Mother Stories
A Creative, Colorful Play Date With Portland Mama Of 2 Paige Jones
Written by Katie Hintz-Zambrano
Photography by Paige Jones
Nov 10, 2020
With the holidays on the horizon and wishlists being made, we know parents are searching for high-quality, open-ended toys to add to their homes (vs. the one-and-done junk we often end up with). Which is where Fat Brain Toys comes in. For over 18 years, the Nebraska-based company has made top-notch learning toys its business and expertise. Naturally, they’ve gained plenty of fans in kids—and parents—along the way.
One such fan is Portland-based photographer Paige Jones (whose work you might recognize from our very pages!). Just in time for the gifting season, we asked the mama of two (sons Crosby, 4, and Lou, 2) to take some of Fat Brain Toys latest offerings out for a spin—this time, in front of the camera!
Peep our colorful, creativity-centric playdate with the adorable trio below, as Paige fills us in on her personal philosophy around learning and play, as well as her upcoming year-long family RV trip (!) that she and her brood are setting off on later this year. All the while, explore Paige’s Fat Brain Toys picks for her kiddos: from an heirloom-quality train set and kid-sized musical instruments to the build-anywhere Squigz suction toy and the most brilliantly designed on-the-go storage box that kids can actually play with!
Want more STEM-centric toy inspiration? Check out our previous play date with Bay Area-based mother Naomi Phan-Quang and her four awesome kiddos.
This post is brought to you by Mother x Fat Brain Toys.
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Paige's first pick for her boys: Fat Brain Toys' Wooden Express 100 Piece Train Set! The open-ended play possibilities with this classic toy are endless. In addition to the sturdy wooden track, kids can add on a bridge, train station, railroad crossing with opening gates, a working crane, plus a whole town of buildings, cars, trees, bushes, traffic signs, and characters. The vehicles includes a fire engine, ambulance, semi-truck, and 4-pieces train.
While kiddos are flexing their fine motor skills and spatial reasoning, parents can rejoice in hours of imaginative, independent play! Plus, if you've already got some tracks at home, this sturdy set is compatible with all standard wooden train sets and has a lifetime guarantee.
Wooden Express 100 Piece Train Set, $79.95, Fat Brain Toys.
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"We have a simple train set that the boys play with every now and then, but it’s not something they ever ask for. They used to spend all day playing with trains, so I knew this set with the big red bridges and tunnels would spark their interest again. Turns out I was right and they are just obsessed with that little wooden tunnel. My favorite part of this set is that it’s big enough for them to play with and not get into a fight, they can each have a side, and then play together if they want."
Wooden Express 100 Piece Train Set, $79.95, Fat Brain Toys.
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"We made the tough decision not to send Crosby back to our beloved preschool this fall. We were hoping to send Lou as well but our preschool schedule changed and we weren’t quite ready to send the boys off for that long, especially with the state of the pandemic. I’m so glad Crosby had already gone to preschool before Covid hit, it gave us some structure and values to work off of that we have implemented at home. We miss that community dearly and hope that the pandemic gets under control soon so that both boys can attend school next year."
Wooden Express 100 Piece Train Set, $79.95, Fat Brain Toys.
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"We are! We recently sold our home and are going to hit the road in an RV for a year! We have been itching for an adventure and now just feels like the perfect time to take one. The boys are still young and aren’t rooted in schools, my husband and I both work from home, and it didn’t hurt that it’s a sellers market in Portland right now. 2020 has been a year of restrictions, especially when it comes to travel. Being able to travel in a safe way with our entire family was a big factor for us. We can’t wait to park our home on wheels next to beaches, forests, canyons, and family members we haven’t seen in ages."
Wooden Express 100 Piece Train Set, $79.95, Fat Brain Toys.
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"I want us all to be able to unplug a bit next year. I want to put my phone away and be more intentional with my kids. They are growing up so fast and I don't want to miss a thing. I’m so excited to spend most of our days outside. My eldest has always been extremely timid and shy. He’s just recently started getting more adventurous and I can’t wait to nurture this new trait of his. My youngest is a maniac, so he’s going to have a blast jumping off every cliff and jumping into every ocean."
