Holiday Gift Guide for older kids (4-10 yrs). This list has a mix of everything. Lots of options for building and creating. A crafting option, and some imaginary play.
Mushroom House || Fairies and Elves || Mini Yoto || Fishing Set || Hubelino Marble Run || Clixo || Oogi || Connetix || Musical Marble Run || Camera || Needle Felting Animals || Grapat Fancy Nins
Another holiday gift guide for you.
When it comes to Easter Baskets, I like to look ahead to summer and see what things my kids will need, like swimsuits, sandals, and outdoor toys. Functional baskets that we can use year round, like organizational baskets or the Bogg Bag, are also high on my list because I can make them work for our family, rather than having to find space to store them away.
Last year we also started doing our Easter egg hunt in the dark thanks to these glow-in-the-dark eggs. One of the busiest days for my husband work wise is Easter, so Easter morning egg hunts don’t work for us. Instead of feeling guilty that my kids would have to wait to go hunting, we flopped the day around and hunted for eggs at night. It was a huge hit, and they begged us to do it again this year.
Do you have any Easter traditions that are out of the norm?
It’s once again time for Holiday Gift Guides!
Please don’t think that because I create these, that this is the standard you have to live up to, that you should go into debt to buy presents, or that your kids NEED this stuff. This is solely meant to be used as a resource and to give you ideas if you need them. Around here, we try and stick to the 4 present rule. A Want, Need, Wear, and Read (which is still a lot with 5 kids). Plus stockings, cause mama always goes a little overboard with stockings.
Most of these presents are things that my kids already own, so we know they’re a hit; or they have seen and asked for them for Christmas. I’ve also tried to include known discount codes where possible.
Gem Blocks // Felt Fruit & Veggies // Picnic Basket // Dump Truck // Dinosaur Mat // Dinosaurs // Little Town Blocks // Tonie Box // Multifunctional Peg Board // XXL Rocker // Musical Instruments// Train Tracks and Train // Mud Kitchen
Yoto Player // Wooden Ball Run // Connetix Tiles // Clicques Fairies // Lego Boost // Swurfer Swing // Dragon Master Books // Notch Blocks // Grapat Mandalas // Wildcraft Board Game // Abel Golden Ratio Blocks
Land of Dough // Paint By Stickers // Kanoodle Extreme // Honeysticks Bath Set // Stanley 20oz Tumbler // Puzzle // Gnomes // Mini Eco Cutters // Kinetic Sand Treasure Box // Kite Paper // Aquabeads // Sketchbook // Make No Mistake Markers
Saranoni Blanket // Flutterhabit Lashes // Cozy Earth Jogger Set // Stanley Quencher H2.O // Maple + Lark Haven Basket (APRIL10) // Papermate Felt Pens // Gimme Beauty Elastics // Striped Hooded Sweatshirt // Plum Paper Planner // Cinnamon Spice Tea // Slippers // Flower Box
Hopefully these spark your imagination and help make shopping a little bit easier. As always, when possible, please support small shop owners. This has been a challenging year for all. I’ll include a list of my favorite below.
XOXO,
April
*This post contains affiliate links. Thank you for supporting the brands that make this blog possible.*
I feel like Christmas crept up on us this year, and with everyone facing supply issues, shopping has felt like a challenge. Maybe that’s why I seem to be gravitating towards bigger group gifts for the family. Either way, I rounded up some of our favorite toys to hopefully make shopping simple and easy!
Happy Shopping!
XO,
April
*This post contains affiliate links. Thank you for supporting the brands that make this blog possible.*
If you follow me over on Instagram, you know it’s not a secret that I prefer unit blocks over any other wood block on the market, but let’s talk about why.
If you’re not familiar with Unit Blocks, they are a standardized block often found in preschools and some kindergarten classrooms. A unit is 1 3/8” (3.49cm) and all blocks are based on this measurement, thus giving you the perfect fit, no matter what you are building. A traditional unit block is made with hard maple, is a natural wood color, and are 100% worth the investment because they will last for generations.
Everwood Friends is my favorite company for Unit Blocks. Not only are they made in the USA with high quality Maple, but the edge are carefully rounded for safety and they have a beautifully smooth finish. Plus you can buy them in sets, as individual blocks, with or without gems and graphics; oh and did I mention Castle Blocks? All these options allow you to build your own unique collection, based on your family’s needs, budget, and kid’s interests.
