Living Room Play Area - Open Ended & Waldorf Inspired

[@Mamado88]

Loveee! You own basicly everything on all my wishlists lol. My 1 year old has a hefty wooden toy collection and we get judgement but they are only young once why not encourage them to enjoy the fantasy as much as possible I say!

[@DianaMcNeill]

Honestly I also think most of these wooden toys will be played with for many years. Sticking with classic and open ended toys has much more longevity, plus they retain a higher percentage of their original value compared to plastic toys. Win win all around 😬. Tell that to all those judging your little ones collection 🤗.

[@Carazona]

I get judged too! My sister in law calls it “your hippy play room”. Lol

[@pretxsnatela]

@@Carazona What a great door/room sign! 😉

[@NaturalAmericanBaby]

I'm just watching this again lol. I love her play space :) I wish we all lived close and could have play dates.... imagine how much fun that would be.

[@AwesomeCurls]

this is amazing, i have a 3 year old niece i babysit a lot for and i would love to encourage imagination more.

[@ItsAbeeyola]

OMG this is amazing 👏 very nice mama. I would love this for my little girl, I love that all the toys are wooden. And even the baskets are great. And its all organized. wow I feel she must be such a happy child lol, I love this.

[@Jss766]

We love our play couch right now so for Christmas we will be adding another piece to that. I really love montessori,etc. Toys but am looking into magnatiles for Christmas too. Haha

[@FastingMum]

Oh my goodness, think you’ve bought the entire toy shop! Jealous over here xx

[@aimeevargas4016]

Planning in starting a family daycare. And I am looking for ideas! Thanks for sharing !

[@hazelinch6488]

Thank you. I learned so much. I would have never considered some of those toys but seeing how vercitile they can be has be has really given me a change of heart.

[@DianaMcNeill]

I’ve learned lots from watching my daughter play - she is teaching me how to think outside of the box myself 🤗

[@annashoaran9139]

Wow what a beautiful collection of toys. We follow Montessori principals with our toddler but I was so inspired by your playroom video, that I had to buy our first collection of ostheimer toys. Lovely videos! Thank you for sharing.

[@DianaMcNeill]

Oooh what animals did you start with 👀? Ostheimer are my top 3 favourite of my daughters toys. They are so lovely in person, when she has grown out of them I will 100% be keeping them for myself!

[@annashoaran9139]

Attached Mummy i got ostheimer farm animals which included a cow, a peacock, a chicken, a cheek, a duck, a goat, a dog, a cat, a lil frog and 4 pieces green pond.

[@tristaelms6519]

I'm thinking about starting our collection...which ones would you recommend first?

[@MM-yh2mi]

Trista Elms I started with a theme. Safari, farm, zoo, sea, etc because it lends itself to play scenes more easily. Whichever your child is most interested in. And build from there.

[@Onlyonelivetolife]

Im German, nice to c some of "our" great products!

[@ourevergreenhome]

Wow! This is a dream space! I love toys too haha! Who doesn’t! 😊 your daughter is so cute! I’d love our daughter to have a play date at your place haha! Great collection, thanks for sharing! Love from Italy!

[@yuliramirezsaucedo5752]

she's drop dead georgeous💕 don't let peopl get to u. You invest ur money however the hell u want! I am the same way I love to add stuff to my daughter's play area

[@elizabethb1478]

Thank you for the video. Seeing those toys in a real play room helps me decide what I should get for my own children. I love the Christmas puddings in her play fridge!

[@creativelysound]

I'd happily watch this again and again. My dream playroom! How did she lose her front teeth? Sweet kid x

[@mymommysjournal2737]

The toys are beautiful gave me some inspiration as I am thinking of homeschooling, thank you for sharing!

[@M.J767]

can you please make a list of all the toys, brand and where to buy everything... I think you should make a few videos about different toy categories. I'm so new to this topic and i can't even imagine where to begin :(

[@Carazona]

Love Love looooove!!!! I wish I could get a lot more of this stuff for mine! But slowly building our collection :)

[@jasminegonzalez447]

Can you do a video about your top must have for people who are starting out like myself.. I absolutely lobe your content.

