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    Gift Guide– Top Art Supplies for Kids

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    Art supplies for kids are always welcome in our house. Gift giving events like birthday’s and holiday’s always bring out an overload of stuff. So what do you ask for if you don’t want any more toys? Art supplies!

    Art Supplies for Kids: The Best Gifts

    If your home is anything like mine, art supplies are always needed. You lose caps and tops. Markers, paint and play dough dries out. The favorite color crayon gets chewed or broken. You get it. So art supplies are an easy thing to ask for that will satisfy those “must give a gift” givers in your life.

    1. Tempera paint: We love regular tempera paint for finger painting or using traditional paint brushes, but my kids are obsessed with these paint sticks. These Chunkies from Ooly make painting a little less messy for days when you just aren’t up for a full painting extravaganza. Which is most days….

    2. Beeswax Crayons: Crayons are a staple for kids art supplies. We tend to lean towards beeswax crayons for the bold and vibrant colors. They are also more natural than your standard crayon. Our favorites are the Ooly Brilliant Bee Crayons.

    3. Sparkle Gel Crayons: We also recently got these sparkle gel crayons and my kids are OBSESSED. They glide so easily and have a touch of sparkle–so you get the glittery effect, without the glitter….

    4. PlayDough: Did you know play dough is an amazing tool for developing hand strength and fine motor skills that are both pre-writing skills?

    Little hands benefit so much from this type of manipulating, moulding, squishing, and rolling.

    Our newest obsession is The Dough Project. You can buy them here. They make 100% all natural play dough out of all non-toxic ingredients. They also have “dough it yourself” kits where they send you all the ingredients, directions and even jars! Hello! This is such an amazing idea for birthday parties.

    5. Watercolors: My kids really enjoy watercolor paints. I don’t know if it’s because it involves dipping something in water or what, but they are very different from “regular” paint and therefore we do like to have both options for them. They will routinely ask to do watercolors and this set is beautiful! I’m blaming this on my artist husband.

    6. Oil pastels: Oil pastels are another one of our top kids art supplies. We love these because kids can use their hands to smudge, make finger prints, mix colors and generally get messy creating. They are sort of a mix between painting and drawing. I love the Ooly Twisty Stix because they are much less messy than your average oil pastel.

    7. Colored pencils: My four year old is really starting to get into learning how to write, and he is working on his “pencil grip” so having colored pencils around is now my go to for when he wants to practice “writing” (I despise markers).

    8. Dustless Chalk: Chalk is a staple and these Ooly dustless chalk crayons are awesome because you can use them on a chalkboard, glass, wood or whiteboard! Hello versatility!

    9. Double Sided Ice Cream Scented Markers: You can choose between thin or think colorful lines. Some scents are watermelon popsicle pink, apple gelato green, blueberry snow cone and grape popsicle purple.

    10. Sketch pad: This durable sketch pad is perfect for kids to keep all their doodles and art in one place. It’s bound at the top for easy flipping and contains 75 pages of heavier stock white paper–perfect for not so delicate artists.

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    Gift Guide–Toddlers & Preschoolers

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    Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links which means I earn a small commission if you choose to purchase something through my link.

    Toys for Toddlers and Preschoolers

    Toddlers and preschoolers need simple, open-ended toys that can span multiple ages. Here is a simple holiday gift guide that focused on more open ended toys that are suitable for toddlers and preschoolers, as well as promote more active play.

     

    1. Clicques (Clicks) Rainbow Dolls– These adorable little wooden people allow for endless creativity and pretend play. They can be used for dollhouse play, block play, color matching and sorting games. These consist of three elements that are held together with tiny magnets designed for you to mix them up. They have minimal facial features in order to promote creative thinking.



    2. Wobbel Balance Board– This is an extremely versatile “toy” that kids of all ages can play with. Whether its baby using it to practice pulling up or low height climber, toddlers using it as a bridge, a tunnel, a surf board or a seesaw. The possibilities are endless. This one of my must haves for gross motor development.



