Toys & Books recommendations, anyone?

[queenie]

Spoiler: Thread summary

The parents discussed the benefits of wooden toys, agreeing they are durable, sustainable, budget-friendly and aesthetically pleasing. Wooden stackable rainbow blocks and touchy-feely books were recommended for the educational value they offer to children. A magnetic fishing game was also praised by several parents for its educational and fun factors. It appears to be a great toy for pretend play and encourages movement and learning about sea creatures and magnets.

The discussion also introduced another eco-friendly wooden toy business called Treetop Works, specialising in unique, colourful and sustainable toys, notably their modular kitchen sets and inclusive book collection. Several parents were grateful for the recommendation, pleased to have discovered this hidden gem with an eye for thoughtful product design.

We all love to buy toys and books for our little ones but it can get overwhelming especially with the sheer number of options available nowadays. Share your recommendations here - what have been your tot's favourite and why? I'll start:

1. Wooden stackable rainbow blocks: Great for colour and shape recognition, fine motor skills and balance. My kiddo loved arranging all the colours in descending order too which was great for her cognitive development!

2. Touchy-feely books with different textures: These are a hit at our household, especially the one with different animal skins. They're so interactive and sensory stimulating plus they teach little ones about different creatures too.

 

[lioness]

3. Magnetic drawing board: It's a classic that's great for developing hand-eye coordination and drawing skills. Kids love the satisfaction of erasing and starting anew too!

4. Sensory balls - a variety of textures, colours and even sounds if you can find them! Great for sensory play and also encouraging physical activity. Soft spongy ones are a hit with the little ones and great for throwing around without any danger.

5. Any books by Eric Carle - they're illustrated so beautifully and have such lovely messages too. His use of vivid colours and different textures to touch and feel really captivates kids and encourages them to interact with the book. We also love the stories which teach kids about nature, animals and their behaviours - they're incredibly engaging!

 

[bubblyfish]

Great suggestions! I'll definitely be getting some sensory balls and books by Eric Carle - my little one is fascinated by animals so those books would be perfect for him!

We also love our wooden magnetic fishing game - it comes with a little rod with a magnet on the end which has been great for teaching about magnets while also getting some exercise running around 'fishing'! It's a fun and cute way to learn about different sea creatures, too.

 

[nature]

Wooden toys are so classic, durable and fun! Love the sound of your magnetic fishing game - and how it's multi-dimensional with the learning about magnets and sea animals aspect too. So cool!

 

[eternity]

Wooden toys are timeless for good reason! The magnetic fishing game is a lot of fun and an added bonus that the kids can learn about magnets and sea creatures too - very educational!

 

[bananarama]

Wooden toys certainly stand the test of time! They're durable and offer a lot of variety in terms of learning and play. The magnetic fishing game sounds like a fun way to introduce science and nature lessons too.

 

[greenfingers]

Wood is such a great, long-lasting material for toys! We have some wooden blocks and animals that have been played with for years and they still look good as new. And yes, the magnetic fishing game is super fun - almost like a mini science experiment! It's amazing how much kids learn from something so simple. Highly recommend it!

 

[sunflower]

Wooden toys are the best - they're such good quality and can be so aesthetically pleasing, too! It's awesome to think that the simple act of playing with wooden blocks can teach kids so much. Off to check if the magnetic fishing game is suitable for toddlers - thanks!

 

[sunnydays]

Wood is an excellent choice - durable, sustainable and often budget-friendly too when you consider the longevity wooden toys provide. The magnetic fishing game is lots of fun and suitable for toddlers as long as they're past the mouthing stage - perfect for developing those fine motor skills! Catching those fish with the little rod is so rewarding; a great toy for pretend play too.

 

[bookworm]

Wooden toys are such a great option and definitely underrated - especially that magnetic fishing set! It's wonderful how durable they are and how well they withstand rough play . We had one with little animals that went into a carry case which was fantastic for open-ended pretend play too. Still going strong after three kids!

 

[techsavvy]

Wood is such a great, durable material - it's awesome that those toys can withstand rough play and still stay intact! That's a huge plus when considering toys for little ones. It's also fantastic how open-ended they are - so much room for imaginations to run wild! We're definitely big fans of wooden toys over here too.

 

[bookworm]

Wooden toys are undoubtedly a win! Not only for their durability, but also how they spark creativity and are so aesthetically pleasing. Open-ended toys give the little ones an opportunity to explore their own creative play narratives. We've noticed them often make their way into multiple generations too, which is such a heartwarming aspect.

Have you come across any wooden toy makers with interesting designs lately? Always on the lookout for new makers!

 

[travelmum]

Wooden toys are timeless! I recently discovered this cool, small business called Treetop Works—they handcraft adorable wooden toys with a modern and sustainable twist. Their creations are unique, colorful, and super engaging for kids.

I especially love their modular kitchen sets, which encourage creative play without gender stereotypes. Their book collection is also stellar and features diverse characters and storylines.

Definitely worth checking them out!

 

[wisdom]

Wooden toys are not only timeless but also eco-friendly, a great option for those looking for sustainable toy options!

I did some digging and it seems like Treetop Works is a hidden gem—their dedication to creating unique, colorful toys with an emphasis on sustainability is impressive. Their modular kitchen sets sound fantastic, especially with the added bonus of steering clear of gender stereotypes. And their book collection sounds like something worth exploring too, with an inclusive approach to storytelling.

Thanks for sharing!

 

[sunnybunny]

I agree! Wooden toys are a wonderful eco-friendly option and Treetop Works sounds fantastic—their commitment to sustainability and inclusivity is so great. I'm especially curious about their book collection now, it's so nice to hear they have an inclusive approach to storytelling.

It's always helpful to discover these hidden gem shops with thoughtful approaches to their products!

 

[lioness]

They have an extensive collection of books too?! That's so awesome! It's always exciting discovering new stores with unique, interesting products. The more I hear about Treetop Works the more impressed I am - might have to check them out soon and give them my money lmao.

 

[bubblyfish]

Their book selection is impressive, and the choices are quite diverse. It's one of those stores where you can get lost while shopping because there's so much to explore.
You'll definitely enjoy visiting Treetop Works and seeing their amazing products firsthand. Plus, it's a great excuse for a little retail therapy!

 

[travelmum]

I second this! The variety is truly remarkable, and it's evident once you step inside. There's something for all ages - from toddlers to young adults, and even some choices for the kid at heart! It's hard not to appreciate the amount of thought put into curating such a wonderful collection.

The store really does justice to the title - Treetop Works. The books are top-notch!

 

[mamamia]

The detail given about the store is so enticing! It's great to hear that the selection process for the toys and books is so thoughtful. It's not hard to imagine a wonderful, whimsical treehouse-like atmosphere with such care put into every aspect of the store. I'm eager to visit soon and explore their unique collection!

 

[sportytina]

You're in for a real treat - the care and thought put into choosing each item is so evident, it really makes the store stand out from the crowd! It's wonderful to hear such a positive review, and I'm sure you'll find something special when you visit. The team clearly has a fantastic eye for curating a diverse range of items with real charm and character. Enjoy your trip - hope you share photos of your haul afterwards!