About Us

Children Educational Toys

The Imagination Station was started in the spring of 2005 by Ashley and Lisa. The vision of the project was simple; to create a resource for parents, nurseries, playgroups and schools to find the very highest quality toys available at prices that represent excellent value for money. It was precisely because no such resource existed that The Imagination Station quickly went from vision to reality.

Although there were already lots of other toy suppliers out there, far too much was compromised on quality, and toys were all too often sold on the back of the latest fad, with very little thought for how they could benefit children. As parents themselves, Ashley and Lisa felt that this was completely the wrong way to look at toys and set about doing something about it, showcasing their toys at toy parties, coffee mornings, schools, nurseries and playgroups.

Knowing that quality and value were paramount, Ashley and Lisa only sourced toys that conformed to the lofty standards they had put in place for The Imagination Station from the outset. This meant that traditional, sturdy toys became the mainstay of the business, and before long there was an established set of principles guiding The Imagination Station to continued success both nationally and internationally.

Children Educational Toys:

·         Toys will only be of the highest manufacturing quality

·         Toys will be sturdy and able to withstand being played with regularly

·         Toys will encourage imaginative play and learning

·         Toys will be fun!

Remember when you were a child?  Out after breakfast and back by tea?  No Playstations or Nintendos then.  Just your imagination. Childhood obesity was unheard of.  That’s when toys were toys, not games consoles or robotic gadgets requiring a share in Duracell each week.  We want to get back to the good old days.  Encourage our kids to use their imaginations once again. 

 

We’ve scoured the markets for traditional children educational toys and gifts.  Toys that we believe will inspire children to use their imaginations and encourage parents to participate in their imaginative play.

Our world is now full of electronic games and toys.  We want to offer parents and grandparents toys and gifts that encourage parental involvement and our toys are visually stimulating and fun to play with.  Many of our children's gifts are traditional wooden toys that can be passed down from generation to generation.

All our toddlers toys and gifts have been thoroughly tested by our inhouse testers.  If they don’t meet the grade, they don’t get in! 

 

Education & Our Guiding Principles

The imagination Station has gone from strength to strength on the back of these principles, which tie in perfectly with the government’s own standards on learning and development in children from birth to 5 years, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). These principles outline what researchers have found to be the best way to encourage learning and development in children, particularly in those critical first 5 years.

Among the key factors set out by the EYFS guidelines is the importance of playtime in encouraging learning, communication, self-expression and forming relationships. This is why it is so important to choose toys that support these EYFS ideals. It is also the reason why The Imagination Station catalogue is filled with toys that exhibit quality, value and durability, creating a framework for learning and development, and all in the name of playtime fun!

We have sourced toys from manufacturers from around the world that meet our criteria of fun, imaginative childrens educational toys and gifts that offer real value for money.

 

Quality and Safety

We know you expect your childrens toys to be safe and of a high standard.  All our toys meet the various international standards, many of them exceed the minimum standards. 

Innovative

We actively seek childrens wooden toys and gifts that are simple in design but combine clever use of materials to encourage the imagination and enhance the learning experience.

Social and Environment

Imagination Station recognises the importance of promoting great quality of life, balanced with concern for the environment. As a company we are committed to minimising our impact on nature.  We actively recycle and encourage this amongst our staff.

Meet The Toy Team

 

Woody The Wizard

Woody was born in the sleepy village of Goomtrobble just off junction 29 off the M25.  He is the son of the innovative toy maker Giftus The Great.  From an early age Giftus recognised a talent in young Woody for designing and making fantastical toys and games.  Learning from his father's genius he set out on a quest seeking the very best imaginative toys and gifts to fill his newly purchased toy shop.  Hence forth Imagination Station was born.

We look forward to seeing you in our toy shop.

Flo The Fairy

Flo and Woody met in the Forest of Goomtrobble and it was love at first sight.  Flo shared Woody's passion for creative and imaginative toys.  Behind every good Wizard there is an even better Fairy and this is true in the case of Flo and Woody.  Flo tames Woody's erratic and sometimes irrational thoughts and helps him channel them into constructive thoughts and processes.  Flo gets to do a lot of exciting stuff (so Woody tells her) like the accounts, the tax returns and the VAT returns.  What more could a Fairy ask?

Naggy Maggie

Everyone knows a Naggy Maggie.  Here in the Woody Toyshop we love our Naggy Maggie.  She does a wonderful job of...well...nagging really.  All packages must be neatly packaged, correctly addressed, ribbons tied nicely prior to posting.  If it doesn't meet Maggie's strict approval it doesn't get sent.  She's like an ancient form of quality control.  We love you really Naggy Maggie! 

Tearaway Terry

Our lovely adorable Tearaway Terry.  Bit of a loose cannon.  His job is to ensure the truck is loaded on time, with the gifts and toys neatly stacked and that there is no danger of damage to any package.  He gets his name from his unique driving skills which leaves even those amongst us with a strong constitution cowering in the corner of the Toy Shop refusing to travel with him.

Sorcerer Sally

Ahh lovely Sorcerer Sally.  But you wouldn't want to get on the wrong side of her.  With one wave of her little magic stick she could have you grow ears and a tail like an Ass.  However on a good day she only uses her magic stick for good deeds.  Like sourcing new gifts for kids, making the sun shine, tidying the Woody Toy Shop or improving Tearaway Terry's driving skills.

Winnie the Webmaster

Webmasters could also be known as wizards couldn't they?  How they do half the stuff they do is beyond me.  It must be magic.