A barn for your animals and 25% off at Rosie Hippo

First of all, if you have Christmas money to spend, Rosie Hippo still has 25% off all toys through January 1.  Even better, Rosie Hippo is supporting RoomtoGrow.org  by donating one toy to a child born into poverty for each order over $100; however, this ends at midnight December 31. A great opportunity to stock up for birthdays.

Now to the toy review......

Creche or Little Barn ($40.00)

I have been admiring this wooden toy barn for a long time and was so happy to be able to review this toy.  Earlier this month, my children had seen the play "Charlotte's Web" at our local high school and they were having fun playing "pig on the farm" with their Holztiger animals.  The barn reminded me of the set of the play.

This was supposed to be a pre-Holiday review.  Unfortunately, poor barn went to my old address (oops!) and arrived a few days after Christmas.  I apologize profusely if anyone is saying "Darn! That would have been the perfect gift!"  But, birthdays, Valentine's Day, Easter, feeling down, and snow are all good gift giving occasions.

Santa loves to bring us Holztiger, so the new animals were happy to have a new home.  In fact, here are the animal families all lined to ask Santa to bring them a new barn....

I have to laugh because we spent a lot of time at the mall in a very similar line. 

So the happy animals got their new barn and the girls did play "Charlotte's Web".  I dug up a plastic Halloween spider to be Charlotte.

So, Wilbur and Charlotte spent some quiet time together while Arielle dug out the rest of the farm animals.

They all agreed, it is a nice barn.  The wood is smooth.  It's easy for children to get their hands in.

Look, Fern is a princess!

And, everyone played nicely together.

The barn arrives packed flat and does require some easy assembly - but, a child can do it. There are no screws or nails, so if you are short on storage space, it quickly comes apart for storage.  But, it would also look really cute set up on a dresser or shelf.

There is an optional star, so it can be used for nativity scenes (or to hold a rooster).  It would be adorable with dollhouse dolls.

I know this barn will be used a lot.   Thank you, Rosie Hippo. And, everyone else, check out the sale and help a good cause.

Happy Birthday Natural Pod - save 15%

Natural Pod asked me to let you all know about their birthday sale. Just in time for Easter shopping, take 15% off your purchase (including preorders) through Sunday, March 21 with the code "springbirthday2010".

Check out Natural Pod for a variety of natural toys, including Mama K's aromatic play clay (I have some in my purse). What I really love are the wooden toys - especially these birds nests ($12.99 CAD). They are the perfect gift for Arielle.



Happy Birthday, Natural Pod!

PADiLLY

If you head over to PADiLLY you will find page after page of beautiful toys. You can almost hear the delighted squeals on Christmas Day! As you browse the site keep in mind that PADiLLY has generously shared a coupon code with us. To redeem it enter SARAToysPADiLLY when you check out.

While I loved so many toys at PADiLLY the following represent my favorites:

Haba Egg Race (Made in Germany)

This toy would make the perfect party game! I can also see it chasing away the winter blues. What could be more fun than racing around the house with a clown's head on a stick? Small toys that encourage activity are perfect in my book.

Quadrilla Basic Set (Made in China)This set is made in China. However, I have included it as it is made of sustainable wood and is colored with water based stains. I showed my six-year-old this picture and his jaw dropped. "This is going on my list for sure!" Love at first sight! This 99 piece set is currently on sale at $47.99.

Glueckskaefer Green House of Doors (Made in Bosnia-Herzegovina)

This many doored house is just adorable. The play possibilities are endless. Is it a fairy house, a horse stable or a garage? Let the kids decide. I know that my two toy hounds would find a million ways to use all those doors. The house is painted with water based paints and has a slightly rough, earthy texture.