A whole world of imagination with IKEA
This is an advertorial post with IKEA.
One of the things that really surprised me as a parent of school aged children, and still does with every passing year, is just how difficult it can be going back to school after the Summer- for them and for me. I suppose I always imagined the build up would be the hardest part – the dreaded uniform shop, buying school shoes, labelling clothes and trying to get as organised as possible for the morning rush – but actually it turns out that side of things was just the beginning.
I think all of us have struggled to get back into a routine, missing the freedom of Summer, the late nights and the long lie-ins, and most of all just having that time together at the end of each day without homework to do, books to read and projects to make out of empty cardboard boxes and washing up bottles! As much as I support and encourage my children with their school work, I also think that kids should be kids and so, for that reason, when they come home from school each day I make sure there is time for them to relax, wind down, and just play.
When it comes to play IKEA has it covered with an amazing range of toys to suit all ages. My favourite thing about the IKEA toy range is that it doesn’t cost the earth, unlike many toys these days, and each item really encourages children to use their imaginations. The LÅTSAS 12 piece shopping basket set costs just £7 and not only do you get a lovely little shopping basket which is perfect for imaginative play, but 12 food items to go inside. The girls love to use old cardboard boxes to create a shop, taking it in turns to be the shopper or the cashier, in just the same way I did at that age.
This year, more than ever, I make sure that the children have time to play together as with Eva now in the juniors she no longer gets to share her playtime with Harry and Megan. It’s been a big change for the three of them and I did wonder how it would affect the dynamics of their relationship but, when they come home from school and set up shop, it’s clear to see that nothing at all has changed between them.
For those who are joining the war against plastic, and we as a family are certainly cutting down on our use of plastic massively, the shopping basket is such a great choice. Made entirely from 100% polyester there is no plastic to be seen and, even better when it comes to young children, you can throw them in the washing machine and even the dryer, to make sure they stay as clean and germ free as possible!
Of course no shop is complete without a till and the DUKTIG toy cash register is such a lovely wooden toy with wooden and plastic parts that actually runs on solar cells so there is no need for batteries which is always a bonus!
With a fully functional calculator and a digital display it’s a fantastic way of learning through play, something I am a huge advocate of. I would much prefer the children to learn this way as opposed to sitting at the table doing maths homework and, at the end of the day, they are building on their maths skills without even realising.
Megan is currently learning about money at school and playing shop is such a great way to familiarise children with coins and their value, as well as working out addition, subtraction and counting too.
I think that listening to the children play together is one of my favourite things about being a parent. You can’t beat hearing the sound of their laughter after a long day in school, the ways in which they act our their different roles through imaginative play, and the funny things they say when they aren’t aware I’m listening.
As well as playing shop the girls love nothing more than a tea party and we’ve loved setting up their own little tea shop in their bedroom of late. Combining the DUKTIG 10 piece coffee set (RRP £6) with the DUKTIG plates and bowls (RRP £6) you can create a gorgeous 22 piece tea set for just £12 that really does last.
With mini tea and coffee cups, café latte mugs, and even a sugar bowl and jug, the set comes in a range of gorgeous colours which really appeal to kids. Often the children rush in through the door, dump their bags and shoes in the hall way, and are up the stairs hosting a tea party before I’ve even had the chance to take my coat off. And I love that they know they have something fun to look forward to at the end of the day and, although we are back in the routine of school again, the fun doesn’t have to stop from Monday to Friday.
IKEA also makes sure that there are always guests for the children’s tea parties and, with a range of soft toys, the girls love serving up their Siberian husky dog a cheese roll and their golden retriever a hot café latte, dogs are very sophisticated these days apparently! And I love that, on the days the children do come home from school feeling a little over whelmed, or just utterly exhausted as they adjust to the new routine, they find it hugely comforting to come home and snuggle up with their toys and just relax before bed.
It’s always interesting to see the ways in which children use their toys to create new ways to play switching from tea parties to a coffee shops, staging picnics to serving school dinners, and every day is always so different. Most of all I love when they play at being Mummy’s and I hear all of the phrases and things I tell them echoed back at me, including telling them to eat all of their sandwich or they won’t get any pudding!
But most of all I love that, although the children may be little more tired right now, and although they may face pressures in school to hit their targets and get the best results, when they are back at home they can still be the same care-free children I saw throughout the Summer, just enjoying their childhoods, using their imaginations, and doing what they love best – having fun!
I love IKEA, they do have a great range of toys, especially the toy kitchens and food. We had a little look around last weekend, it is like an afternoon out for the kids.
Yes! The children’s bit is fab with all the toys they can try out! We love it! xx
i agree great shop
Play time is so important! I had no idea that Ikea do toys until reading this though -the shopping set looks great and I love how inventive your girls have been making their own shop complete with a till!
C x
They love it! I honestly think they would play together all day if they could. IKEA actually have an amazing range of toys, I love going to the show room and looking at it all never mind the kids! xx
IKEA is great fun. We always find something when we pop in there. My children love to pretend to shop too, with real money of course. It’s great to see them playing together as well as doing role play.
I love seeing them play together! It’s such a bonding experience too after school, they miss each other a lot in class! xx
Ikea do a great range of well-priced toys that are perfect for imaginative play. I remember having a till when I was a child and I loved playing shop.
Me too! I loved playing shop, it never grows old! xx
I LOVE the IKEA kitchen range toys, we have a few from when my older children were tiny, and we added to our collection when my 3 year old came along, and he loves them just as much as they did! 🙂
Oh me too! The actual kitchens are fab too, you can’t go wrong with imaginary play! xx
Those toys look great, really good quality and sturdy and perfect for imaginative play! My kids love playing shop too.