Another popular block that you might be familiar with is Grimm’s. Grimm’s blocks are built on a 4cm scale (approximately 0.5 cm bigger than a unit block) with limewood, which tends to be a lighter, but softer wood. They’re also painted with non toxic, waterbased colored stains and have a rougher texture, which provides grip when building. So while they’re not a true unit block, they are a popular block for building.
I do love the color of Grimm’s, however I’m not a huge fan of their blocks. As you can see below, the type of wood that Grimm’s are made of tends to dent easily and because of this, I don’t believe they’ll hold up for the long haul, especially with 5 kids. The damage you see in the photo wasn’t made from rambunctious play, but from a build that came crashing down; and if you’ve ever played with blocks, you know that falling structures are a given. The other thing that I don’t love about Grimm’s is that unless you have multiple sets, the odds of you having a block to fill the space that you need or give you the right height in a more advanced build is rare, especially if you’re after color coordination. This isn’t a fault of the blocks per-say, but rather their 4cm scale.
On the other hand, our Everwood unit blocks have taken much more of a beating and the marks on them are minimal- as in I had to really look in order to find one with a dimple. (Can you spot it?) In fact, I know people who’s kids play with the same unit blocks that they played with as a kid. To me, that makes them worth the investment alone; to know that they’ll hold up to generations of play.
One question I get asked a lot when talking about unit blocks is where to start? With so many shapes, sets and options, it can sometimes feel overwhelming.
If you have older kids (4-5+ yrs), I recommend you start with the Everwood Core Set. This set will give you a good mix of basic shapes for great builds, and will also help you determine what other shapes might be missing from your collection. If you have younger kids, a great place to start is with the 42pc Unit Block Pyramid. The pieces in this set are larger, which is easier for younger kids to balance and build with; and it also comes with a tray, for easy clean up. The Everwood trays will fit on a cubby or standard toy shelf. Also, if you’re going to be building on carpet or want to make multi-level structures, don’t forget your platforms.
Some of the benefits of block play (taken from National Association for the Education of Young Children) include:
When it comes to Unit Block storage, I actually prefer a block shelf over trays, because blocks can be grouped by shape and are therefore easier to spot without having to dig or move things around. We also use baskets for smaller pieces that are the same shape, to make cleanup quick and keep the shelf looking neat. However, I know a lot of people who love the option of having a tray, because most stack for storage and it’s easier to tell when pieces are missing, plus they don’t take up as much space.
I’ve touched on this a little bit, but the reason I, as an adult, love building with unit blocks is because of their precise measurements. There is literally always a block, a triangle, or an arch that fits; which allows my visions to come to life. It also makes building less frustrating, more visually appealing, and sturdier for play when the kids take over.
That’s not to say that Unit Blocks and blocks of other scales can’t work together. I love the color that Grimm’s blocks add to block builds, but it does take some trial and error to get the sizing right and it can be a complicated process if you’re looking for a specific color.
Building with Unit Blocks can be a relaxing creative outlet for both kids and adults alike. There are endless amounts of combinations and creations that can be made, which is why I’d classify them as the ultimate open ended toy.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ASPECT OF BLOCK PLAY?
*Our Everwood Friends collection is made up of blocks that were both purchased and gifted in exchange for our honest opinion. The views and opinions you see on this blog are strictly my own and I would never endorse or promote something that wouldn’t fit with our lifestyle or that my family wouldn’t use in our everyday lives. Thank you for supporting the brands that make this blog possible.*
It’s officially the Holiday season, and many of us are looking for gift ideas to add to the kids’ Christmas Lists, either for ourselves or for family & friends. It can be challenging however to stick to a wooden and/or open-ended toy philosophy when all our kids see (and ask for) are the toys at Target or in the Amazon Christmas catalog.
The good news is that there are so many amazing smaller shops out there that we can support this holiday season; and I hope that by highlighting some of the toys that my kids are asking for or currently loving, it will give you ideas for your own children. So let’s check ’em out, shall we?
*Oh and don’t forget to scroll to the end for coupon codes to some of these shops!*
So.many.good.options!
Remember, a lot of smaller shops need time to make/prep your gifts, so make sure to order earlier than you normally would. Think Nugget gift 2019- They were sold out by the time Black Friday rolled around and demand hasn’t let up since. Not to mention, shipping in 2020 is a bit of a dumpster fire and is only predicted to get worse leading up to Christmas.