Wooden Express 100 Piece Train Set, $79.95, Fat Brain Toys.
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"I’m afraid that they will get homesick. That they will want to go back to a home we no longer own. Of course, I plan on making the RV as cozy as possible, all of their favorite blankets and stuffed animals will help soften that blow. But they are young and no matter how many times I explain to them what is happening, I’m sure they will get homesick. But that’s also part of the beauty of this trip, to learn that home is wherever our family is together. That we don’t have to be glued to our routines, that shaking things up and taking a chance is a great way to grow and learn something new."
Wooden Express 100 Piece Train Set, $79.95, Fat Brain Toys.
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Next toy to try out: the handy Teebee Play & Store Toy Box. A storage box like no other, Teebee is designed to fit perfectly between two little legs, turning it into a storage space and play space in one! It's two hinged lids fold out to create play trays that sit over each leg, while the divided tray can be taken out and fitted onto the front edge of the Teebee.
Perfect for on-the-go play—especially during travel—Teebee can fit a variety of objects and toys, and it's made entirely of food-safe, leak-proof plastic, so you can even use it as a lunchbox and food tray!
Teebee Play & Store Toy Box, $24.95, Fat Brain Toys.
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"I knew my Lego-obsessed 4-year-old would love the Teebee. He uses the dividers to separate the wheels and colors and loves how it sits in his lap. I love the quality and the fact that he can use it in the car, especially since we have some long road trips ahead of us!"
Teebee Play & Store Toy Box, $24.95, Fat Brain Toys.
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"We will be shedding lots of things as we are downsizing from a 4-bedroom home to a 40-foot RV. Lots of toys will have to go, and I’m very, very excited about this part. They each will fill up a bin of things they want to take. And we will pack up the toys we aren’t bringing to donate. The boys really enjoy taking ownership of this task, instead of crying that they can’t find something, they will say, 'Oh, I think we gave that to some other boys and girls to play with.' I will bring a selection of sensory play activities and anything small and musical instruments, as well. It’s going to be hard to part with any of the Fat Brain Toys, as they have become fast favorites over here. Crosby will love using his Teebee storage box during our long car rides and the Squigz will be perfect to play with on the RV windows."
Teebee Play & Store Toy Box, $24.95, Fat Brain Toys.
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"Quarantine has opened our eyes to what 'normal' means. This year has turned everything upside down and there really is no normal. It’s part of what sparked the idea to sell our home and go on this adventure. Home will always be a sanctuary for us, whether that home is on wheels or stationary."
Teebee Play & Store Toy Box, $24.95, Fat Brain Toys.
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"My siblings and I were all homeschooled up until high school. So, I know from experience that it’s possible to learn in a different way. We actually used a video-based program where we would pop in a VHS tape with different subjects throughout the day. I’m currently more concerned about my kids getting enough social interaction with other kids, the learning is still happening in all other areas."
Teebee Play & Store Toy Box, $24.95, Fat Brain Toys.
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"Crosby is completely obsessed with building intricate vehicles. 'This is a 6-wheeled spaceship that launches Sputnik out of a launch bay, it has turbo blasters and it can break through ice!' He will then announce that he is 'going to do a story' and run off to spend 15 minutes acting out some adventure with his new creation. He loves learning about anything really, recently he’s very into space and volcanoes. Lou is a pretty independent kid. He will pull out every book in our library and flip through the pages for the longest time. He loves playing with play dough, water beads, and is always grabbing his drum and forcing me to dance for him. The kid is BOSSY."
Teebee Play & Store Toy Box, $24.95, Fat Brain Toys.
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"I haven’t asked him this question in a long time. I just asked him and he quickly responded with 'I don’t really want to grow up Mommy.' And I couldn’t be happier with that response, I don’t want him to grow up either."
Teebee Play & Store Toy Box, $24.95, Fat Brain Toys.
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Little brothers being...little brothers.
Teebee Play & Store Toy Box, $24.95, Fat Brain Toys.
