This post is sponsored by Mouse Loves Pig.
Halloween seems to be the official start of the Holiday season! We go straight from Halloween to Thanksgiving to Christmas to the New Year, and the time we spend traveling increases so much. Keeping our younger kids happily occupied while traveling is so important!
On our last road trip, we took along screen-free travel toys from Mouse Loves Pig, and they were an instant hit! With four (soon to be five!!!) kids in the car, space is limited. But the sweet, handmade playsets that we received folded up so small that I could easily fit two of them in my purse!
Not only are are these playsets perfect for travel, but the small shop is impressive, too! Ruth, the owner, put so much thought into these toys, and has such a big heart. Toys from Mouse Loves Pig are designed for quiet, open-ended play, made from organic materials, and beautifully handmade by ladies in a workhome based in Nicaragua. These toys quickly made my list of must haves, for so many reasons...
In late August, our family of 6 piled into our SUV, and headed out on the longest road trip we have attempted as a family. We obviously wanted it to go as smoothly as possible, so we prepared ahead of time with toys, entertainment, and LOTS of snacks! It was a long drive, but it went perfectly!
Packed in Lily and Liam's travel bags, were small travel toys from Mouse Loves Pig. Mouse Loves Pig offers large travel toys and small travel toys, as well as toys for babies, and has been featured in Family Fun and Pregnancy & Newborn Magazines. Lily and Liam received the Toy Car Mat Vroom Vroom Car Travel Toy and the Farm Travel Toy.
The Vroom Vroom Car Travel Toy is perfect for little kids who love cars! I say kids in general, because Lily loves playing with it, too! The adorable Toy Car Mat has pockets sewn in that keeps each toy car in its own place. Lily and Liam love to zoom the cars along the road, then park them in the "parking spots." And when they are done playing, the Toy Car Mat folds up small, and is easily secured with a velcro closure.
The Farm Travel Toy is a great choice for animal lovers! This play mat also has pockets sewn in for each animal, and features a fence, a barn, and a pond made out of felt pieces. Liam loves animals, so he had so much fun moving them around, and making the animal sounds while playing! Just like the Toy Car Mat, the Farm Travel Toy also rolls up, has a velcro closure, and fits easily into a purse or diaper bag.
Why should you choose simple toys from Mouse Loves Pig?
- These toys are 100% screen-free!
- No loud sounds or bright lights to deal with. Only the sounds of children playing!
- The toys inspire creativity.
- Kids use their imagination while playing.
- The toys promote self-directed play.
- Play options are endless!
- They are compact, which make them perfect for travel!
- The toys are unique. Each one is slightly different because they are all handmade. They are sewn by hand or with a sewing machine in Nicaragua or Virginia.
- The toys are made with safer materials such as organic cotton and wool blend felt.
- The toys are sturdy, and the play mats have a durable canvas backing.
- They are compliant with all CPSC safety regulations.
- By supporting this small shop, you are supporting flexible employment for people who need it. The artisans in Nicaragua name their own wages, and make above minimum wage. You can learn all about some of the artisans HERE.
Although we initially used the travel toys from Mouse Loves Pig while traveling, Lily and Liam also played with them in our hotel suite. It was so nice not to have toys everywhere, and not to have to pack so many things to keep them busy during down time in our suite. Because the play options are endless, they played with the travel toys often. I'm a big fan of how unique and versatile they are, and how they fold up so compactly!
When we arrived home, the travel toys found a permanent home in my purse. We are on the go so often. These play mats have gotten a lot of use in the car and at appointments, but they also keep Lily and Liam entertained while visiting family and friends who don't have young children.
Lily and Liam love their travel toys from Mouse Loves Pig! And when the time comes when they sadly outgrow the toys, they can pass them on to their baby brother, who is due in March. For now, they will accompany on us on our everyday errands and upcoming holiday travel!
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They look like very cute toys!
ReplyDeleteOur kids are obsessed with Hot Wheels so they would love that one! So much fun to be able to take them on the go!
ReplyDeleteThese look like the perfect stocking stuffer for James!Thanks for the great idea, and the great company to support.
ReplyDeleteWhat cute toys! My little girls would love them!
ReplyDeleteHow cute! I love that they fold up easily and that there aren't sounds, etc. so kids really can use them however they want!
ReplyDelete-Lauren
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