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Did you know that your garbage and the contents of your recycling bin can be home to the most creative toys and kid supplies? When we introduce kiddos to upcycling and repurposing materials from an early age, it can model the virtue of resourcefulness and get kids thinking about ways to produce less waste. With that said, I don’t want your household to be overflowing with trash (or what looks like trash). So, below you’ll find a list of materials that can be upcylced into toys and utilized for crafts in the following play categories: Dramatic Play; Fine Motor Development; Sensory Play; Intro to STEM; and Art & Crafts. Feel free to explore the categories that align with your kiddos interest. I also encourage you to check out a category that your kid is least likely to gravitate towards— perhaps these materials will spark their interest in a fresh way and strengthen their play muscles. ✨ Dramatic Play Kids learn so much from dramatic play. Through role-playing. caregiving, and using their imagination, they quickly create new worlds where they process emotions and experiences, often through mimicry. Rather it’s through mimicry or trying out something they saw on Bluey, these playful activities support kiddos in developing fine motor skills, language, and endless curiosity. 🧻 Toilet Paper Rolls Toilet paper rolls are a good base for crafting binoculars. By simply taping a couple rolls together and adding some string to hang around the neck, toilet paper rolls can quickly be transformed into glorified magnifying binoculars. Suddenly, kids have the ability to spot a tiny ant all the way on the other side of the yard. And if you’re lucky, perhaps they’ll use them to spot toys during clean up time! I’ve seen little ones inspired to go on bug expeditions, nature expeditions, and even use their binoculars for bird watching. This simple craft encourages nature play and curiosity about the earth. Tip: toilet paper rolls from companies that source toilet paper from bamboo tend to have the sturdiest tubes (Reel and Caboo) Developmental Skills: fine motor skills; visual sensory exploration; promotes language development via storytelling Teaches: curiosity; appreciation of nature; imaginative thinking; mindfulness; observation 🏴‍☠️ Paper Towel Rolls As for paper towel rolls, while you might just see another empty roll that no one has replaced, a toddler might see it as their new pirate telescope! Kids can decorate the rolls with markers, stickers, or even glue on jewels to add some flair. In the past, I’ve wrapped a little border around the top and bottom of the paper towel rolls using washi tape to give the toy a little pizazz. Feel free to do the same, plus, now you have a reason to pull out the 13 rolls of colorful washi tape collecting dust in the craft drawer! Developmental Skills: fine motor skills; visual sensory exposure; promotes language development via storytelling Teaches: imaginative thinking; creativity: exploration; awareness of the environment 🧋Plastic Cups There are many different ways to upcycle plastic cups! Kids can try cup stacking to build towers or reuse them as pins for a game of bowling. One of my favorite use cases was a few years ago, when we did a camping theme in our classroom of 3 year olds. Our toy props included a set of four Dollar Tree lanterns… but we had 8 kids. Yes, it’s important to teach kids to share and take turns, but the amount of arguing and tears over the lanterns was unbearable. In the toy closet, we had a bunch of battery-operated tea lights. We also had a few clear plastic cups leftover from a holiday party. So, I pulled out a hole puncher, punched a couple holes on both sides of the cup, and connected a pipe cleaner to make a handle. Then, I turned on a tea light and dropped it inside the cup— ta dah, a lantern! The kids were thrilled and everyone went off to the tent or under the loft with their very own lantern. Since then, I’ve replicated the same craft using clear to-go cups from restaurants. As you can see, it’s quite simple to do and only takes a few minutes to make! Developmental Skills: fine motor skills; hand-eye coordination Teaches: curiosity; perception; shadows; light & dark; sensory play 💳 Used Gift Cards The vast majority of gift cards are made with PVC and require extra effort to recycle properly. Instead of trashing them, hand them over to your kiddo. I guarantee you they’ll be thrilled to go shopping in their DIY grocery store using their credit cards, as toddlers like to call gift cards. Through the images of groceries, coffee, ice cream, and logos (think: Target, Amazon), kids are prompted to recreate shopping experiences. Developmental Skills: vocabulary and language; Teaches: negotiation; storytelling; imaginative thinking Food Packaging Empty food packaging items breathe life into a kid’s grocery store or play kitchen by providing realistic shopping and cooking experiences. Little ones can learn about different food groups, practice organizational skills by arranging the products on shelves, and even use the items to prepare meals for their stuffies, siblings, or grownups. Developmental Skills: fine motor skills; language development; counting; planning Teaches: imaginative thinking; creativity; cultural awareness; encourages mimicry and deep play 🌶️ Condiment, Topping, and Spice Containers Empty condiment, topping, and spice containers are ideal for bringing a touch of realism to a standard play kitchen. Kids can pretend to be experienced chefs as they season their meals with familiar spices and maybe even act out trying out a spice or topping that they’ve been hesitant to try in the past. Plus, playing with these items can introduce kiddos to spices from other cultures. 🧁 Sprinkles The easiest way to make pretend sprinkles is to add rainbow dyed rice to an empty bottle of sprinkles. In an effort to be less wasteful, I’ve also recreated a bottle of nonpareils sprinkles by mixing together different colors of floam (I ordered an off brand in hopes it would be a decent consistency, it turned out to be too sticky). 📦 Cardboard Boxes Cardboard boxes are priceless to kids! Huge boxes (think: washing/drying machine boxes) are gold, but harder to come by. Honestly, any size box will bring hours of entertainment, especially if you let your kiddo go wild with markers and stickers! Developmental Skills: fine motor skills; spatial awareness; self-awareness Teaches: creativity; storytelling; imaginative thinking 🔸 Ideas for Extra Large Boxes (Refrigerator boxes, washing/drying machine boxes): spaceship, house, castle, fort, submarine, a Time Machine for fans of Dragons Love Tacos 🔻 Ideas for Medium Boxes: Air conditioner box, diaper box = car or boat 🔹 Ideas for Small Boxes: small world play (football stadium, soccer field, zoo or habitat for animal figures); Barbie/Action figure swimming pool 🔺 Ideas for Long & Narrow Boxes: car ramp, ball ramp, slide for little people, balance beam (when stuffed) for 1-2 year olds 📚 Book Suggestion: Boxitect is a fun read that offers creative ideas for box play! ✨ Fine Motor Development Fine motor development skills are crucial for toddlers, but you don't always need the latest toy from Learning Resources (Spike the hedgehog is in every household these days). Simple recyclable materials can give kids the same practice, while being more personalized and engaging. 🥚 Egg Cartons or Cupcake Containers Egg cartons and cupcake containers are handy for fine motor development activities, the individual compartments are great for sorting and classifying small items like pom poms, beads, nature finds, or other manipulatives. Using tweezers/tongs, toddlers can sort objects into different compartments based on qualities or characteristics (color, size, etc). Developmental Skills: Intro to STEM (counting, sorting by color, shape, qualities; pattern recognition); observation; hand-eye coordination Teaches: independence; patience; precision ☕ Coffee Can You can easily upcycle a coffee container into an engaging toddler toy– I like to call this the Pom Pom Drop Game. Step 1: Save a coffee or tin can that has a plastic lid Step 2: Use an Xacto knife or fine scissors to cut various shaped circles into the lid of the jar Step 3: Give toddler colorful poms poms Step 4: Challenge kid to stuff the poms poms through the holes Developmental Skills: problem solving; object permanence; color recognition; language development Teaches: curiosity; perseverance 🫙 Plastic Containers or Jars Plastic containers can be upcycled in so many different ways. I had a plastic container (from a 12 pack of contact lens cases) and I turned it into a gift card slot game for younger toddlers (tabies). Here’s how you can replicate it: Step 1: Collect/save old gift cards you receive Step 2: Save plastic jar big enough to fit gift cards in Step 3: Use Xacto knife or fine scissors to cut a slot into lid of jar Step 4: Use colored duct tape to tape around slot-this will cover up any sharp edges leftover from cut Step 5: Play! Fun tip: Save enough gift cards to do themed collections! (Example: Winter cards, summer/spring cards, food cards, dog cards, etc!) Developmental Skills: object permanence; fine motor skills; counting; cause & effect Teaches: patience; perseverance ✨ Sensory Play It's always great to try out activities that activate kid's sensory receptors and sensory play does just that. Rather it's through visual, tactile, auditory, or even smell, there are loads of materials that grownups can use to optimize sensory play and many of them can be pulled out of the recycling bin or spared from a landfill. Developmental Skills: fine motor skills; cause & effect; sensory exposure; hand-eye coordination Teaches: curiosity; self-awareness 🌊 Water Bottles for Sensory Bottles Empty water bottles can be transformed into captivating sensory bottles. Fill them with water, glitter, beads, food coloring, or small toys to create an eye-catching visual experience. 🫧 Bubble Wrap for Popping/Sensory Exposure Bubble wrap is both fun and beneficial for sensory play. Popping bubble wrap helps little ones develop fine motor skills as they use their fingers to press and pop. It also provides auditory and tactile stimulation, making it an engaging multi-sensory activity that kids love. Side Note: One year, the kids in our class were obsessed with driving cars along a strip of bubble wrap. …I couldn't figure out why exactly but it could be something to try out. 🍼 Scoopers, Clear Lids, Medicine Cups Scoopers from baby formula, clear liquid detergent lids, and clear medicine cups from over-the-counter medicine for kids are awesome tools for sensory bin activities. Kiddos can use these tools to transfer materials like rice, beans, water, etc. from one container to another, enhancing fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and sensory exploration. This activity also encourages imaginative thinking as they pretend to cook, serve, or embark on treasure hunts within their sensory bins. 🪥 Old Toothbrushes Rather than getting rid of your kiddo's old toothbrush, add it to your sensory play toolkit! Kid toothbrushes are particularly designed for small hands to manipulate. ✨ Intro to STEM As amazing as they are, magna-tiles aren't the only STEM toy for kids. Loose parts, like packing peanuts encourage kids to explore construction in a whole new way. Plus, toddlers get to sharpen their executive function skills through planning and problem solving. Developmental Skills: problem-solving; spatial reasoning; engineering Teaches: creativity; imaginative thinking 🥜 Biodegradable Packing Peanuts for Constructive Play Biodegradable packing peanuts offer a unique, yet eco-friendly way to introduce kids to basic STEM concepts, in part because they’re made out of 100% corn starch. Applying small amounts of water to the peanuts using a paintbrush turns them into sticky building blocks that kids can use to construct various structures, from simple shapes to mini igloos. Packing peanuts can also be used for art projects. I’m low high key still proud of the mini igloo a group of 2-3 year olds put together. We have long winters in Buffalo, and one day there was a plastic bowl (think: to-go salad bowl) sitting in our craft cabinet. I cut out a little section to resemble a door frame, then asked the kids to glue on packing peanuts. The next day, we had an igloo for their penguins and other figurines to go along with their pretend play. Safety Note: Ordinary packing peanuts can be a major choking hazard for kids, especially kids 3 and under (they look a lot like pirate’s booty popcorn).I’m not entirely sure if the majority of companies have switched to using biodegradable packing peanuts. My supply has come from LUSH, which I can confirm, exclusively uses biodegradable peanuts. If you come across peanuts in a box, I recommend testing them by running a few in water to see if they dissolve. ✨ Arts & Crafts Arts and crafts is where creativity and resourcefulness thrives. When we present kids with more opportunities to repurpose materials, they not only become more environmentally conscious, but also, more conscious of the trash they generate. Developmental Skills: fine motor skills Teaches: creativity; self-awareness; self-expression 🍪 Plastic Catering Tray For a holiday party, a parent bought in fancy sugar cookies, the kind that are hand decorated and come in a plastic catering tray. While the cookies themselves were a hit or miss amongst the kids, the tray itself was invaluable. From there on out, the plastic catering tray became our go-to solution for marble painting without the mess! To try at home: Step 1: Roll a couple pieces of masking tape onto the back of a sheet of paper. Step 2: Stick paper to the base (white part) of plastic catering tray Step 3: Pour a few dabs of paint on the paper Step 4: Place 3-4 marbles on the paper Step 5: Snap the lid of the tray back on Step 5: Allow kid to go wild shaking the tray as they observe the marbles move and colors mix! ✂️ Old Magazines Invite kids to create collages using cutouts from old magazines. With two-year-olds, you’ll probably have to rip out pages and simply allow them to practice their cutting skills. Typically, kids three and up can independently cut out pictures and letters independently. If you don’t have magazines around, old editions of Highlights magazine, Zoobooks, or even toy catalogues also work! 🌈 Bottle & Pouch Caps Kiddos can use bottle caps as loose parts, for color sorting fine motor activities, and even to make works of art! Instead of tossing the hundreds of colorful pouch caps toddlers go through, save them to help little ones create an eye-catching rainbow display! 🖍️ Scraps of Material (paper, fabric, buttons, etc) In our classroom, we had a smorgasbord (2.5 gallon storage bag) full of odds and ends– small scraps of paper, fabric scraps, random buttons, foam board scraps, and so many other bits. We regularly added to the ever growing collection but also utilized the supplies by inviting kids to make open-ended collages. Well, that was a long list of materials—  I hope you were inspired by a couple suggestions and use cases. I do plan on adding to this list as I try out more materials and as I learn new ideas from kids themselves! How do you use trash and recyclable materials in play? I'd love it if you added your suggestions in the comments below so I can add them to this list. The more examples we have, the less waste we generate!