    3. Piklar Triangle– This is another must have for gross motor play. This climber can be used by a variety of ages and is the perfect way to give the gift of appropriate risk taking to your little one.



    4. Silks– The ultimate in open ended play. My kids use these to build forts, as superhero capes, props for dancing, as blankets for their dolls, they ball them up and pretend they are garbage to be cleaned up. These are played with daily.

    5. Wooden Story Natural Blocks— Everyone needs blocks and this beautiful heirloom quality block set is a classic that should be a staple in every playroom.

    6. WAYTOPLAY roadway— This flexible road is a must have for any vehicle loving kid. They even have expansion sets so your little one can build an epic track to race cars and trucks.



    7. Tegu blocks— The perfect mix between classic blocks and our beloved Magnatiles. These are a must have for any child who loves to build. Another early STEM toy that will be loved for years to come.

    8. Lily & River Little Steps–These colorful wooden stepping stones are a prefect addition to any play space. Children love to use these to balance and play games like “hot lava.” They are great for gross motor play!

    9. PetitCollage Doodle + Draw: A redesigned classic. This also makes a great travel toy and something to encourage quiet playtime when your toddler begins to drop a nap or is going through a sleep regression.

    10. Candylab Cars–Ditch all the plastic and matchbox cars in favor of these adorable vintage cars and trucks that makes a perfect gift for vehicle loving kids.

     

    11. Plan Toys Shopping Cart— Kids this age absolutely love to mimic the tasks they see us doing. This is where pretend play really starts to develop. Gift this shopping cart and give your little one hours of fun filling and pushing this cart around.


    12. Plan Musical Toy Set— This all in one music toy is a perfect way to incorporate music toddlers and preschoolers. I love this one because it combines multiple instruments into one toy which helps reduce clutter.



    13. Cuddle + Kind Doll— Buy a beautiful handmade doll for your little one while also donating 10 meals to children in need. What could be better than that. These whimsical dolls are loved here and with so many adorable choices it will be difficult to choose just one!

    14. Mama May I Sensory Starter Kit— If you haven’t already begun experimenting with sensory bin play this is the perfect kit to get your started. Beautiful wooden tools and the perfect sized box to hold your favorite sensory bin fillers.

    15. Forest Melody Play Set— Wooden forest and animal play set that is perfect for small world play. This age group is very much into creating imaginary set ups and these animals and trees are a versatile addition to the play room.

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    Gift Guide– The Best Gifts for Babies

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    Looking for the best gifts for babies?

    This holiday season I am working hard to be more mindful of what comes into our home–especially for our youngest. 

    Simple gifts for babies

    I wanted to pull together a simple holiday gift guide that focused on more open ended toys that are suitable for a variety of ages, as well as promote more active play. Babies don’t need much, but here are a few items that are great for learning and development.

    1. Mushie Stacking Cups–This set of muted colored stacking cups are a basic toy but an absolute must have. They help improve fine motor skills and organization. 

    2. Plan Toys Matching puzzle–Simple wooden puzzles with large handles are great for little babies to begin learning about early math concepts such as shape recognition and fractions, it also helps build patience and concentration.



    3. Slumberkins snuggler–Who doesn’t need an adorably snuggly soft lovey in their lives. These little Slumberkins are just too cute.



    4. Haba Rainmaker— A rainmaker is a great sensory experience for little ones. They can work on their grip, shake this to make noise and watch the little balls move around–helping them begin to develop a sense of cause and effect.



    5. Plan Toys Bell Rattle–A classic rattle made from wood and very muted colors is a must have gift for little babies.

    6. Plan Toys Baby Car–This little car is so perfect for tiny hands to push and pull. This bright car helps build visual and fine motor skills.



    7. Haba Frog–This frog doubles as a grasping toy and a teether. Love the adorable little frog face!

    8. Plan Toys Triangle Clutch Toy–Another awesome grasper toy. Babies need multiple opportunities to practice holding objects that are a variety of shapes and sizes.

