Be Centre – supporting kids with play based therapy

I recently attended an incredible local kids charity called Be Centre which is kids mental health organisation based on the Northern Beaches of Sydney.  As a toy blogger I am 110% passionate about play based learning and this particular organisation is unique in that it is dedicated to Play Therapy. This particular charity is focused on helping kids aged 3 to 12 years who have experienced trauma (whether that is divorce, family death, alcoholic parents, lengthy hospital stays, domestic violence or bullying) in their lives and need a save place to help explore and express their feelings, build trust and self confidence.

The early intervention helps kids later on in life as there are less incidences of mental heath problems for the kids that go through their 12 week program.

Play Therapy is an evidence-based and highly effective approach. Last year Be Centre conducted more than 2,000 Play Therapy sessions, successfully helping children in difficulty work though their experiences and heal from trauma so they can go on to create brighter futures for themselves, their families and the community.

They are not-for-profit organisation started in 2008 by a local mum who needed to help her son who himself was experiencing difficulties.  The majority of their work is community funded, allowing children who are most in need to access vital therapeutic help. They receive generous support from individuals and businesses but the need for their services is increasing and they have more than 100 children on our waitlist which can mean up to 6 months to wait to get into their program.

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Cool new toys this Christmas

Talkin Toys

This post has been sponsored by Talkin Toys.

It is usually this time of year that a whole lot of news articles come out with ‘Best Toys of 2017’, ‘Best Cool Toys of 2017’ and ‘The 10 Best Gifts to Buy Kids in 2017’. I read them, check them out to see if there are any fun toys my readers would like to hear about. As such  I wanted to let you know about 2 cool toys I have been told about from Talkin Toys which I think will make great stocking fillers this Christmas.  I certainly know my boys would love either of them in their Santa Sacks come Christmas Day…

I know that I don’t generally review many mainstream toys on this blog. There are some cool toy review sites available for this very purpose, many on YouTube and I usually leave it to them to dish the news on cool upcoming toys.

Talkin Toys is one of these YouTube based review channels. With kid presenters as well as adults, they offer a fun online video program presenting news and reviews on the latest and coolest mainstream toys.

However, there are 2 toys that I thought looked seriously fun and I knew my kids would like them so I thought I would let you know about them to keep you up to date this Christmas.

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Handmade Christmas Crayons from Funny Little Things

Funny-Little-Things-Handmade-Crayons-Kids-Gifts

Christmas is one of my favourite times of the year but I think we can all agree it can be pretty stressful with all of the end of year events at preschool, school and sport not to mention carols, family parties, get together’s with friends, work parties and did I mention actually getting in your Christmas shopping somewhere?

This year I have a few giveaways coming up on the blog which will mean for the lucky winners they have some of their kids gifts all sorted.

We already hosted the incredible Kazoops Soft Toy giveaway which was met with HUGE enthusiasm especially from all the non Australian fans. And this week, I have teamed up with a beautiful local Sydney maker and creator, Tess from Funny Little Things. Tess makes the most beautiful handmade crayons which make perfect stocking fillers, party favours and birthday gifts.

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Christmas Gift Guide 2017- Wooden Toys

Best Wooden Toys Christmas 2017

Another incredible year and so many amazing wooden toys that I have blogged, reviewed and discovered over the course of the year.

Wooden toys are utterly classic beauties that stand the test of time and general wear and tear of children. They are full of endless play as there are no batteries, no noises and the child gets to use their imagination to bring the toy alive.

Whether they are playing with a super cool modular dollhouse, having fun with brilliant Geo puzzles,  building castles and forts, balancing on boards, stacking cats, or creating fun play spaces for their cars, trucks and planes.

Each child who plays with these toys will have a different and unique experience from the next kid and even day to day,  as it will all depend on your child’s imagination.

It is these toys that will be passed down to the next generation, loved, played with and cherished. Not the cheap plastic ones with all the bells and whistles that will go to landfill after dying a quick death due to poor workmanship, breakages and dead batteries.

In choosing wooden toys, you are choosing to think about your child’s future and their kids’ future.