[@asmrhypnomeditations8885]

I am working on getting more open ended toys for our daughter. We I think went overboard this year.

[@Onlyonelivetolife]

The value of these "toys" couldn't do it but i love it!

[@aimeevargas4016]

Very cool!

[@alexismassart2325]

What components make up your month/day/moon phase display? Did it come as a set?

[@DianaMcNeill]

Hi - the pieces were bought separately - it’s the Grapat yearly and weekly calendar. I’ve popped links into the description for you 🤗. The moons unfortunately have been discontinued but are by the brand peepul people, I believe they are still doing a similar product though.

[@FaijaRealview]

Really a lot of good advice.🙂

[@mindyourownbusinessplease1120]

I love this

[@aline_yuhsuan]

Hi! Love your videos! One question: how do you keep the toys so organized? Because I’ve tried to display the toys to my 3 year old, but the toys are always a mess.

[@DianaMcNeill]

Thank you! Honestly I think I am just a bit neurotic about keeping things tidy BUT a couple things that definitely help - everything has a place. Things don’t get randomly put away - you’ll see I have lots of baskets/bowls - it makes it easy for my daughter to put things away. She has been taught she has to put away toys before moving on to the next thing (I don’t make her clean, sometimes I will do it by myself, sometimes she helps, sometimes she does it herself). Because everything has a home it makes it easier for her to clean up - it also makes it easier for her to play independently as she knows where to find things. So between everything having a place and tidying throughout the day it keeps things clean without being overwhelming. This however probably doesn’t work for every child or adult for that matter. I think we are all different with what works for us (and honestly it’s tidy but also a bit dirty...I have dust balls everywhere 🤣🤷🏻‍♀️)

[@annashoaran9139]

Also love ur video on sumblox, we are def getting them sometime soon.

[@DianaMcNeill]

SumBlox are amazing - my daughter is still mostly using them in an open ended fashion (as opposed to for learning maths) but I am so impressed by all the different ways they are incorporated into her play. They are just a really great sturdy set of blocks - I’m really looking forward to her being ready for the maths aspect of them (I just don’t see any signs from her there yet 🙈🤷🏻‍♀️)

[@meganleckie738]

I'm an ECE student too. Find this video fascinating! Lol. I run an in-home daycare...so interesting!

[@tanayanadkarni3172]

Your toy collection is GOALS. I love your small baskets where you have stored the rings etc. where are they from?

[@sineadfrith]

Respiin

[@allhart]

Cute. Love the seasonal display. We’re a big Montessori family as well and love spending hours in our playroom ❤️

[@seanchiung]

How do you order that play stand to ship to US? I want to purchase it…..

[@lescaj]

Hello! Where is that wooden tray from? I’m looking for something exactly like that! 🤗

[@linnealarsen7662]

Where to get those wooden cars to go with the Waytoplay? :-)

[@jessica-michaelah.8263]

Where did you get the briefcase with the hair styling stuff in it?

[@Carazona]

Where do you get all your little woven bowls/baskets?

[@MM-yh2mi]

Babipur or yesbebe

[@shelbywelby2272]

What size luggy do you have?

[@tristaelms6519]

Where do you get the woven baskets that have the ocamora gems? Love them!

[@MM-yh2mi]

Yesbebe.co.UK or babipur.com

[@Valerie.de.ruiter]

Omg where is that washing machine from? Its so cute! Sorry if you already told so in the video, but I couldn't watch it with sound cause my baby is sleeping next to me😂

[@DianaMcNeill]

Haha I remember those days well! I was lucky enough to source the washing machine 2nd hand but the brand is Drewart 🤗

[@jenniferjackson2509]

What are those stackable colorful toys in the “fridge” called?

[@DianaMcNeill]

I think it’s the Ocamora Teniques - I’ve popped a link into the description for you. If that’s not what you meant let me know 🤗.

