Did you know we have a rapidly expanding children's section? We pride ourselves on sourcing kid stuff that encourages creativity and playfulness. We're also making an effort to bring you toys and other play things that are made in the US, through fair trade, or otherwise created responsibly.
1. Bath Buddy Light Up & Play, $8 each
These little guys are water activated to light up and sing. Plus, they're pretty darned cute.
2. notNeutral Wooden Blocks, $38/set
At first we weren't sure if kids still played with toys as simple as this wooden blocks/puzzle set. But it turns out this classic toy still has it--over the past few months, kids from three to eight or so have entertained themselves with it while their parents shopped. Our favorite part? It's made right here in the USA.
3. Beanbag Book Ends, $16 each
What better way to corral your favorite kiddo's Dr. Seusses? We also like these as door stops, especially when an ajar door is crucial at bedtime. Also available in cat and dog models.
4. City Food, $27
This hand-knit assortment works for everything from teething to pretend-play. They're handmade by artisans who are paid a living wage in accordance with fair trade practices. We also have love the hand-knit donuts ($35) and cupcakes ($32), as well as the rattles detailed in the $10-and-under post.
5. Great American Homes and Gardens ($39.95)
Perfect for your favorite budding architect or designer, these remarkable pop-up book details the architectural flourishes of homes such as the Biltmore and Monticello.
6. i golfini della nonna stuffed animals, $48 - $70 each
These were one of the first children's items we ever ordered, because how could they not? They're insanely adorable. These hand-knit alpaca wool animals are also made by artisans making a fair wage. i golfini della nonna makes some pretty darling classic animals, but our favorites are the funky not-usually-found-in-stuffed-animal form variety, like the ostrich and T. Rex ($58 each).
7. Mr. Bump, (et. al.) products, $3 - $5
The drugstore meets super cuteness in these British band-aids (plasters), tissue packs, and wet wipes. We like 'em as stocking stuffers for your own Mr. (or Ms.) Messy.
8. Potting Shed Creations' Classic Children's Stories seed kits ($12 and $25 each)
I love how these organic seed kits connect your childrens' favorite stories with the physical act of planting and tending a garden. The smaller kits (for The Princess and the Pea, Jack and the Beanstalk, and Cinderella) are $12; Stone Soup costs $25.
9. Links Melamine Snack Set, $25
One of my favorite little girls just turned five, and to celebrate she got to pick out something from the Frank & Margaret kids' section. After some deliberation she chose this snack set. I was a little worried she would have buyer's remorse about not having selected a stuffed animal, but her mom tells me she's always asking for something to drink in her "little green cup." We should all have a little green cup of our own, don't you think?
10. Who Needs Donuts? ($16.95) & Donut Asortment ($35)
Mark Alan Stamaty's book answers the question, "Who needs donuts when you have love?" with pages and pages of detailed line drawings. A perfect accompaniment are these hand-knit donuts from Yellow Label Kids.
11. Animal Nesting Dolls, $25
We may or may not have been endlessly playing with these wooden nesting dolls. Maybe...maybe not.
12. A Monster Called Wayne ($34.95) & A Monster Called Colin ($39.95)
Two of our favorite monsters. My personal favorite is Wayne ("Wayne regards himself as a good listener, but his attention is known to wander"). But I'm a sucker for Colin's hoodie (with removable hands & hood). Just so you know, "Colin divides his time between playing video games and fretting about his future." Sounds like someone you know, right? We thought so.
13. Art-To-Go Kit ($12) & Big Pencils for Small Hands ($8)
This little art kit is both precious and complete, with oil pastels, water colors, markers, and colored pencils. And then there's these colored pencil sets, perfectly sized for little hands.
