As you already know, pretend play has many benefits. While doing things exactly like mom or dad, your child develops his/her creativity, analytical skills, logical reasoning but also communication and social development skills.
Play kitchens are among favorite pretend play games. Here are a few of our favorites…
Anyone with an interest in design knows that Milan is the place to be this week. Today marks the opening of the much-anticipated furniture fair and Fuorisalone 2013, which—for the third year running—includes KidsroomZOOM!, the most celebrated children’s design event in Milan.
So what exactly is KidsroomZOOM!? In a nutshell, it’s a unique celebration of modern art and design for kids. Organizers Paola Noé and Thomas Maitz definitely have their fingers on the pulse of the children’s design industry, and they always surprise with a beautifully curated selection of modern furniture, decor, toys, and art.
KidsroomZOOM! is all about introducing and showcasing new, exciting talent. I always discover something inspiring there, and this year is no exception. Here are a few favorites…
Phew! Yet another deadline that I only just managed to meet… As adults, parents, and professionals, we all know how life can sometimes feel like one big balancing act. Every day we perform multiple roles, juggling countless responsibilities and multitasking to perfection. The to-do list only gets longer, and time is never on our side. (Insert Machiavelic laugh here!)
So, all work and no play? I hope not. Learning to unwind, forget the rules, and think outside the box is essential to maintaining that all-important equilibrium we all strive for. Play can be therapeutic, educational, and fun–at any age. Here are a few picks from the beautiful & modern Ludus Ludi collection of toys, designed for both little and big kids alike.
What can I say? One look at “Woody” and I’m convinced kids are the world’s best designers! Imagined and drawn by Gregory, age 5, and then magically brought to life by Zut Création Textile in France, Woody is quirky, fun, and quite wonderful.
Children’s artwork is a continuous source of inspiration for creatives across the globe. How can we best encourage our kids to draw, paint, or color? How can we give them the freedom and confidence to experiment and express themselves? A group of promising young designers set out to tackle this issue, and here are a few of the clever ideas they came up with…
Let’s rewind thirty years, shall we? I’m auditioning for drama school in London, and one of my future teachers presents me with a big box of marvelous hats. “Pick one, then you have five minutes to prepare a sketch,” I’m told…
As my teacher knew, hats are magical things. You can become anyone you want to be when you put on a new hat. Reinvent yourself and feel transformed, just for that brief moment when you’re wearing something different on your head.
I’m sure you all have or had a dress-up box for your kids at home. We’ve been collecting stuff for years, despite attempts to spring clean, and while princess dresses and superhero capes come and go, our hat box is sacred. I mean, you never know, Mom, really…
Party hats, carnival costumes, accessories to create brilliant disguises–welcome to the Land of Make Believe. I do hope you’ll play along with me.
Rock, roll, slip, slide, tilt, twist… that could almost be the title of one of Tana Hoban’s children’s books, couldn’t it? It sounds like a lot of fun anyway, unless those are furniture design specs and you have to add a seventh and slightly more boring “sit” to the equation.
What makes a great kid’s rocker? I’m no expert, but I love the natural beauty of wood and I’m always on the lookout for well-designed toys and furniture that blend seamlessly with the modern home. Minimal, smart, and pleasing to the eye, here are a few of my favorite vintage and contemporary rockers. Enjoy the ride!
I’m in the mood for a few nice puppets (I have Daddytypes to thank for that). Last week I noticed Greg Allen’s post about a small collection of Renate Müller’s toys in the Sonneberg Toy Museum, Germany (her home town), and I was pleased to see a couple of simple hand puppets and puppet theaters among them.
Like Rachel, I have a soft spot for Renate Müller’s handmade jute and leather therapeutic toys, and find collector gems like these hard to resist. Until I look at the price tag, that is – sigh!
Fresh back from a long weekend in Stockholm with a group of monochrome-loving design blogging peers, I’m now craving a bit of color. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with decorating your home solely in black and white, my own home interior is white and grey, very much in line with the simple, neutral Scandinavian style.
But what about kids? What about their rooms, their play area? Spring is on its way here, we’re going to repaint the house, and I feel like adding a few carefully chosen pops of color. I hope this small selection of fun finds will inspire you to do the same, should you feel so inclined.
I think I’m going to start a “Slow Play” trend, celebrating the revival of simple, tried-and-true toys and games, honoring all things handmade and crafted with love no matter how long it takes to produce them. I suppose this movement exists already, there are plenty of stimulating art toys out there for children (and adults) that meet these criteria.
Let’s take a look at the work of two very special toymakers, both of whom take great pride in creating limited-edition objects for children with a modern feel.
I have a new find for you today, and I have to say Xavi Garcia has made my week. It’s no secret that I am interested in contemporary European toy design and that I love discovering new talent, so when I came across these Wooden Bauhaus Blocks my heart skipped a beat, or two.
