Story highlights Toys "R" Us Canada is searching for a new chief play officer

Alex Thorne, 13, is stepping down

(CNN) Retirement isn't usually part of a growing child's life, but Alex Thorne's life is far from ordinary.

Come December 31, Alex will not only be celebrating his 14th birthday, he's stepping down from his position as chief play officer for Toys "R" Us Canada.

Alex, of Pickering, Ontario, became the fourth kid to take the job of CPO after winning a competition in 2013 organized by the Canadian division of the toy company.

During his tenure, Alex has played with "hundreds and hundreds" of toys, deciding what's hot and what's not in toys targeting all age groups and genders.

Alex Thorne has held the tough job of chief play officer for Toys "R" Us Canada.

"There are some toys I test that are really for toddlers so, personally, they don't appeal to me. But I can definitely see how I would like them if I was younger," he said.

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