Posted on by vanessaravalico

Modern Rascals

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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.  

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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”

 

jana mr

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.

Fast forward to a parental leave career change and that moment where I jumped off a cliff and launched Modern Rascals. For the first year we only sold clothes. As we got bigger (and my own kids got bigger) I started looking for the same open-ended and non-limiting choices in toys as well. And let’s face it the toys we carry are just as happy and bright as the clothes that we love 😀

—

Jana & the Modern Rascals team

Insta: @modernrascals

 

 

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

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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/

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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.

one month
One Month 
two months
Two Months 
three months
Three Months 
four months
Four Months 
five months
Five Months
six months
Six Months 
seven months
Seven Months 
eight months
Eight Months
nine months
Nine Months 
ten months
Ten Months 
11 months
Eleven Months 
12 months
Twelve Months 
kinder and schoolage
Kinder & School Age 

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!

 

 

442 Replies to “Modern Rascals”

  3. Would absolutely love to get a Grimms large rainbow to add to our collection 🌈 and of course, supporting a local business!

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  4. We need the large stepped pyramid! Would also love the leonardo building sticks to help with ball runs and some more holztiger animals, because you cant have too many right?

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  7. Loved reading this! We make an effort to dress our boy in lots of fun prints and colours, so that part resonated lots with me – and are also a big rainbow fam, both for play value and as two moms who like to incorporate a little bit of pride wherever we can 😉🌈 I’m swooning over the Rainbow Forest blocks, though so hard to narrow it down! – @erilynn on Insta

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  8. Oh I loved reading this post so much! We also have a boy we’re trying to raise with lots of access to colour and fun prints, and it’s been discouraging how gendered things get at such an early age. I absolutely love the variety stocked by Modern Rascals. Rainbows are huge at our house, both because the colours make for such fun play and because as a two-mom family we always like to sneak them in where possible 😉 I’m crushing big time on the Rainbow Forest blocks and daydreaming about all the fun scenes that could be made with those + our Grimm’s rainbow. Thanks so much for this great giveaway! (@erilynn on Insta)

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  10. Gosh, this company is just so fantastic! I swoon over their products and wish I could fill my while playroom with them. Would love to have a balance board and the thick stacking blocks in our playroom. Such magical pieces.

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  11. I’d love to get a rainbow stacker for my little man! He’s getting so much better at recognizing new toys when we do a toy rotation. Little humans are amazing!

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  13. I have like a way too large wish list, but I would love to get the Grimms giant xxl building blocks, a 1001 nights blocks, Grimms house and pastel stepped roofs. I’d also love more ostheimer figures as I’ve only got a few and my son loves them! And if they get them back in stock I would love love love some raduga grez- specifically the apartment blocks and fruit and veggies. But it’s love with all their gorgeous stuff and I have yet to get my first. K, that wasn’t just one, but their site has sooooo much nice stuff!

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  14. My number one wish list item would have to be the stackable rainbow but the stackable fire and wooden trees are a close second!

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  16. What a great blog post! We love loose parts play and it’s always hard to find a good company to help with that. I have so much on my wish list. Really I want it all. I did just purchase a medium rainbow for our rainbow babies nursery and a summer set of nims. I can’t wait to get them!

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  21. I’ve been eyeing the wobble board for my babe! She’s almost 2 and this would make an amazing birthday present!

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  23. Such lovely play invitations! The grapat and roads are high on my wish list- oh the places they’d go!
    Happy Saturday!

    Chloe (@cloavi)

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  24. As I enter my 4th year of teaching K I was given the opportunity to open up my own room which included ordering dream items (on a limited budget). These colourful pieces offer enough stimulation and excitement without being overly stimulating to children. The wobble is my favourite piece I’d love to incorporate into my room for self regulation.

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  25. Would love the Way To Play roads!!! My husband and I love all the colourful wooden products so anything really!!

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  29. Absolutely love the idea of having open ended toys and a great point you raised about the grimms rainbow, when you spend $120, and lasts you a decade it’s only $12/year.. I like your thinking ! The wobble board looks pretty neat to have, but I’m thinking I would love something to add to my child’s rainbow collection too! So many great options

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  30. I just had my 2nd in February, and I know both my girls would absolutely adore the large grimms rainbow 🌈 those colorful blocks would also be an amazing addition to our daily activities ❤ what a beautiful blog you have here! I’m excited to try any of these items!

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  31. Such beautiful toys! Definitely wanting to get my girl a large rainbow and some pebbles for her upcoming first birthday 🙂
    @lauraherchel on ig!

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  36. My girls would love the Grimms rainbow, it would make a perfect addition to their playroom, which we are transforming to be more open ended. 🌈

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  37. Hi, thank you for the month to month suggestions, those were really helpful! It’s hard to think of my number one wish list item from Modernrascals, because I have so many, but it might be the large stacked pyramid or the 1001 nights building set!😍😍😍

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  38. 🌈 ❤💛💗💚💜🧡💙Love the Grimms rainbow and the 7 friends.
    Truly love them all.
    Where were these magnificient toys when we were growing up?! 🤔

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  39. Wow what beautiful toys! I’ve only just discovered them through a friends’ Instagram post. I’m a K-6 principal, and I would love to bring these into my school, starting with the Stepped Pyramid 2 cm Thick 2 x 2 Building Sets. So much learning potential!

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  40. I’m really happy I got tagged in your insta post, it’s hard to find someone semi-local and Canadian that makes these products! I’ve been dying to get a Grimms rainbow since I first saw one years ago, and with three boys (two of whom are old enough to be avid little builders) it would be a great addition to our collection!

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  41. I am using an account I used for school.

    I am writing on behalf of a specially mommy and baby boy that is turning 1 very soon! I personally do not have any children yet, unless you count fur babies 😜. I LOVE the message behind these toys, the non-gender specific, the bright happy colours, and the fact it is Canadian! Nothing I love more than supporting and sharing information about local business. Robyn is an incredible mom, I am biased, but the proof is in the pudding. Parker is such a happy baby, he’s a big boy and he is so very loved by everyone around him. Robyn has had quiet the journey with her little family and she has conquered it like the super mom she is! I absolutely love them, and if this entry wins I will give you the information you need to contact her. During quarantine I am unable to see Brandon, Robyn, and Parker… so this is my gift to them (Parker) and appreciation for all that they do.

    Marcy

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  43. Have been eyeing the large grimms rainbow forever!! It is so beautiful and I have seen so many different ways that they have been incorporated into play!

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  46. I would love to get a Grimms Rainbow for my 10 month old and 3.5 year old girls. My eldest lives creative open play and, of course, rainbows!

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