best prices on natural toys, games, dolls ect.

[guestmama9904]

the thread on how much families are spending on kid's christmas presents got me thinking maybe we could all list our favorite resources and ideas for frugal, yet beautiful and ethical toys.

anyone care to join?

i am still looking to see if i can magically find a great deal on Ostheimer wooden knights and castles.

the online/catalog sources that seem to be an ok deal to me are www.novanaturals.com for things like waldorf dolls and www.magiccabin.com

[Bella's Mama]

I like www.kidsurplus.com They have Playmobil, Calico Critters, Brio, Haba, Lego...

[Maeve]

http://www.kangarooboo.com/ seems to have good prices and they have free shipping over $75.

[bigteamug]

we like threesisterstoys.com, babycenter.com has some decent stuff
(tabs for wood, organic, etc) and often has sales and codes, thewoodenwagon.com is good, too. I like http://saras-toy-box.blogspot.com/

for toys and toy store recommendations. She also has codes (they need updating soon, but I'm hoping more'll show up shortly).

Personally, I like to look at Magiccabin for ideas (they have a nice catalog) but I find their prices high, shipping high, and they have shifted away from the original owner's ideals since it's been linked to the hearthsong catalog. For example, we're looking at the wooden rainbow for our girls- 89 at mc, I believe, and hefty shipping, but 73 at three sisters or the wooden wagon. and both of those have $5 shipping all the time! Magic Cabin is all too good about labelling things made in Germany, but if it is made in China, you usually need to ask to confirm it, which annoys me. So, if it ain't labeled, assume it is made in China. But I do love to browse for ideas.

Oh, and blueberry forest toys is good, too, esp for good dolls - theirs look cheaper than most right now.

HTH.

[guestmama9904]

Originally Posted by bigteamug

we like threesisterstoys.com, babycenter.com has some decent stuff
(tabs for wood, organic, etc) and often has sales and codes, thewoodenwagon.com is good, too. I like http://saras-toy-box.blogspot.com/

for toys and toy store recommendations. She also has codes (they need updating soon, but I'm hoping more'll show up shortly).

Personally, I like to look at Magiccabin for ideas (they have a nice catalog) but I find their prices high, shipping high, and they have shifted away from the original owner's ideals since it's been linked to the hearthsong catalog. For example, we're looking at the wooden rainbow for our girls- 89 at mc, I believe, and hefty shipping, but 73 at three sisters or the wooden wagon. and both of those have $5 shipping all the time! Magic Cabin is all too good about labelling things made in Germany, but if it is made in China, you usually need to ask to confirm it, which annoys me. So, if it ain't labeled, assume it is made in China. But I do love to browse for ideas.

Oh, and blueberry forest toys is good, too, esp for good dolls - theirs look cheaper than most right now.

HTH.

i just found out this morning that magic cabin is affiliated with hearth song. i really dislike what heartsong has become, lots of gadgetty stuff. and i saw that there is a 35$ price difference in the same toy that my son likes, a wooden fairy house. how can a company charge 35$ more then another?:

71.00 here http://www.threesisterstoys.com/p-10...e-village.aspx

105.00 http://www.magiccabin.com/magiccabin...&cmvalue=MCD|2

[Maeve]

I agree with the suggestion for Three Sisters Toys. They are very nice and ship quickly. They also have a coupon for free shipping on orders over $25.

[Belleweather]

For basic wooden toys like unpainted trucks, we've been doing e-bay. There are a number of sellers on ebay who are older guys who whittle or make toys as a hobby and we've been able to get some really nice plain trucks for DS for a really reasonably price. PLUS, they're made in America and supporting actual craftspeople.

[ZippyGirl]

UrthChild.com has a 10% off coupon code in the November/December issue of Mothering. They are also running a special for $15 off orders $100+, and $35 off orders $200+. They also have free shipping over $75. I like how they have wooden natural toys, including Waldorf toys, but also clothes and other items...one stop shopping I guess!

[CallMeKelly]

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5984712
These handmade giraffes and dinosaurs are great for teething babies (I'm guessing from the description) and toddlers (I know, because the dinosaur I ordered is the only thing DS has been able to comfortably teeth on. They are available in organic, cust. service is great and the are cute, cute, cute!!!

$12-$18 not bad for handmade and adorable.

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5226965
Very cool animal puzzles. (I haven't specifically bought from this etsy person) I used to think at the price these types of puzzles would be MIC and the seller pretends to make them by hand. Then I bought a scroll saw, read some articles about the original designer of puzzimals and how fast purchasers are able to produce puzzles. Now I actually do believe that most people selling these are just wood crafters and not getting laser cut woodimals in bulk from some sweatshop. In short, I am hoping to get a few of these and @10.00-20.00 not bad for handmade heirlooms.


I keep checking this http://www.alisonsmontessori.com/Mon...rials_s/18.htm but I'm not sure how ethical they are or how well I'll be able to pass off what I eventually decide on as toys.

http://www.atoygarden.com/ Sonya has a great selection of ethical and natural toys and her prices usually match the lowest comparable for any toy I've looked at.

[Maeve]

Originally Posted by Maeve

http://www.kangarooboo.com/ seems to have good prices and they have free shipping over $75.

Just a little update:

I just ordered from them a few days ago and it was shipped out that same day. They should be here Thurs.
And lots of made in the USA toys, etc.

[marimara]

Also, www.imagiplay.com coupon code "KIDSTUFF" for 15% off your order thru Dec 30.
Really great wooden puzzles and stuff.

[CallMeKelly]

http://cgi.ebay.com/Haba-Walking-Wag...1%7C240%3A1318

A Wow! Ebay example... haba walking wagon for 20.00 and 20.00 shipping. I so wish we had room for this!

[CallMeKelly]

I just bought a Guidecraft Feel and Find for 1.99 on Ebay! Usually retails at 19.99 +