by Cool Mom Team | Toys + Playthings
I love peeking across the ocean via the www to see what our European friends are doing as far as kids and design. Occasionally there’s some wacky baby tee featuring a wolf riding a unicycle with a pig on his head or something, but generally we’re in love...
by Cool Mom Team | Toys + Playthings
I wish I were one of those crafty types who could look at an old sweater and see more than a Goodwill deduction. If you’re Viola Hale of Viola Studio, you imagine adorable stuffed animals including elephants, puppies, pigs, and even a moose made out of cuddly...
by Betsy | Toys + Playthings, Valentine's Day
Growing up, no Valentine’s Day was complete without a bagful of Be Mine and Hug Me heart candies. Sure they were cute, but let’s be honest: they tasted like chewable antacids. Conversation Heart Rattles from Yellow Label Kids are a much more tasteful way...
by Cool Mom Team | Toys + Playthings
Okay, we’ll stop soon with all the Obama keepsakes. But we’d be remiss if we didn’t share with you this very cool President Obama Air Force One wooden toy plane that we just discovered at Wooden Toddler Toys. It’s US-made, of course, from safe...
by Cool Mom Team | Toys + Playthings
Leave it to the darn CPSIA to help us discover a ton of wonderful artisans thinking about calling it quits on February 10th thanks to the new toy testing regulations.Such is the case for Kristen Dirmeier, musician and artist, who hand creates the most adorable stuffed...
by Cool Mom Team | Toys + Playthings
How to Build an A is about the most fun you can have with an alphabet book. Because, just as author Sara Midda’s title says, kids can actually devote their time to creating letters out of the enclosed EVA foam pieces and not just reading about them....
by Cool Mom Team | Toys + Playthings
Soft books are so great for little kids, but the content generally leaves much to be desired. I’m not even kidding: we have one where the entire book is like, Good night bunny, good night puppy, good night kitty. The end. You can imagine how psyched I am to read...
by Cool Mom Team | Toys + Playthings
The picture that comes to mind when I hear “doll” and “completely recycled materials” together in one sentence has never quite looked like the spectacular looking Binky Buddies recycled dolls from Hasenpfeffer Incorporated. Using a variety of...
by Mir | Toys + Playthings
After a busy time fraught with lots of be-booping electronics, rushing to and fro, and various shiny things, there’s really no substitute for a bit of Zen. While you’re decompressing, consider turning to the ingenious Buddha Board, spotted at Landbridge...
by Cool Mom Team | Toys + Playthings
The Yo! Gabba Gabba infatuation has reached a fevered pitch in my household, as my 19 month-old can now say “DJ Lance Rock” better than she can say Grandma. Which is no slight to Grandma. In fact, Grandma was cool enough to devote the better part of the...
by Cool Mom Team | Toys + Playthings
Babies look cute in hats with bear ears. They just do. That’s the rule. But the truth is, babies also look cute in hats with Joop ears, Balob ears and Tada ears. And if you have any idea what I’m talking about you’re evidently familiar with the brand...
by Cool Mom Team | Toys + Playthings
With the last shopping weekend before Christmas and Hanukkah, we’re down to the wire. To save you from the dreaded rush shipping costs, we’ve asked our editors, contributors and some of our favorite savvy shoppers around the web to offer up their...