What’s up:

December 2025

Sunday Dec 21st 10 am – 4 pm at the Railyards Holiday Market in Barelas (NOT at Color Wheel Toys): Free trinket swap! Bring your bits and bobs and trade them for treasures. Trinkets are defined as little thingies that would fit inside the cup of a muffin tin. See you at the Railyards!

Saturday December 20th 11am – 1 pm: Featured kid artists on our patio will have crafty handmade items for sale. Visit with Holly, Isiah, Estelle and Maddie.

Saturday Dec 13 & Sunday December 14th 11 am – 1 pm: Featured kid artists take over our patio with their nifty handmade goods.

Sat 12/13: Alfred, Naomi, Alice, Iris, Amirah & Jaeda.

Sun 12/14: Jake, Piper, Raelynn, Rhett, Rosie and Quincy.

Sunday Dec 7th 11 am – 1 pm: Check out handmade arts and crafts by Ebba, Dash, Emma and Iris!

Sunday Dec 7th 11 am – 1 pm: Woz Flint brings her typewriter skills to the Color Wheel Toys patio. Pay her what she’s worth – she’ll help you get a complete holiday greeting in the mail, stamps and all, in a jiffy. How analog!

Saturday Dec 6th 11 am – 1 pm: Jodie Casper brings her art to the Color Wheel Toys patio, and we’re hosting a pop-up sale of Pop-Up Books from Libros for Kids! Get your kid aged 0-5 signed up for free books provided by Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, too (administered in NM by Libros for Kids).

November 2025

Tues 11/25 and Wed 11/26, 10 am – 6 pm while supplies last: Be kind – leave a scarf for others to find. Kids ages 3 – 18 are encouraged to choose a free scarf from our basket, add a design or personalized message to the tag and then take the scarf with them and put it somewhere in Albuquerque where someone who needs it will find it. You can stop by Color Wheel Toys between 10 am and 6 pm to do this. Plan on 5 – 10 minutes to get a scarf ready for community delivery.

Tuesday Nov 25th and Wednesday Nov 26th: FREE make and take fall beaded necklaces. Drop in between 10 am and 4 pm in our workspace and practice your stringing skills. Does Aunt Jenny need an amazing necklace to wear to Thanksgiving? How about your wacky neighbor Mike? This is your opportunity to make one! This make and take is for people ages 3 and up, due to small parts and the fine motor skills needed to complete the project.

Nov 20th and 21st 10 am – 6 pm: Make a fall garland! This free activity is best for people ages 4 to adult. Use brads to join wooden sticks together with faux fall leaves, then hang it over a doorway, the kitchen sink, on the porch or above a mantle. Super cute and makes a nice gift for a friend, neighbor or teacher. 🙂 Drop in & plan on about 15 minutes to complete your craft.

October 2025

Sat Oct 25th 11 am – 2 pm: Free Make and Take Glow in the Dark Necklaces. This free craft is best for people 3- adult, due to the required fine motor skills and choking hazard situation. Get ready for spooky times with your new cool jewelry!

Wed Oct 15- Sat Oct 18, 10 am – 5 pm – stop by and choose a birthday gift from us to you! We’ll have a basket of free craft kits up by the register – just ask to choose one to get creative. One per person ages 5 +, no purchase needed.

Sat Oct 11th 10 am – 12 pm: Trinket Swap Part 5! Trade your bits, bobs, trifles and treasures for novel trinkets from our stash. Bring things that are tiny (we’re using “does it fit in a muffin tin cup?”) and trade and collect more. No bag or container? We’ll get you one. This free event is best for people ages 3 – adult as things are tiny and have the potential to get stuck up a toddler’s nose.

Sat Oct 4th 12 pm – 2 pm: Crafternoon! Free arty and crafty activities. This FREE event is for people 3 – adult; people younger than 8 might need extra help from their grown-up. Visit our indoor workspace and the shaded patio & get creative!

September 2025

Sat Sept 27th 11 am – 2 pm: Make a DIY Beaded Octopus! Use wire, beads, a cork and more to make a super groovy little buddy for yourself or to give as a gift. The free event is best for ages 8 – adult but patient younger people can work as a team with an adult. Plan on 30 minutes to make your octopus.

Sun Sept 21st 11 am – 1 pm: Become the Art Face Painting! Free fun for people ages 3 – adult. Our neighbor House of Epo Salon is on the North Valley Studio tour, and will be hosting several fine artists on our shared covered patio. We will be painting faces, arms or legs to match the abstract art of Susanna Chavez (or you can be a tiger or whatever). Free!

Wed 9/17 – Sat 9/20 during store hours : Help us create an art installation full of critters with googly eyes! Collage your art and take it home or add it to our workspace gallery. This free project is good for people ages 3 – adult.

Sat Sept 13th 10 am – 12 pm: Trinket Swap Part 4! Trade your bits, bobs, trifles and treasures for novel trinkets from our stash. Bring things that are tiny (we’re using “does it fit in a muffin tin cup?”) and trade and collect more. No bag or container? We’ll get you one. This free event is best for people ages 3 – adult as things are tiny and have the potential to get stuck up a toddler’s nose.

August 2025

Sat 8/30 10 am – 1 pm, ages 4+: Channel the music video for the Muppets singing Kokomo! Make a felt puppet, string a lei and combine them for a tropical & zany crafting experience. Only want to make one of the two? No problem. This fun free event is best for ages 4+ due to fine motor skills required and use of a low temp hot glue gun.

Sat 8/23 10 am – 12 pm, all ages: Oh yeah, it’s really here: the Fire Truck from Station 30 is coming to visit our parking lot, perhaps bringing its friend & coworker Ambulance! Stop by the Color Wheel Toys parking lot Saturday Aug 23rd between 10 am and 12 pm. Chat with the Bernalillo County Fire Department employees and sit inside the fire truck – a thrill. Please note: the truck may have to leave before 12 pm if they need to respond to an emergency.

July 2025

Saturday July 26th 10 am – 12 pm: Trinket Swap III – The Swappening! Trade your bits, bobs, trifles and treasures for novel trinkets from our stash. Bring things that are tiny (we’re using “does it fit in a muffin tin cup?”) and trade and collect more. No bag or container? We’ll get you one. This event is best for people ages 4 – adult as things are tiny and have the potential to get stuck up a toddler’s nose.

Wednesday July 23rd from 10 am – 1 pm: Free make and take in celebration of lavender harvest in Los Ranchos! Best for ages 5 – adult due to the fine motor skills involved: use ice cream sticks, brads and paint to make a cute wooden floral garland.

Thursday July 17th and Friday July 18th 10 am – 4 pm: Drop in and make purple torn fabric fairy crowns to celebrate lavender harvest season in Los Ranchos. You’ll be tying lots of basic knots to attach the fabric, so it’s best for ages 5+ but parents can works as a team with kids who might need help. These crowns are for all ages, so adults can make one too to celebrate the season. See you soon!

Wed July 9th – Sat July 12th: Hang Ten at Tingley Beach! Crafts from the shoreline it seems like ABQ might have but honestly, don’t go in the water, let the fish swim in peace.

Wed 7/9 11 am – 1 pm Ocean Sensory Bottles – all ages

Thurs 7/10 1:30 pm – 3 pm String a Lei ages 3+

Friday 7/11 11 am – 1 pm Sun Prints – all ages

Saturday 7/12 11:30 am – 2 pm Mini Beaded Octopus ages 8-adult

Sunday July 6th, 11 am – 2 pm: Sunday Funday! Make a DIY fridge magnet with markers and stickers. Use our giant bubble making tools to make huge bubbles outside in the swale by the shop, and choose a free make and take craft kit to keep the fun going at home. The crafts are best for people ages 4+ but the bubble making is fun for all ages.

