(cool) design: playroom inspiration

With all the new research coming out on the importance of unstructured play (see CNN's Why We Need to Let Kids Be Creative), I've been thinking about how to structure play space in our home to support unstructured play and creativity for the growing toddler in my life.

Ironic, I know. But gorgeous, fun and inspiration-ally creative nonetheless.

Take a look at some of the playspiration I've found. There are TONS of great ideas on the web. And combing through them makes me want to run to the local paint store and pick up a gallon. To paint what? Not quite sure yet. But I feel like I should be painting...

Warning: I'll be sharing my thoughts on why unstructured play will make your kid a better doctor tomorrow.

let's play! the blabla kids barnyard collection

Lately, I've been thinking a lot about play (thanks, Ultimate Block Party) -- and the emotional, cognitive and social benefits of unstructured, self-directed play.

Take doll playing, for instance. Not only can playing with dolls develop a toddler's fine and gross motor skills (think dressing dolls and pushing them around in pint-sized carriages), it can help develop language and social skills. How? Dolls encourage role playing. By assuming roles and interacting with people around them, toddlers begin to develop language and social skills such as sharing and helping.

Play is a wonderful thing. But it's even more amazing when it intersects with beautiful design. Enter Blabla Kids. And their recently released Barnyard Collection (part of their classic Blablas line). The Barnyard collection includes Ulisse the blue horse, his sister Electra, Albert the donkey, and Claire and Georgia -- two cute cows.

ultimate block party rocks rash field in baltimore

The first chilly temps of fall didn't keep Baltimore families from coming out in droves to celebrate the art and science of play.

More than 25 family-friendly organizations set-up play-based activities across Rash Field as the third Ultimate Block Party descended on Charm City. There was playdough, dancing, zebra fish, sidewalk chalk, foam play cities and playground games.

Most importantly, there was just plain fun.

Ultimate Block Party is a national non-profit organization promoting how children learn best -- through discovery, imagination, play and collaborative learning. Each play-based station at yesterday's event had an explanatory display that detailed how the activity promoted a child's cognitive, emotional and social growth. Previous block parties have been held in New York City and Toronto.

baltimore kneebouncers want you to play... and they're giving away an app!

 Kneebouncers love play. And the local dad-owned company wants to share the play -- with everyone.

KneeBouncers is GIVING AWAY five of their fan favorite games in one app. KneeBouncers Big Little Games Vol 1 will be available for Android, iPhone, iPad and iPodTouch FOR FREE for a limited time. All to kick off their new Bounce, Play, Learn! Initiative.

“We love this app and we want to share it with the world. You get five fun educational and entertaining games, so you're really getting five apps,”  added co-creator Kurt Dommermuth. “The games are some of the very favorites directly from KneeBouncers.com, so they have been test driven by millions of babies and toddlers worldwide!”

ultimate block party is coming to baltimore

It happened in Central Park. It happened in Toronto.

And now it's happening right here in Charm City.

On October 2nd, the Baltimore Ultimate Block Party will rock Rash Field at the Inner Harbor. But don't think burgers, brats and beer -- think play, play and more play. With a side of learning. For FREE.

It's a day of play all based on brain science. Or really, aiming to show how play supports a child's cognitive, emotional and social development.