Enjoy all our latest education news and stories
At Natural Pod™, our purpose is to ensure every learner and educator has a practical, healthy, sustainable environment in which to learn and be inspired, enabling them to reach their full potential. You can find all our news and stories here, where we share ideas and thinking that inspire our work to help inspire yours.
What else can children’s furniture be? ~ Natural Pod in Axiom News
Entrepreneur Bridgitte Alomes says what the world really needs more of is creative thinkers, which is why her company is focusing on engaging children during their critical developmental years. Called Natural Pod, the Vancouver Island company designs and builds...
Free Downloadable Natural Play Guide for Educators
As an educator, you may be wondering how to transform your classroom or play space into an enchanting learning environment that children love. Studies show that children of all ages benefit from natural play. As an educator, you are in an exciting position. You have...
It is NOT, NOT, NOT, NOT, NOT a table (and benches)!
Have you ever read the book Not a Box by Antoinette Portis? My students love that book. I think because it is funny, repetitive, and something that they can relate to. I love that book too. I love it because I think it teaches my students that a box (or stick, rock,...
Natural Pod Rainbow Stacking Blocks Featured in Canadian Family Magazine
We're honoured to be mentioned in this month's Canadian Family magazine. Our large Rainbow Stacking Blocks were included in their list of of the best new toys for children.
Bringing Natural Play Into Your Curriculum
When I began to incorporate more natural play into my kindergarten/ grade one classroom a lot of questions arose around curriculum and assessment. For so many reasons I believed that open ended play with natural materials was beneficial to my students and that they...
Vancouver Island Kindergarten Goes Outdoors
Natural play kindergarten goes outdoors on Vancouver Island with Natural Pod. One of our new products, an outdoor cart that helps teachers bring their class into the outdoors was customer designed and built for the school. It will be in our catalogue in the coming...
We’re Hiring: Help Us Find a Manufacturing Manager for Natural Pod
Natural Pod is growing and we need a new Manufacturing Manager to lead some of our most important work supplying sustainably made furniture for kindergartens, preschools and daycares. Help us find a passion person who gets the value of sustainably made furniture for...
The Importance of Conversation
When I began to introduce more natural materials into my classroom, I was curious about how this change would impact the quality, learning potential, and depth of the play that my students engaged in. I began by replacing existing materials (plastic blocks, toys and...
New Space Installation: Sir Wilfred Grenfell Elementary School
We always enjoy showing some of our work in progress. We recently did an install of some new pieces of Natural Pod kindergarten and preschool furniture at Sir Wilfred Grenfell Elementary School in Vancouver. Just in time for new school year. "ONCE AGAIN...THANK YOU SO...
Natural Pod Mentioned in The Globe and Mail
“We live in a world,” adds Brigitte Alomes of the West Coast studio Natural Pod, which creates customized environments, often involving multi-use furniture and play pods, for schools, daycares and private homes, “where children are over-stimulated and overscheduled,...
Natural Pod at the Open Play Conference
We're delighted that Natural Pod will be attending this year's Open Play conference in Victoria, BC happening October 20th, 2012 at Royal Roads University. Early Bird Rates are available until September 1st, 2012. Consider registering. About OPEN (Outdoor Play...
A Shift In Thinking
When I was growing up we moved around BC a lot, from Nelson to the Sunshine Coast, to Victoria and back to Nelson. Although the location, the houses and the friendships changed, most of my childhood memories hold one thing in common: a connection to the natural world....
Wonderful University of Victoria Summer Institute Feedback
Recently our Co-Founder and CEO of Play at Natural Pod, Bridgitte Alomes presented an enlightening workshop – An Integrated Approach to Indoor and Outdoor Play – to educators at the third annual University of Victoria Summer Institute. Leading workshops for educators...
Video: An Integrated Approach to Indoor and Outdoor Play
When playing outside, children enter into an enchanting world where they develop a deep connection to the earth, and their imagination, creativity, and sensory exploration are all ignited. Children build strong foundations while exploring, investigating and...
We Work with You to Make Natural Play Possible
Natural Pod is unlike any other toy or play equipment company. As natural play experts and the leading designer and manufacturer of quality natural children’s toys and furniture, we offer you customized play environments that support creative and imaginative...
Looking for a Play Inspired Content Co-ordinator
Job Description: Content Coordinator As a Content Coordinator you will be responsible for the planning, implementation of marketing and sales content across our online site and print marketing material. You must have a creative mind and excellent US/UK English...
Acts of Kindness. What a small little world we live in…
Just over a year ago we started emails back and forth with a dedicated Natural Pod customer that we had no idea would impact both her life and ours so very much. Recently she shared the experience at her Blogspot "The Knitty Gritty Homestead". When Margot was...
Changing Education Paradigms
Animated talk on Education by Sir Ken Robinson. A must see.
What is the classroom made of?
Exploring all the playful possibilities. There is a movement on the horizon: a slow, beautiful metamorphosis a’comin’. It’s filled with richness and space, and rhythm and CHILDREN! It’s filled with less. And more. Once upon a time I went to kindergarten. The ladies...