Kids don’t always need traditional toys to make mindful memories. Sometimes, it’s the household items around your house that they can play with for hours. The items listed below can spark inspiration for active play, dramatic play, fine motor activities, and even introduce toddlers to foundational STEM concepts. And no worries if you don’t have these items around the house, they all cost less than your average toy and nearly every item can be purchased secondhand! Active Play Balloons I can’t overstress the convenience of having a pack of inflatable balloons on hand year round. Kids still adore a classic game of Don’t Let the Balloon Touch the Ground, also known as Keepy Uppy! Literally, blow up a balloon, tie it, and throw it to your kid, they’ll naturally dive in to give it a hit, and stay busy for a solid 30 minutes or longer! Why do kids love playing with balloons? Kids love playing with balloons because they’re so light and move through the air slower than balls. Toddlers appear to be excited by the slower speed of the light ball and perceive it to be easier for them to catch the balloon. What tends to happen is the light weight of the balloon makes it a lot harder for them to predict where the balloon will ultimately land. So, younger toddlers end up having less chances to catch the balloon (they can generally expect balls to land somewhere very close to their hands). However, they do spend a lot of time eagerly and blissfully running after the balloon– which makes balloon play awesome for active play! Safety Note: Balloon play should be supervised for kids ages 1-2, and/or amongst kids that mouth toys Developmental Benefits: Gross motor skills; eye-hand coordination; spatial reasoning Teaches: Problem solving; perseverance Laundry Baskets While your laundry basket may be full of a pile of laundry, I invite you to dump it out every now and then and let your kiddos play with it. Laundry baskets are especially handy for sibling play! Older siblings often have younger siblings hop in the basket and push them around the house. In doing so, the older sibling gets a good workout in, while releasing a lot of energy. Typically, the younger sibling will unsuccessfully try to role reverse and attempt to push their older sibling around. After struggling for a few minutes, the younger sibling learns the limits of their strength and also gets a good workout in. Kids can also use laundry baskets for imaginative play– a classic hamper can resemble a boat, perfect for pairing with a magnetic fishing game. Have child sit in the boat and distribute the fish around the boat. Then have the child use magnetic fishing rods to reach out of the boat and catch the magnetic fish. Safety Note: This activity is best suited for the first or main floor of the house. Avoid having kids do this on the upper floors of your house unless you have a baby gate blocking all staircases. Tip: Works best on carpeted flooring. Developmental Benefits: gross motor skills; balance; coordination; spatial awareness; proprioceptive input Teaches: self-awareness; collaboration; imagination Travel-Size Spray Bottles I recommend toddler-friendly spray bottles often because they’re perfectly designed for small hands. When filled with water, toddlers can easily use these for play in a variety of ways, including: outdoor water play; sensory play; cleaning toys; and even for art activities. Developmental Benefits: fine motor skills; cause & effect; hand-eye coordination Teaches: self-awareness; autonomy Dramatic Play Tea Light Candles (Battery Powered) When I worked at a nursery school, a bright 2 year old showed up to our classroom with a handful of battery powered tea light candles. Her mom raved about how much fun her daughter had finding creative ways to use the tea lights throughout the weekend and gifted them to our classroom. For days we watched kids play with (and fight over) the tea lights until it was time to rotate the toys. Needless to say, I added tea light candles to my toy box and have used them with many other toddlers. Here are a few use cases: Dramatic Play: pretend campfire; fancy dinner; DIY lantern) Constructive x Pretend Play: used to light up magna-tile building; dollhouse accessory; Encanto prop Mini Flashlights Toddlers marvel at the literal and figurative power mini flashlights bring them, but also, flashlights are just flat out fun! You'll likely find kiddos turning off all the lights and going off on an adventure in the dark! Why do kids love playing with flashlights and tea lights? Kids love playing with flashlights and tea lights because it provides them with a bite-size piece of autonomy. The autonomy comes in the form of being in charge of their own light source that they can freely control with the flick of a switch. Flashlights also allow toddlers to explore familiar surroundings from a new perspective and even taps into a comfortable dose of scary play, which I’ll write about soon! Developmental Benefits: perception; observation; cause & effect; intro to STEM (concepts of light and shadow) Teaches: autonomy; conservation Lululemon Bags Throughout toddlerhood, kids pretend to go shopping. Lululemon bags happen to make great reusable bag props. Kids can comfortably pack, unload, and carry around play food or toys without trouble. Standard reusable bags are half the size of toddlers, which makes them awkward for them to carry and usually results in toddlers dragging the bags. Not to worry, you don’t have to buy anything from Lululemon to get your hands on one of their reusable shopping bags! It turns out that Lululemon bags are very easy to find at the thrift store. In fact, I’ve purchased them for as cheap as 49 cents at a local Amvets! Why are Lululemon bags good for dramatic play? The design and the size of the bags is the true value. To be clear, it’s less about the brand and more about the function and convenience of the mini reusable bags–  they’re perfectly shaped for tiny humans to hold and handle with ease. If you have a Wegmans in your region, they also sell this size. On rare occasions, you can find them around the checkout area of Target. To my knowledge, Lululemon is the only national retailer that widely distributes this size bag. Additionally, the snap button adds more appeal for toddlers. Nonetheless, if you happen to wear a lot of Lululemon branded clothing, your kiddo will be stoked to carry around a bag with the same logo as their caregiver. Toddlers love reenacting home life! Developmental Benefits: coordination; balance; object manipulation Teaches: independence; body-awareness (hey, I’m strong enough to carry groceries); responsibility (I can help my family carry bags when we go shopping) Intro to STEM & Fine Motor Skills Calculators Kids love pressing buttons (occasionally yours), but calculators are a great screen-free and sound-free way to entertain kiddos. Why do toddlers like playing with calculators? Calculators allow toddlers and even big kids to explore the depths of numbers freely. Developmental Benefits: Intro to STEM (early numeracy (number recognition); number exploration; counting; mathematical thinking) Teaches: curiosity; problem solving Sensory Bin Tools Sensory bins are a playground for the imagination, and you don't need specialized equipment to create one. Everyday items like measuring cups, clear containers, Tupperware, and even clear lids from Seventh Generation detergent can be repurposed for endless fun. These tools are excellent for scooping and pouring, helping little ones refine their motor skills. Even old toothbrushes can be included for a unique twist, allowing toddlers to practice cleaning their toys while they play. This kind of creative reuse not only sparks joy in kids but also teaches them valuable lessons in sustainability. Measuring cups, clear containers, tupperware, clear Seventh Generation detergent lids Good for scooping, pouring, Developmental Benefits: cause & effect; object manipulation; hand-eye coordination; observation Teaches: resourcefulness; curiosity Reusable Ice Cubes Have any reusable ice cubes in the freezer? These are perfect for little hands and can turn sensory play into a sensational experience. Kids love exploring the cool, smooth texture of the ice cubes and naturally turn to counting, stacking, and sorting them. The cubes can be played with inside an empty sensory bin or with water play. In water, toddlers can scoop, transfer, and watch them float. Developmental Skills: fine motor skills; sensory exposure; pattern recognition; exploration of cause & effect Teaches: curiosity; observation Colanders Sure, colanders are useful for straining water, but they’re even more useful as a toy for toddlers to practice fine motor skills. Flip a colander over and voila, you have a tool for kids to feed pointy objects through! Examples: DIY flower bouquet; heart stick bouquet Developmental Skills: precision; planning; cause & effect; spatial reasoning Teaches: diligence; attentiveness Before purchasing another toy, take a minute to be mindful of what you already have around the house— your set of hair rollers just might be your toddlers new favorite toy!

We all know how commercialized Valentine's Day is in America, but it's very difficult not to acknowledge the mega popular holiday. Here are four Valentine activities for toddlers chosen with intention. Creative Play: Tissue Paper Heart Craft Year Round Play: Fake Flower Bouquet No Prep Activity: Heart Stick Bouquet Sensory Play: Valentine Sensory Bottle 💕 Tissue Paper Heart Craft Kids love making tissue paper window art. The beautiful blend of colors resemble stained glass windows. Just a glimpse at one of these hearts on your window will brighten everyone's day! Best For | Creative Play Ages | 2+ Prep | Low Mess Level | Low Supplies Needed: Red, pink, or purple construction paper Red, pink. or purple tissue paper Scissors Clear contact paper- $6.99 Target Masking tape (optional) Step 1: Prepare the Heart Freehand No heart template needed for this one! Simply fold a sheet of construction paper in half and draw half of a heart on the fold. Keep the paper folded and cut along the line you drew. You should be left with a heart cutout— feel free to set this heart aside for a later project. Open construction paper to reveal the larger heart your kiddo will be using. Step 2: Cut Up Tissue Paper Cut various colored tissue paper into small squares and drop them into a bowl or small basket (toddlers will have an easier time picking the pieces up from a container versus on the table). Step 3: Prepare Contact Paper Roll out enough contact paper (about 8 in.) to cover the surface of your large heart, then cut it down the line. Repeat a second time. Think of it as a giant sticker over the construction paper. Next, peel the contact paper and set it down on a table, sticky side facing up towards the ceiling. Next, carefully take the large construction paper heart and press it down onto the contact paper. Step 4: Kid Takeover Allow the child to stick the pieces of tissue paper all over the sticky heart in any way they want. It might be tempting to micromanage how many pieces kids stick on, but the more open-ended you keep this activity, the cooler the pieces turn out! Step 5: Final Touches by Grownup Once kid is done, check to see if any pieces of tissue paper overflow to the borders of the heart. If so, fold them over or cut them slightly off. Now it’s time to use the second piece of contact paper you cut earlier. Peel the contact paper. Starting with one section of the contact paper, carefully press it down over the kiddo’s tissue paper heart (doing one section at a time helps reduce any air bubbles). Finally, cut out the heart, leaving a thin border around the edge of the heart. You can use tape or use contact paper scraps to attach the heart to a window. Developmental Skills: fine motor development, in particular, spatial reasoning; Teaches: creativity; patience; imperfection 💐 Fake Flower Bouquet Flowers are everywhere throughout the Valentine's Day season. But, flowers aren't just relevant to Valentine's Day. This flower bouquet activity can be used all year round (spring activity; summer activity; winter activity to brighten up the season). Best For | Year round play Ages | 1 ½ + Prep | Moderate Mess Level | Low Supplies Needed: Fake flowers -$1.25 per bundle Dollar Tree Wire cutter - $7.99 Joann Fabrics Colander - $1.25 Dollar Tree Fabric placemat (optional) Instructions: Step 1: Get Fake Flowers Pick out a few Valentine themed fake flower bouquets from the Dollar Tree. (Red carnations, purple roses, pink peonies, etc) Step 2: Use Wire Cutters to Cut the Flowers Remove the sticky price tag. Then use a crafting pair of wire cutters to cut the stems of the flowers to various lengths. Repeat the process for each bouquet until you have a mix of flower colors. Step 3: Kid Takeover Turnover a colander and allow the child to insert the flowers into the holes of the colander until they’re happy with their flower arrangement. 😊 One time a kid and I liked their arrangement so much, we kept their bouquet intact and used it as a centerpiece during dinner! Developmental Skills: precision; spatial awareness; color recognition; counting Teaches: patience; appreciation for nature ❤️ Heart Stick Bouquet (No Prep) Heart Stick bouquets are very cheap to set up with a trip to the Dollar Tree. Although the sticks are glitter heavy, toddlers tend to spend 20-30 min on this fine motor activity. I've also worked with a few kids that adore using these as wands for dramatic play. Note: Try spraying a coating of matte mod podge on the hearts to reduce glitter shedding Best For | Frugal fine motor play Ages | 1 ½ + Prep | No prep Mess Level | Low Supplies Needed: Valentine's Day Wooden Glitter Heart Picks Colander - $1.25 Dollar Tree Fabric placemat (optional) Instructions: Step 1: Buy Heart Sticks I’ve only been able to find these at the Dollar Tree (labeled as Heart Picks on the packaging) Step 2: Locate or Buy a Cheap Colander Either use a colander you have on hand or purchase a red one from the Dollar Tree (labeled as a slotted spoon on the tag) Step 3: Kid Takeover Developmental Skills: fine motor development, in particular, spatial reasoning; precision; counting Teaches: patience ⏳Valentine Sensory Bottle Perfect for little hands and curious minds, this mesmerizing bottle is filled with red static glitter and decorative gems to offer a calming experience for kids and grownups alike. It's an easy way to incorporate the Valentine theme around the house, while engaging the senses. Best For | Sensory play Ages | 1 ½ + Prep | Low Mess Level | Low Supplies Needed: Empty water bottle Heart shaped gemstones- $1.25 Dollar Tree or $9.99 on Amazon Valentine table scatter- $1.25 Dollar Tree Red & white static glitter - $2.49 Michael’s Baby oil 20 oz. bottle- $3.99 Target Clear bin or box for easier cleanup (optional) Instructions: Step 1: Locate an empty plastic water bottle The design of Voss water bottles makes them ideal for sensory bottles. However, most craft stores sell slightly taller, but similar bottles. Step 2: Pour in static glitter Static glitter adds an awesome effect to sensory bottles... but sticks to anything and everything! Use a popsicle stick or another long object to push the glitter into the sensory bottle. (This step is when the bin or box is super convenient at collecting spills and makes clean up a lot easier.) Step 3: Add gems Add all of your cute gems. Depending on your location and time of the year, you might be able to find heart shaped gemstones or vase filler at the Dollar Tree year round. If not, Dollar Tree's Valentine's Day inventory goes on the display the first week of January. At this time, you can easily find a pack of Valentine table scatter, which includes themed gems. Step 4: Add baby oil Pour in enough baby oil to fill up the bottle. Step 5: Twist lid on tightly and shake Twist the lid back on the bottle and give it a shake. Observe the movement of the contents inside. Add more glitter if you notice too much empty space. Step 6: Apply clear packaging tape Once you're happy with the results, add a clear piece of packaging tape along the lid to prevent leaks. This should also prevent curious kids from opening the bottle. Developmental Skills: observation; intro to STEM (kinetic energy) Teaches: perception; curiosity; patience