They are fab, I love that you can wash some in the washer too! The till is fab too – solar powered is amazing! xx
IKEA have an a amazing range of toys for the kids and it’s great to see that they’re really cultivating imagination in kids. That aspect is really missing these days with the toys kids get these days. They are also cute and vibrant enough for the girls.
I totally agree. I think imagination is one of the most important things we can teach our children. xx
What a sweet play set! We’ve been spending A LOT of time at IKEA these past few weeks, due to just moving house and I couldn’t resist the little fabric pizza set they had for my youngest. They have some brilliant imaginative toys.
Oh I love that set too! The fabrics are great for throwing in the washer too! xx
I’ve always really rated IKEA’s you selection.
If you get a chance (I hope they still do it!) their Santa’s grotto is so much fun and it’s free!
They really think of everything when it comes to children x
Oh we haven’t done this before! Will definitely make sure we do this Christmas, thank you! xx
I love IKEA and as much as I have to drive far to my closest one, I end up finding great stuff. It’s been a while since I was in one so I guess I need to plan some shopping trips.
Me too! I love that it’s actually a proper day out, get a bit of food in the restaurant, have a wander….you can literally spend hours there!! xx
I have not been to IKEA for a long time, our nearest is not that far away but a nightmare to get to. I love these play foods, I have always loved their toy range. I need to make a trip soon
You can order on line! I ordered these toys online and they came in just a couple of days and the delivery fee was just a few pounds! xx
Erin loves having tea parties and playing shops so all of this would be ideal for her. Ikea is great!
Ah it’s a classic isn’t it? I love seeing them enjoy imaginary play this way and the toys are fab! xx
Oh Ikea is great for everything isn’t it! We actually saw these on our last trip and thoughts they were a brilliant idea for kids! I love how creative you have been.
Thank you! They are so reasonable too, I couldn’t believe how affordable the tea set was!! xx
Those toys are really cool. I love going to IKEA. You get good stuff there
Us too, they have the best range! xx
Glad to see that you’re being extra conscious of plastic, Laura. Of course, we cannot avoid it all but what we can prevent, we should. The kids look like they are having a good time. very soon, they’ll not want to play with toys anymore lol.
Exactly that. We can’t prevent plastic use entirely, but just avoiding it where there are alternatives is a great start isn’t it? A lot of IKEA toys are made of fabric or wood, I absolutely love that!! xx
Ikea is one of my favorite stores. I remember those days when my girls used to enjoy playing with their toys. Now they are all grown up but I still enjoy shopping in IKEA.
Ahh I dread the day they grow out of wanting to play. I love seeing them immersed in a game! xx
The build-up to school holidays is always dread but playtime with something we’ve been encouraging a lot for the kiddies this year and IKEA has the right idea.
Me and my daughters love to role play as well. Since my youngest is just four years old I always end up being the horse or the villain. The toys you have are interesting not only that their environment friendly, it looks like they are also easy to clean.
I did not know that Ikea actually sold toys. Looks like they have a good range too xx
I enjoy IKEA products a lot! I also need to shop for toys… especially with the festive season approaching.
We have this till at pre-school and the kids love it – love that the fruit is fabric, so can be washed
These look great, my two love things like this.
We love the Ikea play range and have bought loads of it for Nila for Xmas 🙂
Love those imaginary toys for children. I honestly think that children should not feel any pressure at home. This should be their ultimate go-to place.
My niece and nephew have that till and they love to use it to play shop. I think they also have the same soft toys from IKEA x
We love the IKEA toy range too! I love that hardly any of their toys are made from plastic and almost all of their toys can be wiped clean or put in the washing machine (always an important factor when it comes to kids toys lol!). I love the little till and the fabric foods, my daughter would love these!
Awww love this post so much. We adore Ikea. The kids love visiting their kids section and we always come away with lots of things x
We love Ikea and always go there for Christmas gifts each year as the toys are great for imaginative play
Laura x
I love Ikea all the toy variants there is, they’d probably have.
Can’t wait to do my Holiday Gift Shopping there 🙂
We are big IKEA fans here too, we’ve got the play kitchen. You’re right they are really good value and I think great quality too. I love the till, I’ve not spotted that before so will take a look at our next visit.
Such a lovely post. I love to see and hear children playing “make believe”. With all the technology around today, it’s so refreshing to see children away from it and playing as they should. I love the toys. The shopping basket would be perfect for my Granddaughter.
Great ideas here. Love the till! Enormous to take lots of money!!
Ikea’s children’s range is so much fun. I think the shopping basket may well be under the tree for my littlest this year.
We look after our 2 year old twin grandsons, and they just love having new things to interest them. I never think of Ikea when I look for toys, but I think they would enjoy a trip there, thanks!
The till is great ikea great for original toys
Definitely going to have to go for a visit to IKEA in the next few months, we have been decorating our babies nursery ready for his arrival in Feb, I think there will be a fair few bits that I want that I might be able to find there.
These sets are great value for money and eco friendly as well
Ikea is wonderful, love having an afternoon in there end up buying far too much but it’s such good value love there cafe too love the dog in the above photo sat waiting for his tea
Imagination is so important
Love imaginative play my boys love using their imagination.
These kind of toys keep kids entertained for so long. Role play is a vital part of development and these IKEA toys provide a solid start. They are great!
I’d love to win this to see the sheer delight on my daughters face.