CAPITOLA — On Sunday afternoon, it looked like the happy confusion of colorful children’s toys, games, art supplies, puzzles and books that fill Kaleidoscope’s 4,000-square-foot store had spilled out into its parking lot.

The seeming overflow was all a part of the store’s 30th Birthday Play Day, attended by children of all ages.

Kids and parents created artworks out of colored cornstarch forms called Magic Nuudles, decorated Halloween bags with stickers, did artistic activities like card-making and painting, played with construction toys like Kapla and toys like Playmobil, Brio and Thomas, participated in science activities and played active games.

The party also included toy dealer displays, children’s entertainment by local singers Linda Arnold and Bob Reid and a fire engine showing by the Capitola Fire Department.

Sheryl Guidera, owner of the venerable educational toy store also known as the Parent Teacher Store, said the party was a way to show appreciation for the community.

"I want them to be part of the excitement that we’re still around to help the community’s children grow up," she said.

The store, a one-stop shop for kids, teachers, parents and grandparents, is a combination playhouse and classroom. It’s divided into various sections according to subject, like social studies or math, and age group, such as infant and toddler.

It’s migrated to different spots over the years, including Capitola Village and 41st Avenue, settling in at its current location on Bay Avenue in 1996.

Guidera, a former teacher, has owned the store for 15 years, and she worked at the store for five years before that.

"I love watching a kid just get something, and go, ‘Aha!’" said Guidera. "That’s what this store is all about."

Several product inventors were in attendance at the event, including Julian Mayot of Blue Orange Games in San Francisco, inventor of logic and strategy game Gobblet; Rock McKinley of ImagAbility of Pleasanton, maker of geometric building toy Wedgits; Susan Silverglate of Santa Cruz’s Rhino Toys, maker of the soft ball product OBall; and Amy Hemmert and Tammy Pelstring of Santa Cruz’s Obentec, makers of bento-box-inspired lunchboxes Laptop Lunches.

"This is a fun venue for us," said McKinley of ImagAbility, which has participated in other Kaleidoscope events. "I always like it because I get to literally play with the kids and teachers that come around, show off all our new designs and get ideas from the kids."

Kaleidoscope gave away $1,000 worth of prizes in the event’s drawing, including a scooter and other toys.

As for how the business has made it for 30 years, Guidera says it’s a combination of hard work and her excitement about what she sells.

Though the store is doing fine, she said, the recent poor economy, 9/11, the high cost of living and school closures have taken their toll. The result is that more grandparents are coming in than before.

"It’s not just for teachers," said Guidera. "The grandparents started with us long ago and remember us, and come in for their grandchildren."

As the store passes its birthday milestone and goes forward, Guidera sees herself continuing to look for the best educational products for kids and adding to the store’s programs aimed at helping area teachers.

But for the day of the party, her goal was simple: That everyone have fun.

"I really feel part of the community," she said, "and the community is part of me."