Springtime Fairy Magic
Celebrating Earth Day Through The Ages
Mama K's Play Clay at a ToyEcoHealth Store near you!
A Simple Sixth Birthday
The following is a re-print of Rick Juliusson's "A Simple Sixth Birthday" blogpost at Rick's Turning Point. Thanks, Rick, for letting us repost these great ideas on a simple, and truly magical, little birthday party. Zekiah's sixth birthday continued to be a benchmark...
A Simple Sixth Birthday
The following is a re-print of Rick Juliusson's "A Simple Sixth Birthday" blogpost at Rick's Turning Point. Thanks, Rick, for letting us repost these great ideas on a simple, and truly magical, little birthday party. Zekiah's sixth birthday continued to be a benchmark...
Waldorf Style Watercolour Painting
The following is a re-print of Rebecca Watkin's guest Blog post at http://www.ourbigearth.com/2010/02/27/watercolor-painting-in-the-waldorf-style/#. Thanks, Rebecca, for letting us repost this incredibly clear and concise introduction into Waldorf watercolour work! A...
Kids at Home or Kids on The Go: either way we've got you covered!
As we know, Natural Pod, for the most part, has always been about home. About the Pod: the seed from which all healthy and balanced family interaction can germinate. Our products speak to our desire to match your desire to choose healthy, natural items for your...
Natural Pod in the news AGAIN!
Wow! What an exciting time for us here at Natural Pod. We have received some amazing press lately and we just could not wait to share it with you. Mothering Magazine's "Best Natural Toys 2009" Just today, we had an early sneek peak at the Nov/Dec Issue of Mothering...
Open ended play lets kids’ imaginations set sail!
A BIG THANKS to Eco-Child's Play for posting this from our very own Dalit Holzman today! We’ve all heard it. In fact we’ve all said it: “the best toy in the house is the cardboard box!” As parents we are constantly reminded that the active imaginations of children...
And The Natural Pod winner is…………
And The Natural Pod winner is............Louisa Gonser Community Library in Kutztown, Pennsylvania! Our commentator Kathleen wrote "I’d love to give this dollhouse to our local library, The Louisa Gonser community library. They’ve welcomed children of all ages,...
The Child's Cajon: you know, a box that you sit on…but it MAKES MUSIC! Oh my!
Recently we brought the story of Aurelia, the Mama behind Aurelia's Creations. It went so well (thanks for all the comments) that we want to share with you the story of another of our Natural Pod artisans: Chris Bertin. Chris is the creative force behind our Child's...
HUGE NEWS we're so thrilled to share!
Our very own Tree Branch Blocks have just been named one of the Top 10 Eco-Toys in North America! Judged on their affordability, age appropriateness, level of creativity and socialization engaged, eco-friendliness and child-initiated interactivity, the Tree Branch...
Artisan in the Spotlight: the Mama behind Aurelia's Creations
What a joy to be a part of Natural Pod. I have been helping out behind the scenes here at Natural Pod for a while now. I have to say, you are a very inspiring network of people! It is wonderful to have this opportunity to say Hello, and introduce myself. I would like...
Last week to win The Natural Pod! And we just launched a HUGE sale.
It's the final stretch in our "what makes a house a home" contest. Tell us your thoughts and nominate your favorite preschool, family place, etc. to win The Natural Pod we're giving away! My favorite quote of last week came from a Mom who said she's not a writer... I...
Whether it's Columbus or a Turkey that's got you relaxing…check out our new Natural Pod toys!
Favorite quote from week 2 of the fabulous Natural Pod giveaway contest: There have been many times in my life that I have had to recreate my sense of home, because of moving and because as a young woman I chose to stay in a domestic violence shelter to protect myself...
The Doll House that's so much more: The Natural Pod!
After much back and forth and reconsideration of our incredible FSC® C012337-certified, heirloom quality doll house, we have decided to CHANGE ITS NAME! That's right: no longer is it stuck dragging a name that'll never do justice to its true versatility. Here to fore...
How do you make your house a home?
As the seasons change and the morning air shifts to brisk, I feel compelled yet again to nest. I get butterflies in my tummy just thinking about Autumn: dragging out the board games, swapping swimmies for sweaters, apple pie...red wine. It's true, I love it. Somehow...
Play with your food, honey.
Just in: our awesome freetrade, Nepalese wool felt fruit and vegetable sets! These cute (and safe!) mainstays of child play go so well with our Natural Pod Chef's Kitchen... Leave your comment here and order the fruits or veggies in the next week and we'll deduct 10%...
Always do your homework when it comes to green. And add a dash of intuition!
In our continuing commitment to the health of families I wanted to share with you the latest post from our friend Yoyomama Annemarie regarding the current "SIGG kerfuffle of the last week". It turns out Natural Pod's very own Bridgitte Alomes had her concerns around...
Back on Track: back to school, the natural way
We hope you have all had a wonderful summer filled with incredible adventures and sun filled days. It has been especially warm here in BC, apparently the hottest summer in 10 years... The plants are just loving it and the smiles abound. At Natural Pod, getting ready...