Oompa Toys: Inspiring Imaginative Play

{To read more posts on how much we love Oompa Toys, please see my previous Oompa reviews}

Almost every time we visit the Oompa Toys Retail Store, we overhear some variation of the same conversation between a parent and child there. Mom will be trying to calmly convince her son that it is time to leave and yes, they will indeed come back soon. Or Dad ends up just having to take his daughter by the hand because of her increasingly loud protests over the thought of having to walk out of Oompa's front door.

It really is fun there.

Usually when kids go to the store, they maybe get to look at a toy while it's still in the box. Or possibly press the Try Me button and hear an annoying sound or two. But at Oompa, they are not only encouraged to come in and play, they are welcome to bring their imagination with them.

Is there a child that doesn't love hiding out in their own quiet sanctuary once in a while? The first time we saw the amazing play tents from Lucy & Michael I was pretty sure that throwing a sheet over two chairs was completely a thing of the past. These tepee-style tents are a sturdy combination of wood and cloth that will not only withstand all kinds of play but provide endless hours of imaginative possibility.

Setup and take-down are done in a matter of seconds, there's a built-in super-cute window and the amount of room inside? Let's just say that the entire tent is almost as tall as I am on the outside and provided plenty of space for Big Sister E to stand up in the inside. For someone with a large playroom, this would be a wonderful way to section off a quiet area. Or, with their portability, put one of these tents up in the yard for some great pretend-camping fun and memories that will last a lifetime.

When I finally got Big Sister E and Little Sister B out of the Lucy & Michael Tent, their imaginations were just getting warmed up. Both online and in-store, Oompa carries so many items that promote things like creative expression, independent or group play and encourage fine or gross motor skills and cognitive development.

No matter if we stop to play with a great cardboard puzzle (the selection of Crocodile Creek puzzles, balls and more are always a favorite), act out a story with their pretend play items or just admire the beautiful dollhouses and accessories, we always end up with a win-win situation at Oompa. My kids have a great time playing, learning and exploring and I am happy knowing that every toy they fall in love with is high quality, safe and lives up to Oompa's high standards.

Without fail, the Green Dollhouse with Furniture from Plan Toys has been a crowd-pleaser every time.

I love the sensory adventure that we go on each time we visit Oompa's Retail Store, but I also admire the way that they attempt to duplicate it when visiting their website. After browsing by category, brand, age or even country, you're easily able to view pictures and information about your selected items.

However, Oompa has taken things a few steps further by now including what they call "360 views" of some of their products. Simply click to grab the picture and give it a spin, showing you all angles and views that weren't possible before. The back of a toy matters just as much as the front, right? Oompa has plans to incorporate 360 views as well as product videos for all of their items in the future to make shopping that much better for everyone.

Even if you think you've seen it all with Oompa Toys, they're constantly doing more to make their website and store even better. No matter the age, gender or interests of the child you're shopping for, you'll always be impressed with their high quality toys and gear. And really, the world of imagination that their products open up truly can't be beat.

I've long lost count of the number of times my girls have gone in and out of the Knight's Tent from HABA Toys but I love the way Big Sister E's feet just stick right out the bottom when she hangs out in there.

Be sure to sign up for the Oompa Toys newsletter, connect with them on Twitter and Facebook and check out their blog for more information.

(This post is part of a series highlighting Oompa Toys. In exchange, they are helping sponsor me to attend the BlogHer '10 conference in August. However, that partnership has not influenced my opinion of Oompa in any way - I was a complete and utter fan long before that.)

Oompa Toys: Setting high standards for quality

{To read my earlier posts on how much we love Oompa Toys, please click here, here or here}

On our recent trip to visit the Oompa Toys Retail Store, something became much more apparent to me than it had before. Of course I had always noticed the incredible selection of high quality, natural toys and gear offered by Oompa (they are, after all, one of the leading online specialty toy retailers), but what I hadn't truly appreciated before were the... high standards behind them.

Oompa Toys strongly believes that "baby toys should be natural, safe, eco-friendly, non-violent and from manufacturers who provide safe and nurturing environments for their employees." Forget cartoon characters and flashing lights and loud noises, for an item to be chosen by Oompa, it has to meet and surpass the high expectations that they hold for themselves and their brands.

Do you ever wonder where your child's toys actually came from? I'll admit that in the past, I really didn't. As long as my kids were having fun, what did it matter? But with all of the information out there about child labor and inhumane working conditions, it really does make a difference to think about about the environment that each toy was made in.

