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Rainbow Puppen: The Best European Toys & Accessories from La Marelle, Kathe Kruse, Erzi, Vilac, Sevi, Cuboro + more – FREE Postage Offer

Posted: February 27th, 2010

Today’s post written by Leah

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We all know what they say about rainbows. Find the end of one and there lays a pot of gold ready for the taking. Well today, I think I’ve found the end of the toy rainbow with the exquisite Rainbow Puppen -www.rainbowpuppen.com.au.

Browing the pages of Rainbow Puppen is not unlike strolling the cobblestone streets of Europe and peering into the windows of the finest stores. This store has sourced all of the finest in European quality toys, from Germany’s Kathe Kruse dolls and toys (celebrating their centenary this year) to Europe’s oldest wooden toy manufacturer (circa 1831) Sevi.

For a moment I’m in Moirans-en-montagne, France as I discover the delights of the 99 year old Vilac Wooden Toy company. I fall in love with the Vilac Rocket Money Box before blinking and finding myself in Bavaria, Germany amongst the Montessori Inspired delights of Selecta Spielzeug of Germany where I pounce on Montino, a gorgeous caterpillar that moves when his strings are pulled. Take a look at Rainbow Puppen and see where you are taken!

Shop at Rainbow Puppen and spend $75+ to receive FREE postage Australia-wide.

Rainbow Puppen stock brands including La Marelle, Kathy Kruse, Sevi, nic Toys, Elodie Details, Selecta Spielzeug, Erzi, Vilac, Moulin Roty, Trudi, L’oiseau Bateau Toys and home accessories, and Cuboro Marble Track System.

Rainbow Puppen charge a low flat rate charge of $5.95 applies Australia-wide, with orders $75+ shipped free, Australia wide. For further shipping details, read here.

Posted in All Discount Codes, Sales & Special Offers, Kathe Kruse, La Marelle, Montino, Selecta, Sevi, Vilac
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Inspiring Creativity: Kits and Accessories for Your Little Artist

Posted: April 16th, 2009

Today’s post written by Edwina

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I have been thinking a lot about human creativity lately, most especially artistic expression. It seems that no human civilisation across the ages has been immune from the deep innate drive in all of us to use our hands to create something that pleases us, and maybe others.

There are many studies in early childhood education that encourage providing children with time and space to play, imagine, and create. In fact, encouraging creative play with children is a wonderful way for them to develop fine motor skills and build connections within the brain.

Buying new arts and crafts supplies is a bit of a joy for me, so it’s with great pleasure that I present to you some great products to get the creative juices flowing.

Where Did You Get That? gets the thumbs up for their fantastic selection of craft products, books, and kits for both boys and girls. They also have a wonderful range of Djeco art boxes that include instructions and kits that engage and inspire creativity. Djeco is a Paris based company that create and develop wonderful games, toys and art sets that are wonderfully artistic and high quality. The Watercolour Workshop is heading straight into my cart.

Generation Wonder also has the really cool ‘I Used to be a Car Tyre’ Notebook and Pencil Case, which are not only practical (the notebook has blank pages – perfect for doodling), they are a great talking point, and you are saving tyres from ending up in landfill!

Mooo also have some very cute personalised pencil cases with great designs and colours that are perfect for your own use, or as gifts.

And why not use your children’s creativity for good and grab yourself a Doggie Diary Handy Notecard Kit from Monkeytail and Wellington? You will never need to find a last minute card again!

1. Colours Book from The Hip Infant $14.95
2. Prima Ballerina DIY Kit from Shophouse $16.95
3. Drawing Patterns – Fashion Workshop Book from Where did you get that? $48.40
4. Around the World Alphabet Cards from Happy Little Hippos $49.95
5. Watercolour Workshop – includes paint palette from Where did you get that? $39.60
6. Robot Mosaics from Where did you get that? $26.95
7. Personalised Pencil Case from Mooo $24.95
8. Doggie Diary Handy Notecard Kit from Monkeytail and Wellington $34.95
9. Pencil Holders from Pastel Pink $6.50 $3.25
10. I used to be a Car Tyre Notebook from Generation Wonder $10.95
11. I used to be a Car Tyre Pencil Case from Generation Wonder $14.95
12. La Marelle Colouring Book from Rainbow Puppen $19.95
13. La Marelle Pencil Case from Rainbow Puppen $34.95

Please check individual stores for postage and delivery information.

PS To give you even more inspiration to go ahead and create, take a look at ‘The Little Girl Giant’ below. Pure inspiration!

Posted in All News & Inspiration, Art and Craft, Djeco, Happy Little Hippos, La Marelle, Mooo Online Store, ShopHouse, Where Did You Get That?
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Cuboro – The Marble Run for a Lifetime: Free Postage at Rainbow Puppen

Posted: April 13th, 2009

Today’s post written by Angela

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Today I want to introduce you to a Swiss phenomena: the remarkable Cuboro Marble Run System. Cuboro (pronounced cue-bore-oh) is a set of solid wooden cubes (around 5x5cm) with holes, and/or half-holes, at various locations in the blocks, allowing the marble to roll through, and/or providing a ‘track’ for the marble to run on, depending on how you put your creation together.

Creator Matthias Etter originated the concept in 1985, driven by the philosophies of play, experimentation, and exploration, and competition and completion, from childhood to old-age. His work with disabled children also refined the ease of use of the product while retaining the focus on engagement, and stimulation.

Cuboro’s tagline is “The Marble Track for a Lifetime”, in alignment with Etter’s belief in llifelong learning. Cuboro has developed a huge following internationally with both children, and adults fascinated by the product’s simplicity and innumerable configurations – there are even Cuboro Championships held throughout Europe and in the UK – and it has won a plethora of prestigious awards.

Cuboro is recommended for ages from 4 years upwards. For children from 3 years, you can purchase the Cugolino, Cuboro ‘junior’, which is fully comptatible with the Cuboro System when you are ready to take the step up. You can start with the basic Cuboro kit and extend this with the supplementary kits (there are 12 base Cuboro kits and 70 variation/supplemental kits).

Cuboro and Cugolino are an environmentally friendly product; they are made in Switzerland from FSC accredited Swiss beech wood. Needless to say, the quality is exemplary!

My husband walked in while I was writing, saw the Cuboro and said: “WOW! Can we get one of those??” Way to go!!

You (and me!) can purchase the Cuboro and Cugolino Marble Run Systems at Rainbow Puppen – www.rainbowpuppen.com.au – who also stock the largest range of Kathe Kruse products in Australia, as well as quality European toys and accessories from La Marelle, Selecta Spielzeug, Erzi, Vilac, and L’oiseau Bateau.

Place an order over $75.00 of any products at Rainbow Puppen, and receive FREE postage Australia-wide. For orders under $75.00, a low flat rate charge of $5.95 applies Australia-wide.

I’ll leave you with a European cinema release of an ad for Cuboro. I can’t recall ever having seen an Australian cinema show an advertisment for a ‘toy’ (with the exception of electronic gaming systems): let me know if I’m wrong.