Happy Camper Essentials

We LOVE this lantern!  It is one of the most versatile toys that a boy could have.  In our house, it is used as a nightlight, for pretend camp outs and for evening walks.  Most of all, it makes a great camping accessory.  It has its own built in generator that is powered by the energy of winding up the crank, which lights up 5 LED lights.  It also has a compass on the top and a metal clip for hanging.  Pairing this lantern with the camp out cooking tools shown below would make a great summertime gift for any boy.

Click here to get the lantern and here to get the camping tools for your happy camper!

 To light the flame of inspiration and connect the boy in your life to the wonder of nature, the books shown below are recommended.
Click on this link to the right to read the descriptions of these books:  Camping Books

Egg Decorating Kits

Each year during Spring, we dye eggs and hide them in the garden.  We usually decorate our eggs with words and symbols that convey our wishes for abundance.  The boys draw symbols for abundant love, abundant health, abundant happiness and abundant Peace.  This year, I decided to seek out new and unique ways of decorating eggs.  I came up with these three wonderful alternatives.

The first one is a Goose Egg Decoupage Kit (shown above).  This kit comes with everything needed to create artistic and imaginative eggs.  The great thing about this kit is that the creations that are made can be used year after year for decorations and egg hunts. It also allows for freedom of expression which speaks to the souls of boys everywhere! Click here to buy one for your guy: Goose Egg Decoupage Kit

 The second alternative is a Ukrainian Egg Decorating Kit (shown above).  This kit contains eight packets of vivid, water-soluble dyes, two "kistky" tools for drawing the linework in wax, a beeswax patty, full instructions with design diagrams, and color photos of finished eggs.  The end result is a work of art and a lesson that highlights cultural diversity and global connectedness.  Click here to buy this kit for the boy in your life: Ukrainian Egg Kit

The third alternative is Eco-Kids Eco-Eggs coloring kit (shown above).  This kit included dyes that are non toxic, 100% natural dyes that are made from the following organic plant, fruit and vegetable extracts:  annatto seed, curcumin, purple sweet potato, and red cabbage.   A color chart and imaginative cutouts are also included.  Best of all, this kit is so safe, that even two year olds can participate in this activity without the worry of harmful dyes or additives touching their sensitive skin!

If you're interested in doing some new that is also good for the Earth and super safe for the kids,  click here to buy: Eco-Eggs

A Toy Garden Giveaway

A Toy Garden is giving away this beautiful, versatile,  CURVY BOARD worth $129.95!

All you have to do is this:  Go to A Toy Garden's FB page and the follow the instructions below.

CURVY BOARD GIVEAWAY: "Like" us (click the Like button near the top of the page) and add a comment about your favorite product from A Toy Garden or one you'd like to have. On Oct. 31, 2011 we'll randomly pull a winner from these comments. Shipping must be to the lower 48 contiguous states. Spread the word to your friends - this is a fabulous prize!

 

Leaf Art Kit

This leaf art kit comes with 8 different cardstock backdrops and 72 leaves and other items found in nature.  The beautiful thing about this little kit is that it connects art to nature and encourages boys to use spatial reasoning to create unique masterpieces.  It comes with instructions on how to dry leaves so that your boy can make his own kit.  This kit is sold at Magic Cabin, which is one of my all time favorite stores to buy toys that nurtures the souls of boys. 

Click the link below to buy this kit for you boy!

 

Sandosaurs Dino Molds

These dinosaur fossil molds are so fun to play with at the beach!  We have a set of these. Our boys used these molds to pretend play as paleontologists.  Boys of all ages would enjoy have had hours of fun creating prehistoric fossils.  These molds are lightweight and are packaged in a convenient mesh, drawstring bag that is perfect for the beach!  Click HERE buy these unique fossil molds for the special boy in your life.

Pretend Kitchen

Forget about stereotypes.  The truth is that boys LOVE to cook and this bright red kitchen is the perfect addition to round out their pretend play possibilities.   Pretend kitchens help boys establish a strong emotional intelligence as they attend to the needs of others (stuffed animals, friends & family) by cooking pretend food and serving them in a kind and compassionate manner.  Their imaginations will soar as they pretend to be cooks and wait staff at a restaurant while also learning about good nutrition and establishing reading, writing and mathematical skills by making a menu.  To buy one for that special little guy in your life click here --->Red Retro Kitchen

Garden Fort

Boys LOVE to build forts.  Take the fort out of the living room and bring it into the garden with this garden fort kit!  This fort is a terrific way to connect boys with nature and the natural world, while satisfying his inherent desire to explore and discover.  The garden fort kit includes the framework which will support the fast growing vines that will eventually create the living walls and ceiling of the fort and four different types of seeds: Black-Eyed Susan Vine, Cypress Vine, Asparagus Beans, Moon Flower.  Just place a cozy blanket on the ground and your boy will have the perfect nook for reading, exploring and pretending! Click this link to get one for the boy in your life: Garden Fort

Spring Chicks

3 Chicks - 6pc Chunky Wooden Puzzle  

With Spring around the corner or any time of year, there is something endearing about baby animals.  Chicks symbolize new life, innocence and everything pure, which appeals to the heart of boys.  They remind boys of their connection with Nature and all animals on the Earth and stimulate their natural curiosity about the world around them.  This connection soothes their inner naturalistic tendencies and nurtures their soul.  On my search to find the cutest chicks out there, I found these wooden puzzle chicks that would delight any boy.  We love these chicks because they incorporate wood and the educational aspect of solving puzzles.  These chicks are hand made with sustainable and environmentally friendly wood and hand painted with non toxic paint.

Check out these chicks by clicking the link under the picture.

Love in Bloom

When we stumbled upon these simple little valentines, we were excited about the fact that they are an excellent way to express love and friendship while being creative and earth friendly.  What makes these hearts so special is that they are made from 100% recycled paper that has been infused with wildflower seeds AND they were made in the USA.  These valentine's are the perfect way for the little boy in your life to express his love to his parents, family members, best friends, teachers and so on.  The recipient of these hearts will receive a gift that keeps on giving.  All they have to do is plant these 100% biodegradable hearts, water them and wait for Spring (which is right around the corner) to see them grow into beautiful expressions of love.


Click HERE to get some for your little guy.