Archive for the ‘toys’ Category

Kabooster: raising kids to new heights

Sunday, February 7th, 2010

After a year of being potty trained, I’m pretty tired of emptying my daughter’s Boon potty receptacle.  Don’t get me wrong, I’ve loved that potty, but she’s older now and it’s time to move up in the world.  It is time for her to grow up and start using the big potty.  I already have the Bumbo potty seat ready and waiting, but how can she reach it?  She needs a real boost to get up to the potty and finally I have found the perfect step stool.  Kabooster offers a high quality wooden stool that even has handles to help with their balance.   The step stool is the perfect height for my newly turned 3 year old.  She can now climb up and go potty, get down and flush, all by herself.  It’s great for her, as she has gained more confidence and independence, and it is fantastic for me because I’ve been cut out of the clean up equation completely.  The stool has taken on other purposes, as she can easily carry it around by the handles.  She can use it to reach places and things that she couldn’t before, which has been a good and bad thing.  It has definitely taken my house monitoring to a new level, making sure potential harmful objects are WAY out of her reach.  All in all, the Kabooster step stool get two thumbs up from us.

triple Kabooster: raising kids to new heights

Purchase your own at Kabooster for $49.95.  The stool comes with a 10 year replacement warranty.   No need to worry about the quality though as they are made from superior grade birch hardwood.  Learn about personalizing your stool here.

Peppy Pottier

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Sarah’s Silks: silks for imaginative play (giveaway)

Monday, February 1st, 2010

When I received our Sarah’s Silks in the mail and popped them out of the box, my two little girls were immediately drawn to the rainbow of colors.  At Sarah’s Silks they believe in the magic of creative play and so do I!   Many of the toys we own that light up and  make noise  are great and some  are also educational, but the simplicity of Sarah’s Silks allows my kids to use their imagination at full force.  We had the privilege to try out their original play silks, which are 35×35 inch squared that come in a wide variety of colors, as well as the rainbow Silkscape which is 9 feet by 3 feet.  Sarah’s silks are for girls and boys alike, offering dress up outfits for both as well as silk parachutes, soft swords and string games among many other choices.  I personally love how these silks encourage open-ended, imaginative play.  Even my one year old loves them for playing peek-a-boo.

Test Baby: wearing her Jasmine outfit (left) and her red carpet gown (right).  Click on the photos for instructions on how to create these outfits with Sarah’s Silks.

017 picnik 206x300 Sarahs Silks: silks for imaginative play (giveaway)024 picnik 198x300 Sarahs Silks: silks for imaginative play (giveaway)

Sarah’s Silks is offering a great giveaway! Three winners can win one duet (pictured below) of:

  1. Heart Streamer with Rainbow Mini Silk
  2. Pink Unicorn Wand with Rose Mini-Playsilk
  3. Lavender Unicorn Wand with Purple Mini-Playsilk

Valentines Special 2010 Sarahs Silks: silks for imaginative play (giveaway)

Visit Sarah’s Silks online retail site by clicking here to see all the other great stuff they have to offer.  To Enter the giveaway leave a comment about which item you like the best! Also, please enjoy 10% off any online purchase until February 28, 2010 with code intheknow (can be combined with other specials).

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Contest ends February 8. 2010 at Midnight PST.  Winner will be chosen by Random.org and emailed.  If they do not respond within 48 hours, another winner will be chosen.

Special thanks to Sarah’s Silks for providing samples.

Mamas Mood Lifters: shift and lift the mood!

Friday, January 29th, 2010

Mamas Mood Lifters cards are heaven sent.  This deck of cards is for those times in your life when you just wish you could run away from the situation.  You know those situations, you’re at a restaurant with your family enjoying a nice meal and then your toddler decides to flip out because they are bored.  Or when you are at the grocery store and your young one feels like using the aisles as their own personal playground.  When these moments arrive, and they inevitably will,  just whip these cards out!

001 300x221 Mamas Mood Lifters: shift and lift the mood!

