KidStyleFile

Today’s post written by Angela

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Today I’d like to introduce you to a wonderful new store that I discovered recently: The Toy Bug – www.thetoybug.com.au.

As you might expect, The Toy Bug stocks toys. No just any toys though: Jo Debnam, proprietor of the The Toy Bug stocks one of the finest selections I have seen online in Australia, and the prices are quite amazing! I have already placed 2 orders at The Toy Bug – after the first one was so good I had to dive straight back on in – and I can tell you that the service is an absolute knockout. I cannot speak highly enough!

So you can feel the love at The Toy Bug as I have, Jo at The Toy Bug is giving all KidStyleFile readers 10% off store-wide until 31 July 2009. Enter the code ‘ksf10′ to redeem.

I must say that I have found it very challenging to write this post and narrow it down to a few picks for you: EVERYTHING at The Toy Bug is meritous. I suggest browsing all the brands and then checking out all the categories (Pretend Play - how adorable is Sandra’s Wardrobe??, Novelty Toys – I just purchased a stash of mini compasses, tape measure and stampers for party bags, and Lachie’s Favourites: Jo’s son, Lachie has Autism Spectrum Disorder, and these are his favourite toys) so you don’t miss anything.

Those of you who have been looking for an award-winning Gyro Car, jump now while the discount is there and nab yourself an super bargain!

Some my very favourite toys are in the superlative lineup at The Toy Bug. We have all of these at home. They have been truly tried and tested and have come up trumps: buy with confidence!

Active People Bilibo – this simple open-ended toy goes on and on, powered by your child’s imagination. Is it a spinner, a bed, a scoop, a hat, a hill or a shell? It’s all of these and more!

Quercetti Georello Gears Go Round – Italian made quality, and a delightful toy: build your creation, crank the handle and watch the gears spin. A great way to teach cause and effect.

Egg Shape Sorter – a wonderful flashback to my own childhood, and an essential motor skill development toy for every littlie.

Tap A Shape Corkboard-  Perfect hammer and nail fun for the over 4 set. Comes complete with board, wooden shapes, tacks and hammer.

Fat Brain Toys Dado Cube – A construction toy with a very pleasing aesthetic. Leave it on the coffee table for kids and adults alike to enjoy.

Magnetic Maze – A game for one or two players. Set your own rules for completion. Good for hand-eye co-ordination, logic development and as a science lesson to teach how and why magnets work.

Prices marked below in red are applicable with code ‘ksf10′ until 31 July 2009 only.

A. Egg Shape Sorter $8.50 less 10% = $7.65
B. Tap a Shape Corkboard $15.00 less 10% = $13.50
C. Quercetti Georello Gears Go Round $25.99 less 10% = $23.39
D. Hickory Dickory Clock $39.00 less 10% = $35.10
E. Gyro Car $100.00 less 10% = $90.00
F. Fat Brain Toys USA made Dado Cube Set $49.95 less 10% = $44.95
G. Sparkle T Pull-along Jaffa the Dog toy $19.95 less 10% = $17.95
H. Wanju My Treetop Hideaway $99.00 less 10% = $89.10
I. Wooden Insect Self-Stampers $2.00 less 10% = $1.80
J. Wooden Breakfast Food Board $15.95 less 10% = $14.35
K. Magnetic Maze $24.00 less 10% = $21.60
L. Sandra’s Wardrobe Wooden Doll with Fashion wardrobe  $22.00 less 10% = $19.80
M. Petit Jour Paris Elmer Soft Block Set $26.00 $20.00 less 10% = $18.00

The Toy Bug stock quality brands including Active People, Anamalz, Boyle, Crocodile Creek, Djeco, EDDU Toy, Fat Brain Toy Co, Fiesta Crafts, GUND, Le Toy Van, JELLYCAT, Mamas & Papas, Manhattan Toy Company, Melissa & Doug, Petit Jour Paris, Sparkle T, Spiegelburg, TOLO, Toys Pure, Voila, WANJU and Wonderworld.

