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What's the deal with play couches? Why does everyone seem to have one and why on earth would I spend $200+ on a kids' couch? Fair questions, I hear ya. Before you write play couches off as being over-priced, highly glorified couch cushions, let’s talk about them, because (spoiler) they’re so much more than that!  ✨ Overview of Play Couch Questions 🤔 What is a Play Couch? 🚀 So is a Play Couch Considered a Toy?   🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒 What Age is a Play Couch For?   🏰 What Can Kids Do With a Play Couch? 🌟 What Are the Benefits of a Play Couch? 🤨 How Do I Know If My Kid Will Use A Play Couch? 🛍️ Where to Buy Play Couches? 🤬 Why Doesn't My Kid Play With Their Play Couch? 🌈 Do All Kids Need a Play Couch? 🧘🏽‍♀️ Do Play Couches Take Up A Lot of Space? 🛋️ Which Play Couches Take Up the Least Space? ✅ Summary: Pros of Play Couches 🫤 Summary: Cons of Play Couches 🤔 What is a Play Couch? A play couch is a form of modular children’s play furniture designed and optimized for kids. Most are made with polyurethane foam and feature a washable fabric cover.  🚀 So is a Play Couch Considered a Toy?  Play couches are a cross between being functional pieces of furniture and a toy. They can be considered toys since they’re tools used to enhance or transform play. At the same time, kids can freely sit, lie on, and move play couches, which also puts them in the furniture family. See? Definitely a combo of the two. Unlike other types of play furniture, play couches grant kids (as young as four) full control of how and what the furniture is used for. 🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒 What Age is a Play Couch For?  From my observations*, kiddos ages 3-10 get the most use from play couches. I have seen some 3 year-olds use all their strength to slowly drag and position their cushions. By age 4, typically developing kids have the strength to move the pieces with a lot more ease.  Little ones as young as 1 and 2 can still get a bit of use, as long as they are provided with guidance and prompting from a grownup, older sibling, or school aged kid.  *I've observed how kiddos from five families that I babysit for (11 kids total) engage with their play couches. 🏰 What Can Kids Do With a Play Couch? Kids can do so many things with play couches, the possibilities are endless! Here are some common ways that I’ve seen kiddos use them in action to: Build structures (castle, fort, house)  Utilize them as landing pads when practicing big jumps  Provide custom privacy and comfort Reading nook Use as cushioned base when rough-housing  🌟 What Are the Benefits of a Play Couch? You might not guess just from looking at them, but play couches offer a ton of benefits to kids. They set a great foundation for open-ended play while practically forcing kiddos to tap into their imaginations.  Many children also find ways to use these toys for both active play and dramatic play scenarios (from dinner parties, tents, boats, rocket ships, to everything in between).  Kiddo practicing Josh Allen style hurdles on Nugget play couch. Plus, having open-ended toys like play couches give you an excuse to buy less toys. The next time your kiddo demands a cool playhouse on display at the store, you can challenge them to turn their play couches into a restaurant or maybe even a grocery store stand . Okay, a grocery store stand might be tricky... but definitely not impossible.  🧠 Developmental Benefits:  gross motor skills; hand-eye coordination; problem solving; cause & effect; spatial reasoning; planning  🌱 Teaches:  creativity; autonomy; perception; teamwork (when building with others)  ✨ Bonus Benefits for Grownups and Kids:   When kids aren’t using their play couches, they provide adults with a comfy place to sit while hanging out in the playroom or playspace. I can attest, sitting on these couches is way comfier than spending the whole time on the floor.   Although play couches technically aren’t safety tested as mattresses, many parents over on reddit report using theirs as portable mattresses. The handle makes them very easy to carry from room to room. Just be sure to snag a waterproof liner in case someone has an accident or leaks through their diaper.  🤨 How Do I Know If My Kid Will Use A Play Couch?  I don't think there's a kid in the world that would turn down playing with a play couch if given the chance! Just keep in mind that what their play looks like will differ by stage, age, ability, and personality type. 🛍️ Where to Buy Play Couches? Here’s a list of the most popular play couch brands currently on the market: Nugget  | Price: $249 | Available In: USA & CA Brentwood Home  | Price: $244-$349 | Available In: USA Yourigami  | Price: $199 | Available In: USA & Select Countries Figgy   | Price: $269 | Available In: USA Roo & You  | Price: $289 | Available In: CA & USA Possum   | Price: €295 | Available In: UK, EU, AU Be on the look out for an upcoming post breaking down the differences between each brands’ play couches!   🤬 Why Doesn't My Kid Play With Their Play Couch? It’s frustrating when you spend a lot of money on a toy and your kid doesn't play with it. But, there are a few justifiable reasons why a kid might not be getting as much use of their play couches as you imagined. The most common reason is that they’re too young to execute builds without assistance. Between ages 4-5 is when kids gain the strength to maneuver the cushions around independently.   Another reason has to do with the overall temperament of your kiddo. Play couches are amazing for adventurous and active kids that love jumping, tumbling, rough-housing, and engaging in risky play.  As for kids that are more timid and chill, their engagement looks different. These kiddos tend to utilize play couches as a means to seek fortitude, privacy, and/or a calming space for reading. It doesn’t mean they don’t like their play couch, they just have different use cases.  🌈 Do All Kids Need a Play Couch? No, kids don't need  a play couch. However, any child (school age and up) can find ways of integrating play couches into their style of play . As with any toy, play couches are just another handy tool from the toy box that can expand play.   🧘🏽‍♀️ Do Play Couches Take Up A Lot of Space? Not gonna lie, play couches do take up quite a bit of space. When laid out flat, most play couches measure 66 inches in length and 33 inches in width (a little wider than a baby crib). For perspective, your average yoga mat is 68 inches in length, whereas a baby crib is 28 inches in width. However, when play couches aren’t in use, you can simply fold and stack or position it out of the way.  🛋️ Which Play Couches Take Up the Least Space? From the brands I’ve been able to research, Yourigami play couches take up the least amount of space. This brand has the shortest standard base cushion at 62 inches in length and 31 inches in width when folded. The length is 4 inches shorter than other leading brands. I will note that Yourigami customers have shared mixed reviews, mostly in regards to the strength of the foam cushions and off gassing of the couches. So, those might be trade-offs to consider. ✅ Summary: Pros of Play Couches Provide Open-ended Play : There's no right way to use play couches. Kids can use them to build forts, launch pads, castles, reading nooks, and whatever else they dream up. Supports Child Development : Helps build gross motor skills, spatial reasoning, problem solving, teamwork, and creativity. Long Play Life : Ages 3–10 get the most use, but even toddlers can crawl on the cushions or roll around. Furniture & Toy Combo : Doubles as a comfy lounge spot for grownups or a quiet space for kids to chill. Durable & Washable : Most brands use machine-washable covers and sturdy foam that holds up to rough play. Portability : Easy to move from room to room (some families even use them as travel mattresses). 🫤 Summary: Cons of Play Couches Pricey : Most brands cost around $200, which makes play couches more of an investment. Takes Up Space : When laid flat, the bases are around 66" x 33" (wider than a baby crib). Younger Kids Require Assistance : Toddlers often don’t have the strength or coordination to build with the couches independently. Foam Quality Varies : Some brands use sturdier materials than others. Some Kids Will Get More Use Than Others : Timid or chill kiddos might use the couches in different ways than anticipated, like for quiet time, instead of risky play. My goal here was to provide you with some background info around play couches. Hopefully it has helped you make a more informed decision whether or not investing in a play couch is the right option for your family. Have any questions about play couches that you want answered? Feel free to message me or leave a comment on hit post, and I'll get back to you ASAP! Stay Conscious + Curious, Sincerely, Briesh

For the record, I do not have my own toddler, but I’ve cared for many over the years. #IYKYK There are so many bizarre-o daily experiences that come with taking care of toddlers. Rather you’re a parent, nanny, or babysitter, I think you’ll find this list relatable and maybe even have a few “Lol, SAME” moments, enjoy!  🗣️ Toddler Talk Has Become Infused Into Your Daily Vocabulary For some unknown reason, words ending in the letters "Y" and "IE" make up 45% of your vocabulary. From objects, people, animals, and emotional states, to adjectives.  Words/Phrases Ending in “y” mommy, daddy, baby, happy, hungry, thirsty, sleepy, yummy, yucky, mushy, icky, sticky, slimy, itchy, scary, silly, smelly, messy, potty, doggy, kitty, busy, sippy (sippy cup), rainy, sunny, snowy, uppy (up), huggy (hug), tummy, belly, lovey (plush toy that little ones sleep with), Boppy, okey dokey, holey moley, ready, steady  Words/Phrases Ending in “ie” blankie, pacie (pacifier), milkie (milk), fishie(s), ouchie(s), poopie(s), oopsie(s) 🧦 Socks with Grips Have Become an Essential Part of Your Wardrobe It didn’t take long for you to discover the safety risk of walking around with a baby or chasing after a toddler in regular ol’ socks.  Non-slip socks level the playing field and are 100% the way to go. Assuming you’re as clumsy as me, you understand what a life-saver socks with grips are. Collectively, fellow wearers have probably prevented thousands of mini heart attacks and avoided countless injuries that are associated with carrying little ones up the stairs. 🥣 Sometimes You Eat in Secrecy You’ve resorted to eating in secret out of fear of being asked to share your food or snack.  When I’m on my last box of limited edition heart shaped Cheerios or trying to scarf down a pack of Pirate’s Booty while no one is asking for anything, I literally sneak handfuls while the kids aren’t looking. We all do it.  But, sharing is caring!   Yes, and   sometimes you have to spend two minutes nourishing yourself with junk  substance in order to keep up with the endless demands of “more noodles” and “I want dessert.” 🩹 You’ve Been Grossed Out By The Discovery of Used Bandages  I reckon I’m not the only one that finds used bandages in gross places. I’m sure you’ve found one stuck to the bottom of your sock, in your bed sheets, clinging onto clean laundry, and maybe even the kitchen sink.    One time, after handwashing a pile of dishes that weren’t dishwasher safe, I dumped out the dish pan to discover a bloody  bandage hidden by the bubbles and dishes. 🧺 Pouch Caps Show Up in the Most Random Places As you were beating yourself up for throwing away the cap to your little one’s favorite pouch flavor that you were certain they would slurp right down, you just so happen to find a spare cap! Where? The bottom of your bag, your back pocket, the cup holder in the car, the dining room table, or any other random place you wouldn’t expect to find one.  Recently, I found a pouch cap while folding clean laundry. Fyi, pouch caps don’t break the dryer or start a fire. With that said, I definitely don’t recommend you start using them as an alternative to dryer balls or anything… 😂 🧱 You Accumulate Daily Pocket Clutter Emptying your pockets at the end of the day results in finding random bits of kid related contents (tiny LEGO pieces; rubber bands; balloon pieces; caps of every type; toddler hair ties; a googly eye; a stray pom pom; dead batteries; pieces of lint- or God knows what- that you intercepted before your toddler could eat it; you name it). 🎵 Toddler Songs, Nursery Rhymes, and Musical Toys Are Constantly Stuck in Your Head  I bet you can still remember all the words to the Maybe song from the Fisher Price Kick & Play Piano Gym. You know, the "purple monkey in a bubblegum tree" song.  Admit it, the soundtrack to that play gym was 🔥 These days, your playlist featuring Let It Go, Baby Shark, and the Wheels On The Bus (for some reason) is set on repeat.  Every now and then, you sporadically burst out in a song from Ms. Rachel, The Laurie Berkner Band, or Raffi. That's just life with a toddler for ya! 💍 You’ve proudly rocked an item or accessory that a kid has made for you in public Pasta noodle necklaces, beaded bracelets with seven random beads that don’t spell an actual word or your name, pipe cleaner beaded necklaces, perler bead keychains — it doesn't matter how terrible the accessory looks. Your kiddo made it for you, which makes it as invaluable as your wedding ring. 💡Activity Hack:  When introducing beading to younger toddlers, try starting with pipe cleaners before moving to string or laces. This adjustment allows them to get solid fine motor practice in while building the skill and patience it takes to bead with string or lace. 🧩 You Own The Mega Popular Toddleroo Play Yard, Yet Only Step Over the Gate, Never Opening It I’m a big fan of the Toddleroo play yard , it’s a really helpful tool for creating a “yes space” for younger toddlers! I also love that you can remove or add on pieces to meet the size of your space.  However, aside from a view Amazon comments, no one seems to talk about what a pain in the ass it is to open the play yard. Almost every grownup that owns this play yard sticks to stepping over the gate, no one dares to actually open it.  🏰 Storytime: One time, a parent I nannied for needed me to open the Toddleroo gate (she was post C-section). I cringed internally, anticipating the struggle.  And, struggle I did. My mom boss (MB) noticed and tried to explain how to do it. Of course, I already knew how to do it. The trouble is, the hinges are intentionally designed to be adult -child-proof.  Anyway, I was determined to get it open for her, and I did... I also ended up wacking myself right in the face.  MB:  ”Oh my gosh, are you okay?” Me:  [Pretending I was okay] “Oh yeah, sorry about that, I’m totally fine.”  MB:  “Uh, I think you’re bleeding .” Me:   melts in embarrassment 🫠 ✅ Lesson Learned: Opening this play yard is rarely worth the struggle, unless your legs are too short or you have a physical impairment. I’m only 5’3 and have to stand on my tippy toes to step over it, which I’d rather do any day than manually open it.  Be reassured in knowing that of the 5 families I work with that own this play yard, none of the adults (including myself) bother taking the time to open it. And remember, you’re not being lazy, you’re being efficient... and sparing your face an injury.  🛴 You’ve Faced Awkward Scooter Walks Sometimes toddlers get tired of riding their scooter or sometimes they're jazzed about their cool nature finds and want to carry them back home. Unfortunately, this leaves you awkwardly pushing or carrying their scooter along. As you know from experience, both methods are equal measures awkwarddd. 🤯 Potential Hack to Try: Recently, I stumbled upon a potential solution to our collective scooter dilemma: Banwood Carry Straps ! For some reason, I tend to work with kids that desert their scooters, rarely their bikes. However, Banwood's carry straps can conveniently be attached to scooters and small bikes. You'd just have to remember to bring it with you on strolls and have a place to store it, like a small backpack, fanny pack, or stroller if you have multiples. 🍎 You Find Half Eaten Apples Left Around the Kitchen Ah, the IG reels trend that inspired this post — toddlers deserting apples after only taking a few bites! This situation is always rather frustrating because you’re faced with the tough decision of what to do with the darn apple. On the one hand, you don’t want to waste a perfectly good apple by throwing it in the trash.  At the same time, it'd be preposterous if you dare slice it up, since your kiddo has suddenly declared that they, “only eat apples the big kid  way” and refuse to eat apple slices.  🫣 Confession: I’ve wrapped one of these apples in foil and placed it back in the fridge with the kid’s name on it. Unsure if the toddler actually ate it the next day though. 🧚🏽 You Find Stickers Everywhere Aside from the measly five stickers that somehow landed on a sheet of paper, they’re everywhere — the bottom of your socks, the kitchen floor, on your kid’s washed clothes (that now have sticker stains), and possibly your car windows. Goo Gone is your friend. 🖼️ You’ve Had to Face the Artwork Storage Dilemma When a toddler first starts drawing stick figures and objects, everything they create looks like a masterpiece! Then there comes a day when they begin drawing different versions of the same thing over and over (often a blob stick person). And in efforts to perfect their skills, they use a gazillion pieces of paper in the process. Next thing you know, their "artwork" is taking up half your kitchen counter. There's no way you can sustain saving 10 pictures a day. Overwhelmed, you resort to doing what we all do— stuffing their "art" under contents of the recycling bin while they're asleep. ♻️ Disclaimer: Before you panic, I do ask parents if they want to save any of their kid's art before tossing it in the recycling! 🏘️ LEGOS and/or Magna-Tiles Are Everywhere Who needs LEGOWORLD when it already takes up a significant sq. footage of your home. And your kiddos have so many magnetic tiles, you oughta start charging the neighborhood to visit their local Magnaland, featuring original new displays daily. All jokes aside, there are a ton of valid reasons why LEGOS and magnetic tiles are so popular amongst kids and the grownups that spend a pretty penny on them. In fact, I think I'll do a blog post explaining what makes them such awesome toys for toddlers. Stay tuned for that! I hope you find comfort in knowing that you’re not alone. There are many challenges that come with both raising and taking care of toddlers. Despite having a little one clinging to your leg while you're preparing dinner, you wouldn't trade them or their oddities for the world! #TellMeYouHaveAToddler