*And don’t forget to come back next week, when I drop some awesome Stocking Stuffer Ideas!*
Everwood Friends– Buy any 2 items and get 15% off
Father’s Factory– UNKNIT10 for 10% off
Maple + Lark– will reopen on Sunday (11/09)
Teri Co Canada– preorders for Christmas are open until Friday (11/6)
This is a question I’ve been getting asked a lot lately, so I finally sat down and thought about actionable steps that you can take with your family to make the transition; because sometimes “just do it” is super vague and overwhelming.
To start, you’re first going to need to assess the current toy situation. Go collect all the toys from around your house and put them in a common area. Overwhelmed? Then your kids probably are too when they go to play. So from here, you’re going to sort them into 3 piles.
Now go through that third pile with a really critical eye. Are there unnecessary multiples? Have your kids not played with it in a really long time because their interests have changed? Do you think this toy will make the toy rotation cut after 4-6 weeks? If the answer is no, get rid of it now and start to simplify.
Next, you’re going to implement toy rotations. To do this, put everything in the two keep piles away (we use these bins for storage), except for approximate 4-15 toys, depending on the number of kids in your home. 3-4 toys per kid is a good place to start. This is going to give you a better idea of what toys are actually being played with and what toys are just taking up space and causing a mess. Do this for 4-6 weeks, rotating toys every 1-2 weeks. At the end of the 6 weeks, take all the toys that never made it out/were forgotten about/ or never got played with, and donate or sell them. The exception here is the sentimental toys. If those never made it out or have been forgotten, decide if you’re okay with them being packed away until there is another kid or until you have grandkids one day; or if they would be better used by someone close to you who has kids. Aren’t you feeling lighter and less overwhelmed already?
Now, which toys got a lot of play? Which toys were they begging you to take out? Which toys were never put away during those 6 weeks? Those are the toys you need to look into finding open ended options for first. If there are no alternatives (because it’s the beloved paw patrol collection for example) that’s okay. Work to find toys that they can use in conjunction with those favorites, like a stacking rainbow, bridges, or blocks that they can use to build a lookout tower.
Repeat, repeat, repeat. Slowly over time, you can add more toys to your collection, by looking for the favorites, finding open ended alternatives and then REPLACING. This is key. Don’t just add the new toys to the pile, actually get rid of the close ended or unused toys, while you’re thinking about it. Sell those toys on Facebook Marketplace to pay for new ones.
Sometimes you’re going to get rid of or sell 3-5 toys and you’re only going to replace them with 1, that is okay. Your kids don’t require a ton of toys to have fun, that is one of the benefits of open-ended play.
Around here, I am always assessing what toys are being asked for and which ones are getting played with- even our open ended toys. Sometimes a toy that was super popular and recommended by a ton of people in the wooden toy community just doesn’t jive with my kids. That’s okay. Chances are it’s still in great condition and I can sell it at or close to what I paid for it (search for wooden toys b/s/t groups on facebook to get the most bang for your buck on resale).
Here’s the kicker, once you feel like your kids have a great collection (minimal or not) STOP BUYING TOYS. Use birthdays, Christmas and special occasions to gift experiences, save up for a big ticket item, or take a family vacation. Don’t just buy “stuff” for the sake of buying stuff. That’s how playrooms fill up and become overwhelming to kids and parents alike.
So what do you think? Was this helpful? What actionable step stood out the most to you? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
And as always, happy playing!
This post contains affiliate links. Thank you for supporting what we do!
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! If you follow me over on Instagram, you know that I started Christmas shopping early this year, and I’m dying for Christmas morning to see the kids faces when they unwrap their presents (and before you get after me, yes I know that Christmas isn’t about presents, but they’re fun to give).
Today, I’m going to share some of the items that are on my kids wishlists, as well as some of their favorites. If you’re new to the world of open-ended/wooden toys, you might also want to check out the Getting Started with Open-Ended Toys post. A few of these toys also make good family gifts, so if you are trying to limit the amount of toys in your home, they’re a great option.
one // two // three // four // five // six // seven // eight // nine // ten // eleven // twelve
Around here, we usually try and stick to the 4 gift rule.