    9. Grimm’s Large Conical Tower–Another classic toy that helps babies develop an understanding of math concepts such as shapes and size. Opt for this over the plastic ring tower for a beautiful and non-toxic addition to your space.



    10. Haba Happy Block Set— These soft blocks are a must have for little ones to shake and stack. Each blocks also makes it’s own little noise.





    11 & 12. Jellycat Stuffed Animal and Activity Book–Jellycat stuffed animals are the ONLY brand of stuffed animals we own. They are literally the softest, most adorable things ever. They also have such an amazing variety of unique animals. These little activity books are great as busy books for car rides.

    13. Wooden Story Shape Sorter–This beautiful wooden shape sorter is a classic toy that your child can love now and later. Learn to sort by color, shape and size as well as use these blocks for building when baby gets older.


    14. Haba Teether Cuddly Rainbow— An adorable toy for little ones that has a mirror, bells, teethers, and crinkle tags. So many little things to keep little hands and mouths busy.



    15. Haba Rainbow Fabric Ball–A fabric ball that includes eight colorful sections with different textures and sounds that provide so much sensory stimulation.

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    Using Loose Parts and Tinkering to Foster Creativity

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    Using Loose Parts Play and Tinkering to Foster Creativity

    Play is about exploring and imagining, and nothing fosters creativity like loose parts play. Although we often think about educational toys and set curriculum for homeschool, traditional school, and even home play, using loose parts and tinkering to foster creativity is not only great for play purposes but for brain and physical development.

    Designing Play Spaces with Tinkering in Mind

    Consider designing play spaces with exploration in mind. Imagine you are watching a group of young children play in a room designed for tinkering and free play. You notice some playing with toys on shelves, taking things out, setting things on tables leaving them haphazardly on the floor. The children may notice that through their selections, they have created a collection. They may look at the puzzle dumped from its mold, the beads strewn on the carpet and the blocks nearby and start to make connections. You observe them play, and they have now created towers with blocks and puzzle pieces in an elaborate pattern with a bead at the top of each. Next to the builders, a toddler dumps out a basket of blocks. She then moves on to another basket of tubes and dump it out, too. It may appear to a casual observer that the toddler is simply making a mess. Actually, this is her research! In her dumping out she is learning about what those materials do. And she’s getting ready to make connections. When designing play spaces, keep in mind that they should allow for this flexibility. Children should have the ability to make a “mess” in order to tinker and create.

    Using Real-Life Materials in Play

    Play is an essential component to human learning. There are stacks of research about the importance of play and its impact on learning and creativity. In his groundbreaking book From Play to Art, artist and art educator George Szekely talks about making the real things in a child’s life available to them in order “to get ideas”. A child is exposed to some raw materials and they get ideas on how to use them while touching, looking, rearranging. This idea especially resonates with an adult that has given a young child a new toy and the thing the child is most captivated with is the box. A very powerful play “permission slip” a parent can grant their child is to put objects from the “real world” into their child’s world. A tray filled with different sizes of nuts and bolts and a magnet will inspire more creative thought than giving your child a plastic toy that looks like a screwdriver. Naturally there are child safe adjustments to make for different ages as well as differing needs for parent supervision. There are many themes you can create if desired, but it’s even more powerful to let your child be the creative guide. There are no limits to what you can do with your imagination! Below is a brief list of suggestions by age. The only parameters are age appropriateness for safety.

    Making Suggestions to Foster Creativity

    Remember that setting out tinkering materials for your child is the practice of making a suggestion. In the child-centered educational pedagogy that is inspired by the work of the Reggio-Emilia schools in Italy, materials like this are called “provocations”. You are making a suggestion or posing an idea with the materials you set out. The next part is to simply observe your child and watch them engage. After you do a few of these observations, you will likely be inspired by other items your child would be inspired by. Remember that any messes created during creativity are part of the process and research of play. Let your child have a space where this is encouraged and allowed. Fostering your child’s innate creativity is exciting and will be a bonding experience. Have fun with your child using loose parts and tinkering to foster creativity.