Each card contains an inspirational quote to read, so that you can reflect and take a deep breath.  Underneath the wise and calming quote is an activity you can do with your child in that very moment, right in the store or at the restaurant.  The idea is to distract them, if one card doesn’t work simply choose another or better yet, allow your child to pick one out so they feel as though they have some control over the situation.  I know that when I am out and about running errands with my young children I am out to conquer those lines at the bank or the store and I am absolutely not in the mindset for play.  These cards do the work for me, while we are out shopping and my girls are screaming at me from the cart I just grab Mamas Mood Lifters from my bag and read the card that says “Cheers! Pour a pretend or real drink for your child.  Make toasts.  Toast to all things that make you happy.  Here’s to the birds in the trees!  Hurray for peanut butter!  Celebrate recent accomplishments.”   This diffuses the situation as me and my girls toast to fruit snacks and sleeping through the night!  If I am terribly frazzled the inspirational quote at the top helps ease my frantic state “When you realize how perfect everything is, you will tilt your head back and laugh at the sky. -Buddha”

014 207x300 Mamas Mood Lifters: shift and lift the mood!

These cards come in a deck of 32 and are printed on recycled paper.  They come in a white cotton pouch so you can easily keep them in your bag.  Please visit Mamas Mood Lifters and pick up your deck today!

Special thanks to Marlene at Mamas Mood Lifters for providing a sample deck.

Staccabees winners!

Thursday, January 14th, 2010

Thank you to Staccabees for a wonderful and unique giveaway!  If you were not chosen, please head on over  to Staccabees to purchase your own set.  The Giveaway winners are:

  • Mickelle
  • Sarah C

Congratulations!  Winners have been emailed.  Enjoy your Staccabees and report back to us with your own thoughts on the game in the forum!

dreidel product whiteback Staccabees winners!

I heart Staccabees (giveaway)

Thursday, January 7th, 2010

Staccabees is a wonderful dreidel game that is fun for all families, Jewish or not.  While Staccabees is based on a dreidel, which is a traditional Hanukkah game, there are many other variations of the dreidel top from many different cultures.  In fact, the Greek have their own version of the Dreidel game, called Parta Ola.  It is a spinning top game played during the Christmas and New Years Holidays, even Easter.  No matter your religion or culture, Staccabees is a fun game for any family.  The all natural wooden game pieces and overall simplicity make this game special.  Taking away the plastic, the batteries, and the noise, we can truly see what a family game night is about.  It’s about FAMILY TIME and this game is a great one to add in to your collection.

A stack of cubes, compare to the traditional “pot”, grows and shrinks as the players take their turns.  On the Dreidel is: נ (Nun), ג (Gimel), ה (Hei), ש (Shin), which are Hebrew letters.  Together these letters form a mnemonic for the rules of the game.  In Yiddish, they translate to “nothing”, “all”, “half”, and “put”.  The object of the game is to be the first player to balance all of your cubes on the group’s shared stack.

The game comes in a super convenient cotton bag, great for travel and easy to store.  The game is for 2-6 players, age 6 and up.  It’s a quick game that takes about 20-30 min to play, perfect for busy families.  We all know how long a game of Monopoly can take!  Now you have no excuse for game night once a week.

To purchase this game now, click to the site and enter iknow to receive a 10% discount.

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Staccabees is also offering a giveaway to two lucky winners. To enter this amazing giveaway, comment below on what your favorite aspect of Staccabees is.  To see the games full description and FAQ, click.

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GIVEAWAY ENDS January 13, 2010 at midnight PST

4115899707 7aaae0965e I heart Staccabees (giveaway)

Cloud B – Polar Cuddle Cub

Friday, January 1st, 2010

17545466 Cloud B   Polar Cuddle CubCloud B has been helping us get our babies to sleep for awhile now.  I’m sure most of you are familiar with products such as the Sleep Sheep and Twilight Turtle.  Cloud B has some new products, keeping with a familiar theme.  I was sent a Polar Cuddle Cub to try out.  The Polar Cuddle Cub shivers when hugged, or by timer.  It also has a heartbeat setting.  The polar bear provides a comforting cuddle buddy for any baby.  He is made using eco-friendly soy fibers and fabric. The inside heart is easy to access for battery changes (2 AA) and setting changes.  Also the hands and feet are made with memory foam to give him some stability.

