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Thank goodness, now there’s a less gross version of the wishbone. This one is wooden and made with magnets, so you won’t have the waiting and… well, like I said before, the gross part of bone breaking. Ick. Let’s retire that part, shall we? There’s also a wooden Clover and Feather, should you need more luck. Bookmark these for thoughtful little gifts to friends and family.
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If you still haven’t figured out your Halloween costume, you could always download one of these Papercraft Masks from Paperstatue. There’s quite a few to choose from, so you can go with a nonthreatening Red Panda Mask or with something more disturbing like the Rabbit or Ram Mask. Last minute procrastination won’t haunt you anymore, that’s for sure. Happy Halloween!
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You may be familiar with Buckminster Fuller’s 1946 patented a map of Earth, as it presents no visible distortion of the relative sizes of land masses. Designer Brendan Ravenhill has taken Fuller’s projection (and architect Shoji Sadao’s hand drawn 1954 Dymaxion Projection) and turned it into a magnetic folding globe, which means we all have something to do with our hands next time we’re waiting for a brainstorming session to strike. Fold it into a geometric globe or unfold it to see our planet flattened out.
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$38 is much better than $80, which is what these dominos used to cost. I think that means that they’re entirely affordable, and very worth snapping up before another price change. Fun fact: the name ‘domino’ is from the pieces’ resemblance to Venetian Carnival masks known as Domini, which were white with black spots. There’s also plenty of other games from Fredericks & Mae, ranging from $12.95 (playing cards) to $320 (bocce!).
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Okay, do you like tangrams? You know, the traditional puzzle of seven geometric 2D pieces that you rearrange to make bigger shapes? If so, you’ll be happy to see that there’s a colorful, magnetic version that’s appropriate for all ages. Show off your designs upright, and keep them close at hand on a shelf or desk so you can mess around with them when your brain needs a break.
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Yep, you can get the New York Times in a puzzle. Chances are you’ll want to commemorate a special date- you’ll be able to get any front page since 1851- so have a think about which day you’ll choose. Maybe it’s a birthday or anniversary, or maybe it’s the day someone special got a promotion or graduated. Maybe bookmark it for a future gift?
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Here’s the perfect little (and inexpensive) birthday gift: the Happy Birthday Crank Music Box. If you’re more into composing your own original tune, you may like the Make Your Own Music Box Kit– it comes with an instruction booklet. There’s also lots of other melodies (You’ve Got A Friend, If I Only Had A Brain, Wedding March, etc.) should the occasion be something other than a birthday.
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Darts, anyone? Set, aim, and fire with these finely balanced darts. Done in a monochrome color scheme, the set will easily work in a games room (or whatever other room of the house you deem appropriate). Birchwood barrels and shafts with polished steel tips make up the darts, while the basswood board has “hydraulically-inserted” brass guidelines delineating the scoring rings. All these fine materials will hopefully last a lifetime (just be sure to throw the darts towards the dartboard, not at any short tempered, maniacal guests).
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Wood blocks, anyone? Whether you build skyscrapers or miniature furniture, a set of 18 natural wood pieces (unvarnished) will keep those fingers of yours busy while you brainstorm. Share them with kids and coworkers or be selfish and keep them to yourself. Do I need to point out that this would make an excellent gift?
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Upon first glance, you’re unlikely to guess what this item is before you, as the pieces are in compacted form. However, here’s a hint: it’s a game and wristbands are optional.
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This large, brass knot is actually a puzzle made of six different notched brass bars. They interlock in a certain way to create the “jack” shape, which means you can spend a good deal of time procrastinating what you don’t want to be doing in favor of fitting the pieces together. Once assembled, enjoy it as a paperweight or as a sculptural piece on a nearby shelf.
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Fun! The Little Architect Set* is a set of blocks to build and measure with. Inspired by an architect’s drafting kit, the building blocks include a triangle, protractor and ruler with units in metric and imperial. They snap together with hidden magnets, so you’ll be able to mix and match to your heart’s content. Be sure to share with others (young and old alike).
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You need a break. Pick up some of these H Blocks and play around with architectural towers and landscapes, or just mess around with different colors making patterns. And, yes, these would be good for kids to play with, but they’ll be just as good for your brain (most likely) and some of your coworkers too (if you want to share). Available in black, white, and natural.
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A ping pong game after dinner? Sure, why not, just grab that trivet and we’re good to go. Huh? The Corknet Set is such a smart idea: two cork pieces line up side by side to create a net (regulation height, by the way) on any table. They are freestanding- just set them up in the middle of a table and play. And, when you’re not showing your opponent who’s boss, the two cork pieces stack together to form a trivet for your large dishes. The ball nests inside. Fun!
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If you’ve not already purchased a Mozartkugel Music Box, then do be sure to consider this other option from Adam + Harborth. It’s a square music box that plays “The Blue Danube” by Johannes Strauss II. Think of it as the perfect gift for someone who has everything- except a modern music box, of course.
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