We’re partial to high play-value toys that multi-task. Toys that inspire imagination instead of restrict it. Toys that can be passed down to siblings, on to friends or packed away for the next generation of players. Which is why we’ve been spending way too much time browsing the Bumblebee Toys website lately.
This Nelson-based online boutique focuses on quality toys that are durable, tested on the owners’ tots, battery-free and if there is anything plastic it’s PVC-free. They’ve got you covered from A-T, with selections starting with Active Play and ending with Tooth Fairy Pillows. They carry brands we already love like Lyra, Sprig, Green Toys and Naturebag and lots of brands we’d like to get to know better like Maxim Deluxe and Sarah’s Silks.
We stocked up on their playsilks, which provide hours of by-themselves-enjoyment for kids. For babies they’re perfect for playing peek-a-boo and when they’re a bit bigger they’ll use them as capes, scarves, parachutes and anything else you can think of. And we couldn’t resist their horsie reins which we’d never seen anywhere else. They’re made from braided silk with jingle bells and are perfect for siblings to share, although you may get roped into wearing them yourself when you’re nominated as the horse in whatever game your little ones have dreamed up.
Given that Halloween is fast approaching we’ve been perusing their Dress Ups selection which includes a beautiful unicorn costume and a magical wizard outfit among others. These aren’t the cheapest costumes around but we predict they’ll be used for dress up ever after and because they’re made of silk you don’t have to worry about icky fabrics and plastic masks. And you can accessorize with their wooden hand-carved pumpkins and jack-o-lanterns.
We do wish their site had a list of brands they carry and that you could bookmark specific items – all the better to send as a wish list to grandparents and aunties – but other than that we find it easy to navigate and search and (and as you know) very tempting to browse.
Bumblebee Toys: www.bumblebeetoys.com