In a rather confusing turn of events, beloved Montessori climbing toy business, Lily & River announced they were reopening only to close shop again, just two months later. If you tried visiting the Lily and River website in late February, you were unexpectedly redirected to a long, sketchy-looking URL with a message that read: "Closing our doors. Changing Lives Meant Everything. We would like to continue building toys for your Littles and ours but factors out of our control have made it impossible for us to continue our toy factory.”  Yet, just weeks later, their site flaunted a new message, announcing a relaunch,  “GUESS WHAT? We’re relaunching in early April 2025”. ...Well, the relaunch came and went, along with the whole website. 🙃 What happened to the company? I don't have all the answers behind their closure. However, I did some sleuthing on behalf of my fellow confused and curious caregivers. Here's what I've been able to piece together. Disclosure:  After seeing the initial closure announcement in March, I did try to reach out to the company via their contact form. I shared my genuine appreciation for their play equipment and simply asked, “Why are you guys closing?” I’ve yet to receive a reply. ✨ Article Section Overview 🌱 Did Lily and River Actually Close? 🌱 Timeline of Closure & Relaunching 🌱 Customers Express Frustration 🌱 Why It Matters to Mindful Shoppers 🌱 What We Still Don't Know Did Lily and River Actually Close? An internet archive capture shows that things were going business as usual through mid February. There have been no website crawls since April (the site was crawled monthly in 2024). Lily and River shared a closure announcement on their website sometime between February 20 and March 5, 2025. Between March 13 and March 14, the company explained that the closure was only temporary and they'd be relaunching mid-April. The relaunch did come, but was rather short-lived. By mid-late June, the Lily and River website went completely down. So, I think it's safe to say that they're currently closed. It is unclear if they'll be reopening. Timeline of Closure & Relaunching  February 20- March 5 🔹 Lily & River placed closure announcement on website  March 7 🔹 At least one customer reported difficulty getting responses from Lily & River’s customer support team March 8 🔹 One buyer was allegedly told to “dispute with their bank” if they wanted their money back March 11  🔹 Comments were hidden and turned off on Instagram Between March 13 and March 14 🔹 Lily & River removed the closure announcement and replaced it with a announcement saying, “GUESS WHAT? We’re relaunching in early April 2025.”  No explanation, just a really casual, 'We're coming back!' 🤨 Around Mid-April 🔹 Website relaunches, but not all pages were back up and running. For example, their "Toy Makers (About Us)" section was completely removed. Late May 🔹 The storefront was still running on May 30, 2025, but customers were definitely experiencing some issues. One reader of this blog post reached out to me explaining that she placed an order towards the end of May. After following up about her order, she received a response that was "beyond concerning." Sometime in mid-late June 🔹 Lily and River website completely shut down their website. No redirects this time. Customers Express Frustration I was surprised not to see the closure mentioned on any of Lily and River’s social media channels. So, I did what any millennial would do, turned to the comment section on their last Instagram post to see what people were saying— and sure enough, customers had questions.  Here’s the conversation exchange from their last IG post between a follower and a customer in the comment section on March 9: jennifaaaaaa : Are you guys restocking? nemoisnobody:  they're not and they are done clau.s.cajal:  Does anybody know what is happening with the purchases already made? Are we getting them? Is anybody in this situation? nemoisnobody:  @clau.s.cajal my sister got a really, really rude response on email from them after just nicely asking them when would she get her order. They told her to just dispute with the bank clau.s.cajal:  Can you dm me? clau.s.cajal:  @clau.s.cajal so far they have been nice to me, and told me I would get it, but from last week I'm getting no answers.  * * * Seemingly annoyed about the conversations happening in the comment section, Lily & River's responded by hiding previous comments on their IG posts, in addition to turning off their comment section. Thank goodness for screenshots! Since there appears to be at least one alleged incident of Lily and River advising a customer to dispute with their banks, this strongly suggests they could not or would not process refunds directly. According to my mock law consultant, ChatGPT (model GPT-4o), when companies provide responses like this, it's usually a “sign of financial distress, or an effort to minimize losses before shutting down.” It’s worth noting that another brand selling wooden climbing toys, Wiwiurka , has also temporarily closed, but with more transparency. Their homepage clearly states: 
NOTICE: Our store is temporarily closed. We currently have no inventory available. While Wiwiurka kept their temporary closure off social media channels, they aren't hiding customer/follower comments.  Why It Matters to Mindful Shoppers I’ve never personally purchased from Lily & River, but I’ve seen firsthand all the fun that their toys bring kiddos— while babysitting for families, and watching my bestie’s toddler conquer his Pikler climber. It’s been such a joy to see these little ones develop the gross motor skills to master their play equipment with autonomy and confidence. That’s why I’ve included items like their Little Dome and Pikler Climber on my list of Curated Resources for Gifting Kids' Toys .  But transparency matters. As much as we all love the quality of their toys, it’s hard to ignore the company's lack of communication. Customers should be able to trust that brands are open and honest, especially when such high-ticket purchases are involved. What We Still Don’t Know Since the relaunch went live in April, Lily and River still hasn't acknowledged the confusion they’ve inadvertently caused. Caregivers and potential customers deserve some clarity to the following questions: What happened with the “uncontrollable factors” that forced them to close? Were there supply chain issues that have since been resolved? Was this a mismanaged transition or a business restructuring? What happened to customers with pending orders? Why was the closure so secretive? Why is their website down again? Even if their website goes back online soon, I highly suggest you proceed with caution before making a purchase. Keep in mind that none of the aforementioned questions have yet to be addressed . Hopefully this post validated the confusion you or another Lily & River fan might be feeling. Thanks a bunch for reading! Did I get anything wrong? Please let me know. And if you were on Lily & River's email list, impacted by the closure, and/or have more info, leave a comment below or send me an email. Sincerely, Briesh P.S. Stay Conscious + Curious!

Photo Credit: Nugget (minor modifications for sizing) ✨ At a loss for how to explain Juneteenth to kids? Trust me, you’re not alone. Luckily, Nugget and A Kids Co. are here to help— their next book club pick is A Kids Book About Juneteenth ! Join the Nugget community for an open conversation with author Garrison Hayes. Garrison will help answer any questions you have while breaking down some of the complexities of the holiday.  Tbh, I’ve never really known how to explain it to kids, and I'm Black , so I certainly plan on attending! This is a great opportunity for us grownups to deepen our understanding of Juneteenth and also learn how the heck to explain this important part of U.S. history to the little ones in our lives. And let's face it, they're bound to ask questions about it eventually (if they haven't already).  ✨ Talk Starters 3rd Book Club 📚 Book: A Kids Book About Juneteenth 🗓️ When: Thurs. June 12, 2025 ⏰ Time: 8:30 PM ET 📍 Where: Zoom 💰 Cost: FREE! 👥 For: Grownups ➡️ Register: https://tinyurl.com/mt742c7d Overview of Sections 🧐 Why You Should Attend 🤷🏽‍♀️ Why Is Nugget Partnering with A Kids Co.? 📰 Is the Partnership in Response to DEI Pullbacks? 😬 Wait, Do I Have to Own a Nugget Play Couch to Attend? ✅ Where to Catch Up On Insights From Talk Starters Past Book Club s 🧐 Why You Should Attend Talk Starters Book Club Over the years I’ve worked with hundreds of kiddos in many different capacities. " Why is your skin brown?” has always been one of the most common questions I get and one of my most dreaded questions to respond to. My internal dialogue usually sounds something like , “OMG, they figured it out. What if they stop liking me or don’t want to play with me anymore? 🤦🏾‍♀️ Stop panicking, Briesha, you know how to explain it.”   Of course, I appreciate that children feel comfortable enough with me to ask about my skin color. But, it never ceases to feel like I'm under pressure to explain the Black race in 30 seconds or less. While I’ve learned to answer the question with great pride, these conversations still leave me feeling hyper visible. I also worry that I didn’t explain enough or give a response their primary caregiver would’ve preferred.    This mental fatigue of conversations about race shouldn’t always be on the first BIPOC babysitter, nanny, or classmate that a child encounters. It would be immensely helpful if more parents and primary caregivers (from all races) learned how to have these nuanced discussions with kids in a meaningful way.   Books like A Kids Book About™ Racism and A Kids Book About™ Systemic Racism are great resources to assist grownups with initiating these conversations early on. Attending Talk Starters with Jelani Memory can make you a lot more comfortable addressing the questions that your little one will undoubtedly ask. Related: Teach Toddlers About Peace Using These 5 Epic Picture Books 🤷🏽‍♀️ Why Is Nugget Partnering with A Kids Co.? Like most businesses in the U.S., Nugget recognizes February as a month to reflect on Black History, but they also acknowledge it as a time to look toward Black Futures.  Talk Starters appears to be an initiative to uphold Nugget's commitment to supporting Black Futures year round. With over 1 million play couches sold since 2014, the company has a large community of Nugget loving fans that can be reached through the hosting of monthly book clubs.  "Every February and beyond, we amplify Black voices, hold space for Black joy, and support organizations working to prioritize play, prosperity, and potential for Black Futures." 📰 Is the Partnership in Response to DEI Pullbacks? It's hard to say if the partnership between Nugget and A Kids Co. is a direct response to the scaling back of DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) under the new political administration. One Instagram user left a comment on the reel ad for the event, " Just when other companies are rolling back DEI policies , Nugget goes in the right direction. Love this 👏👏👏." The book club was most likely planned in late 2024 and announced to coincide with Black History Month. The timing of the announcement just happens to make Nugget look great! 🔥 On the other hand, Nugget posted a carousel post on MLK day (Jan 20, 2025), featuring a quote from MLK Jr. which reads, "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. ”  Not only was this Nugget's first acknowledgement of MLK day on social media*, but this quote is often used to challenge complacency and encourage action in the face of injustice. Which made me wonder, was Nugget simply sharing a comforting quote with their fans or something more? Nugget is a very playful brand and notorious for leaving subtle hints or clues about upcoming product releases hidden in their social media posts. It's quite possible that the company intentionally selected the quote as an ode to the controversy or pushback they're anticipating from their upcoming initiatives, of which some of their customers might perceive as too progressive leaning. If this is the case, I'm totally here for it. It's awesome to see big brands like Nugget use their platforms to create meaningful impact. A book club that preps caregivers on how to navigate conversations around diversity and inclusion is one that I'm happy to uplift! *At least in the past 5 years... I didn't feel like scrolling back on their Instagram grid any farther. 😬 Wait, Do I Have to Own a Nugget Play Couch to Attend? No, to my knowledge, you do not have to own a Nugget play couch to attend the book club! However, Nuggets are one of my favorite playthings to recommend to families (don't worry, I go into more details in an upcoming blog post)! For now, just know that play couches are a super fun way to tap into imaginative play and even indoor active play during cold winters. ✅ How to Catch Up On Insights From Past Talk Starters Book Clubs If you missed any past book clubs, I'll be rounding up all the content shared here, whether you enjoy long form videos, long form blog recaps, or short reads: ✨ Talk Starters First Book Club 📚 Book: A Kids Book About Racism 🗓️ Recorded On: Feb 20, 2025 📺 Watch: https://vimeo.com/1059193571 👥 For: Grownups 💡 Deep Dive: Recap of Q & A's Around Race and Racism for Kids  👩🏽‍💻 Quick Read: 3 Pieces of Advice for Explaining Race to Kiddos ✨ Talk Starters Second Book Club 📚 Book: A Little Book About Racism 🗓️ Recorded On: April 15, 2025 📺 Watch: https://vimeo.com/1078303690 👥 For: Grownups 🔸Takeaways from the Transcript Coming Soon!  Hope to see you at the next Talk Starters book club! Leave a comment if you're aware of any other businesses in the play industry doing any similar initiatives to Nugget's Talk Starters book club, I'd love to highlight them as well! P.S. Stay Conscious + Curious! Sincerely, Briesh

