There’s more to toys than Target
The Toy Sales are on… I know this only because of the Tweetstream. We don’t receive catalogues in our mailbox. I hardly watch commercial TV.
Yes, I admit it, I’m weird. And I’m obviously getting weirder, because this year, I won’t be shopping at Target for Christmas presents.
There are several reasons for this.
- We may have gone overboard the last couple of years and still have a stash of Lego and Meccano goodies packed away, waiting for the munchkin to grow into them.
- I am completely OVER everything being licensed. Not that I’m opposed to licensed goods – we have had our fair share of Thomas trains, Cars undies, Bob the Builder tools and Wiggles something-or-others. But I’ve chosen my brands carefully, i.e. TV shows and movies the munchkin has truly loved AND that sit comfortably with our values AND we believe are suitable for his age group. (NB. I am EXTREMELY annoyed with Dreamworks/Disney about the level of violence in the recent Cars 2 movie, but that is another story!)
- I have found a whole other world of toys out there…
- There are toys handmade with love, many by people who have become my friends.
- There are toys that are eco-friendly, made from natural materials and with less harmful manufacturing methods than the multitudes of mass-produced, Chinese “use once and discard when bored” toys available through the major outlets.
- There are commercial toy producers that care about children’s creativity and imagination and create toys that allow enough room for kids to use them for a wide range of play experiences.
- The majority of these toys are built to last, to be handed on, shared and cherished by others.
But you won’t find them in Target. You’ll find them in those lovely little local boutiques, staffed by people who care and know their stuff.
Those of you who follow me on Facebook will know that during the last couple of school holidays, the munchkin and I have been touring Melbourne’s toy shops. Yes, it’s for work. But it has also allowed us to discover the incredible world of toys beyond his bedroom (which has been completely taken over with Lego these days). We’ve met some wonderful people. Hopefully one day, some of them will become my stockists. I couldn’t wish for more passionate, knowledgeable people to work with.
We’ve visited WAY too many to include them all here, but I thought I’d share with you some of our discoveries.
Geppettos Workshop – Olinda and Sassafras (and Sorrento too, but we haven’t been there yet)
Thought it best to start with my local. We are regulars here (every time the munchkin picks the Car treat card!), although I have not yet met the new owners, Dion and Kim. Geppettos stocks THE BEST range of puppets you will ever find, although we mostly shop here for birthday gifts for friends and cute little party treats (and Siku cars).
The Walrus and the Carpenter – North Carlton
One of my friends is a Playmobil addict. She would be in heaven here! Of course, they have lots of fabulous other things too, including a huge range of games and puzzles. The new store in Nicholson Street is scarily close to the equally dangerous The Little Bookroom, and kid-friendly café Birdie Num Nums, so it’s worth a day out!
Jasper Junior – Royal Arcade and Chadstone Shopping Centre (but they need a website!)
Hubby and I have been frequenting the Royal Arcade store since the munchkin was tiny, so it was great to find out they have a much bigger (and less cramped) store at Chadstone. They stock just about everything that isn’t found in the majors, so you’re bound to find something special for kids of all ages. I go there regularly just to check out what’s new in the toy world.
Honeybee Toys – Malvern
Honeybee Toys stocks an amazing collection of Steiner toys which, even if (like me) you are not into Steiner, are wonderful things for an imaginative child to have. I loved their wonderful range of silk products, including dress ups. They also had the most incredible timber castles, treehouses, doll houses etc you have ever seen – I just wish we had the space! The munchkin loves his new wizard wand, complete with magic silk ribbon.
EcoToys – Hawthorn East
Melinda has very high eco standards (she’s a friend of mine, so I know.) If you want environmentally friendly toys that also inspire discovery and creativity, this is THE place to go. Thanks to the makedo I bought here for the munchkin’s birthday, I now have cardboard boxes completely taking over my dining room.
Three Four Knock at the Door – Port Melbourne
A little off the beaten track (as in, it’s not on Bay Street), but with plenty of space for prams, active kids and story time, this store is full of fabulous finds. I loved that their little drawing area kept the munchkin occupied, while I had time to investigate their wonderful book collection. And that I rediscovered Fuzzy Felt here. Look forward to finding Leaf products here soon…
The Friendship Tree – Northcote
Visiting this store may have been one of the few times in my life I have wished for a daughter. The little felt fairy toadstools, tea sets, dolls and furniture were to die for, and while I’m sure the munchkin would love them, I can’t imagine they’d stay clean and nice for very long. There were however, hand carved wooden bridges that I may have to go back for to put in our fairy garden.
