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Yeah, the Animal Boxes sure were cute, weren’t they? Now Karl Zahn has created a set of three wooden shapes, whose dovetail joints fit together to form an animal. Collect more than one and create hybrids (see video below).
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Add this to your rather-nice-to-look-at toy list for kids. Sixteen blocks have trails of ants on all six sides, forming loads of patterns for little (or big) ones to explore. Again, could be an excellent gift for niece/nephew/etc., as long as they are 3+.

Each set contains images of ant hills, a queen with her eggs, and a spider, the ant’s nemesis.

Is $80 too much for dominos? Probably. Does that keep me from wanting this set? Nope. Fun fact: the name ‘domino’ from the pieces’ resemblance to Venetian Carnival masks known as Domini, which were white with black spots. There’s also a lovely backgammon & checkers set from Fredericks & Mae, but it’s a bit pricier at $285.00.

Remember how this week we’ll be updating our Gifts section? Well, if you’re lucky enough to have some snow, consider this for a gift this year…

When life gives you snow, you go sledding, obviously. Made from 5/8” thick marine-grade molded plywood, this fully steerable sled will hopefully help you and/or your kids fly down the hill safe and sound (and, of course, super fast).
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Somehow a puzzle is the perfect past time during holiday family gatherings. Get this puzzle for the person who loves their vinyl, and watch them exclaim over titles that should (or should not) be in their collection. Or you could just get it as a history lesson for kids that have never seen a record collection… “So, back in the day, they used to have these flat vinyl disks that music was stored on…”
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What do you get for someone that has everything? An old time slingshot, made from buckthorn branches, latex tubing, and a leather projectile pouch. I like that ‘female adult supervision’ is suggested in the description, though in no way do I assume adult females are any less likely to injure someone or something, on purpose or otherwise.

Dimensions: about 11″ x 4″-5″

With the thirtysomethings now having kids en masse, the complaint of toys taking over an entire home is more often heard than not. How in the world to curb this crazy emesis of plastic mess? Perhaps this storage bag/play mat could help. You simply ‘swoop’ up everything into the bag by pulling the nylon cords and store it away. Also, if you’re thinking you need a larger version, it should be noted that the Knapsack by Fatboy could work. Just be careful to remove the kids before tying it up.
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Whoa, are these crazy blocks or what? Brinca Dada is usually known for their dollhouses, which are actually pretty amazing, but these blocks are fit for adults and kids alike. Instead of fitting together snugly or simply, they’re completely wonky and will encourage you to play “with the simplicity of imperfection.” Nice idea, isn’t it?

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Talk about high rollin’, take a look at these gold playing cards. They’re not real gold, of course, they just look like it. Sort of fun, though, aren’t they?
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If you’re old enough to remember 8-bit computer games from the 80s, then you’re allowed to give the whole ‘when I was your age’ speech at any time you want. Any time. Permission granted. However, if you were born after that decade, then you may only sit and listen to your elders with respect, and awe, if they deserve it. Space Invaders playing cards available from Art. Lebedev Studio.

-54 card deck
-Made in Russia
-Weight: 150 g
-Designers: Alexei Lyapunov and Lena Erlikh

These wooden (non-toxic, lead-free, water based stained) puzzles are nothing short of lovely. Whether for your own amusement during a work break or as a simple gift for someone else (adult or child), each puzzle has an infinite variety of possible patterns. We all need a creative moment now and then, don’t we?

Made by Grimm’s, Germany.
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Here’s a fun way to brush up on your modern art knowledge: the Modern Art Memory Game from AMMO BOOKS. It comes with a booklet identifying each artwork/artist/title, so don’t worry if your memory from Art History I in university isn’t up to par.
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I’ve always found it strange that in most relatively nice homes with soft fabrics and natural materials, you walk into a play area for the kids and it feels like you’ve been transported into an alternative universe where only oddly colored plastic is permitted. Not that there’s anything wrong with plastic stuff for kids (I’m certainly no expert on the subject), but why not add in some regular wooden blocks, just to offset the crazy colors and random imagery? Maybe with a little less visual input, a child’s imagination will have to work a bit harder. One would hope so. If you’re a new godmother/father, bookmark this for a gift idea when the little one is 3+.
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If you can’t beat the heat, at least try to enjoy it a little. This one inch thick 100% recycled plastic swing is paired with a 100% recycled PET rope to make sure you get some sort of breeze by using your own pair of legs. Plus, you might have a little fun. Bit of info to note: the swing contains about 46 reclaimed milk jugs.

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For all you minimalists, type-ophiles, and design dorks; combine your love of Helvetica with your addictive card-playing habits. Finally!