“What’s racism?” When a kid hits you with that question, it can catch us grownups off guard— even the most mindful parent, teacher, babysitter, or auntie. At Nugget’s first-ever Talk Starters Book Club with A Kids Co. founder, Jelani Memory, attendees explored how to open up conversations about race and racism with kiddos using A Kids Book About Racism as a guide. And don't worry, there were no lectures, just authentic, doable advice. If you’ve ever felt unsure about where to begin, these three simple takeaways from the book’s author offer a clear and practical place to start. ✨ 3 Tips for Talking to Kids About Racism ❌ Don't Try to Wrap It All Up In One Conversation ✅ Start With Where You're At ✅ Start Today Disclaimer:  The following advice is taken directly from the transcript of the recorded book club titled, Talk Starters: A Kids Book About Racism.   It is being shared with permission from the Nugget marketing team! Minor edits have been made for grammar and editorial brackets have been added to clarify, correct, or add context within a quote without changing the original speaker’s words. Video Timestamps indicate where the advice is shared within the video. ✨Advice #1: Don’t Try to Wrap It All Up In One Conversation 🗣️ Jelani Memory | (Video Timestamp 8:16): Here's my first bit of advice. The temptation for us grownups, when we're introducing a big topic to our kids, is to try and finish it all in one conversation. When we have the birds and the bees conversation, we want to wrap that whole thing in a bow and never come back to it. And [we think], hopefully our 8-year-old, or 10-year-old, or 12-year-old, or whatever age they are, knows about sex forever, and we never have to talk about it again. When the reality is, it should be the start  of a conversation. When it comes to racism, my book is meant to introduce that topic and start that conversation. And once you start that conversation, something amazing can happen– it can keep going. You can have that conversation again the next week. You can have a different conversation. You can revisit my book or another book, but you can keep that conversation going. And guess what? That conversation changes as your kids get older. It's a conversation starter, not a conversation ender. That's my first piece of advice. ✨Advice #2: Start With Where You’re At 🗣️ Jelani Memory | (Video Timestamp 12:25): Some of you might be unsure of how to start this conversation and even worry: What if I read the book and my kid asks a question? Am I racist? Did I ever do something racist? Can kids be racist towards me? Has that ever happened? Has anybody ever been racist to you? And you feel yourself flummoxed, you're unsure of what to say or how to answer? Here's my next piece of advice: start with where you're at and where your kid's at in their understanding and their readiness to talk about this subject.    But you might not have fully investigated where you're at. And the reality is, you might not have started this conversation within your own family or life or friendships until you were a teenager or in college, or even as an adult with kids. Now, might even be the first time you're reflecting on conversations around racism. Allow yourself to be at that first, second or third grade level. That's okay. Don't wait until you go off and get your graduate degree in African American or racial studies to then finally have a conversation with your kids. It's okay to start with where you're at. ✨Advice #3: Start Today 🗣️ Jelani Memory | (Video Timestamp 16:05): Here's my last piece of advice and that’s to start today . Now, I know that might sound scary, and your anxiety's peaking: What do I say? How do I say it? When do I say it? What if I say the wrong thing? But open that door. And once that door’s open and you use the word “racism” with your kids, something interesting happens—they now have permission to use that word with you and back to you . The thing about not starting this conversation is that our kids are very attuned to what’s okay to talk about and what’s not. They know if you never bring something up—even if they learned about it at school, from a friend, or from another book—that it makes you uncomfortable. And if they sense that, they’re unlikely to bring it up. But if you bring it up and say, “I want to start this conversation, but I don’t know how. I’ve got this book coming in the mail. Do you want to dive into it when it gets here? Blah, blah, blah...” Your kid might say, “Oh, we learned about that last month at school,” or, “I had an experience,” or, “I heard that word at school.” And you might go, “Whoa, how come you never shared this with me?” The reality is: there was never context. The door wasn’t open to start that conversation. There has to be a conversation starter. Don’t try to end the conversation the first time. Start with where you’re at. It’s okay to not have all the answers—just start today. Now, I know this isn’t exactly what folks were looking for—those specific, concrete responses [to questions] like: What if my kid says this? What if they heard that at school? What do I say about that? But all I’m asking is that you open the door for these conversations to happen. You will say the wrong thing. It won’t be perfect. But keep learning alongside your kid. If you are looking for more specific answers, be sure to check out the Q & A from the first book club!

Did you miss Nugget’s x A Kid’s Co. first book club with Jelani Memory? Don’t have time to watch the replay ? No problemo. I downloaded the transcript, then collected the questions and concerns raised by the attendees and the answers that Jelani provided.  I know, I know, you’re probably thinking, “wow, she must have a lot of time on her hands.”   Well, not completely. It’s more like, I find these conversations so important, I’m committed to making sure the information is accessible to as many grownups as possible. I’m grateful even if just one person finds this useful! If you have no clue what Talk Starters is, start with questions below. If you just want to jump to the Q&A section, click here.   What is Talk Starters? ICYMI, Talk Starters is Nugget’s awesome new book club for the company’s loyal community of play couch loving Nuggeteers. Each meeting features a book around tough topics like race, racism, and Black culture. One of the coolest parts is, anyone can sign up for the book club, you don’t even have to be a past customer! The establishment of the Talk Starters book club is one example of how Nugget is walking the walk and not just talking the talk when it comes to their racial equity impact work . IMO, it’s incredibly refreshing to see a kid’s brand supporting the Black community year-round, instead of only when it’s trending (think: Black History Month; Black Lives Matter uprisings of 2020). To date, Nugget has donated more than $140,000 to nonprofits with missions ranging from Black maternal health to creative expression. What Book Was Picked for the First Book Club?  A Kids Book About Racism  was selected as the first book for the Talk Starters book club, which was held on February 20, 2025 in collaboration with A Kids Co. What Happened at the First Talk Starters Book Club? Jelani Memory, CEO of A Kids Co. discussed his first book, A Kids Book About Racism, published in 2019. Jelani shared how the book came to be, the message of the book, and how grownups can start conversations around racism with kiddos with or without the book.  Tahjae Hayes, Talent Acquisition Manager at Nugget for about two and a half years, hosted the gathering and moderated the Q&As segment.  ✨ Brief Overview of the Q&As with Jelani Memory 1️⃣:  How to Handle Being Worried You’ll Use the Wrong Words 2️⃣:  Do Kids Need Time to Process After Reading the Book? 3️⃣:  How Young Is Too Young to Have a Conversation About Racism? 4️⃣:  How to Explain to Kids Why Some People are Racist 5️⃣: Tip for Dealing with Racist Family Members 6️⃣:  How to Respond if a Kid Says, “I Wish I Was White” 7️⃣:  Navigating Hard Feelings While Discussing Racism 8️⃣:  How to Start a Conversation About Race Without a Book 9️⃣:  When Do You Explain Slavery to Kiddos? 🔟:  Talking About Skin Color Without Causing Harm 1️⃣1️⃣:  Maintaining Hope Amidst Hate 1️⃣2️⃣:  Continuing the Conversation Disclaimer:  The following transcript is being shared with permission from the Nugget marketing team! Minor edits have been made for grammar and editorial brackets have been added to clarify, correct, or add context within a quote without changing the original speaker’s words. Video Timestamps indicate where the question is raised within the video. 1️⃣: “I worry I'll use the wrong words." Jelani Memory’s Response | (Video Timestamp 13:25):   Guess what? You will. You for sure will, but just be aware of that. Here's what I ask of you is to start with where you're at and tell your kid where you're at.   Here's the easy way in. You can say, “Hey kid, (insert your kid's name) I wanna start this conversation about this tough topic, but I'm not sure how, because I never had this conversation with my parents or my aunties or my uncles or my grandparents when I was a kid. And our teachers never brought it up at school. And it makes me as a parent feel uncomfortable, and I'm not entirely sure what to say. I'm even worried that I'll use the wrong words. But I do think it's important that you learn about it and that I learn about it too. Can we learn about it together?” Show me a kid who's not gonna light up in that moment and go, " yay, we can learn together!"  or "wow, you don't know everything! I might get to teach you something!" This creates a bond and a recognition in which you can have a journey with your kid. You want to teach them about something because you believe it's important and they want to connect with you. Use those two things together and be humble. And if you end up saying the wrong thing, but don't realize it till later, you come back later to your kid and you say, “I said this thing before, but I was wrong about it. I used the wrong word, I said the wrong name. Or I said it in the wrong way. Here's the right way. As I learn, I want you to learn alongside me.” I think this approach is foolproof because the reality is, we all need to be able to start these conversations. We all have to. We all must. But it can't be fair or right that we all need some level of education or even some level of personal experience to start. Now that being said, you can't stay where you're at. You have to move somewhere. You have to keep learning. You have to keep educating yourself. Look, I know this is a book club for my book A Kid's Book About Racism– I love my book, I think it's a fantastic book. It's sold in a hundred countries. It's awesome. And it's done a lot of impact and good. But you don't have to have my book. My book is a bridge to help start that conversation.    But there are a hundred other ways to start that conversation between you and that young person in your life. If you're looking for those words of where to start, great. My book's a great option. You can go on YouTube and watch the book. It's there for free. You can start with wherever you're at, but I don't want you to feel held back or that you need the UPS driver to show up with a book before you can lean in.  2️⃣: Is it important for me to give a child time and space to digest the content before we dive into talking about it [the book]? Or should we go right in, straight into discussion mode? Is there a recommendation? Jelani Memory’s Response | (Video Timestamp 19:12): I’m a big fan of letting kids lead. Kids know when they’re being lectured or talked down to—or when something is being forced on them. I try to open those doors, rather than force my kid to walk through them. If you finish a book like mine, which is very direct, your kid will likely share something unprompted afterwards. For example: “I’m glad we read this book.” “I didn’t know about racism.” “I already learned about that.” Or they might start asking questions about their own skin color—or someone else’s. Again, you’re opening the door and creating the context for it. Don’t feel pressured to have it all in one conversation. You can even revisit it later. Try saying: “Hey, remember that book we read last night? What did you think of it? You never told me.” Find soft ways to open and introduce it that shows it's not a conversation you're hoping to wrap up in a couple weeks, but you're looking to have on an ongoing basis as you learn and grow. And as they learn and grow across many years. 3️⃣: Is there a minimum age where this topic [racism] is appropriate? Is there an age that's too young to read this book with? Jelani Memory’s Response | (Video Timestamp 20:40): No, there is no too young  when it comes to satisfying our kids' curiosity about the world. As parents, we teach kids not to hit or not to call names or not to trip somebody or not to cut in line. It's fine to teach racism right alongside those things There's this phenomenon that I call "accidental racism." It's when somebody does something that deeply wounds and injures someone else, because it's racist, but they didn't know it because they never had anybody talk to them or share with them, or they never had anybody confront them or provide them with something. My book is designed to create a context where kids are learning about this early, very practically, and recommended for ages 5 to 9. But that's from a lexile level perspective. That's from a reading level perspective. Typically by five, kids are in school, they're having their own experiences outside of the home. By [age] seven, they're reading proficiently, probably on their own. And by [age] nine, they're probably pre-smartphone — although that's changing more and more. And they're also still reading typically with their grownups or their parents. If you’re thinking, “Oh, I’ll wait until my kid’s in middle school—that’ll be the right time to have this conversation.” By the time they reach age 12, your kid will give you a big blank wall and go, “ Yeah, no. I have the internet. I know about the world. I have friends. I don’t need you to talk to me about this stuff.”  Starting it early is critical.    And even if your kid goes, "I don't get it."  That's okay too.    The book will be around for them to return to. There is no too early , but there is a too late . 4️⃣: Do you have any recommendations for when your kids are curious about maybe why people are the way that they are? My kids mostly ask why people are hateful. How should I respond? Jelani Memory’s Response | (Video Timestamp 22:58): In all my years of doing this, the question that stumped me came from my son, my stepson, Titus. He asked, "why does racism happen?"    And it was a question that I had never really truly contemplated, where does this come from?  I think the truth of the matter is, we tend to hate what we don't understand or we tend to hate what we're afraid of, or we tend to despise things that we have a lot of distance from.    There's a word called xenophobia, right? Which is the fear of that thing that we don't know or understand. I've found that proximity tends to solve these things. If you live in a city like mine, Portland, Oregon, it's not technically or literally segregated, but there are parts of town where most of the white folks live and the parts of town where most of the brown and black folks live. Being able to get your kids around folks who don't look like them is important. And it starts break down those things [barriers] like of a child being afraid of someone who doesn't look like them or who doesn't live in the neighborhood they live in, or play the same sports that they play, or of course have the same skin color that they do. 5️⃣: What are some ways to navigate relationships with potentially extended family members who may perpetuate racist comments? As you're having these conversations with your children, what do you do if the children begin to pick up on the fact that maybe members of their own family might be racist? Jelani Memory’s Response | (Video Timestamp 22:41): This is tough stuff, tough. I think first, recognize that your kids are more perceptive than we give them credit for. They'll notice when you brush something off or you go, "oh, that's grandpa. He talks like that. It's not a big deal." And they'll take in these things. Ask yourself, who do you want them to be when they grow up? [As caregivers], we engineer their lives in such a way where you're trying to help them become their best fullest self. And a lot of that, you gotta make some of those decisions for them now. We do this from school choice to what books we have them read, to what time they go to bed, to what foods they eat. And it's tough with family relationships. Yet I think [it’s] important if you want them to embody certain values [you might have to say], "I know grandpa does that and I'm not comfortable with it. I think it's wrong and I don't want you to do it. But having that conversation with grandpa' is too hard. I love grandpa and I don't wanna lose grandpa, and we're gonna still stay in relationship with grandpa, but I want you to know this piece of it okay?" Now of course, we know kids hate keeping a secret, right? And they'll go right to grandpa and go, "Mom says you're racist." But I genuinely don't have any other better answers for you then. Truly, honesty is the best policy. Lying to your kids won't help their relationship with you. It won't help their relationship with their grandparents and it won't help their relationship with other folks that they encounter.    