The Souls of Boys

A Toy Garden Giveaway

2011-10-23T22:05:00.000-07:00

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

2011-10-19T14:55:00.000-07:00

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

2011-05-27T09:28:00.000-07:00

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

2011-03-23T10:48:00.000-07:00

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

2011-03-22T18:39:00.000-07:00

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

2011-02-19T12:40:00.000-08:00

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

2011-01-23T17:39:00.000-08:00

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.

From the Heart

2011-01-16T11:22:00.000-08:00

Unfortunately, boys seem to get overlooked on Valentine's Day. The holiday meant to celebrate love, friendship and compassion has become a holiday filled with consumerism and overindulgence. While shopping for items for my boys over the past ten years, I have had to wade through tons of merchandise geared towards little girls. Boys need to feel love and to show love as much as girls do. This year, I have discovered some very lovely heartfelt items that I have found that would be perfect for any boy. (see below)

Boys LOVE to make cards and origami, they are fascinated with candles and LOVE pillows with loving notes from Mama tucked inside. They LOVE to help mama make cupcakes and they LOVE to decorate the house with hearts. Fill his heart with LOVE. Engage him with these wonderful activities and he will glow with the knowledge that he is instrumental in giving and receiving LOVE!

Click here for items (shown above) From the Heart!

Nature Kaleidoscope Kit

2010-11-30T12:10:00.000-08:00

My oldest son made his own kaleidoscope with this kit. The kit comes with everything you need to make a one of a kind kaleidoscope such as: dried flowers, gemstones and colorful glass beads. There are two pages that your guy can color and then attach to the outer part of the kaleidoscope for added design and decoration. This kit inspires boys to look to nature for beauty and soon he will begin to notice beautiful things on nature walks to add to his kaleidoscope! Click the link below to by one for the boy in your life!
Nature Kaleidoscope Making Kit

Market Stand

2010-11-29T17:31:00.000-08:00

Boys LOVE to pretend play with food!! This cute market stand/grocery store will help him set up shop in a jiffy. It will allow him to practice sorting his pretend food while dreaming up all kinds of real -word scenarios as he pretends to go shopping, sell products and/or bag groceries. He will delight in the inclusion of his friends and loved one as he eagerly refines his interpersonal and intrapersonal skills as well as mathematical concepts. It is essential for boys to be exposed to all types of pretend play, especially the kind of pretend play that is meaningful and non-violent. This is the perfect gift for any boy.

Click here to buy --- > Market Stand

*You may also want consider purchasing following items to go with the market stand:

Pretend Food

Cash Register

Shopping Cart

Barefoot Books

2010-11-28T21:39:00.000-08:00

We love Barefoot Books at our house because they:

Encourage creativity and spark the imagination.
Are all printed on ancient-forest-friendly paper which is super important to our family!
Have won esteemed awards.
Are rooted in traditional stories which is a refreshing alternative to commercialized, character-driven books
Introduce children to new cultures and global understanding with our multicultural tales
Honor the spirit of child and the sacredness of the Earth.

Some of our favorite books from Barefoot are Herb, the Vegetarian Dragon, The Barefoot Book of Blessings from Many Faiths and Cultures, The Barefoot Book of Earth Tales and The Sun in Me. Our family has enjoyed Barefoot Books so much that I became a Barefoot Ambassador. If you'd like to check out some of the titles that I mentioned you can go to the Barefoot Books site or check them out on Amazon.

Herbal Bean Bags

2010-11-28T19:26:00.000-08:00

These bean bags are HEAVENLY!! I bought a set for one my two year old and it just so happens that my 8 year old loved them as well. They are handmade and are filled with beans and herbs...lavender, chamomile and mint. The herbs are theraputic for little boys with lots of energy! The boys like to toss them high in the air, stack them up, balance them on their heads, juggle them and play beanbag toss games. They soothe the senses and calm the soul...and make the kitty cats feel a little frisky also! They are in such high demand at our house that I am ordering more! If you know a little guy who would like these magical bean bags. Click HERE. They are only $20 for a set of 8.

Natural Botanical Paint

2010-10-03T22:20:00.000-07:00

We've been searching for paint made with natural plant based dyes for a very long time now and we FINALLY found it! We are so excited to introduce this product to you and even more excited to try it out.

These paints are:

Botanically crafted colors made from fruits, vegetables, flowers and spices.
Eco-friendly, all natural and non-toxic. With organic extracts, fresh and fruity scents.
Includes 6 color packets, 6 compostable jars with lids, 2 bamboo cruelty-free brushes all packaged in a rice paper pouch..
Conforms to safety standards ASTM D 4236, EN71 and the CPSIA.
RECOMMENDED for ages 3 and up.

Boys love using things found in nature to accentuate their artistic creativity and these paints are the perfect way for them to express their inner naturalist. They also make a great learning tool by exploring how plants can be used as pigments and how they were used by ancient artists on cave walls as well as pottery.