Sarah’s Silks offers such a variety of open-ended toys— which toy is the best fit for the kiddo you have in mind? Over the past couple years, I’ve used the following Sarah’s Silks toys with 20 kids in total (ranging from babies, toddlers, and big kids) during countless babysitting gigs. Kids use playsilks in a number of creative ways, but let's take a closer look at how they engage with various types of Sarah's Silks toys. ✨ Giant Playsilks Price | $15- $25 Best For | Baby play; dramatic play Most Popular with Kids | Rainbow playsilk; star playsilk Giant Playsilks are a must-have for epic fort-building. While you probably grew up draping blankets and sheets over your childhood forts— giant playsilks bring a completely fresh dynamic to fort-building. Many of the giant silks feature a beautiful ombré blend of colors that simply leave kiddos in awe. Each silk also has a subtle hint of transparency, yet still allows kids to feel a sense of privacy as they play independently in their forts. Kids adore this paradox and literally laugh out loud about it! Giant playsilks have been my most popular and most frequently used toy amongst the kids I work with between ages 2-8. These particular play scarves are also amongst the most multi-purposed toys in my collection. How kiddos incorporate playsilks into their builds varies depending on the setting of their playspace and materials at our disposal (toys they own or materials we find around the house, like large cardboard boxes). Some kids use standard dining room chairs to hang the scarves from. Sometimes kids ask for help putting together a fort kit, then drape playsilks over the structure. Other times, kids upgrade their cardboard boxes with silk doors or turn their play couches into clubhouses featuring skylights made of patterned silks! As you can see, there are countless ways to use giant playsilks, which is why kids can spend so much time playing independently while using them! Teaches: Creativity; imaginative thinking; problem solving Developmental Benefits: Fine motor skills ✨ Playclips Price | $8- $28 Best For | Fort building; strengthening fine motor skills Most Popular with Kids | Tall playclips Now, you might be thinking, how do kids make the playsilks stay in place when they’re building a fort? In order to keep playsilks in place- and bring fort building to the next level- you’ll also need handy dandy playclips! Playclips are kind of like giant clothespins minus the metal. However, these clips are handcrafted from maple wood and bound together by an extra thick (and extra durable) white elastic band, which allows the clip to contract open and close. I have the older version of the tall playclips that were 4.5 inches in height. Towards the bottom of the playclips are two notches on both sides, where elastic bands were placed to support kids in retaining their grasp. In the current edition of the playclips, the size has been reduced by an inch to 3.5 inches. According to their website, this change was made to better accommodate the small size of kids’ hands. It looks like the size reduction has made it unnecessary for the playclips to include additional grip bands. (Hey, less pieces, less problems) Around the age of 2 ½, kids have developed the muscle strength to use the 4.5 in playclips with total ease. Kiddos younger than 2 ½ tend not to have the hand strength quite yet. I’m excited to order a set of the newer 3.5” playclips and try them out with younger twos— my guess is after a few tries, they’ll be able to confidently attach them to the playsilks. After 2 years of bringing playclips to various houses, I’m happy to report that none of the kids have managed to break the elastics. Teaches: Creativity; problem solving; patience Developmental Benefits: Fine motor skills ✨ Classic Playsilks Price | $18- $22 Best For | Baby play; dramatic play Most Popular with Kids | Rainbow playsilk; star playsilk Classic playsilks are 35 x 35 inches which happens to be around the size of many baby play mats. It shouldn’t be too much of a surprise to hear that classic playsilks effortlessly complement baby play! These silks are perfect for fans of the blue and green ombré play scarf that comes in the Lovevery explorer play kit. Toddlers and big kids use these to drape over “doorway entrances” of their forts or cardboard box doors. Grownups can even loosely tie a standard playsilk around a kid’s body to create a makeshift cape, skirt, or dress. By far the classiest use is when kids decide to turn one into an elegant tablecloth spread! Teaches: Object permanence; creativity Developmental Benefits: Fine motor skills ✨ Silk Capes Price | $24- $34 Best For | Dramatic play; dress-up Most Popular with Kids | Rainbow silk cape I’m sure you’ve seen or own typical kid’s capes— ya know, where the black ones are for Batman, red ones for Spiderman, etc. Similar to the design of the playsilks, Sarah’s Silks capes are simply covered in beautiful patterns or ombré colors. But the true magic of these capes is the fact that they do not resemble mainstream superhero characters. The simple design allows kids to expand their imaginations beyond the media. Instead of always pretending to be their favorite superhero character, kids are encouraged to create their own version of a superhero. Unless your little one is a buttoning pro, most kids under 4 will require assistance in putting the cape on and taking it off. The button itself and the hole for the button are quite tiny which makes it tricky for kids. Over time and with practice, children under four can learn to fasten and unfasten the button without help. But I do wish the company would make a velcro version of the capes. Note: Silk capes are made of heavyweight (8 momme) mulberry silk. This silk feels slightly less “silky” than the playsilks, which are lightweight silk (5 momme). Still worth the purchase though! Teaches: Creativity, imagination Developmental Benefits: Fine motor skills (buttoning); gross motor skills ✨ Balloon Ball Covers Price | $16 Best For | Mixed age group play; active play Most Popular with Kids | Rainbow balloon cover Sarah’s Silks balloon covers are a toy accessory you never knew you needed. For some bizarre reason, letting an air balloon hit the ground feels like you’d be committing a mortal sin. Rather you’re 2 or 60, stretching a ligament an extra few feet is practically a reflex. While the company recommends the balloon covers for ages 3 and up, I’ve actually found them ideal for ages 1 and up. You can introduce these to kids as soon as they can walk comfortably. While typical balloon play can make adults nervous with little ones, balloon covers allow you to tuck the knot of the balloon inside of the cover and out of a little one’s sight. It’s common for 1 ½ year olds to mouth or even try biting the balloon ball. But, they only end up mouthing the fabric versus the balloon. Basically, the cover puts a much safer barrier between a latex balloon and a kiddo’s mouth. (Supervision is still required at all times with this age) Balloon covers are also a fun way to keep tabies (babies/toddlers) and big kids active, especially for families without the space or budget for pikler triangles or large play equipment. Since everyone already loves a game of Keepy Uppy (balloon ball), why not double the fun by using these majestic balloon covers?! You can find the covers both in the rainbow pattern pictured above, as well as in a star pattern  resembling the popular star playsilk. Note: Balloon covers are essential for Bluey fans wholly convinced that balloons pop when they touch grass. Teaches: Problem solving, upcycling Developmental Benefits: Gross motor skills; eye-hand coordination ✨ Playmaps Price | $14- $22 Best For | Pretend play Most Popular with Kids | Rainbowland playmap Sarah’s Silks playmaps are so cool to look at, they’re very hard not to impulse buy. Kids adore these playmaps when they’re brand new. However, I store all my playsilks in a drawstring bag (for easy travel from house to house). After a few weeks my playmaps accumulate so many wrinkles. Kids are not interested in straightening them out to view the maps— I’m also uninterested in ironing them, knowing that they’re going to get re-squished shortly after. With that said, as long as kids have a way of keeping their playmaps wrinkle free, these can be a lot of fun for pretend play! Grab action figures, animals, little people, even Barbie could have an adventure on a themed playmap. Depending on the season and time of the year, sometimes the company makes playmaps that connect through bridges or pathways! Teaches: Problem solving; imagination Developmental Benefits: Storytelling; language development As we wrap up our look at Sarah's Silks, it's clear these toys go beyond ordinary fun— they're gateways to a kid's world of imaginative play. From fort-building to dress-up, each silk or accessory brings a touch of magic to everyday play, encouraging kids to create and explore. All of these toys will make simple, yet powerful, additions to playtime. Before you head over to add one to your cart, find solace in knowing that you're not just buying a toy, but an adventure for a little one! FAQ About Sarah's Silks Toys

As an interdisciplinary field, play can quickly get complicated. In fact, the topic of play happens to be so nuanced that developmental psychologists, evolutionary psychologists, anthropologists, sociologists, and even neuroscientists study play... Good thing you’ve stumbled here— I happen to be a Certified Play Expert with over a decade of play experience! This post will introduce you to common types of play and how each type of play supports childhood development. You'll leave here with a much clearer understanding of how kids play, along with toys that complement each type of play. First, we'll go over a few main types of play: free play, guided play, and competitive play. During free play a kid can take part in many other forms of play. We'll look at some of the most common subcategories, including: dramatic play, physical play, pretend play, constructive play, nature play, and creative play. Next, we'll turn to guided play and it's subcategory, sensory play. Lastly, we'll go over competitive play and games. ✨ Free Play Free Play is centered on unstructured time for kids to play– it’s child-initiated and child-led, with little to no adult intervention. Free play is intrinsically motivated and encourages kids to try things out through trial and error, When a child engages in free play alone, they’re left to use their imagination with the toys or objects that they have open access to. Solitary free play can be easily confused with independent play. Independent play tends to involve more structured activities with less open range. Examples: Kids might make up their own games, create imaginary worlds, or come up with other elaborate ideas– but, they’re the ones in charge of what and how to play. Caregivers may supervise from a distance or stay within earshot of the child or children, only stepping in if necessary. Developmental Skills: Problem solving, language development, coordination Teaches: Autonomy, sharing, cooperation 👑 Dramatic Play Dramatic play involves kids exploring different roles and scenarios as they expand their understanding of the world and themselves. Examples: Dramatic play can look like a kid trying on dress up clothes; doing housekeeping tasks; caretaking of a doll or stuffed animal; cooking in pretend kitchens; playing doctor, house, school; etc. Developmental Skills: Speech and language; classification; executive function skills (in this case, planning out their play scenario); problem solving (stuffed animal is sick and child has to figure out a way to heal it) Teaches: Creativity, imagination, collaboration Toys or Supplies: Play kitchen; grocery store toys; dolls; stuffed animals; doctor's kit; playsilks Note: It’s natural for little ones to reenact a wide spectrum of scenarios. This can include acting out their daily routines, performing scenes from a book or movie. Kids process through play, so it’s even typical for them to act out tough scenarios their families might be facing such as divorce or the passing of a loved one. 🤸🏾‍♀️ Physical Play Also referred to as active play, physical play is all about movement. It involves both fine and gross motor skills. Example: Physical play can look like a kid running around in open space; trying out yoga poses; dancing; climbing a structure; playing catch; jumping on a Nugget couch etc. Developmental Skills: Focus and attention; coordination; muscle development; body and spatial awareness Teaches: Self-awareness; perseverance; resilience; stamina Toys or Supplies: Open space for child to play; pikler climber; balance beam; balls 🙃 Rough and Tumble Play Rough and Tumble play is a form of physical play that's important for learning limits and building social bonds. Examples: Kids engaged in a wrestling match or body tackle. While it’s nearly first instinct to want to break up rough and tumble play, it’s actually a developmentally appropriate type of play. Tickle fights are another example! Developmental Skills: Social bonds; gross motor skills Teaches: Boundaries and limits; respect 🦖 Pretend Play During pretend play, kids manipulate action toys or figurines to create elaborate play scenarios. Similar to dramatic play, pretend play provides children with a safe space to replay and process everything from daily routines to emotional events. Example: Child narrates the life of a toy figurine Developmental Skills: Fine motor skills, storytelling, Teaches: Imagination, resilience Toys or Supplies: Action figures, animals, cars, figurines or toys that represent people 🏢 Constructive Play Unsurprisingly, constructive play is all about construction. During constructive play, a child is focused on building a structure. In the early years (between ages 1 and 2) constructive play typically starts out as stacking, then kids learn the word “tower” and become adamant about building towers. After the tower phase (between ages 2 and 3), toddlers start getting more creative as their language and fine motor skills advance— suddenly they’re excited to show off their castle, digger, city, robot, and a myriad of other constructions. Example: Child attempts to build a structure using loose part materials or toy blocks Developmental Skills: Spatial reasoning; sorting; classification; introduction to STEM; mathematical and problem solving skills; fine motor skills Teaches: Patience; determination; planning Toys or Supplies: Magna-tiles; wooden blocks; Duplo legos 🌱 Nature Play Nature play allows kids to connect with the outdoors and centers their natural curiosity. More and more research has begun to reveal that nature play is one of the most impactful types of play. Example: Has a kid ever bought you a mud pie? That's nature play in action! Developmental Skills: Intro to STEM; cause and effect; observation; classification; sorting Teaches: Respect and appreciation for nature; curiosity; mindfulness Toys or Supplies: Bowl for collecting nature finds; container or pail for water; travel-size spray bottle for watering plants 🎨 Creative Expression Creative expression involves any form of artistic expression, kids often make or produce a final product through creative play. The final product can physical or everlasting, like on a canvas or piece of paper. The final product can also be something a child is proud to show off or share but its' existence is only temporary-- like a dance they learned, a cookie they made for you, a song performed on an instrument. 