Where if they learn, if their family [members] being racist actually isn't a big deal— because it's family and that's how family works, right? [That might not yield the ideal outcome either.]    And I sympathize. I've had comments from my own in-laws made to me and about my son that have stopped me in my tracks. It's hard to deal with and hard to do something about, and yet very important to at least have that conversation with your kids so they have a good context.  This is not me saying go confront every racist person in your life at every moment. I don't think that's productive either. 6️⃣: My daughter is mixed and she stated that she wanted to be white like me. How would you respond in that situation? Jelani Memory’s Response | (Video Timestamp 27:41): Yeah, I mean… this was my son last night, he was frustrated with his hair and he goes,  "I wish I had white hair because then I'd be, (and just listen to this word) 'normal'".    And this is a 15-year-old, who has a dad who's written a book about racism, who is constantly navigating and chatting with them about these challenging bits of culture and race, and history, etc.    I think it is always important to affirm your kids' identity and who they are. The reality is, if your kid isn't white, they're not gonna end up being white. No matter what they do, there's no magical potion that can turn them white. [It’s about] letting them feel comfortable in their own skin and validating them for who they are. I find these things tend to cross over with things [topics like] body image or self-image or self-esteem. But I wanna go a little bit further, and this is more of a conversation for grownup to grownup.  Typically in our society, and I'll draw a box around America, we have learned to despise, treat poorly and make less than Black faces, Black hair, Black culture, Black neighborhoods, Blackness itself. This is called anti-Black racism. And while that typically will come from white folks towards black folks and all sorts of policies, rules, and sentiments, it also gets ingested by Black folks, leading them to go, “I don't like myself for who I am. I wish I were something different.” I've gotten the question from each of my mixed kids, which is, "Am I Black? Am I white? Am I brown? What am I?" What I've encouraged [for them] is the exploration of that identity as opposed to the force.    I want them to explore all the complicatedness of what it means for them to be who they are. 7️⃣: As a Black woman, it is challenging for me to hold conversations about racism and my personal experiences in a neutral way. It comes with a lot of anger, disappointment, and frustration. Do you have any tips on how to teach kiddos about racism without holding so much emotion behind it? Jelani Memory’s Response | (Video Timestamp 30:29): Let that emotion flow. Be where you're at, I think that's okay. I got criticism from a few author friends when I decided to go take my book and publish it. They were like, well, there aren't any real clear examples– “ I wish you dove into this [a specific] moment that happened when you were a kid and somebody said this [a racist] word to you and explained how it felt.”  And I just thought, actually, it's too painful.    It's too painful for me to even place them [the examples] inside of a children's book. I also think there's a way that it could trigger other children who've experienced racism in a way where they stop feeling seen, and they're revisiting that painful moment. Now that being said, I do think it's important to be where you're at and to share with [with your kid] where you're at. That vulnerability, that transparency, that honesty, that will speak more than whatever words you say to your kids. They will remember that, that will implant in their brain in a remarkable and significant way.  And then you'll find those moments where you… that emotion comes down and you can have a different kind of conversation, even if it's built into that very first one. We want our kids to be brave, but we have to be brave first. 8️⃣: How do you start the conversation? My son is two, but it's already on my mind.  I know you mentioned you don't even have to have the book per se, so how would you out of the blue start that conversation? Jelani Memory’s Response | (Video Timestamp 32:24): Yeah. Kids immediately observe skin color at the very earliest ages. Find me a 2-year-old who isn't pointing at somebody going, “they're a different color.” Start there. Get kids to notice their own skin color and get kids to notice other folks' skin color.  Now I know what I've done is broken a big rule. Aren't we not supposed to teach our kids to see all this color and stuff? We get worried that they might start pointing at people in the grocery store or saying something out loud, like, God forbid. Isn't that racist itself? [Then you spiral into thinking that your kid is racist] Timestamp 33:43 |  I wanna very firmly say, it is not racist to notice skin color. It is not racist to notice skin color. It's not racist when your kids notice skin color. Whether they're black, white, or brown, it doesn't matter. To notice that skin color is okay. To see the differences in that skin color is okay. It’s when we take that [observation] further to demean or diminish or rank people based on what color of skin they are and say someone is better or worse because of their skin color.  Getting them to notice their own skin color is a great place to start. And when they're ready, you can take that extra leap and go, “did you know that sometimes people are treated badly because they don't have your skin color?”  or “ did you know that sometimes people are treated badly because they have skin color like yours?” And then they might go, "oh, why, why would that happen?" You could start to talk about some folks being afraid of folks who are different. You might even start to jump into a little bit of the history of our country. I've found a lot of parents start with, let me teach you about racism. And they go right to slavery. Like why does it have to start with a talk about slavery? Don't do that. Slavery's bad and complicated and all the things, but is not the nearest proxy that you need to reference racism. Just start with noticing skin color. I think that's the best place to start. 9️⃣: When do you recommend going into the terrible and violent history of racism? After my family watched the halftime show of the Super Bowl, my son asked about the 40 acres and a mule statement. Do you have a recommendation for when you do transition more to the history versus the present? Jelani Memory’s Response  | (Video Timestamp 35:02): Yeah. To me, it's less about how old kids are and more about the kinds of questions they start asking. Asking a question like, “what's this deal with 40 acres and a mule?” It's a very mature question to ask, sort of pinpointing into something. The reality is, it's a can of worms, but it's the best can of worms that you can open. Don't try and open it all at once and go, we're gonna do the graduate lesson on the history of racism for all of time and all the ways that black and brown people were discriminated against, enslaved, etc. Let that one door from that one question open and share with them what you do know. Or go, “I think it's related to this. Let's Google it together” or “I don't know, let's learn about it together” . Let those things [scenarios] be doors that can always open. You'll find the more comfortable you are sharing about stuff, the more frequent your kids will come back to you and ask questions.  What'll happen is as they grow older, they'll forget that they asked something, so they'll ask a new question that was an old question, but it's a more mature question and then you can have a conversation in a totally different way. I remember watching, The Hate You Give, a wonderful film, with my 13 and 14-year-old at the time. And I remember my daughter Grace was flabbergasted. She was like,  is this what it's like? And I was taken back too because I was [thinking] like, how does she not know? Right? Like, I'm her dad, we talk all the time. But it was something about seeing it through the visual medium of the film, And I was like, “yeah, it is.”  And we got to have so many conversations after that.    Timestamp: 37:30 |  What ended up happening was, and this is my favorite question still to this day, that my kids ask, is she'd come home from school and she'd go:  I heard this at school. Is this racist? Then we'd have a conversation about it and investigate and interrogate, are those words used about somebody racist or not racist? Does that then make that person a racist? And we get to discuss it. Now, all I'm describing is something that's very messy and happenstance and progressive, and it's all these things. It is not [doesn't look like], us sitting down on the couch, setting a timer for 30 minutes and having the racism talk, slavery talk, or the 40 acres and a mule talk. It doesn't work that way. It will pop up in those inconvenient moments, but I’ve found that this is how kids process stuff. This is how they work through those bits and pieces and navigate big issues like racism. 1️⃣0️⃣: Can you share which words are appropriate to use when talking about skin color? We hear Black, people of color, brown, African American, what's the correct word or words to use without offending anyone? My child is colorblind and sees the world differently already, so word choice is even more important for them. Jelani Memory’s Response  | (Video Timestamp 38:35): The most challenging and interesting conversations I've ever had are with my own kids when it comes to the words we use about skin color. My six-year old son, Solomon looks at his skin and goes, “well, my skin's brown.”   He even compares his against mine and says, “mine's lighter than yours, dad. It's still brown, but yours is a darker brown. You're a chocolate brown, I'm a mocha brown.” Then, I remember he was flummoxed. He's like, “well, mom's not white, she doesn't look like this piece of paper. She's more peachy.”  He pulled out a crayon and went, “she looks this color. ”.    When it comes to the right words, look, you're gonna screw it up, it's inevitable. But I often defer to the ways folks refer to themselves. If you're gonna talk about somebody, try and use a word that they've used about themselves.  Timestamp: 40:00 |  This is very akin to a topic like pronouns. It's like, use the pronouns somebody wants to have them use about themselves. Don't just foist upon them something. I prefer to identify as Black. I'm comfortable referring to myself as mixed. I'm even comfortable being called a person of color. I'm not as comfortable with BIPOC, it starts to get into this squishy, weird, sort of large demographic, but it's not offensive. African American is fine. But again, that’s just me.    You might run into somebody and they go, "oh no, I prefer that you use these words about me and when referencing me.”  Again, I can't say enough, you're gonna say something wrong. It's okay to screw up.   What's not okay is to think, I couldn't possibly ever say anything racist because I don't have a racist bone in my body. And I've never said anything bad about anybody ever. This is not true. One of my favorite scholars, Ibram X. Kendi says, “we all have racist ideas. Being anti-racist is about dismantling those racist ideas about culture and society and other people.”   It's okay to go [admit], yeah, I've probably done some racist things, but I'm on the path to trying to not do racist things, use racist words, or treat people in a racist manner.   I know that's a bit of a new concept probably for some folks, but I think it's important. 1️⃣1️⃣: How do you maintain hope that we are making progress on these conversations right now? It feels like hate has become even more emboldened in the world today. Jelani Memory’s Response | (Video Timestamp 41:34): I think I maintain hope by desiring a better future for my kids and doing the most and the best that I can to help create that, knowing I may or may not be successful, but giving up is not an option. And… I don’t know.    It's really tough, especially now. Because it feels like we've had this shift where being racist is in vogue, it's like cool now. I would like to point folks back to a period in our country's history, the civil rights movement, where being racist was the popular sentiment, and mentality and approach to society and to people of color. and we look back at those individuals who did the work, Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Jr., James Baldwin, you name it, as heroes–  as figures who did the right thing in a tough moment.    We are living in one of those moments right now, and I don't think this will be the last time one of those moments happen, nor is it the first time one of those moments has happened where not being racist, feels offensive itself.    Timestamp: 43:41 |  I will say, there is a clarifying and heartening reality when folks are saying the thing they mean. When it's not… "oh, we've got a new DEI program and we care about people of color and we're looking at changing our workforce and we're putting inclusion at the forefront"   —  when the reality was and is, a lot of companies, a lot of folks didn't believe those things. It was just a popular thing to say. Yeah, it was cool to put a black square on your Instagram, but you didn't change your language or your behavior or how you treated folks or even your beliefs. When folks are saying what they believe, it's easier to deal with than when it's a bit cloak and dagger, when folks are saying one thing, but doing another. 1️⃣2️⃣: Where do we go from here? Do you recommend any additional resources either for the conversation with the children or for adults themselves to continue to educate themselves about this topic? Jelani Memory’s Response | (Video Timestamp 44:27): Probably my favorite book for adults to read is a book by Isabel Wilkerson called Caste . It's an extraordinary book that frames the existence of racism in the United States, not as a one-off unique thing, but helps put it in the context of the rest of the world and the intricacies and the subtleties of how we have developed our own caste system, based on skin color, that is indeed unique within the world. Yet, it plays out differently in other countries around the world, where caste is structured along different lines, whether those are economic, ethnic, etc. Caste  is a wonderful book and will blow your mind. In fact, there's a wonderful quote from it and I won't get it [quite] right, but Isabelle says [something along the lines of], “….the year 2022 marks the first year that the United States will have been an independent nation for as long as slavery lasted on its soil. No current-day adult will be alive in the year in which African-Americans as a group will have been free for as long as they had been enslaved. That will not come until the year 2111 (Isabel Wilkerson, Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents ).”  That date when America will be in balance, and having had Black folks be free in this country as long as it's enslaved folks will be in 2111 or something like that, some crazy date off in the future —  that's a great book. I love anything that Kwame Alexander  does, he's fantastic. He's got tons of children's books, can't go wrong with any of his books. Ibram X. Kendi has a wonderful book called Anti-Racist Baby . Don't read it to your baby though. It's not great for babies, but it's great for everybody else. And then I'm gonna give an intuitive answer here. And somebody's gonna get mad at me, so I'm just going to take it for granted.  I'm looking at some of these questions in the Q&A, you can sincerely ask these questions on Chat GPT, and I'm not kidding here. It will give you a thoughtful response back, it will. And this is not me saying Chat GPT is super woke and is on top of it. I'm saying, if you're looking for or have a specific question that needs a specific answer, and you're like, "I literally don't know what to do,"  then it's a place to start. Don't take it as gospel, don't take it as the final answer, but it's a great place to start when you go, I literally don't know what to say. How do I navigate this? Hope to see you at the next Talk Starters book club! Stay Conscious + Curious, Sincerely, Briesh