Wed – Fri July 2nd – 4th , 10 am – 2 pm: Bead a free red, white and blue necklace to wear to your July 4th festivities. This drop in activity makes a great play date ! Best for people ages 3 – up due to small parts and required fine motor skills.

June 2025

Saturday June 28th 10 am – 1 pm: Trade your bits, bobs, trifles and treasures for novel trinkets from our stash! Bring things that are tiny (we’re using “does it fit in a muffin tin cup?”) and trade and collect more. No bag or container? We’ll get you one. This event is best for people ages 4 – adult as things are tiny and have the potential to get stuck up a toddler’s nose.

Friday June 27th 10 am – 1 pm: Free felt puppet make and take. Ages 4- adult; people ages 4-8 can work as a team with their grownup. Drop in between 10 am finishing by 1 pm. Our workspace holds 8 puppet makers at a time; you may experience a wait but you can play on the patio while we hold your spot. We will be using super low temp hot glue guns to add leather, fabric, yarn and more to your puppet to make it personal and hilarious.

Wed – Sat June 18th – 21st 10 am – 3 pm: Weave on the patio, weave in the workspace, take a free weaving kit to keep the warp and weft going at home or on the road! This free activity is best for people ages 2 to adult.

Wednesday June 11th – Saturday June 14th 10 am – 4 pm : Freestyle Magnetic Tiles! Free; all ages. Come play with hundreds and hundreds of magnetic tiles in new and creative ways on our shaded play patio.

Sunday June 8th from 12 pm – 3 pm; Sunday Funday featuring Stuffed Animal Surgery with Scattered Light Stitchery! Bring your own plush “patient” and learn to repair them, or practice on one of our stuffed surgical candidates. Included as always: Set up & putt DIY mini golf holes, plus bonus patio crafting option. Best for people ages 4 and up.

May 2025

Fri May 30 & Sat May 31 11 am – 3 pm: Free Friendship Bracelet Fiesta. Make 3 kinds of easy friendship bracelets (we’ll have helpful instructions and provide support) and take home a bonus kit to make a 4th kind, too. This event is best for people ages 5 to adult. Drop by our patio and workspace and prepare to befriend yourself or make some cool bracelets for awesome folks in your life.

Sat May 24th 10 am – finishing by 3 pm: Free felt puppet make and take. Ages 4- adult; people ages 4-8 can work as a team with their grownup. Drop in between 10 am finishing by 3 pm. Our workspace holds 8 puppet makers at a time; you may experience a wait but you can play on the patio while we hold your spot. We will be using super low temp hot glue guns to add leather, fabric, yarn and more to your puppet to make it personal and hilarious.

Sunday May 11th 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm: Sunday Funday featuring a Trinket Swap! Are you a magpie with an eye for shiny things? Are you trying to train the crows in your yard to bring you bottle caps and candy wrappers in exchange for mealworms? We feel you. The Extra Sauce at our next Sunday Funday is a trinket swap! People ages 3 – adult (sorry toddlers, but trinkets are inherently choking hazards) can bring various bits and bobs and exchange them for premium treasures from other collectors. For the purpose of this swap, we are classifying trinkets as items that could fit into the cup of a muffin tin. 

Sat May 3 10:15 am – 12:00 pm: Come see the Waste Management Garbage truck close up and personally. They’re sending the newest truck in their fleet for us to ooh and ahh over, and chat with the friendly driver. Free, all ages fun for trash truck lovers in ABQ!

April 2025

Wed 4/16 – Sat 4/26 during store hours : Help us create an art installation full of critters with googly eyes! Collage your art and take it home or add it to our workspace gallery. This project is good for people ages 2 – adult. Closed Sun 4/20 for Easter!

Sunday April 6th 12 pm – 3 pm: drop in for Sunday Funday! Free fun at Color Wheel Toys – set up and test DIY Mini Golf on the patio, make a free craft in the workspace, and get your face painted! Sunday Funday is best for people ages 3 – adult.

March 2025

Sunday 3/30 11 am – 4 pm : Kids ages 4 -1 8 can pick up a free pack of snap gum for pranking – no purchase required.

Wed 3/19 – Sat 3/22 10 am – 4 pm: make THE MOST BEAUTIFUL THING, free by appointment. This three dimensional art project is for people ages 4 to adult – make a ½ hour reservation by texting 505-999-7489 or emailing colorwheeltoysabq@gmail.com . You will be using a low temp hot glue gun to add to your sculpture, so people under the age of 12 need a guardian with them in the workspace while they work. 

Choose a beautiful golden sculpture starter, then decide what to add from our treasure shelf to make it The Most Beautiful Thing. Keep it to admire or give to someone who craves artistic beauty! 

Wednesday 3/12 10am – 5pm until we run out several days later: Lucky Coin giveaway ! Choose a free beautiful lucky coin from somewhere in the world at the register – no purchase required. This giveaway is for people ages 3 – 18, one coin per person. 

February 2025

Wednesday 2/26 and Thursday 2/27 10 am – 4 pm: drop in to make FREE Mardi Gras masks and necklaces. Get yourself accessorized for Mardi Gras! You will be applying stickers and stringing beads, so this event is geared towards kids ages 4 – 10 due to needed fine motor skills and potential choking hazards. 

Sat Feb 22nd 10 am – 4 pm : FREE DIY Notebook Design – stick all sorts of stickers on the front of a spiral notebook to make a super perfect journal, sketchbook, or fill with lists of everything you can imagine. Ages 3 to adult. Drop by with plans of about 15-20 minutes to decorate your notebook cover. 

Wed Feb 5 – Sat Feb 8 from 10 am – 4 pm: Free Giant DIY Valentine making in our workspace – decorate a huge cardboard heart with fancy supplies for someone you love! Best for ages 3+. Drop in, read the guidelines, and get working on your cool project. 🙂

January 2025

Fri 1/31 and Sat 2/1 10 am – 4 pm: FREE make and take Valentine beaded necklaces. Plan on about 15 minutes to make a fancy beaded necklace for yourself or your Valentine with colorful beads and cord. This easy activity is best for ages 3+ due to small parts and the fine motor skills needed to make the project. Schedule a play date with a friend and swing on by to get crafty!

Sun Jan 26th 11am – 2pm: Stitch felt hearts onto a dishtowel. This FREE project is best for ages 5 – adult. No sewing experience needed but some stamina to sit & sew for about 20 minutes would be ideal. We’ll help you get started and give you tips if sewing isn’t in your skill set – it’s a fun and easy way to learn or practice.

Sat Jan 18th 11:30-2:30– Aquarellum Paint Party. This free event is for ages 5- adult. Plan on 20 minutes to make your fancy artwork. Drop in and try something new!

December 2024

Sat Dec 7th and Sun Dec 8th: It’s the North Valley Holiday Stop and Shop! Visit us and tons of other cool small businesses in the North Valley for fun deals and a festive atmosphere. Our special deal is a free holiday craft kit – just ask for one at the front counter. 🙂 Click HERE to find a map and list of participating businesses.

November 2024

Tuesday Nov 26th and Wednesday Nov 27th: FREE make and take fall beaded necklaces! Drop in between 10 am and 6 pm in our workspace and practice your stringing skills. Does Aunt Jenny need an amazing necklace to wear to Thanksgiving? This is your opportunity to make her one! This make and take is for people ages 3 and up, due to small parts and the fine motor skills needed to complete the project.

KIDMART runs through Sunday Nov 24th – stop by and appreciate the range of skills and entrepreneurship on display from local kids! The pop up shop is located in our workspace and matches our business hours.

October 2024

Sunday October 27th 11 am – 3 pm: Spooky Crafternoon by Appointment: Fine motor skills fun at Color Wheel Toys! This free drop in event will offer 3-4 different gently spooky crafts to try – do one or make them all depending on time and interest. Email us at colorwheeltoysabq@gmail.com to reserve your spots for up to three kids ages 3+.

