The Big W Toy Mania Sale starts tomorrow in store (Thursday 18th). The sale can be a big event for many families, it is a great opportunity to buy toys at a discount and especially to stock up for birthdays or Christmas. We have family members who don't shop online and are always looking for gift ideas from big stores like Big W. I don't want to promote consumerism here but I do want to support you with good and affordable purchasing options. 

When I think of Big W's toy sales, I think of Lego. They usually have various and large Lego sets on sale! But what else might we order? You are not going to find Montessori materials at Big W but you will find a few toys, lots of art materials, books, trays and baskets that are all suitable for a Montessori home (some will be suitable for schools and playgroups too). Let's take a peek at some of my picks!

Toys

• Vtech Kidizoom Duo Camera - I haven't tried this with my children but would like to. 
• My First Calendar - this is magnetic.
• Geomags - these would be perfect for my 9 yr old!
• Spirographs - of various sizes, these work well as gifts, the travel size could be a stocking stuffer. 
• Story Cubes
• Stacking Cups - good open ended toys for infants and toddlers, for stacking or use in the bath. 
• Mega Blocks - Duplo can be a good option too. To start put just a few in a basket on the shelves until the child has mastered how to connect and build with them.
• Various Model Vehicles - Cars, Trucks, Diggers and more. I especially like the Liebherr Team Set.
• Model Dinosaurs - I couldn't find any other model animals but they may have them at other times.

Science Kits

• Smithsonian STEM Set
• National Geographic Kits

Trays & Baskets

• Woven Baskets - of various sizes, good for book baskets for storing toys and materials, on the floor or on the children's work shelves.
• Trays - I especially like the larger trays for art activities, they also have a few white trays with different compartments. White plastic tray, Large Coloured Trays, Paint Tray, Dip Platter.

Books

There are too many good books here to list. Big W have lots of First 100...  type board books for toddlers, a picture dictionary, flag book, animal books, science books and so much more. 

Art

We use Micador art materials, the quality of their paints is good! Also recommend their art paper and visual arts diary. 

• Large Watercolour Palette
• Large Oil Pastels - we have these.
• Craft Sticks - they also have lots of other craft materials.
• Safety Scissors
• Washable Sidewalk Chalk - we used these almost daily outside on our pavement and brick walls during the lockdown period. 
• Painting Tools - brushes and sponges.
• Colour Paint Discs - we have these too. 

Cleaning & Gardening

• Mini Duster
• Suction Bathroom Basket - these are good to use in the bathroom at the child's height for toothbrushes, hair brushes, soap, shampoo.
• Sprouts Growing Kit - sprouts are super easy to grow and can be grown all year round, this is a great early gardening lesson for children.
• Windowsill Planters - these are also good for children and as gifts. Big W also sell a lot of seeds and other gardening related tools and materials.

If you go to the sale (or order online) tell me what you find!! 

Please note that not all of the items listed are sale items.