Weve noticed a growing trend towards thoughtfully designed kids gifts that can capture the imagination of adults as well. These gifts can be given to lovers of colour, texture and creativity of any age, and weve chosen four that we cant take our eyes off of lately.
Local illustrator and avid outdoorsman Alex Walton never lost his ability to see the magic in nature. His imagination overflows with watercolours of wildlife in surreal, often comical, situations, and can be channeled into custom creations for anyone who loves the impossible. His print collection is vast and varied, with prices starting at $70. Commissions, naturally, take longer, but hanging an original piece of art up in your childs room that might take him or her years to fully explore is timeless. [email protected] or 250-575-1836.
I might be dating myself, but I remember the need-induced violence surrounding Tickle Me Elmos, so Im not going too far out on a limb when I say kids like things that do stuff when you poke them. No need to line up in your steel-toes at 6am this time though; theres plenty of Gummy Goods to go around. These tactile, hefty jelly gummy bear night lights light up when you squeeze their tummies. Its as fun as it sounds, and these will add a statement to any childs bedroom, lit or otherwise. Battery-operated, LED, designed in Brooklyn. $37, Walrus (3408 Cambie).
If youve ever watched a kid at work in a play kitchen, you know miniature food triggers an epic trip to the imagination station. Pretty sure minds will be outright blown if you give your budding chef tiny food in jewelry form. Lovingly handcrafted in Vancouver by Heidi Liao, My Secret Cravings are layered in delicious clay detail until they glisten and sparkle as temptingly as the real things. Breakfast Necklace with Croissant and Sunny Side Up Egg, $16.30. Cupcake earrings, $10.87. Available on etsy at My Secret Cravings.
Classic literature boiled down to 12 words? Your bebe will be bragging about finishing War and Peace before you have! Cozy Classics are created by Vancouver twins Jack and Holman Wang using felted wool, photography and ruthless editing. The results are remarkable. $9.95, KidsBooks.ca
