The best nest for your toy chest

I spent so long reading the instructions on a card game yesterday that I finally gave up and took my kids to the playground, where they invented a game that involved dumping sand on each others' heads. This morning's bath was grittier th…

The best nest for your toy chest
I spent so long reading the instructions on a card game yesterday that I finally gave up and took my kids to the playground, where they invented a game that involved dumping sand on each others' heads. This morning's bath was grittier than Paula Deen, but I was reminded that sometimes the best toys don't need an instruction manual.

Our friends at Natural Pod have a sweet new toy for spring that runs on pure imagination and would be perfect in an Easter basket. It's called simply: Birds Nest.

A cute little bird's nest of reclaimed wood holds three darling eggs nestled in natural fiber bedding.  Every piece is unique,  hand-turned on a lathe and hand-rubbed with mineral oil, making it the Kobe Beef of toys. It's pretty enough to sit on your shelf, and best of all, it requires no batteries, no birdseed, and no instructions.

And what will your little sprites play with such a simple but elegant toy and a verdant imagination? Who knows. They look like bird eggs, but there could always be turtles or dinosaurs in there. Or, at my house, sand fairies.~Delilah

In honor of the third anniversary of our friends at Natural Pod
, take 15% off everything in the shop including a great selection of handamde and natural toys. Use code "springbirthday10" through 3/21/10.

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…