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I'm really inspired by these ice sculptures done by preschoolers. Aren't they just beautiful?! I bet they had so much fun deciding what to put in each one and waited with anticipation for them to freeze, probably overnight. I will definitely be trying this sometime this winter!
via ensuite // photos © queenvanna creations on flickr
Spying on people has got to be one of the most fun things to do. I remember in one of the houses I lived in as a child we had a wooden fenced yard, marked by an occasional hole that was just perfect for peeping in on the other side. One neighbor had a doberman pinscher (who was actually very sweet) but we enjoyed scaring ourselves by watching it. I wonder what these children saw through the vent at the San Francisco Museum of Art? I hope it inspires you to be a little naughty this weekend and spy on someone... :)
via ringo
What a fun and beautiful way to teach a child when to use what at the table! Available here.
I am just kicking myself for not knowing about this work kit for children that was at the High Line Park in NYC this past summer...sometimes you just don't even know the magical things that are right under your nose... I can't think of too many kids out there who wouldn't know just how to go to work on this set of loose parts, made by industrial and toy designer Cas Holman. Pulleys, ropes, bolts – all just waiting to be whipped into shape by the creativity and imagination of a child. We are lucky enough to live near one of her permanent works at Imagination Playground in downtown Manhattan where a similar idea exists: giant blue foam shapes that can be turned into all sorts of things and provide endless hours of fun for a variety of age groups. One thing is obvious: Cas knows kids and what gets their wheels turning. I love her bio that states: "good toys make good people." Truer words were never spoken. (p.s. Cas and I both grew up in the Sierra foothills of California, which I think is awesome. Good things come from that place, I am telling you.)
via playscapes
Hello! I hope you had a pretty weekend and enjoyed a little r+r. I found these plan drawings last week and they've given me some good reasons to want to move to London. (Although it would be a bit odd, since I have a daughter by that name...hmmm) Anyway, two new designs for public spaces have been approved for the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, and they look like so much fun! One will be at the north park and one at the south plaza. The north park one was designed by NY-based James Corner Field Operations and seems more geared toward all ages, although it does look like there is some awesome net structures to climb in. The south plaza one is what I'm really excited about, however (see second image). Designed by London-based erect architecture, has some really fun features for kids that revolve around nature. Areas to create dens and forts, bug hotels, enjoy sand and water play, large scale swings, and an abundance of hands-on learning about local ecology. Wonderful stuff! (Click on images for a closer view).
via archdaily
Another gorgeous photo shoot to share today from Anne Valérie Hash Mademoiselle's Fall/Winter 2011 collection. I love to see children playing outside no matter what the weather is like, and these two girls look happy even though it looks like it's a bit frigid. Thankfully, our weather here will be creeping back into the mid 50s, so London and I are celebrating by taking a carousel ride! I hope these pictures inspire you to play outside this weekend and try to enjoy the winter.
If I wasn't so set on getting a round play table, I would be really tempted to spring for this gorgeous Geo play table and matching Lilly chairs from We Do Wood. They come in three different colors – black, red and blue and are made from bamboo grown without chemicals, pesticides or herbicide. I only wish they came in a bigger size so I can have one as my desk!
This playroom design features an indoor slide! Well, who can compete with that?? This home is located in Togoshi, Japan, and was designed by LEVEL Architects. The homeowner wanted to have the first floor of the house be more conducive for adult socializing and the second floor for their children to play. Everyone's happy right? I know I would be if I could just take a little zoom down this...
via ArchDaily
Meubs is a French online furniture shop which has a charming selection of kids vintage pieces. I really like the grey paint color that I keep seeing popping up - the French really seem to love that color. Here are a few of my favorite picks! (#3 is a potty chair which seemed particularly of interest to me since we just started potty training a few weeks ago...thank goodness it's been successful!)
1: Chaise et Bureau CASALA 2: Tableau Noir Vintage 3: Petite Chaise Pot 4: Petite Bibliothèque 5: Caisses metal SCHÄFER 6: Chaise pliante vintage