Unlike the Sleep Sheep, which is ideal for newborns, the larger Polar Cuddle Cub is ideal for toddlers age 3 and up.  My 3 year old daughter loves the cub.  She squeezes him and just smiles as he starts to shiver.  I watched her sleep with him for nap-time and she kept him in a bear-hug all nap.  Like any good reviewer, I ran upstairs for the camera to take a snap shot:

4226689752 4637a8091d b Cloud B   Polar Cuddle Cub

The Polar Cuddle Cub also comes with a booklet including a story, information on polar bears, and their current endangerment status.  Due to warmer and warmer summers in the Arctic, the polar bears are losing their natural habitat.  It’s just melting away.  It is predicted that polar bears will be extinct by 2050.  A portion of your purchase will go to Conservation International to help endangered species, such as the polar bear.

To purchase your own Polar Cuddle Cub, head on over to the Cloud B website.  Retail $29.00

Thanks to Cloud B for providing a sample for this review

Green Pieces: puzzles that bloom

Wednesday, December 30th, 2009

When I walked into the Whole Foods in LA to search for earth friendly Christmas gifts for my daughter, I was practically met at the door by an eager salesman.  He giddily showed me his favorite thing in the store, Green Pieces Puzzles.  These puzzles are so awesome.  Not only is a puzzle perfect for family game night, but when you’re done, just throw the pieces in the yard.  Well, plant them in the yard, because the puzzle pieces BLOOM over 16 species of wildflowers.  The puzzles are produced by TDC games and are 500 pieces.  All are themed with ecologically aware scenes, like a bald eagle made from aluminum cans.  3,500 cans to be exact, the same amount of cans discarded in the USA every second.

Erin: Puzzles are fun family activities. I used to love when my mom would spread a puzzle out on the kitchen table and we’d all sit down and try to complete it together. Not many puzzles are ever taken out for a second time. What a wonderful twist to a fun tradition. The family pieces together the puzzle and then you take it out into the yard and plant it for gorgeous wild flowers during the warmer months. If only all our kids toys turned into beautiful garden treasures! 

The pieces are backed with recycled paper that has wildflower seeds imbedded in them.  Simply soak the pieces overnight in water and then plant them in soil.  Water them daily.  Buy your puzzle today!

green pieces 300x199 Green Pieces: puzzles that bloom wildflowers 300x217 Green Pieces: puzzles that bloom

Indestructibles: babies everywhere, give it your best shot

Sunday, December 27th, 2009

Indestructibles by Kaaren Pixton is brilliant.  I don’t know about all the other moms and dads out there, but I’m pretty tired of re-buying books.  My daughter loved to chew, tear, and destroy books.  I don’t know what it was.  At three, she is finally leaving this phase that I thought would last forever.  The girl wouldn’t eat her dinner, but she could chew up some book corners like nobody’s business. As much as she adores her books, she is also refining her motor skills.  And with unrefined baby motor skills, comes jerky, page tearing motions.

“NO, not that one, not that hard-to-find book I stalked Ebay for days to find,” “NO!! Not that one from my childhood treasures.”  These are some of my frustrations in the past.

Indestructibles has heard our cries of frustration.  They have released a line of books that are completely baby safe.  They are water-proof, tear-resistant, and baby-durable.  They also address another issue of books and babies.  Babies can’t read, and they have a short attention span.  Let’s be honest, they look at the books for the pictures.  Indestructibles has taken out the need for pointless drivel and bravely made picture-only books.  I think this encourages a better and more real dialogue between baby and parent.  Create your own story, as they are already inclined to do.  Finally a series of books truly for babies.  If my daughter can’t ruin these books, no one’s can.  She loved creating her own stories to go along with the pictures and yours will too.

To purchase your own Indestructibles book, look for them this month at your local book stores.  You can also find them at Workman Publishing.

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Indestructibles is offering one lucky reader a set of all three books, and another THREE winners each receive one Indestructible book. Now you have FOUR chances to win! To enter this amazing giveaway, comment below on why you’d like to win this giveaway.

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Contest ends January 3, 2009 at Midnight PST.