Saturday Oct 5th : Festivities on 4th! Join 9 North Fourth Businesses for deals and promos after you see the balloons go up. Here’s the list of hours and what’s happening. Tell a friend and enjoy cruising 4th!

September 2024

Welcome to… Jurassic Porch! Lol we’re having lots of dinosaur sensory bins on our patio Wed- Sun 9/25 – 9/29. The FREE dino activities will be available 10-5 Wed- Sat and 11-3 Sun.

All ages and abilities can help design dinosaur environments, stage epic battles, migrations, family dramas and who knows what else with dozens and dozens of dinosaurs.

We are having a free special dinosaur themed sensory/calm bottle making activity for all ages Sat 9/28 from 10:30 am – 12:30 pm.

Sunday 9/22 11 am – 1 pm: Clay Play featuring clay and expertise from NM Clay. This FREE all ages event will have space to learn to build coil and slab forms for ages 4 – adult (take them home to air dry to enjoy!) and a smoosh and poke area for clay exploration for little ones. Clay is technically just dirt so dress to get a little messy. See you on the shaded patio! 🙂

Saturday 9/14 10 am – 5 pm – drop in shiny beaded necklace making! This FREE event is for people ages 3+. You’ll choose the fanciest, most shiny beads to make your necklace. Keep it for yourself or give it as a gift! Stop by between 10 and 5 to get crafting.

August 2024

Wed 8/28 -Fri 8/30 10 am – 4 pm: Train Town! This free all ages drop-in event in our workspace features many low tables full of wood train track and accessories to build, drive, rearrange and choo choo to your heart’s desire. Stop by and keep the end of August on track with your local train lover.

Saturday August 24th from 10:30 – 12:30: Cheater Tie Dye! Bring a white or light colored cotton garment or piece of fabric (it can have printing on it) and we’ll help you learn cool tying techniques & use diluted acrylic paint to make a no-rinse tie dye item outdoors in front of Color Wheel Toys! You will let it dry at home and iron it or put it in a hot dryer to set your design. Due to the patience and fine motor skills required, this event is ages 4 to adult. Plan on 15-20 minutes to make your item during the free drop-in event. 

Sunday August 18th 1 pm – 3 pm: It’s Crafternoon!
We’ll have 3-4 different crafts out for people ages 3+ to try out and enjoy. This FREE event has been so popular that we now require sign up via email – super simple, just email us at colorwheeltoysabq@gmail.com and let us know you’d like to reserve a spot for 1, 2, or 3 kids over the age of three. This allows us to make sure we have enough space and materials for everyone who signs up. We’ll reply back to let you know you’re on the list or if the event is full. 🙂

Sticker Spree! Five days of sticker fun starting Wednesday July 31 and finishing Sunday August 4 during shop hours (Wed-Sat 10-5, Sun 11-3). Do you love sticking stickers? Do you sometimes want to stick them to things where you know you probably shouldn’t? We’ve got lots of wacky items like a mailbox, big yellow boots, a lamp and a globe – come cover them with stickers. This FREE event is for any age of person who likes to peel and stick stickers. Help us turn our workspace into a sticker wonderland!

July 2024

Sunday July 21 from 11 am – 1 pm : Cheater Tie Dye! Bring a white or light colored cotton garment or piece of fabric (it can have printing on it) and we’ll help you learn cool tying techniques & use diluted acrylic paint to make a no-rinse tie dye item outdoors in front of Color Wheel Toys! You will let it dry at home and iron it or put it in a hot dryer to set your design. Due to the patience and fine motor skills required, this event is ages 7 to adult. Plan on 15-20 minutes to make your item during the free drop-in event. 

We’re celebrating Lavender Fest in the Village of Los Ranchos ! Activities will include

Thurs and Fri July 18 & 19, drop in between 10 am – 4 pm – torn fabric purple fairy crowns ages 5 – adult. Prepare to make lots of simple knots; plan on about 20 minutes to make your crown.

Saturday July 13 from 12 pm  –  2 pm: botanical sun prints  – all ages 

Friday July 12 , drop in 10 am – 5 pm DIY lavender sachets  – best for ages 3 – adult

Sat July 6th 12 pm – 2 pm: Free bubble fun for all ages on our covered play patio! Test out different bubble devices and make a free magical multi bubble blower to take home.

June 2024

Saturday June 29th 10 am – 12 pm : Packing Peanut Palooza! Use cornstarch eco packing materials to build and experiment in different ways. Need a bag to take home to continue the fun? Just ask, no charge! This free event is fun for all ages.

Wednesday June 26 from noon- 2 pm : Crazy Mobiles! This free make and take is for people ages 3 to adult. Use a branch, poke wire through the holes and then string on lots of interesting bits that will bob and weave in the wind.

Sat June 22nd 11:30 am – 1:30 pm: Patio Printmaking! Join us for free make and take prints on our covered patio. Make a design and then use washable ink to print your plate a few times or a bajillion!

Wednesday June 19th 12 pm – 3 pm: It’s Crafternoon!
We’ll have 3-4 different crafts out for people ages 3+ to try out and enjoy. Adults can get crafty, too. It’s free and fun – see you soon.

Plant a Shoe (how silly!) Sat June 8th noon-2: This free event is open to all ages of people. Bring your own gently used shoe (bigger sizes work better, no baby shoes) or use one from our stash! We’ll provide soil and plants – you do the dirty work and get your planted shoe ready for the road. Makes a super silly gift or whimsical addition to your garden, balcony, front step or windowsill. One planted shoe per participant, please.

Saturday June 1st 11 am – 2 pm : Read with a bird! This all ages event is brought to you by Birds of a Feather Parrot Rescue of New Mexico. Story times are at 11 am, 12 pm and 1 pm with a suggested donation of $5 per family to help provide supplies and vet care for the birds they take in. There will be a contained domesticated parrot on hand for visiting with close-up and personal and the volunteers from the organization will answer all your bird questions! Enjoy a free make and take bird craft in our workshop space if you want to keep the fun going. Want to help the birds? Bring a donation of tp/paper towel tubes, popsicle sticks, or foam pool noodles – the bird rescue uses those items a lot!

May 2024

Saturday May 18th  10 am – 5 pm and Sunday May 19th 11 am – 3 pm : Do you love stringing beads? We’re hosting free beaded necklace making in our workspace all weekend long! Enjoy making a wild and wacky beaded necklace to wear or give as a gift. Best for ages 3+ as it involves small parts, of course. 

Saturday May 11th between 11 am and 1 pm: Field Trip time! Head over to the Wheels Museum to make a free CD spinner with Color Wheel Toys. Enjoy everything with wheels in the museum and cap off your visit by making a free CD spinner to keep the fun spinning at home. Admission to the Wheels Museum is free.

Sunday May 5th 12 pm, 1 pm and 2 pm : This FREE event requires reservations! Email colorwheeltoysabq@gmail.com and let us know if you are bringing one or two kids, and which session you’d prefer. Sessions are limited to 6 kids ages 4-12 and their grown ups. This would make a great Mother’s Day gift – just sayin’. Poke your flower in a potted plant, or display in a bottle etc. We’ll spread the word when it’s all booked up.

April 2024

April 24-27 10 am – 5 pm and Sun April 28 11 am – 3 pm: It’s Everybody’s Birthday! “Hey, my birthday is in November” you say. Not in late April – it s everyone’ birthday all week. Drop in and create birthday cards and decor for kids celebrating their birthdays while in foster care, choose a mini gift from our birthday basket, ask us to sing or play you the birthday song, and blow out a real candle to make a wish! We’re celebrating to help out New Mexico Friends of Foster Children.

