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Brighten Up Toys & Games Blog

Save 30% OFF During Our GraviTrax Promo!

Save 30% OFF During Our GraviTrax Promo!

GREAT NEWS! We are having a HUGE sale on our GRAVITRAX brand products! From November 14th-30th, all GraviTrax products, including regular, stunts, vertical and junior, are 30% OFF! CLICK HERE to see what's in stock.

Experience the power of gravity! GraviTrax is the STEM track system from Ravensburger! Use your imagination to build superb tracks and set the gravity spheres rolling! This STEM system [Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths] is an ideal one to teach kids about gravity, magnetism, kinetic energy and fun. Hit a snag? Freestyle with your own track design or use the tasks and blueprints included to help you to get started in the world of GraviTrax! Are the gravity spheres stopping or flying off before reaching the end target? Time for some problem solving. Rebuild and try something different!

Promotion applies to in stock, regularly-priced GraviTrax brand merchandise only. 

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Local Toy Drives Kick-Off in Both Erin & Fergus November 15th

Local Toy Drives Kick-Off in Both Erin & Fergus November 15th

Hello Followers!

Just in! You can help a deserving child have a wonderful Christmas through our Angel Tree Toy Drives in both Erin and Fergus. Both Toy Drives will kick off on November 20th!

- In Erin our partner organization for this initiative is East Wellington Community Services

- In Fergus our partner organization for this initiative is Big Brothers Big Sisters Centre Wellington

Supporting these wonderful organizations and their toy drives is something that has been very meaningful for our business for the past 16 years and we love hearing about the impact donations have on families in need.

To participate, visit one of our stores to purchase or drop off a new, unwrapped toy donation or make a gift card or financial donation.

Brighten Up will be donating 10% of all gift cards purchased to help meet the increased need in our community!

EXCITING NEWS — we are running Pictures with Santa this year on November 29th to support our Toy Drives. Keep watching our website and social media for more info. Don’t forget to subscribe to our e-mail list to keep up to date on all we are doing!

 

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Pictures with Santa on November 29th Supports Local Toy Drives!

Pictures with Santa on November 29th Supports Local Toy Drives!

As our regulars know, toy drives are very close to our hearts at Brighten Up. We are so pleased to be able to continue with, and expand upon, this important giving program in our communities this year.

One of our favourite parts of our toy drives are our annual Pictures with Santa! 

Pictures with Santa are:
SUNDAY NOVEMBER 29 (Erin Location) 9:30am-Noon
SUNDAY NOVEMBER 29 (Fergus Location) 3:00-6:30pm

Why wait in line to see Santa when you can pre-book your very own time spot! 

Erin Location (519.833.9258) 
Fergus Location (519.843.8887)

Call the store to arrange your time!


Pictures are FREE but we are collecting gift cards and new, unwrapped toys & games for the East Wellington Community Services Toy Drive for local families this Christmas in Erin and the Big Brothers, Big Sisters Angel Tree in Fergus.

If you are able to do so, we appreciate your support with the purchase of a gift or gift card in store; help a family in need and teach the kids the value of helping others all at the same time.

Spaces fill quickly so book your time now!
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Happy Halloween Dress-Up Sale!

Who's excited to get dressed up for Halloween??!! We sure are!

Announcing our:

Annual Happy Halloween Sale!

25% OFF ALL IN-STOCK GREAT PRETENDERS DRESS-UP SETS, PRINCESS DRESSES, CAPES & ACCESSORIES 

Sale ends October 31st

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Save 30% OFF During OctoBRIO!

Save 30% OFF During OctoBRIO!

GREAT NEWS! We are having a HUGE sale on our BRIO brand products during OctoBRIO! For the entire month of October, all BRIO products, including railway, builder, and NEW! Flora are 30% OFF! CLICK HERE to see what's in stock.

