Today (the 20th of October) marks TWO YEARS since we launched our website (and I realize how much my boys have grown!) . We are thankful as a business to have weathered this economy and look forward to continued growth.
In celebration, we are putting all PLAN TOYS 25% OFF now through October 31st. Plan Toys is one of our favorite companies for so many reasons, from the quality of their products to the support they offer their retailers!Just in, Road & Rail Setsthat will look great under the holiday tree! Start your shopping now, and we think you'll agree with why we like these products so much.
Here are a few things that those young and old should have NO problem getting a 'handle', so to speak. These are also great, as there are no loose parts, so you can play almost anywhere and avoid chasing pieces!
We recommend packing any (or ALL) of these for that next trip, or, they make a perfect gift for that hard to by for kid or adult!
Flip a Ring from Schylling: simple enough, just 'flip' the ring on the string, and get different point values based on where it lands. My 4 year old (with NO technique) is better at this than me. Don't over think (or, over flip) this one - worth every cent of the $2.99 it costs
Wooden Catch Ball: Not completely unlike the Flip a Ring (but, in our humble opinion, a bit easier!). The sense of accomplishment will still prevent you from putting this one down, as it too is addictive. Another gem for $2.99.
Bounce Back Paddle Ball: you can't lose at this one!? A classic wooden paddle and 'pink' ball we all remember from our childhood. Kids will love just pounding at it, and the skilled will try to hit the 'bulls-eye' repeatedly. Yes, another $2.99 bargain!
That's THREE simple, unplugged games for less than $10 (TOTAL!). No more "when is it going to stop raining", "can we watch something"? or restless kids at the reststop!
The poor little people of our PLAN TOYS Eco-Town have forgotten to recycle, and as a result it has come back to 'eat' up their trees and green space.
We use this opportunity and play table display to generate awareness on the importance of recycling....
Need more inspiration?
Visit a Landfill (via video online) - we feel as though TOO MANY people set their garbage out on the sidewalk for pickup, then forget about it, but where is it actually going??
How to Recycle Anything (from Real Simple Magazine) - from Aerosol cans, to crayons, to jet skis, to keys, to Tyvek envelopes and everything else you can imagine
Earth911.org is a GREAT resource to help you find things like info about recycling in your town, 40 tips for the 40th Earth Day, how to recycle, and much, much more
We believe there is no excuse for NOT recycling: in today's times it is more and more accessible, recycling centers are user friendly, it's NOT a difficult thing, and it's the right thing to do for our planet and future generations. Lastly, don't forget to check out our extensive selection of Earth Friendly toys, from companies that put the environment right up there with making a profit.
Each Kit comes made out of renewable woods, a paint set, and open-ended painting possibilities. We suggest the puzzle for travel, as it's small enough to pack for any trip. Save the paints in the checked baggage for a fun, creativity inspiring craft activity at the destination.
Check out our website for these sets as well as other Environmentally friendly items from ImagiPLAY, as these sets offer play on many levels, and Stegosaurus is 1/3 off at only $9.99 (while limited supplies last)!
Personally, I'm not sure the twos are so terrible, BUT, just in case you may be having a difficult time with a 2-year old in your life, here are some things that may help cure them (at home OR on-the-go), at least for a while! Rainbow Stacker: this simple, classic wooden toy from Melissa & Doug has 8 pieces to stack, sort, and help teach colors. Big on fun, small enough to take along anywhere! ($7.99) Bead Maze: This Cactus Bead Maze from ImagiPLAY is just the answer for those long waits at the Doctor's office or a restaurant - move the beads around, count the beads, name the colors, make up stories about the desert! ($12.99 ON SALE for $8.95) also comes in a Palm Tree version
Wooden Vehicles from Maple Landmark: these Mini Monster Wooden Cars are perfect for little hands and safe for those 6 months and up. There is no paint, just natural wood. Many BIG adventures for these MINI monsters - also comes in Bus and Truck versions - collect them all (only $4.99 each)
PlanPreschool Teddy from Plan Toys; most kids young and old have plenty of plush teddy bears, but this wooden companion is pose-able and sized for small hands. Constructed to be safe for those 19 months and up. It takes teddies one step further! (17.95 ON SALE for $11.95)
Rub a Dub School of Fish: Fish-shaped cup fun from Alex Toys. No child should go without stacking cups with endless play opportunities including TUB play. The many colored, many sized cups lend themselves to stacking, nesting, counting, color recognition, and our kid's favorite, crashing the stack over! (only $10.99)
See, those 'terrible' twos' energy can be redirected to fun, interactive, and educational fun. Easy! (?)
What better way to help teach your kids about alternative energy than with toys from Plan Toy's Eco-Line? We're giving away a set valued at $65, the Plan City Natural Wood Eco-Home.
There are so many cool components to the set. Wind Turbines, Solar Panels and the Living Roof are clean sources of energy used in this PlanCity Eco Home. Power storage and a Grey Water Tank are added to eco play enjoyment.
The set also includes
2 figures
an Electric Scooter
furniture for 2 rooms.
close up of the wind turbine - close up of the solar panels
Would you like to win one?! One lucky winner will receive the Eco-Home Set, and FREE standard shipping within the U.S. We always extend the FREE shipping offer to any additional items you care to order, but, of course, there is no obligation to do so.
