acorns are fun

I placed an order a few weeks back with what has become a favorite local wood shop. I first learned about this place, ironically, through Siri - halfway across the country - when she posted her source for wooden acorns in this post (which I still refer to often for all of its acorn goodness).

We were running low on our wooden acorns - they are often given away, lost, and otherwise disappear. Which means they're played with. A lot. They become little people, pieces in homemade games, treasure, tokens, money, food, and so many more things. Sometimes - like with most good toys - they're put away and forgotten about for a time, but they always reappear in the play eventually. So we replenished our stock - a fresh bowl full of dozens of them. Sometimes we mix them in with bowls of 'real' acorns. Ah. I will admit to just running my fingers through the bowl often, turning them upside down. Like a salad. A mixed acorn salad.

With this order, I got a few wooden beads too, for a project Calvin's been asking me about. And some wooden people, as well. Though I made an error in ordering the wrong size - these are super tiny at just 2 inches tall, which makes painting features a little tricky (Ezra declared on many of them, 'this one doesn't need any eyes!') But still - the kids thought they were fab - to paint, dress, and decorate. Adelaide thought they all needed a hat - a pink (all the colors are 'pink' by the way) button hat. And now - a bowl of these 'people' become another tool for what will amount to - in the end - hours of creative play. What I love about them is that they're blank canvases, really. Blank canvases for imaginations to run wild with, and that they do.

I've been reading some of the news accounts about the mass toy recalls, and I get a little bummed when the story ends with the bit about wooden toys all being so expensive as an alternative to plastic. If you're really looking to have less plastic and more natural materials, it really needn't be so. Sometimes, we do chose to spend a little bit extra to have the toys/tools we like best - those that come from natural materials, those that leave room for imagination, and those that are made in a way that fits our values - but that also means we buy less, evening the cost in the end. Buying less also means we have less - which I believe is always more when it comes to toys and imagination and the growth of our little ones.

But there's also all this other stuff - this 'free' - and yet incredibly valuable - stuff out in the world - rocks, leaves, acorns. Cardboard, newspaper and wood. And all the incredibly inexpensive stuff - paper and crayons and paint. And wooden acorns and beads and cubes and eggs and hearts. I mean, really, all of the above cost me less than $12. What would I get walking into a big toy store for $12?

I'm just sayin'. Acorns are fun.

Comments

[hildy]

don't forget corks. ( you know from all that late night red wine drinking i read about!)

[Natalie]

Thank you Amanda... we're hunting and gathering too, looking for a Christmas far away from *Toys-R-Toxic.* It gets tricky when the children are in their teens and tweens, but we are enjoying the challenge and being more thoughtful about our wants and needs. Once again, I am delighted to join a thoughtful conversation...

[Jessica]

Love those acorns. I have no kids, but feel like ordering several dozen for myself! Aren't we all just big kids, though? And that is the *coolest* doll house I have ever seen!

[Elise]

Oh wow, thank you so much for this post. I have some wooden Christmas ornaments that I bought in Finland years ago, just simple cut-outs of animals and birds, that I love. Just the other day I was thinking about how I wanted to make some more but had no idea where to get supplies. You rock.

[Elizabeth]

What a lovely resource, thank you! I am new to your blog and loving it. So refreshing.

[Molly]

Awesome reminder and source. I've been reading your blog regularly for about 2-3 weeks and am continually inspired and reminded of the values that are important to nurture in children and family. Thanks so much Amanda. - Molly

[Elizabeth]

What a lovely resource, thank you! I am new to your blog and loving it. So refreshing.

[Jessica]

OK, I have to comment again. Just went to the website with all the wooden objects and I cannot get over how inexpensive everything is! And did you see the cute apple boxes? LOVE them! What a cute container for a special little gift. Thanks so much for posting this site!

[Kristy]

Amanda, where did you get that doll house? It is exquisite. I am looking for a barn for Olive's Christmas present & that doll house is incredible.

[kate]

timely - you covered this way better than I of course - but love to see so many of us finding toys in nature, and shifting the focus to quality over quantity. I remember being so overwhelmed by all of my toys when I was a child (only child at that). Do you have the Wee Folk book? perfect for making clothes for little mini bendy dolls or even your little mini standers. Your button tops are adorable.