    Loose Part, Real-Life Material Suggestions for Tinkering

    Ages: 0-2.5

  • Plastic divided lunch tray, muffin tins, plastic bento box, small laundry basket
  • Cheerios and a shoelace,
  • Leaves/paper/edible finger paint
  • Squeeze bottle with water and dark paper
  • Pine cones/palm-sized rocks/flowers/paper
  • Bath tissue tubes/paper towel tubes/blue masking tape cut into 3+” strips/ping
  • Ping Pong balls
    • 2.5-5
  • Wooden box with dividers, cafeteria tray, metal lunch box, cylinder shipping container
  • Artificial flower petals/wire/wooden beads/feathers
  • Large marbles/glass pebbles/magnifying glass
  • Transparent colored game pieces/battery powered candle/magnifying glass
    • 5-10
  • Cardboard boxes, wooden trays with dividers, buckets, baskets, laundry basket,
  • Stainless steel bowl, crates
  • PVC pipes/electrical tape/hose/water source
  • Large rocks/yarn/paper/white glue
  • Wire/beads/corks/bottle caps/old keys

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    Why big kids need play, too

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    Why big kids need play, too

    Renowned educator Maria Montessori described 12-18 year olds as budding social justice advocates. Children in this stage are developing who they are and how they can be of service to the world. Pre-teens and teens are deep thinkers. These adolescents are very serious and dedicated to figuring out what the world is about and how they fit into it. Physical and mental changes make this can be an exciting and challenging time for youth. They need opportunities not only to blow off steam, but to play and develop their creativity. Yes, big kids need play, too!

    Socialization and Play

    Many teens and tweens have their own devices to connect to others digitally. Unless it’s during structured activities, clubs, or organized sports, teens rarely have unstructured “play” time. As kids become more independent, it’s unlikely for parents to push this free play. Although big play groups may not be appropriate at this time, encouraging your older kids to connect with their peers offline when it’s safe to do so is so important for their mental health and well-being.

    Exercise and Play

    In our current pandemic society it is even harder for young people to have opportunities to play with their friends, and it is increasingly important for the adults in their lives to make space for them to let their play muscles get exercise. Getting kids off their devices can take a little maneuvering or persuading sometimes, but it’s not always hard to distract them from their digital presence. Encourage your tweens and teens to get outside, hang out with neighborhood kids (when it’s safe), and explore. Let go of the fear that they will get in trouble or get hurt. Riding bikes, taking a walk in a nearby park, or going fishing are playful activities that get the body moving and teens playing! Play some music at home and have a dance party. All of these activities will help your older children play and move.

    Tinker and Play Like a Child

    It is pretty hard for anyone to eschew bubbles. In addition, it would be a challenge for a teen to ignore dry ice in a kiddie pool and a few PVC pipes and a hose. A refrigerator box and a can of paint, a giant piece of wood and spray paint, stickers and an old dresser, and water squirters are all things that would likely captivate a teen if a willing adult started in on it, quietly…and offered encouragement. There are few young adults that wouldn’t be ready to start creating and playing with materials if you started a Rube Goldberg machine with some ping pong balls, dominos, cardboard and masking tape. A tray with some nuts and bolts and magnets on the coffee table might be enough to get a digital addict to put the device away for longer than you might think possible. Fill a kiddie pool with sand and pretend you’re at the beach. Spray each other with the hose. Or simply run through a sprinkler. Sometimes all it takes is permission to encourage sensory and constructive play.

    Pretend Play

    Youths are often natural dramatists, we see this as parents when their hormones rage and their feelings are strong. Kids are also so creative and want to put on a show. There’s a reason TikTok is so popular! Channel this ability into doing some fun drama games. Charades can be corny for youth sometimes, so have the kids come up with some guessing games that incorporate creating characters and personalities based on celebrities or family members. Make your own rules to make it personal and laugh together. Finally, have them just act out their own skits or plays. Parents know how important it is for children to be children. Older kids can have a hard time remembering this, especially with the weight of the world on their shoulders during the pandemic. Make some time to bond with your big kids and make PLAY a regular part of your DAY.

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