Definition of play: engage in activity for enjoyment and recreation rather than a serious or practical purpose; engage in (a game or activity) for enjoyment; amuse oneself by engaging in imaginative pretence;
Since I make toys – and I’m a mother of a little one – I begin to grow more and more curious about playing. How children these days play, how parents interact and play with them, how can we play in a fun way with them, how playing can help children’s development…
For this interview I have the pleasure to introduce you to Nellianna and her family.
Please tell us a bit about you and your family.
I met Kenneth when we were studying in Delft, it was love at first sight :) Before we started working we travelled through Australia 3 months in a van. We are both the children of home-stayed moms and we kind of wanted to give our children the same. So we started our own company Studio Snowpuppe, in that time I got pregnant of Jonas. The first year we combined parenting and Snowpuppe. I remember my old neighbour telling me that if he could start over he would spend more time with his children when they were little. We live in Scheveningen a small town, 5 minutes from the beach together with our 2 cats Ayla and Juni.
Best playground.
The beach! In the beginning we took Jonas to the beach every day, no matter what kind of weather it was. Now he is 2 years old and he likes to ride his bike along the boulevard and sometimes he stops to climb the stairs or he is the captain on the ship.
In a free day what is your family favorite activity?
In a free day we go biking through the dunes, we park our bike near the pancake restaurant ‘Meijendel’ we drink a hot chocolate and eat a pancake, you can sit around the fire there. After that we go for a hike, there is a lot to see, wild horses, birds and a natural playground made of ropes and trees. Then we bike home again and Jonas falls asleep in our cargo bike.
How do you play with your kid? With what kind of toys?
We let Jonas decide with what he wants to play. He prefers, his inside bike/car and crane. He is always busy moving chairs. We like to read a book with him or cooking together.
What is your favorite toy? And from your son?
I like to draw or create something together. Jonas likes the stuff that is not meant for him, for example the vacuum cleaner :)
When you were a child what did you play and with what toys? What was your favorite one?
Making puzzles over and over again.
What kind of crafts/DIY projects do you like to do with your kid?
Drawing and cooking. I can’t wait till he is a little bit older and we can be creative together.
Your child prefer playing or watching tv? What he see in television influences how he plays?
Playing, we don’t have a tv.
What is your child favorite book? And yours (from his collection)?
Frog and his friends, he has 3 books of Frog. For me it is the ‘The yellow balloon’.
Please ask your kid “If you could choose to be a storybook character what would you be”? Why?
Sorry he is still too young to ask :) But his favorite character as I am allowed to think for him would be Ernie, from Bert & Ernie. Since he is young he loves having Ernie around him.
Do you know how does your child play at school?
We bring Jonas to daycare two days in the week. It is a group of 10 children. They bake bread together and have little adventures outside.
Your kid prefer playing indoors or outdoors?
Outdoors, we go outside at least 2 times a day. If not Jonas will ask for it :)
Does your kid like to create his own activities / games / characters?
He has a car where he collect all kind of small things. Every time we lost something we have to look there. For example there are the milkcups for in the coffee. He also took the button of the washingmachine… untill now we haven’t found that one back.
Sounds and music are important in your child playing?
Since Jonas has been born Kenneth is playing the harmonica for him. We sing/dance and make music a lot. Jonas has a much better sense of rhythm than I have :)
Such an adorable family! – Thank you so much Nelliana for telling us a bit about your lovely family life!
The very nice Nellianna works with her husband and partner Fleur in their project called Studio Snowpuppe – together they create and handmade the most beautiful folded paper lamps.
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I would really like to know how your kids play? What’s their favorite toy, the one they cuddle at night?
Please leave a comment below.