Play and Learn Toys ~ The Way It Should Be.
At times in the Canadian prairies it’s tough to find those great natural & open ended toys that many of us believe in (toys that allow children to play…and learn…without getting overstimulated or ingesting nasty chemicals) without paying insane shipping charges and customs fees. We recently discovered a northern Albertan company, Play and Learn Toys, that solves that problem for parents all over Canada. Owner Narissa Singh, a UNB Business graduate, has lived in northern Alberta for nearly ten years and struggled to find Canadian sources for quality toys for her own children. She has chosen to offer a super array of products from some great manufacturers known for their quality & safety, and runs her business out of her home since her tiny town doesn’t have retail space for a store.
Play & Learn Toys carries many products that I’ve seen on European sites and been curious about, so I was thrilled to see that they’re available in Canada now – and being from a mom-run business makes it even better!
My children are absolutely loving their new Stepped Pyramid ($54.99) from Grimms. It consists of a square wooden base filled with blocks in a variety of colours, sizes and versatile shapes. With an open ended toy like this, the possibilities for learning are endless. We now use them daily for imaginative building play and they’ve been castles, rocketships, dragons, post offices, houses and so much more. That’s the thing with great toys – they don’t do the imagining or noisemaking for you, so they can be anything at any time. Grimms’ products are made in Germany of wood and non-toxic colourings.
Another super product the Play & Learn Toys carries is Contina by Bamboo ($29.99). This is not just another sets of blocks. Contina includes a rainbow of colors, black and natural finishes on 100 bamboo sticks which are small and lightweight for children 3 years and up. Combine colors, create a rainbow, stack lengthwise like dominos or pile them high for tons of creative fun. The possibilities are endless with Contina. It’s no wonder that Contina won the Best Toy award from Child’s Magazine.
Join Play & Learn Toys on Facebook.
Save 10% on your order with the code TOP10.
Win it! You can win a set of Contina by Bamboo from Play and Learn Toys. To enter, visit the Play & Learn Toys shop and comment here with another yet un-mentioned toy or item from the shop that you kinda dig. Contest closes at noon mst on February 9, 2010.
CONTEST CLOSED & WINNER EMAILED
February 1st, 2010 at 6:59 am
Thanks for sharing this wonderful company. These toys are really hard to get. I’m glad she took a step to make this possible to many parents and of course children.
The toys seems pretty affordable to me too
February 1st, 2010 at 7:49 am
I love the Alphabet Stamp Set by Melissa & Doug.
Pam´s last blog ..Tell Me Again
February 1st, 2010 at 7:51 am
I like this:
February 1st, 2010 at 9:13 am
I also like the play time fruit wooden fruit playset from mellisa and doug
Jennifer´s last blog ..Auto Hammer to get me back on a good streak?
February 1st, 2010 at 11:11 am
My son was looking with me so we like the Heros Car Racetrack the best~
What great prices!!!!! I am impressed!
chelle´s last blog ..Fitness Friday – Goals & Giveaway!
February 1st, 2010 at 11:43 am
Plan Toys kitchen accessories!
February 1st, 2010 at 1:20 pm
I love the Rainbow Large Grimms stacking toy – it looks like so much fun but I’d love to win the Contina by Bamboo.
February 1st, 2010 at 1:36 pm
We also like the Barn by Plan Toys. Thanks for the giveaway.
February 1st, 2010 at 1:37 pm
I subscribe via google reader.
February 1st, 2010 at 1:38 pm
I love the Peppa bonding doll.. and bought one for my New Nephew
February 1st, 2010 at 2:40 pm
I think that the Dress Me Up Butterfly by Beleduc looks like something my kids would love.
February 1st, 2010 at 3:29 pm
the 3 little pigs play set.
February 1st, 2010 at 7:28 pm
Great website! The dancing alligator toy is super-cute and reasonably priced
February 1st, 2010 at 7:29 pm
That contina looks so cool! I also really like the Tower Wankel (funny name!)
Jennifer @ Quiverfull Family´s last blog ..Book Review: Jane Austen Ruined My Life by Beth Patillo
February 1st, 2010 at 7:30 pm
I also subscribe here by email.
