Like amateur magicians, childhood toys are full of old gimmicks and appear to wince when sawn in half. Enlist a dependable new plaything instead with today's Groupon: for $10, you get $20 worth of toys and goods at Giant Steps in Fairfield.

Giant Steps flanks five interactive play areas with kid-beguiling shelves of building blocks, board games, and baby gear. Pintsize players of the Angry Birds: Knock on Wood board game ($22.99) erect a plastic-block structure as the opposing team takes aim at the wobbling edifice with a slingshot-style launcher. Made from snuggle-worthy chenille, fuzzy Pillow Pets ($19.99 each) warm hearts and bodies with their farm, ocean, and zoo-inspired shapes, and flavored Got Milk Magic Straws ($2.99) are laced with hints of strawberry, banana, and chocolate candy cane. In addition, Giant Steps' gift registry arms children with scanners to mark items they crave, helping parents locate the proper presents to sneak under Christmas trees and Presidents’ Day bushes. Gift-wrapping comes complimentary with every purchase.

While parents shop, kiddos can gambol through five age-appropriate play areas scattered throughout the store. In the "explore" section, toddlers scale a climbing tree or tackle 3-D puzzles, and tweens in the "perform" corner croon into a microphone on an elevated stage, watch their performance on a nearby TV, and oblige their new-found fans with autographs.