Sometimes changing a little one's diaper feels like you’re pulling teeth. I know, I know, babies don’t have teeth.  Let’s just say that some baby cries can be so particularly excruciating, it sounds like you’re yanking their baby teeth to the surface. 🙃  How on earth do you make things go smoother and get them to stop crying? I’ve put a lot of thought into this while changing thousands of diapers, amongst countless babies and kiddos. The most effective calming solutions are distractions . Distractions allow babies to snap out of their discomfort just long enough to get them cleaned up. Although it probably comes at no surprise to hear that distractions are effective, the true insights come from  knowing which distractions work the best.   In my experience the most effective distractions fall into three categories: Auditory Distractions, Visual Distractions, Tactile/Oral (Sensorimotor) Distractions. One of these simple hacks is sure to make diaper changing go a bit smoother for you as well! ✨ Quick Glimpse at the Mindful Hacks for Diaper Changing 👂🏽 Mindful Auditory Distractions 🎵 Sing 😙 Whistle or Hum 📚 Recite a Familiar Book From Memory 🧌 Speak in a Silly Voice Narrative 🎶 Play Music 👀 Mindful Visual Distractions 🪟 Provide a View of Nature 💫 Hang a Mobile Above Changing Area  🥑 Mindful Tactile/Oral (Sensorimotor) Distractions 🪇 Offer Easy to Grasp Toy, Teether, or Baby Size Book 🧷 Give Baby a Diaper to Hold   🚫 Skip These Distractions ❌ Pacifier ❌ Repetitive verbal reassurance  While babysitting and nannying, I've kept track of distraction techniques that effectively calm infants and tabies (ages 1-2) during diaper changes. Over time, and after trialing with 13 different infants*, I've pinpointed hacks that have reliably soothed and comforted these little ones. 👂🏽Mindful Auditory Distractions Auditory distractions simply act as a different sound to refocus a baby’s discomfort.  Almost all of the following auditory distractions require a tiny bit of vulnerability. Take advantage of the freedom to embrace your imperfections while you can. You’ll start hearing the judgmental comments (that's not how the song sounds)  and know-it-all style call-outs (that’s not what happened next)  around age 4 and sometimes earlier! 😬 🎵 Sing Try singing a classic children’s song (anything Barney would sing). The average baby and/or toddler has no basis to judge us grownups for singing off key. Trial and error has led me to discover a few songs that have worked best with babies vs tabies:  🕷️ Songs for Babies: The Itsy Bitsy Spider; Old McDonald  🚌 Songs for Tabies (ages 1-2) : If You’re Happy and You Know It;  The Wheels on the Bus 👎🏽 Least Effective Song:  Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star  I’ve had so many fails with using Twinkle, Twinkle, I’ve stopped trying it altogether. No clue why it hasn’t worked. However, you don’t have to be limited to children’s songs. Feel free to try singing any song that comes to mind (probably best to keep it G rated). 😙 Whistle or Hum  Whistling is perplexing to little ones, especially if they rarely hear it.  Humming is another really cool, yet underutilized vocal feature that humans have been gifted.  Don’t worry, you don’t have to whistle or hum an actual song— personally, I just make up  tunes.  🧠 FUN FACT:  Sound vibration is actually very effective in moving the body to homeostasis and out of the fight, flight, freeze reaction (1) 📚 Recite a Familiar Book From Memory Any book you can recite verbatim because you’ve read it to your kiddo so many times. It’s easiest to do this with books based on repetition (Brown Bear, Brown Bear; Goodnight Moon; Chicka Chicka, Boom Boom, etc.)  Forget what food the Hungry Caterpillar eats on Day 2? Make something up, they might notice, but they’ll still go with it! 🧌 Speak in a Silly Voice Narrative Change your voice a little and say something like, “I’m a hungry giant that loves to eat baby feet!” Then pretend to gobble down their feet using a friendly sound effect. I know it sounds ridiculous, but it’s surprisingly effective and even brings a few laughs! 🎶 Play Music  🔮 Use a Wind Up Music Box or Snow Globe Music boxes and snow globes play such distinct relaxing melodies, yet they're plenty underused. If you have one, wind it up before a diaper change and make Brahms' Lullaby or Fur Elise (the most common music box lullabies) a routine soundtrack for diaper changes. Characters that move around or floating snow flurries also make for a great visual distraction! 📱Play a Song on Your Phone  Have a go-to playlist with their favorite songs to play. Disney soundtracks work really great, specifically Moana 1, Frozen 1, and Encanto! Any song from a Laurie Berkner album should also help. When you're just over kid's music for the day: try a pop classical playlist and sing along to mainstream pop hits. Sing alongs spark their ears in curiosity just long enough for them to give the waterworks a break. 👀 Mindful Visual Distractions If auditory hacks aren't working, try shifting focus (pun intended) to visual distractions. Some babies are surprisingly easy to calm when they’ve got something interesting to stare at. These visual hacks are low-effort on your part but can be effective. 🪟 Provide a View of Nature If possible, it can be immensely helpful to position a changing area next to a window that your baby can easily look out through. This allows babies to observe glimpses of cloud movement, birds, leaves blowing around— ya know, just nature doing its thing.  💫 Hang a Mobile Above Changing Area  Mobiles are really fun to watch. I've always adored this mobile from PlanToys — the soft pastels give off such chill vibes, while the grey toned ornaments offer contrast and visual stimulation for younger babies. 🥑 Mindful Tactile/Oral (Sensorimotor) Distractions When their little hands are occupied with anything mildly interesting, they’re much less likely to protest. Soft textures, teething toys, crinkle toys, can help shift their attention away from what’s happening below the waist. 🪇 Offer Easy to Grasp Toy, Teether, or Baby Size Book  Keep a few small toys at an arm’s reach. Crinkly baby paper , teething rings, and miniature board books (size: 4x4) are items that are easy for kiddos to grasp and provide a short burst of entertainment. 🧷 Give Baby a Diaper to Hold No luck with any of the auditory distractions and no toys close by? Giving a baby a spare diaper to hold leaves them speechless. They get such a kick out of opening up the diaper and bending the flaps!   🚫 Skip These Distractions ❌ Pacifier I’ve yet to meet a baby that can be comforted with a pacifier during a diaper change. It’s usually just too hard for them to keep the darn thing in their mouth while screaming and crying. ❌ Repetitive verbal reassurance  Repeating reassuring phrases like, “It’s okay” or “You’re fine” over and over again does not comfort or calm a little one during diaper changes. Out of respect for each child, I do make it a point to initially acknowledge every kiddos discomfort, but only once. I usually say something along the lines of, “I know you don’t like getting your diaper changed. I’m sorry that I have to change it, but I’ll try to make it go as fast as I can.” Then, I just proceed to one of the distractions.  📋 Final Notes These hacks aren’t time proof. While the Itsy Bitsy Spider might instantly halt tears for a week or two , some kiddos grow bored of the song over time. In this case, try a different song, recite a book, or use another tool from this list. Relatedly, I encourage you to test different sensory inputs. If you find that a child has zero interest in watching their mobile or refuses to hold on to their favorite lovey, try something from the auditory list– it’s possible they might be craving a different form of sensory input.  Of course, we all want to get the clean diaper on as quickly as possible– but, keep in mind that diaper changes are also a chance to bring comfort. Afterall, babies can’t exactly self-regulate, so they need help from grownups! With some patience and these handy dandy distractions, you’ll be able to turn those diaper-changing tears (including your tears of frustration) into mindful memories filled with connection.  Do you have a favorite mindful hack that I should add to this list? Leave a comment and let me know so I can add it to this list! The more we help one another, the longer our sanity stays in tact! Stay Conscious + Curious, Sincerely, Briesh References & Sources *Demographics of Sample Size:  Ages | newborn babies to 24 months  Location |  in home settings  Total Number of Children | 13 kids (4 boys; 9 girls) Ethnicities | 11 kids were white (Caucasian), and 2 were of multiracial heritage Language | 11 kids were learning English; 2 kids were dual language learners (1) This fun fact is a direct quote from Susan Magsamen, Executive Director, International Arts and Mind Lab at the Center for Applied NeuroAesthetics. Source: Raising Good Humans podcast; Episode title, “ Your Brain on Art: Why Creativity Is Essential for Kids (And for You!)”

Photo courtesy of Cotton Bro Studio via Pexels. 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. Top Eco-friendly Toys for Toddlers Aurora Eco Nation Sarah's Silks Green Toys Plan Toys Tegu Eeboo Big Future Toys Gommu by Tiny Cottons Aurora Eco Nation Price | $13- $19 Eco-friendly Materials | 100% biodegradable pellets Best For | Animal Pushes Image Source: Aurora Eco Nation Product Photo 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. Image Source: Sarah's Silks | Photography Fairy, Madlyn Jane 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! Balloon balls are also a must-have! 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. 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 Image Source: Tegu Toys Product Image 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 What Makes a Toy Sustainable? The definition of sustainability has developed over the past ten years and has become a bit nuanced. For simplicity, we're going to focus on two things that make toys sustainable- the manufacturing and circularity. When it comes to manufacturing, the EPA defines sustainable manufacturing as, "processes that minimize negative environmental impacts while conserving energy and natural resources." In the toy industry, sustainable toys are created using natural materials that typically go unused. An example of this would be a toy company that uses un-utilized sticks to make wooden toys. You can think of sustainable toys as nature's leftovers repurposed into toys! Circularity refers to the life cycle of toys. Generally speaking, toys that are produced using sustainable materials are higher quality than cheap plastic toys. Sustainable toys tend to be designed for circularity, meaning the toy companies encourage you to re-share their toys as hand-me-downs. Sustainable toys can include eco-friendly toys. However, if a toy is made using eco-friendly products but it required loads of energy to manufacture and ship to you, and the company doesn't offer proper information on the disposal of the toy- it's not really considered sustainable. It's rare to find many to companies that offer many resources for the end-of-life of their toys. But, consumer demand has began to change this a bit! We're finally starting to see more toy companies (including VTech/Leapfrog , Hasbro , and Spin Master ) partner with companies like Terracycle that offer free ways to recycle their toys. Why Do You Link to Amazon if They're an Eco-friendly Company? While I recommend purchasing toys directly from toy brands, I also want everyone to have access to safe toys for their loved ones. Therefore, I try to provide some brands that can be found on Amazon. Accessibility is important (I use survey apps that pay in Amazon gift cards) and I know I wouldn't be able to afford some of these brands without the gift cards. Please purchase from wherever you can afford. 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

Mural depicting a community located within the Peace Corps main office in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. During the formative years of childhood, your community offers kids a tangible source for their minds to begin grasping their connection to the world. If kids aren’t shown what it looks like to care for others outside of their family, why would we expect them to become adults that care for others? As key figures in kiddos' lives, grownups have the responsibility to model what it looks like to care for our communities and involve children in our efforts. We're all connected to each other and it’s in our collective best interest to support one another. What is community care? Community care involves showing up for your community in a way that centers the collective needs of the community. In applying this approach, community members are mindful of how their well-being is inherently connected to the well-being of others, including their wider community at large. Practicing community care can look like building and deepening connections with fellow residents, addressing communal issues with intentionality, and mobilizing community members to support each other.¹ Overview of Ideas ✨ Offer Mutual Aid 🧃 Stock a local community fridge or pantry closet 📙 Add children's books to a Little Library ✨ Engage in Communal Relationship Building Activities 🌭 Attend a local block club event 🌱 Participate in a community garden ✨ Support Your Local Economy 📚 Become a regular at the library 🛍️ Shop at local businesses ✨ Model Civic Engagement 🗳️ Participate in local, state, and national elections How do you prioritize raising a kid with moral values? The good news is that there aren’t any special classes that you have to send your kid to. And there aren’t any online courses that you have to spend thousands of dollars on. If you’re truly interested in raising a kind-hearted kid, a simple place to start is by reflecting on ways to include them in community care.  Rather it’s through offering mutual aid, engaging in communal relationship building activities, supporting your local economy, or through modeling civic engagement, there’s room to involve kids! ✨ Offer Mutual Aid Mutual aid is when community members supply physical goods such as food, clothing, or other donations to fellow community members. Sometimes mutual aid can take the form of physical labor without the expectation or exchange of money (think: shoveling snow or mowing a lawn, or babysitting for a neighbor). In a recent episode  of the Minimalist Moms podcast, Zachariah Thompson of the Scatter Joy Project  explained mutual aid as sitting at the intersections of gratitude and giving. Zach shared: “I'm grateful for what I have, but I'm also grateful for what I can give.” 🧃 Stock a local community fridge or pantry closet.  Communities across the world have begun recognizing residents’ ability to support one another. One impactful way to do so is through supplying mutual aid via community fridges. In case you’re unfamiliar, community fridges are exactly what the name implies– outdoor refrigerators stocked by members of your community. All food placed inside the fridge is free and open for anyone to access 24/7.  Not only do community fridges address food insecurity and decrease food waste, but they can also act as an invaluable resource for communities that live in food deserts.  Here are a few ways to go about getting kiddos involved with stocking your local community fridge:  Option 1:  Bring your kiddo grocery shopping with you. You can say something like,“We’re going to go on a special shopping trip to buy some food for other kids and families that might not have as much as us.”   Option 2:  Have a kid help you gather leftovers, make sandwiches, help cook a meal, or help stick labels and dates on home cooked food. Option 3:  If you happen to know of a fruit tree close by that produces an overabundance of fruit, have your kiddo help you gather up disregarded fruit. Option 4:  Plant a small garden with a little one and collect its harvests.       After you’ve identified a source that works for you and your family,   have your child assist you with placing the food in the community fridge or closet pantry. Check to see if you have a community fridge near you  using Freedge’s  locator– with 300+ locations in the USA alone, it’s quite likely you do!  Teaches Kids:  selflessness, humility, compassion 📙 Add children’s books to a Little Free Library I don’t know about you, but I’ve been delighted to watch Little Free Libraries sprout up everywhere . Actually, it's not just me— according to their website , 98% of people say their neighborhood feels like a friendlier place because of a Little Free Library ! The nonprofit's mission is to build community, inspire readers, and increase access to books for all. Unfortunately, it’s rare to see quality children’s board books in these libraries, perhaps you and your kiddo can contribute a few baby board books they’ve outgrown.  