May Palacpac, Storyteller

There are several things that I love about the story of Mug with a Hoop and you’ll find it out as you continue to read on.

I recently corresponded with Celia of MAX’IS Creations and even had the chance to send a couple of their Mug with a Hoop products to family in Katy, Texas, and I learned a bit about the heart and history behind these wonderfully designed sports – themed mugs.

Mug with a Hoop Designs

But first, what is Mug with a Hoop? It comes in six fun, sporty designs: Basketball (the original and most iconic), Golf, Softball, Baseball, Hockey, and Soccer. Each mug features its own little goal, glove, or target built right into the handle area – yup, really!

They’re more than just mugs. They’re creative, playful pieces that give you full permission to literally play with your food. You can sip, shoot, toss, or flick through the hoops or towards the nets or gloves as much as you can.

But wait! I know that if you’re a bit conservative, the idea of playing with food might not sit well with you, but hear me out first.

The Story of Max and his little clay mug

Mug with a Hoop was created by an 8-year-old boy named Max. Diagnosed with dyslexia at just five years old, Max’s parents – Ron and Jennifer Ash – worried, like any parent would, about what his future might look like living with a learning difference. But three years later, Max came home from school and showed them something remarkable.

As part of a class project, he had sculpted a small mug with a hoop out of clay. When he proudly brought it home, his parents saw more than just a craft, they saw the spark of an idea and the creative way Max’s mind worked. They realized that dyslexia wasn’t a limitation for him. It was simply a different way of learning, processing, and expressing; and in Max’s case, inventing.

Ron and Jennifer encouraged Max to pursue his idea, and with their help and guidance, Max has turned his little clay invention into a thriving business.

Max may not be a homeschooler, but homeschoolers will immediately understand this part: the hands-on process of creating and running a business can teach more than any textbook ever could. And for Max and his family, this journey has taught them far more than they ever expected, lessons you won’t always learn in a traditional classroom.

Anyway, why am I telling you this?

Different wiring, different creativity, big possibilities

Because the topic of children with learning differences is very close to my heart because of a son of mine.

When you have a child with a learning difference, you need to also understand the way they function. A cliché goes, “..they are not less, just different” but you know, nothing could be truer than that statement.

If you are leaning towards the conventional mindset, there is a tendency to miss the potential of a child with a learning difference and dismiss him as simply less. That’s why I truly applaud Ron and Jennifer for embracing a more progressive perspective and recognizing the possibilities in their son’s invention.

And also because I advocate for learning that happens outside the four walls of the classroom. In fact, I have featured many radical learners, not necessarily learners with learning disabilities, who themselves have either launched their own businesses or have pursued their dreams at very young ages.

You can use Mug with a Hoop for different food

As for the playing during meals, well, don’t you sometimes find yourself in deep thought while you’re eating? I have! Like when I’m trying to figure out a solution for a situation I ran into, or when I’m in the process of creating something, often times, it helps that I’m moving.

I learned, too, that my nephew, who’s 19 years old, loved the design when he first saw the mugs, so I reckon that it’s easily liked by boys. But it doesn’t mean that girls cannot enjoy them, as well.

The designs are super fun and you can use it for so many types of food! You can use it drinking hot cocoa. You can shoot the marshmallows through the hoops or the goals while waiting for the chocolate to cool down a little. You can use it for eating your favourite ice cream flavours, or when you take cereals in the morning.

You can also use it as a center piece for your table or a candy vessel for your side table when you have guests coming over. They can also be great as conversation pieces.

Actually, these mugs are big enough for just about anything. And since we’re Filipinos, my niece used it for eating her Tinola for dinner and noodles the next day. They also used it for Chicken Sopas that evening. It can be a mug but it can also be used as a bowl.

And even if you’re not playing with your food, if you’re anything like me, just having a fun and creative vessel for your food helps break the monotony of the day and spark some creative juices in you.

Where to buy Mug with a Hoop

You can purchase Mug with a Hoop straight from MAX’IS Creations website at 15% OFF by clicking this link.

If you’re from the Philippines, it may be more convenient for you to order it from Amazon.

You can get them for yourselves, or give it as a gift to someone.

Just a little disclaimer, because I believe in the heart behind Mug with a Hoop, I have registered as an affiliate, and by doing so, I will receive a small commission for every product you purchase using my link or my code if you order directly from MAX’IS Creations’ official website.

And just so you know, one of the advocacies of MAX’IS Creations is “to raise awareness for kids who think and learn differently and actively supports organizations that empower kids who learn differently.”

By purchasing Mug with a Hoop, you have a chance to participate in this advocacy and extend a little encouragement to kids who learn differently. It’s a simple way to say that their ideas matter. It’s a small purchase with a meaningful impact – one that supports both a great product and a beautiful cause.