Ok,

I wish, wish, wish I lived in an area where I could do yard sales, discount shops etc...but we are hours away from a town/city that is big enough for this.

So....I am hoping and crossing my fingers that some of you non-plastic-toy mamas will be able to direct me to some online sites or catalogs that have wooden and natural toys.

Hopefully a site that will not be soooo "out-of-our-league" price wise?

One thing I really want but don't know where to get one is that wooden indoor playhouse type of thing (I saw one in the post on this board about playareas)...the one that looks like two benches with high sides and pole across the top. You could use this with a silk/blanket over the top for a fort, or as a puppet theater, or to play store etc....My husband may even be able to make one if he could see some photos of one of these things from various angles. (any mamas who can provide photos of theirs?)


I'm also looking for a really really durable wooden toy car parking garage. We have the plastic Fischer Price one and I'd like to replace it. My parents bought a cheapie wooden one a few years ago and it got broken less than a week after Christmas.

I have two children with Down syndrome/autism in addition to four other active children so I really really need durable toys.

If you can give me 1-800 numbers off any catalogs that you have so I can call and request a catalog, that would be great!!!

Also any links to websites or WAHM's that may sell these things. I see posts here on Amity's that refer to a WAHM by first name only and I am totally clueless as to how to get a hold of the mama.

Thanks and sorry this was so long....just wanted to make sure I gave a good overall picture of what I am looking for. (that and I'm sleep deprived...been up since 2am with our very unpopular poodle)

Hugs and Bright Blessings,

(((((

Michelle

Kinderwishes.com has playstands with several pictures if that helps. Here's a few more toy sites.
http://www.rosiehippo.com
http://www.hannahsorchard.com :D
http://www.magiccabin.com
Also, smarterkids.com has a bunch of wooden stuff.
I really really really wish the list of Amity WAHMs was up. I needed that when I was ISO stockmar crayons the other day. I ended up getting them from New Homemaker. Not sure if she's a WAHM or not but she was totally nice and great to do biz with anyway.

http://www.playstoretoys.com/playframes.html
http://www.treeblocks.com/
http://toymobile.com
http://www.juliestuff.com/pages/Products.html
http://www.blackforesttoys.com
http://www.peapods.com
http://www.crunchymamma.com/
* I have more links somewhere I just have to find them.

Check this thread on waldorfy ideas that are low cost:
http://www.amitymama.com/vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=17007&highlight=wood+
toys

Does your dh have any wood tools? Even with the basics, he could cut some
wood blocks for the children. My dh did. Same ones as I priced for $100! a
set online plus shipping.



Try Ebay! http://www.ebay.com
Also TJ Maxx, Marshalls, Tuesday Morning, Ross,. I prefer to get wood
toys locally unless I can find an online place with free shipping.


I personally would not reccomend Magic Cabin. Overpriced and not very high
quality. Just my opinion.

**Edited to remove Target as a reccomendation out of sensitivity for another thread.

http://www.waldorfresources.org has online play stand plans

Waldorf Shop has several links to toy makers.

I agree with Magic Cabin.
The quality has gone so down hill and they are so expensive!!!


Hope

I just printed out the plans for the playstands and am gonna go buy the stuff tomorrow at Lowes if they will be open. If not, then Tuesday! I don't have any saws except for a handsaw, so will see if a friend can cut it, if not then will be going to the wood shop on base! :) The plans leave out some dimensions so i hope it got it figured out ok! Wonder how much these will cost to make!

ROFL! My dh just called from work and I told him about how I was gonna make one of these tomorrow and he asked what a play stand was and I tried my best to explain what it was. And he asked "Do we need this right now?" well he knows I have about 350.00 saved to spend on wooden toys and it was funny cause this is one of THE major things that I wanted the kids to have. There are sooooooooo many things they can do with these. It just struck me funny that he was thinking it was something as simple as a set of blocks or something. silly dh.

Some "bigger" stores that have really good prices/sales are
www.smarterkids.com get on their mailing list, and you will get lots of coupons. I haven't seen too many great sales lately, but they usually have a couple of incredible ones every year (50-85% off!!) lOts and lots of wooden toys, educational toys, high quality stuff.

www.estyle.com they might have good new customer coupons too. I used to get tons of things FREE from this store...they were new, and would send out free $20 gc like every other month!!
but not lately :( check though, for they still might do something for new customers.

also www.mycoupons.com has lots of coupon codes and great deals...do a search for wooden toys or toy sales and you might find some great, great deals!!

Hope this helps!!
Christy

Originally posted by woodfairie
Some "bigger" stores that have really good prices/sales are
www.smarterkids.com get on their mailing list, and you will get lots of coupons. I haven't seen too many great sales lately, but they usually have a couple of incredible ones every year (50-85% off!!) lOts and lots of wooden toys, educational toys, high quality stuff.

Hope this helps!!
Christy

I just got the wooden dollhouse and wooden furniture (for the entire house) for 45.00 shipped :) I had 10.00 coupon for signing up for the newsletter and the dollhouse was like 31.00 on sale and the furniture was 22.00 around ... the whol ething would have came to like 117.00 I think it said! awesome deal!

try
www. whimsicality.com or www.thebabylane.com

Lisa owns both and I have spent major $$ with her over the past 4.5 years. High quality and great CS.

