Spring into Action for Earth Day 2012!

Earth Day is coming up, and here at the Toy Garden we think it's one of the most important days of the year!

At the Toy Garden we make a point of trying to provide quality, ecologically friendly toys for our community by buying from earth-conscious companies like Plan Toys, Kathe Kruse, Green Toys, Myim, Eco-Kids and Kiss Naturals (just to name a few!).We look specifically for toys that are produced in an eco-friendly manner, and that promote earth-friendly living every day. Whether it's through local production, use of organic and recycled materials or energy efficient manufacturing, it's our goal for customers to be able to feel good about what they're buying and where it comes from.

This year we're celebrating the big day with another all-day Kid's Club event. From 11 am - 5 pm on April 24th, stop by the store to plant some seeds and do some fun, Earth Day coloring projects.We'll be planting flower and vegetable seeds in egg cartons that can easily be replanted in your own gardens later on. We'll also be asking for your help to brainstorm some fun ways to help promote green living in our community! Don't miss this great opportunity to celebrate springtime and do something helpful for our environment! 

All aboard for Trainfest 2012!

It's March again, and that means Trainfest!

After a few super successful and fun-filled years of hosting this event, the Toy Garden is happy to once again bring Trainfest to the Old Firehouse cafe in Fairhaven. The event will take place on March 31st, from 1:00-4:00 pm and costs $10/group. Bring your wooden train (remember to mark your pieces so you know they're yours!) and help build the biggest and best train set yet! Space IS limited, so please call or stop in to the store to reserve your floor space for building!

See you there! 

New for Spring!

These wonderfully sunny days have already got us looking forward to spring! Be sure to stop by the store and check out some of our new goodies, as we've started carrying a few new brands in the last months and will continue to be receiving awesome new items every week!

Here's a little bit of a sneak peek of what you might get to see:

Contraptions from Keva- Awesome build-it-yourself kits from Keva/Mind Ware. Build your own catapult, trebuchet or plank tracks!

   

Big Sister Rosy Cheek Dolls- Lovely soft-body dolls from The North American Bear Company. Three "Big Sisters" plus multiple adorable outfits to dress them in.

The Puppet Company stage puppets - Our newest line of puppets all the way from England! Specially made for puppet shows!

Clayzee Eraser Kits- Make your own erasers in wild colors and imaginative shapes! We have the learn-how kit as well as the refills!

The Piggy Story art aprons and play mats - We are SO EXCITED to finally carry some aprons that are great for art as well as cooking! The Piggy Story makes great, plasticized aprons with pockets in fun and colorful patterns. They also make portable play mats in the same cool patterns that are great for protecting table tops or picnicking in the park!

Newly redesigned Cuddlekins line by Wild Republic - After a lot of waiting, we've finally gotten in a huge shipment of the newest Cuddlekins from Wild Republic. These realistic, ultra-soft animals come in big and small sizes, and are true to the animal kingdom! The orange octopus and Asian elephant are some of our new favorites!

Snow-my-gosh!

Well, it's been quite the week in Bellingham! Starting with Monday's snow and then the wind and torrential rain yesterday, we finally experienced all the winter weather we were beginning to think we had escaped! Though it did make getting around a little bit of a hassle, everyone was definitely glad to get some time to play outside and enjoy the winter sports that only snow can make possible!

Today Robin led a "King Winter" felting workshop and it went wonderfully! All these wintry kings look very regal and sparkle just like the snow.Felting is a great activity to do during these blustery, gray months when being outside is just kind of icky. In fact, all of us have been feeling more inclined to stay indoors lately, and that's why we're really excited to be getting many new arts and crafts kits in stock!

Robi and Tina went to the toy show in Seattle last week and brought us back many new exciting items, including make-your-own erasers, the original Doodle Art kits and awesome new activity aprons with pockets and cool patterns! Our make your own soap and perfume kits have also been very popular lately-- they're great projects for a rainy day!

...and a Happy New Year!