Jennifer @ Quiverfull Family´s last blog ..Book Review: Jane Austen Ruined My Life by Beth Patillo
February 1st, 2010 at 9:35 pm
I like the Fill & Build Block Cart by Educo
February 1st, 2010 at 10:11 pm
I like the Eggspressions by Educo.
February 2nd, 2010 at 1:08 am
love the alphabet stamp set
autumn398 @yahoo.com
February 2nd, 2010 at 7:43 am
I liked the Airport by Plan Toys.
February 2nd, 2010 at 9:00 am
The shopping cart by M&D would be so fun to have. The girls would love to play store.
February 2nd, 2010 at 9:38 am
I like the Abby & Emma magnetic dress up.
February 2nd, 2010 at 1:07 pm
I like the Architectural Unit Blocks by Melissa & Doug.
February 2nd, 2010 at 3:46 pm
Architectural Unit Blocks by Melissa & Doug looks fantastic as well!
tvollowitz at aol dot com
February 2nd, 2010 at 4:08 pm
Ohhh, so happy to find a Canadian company for cool toys like this. I like the Trapecolo by Bamboo (and would like to play with it myself).
February 2nd, 2010 at 4:11 pm
I’m subscribed via Google Reader.
February 2nd, 2010 at 4:17 pm
I tweeted too!
http://twitter.com/Carmenscontests/status/8560495862
February 2nd, 2010 at 6:13 pm
The boys like the Delivery Vans by Plan Toys!
February 2nd, 2010 at 10:22 pm
I absolutely love the toys made by Plan toys and Haba. My favorite would have to be the New Terrace Dollhouse by Plan Toys. What a great Alberta company!
February 2nd, 2010 at 10:59 pm
I like the Gas Station by Plan Toys
February 3rd, 2010 at 12:35 am
The Airport by Plan Toys is my favorite-looks like fun!
smchester at gmail dot com
Susan C´s last blog ..New Year Resolution Update
February 3rd, 2010 at 10:00 am
Our daughter likes the “Dishwasher by Estia”.
February 3rd, 2010 at 10:30 am
There are some great toys there, I looked at the award winning ones and my favorite is the Rondo Vario by Beleduc, my kids love caterpillar games!
Heather´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday: My sweet baby Jillian with a unique hat and glasses…and Ben too!
February 3rd, 2010 at 10:50 am
Heros ABC Blocks
[88301]
February 3rd, 2010 at 6:33 pm
I think the barn is really neat. Thanks!
February 3rd, 2010 at 8:55 pm
I love discovering new Canadian websites!
I like the look of the Cathedral by Haba… my son loves building towers and is obsessed with the colours of the rainbow… this would be perfect!!
February 3rd, 2010 at 9:18 pm
What a great selection of natural toys! i really love the Tea Set by Yellow Label Kids. Thanks for the chance to win!
tree´s last blog ..Sneak peek.
February 3rd, 2010 at 9:22 pm
i subscribed to your RSS feed via google reader!
enchantedtree(at)hotmail.com
tree´s last blog ..Sneak peek.
February 3rd, 2010 at 10:26 pm
my kids would love the melissa and doug shopping cart
February 3rd, 2010 at 10:51 pm
I love Melissa and Doug stuff – and always thought the shopping cart was cool! But, I also love the No-slip Alligator hair clips!
February 4th, 2010 at 10:02 am
the soft food, like the donut set and ice cream set are cute, and I love the Nelly doll by Haba.
February 4th, 2010 at 2:17 pm
Pretty. That’s the kind of toy I wouldn’t mind leaving out.
February 4th, 2010 at 4:57 pm
I really like the dancing alligator toy. Thanks for the chance.
mogrill@comcast.net
February 4th, 2010 at 6:50 pm
I love the three little pigs playset by melissa and doug.
February 5th, 2010 at 6:22 am
I agree
February 5th, 2010 at 8:32 am
I really really like the stackable pyramid toy!!!
February 5th, 2010 at 12:51 pm
enter me thanks
February 5th, 2010 at 5:17 pm
Quality products,reasonable prices and only a 5% tax.My favorite dishwasher by Estia.Great site.