Before passing away, Todd Bol, the original founder of Little Free Library, shared this short, yet inspiring message, "I believe people can fix their neighborhoods, fix their communities, develop systems of sharing, learn from each other, and see that they have a better place on this planet to live." You can help sustain Bol's mega-popular system of sharing by locating and donating to a Little Free Library near you ! Teaches:  minimalism (how to let go of stuff); generosity; sharing ✨ Engage Kids in Communal Relationship Building Activities On your journey to raising a caring global citizen, you might find it helpful to focus on building communal relationships. You might already be doing this! Involving kiddos in community events, initiatives, and playdates can provide them with core social interactions needed to build trust, collaboration, agency, and problem-solving skills.   🌭 Attend a Local Block Club Event  Outdoor block club events are popular throughout the summer and fall and often feature barbecues. The yummy food is sure to attract many families from your neighborhood and create a perfect environment for kids to engage in mixed age play.  These gatherings can also lead to opportunities for kids to give their input on changes they want to see in their community. For example, preschool kids might point out the need for a non-metal slide that doesn’t burn when they slide down it on hot days. While this may sound like a trivial request to adults, getting a better slide would offer a safer play space for kids and could increase the community’s overall usage of the playground and build stronger relations amongst families.  By participating in discussions about their community's needs and expressing their own ideas for improvements, kids can be granted a smidge of control and influence over their environment. This participation reinforces the stance that kids' opinions matter and they can make a difference, which is a crucial aspect of developing personal agency. Teaches:  communication skills; collaboration; empathy; agency  🌱 Participate in a community garden A cool part of joining a community garden is that you can meet families that live beyond your 2-3 block bubble but are still part of your community. Gardening does require little ones to engage in some physical labor. However, there’s still a ton of time for mixed age play with other kids, bubbles, and regular games of “let’s go look for butterflies!”  In college, I worked with kids and families at a low-income housing facility. During the summer, a local bus service drove us to the community garden. While we did require kids 8 and under to be accompanied by a guardian, kids of all ages loved attending the garden (as long as they could walk). Time after time, they were amazed to witness the full growth cycle of produce from start to finish. Gardening is a good opportunity for kiddos to, quite literally, get their hands dirty. Kids have innate energy that makes them excellent weeders and waterers.  Although they’re not necessarily advertised as such, being part of a community garden is also a way to get free organic food (sorta free, excluding your time and labor). Not to mention that the produce flat out tastes better without the pesticides.  Compost Solution with Less Onus: The summer program I helped run also offered free lunches to kids. We used a classic bucket with a good lid to encourage kids to compost waste from their lunches. You’d be surprised how quickly even 4 and 5 year-olds catch on to what can be composted and what can’t be. Each week we carried the compost bucket to the garden with us and added the waste into the garden’s big compost pile.  Contributing our waste to the community garden’s compost collection was a lot easier for us to commit to as college students. If your city doesn’t offer compost collection or if you aren’t interested in turning or maintaining your compost, taking it to a community garden can be a convenient solution.  Teaches:  work ethic, appreciation for nature , where food comes from 🛝 Schedule playdates with kids in the neighborhood  Get to know neighbors better by establishing playdates with kids nearby– even if they only happen once every few months. Kids socialize and make friends through play. There’s always a chance that the kids don’t hit it off and become besties, but that’s okay. It’s important for kids to learn how to play with kids that are different from them, including different interests and personalities. Neighborly playdates also allow kids to familiarize themselves with their peers, while creating scenarios where they are required to experiment with trust. Suddenly they find themselves having to make decisions about which toys they trust their new friend to hold or play with. It’s not uncommon for the child hosting the playdate to get vocally possessive of their toys and be hesitant to share. It can be instinctive to want to intervene and demand, “Charlie, you need to share your toys.” After sittervising many of these playdates, I’ve started to stay out of it— the hosting child quickly learns that if they don’t share their toys, their friend won’t have any tools to engage in their play scenario.  Tip:  If you find yourself putting off playdates because you’d have to first find time to clean the house, simply opt to have the playdate at your local park. Toys and play equipment are awesome resources that elevate play, but kids don’t need them to build trust or relationships with the kids around their neighborhood. All they need is their energy, open space to play, and non-hovering sittervisors.  Teaches:  trust; problem solving; conflict resolution  ✨ Support Your Local Economy Supporting your local economy is a powerful way to contribute to the sustainability of your community. When you bring your little one with you to local shops or even attend free events, you're showing them the value of community-led initiatives. 📚 Become a regular at the library.   Libraries are incredible free resources for things of all sorts. As public spaces, libraries are one of a few indoor places anyone can hangout in without being expected to spend money. One staff member from a library in Illinois sums it up nicely, “libraries have evolved to be so much more than silent spaces filled with books; they are now vibrant community hubs where people can come to explore new things, learn valuable skills, and connect with each other (in addition to checking out books, equipment, and more).” ² As alluded to, libraries are great for free public events! Showing up to these events shows interest in the activities being offered or topics discussed. In order for libraries to continue offering events, good crowd turnouts are super important– that’s where you and your little one come in! Here are just a few activities the libraries in my area are offering for kids over the next month: Baby Toddler Storytime; Kid’s Yoga; Books for Barks (kids ages 5-12 practice their reading skills on therapy dogs); Movie Showings; LEGO Club; Art & Crafts; Teen Crafting. Expand Your Community:  Lots of public libraries offer free resources for refugees, migrants, entrepreneurs, ESL (English as a Second Language) learners, individuals seeking employment, and for individuals that are unhoused. Due to the wide array of use cases, libraries tend to attract diverse visitors. Cool, but how does that relate to my kid?   If you live in an area of a predominant race, ethnicity, or culture, try taking trips to a public library versus your local library branch. Doing so can expose kiddos to community members from different backgrounds. It’s common for public libraries to have playspaces for kids– perhaps your kid will meet a new play buddy that looks different from them or that doesn’t speak english! How would they play together if they don’t speak the same language?  Trust me, they figure it out and it’s amazing to observe.  Find a convenient directory of public libraries in your state here . Personal Insights:  Like many millennial adults, I’ve developed a mild obsession with children’s books- a rather pricey obsession (I’m trying to be mindful of supporting local bookstores). In order to continue shopping at local bookstores, I’ve started to check for books at libraries first. Then I read/test them out with kids and I purchase the ones that elicit the best responses and discussions. This process allows me to support authors, libraries, and local bookstores. You can try doing the same thing at home! I’ll throw in a quick reminder that the library also offers free DVD rentals. No DVD player? DVDs can be played on a variety of Xbox and PlayStation consoles. One more shameless plug, if you haven’t heard of the library app, Libby, it is a must-have.  Teaches:  relationship building; resourcefulness; cultural awareness 🛍️ Shop at local businesses  We’ve all heard the saying, “think global, act local.” As a modern day parent or caregiver, it’s difficult to exclusively live by this motto, especially with the conveniences of Target and Amazon. And it’s no secret that the price points of products at small businesses are much higher than products at big box retailers. It’s totally understandable that you might not always have the budget to shop local, but try to fit it in when possible.  Bonus points if you stumble upon a business that’s owned by a community member or staffed by workers in your neighborhood. Toddlers are shocked and excited to see familiar faces working at a store. Through seeing people they recognize, kids can begin unconsciously observing the interconnectedness of their community and the significance of supporting local jobs and businesses.  Where to Start:  Independent toy stores are magical experiences for kids and they carry toys you can't find at big box stores. Also, staff members are always close by to answer any questions about toys or assist you in finding the perfect gift for a kid! The same goes for independent bookstores! 🧸 Find an independent toy store near you ! 📚 Find an independent bookstore near you ! Teaches:  interconnectedness ✨ Model Civic Engagement Introducing kids to civic engagement begins with showing them how seemingly small actions can make an impact within their community and beyond. When you bring a little one to the polling station, you’re modeling the essence of participation and the value of having a voice in society. Witnessing civic duty in action can deepen a child's perception of community involvement and open their eyes to the responsibilities that come with it.  🗳️ Participate in local, state, and national elections and bring your kid with you. Although toddlers may be too young to learn about the nitty gritty of politics, simply bringing them with you to vote can be a powerful lesson in what it looks like to show up for your community. As a kid, my parents always took me and my siblings to the polling stations. This was back when grownups voted using machine levers and there were only 2-3 of these voting machines per location. Election after election, our polling place was filled with lines out the door, I’m talking amusement park style lines with 45 min waits. Time went by faster when we ran into a kind neighbor or relative that would casually give up their better spot in line to chat and wait with us farther back. When it was finally  our turn to go behind the curtain, I would feel so overwhelmed from looking at the awfully confusing machine. The commitment of the grownups wasn’t lost on me… not only did they tolerate the longest lines, but they even put up with using a super confusing machine just to give their opinion! Sure, I was too young to understand the significance of voting, but in observing my community’s commitment to civic engagement, I learned the importance of civic duty.  There’s a high chance that poll workers will reward your kiddo with an “I Voted” sticker. These are probably the most valuable stickers kids will ever receive. When caught wearing an “I Voted” sticker, strangers give little ones the warmest smiles and if you stop by a grocery store, sometimes cashiers reward them with a piece of candy at the checkout. In sixth grade, my Social Studies teacher gave us extra credit for going to vote with our parents. We were required to show her our sticker as proof— I wasn’t exaggerating when I said these are the most valuable stickers throughout childhood.  Teaches:  patience, civic engagement  References ¹ Community Care .  (n.d.). Mental Health America. Retrieved May 20, 2024, from http://www.mhanational.org/bipoc-mental-health/community-care  ² Glimco, E. (2022, March). 5 Ways Libraries Bring Value to Communities . Addison Public Library. https://www.addisonlibrary.org/5-ways-libraries-bring-value-communities

Let's face it, going along with your kid's drama filled plot line for their Paw Patrol characters isn't much fun. It's natural for our play interests to evolve from our sandbox digging days. With that, To make play fun again,I encourage you to reflect on the following question: how do you like to play? If you're not exactly sure where to start in answering that question, this post will be super helpful for you! We'll go through the eight play personalities, also known as styles of play. For each category, I’ll give a couple examples of how the style of play may have shown up for you in childhood, as well as how the style might show up for you now in adulthood. That’s right, play styles don’t just disappear when we grow up, we simply find more socially acceptable ways to incorporate them into our current lifestyles. Let’s take a look at the styles of play! What is a Play Personality? What are the 8 Play Personalities (Styles of Play)? 📝 The Storyteller 🧩 The Director 🏆 The Competitor 🧸 The Collector ⛰️ The Explorer 🧘🏽‍♀️ The Kinesthete 🎨 The Creator 🤪 The Joker Why Play Style vs. Play Personality? ✨ The Storyteller: Enjoys expressing themselves through words Traits of the Storyteller During Childhood: During childhood, the storyteller style could've shown up through a love for dramatic and/or pretend play. You probably got too deep with a Barbie's or action figure's backstory. You might’ve even written in a secret password journal with voice activation. In Adulthood: You find ways to bring storytelling into your daily life, rather it’s through journaling, writing poetry, writing for a Medium publication, writing on Substack, or even taking time to craft the perfect Instagram caption. This play style can also show up through participation in an improv group or theatre. Popular Movie or TV Characters:  Harriet from Harriet the Spy;   Kay Panabaker from Read It and Weep; Dan Humphrey from Gossip Girl; Lexi from Euphoria   📝 Play Ideas: Help a kiddo publish their own book with Lulu Junior Illustory book and illustration kit  Buy blank books or board books at a craft store Retell classic fables or folktales (The Tortoise and the Hare; The Three Little Pigs; The Three Billy Goats Gruff, Goldilocks and the Three Bears)  Make up stories and narrate them aloud!  If you hit gold and make up a story that your kid wants you to retell over and over again, record it as an audio file and they can have their own personalized audiobook If you happen to own a Yoto player, you can also make your own Yoto audio card!   Create A Story prompt cards from Eeeboo Puppets   ✨ The Director: Natural leader and visionary, likes to take charge  Traits of the Director During Childhood: You were often the kid that led group play and other kids were more than happy to go along with the roles and scenarios you dished out.    In Adulthood: Within your family or friend groups, you tend to be the one that takes initiative to get everyone together for a group gathering or vacation. You may be the designated class parent or have a position on the parent-teacher’s board. You might even genuinely enjoy planning and organizing birthday parties or themed events.     