The Best Places to Buy Children's Toys Online

Buying children's toys online is easy and convenient and it can save a considerable amount of time and money, too. Unlike your local retailer, an online toy store is open 24/7. You can quickly compare prices on a large selection of children's toys with just a few clicks of the mouse. When you shop for children's toys online, you can also see what's new, what's hot, and which toys are recommended for the age of the child.

Here are four of my favorite places to buy children's toys online:

Fat Brain Toys (fatbraintoys.com)

This online toy store was founded in 2002 by a husband and wife team who wanted to sell quality children's toys that are educational as well as fun (hence, their slogan "Smarter Toys = Smarter Kids). Fat Brain stocks more than 5,000 children's toys online, including one of the largest selections of American made toys.

The Fat Brain site is well organized and very easy to shop. You can peruse by age and gender, best sellers, what's new, special offers, toy lines, and 28 toy categories (e.g., wooden toys, active play and puzzles). Fat Brain also offers live chat, order tracking and a Gift Wizard that can help you choose the perfect toy.

Back to Basics Toys (backtobasicstoys.com)

This catalog company was started in 1988 by parents who wanted their children to have old-fashioned toys like those from their own childhood. Their goal was to become a unique source for classic, imaginative and non-violent children's toys that offered quality craftsmanship and enduring play value. Their slogan is "They Do Make Them Like They Used To!"

In keeping with the classic toys they sell, the Back to Basics online toy store has an old-fashioned (but appealing) feel to it. Categories include art & music, learning fun, games & puzzles, active play, wooden toys, award winners, top sellers, sale items, and new toys. You can also shop by age categories, or request a print catalog to quickly order your favorite toys online by item number. One thing I especially love about this site is their resource section of helpful articles, such as "The Importance of Pretend Play," and "All About Blocks."

Lego (lego.com)

Founded in 1932 by Ole Kirk Christiansen and now owned by his grandson, Lego continues to offer classic construction sets that inspire kids to explore their creative potential. The name Lego is an abbreviation of the Danish words "leg godt" which means "play well." This has been their philosophy from the start, and what undoubtedly helped Lego grow to be one of the world's largest children's toy companies.

The Lego online toy store is a colorful site that's jam packed with great construction sets, from Star Wars and Indiana Jones, to SpongeBob and Thomas. This site is a great place to buy toys online and see all the latest Lego offerings. However, it's also an engaging place where children can go for safe online fun with tons of videos, games, activities, animations and more.

Magic Cabin (magiccabin.com)

What began in 1989 as a small catalog selling handmade, natural fiber Waldorf-style dolls has since grown into a thriving mail-order business and online toy store offering enchantingly old-fashioned children's toys, games, books and crafts. But one thing that hasn't changed about Magic Cabin is its desire to provide parents with "Childhood's Purest Treasures" - e.g., unique toys that are heirloom quality, eco-friendly, safe and sturdy, powered by kids instead of batteries, and most of all, fun to play with.

Request their large full-color catalog to order children's toys online by item number, or browse by age, categories or special collections such as what's new, baby gifts, fairies, travel toys, wooden toys, made in the USA, seasonal items and Magic Cabin exclusives. The well-organized site also has a gift center that helps you find just what you're looking for.

Buying children's toys online is an enjoyable experience when you shop these four sites. I highly recommend them, and hope you'll love them too.