When I had my second baby, one thing that helped my daughter (then just barely two) was to be able to mimic the things I was doing so she could feel like she was "helping." I still have awesome pictures of her little dolls in diapers tha…
If you're looking for a fun Halloween gift for a child that sidesteps the cavity quotient, I think this black cat push toy is just adorable. Or, as the toymaker calls it, the "Scaredy Cat - Not Scary Cat Push Toy." Important distinction.…
When I was young, I loved playing house. Tea parties and market shopping were two of my favorite things. I had no idea I was practicing chores I would have to do the rest of my life. Aaaaanyway, felt food is always such a fantastic child…
Okay, reclaimed wool bunny with your little fair aisle ears, you are super cute. You and your little frog friend, and that's all I have to say about that. I wish you weren't quite so expensive, but (sigh) I do understand that you're fair…
While most toy companies start basic and work outward from there, I think it's really interesting that CMP fave (and pretty much every kids boutique's fave), Blabla Kids , has evolved from their quirky and sometimes irreverent line of fa…
I am trying to find a gift for my one year old niece and I can't figure anything out. I don't want to do clothes and plastic toys. I'd like something commemorative - but what? -Grace If your niece's grandparents are like my kids' grandpa…
Designer Cath Young says her label Chunky Chooky is dedicated to "cool things for small people," but I'd argue you don't have to be particularly small to relish her adorable softies--creatures, rattles, and so-called wabbits fashioned fr…
If your kids are like my kids, then it doesn't matter what the toys were intended for, they all still end up in their mouths. Hence my appreciation for the new sets of pretending and teething toys from Little Alouette . Hand carved from …
There are a lot of me-too etsy type online marketplaces cropping up these days, though most of them fall a little (or a lot) flat on execution. But 1000 Markets ? So awesome I don't even know where to begin. 1000 Markets is beautiful, it…
The only thing more impressive to us than an adorable handmade stuffed animal is one with an awesome do-gooding backstory. Like the one behind Kathy Chereck's "critters" at the shop Ashley Petite . When Kathy Chereck lost her grandson, N…
We love Melissa Conroy's Wooberry dolls. The originals are not only designed from her child's sketches, they're also handmade. And beyond adorable. In a move that touches my writerly heart, the dolls have gone meta and returned to their …
There are few things that scream New England more than the ubiquitous lobster, but since I'm afraid a lobster may actually scream, I have never brought one home to cook for dinner. If you're like me, go a different route and bring home t…
Well it's about time my favorite local Brooklyn toy store, Acorn toys , went digital. Not that I was complaining before, mind you, but now everyone I know can check out the gorgeous selection of handmade toys and other special gifts for …
Nothing like a holiday to make me feel like the harried mom buying last-minute decorations that probably aren't even worth saving for next year. That's just bad for my wallet and bad for the earth. So this Easter, I'm ahead of the game, …
Much as I love to color eggs with my kids, there are only so many hard-boiled eggs one family can eat. And while the plastic eggs aren't perishable, they aren't particularly attractive or earth-friendly either. These felted Easter eggs f…
I'm what you would call a dog person. How could I not be when it comes to these adorable plush sausage dogs over at British etsy shop alice apple ? These amazing stuffed animals, with their funky, retro fabrics, will stand out amongst an…
Babies these days have expensive taste. They've got designer shoes before they can walk in them and name brand clothes before they're able to put them on themselves. But while they might not be quite off the boob and onto unagi just yet,…
We're so sad to get word this week that two of our favorite web shops are shutting their doors. On the upside: Deep discounts for you. Brittain's Betty Joy , one of our favorite stops for fun little handmade gifties is selling all of the…
It sort of pains me that my kids will probably not grow up to the zipping of the sweater and the tossing of the shoes that made Mr. Rogers so endearing. But thanks to reruns, CD compilations, and toys, like these awesome wooden blocks fr…
With three kids, I've got to have toys up my sleeve any time we head out or risk the consequences--or better, bring along a fabulous Discovery Tote from Helicopter Studios . Artist and mom Shannon Duffy originally created these imaginati…
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 m…
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, fro…
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 c…
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 vari…