mini cities (perfect for travelling with)

Aren't these mini-cities cute. 

We have this little mini wooden village.

First belonging to Luca 7 years ago and now getting a second life with Ruby. 

Wooden Village in a Bag

Amazon

But I do like this little ones based on 'real' cities around the world.

Helsinki

Finnish Design Shop

London (NY, Paris, Tokyo also available)

Muji

World Heritage

(Pyramids, Stonehenge, Acropolis, Easter Island statutes, Machu Picchu)

Muji

Kiko (love the colours and minimalist style of these)

Perfect for keeping little ones busy on flights (they come in small bags or boxes).

Perfect for the budding town planner!

cardboard toys

These are on my shopping list for the kiddos. Cardboard toys. Easily assembled. Easily stored.  Children (or you!) can assemble, decorate, play, pack away, and eventually when they have been enjoyed until they are falling apart, they can be recycled!  Firstly, I'm thinking of a small house that can fold down flat and be popped into a suitcase to take on vacations.

Some of these large creations are great don't you think (although a little more bedroom space might be needed).

 

kidsonroof.com

creativetoyshop.com

creativetoyshop.com

papertastic

Just wanted to tell you about something I found today.

One of my favourite blogs for creative ideas, 'How About Orange', always manages to track down the most fantastic free downloads on blogs and websites - party planning stuff, books marks, packaging, stationery, stickers.  I'm forever downloading stuff for making cards, gifts etc.

Anyhow, today I was looking at How About Orange for a party invitation for Ruby's 2nd birthday, and instead I found the site of Marshall Alexander - Paper Engineer.  This dutch designer creates fantastic one-piece paper toys, that by intricate folding turn into wonderful 3D models.  Most have a retro 70s / 80s feel about them (influenced by videogames, cartoons, toys etc) and nearly all are free to download.


        


I've downloaded so many this evening, as they will be perfect for keeping my broken boy busy this summer.

Wigwam fan

In Dusseldorf I visited Habitat for the first time in years.  It used to be one of my favourite stores in the UK and there were still plenty of things caught my eye.  But actually it was the window display with a kids wigwam that I loved.

My Luca loves to make a camp.  Usually incorporating dining chairs, duvet covers, cushions and anything else that isn't nailed to the ground! He then sits inside quite happily with his Lego guys, colouring or watching a movie contented and quiet (a rare occurence!).

For his 4th birthday party a few years back, we had a kind of cowboys and indians theme and made a last minute wigwam around a tree in our garden with old cream curtains and picnic blankets.  The boys loved it.  They all sat outside with hot dogs, popcorn and a pretend campfire quite happily on a December afternoon.

I've never actually got around to buying a wigwam, but I think it would be great fun to have in the bedroom for a child and to play outside in the garden.

These are a few of my favourites.

 

Graham and Green

Habitat

 

Kidz Supplies / Not on the Highstreet dot com

If you're a little bit on the creative side, how about making one yourself?  These two sites have great instructions and photos to help you along.

Sew Mama Sew / Cherry Menlove Designs

But if you haven't got space to erect a tent, how about this very sweet mini-wigwam and 10 figures to play with - definitely on my wish list for Ruby.

Daffodille / Amazon and lots of other sites too.

The good, the bad and the cuddly

My kiddos are Luca 7 (smart, loud, cheeky, funny) and Ruby 17 months (oh so cute and adorable).   These kiddos make my life sooo good, as does my super Huzz (missing him so much this week - he's in Palm Springs, California - its been raining apparently (makes me feel a litle better with these minus temperatures and snowflakes coming down again!).

Yesterday I picked up a new toy for each of them - the kiddos that is, not the Huzz (his toys, ie camera lenses, are way more expensive and not something I just 'pick up').

There was a Nijntje (Miffy to many, but Nijntje in dutch which is short for konijntje meaning rabbit) for Ruby.  Ruby has taken quite a liking to Nijntje and we are getting a little collection of things going.  I found this cute towelling one for her and she has been hugging and kissing it ever since!

Next week it will be Carnaval time here and there will be a parade at school on Friday and in the town at the weekend.  Luca wants to be Darth Vader, so I got him a Darth Vader mask and cape.  I now need to find a red lightsaber (apparently the blue and green ones he already has are not Darth Vader's (what do I know?).  He is Star Wars obsessed.  A Jedi in training.  But...

Yesterday evening, as I put him to bed, he picked up his white cuddly lamb and snugged under the duvet with it, before blowing me kisses.

My little boy has not quite gone over to the dark side!!

May the Force be with you today!