  • BRIO Railway Toys: train sets, battery-powered trains, train tracks, railway accessories - we have them all. BRIO's iconic railway toys all work with each other to create an entirely customisable world that’s fuelled by children’s imaginations.
  • BRIO Flora: Step into BRIO Flora, where a community of tiny friends explore a magical flower world filled with colourful adventures. Every playset brings the joy of nature into your child’s hands, letting them collect flowers, leaves and berries as they weave their own imaginative tales in an enchanting open-ended world. Compatible with BRIO railway!
  • BRIO Builder Construction Toys: Design a new toy every day of the week with BRIO Builder - the open-ended construction toy from BRIO. Your next favourite toy is only a build away!

To help celebrate this special promotion, we will be hosting PLAY DAYS featuring BRIO Railway BRIO Flora, and BRIO Builder. These play days will be held in both store locations during regular store hours on Saturday October 10th* and Saturday October 24th

*Saturday October 10th play day in Erin will be held at our Kids' Zone at the Erin Fall Fair

Promotion applies to in stock, regularly-priced BRIO brand merchandise only. 

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Family Board Game Night at Centre 2000 - Oct 16

Family Board Game Night at Centre 2000 - Oct 16

FREE! Unplugged fun for families of all ages!

Friday Oct 16
5:30-7:30pm - ALL AGES WELCOME!

Brighten Up is excited to return for our game night collaboration with the Town of Erin!

Join Chris from Brighten Up Toys & Games, your Games Master for the night, as he teams up with the Town of Erin recreation team to help you enjoy a selection of delightfully unique board games. They’ll be there every step of the way — teaching, guiding, and keeping the fun rolling. 

A few more details:

  • Please bring your own nut-free snacks and a reusable drinking bottle. Water refill available. 
  • Adult supervision is required for all children.

Location:
Centre 2000
14 Boland Drive
Erin, ON N0B 1T0

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Playmobil 25% Off Early Buy Sale on NOW (only until Sept 30)

Playmobil 25% Off Early Buy Sale on NOW (only until Sept 30)

It's a GREAT time to start shopping for the holidays, with this amazing sale on one of our most popular toy lines!!!

PLAYMOBIL EARLY BUY SALE

25% Off on All Regularly Priced* In-Stock Playmobil Toys CLICK HERE

LIMITED TIME ONLY September 12-30, 2026

*Clearance/reduced/discontinued items excluded

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Family Board Game Night at Tim Hortons - Sept 15

Family Board Game Night at Tim Hortons - Sept 15

FREE! Unplugged fun for families of all ages!

Tuesday September 15
5:30-7:30pm

Brighten Up is excited for our next game night collaboration with Tim Hortons, Fergus!

Join Chris from Brighten Up Toys & Games, your Games Master for the night, as he teams up with the Tim Hortons team to help you enjoy a selection of delightfully unique board games. They’ll be there every step of the way — teaching, guiding, and keeping the fun rolling. 

A few more details:

  • The restaurant is open - Enjoy your favourite Tims Treats!
  • All skill levels are welcome! We are here to help you learn and enjoy the games. 
  • All ages are welcome! Adult supervision is required for all children.

Location:
Tim Hortons
850 Tower St South
Fergus, ON

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Join Us For FREE 4M STEAM Camp Make-and-Take Activities!

Join Us For FREE 4M STEAM Camp Make-and-Take Activities!

🚀 Calling all young explorers! 🌠 4M STEAM Camp is officially open for registration at Brighten Up Toys & Games! 🎉

Don’t miss this hands-on, fun-filled learning experience where kids explore STEAM through interactive activities and experiments.

How to Register? 🌟 Sign up for FREE in-store and secure your child’s spot for these mind-blowing activities awaiting your curious kiddos!🌟

Parent/guardian supervision and participation is required


Build Your Own Binoculars
: Erin: July 23, 3-5pm and Fergus: Jul 24, 3-5pm

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Salt Powered Robot: Erin: July 30, 3-5pm and Fergus: Jul 31, 3-5pm

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Rainbow Snowdome: Erin: Aug 6, 3-5pm and Fergus: Aug 7, 3-5pm

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Colour Lab Mixer: Erin: Aug 13, 3-5pm and Fergus: Aug 14, 3-5pm

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Maglev: Erin: Aug 20, 3-5pm and Fergus: Aug 21, 3-5pm

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Don’t miss out on this adventure.
#4MSTEAMCamp26

STEAM means...