The Toy Bug charge $9.90 flat Australia-wide (with 3 product exceptions) and send via Express or Registered Post. Read the full shipping and delivery information here. Internatinalorders are welcome. Layby is also available.

Today’s post written by Angela

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Happy happy, joy joy – Happy Little Hippos – www.happylittlehippos.com.au – is having a great little sale, and KSF readers get extra benefits in the form of an EXTRA 20% discount off everything in the On Sale category – WOW!!

You’ll have to be super quick though, as this offer ends at midnight, Tuesday 10 March 2009. Enter ‘FebSale09’ at checkout to activate your extra 20% off and be smiling to the skies

Red-hot picks are the Fancy Girlies Dollhouse, Baufix Build-It Buggy, Uchi bags and accessories, and the stunning Isak Couting and ABC framed posters, which would make a very stylish statement in any child’s room – what a beautiful gift these would make for a newborn!

While you’re over at Happy Little Hippos don’t miss the fabulous range of goodies just arrived. I really love the new ‘Beautiful Day’ journals, and the Micki Reto Kitchen.

I also can’t say enough good things about the Wheely Bugs (how CUTE is the new Tiger design – ah: it’s love!), and I am a big fan of Italian brand Quercetti – we have the Georello Farm and it is such a hit: free-form configure the high quality plastic cogs on the baseboard, plug the animals in, crank the handle and watch your creation whirl and spin. This is a great toy for teaching about cause and effect and motion, and is heaps of fun that lasts and lasts.

Indulge in a fine range of toys, art and craft activities, books, nursery and decor products, and accessories, at Happy Little Hippos, with brands stocked including Bla Bla, Alimrose, Lundby, Brio, Anamalz, Wheely Bug, Quadrilla, Baufix, Quercetti, Dobbin and Drum, Tolo, K’s Kids, Mooo, Djeco, Mama & Papas, Wanju, Binthe, Automoblox, David Fussenegger, Pintoy, Plan Toys, Cuski, Live, Play, Create, Envirosax, Crocodile Creek, and more, as well as treats for Mums from Miss Uchi, Willow and Finch, and T2 Teas.

Clockwise from top left:

1. My Fancy Girlies Doll’s House (accessories included, postage charge $15.00 Australia-wide) – $199.95, $179.95 less 20% = $143.96
2. Large Wheely Bug Tiger - $110.00 (not on sale)
3. K’s Kids ‘Bobby’ Recordable Phone – $19.95, $14.95 less 20% = $11.96
4. Quercetti Georello Farm – $34.95 (not on sale)
5. Micki Red Retro Kitchen with Stove – $229.00 (not on sale)
6. Beautiful Day Journal – $16.95 (not on sale)
7. Pintoy Construction Front-end Loader – $59.95 (not on sale)
8. Baufix Build a Buggy – $29.94, $24.95 less 20% = $19.96
9. Uchi Drawstring Bag – $29.94, $24.95 less 20% = $19.96
10. Isak Counting Poster (framed) from Kindergallery – $160.00, $149.95 less 20% = $119.96

Happy Little Hippos charge $6.95 flat rate postage, Australia-wide. Conditions apply – see website for details.

Today’s post written by Miki

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Construction toys are an definite must-have for every kid’s toybox.  Whether it be some hand-me-down wooden blocks or one of the amazing sets pictured below, construction toys are so necessary, and SO much fun!

Girls and boys alike love to build things.  It fulfills a need in them for expressing their creativity and for learning how the world works: why does the tower fall down if you nudge it? What works to make it stay up?

Construction sets can be played with on their own, with friends or siblings or with a parent – especially Dad!  Want to instigate some father/child bonding?  Buy some sort of construction toy (I think Automoblox or the Marble Run below are surefire bets) and just wait for Dad and the kids to get stuck in together.

Now, what to buy?

Well the most well-known construction toy needs no introduction: Lego is eternally popular and kids just adore it.