It's easy, here are several ways you earn entries
follow us on Twitter, comment here with your twitter name so we can check
tweet and include @kidstravelhappy as proof, and comment here that you tweeted
go to our home page and join our newsletter (sign up is lower LEFT of screen)
leave a comment about what 'earth friendly' things your family does on a regular basis
visit this link and then comment & let us know what other Eco-Town set you would add to supplement the Eco-Home
blog about this giveaway, and leave a comment here with the link (this is worth 5 entries, so leave 5 comments about it)
Remember, basically, you should leave a comment for every way you participate so that you earn the proper entries, we will check links etc.
WINNER to be ANNOUNCED on July 1st, with help from Random.org (yes, we will soon have a comment counter, but until then, we do count comment order manually!). Entries received until June 30th at 11:59PM Eastern Time.Come visit our shop in Bethel, Maine - we have an entire Eco-Town play table (above) to play with!
NOTE: this is recommended for kids ages 3 and up. This is a brand new toy, with slight box wear, and is intended for use by the recipient (or recipient's child!). By entering you agree that this is for your use, and that it is NOT to be sold via eBay or other means. If winner does not claim prize within 1 week of announcement, we will draw another winner. We will contact via the email given (as well as post here), so please use a valid email if you want to be able to find out if you won.
Thanks for playing and good luck. (my boys want ME to win this giveaway LOL!)
Well, moving on from vegetarian fare, to lower calorie, wooden food options. Wooden Play Food is perfect for kids and adults, as it never spoils, always looks fresh, you can add as much of it to your plate as you want, and you won't put on a pound... Obviously, you can't actually eat it, which is its only down-side, but with a couple of cloth bags full of some of our favorite 'in-edibles' you will be ready for your next picnic, gourmet snack, or tea time with teddy, a pet, your family, or maybe someone new you meet along your next journey (oh, and don't forget any and all imaginary friends!).
Now down to the tasty bits 1) Breakfast is not complete without the PlanActivity Breakfast Menu with Serving tray. This set promotes healthy eating choices, and will get kids 'fueled' up for the day. Made of wood, this set is durable for years of play. Set includes all in the picture below including: two slices of bread & a bun, sausage, bacon, cheese, fried egg, boiled egg, salt and pepper shakers and a tray to serve oneself or bring to share with others.
2) Healthy Snacks from PlanActivity Fruits & Veggie Set with or Without a Wooden Tray The set WITH the tray comes with 8 pieces of fruit and veggies (plus knife), and the set WITHOUT the tray comes with 5 pieces of fruit and veggies. Both sets come with a wooden 'knife' which 'cuts' through the food and makes a great sound as it breaks through the 'velcro' holding the food together. Makes teaching about healthy snacks LOTS of fun.
3) Dessert After all that healthy stuff, it's time to celebrate with Melissa & Doug's Wooden Birthday Cake Set The complete set comes with 6-slices and 19 toppings (strawberries, jellybeans, and gumdrops), decorative storage box, serving plate & serving spatula, and 7 candles (all wooden and attach with velcro). Cake even makes 'slicing' sound when 'cut' with wooden utencils. Kids will love celebrating their birthday over and over.
4) The Wooden Tea Set from PlanActivity is an adorable set for pretend play (it is NOT recommended that REAL liquids be put in these, however). Gather friends real & imaginary for hours of conversation, trip planning, and more. We LOVE that this set has wooden tea bags, sugar cubes, spoons, cups, saucers, and tea pot. The tea is never too hot or too cold, and the pot never empties. Add to the birthday cake for an exquisite role play experience. All of the items pack small enough for on the go as well!
Lastly, we want to add that these are long-lasting, quality sets, that will provide years of fun at home, grandparents, or on-the-go.
We LOVE when customers give us reports on the success of the items they purchased from us. Recently we received some customer feedback from a mom of a 6-month old baby girl.
"Just wanted to let you know that the toys that I ordered for our baby are her favorites! We use the bugs from the Bug Jug everyday... the squeaking ladybug cracks her up every time and as you can see from the pictures, the spider and grasshopper are fun to eat.
I love the wooden ring with the red ball in the middle - it's so simple and classic. I'm so pleased that she loves it, too. She's reached the stage where everything goes in her mouth and the wooden ring is one of her faves." Lastly, this customer claimed "I'm sure that I'll be placing another order soon as my best friend is having a baby in May. I think that she probably has a bug jug in her future, too!"
The 'Bug Jug Fill and Spill' by Melissa & Doug is a great toy to take on-the-go, or as this baby has illustrated, a perfect every day play! One just never knows what their child will 'grab onto', so to speak (will it be the wooden ring from Plan Toys?). Rest assured, at KidsTravelHappy.com we have hundreds of options, so you're sure to find something for all ages of travelers.
Do you have something you've purchased from us, that you've documented - with fun 'action' photos like these? We'd love to see and to hear all about it! Please email us with your experiences or suggestions, and you may very well see someone YOU recognize in our next BLOG!
that will look great under the holiday tree! Start your shopping now, and we think you'll agree with why we like these products so much.
and 
Shape & Sort It Out.
just the right size for stockings, like the wooden mushroom kaleidoscope. 
