Waldorf

DIY Holiday Gnomes

December 8, 2012 by Natureal Mom Comments

This simple, affordable and fun project is sure to delight your little ones! Here is an easy tutorial on how to make these cute little holiday gnomes.

Image © Natureal Mom 2012

You can either use wooden Peg People which come in different shapes and sizes or old-fashioned wooden clothespins. Peg People and Wooden Doll Pins can be found at your local craft store or there is a nice selection here and on Etsy. You will also need some pieces of Eco-fi felt, a hot glue gun and a pair of scissors. I chose three different colors of felt for Hanukkah. Red and green would be festive for Christmas or Kwansa

Image © Natureal Mom 2012

First, I made the little cloak by cutting a rectangular shaped piece of felt long enough to fit around the wooden body. I rolled it around the body and secured the edges together in the back using a hot glue gun.

Image © Natureal Mom 2012

Next, I made the little gnome hat by cutting a triangular shaped piece of felt, making sure it was just the right length to fit over the wooden head when glued together.

Image © Natureal Mom 2012

Using the hot glue gun, I glued the two sides together. Then I put just a dab of glue onto the inside of the hat and positioned it onto the gnomes head so that it was tilted slightly backward.

Image © Natureal Mom 2012

Isn’t he a cute little fellow? He’s ready to spin some dreidels and eat some latkes!

Image © Natureal Mom 2012

Happy Winter Crafting!

Filed Under: Creativity + Play, Uncategorized Tagged With: crafting, creative play, DIY, felt crafts, gnomes, holiday, holiday decor, imaginative play, kid crafts, seasonal, Waldorf, winter

Top 10 Natural Toys & Holiday Gifts

December 2, 2012 by Natureal Mom 1 Comment

These are my top 10 selections for the most unique, handcrafted, eco-friendly, non-toxic, fair trade, natural and imaginative children’s gifts of the season! Shop consciously and support these naturally minded small businesses and work-at-home families. If you’ve read my post on Creating an Inspiring Playspace, then you know that our family prefers fewer amount of toys that are higher quality. Here are my faves for 2012:

1. Padraig Cottage Wool Slippers Made by hand with the finest natural materials, these adorable slippers keep feeties cozy & warm. They are light and flexible, wash well and are available in a variety of colors and sizes for the whole family.

Price: $24.99 & up

Where to buy: Padraig Cottage

2. Incan Drum Each side of this Peruvian drum produces a different tone. Made of oak, pine, cedar and walnut woods. The colorful head of the beater and the webbing are handmade.
Price: $39.00

Where to buy: Nova Natural

3. Play Silks One of the best toys, ever! These all natural, plant dyed silks are rich in color and allow children to create anything they can imagine… blankets, capes, curtains, doll carriers, costumes, flags, walls for forts and so much more!

Price: $15.00 each

Where to Buy: Finns and Flowers

4. Canvas Teepee A perfectly cozy hideaway! Kids love their own space to enjoy books, arts, naps and play. Made of hand carved Douglas Fir wood pole framing and topped with an unbleached cotton canvas tarp that is conveniently removable for wash. The frame is easily collapsable for storing or transporting.

Price: $150.00

Where to Buy: House In Habit

5. Aromatic Play Clay Mama K’s 100% natural award-winning modeling clay is made using only certified gluten-free flours and organic essential oils. This clay uses subtle aromatherapy scents to soothe (lavender), uplift (sweet orange), ease anxiety (bergamot), inspire (lemongrass), balance (geranium), refresh (cardamom), and relax (chamomile).

Price: $15.00

Where to Buy: Nest

6. Cherry Wood Toy Pick Up Truck A smart little pickup truck will haul lots of treasures – blocks, wooden acorns, felt farm animals and more! Designed with a vintage appeal and sized just right – not too small nor too big.

Price: $16.99

Where to Buy: Palumba

7. Block Crayons Stockmar’s sweet smelling beeswax crayons are made with non-toxic pigments that deliver pure, brilliant colors and don’t rub off on hands. Thicker than typical crayons, they have a better resistance to breaking, and are a better fit for smaller hands.

Price: $21.00, tin of 16

Where to Buy: The Blue Ladybug

8. Four Seasons Board Books Gerda Muller’s charming seasonal picture board books beautifully illustrate children engaging in a variety of seasonal activities. These board books have no words, which allows adults and children to use their imaginations and narrate their own stories.

Price: $37.95, set of 4, Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter. (Summer illustration pictured below)

Where to Buy: Bella Luna Toys

9. Wooden Tops A modern spin on an ancient toy that provide endless hours of fascination. Handcrafted in limited quantities in Austria, these wooden spinning tops are so beautifully balanced, they spin for minutes at a time. The simple, yet colorful pastel design attracts even the littlest of fingers.