Click here to buy some of these paints for your boy: Glob Paint Kit (Include 6 color packets)

Tipi Tent

2010-07-22T18:13:00.000-07:00

Boys love to camp out! With this polyester tipi (teepee) tent, boys will have a joyful time indoors and outdoors; rain or shine. This tent isn't like all the other tents that are made for kids. It is a giant tent, which makes pretend play so much more fun! It measures at 8 feet tall and 5 feet wide and even has a sky view window, in addition to zippered front doors and a tunnel hole. If you think that you're guy would love to add this tipi (teepee) tent to his indoor fun and backyard adventures, click this link to buy one for him: Giant Tee Pee Tent

Magical Tree Decorations

2010-04-14T08:47:00.000-07:00

These magical decorations (sold separately) are the perfect addition to any boy's backyard. They awaken the sense of wonderment and help preserve the innocence of childhood by nurturing imagination and pretend play. Boys will have a wonderful time imagining that this old fashioned door, flower box laden windows and a blossom shaped lantern (that really lights up) are the entrance into a small animal or elfin home!
If you'd like to get one for that special boy in your life, click here ---> Magical Tree Decorations

Happy Camper Essentials

2010-04-07T10:06:00.000-07:00

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

Playful Chef Kit

2010-03-30T11:14:00.000-07:00

Many people don't know this, but boys love to cook! They love measuring, pouring, stirring and tasting. The Playful Chef Kit shown above comes with everything to get your boy started in the kitchen: an apron, five healthy recipes, color coded measuring cups and spoons, a pastry brush, a wooden spoon, a rubber spatula, a wire whisk, child safe kitchen scissors, a sand timer, a mixing bowl and a mini baking pan! There is also a Playful Chef Cookbook that can be added to this kit (sold separately) filled with healthy recipes and cooking tips on planning, shopping, cooking tools, safety and nutrition. The recipes and tips are illustrated so that even non readers can take part in the joy of cooking.

Click the links below to get the kit and/or the cookbook for your little chef.
Playful Chef Kit
Playful Chef Cookbook

Made with Love Kits

2010-03-25T10:27:00.000-07:00

With Mother's Day and Father's Day around the corner, these kits are the perfect way for boys to express their love, devotion and gratitude! Each kit contains a book with blank pages that can be used to draw special pictures, write loving notes and messages, attach photographs and artwork etc. This kit also comes with stickers and 20 coupons that can be personalized. There is also a separate 24 page memory book and a picture frame included with this kit. This kit is the perfect way for boys to give a gift to Mom or Dad, any time of year, that will be kept and cherished forever!

Click here to buy one for the boy you love: Made With Love for Mom or Made With Love for Dad

Food Face Dinner Plates

2010-03-23T09:19:00.000-07:00

Make dinner time fun, while encouraging creativity with this Food Face dinner plate. These dinner plates will get the boy in your life to focus on his food and make dinner time more pleasurable. He will enjoy making different characters with his food each night at dinner time and will think of new ways to illustrate his freedom of expression. Maybe he will even ask for a new food to use to perfect his art! Click here to get one for your little guy.

This plate in addition to the Constructive Eating Set will make dinner time the highlight of his day! Click here to see the Constructive Eating Set.

Medieval Garden Kit

2010-03-19T12:06:00.000-07:00

Gardening speaks to the souls of boys because it brings them closer to natural world, thus satisfying their naturalistic tendencies. This kit combines this alignment with nature with enchantment and wonderment; the perfect combination to spark creativity, ignite the imagination and encourage pretend play. Boys of all ages will enjoy creating their very own magical, medieval garden complete with a castle wall dish, castle tower, dragon, dragon eggs, soil, wheatgrass & basil seeds, paint and a paintbrush. This garden can be grown indoors or outdoors and can be used with many different types of seeds.
Click here to buy the Medieval Garden kit for your little guy!

Royal Rescue

2010-03-16T09:21:00.000-07:00

Boys love the fantastical world of knights and princesses. This one player game combines imagination with logic, strategy and spacial reasoning to help the princess build a rescue route or the knight build a bridge, so that they can be reunited after being locked in separate towers. It includes 11 wooden pieces and an illustrated booklet that is comprised of 48 different puzzle paths that range from simple to complex. Reading is not a requirement of this game, so younger boys will also enjoy this game. Parents of children as young as 3 years old have given this game 5 stars (read the reviews here). If the boy in your life loves adventure, logic and/or chivalry, he will enjoy this game! Click here to buy one for your little guy: Royal Rescue

Labyrinth Balance Board

2010-03-14T14:05:00.000-07:00

My boys have this balance board. It has provided them with hours of fun in addition to building essential gross motors skills. This balance board helps boys develop better balance and coordination and teaches them the fine art of patience and determination. It is great for indoor play, especially on rainy days or for those who have limited space outside (apartment and/or condo dwellers). If you're looking for a classic toy that will grow with your boy, inspire movement and never need batteries, this one is an excellent choice!

Click here to buy one for your guy: Labyrinth Balance Board

Egg Decorating Kits

2010-03-10T23:42:00.000-08:00

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 Decorating Kit

The third alternative is an Egg Engraving Kit. This kit comes with a fine tipped engraver, five dye tablets, two dye cups, a marker and a drill bit. Boys of any age would be delighted to engrave eggs for Spring fun! This kit allows for freedom of expression and unlimited creativity while using an uncomplicated approach. This will surely become the new favorite way of decorating eggs for the boy in your life. Click here to buy it: Egg Engraving Kit

Hugg America

2010-03-01T10:54:00.000-08:00

These pillows are a great resource for teaching your boy geography and how to use his hugs to send love and positive energy to America, the Planet, the Moon, Mars and to all the stars in the Universe. They make great travel pillows as well. Boys of all ages would benefit from these wonderful pillows. Just click on the following links to buy one for your little guy!