Best Wooden Toys Christmas 2017

Gift Guide details from the top of the tree and L to R are:

Egmont Doll House Modern – The Mini Manor & Co  $88.00

Ze Geoanimo by Djeco – Tiny Paper Co $54.95

Milianiwood Animal Factory – Wild and Whimsical Things $28.95

Castle Block Set – Play to Learn  $49.00

Wobbel Board – Sweet Elephants $295.00

Grimms Wooden Blocks Colour Tree Slices  The Creative Toy Shop $73.00

BuildMe Wooden Toys – Tow  $59.00

Pinch Toys – Mini Set Retro 70s Cars – Monkeynmoo Shop $32.00

Wooden Cat Stacking Puzzle – Happy Go Ducky Toys $23.00

Friendly Toys – Wooden Plane – Wiggles Piggles $39.95

This line up are all from Australian online small business retailers who are supporting their families with their business. In supporting them you support their families this Christmas.

Disclosure: this post was written in conjunction with these beautiful shops All opinions are my own and not influenced in any way.

Christmas Gift Guide 2017- Big Kids

I am super excited for this year’s annual gift guides as I have collaborated with an incredible selection of stunning online toy and gift boutiques to bring you some of the best gift ideas there is for your big kids!

I love curating and selecting toys that will be a big part of your child’s future growth and development.

I hope you love this year’s selection of toys for big kids ages 4 to 8 years.

The toys and gifts here are perfect to get children into the great outdoors and do a spot of gardening and press some flowers. Or to write letters to their friends, family and even Santa and pop them in their very own letter box. Keep the big kids amused with a marble run, game of lotto, wooden shape puzzle or practice the alphabet using games via a tablet.  Perhaps you are after some good old fashioned fun and your child can pretend to be a doctor or zoom around cars and caravans imagining they are on summer holidays. Lastly for some whizz, bang fizz, test out experiments in a science kit. There is definitely something to suit your child here no matter their interests.

They are all non toxic toys that will allow your child to explore their creativity, imagination, and many are educational.Best Kids Toys 2017 - Kids Gifts and Toys Christmas Gift Guide- Big Kids 2017

Gift Guide details from the top of the tree and L to R: 

Make Me Iconic Post Box – Sweet Elephants $79.99

Flower Press Large (18cm x 18cm) – Play to Learn $55.00

Tin Toy Set Mercedes Cabrio, Coupe and Caravan Happy Go Ducky Toys $55.00

Hape Quadrilla Set – The Creative Toy Shop $119.00

Extra Large Wooden Shape Puzzle – Happy Go Ducky Toys $120.00

OMM Design Animal Lotto Game – Wiggles Piggles $29.95

Curious Kids Science ‘Chemistry in Action’ Kit – Curious Kids Science $33.00

Marbotics Smart Letters – Keld Industries $89.95

Sow n’ Sow Christmas Greetings Billy Button Gift of Seeds – Wild and Whimsical Things $9.95

Burgon Ball Hand Trowl – Wild and Whimsical Things $23.95

Burgon Ball Hand Fork – Wild and Whimsical Things $23.95

Le Toy Van Doctor Set – Wiggles Piggles $79.95

This line up are all from Australian online small business retailers who are supporting their families with their business. In supporting them you support their families this Christmas.

Disclosure: this post was written in conjunction with these beautiful shops All opinions are my own and not influenced in any way.

Christmas Gift Guides 2017 – Toddler

I am super excited for this year’s annual gift guides as I have collaborated with an incredible selection of stunning online toy and gift boutiques to bring you some of the best gift ideas there is for your little ones.

I love curating and selecting toys that will be a big part of your child’s future growth and development.

I hope you love this year’s selection of toys, they are for the busy toddler to keep him or her occupied, entertained with open ended toys which allow the child to use their creativity and imagination. Many of the toys are classics or modern classics that have been tried and tested by generations of kids. They are non toxic, non tech toys that will allow your child to explore different parts of their gross and fine motor skills.

Gift Guide details from the top of the tree and L to R: 

Cana Watering Can by Quut – Tiny Paper Co. $24.95

Paola Reina Doll ‘Nora’ Yellow Jacket – The Mini Manor & Co $99.00

Alimrose Angel Bunny with Wings – Wiggles Piggles  $69.95

BuildMe Wooden Toys Buster PlayMe Car $69.00

Indigo Jamm- Toby Truck from  Lucas Loves Cars $80.00

Wishbone 3 in 1 balance bike from Sweet Elephants from $289.99

Way to Play Ring Road 12 part set from Alfie Wild Kids $89.00

Fishing Set – Play to Learn $69.00

Plan Toy Beehives – The Creative Toy Shop $49.00

Milaniwood Make Maki Sushi – Wild and Whimsical Things $59.95

This line up are all from Australian online small business retailers who are supporting their families with their business. In supporting them you support their families this Christmas.

Disclosure: this post was written in conjunction with these beautiful shops All opinions are my own and not influenced in any way