Guest Picks: Play on Imagination
20 finds to help pique your child's sense of curiosity and wonder
I live in a loft in Brooklyn, a recent transplant to Greenpoint (love my neighborhood!). I work as a freelance writer, blogger, stylist, gilder, and crafter. I curate a daily personal lifestyle blog called the Haystack Needle (http://www.thehaystackneedleonline.com). I'm also one half of the shop Cabin 7 (http://www.shopcabin7.com) — a collection of gilded objects for the home. I started out in magazines, working in the home department of Real Simple magazine and later worked as the home editor of Redbook. I love to scout cool finds for the home — everything from an amazing loveseat to a green laundry detergent that really works. I'm a new mama to our baby girl, Juniper, who amazes me every day with her curiosity for life and big smiles.
I live in a loft in Brooklyn, a recent transplant to Greenpoint (love my... More »
Ever since I became a mama, I've had my eye out for any toys and accessories that spark the imagination. It's so awesome to see kids explore, play, discover, or create something with their curious minds. Here are 20 finds that require imagination, rather than batteries, to come to life.
— Jen from The Haystack Needle
— Jen from The Haystack Needle
This colorful wooden puzzle has endless possibilities. Shape-making wooden blocks like these encourage creative play.
by Kitty Baby Love
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These colorful kitties are actually crayons, and they're sized perfectly for little hands. Crayons are one of the most classic toys to encourage creativity.
by sweet william
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These stacking and nesting wooden blocks offer a rainbow of possibilities. Little ones will love the bright, bold colors.
by UncommonGoods
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Make mealtime fun. Kids may be more apt to eat their vegetables if they have a plate to play around with and create green pea hair and noodle beards.
Imagine this in your kid's room. The mushroom design adds a natural, whimsical style, and the nightlight will keep away the monsters when the lights go out.
What kid doesn't want a secret fort? This play tent, or tipi, is one of the best looking of the bunch with its colorful folksy pattern. (Hey, this grownup would love to take a nap in it too!)
This is one cool ride-on toy. The wood bike comes with neon wheels for a hot ride. Adventure seekers can roll to where they want to explore.
Drygoods Design will make a custom playmat using any pattern from their deep selection of fabrics. I had a custom playmat made for my baby girl, and she loves reaching for the animals in the pattern.
Little girls can pretend to be fairies with these star wands. Made of sustainable wood and nontoxic paint, these wands will last through many sessions of make-believe time.
by Apple iTunes
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OK, I'm including this one electronic example because it seemed too cool not to share. Recognize this? Once upon a time, the simple Etch A Sketch inspired the inner illustrator in us all. This app for the iPad recreates this nostalgic favorite.
This wooden bear breadboard can act as a fun place setting at the table for kids or grownups. Mealtimes will be even more imaginative when your tot can play with the food.
by DwellStudio
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I'm thinking about getting this rug for my baby's play space. Plush New Zealand wool and a woodsy scene make for a soft, fun space for little ones to roll around and play.
These percussion instruments come in different shapes and colors and I love how they are made of wood with natural beeswax polish. Kids will have fun banging, shaking and creating music.
Babies love contrasting colors, so this handmade bee mobile is sure to catch his or her eye. I wonder what newborns are thinking while they gaze at their mobiles.
by My Sweet Muffin
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Make-believe tea parties will be more fun with this box of fabric desserts. They're so sweet! These fancy desserts look yummy, and they're made with different textures for babies to explore.
Create a mini puppet show with your child with these adorable animals on a stick, complete with moving parts. I love this sheep.
by UncommonGoods
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This rug takes some inspiration from video games, but unlike playing a video game, it encourages your kiddo to move around, explore and imagine cars driving down the street.
I love this concept. Box Play creates eco-friendly stickers that turn everyday containers — think milk cartons, macaroni and cheese containers, egg crates, toilet paper rolls — into toys, like milk carton trucks. Let's face it, the kids love the boxes and packaging more than the gift most times anyway.
Your kiddo can entertain his or herself by drawing with a travel chalkboard when you're on the go. The fabric backing is cute too, and you can't beat that price!
Next: 20 ideas for stylish toy storage
Next: 20 ideas for stylish toy storage
Ideabook published on Jan. 14, 2012.
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I know what we are going to do next time my lil nephews come over, I'm sure they are going to love it :D