We recently discovered Earthtiles, they are really lovely natural and wooden magnetic tiles. They are so nice to use, they don't come in overbearing colours and are so warm and earthy. 

"Open-ended toys spark imagination, creativity and problem-solving skills. Kids learn to understand spatial relationships and even the fundamentals of geometry. There is also something about wood that makes Earthtiles really comforting for kids to touch and hold." - Earthtiles Co-Creator Kristin Rho. 

"We all love our kids and it didn't make sense to us to make toys that harmed the environment in which they will live for the rest of their lives. We make Earthtiles from sustainable hardwoods. We use earth and kid-friendly finishes so you don't freak out when your child picks one up and starts licking it."  - Earthtiles Co-Creator Steve Rho. 

Our Earthtiles as pictured are c/o Big Future Toys.

I've discussed before how much we love magnetic tiles, but Earthtiles are a little different. Made from wood, I don't have to worry about Otto picking one up and chewing on it. I know that the wood is more earth-friendly, they have a warm texture and honestly, I love the aesthetic. They really look good in a basket on the children's shelves. Otis is always tinkering with them! 

Earthtiles come in three shapes; squares, equilateral triangles and isosceles triangles (good for language development). They are well sized and give children lots of creative options. They connect on all sides so they are super easy for children to use.

Using Earthtiles children can learn through play. They are such a nice addition to the home environment as they are open-ended toys that don't need explaining or a presentation, the children can use them as much as they want and can learn at their own pace, in their own time. They are learning in a hands-on way through creativity and experimentation that can be entirely child-led! We know that magnetic tiles can teach and develop skills including but not limited to:

• Ability to build two and three-dimensional shapes.
• Shape recognition.
• Building and construction skills, habitat development (think beginner engineering skills).
• Patterning.
• Sorting and stacking.
• Symmetry.
• Mathematical and spatial relationships.
• Persistence.
• Problem-solving.
• Creativity.
• Hand-eye coordination.
• Concentration.
• Magnetic principals.
• Creative building, enhances cognitive processes.

Of course, our toys and materials aren't just about learning. We generally only keep toys that interest my children and are fun! These are perfect for gift giving and we have found them good to put out during playdates and for group play.

Our Earthtiles are c/o Big Future Toys. Earthtiles are also available on Amazon and in Australia at Vines of the Wild.