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SeaStar
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| Posted: Aug 18 2007 at 5:06pm | IP Logged
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Not sure if I should post this here... my dc each received a gift card for Toys R Us last Christmas from a generous uncle. There is not one close to me, and looking on line I can't seem to come up with anything we could use.
I was hoping I would find something there that would enhance our Montessori approach to learning. Does anyone shop there- can you recommend something you have found there that would fit the bill? We already have quite a bit of Melissa and Doug items....
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Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
SQUILT Music Appreciation
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Eleanor
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| Posted: Aug 18 2007 at 7:18pm | IP Logged
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We live near a Toys R Us, and going there is a nightmare of junky toys, harsh lighting, and whiny children. 
I've mainly shopped there for baby gear, but we've also had success finding outdoor toys (sand shovels, balls, wading pools), Lego/Duplo, Cranium Cariboo and Hullaballoo, and Crayola-type stuff. I'm not sure how readily available these things would be online, though. The web site seems to mainly list the bigger/flashier items. I guess you have to go to the store to get the basics.
You could also try searching by brand names. In addition to Melissa & Doug, there's Lauri, Brio, Haba, Step2, Little Tikes, and Alex... they all have some very nice items.
Other possibilities, just looking through the list on the web site: Early Childhood Resources, Edushape, Galt, Guidecraft, I-Play, Imaginarium, KidKraft, Learning Resources, Ravensburger, Schleich, and Toysmith.
In general, though, I think it tends to be an exercise in frustration to try to find Montessori-type educational toys in a mainstream store. "Active play" and "arts & crafts" are more promising sections, but even those can be a challenge. (Last summer, at our local Toys R Us, I wasn't able to find a plain old inflatable beach ball that didn't either play music, light up, or have a character on it!)
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SeaStar
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| Posted: Aug 18 2007 at 7:36pm | IP Logged
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Eleanor wrote:
We live near a Toys R Us, and going there is a nightmare of junky toys, harsh lighting, and whiny children.
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That's about how I feel, too. The one time I went into one with the kids, ds started crying to go out of the store. I did find some music cds on line that we would like- Beethoven's Wig 3, for one- but then the shipping for two cds was $12!! That is crazy. I just placed a quite large order with Rainbow Resources and the shipping was only $6.97.
I know their uncle meant well- I mean, who can't use a TRU gift card- but using them before they start to lose value may be tricky. 
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Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
SQUILT Music Appreciation
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Eleanor
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| Posted: Aug 18 2007 at 7:40pm | IP Logged
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SeaStar wrote:
| I did find some music cds on line that we would like- Beethoven's Wig 3, for one |
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Uh-oh... there's a #3? Better not tell my husband!
(I love those CDs, but he insists on playing them at breakfast time, while I'm still half asleep and struggling to get food on the table. Way more hilarity than I can handle, first thing in the morning.  )
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4Real Forums : Tea and Conversation
Topic: What to do with gift cards
