By Caroline E. Mayer
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, November 22, 1998; Page H5

Anyone who has ever visited a toy store just before Christmas knows what a nightmare that can be: messy aisles, empty shelves, long checkout lines and grumpy clerks.

But now, courtesy of eToys Inc., there's no need to turn into a Grinch when toy shopping at holiday time. Created specifically for the Internet, eToys.com is the Amazon.com of toys – a site that's fun and easy to browse, and better yet, to shop, although it doesn't typically offer discounts.

EToys sells toys, kids software, videos, video games and music and offers a host of ways to browse its 8,000 items – by age, brand name, categories, hot toys and classics. Some of its lists – bestsellers, award winners, picks of the week – are addictive and make you want to be a kid again.

Then again: Who says adults can't play with Super Dooper Bouncing Balls (you make the balls yourselves, before you play with them) or Washy Squashy (mold, mush, sculpt and smoosh modeling soap into any shape you want; dry and then enjoy in the tub).

Be careful, though, the 20 under $20 list is so enticing that you may end up ordering far more than you planned. One particular favorite: Chocopops, whereby you can create your own chocolate pops and candies. And grouped by age, these lists are great for gift givers who don't know what to give; a quick look at the bestsellers by age is a good way to learn what your favorite kid may like.

EToys carries such well-known and heavily advertised mainstays as Lego, Barbie and Hot Wheels, as well as the more upscale brands – such as Brio, Alex and Ambi – usually found in smaller, specialty shops.

For an even more lighthearted toy-buying adventure, there's the Internet site by the renowned retailer FAO Schwarz (fao.com). It's neither the least expensive site for toys – in fact, like its stores, it may well be the most expensive – nor the largest, with only 500 items, but it sure is fun.

The trick is getting past the small print and bright colors that sometimes make reading difficult. Where else will you find a listing of corporate officers that includes their favorite toys? Even better are the detailed toy descriptions, such as its exclusive Phantom of the Opera Barbie gift set: "Barbie takes center stage as Christine in a gown of gathered lace with satin trim. Ken is the Phantom. ... Remove the pearlized half mask and Ken's face bears the Phantom's scars!"

In some ways, the site is more fun than visiting the flagship store in Manhattan – no noise or crowds. But then, you miss touching or playing with the toys.

No delights are to be had at the Toys R Us Inc. site (toysrus.com), however. It is, quite simply, a disaster. Toys R Us clearly underestimated demand for the site, which means it's tough to get access to it. You can get the home page, but move beyond that and you're apt to get hung up.

If you have a specific toy in mind, and it's something that's likely to be carried by Wal-Mart, check out the retail giant's site (wal-mart.com). There's a good chance you can easily order it online – and at some of the lowest prices around.

Wherever you shop electronically for toys, don't count on buying the hottest Furby this holiday season. At some sites, you'll be told there's "no such match." For example, you can find a picture of Furby on the FAO Schwarz site – with a note that it's "currently out of stock." Wal-Mart says its site might occasionally have some. Meanwhile, etoys, with a limited supply, plans to have a "Furby-a-Day" sweepstakes from early December until Christmas. Good luck.