Wooden Vehicles

2010-02-25T17:16:00.000-08:00

The simple construction of these old fashioned vehicles is sure to ignite a spark of creativity in the heart of any boy. They are easily handled by toddlers and appeal to older boys as well. They inspire open-ended play, are all natural and, best of all, made in the USA. Each one is handmade in Vermont using maple wood and natural dyes.

Click here to buy one for the boy in your heart --->Wooden Vehicles (Made in the USA)

Gingerbread Birdhouses

2010-02-15T18:39:00.000-08:00

Turn your thoughts towards Spring and check out these cute Gingerbread Birdhouses. They come in brown and yellow as shown above. These are really fun to make and easy to add personal touches with small bunnies, chicks and birds from your boy's animal collection. The boy in your life will get great joy putting this together and using his imagination to make it come to life.

Click here to buy one for your little guy --- > Gingerbread Birdhouse

Tea Time

2010-02-13T17:23:00.000-08:00

Click here to buy this Curious George Tin Tea Set

Believe it or not, little boys like to have tea parties also. I discovered this when my oldest boy was about 2 or 3 years old. He gathered up all of his favorite stuffed animals and gave each one a sippy cup, then proceeded to pretend to pour them tea. It happened again with my youngest son just recently, at the age of four. He decided that he was going to give a tea party to his stuffed animals as well. He improvised in much the same way that his older brother did. So, I decided to go on a search for a tea set for my boys to have pretend tea together (even though the oldest one is ten, he loves to play with his brother). I was pleasantly surprised to see a great selection of tea sets that would be suitable for boys! I especially love the Curious George Tea Set shown above. There was also a Sock Monkey Tea Set, a Colorful (non pastel) PVC & BPA free Tea Set and a wonderful Wooden Tea Set (all shown below). Pretend play is essential for the emotional and social development of boys. Take a look at these tea sets and plan your first tea party with your boy!

Click here to buy this Sock Monkey Tin Tea Set

Click here to buy this beautiful wooden tea set

Click here to buy this colorful, PVC & BPA free tea set

Constructive Eating Set

2010-02-07T21:43:00.000-08:00

Are these cute or what? These "constructive eating" utensils add just enough fun to meal time to encourage your little guy to eat his food. These utensils also help him unleash his imagination as the food on his plate transforms into snow, rocks, boulders, mud...the sky's the limit. They would also be perfect for turning ordinary days into special occasions like "Friday Night Food Fun". They are also BPA free!

Click here to buy ---> Constructive Eating Utensil Set

Books of Love

2010-02-04T22:06:00.000-08:00

My boys have always loved for me to read them stories at night. They especially enjoy stories about LOVE. I have selected some books that would be great for Valentine's Day or any day of the year! Check out these books by clicking on the image. We have Fill a Bucket: A Guide to Daily Happiness for the Young Child and it is just a wonderful story about how people "fill invisible buckets" with love by doing kind things for one another. It is a great way to encourage the boy in your life to be kind and compassionate to others and is a great resource as a reminder throughout the day, for example "Are you filling your brother's bucket by treating him this way?" It allows boys of all ages to put a visual reminder to an abstract idea and it works for us :)

Dinner Games

2010-01-29T18:10:00.000-08:00

We love Dinner Games at our house. It is a fun way to enjoy dinner with the boys while teaching them great communication skills and the art of communication. We have learned lots of things about each other while playing Dinner Games . The game is divided up into the following categories:

Numbers & Math
Social Skills
Silly Games
Phonics & Vocabulary
Creative & Critical Thinking
Memory Games

*There is also a version available for younger children: Family Time Fun Beginner Dinner Games

In addition to using Dinner Games at home, we also plan to use Family Time Fun Gather Round Dinner Game when we go out to eat with the boys. This game requires batteries, but we think that it will really make eating out more fun!

Just click on any link to buy one of these games for your boy!

My Little Beating Heart

2010-01-27T22:26:00.000-08:00

While looking for unique gifts to give my boys for Valentines Day, I discovered this plush beating heart. After reading the description of this little pillow, I knew at once that it is the perfect gift for boys of all ages. Hugging this pillow will remind them of their deep connection to animals and humans by internalizing the rhythm of the heartbeat. The great thing about this pillow is that the heartbeats are modeled after human heartbeats during meditation, so your boy will unconsciously sync his heartbeat into a more relaxed state of being. The soft, fluffy cover is washable and it comes in a heart shaped box (shown below). Click this link to learn more about this unique pillow or to buy one for the boy in your life: My "Little" Beating Heart, the Soothing Heartbeat You Can Feel. Sage Green, Washable, Small Child Safe

*Go to Valentine Gift Ideas for Boys for more heart centered gifts that are guaranteed to warm the souls of boys everywhere.

Boo Boo Kit

2010-01-25T09:43:00.000-08:00

This first aid kit is different from all the others.

Everything come in a box shaped like an ambulance and the kit includes:

animal shaped bandages
anti - ouchy ointments
a pretend stethoscope
stickers to make everything all better.

Boys are often given the impression that it isn't ok to cry even when they are hurt. They need to be able to feel free to express emotion and communicate all of their feelings. This little kit, along with positive encouragement will help them grow into emotionally, strong boys who will also be empathetic to the pain of others. Combine this kit, with this Soft Hug First Aid Cool Pack (shown below) and the boy in your life will be feeling better in no time. There are also some Sesame Street latex-free bandages and Peanuts latex free bandages available for those boys who are allergic to latex (like my youngest boy).

