Crafting a Purposeful Mandala

Welcome to the wonderful world of Grapat! This whimsical brand is crafted with care in the Catalonia region of Spain. Open-ended play, creative thinking and sustainability are at the forefront of their designs.

Today our friend Liz Burleigh talks to us about why she loves Grapat and gives us some tricks & tips on creating beautiful mandalas using their bright and bold loose parts.

open ended play with Grapat mandala loose parts

Open Ended Toys For All Ages

The amazing art of mandala making dates back centuries. This mindful practice is a wonderful way for children and adults to slow down, stretch their creative muscle and practice fine motor skills. Try these tips to get started!

Choose a color scheme and take inventory of the pieces you have to use
Pick a strong central piece to start your mandala and work your way outwards
Use materials you have fewer of on the earlier levels and materials you have more of in the outer rings
Take it slow. The pieces are small and can be hard to manipulate. Younger builders should start with more simple designs to avoid frustration.
On each ring of the mandala, choose one or two elements and repeat that pattern around the full circle, keeping everything as symmetrical as possible
Get creative. Why symmetry is a large part of mandala making, don't be afraid to think outside of the box and add your own perspective

"It’s definitely a meditative and stress-relieving activity for me, so I generally just let it flow. And that is the big reason I personally, as an adult, love to use them. It gives my hands something to do that is creative, easy to clean up, and fun," says Liz.

"I love loose parts for the kids for SO many reasons. I am amazed at the things they come up with and ways they find to use toys like Grapat. The line ignites creativity because of its simplicity."

"As time has gone on, I’ve seen how loose parts play has helped open my kids’ minds, prompting them to look at things from a different perspective. They can see the parts and the whole, and how that can be rearranged to create something new. To sum it up - loose parts play helps them see how to use small, simple things to create much larger, more complex imaginary worlds and imagery. And that is incredible to watch."

Open Ended Toys For All Ages

Dip a toe into this colorful world and you won't look back! Check out some of our favorite Grapat toys and visit us on social media to see them in action.