Price: $8.95

Where to Buy: Nest

10. Rag Dolls Simple, classic, and sweet these heirloom-quality cloth dolls are custom made with recycled cotton scrap fabric. The simple and somewhat imperfect nature of these dolls gives them the feel of antique cloth dolls loved and cherished for generations… the good ole’ days before plastics were even invented.

Price: $49.00

Where to Buy: The Busl Barn

What are your favorite holiday toys and gifts? Please share by leaving a comment below!

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: fair trade, holiday gifts, imaginative play, natural gifts, natural kids toys, natural toys, non toxic toys, non-toxic, Waldorf

Review: Soft Star Shoes & Special Offer!

August 9, 2012 by Natureal Mom 2 Comments

We let our babe go barefoot whenever possible. When he does wear shoes, we put him in minimalist shoes like Soft Star which are specifically designed for natural foot movement and healthy foot development. The wider design allows plenty of room for toes to wiggle around and spread out and the low profile, slip resistant soles helps to minimize trips when little ones are getting the hang of walking and running.

We’re onto our third pair of super soft Vegan Hotcakes which have been great for indoors and warmth and his Laguna sandals have gotten some good use in the warmer weather. I wanted a good pair of closed toe shoes that will carry into into Autumn and Winter so I was really excited when Soft Star sent us a pair of classic Dorados to check out!

Image © Natureal Mom 2012

Even though I’m already a fan of Soft Star shoes, I always share my honest opinions, experiences and findings in my reviews and never accept money to review products or services. For more information, check out my review policy.

Aside from being adorable, he’s able to walk in the Dorados easily and comfortably. The velcro strap at the ankle makes them easy to get on and off and the closed toe protects his little piggies from sticks, sand and pebbles. We also received a pair of removable sheepskin innersoles that are supposed to keep feet warm in cooler weather and wick moisture away in hotter weather. It sounds counter intuitive but it’s been in the triple digits here and they do seem to keep his feet dry. I also love the nutmeg color with forest green strap and yellow star!

Image © Soft Star Shoes

Of course I have to give Soft Star kudos for keeping it natureal:

No toxic chemicals, dyes, or pollutants in these kicks! Only natural materials are used including formaldehyde-free leathers.
Hands down, one of the most environmentally and socially responsible companies out there.
Each pair is handmade making them one of a few shoe manufacturers whose materials and production remain entirely in the US.

Also worth mentioning:

You can Design Your Own shoes choosing from different colors, materials (including 100% vegan options) and motifs.
A selection of soft and durable Waldorf and Montessori classroom shoes are available.
Returns or exchanges are accepted on shoes that are in like-new, saleable condition, even on DYO!

★★★

The Elves at Soft Star are kindly offering Natureal Mom readers 10% off a pair of Dorados (Lilac, Nutmeg or Ultra Blue) now through Sunday, 8/12/2012 at 11:59 PM PST. Be sure to enter code: natureal10 when checking out!

Filed Under: Products, Resources, Reviews + Giveaways Tagged With: DIY, eco, first shoe, first walker shoes, green, handmade shoes, minimal shoes, montessori, natural, non-toxic, nontoxic, review, soft soled shoes, toddler shoes, USA, vegan, Waldorf

Recipe: Apple Crisp

June 10, 2012 by Natureal Mom Comments

Image © Natureal Mom

Mmm… Apple Crisp.

This recipe from The Waldorf Kindergarten Snack Book is simple, comforting, healthy and delicious!

Enjoy alone or add a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream sprinkled with nutmeg.

♥

Ingredients:

Lots of apples (I usually use about 6 Pink Lady apples)4-5 cups oats (I use GF Harvest Organic Gluten-Free Rolled Oats)
1 stick of butter, melted (I use 1/2 cup melted Organic Earth Balance)
1/2 cup maple syrup
2 T. oil (I use Safflower)
Pinch of salt
Love

Directions:

1. Peel and Slice the apples. (An old-fashioned apple peeler/corer is a fun way for little helpers to prepare apples)
2. Preheat oven to 350ºF
3. Place apples in a 9×13-inch baking pan.
4. Sprinkle the apples with cinnamon and a few tablespoons of maple syrup.
5. Mix together the topping ingredients and sprinkle over the apples.
6. Bake for 45 minutes to an hour.

Filed Under: Food + Recipes Tagged With: autumn, dessert, food, gluten free, organic, recipes, vegan, vegetarian, Waldorf

Creating an Inspiring Playspace

April 22, 2012 by Natureal Mom 2 Comments

Image © Natureal Mom

I wanted to create a playspace that inspires creativity and imagination and nurtures growth and development. I invested in a few key pieces that are open-ended and will grow with a child, but you don’t have to spend a lot of money to create an inspired playspace. Many items can be made by hand, found around the house, thrifted or upcycled.

