Marbles: The Brain Store

Great location for educational toys! However, if the child that you’re looking for is into a specific genre or series I would not recommend this at all.

We were last minute Christmas shopping for our children and seeing the long lines at the Lego store and disappointed a little bit by the selection at Nordstrom’s decided to pop in here for gifts for the little people.
Yes, I know the prices are more expensive than we would have got on-​line for the same games when you factor in Bellevue Square rent and the overhead of a store but I loved the fact that we were able to try one of the games out since they had it on display (Battle Sheep) and despite the busy store the sales people were very friendly and helpful.
Our children love the games and they’re becoming an after dinner routine for both of them.

I really liked this store and bought several gifts there for my kids. My brother also liked this store and purchased a game for my daughter for Christmas that happened to be the same game I had already given to her. I thought, no problem we will go to the store and exchange it for a different game. We went to the store and the salesperson asked for the receipt. I told her I didn’t want cash back I only wanted to exchange it for a different game and I did not have a receipt because it was a gift. She told me I had to have a receipt and could not exchange the game. I let her know I will no longer shop at this store! Buyer beware!!!

I love these stores! I just wish the things here weren’t so expensive! I could spend hours trying to figure out the puzzles on display… I normally end up leaving angry due to some kid that’s way smarter than me, but that’s just the point of the store, right? Leave a little beaten just so you can steam away just to come back eventually in hopes to get a little smarter?

So this store looks fun and interesting when you come in. Some different and original ideas and interesting products. The reason why I say no no no to this store is because of the way a recent return was handled.
Bought a «stick bombs» gift for a 12 year old for Christmas. Fun idea right? Popsicle sticks and tongue depressors turned into little exploding devices. Christmas comes and said child opens the gift to find no instruction booklet. It is simply a box with 400 tongue depressors, 100 popsicle sticks, 4 rubber bands and safety goggles. No instructions. Huge pump fake for a 12 year old who wants to learn how to destroy with stick bombs.
So I come back to return the box to get the instructions. The man working there apologizes. He then tells us he can give us the link to the instructions. To which I replied, «Well, he’s 12. He’s probably going to want to look at the instructions.» So he offers to print off the instructions for us. Again — I asked for a copy of the book that is supposed to come with the product. So he goes back and finds a copy of the book that was on the floor all Christmas Season. It’s a wreck. I felt like I was on candid camera. Really? A chain of this size can’t swap out a product and replace a product that didn’t have all the pieces? This chain is so broke they can’t afford to give us a new package with a new book in it?
But I know we have a boy at home who REALLY wants to make these stick bombs. So I accept.
Here’s my issue. The package cost $ 40.00. I could have just gone online and bought some tongue depressors and popsicle sticks for about 8 bucks total. I’m pretty sure I have some rubber bands around the house. I could have downloaded the manual and not have been charged $ 30.00 for a box.
Now — you can go ahead and have some fun and not be overcharged.
Here’s the download.
I’ll be buying products like the ones they have here online from here on out.

What’s this as I wonder?
A curiosity that draws me closer;
An establishment that caters to the mind;
By exchanging intellectual games for monetary instruments;
The mind, a powerful instrument;
That requires maintenance throughout life;
The practice of the mind can be made fun;
With the use of the various games;
Optimized for practicing:
Honing Critical Thinking;
Advancing Vernacular;
Developing Spatial Recognition;
Defragmenting Memory;
Coordinating with Precision;
All these games
Demonstrated by friendly sales personnel
To the very young and to the very wise
This is an establishment to seek games
To continual practicing the best instrument of them all
Soon enough, Rock Me Archimedes will be mine

This place is awesome: great, smart people work here and you can tell they like their job! The stuff they have is pretty original and clever.
Great place to find gifts and games for kids.

I have to admit, I think that Marbles is a pretty cool concept! Lots of brain games and trainers for all ages. My other half and I bought a few awesome Christmas presents here for some of our picky family members.
The only reason for the docked star is the fact that the store is rather small, and during the busy holiday season, it’s extremely frustrating trying to maneuver around people, kids and those huge baby strollers without pulling your hair out.

How cool is this store?! It’s all about brain games, working the mind’s muscles and having fun in an educational way. No graphic content, no adult material… It’s just games, puzzles and books for kids and adults that help you workout the body’s most important organ. I walked past this store without knowing it existed and just had to check it out. So glad I did, too! It’s a great shop for gifts and games for the home.