Sat April 20 and Sun April 21 from 12 pm – 2 pm : It’s Crafternoon – fine motor skills fun at Color Wheel Toys. This free event is for people ages 3 and up! Drop in for 3-4 different crafts to try – do one or make them all depending on time and interest.

Friday April 5th 11 am – 2 pm: design your own FREE 2-D dragon! Separate perforated shapes and use double stick adhesive to create a cool dragon. Add a few jewels to make it really fancy! Best for ages 5+ as this requires a bit of patience and fine motor skills.

March 2024

Fri 3/29 and Sat 3/30 11 am – 4 pm: drop in leather scrap collages! This activity is best for people ages 3 through adult. You’ll use colorful scraps of leather and mount them on matboard with glue sticks to make a great piece of art. This FREE activity is offered on a drop in basis. Plan on about 20-30 minutes to make your nifty project!

Wed, Thurs & Fri March 3/27-3/29 – people ages 4-18 can stop by Color Wheel Toys 10-5 and request a free prank – we’ll give you a pack of Snap Gum to trick friends on Monday, 4/1 for April Fools! Limit one per kid ages 4-18 – just ask at the register and enjoy the lols. Disclaimer: don’t worry, this prank doesn’t really hurt, it’s more of a surprise snap, not a painful pinch or shock.

Sat March 23 12:00 – 2:00 pm Aquarellum Paint Party! Use liquid watercolors to paint on specially treated watercolor paper to make fancy artwork. This free activity is best for people aged 5 and older due to the patience and fine motor skills involved. Make a masterpiece or two!

February 2024

Sat Feb 24th 11 am -2 pm: Perler Bead Party! Stop by between 11 am and 2 pm – plan on about 20 minutes to complete your free project. Place beads on a grid and we’ll melt them in place to preserve your design. Best for ages 4+ – adult.

Fri Feb 9th & Sat Feb 10th 10:30 – 4:30:  Free Giant DIY Valentine making in our workspace – decorate a huge cardboard heart with fancy supplies  for someone you love! Best for ages 3+.

Sunday Feb 4th 1:00pm - 2:00 pm: Field Trip! Meet at Blackbird Coffee House in Old Town at 1 pm to go on a texture rubbing journey all around Old Town. We’ll provide the materials, just show up for this free event.

January 2024

Saturday Jan 27th 12:00 – 2:00 : Stitch felt hearts on a dishtowel! Free project best for people ages 5 – adult. No sewing experience needed but some stamina to sit and work for about 20 minutes would be best.

Saturday Jan 13th 11:30- 2:30 : Shrinky Dink Shindig! Stop by and make art that shrinks in our lil oven. Turn your art into a necklace, keychain, zipper pull or sun catcher. Free fun, best for ages 4+.

Saturday Dec 30 – Sunday Jan 7 (we’re closed Mon Jan 1st) - help us build a cardboard town in our workspace! We’ll color in roads and city features, and decorate small boxes to build houses and everything else a city needs. We’ll also have a cardboard structure on our porch to play with, add to and decorate. This activity is good for all ages and is available anytime during shop hours (10-5 Tues- Sat, 11-3 Sun).

December 2023

Free DIY Gift Wrap Station all December long! Plenty of complimentary supplies to wrap your nifty gifties. Kids especially love creatively wrapping gifts for cousins, siblings and friends. Available during open store days/hours.

Sat 12/2 and Sun 12/3 Color Wheel Toys will be participating in the North Valley Stop and Shop! We’ll be open 10-6 on Saturday and 11-4 Sunday. We have festive holiday necklace kits or winter memory card games to give away to the first 40 people to request one! We also have our free DIY gift wrap station set up – bring any goodies you have purchase from our North Valley buddies and wrap them up, too. Enter to win a goodie basket at the front counter – see you next weekend!

November 2023

Kidical Mass ABQ Family Bike Ride Sat Nov 18th 9:30 am at Hartnett Park

KIDMART Nov 1-22

November is Neighborhood Toy Store Month ! It’s a celebration of the small toy stores all around the US that have a unique selection of interesting, classic and unusual toys, and we’re proud to be Albuquerque’s only independently owned toy store. We’re celebrating all month long . Stop by any time during business hours and pick up a free craft kit for kids 4+ – our way of saying thanks for seeking out your local shop ! No purchase needed.

October 2023

Free make and take Glowing Necklace: Friday 10/27 and Saturday 10/28 10-5 and Sunday 10/29 11-3. Drop in any time during store hours during this time and make a free glow in the dark necklace! This project is best for people ages 3+ due to the fine motor skills involved and the potential choking hazard.

Paint a Pumpkin Sat 10/21 11:30 – 1:30 on the Color Wheel Covered Patio. Use tempera paint and oil pastels to create a cardboard pumpkin masterpiece! Choose a big flat pumpkin shape, paint it to look realistic or crazy, add a stem and take it with you – for free! Best for people ages 2+.

Free Make and Take NM Balloon Fiesta Pennant Garland! Oct 7th – Oct 15th during store hours in our workspace. Plan on 15 minutes to make your project – people ages 9+ can work independently, 8 and under can work as a team with an adult. This is an all ages activity, you don’t have to be a kid to get in on the fun!

Festivities on Fourth – Sat Oct 7. Join 12 businesses on 4th St in the Village of Los Ranchos in celebrating the first weekend of Balloon Fiesta with special deals, freebies and happenings. Free eclipse glasses to use 10/14 during the solar eclipse for the first customers at participating businesses!

September 2023

Friday 9/29 2 pm – 5 pm and Sat 9/30 10 am – 2 pm: Costume Swap!

Sat 9/23 10am – 5 pm and Sun 9/24 11 am – 3 pm Drop in and make a cute fall necklace! Keep it for yourself or make a gift for a fave grandparent, neighbor, or the garbage truck driver. This is best for kids ages 3 and up due to the beads being a potential choking hazard. No purchase needed or expected.

Saturday September 16th 10 am – 12 pm : Sensory Celebration ! Fun and free for all ages & abilities. Make squishy play dough, create a calming sensory bottle, enjoy The Carnival of Smells, and more.

Saturday September 9th 11 am- 1pm : Giant bubble making! Use our special paired sticks and bubble solution to make huge bubbles. Want to continue the fun at home? Make a free bubble wand to take home in our workshop space – use with whatever bubble solution you have on hand.

August 2023

Saturday August 26th 11 am – 2 pm : make art with colorful leather scraps! We’ll have everything you need to make a colorful plant design, but if you want to make your own design, that’s ok too. We’ll use glue sticks to mount the art on bold mat board pieces – it will make great art for your own space or to give as a gift to a favorite neighbor, relative or educator.  This FREE make and take is best for ages 4+. Plan on about 20 minutes to make your fancy project. 

Saturday August 19th 12pm – 2 pm : Free shrinky dink make and take! Color on the plastic, then we’ll shrink it right before your eyes. Let it cool and then make it into a necklace, key chain or zipper pull for your fave jacket or bag. Make your own design or trace something cool. Best for ages 5+.

Free event: use packing peanuts and water to make all sorts of nifty creations. Drop in our workshop space between 11 am and 3 pm on Fri 8/11, Sat 8/12 or Sun 8/13 and dip and stick cornstarch peanuts together! This is an all ages opportunity.

Crafty Fun with Glue Guns! 

You asked for it, we’re gonna do it…. 

Saturday August 5th at Color Wheel Toys 

10:30, 12:00, 2:00, and 3:30

One hour of fun in the Color Wheel Toys workshop space using a glue gun & repurposed materials to create your own inventions – what will you make? Each session is limited to 5 participants/teams. Reserve 2-3 spots for the ultimate playdate! $15.00 per child.