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"I’d like to think of every toy my kids play with as educational. If they are engaged with a toy and using their imaginations, exploring and creating, I qualify it as educational. I can see the wheels turning! Crosby has recently become obsessed with Legos and I am thrilled. He builds his own creations and creates elaborate stories about each of them, I love watching his imagination run wild with those little plastic cubes."
Teebee Play & Store Toy Box, $24.95, Fat Brain Toys.
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Next up to try out: Fat Brain Toys' beloved Squigz! These suction-cup building pieces can be turned into an endless array of wiggly, wobbly creations that give a satisfying 'POP' when you pull them apart.
The open-ended wonder, which also comes in a Mini Squigz size—stick to any smooth, non-porous surface and leave no residue or marks, making them great for windows, walls, bathtubs, tabletops, school lockers, and more! The creativity-expanding toy is made of 100% food-grade silicone that is BPA-free and latex-free.
Squigz, $25.95, Fat Brain Toys.
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"My boys love suction cups—they found one lying around the house one day and played with it for about a week straight. So, I knew these Squigz would be a hit. The boys LOVE playing with them all around the house and especially in the bathtub. They are always trying to find new things that they will stick to. I’m constantly finding them sitting and making them pop over and over again."
Squigz, $25.95, Fat Brain Toys.
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"To be honest, as a full-time mom who also happens to work full-time, I am guilty of many 'quick fix' toys. I have an emergency stash of toys I keep hidden for emergencies—like, I have an email I need to get out, a deadline to meet, or a phone call I need to make happen without a toddler screaming at me. These are usually little cars that serve their purpose and buy me some time. But they can get old fast and we donate them quickly."
Squigz, $25.95, Fat Brain Toys.
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"The toys that I love for my kids, and they love as well, are the toys that lead to open-ended play, things that let their imaginations run wild. I mentioned Crosby loves Legos, and the Teebee Play & Store Toy Box has been a HUGE hit around here. It’s the first thing he grabs each morning. Lou is my little musician, he loves drumming and dancing and making music wherever he can. He is too young to understand how his new Rainbow Music Desk Bells work, but he’s constantly playing with them and also learning his numbers at the same time."
Squigz, $25.95, Fat Brain Toys.
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A little mind, immersed.
Squigz, $25.95, Fat Brain Toys.
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"I come from a family of five kids and we grew up in Southern California. We were always outside playing and being active. We were out on our jungle gym or riding on bikes/roller blades in the neighborhood. I honestly can’t remember a single toy. And wow, that is really making me rethink the amount of toys my kids have!"
Mini Squigz, $19.95, Fat Brain Toys.
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"We recently moved the boys into the same room and they now have a designated 'play room.' The boys have their own desks that we use for art projects and sensory play. Giving them their own space to play and focus on their own creations has helped eliminate so many fights! But our entire house is definitely a play zone. We’re constantly building forts that take up the entire basement and living room. The couch is always being used as a race track and we are always rearranging furniture to spice things up. Hell we even head out to the car to play with the buttons and pretend to drive on adventures."
Mini Squigz, $19.95, Fat Brain Toys.
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"We aren’t doing much schooling these days. We do lots of crafts and activities and are constantly learning through reading and talking. Crosby asks approximately 4,000 random questions a day. But for now we are focusing on play and values."
Mini Squigz, $19.95, Fat Brain Toys.
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"I immediately felt the need to respond with how when Crosby was younger we never used screens, only during plane rides, we were so good! I’m not sure why society puts so much pressure on us as parents to limit screen time. We all live with enough mom guilt to last a lifetime already. Of course we shouldn't be letting our kids watch TV all day everyday. But every child is different, every parent is different, and there shouldn’t be any shame in letting your kid watch a show so you can get chance to breathe and regroup! We now have two screen times per day, once before lunch and once before dinner. It works for us and when it stops working, we’ll change it up!"
Mini Squigz, $19.95, Fat Brain Toys.
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"My husband and I both work from home most of the time, so quarantine hasn’t changed our home life too drastically. But we do struggle with getting that quality family time with all four of us. We get into a pattern where we are tag-team parents. 'Hey can you take them to the park I need to finish this project,' 'Alright, Daddy’s done working, go play hide and seek downstairs!' It’s out of necessity and there truly aren’t enough hours in the day. But dinner is a non-negotiable for us. It’s our time to all be together and regroup. To share the highs and lows of our day and talk out big feelings."
