Spielgaben Educational Toys
I am a big fan of minimalism when it comes to toys, especially educational toys. Growing up I might have gotten a couple fad toys, but I they never lasted long and I really don’t remember them. What I remember was dolls, toy cars, blocks, sticks, rocks, string, boards, and cardboard boxes. I remember toys that allowed us to create our own stories, our own games, and our own world.
As toys have gotten more commercial driven and less interactive, it seems harder to find quality toys that will spark the imagination and leave lasting memories.
For the past couple years, I’ve been stalking bloggers like Carisa at 1+1+1=1 and how they use these colorful educational toys from a company called Spielgaben. My children actually used them in their Reggio Emilia based pre-school and loved them. When Spielgaben contacted me and wanted to know if we would like a set of toys to review, I was thrilled. I just knew they would be a hit in our home even though my kids are getting older.
Why I Like Spielgaben educational toys?
Open-Ended Learning
When a resource promotes open-ended learning, there is no right or wrong way to use it. By using imagination and creativity, the object comes alive in infinite forms. Spielgaben toys offer basic materials that can be played with as children see fit. As children play unhindered by expectations or outside influence, their imaginations run wild.
The Spielgaben blocks might be use to make a castle or skyscraper or even a maze. The colored tiles can be used to form shapes or to create a picture. The colored balls can be used in a game or to roll down a ramp created by other Spielgaben objects.
Can Be Used For Multiple Ages
I like toys and educational materials that are going to last more than a year. I want them to be more than a phase or a fad. Give me toys that will grow with our children. Spielgaben toys fit that bill perfectly.
When in pre-school, my children used Spielgaben educational toys. They built towers with the blocks, butterflies with the colored tiles, and represented numbers with various objects. I thought my kids would outgrow those types of simple toys. Turns out, I was wrong.
Since receiving our Spielgaben set, my 11 year old and my 15 year old have been using them in all types of ways. They are no longer building simple towers or representing numbers. They are building models of hockey rinks, a gym for our sugar glider, and making rockets. It’s still open-ended learning, just on a older scale.
Well Made
Remember when things were built to last? How many toys have you bought for your kids that have broke the day they got it? How disappointing! Spielgaben toys are high quality. From the impressive wood case to the wood blocks and high quality plastic balls, nothing is cheaply made. These are built to last.
Well Organized
Not only is the case well-made, it is made specifically to hold all the Spielgaben pieces. Everything has it’s place. There is no excuse for pieces on the floor with no where to go. Kids can learn to organize their supplies, as well as build.
Why My Kids Like Spielgaben?
It’s Different
In this world of X-Box, Pokemon Go, and iPads, Spielgaben educational toys are something different and interesting to this generation of kids. Mine were drawn to the shapes and colors. I find them putting down their games on hot summer afternoons and quietly playing and creating.
So Many Variations
The complete Spielgaben set contains blocks, sticks, tile shapes, knit balls, and plastic balls. These can be used in an infinite number of ways. This is great for my 11 year old who mows through science kits and building sets just to see how fast he can complete the instructions. I find him going back again and again to build something new with the Spielgaben toys.
Want to learn more about Spielgaben?
Spielgaben toys are recommended for kids 3-12. Check out their website for Spielgaben learning ideas. Learning guides are, also, available to help you incorporate play into everyday life.