[@ofaeborgo3018]

Riley is so precious!! & You are not alone ! My 10 month old has so many grimms and Waldorf toys and I just can’t help but keep on adding on to his collection! My husband has absolutely had enough!! Hahaha I seriously love to see other moms like you your awesome don’t feel the need to justify what you purchase for her to learn and play and enjoy with you

[@ileanareyes3973]

Wooden storage with all the playdough and sand toys where did you get that from ?

[@DianaMcNeill]

It’s from IKEAs Flisat range 🤗

[@meganhampton4668]

How did you purchase the play stand from Biokinder? Everything is in German and in their currancy. I am a bit confused on how to even find it. Lol. Any help is appreciated!

[@DianaMcNeill]

It’s the Anna range. Where do you live? To be fair I’m not sure if they are shipping from their website to England (where I am) as they only show shipping quote for EU. You can also buy the components separately on UK Amazon - it would be 2 of the Anna playhouse shelves, the roof for Anna playhouse and the shop element (I think in the video I have it without the shop element in though 🤔). This is still shipped from Germany though as Amazon don’t stock. I don’t bio-kinder ship beyond Europe unfortunately. So if you are anywhere else in the world you would need to look at other brands. I’ve seen some lovely playstands on Etsy and my friends shop YesBebe.co.uk stock a whole playstand set by Glückskäfer, which the 10% dandelion code works for 🤗. The stock photo honestly doesn’t look nice because it has blue and yellow scarves over but if you can see beyond that, it’s the same thing 🤣. I’ve seen photos shared of it in peoples homes and it’s just as lovely!

[@kermitku617]

Thank you for this video, really helpful for a starting point on some of these toys. Does Riley get much use out of the playstand? Im contemplating getting one for my 2 year old but im not sure if she will use it much at such a young age.

[@DianaMcNeill]

Riley was 2 and a few months when we got the play stand and yes it has been central to her play consistently since (she will be 4 in a couple weeks). Honestly it’s not a necessity at this age as it’s basically a piece of furniture but if you have space for one I do personally recommend them 🤗. Kids naturally love a small space they can call their own and the playstand provides this - For role play it’s her playhouse, store/shop, camping tent...for small world we set up dolls furniture on the shelves and use it as a big 2 sided open dolls house, we’ve also use ramps and beams for car play with the shelves as a big car garage...for learning I will set up different learning prompts/activities on the shelves and she can do what she wants as she pleases throughout the day...I imagine when she is 6/7ish she can do more with it on her own as well, moving it around and setting up things more independently but we still love and gets daily use from it now 🤗

[@kermitku617]

Attached Mummy thanks for your response, it really puts things into perspective for me. Love your channel and love watching Riley in play mode!

[@madisolbanuet7735]

Hi i love what do you for your little one. Please i want to know the name of the "pretend house" with shelves

[@DianaMcNeill]

It’s the Anna Playhouse by the brand Bio-Kinder. It’s a Waldorf Playstand, so if you do a search for them you can learn a bit more about what it is and find other brands that make similar. 🤗

[@stacieocker]

Would love to know where your woven bowls/baskets are from 😊

[@DianaMcNeill]

Stacie Ocker they’re by the brand respiin - don’t know where you live but they are sold at yesbebe.co.uk and the code dandelion will save you 10% 🤗

[@LearnandPlayEveryday]

I’m so jealous! I wanna come and play with all those toys! Lol. No really, I wish I could buy all the awesome Waldorf toys for my 3yo boy, but I just can’t afford it. If you dnt mind my asking...how are you able to buy all these expensive toys?? They are wonderful but really pricey. How much do you set aside to get these things or do you find deals? Do you save? I’ve got 3 kids. Two teens and my lil guy and I’ve been saving a year just to buy the Grimms rainbow. Love watching your videos. I get to live vicariously. 🤗👍🏻👍🏻😉

[@DianaMcNeill]

