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‘I adore Sydney’s approach to play… good for our planet, and good for our souls too.’ – Daisy Upton, author of Five Minute Mum

‘For some serious playtime inspiration follow Sydney Piercey. She does it with zero fuss or show off. She is just brilliant’. Clover Stroud

Parenting blogger and mother-of-three, Sydney Piercey, gained traction online with her environmentally friendly DIY toys made entirely out of cardboard.


Filled with 60+ creative, accessible and plastic-free projects and play ideas, Sustainable Play is packed with crafts and games to enjoy with your children on slow, rainy or drawbridge days at home. Sydney provides you with budget-friendly, easy-to-follow ideas to play and create in this handbook, inspired by her family’s love of the simple things.

From step-by-step projects to create magical toys from your leftover cereal boxes to joy-filled games using everyday objects from around your home, Sustainable Play will equip you with the inspiration you need to entertain your children in a creative, stimulating and sustainable way – being kind to the planet in the process.

Reviews

Daisy Upton, author of <i>Five Minute Mum</i>
'I adore Sydney's approach to play. She takes something as simple as cardboard and tape and creates beautiful activities and role play items... She shows time and time again that toys don't have to be fancy and expensive for children to cherish them and gain important early years play experiences from...The simplicity of what she does is not only good for our planet, but I have found, good for our souls too.'
Alex Stedman, founder of The Frugality
'Sydney's sustainable crafts leave me in awe every time, her genius creativity from everyday objects knows no bounds, they challenge us to think differently and inspire our next generation of little ones.'
Sarah Turner, blogger and author of <i>The Unmumsy Mum</i>
'I absolutely love Sydney. Her clever cardboard crafts and her appreciation of the simple things in life makes her a breath of fresh air. She is a joy to follow on Instagram and this book packed full of smart yet easy-to-follow ideas will be the saviour of many rainy parenting days - being kind to the planet at the same time.'
Cerrie Burnell, actor and author of <i>I Am Not a Label</i>
'A beautifully sustainable and simple book celebrating childhood through earth friendly, achievable crafts. An ode to the joy of slow-living.'
Laura Brand, author of <i>The Joy Journal</i>
'Sydney's aesthetic is calming, charming and her cardboard crafting is like no other. Whether parents seek to create an intricate dolls house, a complex SLR camera, or fun kitchen utensils, board games or costumes with reusable materials around your home (Witches Hats never looked so good), she is my go-to for inspiration.'
Grace Timothy, author of <i>Lost in Motherhood</i>
'Sydney inspires the kind of adventures that are hidden in your house, and a kindness to ourselves as parents. Her creations are so genius and yet so simple to recreate - she is a genuine star! I absolutely love to see what she's come up with and the joy it spreads across the internet.'
Tess Newall, decorative artist and set designer
'Sydney's crafts have a low-fi charm that make them accessible to all parents yet completely enchanting for all children.'
Emily Ehlers, illustrator and author of <i>Hope is a Verb</i>
'These crafts are so much more than the sum of their parts. Of course, they're fabulous examples of resourcefulness, creativity, and sustainable choices but, beyond that, they teach kids - and adults - to look at "stuff" differently. Where some would just see trash, these crafts teach them to envision the treasure they could become.'
Sarah Tomczak
You'll never look at a cardboard box the same way again! From princess crowns to puppet theatres, tambourines to washing machines - and yes, even the kitchen sink - there's nothing Sydney can't make from a humble box. A book crammed with creativity and clever ideas, it's proof you need very little to fire up your imagination. Best of all, every one of these 'toys' can be recycled too.