The Wish Tree activity kit

Charles wants to find a wish tree, but his siblings don't believe there is such a thing. Unfettered, Charles hitches up his trusty friend 'Boggan and embarks on a journey to find out if such a tree exists. Along the way, he meets many new friends and discovers the magic of kindness that leads him to discover the truth about a wish tree.

But what would a wish tree even look like?

We've put together an inspiring activity kit that will captivate kids from 3+ as they explore activities to answer this pivotal question of the story and develop new skills 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 snow-lover, adventure-lover, or wish-curious child 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 The Wish Tree by Governor General's Literary Award Nominee Kyo Maclear
• A real wool felt tree with real birch wood (collected from our very own nearby forest) trunk
• A maple scale (handmade from FSC-certified wood) - to be assembled
• A plain maple toboggan (to paint)
• A plain oak peg doll (to paint and explore options for skin colour)
• A bag of loose parts including: unpainted wooden mushrooms, acorns, sticks, and red real wool balls
• Additional sticks, yarn and real wood slice
• 1 threading needle
• 2 tree cutouts, sticky paper and tissue strips
• A container of natural handmade play dough
• 1 "t" vocabulary card
• 1 practice writing card and 1 "good copy" wish card with twine
• 1 mini wooden paint mixing tray
• 1 bamboo paint brush
• Paint (non-toxic acrylic)
• 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 scale. The Supplies Only option does not include the book but does include a scale

All the materials can be used in many open-ended ways, and have been supplied to provide you with the beginning of a wood and felt heritage collection that you return to year after year. You can mix and match your creating and playing by using the toboggan as the character 'Boggan in small world play, or hang it as a holiday ornament. You can use the loose parts in the small world play also or practice patterns, addition, or subtraction, and the sticks can be used for tally marks or as bundles in the small world play. The trays of the scale can be used as trays for the loose parts, and the play dough can do triple duty as letter formation, small world play, or counting balls. Flip the paint tray over and it's a work space for counting or letter practice, and use the roller in the scale to roll out the play dough.

Of course, buried within each activity is a connection to the book and a developmental skill to (secretly) practice, enhancing reading, writing, and math skills through a multi-sensory approach. Whether it's counting, making patterns or shapes, threading, wrapping yarn, peeling, sticking, ripping, squishing, pinching, rolling, or painting, your child will never realize they are learning because all of this is done through the magic of play as the book comes to life in their own homes.

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)