Wee Gallery: Art Cards (giveaway)

Monday, December 21st, 2009

Wee Gallery offers high contrast designs for your baby in the cutest way.  Studies have shown that black and white designs hold newborns attention longer. Newborns can only see 12 to 15 inches away, and they are most taken with their parent’s faces and black and white geometric figures.  Wee Gallery took this knowledge and created ADORABLE graphics on many mediums.  Wee Gallery was started by a mom and dad team, one a graphic designer, the other, a teacher.  We had the good fortune of sampling the Art Cards, but they also sell wall graphics, mobiles, and greeting cards.  Check out their blog here.

The Art Cards for Baby are made on recycled paperstock and are 5′7″.  They are super durable and the perfect size.  I love the creative animal drawings, and so did my daughter.  My three year old is using them as a tool to learn her alphabet.  She loves animals most and loves practicing her alphabet with these flashcards.  I lent the set to a friend with a 4 month old and he wouldn’t let go of them.  When he is fussy in the car or out at lunch, she pulls out these cards for a surefire fix.  They are great for on the go as they fit easily into any diaper bag.  Perfect for babies of all ages, ITKM recommends Wee Gallery Art Cards as a must have for every shower gift.

WeeGallery500x200 Wee Gallery: Art Cards (giveaway)

The Art Cards can even be turned into a mobile using the Kikkerland Mobile kit, also offered on Wee Gallery’s site.

mobile Wee Gallery: Art Cards (giveaway)

Wee Gallery is offering TWO readers their very own set of Art Cards. To enter, leave a comment with which Wee Gallery product you like best.  See their products here.

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Contest ends December 29th 2009 at Midnight PST.

CitiBlocs (giveaway)

Monday, November 30th, 2009

citiblocs1 CitiBlocs (giveaway)CitiBlocs are toys that are safe and also require your child to turn their own ideas into reality. They’re small, light wooden blocks precisely cut from Grade A Radiata Pine from certified renewable forests in New Zealand. They’re high quality wooden construction blocks with no glue, snaps, connectors or magnets to make you fearful of choking hazards or chemicals. The items your child constructs with their blocks are created from their imagination using gravity, balance and creativity. CitiBlocs won 14 industry awards their first year in business and are also the cover toy in Good Housekeeping magazine’s Best Toys (list of 7 toys) for their age group. They’re also a Parenting magazine Best Toys and have been featured on the TODAY show.

My daughter loves playing with the CitiBlocs. In fact, we turn it into an entire family activity. She helps us stack all of the blocks into different items and then smashes them. What’s funny is that she’s also turned them into money. She hands out money to us telling us how much each block is worth. The possibilities are really endless on what they can create. The blocks are cars, buildings, money, train tracks, a house, anything you can think of, they can create. CitiBlocs are also non-toxic, so if you catch them with a block in their mouth, you don’t need to be worried!

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Sarah: I dumped out the CitiBlocs and my daughter went crazy.  I was surprised, but she knew exactly what they were for.  She must have snuck a look at the box.  She screamed “CASTLE!” and the building race was on.  We made a family event out of it and made several different structures.  She then decided it was time to build a castle for her Yo Gabba Gabba friends… There HAD to be a ramp for them to all walk up, which I thought was pretty smart!  I love that these products really encourage creativity.  She was SO PROUD when she was done.

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Want to buy a set of CitiBlocs? Head over to their site here and you’ll see that their blocks are safe, afforadable and fun!

Want to win a set of CitiBlocs? CitiBlocs has an exciting opportunity for our ITKM readers. We have one set of them to GIVE AWAY! Such a great toy to win especially before the holiday season.

To Enter: leave a comment below telling us if your choice of CitiBlocs 52-piece natural, 54-piece red/blue, orange/yellow, green/teal or white/black sets. Click here to see their entire line of products.

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Giveaway ends Sunday, December 6 at Midnight Pacific.

