I just finished reading with great interest the thread below on crap toys. I don't have the same issue as the OP on that thread so thought I'd start a new thread rather than derailing the very interesting conversation going on over there.

My issue is availability of toys that are really really good. I live in a geographically isolated area, and we have - tada! - Walmart! We also have Ross which gets in some toys sporadically. There's also a toy store called KayBee Toys or something in the mall. My blessed MIL combs these stores regularly but often comes away frustrated and instead brings over toys she makes them (a gesture I thoroughly approve of by the way), toys like their current fave, a clear plastic box that has buttons in it - just the size they can hold and shake. One holds and shakes, the other boogies to the beat. Yes it is exactly as cute as you are picturing!

Anyhoo, as you see below we just celebrated a birthday and the girls got lots of toys - we let them play with a few at a time and put new ones into the rotation every so often so they don't get overwhelmed. While I am not as averse to noisy battery-using toys as those on the thread I just read, I am astonished at how difficult it is to find anything else. It seems there should at least be some variety... but what do I know? After 10 years of infertility, a roller coaster of a twin pregnancy, and many months working at BFing (now a breeze thankfully), I haven't, frankly, given toys much thought. Life and survival came first. Thankfully, I am now able to devote some attention to toys!

But that's where I need some help. Where do you get good toys? We'd love to find, for just one example, wooden ones, but even my parents who live in large metropolitan areas can't find any! And believe me they look around! So, can you give me your sources? Christmas is coming up soon and the grandparents are going to be asking for their lists!

Thanks so much for any info you can give!

You are right, it is difficult.

I have often had good luck looking online for the kinds of toys I would like for ds. Constructive Playthings, for example, has great pretend play stuff like kitchen sets, and block sets. There are a few other companies from which you can order online as well as from a catalog they will send to you. One is, Back to Basics Toys, they have a lot of wonderful things. There is also Magic Cabin, and Rosie Hippo. All have websites.

As far as local stores, we do not live in a large area. We do have a ToysRUs, though, which carries a brand called Melissa and Doug (Lights,Camera, Interaction) that has very reasonably priced wooden toys. We have a lot of their toys and I would recommend them. You can also get them from Amazon, and I have seen a few things of theirs in the children's area of department stores. Sometimes children's clothing boutiques will sell a few of the nicer toys, like nice dolls and wooden puzzles.

I have to agree that Walmart and Kaybee have just about the worst selections imaginable! The only thing we might get there is Little People. I know they are plastic, but we leave the batteries out and ds spends hours playing with them in all kinds of ways. Plus, I have a soft spot for LP from my own childhood. :)

Some of the biggest hits for ds have not been "toys" at all. For a long time his favorite toys were a child-sized broom that we bought at home depot, along with a dustpan. I've seen little sets like this sold in toy stores for about 4 times the price. We also got a lot of the stuff for his play kitchen at Walmart and kitchen stores, like smallest sizes of colanders, little bowls, and utensils.

Do you have a learning supply store, like the kind teachers might use? We have found great stuff there, like all kinds of rhythm instruments, great art supplies, and puppets, to name a few.

Kudos to your MIL for creating her own toys! It seems like until at least age 2 or 3, those kinds of things are what they most want to play with, anyway!

thrift stores~~i've found the best wooden toys at secondhand stores and garage sales. they're well made, and usually look better than new. the wood seems to take on a beautiful patina from years of being played with. they sell very inexpensively and i've found so many awesome wooden toys that i havent been able find anywhere else new.

there's a book called: toymaking with children by freya jaffke. i highly recommend it if you're into making your own toys. we've done a few projects from the book and are VERY happy with the results. :)

Hot diggity dawg, thanks ladies! I can't wait to get started checking these sources out! :thumb

My DH is a chip off the old block, he, like my sainted MIL (as well as sainted FIL), likes to work with his hands. I am going to get that book on toymaking, I bet he'll have a blast!

Thanks again! I'm really getting into this, I may have to hide my credit cards from myself! ;)

Toys (https://www.naturalfamilyboutique.com/Shop/Toys.aspx?nancym)

These are wonderful! Thats one of the main reasons I joined that company, was so I could get the discount on the toys! :love

I have only found a very few things at the mainstream stores that I liked, some stacking cups, a couple rattles...but these wooden toys are gorgeous and well made, and every kid that comes to my house gravitates to them.

Have fun shopping!

Toys R Us carries some wooden toys, but sometimes you really have to look.

Check in your phone book, a lot of times there are small mom & pop toy stores that carry wooden and hand-made toys, especially in smaller towns.

I second the suggestions of Magic Cabin and Constructive Playthings. I have ordered from those catalogs and I have been pleased.

I'd also suggest Hearthsong.

Namaste!