2021 Toys and Recommendations
Are you ready for the holidays, or looking for some ideas? And here are some of the some of the pieces that were new to our family, or that the kids were particularly drawn to this year
Reccommendations
Bauspiel Giant Rainbow–How Does It Play?
At first glance, the Bauspiel Giant Rainbow looks familiar and perhaps similar to other sets, but on closer inspection, the size and proportions reveal that really it plays more like a remarkable set of blocks than the typical rainbow stacker.
Domino Rally: What Sets Should You Look For?
There’s nothing quite like a domino run–and one made with wood blocks comes with a particularly fine sound–but which blocks are best, and flexible in other builds?
Math Tools — Learning at Home
Virtual school has been really hard for everyone this year–teachers have it tough, parents are working double-time, and the kids are hanging in there, doing better than we ever could have asked of them–but it’s still tough. The younger and more hands-on the kid is, the harder it is to catch on to new information in this digital school world. We’ve been putting a lot of energy into making math more tactile.
Christmas Hits 2020
Do you find you’re normally able to predict which gifts will be the biggest hits, and which may take a while to catch on? Some years I feel like I’ve got it all planned–and the kids like the boxes best. This year, they were given boxes and baskets, some more classic toys, and some books. Can you guess the favorites?
Adults Need to Play too
Socks, sweaters, books and picture frames are all very well when you’re planning gifts for adults, but wouldn’t you rather open a package and find a beautifully made toy? Imagine bringing that glee to your friends and parents! Open-ended toys are magic here–most of the toys children love are magic for adults too.
Just Blocks: Fit with Grimm’s and Fit with Bauspiel
Have you looked at Just Blocks, and wondered how they might fit with the Grimm’s and Bauspiel blocks you have or plan to add to your collection? Here is a quick rundown of the sizing and how they fit together (the short version: very well!)
Open Ended Toys: Picks for Bigger Kids
Starting a wooden toys collection is a daunting task–and so is growing a collection as your kids get older–what to buy next? Here are some of our favorites for bigger kid.
Stepped Blocks Size Comparison: Bauspiel, Grimms, Gluckskafer
The Bauspiel Stepped Blocks is an eye-catching set—how does it measure up to the better-known Grimm’s Large Stepped Pyramid and Counting blocks?
Open Ended Toys: Where To Start?
One of the most important things to look at is whether a toy allows the child to imagine, or if the toy does all the work itsef. When the toy takes over, children don’t learn and explore. A toy that is open-ended may look like one thing (a rainbow) but it can be used many ways to represent different things (a building, a bridge, a bed) and most of all, it enhances the child’s ideas and imagination, letting them build and learn in their own world.