KaZAM: running bikes

Wednesday, November 25th, 2009

My daughter is turning 3 in just over a month.  She’s in this stage where she doesn’t like the tricycle anymore, and has trouble with them (long legs), but she’s not quite ready for a bike.  I know I can pop training wheels on the bike, but then she isn’t learning to balance, only to pedal.  So what if we teach them to balance first, then pedal?  I think this is genius.  This idea has been around for awhile (run bikes) but KaZAM is the first to create a foot rest, which, once again, is genius.  The children can now lift their feet and rest them while they practice their balance, soaring down the path.  They want to stop?  Simply put your feet down to brake, no pedals getting in the way.  I can still remember banging my heels on the pedals as a young child bruising up my legs.  The KaZAM will help your child skip the training wheels (those are for babies) and build their confidence, balance, and coordination.  This bike is perfect for 3-6 year olds learning to ride a bike, weight capacity 55 lbs.  The bike is extremely easy to out together and took about 3 minutes total.

6510 KaZAM: running bikesHow it works:

* Place bike on a smooth, flat surface.

* Sit helmeted child on the seat, feet on the ground.  Lean slightly forward and grip front handles.

* Push the bike alternating feet continuously to propel the bike.

* place feet on footrest and enjoy gliding while maintaining center of gravity.

Watch the Demo Video here!!

My daughter’s KaZAM experience:  Since she is just turning 3 I was interested to see how she would adapt to the running bike.  She got SO frustrated at first and said “I never do it” and walked away.  That broke my heart.  But I let it go for a couple of days.  Then I took her out to get the “California Mail” and told her she had to ride her bike to get it.  She agreed.  With some coaxing and some encouraging, she really got it!  And best of all, she loved it! I’m excited to see how well she rides the bike in the future.  It is of top quality; I know it will last her till she is ready for a real two-wheel pedal bike.  Please wear a helmet for safety!!!

4134536090 a99dce3fc1 KaZAM: running bikes

KaZAM is offering a Holiday Promotion for a $20 discount plus free shipping on either blue or pink bike!  Simply enter the appropriate coupon code at checkout – holidayblue or holidaypink. Purchase!

KaZAM awards:

1. Oppenheim  Toy Portfolio – 2009 Best Toy Award given to outstanding new products that enhance the lives of children.  Here

2. Dr. Toy Awards: Dr. Toy’s 10 Best Active Products – 2009; Dr. Toy’s 100 Best Children’s Products – 2009.  Here

3. best TOYS guide.com: Best Toys 2009.  Here


Stocking Stuffers for Toddlers: Vol 2

Tuesday, November 24th, 2009

Flashcard Ring: Animal ABC, Opposites, Rhymes purchase at Barefoot Books here.

MP ANIMALABCFC Stocking Stuffers for Toddlers: Vol 2 MP OPPOSITESFC Stocking Stuffers for Toddlers: Vol 2 MP RHYMEFC Stocking Stuffers for Toddlers: Vol 2

New Boon Bath Toys like Ring Splat and Water Bugs: purchase here.

BOON splat Stocking Stuffers for Toddlers: Vol 2 BOON waterBugs Stocking Stuffers for Toddlers: Vol 2

Color Me Cushion Animals by Zid Zid.  These clean forms and soft washable fabric are the perfect canvas for your little one’s art. Use washable or permanent markers, tempera paints, buttons, ribbons, bells, and fabric scraps. Purchase here.

ZID CMCU dt Stocking Stuffers for Toddlers: Vol 2

Eric Carle Touch and Feel Stroller Cards. Each set features 5 double-sided cards with engaging textures and pictures. Easy to attach to a stroller, backpack, or diaper bag, these cards won’t get lost, and the interactive touch-and-feel feature makes them great independent entertainment for toddlers on the go. Purchase here.

9780811869591 Stocking Stuffers for Toddlers: Vol 2 9780811869591 detail Stocking Stuffers for Toddlers: Vol 2

And also, Big Trucks and Diggers Touch and Feel Stroller Cards by Caterpillar.

9780811869614 norm Stocking Stuffers for Toddlers: Vol 2 9780811869614 detail Stocking Stuffers for Toddlers: Vol 2

Under The Nile soft Egyptian cotton fruits and vegetables. Purchase here.

utn veggies Stocking Stuffers for Toddlers: Vol 2

Felt Hair Clips by Siiri.  Purchase here.

il 430xN.91575145 Stocking Stuffers for Toddlers: Vol 2 il 430xN.91417825 Stocking Stuffers for Toddlers: Vol 2

Scrubbies by Rich Frog.  Purchase here.