Mini Squigz, $19.95, Fat Brain Toys.
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A closer look at Mini Squigz, a new member of the Squigz family that are 40% smaller than the original, packed with more pieces, and include a new shape and new colors. The highly durable toy includes 75 pieces, which are great for home or on the road!
Mini Squigz, $19.95, Fat Brain Toys.
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Next up: Rainbow Music Desk Bells. This beautiful array of 8 numbered desk bells (in the key of C Major) encourages hand-eye coordination, number skills, creativity, and—of course—music skills!
Designed like the bell you often find at a front desk, your kids will surely love using these bells in a wide variety of imaginary play set-ups (room service, anyone?).
Rainbow Music Desk Bells, $34.95, Fat Brain Toys.
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"I loved how beautiful the
Rainbow Bells were and knew the boys would love playing with them. Crosby was instantly curious about how and why each bell made a different sound. We’re now working on the songs and it’s been really exciting to watch him get excited about music. Lou loves the purple bell, mostly because purple is a favorite word to say. He swipes it from the set and bangs on it constantly."
Rainbow Music Desk Bells, $34.95, Fat Brain Toys.
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In addition to open-ended play, the Rainbow Music Desk Bells come with a song sheet with classics like Mary Had a Little Lamb, Old Macdonald, Jingle Bells, Twinkle Little Star, Row Your Boat, Joy to the World, London Bridge, and Lullaby. Each song has different bell numbers and colors listed above the lyrics so that kids can tap along to the tunes!
Rainbow Music Desk Bells, $34.95, Fat Brain Toys.
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Ding!
Rainbow Music Desk Bells, $34.95, Fat Brain Toys.
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The last toy Paige's family tried out was the Beethoven's Band Musical Set. The heirloom-quality instrument set includes 8 percussion instruments for beginners, including a tambourine, triangle with beater, egg shaker, jingle bell shaker, maracas, xylophone with mallets, bell rhythm stick, and claves.
Made of high-quality, long-lasting wood and metal and designed with the youngest musicians in mind, Beethoven's Band Musical Set encourages fine motor skills, coordination, cooperative play, music learning and—naturally—a fun activity the whole family can rock out to!
Beethoven's Band Musical Set, $34.95, Fat Brain Toys.
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"Crosby was never interested in musical toys when he was younger. But Lou has always gravitated towards them. The little guy has rhythm! I knew they would have fun with this beautiful musical set and hoped that we would all end up playing with the instruments together. We all love this set and it’s definitely coming with us in the RV."
Beethoven's Band Musical Set, $34.95, Fat Brain Toys.
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“Crosby says, 'I love my new Lego bin the most, I like building new creations with it and blue used to be my favorite color.'"
Beethoven's Band Musical Set, $34.95, Fat Brain Toys.
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"Lou says, 'Lou Lou’s xylophone, drums, play drums mommy dance!'"
Beethoven's Band Musical Set, $34.95, Fat Brain Toys.
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"This year has been heavy. It’s truly overwhelming to think of everything that has occurred. It’s difficult to articulate the emotional rollercoaster we’ve all gone through. My words don’t feel strong enough to match the amount of pain and suffering that so many have faced this year, and their entire lives. No words can capture the anger and disappointment I feel towards those who try and dismiss that pain… When I find myself spiraling I try to focus on the things I can control. I can talk to my kids about racism. I can use my voice and platform to speak up and fight for what is right. I can sign petitions and send emails demanding change. I guess 2020 has got me involved. There’s so much work to be done and I’m trying to help wherever I can."
Beethoven's Band Musical Set, $34.95, Fat Brain Toys.
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"Be kind to one another and please wear a mask."
Beethoven's Band Musical Set, $34.95, Fat Brain Toys.
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For more on Paige, her sweet family, and her upcoming RV adventure, be sure to follow her at @paigejonesphoto on Instagram.
To shop the Fat Brain Toys featured in this article, head over to FatBrainToys.com.
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