Business Highlight
This blog post is sponsored and I have been compensated for my time and work put into this piece, the opinions are honest and true to my beliefs.
If you follow me on Instagram you have probably seen Modern Rascals mentioned in my posts, stories, highlights, and IGTV videos. My relationship with Jana and this amazing local business that she owns is on a customer basis, personal basis (we have commonality and passion about business and all things early development) and business. Jana trusted me only a few months ago to take over her Modern Rascals Instagram account and speak to her audience and customers all about my beliefs and expertise with open ended toys and loose parts in regards to early learning and development.
When I decided it was time to start growing Amadeo’s, Grimm’s ( https://modernrascals.ca/collections/grimms ) and Grapat ( https://modernrascals.ca/collections/grapat ) collection, I wanted to purchase from a Canadian Business, Run by a (bad ass) Woman with ecological and humanitarian ethics behind the brand. Jana- Modern Rascals, checked off all criteria and then some!
I asked Jana if she would be willing to share with us her “why”, one of the biggest reasons I rally and support this brand the way I do in this community is Jana herself. She is a kind and caring human being with high standards with the brands she carries from clothing to toys taking into account from the salaries and conditions the makers who creates these beautiful products are in, all the way to how these products will impact and add value for us, her consumers, in a positive way. I’ll never forget she had a question box in her Instagram stories, of ask me anything, while she was passing the time during a tattoo session and I asked, “What do you love most about the products you sell”, to which she responded, “That the workers are making a living wage and the bright rainbow colours make me happy”.
I Absolutely Love that! I’m more then happy to invest in quality toys for my child and support a Canadian business owner who genuinely cares about the impact her company is making on the world the way that Jana does!
Here is Jana’s “Why”
When my firstborn was little, I cobbled together happy colourful clothes from a variety of big stores. As he got bigger the choices got more gendered and the colours and prints were limited. I wanted clothes to be open-ended (or at the very least not inherently limiting) and so off I went on many late-night google searches. I eventually found bright happy prints in Scandinavian brands like DUNS Sweden and Maxomorra.
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To this date Amadeo’s Wooden toy and open-ended toy collection includes these amazing brands purchased from modern rascals:
Grimms : https://modernrascals.ca/collections/grimms
Grapat : https://modernrascals.ca/collections/grapat
Folkmanis : https://modernrascals.ca/collections/folkmanis
Holztiger : https://modernrascals.ca/collections/holztiger
Papoose: https://modernrascals.ca/collections/papoose
Way To Play : https://modernrascals.ca/collections/waytoplay
Wobbel : https://modernrascals.ca/collections/wobbel
Erzi : https://modernrascals.ca/collections/erzi
When I’m looking at what to purchase in regards to toys for Amadeo, I consider these three things…..
1.Safety : This touches on what quality of materials the toys was made out of. Where the toy was produced and what their safety standards and practices are in regards to production of the finale product. Age suitability, I’m a huge believer in more mature play and exposure to toys that may be suitable for older children however safety is always a top priority when thinking of the toys you’d like to offer to your child unsupervised.
2. Life Span : If I’m purchasing a toy especially, at a higher price point, you best believe it will be open-ended and my child will be playing, exploring and discovering new ways to interact and create with the materials over many years. Spending $120.00 on a Grimms Rainbow that can be played with from birth to 12 years old ( at least) ends up costing you only $10.00 a year! The investment is essentially in the amount of years it will be enjoyed.
3.Will this help my child evolve: Children’s most important work in their early learning and development is accomplished through play. Investing in open-ended toys will help support your child explore the world, through play. With play that emphasizes the process or experience rather than the final product children will be able to build on who they are as a person and what interests and makes them happy. This to me is worth ever penny I invest in Amadeo’s Toy collection.
For more on open-ended play and toys visit : https://mylittlelamb.ca/2020/03/28/open-ended-play/
When I go through the beautifully designed and incredibly user ( mom brain ) friendly website that is https://modernrascals.ca/ , all of the toys that Jana sources hit my top three credentials of what I look at when I purchase toys, resources and materials either for Amadeo, for my programs or parent and child classes.
What are my Top toy recommendations per age that Modern Rascals sells you ask ……
I created some graphics for when I took over Modern Rascals Instagram account and here they are, keep in mind almost all of these toys, because they open ended will be played with for many years to come not just exclusively for that month.
I put my HUGE stamp of approval on all things Modern Rascals and recommend taking some time to visit their site ( https://modernrascals.ca/ ) to explore their beautiful clothing, reusable’s and extraordinary open ended toy collection!
Because Jana is so amazing she has offered the My Little Lamb community a 10% your entire first toy order with code : MYLITTLELAMB ( this is not affiliated)
Thank you Jana for all that you do in regards to your business!
I love modern rascals so much! I have such a long list but I think my next two things will be grapat Lolas and a Holtziger mystery box!!
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I love love love the Holztiger animals!
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I’ve been eyeing the large stepped pyramid forever !! It’s the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen ! Hopefully one day we will own one 😍
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Our favourite is the large grimms rainbow . So versatile!
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I want alllll of it!! Hahaha!
Next on my list is some of the wooden animals!
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I would LOVE the rainbow sticker for my little girl!!
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I would love to have the rainbow and rock pebbles!!!
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Ahhhh I want it all! I think my next big purchase work be the large Grimms blocks pyramid!
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Hi! Great post! I would love a Grimma rainbow or stacking houses. Now that we have a second I would like to get more open ended toys that both my toddler and baby can use.
