How Simple Toys Lead to Amazing Play Ideas

We love playing with open ended, wooden toys around here.  For me, it’s fun to see what my son comes up with when he’s presented with something without instructions.

I like watching the wheels turning in his head.

I like watching the interesting ways he plays with them.

He always comes up with a way to play that I never would have thought of.

For example:

I gave him a set of colored wooden spools from Mama May I.

I thought he would start building right away, but I was wrong.

He lined them up, straightened them out, and picked them up all together.  He thought it was the coolest thing ever!

I was impressed that he was able to come up with that, and actually be able to do it.

After this lesson in physics, he started flicking them around the table trying to hit them hard enough to make them fly off.

Then he started building.  This is how I thought he’d begin playing with the spools.  Instead, this is the last way he played with them.  Go figure!

If I had interfered or taught him how to play with the spools, than he never would have found out that he could line them up and push them together and lift them up.  He’d never learn how easily they roll across the table when he flicks them.

This is why I love simple, open ended toys like this.  They allow for real learning to happen.

These spools were provided to me for free from Mama May I.  I reached out to Jessica, the owner, because I love her toys so much.  I only share products with you that I use myself and that I think you will love.

The toys from this store are wonderful!  I have a few other toys of hers, including this great matching game, that my son loves.  They are all very well made, great quality, and allows kids to really learn through play.   Check out her shop to see what other great stuff she has!

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