February 6th, 2010 at 6:38 am
I love clay play by melissa and doug
February 6th, 2010 at 10:02 am
i love basically anything by melissa and doug. one that caught my eye on the site was Architectural Unit Blocks by Melissa & Doug
February 6th, 2010 at 10:56 am
I also like the Nuts & Bolts by Plan Toys. Thanks! thebubbledies(at)gmail(dot)com
simone´s last blog ..Which trip would you pay anything for?
February 6th, 2010 at 6:29 pm
I like the Playtime fruit by Melissa and Doug.
karenshome65@yahoo.com
February 7th, 2010 at 11:24 am
My boys would like the architectural unit blocks.
February 7th, 2010 at 3:59 pm
[...] and product reviews are flowing. I have had the opportunity to be featured on My Wee Veiw and The Opinionated Parent and through the reviews and blogs that focus on trends and finding cool stuff for kids, I am able [...]
February 8th, 2010 at 2:22 am
Well the first thing I saw were the babylegz and of course I am a HUGE fan of these, but then saw the three little pigs playset. I could go on, but I have to go to bed. We have a two year old now and he wants to play play play. We LOVE TOYS here at this house as well as books.
M.
February 8th, 2010 at 5:37 am
I like the Allegro Stacking Ball by Haba.
February 8th, 2010 at 8:11 am
Heros Fantasy Blocks is something I think Ian would really love.
February 8th, 2010 at 12:36 pm
My daughter loves all kinds of blocks but she’s also getting into puzzles so I think she’d enjoy the Rainforest 48pc Jigsaw Puzzle by Melissa & Doug.
February 8th, 2010 at 1:10 pm
I like the Original Supermaze.
February 8th, 2010 at 1:17 pm
I like the Play Time Fruit by Melissa & Doug.
February 8th, 2010 at 2:14 pm
i like the dancing alligator!
February 8th, 2010 at 6:53 pm
I love the Nuts & Bolts by Plan Toys. It’s so cute!
istandkas@gmail.com
February 8th, 2010 at 7:05 pm
I love the Heros Super Circle in the train section – my son would love this! Thanks for the heads up on the site
February 8th, 2010 at 9:09 pm
We also like the Melissa & Doug Shopping Cart!
Storm´s last blog ..Review: Get Serious! Extractor
February 8th, 2010 at 10:07 pm
The Alphabet Abacus by Educo is so cool. My son is in a major ABC phase right now.
February 8th, 2010 at 10:17 pm
I like the Melissa & Doug push toy and the Sports Bag Spill & Fill by Melissa & Doug. Thanks!
February 9th, 2010 at 1:06 am
dancing alligator ty.
February 9th, 2010 at 6:52 am
My daughter would love the Coloured Bowls by Grimms.
February 9th, 2010 at 7:32 am
I like the Moringa Lacing Tree by Beleduc! Thanks!!
Sheila Hickmon´s last blog ..POM Wonderful Review
February 9th, 2010 at 8:20 am
I like the Construction Site 12 pc Jigsaw Puzzle as would my nephew. Thanks for the opportunity to win.
February 9th, 2010 at 8:30 am
I think their Dinosaur Stamp Set by Melissa & Doug would be fun and educational
February 9th, 2010 at 8:58 am
I love the Ice Cream Parlor Set by Melissa & Doug!
February 9th, 2010 at 9:10 am
The Architectural Unit Blocks by Melissa & Doug are pretty cool too!
February 9th, 2010 at 9:56 am
I like the Coloured Bowls by Grimms and Fire by Grimms. Colorful and very neat!
February 9th, 2010 at 10:12 am
i like the City Taxi & Police Car by Plan Toys
February 9th, 2010 at 11:24 am
I like the Road & Rail Deluxe by Plan Toys!
February 9th, 2010 at 11:43 am
City Taxi & Police Car by Plan Toys
February 9th, 2010 at 12:37 pm
dreamcleavers@yahoo.com
i really like the gas station, you don’t see a lot of toy gas stations
February 9th, 2010 at 1:33 pm
I like the Lotta doll, by Haba.
February 9th, 2010 at 4:48 pm
These are great, and very open-ended, could be anything. The Architectural Unit Blocks by Melissa & Doug would be very welcomed by my daughter, who loves to built towers (normally of Styrofoam blocks).
February 9th, 2010 at 6:03 pm
I love the Road & Rail adventure set