Available through Magic Cabin, the Mini Silk Parachute is a relatively inexpensive, simple toy. At a cost of $11.95, this is one natural toy that is affordable. Initially, I thought the toy needed to be dropped from a tall place (perfect for our loft balcony); however, through play we have discovered the parchute can be tossed into the air. Running on endless kid power, the silk parachute is a favorite in my household. Being made of silk and gauze, the parachute is somewhat delicate. The ... continue reading...
A Maze and Marbles
A Maze and Marbles is an amazing toy made of ecologically harvested hardwood grown on plantations. This toy fascinates young and old alike. Available for about $60.00, A Maze and Marbles comes with 100 pieces to build fantastic creations. If you decided to purchase this toy, you will need a basket to keep all the parts in. The cardboard box it comes in will not be sturdy enough for storage. I suggest toys be stored in baskets, rather than plastic bins, to minimize the amount of plastics in ... continue reading...
Unicorn
The Melissa and Doug Giant Plush Unicorn fulfills the dreams of any child enchanted with the magical world. My five-year-old daughter opened this gift from her grandmother on the morning of Christmas Eve. The entire day was spent in the world of imagination, in which the unicorn protected her from the darkness in the world. I was amazed at the complexity and length of her dramatic play. Perhaps the play was aided by our reading of Harry Potter and the Sorceror's stone, in which a unicorn is ... continue reading...
Holidays Behind Us
IF you are like me, finding meaningful gifts in the swarm of plastic, battery-operated toys of modern life is challenging. As a graduate student in early childhood education, I value the importance of imaginative play. However, many of the toys on the market today are limiting and provide a disservice to our youth. The purpose of this blog is to share my familiy's experiences with finding quality, ecofriendly toys and communicating these desires to my children and our extended family. With ... continue reading...