Popular Movie or TV Characters: Angelica from Rugrats; Carly from iCarly; Miss Piggy from The Muppets; Lincoln Loud from The Loud House 🧩 Play Ideas:  Play classic childhood games that allow you to take the lead. You might also prefer close-ended toys. These toys are designed for kids to create a specific end result; your kiddo will likely turn to you for guidance or assistance, and with only one solution, you can offer them the direction they’re seeking. Classic Childhood Games: Simon Says; Mother May I; Red Light, Green Light; What Time Is It Mr. Fox; Follow the Leader Close-ended Toys: Challenging floor puzzles; LEGO building sets; activity books featuring mazes, crossword puzzles, word searches, sudokus (for older kids) ✨ The Competitor: Finds joy in competing, winning, or striving for their personal best Traits of the Competitor During Childhood: As a competitor kid, you likely gravitated towards individual sports or activities that resulted in clear winners and losers. Chances are you might’ve even entered lots of school, local, or national competitions.     In Adulthood: As an adult, you still find fulfillment in activities with defined winners or losers (pickleball; squash or racquetball; golf; tennis; bowling). You may also compete against yourself by striving to beat your personal best time it takes you to xyz (ex: run a mile, swim a lap) or regularly enter races like the turkey trot. Aside from sports, competitor styles may also enjoy competitive games like chess, table games at the casino, or video games like MarioKart.   Popular Movie or TV Characters: Reggie Rocket from Rocket Power; Buzz Lightyear from Toy Story; Akeelah from Akeelah and the Bee; Lightning McQueen from Cars  🏆 Play Ideas:  Try playing kid-friendly board games or card games that result in someone winning.  Board Games:   Zingo; Candyland; Chutes & Ladders Card Games:   Memory Matching; Go Fish; Spot It Video Game: Just Dance! ✨ The Collector: Collects things or achievements  Traits of the Collector During Childhood:  You might’ve collected trendy kid’s toys such as Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Digimon, or baseball cards; American Girl dolls; Hot Wheels, or Beanie Babies. It’s also possible you were a collector of simple things like stickers or coins.  In Adulthood: Vinyl record collector? Is your house covered in houseplants? Have a Lego diorama collection? Perhaps you collect currency from around the world, fine art, or antiques? These are all play styles of a collector. I'd be remiss if I didn't acknowledge the kidults that still collect Pokémon or Magic: The Gathering trading cards! Popular Movie or TV Characters: Ariel from The Little Mermaid; Ash Ketchum from Pokémon;  🧸 Play Ideas:  Vinyl Collector:   One of the best things about vinyls is their sound quality. Put on your favorite record from your vinyl collection and have a dance party with your kiddo. Plant Lovers:   If you’re a plant lover, hand your kiddo a travel-size spray bottle and ask them to help water the plants.  Fine Art Collector:   If you’re a collector of fine art, buy a few canvases from the craft store and allow your kiddo to create pieces of art that they’re proud of to display around the house (even if it’s just their room or a closet).  ✨ The Explorer: Driven by discovery Traits of the Explorer During Childhood:  As an explorer kid, you likely thrived off of your curiosity about the world and tended to be a hands-on learner. In science class, it wasn’t enough to read about chemical reactions, you were keen on mixing baking soda and vinegar together to understand chemical reactions through firsthand experience.     In Adulthood:  You might be a travel lover or enjoy exploring new places in your city or town.  Popular Movie or TV Characters: Dora from Dora the Explorer; Eliza Thornberry from The Wild Thornberrys; Moana from the movie Moana; Luca from the movie Luca; Steve Irwin; Mirabel from Encanto  ⛰️ Play Ideas:  Kids are naturally curious (especially toddlers) and insist on knowing why! Lean into their curiosity and your passion for exploring to show them why . For example, if your kiddo asks, “why is that bird holding a stick?” You could respond with, “maybe the stick is for its nest. Let’s go on a walk to see if we can find its' nest!”  Toys & Supplies: Binoculars; mini flashlights; Sibley's backyard bird guide ; Merlin Bird ID app (Download for Apple | Download for Android ) ✨ The Kinesthete: Requires movement of their body Traits of the Kinesthete During Childhood:  As a kinesthete kid, you were likely a child that spent a lot of time engaged into active play. Odds are you tried almost every sport and probably heard your caregivers say that you were a kid that “really needed outdoor time.” In reality, all kids need outdoor time.    In Adulthood:  As a grownup, you continue to find fulfillment through physical activity and finding ways to express yourself through movement. Some activities of interest might include: dance, yoga, running, skiing, snowboarding, surfing, or swimming. Unlike the competitor, you find enjoyment in movement itself and have little regard for winning.   Popular Movie or TV Characters:  Tigger from Winnie the Pooh; Luisa from Encanto; kids from Rocket Power (what sport didn’t those kids play) 🧘🏽‍♀️ Play Ideas: Yoga is an easy activity to do with babies and kids ages 2 and up (my favorite sets of cards: Mindful & Co yoga flash cards ); dance parties; Twister; Kids in Action songs (toddlers love the song, "The Way We Do it" by Greg & Steve) ✨ The Creator/Artist: Finds joy in inventing or making things Traits of the Creator/Artist During Childhood: You worked hard to hone a specific skill or interest in pursuit of creating something magical. Or, you might recall having an entrepreneurial spirit and would come up with super creative inventions or solutions.  In Adulthood: As a grownup, you’ve either found a way to integrate your talent into your full-time work, remain engaged in the interest as a hobby, or have unconsciously forgotten about your skill. Maybe you dabble in playing an instrument, love to cook or bake, or sell handmade jewelry on Etsy? Whichever the case is for you, there are so many ways for you to weave your creativity into play with your kid! Popular Movie or TV Characters:  Peppa Pig; Ada Twist from Ada Twist the Scientist; Miguel from Coco; Isabela from Encanto; Dexter from Dexter’s Laboratory; Alfredo from Ratatouille  🎨 Play Ideas:   For the Inner Inventor:   Science experiments or Kiwi Co kits For the Entrepreneur: DIY Grocery Store For the Artist:   Open-ended art materials (watercolor paints, paint sticks, oil pastels, bleeding tissue paper); For the Musisian: musical instruments (egg shakers, Loog guitar ); have dance parties to your favorite tracks For the Chef/Baker:  give kid small tasks to assist with meal preparation; have kid help you make a batch of homemade cinnamon play dough; allow kid to help with kitchen chores ✨ The Joker: Jokester, class clown  Traits of the Joker During Childhood: You were the class clown and a teacher's headache with the unique ability to make anyone smile. Your silliness and lightheartedness    In Adulthood: Some jokers turn out to be actual comedians or go on to channel their humor into social media accounts and become influencers. More commonly, class clown skills evolve into sarcasm or clever wit. While you might receive feedback from your partner, family, or friends to “take things more seriously,” leaning into your joker play style can be very beneficial in strengthening your connection with kiddos. Kids love to laugh! Popular Movie or TV Characters: SpongeBob SquarePants; Will Smith from Fresh Prince of Bel-Air; Cosmo from The Fairly Oddparents; Sam from iCarly; YouTube “Dudes” from Dude Perfect  🤪 Play Ideas: Read a book of jokes to your kid. Have tickle fights. Play a game of who can make the silliest face. Try whoopie cushions or other lighthearted prank toys.  Silly Tabletop Games:   Hedbanz or Hedbanz Junior As the saying goes, "don't hate the player, hate the game." That's to say, it's not play that you dislike, it's the games, activities, or play scenarios that you're doing with your little one. We all have preferences for certain styles of play. Once you pinpoint the styles that interest you, playing with your kiddo will start to feel authentic and enjoyable. Remember, kid's speak and connect through play. The more we can find ways to speak their language, the more connected they'll feel with their caregivers! Thanks for playing with me! If you have any ideas you think I should add to this list, feel free to share in a comment below!

Why do kids stare at people all the time? Why doesn’t my kid play with other kids? If you’ve ever asked yourself either of those questions, then you’ll find it helpful to take a look at the six stages of play. Reviewing these common stages of play that kiddos experience during the early years will help answer these questions and many more.  If you really just want to know why toddlers stare at people, click here ! What Are the Six Stages of Play? In 1932, an American sociologist from the University of Minnesota’s Institute of Child Development, Mildred Parten, observed that kids naturally go through various social stages of play  in early childhood. Parten categorized these stages into six groupings. Over 90 years later, the play community continues to recognize these stages.  Stages of Play 1️⃣ Unoccupied Play 2️⃣ Solitary/Independent Play 3️⃣ Onlooker Play 4️⃣ Parallel Play 5️⃣ Associate Play 6️⃣ Cooperative Play Why Are the Six Stages of Play Important? The most important aspect of Parten’s Six Stages are the skills that kids develop along the way. As a caregiver, you might find it helpful to familiarize yourself with the variety of ways little ones socially interact. It can also be validating to know that your kid's behavior isn't weird, just typical. Note : The age range of the stages is highly debated. I decided to reference the range from   Pathways.org  because I've found it to be the most accurate timeline amongst kids I’ve worked with.  Unoccupied Play (0 - 3 months) These are the days when babies are high off life as they explore what their bodies can do and what actions they take warrant a response from caregivers —  think of the unoccupied play stage as a time of self-discovery!  Examples of Unoccupied Play: Movement (reaching, kicking, etc.), grabbing at toys, exploring on play mats or play gyms How to entertain a 3 month old?   Caregivers can entertain 3 month old babies with activities like peek-a-boo using your hands or play scarves and mirror play.  Tip : No mirror? Prop up your phone or ipad and turn it on selfie mode; this doesn’t qualify as screen time since it’s comparable to a mirror reflection What can a 3 month old baby play with? Three-month olds can play with toys that are easy to grasp— baby paper, toy rattles, teethers. Art cards with bold patterns and textures or bright colors are great for stimulation. This is also a nice age to introduce babies to music. Instrumental jams and classical music can be particularly calming.  How does unoccupied play help development? Unoccupied play allows little ones to familiarize themselves with their abilities and their environment.  Solitary Play (0 - 2 years) Also referred to as independent play, solitary play is the stage when kids begin playing with less dependence on the direct engagement and reliance of caregivers. Parten noted that throughout this stage, it’s common for kids to be more self-centered and focused on individual projects or outcomes through play. This is also the stage when children begin using pragmatic thinking and comprehending cause and effect.  Example of Solitary Play:  Despite a caregiver being close by, a child is able to play/entertain themselves over short durations of time. For example, a child might explore a play gym while you unload the dishwasher.  How to encourage independent play?  One way to encourage independent play is by setting up a " yes space" for kiddos (a safe area in which a few toys or books are easily accessible). Caregivers can also use child-led guided play as scaffolding to increase learning outcomes. Guided play is sometimes referred to as play based learning and can be complemented through setting up low prep activities using household objects .  Which toys are best for independent play? Following the unoccupied play stage, the best toys for independent play vary based on your little one's age, interests, and abilities. Here are a few recommended toys based on age ranges.     Babies: Shape sorter, soft books, stacking toys, blocks Tabies (12-24 months) : Reusable drawing toys, shape sorter, felt book stories, cause & effect toys How does solitary/independent play help development? Independent play allows children to explore their current abilities, limitations, and build resilience through trial-and-error and long-term practice.   Onlooker Play (2 - 3½ years) Onlooker play looks like the kid version of people watching. Well, except for the fact that kids can be very overt about people watching— they will literally stand in front of another kid and stare them down without saying a single word. This behavior might appear odd or rude, but it’s totally natural. It’s not just their peers that kids stare down, they also take close notice to what grownups are up to.  Examples of Onlooker Play: I’m sure you’ve seen the viral reels or Tik Toks featuring adults at a playground staring at the camera as it moves. The caption overlay usually reads something like “ every toddler as you walk past them at the park.” You know the videos I’m talking about — that’s onlooker play.  💡 Did You Know?  The onlooker stage explains why so many kids are fascinated by watching toy unboxing videos!  What activities support onlooker play? An easy way to support onlooker play is to model play —  sit on the floor, build a block tower. Ideally, kids are provided with opportunities to be around other kids at play. Which toys are best for onlooker play? Open-ended toys, pretend play toys, dramatic play toys How does onlooker play help development? Through onlooker play, kids develop language and vocabulary, learn social and cultural norms, and begin building self-confidence. Parallel Play (2 ½ - 3 ½ years) During parallel play, you’ll find kiddos playing alongside or next to another kiddo, but strictly focused on their own activity or play scene.  Examples of Parallel Play: Parallel play often takes place in group settings during free play. One child might be focused on building a tower with blocks, while another kid plays with animal figurines. Both kids might be aware of each other's presence, but they don't really interact with one another. H aving a child help with household tasks or chores is also a form of parallel play. An adult can be cooking dinner while the child washes dishes  in the sink.   What activities  support parallel play? Individual sensory bins support parallel play. This allows kids to be be engaged in their own activity and enjoy personal space, while becoming slightly more conscious about other kids around them. Which toys  are best for parallel play? pegs boards, pretend play figurines, cars, art supplies How does parallel play help development? Language development (very typical for kids to narrate aloud as they play in this stage) Associate Play (3 - 4 years)  During associative play, kids face play scenarios where they’re challenged to communicate and share with other kids, but aren't working together to meet a shared goal. Examples of Associative Play: I’ve observed kids engaged in associative play most often when using play dough or other sensory materials (requires communication about sharing tools). It's also common to see associative play when kids are building structures with small blocks ( magna-tiles come with a lot of compromising discussions about the divvying up of square tiles ), and when kiddos use dramatic play toys (they dish out roles and scripts for their playmates to follow). What activities support associate play? Some activities that support associative play  include sensory table play and general nature play. Which toys are best for associate play? Dramatic play toys (play kitchens or grocery store , pretend food , doctor kits, dress up clothes); active play equipment; magna-tiles How does associative play help development? Through associative play kids begin noticing that they exist in relation to other kids. Little ones can develop patience, as well as, improve their gross and fine motor skills.    Cooperative Play (4 - 5 years) According to Parten, the cooperative play stage is a merging of the previous five stages. Kids begin working and playing together more frequently, while striving to achieve a shared goal. Examples of Cooperative Play: An example of cooperative play is a handful of kids working together to build a fort. Fort building requires a lot of design planning, turn taking, and compromising. Through this process, little ones practice communication, negotiation, and teamwork to achieve their shared goal: a fort that they can go in and out of without having it collapse on their heads.   