Getting WACky With Toys

As sunlight streamed in through the 's huge windows overlooking the historic Saugatuck River, and a gentle breeze nudged ripples of waves in the waters below, I sat on the floor with my eight-year old daughter and enjoyed some play time. Yes, this local mom gets mighty cranky when consumed by work and deprived of play. I like to 'play' by creating. I don't mean the writing-stories-for-work kind of creativity, although that is good, too. It's fulfilling in a different way. What I need, and don't get often enough, is to engage in the kind of creating that won't be judged by editors and readers. In fact, there is no judging to be had because it's all done by me, for me.

So, on Sunday afternoon Olivia and I decided to first tackle the robot-making project, which was taking place at the rear of the art gallery. We started out by placing some shiny purple paper around a cylinder-shaped tube. This was the body of our robot. Olivia chose a green bottle top for a nose and a pair of move-able eyes resplendent with tres chic eyelashes for her lady robot's face. Using some sort of colorful plastic strips, we fashioned hair for our gal. Ears--Olivia insisted they be two different sizes because that was more interesting--were also added. As my daughter searched for materials, I was in charge of gluing on the treasures she came back with. I was having a blast because I was absolutely in the moment, getting my hands all messy with glue and sparkles. It felt silly and reckless and, well, fun. 

I've heard it said that having children keeps older people 'young.' I suppose this is because children give us an excuse to act like a kid. We can play and create with complete abandon and with no agenda. And, trust me, the Adult Karen always has an agenda. It's in my nature to organize, plan ahead, make a list and so on. However, what I appreciate about WACky Family Day is the Westport Arts Center lets us grown-ups in the community play and create our art in a way that perhaps we never did as a kid. We get a chance to do it all over again under the pretense of being their for your artistic offspring.

There were some kids around on Sunday afternoon who were obviously adept at playing because they won a toy design contest sponsored by the Westport Arts Center and Melissa and Doug, a popular toy manufacturer based in Fairfield County. Co-owner Melissa Bernstein was on hand to congratulate the winners and provide beautiful donated prizes. She said there were many great entries but she was most impressed by the ones boasting the highest level of creativity. The winners in the six to nine age group were: first place, Vincent Ohe, for "Beasts"; second place, Rachel Zhu, for "Piggy Bank Robit," and third place, Taylor Soyland for "March and Play Music Tiger." In the ten to fourteen year old age group, first place went to Ariel Sarullo for "Wubball"; second place, Francis Ohe, for "Clockword Commandos," and third place, Paige O'Brien for "Coloring Hair Straightener."

Everyone has seen Melissa & Doug's prolific work in toy stores, libraries and just about anywhere that children play. However, I don't know how many people realize the extent that this Westport born-and-raised couple supports the arts. They subsidize concerts, theater programs and art-related activities for children and adults in the community all year-long. At every WACky Family Day, children receive complimentary sketch books, crayons, sticker books and art kits, courtesy of the popular toy company.

Thank you to people like Melissa & Doug and to the folks at the Westport Arts Center for encouraging us all to play and create and feel happy inside. When I take the time to play, especially with my children, I return to my 'work' refreshed and centered and ready to do what needs to get done.