This year, we’re spoiling them a little and giving them 2 wants, instead of a need because I just finish selling 75% of their toys. Most of the toys will build upon the items we currently have for small world play (houses, trees, bridges, cars, etc), as well as items to build marble runs.
Hopefully, this has given you a few good ideas for Christmas shopping this year! I also plan on putting together a list of stocking stuffers, so be on the look out for that. Fair warning, I tend to go overboard with stockings. Anyone else?
Let’s talk play spaces and setting up one that will not only get used, but will also look good and go with the atmosphere you are trying to create in your home.
The following concepts are things I tried to keep in mind when designing my kids’ playroom. I don’t rigidly adhere to any one philosophy of learning/education, but instead draw on aspects of Montessori, Waldorf, and Reggio that fit with my own beliefs and children’s preference for play and learning.
And fear not, if you don’t have a space to designate as a playroom, you can still use these concepts to set up a corner or play space wherever room allows.
Keep wall colors, shelving and furniture neutral. Toys are bright and enticing all on their own. Let them be the star of the show, not the walls. Picking neutral colors also helps keep the atmosphere calm and relaxing, and helps kids concentrate better.
If at all possible, choose a place that gets a lot of natural light, especially because you will be spending a lot of time in here. This not only boosts Vitamin D, wards off seasonal depression, and improves sleep; but it also gives kids a chance to look out the window and discover what is going on in the world around them. Consider placing a stool at the window if they’re too high for little ones to see out of (like this one, and a can of spray paint if yellow isn’t your color).
You’ve heard me say it before, but a playroom/space full of toys and clutter actually deters play more than it encourages it. Ever walk into a store and seen so many options that you just turn around and leave because you’re overwhelmed? The same happens to your kids when they look at their play options. Keep fewer toys out (3-4 per kid) and keep the space free of extra clutter.
Along with this, it also helps to have a closet or other storage area to keep toys that are not in rotation organized.
Leave space for play! This is one of the reasons you’ll often see shelving and furniture around the outside of the room, because it leaves a wide open space in the middle for play to happen uninhibited. Using open shelves gives space to display toys and allows kids to see what’s available for play; and leaving the tops of shelves clear, provides an area to build; especially if you have kids of varying ages who like to destroy, more than they like to build.
Pick furniture pieces with a child’s height in mind, because it allows them to be more independent, and they can see their options more clearly. Lower profile furniture also keeps children from climbing shelving to get to the toys they’re after.
Having a kid sized table and chairs gives kids a space to play that is up off the floor, but still at the perfect height for them.
Choosing baskets and trays with a low profile shows kids how pieces fit together, and gives them a place to return them to when they’re finished playing, plus it also helps control the mess. Back when we used to use tall baskets in our cubby shelves (because they hid the giant amount of toys we had), I noticed a pattern. All the bins ended up being dumped out, because someone was trying to find something or see what toys were available. This ended up creating a huge, unnecessary mess to clean up at the end of the day.
Something else you may choose to do, is put a shelf or two up higher on the wall to store toys out of rotation, plants, a diffuser, and other items that you want to keep out of reach of little hands.
Believe it or not, kids actually thrive when they have a routine, know what to expect and know where to find things. So give everything in your playroom/space a home- Toys, Books, Art Supplies. If your kids know where to find them, it gives them more independence to do things on their own, and encourages them to take responsibility, and keep things together.
Bringing the outdoors in helps improve mood, reduces stress, purifies the air and teaches kids how to take care of something. So consider adding a few plants (even if they’re fake), or even a fish.
Having a space with floor pillows, a Nugget, or something similar gives kids a place to get comfy, read a book, engage in quiet play, or settle down when something has upset them.
Children have a ton of energy, so if they’re going to be climbing the walls anyways, why not give them a safe space to get the wiggles out? Pikler Triangles, Rockers, Wobble Boards, Balance Beams, and the like (as space allows) all provide a physical aspect to play and help encourage the development of gross motor skills.
If your kids love creating drawings, paintings, or other works of art, give them a space to create and display these pieces, where you can quickly and easily rotate them out.
I hope this inspires you and gives you direction on how to set up a functional playroom/space that works for your family and fits your own personal style. Remember, it’s okay to pick which aspects to use and to implement them slowly, as time and budget allow. Please let me know if you have any questions!
This post contains affiliate links. Thank you for supporting what we do!