Soft Hug Cool Pack

Crystal Excavation Kits

2010-01-21T11:05:00.000-08:00

These excavation kits are adorable! Boys LOVE to dig and discover treasures. Both kits come with educational pamphlets, tools and a pouch to store their gems and crystals. The Crystal Mining Excavation Science Kit (mineral rock geology scientist digging kit for the aspiring geologist). consists of various types of colors and the Crystal Quartz Mining Excavation Science Kit (quartz crystals geology science kit). consists of only quartz crystal points. If you think that the boy in your life would love to dig and discover treasures, just click on the links above to buy.

Art Frames

2010-01-17T14:34:00.000-08:00

Display your boy's art throughout your home with these wonderful frames. We have three of them in the living room at our house. They have a hinged opening for easy access to place his art inside. The frame stores up to 50 pieces of artwork which makes it easy just to add art and update the frame throughout the year. It is a great way to add an interesting touch to your living area while proudly showing the accomplishments of the boy in your life. These frames will surely nurture his soul as he helps you select which masterpieces will go into each frame. His spirit will rejoice as he basks in the glow of feeling respected and honored for his talents, uniqueness and creativity.

Below is a pic of the frames that we have in our house with our youngest son's artwork in them. As you can see, they are a very tasteful way to showcase art with a minimalistic and contemporary flair. They also make a great conversation piece!

Click here to buy one or more for your boy's artwork:

L'il DaVinci Store & Display Art Cabinet - 12x18, Black

Build Your Own Sensory Obstacle Course

2010-01-13T12:59:00.000-08:00

River Stones

The information that I am about to share with you is not something that you will find in the majority of the baby books and/or books about raising children. Boys LOVE to balance. I discovered this with my first son. When he was very young, he used to step on his the toys and books scattered through out his room. As new parents, we were concerned that this was a show of disrespect for the things that we bought him, but as time went on, we noticed that he was really seeking ways to balance on anything and everything. In an effort to provide our son with a more rewarding (and less destructive) sensory experience, we bought him these River Stones (shown above). He and his little brother love hopping from stone to stone and balancing as they pretend they are playing in a river full of marine life and magical creatures.

Sensory Stepping Stones

After I bought the River Stones for my boys, I saw these textured sensory stepping stones. They make a great addition to the river stones and can be placed strategically by your boy to simulate the perfect path leading through the woods and down to the river. With his imagination as his guide, the sky is the limit for the possibilities and the adventures with these Sensory Stepping Stones!

THE RIVER WALK

The THE RIVER WALK is another element that would work well with the River Stones. The boy in your life can build his own balance path and imagine that they are logs, alligators and/or meandering brooks. Combined with the River Stones and the Sensory Stepping Stones, the THE RIVER WALK adds more to the adventure and allows your boy to satisfy his need to build and create as well!

Balance Pods (Set of 6)

These Balance Pods (Set of 6) are the ULTIMATE sensory experience. We can't wait to add these to our sensory obstacle course at home. The spiky nature of these Balance Pods (Set of 6) feel great on bare feet. As a matter of fact, this the same texture used by many massage therapists. It is a great way for your boy to get a much needed foot massage while balancing and having fun with his river adventure :)

Below is a picture of my youngest boy using his River Stones. He decided to get a laundry basket to use as his boat and asked two of his favorite stuffed animals to come along with him on his adventure. He used a beautiful blue tie dyed silk to use as the river and positioned the River Stones around the edge of the river. The adventures never end with these River Stones! They are a must for all boys, especially those who live in dwellings without a backyard and those who are cooped up in the winter time. If you would like to buy any of the above items for the boy in your life, just click on any underlined link.

Family Tree

2010-01-11T12:41:00.000-08:00

This family tree consists of a set of wall stickers that can be taken off and repositioned as needed. The boy in your family will love choosing the pictures of each family member and placing them on his tree. This tree would look nice in his bedroom, playroom or even in other parts of his home. After the family tree is completed, the boy in your life will not only feel a great sense of accomplishment, but also a sense of belonging. As your boy visits his tree each day, a great activity would be to tell stories and recite memories of each family member in an effort to build an internal familial dialogue that will stay in his heart for the rest of his life.

If you'd like to buy this for your guy just click this link --- > Family Tree Wall Stickers

Tree Blocks

2010-01-09T13:03:00.000-08:00

Boys love to build and stack blocks, but what they love MORE is the feel of natural tree branches that remind them of their connection to nature. These tree blocks satisfy both of those natural inclinations. They are also made of 100% recycled wood, which makes these blocks extra special.

There are also barkless tree blocks (image shown to the left) to add variety to your little guy's collection. They are smooth and made of 100% recycled wood. These blocks feel like river rocks. Their soothing physical characteristics are perfect for soul-centered play.

We are very excited to add the math blocks (image shown to the left) to our collection! Boys learn with their hands and through doing (they are very kinesthetic by nature), so this set of math blocks would be perfect for boys to learn the metric system and math concepts. Lessons include: measuring, comparing, the four basic operations (+-x/), fractions, decimals, and base 10 numbers. The wide variety of unlabeled blocks encourages children to compare blocks physically, not just visually. These beautiful, natural materials allow boys from the age of 3 - 14 to grasp all mathematical principals up to the level of algebra. Take pleasure in knowing that this is the same method used by the Ancient Greeks an Egyptians to teach complicated mathematical concepts.

To buy these blocks for the boy in your life, just click on the picture!

