Designist Dream

It’s amazing how much stuff kids need. And I’m not talking about the basics (clothes, diapers, food) I’m talking toys. Last week, I decided to head out for some new toys for little Tz. Now that she’s moving around a ton, I felt her toys should be able to move with her. And I was psyched to go find some cool Israeli toys because buying blue and white, as we say here, not only supports an Israeli company, but if I played my cards right, I could even find myself a new neato Israeli designer as well.

There are several local toy and design shops in Modiin that feature Israeli designers both well-known and independent. I had never heard of MoteKids, sweet kids in Hebrew, but was immediately drawn to the bright orange bunny rabbit wearing the vintage-style apron dress. She was entirely floppy, large, soft and fun. Hadas Hall, the designer behind MoteKids, creates dolls and clothes that are reminiscent of her childhood, both in fabric and design. From vintage style patterns - sometimes recycled from her mother’s dresses - to brightly colored characters - check out the mouse who sews! - MoteKids are the perfect, kid-friendly pal to make into your child’s next best friend.

I was on a mission though, so I put the MoteKids Dolls on my list for presents (for us or others) and continued in my quest for a mobile toy. I knew I wanted to buy a Pastel Toy since I first posted about them in my Hanukkah Gift Guide. I had originally seen them in person and was struck by their beauty and simplicity. The materials, designs and colors were so classic and appealing. Pastel Toys also have the added bonus of being part of a physical and creative rehabilitation project in Israel’s North for special needs individuals. So buying Pastel Toys helps support the Kishorit community project where volunteers and villagers live and work side by side. We bought the semi-truck featured above because it offers two trucks essentially and a ton of blocks so the play options are multiple. Over the weekend, Tz had fun building and knocking down block towers, pushing her semi around (because every little girl deserves an 8-wheeler) and generally putting it all in her mouth (this is where Pastel’s milk-based paints come in super handy). It’s like she’s playing with a real work of art.