However some lesser-known options which are just as good as Lego, if not better, are pictured below along with info on where to get them.

a. Djeco Creanimaux, $69.95 at Favourite Toys
b. Ball Track Construction Set, $199.95 at Moochie-Moo
c. Quercetti Fantacolour Daisy, $27.95 at Happy Little Hippos
d. Baufix Buggy – Small, $29.95 $24.95 at Happy Little Hippos
e. Lego Duplo Supermarket, $73.99 at IQ Toys
f. Quercetti Georello Farm, $34.95 at Happy Little Hippos
g. Automoblox Red Sports Car, $46.25 at Little Possums Toys
h. Mic-O-Mic sportscar, $34.95 at Moochie-Moo

Please check individual sites for postage, and as always check the KidStyleFile ‘All Current Deals’ page to see if you qualify for a special discount or offer.

Looking to feel bright and breezy today? Go no further than the delightful Happy Little Hippos – www.happylittlehippos.com.au – run by super stylish Mums, Ania and Hesn.

Every time I hit their site, with its blue skies, fluffy white clouds and vivid herd of happy hippopotamuses I go all warm and fuzzy.

The beauty of Happy Little Hippos is much more than skin deep though. It is lovely and easy to use, the $5.95 postage Australia wide is knockout price, and their thoughtfully selected and high quality range of products are just divine.

Indulge in a fine range of toys, art and craft activities, books, nursery and decor products, and accessories, from Bla Bla, Alimrose, Lundby, Brio, Anamalz, Wheely Bug, Quadrilla, Baufix, Quercetti, Dobbin and Drum, Tolo, K’s Kids, Mooo, Djeco, Mama & Papas, Wanju, Binthe, Automoblox, David Fussenegger, Plan Toys, Cuski, Little Blue Fish, Envirosax, Crocodile Creek, and more.

Mums aren’t forgotten either: treat yourself to Miss Uchi purses, Willow and Finch heat packs and T2 Teas.

Happy Little Hippos are having a great winter stocktake sale: - they have reduced the price of more items just today – save up to 40%! Woo hoo!

And because the girls at Happy Little Hippos want to give you yet another reason to smile and be happy, they’re giving everyone who spends over $100.00 an Alimrose Red Striped Monkey Rattle, valued at $24.95. Offer ends 31 August, 2008.

This is a seriously good offer, as I’m sure you know! I often buy these monkeys for friends children as they are such friendly little fellows. Also, their stripes are just the thing to stimulate developing minds, their long lanky limbs are made for clutching, the rattle is a nice sensory feature, and they are a decent size (29cm long), which makes them the perfect gift.

Want the monkey? I hear you! Here are some picks to inspire

Clockwise from top left:

My Fancy Girls Doll’s House (accessories included) – $199.95 now $179.95
Blabla Pumpkin blanket – $89.95 now $79.95
Tolo Toys Stacking cups $17.95 These will last your child/ren years: mine play with theirs in the bath now.
Alimrose Funky Marnie Rattle – $22.95 now $19.95
Plan Toys Wooden Deluxe Road System (accessories included) – $131.95 now $99.95 Super bargain – snap it up!
Isak Counting Poster (framed) from Kindergallery – $160.00 now $149.95 A beautiful decor piece that will stand the test of time.
Baufix Build a Buggy – $29.95 now $24.95
Navy red star ottoman $49.95 So stylish, and so practical: use it to put your feet up when the little ones are in bed!
Brown white star beanbag $99.95
Alimrose Funky Freddie Squeaker – $14.95 now $12.95 I’ve said it before, and I think it bears repeating: these are *the best* handsqueakers in the world! Pure giggles, and so easy for tiny hands to use.
Little Blue Fish Balance Bike in pink – $179.95 now $149.95 Huge in Europe, these bikes foster great balance and negate the use for training wheels once your child moves to a pedal bike. I have my eagle eye on these, so you’d better get in quick!

Happy Little Hippos charge $5.95 flat rate postage, Australia-wide. Conditions apply – see website for details.