🖌 Traditional Art Keep in mind, most toddlers aren’t Monet prodigies. A lot of the art they create will probably be scribbles with crayons or random paint strokes until around age 2 and a half. But, creative play is less about the end product and more about the process of a child experimenting with colors and developing the muscles to control their utensils. In case you needed to hear it from someone— you are not obligated to keep every piece of artwork a child brings home or makes for you. Example: Finger painting; Developmental Skills: Fine motor skills Teaches: Patience; planning Toys or Supplies: Art kits; watercolor paint; water brush; blank notebooks; paint sticks; bleeding tissue paper 🥁 Musical Expression Through musical expression, kids create sounds, rhythms, and melodies to communicate feelings, stories, or simply enjoy the joy of music. This form of play can also be a supportive aid in generating connections between the part of the brain that connects with emotions and memories. Example: Child making up their own song or using household objects and/or instruments to produce sounds. Developmental Skills: Fine motor skills; cause and effect; problem solving (how to hold a beat); rhythm; memory and repetition Teaches: Self-expression; imagination; cultural awareness Toys or Supplies: Egg shakers; maracas; repurpose an empty oats container for a soft hand drum; educational music artists for kids to listen to: Laurie Beckner Band; Raffi ✨ Guided Play Guided play is child-led and inspired by the interests of a child. The adult's role is to provide scaffolding to meet a learning goal. This form of play falls along a spectrum between free play and games (which are structured). NAEYC refers to guided play as a form of playful learning¹. Examples: Within a play setup designed to teach shapes, a grownup might see a kid playing various shaped blocks and then prompt them by asking a question like, "Do you think you could show me how to build a tower using only rectangle shaped blocks?" Here's another example of guided play from The LEGO Foundation². Although the example is geared toward educators, any caregiver or play facilitator can apply a similar approach during guided play: "Children building with blocks will often go as high as possible. Noticing this, an educator can suggest they compare which tower is taller, count how many blocks each tower has, and even use blocks as a unit of measure to compare heights and lengths of all kinds of objects in the class." Developmental Skills: Problem solving; color recognition; sorting; classification; vocabulary; counting; Intro to STEM skills Teaches: Adaptability (adjusting to given guidelines), specific academic or life concepts (like colors, shapes, numbers, or social scenarios) Toys or Supplies: Shape sorters; puzzles; guided Lego kits 🌊 Sensory Play Sensory Play engages multiple senses at the same time. Activities under this category involve stimulating visual (colors, patterns), auditory (sound, noise), kinesthetic (movement, motion), or tactile (touch, feel, texture) components. You can also activate olfactory receptors through pleasing scents like cinnamon or peppermint. Sensory Play falls under guided play for a couple reasons: (1) Young toddlers require supervision due to choking hazards and general safety. (2) Unlike the openness of free play, it's common for caregivers to set up sensory bins that revolve around a theme, season, or holiday. However, most kids ages 3 and up can do sensory play independently. Example: Washing toys in a sensory bin; sand play; shaving cream mixing; sensory bottles Developmental Skills: Fine motor skills; exploration of cause & effect; observation; sensory exposure Teaches: Imagination; mindfulness; self-expression (through clay and play dough use) Toys or Supplies: Play dough; clear sensory bins; small toy figurines ✨ Competitive Play Through Competitive Play kids engage in games or activities with defined rules and a clear objective. This form of play often introduces little ones to the concept of winning or achieving a goal before others, as well as how to handle defeat. Competitive play helps kids see competition in a positive light and motivates them to simply do their best. It also provides a safe environment for little ones to experience and manage a healthy amount of pressure. Examples: Races; treasure hunts; obstacle courses; a game of Hot Potato; Soccer Shots Developmental Skills: Gross motor skills; coordination; problem solving (how to win or why did they loose); memory (remembering the rules) Teaches: Patience, rule following; leadership; sportsmanship; turn taking; self-regulation; collaboration; self-confidence Toys or Supplies: Soccer ball; basketball; mini size football; goals or orange cones 🎲 Games Games allow kids to familiarize themselves with structure and rules. Examples: There are many forms of games: board games; card games; physical games (games that require movement), educational games (including games that require memory and observation); and guessing games to name a few. Developmental Skills: Fine motor skills; memory; concentration; attention Teaches: Self-regulation; turn-taking; patience; delayed gratification; mindfulness Toys or Supplies: Candyland; Zingo; Lion in the Way; Twister; Pick Up Sticks; Memory card games Citations: ¹ Jensen, H., Pyle, A., Zosh, J. M., Ebrahim, H. B., Zaragoza Scherman, A., Reunamo, J., & Hamre, B. K. (2019). Play facilitation: the science behind the art of engaging young children (white paper). The LEGO Foundation, DK. ² Digital excerpt from book by NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children): Developmentally Appropriate Practice in Early Childhood Programs Serving Children from Birth Through Age 8. 4th ed. (2022) Washington, DC

You’ve probably heard how important it is to read to your baby– pediatricians are even participating in initiatives to stress the importance of new parents reading with their little ones. In the newborn days, a baby's color spectrum is still forming and caregivers are almost over advertised the importance of high contrast art cards and black and white books. But by 4 to 6 months, a baby's vision is fully developed, yet caregivers are left in the dark regarding which books are best for babies in their next stage. Well, Montessori style board books are a great resource for little ones. Keep reading to learn why. What makes a book Montessori? Montessori style children’s books feature real life experiences, which can include photographs and realistic drawings of everyday life. But, it’s no surprise that the books published during Dr. Montessori's life span looked a bit different than today’s children’s books. Let’s take a look at more current research that addresses this question. Before becoming a bestselling author with her book Montessori: The Science Behind the Genius, Dr. Angeline Lillard conducted a survey in 2011 to identify what Montessori teacher trainers in the U.S. considered to be authentic Montessori materials. Lillard's goal was to uncover if there was general consensus on the materials and to identify which materials are the most debated. Of the 100 AMI¹ and AMS² trainers surveyed, at least 85% of the trainers highly agreed that realistic books were a necessary material in the classroom. This gives us a basis of what to look for in Montessori books-- realistic images and story lines. But, is there science behind this Montessori philosophy or was it simply Maria Montessori's personal preference? Why read Montessori style books with babies? It turns out there is science behind why babies love looking at other babies and why the Montessori method advocates for realistic books! One study by developmental psychologists revealed that when it comes to teaching babies about the real world through books, the type of pictures have a significant impact. In fact, the psychologists found that 15-18-month-olds learn to associate pictures in books with objects in the real world based on iconicity. Iconicity is simply a fancy way of saying how realistic the pictures are. So, if you're aiming to teach vocabulary or build early literacy skills, cartoon-y images might not be the best fit. Instead, you'll want to go for board books with realistic images, such as photographs or realistic illustrations. The more life-like the pictures, the higher the chances that the information your baby learns from the book will stick with them (Ganea, Pickard, Bloom and DeLoache 2008). Now that we know there's science to support the use of Montessori style books, let's take a look at some of the best books for babies: Global Babies Publisher | Charlesbridge Global Babies was the first Montessori style baby book published from a multicultural lens. The vibrant colors within each photograph paired with cheerful baby faces from around the world, captivates the attention of tiny readers! Each photo highlights traditional clothing, daily life, and customs of babies across an impressive 17 countries. Through exposing kids to multicultural media in the early years, caregivers can teach little ones to recognize and honor our differences while also developing an appreciation for the shared values and connections that unite us as humans. Global Babies is part of the Global Fund for Children board book series. I also highly recommend Carry Me and Global Playtime. The photography is seriously top-notch throughout every book in the series. Special Note: when you buy any book from the Global Fund for Children, a percentage of each sale goes towards positively impacting children's lives across the world! Baby’s Best Friend Words & Photographs | Suzanne Curley Publisher | Tiger Tales Baby’s Best Friend is perfect for dog lovers- especially dog owners. Each page features a baby and a different breed of dog happily frolicking. The photographer, Suzzane Curley, does an unbelievable job capturing the most adorable photos. This short board book is a supportive aid in modeling how kiddos can gently interact with a pet dog, while also preparing them for interactions initiated by the dog. Peekaboo Baby! Words & Pictures | Ellie Boultwood, Hannah Cockayne, Kylie Hamley Publisher | Priddy Books As the publishing company behind the megapopular, First 100 Words (which I also recommend), Priddy Books is quite well-known for using real life photographs of babies and everyday objects in their books. The company has sold over 100 million books in over 35 different languages. Peekaboo Baby features a bunch of babies at play or engaging in daily tasks such as mealtime and bathtime. Although it’s a short board book, there are two concepts that make it stand out from similar books: the use of circle cutouts on each page allows babies to peek and predict what will happen next. Secondly, the Mylar mirror on the final page is a real mirror, not the warped type of mirror disappointingly found at the end of many board books. Baby Up Baby Down Publisher | Abrams Appleseed You can probably guess what Baby Up Baby Down is about from the title alone– pigs! Just kidding, it’s about opposites.The book uses photos of six different babies to gently introduce young readers to opposites. The “clean vs. messy” depiction is highly relatable amongst this age group based on the many “uh oh” responses I’ve heard from babies. The background throughout the book is all white and all children wear a different colored onesie in a solid color, which makes the pages less distracting and keeps the attention of kiddos. Making Faces is another popular board book from the same publisher, which I can also highly recommend! Baby Faces Words & Photographs | Margret Miller Publisher | Simon & Schuster Similar to Intrater, Margret Miller’s book features close-up photographs of baby faces (hope the title didn’t give too much away)! However, Baby Faces depicts photos of babies making various facial expressions, including yuck, yum, stinky, and a few more. Teaching babies and kids about various forms of emotions and expressions helps build a solid foundation for healthy emotional intelligence later down the line– books are a great tool for this! Baby Faces also won the Book of the Year Award by Parenting Magazine in 1998, which makes it an even more special addition to your little one’s bookshelf. Smile! Words & Photographs | Roberta Grobel Intrater Publisher | Scholastic Published way back in 1997, Smile is the oldest book on the list, but it’s a timeless gem in my opinion. The narration is from the point of view of a caregiver trying to get a baby to smile for a photo. (We’re all familiar with that struggle.) There are eleven different babies featured and each photo is a close-up shot focused solely on their facial expressions. Who Says Peekaboo? Photographs | Vanja Kraguli Publisher | Highlights for Children Designed to be a baby’s first hide-and-seek book, Who Says Peekaboo uses photographs of babies and animals, combined with clip art toys. Babies are introduced to three animal sounds, including a playful puppy, a musical kitten, and an outdoorsy duck. The high quality Mylar mirror at the end invites you to play your own game of peekaboo with the baby you're caring for. Lovevery Books The Lovevery board book collection is the latest addition to the Montessori style category. Their books are very well loved by parents and babies– they even make a few 2 ½ in board books that are a handy distraction during diaper changes. Parents were such fans of Lovevery books that the company used their feedback to roll out more books! The books are full of practical, everyday life experiences in real life photos, which support babies in building a foundation for language development. Plus, their inclusivity is impressive. Co-founder & President, Rod Morris, spoke on the impact of their book collection during a interview: "Our books give customers their first opportunity to have a children’s book that involves say, a ceremony for a First Nation’s family, or a child with a limb difference. They give an opportunity for families to have a conversation around a family that’s different from theirs, or often we hear back from a family that for the first time, they got to look at a book with their child that is reflective of their family." The only caveat is that you have to be a Play Kit subscriber in order to buy their books. Their website attributes the exclusivity to the fact that, “the Book Bundles complement the play essentials and existing books in the Play Kits and ship more sustainably by being included in The Play Kits box you’d already receive.” But, because I’ve found these books to be such a beneficial resource for babies- and so well made- here are a few workarounds without a subscription: Ask a subscribing friend with an older toddler if you can borrow their baby books; check Facebook Marketplace; join the Lovevery Resale Facebook Group. ABC Kids Words & Photographs | Laura Ellen Williams ABC Kids continues to be one of my most popular board books amongst babies. This isn’t just your average alphabet book– each page includes a real life photo of a carefree kid depicting the corresponding action or noun. Although published in 2000, Williams was quite ahead of her times in terms of diversity and inclusion. The board book is full of BIPOC kids at play. It’s unlikely that your kiddo will learn ABC’s so early on, but they will genuinely enjoy every photograph. Something else that makes this book unique is its size (think: vertical postcard). It’s less common to find Montessori style board books this size. ABC Kids fits snuggly into tiny hands allowing little ones to turn the pages with ease. All Kinds of People Words & Photographs | Shelley Rotner & Sheila M. Kelly All Kinds of People is the younger version of the popular picture book, Shades of People, adapted for baby board book form… but, it doesn’t disappoint! Kids from a large variety of different ethnic backgrounds are pictured on each page. As an adult, you might notice that the photos are a bit outdated, but your baby won’t. One of my favorite things about this Montessori style book, are the beautiful adjectives and phrases the authors use to describe other kid’s skin, such as, creamy, shade of gold, sandy, and cocoa. Which Montessori style board books am I missing? Please add a comment with other books titles so I can expand on a broader list for caregivers like you! FAQ Montessori Books Citations: ¹AMI: The American Branch of the Association Montessori Internationale, founded by Dr. Montessori to carry on her work ²AMS: Association Montessori Society, founded by Nancy Rambusch to represent Montessori in America ³Montessori, M. (1989). The child, society, and the world: Unpublished speeches and writings, p. 44-6 (Vol. 7). Oxford: Clio. ⁴Montessori, M. (1997). The California lectures of Maria Montessori, pp. 40-5, 1915. Oxford: Clio ⁵Montessori, M. (1989). Creative development in the child II (R. R, Trans.) p. 224. Madras, India: Kalakshetra Press.

