Ok so I'm trying really hard to minimize what dd has that is MIC and I thought this would be a good place to look for ideas. I have gotten a few thigns for her that were MIC but they were only the things she has been asking for for over 2 months(and she's only 2 1/2 so she doens't ask for much for more than once or twice). Anyway I've gotten her shopping mostly done I think but I'm looking for ideas cause I'm just not big on MIC an d it sems that's what evcerything is. Any and all ideas are welcomed but try to keep them age appropriate for a 2yr old although i it is al eraanign thing it could be up to a 5yr level cause thats about where she is in that area.
jennyb
11-24-2007, 02:41 PM
i just read a really cute idea (somewhere?? can't remember where) but it's for a puppet set:
you buy an inexpensive tension type curtain rod that will fit in one of your doorways (kitchen, living room...) either make or buy inexpensive curtain panel for this rod. The rod will be place about 3 feet above the floor in the doorway & the curtain drapes to the floor. Next make a bunch of cute sock puppets out of all your mismatched socks - use up fabric scraps, embroidery floss, ribbon, etc. (buttons can be a choking hazard, but you can make cute puppets without the buttons). Now you have a ready-to-go puppet collection & puppet "stage"
i hope that made sense. we weren't going to get anything else for our kids for Christmas ... but all I'd have to do is buy the rod (they are less than $4) and use up all my craft scraps! Voila! Plus, lately my son keeps taking off his socks & putting it on his hand & making it "talk" - if I don't do the puppet idea this year, he may not be interested next year !!? His bday is november, so that's another year also.
dakarimom5
11-24-2007, 02:48 PM
Here's some websites...
oompa.com
rosiehippo.com
brightoctober.com
If you see something you like at one of these places, check with amazon before you buy. Also don't forget the great stuff on hyenacart.com
momma2three
11-25-2007, 06:26 PM
look at play toys, haba, waldorf toys, PAPO toys are awesome!! (I got my son a wooden castle, they have fairytale castles as well with princesses and things). Quadrilla for when she 3 years or more (marble run that's wooden). learning tree toys (just google it) has great items as well. that's where I bought my son's papo castle at.
kwik sew makes a pattern for that puppet thing the pp was mentioning. You just sew take a piece of felt and sew fold down the top and sew it so that the tension shower curtain rod will slide through it. Then hang it up in your kids room doorway and then see how tall your child would be on the curtain. Cut out a "window" where their head would be so they can see out. There is your puppet theatre! If you have more skills you can cut out a fake curtain looking shape and glue or sew it on each side of the rectangle or add a sky above the window and some landscaping below it to make it more of a stage. Felt is easy to work with so I'd just make it out of some polyester felt and it's cheap and you don't have to worry about the edges fraying. They look nice and don't take up room like other puppet theatres when you're not playing with it. I prefer hand puppets and I know there are patterns out there making them out of felt that are super easy.
4BoysMom
11-28-2007, 04:35 PM
I hope this is okay to post but I am an independent consultant for a company that makes felt boards and felt stories. They are all made in the Utah with vegtable based dyes.
www.funfelt.com/lisa.html
Feel free to email me if you have any questions. If you do happen to place an order online you have to specify my name Lisa Galligan in order for the credit to not go to my upline.
wahoowhippets
11-28-2007, 09:19 PM
:mrgreen: I love to get my kids stuff from:
The Wooden Wagon
Nova Naturals Toys
Lots of really nice, well made toys! Happy shopping!
kalebnlillismomma
12-03-2007, 11:40 AM
I know everyone loves Haba, but they are made in China, but under German supervision:2cents: I just Google Made in US toys, and you will get a whole bunch of sites. Plan toys are made with veggie dye.
Jewelgurl137
12-03-2007, 12:48 PM
I bought WAHM made toys for my kids, but I also sucked it up and bought some Melissa and Doug wooden toys (even though I know they are Made In China...but at least "watched carefully") cuz I found the cutest play table/train table and doll house and etc. on sale the other day. :blush: I recommend. My DD is 3 years old and she is really into "princess" stuff. Also she is just getting into pretend play alot, thus the doll house. I almost bought a princess castle from Melissa and Doug though. It was so pretty! I would get a doll house (wooden) from online...I think ones by Plan toys are cute, or you could get her a Waldorf doll with some clothes, furniture, and etc. :) Have fun shopping.
BTW...don't feel bad about buying a few things that are Made In China cuz my DD absolutely loves Disney Princesses & Dora the Explorer, and of course the toys and etc. that have to do with those are all Made In China. :( I can't just not get her any of those too, since they make her so happy. :blush:
Angel3167
12-03-2007, 06:07 PM
I know everyone loves Haba, but they are made in China, but under German supervision:2cents: I just Google Made in US toys, and you will get a whole bunch of sites. Plan toys are made with veggie dye.
:headscratch: Really Haba is made in China? Where did you find that out?
threestraycats
12-03-2007, 07:47 PM
If you go to oompa toys they tell you where each brand is made.
some haba toys are made in china, some are not
plan toys are made in thailand
:2cents: :thumbsup:
kalebnlillismomma
12-03-2007, 08:11 PM
If you go to oompa toys they tell you where each brand is made.
some haba toys are made in china, some are not
plan toys are made in thailand
:2cents: :thumbsup:
:yeahthat: I also found it on another site, I'll try to find it again and post the link.
kittycat9
12-07-2007, 10:33 PM
Papo as another poster mentioned is a nice, quality made brand. As is their sister company Le Toy Van. Both are made in Thailand & Indonesia, and heavily overseen by their European owners. Le Toy Van has some beautiful doll houses that have been very popular for us this year.
Plan, as mentioned, is another great brand. The quality is wonderful.
angelnavywife
12-09-2007, 07:14 PM
I found this link today:
http://www.chinafreechristmas.info/2007/08/playmobil-made-in-germany.html
Here's a useful link to sites where everything is Made in America:
