When I was a kid, Halloween meant dressing up from clothing and items we used daily. There were no special Halloween costume purchases - and I never got how kids could wear those plastic masks with tiny slits for eyes and breathing holes anyway! When I was too small to choose a costume, I was a gypsy with my mom’s bandanas and chunky jewelry. When I was Madonna, I wore my blackest shirt and skirt, and many many many rubber bracelets (this was the “Lucky Star” era, people).
What bothers me a lot about Halloween is how much money people spend on outfits that are uncomfortable, and can really only be worn once. That’s why I love these play silks and silk capes from Magic Cabin. We have some of the seasonal play silks, and they’re just an amazing addition to our home. At 36″, they’re big enough to be worn by both kids both big and small (and moms and dads, too)! We also use them for doll dress-up, doll bedding, puppets…we use them a lot. Try them for this Halloween and many more to come! Magic Cabin also has many more themed silk and cotton costumes and other Halloween related items, so check them out before the big day!
I’m always on the lookout for funky, open-ended play toys and games for my girls, but I’ve been in a bit of a rut lately. We’ve been heavy on art supplies, and the toys I shipped from the States don’t seem to cut it. Lucky me when my friend told me about Kapla Blocks.
“Kapla” is short for the phrase “Kabouter Plankjes,” which means “pixie planks” in Dutch, and that’s exactly what you get with each set of Kapla Blocks. Made from renewable forests in France, Kapla Blocks are non-toxic, free of magnets, with no little screws or tiny extra pieces to worry you. They come in seven different colors, and include directions and lesson plans based on a child’s building abilities. You can also download different projects as your kids get more advanced (or, as you get more and more hooked!)
What other toys or games are your kids hooked on these days? I’m getting a suitcase ready to bring back to Panama with us, and I’d love your ideas!
If it’s true that all kids love playing with cardboard boxes as much as the toys that come in them, than this project is the ultimate. The FYS (Finish Your Self) 2007 chair by David Graas employs your kids to make their own chair - from the corrugated recycled cardboard it ships in! Pop out the already scored pieces and assemble. No glue, stapling, or other assembly-hindering trick applies. Then, viola! Time to sit and admire your handiwork - literally! A great way to spend time with your kids to make a finished product that can actually be used by them!
What kid doesn’t like funky bugs in the bath? Ok, figuratively, but you know what I mean. My girls love bath goodies that bubble, fizz, change the water colors, anything that makes the bath even more enjoyable. Flower Peddler, a wonderful shop full of natural and vegan bath and body products for ages zero-you, makes these adorable “Garden Bugz” Bath Bombs for kids. Choose from a ladybug or bumblebee bomb, in three yummy scents. Made with natural ingredients like almond oil and witch hazel, these little buggers will soften your kid’s skin in total buggy secrecy. And don’t forget to take care of yourself too, with mommy body scrubs and polishes (comes HIGHLY recommended).
This week, win a Garden Bugz Bath Bomb for your little bug…Flower Peddler is giving away one bath bomb of your choice! We’re trying something different this week . . . please take a minute to check out Flower Peddler and answer this question with your entry - What are one of the Garden Bugz bath bomb scents (there are three to choose from!) Leave your answer by Thursday at midnight, PST, and you your kids could soon be soaking in fun fizziness! Good luck!
Congrats to mama4jc, who chose Goofy Green Apple for her Bath Bomb!
Your kids may not eat their veggies, but they’ll be all over Celery Furniture. And no wonder. Their Lullaboo Rocking Pony requires minimal assembly and has NO metal hardware. Made from bamboo (celery/bamboo = large stalks that grow fast, get it?) and/or formaldehyde-free medium density fiberboard, and with low or no-VOC paint, this is a fun and funky addition to your playroom. It also comes in six colors, so you can find the exact match for your little celery stalk. Taking turns will be tough, believe me. And for moms and dads, check out their super-gigantic sized rocker!
Available at 2modern.
The Moroccan husband and wife team known as Zid Zid has been written about for their eclectic and stunning children’s furniture and accessories. I stumbled across these equally intricate animal masks by Zid Zid, that happen to be crafted from recycled cardboard. And I say ‘crafted’ because, goodness, they look like they were made by hand just for your child. The price can’t be beat, too, especially because if I tried to make this, I would spend way more on art classes to get it to look that amazing. A perfect gift for an animal loving/crazy imagination/dresser upper/head in the clouds kid. Like yours.
Available at Spunky Sprout.
Remember not so long ago when you couldn’t find a PVC-free or natural baby toy without having to travel to some country store where everything was homemade (think the yuppies in Baby Boom. Wait, did I just call myself..?) Anyway, LaLa Natural is graciously providing a beautiful Sage Creek natural maple rattle for our giveaway this week. A perfect gift for newborns, the soft bell is way easier on the ears than squeaky ducks or other less-than-appealing yet-completely-implanted-in-your-head sounds you deal with daily. Plus, it’s easy to keep clean and won’t morph into something else after being drooled and bitten up for a few months. Basically, it’s awesome.
Giveaway rules are the same…leave one comment by Thursday at midnight, PST. Be sure to leave an email address where I can find you! And check out LaLa Natural as well. It’s a wonderful go-to place for all things natural for babies, including hard to find items like woolen crib pads (better for breathing), all things hemp, and a great selection of cloth diapers.
This giveaway is now closed.
Does Bilibo live at your house? It’s probably the most played with toy in our home. Sit in it, stand on it, use it as a bowl, eye-spy gadget, or magic fairyland ride…all in one piece of a 100% recyclable simple shell. Now, Bilibo has a little brother (or sister, depending on color, I guess!). Meet Bilibo mini, our new favorite sand scooper, water carrier, bear bed, M&M’s bowl…as versatile and imaginative as the big version. We’re bringing ours to the beach tomorrow! Comes in a two pack for maximum Bili-fun!
Available nationwide, including Fat Brain Toys.
Who isn’t on the lookout for that perfect first vintage-y looking toy for a new baby? You picture them playing with it, and then when they finally do, you’re either afraid it will break so it collects dust…or, it does break and ends up in the black-hole-toy-bin…
Pastel Toys gives you fantastic quality with a modern yet classic design. They are totally kid friendly, and you’ll actually like they way they look around your house! Pastel toys are handmade in Israel, on a self-sustaining kibbutz (neighborhood) created especially for disabled people. Designed and built the ‘old-fashioned’ way (by hand!), when you buy Pastel Toys, you help the residents to be productive, confident individuals. We love how this walker comes with blocks - use the blocks, pile the dolls or cars or small animals or playfood, in the cart, practice walking skills…it’s like three toys in one! They also make cars, animals on wheels, baby carriages - all non-toxic, from recycled MDF, and hand made…
Pastel Toys can be found wholesale through Lalinka and retail at The Silly Wagon.
I just found these and had to post…Readymechs are free, printable, awesome little funky paper sculptures for your kids (ok, and moms and dads too, we were hooked after just one). Pop in your favorite post-consumer recyclable paper, get your double-sided tape ready, and hit ‘Print’! There are monsters, spaceships, pirates…you could have a family of these and use them for your kid’s latest movie tie-in obsessions. Did we mention free?