Lori


I also agree about magic cabin, poor quality and I think their shipping is high.

Originally posted by huntersmommy
try
www. whimsicality.com or www.thebabylane.com

Lisa owns both and I have spent major $$ with her over the past 4.5 years. High quality and great CS.

Lori


I also agree about magic cabin, poor quality and I think their shipping is high.


Lisa sold The Babylane a while ago :) She lives down the road a ways from me :)

Originally posted by hannahsorchard
if not then will be going to the wood shop on base! :)

Oh DUH! I totally forgot about the base wood shop!!! Sheesh! *I* can make some simple stuff like the playstands and not have to drive to Ohio to get them or spend a million dollars buyng tools! Awesome!!!

Originally posted by twiceblessed


Oh DUH! I totally forgot about the base wood shop!!! Sheesh! *I* can make some simple stuff like the playstands and not have to drive to Ohio to get them or spend a million dollars buyng tools! Awesome!!!

have you ever been to yours? I havnt. But my friend Kim (klindeman here) has. You have to sit through a brief class. I might see if someone will go with me! Just to the first time, i am wierd like that. Don't like looking lost lol.

You can order a huge catalog of toys, practical living stuff (mini brooms, dishes, pitchers, garden tools, etc) from http://www.montessoriservices.com . Some stuff is priced the same as you'd see elsewhere, but most items are surprisingly low-cost! The big catalog is no-frills, though, black and white photos-- but good descriptions of everything. I've had great luck finding Plan Toys stuff on ebay and at TJMaxx, Marshall's etc.

Amy

Thank you everyone!!!

I showed my dh a photo of the playstands online and he said he could easily make those!! Yeah!! Thank you Hope for the link to the plans...that will help out. (He was just going to go off the the dimensions given in the catalog online)

I remember Lisa at the Babylane! That is where I purchased all my cloth diapers, my sons "woolie" (lambskin) and some baby toys. She also use to ship diaper pins to me at a low rate...she did provide great service! I remember that she had twins, correct? Boy, it has been nearly 3 years since I ordered...she still owned the shop then.

I know this may be difficult for some here to imagine, but we live about a 6 hour drive *one way* to the nearest TJMaxx/Marshalls etc....So, I have to purchase things via the internet and catalogs. I really apprecaited all the great links to online places....I am going to that one site (thanks Christy!) right after I post this and read my PM's.

I have already ordered my playsilks (6) for christmas and hope to order three more. The ones we had have fallen apart, I got them from Hearthsong and I now wonder if they were the thinner quality ones and not the more durable silks that Barb and Joyce sell.

Thank you for the montessori link. I stumbled accross a great Waldorf online catalog yesterday and I try to remember where it was and post it for you all. It had the best price I've yet to see on Modeling beeswax and it also had sculpty soap!

I have my "working list" for Christmas. I just may start another thread about a "natural Yule/Christmas" (we celebrate both here)

Anyway, I want to thank each and every mama for responding to this post and giving me all the great links!

I just love you all :) We have a amazing community here!!

:waving:

Michelle

Hi mamas,

Here is that link for the Waldorf resources:

I hope this works! *lol*

http://www.waldorfresources.org/rc/catalogs_listings3.html

Hugs and Bright Blessings,

(((((

Michelle

http://www.islandtreasuretoys.com/

This place has had the lowest prices I have yet to see : )

Originally posted by ESMcKeeman
http://www.islandtreasuretoys.com/

This place has had the lowest prices I have yet to see : )

I stumbled across that site last week and am wondering if it is just my computer, or does the "play house" (I think that was the name) and a couple other product links come up blank for you too?

I see those playstands and am curious as to their price and dimensions but can't find them on their site and am wondering if they are on one of those blank pages....and my computer is acting up?

Hugs,

Michelle

Julie sells wooden toys at great prices
http://www.juliestuff.com
I think she has the wooden garage.

There was a thread in the market awhile ago about making your own playstands. Let me see if I can find it.

Okay, took a bit of doing but I found it
http://www.amitymama.com/vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=18396

I didn't have any problems with the site, and I have a Mac!

Sorry : (

I love those playstands! The price/diminsions are listed under the make believe tab...each end is separate as are the two sides of the awning. The stands are 34 1/2'' by 37 1/2 '' and are $124.95 each (waaaay too much for me right now...but then again Lauren is only 7mo anyway:) The awnings are 26'' long and are $59.95 each. Oh well, if I start saving now, I might have enough saved up to get it by the time she's five or six:D That is a cool site though!

Originally posted by lillaurensmomma
I love those playstands! The price/diminsions are listed under the make believe tab...each end is separate as are the two sides of the awning. The stands are 34 1/2'' by 37 1/2 '' and are $124.95 each (waaaay too much for me right now...but then again Lauren is only 7mo anyway:) The awnings are 26'' long and are $59.95 each. Oh well, if I start saving now, I might have enough saved up to get it by the time she's five or six:D That is a cool site though!

Jamie,

Thanks for the dimensions and price on the playstands.. I still can't get anything to come up on the site.

My dh is making ours and I love the idea of the two shelves but I'd like for our top shelf to be removable for more play options.

Thanks again :)

Michelle

www.woodentoy.com

www.goodwoodtoys.com