Bellingham’s Fairhaven Toy Garden

This weekend I had the chance to stop by the Fairhaven Toy Garden in Bellingham, Washington.

This 1,900-square foot shop encourages families to play with puppets, pick costumes and test out a toy car’s wheels. Anyone over age 10 can try their hand at needle-felting pocket-sized rabbits and sheep at the store’s Saturday workshops.

Shelves of yarn and art supplies keep creative kids happy. A window-side table encourages families to sit and color with wax crayons and Lyra pencils.

The Toy Garden’s Waldorf-inspired owners supply wooden building toys, colorful roving, moldable beeswax and other natural playthings.

It’s a sweet little shop, and it’s within sightline of the Fairhaven Village Inn, which you might win a free night’s stay at with my Midweek Getaway Giveaway.

Even if you don’t win, you might drive to Fairhaven for a felting workshop. As one of the store’s owners told me: “Mostly adults show up!” But it would be a fun late-morning jaunt with your tween.

After the toy store, play tag in the village green, near the store, or explore the rest of Fairhaven with your child. It’s a relaxing way to spend the day.