Local online toy company offers 'guilt-free' products for playtime

Friends and partners Niki Vahidian and Maria Miri have sort of been living parallel lives. They met while studying in Montreal and later moved to Ontario - Niki to Burlington, and Maria to Oakville - where they both married and had two children close in age, including two daughters who are now almost two years old.

"That’s where the story started,” says Niki. “As soon as we had our second kids, we figured out that we were looking for more stimulating, eco-friendly toys made with safe materials. If you pick up a random brand, how do you know if it is safe for kids, especially for babies when they’re chewing this stuff?”

After searching for quality toys, they realized other parents were probably looking for the same thing, and opened Little Bunny Toys online in September 2022.  

The brands they carry are mostly European, and all are award winners. Many of the toys are for the 0-to-6 years age range, with some board games and puzzles suitable for older children. 

“The age range of two to three years old is when parents buy the most because they are developing fast. There are so many cool brands, specifically the European ones. European companies have stricter standards for safety, and the way the toys are designed doesn’t look like mass production,” says Niki.

The European lines they carry include Janod, Habe, and Hapa, all specializing in toys made from wood, while the toys from U.S.-based Green Toys are made from FDA-approved recycled plastic milk bottles.

Little Bunny Toys has recently started a gift registry that essentially works the same as a bridal registry. The client creates an online profile, add any toy of interest, and share that link with friends and family so they can see what you’re looking for. Niki says they are the first and only toy store that offers this service online or in-person.

The birthday registry also has gift cards and a newly added link to make a donation to Sick Kids.

“So many parents would like to donate to Sick Kids, but it’s hard to tell a four-year-old, 'You will not have any toys, we are going to give them to other kids that are more in need,'" says Niki. " But with this option, the parents can choose whatever toy they want for their kid and also ask their guest if anyone likes they can also donate on behalf of our kid to Sick Kids.”

Little Bunny Toys offers free delivery for Burlington and Oakville, no tax, and a price-matching guarantee. They’re so sure about their prices that if you find the item priced lower, you can send them a link, and they will adjust the charge.