Monday, October 27, 2014

Celebrate Local Toymakers -- Join us for our 2nd Annual Minnesota Toy Fair!



Peapods Minnesota Toy Fair
Meet the Toymakers!
Join us to celebrate Minnesota's growing community of unique toymakers and toy designers. These earth-friendly toymakers all focus on classic open-ended toys that inspire creativity without batteries.
Saturday, November 8
10am-1pm
It's a hyper-local kickoff to the holiday season!

This year's toymakers include Fairy FineryDundry HillMindwareYOXOBeka, dollmaker Donyelle Headington, and Sweet Pea & Co. We'll have play tables set up with Mindware's KEVA planks, YOXO toys, and Beka maple unit blocks.

We'll have free coffee and fresh donuts.  Plus, enter to win a locally-made prize basket with every $20 purchase and you'll earn double Peapods Rewards  points for each local toy purchased.

This year's event will coincide with ASTRA's Neighborhood Toy Store Day, which will be celebrating local toy stores all across the country and the unique roles they play in their communities. See you there! 

Now, Check out these Minnesota Toys:

Beka Solid Maple Unit Blocks
Dundry Hill Wool Mobiles
YOXO Toys
KEVA Planks by Mindware
Fairy Finery Dress Up
Onesies & Skirts by Sweet Pea & Co.

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Our October Newsletter: Rainbows, New Toys, and Tulas

Rainbows for Everyone!

Yes, October is a spooky month (and we've got that covered, too!), but let's not forget about Rainbows! Yes, rainbows are visions and only illusions, but they make us happy. And so many great toys come in rainbow colors. So, let's ignore all the Halloween spookiness today and share some of our favorite rainbows.
Rainbow Wellies Rubber Children's Rain BootsRainbow Umbrella

For example, our new Rainbow Wellies just arrived from England, where they take rain boots seriously. These will be great for October and November rains and for stomping early and late winter slush. Available in sizes 4-8.


You could also, if you're feeling extra spectacular, pair the rainbow wellies with our longtime favorite rainbow kids umbrella. Grumpiness wouldn't stand a chance with that combo! Look at how much fun our son Duncan had with his rainbow umbrella. (Ellie likes hers, too!)


Rainbow Chewbeads
Our new Rainbow Chewbeads have been a big hit since they arrived this summer. Chewbeads, of course, are designed to be worn by mom or dad and are safe for baby to chew on. Chewbeads make a great distraction from grabbing at your hair or ears while nursing or babywearing.


Haba Rainbow Stacking Toy

Rainbows are very developmentally appropriate for toddler toys. The bright colors are attractive and easy learn. Haba's Rainbow Stacking Tower, for example, teaches colors, proportion, and counting skills as well as developing hand-eye coordination. Papa Don's Toys from Oregon also makes some wonderfully bright wooden toddler rainbow toys, including a stacker, a tumbler, and of course their rainbow lawnmower--another Peapods favorite.  

Rainbow Giant Cardboard Building Blocks Made USA
Made in Wisconsin from recycled paper, Smart Monkey Toys Rainbow Stacking Blocks are another great idea for ages 2-5. We love these because kids can build huge structures and no one gets hurt when they all come tumbling down. Plus, they're sturdy enough for an adult to stand on without crushing.

KEVA Rainbow Colors Building PlanksFor older kids, add some color to amazing architectural creations with the new KEVA colors set. We've said this many times, but KEVA may set the record for the most long term play value. Toddlers enjoy stacking KEVA planks and knocking them down while big kids, teenagers, and even grownups can create impressive structure like bridges, towers, and cathedrals.

Rainbow Birds Felt Mobile by Dundry HillWe also love Dundry Hill's rainbow birds and airplanes mobiles. Made in Minneapolis, these mobiles are made from brightly dyed wool felt and are a wonder to behold. They increase net happiness by 20% in any room they live in.

Rainbow Tie-Dye Prefold Cloth DiapersFinally, only you and your baby will know about her rainbow tie-dye prefold diapers, but no one else needs to. Because sometime rainbows are a state of mind. Or a state of diapering.

How many more rainbow items do we carry? See all our rainbows on our website.
 


Tula Baby Carriers

In today's non-rainbow news, we'd like to announce the addition of Tula Baby Carriers to our babywearing options. Tula structured baby carriers are comfortable, vesatile, and stylish. A great choice for any baby--from newborn to toddler.


Some extra features we like on the Tula carrier include padded leg openings for your child's comfort, a wider pouch, and handy waist belt storage pocket.


 

 
And now for our new arrivals:
Plan Toys Mini Golf Set
Rinseworks Diaper Sprayer
42 Piece Tegu Tints Set
Plan Toys My First Phone
Janod Counting Hedgehog Toy
New Indestructibles Book Titles