A rocking horse makes a great gift for a child that will be treasured for many years to come. There are now more types of rocking horse than ever before, so it’s easy to buy a horse suitable for any child, whether they are a baby or toddler or an older child.
If you’re looking for rocking horses for sale, one of the best places to start is on the internet. Many large online toy shops such as Amazon and Toys”R”Us have a larger selection available online and this is a very convenient way to shop as you can have the item delivered to you without needing to leave your house. There are also some toy shops online that specialize in children’s rocking horses which have a great selection and can advise you on the best rocking horse to buy for your child.
If you’d rather try out the rocking horse you’re considering buying before you put down the cash, large department stores and larger branches of toy shops will have display models. This lets you be sure that the size of the horse is right for your child. This is particularly important if you’re buying a large rocking horse as you can get a better idea of the space it will take up in your home.
Flea market rocking horse picture by gozalewis on flickr
Sometimes you can get a great bargain on second hand toys including rocking horses by looking in the classifieds in newspapers and websites such as Craigslist or Freecycle. This is a handy way to get expensive toys for next to nothing and often they will be in good condition with very little use. You could also ask around friends and family who have grown up children – sometimes they have large toys taking up space in the garage or attic and they’ll be happy for you to take them off their hands.
Some woodworks and crafts people also specialize in making beautiful wooden rocking horses that can often be customized to your requirements. Buying a wooden rocking horse is likely to be more expensive than a mass produced one but they are truly beautiful objects that will look gorgeous in your child’s room and be a treasured plaything that can be passed down from child to child. To find a crafter of wooden rocking horses you can try searching online or looking in your local business directory. If you’re taking a holiday to a country known for its woodcraft, it may well be worth commissioning a wood rocking horse while you’re there. This will usually be much cheaper than buying it in your own country, even factoring in the cost of shipping.
For antique rocking horses you can also try looking on the internet. Try auction sites such as EBay, or there are several websites that specialize in the restoration and reselling of antique wooden rocking horses. Make sure there are lots of photographs of the horse you’re considering buying and that any damage is described. Try to buy from a reputable seller with good feedback from previous customers.
You can also pick up antique rocking horses at auction houses and estate sales. Sometimes you may even be lucky enough to pick up a bargain at a yard sale or a junk shop. Be careful to do your research before you buy and inspect the horse thoroughly. For auctions have a set price in mind and try not to get carried away with the atmosphere and bid too high!