Where are the REALLY tiny toy animals?

December 10, 2008 10:41 AM

Can you help me find really tiny toy animals?

Some years ago, I stumbled on a website selling educational toys that
had really tiny plastic frogs, snakes and lizards. I mean, the frog
measured less than half an inch, and the coiled snake was about the
diameter of a nickel. I used them in all kinds of craft projects, and
am just about out, and of course I've lost the link, if the site is
even still active. My web fu has availed me not. I imagine they are
a chocking hazard, but I will not be leaving them near small children.
Can anyone help?

posted by Fenriss to Grab Bag (10 answers total)

Here in Seattle, Archie McPhee's sells lots of plastic animals that are ultra-tiny, in the 5-10 cent range, but it doesn't seem like they track them on their website.

I've always been a big fan of U.S. Toys, they carry that kind of stuff too.
posted by nomisxid at 11:09 AM on December 10, 2008

I'd imagine animals used for scenery of train models are quite small.
posted by mikepop at 11:12 AM on December 10, 2008

I have these tiny animal magnets on my filing cabinet at work. They are super-cute and super-tiny.
posted by kate blank at 11:30 AM on December 10, 2008

Dollar store. Mixed packets of two dozen.
posted by orthogonality at 11:34 AM on December 10, 2008

You might ask Small Dog Electronics where they get the small dogs they include with every order.
posted by kindall at 11:39 AM on December 10, 2008

I agree with the dollar store recommendation, I have definitely seen them there. Alternately, I have seen clear plastic bins full of tiny (.5 inch) pigs, kwepie dolls at Alphabets in NYC, so I'd look for stores like that in your area, like Ginza. There is a place called Monach Carnival Supply in DC, you may want to give them a call and see what their toy prize selection is like. Nomisxid's recommendation will get you 72 cows for $25, as well.
posted by 8dot3 at 11:51 AM on December 10, 2008

OMG, Nomisxid totally had it with US Toys. It is awesome. Here you go.
posted by 8dot3 at 11:52 AM on December 10, 2008

This Etsy seller has awesome, delightful, vintage miniature stuff, including animals.
posted by hellboundforcheddar at 1:19 PM on December 10, 2008

Oriental Trading Company!
posted by GaelFC at 7:23 PM on December 10, 2008

Response by poster: I appreciate all the suggestions. I'm thinking I may call Archie McPhee. I had checked both US Toy and Oriental Trading Company, and they don't have anything remotely small enough. Neither have I seen anything at a dollar store that fits the bill. I'm talking frogs that could use a dime as a lillypad.
posted by Fenriss at 12:21 PM on December 11, 2008