I was recently given the opportunity to review TOYconomy, and I jumped at the chance! TOYconomy (http://www.TOYconomy.com) is an online service that rents toys to families to enjoy, without having to purchase them.  Customers can rent individual toys, games, puzzles, electronics and more for 30, 60, or 90 days. At the end of their rental period, they can return the products or purchase them at a discounted rate (minus their rental fee).  They have tons of toys to choose from. The ordering process is simple: You go to their website, choose toys that are age-appropriate for your child, put them in your cart, pay for them (Prices start at $1.99!) and then sit back and wait for them to be delivered to you…via FedEx! When you are done with the toys, FedEx will pick them up for you! (If you are a TOYconomy member, shipping is FREE!)

I told my little one that a special package was going to be arriving for him. He asked me what would be inside the package. When I told him toys for him to play with, he literally started jumping up and down, he was super excited. On the day the package arrived, he was asleep, so I waited for him to wake up. Once he was up, he tore into the box! Inside was a Melissa & Doug, 48 piece wooden jigsaw puzzle and a Battat Little Mechanic Toy Airplane. 

He had never played with either one of these toys before. At first, the puzzle was a bit too difficult for him, (he's just 4) but I was surprised at how quickly he caught on and before I knew it, he was putting it together all by himself! The airplane was his favorite of the two. He really had a blast taking the airplane apart and then putting it back together again…so much so that Santa will be bringing him one just like it for Christmas!

The toys were in tip-tip shape when they arrived. They were both wrapped in plastic, the puzzle was in sealed plastic wrap. TOYconomy prides itself on their 3-step sanitation process and every toy you receive will be sanitized and safe from germs (100% Hospital Grade Sanitized). You will also receive a Scout Storage Tote, to keep the toys in. If you become a member of TOYconomy (totally optional, you can rent the toys without becoming a member) you get to keep the storage tote, for as long as you are a member.

    You can see from my pic that the storage tote is very deep, lots of room for other toys in there! 

TOYconomy was started by a fellow mommy! Shannon McAfee is a mom of three and the winner of StartupNation's Leading Moms in Business Competition 2011! "The idea for TOYconomy was inspired by my own experience as a mother of three kids. I watched toys accummulate quickly, taking over the majority of rooms in our house. I found that my girls only played with a select few things at a time and the other toys just sat there collecting dust. I wanted a way to test-drive toys to know whether my kids liked them before purchasing them. Thus, TOYconomy was born! In addition to being a more economical alternative to buying toys, it helps keep clutter to a minimum in your house and it's an eco-friendly service!"

I can totally see myself using this awesome service. Just imagine taking a trip to Grandma's house…placing an order from TOYconomy before you leave…and then having a package of toys delivered to your child at Grandma's house! How cool would that be?! My child would love that, and so would his grandparents. Maybe you are going on vacation, some place other than grandma's house…guess what? You can have toys delivered there too! Not sure your child will like that toy they have been asking for non-stop? Go ahead and rent it from TOYconomy and see for yourself, before you spend your hard-earned money on it!  The possibilities are endless!!

I must admit, when it was time to pack the toys away and send them back to TOYconomy, my little one was sad…but I cheered him up by telling him we would definitely be using TOYconomy again! Check TOYconomy out for yourself and let me know what you think!

Thanks & take care,

MP!