Cooperative Board Games

2009-12-22T22:45:00.000-08:00

Society has dictated that boys need competition to be happy and healthy as children. Not true! Most boys yearn to play games that have no winners or losers. They strive to learn how to work together as a team without the stress of competition to overshadow the positive life lessons that are learned along the way through game playing with their family and peers. Cooperative board games are the way to go! They teach boys of all ages to work together for a common good, which is one of the most important skills for boys to have in the 21st Century. This type of game will most definitely instill a strong sense of character in boys of all ages. The following are some of the cooperative games that my boys enjoy playing:

Camp
This game incorporates four levels of questions on the cards that are drawn so that boys of all ages can have fun together. It is a wonderful educational game filled with facts about animals, nature and the great outdoors! This game inspires children (and their parents) to re-discover the beauty of the Earth. Everyone is a winner with this game! Click this link to buy for your guy---> Camp Board Game

Mystery Garden
This game is such a wonderful game for younger boys because no reading is required. This game teaches
Recognition, association, deductive reasoning and promotes effective communication skills.Click here to buy one for your guy ---> Mystery Garden

Wildcraft
This game presents a wonderful way to learn about herbs by utilizing injuries and ailments to be healed. Each player relies upon the recognition of the stems, leaves and/or flowers of a certain herb to identify its healing properties so that they can heal another player's illness or ailment. It is a delightful game to play with boys because they have an innate love of nature and the outdoors. It teaches them methods of natural healing in a fun way. With all of the pharmaceutical companies pushing drugs on our society, this game is a MUST for every 21st century boy to learn a more holistic and natural approach to healing.
Click here to buy one for your guy ---> Wildcraft! - An Herbal Adventure Game

There are many other cooperative board games to choose from...click HERE to find a game that is perfect for your boy!

Dolphin Adventure Set

2009-11-27T18:58:00.000-08:00

This adorable playset is the perfect soul-centered toy for any 21st century boy. It is eco-friendly, non-toxic and allows for imaginative play in the bathtub, pond or swimming pool. This toy can be enjoyed year round. It is made of sprigwood *a bio composite material made of recycled wood and reclaimed plastic*. This creative playset will blend perfectly with other "Sprig Toys" vehicles, characters and playsets like the Scuba Search playset, Dino Rescue playset, Mountain Trek playset and MUCH MORE!

Click Here to Buy the Dolphin Adventure Set --->Sprig Toys Adventures Dolphin Adventure Playset

Click Here to View More Sprig Toys --->Sprig Toys

Eco-Friendly Sliding Town

2009-10-21T16:29:00.000-07:00

These blocks are like no other that we have seen. By stacking these blocks onto the baseboard and attached rods, boys will enjoy creating their own unique town. These blocks encourage boys to use their spatial reasoning, fine motor skills and creativity while connecting to the world around them. They can also be used without the base and rods to encourage more adventurous free play. The best thing about these blocks is that they are made from sustainable rubberwood, non toxic paints/dyes/lacquers and formaldehyde free glue.

Click this link to buy one for your little guy! ----> Wonderworld Eco-Friendly Sliding Town

Yard Tools

2009-10-05T08:47:00.000-07:00

Let the boy in your life help rake up fall leaves then jump in them, plant spring flowers and/or turn the compost with this child - sized set of garden tools. They are the perfect gift to keep boys connected to nature and to teach them to care for the Earth. Just click the link below the picture to buy one for your little helper!

Kids Garden Tool Set

Celestial Silk

2009-08-11T08:17:00.000-07:00

A silk canopy is the perfect accessory for any boy's bedroom, playroom or homeschool classroom. Using a canopy is a great way to create a sacred space for meditation, relaxation, pretend play and/or reading. I have chosen two types of silk canopies that would be a wonderful way to create a wrinkle in time for the boy in your llife. Click the link below each canopy to find out more and to buy.

Night Sky Silkscape Silk Canopy

Sarah's Silks Play Canopy - Celestial Night Sky

Birdhouse Kits

2009-08-06T06:24:00.000-07:00

I have hand picked some adorable birdhouse kits for boys of all ages and stages. Building a birdhouse gives boys a sense of accomplishment, satisfies their natural tendency to build and construct and encourages them to be creative as well. The birdhouse kits that I have selected will speak to the heart and soul of boys by allowing them to exhibit their compassion for other living things.

The birdhouse shown above is perfect for a boy who is too young to use a hammer and nail or for those boys who are more artistic and have less of an interest in carpentry. The thatched roof makes this one unique and especially attractive. It comes with paints so that your boy can add his personal touch and show off his creativity with pride. Click here to buy for your guy: Home Tweet Home Birdhouse Painting Kit

The next birdhouse requires assembly and has pre-printed leaf designs. This one is perfect for a boy who enjoys building but doesn't enjoy painting and/or art. It is an easy to construct kit, but will need adult supervision and/or assistance. All of the kits that I have chosen are meant to be enjoyed with a loved one.

Click the link to the right to buy: Melissa & Doug Build-Your-Own Wooden Birdhouse

The last birdhouse kit that I have chosen incorporates popsicle sticks as the main building material. This kit is fun, educational and more suited for older boys. It comes with paint and a booklet that provides step by step instructions.

Click the link to below to buy the popsicle stick birdhouse kit: Birdhouse Kit (Educational Activity Kits)

Vintage Robot

2009-08-05T07:40:00.000-07:00

There are so many aspects of this adorable robot that boys love. He is completely battery free, so he will always be reliable since he is powered by the energy that boys give to him when they wind him up. His eyes flash, the gears in his chest spin and walks forward. He could surely be a boy's best friend on a rainy day. Click HERE to buy this charming, old fashioned toy for the boy in your life.

