MANILA, Philippines – As a parent who believes in the saying “play is learning,” I’m always on the lookout for items that encourage pretend play. I know that letting my children use their imagination while playing will benefit them greatly.
The truth is children don’t really need a lot of things to play make-believe, but there is definitely nothing wrong with investing in quality products that make pretend play more fun. Featured here are three such products that are considered fun and safe, specifically for little girls:
1. Pottly N Tubby Teepees
Pottly N Tubby is a children’s boutique that offers uniquely created items for little kids and “kids at heart” — pillows, beanies, soft toys, and their signature custom-made teepees and play tents.
Created by Marie Faith, a mom who wanted to make teepees and play tents available in the Philippines, the brand has become quite popular since its beginnings in June 2014.
My kids don’t have their own Pottly N Tubby teepee yet but I’m sure they would love one — especially my little girls, who love playing “house” and setting up their own tents with blankets and towels!
Pottly N Tubby: All photos in collage taken from Pottly N Tubby’s Facebook page
You can view more of Pottly N Tubby’s products on Instagram (@pottlyntubby) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/pottly.tubby). You can also send them an email at pottlyandtubby@gmail.com.
2. GirlStuff Forever Nail Polish
I don’t know why, but when my second child — our eldest daughter — turned five last year, she became quite fascinated with using nail polish. I held off from letting her play with polish for quite some time though, because I wanted to make sure that what she would use would be 100 percent safe for kids.
That’s why I was so grateful when Janina Gutierrez-Tan, the founder and owner of GirlStuff Forever, sent me a few bottles of their nail polish a while back — their polish, made in France, is what Janina calls “5-free.”
She explains, “This means that our polish is free from the harmful chemicals commonly found in polish: formaldehyde, toluene, DBP, camphor and formaldehyde-resin. These chemicals are toxic and not safe.”
So what does that mean? GirlStuff Forever’s polish is perfectly safe for kids as young as 5! “A lot of moms buy our washable polish for their 2 to 3 year old girls,” Janina shares. “But I would not recommend it if your child is thumb-sucker or a nail-biter.”
Thank goodness then that our toddler — currently at 2.5 years old — neither sucks her thumb or bites her nails; she can play “parlor” with her older sister to her heart’s content, using GirlStuff Forever!
GirlStuff Forever: Top left photo in collage taken from GirlStuff Forever’s Facebook page / Other photos are property of the author
Check out GirlStuff Forever’s products by visiting their website www.girlstuffforever.com or their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/GirlstuffForever
3. Little Human & Co. Reversible Play Masks and Capes
Little Human & Co. was created by a pair of parents who believe that “our little humans are not ‘just playing,’ this is how they learn” — a philosophy that, as I mentioned earlier — I totally believe in advocate myself. Thus, the online shop focuses on creating tools and toys that “encourage creativity, imagination and play.”
Katherine Garcia-Flores, the mommy behind Little Human & Co., generously sent my kids a pair of their signature reversible play masks and capes recently. They became an instant hit with the girls, and now they thoroughly enjoy pretending to be “singing superheroes”! They also sometimes use the capes as “skirts” tied around their waists and pretend to be masked princesses.
Little Human & Co: All photos in collage are property of the author
Whether you have a daughter or a son, I’m sure you’ll find that Little Human & Co.’s play masks and capes will help nurture your child’s imagination and creativity!
Check out Little Human & Co.’s line of products on Facebook: www.facebook.com/LittleHumanCompany. You can also follow them on Instagram @littlehuman_co, text/Viber them at 097-71817353, or send an email to LittleHuman_Co@yahoo.com. Their products are also available on TheLearningBasket.com.
Do you know of other products that are fun, safe, and encourage pretend play, not just for girls but for boys too? Feel free to share your suggestions with me via email (tina@trulyrichmom.com) or on Facebook.