Our Toy Cupboard
​ Creations with a Conscience

Children do not need a lot to entertain themselves.  They are born to play, create and imagine.  What they do need are toys that are open-ended, toys they have connected with either through a story or by making them themselves and perhaps a friend to share these toys with.

Each month the Children at Tree of Life Playschool spend more than half of their week in nature playing with sticks, stones, mud and each other.  These open ended materials supply all they need but on occasion we take the time to teach them how to make items to take home so that they can also play with a something at home that was created at Playschool.

We would like to share some of these toys with you each month!!  The Toy Cupboard will be open every Saturday at my home, 1112 Reno St.  We would NOT like money for these toys but if you choose to take one of the hand made creations we ask that you make a donation to a charity of your choice that supports nature conservation and connections.  After this we ask you to please come back, when you get the chance, to tell us where you might have donated, maybe a story of your donation experience or of your toy joy experience!!

Another reason we are sharing these toys with you and yours is to make a fight to combat the toy industries hold on you and your child.  Toy companies spend BILLIONs of dollars a year learning how to manipulate your children into pressing you into buying toys that they DO NOT NEED for their physical, emotional, social, mental or spiritual development !  This is not healthy, economical or environmentally friendly so we would like to share some of the ideas  we have about toys and some healthy inexpensive options!

Golden Ball - made in Sept

 This month we made Golden Balls with wool from the beautiful Custom Wooden Mill using the wet felting method. Wet felting is a wonderful way for children to get used to different sensory stimulation, it is a slow craft so they can experience shift in the results of their time spent on the craft and it helps them practice dexterity and experience hand eye coordination.  And we come out with a golden ball!  I like to wrap around a used tennis ball (the ones we used I found on the side of the road, so very eco friendly).  The Frog Prince and The Garden of Light are just a few stories that go with this image of The Golden Ball to inspire play in  your child's life.  This last story is found in a wonderful book called Healing Stories for Challenging Behaviour available in the Victoria Waldorf Library - let me know if you'd like more details.

Golden Pillow

These were made with the help of the Father Sun and Miss Marigold with a simple and safe Solar Dying Method.  A lovely slow method that the children can watch and wait for it to happen.  This Golden colour sends them ideas of light and strengthens their spirit for the dark days ahead and maybe sends a little light into their dreams as well.

Dragon Puppet - made in Sept and Oct

Sewing is calming even for the busiest child.  Their focus and pride in each tiny step is felt deeply.  It prepares them to focus, use hand eye coordination, take pride and patience in their work and build up self regulation....nothing like a pointy needle to make you go slow!  It is also a very portable activity.  Forget screen time try sew time!!  And for a good dragon story well one does not have to look far.

Suggestions of Environmental Groups

Please support one of these local environmental groups, or one of many others, trying to make a difference for our precious planet.

David Suzuki Foundation
Dogwoodbc
Ancient Rainforest Alliance
Pacific Wild
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With deep gratitude, the Tree of Life Playschool Educators, Parents and Children!

Examples of our work