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Have been wanting to get my little one a wobble board to encourage balance as she is starting to explore movement! Also in love with the rainbows loose part toys. So many ways to play with then!. Love all the products! Instagram: mera99
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Would love to get my babe the grimms rainbow! And I want those little wooden trolls!
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OMG I want them all 😍 If I had to pick just two, the Grimm’s Rainbow and the Wobbel Board would be at the top of my wish list.
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This was a great read! I’d love to get my hands on either the Way To Play road or the rainbow!
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I love the Grimm’s stacking rainbow. So much you could do with it and very beautiful.
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The large stepped pyramid is on my wish list! So beautiful!!
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Omg…I can’t choose just one thing that I’d love to add to my boys’ play area! I’ve been dying for a rainbow forever, but now seeing the people’s and people, I lost don’t know. I want it all!! I love the quality, durability and longevity.
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I’d love to get the Way To Play road or the rainbow for my little dude!
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I have a double rainbow and I love that it is opened needed, it allow me to follow my toddlers lead when she plays with it! Next purchase will be the semi circles so she can have even more imaginative play with the toy, oh and maybe some wooden animals!!
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Love all of these open ended toys to foster imagination.
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May Giveaway post – we would love to grow our loose parts collection from Janas shop. Pebbles, and more animals are also on our list!
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It’s hard to say as I want so many things: one of the top ones is the grimms large rainbow and the stacking stones.
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My most wished item is the stepped pyramid. My 3 year old son would love it!
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This is a great list! Have had my eye on the wobbel board for a while
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I would love the rainbow or the pyramid of wooden blocks!
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I want literally everything! Ways to Play road, everything Grimm!
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I definitely want to splurge and get the Large Stepped Pyramid Thick Building Sets! 🙌🏽🙌🏽
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Love the little wooden animals! My daughter is very orally fixated and I love the fact that these guys are safe for her to explore
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I have placed two orders through Jana and both were amazing! We love everything we got from Modern Rascals and can’t wait to grow our collection!! I especially love the fact that she’s a Canadian company and a woman entrepreneur! Amazing how she grew her business! I would love to add a grimms large pyramid, the grimms sunset rainbow, more holztiger animals and some Grapat loose mandala parts!! My list can go on!
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Love love love. My baby is a rainbow baby so I would be most excited about the rainbow toy. My favourite animal is the orca and I love that there is an orca animal toy as well!
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The pyramid of blocks or the nins – Carla are on my wish list – so bright and fun!
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Jana seems to have such a sweet heart!!! I love this! The Wobbel Board is definitely on my wish list for my active (stir crazy!) 20 month old 🙂
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As a fellow ECE educator I have always loved open ended toys for the play and learning opportunities they offer! I like how this post lays out what would work for each age and why. Modern rascals is a site I visit regularly and often have items in my “cart”.. one that’s in there now and on my wish list are several more Hotztiger animals! I have a few and my son is in love..he brings them everywhere! 😘
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The wooden bowls for 5 months is on my wish list! 🙂
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I love all the bright colours! I’d love a stacking rainbow set. I’d also love the stacking rings for my little dude!
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Love the grimm’s large stepped pyramid!
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The Grimms Rainbow is #1 toy on my wishlist! My daughter would love it!
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My daughters first birthday is coming up in May and I have to obviously cancel her party which is heartbreaking since I’m an event planner by trade haha but I would love to be able to start her grimms collection from modern rascals!!! Great giveaway and two great businesses!! ❤
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First of all- thank you to YOU & JANA for this colab and generous offer!
It’s my little’s half birthday today and I have quite the cart to say the least at Modern Rascals just waiting to hit the order button however this 100$ would greatly help cut the cost!
We are after the sunset rainbow, a set of peoples, a set of bowls and a pyramid 🤤 just to name a few!
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I’m new to the idea of open ended toys but I am slowly converting! Your blog has been such a great resource! I would love to get my 9 month old a Grimm’s rainbow! His favourite thing right now is knocking things over! Haha!
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Omg sooo many things on my wish list from modern rascals, I think the grimms rainbow is on the top!
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Love modern rascals! I am always looking to add to my sons Holtztiger collection!
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They have so many amazing and beautiful toys but if I absolutely had to pick what to buy from them, it would be starting a Grapat Mandela collection.
@jonsnowplays
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You’re so amazing and I love how detailed this post is!!
I REALLY want to win this giveaway but it’s hard to narrow it down.
I would love a rainbow for Mia but also love the mandala loose parts!
The peg people are so great too!
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Would love some Grimm’s stacking pebbles and a Grimm’s rainbow. But everything is amazing and would be perfect for my little one and the Kinders I will go back to with in the fall. ❤
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I love love love the little trees 🌳 would love to add these to our increasing collection of wooden toys!!!
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I would love to grow my collection of more Holtztiger animals ♥️
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Thank you for introducing us to modern rascals! These are the types of toys I want for my child! They are open ended, well made and safe for him! I know they will last a lifetime. Its hard to pick just one thing I would love to add to our toy collection, so I’ll pick something from my top three brands! Would love to add a grimms rainbow, some grapat mandala pieces, and some holtz tiger animals!
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I would love the 7 rainbow friends in 7 bowls (when they come back in stock) or the coloured rings and bowls.
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I’d love to get some of the Russian nesting dolls or a wobble board!
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Toys on my wish list: All of them!!!
Have specifically been looking at the rainbow, the nins and rings and the wobble board ❤️
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