Aldea Niños, our favorite Mission toy shop, is so ready for the holidays you could shop blindfolded and still wind up with the happiest kids on the block. But if you do decide to peek, here are our favorite finds.
Tegu Tints 26-Piece Discovery Set, $60
Give little builders the candy-colored wooden block set, and they’ll beg to stay up late. Hidden magnets lend smooth cubes and planks the creative potential of Legos.
Rubbabu Original Mascot Car, $12
If you’re dreading the imminent request for your car keys, hand over a smooth-traveling, natural latex ride. The squishy set of first wheels is huggable, easy to grasp, and safe to chew on.
EdToy Magnetic Dinosaurs, $20
Each smiling, six-piece creature is both an action figure and a block set that snaps together with clicky, rotating magnets. Beware: Dino lovers with evermore nimble fingers will want to collect all four.
Diggin Active Box Set, $40
Stop circling the block ad infinitum. The clever carry box unfolds to form a wooden garage complete with a ramp, track, and three zooming cars.
Seedling Design-Your-Own Block Puzzle Set, $40
Wooden cubes are the canvas, paints and colored pencils are the medium, and the finished product is a puzzle to solve, rather than another picture to trash.
Aldea Niños, 1017 Valencia Street, between 21st and 22nd Streets (415-874-9520 or aldeababy.com).
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SWOON
African-American Shakespeare Company’s Cinderella
What: The old tale gets a refreshing update.
Why: A fairy-tale princess you can get behind.
When: Thru Dec. 18. Fri. & Sun., 8 p.m.; Sat., 3 & 8 p.m.
Where: African-American Art & Culture Complex, Buriel Clay Theater, 762 Fulton St., b/t Webster & Buchanan Sts. Tickets ($10-$35) at 800-838-3006 or online at brownpapertickets.com.
HEAR
Deck the Hall Children’s Holiday Concert and Party
What: Symphony musicians delight little pitchers (ages 3-10) with holiday hooks, then put on a postshow party in the lobby.
Why: Jingle all the way.
When: Sun., 11 a.m. & 3 p.m.
Where: Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Ave., b/t Hayes & Grove Sts. Tickets at 415-864-6000 or online at sfsymphony.org. Adults and children, $36-$50.
AMBLE
Union Street Fantasy of Lights
What: The shopping row gets festive with cupcake decorating, juggling, and visits with the snow queen.
Why: Errands and entertainment rolled into one.
When: Sat., 3-7 p.m.
Where: Union St., b/t Van Ness Ave. & Steiner St.; Fillmore St., b/t Union & Lombard Sts.
Photos: Courtesy of Aldea Niños; Courtesy of Manhattan Toy