Since 2020, guns have been the leading cause of death for children and teens in the U.S. We’re currently living in a time where it’s impossible to shield little ones from violence, it seems to be everywhere. Many kids witness violence at home, in their communities, on the news, and even at their own schools. How do we, as caregivers and parents, change this narrative? For starters, it’s now more crucial than ever before that we teach and model values of peace, empathy, acceptance, and kindness. One of the most underutilized resources in countering violence is through children’s books. Why Use Picture Books? I bet you can still vividly recall a few books from your childhood? Perhaps you remember feeling disappointed for Peter in The Snowy Day as he reaches into his pocket for his snowball only to discover that it’s completely melted away. Or maybe you sympathized with the tree in The Giving Tree as the main character took and took from the tree until it had nothing left to give. That, my friend, is the magic of picture books- when written and illustrated well, they stay with us forever! Today, there’s an increasing variety of children’s books available that cover an array of topics. Adults can utilize picture books to initiate meaningful conversations with kids on abstract concepts, including peace. By introducing toddlers to books that explore themes of peace, in an engaging, age-appropriate way, we can foster these values in little ones early on. The following stories allow kids to take a look at these values being performed by other kids or characters. Let’s take a look at the list! Peace Author | Baptiste & Miranda Paul Illustrator | Estell Meza Theme | Peace meets Nature Best For | Ages 2 and up You’ll quickly notice each page of Peace features kids of diverse backgrounds and abilities alongside animals. The authors, Baptiste and Miranda Paul, (power couple duo) provide various examples of what peace looks like in everyday practice. They use lyrical rhyming poetry to explain to young readers that peace is intentional. By choosing peaceful ways of interacting with others, we not only make our friends happy, but also cultivate an environment for wildlife to thrive. Estell Meza’s moody, yet colorful illustrations are incredibly well done and are sure to capture little ones attention. Readers are presented with a surprise expandable spread on the last page. A special author’s note at the very end explains how peace and violence impacts both animals and nature. Wild Peace Author | Irene Latham Illustrator | Il Sung Na Theme | Peace meets Mindfulness Best For | Ages 2 and up Wild Peace begins with a little girl feeling overwhelmed by chaos going on around her at home. Unable to physically escape, she finds solace in her imagination, envisioning a vibrant forest. The story explains to kids that when they find themselves feeling overwhelmed, they can always look towards nature to ground them in peace. From watching cold raindrops fall to the ground as they form into puddles, to listening to the soft melodies of birds, turning outwards towards nature is an amazing mindfulness skill toddlers can start learning early. Usha and the Stolen Sun Author | Bree Galbraith Illustrator | Josée Bisaillon Theme | Peace meets Communication & Vulnerability Best For | Ages 3 and up On the front book jacket of Usha and the Stolen Sun is a peaceful quote from renowned poet and theologian, Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi, which reads, “Raise your words, not your voice. It is rain that grows flowers, not thunder.” A young girl, named Usha, lives in a dark and gloomy community without sun. How come? Well, one day, the people who made rules for the community decided to build a huge wall to keep the sun only for themselves. Listening to stories from her grandpa about his childhood and the days when the sun existed brings Usha great joy. After sharing another story, Usha’s grandpa admits that he’ll probably never live to see the sun again. This sad admission motivates Usha to venture off and bring back the sun. The message of this one is that having conversations and being vulnerable with people that hurt us can actually be more powerful than taking physical action. Galbraith writes in prose without rhyming words, but makes sure to use words that 3 year olds can easily grasp. It’s also worth highlighting the intentional avoidance of divisive language, such as “bad guys, enemies, etc.” There are many gems in this book, including Bisaillon’s pictures, that make for a really important discussion with kids. Can You Say Peace? Author & Illustrator | Karen Katz Theme | Peace meets Multiculturalism Best For | Ages 1 and up Karen Katz is both illustrator and author of Can You Say Peace? This picture book was actually created in recognition of International Day of Peace, which is celebrated around the world on September 21 each year! Geared towards 1-2 year olds, it’s a vibrant introduction to multiculturalism. There are phonetic pronunciations for learning how to say, “peace” in each language. Katz shows a painted illustration of a child in 11 different countries going about activities in their community. Honestly, I was quite surprised to see a BIPOC kid on the page for Australia. While I was previously aware of indigenous Australians, I admittedly didn’t know that there are Afro-indigenous Australians, such as the Warnman people until turning to that page. Most children’s books depict kids from Australia only as white, since minorities make up such a small percentage of citizens. I loved seeing such a simple illustration challenge the norm. Sometimes we forget that, even as adults, we can still learn alongside kids as we read with them. On the last page, there’s a world map showing where each language is spoken. At the bottom of the page is a list featuring how to say “peace” in a bunch of other languages! The Peace Dragon Author & Illustrator | Linda Ragsdale Theme | Peace meets Fantasy Best For | Ages 3 and up Ready to introduce your kiddo to a new favorite dragon? This dragon loves something even better than tacos- peace! As toddlers grow into “big kids'', many tend to develop an interest in fairy tales and mythical creatures. Rather it’s their size, ability to fly, or the fact that they breathe fire, dragons captivate kids and are inarguably the most well-known fantasy creature in the world (followed by unicorns and mermaids, in case you were wondering). The Peace Dragon begins with a boy named Scherr that encounters a dragon named Omani. Each page keeps you on your toes, unsure what will happen next. Of course the moral of the story is centered on peace, so it has a peaceful ending. However, it’s also quite fun to read a kid’s book that’s less predictable than most. Without giving too much away, there are a couple clever illustration details Ragsdale includes that makes this book really stand out. Upon flipping through the first few pages, The Peace Dragon appears to be wordy, but it’s just the handwriting font fooling you. It actually takes less time to read than a Julia Donaldson book! At the end, Ragsdale shares her heartbreaking, yet heartwarming motivation for writing the book. You and your little one will be inspired to spread peace. Plus, you can head to The Peace Dragon website (also a nonprofit org) where kids can learn how to draw their very own peace dragon! Regardless of your personal views on issues such as gun control policy, we caregivers have agency in guiding kids not to become mass shooters! It’s our responsibility, as members of society, to supply children with media materials, such as picture books, that both allows them to envision peace and equips them with essential skills to cultivate it. Each time you sit down to read a book with a little one is an opportunity to nurture their imagination in a way that empowers them to be mindful contributors to a collective, peaceful future. I hope this book list supports you and your loved ones throughout your quest to make mindful memories!

Summertime is everyone’s favorite season to take advantage of the beautiful weather! But, it can be challenging to entertain a toddler on a hot summer day without a pool. Not to worry, there are tons of water activities for toddlers that are guaranteed to keep them busy and cool. Plus, all of these activities are jam packed with hidden educational skill developments! So, go check the expiration date on your kiddo’s sunscreen- you’ll definitely be inspired to send your kiddo outside after reading these activities! Note: Check out this post to learn more about the supplies needed for these activities. Water Themed Sensory Bins Wash Toys Toddlers really enjoy cleaning. Ever notice how your little one is always looking to help out with a chore? Lean into this interest by allowing them to clean their own toys! Here's a short list of hand washable toys to get you started: ✅ Baby Dolls, Barbies, or Action Figures ✅ Zoo Animals ✅ Hot Wheel or Matchbox Cars ✅ Toy Dishes Set Up: Grab a sensory bin or clear baking Pyrex dish, add dish soap or bubble solution, a small wash cloth, an old toothbrush. Hidden Developmental Skills Being Applied: Fine Motor Skills Teaches: Responsibility, Problem Solving (which toys are washable?), Buoyancy (sink or float) Clean and Observe Seashells Seashells are such a treasure, especially for kids. Rather you gather a collection from the beach or buy them from the store, your little one will be in awe. If your kiddo takes a liking to seashells, be sure to check out this list of easy crafts and activities to try with seashells. Hidden Developmental Skills Being Applied: Fine Motor Skills, Observation Teaches: Appreciation for Nature, Introduction to STEM topics Bring Out Reusable Ice Cubes It’s handy to have reusable ice cubes in the freezer all season long. This way, you’ll be able to pull them out whenever needed. Fill up a sensory bin with water and drop the ice cubes in. Let your kiddo explore the cold sensation of the cubes. Many kids take notice of the water inside the cubes as it begins to thaw out and even shake the cubes to see and hear the water moving around. Other kids actually like stacking and building with these on a tray without the water. I recommend trying both activities! Hidden Developmental Skills Being Applied: Fine Motor Skills Teaches: Introduction to STEM topics, Sensory Exposure, Buoyancy (sink or float), Cause & Effect (stacking) Explore Pom Poms in Water This activity actually comes from Susie Allison— I'm sure you know her, she's the teacher, business owner, and play advocate behind, Busy Toddler. Honestly, her kids made it look super fun and I already had lots of pom poms on hand. I tested it out with two groups of kids and I have to say, it was a hit! Set Up: Fill up a sensory bin with water. Then throw in lots of pom poms. Offer scoopers or any tool that can be used as a scooper. Clear containers like a clean peanut butter container or a clean vitamin container make great tools for collecting pom poms. Toddler size colanders are also perfect for this activity. Group 1, kids ages 2 and 6. Group 2, kids ages 2, 3, and 5. Both groups engaged in the activity way longer than I expected. At first, I wasn't really sure what they would do with all the pom poms. But once the supplies were added in, their creativity went wild! I think part of the appeal of this activity comes from using the pom poms in a completely unexpected way. To dry the pom poms, pour the water out from the sensory bin and dump the pom poms into a garment laundry bag. Then put them in the dryer for 1-2 cycles. Hidden Developmental Skills Being Applied: Fine Motor Skills, Sensory Exposure, Communication Teaches: Observation, Introduction to STEM topics such as Counting, Absorption, Buoyancy (sink or float), Vocabulary, Color Recognition Have a Toddler Style “Car Wash” Do you happen to own any toddler vehicles— ya know, one of those Little Tikes Ride-on Trucks? Great! Pull out a bucket, fill it up with water, then add dish soap or bubble solution. Throw in a couple old sponges and ask your kiddo to give their ride a wash. Did I mention that toddlers love cleaning things?! You can even turn up the fun factor by having them put on their bathing suite. You can also try this activity with a wagon or even a push trike. Hidden Developmental Skills Being Applied: Gross Motor Skills Teaches: Task Completion, Perseverance, Responsibility Spray Bottle Squirting The only set up required for this activity is to fill up a travel-side spray bottle with cold water and hand it off to your toddler. Send them outside with it and I guarantee they’ll come back to you later reporting all the uses they found for it. Over the years, I've used these spray bottles with 50+ toddlers, and they've come up with clever uses that keep their bodies moving, including: watering plants and flowers, spraying themselves to cool down, spray tag, cleaning play equipment, and erasing their chalk drawings! It could be the size of the bottles, maybe toddlers love these things because they look like they’re designed for kids their size? Whatever the reason, spray bottle squirting is also a unique option for caregivers looking for a lighthearted alternative to water gun play. Hidden Developmental Skills Being Applied: Gross Motor Skills, Fine Motor Skills, Cause & Effect Teaches: Autonomy, Independence, Mindfulness of Nature Paint With Water Did you know that toddlers can also use sponge brushes to create magic?? This activity works best if you happen to have a wooden fence in your yard or any structure that's made out of wood. Simply give your kid a small bucket of water and a sponge brush. Ask them to "paint" the fence using the water. On a hot day, the water dries fast- like in minutes. That's where the magic comes in- toddlers are puzzled at how this all works. Many toddlers like to use the sponge brushes to practice writing letters, words, and drawing shapes or pictures. It’s also common for kids to attempt to paint an entire surface area before any of it starts to dry up. I’ve yet to witness a kid successfully achieve this ambitious goal… but they have a ball trying and it usually keeps them busy for 40 min or longer! Hidden Developmental Skills Being Applied: Fine Motor Skills Teaches: Introduction to STEM topics, Creativity, Patience Turn on a Sprinkler or Try a Splash Pad Water play or any play doesn’t have to be complicated! Hooking up a sprinkler or a splash pad to a water hose can be enough to cool kids down. Plus, kids love chances to show off their bathing suits. If you’re introducing your little one to a sprinkler or splash pad for the first time, they might be a bit nervous or scared. Try running through the sprinkler yourself to show them how fun and refreshing it is. If they’re still scared, ask them if they want to hold your hand as you walk under together. If they’re still resistant, it’s okay, don’t push it. Leave the sprinkler running for a few min but give them some space to observe or get a hand wet without your eyes glued on them. Hidden Developmental Skills Being Applied: Gross Motor Skills Teaches: Adaptation, Sensory Exposure, Cause & Effect

