Our Mission:
At Imagine Childhood, the goal is simple: to protect and honor the magic of childhood. In a world so keenly focused on preparing children to be successful adults, we feel that one very important thing is getting left by the wayside: Childhood. That in a quest to make plans for the future, we’re forgetting about the present and how remarkable and beautiful it can be. We believe that the most important things in life are cultivated during this relatively short and extremely special time. That the curiosity, imagination and tenacity required to build a better future, come from making space for simple things like climbing trees, make believe, and a hearty sense of adventure.
Simply put, we believe that:
- Nature Teaches Us How the World Works
- Imagination Teaches Us How to Dream
- Play Teaches Us How to Make Our Dreams Real
By providing children and families with high quality products and activities that inspire meaningful experiences, we hope to create a space where Childhood can do what it was always meant to do: build the magic and memories that inform and guide us for the rest of our lives.
About Us:
Imagine Childhood is a family owned and operated company specializing in earth-friendly goods, craft and activity tutorials and educational supplies that support and nurture the magic of childhood. Our carefully curated collection focuses on products that inspire children to create, imagine, and explore. With an emphasis on quality materials, our toys and tools are made for real kids and real adventures.
In addition to our shop we also share free crafts, activities and recipes on our blog here and our recent book, IMAGINE CHILDHOOD: Exploring the World Through Nature, Imagination, and Play can be found here.
Since our launch in 2008 we have been featured in many lovely publications including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Real Simple Magazine, Mothering Magazine, Apartment Therapy, HLN and more. For press inquiries visit our Press Page Here.
Our Commitment to Quality:
When choosing new products for Imagine Childhood, we ask ourselves five questions:
- Does the product promote exploration, creativity, and/or unstructured play?
- Is it fun and exciting?
- Is it Fair Trade and made of sustainable or eco-friendly materials?
- Can it be reused again and again, and in varying applications?
And
- Does it provide learning opportunities?
Although every product may not meet each and every criteria, we are continually looking for items that meet as many of these as possible. We believe quality products provide quality experiences, and that these experiences should have a positive impact on the world we live in.
Our Team:
While there are many hearts and hands that contribute to Imagine Childhood, the core of our business is driven by two sisters and their mom. Three women contemplating the idea of childhood together across two generations and three different lives worth of experiences. So without further ado, here is a little more about us!
Imagine Childhood co-founder Sarah grew up in Colorado and spent much of her time exploring art, science, and the nearby foothills and mountains. After receiving a bachelor of fine arts degree from the San Francisco Art Institute, she spent some time as a freelance children’s furniture designer/fabricator, which eventually led her to the Field Museum of Natural History. There she worked in exhibit design, developing interactive educational activities for permanent and traveling exhibitions before moving on to Imagine Childhood in 2008. Sarah is also the author of IMAGINE CHILDHOOD: Exploring the World Through Nature, Imagination, and Play- 25 Projects that spark curiosity and adventure. Roost Books, 2012.
Determined to capture the catalytic power of toys as tools and tools as toys, Sarah utilizes her background in art and her love of the outdoors to guide her search for amazing earth friendly products and activities. She also has a lot of fun sharing recipes and DIY projects for our weekly Crafts and Activities blog posts. But above all, she spends most days in awe of childhood imagination and the magical power of a stick, a piece of string, a sunny afternoon, and a good sense of adventure.
Deb currently lives and works on Bryn Du Farm in Colorado, a preserve for Appaloosa horses and Jacob Sheep and home to a multitude of jack rabbits, eagles, red tail hawks, coyotes and elk. Along with caring for the animals, she writes children's stories about her experiences with nature, and also produces beautiful handmade flower fairies and houses using wool from her herd of Jacob Sheep. Before co-founding imaginechildhood.com, and among many other things, Deb raised 4 children and established Follow Your Heart a much loved euro classic toy store in Denver, CO which received many local and national accolades including two features in Country Living Magazine.
This extensive experience in the world of high quality toys is what makes Deb such an extraordinary curator for the products we carry here at Imagine Childhood. Not only has she seen which toys stand the test of time through her own family, she’s also witnessed the joy they bring to each successive generation of children over the last 40 years. In short, she really knows how to pick amazing toys and tools for young children.
For Jordan, it’s all about the little things… paying close attention to the small details that end up making a difference in the big picture. Everything, even the most minute detail, is bigger, brighter, and more intense as a child; which is why Jordan believes in keeping it simple. Worms in the dirt. Clouds in the sky. Wildflowers in your pocket. That's all you really need isn't it? Well that, and a great tour guide. . .
Utilizing her background in journalism and art history as well as her stint at Backpacker Magazine, Jordan shares the wonders of Everyday adventures and the importance of storytelling in her weekly posts on our blog. Having grown up literally in a toy store, she also knows how to find amazing products and serves as co-curator of toys and activities at Imagine Childhood.
Community:
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