The short version
- Toy shoppers are buying for someone else. Posts that help them pick a gift beat posts that just show a shelf.
- Post for the moment before the purchase: the birthday party this Saturday, the grandkid's 5th birthday, the first snow day.
- Name the age range. "Good for ages 4 to 7" does more work than a pretty photo.
- 3 posts a week is plenty: one gift pick, one new arrival or event, one behind the counter.
A parent is standing in a driveway with a party invite and no gift. They check your Facebook Page on their phone to see if you're open and what you carry. If the last post is from last Christmas, they drive to the big box store.
A toy store has the best raw material in retail: everything on your shelves is fun to look at. Below are 17 toy store social media post ideas. Swap in your shop's details and post them as they are. If your corner of the shop is books, our bookstore post ideas cover the same gift-help job.
What a toy store post needs to do
The person reading is rarely the person playing. A good post tells a worried grown-up what to buy, for who, and whether you have it today.
- Say the age range, in numbers.
- Show the toy in someone's hands, or on your counter next to the register.
- Say if it's in stock now, and how many you have if it's a short supply.
- Name your hours so a parent knows they can make it before closing.
If you're starting from a blank page, what to post on your business Facebook Page lays out the basic post types. This guide gives you the toy shop version of each.
Gift help posts for the last-minute shopper
Gifts by age
Birthday party this weekend and no idea what to bring? Here are 3 picks for ages 4 to 6 that we can wrap while you wait: [toy 1], [toy 2] and [toy 3]. All under $[price]. We're open till [time] today.
Photo: Three toys lined up on the counter with price tags showing.
Under $20 shelf
Party-gift budget of $[price]? Our under-$20 shelf is by the front door and it's stocked for the weekend. Come see it, we'll point you to something a kid actually wants.
Photo: The shelf by the door, shot straight on.
Grandparent pick
Grandparents, we see you. Not sure what a 7-year-old is into these days? Tell us what they like and we'll hand you 2 choices in 2 minutes. Come in or message us.
Photo: A staff member holding two boxes up to the camera.
A toy that outlasts the box
Every shop has a few toys that survive 3 kids and a basement flood. For us it's [toy]. Sturdy, simple, and no batteries. Ask us to show you.
Photo: A well-played-with sample from the store play table.
New arrival and play table posts
Just unpacked
Boxes opened this morning: [toy line] is in. We have [number] of the big set and [number] of the small. Come early if you want the one in the picture.
Photo: An open shipping box with the toys half unpacked.
Staff favorite
[Name] has worked the floor for [number] years and this is the one toy [he/she] keeps buying for nieces and nephews. Ask [him/her] why when you stop in.
Photo: The staffer holding the toy, smiling at the camera.
Back in stock
You asked about [toy] 12 times in October. It's back, and we've set a few aside for friends of the shop. Message us to hold one.
Photo: The restocked shelf with a sign that says Back.
Demo day
Saturday from [time] to [time], a rep from [brand] is on our floor showing the new [product]. Kids can try it. Grown-ups can ask hard questions.
Photo: The demo table set up before anyone arrives.
Gift help from a shop also pairs well with a floral counter. Our florist post ideas show how another gift-buying shop talks about the day-of rush.
Holiday rush and rainy-day posts
Layaway or wish list reminder
The holiday rush starts sooner than anyone plans for. Make a wish list with us now and we'll hold it, so the one toy your kid begged for doesn't sell out on you.
Photo: A clipboard with a wish list next to the register.
Snow day special
School's closed again. If you're home with a restless 6-year-old, we have puzzles and craft kits and we're open till [time]. Drive safe.
Photo: A puzzle table with the window and snow behind it.
Last-day shipping cutoff
If you want it by [holiday], tell us by [date]. After that we can't promise it. Call [phone] or message us what you need.
Photo: A stack of special-order slips with names blurred.
Birthday party host
Hosting a party at the shop? We'll set up a table and keep the grown-ups out of the way. Ask about the [price] package and book 2 weeks ahead.
Photo: A party table set up with balloons, no children.
For the calendar side, holiday post ideas for small business lists the dates worth planning around.
Hobby shop and community posts
Club night
[Game or hobby] night is back, [day] at [time]. Beginners welcome. We'll teach you the rules in 10 minutes, and snacks are on the house.
Photo: Chairs and a table set up in the back room.
Local teacher thank-you
Teachers in [town], bring your school ID this month and take [discount] off classroom supplies. You spend your own money on this stuff. We'd like to help.
Photo: A basket of classroom supplies at the front counter.
Toy drive
We're collecting new toys for [group] through [date]. Drop one in the bin by the door. We'll deliver every one, and we'll post the photos of the bin.
Photo: The empty donation bin by the door.
Build in progress
Our model train layout in the back window grew another [number] feet this week. Come see it. It's free to look, and kids get to press the horn.
Photo: A close shot of the layout with the train mid-curve.
Behind the counter
A kid walked in today with a handful of coins from his piggy bank and picked out his sister's present. We rang it up and added a bow. That's why we do this.
Photo: A wrapped gift on the counter with no child in frame.
A simple week of toy store posts
You don't need all 17 at once. Our weekly Facebook posting schedule shows how to rotate. Here's the toy shop version.
3 posts a week
- TueGift pickOne age range, 3 toys, a price.
- ThuNew arrival or eventWhat came in, or what's on this weekend.
- SatBehind the counterA staffer, a wrap job or a favorite.
What makes a toy store page look closed
Do
- Name the age range and the price in every gift post.
- Say how many you have when stock is short.
- Post your holiday hours a week early.
- Reply to every comment asking if you carry something.
Don't
- Show a child's face without a parent's written OK.
- Post a toy you sold out of and leave it up.
- Let a Christmas graphic sit till spring.
- Promise a delivery date you don't control.
Slow in January and February? Slow season marketing ideas has plenty of reasons for a parent to visit.