02. 3.2010
Muji and Lego - a great combination
You know, we always suspected those folk at Muji had special minds. I mean, I think I could look at pieces of Lego for a long time before I came up with the two-brand combination that is presently available on Muji's Japanese site. It's a whimsical and lovely coming together of the classic Lego block and Muji's origami products. You punch a few holes in the right places, and hey presto, those blocks take on a whole new lot of possibilities.
Impressive - and, dare I say, if you don't feel like ordering all the way from Japan, quite easy to replicate now that Muji have had the actual idea.
Via Design Milk.
Posted by Myf
Category:
toys
Tags: construction toys lego muji
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01.28.2010
Beatiful Rocking Horse by Recycle Studio
"Just beautiful," was the first thought that came to mind when I came across these rocking chairs by Etsy vendor Recycle Studio. Hand made of 1/2" furniture grade 7 ply apple core plywood while the materials last, these horse and giraffe chairs are a steal at $119 (plus $45 for shipping in the US).
A bonus? At least 90% of the materials used are salvaged (in this case, from a batch of daycare furniture made locally). A quality heirloom piece that your children could pass down to theirs. And at no additional cost, have your child's or your last name engraved in the seat back.
I'm thinking my boys could use one of these....
Posted by Katie
Category:
furniture
| toys
Tags: giraffe horse recycled rocking chair rocking horse
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01.25.2010
Cold Days Outside = Temporary Tattoo Fun Inside!
Seeing as we've passed an entire month of winter, I'm certain that the onset of cabin fever is just around the corner. It's the time when parents of toddlers and babies become desperate for entertainment beyond the usual - baking cookies, playdoh parties, giant train sets, vast amounts of television - and need to become slightly more creative.
Enter the "Hands Gone Wild" non-toxic temporary hand tattoos. With eight animals and eight monsters (tattoos, not kids), parents could keep a baby entertained for minutes, maybe even tens of minutes! Better yet, toddlers could keep parents entertained long enough for a solo potty break, dishwasher unloading or (gasp!) single sip from a still-hot cup of coffee!
Wishful thinking? Find out for yourself. Available here for $12 USD per set.
Posted by Katie
Category:
fashion
| toys
Tags: entertainment hand puppets puppets tattoos
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01.25.2010
Extinct animals toys
Josh Finkle is a young designer in 3D materials who recently put together this series of wooden toys, each depicting a recently-extinct animal. The packaging is printed with further information about its inhabitant.
Finkle's website is worth a visit, if only for the fascinating photographs showing the process of designing these creatures in their simplified forms, and how those forms are hewed from small blocks of wood. Sadly, I guess they are just a project/prototype, since there is no further information - but this is certainly the sort of toy we at Babygadget would love to see on the market.
Via Drawn!.
Posted by Myf
Category:
toys
Tags: animals prototypes wooden toys
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01.20.2010
Himalayan Yak letters
Wow - here's a new one for all us alphabet-lovers: custom initials knitted in Himalayan Yak wool. At almost 20cm high, they'd even function as an abstract cuddly toy for a wee one. Find them at Custard.
Posted by Myf
Category:
toys
Tags: alphabet knitted toys letters
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01.15.2010
Djeco paper plane origami
Just as with those paper boat kits I wrote about back in August, I'd like to be the person earning good money for what is effectively a few sheets of A4 paper. In both instances, you, the customer, do all the hard work of assembling the things.
Yet somehow, in both cases, you don't feel cheated. Well, apart from anything else, you're paying for the experience, the satisfaction, I guess. With this plane kit, you're also paying for the know-how: yes, we can probably all remember the most basic paper aeroplane, but the more advanced of the five designs you're guided through here really is beyond all but the most super of parents. These planes really glide, thanks to clear instructions and paper of just the right grade.
Then finally, you're paying for some exquisite design. These really are beautifully illustrated, with the sticker pilots just the icing on the cake. So, I don't mind shelling out - and indeed, I did so, several times, giving them to every small person on my Christmas list this year.
Posted by Myf
Category:
toys
Tags: aeroplanes origami paper
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12.15.2009
Enchanted Elf Costume
This holiday season, I can't think of anything that would be closer to a little girl's heart than this adorable elf costume. Hand made from cotton and felt by PinkNounou, it's simply fabulous...guaranteed to make this Christmas, or any day, truly magical.
Posted by Justine
Category:
fashion
| toys
Tags: costume elf
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12. 4.2009
Fidoodle block set
Fidoodle, of Toronto, is not giving much away via her Etsy profile, which simply reads, "Hello" - but there again, maybe her incredible products speak for themselves.
Like this block set, inspired by both Red Riding Hood and Peter and the Wolf.
What grabbed me about it is the uncompromising, adult style of drawings, which are somehow still appealing for the young ones. Besides that, there's the unconventional non-uniform sizing of the blocks: in each set, you get a number of cubic blocks, some flat squares, and even some triangular shapes - so I bet packing it all away in the presentation tin also becomes a bit of a game.
There's so much room for improvisation and guided play here. I am impressed.
Posted by Myf
Category:
toys
Tags: art blocks etsy
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12. 2.2009
Clementine natural modelling dough
This could be the most sophisticated stocking-filler you come across this year - and its shape is just perfect for that purpose. Clementine modelling dough from Fawn & Forest contains no chemical dyes or other additives, and instead is coloured by turmeric, carmine and spinach. If kept in the original pots, it last twelve months - just in time to be replaced in next year's stocking, in fact!
Posted by Myf
Category:
toys
Tags: eco-friendly natural toys
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11.12.2009
Saffron Craig softies
I rather like the fabric designs of Aussie Saffron Craig - you may find something just perfect for your nursery curtains from her selection of hand-printed fabrics. Just like the Babygadget team, she seems to have a particular soft spot for ornithological motifs, with parrots and owls featuring especially strongly.
I thought I'd highlight these owl and koala softies kits particularly, though, as they are such a nice idea. As with the previously-featured Clothkits, you get everything printed out and all you need to do is cut out and sew together. A great Christmas present, though be aware that Craig is located in Australia, so allow time for shipping.
Posted by Myf
Category:
toys
Tags: fabric kits sewing soft toys
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