[SOULEMAMA]

Kristy - the dollhouse (Farmhouse) is by Ostheimer. It's an example, actually, of spending a little bit more, but having less! It was pricey (we made it a joint gift on Calvin's first birthday from all his aunts and uncles and cousins), but we've used it for all three babes as a base of so very much play. It's kind of a center of our playthings. I bought mine locally, but you could do a search for 'Ostheimer Farmhouse' and find one, I'm sure.

[abbyjane]

Hooray! I'm totally with you on all of this. Such a great post.

[Sarah]

I've been hunting for the 3 1/2" wooden doll forms. Thanks! Now I can make my gazillion "gnome kits" for our upcoming winter fair.

[melody]

Good reminder that I've got some of those wooden fingertopper puppets stuck away somewhere ready to be decorated. I always think it's funny when people say that wooden toys are expensive because I am always amazed at how much people will pay for plastic junk that doesn't last.

[blair]

and let me chime in that even 9 year olds would find a ton to do with all that wood!

[Beth]

Oh my! Thank you for that link! Just exactly what I was looking for :-)

[emily]

i had bookmarked those cubes and the eggs on etsy, thinking ahead to holiday shopping (am i behind on that already!?). i love the simplicity - the natural materials and the space for so much creativity.

and the acorn and egg links - thank you! for those. (i'm so loving acorns right now...) wonderful resources.

[colleen]

i hope that we all come to this soon, this wanting less and having more. how did this country fall prey to the idea of having a zillions toys and things for so little money that you could keep buying? i see that the crafting movement and the simplifying movement is really trickling down to the mainstream. i knew that when my compulsive shopper neighbor started to buy at the goodwill that anything could happen! and the toy recall thing, i think, helps us really take a look at what we're doing.

i love this post and those acorns! incredible goodness!

[Suzanne]

Wow! Thanks for the resource, I have been buying my wooden forms for gnomes at a much more expensive place. We love our wooden toys too--yup, less=more:-)

[Melissa!]

Here - here (this is where you raise that glass of wine)!
And yes I've been known to run my hands through bowls of beads, buttons...and my in complete bliss! Now I've never mixed a bowl of acorns but I can imagine it has the same soothing effect!

[Cathrine Melragon]

Amen. I love to hear those sentiments. We have always encouraged the imagination, which is hard to spark with toys made for promoting movies and tv shows. It is amazing what they come up with when they get a box full of "blank" canvas'. Thank you for what you do - I read everyday. Be well.

[Lil' d]

Thank you SO much for the links. My kids love that sort of stuff. I'm making a few presents for them this year - and keeping my fingers crossed that they don't get too much plastic stuff from others.

[geek+nerd]

Wowza, thanks for posting links to all of those websites. Lots of gift ideas there for my little nieces and nephews.

My parents had a similar philosophy in regards to toys when I was growing up. I might have been mad sometimes that I didn't have the plastic wondertoy of the moment, but for the most part I didn't notice. I still have most of my toys, though well loved, they're still in great condition and will be passed down another generation when I have my own little babes.

[bigbucketgirl]

Those little people are SO cool. I love that some were eye-less! That is priceless! I'm would love some of those acorns but fear that shipping them here would cost a few trees, so will have to hunt a bit closer to home! Our 3 love to decorate wooden spoons as characters, robin hood and giraffes this week.....makes for interesting cooking when the kids hide a decorated one headfirst in the utensil jug for daddy to find! x

[Maya]

I love this post! I ordered those eggs for my daughter for Christmas. She loves wooden eggs and has been wanting some for a while, but I was looking for the best set for her (she's 2). Thanks for the link!

For those of us who aren't so crafty, if I get some fun wood things and want to paint them, what kind of (safe for toddlers) paint would I use?

Thanks!

[julia]

i couldn't agree with you more. here in mn, public radio is doing a weeklong series on consumption in america, and it's such a nice reminder that there are alternatives to the cheap, unsustainable junky toys and other goods out there. yes, it might cost a little more, and it might take a little more time, but i think that slowing down and finding goods that will last us all a little longer and create less waste is a good thing. now if only we could get the mainstream media and not just public radio (and i say that with the deepest love and respect for public radio) to get on this bandwagon too...

