Gift Ideas

We're all aware that living sustainably is difficult. Plastic is so convenient. Everything is wrapped in plastic these days. Many of the toys available today contain toxic chemicals like PVC and BPA. Toys that are not made from natural materials like wood can be unsustainable and they take up too much space and need constant care.

The good news is – there are ways for families to minimise their plastic consumption by moving towards eco-friendly, educational toys.

Eco-friendly wooden products are a key priority for most eco-conscious consumers who want their kids to learn that there is an alternative way to play without harming the environment. For example, companies such as Everearth plant trees for each product they produce so that they can show their commitment to protecting the environment.

Check out our list of the 10 best eco-friendly

Moving from gross to fine muscular coordination requires practice. It's important for children to start developing these coordinated activities early so they're ready when they begin playing games later.

How do motor skills help with your growing child?

To give an idea about the types of motor skills, let’s start with the fine motor skills. This refers to the ability to manipulate objects precisely through fine muscle movements.

For example, holding an object requires careful control of the muscles involved in gripping, lifting, turning, and moving it. Precise manipulation of objects is particularly useful for growing kids to help them perform activities such as drawing, painting, sculpting, playing, writing, and so forth.

On the other hand, opportunities for young kids to play outside and exercise by running through grassy fields, jumping up and down on small hills, climbing trees, playing hopscotch, etc., are important developmental experiences

Many toy companies don't consider how quickly children will grow out their products.

The great thing about Connetix magnetic tiles is that they are created to be flexible enough for children to use from 3 years of age onwards. They can even become more complex as your child gets older. In a sense, the tiles themselves get more sophisticated as your child matures and they use them in different ways.

Connetix comes in different shapes and sizes; they allow for both 2D and 3D builds. Once children have mastered the basic skills, they can go on to more advanced levels where they learn new concepts, like the ability to move objects into place within a space, and designing projects using the tiles.

Let’s explore the different phases of your child’s cognitive and motor skills and how it progresses with Connetix magnetic tiles.

Phase 1 - Discovery

We often wonder if perfect toys exist; perhaps, if it includes an ideal balance between physical play, imagination, and education. Wooden toys might be best in this regard. Made of natural materials like wood, these sustainable toys are very healthy and safe. In addition, they encourage creative thinking and offer something for everyone. So, if you think about it, it really can be called a perfect toy!

An unembellished, beautiful wooden toy can even captivate children’s attention without overwhelming them, and spark their imaginations without pushing them into specific directions. Wooden toys are usually less complex in design and have fewer features than toys made from plastic; however, I love the open-endedness that wooden toys offer.

They tend to be the most popular because they’re so easy to maintain for children. As long as you keep them clean and well cared for, they’ll last forever. In fact, Montessori

Puzzle pieces provide an excellent way to develop fine motor skills in children from birth to age five. They're also wonderful for developing spatial awareness in older kids and adults. Montessori toys, activities, and puzzles should not be ignored.

Here we will discuss the wonderful benefits of puzzles for toddlers to adults and provide recommendations for Montessori and fun aligned puzzles for children from birth to age six and the grown-ups, too!

Puzzles help children develop their spatial skills and concentration.

It doesn't matter whether it's a two-piece puzzle or a hundred-piece puzzle; the benefits are there. We highly recommend eco-friendly wooden jigsaw puzzle pieces that have vibrant colours yet still align with Montessori principles.

Here are the great benefits of introducing and encouraging puzzles for

There are currently 7.96 billion people inhabiting our green and blue planet. These people come from different backgrounds - race, gender, age, personality traits, and physical features. With that in mind, we must make it our social and parental responsibility to educate our children on how to set aside judgement and be open and accepting to others who look and act differently than us.

A child’s first education is relevant when it comes to diversity and inclusivity topics. This is because kids have the tendency to form their judgement early on by watching how a person looks and acts.

Therefore, teaching children about diversity helps them grow to be tolerant and to be socially aware. We need to expose them to dismiss categorisation and shape a better mindset for them to become more open and accepting to the people and the world around them.

But how exactly can we steer them into the right path in learning about family and diversity? The answer is

Toys are essential for toddlers as it helps open their imagination and develops their mental and motor skills. But what are the best toys for the kids in early development?

We believe it is best to give them toys that encourage thoughtful play. The toys must be made with natural materials and specially designed to help the child learn and expand their imagination. With this in mind, we have concluded that wooden toys are best for kids instead of their plastic counterparts.

So what makes them better than the regular plastic toys?

Firstly, wooden toys last longer. They also biodegrade faster. They provide a minimalist design that is highly approved by parents who love simple aesthetics. These toys look stylish yet stimulates the child’s curious minds, creativity, and coordination.

Secondly, wooden

Grimm's is a much-loved German brand that creates quality open-ended wooden toys. We have a whole new selection of products coming online, with plenty of new Decorative Figures for the Birthday Rings!

Open-eneded play is great for learning & growing! Grimm's offers a huge range of toys for kids, from sensory rattles, to building blocks, to counting sets. They use plant-based oils & safe dyes to colour their products, allowing the natural & unique wood grains of each piece to shine through.

Looking for something crafty & fun for kids to do indoors? The DinosArt range is full of fun options for kids 7 & up to work on. These engaging sets are focused on dinosaurs, so they are certain to captivate young imaginations! All sets are 7+ years, available online & in-store.

Dazzle-by-Number:

Create captivating art with this set! It comes with all the rhinestones you need, plus the applicator pen & more!

Magic Watercolour:

Paint awesome prehistoric scenes with this set. It includes 12 paint colours and 2 brushes!

Sometimes deciding on what to get kids can be hard. There are so many choices, and it's difficult to know where to begin. We've made a list of suggestions to help make it a little easier! Whether you go with something in this blog, or it leads you to the perfect toy, we hope the lists ease the decision making a little. We've sorted our staff recommendations by age, as well as other interesting interest, and there's even a list for mum & dad! Don't forget we're also always happy to help, whether you're visiting us instore, calling us on the phone, or messaging us on Social media.