Sunday, June 8, 2014

Squinkies Battle Games Arena

Toys R Us has been having a pretty good clearance sale (40-80%). The girl's stuff is at 40-60% and the boy's stuff is mostly at 70-80%. I like to go at least once a week to see if they've added any more stock to clear. This time I found something in the boy's section that will make a cool display counter.

Cleo is going to model for us today.



At 70% off, you can get this for $6.30. Can I just say that I really detest TRU's new price labeling system? Don't make me remember what percentage a color stands for and then have to do math on top of it. If it's $7 just say so!


Out of the box you get all these pieces. I'm leaving the Squinkies and ramps encased in their plastic because they are the only things I'm not keeping.


The set breaks down quite easily. The two sides pull outward. The black shelves pull downward. The yellow inserts will have to be pulled out with pliers, but cover them with a cloth first is you want to keep them. The wrestling ring is held with four screws that are easy to get to.


Once detached, the wrestling ring is three separate pieces. Without the ropes I think it makes a cool step or just use the flat top as a wall decoration or,


pair it with a base and try it as a table in a retro café or something. My base here is the vase stand from the Dora Explorer Art Room.


The columns on either end have tops that lift off for the Squinkie balls to go through and there's a panel in front of the columns that slides up so the balls will come out. I think one of those mini lights could be placed inside these for effect.


Even though there are raised knobs on the shelves, you don't have to limit yourself to only putting jewelry on here. I tried shoes, desserts, folded clothes... it all works! Just stick your stuff between the knobs and it looks great.

If you keep the background insert, it also looks cool as a DJ booth!

I like this set a lot and think it can have multiple uses in many settings, not just for fashion or food type stuff. I could see this in a garage/motorcycle type shop as well. The set itself is very well made. It's a good density to be handled by a little kid and nicely detailed. I got the only two left at the TRU closes to me, so happy hunting.

Edited to add more photos for those interested in the background for DJ purposes:



It's taped on the sides so you can open it flat to get the full graphics. If it's left as a box, Cleo can stand in the center, but not fully on the sides. If she's outside of the box there's plenty of room for photos.

40 comments:

  1. Really cool! You can get so many things out of one package! I can even think of a few things to do with the insert also. Oh boy...now I have to go to TRU....sigh... LOL

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    1. Grandmommy, it really is a nice insert. I'm always a fan of good packaging and as you say, there's lots to do with this graphic. I've added two more photos so you can see the insert in its entirety.

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  2. Wow, that's a pretty cool playset, and very versatile!

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    1. Thanks, Presto! You know I like a versatile play set... and one that's cheap too!

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  3. I heard TRU was having a good clearance sale from a Flickr contact. I really need this in my life especially because it looks like a DJ booth. Guess i better go looking for TRU to shop at.

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    1. Jay, I added more photos of the background if you want to see it fully for a DJ booth.

      Also, the TRU sale is the business. They must have a lot of overstock because the clearance has been going on for months and they keep adding stuff. You can get Bratz for $4, One Direction dudes for $6, older Monster High sets for $9-14.98, Bratzillaz for $6, Bratzillaz Café for $10 and that's just what I remember off the top of my head. And it's not the same thing every time either. It's like they find stuff in the back and chuck it out so I keep checking. Gotta go to the boys section too because that's where the lowest prices are.

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  4. This is a great idea. If I come across this I'm going to pick it up. I need a backdrop for a concert stage I want to make for my dolls.

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    1. Thanks for stopping by, Robotica and I hope you find one! The backdrop would look awesome as a concert stage.

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  5. That soooo cool I can use that in my bowling alley.

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    1. A bowling alley?! That's a good idea, Mustiwait.

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  6. Hola, que gran compra, disfrutalo mucho.

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    1. Hola Lindaivette, muchas gracias por parar cerca y contenta de que le gusta el sistema del juego.

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  7. Hey Muff!
    Wow! You literally think outside the box! LOL! :)
    Your imagination for creative reuses is awesome! Looking at that playset in a box at the store I never would have thought it could be used for so many different things! The DJ idea is perfect! It looks like it was made for that. The store display counter is very cool too! You're inspiring!

