There are few things better than seeing an excited child opening their presents on Christmas morning.
And there is nothing sadder than seeing them get bored of a toy just weeks later.
That’s why Honeybee Toys is dedicated to providing toys that stand the test of time and provide imaginative play opportunities with Australia’s largest collection of European wooden toys right on your local doorstep.
Owner Melissa said Christmas is the perfect time to buy the type of toys for children that will grow with them as their needs develop. Open-ended play is making a huge resurgence right now as people return to the basics and simple magic of childhood.
“Wobbel Boards are really popular because they can be used so many ways,” she said.
“As well as getting kids moving and developing their sense of balance, they can be used in imaginary play, a step up to help at the kitchen bench, a seat, a slide – the options are endless. And Wobbel is great for getting kids up and away from their devices.”
And that’s exactly what the carefully selected range at Honeybee Toys encourages – they get the kids away from the screen and inspire them to use their imagination.
Whether it’s a Wishbone balance bike, a wooden castle or dollhouse, a hand-carved animal, a giant truck, or a play kitchen, you will find unique and traditional wooden toys that will be loved and treasured for many years. All toys are ecofriendly, ethically made, non-toxic and chosen with great care. And all age groups are catered for, starting with organic and non-toxic toys for newborns right up to puzzles and games for children as old as 10.
Honeybee Toys was born 15 years ago when Melissa found it almost impossible to find quality wooden toys for her own young children.
“There was a real lack of wooden toys here, even only 15 years ago, only one store in Melbourne stocked a tiny range and there were no online stores at all.”
It soon became the dream, not only to source quality wooden toys for their children, but to make them available for like-minded families in Australia.
“I spent a lot of time researching where the best toys were made, most of them came out of Europe and had never been in Australia,” she said.
“It was mind-blowing to realise that the only toys I could find here were plastic, often connected to TV programs, and battery-operated. Where were the classic simple toys that allowed children to be children to be children, to develop language and motor skills, and to imagine for themselves? Where was the magic of childhood?”.
So Melissa and her husband Brendan took the plunge, left their jobs, and immersed themselves in the world of handmade toys, they made contact with the very best European toy makers and began importing directly. People in the toy industry shook their heads, they said it couldn’t be done. But today Honeybee Toys represents 20 of the world’s very best handmade toy brands, and supplies toy shops throughout Australia with their natural toy ranges. Their flagship store and first love is right in the heart of Malvern.
Honeybee Toys will be open extended hours over the Christmas period and their friendly staff are more than happy to provide gift ideas for kids of every age; so take a visit and experience the magic of childhood for yourself!
Honeybee Toys
264 Glenferrie Rd
Malvern VIC 3144
9500 8632