Happy New Year from all of us at the Toy Garden! We are hoping for a happy, creative, fun and prosperous year here and for all of you as well!

Now that the holiday craziness has finally subsided, we're turning our thoughts forward to the new year and the fun and exciting things happening soon at the Toy Garden. January brings back our felting workshops (Saturday mornings 11:00-1:00 pm) with a great lineup stretching all the way into March:

• Felted Gnomes
• Felted Little Red Riding Hood
• Felted King Winter
• Felted Wolf
• Felted Grandma
• Felted Heart Decoration
• Felted Purse
• Felted Nest w/ Eggs
• Felted Baby Chick
• Felted Basket
• Felted Bunny

For more details check our website's listing here or click the link at the top of our blog page to see what classes are coming up next. Due to space restrictions, classes are limited to 10 people (ages 10+) so be sure to call and pay over the phone or stop in at the store anytime to reserve a spot on the list!

Also, don't forget that our monthly Kid's Club event is coming up on January 16th! Since many of us have been patiently waiting and crossing our fingers for the snow to fly at Baker this winter (mostly to no avail) we thought we'd make some flakes of our own! This month, bring your best scissor skills and your imagination and we'll provide the paper to make all kinds of wintry weather of your own!  Recommended ages 5+ (younger children welcome when accompanied by extra scissor supervision & assistance) January 16 4-6 pm

Decking the Halls for December!

Stop by and check our our Elves' Workshop!

December is almost here, so get your advent calendars and Menorahs ready! If you haven't been in yet to check our our felt stockings, handmade German wooden ornaments, candle fans and nutcrackers, be sure to stop by soon as things are going fast! 

The first and closest-to-our-heart event this month is the Community Toy Store. The Community Toy Store serves families that are having a difficult time financially during the holiday season. They accept brand new toys, clothes and gift cards and sell them at for at least 75% of the original price to families in need.The money raised is then donated to local charities such as Rebound of Whatcom County and The Whatcom Dream, organizations that support families and work to break the cycle of poverty. This year come in to the Toy Garden and recieve 10% OFF any toys purchased for donation. For more information, visit their website at http://communitytoystore.org/whatcom/. 

One other way to help the community this season is by getting your gifts wrapped at the Toy Garden. All throughout the holidays, the Whatcom Humane Society will be wrapping presents by donation in our store. We're so glad we get to provide an opportunity for this wonderful charity to raise some money and also help you cross one task off your holiday to-do list! 

Also, don't forget that there is still a Kids Club event despite the holidays! We know that sometimes sending thank-yous can be hard to remember, so get a head start by joining us to make festive cards of your own! We'll provide the art supplies, you bring your imagination! Join us Wednesday, December 28th from 1 to 3 pm; space is limited so call to sign up at (360)-714-8552 

Happy Holidays from the Fairhaven Toy Garden!

Felted Santa!

As the end of the month and Thanksgiving approach , it's time for all of us to start thinking about snow, twinkling lights and especially delicious food! At the Toy Garden, it means practicing our wrapping skills, restocking the shelves and gearing up for a wonderful (and crazy-hectic) holiday season. 

Last weekend we kicked off the holiday shopping craze with Neighborhood Toy Store Day, which was a ton of fun and full of crafts and games for all. Robin and the felters crafted lovely little Tomtens on the 12th and yesterday Maria led a full class in making wonderful felt Santa Clauses (check out our facebook page or picasa web album to see the pictures!). Tuesday the 22nd is this month's Kid's Club event (leaf rubbings into place markers), which we hope will be a ton of fun. Space is limited so call and sign up today!

Post Thanksgiving, Fairhaven begins their celebrations with the Holiday Artwalk (November 25th & 26th, 5-9 pm) where merchants will display locally made arts and crafts materials, ornaments, jewelry, holiday cards and much more! Here at the Toy Garden we'll have hand-crafted German ornaments, candle holders and candle fans, nutcrackers and wool/felt decorations on display. Stop by the store to pick up a map of participating locations in Fairhaven today!