Drop in the Bucket Marble Game

2009-05-21T13:17:00.000-07:00

This classic game is wholesome and lots of fun for boys of all ages! We spend hours playing this game and best of all: it doesn't need batteries OR electricity. Click on the link below to buy this game for the boys in your life and introduce them to old fashioned FUN!

Drop in the Bucket Classic Tin Marble Game with Spring Loaded Launcher

Earth Ball

2009-02-01T17:41:00.001-08:00

We have had this earth ball for over a year and it has been played with every single day by my boys ages 3 and 10. They love to toss it around, kick it across the room, play catch with it and balance their bodies on it. It is very durable and so much fun! It also appeals to the boys natural affinity with the Universe and the stars!

Buy one for a boy in your life! Click the link below to buy one:

16-inch diameter EarthBall

Dinosaur Origami

2009-01-08T16:22:00.001-08:00

Boys are naturally attracted origami. They love to explore different angles and geometric shapes as they transform a piece of paper into a masterpiece. Origami speaks to the heart of boys just like making paper airplanes. Get this origami set for your boy and watch his excitement grow as he creates his prehistoric beasts. Be sure to reuse or recycle the paper when he is finished...or if your boy has a sister, he can join in her paper doll play with his origami dinosaurs, they can be hung from the ceiling or turned into bookmarks.

Click the link to get one for your guy:
Children's Arts & Crafts Origami Making Creative Gift Set ft. Dinosaurs

Pretend Stir Fry & Sushi

2008-12-14T11:53:00.001-08:00

Boys are fascinated by the science of cooking and baking. It is important to incoporate these concepts during pretend play so that they can practice real world concepts and make them meaningful to their individual, unique souls. These stir fry and sushi sets are a wonderful way to introduce healthy, food choices to your little guy in a playful, whimsical manner. Click the link below each picture to learn more about these sets and buy one for the little chef in your life.
Melissa & Doug Stir Fry Slicing Set
Melissa and Doug Wooden Sushi

For more pretend play fun, use these stir fry and sushi sets with THIS PRETEND STOVE.

You may also like to incorporate some world snacks books into your little guy's pretend play with food. Click the link below to discover wonderful books that introduce a variety of ethnic foods:
Sushi, Dim Sum, Nosh, Soul Food and More!

Rainbow Broom

2008-12-06T20:55:00.000-08:00

Boys yearn to help around the house and to mimic the hard work that they see their parents do on a daily basis. Pretend play through housekeeping is an essential part of every child's emotional, psychological and cognitive development. This type of play connects children to the world around them. Housework is no longer considered a woman's responsibility in the 21st century so it is imperative that boys learn the important lessons experienced through housekeeping as well. This rainbow broom sparks the imagination with its colorful aura and is made in the U.S.A. Click the link below to buy your boy his very own special broom to help out around the house.

Children's Rainbow Broom - Made in the USA

Castle Blocks

2008-12-03T17:13:00.000-08:00

Boys love blocks and castles! These castle blocks combine building with imagination and they are sure to delight your little guy. They speak to the soul of your boy by opening up his sense of wonder so that he can create a world of limitless possibilities! To help your boy get lost in faraway lands...just click on the links below each picture to buy castleblocks for him!

Plan Toy Creative Blocks

Guidecraft Table Top Wooden Castle Blocks with Storage Container

Melissa&Doug Castle Blocks

My Stack & Play Castle Building Blocks

Heart Pillow

2008-11-18T18:09:00.000-08:00

Boys love texture and rely heavily upon their sense of touch, so this is the PERFECT pillow for your little boy. It is soft, fluffy and the center can be taken out and warmed up in the microwave on cold winter nights. It is made of 95% virgin wool and 5% cashmere. He will dream of sugarplums every night and fall in love with this fluffy addition to his night time routine. It is on my list to give to my little one for the holidays. Click HERE to get one for your prince!

Star Children Puzzle

2008-11-14T12:51:00.000-08:00

Boys of all ages love puzzles! Wooden puzzles are the best because they combine elements of nature with spatial reasoning and the natural instinct of boys to solve problems. This beautiful wooden puzzle intermingles the concepts of Nature, the Universe, color, spatial reasoning, imagination and teamwork with brilliant artistic flair. This one is on my list to give to my youngest boy for the holidays this year. It was made in the USA by individuals with disabilities. These puzzles are unique in that skin tones may vary and colors may be bright, pastel or muted. Be assured that your little guy will adore this little puzzle for years to come!

Click HERE to buy one for your boy while supporting individuals with disabilities in the USA

Wooden Workbench

2008-10-03T07:32:00.000-07:00

Boys love to pretend to work with tools! This little workbench comes with wooden nuts & bolts, screws, a hammer, a wrench, pliers and lots more! It awakens their sense of creativity and ingenuity. Boys love to fix things and this is the perfect toy for them to experiment with the concept of carpentry!

Click the link below to explore this toy more fully and buy it for your little guy!
Educo - My Professional Workshop

Head Lamp

2008-09-22T10:04:00.000-07:00

Boys of ALL ages love this versatile head lamp. It has so many uses and awakens the natural sense of exploration and discovery that fills the minds and hearts of boys. It is an excellent prop for pretend play as boys imagine adventures through caves, dark forests and mines filled with gemstones! It also comes in handy when looking under the bed for forgotten and/or lost toys.

Click the link below to buy for your little guy!

