Oona activity kit

Close to the ocean floor lives the mermaid Oona and her best friend Otto the sea otter. Together they have found and upcycled many treasures, but there is one that Oona can't seem to get no matter how hard she tries.

And what could be the best treasure of the ocean?

We've put together an inspiring activity kit that will captivate kids from 3+ as they dive into activities to answer this pivotal question of the story - and learn some ocean science along the way.

The best part is we've done all the heavy thinking on this, and provided you with over 10 open-ended activities and all of the supplies you need (except scissors because this varies depending on skill and age and risk management).

This kit makes for a great holiday or birthday gift for the ocean-lover, mermaid-lover, otter-lover, or imaginary play-lover on your list.

So what's included? Inside your box if you select the FULL KIT (options are available for sibling add-ons or kits without the book) you will receive:

• A hardcover copy of Oona by New York Times bestseller Kelly DiPucchio
• A Safari Ltd. Coral Reef Toob
• A maple sensory tray (handmade from FSC-certified wood)
• A plain maple otter (to paint)
• A plain oak peg doll (to paint and explore options for skin colour)
• 1 felt mermaid tail (handmade from real wool)
• 1 reversible felt crown (handmade from real wool)
• 3 packets of dyed salt in various shades of blue (hand dyed from food colouring)
• A set of paint chips on a ring
• A set of story sequence cards specific to Oona
• 1 "r" vocabulary card
• 1 mini wooden paint mixing tray
• 1 bamboo paint brush
• Paint (non-toxic acrylic)
• Black natural wool roving
• Sticker gems and glitter glue
• A small collection of sea glass
• 1 real conical shell
• 1 real stick
• Organic cotton bags for supply storage
• Directions for 10+ suggested activities, including extension activities with supplies from your home

*Please note that the Sibling option does not include another book, nor does it include another sensory tray. The Supplies Only option does not include the book but does include a sensory tray.

With all of those materials, you can mix and match your creating and playing by using the sea glass to explore patterns in the sensory tray, or by adding the pieces into the salt in the tray for some sensory play. Or you can fill the tray with the Safari Toob creatures, Oona, and Otto and recreate the story. Add the 3 types of salt to learn about ocean layers or drop some into a container with water at home and discover which sink or float.

Of course, buried within each activity is a connection to the book and a developmental skill to (secretly) practice. Whether it's counting, making patterns or shapes, matching colours or pictures, peeling stickers, pinching salt, story sequencing, painting, or cutting, your child will never realize they are learning because all of this is done through the magic of play.

But the most important benefit of all?

Slowing down. Being mindful. Creating with intention. Spending time with you. (Ok, that's more than one.)

Oh, and reading. Did you know that 6 additional minutes of reading per day can significantly improve kids' reading performance? And that children who read at least 20 minutes a day are exposed to almost 2 million words per year?

True story. (Story - get it? Ha.)

About Ignited Play

Ignited Play is what happens when creative worlds unite. It's the combination of two wildly imaginative teaching moms who joined forces from their own hand crafted businesses (Northwest Felts and Modern Imagination) to ignite play in a whole new way by connecting books and natural materials with the power of mindful creativity. Each activity kit will feature a curated new (or classic gem) book that will springboard a series of nature-inspired activities, with natural wool felt and FSC-certified maple wood being the centrepoint for the supplies. Eco-minded, sustainably sourced, and made with minimal plastic, the materials can be used in many ways to explore universal themes and raise literacy success.

Ages 3+ (some materials are choking hazards)