Buy Once & Play Forever with Toys from Maukilo (Review + Giveaway)

One of my goals when shopping for my kids this birthday and holiday season is to think beyond the big names – shop places other than the huge chain stores, buy products other than those with commercials on TV. I think the result is more creative gifts that are safer and more creative for my kids. The kids win and I feel good about my purchases. I was recently introduced to Maukilo and the online retailer fits the bill perfectly with a huge selection of unique toys for kids.

About Maukilo

Maukilo.com got its start in 2000 when a German-born woman, Alexandra Goedrich, couldn’t find any of the toys in this country that she herself enjoyed as a girl. So she started an ecommerce site specializing in the sale of European toys. The business quickly outgrew her small California apartment, as Americans discovered (and in some cases, rediscovered) brands including Sigikid and HABA. Now, Maukilo offers a wide selection of wooden and PVC-free plastic toys and games from more than 40 European and American-based companies.

Unique, High-Quality Toys

Maukilo has a huge selection of high-quality European and American toys from companies like BlaBla, Holztiger, Plan Toys and, of course, HABA. Maukilo.com is actually owned by HABA, so they’re able to offer the largest selection (about 1,500!) of HABA products in the United States. Because my son was born in Germany, I have been familiar with HABA toys for years. All of the babies in our village had HABA toys so we had to get some more my son at the local toy store, too. My daughter used those same toys as they are built to last and truly designed for children. One of the best things about shopping at Maukilo is knowing that its owned by HABA because I am confident that all the toys and companies offered must be the same quality as HABA.

BlaBla Lulu Flower Mini Doll

In the spirit of trying a new brand, we received the darling BlaBla Lulu  Flower Mini Doll ($33.99) from Maukilo for my daughter.I’ve heard good things about BlaBla dolls and had high expectations because they’re sold at Maukilo. Lulu is handknitted by Peruvian artisans, and made of 100% natural cotton with non-toxic dyes. The doll is 12 inches and extremely soft to cuddle and squeeze. Lulu is not your average doll. She’s extraordinarily soft, and a little abstract with bright colors and a knitted texture. My son calls this the “Lion doll” because he thinks the colorful flower petals look like a lion’s mane.

My daughter doesn’t so much play with the doll as she does cuddle. She has some more baby looking dolls that she will push in a stroller, but she goes for Lulu when she wants to snuggle and relax – at home, in the car or in her crib.

Holiday Picks from Maukilo

There are countless wonderful holiday toy options at Maukilo, but here are toys and games worth checking out.

Technics Wooden Blocks ($62.99), Bingo Animal Kids Game ($26.99), Cruiser Construction Kit ($24.95), Fleeting Foxes ($17.99)

Shop! You can browse toys by category, price and age group at Maukilo. You can even compare products side by side if you’re not sure what to get. All orders over $65 get Free Shipping!

Win! A $25 Gift Certificate to Maukilo!

How to Enter: Visit Maukilo and take a look at all the great products available. Leave a comment with a toy not mentioned here that you’d love to give this holiday season.

Bonus Entries – valid only after completing the first required entry. Please leave a separate comment for each you do.

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Giveaway ends November 17 – open to US residents.

Disclosure: Thanks to Maukilo for providing a sample toy and the giveaway prize.