Favorite Things: A Guide to Classic and Cool Toys, Gear, Gadgets, and Other Fun Things for Kids
Finding a beloved childhood toy in an attic, listening to a timeless lullaby, or teaching our children to ride a bike can bring back nostalgic memories. For future generations, here are some of those favorite things, from timeless collectibles, family heirlooms to classics meant to be and just plain cool kid stuff for little ones and parents, and some even come in brown paper packages tied with string.
toys to remember
Since 1789, Holgate Toys has been making fine wooden toys, right here in the US, including the latest edition to its collection of presidential planes, the Barack Obama Air Force One ($18, for ages 18 months and up). Available at www.holgatetoy.com.
The Skuut Wooden Bike ($99, ages 2-5) is the first bike kids will always remember, and with its durable design, it can be passed from child to child as the family grows. With no pedals or training wheels, kids kick off the ground, helping them learn balance, steering, coordination and independence. Available at REI and other retailers at skuut.com.
Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes
Cupcakes & Pastries is a new line of delightfully artistic and stylish dresses for girls designed by a mother and inspired by her two-year-old daughter. Fabrics and details are contemporary and luxurious, yet affordable. ($58-$72, 12 months to eight years). Available at Fred Segal and other retailers at cupcakesandpastries.com.
Schnitzel with noodles
Mealtime for baby has never been so stylish with the Boon Flair High Chair ($229.99, up to 4yrs/50lbs), which combines innovative features with distinctive modern design. The seamless BpA-free/PVC molded plastic seat makes cleaning easy, and the pneumatic pedestal base and gliding wheels allow for effortless height adjustment and positioning, even under tables. Available in Right Start and BabyGAP.
The Baby Dipper Feeding Set features a stay-in-place rubber grip base that makes it easy for toddlers to feed themselves and gives mom a free hand for other tasks. Clear angled sides help mom and baby see when the food is gone. ($9.99, 6 months and up. Order or find retailers at babydipper.com.
I scream, you scream, we all scream for alternatives to sugary treats and kids’ sodas. Now there’s Power Ice, a delicious and healthy frozen snack that helps quench thirst and replace electrolytes with 0 grams of fat and cholesterol and no caffeine, high fructose corn syrup or artificial sweeteners. Lime Kicker and Orange Blast flavors come in packs of three for $1.99. Available in pharmacies and supermarkets nationwide.
swashbuckling pajama party
The Pirate Ship Toddler Bed ($289.99) from Just Kids Stuff is a bed little pirates dream of. Constructed of sturdy wood to last and hand painted. For starters, there’s a matching pirate toy chest ($230). Available at artisticsensations.com
Kids will go overboard with the super terracotta Olive Kids Pirates Toddler Bedset ($69.99), which includes a reversible lightweight cotton comforter, pillowcases, and sheets with a pattern of ships and treasure maps, and four friendly pirates who adorn pillowcases. Add a matching pirate floor pillow ($45.99) that can be personalized with your little pirate’s name. Available at Olivekids.com.
Complete your buccaneer decor with wall prints from Art.com with a variety of pirate-themed prints, like the pirate ship by artist Joelle Dreidemy, framed ($114.99) or unframed ($19.99).
After a day of adventures on the high seas, your little pirate will sleep soundly in Pirate’s Life PJs shorts set ($32.95, sizes 2-14), made with flame-resistant cotton and acrylic, or Pirates Raglan Pajamas ($42.95, sizes 4). – 12) in flame-retardant cotton/acrylic embossed fabric. Both by Sara’s Prints. Available at Sleepyheads.com.
for the ride
For the die-hard kid, the Weplay Push Scooter ($224.44, ages 4-8) is a tough ride built with materials that can take a beating, both from kids and the elements outdoors. Its wide three-wheeled base provides a safe and stable platform to push off and help kids develop balance and scooting skills. Available at MunchkinField.com.
children will be children
Get the kids moving with the Italtrike Outside Series Scooter ($69.99, ages 3-5). A wide non-slip foot platform and convenient foot brake make the scooter safe and easy to use, even for small children. The plastic wheels have rubber rims and no spokes to protect against crushed feet. The powder coat paint on the steel pipe frame won’t chip, so your scooter looks good year after year. Find dealers at Italitrike.com.