RF4373 Stocking Stuffers for Toddlers: Vol 2 RF4374 Stocking Stuffers for Toddlers: Vol 2 RF4372 Stocking Stuffers for Toddlers: Vol 2

Musical instruments by Trophy Music.  Purchase here.

TMCT32R Stocking Stuffers for Toddlers: Vol 2 TMCT38G Stocking Stuffers for Toddlers: Vol 2

Lacing toys by Bajo.  Purchase here.

BJ31420 Stocking Stuffers for Toddlers: Vol 2 BJ31310R Stocking Stuffers for Toddlers: Vol 2

The Shrunks: Fear Bust’r Tool Kit

Monday, November 23rd, 2009

picture 803 225x300 The Shrunks: Fear Bustr Tool KitI wasn’t prepared for nightmares once my daughter turned two. Every once and a while she’d wake up screaming “No! No! No!!” It broke my heart, but I figured it was just her fighting her Time Out in her dream. Then suddenly, the day came when she’d say ”I need my blanket” and I would tell her it was in her room. She said “MOOOOOMMMY, there’s MONSTERS in there!” Never before had I heard her say that. In fact, I have no idea where she even knew what monsters were. That being said, I was very excited when I learned about The Shrunks! They make a whole line of toys/tools to help keep the monsters out….for good!

My daughter thought it was hysterical to carry her Fear Bust’r Kit around. I explained to her what each item was and told her that if she’s ever felt scared that she can blow the whistle and *POOF* every scary thing in her room disappears. She immediately picked up the whistle tried it out and then slowly walked towards her dark room blowing it as hard as she could. Let me just tell you, that bad boy is loud and high-pitched. No, really. I’m not kidding. When your kid sees how you run cowering to the corner, they’ll be confident that the whistle will ward off anything scary hiding in their room. Along with the whistle, the kit also contains Safe Zone Barricade Tape, two Fear Free Room Signs and one of their adorable plush Ududolls.

Kids know they see things, even if their parents tell them there’s nothing there. The Shrunks is the first company that came out with items that actually tells children that we believe them and simultaneously helps prepare them with tools to combat their fears and make them feel safe. Sometimes a parent looking in the closet one time doesn’t help calm their fears. Personally I love their Yell’r Megaphone for Children that projects their voice across the house. Sometimes when kids are too scared, they hide under their covers all night, petrified. This helps them quickly and confidently call for their parents when they need reassurance. Check out all of The Shrunks great products here and put your child’s fears to rest for good. 

fear1 300x300 The Shrunks: Fear Bustr Tool Kitugudolls The Shrunks: Fear Bustr Tool Kit

 

Thanks to The Shrunks for providing samples for this review

Plan Toys: $80 Airport (giveaway!)

Friday, November 20th, 2009

We posted about Plan Toys a couple of weeks ago sharing our adoration for this green company and the exceptional toys they create. They inspire creativity without the plastic and obnoxious, battery-operated noises. Their toys truly are made with the highest of quality.

We were able to review Plan Toys Airport. My daughter is slightly airport obsessed. Probably has something to do with friends and family member coming and going at the airport regularly. Nonetheless, she flips out every time she sees an airplane or when she takes a ride with us to the airport. When the Plan Toys Airport arrived, it did not disappoint just like the other Plan Toys items we already have. The craftsmanship is top notch and the vehicles and figurines that come along with it speak for themselves. When my daughter saw this, her hand covered her gasping mouth and her eyes almost popped out of her head. She hasn’t stopped playing with it! Time for me to buy more Plan City items!

Sarah: Living next to the airport and a top hospital that has frequent MedEvac helicopters, my daughter sees a lot of flying contraptions over our house.  She sits on the patio and points out every one and screams with glee.  She was so excited to play with the airport and I couldn’t pry her away from it.  She even took all the parts she could to nap time with her!  Another quality product from Plan Toys and a favorite for my daughter.