Terra Kids Headlamp

Wood Links Log Cabin

2008-09-13T18:09:00.000-07:00

This wooden construction set is similar to Lincoln Logs but better! It is made in the U.S.A., each piece is hand carved, stained and sanded. They fit together perfectly and stay put unlike Lincoln Logs, which seem to fall apart at the slightest false move. Your little boy will surely appreciate the old fashioned charm of this set.

Click the link below to buy:

Lost in the Woods: A Photographic Fantasy

2008-09-09T11:43:00.000-07:00

Boys are inherently naturalistic. They love the outdoors, nature and animals. Animals have an amazing ability to teach children how to truly be compassionate, gentle and kind. Boys are wired to connect with essence of animals, so reading this book with him will be the perfect way to nurture his soul. Your boy will surely fall in love with this book as well as the real life photographs of animals in the woods!

Description of Book:
The forest is abuzz over a newborn fawn. Various creatures have spotted him and all are worried that he might be lost. Despite his assurance that he's just waiting for his mother, the animals chime in with comments and offers of help. She returns, time passes, and the fawn grows stronger. He sees other young animals maturing, and at the end of the story, he is big enough to go exploring with his mother. The slight, meandering plot serves mainly as a vehicle to introduce photos of the forest animals. The images are clear and detailed, and will be sure to draw admiration–especially the adorable close-up of the fawn that even shows his eyelashes. The photo of a tree frog camouflaged against the bark of a tree is another standout. At the end, readers are asked to find specific animals that appear in the pictures. This is not a good choice for a group read-aloud, because the visual details require a close look, but it would be nice for sharing one-on-one.

Click here to buy it: Lost In The Woods: A Photographic Fantasy

Silk Wings

2008-09-04T21:27:00.001-07:00

Boys are often overlooked when it comes to dressing up and pretend play. The truth is that boys need to take part in these activities just as much as girls. It helps them make connections to the outside world and to also get lost in an imaginary world. This is essential for developmental, emotional and psychological development. Let me tell you a secret: Boys of all ages LOVE silk. The feel of silk instantly calms their bodies and awakens their senses simultaneously. This is why I bought both of my sons silk to play with, pretend with, wrap up in etc. I bought this set of wings for my youngest son for dress up and pretend play. He pretends to be a bird, a dragonfly, a superhero...the sky is the limit!

Get a pair of wings for your boy (for less than $25) so that his imagination can soar to faraway lands! Click the link below:
Dragonfly Silk Wings

Family Centered Photo Album

2008-08-30T10:34:00.000-07:00

This is the cutest baby/kid friendly photo album that I have ever seen. It is meant for younger children and babies...best suited for ages 3 and under. My youngest son received this for his 3rd birthday. It is perfect for children who are still in the stage of tearing up paper and pictures(this stage varies for every child). The most precious aspect of this little photo album is that shows your little boy how much of an important part of the family he is while also illustrating the importance of family.

Best of all, when he misses his grandma all he has to do is open this book. :)

Click this link to buy one for your little boy:
Gund My Family Photo Album

Froebel Rings

2008-03-25T11:55:00.000-07:00

These rings encourage creativity, strengthen spatial awareness and nurture mathematical skills such as symmetry, shape recognition and geometry. My youngest son has a fascination with circles and enjoys making circles, spirals, faces and other creations with these brightly colored wooden rings. Boys will enjoye the endless possibilities that these rings bring. You can also feel safe knowing that these rings are:

* Painted with non-toxic paint
* Designed from the theories of one of the most important educational theorists in history: Friedrich Wilhelm August Froebel
* Made in Europe not China

If you think that your boy would like a set of these gorgeously educational rings, click on this banner:

Then type in Froebel Rings as your keword search.

Nature Notebook

2008-03-18T14:05:00.000-07:00

My oldest son enjoyed this notebook because it guided him to connect with nature in imaginative ways. This notebook spoke to his natural curiosity and wonderment of the world around him. I highly recommend this book for boys of all ages! The nature notebook includes:

A beautiful 16-page, spiralbound, full-color notebook that's chock-full of stunning nature photographs, info, and activities.

Paints, brushes, tissue paper, plain paper

5' tape measure

Glue stick, pipe cleaners, pencil

Journal pages to record observations and to create a field guide.

It is on sale right now for only $4.99. Click on the picture to buy one for a special boy in your life!

Classical Baby

2008-03-14T22:15:00.001-07:00

My two year old adores the HBO Family "Classical Baby" series. Each thirty minute episode features soothing classical music set to animated adaptations of some of the famous artistic masterpieces. The colors are muted and peaceful...the series moves along just like a lullaby. My son's favorite part is when the baby in classical baby crawls upon a cloud and is gently whisked away by a mother sun whose rays embrace him and cuddle him. This particular set comes with a plush "baby"...the star of the show! Click the picture to buy one for your boy!

Crystals

2008-02-26T22:54:00.000-08:00

I am convinced that every boy loves rocks! Something very instinctual and ancient happens when a boy holds a rock, but something more powerful happens when a boy holds a crystal. They are immediately in wondrous awe of the treasure that they hold within their hands. My oldest boy says that crystals are more valuable than diamonds because they hold the secrets of the Earth and dragons were sent to protect them!

You can buy a set of 5 relatively large crystlas for only $5.95. In each velvety bag, your boy will receive:

* Pyrite
* Amethyst
* Calcite
* Sodalite
* Quartz Crystal

This is a bargain that is too good to pass up! Click HERE to give your boy something powerful enough to transport him into hidden realms of possibilities!

