wild at Leesburg Animal Park!
Enjoy indoor or outdoor party areas,
pony rides, animal petting and feeding,
kids’ play zone and more! Or we can
bring the zoo to you anywhere in the
D.C. metro area.
CAKES, CUPCAKES
& CINNAMON BUNS
CLARK’S ELIOAK FARM
clarklandfarm.com clarkselioakfarm@hotmail.com
410-730-4049 10500 Clarksville Pike (Rte. 108)
Ellicott City, MD 21042
Have a fun petting farm party with
pony rides and a hayride.
SOLSTOCK/E+ PONIES PLUS LLC
poniesplus.org; poniesplus1@msn.com
571-283-2408 12780 Aden Road, Nokesville, VA 20181
Pony rides, petting zoo and ice cream
truck for any occasion. Smiles are our
specialty! REPTILES ALIVE LLC
reptilesalive.com; reptilesalive@gmail.com
CINNAHOLIC – GAITHERSBURG
www.cinnaholicgaithersburg.com 230 Crown Park Ave.
Gaithersburg, MD 20878
301-963-1200 We’re proud to serve “create your
own” cinnamon rolls and other
sweet treats like made-from-scratch
brownies, cookies and edible cookie
dough. All of our products are fresh
baked and 100% vegan, dairy &
lactose-free, egg-free and cholesterol-
free. Contact us for your party’s sweet
treat needs. We can create a custom
cake, cookie platter and much more!
JUST ASK MO CUSTOM CAKES
justaskmo.com justaskmo@gmail.com
703-359-5055 An award-winning boutique bakery
in Fairfax, Virginia, celebrating 10+
Sweet Party
Treats! 230 Crown Park Avenue • Gaithersburg
301-963-1200 @Cinnaholic.Gaithersburg
Mention Washington Family Magazine to
receive 10% Off your entire Catering Order!
CATERING FOR ANY CHILDREN’S PARTY!
Customized Cinnacakes and Wreath Cakes – Bakers’ Box
Old Skool Rolls – Brownie Bites – Assorted Party Platters
Fruit trays – Baby Buns – Cookie Cakes and more!
WashingtonFAMILY.com 23