We've all got play dough connoisseurs for children at Cool Mom Picks, so I know that a few of the organic versions I've had a chance to try out recently have some tough standards to live up to. Past pick Eco-Dough so far is the benchmark, with great texture, vibrant colors, a new and improved formula, and some really gorgeous packaging.
The very cute box is s ready-packaged for gift giving with a kid-sized rolling pin, a sweet organic apron, and some wooden shapes called "stampers" (although they might better suited to their own craft projects than stamping anything). You actually get a ton of dough in here, so ration it out just a little bit at a time unless you like scraping it all off the floor all at a time. Find More: Organics, Toys and Other Playthings
We've been blown away by the awesome entries to the Shutterfly contest so far. We love seeing your families and your amazing books - so keep them coming! You have until tomorrow night to share your own book and win a bunch of great prizes - seriously, did you see the goodies they're giving away? Find More: Helpful Services, Websites
Right now, we're thinking about family, food, fall...and turkey. Here's some stuff we liked reading this week, and maybe you will too.Find More: Link Roundups
I've become a strong advocate of paper dolls since realizing that my girls can spend hours entertaining themselves with them. The only issue? That whole paper thing. Let's just say freak decapitations are are not an uncommon occurrence. So when I saw the book of cardboard paper dolls called Totem Figurines from the Dutch company Kidsonroof, I knew they were genius. Find More: Toys and Other Playthings
Next week is Thanksgiving, and if you're like my family, that means lots of little kids around. The cousins are all getting to the age where they can entertain themselves (hallelujah!) which means we're stocking up on craft supplies and games.
Or as my daughter calls it, the craven. The illustrated board is just lovely, as are the small pieces of wooden fruit that you collect in wooden baskets. It's got a 3+ age reco because of the size of the fruit, but my 2 1/2 year old is just fine with it. You know your own kid best. Find More: Toys and Other Playthings
It's no secret that mail is cool. I'll bet I'm not the only person who still gets a little flutter of excitement when I come home to see envelopes poking out the top of my mailbox. In fact, I know I'm not the only person because my daughter usually races me to the porch to see what's there.
Find More: Toys and Other Playthings
If you're looking to knock off a half-dozen of teacher gifts or cousin gifts or classmate gifts in one fell swoop, I love the idea of the holiday ornament kit from CMP fave, Thomas Claire. Find More: Holiday Picks, Tweens + Big Kids
With my family spread out around the country, my husband, kids and I often spend the holidays alone, which means I don't have the greatest excuse to buy my children fancy holiday-best clothes. So instead, I tend to look for festive clothes for the holidays that still work the other 364 days out of the year.Find More: Baby Clothes, Cool Clothes for Boys, Holiday Picks, Kids Clothing
Especially this time a year, we love opportunities to get our kids, even the really little ones, into the idea of doing nice things for other people. So we were glad to discover that November 21st is officially National Family Volunteer Day which gives us a good excuse to get on that whole charity thing. Find More: Causes and General Do-Gooding, Free or close to it, Websites
Considering my youngest is getting all her molars and eye teeth in
at the same time (no kidding), the super smart Ringley teether, a mom-invented natural wood and organic terry cloth teething toy, is in regular rotation around my place. But now the Ringley teether family has expanded, with two very cool new products that are perfect for sore gums and budding teeth.
The Ringley Ball is also just as great, but gives your kid a bit more entertainment than a couple of knots. Get 15% off your purchase with code CoolMom09
Find More: Toys and Other Playthings