"...imagine a field... imagine a forest... imagine a tree house..... imagine a castle.... imagine a kite... imagine a treasure map.... imagine a rainy day.... imagine a sunny afternoon... imagine childhood.
At imaginechildhood.com they believe that children should experience the world through their own eyes, ears, fingers, and toes. That direct interaction with nature is the best way to learn about the world, and that open-ended imaginative play is the best way to learn about what it could be. Part community forum, part storefront, it is a place where parents and kids can find their own definition of childhood."
{All product descriptions and photos credit: Imagine Childhood. Photo above: Branch Blocks}
Giveaway! (via The Crafty Crow)
Some of my favorites:
Play "Memory", "Old Maid" and "Go Fish" and discover fun facts about wild animals. Each game includes 48 playing cards filled with amazing facts and dramatic wildlife photography.
Original: Discover wild mammals of North America
Who's Hiding? : Find out how different creatures disguise themselves to survive in the wild.
Bugs: Learn amazing facts about insects and spiders - from dung beetles to giant butterflies!
$9.95
Let your creativity run wild with these beautifully hand crafted fair trade musical instruments!
Choose from a Cricket Rasp that makes noises like a real cricket, a spinning drum which creates fast percussive storms with one simple movement, or a soft toned pan flute.
Fairly traded from Peru, Vietnam and Bolivia
Starting at $7.99
Presents 52 open-ended activities to help you engage your child in the outdoors. No matter what your location--from a small patch of green in the city to the wide-open meadows of the country--each activity is meant to promote exploration, stimulate imagination, and heighten a child's sense of wonder.
$14.00
Float through a sunny afternoon on this fantastic handcrafted Classic Tree Swing.
Each swing is handmade from local reclaimed Ash, Elm, or Maple. Once a seat is kiln dried and sanded a light coat of mineral oil is applied to bring out the natural beauty of the wood.
The seat is then attached to 20 ft of the best 3/4" natural fiber rope available.
(No oil or chemicals; so it's safe for children.)
Swing seats are approx. 12" to 17" in diameter and a sturdy 2" thick.
Handcrafted in the USA
$39.99
Detailed how-to information, such as step-by-step building sequences, plans, and drawings, as well as information on tools and materials, supplement the behind-the-scenes tales of treehouses. From casual tree shacks to multi-tiered flights of fancy, these magnificent structures can appeal to anyone appreciating this ever-evolving art form.
$25.00
This Art Table is perfect for every young artist! Table includes two tear-off paper cutters; a handy storage tray in natural wood; and a paper roll holder (paper roll sold separately). Featuring a white marker board art surface the table measures 24"x24"x22" Made from sustainably harvested northern hardwood maple. Non toxic finish. High quality paper roll is 16.5" wide and 100' long. Made in the USA.
$75.50
When a giant panda moves into Michael, Addy, and Karl's neighborhood, he tells them the most amazing Zen stories that abound with enlightenment and love. John J Muth contributes vibrant watercolors and elegant ink drawings for this Caldecott Honor Book.
$17.99
Some Treasuries to share (click image or link to view at full-size):
Modern Femininity by AddieDesigns (me!)
