Rhinoceros on NJ.com

Libraries, toy stores have clubs for kids

By Kelly Roncace/Gloucester County Times

Saturday, October 29, 2011, 5:00 AM

Excerpt:

Rhinoceros Toy Store in Haddonfield offers Lego, Game and Puzzle clubs for children of all ages.

Bernadette May, manager of the family-owned toy shop, said children who join the Lego club are put into groups of no more than six and grouped by age (within two years of each other.)

“When they come in, we all decide on a theme together,” May said. “The groups decide what they want to build, then they all build.”

She said the children are free to create their own structures from the buckets of Lego blocks provided at the store.

“Sometimes they choose a construction site, sometimes a village. Their ideas are amazing,” May said.

The club meets for three continuous weeks. The creations built in each meeting remain on display in the store until the next meeting.

Members of Rhinoceros’ game and puzzle clubs — the cost is $30 a year — can “come in and take games and puzzles home, then bring them back and get new ones,” May said.

Other clubs include Robot Programming, Glass Fusing and the Gamery.

May said groups can also come in and play games by renting a table for four for $10 an hour.

“You can choose games or we can recommend games. And you can switch games during the hour,” she said.