Wednesday 4 July 2012

Balancing


For summer, I have tried to find a few toys that I could play with the kids when they either need to get way from the sun, or during a rainy day.  Although these have been scarce lately, we have found ourselves going inside a few times to get away from the heat.

This week, I got this toy out.  It is a balancing moon game that I found on Etsy.  I like that it is handmade, with natural material, the quality is outstanding, and it is very inviting to play with.

We have been playing many ways with this toy.  Alone, or together, as a game or just an activity of balancing.  E has even found his way of playing with the parts of this toy: by using the wooden rods to pile them up, and even sort them by colours (and of course, trying to balance them on the moon, with a lot of success I might say!).



X and M have been playing together a lot at this, but I have also seen X trying to make patterns and montage of his own...which are not always successful...but still loads of fun

escaping block on the right

The kit comes in a drawstring bag, and contains the moon and 14 wooden dowels to balance on the moon.


It is simple yet fun, it is open ended enough to be able to make many variation of the game, portable, and playable about anywhere. We are totally happy with this toy, perfect summer game.



6 comments:

  1. What a beautiful toy! I saw something similar at a yard sale not too long ago, but it was plastic, so I refused to buy it. Other than durability, there's just something special about the beauty of wood that plastic could never come close to. Looks like a fun game :)

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  2. I adore the balancing moon. I've been on the look out for a reasonably priced one for a while now. Thanks for the link to the etsy store. I like how this one has so many rods with it. I'm going to order one. Between you and Kylie, I'm definitely going to go broke :D I'm such a sucker for beautiful things.

    Kate

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  3. We're honored to have our Smiling Moon balancer featured in such a lovely way - your photos are spectular! So happy to hear you and your little ones are playing, learning, and having fun

    kindly,
    Kathleen of Smiling Tree Toys
    (www.SmilingTreeToys.etsy.com)

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  4. Sunshine mama: I had seen something similar, but made out of painted wood, and I refused it too. I was SO glad to find a handmade option for this toy. Worth entirely what we payed for.

    Kate: I think it is safe to say the same about you and Kylie as well...I am still trying to resist those translucent wooden blocks...but E's birthday is coming, so I am not sure how long I can still hold on... ;)

    Kathleen: Thank YOU for making this toy. I am very glad to support well made, and most of all hand made goods. Keep up the good work! :)

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  5. I ordered our balancing moon the other day! Cant wait until it gets here!
    Hmmmm…yes, I think I would buy the window blocks too (luckily I can get them from the library). Let's say we both blame Kylie (hehe, just kidding, she knows how much I love her)

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  6. This is such a beautiful toy, I love the different stains!
    http://knownitwasyou.blogspot.com/

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