Kids 8 and under need to work as a team with an adult. Adults need to remain on the premises with kids ages 9-14, but that age group can work independently. People 15 and older can attend independently.  The $15 fee covers access to a wide variety of repurposed materials, tools like scissors, markers etc. and the use of a low temp hot glue gun/glue sticks. Feel free to bring any odds and ends from home to add to your creations!

Sign up & reserve your spot with this link: Crafty Fun With Glue Guns!

July 2023

Saturday July 22nd 10 am – 5 pm Make a free purple beaded necklace in honor of Lavender Fest in Los Ranchos! Stop by for about 15 minutes during the 10 -3 time window and to plan and string your fancy jewelry. Best for ages 3+ as the beads are a choking hazard.

Thursday & Friday July 20 & 21st all day drop in 10-5 Lavender Sachets! Plan on 10-15 minutes to design and fill your free sachet. Best for people ages 4+ due to the fine motor skills involved.

Saturday July 15th 12: 00 pm to 1:30 pm Botanical Sunprints! Great for ages 3+ – make a print using cyanotype paper and the sun! Free fun – older kids and adults will enjoy this, too.

Saturday July 8th 10 am – 1 pm Literacy Fest! Lots of free fun for all ages.

Just added: visit and chat with real live author and illustrator Jason Witter!

Saturday July 1st 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm Free make and take Stitch a Dishtowel. Plan on 25 minutes to stitch rows of color onto your dishtowel. No sewing skills required. Best for ages 6+ due to attention span but younger kids can work as a team with a parent.

June 2023

Wednesday June 28th 11:00 am – 2:00 pm Free make and take Stitch a Dishtowel. Plan on 25 minutes to stitch rows of color onto your dishtowel. No sewing skills required. Best for ages 6+ due to attention span but younger kids can work as a team with a parent.

Saturday June 24th 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm Free make and take Cardstock Dragons. Drop in during that time – plan on about 15 minutes to make the project. Best for ages 5+ due to fine motor skills but younger kids could work as a team with a parent.

Saturday June 17th  11:30 am – 1:00 pm Design free make and take Faux Tie Dye Flags on a drop in basis. Plan about 25 minutes to make the project. Best for ages 4+ as this project involves permanent markers and rubbing alcohol.

Thursday June 15th  1:00 pm – 2:30 pm Design free make and take Faux Tie Dye Flags on a drop in basis. Plan about 25 minutes to make the project. Best for ages 4+ as this project involves permanent markers and rubbing alcohol. 

Saturday June 3rd 11:30 am – 1:30 pm – Free Friendship Bracelet Fiesta ! Stop by any time between 11:30 – 1:30 and learn how to make a special, easy twisted friendship bracelet – no prior skills needed. Make a few for your favorite friends! This activity is best for kids ages 5+ due to the fine motor skills needed, but a younger kid and a parent could team up to learn.

May 2023

Saturday May 27th 11 am -2 pm: Crafternoon – a variety of free make and take options await your crafty hands and brain. Most options are best best for kids ages 3+, due to potential choking hazards. Shrinky dinks, sand excavation bricks, and DIY beaded necklaces await your creative touch! Enjoy one or all 3 as interest and timing allows. Drop by any time within the 3 hour window.

Sunday May 21st 1 pm – 2 pm Face Painting Class at the Color Wheel Toys Workshop. Class fee is $30 per adult or team of child/adult. Limited to 5 participants/teams. Great for birthday parties, community events, your own costumes and people who love art. SOLD OUT! Please check back for future classes.

Sunday May 14th 1pm – 2:30 pm Free Excavation Party – bring your scraping and brushing skills to release various treasures from their sandy prisons! Best for ages 4+ due to fine motor skills required. 25 excavation kits available, if we run out we’ll have another free project on hand as a substitute. Plan on 15- 20 minutes for your excavation!

Saturday May 6th 11 am to 1 pm – Free Make and Take canvas tote bag. Draw with fabric crayons and we’ll iron your design onto a tote bag to take with you.

April 2023

Saturday April 29th between 1 pm and 3 pm – Come make a free CD spinner out of an old CD and other household objects. This is one of those recycled crafts that almost works better than the store bought option! Add your own art with permanent markers and stickers to make it one of a kind and look super when you spin it. Best for ages 3+ as it involves a marble that can be detached and subsequently poked into a nose/mouth. Plan on about 15 minutes to decorate and assemble your free spinner!

March 2023

Saturday 3/25 from 11 am to 1 pm – Bernalillo Country Fire and Rescue are bringing Engine 30 and Rescue 30 to the Color Wheel Toys parking lot! Look at cool rescue vehicles up close, ask the firefighters all sorts of questions about their job and equipment and take pictures with a big fire truck. It’s free and fun for all ages.

Tues 3/21 and Wed 3/22 from 10:30 to 3:30 we’ll set up a cardboard creation building station outside Color Wheel Toys on our covered play patio! Make your own creations using tape and brads to affix cardboard pieces together, and decorate it with markers and chalk. You can add to our cardboard castle if you want to work more collaboratively. Note: if it’s super windy we’ll postpone.

Sat 3/11 12- 2 pm – create melty bead art in the Color Wheel Toys workshop space. It’s free and fun for anyone ages 4 and up. You place the beads on a grid and we’ll melt it into place with a hot iron for you to keep. Easy and enjoyable!

February 2023

Saturday February 25th 10:30 – 12:30 : Come visit a Waste Management garbage truck at Color Wheel Toys! Monica the trash truck driver will be on hand to wave frantically, take pictures, and answer questions about that most famous of vehicles. We feel it’d be a great backdrop for your holiday card for next year: consider it. Just kidding, but it will be super fun. Maybe she will beep the horn!

Toddlers and their parents are invited to a pop-up playdate hosted by Liv and Mimi’s Boutique (a local purveyor of felt food and our playdate host!). Drop by for a few minutes or play for an hour if your little one is into it, and chat with fellow parents. Grab coffee from Los Ranchos Bakery north of Color Wheel along 4th before joining us, if you want. Free fun for the littlest ones!

Saturday February 18th 12 – 1:30 : stop by Color Wheel Toys to touch and try a bunch of cool instruments in our workshop space courtesy of Crow Studios ! Stay for a concert around 1 pm, if you’d like some groovy music to make your Saturday even nicer.

January 2023

December 2022

Free DIY Gift Wrap Station all December long ! Plenty of complimentary supplies to wrap your nifty gifties.

Current free craft: 12/8 – 12/ 11 – color your own snowflake! Use big flat crayons on our crafty table and add color to a snowflake to take home. Use as an ornament, add to a present, hang on a window, decorate your mailbox… many possibilities! One per person, please. Good for ages 3 to 103.

Saturday December 3rd, 10 am to 2 pm: 4th Annual Youth Artisan Market! Visit young entrepreneurs all around our wraparound porch selling their handmade goods.

Dec 3rd & 4th – North Fourth Holiday Stop and Shop! See us 10-5 Sat and 11-5 Sunday, we’ll have our free DIY gift wrap station open for any gifty purchases you make that day at any 4th street business.

November 2022

Kids between the ages of 8-18 can apply to be a vendor at our 4th Annual Youth Artisan Market!

It will be held Saturday December 3rd from 10 am til 2 pm on our wrap around patio at 6855 4th St NW. There’s no cost to participate. Kids can run their own booth or work together with a friend or cousin! We prefer the youth artisan to do the majority of customer interaction. Click to access an application – you can share it, or print them off for the crafty entrepreneur kids in your life. You can also have the applicant email us the info to colorwheeltoysabq@gmail.com from the application without the whole print and rescanning rigmarole. Apply by Wednesday, November 23rd!

It’s National Neighborhood Toy Store Month! Check here for all the fun things we’ve got going on.