With incredibly beautiful toys like these, even Lego is fading into the background in my mind (if that’s possible!)
Next week…
Some of my favourite toy finds…
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E says:
July 22, 2011 at 11:13 pm
You’re not weird. Or if you are I am too. The only way I know about the Target sale is from facebook friends. BTW, you forgot one – Treetop Toyshop on Sydney Rd. It’s my local.
Katrina says:
July 23, 2011 at 8:52 am
Thanks love the tip off for day trip to Carlton! I’m in total agreeance Re: Target sale.
I’m not sure if I ever actually bought our little man anything from a sale? They just don’t have the toys we want, best buys have been blocks from Ecotoys and Mobilo from his daycares toydirect catalogue. Then the Tonka Truck, does Target even stock proper metal Tonkas that suffer the punishment? Come to think of it, what do they stock? And why do we need to buy for Christmas right now? I think I’ll take a trip to Carlton closer to the date!
L-J says:
July 23, 2011 at 11:23 am
It’s people like you (and of course me and my sis lol) that keep our small businesses going. The reality is that we can’t compete with Target, K-Mart, Myers and the like….and frankly we don’t want to. When Danielle and I opened our little shop our main aims in terms of the products was to offer high quality toys and books, preferably with an educational element. We wanted things that people could INVEST in for their children, and pass it on to their grandchildren.
Without your support we couldn’t be here. And btw can’t wait to stock your lovely products
Cath says:
July 23, 2011 at 9:21 pm
Yes, we loved Treetops too… We’ve been to well over 20 boutique toys shops now and they were all fabulous. I couldn’t possibly make a list that long in a blog post!
Cath says:
July 23, 2011 at 9:22 pm
I think we got the munchkin’s Tonka trucks in a toy sale, but that was few years ago. The Classic ones are the way to go. 4 1/2 years later and they are still rolling down the mountain as well as the day he got them!
Cath says:
July 23, 2011 at 9:26 pm
Hear, hear… I love that my Mum has been able to share some of our toys with the munchkin. And that he can play with his Daddy’s and his uncle’s space Lego. Even more, I’m so glad that some of our favourite toys are making a come-back (have I mentioned Fuzzy Felt at any stage?) We’ve always treated our toy buying as an investment, so while the little boy has fewer toys, they have greater creative potential and will last a very long time. Keep up the good work ladies… you are doing great things!
Stace says:
July 24, 2011 at 9:44 pm
You’re not weird. The ONLY television I watch is ABC for Kids, and that’s only a couple of specific shows. I watch nothing at all for myself.
And thanks very much for the list of toyshops!! Being a cheap, unimaginative, lazy mother, I pretty much stick to Target and Big W… but I shall be re-thinking that strategy, the next time a friend’s child has a birthday!!
Kim says:
July 26, 2011 at 11:42 pm
Hi Cath, we’re so glad to hear about your enjoyment of our stores. Thanks so much for putting it out there, it makes all our hard work worthwhile to get feedback like this. We’re a few months into running the stores and are loving it-even though we have time for little else. Please do ask for Dion when you’re in the stores as it’s always lovely to meet a regular customer. I’m not in there much myself as I’m home with three “munchkins” of our own. We too have been making a big effort to shop “on the mountain” as much as we can. It really gives us a great feeling to support the local business and our community.
Cath says:
July 27, 2011 at 7:36 am
Hi Kim, thanks for dropping by. Shall make sure I introduce myself to Dion next time I’m in.
Lisa says:
July 30, 2011 at 9:56 pm
Have you found Mind Alive in Leake St in Essendon? Fabulous stuff – the owner knows her stuff and knows where everything is…
Cath says:
July 30, 2011 at 10:02 pm
Oooh! That sounds interesting… Shall have a look. Thank you for the suggestion.
Charis says:
November 27, 2011 at 9:33 am
Great post. We don’t have Target but Argos & the supermarkets hold that little slice of the market.
Visiting via the Rewind.