Simplify

After our babe’s birthday and the holidays last Winter, we received more toys than we knew what to do with! More toys mean more clutter and too many choices can overwhelm a child. Too many toys can also take away the “specialness” from individual toys and lessen the chance to fully explore any one toy. To keep things simple, we rotate toys to keep them fresh but are also careful not to take anything away that he is taken with. We also choose to invest in a fewer amount of heirloom quality toys that are natural and non-toxic. Extra toys and clothes have been donated to a wonderful local organization Baby2Baby that distributes new and gently used toys to underprivileged children.

Environment

Because the environment is so important to a young child, I wanted to create a space that is welcoming and comforting. Toys have been arranged on low shelves and in shallow baskets so that they are inviting and accessible which encourages self-motivating play. The walls are painted in a warm neutral shade and the windows covered with natural bamboo. Lighting is kept soft. I found these two beautiful wall hangings on Etsy made of soft wool that have been hand painted and wet and needle felted.

Purchased at Sunflower Wool Art; Beads & Fairies Etsy Shops

I did splurge on a soft high pile sheepskin that has been vegetable tanned with extracts from African mimosa trees and is certified free of harmful chemicals. My little guy loves how soft it feels and it’s a popular spot for reading books and cuddling together.

Image © Palumba

Toys for imaginative play

We have a small amount of plastic and battery operated toys. As an adult, I get overwhelmed when surrounded by noisy toys with flashing lights so I can’t imagine what it must be like for a small child who can only process so much information at a time. These toys also tend to “think” for a child. Open-ended toys inspire creative play, foster development and grow with a child which makes many of these items a good investment.

Play kitchen - Our pediatrician has a play kitchen at his practice that our little guy loves playing with so much that we had to get one. A Simple Hearth by Camden Rose is a truly beautiful hand crafted heirloom quality play kitchen. There is plenty of space for “cutting up” veggies, a faucet and stainless steel sink for “rinsing” dishes and a four-burner stove top. There are shelves and a cabinet for storage and an oven with baking rack. Accessories are limitless – pots and pans, bowls, utensils, towels and play food. My little guy loves making me soup and feeding it to me!

Image © Natureal Mom 2012

Playstand - Playstands with canopy arches and shelves are very versatile and can be used to create a cozy “space within a space” where a child can find refuge.

Image © Palumba

This is another great item that will grow with your child. They can be transformed into spaces for household play, puppetry, caves, storefronts and more… the possibilities are endless. We recently added a market shelf add-on with paper pulp baskets and filled them with play fruits and veggies.

Playsilks - Playsilks are a staple for creative play. They can be used for playing peek-a-boo, making forts and puppet theatre curtains, used as capes, walls and roofs of houses, hammocks, rivers, ropes, blankets, table cloths… there is no end to what they can become. Scarves and pieces of fabric work just as well.

Available at Mosey Etsy Shop

Dolls - A little blanket doll is the perfect doll to introduce to a baby. It usually has a formed head with a simple face and soft flannel body with small knots at the corners. I soaked the knots in chamomile tea to soothe my little guy’s swollen gums. For toddlers, handmade dolls with arms and legs and clothes that can come off and on are warm to the touch and feel more real than synthetic and plastic materials used in commercially produced dolls. I like that the facial features are intentionally made simple which allows a child to imagine the doll experiencing different emotions. There are many benefits to doll playing for both boys and girls. It allows children to develop love and care for other people.

Musical Instruments - Our son (like most) absolutely loves music. He bangs on his floor tom or djembe drum, plays the xylophone and tone block, shakes rain sticks and strums the strings of his small guitar.

Felted wool balls - These are amongst his favorite toys. I found some gorgeous artisan wool balls with intricate designs. He loves to play catch and cart them around in his wooden push wagon. Wool dryer balls are great too.

Wooden toys - We have a few wooden toys that he really loves like these organic recycled rubber wood fruits and vegetables from Plan Toys. He also enjoys wooden puzzles, pull toys, cars and stacking toys.

Push wagon - We got this because he was obsessed with pushing the stroller around the house. Now he loves pushing around some toys… and occasionally the dogs.

Books - We have a few simple books. These beloved classic Elsa Beskow books are beautifully illustrated. Gerda Muller’s seasonal books are also a favorite.

Nesting/sorting/stacking bowls - These are lots of fun and can be used in many ways. We have some colorful crocheted ones.

Blocks - Stack and knock down. Repeat!

Tree blocks are wonderful for older children and can be handmade.

Available at Monkeys on the Roof Etsy Shop

Nature objects - Baskets of natural objects like gnarled pieces of bark, sticks, rocks, shells, branches, pinecones and acorns are great because they can mostly be found while out on a nature walk. Just be careful to supervise small children with these items and avoid anything that can be a choking hazard.

Costumes - A few simple costumes can greatly enhance a child’s play. Children love to dress up and transform into characters who can act out roles in imaginative play – especially with other children. Having a few special hooks for capes and a shelf for hats can make costumes easily accessible and suggestive of imaginative play. Our little guy loves putting on “silly hats.”