November 4 – 13

We’ll start by offering a free make and take station in our new workshop space – stop by and make a wooden and brightly colored beaded necklace! It’s easy and fun – make one for yourself or a friend who needs fashion. Ages 3 and up – the beads are a choking hazard. Stop by any time during business hours to enjoy making funky jewelry!

October 2022

Community Weaving & free weaving kits! Stop by October 20 – 27th Wed- Sat 10-5 and Sun 11-3 to work on our community weaving project in out workroom space! Add a few strands or many. Still want to weave? Ask an employee for a free weaving kit to make a mini mat – includes fibers, a shuttle, cardboard loom, and instructions. No purchase needed or expected, we just like the community to get crafty.

Grand opening: Our ribbon cutting ceremony to mark the grand opening of the permanent Color Wheel Toys location is Saturday, October 1st at 12 pm. Kids will be invited to use a pair of scissors to cut the ribbon along with Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller and his family. We’re also offering a free building toy to kids between the ages of 3-12 all week long. Just ask any employee to choose from the basket. 🙂

August 2022

We’re putting together our year round, permanent location! After 5 years of seasonal openings (and closures), we’re so excited to be putting down roots at 6855 4th St NW Building D near Vernon’s Steakhouse. Thanks for being patient; good things take time.

April 2022

Pre-Easter Weekend Pop Up at ABQ Collective (Eubank just south of Constitution)!

Aunt Goodie (local purveyor of crafty fun) and Color Wheel Toys (your local favorite seasonal toy store) bring you a weekend pop up shop-ortunity at ABQ Collective. Toys, crafts, activity kits, art supplies, sensory items, STEM toys and more , perfect for filling Easter baskets or celebrating spring birthdays. Bring your own basket or choose one of ours for $5.

February 2022

December 2021

Free Make and Take Kit smorgasbord Dec 22- 24: we have a variety of kits left from all season long – just ask any employee for a free make and take kit, and you can choose from the basket! One per person, please. Most have small parts making them all for ages 3+ due to potential choking hazards. No purchase needed or expected; we like helping ABQ stay crafty.

Free Make and Take Kit to make festive necklaces while supplies last Dec 13- 17- just request one from an employee if you’re in the neighborhood! One kit per family, the kit makes 2 necklaces.

Shop ‘n’ Stroll for West Nob Hill (Carlisle to Girard) is Saturday Dec 11 from 10-? in the neighborhood. We will be open our standard hours: 10am – 5 pm. We are hosting Youth Artisans on the patio at M’Tucci’s Nob Hill from 3 pm – 6 pm (formerly Kelly’s , at Wellesley and Central) and there will be entertainment and a market across the street at Little Bear, too.

Gentle reminder: our shop capacity is limited to make sure we can provide distance between shoppers for pandemic safety. If the store is busy you may experience a wait outside. Browse the neighborhood and enjoy! East Nob Hill will host a special event between Washington and Carlisle Saturday Dec 19th, so go check out those shops, too.

Twinkle Light Parade is Saturday December 4th, and Central will be closed from noon til who knows, so take special care navigating to the free parking lot on Silver and Carlisle if you choose to visit us that day.

Annual Tree Lighting Thursday Dec 2 in the Nob Hill Business Center – musicians will perform before and after the lighting at 6 pm. Stop by between 5:30 and 6:30 and enjoy the outdoor ambiance!

Stop by Nov 30- Dec 4 and pick up a free snowflake making craft kit, available while supplies last! One per family – each kit makes 6 snowflakes. No need to reserve one, just ask any employee. Ages 3+ but probably most appealing to people ages 6-106. Use the included yarn to string your flakes into a garland or make cool necklaces for your buddies. Finished flakes are about 3″-4″ in diameter.

November 2021

Applications are open for 8 spots at our 3rd Youth Artisan Market during Shop ‘n ‘ Stroll in West Nob Hill Dec 11th from 3 pm – 6 pm. The market will be outdoors on the patio of M’Tucci’s at Central & Wellesley. Fill out and return the application no later than Dec 1st if you are a Youth Artisan who wants to participate!

Neighborhood Toy Store Day is Saturday, Nov 13th. We’re celebrating with a drawing for a giant piñata (made near Nob Hill at Casa De Pinata) full of tiny toys for everyone 3+ , sidewalk chalk galore, and a free activity or small toy to take home if you say the secret phrase “I adore a good toy store!”

Early November free make and take – just add your own crayons or markers!

October 2021

Late October free make and take:

The free make and take kit for the beginning of October is a sew your own cookie clip kit ! Email us to reserve your kit, and wait to get a confirmation before heading over any time during business hours. 🙂

September 2021

First come first serve free make and take kits are back this season! Email us to reserve your kit, wait for a confirmation email saying we’ll hold one for you (supplies are limited) and swing by during business hours to pick up your kit. Easy peasy! No purchase needed or expected, we just like helping ABQ get crafty. Here’s the September kit:

We’re here for our fifth season! Grand opening week is Sept 22nd – Sept 26th. Stop by, say hi and enter a drawing for fun boxes of toys & goodies, free finger traps for those over 5, and tell us a family friendly joke in exchange for a marble. Everyone over 3 wears a mask this year – thanks in advance for keeping us healthy all season long!

February 2020

We’ll mail you a free paint-your-own-art card, respond by March! Email your request to colorwheeltoysabq@gmail.com.

December 2020

All December long: Enjoy our art display sponsored by the City of Albuquerque. There are light displays glowing all over Nob Hill, including mostly along Central Ave from Girard to Washington – the BioPark Society lent the River Of Lights sculptures to the city to light up the neighborhood and it’s truly wonderful.

Our display is called Many Hands Make Light Work, and you can use your hands to interact the the lights outside to make fancy colored shadows on the ground, among other things. It wraps around both sides of our shop, glowing each night from 5 pm to 9 pm.

December 15th – Dec 20th: Free take and make craft kit – festive necklaces! Each kit makes 2 necklaces, perfect for siblings or a child to make one to keep and one to give as gift to a neighbor or relative. We include everything you need in the bag but it’s for ages 3+ since all the parts are choking hazards. Wooden beads, plastic beads, soda tabs and jingle bells so your jewelry makes noise! Email us at colorwheeltoysabq@gmail.com to reserve a kit, once you get your confirmation email you can swing by during business hours, knock on the door and we’ll get it to you.

December 9th – 13th Free Weekly Take and Make: Make paper garlands! Each kit makes 2. Some are Christmassy and some are more winter, so let us know if you have a preference. Email us at colorwheeltoysabq@gmail.com to reserve your kit. We’ll confirm your kit is waiting for you, then stop by during customer service hours to pick it up. No supplies are needed though you can decorate the shapes before stringing them for extra art fun!

November 2020

Free Weekly Take and Make Nov 24- Dec 6: It’s the return of our kindness scarves! This one is specially for kids. Request a scarf by emailing us at colorwheeltoysabq@gmail.com. We’ll let you know one is waiting for you during business hours! Stop by and pick it up, then at home, a child can write or draw on the tag. Their job is to find a place in Albuquerque to put it where someone who needs it will find it. The tag explains it’s not lost and anyone can take it. If you have 2 kids at your house that want to do this, let us know and we’ll save ya 2.

Want scarf tags to this with your own extra scarves ? Check our resources pages for a printable PDF.

Wed 11/18- Sat 11/21: Free weekly Take and Make – Pinecone mice! The kit has everything you need, just add your own glue. Good for ages 3+, pinecones cane be pointy. Just email us at colorwheeltoysabq@gmail.com to reserve your kit and wait for a confirmation to be sure there will a kit waiting for you when you stop by. No purchase needed or expected, we just like putting creative options out into our community.