No pool in your backyard? You’re not alone— only around 15% of households in the U.S. have swimming pools. But that doesn’t mean your toddler can’t enjoy the benefits of a pool without actually having one. Let’s take a look at some water play supplies you can start gathering now to keep your kiddo cool all summer long! Supplies for Epic Water Play Fun Sensory Bins Toddler-friendly Spray Bottle Bubbles Household Toys Sponge Brushes Old Toothbrushes Sprinkler or Splash Pad Plastic Ice Cubes Sensory Bins A few years ago, Target came out with clear personal size storage bins and you know what they're perfect for? Cheap sensory bins! The clear transparency of the bins provides toddlers with a comprehensive visual of the materials inside the container. The low height of the bins make them ideal for kids to easily reach in and start playing. Plus, they don't require much water to fill up and are easier to dump and/or move to a shady area than say a water table. If you're not convinced yet, a Target reviewer of these bins, named Cathy, wrote, "These are awesome for sensory bins! I love that they fit a good amount and are shallow so my son can reach in and play while seated at the table!" Developmental Benefits: Fine Motor Skills, Sensory Exposure Toddler-Friendly Spray Bottle These travel size spray bottles are an easy way to keep kids cool while encouraging independent play! Fill these little guys up with fresh cold water before heading outside and watch your little one find endless uses! They're basically designed for small hands to manipulate with complete ease and the only setting is a mist. There isn't knob to adjust for a direct squirt, which means your kiddo will not have to constantly run over to you asking for help adjusting the setting. Adult-size tools and supplies aren't always optimal for toddlers. Would you give a toddler adult-size scissors to use? Of course not! Sure, there's a significant risk of injury, but my main concern with this scenario is the fact that it's asking a toddler to demonstrate advanced fine motor skills (scissor handles are heavy). Two and 3 year-olds should be focused on developing muscle strength in their little hands. Mastery with tools takes time and lots of practice to develop. These spray bottles are also a gentle method of exposing sensory avoidant kids to sensory play. Over the years, I've worked with a handful of kids that have been scared of to run through a sprinkler, but none have ever been scared of getting misted with these spray bottles or trying them out. I first came across these spray bottles at my local Wegmans (in the travel-size section). But, you can also find them on Amazon. Tip: The travel size spray bottles you typically find at Target or Walmart are bit larger in size, which is why I recommend the Good-to-Go travel size spray bottles, especially for younger toddlers. Developmental Benefits: Fine Motor Skills (good practice with hand-eye coordination), Active Play (physical activity), Mindfulness of the Environment Bubbles There are many reliable bubble solution recipes floating around out there (get it)? For the sake of time and water waste, I pass on making my own bubbles- the margin for error and waste is just too high. Instead, I buy a huge bottle of bubble solution from Target (128 oz.). This bottle will likely last you all season long. I've tested many bubble solution brands over the years. These bubbles are the most bubbly, most reliable and most affordable on the market- only $5! This jug of bubbles can be used to refill personal size kid's bubbles, fill up bubble machines, and as soap solution for cleaning toys in sensory bins. Developmental Benefits: Fine Motor Skills, Emotional Regulation (learning not to get too upset if/when they can't blow a bubble), Patience, Cognitive Development (exploration of cause & effect), Sensory Exposure Household Toys Not many parents realize that you don't HAVE to buy new toys for summer. Pull out an old clear tupperware container or buy one of the sensory bin containers mentioned above, throw in some bubble solution, water, and repurpose toys you already have around the house! Open up your notes app and make a quick list of your kid’s toys that dry fairly easily. The next time you need to keep a kid busy, challenge them to get their favorite action figure or barbie really dirty outside. Then, ask them to give the toy a bath in the sensory bin. This short video has some other ideas you can try using this approach! -> Developmental Benefits: Fine Motor Skills, Problem Solving (what can and can't be washed? how long will an object take to dry?), Patience (waiting for toys or objects to dry) Sponge Brushes Unsurprisingly, sponge brushes are great at absorbing water. They're fairly cheap, you can find them at the Dollar Tree or a larger pack from the craft store. Sponge brushes can also be used for indoor crafts on a rainy day. These brushes are good for painting wooden crafts and/or as a mixing tool with a shaving cream activity. Developmental Benefits: Fine motor skills, Cognitive Development (exploration of cause & effect), Creativity Old Toothbrushes Instead of throwing away your kid's old worn toothbrush, store it with sensory play supplies. Toothbrushes are easier for small hands to manipulate than dish brushes. When washing small toys like Hot Wheels or even seashells, smaller bristle heads allow toddlers to take their time as they bathe or clean their toys. During the activities where they use toothbrushes, kids tend to be a lot more mindful and observant of the qualities of the toys or objects they're cleaning. I often hear kids excitingly point out something about a toy that they never noticed before. Developmental Benefits: Fine Motor Skills, Language Development (practice communicating observations), Mindfulness Sprinkler or Splash Pad Sprinklers are more than just practical tools for watering your lawn— they're often a source of pure joys for many kids! Splash pads are one of the most convenient ways to cool down a toddler while they play independently. Both sprinklers and splash pads present little to no risk of drowning for toddlers, so constant supervision isn't required 100% of the time. That means, you can take take a breather, grab some water, and even load the dishwasher before returning outside to play with your kiddo! Developmental Benefits: Gross Motor Skills (running, jumping), Active Play, Sensory Exposure Plastic Ice Cubes Throughout the summer, keep a bag of small plastic ice cubes in the freezer. Ice cubes are a sensational addition to sensory bin play. I've also worked with many 2-3 year olds that enjoy stacking the cubes to form a tower or sorting them into to make patterns. Note: Most 2 year olds will require monitoring while playing with these cubes considering they can be a choking hazard. Developmental Benefits: Fine Motor Skills, Sensory Exposure, Pattern Recognition, Cognitive Development (exploration of cause & effect) Common Questions About Water Play:

You can create mindful memories with your kid using the simplest materials, including playsilks! In case you haven't heard of them, playsilks (sometimes known as scarves) are colorful fibrous wonders that can nurture countless hours of imaginative play for little ones— without cluttering your home. From baby play to fort building with toddlers, these dreamy fabrics help cultivate mindful play while nurturing timeless discovery. After exploring the activities listed below, you’ll soon find yourself and your kiddo unlocking a world of inventive activities! What is a playsilk? Sometimes referred to as play scarves, playsilks go beyond being pieces of fabric—  playsilks are vibrant, transparent toys that spark creativity! What are the educational benefits of playsilks? While all play is educational, playsilks are beneficial in developing toddlers creativity and problem solving. This makes them great tools for open-ended play. With babies, playsilks offer sensory exposure while allowing them to explore cause and effect. What ages are playsilks for? Playsilks are suitable for all ages! In fact, you can purchase them in various sizes based on your kiddos age. What are Sarah’s Silks? Sarah’s Silks is a popular brand of playsilks made from non-toxic dyes and naturally sourced silk. The soft, silk texture of these scarves, along with the variety of designs, truly sets the company apart from other playsilks. Parachute Play with Babies Babies can get bored in play gyms, especially if their hanging toys aren’t rotated. You can easily vamp up play gym time with parachute play. How to Play: Open up playsilk. Hold the opposite ends. Slowly lift the playsilk up and down a few times before settling it over baby's play gym for a couple minutes. Throughout the interaction, speak to baby aloud, smile, and laugh. What are babies learning through parachute play? Cause-and-effect Sensory exposure Through parachute play, babies are observing cause-and-effect. They begin to put two and two together— when their caregiver lifts up the playsilk, they begin associating your action with a really cool visual and the feeling of the air blowing on their skin (sensory exposure). If your baby has lots of hair, it's adorable to watch their big smiles or even hear them giggle as the playsilk blows their tiny strands of hair. Peek-a-Boo Peek-a-boo is one of the most classic games around and it's so simple to engage in. 🙈 How to Play: You can introduce Peek-a-boo to babies as early as you'd like (newborns won't quite understand it, but still a way to bond). Cover your face with a playsilk for a few seconds then pull it off. Some babies will begin comprehending the way the game works as early as 11 months, but by 18 months, many babies are able to replicate the game for themselves. If you catch your little one covering their face with a playsilk, take it as an invitation to engage in play. You can call out, "Where's Lincoln? Lincoln where are you?" When the child uncovers their face, you gasp in surprise and say, "hi, there you are!" What are babies learning through peek-a-boo? Object permanence Cause and effect Babies begin to develop an understanding of object permanence, which is the concept that objects, including themselves, continue to exist even when they're "out of sight" by their caregiver. When babies play peek-a-boo with playsilks, they're also experimenting with cause and effect. (ie: when they cover their faces, their caregiver plays peek-a-boo with them) Fort Building Playsilks are hands down one of the best additions to epic fort building. ⛺️ How to Play: In order to connect the playsilks to dining chairs or other items around the house, you'll definitely want to have a few sets of playclips. For young toddlers, it might be easiest to build the fort for them, but definitely include them in the process as much as possible. (ie: can you hold this scarf here? Which playsilk do you want at the top of the fort? Can you attach the clip?) With older toddlers, you can demonstrate an example of how your kiddo can connect the playsilks to chairs. Then, take a step back and see if they can do it by themselves. What are kids learning through fort building? Problem solving Fine motor skills Cooperation Through experimenting with design of forts, kids can learn basic STEM principles of engineering and physics. When using playsilks to build forts, children learn A LOT about load-bearing and weight distribution. Fort building happens to be a great activity for siblings or playdates since it encourages kids collaborate, problem solve, and communicate their ideas with one another. Additionally, attaching playsilks to household objects using playclips strengthens fine motor skills. Dancing with Playsilks Unfortunately, as a society, we don't encourage kids to dance anymore-- unless your kid is taking a dance class. Even then, there's little space made for kids to dance freely without structure or steps to memorize. Having props like smaller playsilks or scarves can prompt them to dance. How to Play: Turn on some tunes or let your kid pick a song they love and hand them a playsilk. This could also be an opportunity to expose kids to instrumental or classical music. If you can't stand classical music, try searching for a classical pop playlist (Lindsey Sterling is an incredible pop violinist). What can kids learn from dancing with playsilks? Gross motor skills Spatial awareness Mindful listening Dance helps toddlers develop gross motor skills, spatial awareness, and even self expression. While dancing with playsilks, toddlers practice mindful listening as they try to stay attuned to the melodies and rhythms of the music, the movement of the scarves, and the movement of their own bodies. Dramatic Play (dress-up) Dramatic play involves dress up, and with playsilks in your playspace, a playsilk can quickly turn into a superhero cape, a dress, a skirt, a belt, or anything else. 🦸🏽‍♀️ How to Play: No instructions really needed here. Your toddler will come up with ideas themselves, they may ask for help with tying a knot in the playsilk to attach it to their body. The important thing is to go with it and yes, that means even if your son pretends he's wearing a dress. What can toddlers learn from using playsilks in dramatic play? Innovation Social Emotional Learning Dramatic play allows kids to reimagine their abilities and express emotions. It also encourages creativity and imagination while improving communication skills. Imaginative Play Imaginative play is another area that should be encouraged more in the early years. Today, caregivers are too focused on "kindergarten readiness." This might be an unpopular opinion, but I think a kindergartener that can tap into their imagination and come up with unique stories or ideas will have far greater achievements than the kindergartener that had to spend everyday of summer filling out pages of those kindergarten readiness workbooks. 🌄 How to Play: If given the space, kids will feel comfortable engaging in imaginative play on their own. I've seen toddlers use playsilks as blankets for baby dolls and stuffies. I've seen kids use playsilks as tablecloths, and even as swords. Playsilk maps can also get the creative juices flowing. What can toddlers learn from using playsilks in imaginative play? Executive function skills like planning Storytelling, communication skills, and self-advocacy The playsilk maps are great story prompts. As long as caregivers nurture and encourage imaginative play, a playsilk can be anything! Is there a particular playsilk activity that your litttle one gets lost in? If so, I'd love to know more, feel free to share it in the comments below!

