PlanJam!From your screen to the scene

For the more global parent who wants to introduce their children not only to wonderful learning toys, but to various cultures around the world, visit Ambassador Toys on San Francisco’s Embarcadero Street or West Portal Avenue. Founded in 1997, this unparalleled toy store promotes an “understanding and respect for cultures around the world through the beauty and creativity of toys, books and music,” according to their website

This isn’t any old toy store. Not only has it been dubbed every year since 2003 by readers of “Bay Area Parents” as the best toys store, the Guardian’s 25th anniversary edition named it the Best Toy Store You Wish Had Been Around When You Were a Kid. It has also been nominated for a TOTY award (the toy industry’s equivalent to an Academy Award) by the Toy Industry of America.

No shoot-em-up dummy video games in this place. Ambassador Toys offers an enormous array of quality toys from several categories, such as Dress-up, Arts and Crafts, Baby and Toddler, Farms and Stables, Foreign Language, Puppets, Plush Animals, Baby Dolls, Tea Sets, Bikes, and Trains. The list goes—well, you know: on and on and on. The selection includes tin and quality wood toys, reassuring construction and materials when so many plastic toys have been recalled lately.

Aside from the amazing selection, parents as well as children will enjoy shopping at Ambassador Toys because of the pleasant atmosphere, the complimentary gift wrapping, and personalized shopping assistance. No standing around cluelessly and frustratedly scratching your head. The store is also glad to refund your money within 30 days if you aren’t happy with your purchase (or store credit without a receipt), a policy not always followed since many stores such as this will only issue store credit no matter what.

Stop off any day of the week with your little one. You can’t go wrong here. Anything you choose will surely help broaden your child’s horizons. Take home a Scarlet Macaw hand puppet, a Space Station Set, or a wooden dollhouse Ethnic Family (yes it is officially called that). It’s as much of a treat for you as it is for your child, to watch your child grow and learn. Help them understand the larger world out there and, hey, have some fun while you’re at it.