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?

When I was a kid, summer meant sleep-away camp, and camp meant smelly, wet towels, bug juice, and Color War!  The highlight of Color War (aside from screaming our heads off four five days and nights!) was a nighttime competition on the basketball court outside of the Rec Hall.  There were potato sack races, toilet paper wrapping, and of course, Flying Turtle races.  It wasn’t until recently that I rediscovered this wonderful toy.  The Flying Turtle is battery-free, totally self-powered by your kid!  It’s very low to the ground with no sharp edges, so wipe-outs won’t create too many ‘ouchies’.  The back and forth movement teaches balance, stamina, and upper body movement.  And, unlike the name, the Flying Turtle goes fast!  Holding up to 150 pounds, even your older kids can get in on the fun…

You can find the Flying Turtle at various places for about $70, including Growing Tree Toys.