Colorforms have been bringing smiles to children’s faces since 1951 with their innovative, interactive stick-on playsets that let kids’ imaginations run wild.
Colorforms have been a classic American toy brand sparking creativity and imagination in children since 1951. The company was founded by Harry Kislevitz, who invented the first Colorforms – multi-colored shapes that cling to a shiny surface. These reusable vinyl pieces allowed kids to make scenes, tell stories and express creativity by sticking them on formatted playboards. The original simple geometric Colorforms were an instant success and the brand expanded into shaped characters, vehicles, places and licensed themes over the years.
While toys have become more high-tech, Colorforms remain a hands-on analog experience that encourages open-ended play. The brand believes creative, child-led play is key for developing young minds. Colorforms require no batteries, rules or screens. Kids simply use the cling shapes to invent unique stories and scenarios every time. This fosters cognitive, social-emotional and motor skills. The simple yet engaging format appeals to preschoolers up through elementary ages.
Today, Colorforms offers a variety of formats beyond the classic playboards to inspire creativity. Their products include activity books, arts and crafts kits, stationery, puzzles, posters and more featuring the iconic cling pieces. The brand has also moved into digital play, with an app that brings Colorforms creation to tablets and phones. Colorforms continue to be made in the USA, maintaining strict quality and safety standards.
While Colorforms have evolved with the times, their core mission remains the same – to inspire open-ended creativity through hands-on play. More than 70 years after their invention, these classic cling shapes allow endless imagination and storytelling that engages kids of all ages.
The open-ended format allows kids to constantly reinvent scenes, stories and gameplay. With just simple vinyl cling shapes, the possibilities are endless each time a child plays. This promotes cognitive development, problem solving and motor skills.
Colorforms require no batteries, screens or adult instruction. Kids are fully in charge of the experience, encouraging independence and confidence. Grown-up input can enrich play, but is not necessary.
With basic shapes and figures, Colorforms engage kids of all ages and abilities. Preschoolers enjoy sticking the pieces, while older kids incorporate more complex narratives. The format adapts to each child’s developmental stage.
In a digital world, Colorforms stand out as a hands-on toy that exercises creativity and motor skills. The tactile experience and freedom from screens provide important balance for developing minds.
While play is the focus, Colorforms builds skills from fine motor control to perspective taking. Teachers also use them to teach subjects across the curriculum. The toys cleverly develop key capacities through pure fun.
Made in the USA with stringent standards, Colorforms are built to last through endless play. Their durability, safety and play value make them a toy that can be passed down through generations.
Colorforms are reusable vinyl cling shapes and characters that stick to formatted plastic playboards, allowing children to create scenes, tell stories and express creativity through hands-on play. The colored pieces cling with static, so they can be stuck and restuck without losing adhesion.
Colorforms have no rules - kids simply use the shapes and characters to make up unique stories, games and designs every time they play. Creativity and imagination drive the experience as children place the cling pieces on backgrounds in countless combinations.
Open-ended play with Colorforms promotes cognitive, social-emotional, motor and language development. Kids engage in storytelling and imaginative play. Fine motor skills improve through handling the cling pieces. Eye-hand coordination develops as children precisely place the shapes.
Colorforms are engaging developmental toys for children ages 3 and up. Simple sets work for preschoolers, while older kids incorporate more complex narratives. Adults often enjoy them too for creative expression and nostalgia!
Teachers use Colorforms across the curriculum to teach skills from counting to perspective-taking. Assigning specific sets for lessons reinforces concepts. Open play improves critical capacities. And education arises naturally from the creative, child-led experience.
Allowing pure imaginative play, Colorforms build key developmental domains:
Colorforms stand out by sparking creativity with simple, open-ended sets. Kids control the play experience through their own ideas and interests. This child-led, unstructured format nurtures key developmental capacities.
The colorful shapes are made of flexible vinyl that clings to the formatted plastic playboards through static adhesion. This allows the pieces to stick securely while being easily repositioned. The cling vinyl is durable, kid-safe and impressively maintains stickiness through repeated use.
Colorforms can be found at major retailers, specialty toy stores and online marketplaces globally. They are also available directly through the official Colorforms website. Vintage sets are popular collector's items.
Make up stories together, encourage imaginative play, ask open-ended questions and let your child take the lead. Allowing freeform creation with minimal adult direction maximizes the inventive benefits. Focus on fun and engage your own creativity too!
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