Need a way to spice up the next trip to the zoo with your little one? Your toddler will love this zoo scavenger hunt printable. This Montessori style scavenger hunt features real life photos of common zoo animals to get your kiddo even more pumped for their adventure! Why Choose This Zoo Scavenger Hunt? There are loads of zoo scavenger hunt printables available but the majority of them use clipart. The main benefit of using clipart images is that it provides you the option to print in black and white. But, zoo animals are full of unique colors and textures that deserve to be depicted a bit more accurately. One thing I’ve observed amongst kids from a variety of demographics- they love photographs, especially kids 3 and under! I’m not the only one that’s taking note of this. Montessori principles are based in the realistic depiction of objects, people, and nature. The goal is to expose babies and toddlers to things in everyday society that they’re familiar with or are expected to become familiar with. Familiarity comes through exposure, which can be nurtured through imagery and photographs. While it’s slightly more common to find photography in board books, it’s rare to find printable scavenger hunts that feature real life photographs. Unlike cartoon clipart, real photographs evoke a level of emotion and curiosity in toddlers that flat, unfamiliar cartoon clipart characters don’t convey as well. Unless it’s a popular cartoon character, it’s hard for toddlers to get excited about a random cartoon image (clipart) of a tiger smiling. But, when a child sees a photograph of a tiger yawning on their list, they get eager to see if they can find that exact tiger and catch it mid-yawn to match the picture! (Odds are they will not, considering I took most of the pictures at the Buffalo Zoo and the animals at your local zoo will look different) It’s likely that your kiddo will ask questions, like: is the tiger yawning? Why is it yawning? Tigers yawn? And some kids might find it overly hilarious that the tiger is yawning. Or they might share some observations about the animal in the photo. I actually used this scavenger hunt printable with kids ages 6, 5, and 4 and they had an awesome time using it. Even though I didn’t think to bring clipboards, they ended up using the wood ledges throughout the zoo or circling animals while they took walking breaks in the stroller. Benefits of Using a Scavenger Hunt Printable at the Zoo Problem Solving Scavenger hunts gamify zoo adventures by presenting a challenge for kids to complete. In order for them to complete their challenge, t hey have to do quite a bit of problem solving around navigation, utilizing context clues, and general planning. Here are a few examples of questions kids might work through in their head, along with guided questions to prompt discussion and collaborative problem solving: Toddler Thought: Where are the elephants? Parent Prompt: Which way do you think the elephants are, can you smell them? Toddler Thought: This place is big, how do we know where to go? Parent Prompt: Can we look for signs around the zoo that will help guide us to the animals on our list? Toddler Thought: It’s still taking forever for us to find the animals on our list! Parent Prompt: Should we look at a map of the zoo so we know where each animal is? Toddler Thought: I don’t see the snake, there’s nothing here [in the exhibit]! Parent Prompt: Maybe if we’re patient and take our time to look, we’ll be able to spot the snake hiding somewhere? Mindfulness One of the unexpected, but awesome benefits of having this scavenger hunt was the recentering aspect. As we all know, zoos are often full of the proper conditions for at LEAST one toddler meltdown per kid. Bees, big crowds, heat, missed naps, the long lines for the train… perfect recipe for fits and tears. It's super helpful to have a physical resource to redirect the kid's attention. The printable makes redirection less abstract, which is handy in a spacious place like the zoo. Think about how spread out animal exhibits are at the zoo- when your kid has a meltdown at the concession stand, it could be a good 5 min walk to the closest animal exhibit. We all know that 5 min of screaming and tears can feel like forever, especially when a distraction isn’t in immediate reach. Having the scavenger hunt on deck can make redirection a lot easier. Let’s say it’s a hot day and you guys stop at a stand to get ice cream to cool down. You both enjoy the ice cream but your kiddo starts having a fit because they finished their ice cream and are demanding more. While holding your ground you typically might say something like, “I’m sorry you’re sad that you finished your ice cream. I’m sad that I finished my ice cream too. But, I’m happy to be at the zoo with you. Let’s go find more animals.“ Now, you’ll be extra prepared with, “I’m sorry you’re sad that you finished your ice cream. I’m sad that I finished my ice cream too. But, I’m happy to be at the zoo with you. Which animal on the list do you think we should go look for next?” This small tweak will likely redistribute a feeling of control back to an emotionally overwhelmed toddler. Most importantly, it’ll remind them of the big picture experience of being at the zoo. Simply having the scavenger hunt resource can act as a mindful reminder for kids to return to the present moment. Physical Activity Not only is a trip to the zoo great at getting kids active, it also tires them out, so they sleep like a rock! Honestly, it can be a lot of walking for anyone, I do recommend you bring a stroller 3 and under just in case their tiny legs need a few breaks. Fine Motor Skills, Letter & Word Recognition, Vocabulary, Counting There are a number of additional educational benefits to using scavenger hunt printables. Toddlers practice their fine motor skills while holding markers and circling or crossing out the animals. Younger toddlers might be exposed to new vocabulary, like gorilla instead of the usual monkey. Some older toddlers will be able to recognize the letters that spell each animal. Regardless of age, all kids can practice counting the number of animals on the list and how many more are left to find. For younger kids, point to each image and count aloud to them. Recommended Supplies for Maximum Fun Color Printer Laminating Sheets Epson Presentation Printing Paper Laminator or Iron Dry Erase Markers (thin ones, not the thick ones) Clipboard Used dryer sheet or sock Instructions: Print on 8.5 x 11″ letter-size paper. If you want to reuse the printable multiple times, you’ll want to laminate it. In terms of dry erasers, I recommend the thin markers for toddlers… they tend to push down too hard on the thick markers, which ruins the tip. A used dryer sheet or a single sock (who’s pair has been lost for far too long) makes a good eraser. If you don’t have a laminator, you can actually use an iron. Simply put your iron on a low setting (such as the setting for silk). Next, insert your printable into a laminating sheet. Then, place a white sheet of paper on top of your project and run the iron over it. Next Steps What are you waiting for, go print this activity! Between the realistic images, problem solving skills, mindfulness support, and a bundle of other educational values- I hope one of these convinces you to bring the zoo scavenger hunt along on your next trip to the zoo! When those inevitable toddler meltdowns arise, the scavenger hunt can be a lifesaver in shifting their attention. Incorporating this resource will make your trip to the zoo even memorable for you and your little one, while supporting your family with making mindful memories!

Are you looking for ways to reduce your family's impact on the planet? Eco-friendly toy brands offer a great solution! Not only do these toys use sustainable materials and limit waste production, but they also prioritize toddlers' health and safety. Take a look at six of the best toy companies manufacturing toys using eco-friendly and sustainable practices. Shore Buddies Price | $15- $25 Eco-friendly Materials | recycled plastic bottles Best For | Marine & ocean life plushes Shore Buddies are a line of cuddly, eco-friendly, and beach/ocean themed stuffed animals! Each character has a small sound button. When kids press the button, they'll hear a sound recording of the animal provided by professional marine biologists. How Are Shore Buddies Made? The specific type of plastic used for Shore Buddies is PET. Each plush is created from six recycled plastic bottles. The bottles are cleaned and sent to factories where they are shredded into tiny plastic pellets. These pellets turn out to be super soft, soft enough to use as stuffing for Shore Buddies. Some pellets are also melted down and transformed into polyester yarn for stitching the characters together. Does Shore Buddies Participate in Other Sustainability Initiatives? The company reports that as of 2022, they've prevented over 2 million plastic bottles from entering our oceans. You can also find comfort in knowing that $1 from every purchase goes towards marine life conservation. ✨ Top Shore Buddy Recommendations Stephen the Seagull is Shore Buddies' most popular character. Ironically, the seagull is currently the brand's only plush toy that isn't a sea creature. Finn the Dolphin and Sammy the Seal are super adorable. If you have a budding marine biologist that's outgrown interest in stuffed animals, Shore Buddies also makes the characters in keychain form. Keychains make a fun addition to any backpack! Where Can You Buy Shore Buddies? You can purchase the plushes and keychains either directly from Shore Buddies or on Amazon. Do Shore Buddies Come in Eco-friendly Packaging? Their website offers no information on packaging but it's probably safe to assume they don't use any plastic in their packaging (their mission calls for reducing plastic usage to prevent plastic from ending up in oceans). Aurora Eco Nation Price | $13- $19 Eco-friendly Materials | 100% biodegradable pellets Best For | Animal Pushes Aurora Eco Nation is a sustainably based plush toy company that makes a wide selection of eco-friendly stuffed animals. Although their parent company, Aurora has been around since 1981, the company began transitioning to using sustainable materials for it's plush toys in 2018. Your little one will adore snuggles with these detailed animals. How Are Eco Nation Plushes Made? Similar to Shore Buddies, Aurora Eco Nation shreds plastic bottles into pellets. Some of the pellets go towards filling up the soft animal friends while some are used to create their charming fur. Does Aurora Eco Nation Participate in Other Sustainability Initiatives? Aurora Eco Nation highlights that they're saving over 400 million plastic bottles globally per year and contributing to a greener world by producing all of their plush toys using eco-friendly materials. ✨ Top Aurora Eco Nation Recommendations The Eco Nation line includes a large variety of animals to choose from. The wolf is one of my favorites. But, you can find such a wide range of animals, including farm animals, sea creatures, wildlife animals, mythical creatures, and even dinosaurs! Eco Ebba is their newest line of eco-friendly stuffed animals, designed specifically for babies! Where Can You Buy Eco Nation Plushes? Believe it or not, I discovered these little guys on the shelf of my local grocery store- Wegmans. You can also buy them directly from Aurora Eco Nation and on Amazon. Do Eco Nation Plushes Come in Eco-friendly Packaging? If you buy one of these plushes at the store, they don't come in any packaging, like most stuffies. If you buy directly from the Aurora Eco Nation, you'll find that all of their shipping boxes are made from recycled materials. In the future, Aurora is investing in using poly bags and sourcing recycled J-Hook and Dennison plastic tag pins. Sarah's Silks Price | $10- $30 Eco-friendly Materials | non-toxic dyes & natural silk Best For | open-ended play I’m obsessed with the toy scarves Sarah's Silks makes! But, you might be thinking, what on earth will my kid do with a silk scarf? Give your kiddo an hour with a playsilk and you'll quickly observe that the possibilities are endless! Sarah's Silks are such an asset and a must-have for open-ended play. I've watched kids turn scarves into capes, belts, dresses, and tablecloths. How Are Sarah's Silks Made? Commonly known as playsilks, these scarves are designed using non-toxic dyes and pure silk, which also makes them biodegradable. I know, pretty amazing, right?! ✨ Top Sarah's Silks Recommendations Playsilks make an awesome addition to any playroom because they enhance dramatic play and spark kid's imagination! The soft, silk texture of Sarah's Silks scarves, along with the variety of designs, truly sets the company apart from other playsilks. Sensory-seekers and tactile lovers will really enjoy twiddling the texture between their fingers. You can also pair the giant silk scarves with a fort building kit and wooden playclips to create a memorable experience for little ones! The company has recently expanded to selling a variety of wooden toys, including, wooden play houses, wooden rainbows, wooden balance boards, and versatile play frames to name a few. Does Sarah's Silks Participate in Other Sustainability Initiatives? Aside from producing the scarves with natural silk, the company reduces waste by holding pop up "Sarah's Silks Seconds" grab bag sales. During these sales, you can find scarves with minor flaws (like a misaligned hem) and other toys discounted for 60% off standard prices. Tip: You can only get notified of these sales if you subscribe to their email list Where Can You Buy Sarah's Silks? Sarah's Silks can be purchased at toy stores, children's boutiques, and museum shops worldwide. You can check their store locator for shops closest to you. The most popular scarves are sold on Amazon, but the widest selection of silk scarves can be purchased on their site. Do Sarah's Silks Come in Eco-friendly Packaging? All scarves purchased directly from Sarah's Silks are shipped in fully recyclable brown cardboard envelopes. The packing around individual scarves is made of paper that's also recyclable! Green Toys Price | $12- $20 Eco-friendly Materials | recycled milk jugs Best For | Fine motor & pretend play toys Green Toys is a well-known brand in the world of sustainable toys. The company's commitment to the use of eco-friendly materials throughout production has created an eye-catching line of toddler toys. Many of these toys include soft, inviting pastel colors, and are designed with an emphasis on simplicity. How Are Green Toys Made? Green Toys are made from recycled plastic milk jugs and sometimes yogurt cups. The process is explained as such, "all the plastic is collected by waste management, cleaned, shredded into flakes, reprocessed into our raw material (high-density polyethylene or HDPE), and