Design can be as playful as it is functional. For kids as well as the kid in all of us, here’s six ways to fill the playroom with fun and design.

1. Eames Elephant, Charles & Ray Eames – Fascinating to the Eameses, elephants popped up in Charles’ photos of circus life. Designed as molded plywood toys but never produced, the enchanting Eames Elephant comes back to life in durable polypropylene. Available in five colors. Get one at DWR.

2. Magis Puppy, Eero Aarnio – With its minimal, modern shape and detail, Aarnio’s brightly colored Puppy draws the eyes, of children especially, while simultaneously blurring the line between toy and furnishing. Leash one up at Hive Modern.

3. Eames House Blocks – The Eameses moved into Case Study House No. 8 on Christmas Eve, 1949. Now your children can enjoy building their own Eames House with these hand-pulled, screen-printed blocks. (Maybe even on Christmas Eve!) The set includes both the house and studio, comprised of 36 Michigan-grown, basswood blocks. Start building at House Industries.

4. Eames Hang-It-All, Charles & Ray Eames – Like so much of the Eameses work, the Hang-It-All is a beguiling work of art that also possesses great functionality. With its colorful wood knobs and web-like wire lattice base, it will make hanging just about anything from coats and scarves to hats and umbrellas a delight. Hang your hat on one at Herman Miller.

5. Cubebots, David Weeks – At rest, the Cubebot is an unassuming wood block; but awaken one and discover his dynamic profiles and poses. Elastic “muscles” and sustainably harvested cherry wood limbs make him impervious to years of play — the perfect, environmentally conscious, robot companion. Obtain him at Unica Home.

6. Alma Stacking Children’s Chair by Magis – Designed by Javier Mariscal for Magis, this contemporary stacking chair is the perfect height for manning a front-yard lemonade stand, a baby-doll tea service, and more. Produced in rotational-moulded polyethylene for durability with a unique sprouting chairback detail, it’s an attractive, functional addition to any playroom. Stack them up at Emmo Home.

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1. “100 Quotes by Charles Eames” An engaging compendium of quotations from Charles Eames compiled by the Eames Office with Herman Miller to celebrate his centennial year in 2007. Culled from articles, books, films, and more, it’s presented in seven languages, illustrating the global reach of the Herman Miller community. Read up on it at the Eames Gallery.

2. Eames Elephant The original Eames Elephants were designed as toys and constructed from molded plywood. Because of their complexity, the Eameses never put them into production; today, you can enjoy the iconic design produced in polypropylene and available in five colors. Get one at DWR.

3. Eames Lounge Chair Exploded Print Like the exploded sculpture included in the golden anniversary exhibition of the Eames Lounge Chair, this exploded print of the legendary design details its unique construction from veneer to cushions to shock mounts. Get yours at the Eames Gallery.

4. “Convertible, Version One and Two (For Charles Eames),” The Vandermark 5 Two tracks from the album “A Discontinuous Line” by “post bop” jazz group Vandermark 5 are dedicated to Charles Eames himself. Hear them now at Amazon.

5. Eames Molded Plywood Lounge Chair with Wood Base Time Magazine called this chair the best design of the 20th century. Constructed from plywood molded to fit the contours of the human body, it’s available in five veneers and the striking red aniline stain. Get one at Herman Miller.

6. The Films of Charles and Ray Eames Starting in the early 1950s, the Eameses created over 85 films covering a broad range of the subjects that fascinated them. The set of six volumes includes “Tops,” “Powers of Ten,” and more. Get it at Amazon.

Bonus: Eames Foundation Membership The Eames Foundation was established in 2004 to preserve and protect the iconic home of Charles and Ray Eames as well as to provide educational experiences that celebrate their legacy. With a foundation membership, you can enjoy the privilege of visiting the Eames House and the reward of helping to ensure its survival for generations to come. Join the foundation today.

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