Thank you for the lovely words. For how I can afford all the toys - it’s probably just that I prioritise them over other things (I’m not saying this is right by any means!). Because I plan to homeschool and we host a lot of play dates, I value toys immensely. I also don’t see them as more expensive than regular toys. We have a 1 car household, very rarely go out to eat (once every month or two, and even then no place expensive), rent a small home, holidays since having my daughter have been either to US to stay with my family or Spain to stay with husband - and even on holiday we cook our own food! Basically I think we do a lot of little things to cut corners that add up - toys i just don’t cut corners on (clearly from my videos 🙈). Money in the past I would have spent on my clothes or maybe a nice face cream goes to toys. I also request things at Christmas and birthdays as Riley is lucky to have 2 sets of generous grandparents as well as 4 sets of aunts and uncles that prefer to buy from a wishlist. Also brand name wooden toys hold their value very well. So toys she didn’t really play with I have been able to sell on for maybe around 80% of what they cost new. Things like the Grimm’s rainbow you mentioned, I’ve seen sold 2nd hand for the same they cost brand new just because they can be hard to source at times. I mention this because these are the kinds of things I think about when making expensive purchases. Sometimes the more expensive choice actually works out cheaper in the long run. Things like her kitchen set, which I bought 2nd hand - I can probably sell for close to what I bought it at. I do feel very lucky to be able to have all these nice toys 🤗

[@Sunshine-cs7mo]

I only purchase wooden toys for my toddler. We are a one income household so money is tight. I go to goodwill and other thrift stores and I have found a ton of wooden Melissa and Doug toys, a wooden play kitchen from Ikea from goodwill for 10.00 (in excellent condition) , as well as a wooden firehouse and wooden dolls, etc. All at bargain prices ranging from 2 dollars to 10. It was also where I collected the woven baskets from. It does take time to go every week and rummage through stuff and time to wipe it off and disinfect but it has been absolutely worth it because it's super affordable! Just another option if your on a budget.

[@SameShirtDifferentDay]

It's thousands of dollars in toys you guys. I'd say 5k easy, probably more like 7k. You should open a co-op! I'd sign up in a hot minute.

[@ely_wannadie]

ohmygodshe'ssocuteeeeee

[@SGast]

I am not judging anyone but this seems excessive to me. I remember being a child and I think I would not have known what to play with having so many choices. So does your daughter get overwhelmed or work things out find?

[@DianaMcNeill]

Honestly she doesn’t get overwhelmed at all. It’s actually a very common comment I get from friends and relatives that she plays so well. We host a lot of play dates as well (I’m a stay at home mom) and it works well for her friends too. I’m not saying this is a perfect set up by any means, but it does work for us 🤗. Also I always want to stress that NO, kids do not need this many toys. Not my message at all. Just sharing our space!

[@SameShirtDifferentDay]

Necessity is the mother of invention! Take👏🏼 some 👏🏼of 👏🏼 these👏🏼 away 👏🏼 🙂 I'm telling you mama, it's overload 😂😂😂 every single piece is AMAZING. But it loses it's value to a child to HAVE so much! :( start a toy rotation! Hahaha, and a homeschool 😉🙏🏼

[@Victoria-dz1jz]

Exactly!

[@SameShirtDifferentDay]

@Book Girl I read it in a book once. It was called "Ew. Moral posturing is ugly."

[@breezybre2670]

This is nice but this is an impossible playroom set up when you have more kids. It is all centered around the developmental stage of the one child which is lovely, but not reasonable when you always have a baby or a toddler in the house not to mention how much all of this costs! It sounds like you have a lovely, extremely intelligent, calm child. My first was like that. Now I could never have paint, playdough or crayons where a child could reach. My current 3 year old would paint and color the house and playdough would be everywhere. The baby would choke on the marbles and the seashells and my 8 year old with special needs would happily join the one year old in scattering sand all over the house and dumping toys and they would toss the seasonal display while they were at it. LOL!!!!!!

[@DianaMcNeill]

Dead honest - I find the thought of having another child completely intimidating and honestly don’t plan on anymore. I love kids but I had mega anxiety just with 1 and don’t trust what could happen with my own mental health if I had another. You must be super mom 💕.

[@StephanieMT]

I think these toys would be fine for my 6 kids