I love that Oompa Toys not only cares that their products are well-made, but that any and all of them come from somewhere that is safe for their employees. And they don't just take a company's word for it, Oompa conducts tours and interviews to make sure. I feel like their caring makes it much easier to decide what website (or store, since I'm lucky to live nearby) to shop from for the next toy we might need for ourselves or as a gift.

But that's not all. Browsing around Oompa, I noticed many of their toys were from companies that take things a step further and can be classified as fair trade (a movement in developing countries to obtain better trading conditions and promote sustainability). In fact, if you search for fair trade on Oompa's website, you'll find pages of results. And quite a few of those toys are the ones that my kids gravitated to looking at and playing with:

Big Sister E is shown here first hugging the Knitted City Food Assortment from Yellow Label Kids and then, later on, attempting to eat their Knitted Donut Assortment.

Finally, there are the items themselves. Everything found at Oompa is "No batteries. No blinking lights. No cartoon-themed toys. Period." There have been times when I'm unsure if my kids realize toys that aren't plastic are indeed toys. So how great would it be to fill their lives with products that are natural and wonderful? Toys crafted out of wood or handmade or maybe even organic. Ones that are non-toxic and eco-friendly and in general work towards making the world a better place, one child at a time.

As usual, everywhere I look when I visit Oompa Toys, I'm more and more impressed by the selection and the commitment to what they stand for. My kids definitely are too.

Just a few of our favorites: the Surfin' Kids Easel by Ecotots, My Professional Tool Set from Educo, Walker Wagon from Haba, really fun Rocking Donkey (in store only) and adorable organic Foundlings animals.

With an ever-expanding collection of high quality toys and gear for children of all ages, Oompa Toys is the place to shop online or in-store and know that you will always be 100% satisfied. Not only will your purchase be entertaining and fun, but you can rest assured that it will be safe for your child and have come from a quality brand. What more can you ask for?

Be sure to sign up for the Oompa Toys newsletter, connect with them on Twitter and Facebook and check out their blog for more information. And by all means, if you're ever in town, DEFINITELY visit the Oompa Retail Store. Just be warned that it's hard to leave!

(This post is part of a series highlighting Oompa Toys. In exchange, they are helping sponsor me to attend the BlogHer '10 conference in August. However, that partnership has not influenced my opinion of Oompa in any way - I was a complete and utter fan long before that.)

Oompa Toys: HABA award-winning toys

{To read my earlier posts on Oompa Toys, please click here and here}

I've mentioned it before, but I'll say it again: we're so lucky to live only minutes away from the one and only Oompa Retail Store. The building itself is modern with clean lines and the surrounding shops and restaurants are also inviting and open.

But one glimpse in the windows of Oompa and you're immediately drawn inside. The combination of the bright colors, natural light and friendly atmosphere makes you feel like you could browse, shop and play for hours. It's big enough that their selection is wonderful but not so huge that you feel like you're in a warehouse and need to stop and rest after viewing aisles of generic toys.

Plus, every Oompa employee that I've ever encountered is warm and genuine and seems to know if you want help or just to peruse on your own (I hate stores with staff that are pushy). Even if you regularly visit just so that your kids can have fun touching and trying out everything (ahem), you'll never feel unwelcome. Sounds like a pretty great place, doesn't it?

On our most recent visit to the Oompa Retail Store, after taking in all of the new changes and displays, Big Sister E and Little Sister B headed straight for one of their favorite sections, the "grocery store" of beautiful and natural HABA toy foods.

If you've never seen HABA toys, you're missing out. A family-owned German company, the attention to detail and high quality is evident in every item they produce. Instead of the vast array of cheap plastic that is on the market, HABA is dedicated to creating educational and enriching products that will entertain and last a lifetime.

HABA's play food is no exception to their standards of constructing toys that are well-made and fun. Using smooth wood or soft fabric, they take children beyond just toy apples and bread (although they have those, too). How often does your child play with a realistic cucumber? Or pretend crepes or grilled chicken or wiener schnitzel with french fries? Not regularly, right? Even my husband had to admit that being able to attach and detach the legs on the chicken was pretty cool.

Not enough to just "buy" the food when playing with it, Big Sister E was only too happy to spend some time in the HABA Mini Shop as well. This little wooden market has everything that a child needs to enjoy imagining in their own little store. The accompanying produce, money, shopping bags... it even has a barcode scanner that squeaks! It doesn't get much cuter.

The great connection between HABA and Oompa Toys is easily seen throughout the rest of the store (and on their website) as well. There are HABA baby toys galore that would make perfect shower gifts, HABA jewelry that Big Sister E very carefully and thoroughly examined, beautiful HABA rugs that would brighten up any child's room or playroom, and HABA games for all ages and abilities. Everywhere I looked there was something else to culture young minds while providing entertainment and amazement.

