One step inside Choo Choo Bob’s Train Store at 10 a.m. the first Tuesday of the month and it’s clear Engineer Paul’s storytime is just as popular now as it was years ago when I brought my firstborn. Paul (IMO, the face of the hobby store on Marshall Avenue in St. Paul) was busy leading the youngsters through train-centric stories, songs and counting games. I joined in with my younger two while the older ones split for the half-dozen train tables in the back.

There they played for a solid hour, leaving me to enjoy the unexpected pleasure of running into friends, fellow bloggers – even my own mother showed up and surprised me! I had forgotten how Choo Choo Bob’s can quickly feel like one giant playdate.

And storytime is only the beginning. Birthday parties at the store have been a hit with our kids. Engineer Paul has provided the entertainment for one of our annual ECFE events. There’s even a live-action TV show that hit the air just last month starring “Choo Choo Bob” and his pals sharing their love of trains with the next generation. Best of all, it’s home-grown in St. Paul.

For the Files: Choo Choo Bob’s is located at 2050 Marshall Ave. in St. Paul (Marshall & Cleveland Ave.) Storytimes can be found here. The show airs on KSTC-TV Channel 45 at 9 a.m. Saturdays.

About the Author: Anne Kingston is the Owner and Founder of Tourmoms.com.

Tags: choo choo bob show, choo choo bob's, family event, kids event, minnesota, model trains, train store, twin cities