California Baby

2008-02-21T18:46:00.000-08:00

All of the California Baby products are perfect for boys of all ages. They offer everything from diaper cream to shampoo/body wash. The products that my boys are particulary fond of are their bubble baths. They come in a variety of aromatherpy scents such as:

Overtired & Cranky
Calming
Light & Happy
Colds & Flu
Chammomile & Herbs
I Love You
Super Sensitive

These bubble baths and all of California Baby products feature the following benefits:

Contains organic and sustainably grown ingredients

Seven fabulous aromatherapy scents

Great gift for birthdays & holidays!

Convenient, reusable tote

No tears

No Sodium lauryl sulfate or DEA

Non-stripping of delicate mucous membranes, which can lead to yeast or bladder infections

Bubbles with Decyl polyglucose, soapbark and yucca

Our essential oils are pesticide free and sustainably grown

Click the link to buy this and/or any other California Baby product:
California Baby Bubble Bath Tote with Rubber Ducky

The Souls of Boys

2008-02-20T13:41:00.000-08:00

The generations of yesteryear raised boys to be hard, tough and unemotional. Because boys were expected to behave this way, they have been neglected emtotionally and spiritually for decades. It is important to understand that boys have big souls in little bodies. They need affection and unconditional love. In addition to these things, they need to be grounded and centered. They need to be reminded of their inner dialogue as well as encouraged to express themselves in safe and appropriate ways.

Nature has been taken away from our boys. As soon as they are toddlers, many of them are placed into preschool, then into Kindergarten and on into the rest of formal schooling. They have no time to spend discovering the world around them. They haven't been given the chance to explore nature and to follow their curiosities. Boys have a strong urge to connect with nature. They come into this world loving trees, frogs, spiders, animals, space, science...the list goes on.

Therefore, we as parents, caregivers and teachers need to work diligently to replace the essential building blocks that our boys need to thrive and become well balanced men. We need to offer them opportunities to reconnect with themselves and with nature. We need to provid activities and resources that will light the fire within them...the one that has gone dim in the past few years. We need to allow them to talk, paint, sing, play music, dance...to follow their hearts! They need to be recognized for how they learn best...and that is through play, movement and exploration. They learn best through their sense of touch.

We need to offer them toys made of natural materials as often as possible. Wood, cloth, silk and all natural fibers will speak to the soul of every boy. This brings them back to nature and satisfies their need to touch organic textures. It takes them to a place where they are supposed to be...a place of innocence, wonderment and to their authentic selves. Toys made of these materials should always be chosen over plastic toys if possible. Man made items aren't nearly as effective as textures from the natural world. If the event arises that a toy isn't available in a natural fiber, then man made toys should be carefully scrutinized and tested for harmful chemicals and lead. They should always be the last resort as well.

As mentioned before, boys need to be reminded to take part in an inner dialogue. They need to be shown that they can trust their inner voice and that they can control their behavior. Having an inner dialogue means that boys should be encouraged to meditate, to quiet their minds, and to ground and center. We need to provide them with books, cd's, dvd's and compassionate guidance that reinforce these concepts and essential life skills. This will help them deal with stress, anger, pain and fear as children and will give them the tools they need as men to deal with the complexities of life in a meaningful and healthy way.

The ideas that I present on this site stem from an enormous amount of research that I conducted as graduate student for my Master's thesis in Education. I am not just a mom who has the answers, I have a Master of Arts degree in Education with an emphasis on curriculum and instruction. I also have a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. In addition to my academic qualifications, I am a Reiki Master/Teacher and a children's Yoga instructor. I have designed courses on meditation, Reiki and yoga for children and have two boys of my own. So, you can trust that my ideas are based on research and experience.

I will post toys, books, activities, resources etc that have been thorougly examined and hand picked for their intrinsic value for nurturing the souls of boys. A brief explanation and/or description will always be posted along with these products. Please feel free to email me with any questions, comments, ideas or products that you think I should include on this site.

Owl Gourd Shakers

2008-02-17T19:15:00.000-08:00

These adorable little owls are handmade from gourds. Each one is painted with the most intracate details that appeal the imaginative nature of little boys. The seeds are dried and left inside, which make these little guys wonderful shakers and/or rattles. My youngest son loves to shake these as he dances around the room. They are only $4.95 a piece! They were made in Peru, go ahead a grab a few! Buy them HERE.

Star Guide

2008-02-16T22:36:00.000-08:00

Most boys have a natural curiosity about the Universe, stars, planets and constellations. I bought this star map for my oldest boy to use on nightly walks to quickly locate his favorite constellations. It is easy to use and is divided up into months and time of day so that all that needs to be done is to line the month and time of day up to see the constellations. Once this is done, all your boy has to do is hold it up into the nighttime sky to view the constellation of his choice. Interesting facts and tons of information printed upon the map as well. It is only $12.95. If you want to help your boys reach for the stars, go HEREto buy one.

Starflings

2008-02-15T21:11:00.000-08:00

I bought both of my boys these beautiful starflings made of silk. It was the one gift that I thought that they wouldn't know what to do with, but I was more than pleasantly surprised. My 8 1/2 and 2 1/2 year old boys fell in love with them instantly. The silk was refreshing to their soft skin and the sight of the tail soaring through the air made them smile with delight! This is a must have for every boy. It satisfies their sense of movement and adventure while being natural and non-violent. These are only $12.95. Buy one for your boy and for all the other boys you know HERE.