(Click on this picture to see its full size. This is just a taste of the great HABA displays that fill the Oompa Retail Store)

Before we left, Big Sister E and Little Sister B had to make sure to spend some time with one of HABA's crowd-pleasing toys, the Ball Track Roll 'N Roll 'N Roll. Every time we have been in the Oompa Retail Store when children are around, this toy draws attention. For ages 18 months and up, they love to watch the colorful balls wind their way down and listen to the varying noises that they make along the way. For independent or group play, this truly is a lot of fun for everyone.

Whether we're visiting the store, browsing online or enjoying our purchases, our experiences with Oompa have always left my family smiling and happy. And, without fail, as we were walking out after this visit, Big Sister E turned to me and asked, "We go there again, Mommy?" I took her hand and nodded. Of course we'll be back.

Be sure to sign up for the Oompa Toys newsletter, connect with them on Twitter and Facebook and check out their blog for more information. And while you're reading their blog, don't miss their post with a great video tutorial on how to purchase from or create a wishlist on Oompa's website. I think the hardest part of making your own or shopping off of someone else's wishlist would be deciding which amazing Oompa product is your favorite!

(This post is part of a series highlighting Oompa Toys. In exchange, they are helping sponsor me to attend the BlogHer '10 conference in August. However, that partnership has not influenced my opinion of Oompa in any way - I was a complete and utter fan long before that.)

Oompa Toys: Skip Hop diaper bags, toys, accessories and more

{To read my introductory post in this series on Oompa Toys, please click here}

It's hard to think of a day when I won't carry a diaper bag with me. I know that at some point my daughters will be old enough that I won't need to tote around snacks, clothes, diapers, little toys and more, but right now it seems like a long way off.

Fortunately, until that point in the distant future arrives, I am able to travel in style with my Skip Hop Dash Diaper Bag, one of the many great Skip Hop items that my favorite retailer, Oompa Toys, offers for adults and kids.


From the moment I laid eyes on this diaper bag, Skip Hop moved onto my short list of brands that I adore. The perfect mix of form and function, the Dash is stylish and hip while having just the right number of pockets and organizational accessories to keep my life in order. I always know where to find my wallet or phone and being able to slide a cup for each of my girls into the side pockets has made leaving the house so much easier for us all.

Constructed out of an extremely durable poly-canvas, my Dash has easily held up to everything that I have put it through and still is in great shape. Whether I am wearing it messenger-style or using Skip Hop's unique clip system for it to hang perfectly on the stroller, it has been banged up or tossed around without ever appearing anything less than high quality.

So, when I first saw the wall of Skip Hop gear in the Oompa Toys Retail Store, it took me a fair amount of self-restraint to not want to run my hands over each and every one of them. I was drawn to not only the great variety and selection that Oompa carries, but how easy that they make it to shop all of their bags. I felt like each one was calling out to me to throw it open, feel around inside and try it on to see how well it fit.

If the great diaper bags didn't impress me enough, when I turned to follow Big Sister E we walked right up to another fantastic display of Skip Hop items. This time a wall of products for children, Oompa Toys had a wonderful array of bath toys, backpacks (is there anything cuter than the Monkey Zoo Pack? It has a banana zipper pull!) and so much more for any room of the house.

When we moved on from there, we headed back to the baby section of Oompa Toys and I caught a glimpse of the innovative Skip Hop Palette Plate and Mate Stay-Put Mat and Plate while on our way. But before I had time to contemplate how much easier they would make mealtimes at our house, Little Sister B was too eager to have time to cuddle and play with the Plush Piggy Ball.


Big enough to hug but soft and light enough to roll around, these adorable creatures are extremely soft, easy to grab and make a sweet tinkling chime noise when moved. Little Sister B had a wonderful time holding each of the animals close (the Spotty Cow and the Stripey Duck are equally as cute as the Plush Piggy) and twisting her entire body back and forth to hear their sounds. For $12.99, I could see these becoming a go-to baby gift that would make any mom or little one happy.

When it was finally time for us to leave (which is always difficult as both girls want to stay and play for hours), we thanked the ever-friendly Oompa Toys Retail Store employees and took a last glance back at the fun we had there. Even if I'm just browsing the Oompa website, I get the same feeling - that they care. And that's a quality I definitely appreciate.

Be sure to sign up for the Oompa Toys newsletter, connect with them on Twitter and Facebook and check out their blog for more information. And while you're reading their blog, don't miss the opportunity to find out about their Silly Face Contest (running until May 17) where you have the chance to win an adorable piggy bank and a $100 shopping spree on Oompa.com!


