Science Toy Magic

If you haven’t experienced a visit to Science Toy Magic at 11 Old Town Square #119, carve out the time and go with your kids, or just for yourself. The owner, Matt Hannifin, engages with my kids, 8, 12, & 15, and each of them leaves his store a little more curious with each visit, and we’ve been visiting for several years now.
On one of our recent visits, Matt spent a significant amount of time with my oldest to learn more about the remote control airplanes that Evan designs and builds. He drew information out of a 15 year old kid, treated it like a science fair interview, and gave him all kinds of valuable feedback about what he was learning, how he could challenge himself, and intrigued him by telling him about the funding that Evan might find in all kinds of places. By the end of the conversation, my son was feeling more confident, and excited about new possibilities, and Matt had also left him with a tangible incentive to keep stretching himself.
Matt has a very genuine interest in helping people learn, and he has interesting ways, and products, that seem to let that learning sneak up on you in ways you might not even realize immediately.

Before our road trip to Fort Collins, I had researched Old Town and planned various stops. Our #1 destination was Science Toy Magic. Our highly anticipated visit to this store turned out to be a huge disappointment. My grandsons (3 and 5) were greeted by the store’s owner with comments that no merchandise in the store was appropriate for children under the age of 3. I am not unreasonable and can understand that a small business owner might have reservations and concern about providing developmentally appropriate toys for this age group. The owner proceeded to demonstrate various toys and explained that he would be happy to explain the scientific theory behind any toy. By this time a small group had assembled to watch his show. My 5 year old grandson and I entered the closet-​sized store with the intention of finding a suitable item to purchase while the rest of our family remained outside the store. The owner monitored our every move, reprimanded my grandson for removing an item from the shelf to have a closer look, and repeatedly said all toys were not not to be touched. We were extremely disappointed. My grandson is well behaved and thoroughly interested in science & discovery. We eventually gave up and left the store without purchasing anything. My grandson’s remarks summed up our visit perfectly, «That store wasn’t fun.»

Can’t believe they can pack so much into so little space.
Great place to bring the kids. The owner serves as educator, marketing, stocking, etc — wearing many hats!

Wow! This place has lots of cool stuff! Things that levitate is a big one here but there is so much other things that can do funky stuff. Most of the concepts behind the toys I am not familiar with so most of what I see here is totally new to me. The guy that runs the place is eager to entertain and inform you but it never seems that he is trying to pressure you for a sale or to up sell. Most places you go to you can tell when they are trying to pressure or up sell. They sound enthused about it but you know they are just doing their job and that they will get in trouble by the managers if they don’t do it. This guy genuinely enjoys what he does. He keeps himself busy too! I read in the newspaper that he navigates big balloons during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade in New York. I haven’t bought anything here yet but I know at some point I will!

This place is the best! The store is about the size of a closet, but it really does have a nice selection of very interesting toys. The best part is the owner, who is very friendly and entertaining and will demonstrate the toys for you. A couple of the most interesting toys he actually designed himself. He has something called a lens tube, which he designed and it is the coolest thing ever. I’m not even sure that I can describe it. He also has a lot of toys that levitate, which is really nifty.
If you are in Fort Collins, be sure to stop here even if you don’t think you need any toys. He has toys for people of all ages, including grown ups.