I miss my local Zany Brainy. Sure they weren't perfect but they were *different* then Toys R Us. Can I rant a moment?

I miss having toy stores where there are real wood toys that are built with quality products. I want a larger selection. I want more educational toys that are fun. I want things without a billion pieces. And although I have a few favorite stores, I really wish Toys R Us would hire some buyers with kids and only put USABLE and QUALITY toys in their stores instead of filling the isles with rows of crap.

And while I'm ranting, how about hiring a decent editorial staff for online stores that can really describe an item? I want to know how it's played with, what type of child would like it, how difficult it is, etc. And if you have a website please break the toys up by ages AND gender. And how 'bout of some that "if your child likes Polly Pockets, they would also probably like XXXX". Give me suggestions, make objective reviews. Offer me additional content that will keep me coming back to your site. And while you are at it, please make sure if I use your search function that I can look at different products and use my back button without pages expiring.

I thought in the spirit of the season I would link you to a few of my favorite toy stores. They don't have all the features I would love to have, but they do have some varied products from the same ole same ole Toys R' US program. And for what it's worth, Walmart.com is beating Toys R US prices this year by a good 5% and if you use Upromise, they will donate 5% to your kids college fund. WHOOT! I’d love it if you would tell me yours!

Back to Basics Toys
Constructive Playthings
Hearthsong
Hightlights for Kids
Mindware
Spilsbury
Toys to Grow On
Young Explorers

Maybe if we all write a post about what isn't working with toy stores... our collective voices will be heard!!