(This post is part of a series highlighting Oompa Toys. In exchange, they are helping sponsor me to attend the BlogHer '10 conference in August. However, that partnership has not influenced my opinion of Oompa in any way - I was a complete and utter fan long before that.)

Oompa Toys: Dante Beatrix backpacks, bags, suitcases and more

Over the course of writing this blog, I've been extremely fortunate to try out some amazing products and work with some really great companies. I've read about their missions and browsed all of the innovative items that they offer and have truly enjoyed introducing them to all of you.

I've had friends ask me if I could name my favorite items, the ones that I liked reviewing just a little bit more than the others and, up until now, I've kept those a secret. But I'm letting the cat out of the bag today and revealing one of my top picks. At the end of last December, I reviewed Oompa Toys, an amazing website filled with a huge variety of high quality toys, gear and furniture.

Seeing the pictures and reading about how Oompa provides only natural, beautiful toys was one thing. Actually visiting the Retail Store was entirely on another level. I would have never expected such an incredible company to have their headquarters right here in town and their one and only store almost in my backyard. Since our initial visit, my daughters and I have become even bigger Oompa fans and in the upcoming months you'll see some of the many, many reasons why.

When Big Sister E was preparing to start preschool, the last thing I asked before leaving the orientation meeting was, "What should she bring?" Her teacher nodded at me and replied, "A backpack with extra clothes. That's it." During the drive home, I couldn't wait for my big girl to get to pack up her very first backpack, partially because it really is symbolic of school and partially because she had the cutest backpack ever waiting for her.


The Little Kid Backpack: Monkey from Dante Beatrix combines all of the features I could have come up with to create the most charming, adorable backpack for little ones. Made of lightweight nylon (just wipe it clean with a damp cloth!) with a padded back and adjustable straps, Big Sister E is able to carry it comfortably and easily, even when filled.

Smaller than a traditional backpack, the Little Kid Backpacks don't overwhelm younger children or prove to be too big and bulky like the traditional sizes tend to do. Even though a standard size folder won't fit inside Big Sister E's Monkey Bag, it has proven to be the perfect thing to tote around her clothes, shoes, artwork and letters home from school. On non-school days, it's the cutest bag to come along with us to Grandma's house or other fun outings.

With options available for far past the preschool years, Oompa Toys offers an amazing selection of Dante Beatrix items that will work for any stylish child for multiple occasions. I know Big Sister E would be more than happy to carry a matching Monkey Lunch Box, which features insulation to keep her snacks fresh and cool and heavy-duty laminated canvas for easy cleaning.

Or, when she has outgrown her Little Kid Backpack (and passed it down to Little Sister B), one of the Big Kids Backpacks from Dante Beatrix would work great for Big Sister E. Using the same quality construction and durable nylon, these packs can fit textbooks, a laptop, shoes, food and more. Instead of the same generic backpacks that all the kids have, my daughter could stand out with the Panda Bag and be set for years to come.

Even better, I imagine that the next time we travel Big Sister E would be overjoyed to bring along the Bunny Wheelie Bag that Oompa carries (available in-store only) so that she could feel like a true jet-setter. These sturdy little suitcases have multiple pockets, a roomy interior and an adjustable handle that even reaches tall enough for an adult to comfortably use. Hmm, maybe I need one of these for myself...

Oompa Toys carries so many great backpacks and bags that it's hard to choose between them, but the Dante Beatrix line is definitely a favorite at our house. Plus, having the ability to browse them online and in the Oompa Retail Store is a big advantage for us - I hadn't even known the cute Wheelie Bags existed until our recent visit.

With spring break upon us, the end of this school year is not too far off. How has your child's backpack held up? Is it showing wear-and-tear? Big Sister E's Monkey Bag is in perfect shape and still looks pristine, which demonstrates its strength and durability - an attribute of all Oompa products. They care about where their items come from, who makes them and how the employees there are treated. Not to mention they strive for complete customer satisfaction and to only sell the most high quality of products.

Even if you aren't lucky enough to have the Oompa Toys Retail Store nearby, their website is clean, colorful, fun, user-friendly, and most orders ship within 24 hours. They even have a 30-day return policy if, for some reason, you aren't fully happy with your purchase... although I highly doubt that's even possible. Be sure to sign up for their newsletter, connect with Oompa on Twitter and Facebook and check out their blog for even more information.

And if you decide to come visit their store, don't be surprised if the girls and I are hanging out there playing and shopping - it's hard to stay away!


(This post is part of a series highlighting Oompa Toys. In exchange, they are helping sponsor me to attend the BlogHer '10 conference in August. However, that partnership has not influenced my opinion of Oompa in any way - I was a complete and utter fan long before that.)