Sure, it's easy to find bright and sparkly toys for the kids, as many shelves of Barbie dolls and rereleased Star Wars merchandise will attest. If you want to push off the beaten path a bit and find toys that are both entertaining (the name of the game for the kids) and offer a chance for growth (one thing the parents are looking for), the various Creative Kidstuff locations around the Twin Cities are a great bet. The stores are packed with kits that teach the rudiments of science, puppets to create their own theatrical performances, and a dizzying array of toys ready to fuel any imagination. More than that, Creative Kidstuff offers regular and special events ready-made to take youthful — and adult — imaginations to new heights.