A new toy store in North Central will open up a world of exploration and play with an emphasis on learning for children of all ages and ability levels.
Jenn Mawcinitt of North Central plays with her daughter, Luna. Mawcinitt is opening Wildlings Toy Boutique, a store that will offer a variety of toys aimed at helping children of all abilities learn and have fun (photo by Hannah Shipman Photography).
Wildlings Toy Boutique is expected to open on Saturday, Aug. 21, at 6031 N. 16th St. in the strip mall north of Bethany Home Road that also is home to Artichoke Basille’s Pizza restaurant. Jenn Mawcinitt, a North Central resident, mother of two and former special education teacher, owns the store, along with her husband.
“Our focus is purposeful play, looking at toys that are open-ended with lots of play possibilities and toys that are heirloom quality, things that will last for more than one child,” Mawcinitt said. “We think that there’s toys in our shop to help kids with developmental delays and also for kids who are gifted and talented.”
The boutique will have many puzzles, games, books, wooden toys, robot-building sets, coding toys, as well as science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) kits, boxes of crafts, tummy time toys for babies and other items for youths ages birth through high school. Many of the children’s books address diversity in families, races, cultures and backgrounds.
Mawcinitt previously worked as a director of special education for Vista College Prep charter schools and prior to that worked as a special education teacher for several years in Arkansas and later in the Valley. She and her husband have a son, Easton, who is 3, and daughter, Luna, who is 1.
All the toys and other items in the store can be helpful for children with special needs, including many games that target social-emotional growth. Little Renegades products that aim to help children find stillness and wonder in the present moment are available in the store. Some of the Little Renegades items include Mindful Kids Activity Cards and Mindful Kids Journals.
Children can build their fine motor skills when they build with wooden blocks, as well as magnetic tiles and blocks the boutique carries.
Mawcinitt saw the need for a toy store in North Central.
“There’s lots of great young families,” Mawcinitt said. “There’s also grandparents around. It’s going to be really fun to be an option for families to pick out toys.”
Wildlings Toy Boutique will likely be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Mawcinitt is looking for a few more employees.
To learn more, call 602-882-5456 or visit https://wildlingstoys.com.