Saturday, November 14th: Neighborhood Toy Store Day! We’re celebrating virtually this year on Facebook, posting all of our favorite nostalgic childhood influences all day. Post yours in the comments. 🙂

Free Take and Make Nov 10-12: A weaving kit! It has 2 cardboard looms, easy instructions and enough fiber for 2 weavings. Best for people ages 5 and up! Just email us at colorwheeltoysabq@gmail.com to reserve your kit and wait for a confirmation to be sure there will a kit waiting for you when you stop by. No purchase needed or expected, we just like putting creative options out into our community.

Free Take and Make Nov 3- Nov 6: DIY Lantern Kit! You will need scissors and a string of holiday lights. It’s okay if some of them are burnt out. Email us to reserve your free kit at colorwheeltoysabq@gmail.com . No purchase needed/expected and if you’d prefer we bring it to you on the curb just knock during business hours and let us know.

October 2020:

October 27th – Oct 31st:

Free take and make: come get a kit to make 2 doodle drawing spinners! We include instructions and everything you need. If you want to be certain there’s one there for you, email us to reserve a kit. You can chance it if you’re in the neighborhood – pop in and request a kit. No pressure to shop – we genuinely like getting creative play materials into the hands of our community.

October 20th – 22nd:

FREE take and make: It’s the opposite of last year; instead of coming in to make a free project and taking it with you, you’ll come get it (we can even bring it to you outside the shop) and you take it to make it at home! Due to a limited supply, you need to email colorwheeltoysabq@gmail.com and claim yours; wait for a confirmation email before you swing by the store. We just want to make sure everyone who comes by to get a kit actually has one waiting for them, so it doesn’t waste your time. This week’s Take and Make: make a reusable grocery bag or set of cloth face masks from a tee shirt! No sewing required, instructions and supplies included – you just need scissors (even kid’s school scissors are okay as long as they have metal blades). Email us to reserve your kit for pick up.

October 13th – October 17th:

Join us for our 4th seasonal grand opening! We’ll be celebrating all week long with a fortune teller fish giveaway (stickers available instead for those 5 and under), enter a drawing for some nifty toys, sidewalk chalk outside and plenty of window shopping if you need to wait – we currently have a limit of 4 customers in the store at a time. We can also bring your free fish/stickers to you outside if you prefer to say hi and be on your way. We are also excited to host a Youth Artisan, Crafts by Lili, on Saturday October 17th from 11-2. She’ll be outside the store at a table selling her handmade wares.

April 2020:

Do you live near the Nob Hill neighborhood, or visit it often to enjoy the cute shops and tasty restaurants? We know times got weird fast, but we still love the colorful, historic neighborhood and want to highlight the places and art we love. Feeling creative? Show us your vehicles for the #NobHillCarShow ! Play doesn’t have to take a break.

February 2020:

January 2020:

December 2019:

12/17-12/20: Create a free paper and fabric holiday garland! This craft is best for people ages 2 and up. Plan on 5 to 10 minutes to choose your shapes and thread them on the fabric. Enjoy a fancy decoration or give it as a gift!

Free DIY gift wrapping supplies are out now until Dec 24th – everything you need to wrap your packages including paper, bows, ribbon, tape, and labels. You can even bring your other packages in from the car to wrap those up too, just show an employee so they know what’s up.

November 2019

Tuesday Nov 19th  – Friday Nov 22nd: Be kind – leave a scarf for others to find.

Kids ages 3 and up are encouraged to choose a free scarf from our basket, add a design or personalized message to the tag and then take the scarf with them and put it somewhere in Albuquerque where someone who needs it will find it. You can stop by Color Wheel Toys between 10 am and 6 pm to do this. Plan on 5 – 10 minutes to get a scarf ready for community delivery.

The 2nd Annual Youth Artisan Market Application  is due by Tuesday, Nov. 19th if you want to be considered for this year’s market Dec 5th!

Sunday Nov. 10th – Saturday Nov 16th –  Design custom tail feathers for our giant turkey made of repurposed materials. Use drawing supplies to decorate fancy feathers and tape them on – try 1 or 10, he needs a full tail. This drop in activity is great for any age!

Saturday Nov. 9th is Neighborhood Toy Store Day! We will be giving away Newton’s Inertia Beads or a Klutz Sew-your-own-cookie key chain kit to the first 20 kids who ask for one of them. You can also enter to win a big basket of cool science items and if you tell us a joke, we’ll give you a free marble. Test and try lots of toy samples and as always, enjoy free gift wrapping for your purchases.  See you between 10 am and 6 pm!

November 5, 6, and 7:  Free make and take – create a weaving on a cardboard loom! This project is best for ages 7 and up, but younger kids can work as a team with an adult. You don’t have to finish it in the store – we’ll get you started and then we can send you home with some free materials and instruction so you can finish it there. Stop by between 10:00 am and 5:30 pm to weave with us!

October 2019

October 18 through 30: Decorate the Disco Pumpkin! Help add sequins and beads with pins during store hours.

Make and take a free felt spiderweb decoration on Tuesday October 15th, Wednesday October 16th, and Thursday October 17th on a drop-in basis during store hours. This project is best for people ages 6 and up but younger kids can work as team with their parents if they want to try it!

There is a new Second Sunday art walk happening in Nob Hill each month. Here’s a map to see participating businesses! We will be hosting 3 community art projects at the store between 12 pm – 5pm  on Sunday, October 13th.

September 2019

Grand opening Sunday, September 1 from 10 am – 6 pm. Tell us a family friendly joke to get a free marble!

July 2019

Visit us at The Railyard Market Sunday, July 28th between 10 am and 2 pm and try our free make-and-take – assemble super cool swirling tops that draw while they spin!

Find us at Route 66 Summerfest near Amherst and Central from 4 pm til dusk this Saturday July 20th to make giant bubbles!

June 2019

Stop by The Source ( 1111 Carlisle Blvd SE ABQ 87106) Saturday, June 22 between 10 am and 2 pm for free face painting and participating in some large scale community art projects from Pando Little School!

January 2019

We’re closed for the season but offer a selection of toys for sale (at our same reasonable prices!) at Spur Line Supply Co. They’re located at 800 20th St NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104 right next door to Mama’s Minerals!

December 2018

Wednesday, December 26th: Do you love sticking stickers? Stop by and work on our in-store sticker mural (or make a mini-work of art to take home if you’d like) until our last day of the pop-up shop. Now, we’re not going to cover the whole store (as seen below) but seriously we have like 40,000 stickers so come stop by and get ready to apply!

The locally famous Jason Witter of WitterWorks will be on hand with lots of his goodies for sale and he’ll sign books, too. Free gift wrapping til 8 pm.  Celebrate Nob Hill’s Deck the Hill – lots of local businesses will have special activities and deals tonight!

The Inaugural Youth Artisan Market is happening on Dec. 6th during Deck the Hill (Nob Hill’s newest iteration of Shop and Stroll). Stop by various Nob Hill businesses between 6 pm and 8 pm and see what entrepreneurial kiddos have for sale – sewn purses, origami, drawings, jewelry, sculptures, ornaments and lots of other crafty stuff! Look for the tree signs in business doors – that lets you know there’s a youth artisan inside. Bring cash to purchase from Youth Artisans and a reusable bag for them to put your purchases in. Support a hyper-local teen powered economy!

Wednesday December 5th: 

Free make and take: create a lace snowflake! Best for ages 6 and up (6 and younger can work as a team with an adult). Weave a pipe cleaner through the holes in the lace, cinch tight, and voila! A fancy flake to keep or gift. Stop by between 10 am and 5 pm to make your flake. 

November 2018

Visit us on Saturday, Nov 24th for friendly suggestions about your holiday shopping! Our FREE DIY gift wrap station will be set up for all your wrapping needs.

