Before my oldest nephew was born, my sister researched the benefits of natural, wooden toys and how they encourage imaginative and creative play. She and her husband were passionate about raising their children with music, wooden blocks, books, puzzles, and lots of outdoor play. Encouraged by this, we decided to foster a similar upbringing with Everett. To me, there is something so beautiful about wooden and cloth toys that are in their natural state or dyed with vegetable juices. They make simple sounds with little bells embedded in them and by being clanked together.  And some time the toys that are the most fun, aren’t intended to be toys at all!

What are some of your favorite children’s toys?