Travel + Leisure
We are excited to be on the cover page of the Travel + Leisure September issue! Our September issue—chock full of great stories about Italy, Tulum, Paris, India, and more—is available on newsstands now! Check it out!
Imagine a toy store where the toys all have a voice and like to share their stories of where they come from and who made them. Imelda McCain, the woman behind Playing Mantis, selects the toys for her store on the basis that their stories are pleasant to hear. She chooses items that are produced in an eco-friendly manner by small businesses all over the world. Hence, you can find carved wooden tree puzzles made by a school teacher in Hungary to help support his family, dolls hand-made by women in Argentina, or musical instruments from Sweden. Products here are picked with a steadfast idealism, centered on the nurturing of children's imagination and their sense for natural materials. Imelda McCain's son Lucas inspired this philosophy and her conviction that toys don't need to flash, buzz, or beep to entertain kids, let alone help them to grow. We couldn't help but inquire, and it turns out nothing in this store has batteries. It seems everything at Playing Mantis is powered by imagination.
We are excited to be on the cover page of the Travel + Leisure September issue! Our September issue—chock full of great stories about Italy, Tulum, Paris, India, and more—is available on newsstands now! Check it out!
“SEE: The Playing Mantis” December 5th, 2011 by Julie Henriette We are firm believers in enjoying this time of year with friends and family instead of shopping for presents that nobody wants, so we are going to let you in on a little secret that will simplify the process for you.
Offering handcrafted toys inspired by children and nature. By Kathy Krassner Imelda McCain had a very special reason for opening a toy store five years ago: her son. Like so many new mothers, McCain began taking a closer look at the toys that were on the market.
INCREDIBLE SELECTION OF HANDMADE TOYS AND GAMES “N MOORE EVOKES TRIBECA’S NOSTALGIC PAST” Playing Mantis has “an incredible selection of handmade toys and games from around the world“ Edward Burns says.
“Green toys in time for Earth Day” Lauren Glassberg reports, ABC Chanel 7 News April 2010
New Places, New Programs for Kids in Manhattan – February 2010 by Kaitlin Ahern A Toy Store with a Global Conscience Playing Mantis, an eco-friendly store offering handmade toys and crafts from around the world, recently opened a new location in Tribeca. The store’s flagship location is in Nyack, NY.
Shopping for Eco Friendly and Natural Wood Toys in New York City. Jan 20 2010 By Marcy We recently wrote about some wonderful places to Shop for Handmade Toys and Children’s Items in New York City. We wanted to complement that list with some other great suggestions where you can buy natural and green […]
Playing Mantis toy stores sell simple, handmade toys that promote an interest in the global community. Heather Salerno hsalerno@lohud.com Walk into Nyack’s Playing Mantis toy store, and you get an immediate feeling of Zen. That’s not a feeling associated with big-box retailers, which are dominated by aisles of manufactured plastic playthings that honk, beep, flash, […]
“Need it Now: Enchanted Endeavor” by Stephanie LaCava, edited by Virginia Tupker Imagine tiny, moss-covered dwellings with stone pebble paths, little wooden chimneys, small twig-lined doors, and entranceways that would fit only a fairy. This is the magical window scene that greets one at the new Tribeca store Playing Mantis. Enter the shop and take […]
“Imelda McCain can’t help but restore your faith in humanity. Her worldview is local in nature and global by design… her simple, unwavering desire to make it all work to everyone’s benefit is as egalitarian and humble as it is inspired.”
32 North Moore
New York, NY 10013
Tel: 646-484-6845
Regular hours:
Tuesday to Sunday:
11AM – 6PM
Store is closed on Monday
Holiday hours might differ