When is playwear really play-wear? When paired with tactile tags, appliqués, flaps and pockets to encourage tactile and interactive development, like the TAGGIES Colors Sweet Swirls 100% Cotton 3-Piece Take Me Home Set ($28.00, sizes newborn-12 months) , with a secret friend hidden inside an opening in the jacket. Available at taggies.com.
For the coolest looks for little guys and little misses, Peek Aren’t You Curious stores have the latest trendy styles for baby girls and boys, like the USA Track Jacket in washed 100% cotton ($58, size XS -2/ 3TB XL-10). Locate stores at peekarentyoucurious.com.
Go ahead
For a quick trip to the mall, walk around the block, the comfortable Kokopax Classic Carrier ($149.99, up to 35 pounds) is the perfect backpack for everyday use. With sleek designs on 100% cotton canvas, an adjustable lightweight aluminum frame, shoulder straps, and padded waist support, it looks and feels great. Includes a handy storage pocket and an eco-friendly carry bag. Locate retailers at kokopax.com.
The Sunshine Kids Radian 80 Convertible Car Seat ($249.98, 5 to 80 pounds) grows with your child, with plenty of safety features, including a 5-point harness, side impact protection, and adjustable cushions for older kids. Thanks to its steel frame and narrow seat, you can fit three in a car and it folds flat when not in use. To ensure you get all the safety benefits, use a professional car seat technician, such as Infant Toddler Youth, itysafety.com, to demonstrate the features of the seat and instruct you on future adjustments. Available at Target.
Get organized with Baggino ($149), the 3-in-1 combo diaper changing belt. Ranging from a shoulder bag to a mommy’s tool belt, outfitted with a changing pad, wipes case, and pockets and pouches for all your changing and personal supplies of diapers Available at baggino.com.
in equal parts
When the playdate is over, be sure to get all the goodies it came with with Mabel’s Labels ($12 for 60 labels), stylish, waterproof labels that stick to just about anything and clearly mark your child’s belongings. Available at www.mabelslabels.com.
Music to mom’s ears
For busy moms who don’t have time to download music for exercise or strolling, there’s SanDisk’s slotRadio player ($99), a player preloaded with more than 1,000 Billboard hits from a variety of genres, including a relaxing selection of soft music to lull little ones to sleep using a docking station. Additional cards are $39.99. Available online and at Radio Shack stores.
Plug your iPod or MP3 player into the iH12BR iHome Docking Station ($79.99) to play nursery rhymes or bedside music. The compact cube design features an illuminated digital alarm clock and a remote control to change songs or turn off the player when baby is finally falling asleep. Available at Marshalls/TJX or at ihomeaudio.com.
Tired of nursery rhymes about ducklings and rainbows? Tune in to Ziggy Marley’s Family Time CD ($13) with some great kid-friendly tunes from collaborators mom and dad will love, like Paul Simon, Laurie Berkner, Elizabeth Mitchell, Jack Johnson and Jamie Lee Curtis. Available at ziggymarley.com.
In touch on the go
It’s not a kid’s toy, but the Blackberry Bold 9000 is fun and keeps Mom and Dad connected via phone, email and the Internet, so they can spend quality family time outside of the office without losing touch with work. With a built-in 2 MP camera and a MicroSD slot, you can capture and save lots of family photos, and GPS, Wi-Fi music and news feeds and other great apps, even games, inform and entertain on the go.
Protect your smartphone investment with custom cases from Otterbox ($19.95 to $49.95) that shield curious little hands from dirt, dust, scratches, bumps, drops and other daily mishaps, from the sleek silicone case of the Impact Series to the Defender Series Rugged Case, your device is covered.
