Habitat Kid

PLAY: Thickets from Cheeriup

I spend a ridiculous amount of time looking at children's products / toys / rooms / playgrounds, etc., and it's made me a bit picky about what I think is truly special. There are so many things out there these days, things I could have never imagined would exist when I first gave birth to London (now 5 1/2!). Some are amazing, beautiful, functional, answers to mother's product prayers. Some are just crap. Ugly. Cheaply made. Uninspiring. Plastic. Thankfully, the trend seems to be moving towards the more beautiful, hand crafted, natural material direction, but every now and again I come across something incredibly special and unique. Something that stays in my mind for days and makes me feel like an excited child all over again. Such has been the case with Cheeriup. I was thumbing through the back of a magazine - you know, through those tiny ads that you're sure no one ever pays attention to - and one caught my eye. I looked it up immediately, I was so charmed, and well, see for yourself. Conceived and crafted by Minneapolis mama Kelly English, these are not just mere playhouses. These are magical thickets. Like a knitted house. Out of sticks. Can you imagine?? When I saw her work, I was immediately reminded of our visit long ago to the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens when Patrick Dougherty had built a series of similar woven structures there. We played there for the longest time and I was every bit enchanted as London was. Now, with summer gearing up and a playhouse desperately needed for the backyard, I've been looking at all kinds of options. But this, this thicket idea really has me going. I'm sure it will turn out nowhere near as incredible as Kelly's, but this is too good not to try. And with so many natural materials here in Seattle at my fingertips, I am dying to go foraging for willows for this special project. As I read through Kelly's blog, so many of her feelings about childhood resonated with me and it was just wonderful to read about how driven she is to create these special places for others to enjoy. What a gift, especially for children, to have a quiet place to escape and be inspired by their surroundings. Kelly, I hope you never stop doing this. It's too beautiful.

PLAY: T-Lab's Polé Polé Animals

I may just have to start a little collection of these guys...for the kids, of course. ;) Made by J. Tanaka of Kobe, Japan, each animal is hand chiseled from fast-growing white albizia wood and is then hand sanded. They are all so beautiful and sweet! Available from Zakka Shop. Update: You can purchase the entire collection at Japan Wave.

PLAY: Gifts for the Girls

It's been far too long since I've posted - many apologies! I have forgotten how crazy it is getting ready for a baby and just trying to get the month of December in order before she arrives! Originally I had thought this would be the perfect time of year to have a baby - all snuggled up in our house and warm with nothing to do but love on each other and sip hot cocoa. Ha! I have since learned that this is a crazy time of year for a baby! Today is actually my due date...I think she'll hold on for at least a few more days. I hate due dates. I feel like they just set you up for disappointment! I sort of wish they would have told me "Oh, around mid-December." Anyway. I clearly did not put together my annual gift guide this year, but maybe I will share some gifts that I have picked out for the girls? I am so excited for London this year - she has really caught on to all things Christmas and it has been a constant flow of singing holiday songs, drawing Rudolph pictures, and asking me to read winter stories. I feel like a kid all over again and trust me, it's nothing short of magical. (click pic to enlarge).

1. Eco-Cross Blanket by Spearmint Love  2. Deluxe Art Center by Guidecraft  3. "Once Upon a Northern Night" by Jean E. Pendziwol  4. "Extra Yarn" by Mac Barnett  5. Pixie Toy Camera by Twig Creative  6. Pink Tassel Moccassin by Crew & Lu  7. 2014 Phases of the Moon Calendar by Irwin Glusker  8. Woodland Babe Bunny by Jelly Cat

PLAY: Carton Cube Puzzle by Nathalie Lété

November is gearing up to be a crazy month for us, since it's the time of year I always send out my paper advent calendars I sell on Etsy (more info for you coming soon!) and Christmas right around the corner, not to mention the birth of a new baby. I'm hoping to have Christmas shopping totally done and everything ready by the last week in November...wish me luck! I love this little cube puzzle, which would be a great stocking stuffer, don't you think? With paintings from French artist Nathalie Lété on each side, there are six puzzles in one. I love her work and the colors she favors - she definitely has a certain playful style that appeals to children. Available from Anthropologie.

PLAY: Abooba Chair

This chair is hilarious! I don't know how many times a day I have to remind a certain someone in our house "no climbing on the furniture!" but this chair is meant for just that. Designed by Jaewook Kim of Korea, the chair is designed to allow parents to rest while still interacting with their playful child. "Abooba" means "piggyback" in Korean. :)

via Behance

PLAY: Crazy Slide

You know it's a good slide when you can imagine yourself fighting with your child over who gets to go down first. This one is in the Playground Plikta located in Gothenburg, Sweden. Bless those Swedes and their slides.

via Playground Designs

PLAY: Ikea Dollhouse Furniture

You know you want it. My question is: when are they going to have more than just furniture for the doll's living room? Ahh the suspense!

PLAY: Molin Roty Gardener's Apron

In an effort to simplify the annual slew of kid's birthday parties we are invited to, I decided long ago to pick one gift each year that would work for anyone that is in a good price point and of good quality. Last year it was these fishing rods and wooden fish, this year it has been this cute gardener's apron by French brand Molin Roty. Throw in a few inexpensive child-size gardening tools from Target and voila! A sweet gift that stands out. What are some of your go-to gifts for kids? (Note: I was not able to find this apron available for purchase through an online venue, but I would recommend visiting your local toy store or children's shop and asking if they can order it for you!)

PLAY: Dos-à-Dos Chair

My sister is in town with her 5-year old son and although we've all had fun, it's been a constant battle between these two. So this must be what having more than one child is like! Ha. Of course, all of the fun toys that we have don't have a twin, so that equals lots of arguing and struggling through taking turns. Case in point: tonight ended with London throwing a rock at his head when he wouldn't give her a ride on the scooter. Heaven help us. How nice this little chair design is that allows two children to have a ride at the same time! Designed by Martin Saar of London.

PLAY: Cardboard Village

Since I'm sure you didn't get enough cardboard from my last post, please allow me to share this cardboard village! The pieces were designed by Russian dad, Evgeny of the blog Play and Grow, and was part of a school exhibit where children were free to build and rearrange the pieces into any configuration. These kinds of exhibits really excite me because they appeal to a wide age range and engage children's imagination as well as providing an opportunity for physical exercise – something so many kids in our world need more of these days.

Images courtesy of Play and Grow