With the holiday season quickly approaching, head over to Plan Toys to see their selection of green toys. You’ll be impressed with the premium quality of their items and with how their toys truly captivate your child’s attention without using plastic, flashing lights and noises. Click here for a list of online retailers or to find a store that carries their toys locally.

airport 300x206 Plan Toys: $80 Airport (giveaway!)

Want to win a Plan Toys Airport? Plan Toys has an exciting opportunity for our ITKM readers. We have one Plan Toys AIRPORT to GIVE AWAY! Such an amazing toy to win especially before the holiday season.

To Enter: leave a comment below telling one other item from Plan Toys’ entire line that is also on your Wish List. Click here to see their collection

EXTRA ENTRIES: Please leave a comment for every extra entry you complete

  1. Blog about this Giveaway
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Giveaway ends Sunday, November 29 at Midnight Pacific. Giveaway is open to US Residents only. Winner will be chosen randomly using a random number generator via random.org. Winner will be announced and emailed directly on Monday, November 30.

Christmas: toddler stocking stuffers vol. 1

Saturday, November 14th, 2009

I can’t believe we’re already in Christmas shopping mode. It creeps up so fast! One of my hardest challenges is always the stocking stuffers. I hate random junk, but it’s so hard to find really good, quality toys that are also educational small enough for the stocking. Here are a few of my favorite picks for Toddler stockings.

Chunky Books from Crocodile Creek. These books are educational and multifunctional. My daughter loves to use these as stacking blocks and loves to read these herself. At least she thinks she’s reading them because she recognizes pictures.

books Christmas: toddler stocking stuffers vol. 1

Putumayo CDs. Give them the gift of music with Putumayo’s fun collections. We’re currently in love with the Christmas collections.

putumayo 300x300 Christmas: toddler stocking stuffers vol. 1

Plan Toys Memory Game. I previously mentioned these on our Plan Toys posting. These are great for not only using as a memory game, but we also use them to learn animals. I ask my daughter to find the lions and then the pandas, etc. These are great!

plan toys Christmas: toddler stocking stuffers vol. 1

Clementine Art natural art products. These are a favorite in our house. With markers, modeling dough, paint, glue and crayons, you’re guaranteed to get an excited reaction from these presents in their stockings.

clementinedough Christmas: toddler stocking stuffers vol. 1natural markers overview Christmas: toddler stocking stuffers vol. 1

Friends With You. The magical wishing toys that we’ve featured here at ITKM make a perfect addition to any stocking. Their fun bright colors along with their magical bells that chime when shaken are sure to perk up any stocking.

wct group Christmas: toddler stocking stuffers vol. 1

Anamalz by Hape. Environmentally friendly wooden animals that capture the hearts of every child and adult that lays their eyes on them. I can’t think of a more fun item to collect than these.

anamalz wild set1 Christmas: toddler stocking stuffers vol. 1

Beetle Spoon and Sporks from The Container Store. These little guys are just so much fun and will encourage your little one to hopefully eat a little more!

BeetleSpoonSpork l Christmas: toddler stocking stuffers vol. 1

Mula stack & nest cups from IKEA. These little cups are handy all year long. We take these on the airplane, long car trips, in the bath, in the pool, the possibilities are really endless. They stack, they drain, they help wash shampoo out of hair. Their different colors and textures definitely keep the attention of toddlers.

ikea Christmas: toddler stocking stuffers vol. 1

Etch A Sketch. This classical toy created back in the 1960s is still a favorite must-have toy.

etchasketch Christmas: toddler stocking stuffers vol. 1

Bla Bla Bird Rattles and Boogaloos. So cute, so soft, so perfect. You’ll never be disappointed in a toy from Bla Bla. Their fun and creative designs and soft textures are sure to please all.

boogaloo Christmas: toddler stocking stuffers vol. 1trumpet Christmas: toddler stocking stuffers vol. 1cumulus Christmas: toddler stocking stuffers vol. 1

Piggy Paints. You can never go wrong with nail polish for little girls. Piggy Paints is the perfect solution that’s non-toxic and uses natural ingredients. For 15% off enter THANKYOU15L at checkout.

picbottles350 Christmas: toddler stocking stuffers vol. 1