Kamchatka Magic Toys

When you think about your business, what are you most proud of?

We are very proud that after more than 16 years we still have the same enthusiasm and tickle in our tummies as we did on that day in 2003 when we opened. We remain firm in our original commitment: traditional toys, made with sustainable materials, endearing, with aesthetic value and social commitment. Well-made toys with a clear non-sexist and non-warlike message.

However, our greatest pride is and will be to be part of the happy memories of many families: that first toy, the doll that after many years is still special, the unforgettable gift that with the passage of time continues in the room... that gives us the energy to continue as long as we can doing what we love the most, recovering the value of the game of always.

What is the history of your commerce?

We were born in 2003 with a single spirit, to convince you that a wooden toy could change the world. Think about it, a toy that is sensitive to the planet, that brings you closer to nature, that recovers the value of what is handmade, of the careful work of craftsmen. Toys that bring beauty, sensitivity, fun and learning. We call them Toys with soul.

So, since that November 2003, Rai and I have been honestly committed to toys that stimulate creativity, imagination and curiosity, so that in the hands of those who play, they fulfil their purpose: to entertain, to accompany, to teach and to understand the world.

We know, it was (and still is) a risky bet: ecological and battery-free toys, with a marked low-tech character far from licenses and mass production chains. Were we crazy? Well, a bit yes, but so far we havent regretted it. We have met wonderful makers and people, learned a lot about what they do and the respect they have for their profession, and made some great friends.

Our children have grown up here, so we have nothing but beautiful memories of the journey and the illusion of being part of yours moves us every day. Would you like to come and meet us more closely?

What is your professional experience?

We are a musician and a psychologist who share bread, life and vision, in which toys are understood as a mere instrument of the one who should have the leading role in the act of playing: the child. They are the ones who transform the toy into their hand to create and develop their curiosity and wonder. We didnt want children to miss out on the wonder of a simple, unstructured toy, made of noble materials that accompany their imagination and make it grow.

He plays the piano professionally, I am a PhD in Psychology and I have dedicated a good part of my professional experience to childhood and play. Kamchatka is a project of both of us and one more part of this process of sharing the way we look at play with parents, teachers and caregivers...

How has covid 19 affected your business?

It has been a blow, a hard blow, two months closed for two months is difficult for a small family business. You still have expenses but no productive capacity. Even so, this pause has also given us another perspective. It has allowed us to relativise and, above all, to ponder, because if I still had any doubts, after these months of confinement we have confirmed categorically that street commerce is indispensable, and not only because of pragmatic elements of the countrys economy, but also because we can see that they are essential as they are key to the humanisation and warmth of the neighbourhoods. We dont just have customers, we have friends, neighbours and colleagues that we greet and meet every day over a coffee, chatting about how the world is going and, above all, bringing their own personality to the cities.

Not everything can be replaced by distance shopping. We buy products, yes, but we dont interact with each other and during the forty years we all, shopkeepers, office workers, executives, employees, creators, musicians, workers all, experience in our own skin how much we need from others, a smile, a hug and face-to-face interaction to be happier and better.

What services and products does your business provide?

We have always believed that those labels of a toy "for a girl" "for a boy" of "5 years old" do not make much sense, we do not offer you a generic toy, we look for the one that best suits the person who is going to receive it and that is a value, because it personalises the object and brings it closer to the interests, needs and particularities of the person who will play with it. Our speciality is to advise you and learn to know better what you need and what you are looking for, so that you can find it. We like you to know what you are getting and to give value to the person who has created it for the child who will play with it. So in Kamchatka you will find simple and original, special and beautiful toys, as well as selected childrens literature and a little corner of beauty to give as a gift.
Of course we also have an online shop and if you are in a hurry you can even buy online and just pick it up. We would always prefer to meet you personally but we are aware of the world we live in, so just tell us what you want and we will find a way to make you happy.