mixed with food-safe, mineral-based coloring." Every toy is given an extra inspection to meet the company's high safety standards, before being packaged for customers. ✨ Top Green Toys Recommendations I've personally purchased and child-tested many toys from the Green Toys brand. Star Stacker Cups, Helicopter, and Build-a-Bouquet were a hit amongst toddlers I've worked with (ages 1-3) and even with my 4-year-old nephews! Does Green Toys Participate in Other Sustainability Initiatives? Green Toys are completely made in the USA, including the manufacturing, assembly, and distribution of toys. As a result, the company is able to reduce greenhouse gases, energy and save on transportation, in comparison to producing their toys overseas. The company also provides local jobs in their California based business and promotes recycling education in schools. Where Can You Buy Green Toys? You can buy these toys directly from Green Toys, at a variety of retailers, including Amazon, TJ Maxx, and Marshall's, or use their store locator. Do Green Toys Come in Eco-friendly Packaging? Green Toys practices green standards all the way down to their packaging- their toys are sold in 100% recyclable cardboard and they don't use additives like blister packs, annoying twist ties, or cellophane wrappers. Labels on the outside of the boxes are printed with minimal color using soy inks. Plan Toys Price | $10- $30 Eco-friendly Materials | rubberwood called Planwood™ Best For | Montessori style toys When you think of Plan Toys, think Montessori toys meet a watercolor palette. I hope that sounds as amazing as it actually is! This company makes a large variety of toys for everyday play, including fine motor, and water play toys. With over 500 items listed on the website, Plan Toys is fitting for babies and toddlers up until about 4 years old. How Are Plan Toys Made? PlanWood is created by grinding sawdust and wood chips leftover from production and using a thermal process to form them into shapes. Plan Toys uses non-toxic, chemical free, water-based paint to create their toys. They also use E-Zero glue in production because it doesn't contain formaldehyde (a toxic ingredient commonly used in wood adhesives). ✨ Top Plan Toys Recommendations Some of Plan Toys' best sellers are toys that focus on gross motor development (like pull-along animals) and dramatic play- checkout this set of realistic play food, or this original doctor kit. I gifted the Hopping Rabbit to a busy 1 year old and it was a hit (tip: the parents decided to make a small loop in the string for easier grasping and it was genius). The rabbit's tail goes up and down as the child pulls it along the leash. This gorgeous pastel mobile would make for a great piece of decor for any nursery or kid's room. Does Plan Toys Participate in Other Sustainability Initiatives? Plan Toys is involved in a number of community development projects, including the construction of toy libraries, a toy museum, and a playground in rural Thailand, where the company is based. Plan Toys also implemented a number of energy conservation measures within its factories, including the use of solar panels and energy-efficient lighting. The organization is taking many steps towards meeting their goal of being carbon neutral by 2025. This company is very transparent about its' sustainability practices and even has a full sustainability report for customers to view. Honestly, I wish all eco-conscious toy companies would share similar annual reports! Finally, Plan Toys has recently partnered with Toycycle to introduce the world's largest sustainable second-hand toy marketplace. This partnership helps parents with the problem of toy storage, while refreshing kids' toy shelves with quality toys. Where Can You Buy Plan Toys? Plan Toys can be purchased directly from the company's site, where you'll find the largest variety of their toys. You can also find the brand on Amazon and every now and again, you might find a few Plan Toys in the toy aisle of TJ Maxx or Marshall's. Do Plan Toys Come in Eco-friendly Packaging? For a while, Plan Toys boxes were produced with 4-color offset printing. They've since transitioned to a plain brown box made from recycled fiber that includes a printed label. Tegu Price | $20- $120 Eco-friendly Materials | Central American hardwood Best For | Junior Engineers Know a kid that's really into building with blocks? Tegu is a great place to find a gift for junior engineers. Their blocks help develop toddler's fine motor skills, pattern recognition, and balance. How Are Tegu Toys Made? Tegu blocks are made from authentic wood and sustainably harvested Central American hardwoods in the Honduras. Sustainably harvested wood simply means they never cut down healthy trees just to make blocks. Safe, non-toxic, water-based finishes are used for the colors and clear coating of the blocks. Does Tegu Participate in Other Sustainability Initiatives? Aside from sustainably sourcing wood, Tegu intentionally designs their toys to be high quality and durable. In fact, the company strives for the blocks to be heirloom toys that provide fun for generations of your family. Within the company itself, one of Tegu's missions is to foster a positive social impact on their community in Honduras. The founders also reside there and oversee production of the toys in their factory where they employ 200 local community members. ✨ Top Tegu Recommendations A set of these wooden blocks would make a perfect gift for kids that have mastered Magna-Tiles. With Magna-Tiles, kids can see the magnets around the perimeter of each piece. But, with Tegu blocks, the magnets are placed on certain spots inside of the blocks. The placement of the magnets vary depending on the shape. With that said, I've noticed that most 2 year olds just haven't developed the patience yet to pinpoint and memorize where the magnets are in each shape. However, I've seen 3 ½ year-olds play with these for hours! In case your kid hasn't reached toddler age just yet, Tegu also makes wooden toy cars that are fitting for babies as early as 18 months! The cars come with only 3 pieces- the base of the car/wheels, a triangular piece that goes on top of the base, and a wooden driver figure. This simple design engages young toddlers and they are able to explore and repair the toy independently. Where Can You Buy Tegu Toys? You can buy sets of these magnetic wooden blocks from Tegu, on Amazon, or possibly at a toy retailer near you. Do Tegu Toys Come in Eco-friendly Packaging? All Tegu toys are shipped in fully recyclable cardboard boxes. Eeboo Price | $8-22 Eco-friendly Materials | FSC certified paper, vegetable based inks Best For | Games & Puzzles Eeboo is a unique woman owned boutique most known for its puzzles, games, and paper based toys such as stationary sets. What really makes Eeboo a dynamic brand is the fact that they partner with independent artists/illustrators to design the pictures and characters on all their products— which naturally catch your eye. How Are Eeboo Toys Made? Eeboo uses Forest Stewardship Council° (FSC) certified paper to make all their toys. This certification confirms that the paper they use comes from forests that are responsibly managed. Through using FSC paper, the company’s goal is to “preserve biological diversity and benefit the lives of workers and local communities while sustaining their economic viability”. But Eeboo does go beyond using FSC paper, they also print with vegetable-based, non-toxic inks. The inks are made from easy-to-grow resources and are safer and more sustainable than conventional petroleum-based inks, yet the colors are still vivid! Does Eeboo Participate in Other Sustainability Initiatives? Recently, Eeboo became a certified carbon-neutral company. As a carbon-neutral company, this means for all the offsets and emissions the company produces, they basically make up for it through reforestation projects (like planting a tree). EeBoo is certified through ClimatePartner, an organization that calculates businesses' greenhouse gas emissions, provides advice on how to reduce them, and offsets unavoidable emissions through carbon offset projects. ✨ Top Eeboo Recommendations I Never Forget a Face: Memory & Matching Game I’ve never seen such a beautifully illustrated multicultural memory game. Children from 24 different countries are depicted in traditional clothing, accessories, hair styles, etc. There are 24 matching pairs (48 cards total), which makes the difficulty level a bit high for younger toddlers but challenges big kids When playing with kids ages 2-4, simply remove 8-10 pairs to make the game less overwhelming for littles When playing with various groups of kids, they all want to know “what country is this kid from?!” Either have the box close by to quickly identify their respective countries or have a picture of the list saved on your phone Story Cards: Fairy Tale Mix Ups Create a Story Cards (pictured above) Story Cards are basically imagination prompts that get the creative juices flowing. A kid says “I’m bored” or “I don’t know what to draw,” then I bring out the story cards. Great for independent play Beautiful illustrations Where Can You Buy Eeboo Toys? You can buy Eeboo toys directly from their website or on Amazon. I’ve also seen their toys in-store at Barnes & Nobles. Do Eeboo Toys Come in Eco-friendly Packaging? About 90% of the materials used for packaging Eeboo toys come from recycled post-consumer paper materials. In 2022, Eeboo switched to using puzzle piece bags made with plant-based, biodegradable, compostable, and non-toxic materials. Big Future Toys Price | $59- $175 Eco-friendly Materials | birch plywood Best For | Eco-friendly Magna-tiles Big Future Toys creates high-quality wooden toys that encourage kids to use their imagination. The founders of the minority-owned company designs their toys to be extra durable and open-ended. Such intentionality increases the life cycle, as well as the time kids spend playing with their products. While Big Future Toys’ line of toys has varied, they’re most well known for their Earthtiles. How Are Big Future Toys Made? To make Earthtiles, Big Future Toys uses sustainably sourced baltic birch plywood. The magnetic tiles are then finished with a non-toxic, water-based lacquer. All wood is sustainably sourced from FSC-certified forests and the toys are made in Indonesia. Does Big Future Toys Participate in Other Sustainability Initiatives? With every toy purchase, Big Future Toys plants a tree through a partnership with Plant with Purpose. To date, they’ve been able to plant over 8,000 trees! The owners are big on circularity and encourage parents to pass down or donate toys that kids have outgrown. Even though Big Future Toys is a smaller toy retailer, they’re committed to circularity so much that if you have a hard time finding a new home for their toys, you can email customer support for a return label and they’ll get them in the hands of a grateful kid. ✨ Top Big Future Toys Recommendations Currently, Earthtiles are the only non-plastic substitution for Magna-tiles (Tegu blocks are an alternative to Magna-tiles). While being made of wood prevents Earthtiles from being transparent, the window cutouts within each tile allows kids to carefully construct their build. The pastel set of blocks can add a muted, yet natural color scheme to any play space. Where Can You Buy Big Future Toys? You can buy Big Future Toys directly from their website, Amazon, and on Shopify (where you can buy a drawstring bag for storing Earthtiles). You can also find their toys at popular e-commerce sites, including Pottery Barn Kids, Rose & Rex, The Tot, and Babipur. Do Big Future Toys Come in Eco-friendly Packaging? Earthtiles come in a fully recyclable cardboard box and the prints on the box are made using natural ink. Gommu by Tiny Cottons Price | $36-89 Eco-friendly Materials | eco rubber (hevea tree sap) Best For | natural, biodegradable baby dolls Tiny Cottons has been around as a fashionable Barcelona based clothing brand since 2012. In 2020, the company expanded to kid’s toys and viola, the Gommu collection was introduced. The creators of the toy line were inspired by the simplicity of Japanese culture and decided to name the collection Gommu— which means rubber in Japanese. While their adorable baby dolls are the most popular toys, they also sell miniature dogs, bears, baby ring teethers, and gummu doll accessories. How Are Gommu Toys Made? Gommu toys are uniquely handmade (rare in the toy industry) from the white sap of hevea trees, also known as eco-rubber . Tiny Cottons claims that the dolls are actually 100% biodegradable, making Gommu toys the first line of biodegradable toys in the industry. Each toy is hand-painted with organic, food-grade paint and they're also free from PVC and BPA. All toys from Tiny Cottons are designed to be smooth to the touch and totally safe for the mouthing stage. Plus, they're water play friendly! In fact, each toy is hermetically sealed to prevent the build up of mold or bacteria inside. Does Tiny Cottons Participate in Other Sustainability Initiatives? As an overall brand, Tiny Cottons doesn't appear to be taking any other sustainability initiatives. They do use some eco-friendly materials, including recycled materials, organic cotton, and natural cotton to manufacture select pieces of their clothing. However, the pure fact that Tiny Cottons makes their toys from biodegradable materials demonstrates that they value sustainability and give a great deal of consideration to the life cycle of their toys. I mean, how long do you think it would take a plastic doll to degrade in a landfill?? It's also worth noting that all Gommu doll clothing- Gommu Looks as they call the clothing collection- is made of 100% organic cotton. ✨ Top Gommu Recommendations For babies, a Gommu Ring Bear or a Gommu Bear would make a simple gift that's easier for tiny hands to grasp. For toddlers into dramatic play and caretaking, I recommend a Big Gommu- these dolls fit the Gommu Looks that you can buy as an add on! For toddlers into pretend play, I'd recommend a Pocket Gommu— there's a line of miniature furniture, such as cribs and baby bouncers, that kids can use to create a storyline around! (Note: the furniture toys vary in materials, while tested for safety, they are not biodegradable) Where Can You Buy Gommu Toys? You can buy Gommu toys directly from their website or at one of their storefronts in Barcelona. Not to worry if you don't live in Spain— Tiny Cottons ships worldwide! Shipping to the USA is about $16 and free if you spend over $199. Do Gommu Toys Come in Eco-friendly Packaging? According to their site, all Gommu toys come in recycled packaging, but more details to come! FAQ I'd love your help expanding on this list! Comment below or send me a message sharing your favorite eco-friendly toys for kids! Stay Conscious + Curious, Sincerely, Briesh