Getting started or transitioning to open ended toys can be a daunting and overwhelming task. With so many options and companies to choose from, combined with the price tag, you want to make sure you’re getting your money’s worth and that your kids are going to play with the things you buy.
The nice things about open ended wooden toys is that they grow with your child. My 1 year olds and 6 year old often play with the same toys, the way they play with them is just different. This means that in general, you can start your toy collection with the same basics, regardless of age, making sure to take into consideration the interests of your children.
The other nice thing about wooden toys, is that they tend to retain their value. I often try to buy second hand before purchasing new, however most of these toys sell quickly and at near or almost the cost of retail. This means that if a particular toy really doesn’t get much play or interest from your children, you can sell them and quickly.
I’ve rounded up all of my favorite basics that I would start out with, if I were to do it all again. Remember, too many options overwhelm. You don’t need a lot of toys to occupy kids, you just need to present them in different ways and rotate them periodically. I would recommend having 9-12 toys at most, available to play with if you only have 1 kid. For my family of 5, I try and put out 15 or so options (3-4 toys per kid).
1 | 2 | 3 | 4| 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10
1. Blocks || Building blocks are a main toy for open ended play, and one of the first pieces I would start with. *Update 2023* I’ve since changed my opinion on which set I would start with. If you’re in the market for Blocks, I would 100% recommend you start with a set of Unit Blocks. Everwood Friends has lots of traditional options, as well as blocks with gems, windows, castle accents and more.
2. Grimm’s Rainbow || Our first Grimm’s piece, back before I knew what Grimm’s was. Stack them, use them as tunnels or bridges. Make ball runs or tracks, color sort or build sculptures. There is an endless number of ways to use this rainbow. It also comes in a variety of color options, so make sure to grab that one that speaks to your style.
3. Grimm’s Rainbow House || Stack it into a tower, fit it together like a puzzle, use it as a house for your Nins (more about these later), or a tunnel for cars. There is so much imagination to be had with this stacking toy house, and the fact that there are fewer pieces means it’s a great piece for your littles to learn with.
4. Pebbles || These ones tend to baffle adults, but kids love their simplicity. They are the perfect sizes for little hands that love to carry things around. They are easy to stack, which means they’re great for teaching balance, and they can be used in small world play as things like platforms, ponds, etc. The more sets you have, the more challenging it is to stack them, which is also great for older kids.
5. Stacker || There are so many options here, so you really can’t go wrong. I love to get ones with bigger pieces, because they’re easier for little hands. Stackers are great for hand eye coordination and fine motor skills. Plus the colors are beautiful.
6. Wooden Cars || These cars and their size are a favorite around here. The windows make them easy to grip, and they fit perfectly on the Way to Play track (we’ll get to those in a different post). The colors are bright and fun, and they come in a variety of shapes. Keep them at home or throw them in the diaper bag to occupy during appointments or while waiting for food at a restaurant.
7. Grapat Mates || These cups are perfect for little hands, and my kids love to stack them and put the Nins/Wizards in them. They also use them as cups, and food dishes for animals; and they’ll throw them in the sensory bins when we doing a dry activity (rice, beans, etc). They’re a great tool to teach colors, balance and fine motor skills when paired with the Nins.
8. Grapat Nins or Wizards || These are the people of open ended wooden toys. The kids use them to create stories in the structures that they’ve built and they are the perfect size for smaller hands, but still large enough that they aren’t a choking hazard. The dyes are also non-toxic, so you don’t have to worry about them ending up in mouths. Just like the Mates, they can help teach colors, matching, sorting, and numbers.
*An alternative to Grapat Nins and Mates is Grimm’s Friends in Bowls, same concept, just fewer colors.
9. Grimm’s Stacking Bowls || These bowls are great for stacking, sorting by size, building towers, collecting treasures and so much more. Plus they come in a variety of colors, so pick your favorite (I personally love the Red Outside or Natural).
10. Sarah’s Silks ||It’s a cape, a blanket, a cover for a fort. The options are endless. They are also safe for water play. Give one (or two) to your kids, and watch the endless ways they use them in play. You can also grab play clips, to help secure them better when making forts.
Happy Shopping! Hopefully you’ve found this helpful. I can’t wait to hear what you grabbed!
Make sure you’re following me over on Instagram for a GIVEAWAY later this afternoon!!