What activities support cooperative play? Sharing limited play equipment, such as slides, swings, climbers; role-playing scenarios Which toys are best for cooperative play? jumbo blocks; board games; more advanced puzzles; dramatic play props; puppets; giant playsilks (for epic fort building) How does cooperative play help development? Cooperative play allows kids to practice turn taking, sharing, and cooperation. It also improves speech and language development, as well as executive function (planning). ⬇️ Learn More: Are the Six Stages of Play Linear? It’s possible for kids to show linear progression through the six stages of play. However, it’s more common for kids to exhibit behaviors from multiple stages, often within the same day. For example, in daycare settings, I’ve worked with some 2 year olds that would spend their mornings watching other kids play (onlooker play), and after nap time, they engaged in interactions that fall under associative play. Due to limitations in ability (disabilities), culture, neurodivergence, adverse childhood experiences (ACES), and a child’s independent development growth, some kids might skip a stage, take many years to reach a stage, or require assistance to reach a stage. Do All Kids Go Through the Social Stages of Play? It’s worth noting that Mildred Parten was a White American and presented the concept of the six stages of play during the Great Depression (1929-1939). That is to say, her findings were based on the observations of White, American, able-bodied, neurotypical children.   Teacher educator, Eunsook Hyun, takes a deep dive into the significance of culture within the context of early childhood development, particularly in childcare settings. In chapter two of Dr. Hyun's book, she suggests that the progression through the stages of social development is less predictable for certain groups: BIPOC children; and kids that are a part of families with multiple siblings. Kids in these demographics tend to move through the six stages in a nonlinear path.  A number of researchers have found that Euro-American parents tend to see play as a catalyst for developing their kids’ cognitive and social skills. Hyun writes, “caregivers in this demographic often raise their kids to focus on individuality, developing independence , and how to occupy themselves with their toys (Johnson, Christie, & Yawkey, 1987).” In modern western parenting, this has become more prevalent. As a result, the timeline for when kids reach the parallel, associative, and cooperative play stages may be different.   In contrast, caregivers from African-American, Asian-American, and Hispanic-American backgrounds tend to raise kids to be more group oriented, with a focus on family interdependence  and family reliance. Put simply, in the early years, it’s more common for BIPOC kids to be raised to focus on the collective instead of entertaining themselves.    Regardless of cultural norms, there isn’t one right way to socialize a kid . A child’s play patterns can be influenced by their home environment, birth order, being an only child, and a myriad of other conditions. Through acknowledging cultural differences within these stages, my hope is that caregivers can reflect on their child’s current play patterns and be inspired to explore and incorporate other practices when possible.     References Hughes, Fergus P. Children, Play, and Development. Edited by Fergus P. Hughes, SAGE Publications, 2010, https://books.google.com/books?id=KbnOVfinznEC&pg=PA100#v=onepage&q&f=false .    Parten MB Social Participation among Preschool Children. Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology. 1932; 27 (3): 243–269. “What Are the 6 Stages of Play?” Pathways.org , 16 September 2022, https://pathways.org/watch/stages-of-play/ Hyun, E.  (1998). Making sense of developmentally and culturally appropriate practice (DCAP) in early childhood education. New York: Peter Lang. Chapter 2

Wanna feel less guilty on your next midnight shopping spree? Check out these awesome companies that follow the BOPO (buy one, plant one) business model with every purchase you make! Supporting these brands is a great way to help the environment and feel slightly better about those late night splurges. As our society continues to grapple with climate change, businesses are stepping up with creative ways to empower shoppers. While monetary donations are still impactful, businesses have began leveraging a different marketing trend— tree-planting initiatives. From clothing, to accessories, stationary, and even outdoor gear- there are a growing number of companies engaging in eco-conscious business models. Take a look at some brands practicing the buy one, plant one model below! ✨ Quick Preview 1️⃣ tentree 2️⃣ Paper Culture 3️⃣ Oakywood 4️⃣ WoodChuck USA 5️⃣ Eartheasy 6️⃣ Get Stamped 7️⃣ Küat tentree Features | Eco-conscious Clothing Best For | Men, Women, & Kid's EcoFocus | Sustainable Sourcing; Designs for Circularity   Planting Partners | Eden Reforestation Projects; Trees for the Future; Plant With Purpose Certifications or Ecolabels | Certified B; Climate Neutral Certified tentree is a Canadian clothing brand that has been part of the BOPO model for 10+ years and has impressively planted over 81 million trees since it's founding! The company uses recycled or organic materials in their clothing to help reduce the amount of water and emissions that are produced in standard clothing production. Some of these materials include TENCEL™ lyocell, organic cotton, REPREVE® recycled polyester, and recycled nylon. While I've only purchased a few items from tentree, one of them included my prized black winter parka and I can't rave about it enough. As I finish up my third winter with the coat, its condition is just as good as the day I received it. Happy to report it’s definitely buy it for life quality!  Screenshot of veritree tree tracking through tentree's Impact Wallet. Is tentree's BOPO initiative verifiable? Yes, tentree's BOPO initiative is verifiable through veritree. In fact, transparency about tree planting was (and still is) such an important value to the company, that the founders created veritree, which allows customers to track the trees that they help plant. veritree partners with lots of tree partners With each purchase, you receive a stamped card with a scannable code. After scanning, you click the link to register your code and track your trees in an interactive virtual forest. Heads up, the forest map kinda gives Minecraft vibes, whereas, I was initially expecting Google Earth quality... but veritree is constantly testing new technology and they're a very young company. Regardless, this is by far the most transparent technology I've seen that allows customers to verify trees are planted using their money. SHOP TENTREE PAPER CULTURE Features | Holiday Cards, Invitations, Photo Books Best For | Christmas Card Senders, Party Planners EcoFocus | Sustainable Sourcing Planting Partners | Trees for the Future; Arbor Day Foundation; Friends of the Urban Forest; Our City Forest Certifications or Ecolabels | Certified B Paper Culture specializes in holiday cards and wedding invitations (think: eco-friendly version of Minted or Shutterfly). Unlike most standard holiday card companies, Paper Culture prints cards on 100% recycled paper, using either post-consumer recycled paper or alternative non-tree fibers. I've purchased my annual holiday cards from Paper Culture for the past five years and their customer service staff is super friendly and helpful, despite it being the busiest time of year for them. With every order placed, a tree is planted where reforestation is most needed. At checkout, you're given the option to write a special tree dedication. I dedicate mine to my dad each year, who planted a tree before passing away —  but the tree continues to thrive today. Is Paper Culture's BOPO initiative Verifiable? Yes, Paper Culture's BOPO initiative is verifiable. You can check out their tree counter on the Trees for the Future website, that has logged over 1.3 million trees planted . I also love that Paper Culture partners with a couple of local tree planting orgs ( Friends of the Urban Forest and Our City Forest ) in the San Francisco Bay Area, where their corporate office is located. SHOP PAPER CULTURE OAKYWOOD Features | Home Office Essentials Best For | Remote Workers EcoFocus | Sustainable Sourcing; Designs for Circularity Planting Partners | One Tree Planted*; Forever Forest Certifications or Ecolabels | uses FSC certified wood While I've recommended Oakywood in the past , their BOPO model is yet another reason you should check out their products! Oakywood crafts stunning home office furniture and accessories in a modern minimalism meets Montessori style. The Polish founded business offers a slew of electronic accessories, like AirPod Case s (my personal fave), and genuinely innovative WFH accessories. When you buy any item from Oakywood, the company uses a portion of the profit (usually $1) to plant a tree. Their transparency around their environmental initiatives , materials, and labor, as it relates to total prices for customers is commendable. Screenshot of One Tree Planted partner listing on September 27, 2024 featuring Oakywood logo on The Wayback Machine internet archive. Is Oakywood's BOPO initiative Verifiable? Yes! Oakywood's BOPO initiative is verifiable through One Tree Planted. However, the company is not publicly listed as a partner of December 14, 2024, This appears likely due to website updates and donor feature changes from One Tree Planted. Through One Tree Planted, Oakywood has planted 87,919 trees. This comes out to be 2,197,975 kg of CO2 saved. While Oakywood has a handful of distribution sites around the world, their workshop is still located in Ciche, a small town in Poland. As such, they also have a local planting partner, Forever Forests, through which 10,959 m2 of forest has been planted. SHOP OAKYWOOD      WOODCHUCK USA Features | Sustainable & Customizable Wooden Gifts     Best For | Eco-conscious gifters & creative professionals EcoFocus | Sustainable Sourcing  Planting Partners   |  Various Partners via veritree Certifications or Ecolabels |  N/A One glimpse of the Woodchuck USA site and it’s nearly impossible not  to find something you’ll love! Woodchuck has an expansive collection of customizable wooden gifts—coasters, bottle openers, notebooks, candles, picture frames, wooden gift boxes, and lots more! Woodchuck USA's best sellers include their wooden journals, phone cases, and flasks. While the wood used in production is not FSC certified, this is likely due to the fact that Woodchuck utilizes a mix of reclaimed and recycled wood  (which ironically isn't allowed under the FSC certification) in addition to sustainably sourced wood. Woodchuck USA is highlighted and sits under the $5,000-$9,999 section. In the past, Woodchuck USA has partnered with the NFF. However, they've seen a hugeee surge of success (since I originally highlighted them in 2021), which has led the company to expand their tree planting initiatives through a partnership with veritree. The growing company pledges to BOPO with each item purchased. A unique QR code is included with every wooden keepsake from Woodchuck. The code allows you to to track your tree’s location to see where it’s rooted. To date, the small business has been able to plant over 4 million trees ! Is Woodchuck USA's BOPO initiative Verifiable? Like tentree, Woodchuck USA uses veritree, which provides shoppers with individual QR codes to track their tree. In addition, the NFF's latest annual report confirmed that Woodchuck USA donated between $5,000-$9,999 to their mission. SHOP WOODCHUCK USA EARTHEASY Features | Products for sustainable living     Best For |  Wooden garden beds EcoFocus | Sustainable Sourcing  Planting Partners   |  Trees for the Future Certifications or Ecolabels |  N/A While Eartheasy sells a variety of sustainable living products, they’re most known for their signature garden beds and planting boxes. The owners of the company have decades of firsthand experience with green living, having raised two kids ‘off grid’. Today, they manufacturer beautiful wooden planter boxes and curate their top recommended tools for integrating sustainability into your lifestyle. I also find their puppets, made from recycled wool to be incredibly cute and are on my wishlist! Is Eartheasy's BOPO initiative Verifiable? Yes, Eartheasy's BOPO initiative is verifiable through Trees for the Future. I actually had to update the number of trees they've planted on my database tracker, from 50K to 173K, which tells us that (1) Eartheasy is still actively partnering with Trees for the Future and (2) they're selling a heck of a lot of products! SHOP EARTHEASY GET STAMPED Features | Rubber stamps    Best For | Wedding or housewarming gift EcoFocus | Sustainable Sourcing  Planting Partners   |  Trees for the Future; World Land Trust Certifications or Ecolabels |  N/A Rubber stamps are so classic, we often forget about them. Of course, Get Stamped goes way beyond selling your average stamp. All stamps are made from natural components, including environmentally sourced oak and green eco rubber. What's really cool is that you can design stamps featuring names, initials, addresses, and pretty much anything you can imagine — probably best to keep it PG rated though. Here are a few other use cases that came to mind: Wedding Gift : Know a couple getting married and combining their last names? Gift them a stamp with their new hyphenated last name! Housewarming Gift: Have friends that just moved or recently became homeowners? Gift them a stamp with their new address. Kids' Activities: Toddlers and even big kids will awe in their ability to create art so effortlessly. Stamps are such a fun addition to any arts & crafts collection. Stamps are also a more eco-conscious alternative to stickers! If you're looking to give kiddos stamps on their hands as a reward, Get Stamped even has a specially formulated Skin Ink Kit , because they've seem to think of everything! Is Get Stamped's BOPO initiative Verifiable? Yes and no. Get Stamped partnered with Trees for the Future for five years (2018-2023) and supported in the panting of over 74,000 trees, which is verifiable with the planting partner . However, they've since switched to a partnership with World Land Trust . Under their new model, one square meter of wild land is purchased with every order. Each meter adds up to acres of land that Get Stamped is able to purchase and conserve as designated wildlife. So far, consumer purchases have preserved over 20,700 m2, which is about the size of 4 American football fields! Trees for the Future still has Get Stamped listed as a corporate partner. I only discovered the switch from doing research on Get Stamped's website. I decided to still include them in the BOPO lineup because they seem like an awesome company that has merely shifted to focusing on conservation efforts vs. reforestation . And technically, World Land Trust does offer tree planting initiatives as a service to corporate partners. SHOP GET STAMPED KÜAT Features | Travel Gear Solution Best For | Outdoor Enthusiasts Planting Partners   |  NFF; Trees for the Future; One Tree Planted EcoFocus |  Accessibility to Nature Certifications or Ecolabels |  N/A Küat designs car solutions for adventurers transporting recreational equipment. A car rack is definitely one of those things you don’t realize you need until you really need it. By then, it’s usually too late… there’s no way you could possibly pick out your rack, order it, and have it arrive before  your road trip. If you're an avid bicyclists, surfer, kayaker, snowboarder, or skier, chances are you’ll need a method for transporting your gear at some point. Küat products are designed to support folks in enjoying the outdoors, so it's fitting to invest in a car rack from a company that's giving back to the environment! When you make any purchase through Küat, a donation is made to support their Future Forest initiative , where they report that they've planted 685,342 trees planted so far! Is KÜAT's BOPO initiative Verifiable? Yes, Küat's BOPO initiative is verifiable through Trees for the Future, with whom they've planted 357,043 trees . In 2023, they donated between $10,000-$24,999 to the NFF. SHOP KÜAT So, there you have it, seven awesome companies to go checkout! Do you buy from any companies that give back through BOPO initiatives? Is this list missing any great companies? Leave a comment to let us all know! Sincerely, Briesh P.S. Stay Conscious + Curious!