Kids

Nice unit blocks

Nice unit blocks
We have our fair share of toys that beep, blink or speak, but one of my son's favorites are his no-battery-required wooden unit blocks from City & Country School. Now available through the cool Kid O website, these 100% European Beech blocks don't just become a road for his cars or a gravity-defying skyscraper; they are also tools that teach him basic geometry, physics, creativity and, of course, patience when his two sisters step in to play.
 
I love that City & Country has developed a three-step system for introducing unit blocks to kids as young as one, that start with the basics and move onto different shapes and colors. By the time my little guy is six, I plan to have multiple sets from each of the three steps so that he can build whatever civilization his little heart desires.

Just as long as he promises to pick it all up when he's done. -Christina

Congratulations to Toni A, winner of a set of Unit Blocks!

More in KidsView all picks →

shannon hale princess in black book and author

Q&A with children’s book author Shannon Hale

Shannon Hale is the bestselling author behind The Princess in Black series. It's a favorite early chapter book series for kids ages 5–8 and boys love it as much as girls do. Her newest book, Princess in Black and the Trick or Treating Trouble, comes out just in time for Halloween. We talked with her about it as part of our Q&A author series and asked about a few of her favorite things too.

Explore Build-a-Bear

Some Not-So-Spooky Fun this Halloween

How can Build-A-Bear be used for Halloween costumes? Let kids create a spooky Build-A-Bear sidekick to incorporate into their costume, which can help the costume be enjoyed beyond Halloween.

Q&A with children's author Sophie Blackall

Q&A with children's author Sophie Blackall

Cool Mom Picks readers, we are so excited to launch a new series for you. We are obsessed book lovers over here at the CMP headquarters, and we have a particular soft spot for children's books (even though we're moving our kids into coll…