    I went to TRU last week and saw the Tattoo Divas dolls on clearance. I remembered your review about how stinky they were (they ARE!) and it made me laugh!
    ~ Zoila :)

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    1. Zoila, my imagination knows no bounds... especially when clearance pricing is involved. I spend A LOT of time going up and down EVERY isles and that is not an exaggeration. One day I was in TRU for over 2 1/2 hours and this one worker was like, "Are you still here?" Well, obviously, yeah!

      LOL, I still have my Tattoo Diva! She isn't as smelly as when I first removed her from the box, but a slight odor does remain.

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  8. Neat! I like the shelving as a jewelry counter AND as a DJ booth. Great thinking. Thanks for sharing!

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    1. Hey there, D7ana! It's got that one two punch. Multi purpose and super cheap. Cant beat that.

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    2. Love that one-two punch!

      Thanks for adding the additional photos showing the backdrop potentials. Your Cleo rocks this modeling gig.

      This shelving part would also look great displaying doll cell phones and small electronics. Or as a doll-sized GameStop display. Or maybe a futuristic, sci-fi monitor - wow.

      Thanks for introducing this piece. I would not have looked at it in a store. Great eye you have for playscale accessories ;-)

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    3. Another great idea, D7ana! I really like the idea of a tech shop. In fact, if I ever make one, I shall hereby name it, D7 Tech!

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  9. Wow, so many ideas! You could use the Squinkies as kids toys or I have used them to make soap pumps for kids bathrooms using the tip of a toothpick and a small triangular piece of craft foam.

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    1. Phyllis, those are some pretty darn good ideas you got there yourself!

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  10. Hello from Spain: great purchase. I really like these pieces. Toys'RUs In my city there are no such discounts. I like to create a store shelf. Great idea. You are very creative. Keep in touch

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    1. Greetings from Florida, Marta! I wonder if your country's TRU will eventually have this clearance sale or maybe it's just statewide for now.

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  11. I love all the ideas you came up with for this set - I'd never have looked at that and seen it as such a versatile playset. It's brilliant that you see all this potential! Fantastic - thanks for sharing this! :)

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    1. Hi, jSarie and thanks. I'm a huge fan of "mulit-purpose" items so I'm always on the look out.

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  12. Wow, that does have a lot o potential. I haven't been to TRU in a minute due to long working hours so I might get a chance this weekend to check them out. Thanks for the heads up!

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    1. Brini, things are moving fast at TRU, but on the good side I found out that the clearance is through the end of the year so they are pulling stuff as new comes in.

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  13. The best part is that it doesn't have to be repainted to look like normal human furniture. Great find!

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    1. LOL, BlackKitty. That's also the best part about shopping in the boy's section. There's no pink.

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  14. That's an awesome idea! It just does a great counter for everything! Great post! Thank you Cleo for modeling for us today ;-)

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    1. Hi, Jassica Joe! Cleo was kind of a reluctant model, but in the end, she pulled it off.

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  15. Calvin Harris called for having a dj set like that

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    1. Sergio, I had no idea who Calvin Harris was and had to google him. Gosh I'm an old fogie.

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  16. After reading your post I went to TRU but I couldn't find it. What category is it under? I might try a different store.

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    1. Sorry, for the late reply, Ms. Leo, but it seems like blogger is sending me sporadic emails when people comment so I'm missing some. Anyway, one of my TRU's have a clearance section over on the boys side and that's where I found it. When I went to my second TRU, they have their permanent clearance section over on the girls side but they did not have them over there so I went to the front desk and asked them if they had any in the store. When she looked them up in the system it said they had no Squinkies products at all.

      They do have them at Amazon, but they are $18.79. o.0 I also looked for them at Tuesday Morning, but no go.

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  17. The backdrop is just as nice as the display itself. It will be nice to see how many more uses will be discovered. I love Phyllis' idea of using the squinkies as soap pumps.

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    1. Vanessa, sorry for the week old reply! So far, D7ana's tech idea just might be the one I try first. I love tech stuff.

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  18. Firstly, congratulations for purchase and secondly I love your ideas, you always inspire me!!! Thank you ;)

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    1. Thanks so much, Ana! Glad to know you are enjoying my posts. ^___^

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