[Cary]

That's the same place I get my little wood stuff. When I was reading your post I was thinking "Casey's" is better, but it turns out that's who you use, too. They are so reasonably priced. I have lots of butterflies and ladybugs (really tiny) that I probably will never use because I bought so many! If anybody wants some let me know and I can send and only charge you shipping (unless you live near Phoenix)!!!

[Jenni Simmons]

I don't have children yet, but I'm always making mental notes for the future when I read your lovely blog. Wooden toys are the way to go! But for now, I'll enjoy some wooden acorns myself. :)

[Grace]

I love your little wooden acorns and beads and people. But I also love that you said the words that are so often coming out of my mouth, too. Sometimes toys made out of natural materials do cost more. But that doesn't mean you need an entire roomfull of them! Less really is more. It's discouraging to me when well-meaning relatives say things like, "But you could get 6 plastic toys for the price of one wooden one!" Because who really needs SIX more toys all at once?!! One is enough, thank you. On that note, we are off to visit a little local wooden toymaker this morning! Just for fun. :)

[Qalballah]

We decided to eradicate plastic a couple years ago. It wasn't a hard decision since plastic toys actually frazzle my brain simply just by *being* there - I don't know why - but being surrounded by plastic, which IMO is simply ugly, I was internally stressed. And I'm not a hypersensitive person by any stretch of the imagination.

We figured it this way: over the years we, as a family, have spent a small fortune in plastic toys. It was bought bit by bit and we didn't notice any gaping hole in our finances. But most of it lies broken. A lot of it we had to discard since there was so MUCH of it. So we decided to have less, but better quality and the price is comparable so long as you aren't sucked into the mind-set which says you 'gotta collect them all' - this bit of plastic, the blue bit of plastic to go with it, the tie in spin-off series and the accessories.

Just simple open-ended traditional tried and tested toys. Made of wood! We have blocks, some tree branches cut into various sizes, pine cones, pull along toys, a wooden castle which actually comes apart and can be used for anything and lots of stackers in various shapes. I am a sucker for Ostheimer I have to admit I just love it but they are not necessary for excellent play. They are my treat ;-)

I think in the day and age when we worry about paraben and environmental costs and carbon footprints a lot of us really need to think what we are giving our children to play with and imbibe, physically and spiritually.

[SOULEMAMA]

Loving all the wood love on the comments, today!

Maya - are you opposed to just leaving them natural, as is? I think for a toddler - who will likely be putting them in the mouth still - that might be best. I'm not sure of a paint solution out there that would be safe *and* strong enough to stay on the wood. What about just putting natural oil finish on the wood?

Just a thought! I know my inclination sometimes it to 'paint!' things for fun and brightness, but there's lots of beauty in the simplicity of natural woodgrain.

And then later...you can paint. ;)

[Grace]

PS: Like Colleen, I agree that the toy recalls may actually have proven to be a good thing. ;)

[Ali]

those little people are so cool

[Katherine]

I am curious about the amazing dollhouse in the third photo. Where did it come from?

[Katherine]

Sorry, in my eagerness I failed to see you already mentioned its origin in the comments.

[Maya]

I'm not opposed to leaving them natural - I'm just thinking of painting faces on wood figures. But you're right, there's no real hurry to that either.

[asti]

Right again....I'm forever fighting against the tidal wave of plastic that seems to make its way through he door. Well meaning friends giving away their surplas plastic etc! And as you can guess - it's the paints,paper,modelling,dancing that my children go back to everytime. The 'must have'expensive toys forgotten under the bed once the novelty has worn off.
My attitude has echoed yours for a long while and I'm finally putting it into practice. Less is definitely more :)

[Beth]

Thank you SO much for this post! I love acorns, and the ones we gathered are producing worms!!! (NOT appetizing when they are crawling across your placemat!) I can't wait to order some! BTW, I love acorns because my 4 yr. old son told me one day that I was his acorn! I was like, "Huh?", but then I remembered we had just watched "Ice Age" and that Scrat just LOVES acorns! What a way to melt my heart!