Science: 🔬Understand the natural world.
Technology: 🌐 Innovate for practical purposes.
Engineering: 🔧 Solve problems through design.
Arts: 🎨 Express creativity and aesthetics.
Math: ➗ Apply logic to numbers and shapes.

To enter the draw, just register for our STEAM activity days! Winner will be announced after the final event date. 

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Brighten Up Puzzle Competition FALL 2026

Brighten Up Puzzle Competition FALL 2026

Full details below, to purchase your team's ticket CLICK HERE.

Piece your way to victory at the FOURTH ANNUAL Brighten Up Puzzle Competition! Assemble your puzzle team, choose your challenge, register at Brighten Up Toys and Games in either Fergus or Erin, practice and PUZZLE!

Sunday October 18, 2026

MAIN EVENT
Registration Time: 12:30pm

Competition Start Time: 1:00pm

NEW! MORNING SESSION
Registration Time: 9:30am
Competition Start Time: 10:00am

Centre Wellington Community Sportsplex

550 Belsyde Ave E, Fergus

Sponsored by: Cobble Hill Puzzles and Ravensburger Puzzles

Your team registration fee includes: 

  • Participation in this exciting competition as teams race to finish their puzzle first!
  • Take home the puzzle your team completes (one per team)
  • Light refreshments catered by Fergies Fine Foods, Fergus
  • BONUS: There will be special “Some Assembly Required” Puzzle Deals on Select Images for Cash and Carry available at the Puzzle Challenge only!

MAIN EVENT (1:00pm start time)
Chose your challenge from four options:

  1. Ravensburger 1000 piece puzzle (up to 4 team members, $30+HST per team)
  2. Ravensburger standard 500 piece puzzle (2 team members, $25+HST per team)
  3. Cobble Hill 1000 piece puzzle (up to 4 team members, $30+HST per team)
  4. Cobble Hill Family pieces puzzles (1 Adult and up to 2 Children, $25+HST per team) NOTE: the adult participant may rotate throughout the event.

MORNING SESSION - EVEN MORE PUZZZLING! (10:00am start time)
Chose your challenge from two options:

  1. Cobble Hill 500 piece puzzle (solo category, $25+HST per person)
  2. Ravensburger 'puzzle stack'! A series of THREE 'large pieces' puzzles: 300, 500 and 750 (2 team members, $55+HST per team)

Prizes:

  • The WINNER in each 500 piece and 1000 piece challenge category will receive a voucher for one free 1000 piece puzzle in their chosen brand for each team member
  • The RUNNER UP in each 500 piece and 1000 piece challenge category will receive a voucher for one free 500 piece puzzle in their chosen brand for each team member
  • The TOP THREE teams in the Family Pieces challenge category will receive a voucher for one free Cobble Hill Family Pieces puzzle for their team
  • For the Puzzle Stack competition, the WINNER will receive a voucher for one free 2000 piece puzzle in their chosen brand for each team member, and the RUNNER UP will receive a voucher for one free 1500 piece puzzle in their chosen brand for each team member
  • BONUS PRIZES for best dressed and team spirit!

Register Your Team:

  • In store in Erin or Fergus
  • By phone 519.843.8887 (Fergus) or 519.833.9258 (Erin)
  • By e-mail ask@brightenuptoysandgames.ca
  • Your registration fee must be paid in store, online or by e-transfer for your registration to be finalized. Your team’s spot will NOT be secured until payment is received.

Rules, Tips and More!

  • Practice with your team! The images which you will compete with are a secret but you can practice on a variety of images to get your puzzling strategy pieced together.
  • Plan to arrive 30 minutes early to register and get yourself settled.
  • Brighten Up will provide the puzzle, tables and chairs, but anything else you want for your puzzling and comfort you must supply.
  • You may use any puzzle sorting methods you would like but you MUST remain contained to your allocated table space (no putting extra sorters on the floor, chairs, etc.
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