On November 18, 20 and 21st, kids ages 3-18 can stop by the store and request a free scarf to leave for someone in need – just ask at the cash wrap, and they will need to color the heart on the tag (they can do it in store!). Then just have them find somewhere non-obtrusive to leave it as a welcome surprise for anyone who needs a little extra warmth. Tie it around a pole at a bus stop, around a tree in a park, on a statue downtown, etc.

Stop by on Saturday, November 10th for Neighborhood Toy Store Day! Trade us by telling a clean joke in exchange for a marble, and enter our guessing jar contest for a chance at Perfect Paint Set!

Stop by during business hours between November 6th and 11th to help fill “Ouch Pouches” with funny drawings, warm wishes and sewn felt hearts for kids who have had to visit the ER! All ages and abilities welcome; needles, thread, stuffing etc will be provided to those people who wish to hand sew.

October 2018

People ages 3+ can create a DIY, upcycled CD spinner at our free make and take event from Tuesday October 16th through Sunday October 21 during our regular business hours. Plan on about 10 minutes to make your cool spinner!

The weaving project is best for ages 4 through 104 due to the fine motor skills required but younger kids can work as a team with a grown-up!

September 2018

Head a little west of Color Wheel Toys on Friday, September 21 and see the reconfigured, interactive parking spaces in front of Slice Parlor as part of Parking Day 2018.  Learn more about Parking Day!

September’s Free Make and Take Projects Include…

Beginning Friday, September 14th until Thursday September 27th, stop by during store hours and make a free beaded necklace featuring wooden beads and glowing beads! This project is best for ages 3 and up due to potential choking hazards. Plan on about 10 minutes to complete your beaded statement necklace.

Add a building or infrastructure to our cardboard train village during business hours until 6 pm Thursday, September 13th. All materials provided – watch our model train zip by our growing village, made from all sorts of arty materials! If you can’t bear to leave your building behind, you can take it home instead of adding it to the town.

On Saturday September 1 come by during our Grand Opening for a free blank puzzle to design and use yourself or send to a friend. Tell us a family-friendly joke in exchange for a free marble, and test out lots of toys! We’ll see you there between 10 am and 6 pm.

August 2018

We’re almost ready to open for the season! Can’t contain your curiosity? Need a birthday gift with free gift wrap pronto? Stop by during our sneak peek hours Tuesday – Friday 11-3, and Saturday and Sunday 10-2. We’ll start our full schedule in September!

July 2018

On Saturday July 21st, visit us at Route 66 Summerfest in Nob Hill! Stop by and say hi, make a free festive headband, and vote on which new toys should make an appearance in the shop.  Look for Color Wheel Toys on the south side of Central, right next to Flying Star.  We’ll be there from 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm (Summerfest ends at 10 pm).

June 2018

May 2018

Paint a pot at Spurline Supply Co Sunday, May 6th between 1 pm and 3 pm. Drop in, paint it,  plant it – perfect for Mother’s Day! $10 per planted pot.

April 2018

Sat and Sun 4/28 and 4/29 from 10 am – 7 pm – we’re popping up inside the Nob Hill Flying Star and setting up a mini toy shop! Free gift wrapping for that perfect b-day gift.

Visit our booth at the UNM Sustainability Festival on Thursday, April 19 from 10-2 on Cornell Mall by the SUB! We’ll be making friendship bracelets out of fabric scraps – get crafty with leftovers from NDI’s costume shop.

Stop by the Recycled Art Fair at Open Space Visitor’s Center from 10-4 Sat April 14 and Sun April 15th and enjoy Color Wheel Toys’ free make and take projects made with discarded materials.

March 2018

 February 2018

Saturday February 17th at 2 pm: Some Like it Hot, a $10 workshop using heated tools to make cool projects! Shrink plastic in the toaster oven, iron on prints made with sand paper, use warming trays to make encaustic artwork…. it will be hosted at Spur Line Supply Co – call (505) 242-6858 to reserve your spot, or stop by in person to sign up! Best for people ages 6 and up – younger artists can attend as a team with a parent. 

January 2018

January 6, 2pm – $10 Print making class at Spur Line Supply Company – call  (505) 242-6858 to sign up and reserve a spot

January 20, 2 pm – $10 Re-made stuffed animal class at Spur Line Supply Co – call (505) 242-6858 to reserve your spot, or stop by in person to sign up! 

December 2017

Note: There’s a free gift wrapping station available all month long for presents that need or want to get wrapped up right away.

Saturday December 2nd: people ages 3 and up are invited to stop by between 10 am and 5 pm to pick up a free finger light to wear to the Twinkle Light Parade! The parade is between Washington and Girard and begins at 5:15 pm. Look for the NDI Dancers, supported by Color Wheel Toys!

Sunday December 3rd: Free make and take ornaments all day from 12 pm to 5 pm.

Wednesday December 6th: Free make and take ornaments all day from 10 am to 6 pm. Best for people ages 3 and up.

Thursday December 7th: Stop by Olo Yogurt Studio in Nob Hill during the Shop and Stroll from 5 pm to 10 pm and make a free holiday card at Color Wheel’s card making station.

Work on it Wednesday December 11th from 1 pm to 5pm: Add sparkling silver stickers to giant snowflakes made from 6 pack rings to create beautiful decorations to beautify the area outside Color Wheel Toys

December 31st – close our physical location

at Washington and Lomas for the season.

November 2017

November’s the beginning of “Work on it Wednesdays”! Stop by any time between 1 pm and 5 pm and contribute to a communal art work or community project. It’s free, fun, and you can stay for 10 minutes, an hour, or longer!

Wednesday November 1: Help make a work of art using oil pastels, hammers, and fake flowers to adorn the fence outside the store. Perfect for those who love drawing and whacking!

Wednesday November 8th: Create thoughtful and festive cards for veterans recovering from illness at the VA – cards will be distributed in advance for Veterans’s Day (Sat Nov. 11).

Wednesday Nov 15th: Use screwdrivers to attach caps, lids and other items to a wooden art piece. It will build and reinforce fine motor skills, and it’s meditative and enjoyable.

Wednesday Nov 22nd: dip in to a variety of ongoing projects and try your hand at using unusual materials to make beautiful artwork!

Wednesday Nov 29th : Add sparkling silver stickers to giant snowflakes made from 6 pack rings to create beautiful decorations to beautify the area outside Color Wheel Toys

September and October 2017

Friday, September 1 2017- We’ve officially popped up and are open for business!

Tuesday September  12 2017 – Free drop in make and take all day  – Beaded necklaces, featuring glow in the dark beads. One necklace per crafter, please!

Friday September 15 2017 – Grand Opening celebration, all day 10 am to 6 pm– join us for tiny toy giveaways all day as well as hands on activities/toy testing throughout the store.

Tuesday September 19 2017 – Free drop in make and take all day – Stick and rubber band journal for drawing or writing

Tuesday September 26 2017 – Free drop in make and take all day – CD spinner top (best for ages 3+, features a marble)

Tuesday October 3 2017 – Free drop in make and take all day  – design a fancy magnet for your fridge or other metallic surface that needs sprucing up!

Tuesday October 10 2017  – Free drop in make and take all day  – Beaded necklaces, featuring glow in the dark beads. One necklace per crafter, please!

Hey, it’s Fall Break!

Thursday October 12 – Free drop in make and take all day – CD spinning tops

Friday October 13 – Free drop in make and take all day – design your own puzzle

Tuesday make and takes resume:

Tuesday October 17th – Free drop in make and take all day – Stick and rubber band journal for drawing or writing

Tuesday October 24 – Free drop in make and take all day  – design a fancy magnet for your fridge or other metallic surface that needs sprucing up!

Saturday October 28 – kids ages 3 to 14: stop by in costume for a non-candy Halloween treat from the treasure chest! 

Tuesday, October 31 – kids ages 3 to 14: stop by in costume for a non-candy Halloween treat from the treasure chest! 

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