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About The Playstore HEADING_TITLE

Welcome to The Playstore.

Quality wooden and natural toys for creative and imaginative play

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People are often surprised that The Playstore is not part of a national chain or a subsidiary of a large corporation. In fact, a small group of moms work to create The Playstore.  In 1994 we opened our store in Palo Alto, California. We were happy to find many parents in our local community who also wanted well-made, open-ended toys for their children.  Our store is still there and we do hope you will stop by when you are in northern California.  When we launched our catalog and website in 1998, The Playstore expanded to become a leading, trusted resource in our greater community of families who share this common bond. It is your support that has allowed us to be the model of a sustainable business.  We hope you feel just as strong a sense of camaraderie and partnership with us as we all strive to become even more aware of the effects our choices have on our children.

In early childhood, your child gains self-confidence through play.  Play is the experience of thinking, generating ideas critically and creatively, and solving problems.  Instead of providing lots of structured, narrowly-defined educational toys that can be limiting and thereby lull your child in to passively asking, "What does this do?" or "What am I supposed to do with this?" – create a play environment with simpler toys that inspire the question, "What do I want to do with this?"

At The Playstore, we evaluate a toy based on its play value, quality, integrity, and impact on the environment. The mark of a great toy -- one worth owning -- is a toy that satisfies all four of these criteria. We have not compromised in any of our choices of toys for this catalog. Nothing is included simply because there is no other option. What is here is truly the best.
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play value A well-made, open-ended toy will grow with your child, serving one purpose at first, then another as your child grows and changes.  Playthings that have few adult-prescribed uses, and rely on your child's imagination instead, are known as open-ended toys.  A few thoughtfully chosen open-ended toys will likely have more play value than a room full of "advanced, educational" toys.

quality Only toys that are finely crafted and durable can last through years of play and fulfill the ideal of play value.  We make sure that what we present has that endurance.  Simplicity and beauty are also important.  When a toy appeals to all the senses, it is that much more valuable and that much less likely to be tossed aside.  The materials used to make our toys are safe, natural and nontoxic.

integrity You will find no toys here from questionable labor sources or companies with poor environmental records. The people who make our toys are paid true living wages and are able to support themselves and their families with their skills. The cost reflects this, and the true value lies in the lasting quality, durability, and fun of the product.

impact Choosing wood over plastic is not only an aesthetic decision. The more we learn about the effects of long-term exposure to plastic byproducts, the more it reinforces that we need to make other choices. To keep it simple, we avoid the use of plastics any time a reasonable alternative exists. We support reforestation projects, and many of our toy makers are actively involved in replanting what they harvest.

The Playstore is located in Palo Alto, California at 508 University Avenue. Stop in if you are in the area, or call us toll-free at 1-877-876-1111. We are open Tuesday through Saturday 10:30AM to 5:30PM and on Sunday from 1 to 5PM.



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