Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post. All opinions expressed here are my own.
Some of my favorite moments with my children is watching them play. You see so much of their souls when they think no one is looking. They are free to be whatever they want to be. (A) has a great sense of adventure, a very vivid imagination. I love to watch it develop and grow. It is because of this vivid imagination that I am careful as to what toys to pick for him. I am fearful of him losing the ability to make up situations and pretend, because most of the toys on the market today do so much for you. In my search for good old fashioned toys that help to foster this type of creativity in children I stumbled upon AE Wooden Toys.
AE Wooden Toys is a local shop out of Chestnut Ridge, NY that is owned and operated by Alex Entelis who is a real Toymaker. He is not a machine that mass produces toys (although he can amazingly turn out large orders in record time). Each piece is handcrafted in his shop. Once built he hand paints those that are painted in painstaking detail. He is an artisan. His talents are applauded by many. Alex has built toys for local craft shows, toy shops, and nationally for the GAP. You can find AE Wooden Toys on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/AEWOODENTOYS, online http://www.aewoodentoys.com , and on their ETSY shop www.etsy.com/shop/aewoodentoys.
What’s more impressive than the detail in every toy he creates is the play that they inspire. (A) walked into the shop where toys line the walls and immediately wanted to touch everything. Each of the toys that lines the walls inspires imaginative play. Every time he picked a new one up he started a new scenario with it. It was truly amazing, as if no one else was in the room. He especially loved to play with one of the tree houses that were available. He grabbed some of the figurines that were nearby and was instantly in his own little world (I was so impressed I almost forgot to take pictures).
Alex likes to watch children play with his toys. That is why he builds them. He believes that all children should have good toys to play with. In accordance with this rule he does things like building toys for St. Jude’s’ and shipping them in time for the holidays. At the heart of his toy making is the pure joy of a child playing with a well-built toy. Alex says that they are nearly indestructible, but even if they are eventually worn down or broken, they are fixable. Not just another disposable toy. Need more of a reason to check him out? Alex also makes these non-toxic toys out of recycled wood whenever possible. If the wood is not recycled it is definitely one of the sustainable woods available. The baby toys are made without any paint or varnishes, they are finished with mineral oil and beeswax.
We left the shop with a train for (A) and a rattle for (E). Of all of the toys that (A) received for Christmas this year, the train is the one piece that has not gone back into the “garage” (that’s what we call his play area) yet. The little people that came with his train have even become a part of his other play. They have become figures that play in the bat cave, in the fire house, or climb on furniture. There are no limits to their uses from what (A) and I can see. (E) just adores her rattle. She likes to shake it and eat it :o), which of course I don’t mind because I know that there are no toxins in or on it to harm her. (E) has played with it each day since getting it. She looks for it purposely. I am really impressed with the quality of these toys, and will be adding them to my arsenal of great gifts to give during the holidays. I can foresee already purchasing a tree house for the kids to play with, and I am looking forward to it. Moms can imagine too…
Alex sells his toys primarily online at his ETSY shop, as well as through local toy stores, and at craft fairs. His schedule for fairs can be found on his website. If you would like to go by and see the shop or check-out his products when he is not at a fair you can call to make an appointment. It’s worth the trip.
(A) plays with the tree house and some of the figures that Alex creates.
(A) loves to pretend. This plane is perfect for that purpose! Look at that craftsmanship!
(E) enjoys her new rattle, which is safe to chew on (her favorite pasttime) because of the care Alex takes with his items.
After checking out the toys, Alex gives us a tour. (A) loves tools, so Alex shows him how he makes some of his items.
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