eBeanstalk Toy Store: The Gifts that Keep on Coming

Sometimes I look around at my kids' toys and wish we only had the really great ones, you know. Why do we have so many toys that are just junk? How do we get them? Why do we keep them?!

That's what I think whenever I go to sites like eBeanstalk.com, a toy site that only sells the good stuff. Toys are selected by child development experts and tested by real parents and kids and helpfully categorized by child's age, developmental stage and skills. None of that is that unusual, but eBeanstalk has another unique twist.

You can buy toys in a gift series which supplies a new toy every three months for the whole year. Each toy comes with an custom instruction card that gives parents ideas for playing with the toy that graduates with the child. New ways to play and new toys every three month.

Before kids I probably would have said, "what pathetic person needs a card to tell you how to play with a toy?" But post-baby I know that every little bit of inspiration to help entertain and interact with a baby is precious.

I like that they have a Space Saver Series (great for city dwellers with limited room for toys) and a Travel Series for parents looking for toys for on the go. You can even create your own gift series, customizing it from the developmentally appropriate toys available.

I think perhaps the site is meant to be for giving gifts to other children. It would certainly be a perfect thing to "mention" to the grandparents or put on a baby registry. But, personally, I think it's a great way to shop for your own children. A little surprise comes in the mail every three months, just when you're getting a little bored with the toys already scattered around the floor.

To sweeten the deal, eBeanstalk is offering MommyPoppins readers 10% off their total purchase. Just type in MOMMYPOPPINS at checkout. Don't forget to tell grandma about that!