My Gnome on the Roam Founder Anne Armstrong Fosters Family Togetherness With Her Activity Kit
Azhelle Wade
My Gnome on the Roam Founder Anne Armstrong Fosters Family Togetherness With Her Activity Kit
In recent years, more importance has been placed on family time and togetherness. Before the world caught on to the importance of creating these special moments, Anne Armstrong, the founder of My Gnome on the Roam, decided to create a toy line that would aid in just that.
As an alumna of tToy Creators Academy and a mother, Anne recognized the need for creative family experiences that can be executed easily in gaps of busy family schedules. Anne has successfully merged education and family fun, allowing families to bond and create cherished memories, all in as little as 30 minutes a week. Keep reading to discover how My Gnome on the Roam is revolutionizing family adventures.
From Busy Mom to Toy Creator:
Anne Armstrong's story began as a busy working mom seeking to create meaningful memories with her son. Like many families today, Anne struggled with the constant lack of time and felt a sense of guilt as days turned into months and years.
Determined to create experiences that could turn family fun into cherished memories in a concise timeframe, Anne embarked on a mission to develop a line of products that encourages families to make music, food, visual art, blanket forts, and even science experiments together.
The My Gnome on the Roam® Collection:
My Gnome on the Roam® offers a range of products starting at a retail price of $15. At the heart of the brand is the children's book, 'My Gnome on the Roam®, an award winning book that shares the story of the original gnome, Gustav. He wants to explore the world beyond his picket fence, but needs the help of a child to bring him on adventures. This activity book doubles as a coloring activity.
The accompanying 'Time to Roam' app provides daily inspiration and activities that can be completed in just 15 minutes, nurturing a love for reading, writing, and exploration of a child’s physical world.
One of the standout products from My Gnome on the Roam® is the signature gnome. There’s a boy and girl Gnome available, and they each come in their own little cardboard homes. Children are encouraged to artistically design their own Gnome, personalizing it to reflect their unique personality.
For the true adventure seekers, the brand offers an Adventure and Creativity Kit that includes your own customizable gnome, a lockable suitcase, a copy of My Gnome on the Roam award winning book, a journal filled with blank pages, and a magical wooden pen. Because life is about living stories, this adventure kit includes everything you need to make them, and not just read them!
The success of My Gnome on the Roam® is evident through the numerous accolades and positive reviews the brand has garnered. Renowned parenting expert Dr. Shefali Tsabary, featured on Oprah, has provided expert testimonials, affirming the educational value and impact of the brand. The products have also been recognized with esteemed awards such as Creative Toy of the Year, Travel Toy of the Year, and the Parents' Choice Award.
The 'Time to Roam' app, designed to encourage families to spend less time on screens and more time on adventures, has received acclaim as an "anti-app" by The New York Times. The app's family-oriented features have earned it a 5-star rating from the Educational App Store and the title of Family App of the Year. Additionally, My Gnome on the Roam® has been featured in prominent publications like USA Today, CNN Underscored, Yahoo, MSN, Sierra, Treehugger, and BuzzFeed, further solidifying its reputation as a trailblazer in the toy industry.
Anne Armstrong launched My Gnome On The Roam in 2015 out of Nashville, TN. The founder has taught gifted and talented students as a public middle school teacher of 20 years.
“As a busy working mom, I wanted to create more meaningful, creative experiences with my son but struggled with what many families do these days … not enough time. I was constantly feeling guilty as the days and weeks turned to months and years, so I created a line of products to meet the needs of both education and family fun in under 30 minutes a week.” — Anne Armstrong
Beyond her accomplishments with My Gnome on the Roam®, Anne's expertise and dedication were expanded and built up in the Toy Creators Academy program. Anne once shared that the Toy Creators Academy program is “like a Masters degree” due to how detailed and informative it is about the toy industry.
Anne’s extraordinary creation, My Gnome on the Roam®, have brought a renewed sense of value to family time and creativity. With just 30 minutes a week, families can embark on enchanting adventures, bonding over educational toys and experiences. The accolades and testimonials from happy customers, and awards received speak volumes about the impact of Anne's work.
My Gnome on the Roam® reminds us of the importance of quality time with our family and fostering imagination and curiosity during playtime. Anne’s legacy continues to inspire families worldwide, as they embrace the joy of learning, storytelling, and personalized adventures.
By cherishing these fleeting moments and cultivating a love for exploration, My Gnome on the Roam® creates a lasting impact, one memory at a time.