[Lynn in Tucson]

What a great post - those acorns are beautiful! We get lots of mileage in this house out of those plain wood thingies. Beads are painted and glittered and made into necklaces for friends or earrings for grandmas. We also make fairy folk (of varying degrees of complexity) a la Sally Mavor: http://www.weefolkstudio.com/Books.htm and we spend hours with colored pipe cleaners and silk flower petals (often found at yard sales or thrift shops).

[Angel]

Amanda I totally agree. I wish I had stuck to that philosophy more over the last few years. We started out buying hardly anything, and then the grandparents started buying stuff we didn't really want but that Ian loved, and then it just ballooned.

If I had saved up the money we've spent on the small toys he never plays with, I'd have enough for that farmhouse! But I can't pay $417 for it at this point. I've learned my lesson though and maybe can afford the farmhouse and some of the figures by next Christmas. You have to admit, almost $600 for the farmhouse and figures is a big chunk of change to spend all at once. The Nova Natural kitchens start at $200 and go up to almost $500. But, if I hadn't let my mom buy Ian the Target kitchen instead maybe we could have used that money towards a real wooden one.

[Lynn in Tucson]

Oh, and you can make your own drop spindles from those great little wheels!

Just sayin'...

;-)

[Lynn in Tucson]

Okay, just one more comment: I've often (to my surprise) found nice wooden toys at Tuesday Morning & TJ Maxx - not just the Melissa & Doug stuff, but also Ryan's Room and the like.

[joy]

Thanks so much for your post. My husband and i have been exploring Montessori type toys that are great for long hours of play and no batteries included. I like for my daughter Lucy (she just turned one on Sunday) to play with things around the house too. I really want to make it a point to not have a lot of toys. Some how they get in the house - thanks mom - but we too, want to have less and encourage her imagination. She's usually content with filling up a cereal box with whatever she finds or pushing around a dryer sheet on the floor for 20 min. She's so much fun right now.
Love reading you

[amy j]

i must have some wooden acorns! this is a great post as we are faced with the same dilemmas with toys. we are about to get our daughter a wooden kitchen for christmas. we have saved money and goign to use the money she gets for christmas. but, i know it is worth it in the end.

[katie]

amanda,
I am so glad you did this post! i agree! the more toys kids have, the less the play. I love these people and i am going to order some. what a great project. you inspire me and my family every day and i can not wait to get my hands on your book.
the most fun we have as a family is walking in the woods looking at birds, moss, sticks, picking black berries and pine cones. Not only are my kids getting 95% handmade or recycled gifts this year, we are decorating with all natural things too. I can't wait. We have a great place to pick tiny rose hips and we have already picked a bunch of pine cones. We also have a great cookie clay recipe for ornaments that we already made. so much fun can be had with things you already have. I hope more people catch on to this...thanks again!

[Shannon B.]

Less is definitely more. When they have too much, they can't even remember what they have in order to play with it. My kids have 3 toy boxes filled with stuff (don't look at me. I keep trying to give the stuff away!) But everyday they either draw, read, dress up or play outside. For hours yesterday, my daughter played with a pipe cleaner dog that I made for her. LOL it just figures! If only we could go back to the Little House days when each kid had 1 doll and that was it!

[greenemother]

Thank you for the wonderful resource for more delightful wooden toys. I spent all evening looking for wooden tree ornaments online and I just wasn't happy with anything that I found. The simple wood ornaments will look beautiful. Also, if anyone knows of any little wooden villages/houses, I am also desperately looking for those for our nature table. One more thing... Amanda over at RowdyPea did a post just last week on wooden toys and she has some wonderful thoughts and suggestions. http://rowdypea.typepad.com/the_rowdy_pea/2007/10/waldorf-toys-ar.html

[rachel]

I love, love, love this post! I totally agree less is more when it comes to toys. thanks for the resource too. We make a big effort to keep toys simple and natural. It's not always possible with grandmas and friends bringing in the loud Elmo dolls, etc., but we try our best.

[Mama Urchin]

Amen sister! I'm with you on this.

For anyone looking, I know quiethourstoys.com sells the dollhouses.

[Melissa]

I posted a mini rant about China toy recalls a few days ago, but just to give myself an excuse to post a list of my favorite online natural toy sellers. Check it out!