Finding a beloved childhood toy in an attic, hearing an ageless lullaby or teaching our children to ride a bike can bring back nostalgic memories. For time to come generations, here are a few of those beloved things, from classic collectibles, heirlooms to destined-to-be classics and just great kids stuff for microscopic ones and parents, and some even come in brown paper packages tied up with string.
Toys to Remember
Matching Family Pjs
Since 1789 Holgate Toys has made fine wood playthings, right here in the Usa, along with the latest edition to their range of Presidential planes, the Barack Obama Air Force One (, for ages 18 months and up). Ready at holgatetoy.com.
The Skuut wooden bike (, ages 2 to 5) is a first bike that kids will always remember, and with its durable design, it can be passed on child to child as a family grows. It has no pedals and no training wheels, so children move themselves by kicking off the ground, helping them to learn balance, steering, coordination and independence. Ready at Rei and other retailers at skuut.com.
Girls in White Dresses with Blue Satin Sashes
Cupcakes & Pastries is a new line of artsy, deliciously styled dresses for girls designed by a mom and inspired by her two-year old daughter. The fabrics and details are modern and luxurious yet still affordable. (-, 12 months to eight years). Ready at Fred Segal and other retailers at cupcakesandpastries.com.
Schnitzel with Noodles
Meal time for baby was never so popular ,favorite as with the Boon Flair Highchair (9.99, Up to 4 years/50 lbs.), which combines innovative features with distinctive modern design. The seamless BpA/Pvc-free molded plastic seat makes clean-up easy, and the pneumatic pedestal base and gliding casters allow for simple height adjustment and positioning, along with under tables. Ready at Right Start and BabyGap.
The Baby Dipper Feeding Set features a stay-put rubber grip base that makes it easier for toddlers to feed themselves and gives mom a free hand for other duties. Transparent angled sides help mommy and baby see when food is all gone. (.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 soft drinks for kids. Now there's Power Ice, a delicious, healthy frosty 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 .99. Ready at drugstores and supermarkets nationwide.
Swashbuckling Slumber Party
The Pirate Ship Toddler Bed (9.99) by Just Kids Stuff is a bed that lil' pirates dream of. Built ot sturdy wood to last and painted by hand. To boot, there's a matching Pirate Toy Chest (0). Ready at artisticsensations.com
Kids will go overboard for the super cuite Olive Kids Pirates Toddler Bedset (.99), along with a reversible comforter of light-weight cotton, pillow sham and sheets with a pattern of ships and treasure maps, and four kindly pirates adorning the pillow cases. Add a matchingPirate Floor Pillow (.99) can be personalized with your microscopic pirate's name. Ready at Olivekids.com.
Complete the buccaneer decor with wall prints from Art.com with a range of pirate-themed prints, like artist Joelle Dreidemy's the Pirate Ship, framed (4.99) or un-framed (.99).
After a day of high-seas adventure, your microscopic pirate will slumber soundly in the Pirate's Life Pjs shorts set (.95, sizes 2-14), made with flame-resistant cotton and acrylic, or Pirates Raglan Pajamas (.95, sizes 4-12) in a flame-resistant cotton/acrylic waffle fabric. Both by Sara's Prints. Ready at Sleepyheads.com.
Along for the Ride
For the hard-core kid, the Weplay Push Scooter (4.44, ages 4-8) is a heavy-duty ride built with materials that can take a beating, by children as well as outdoor elements. Its wide three-wheel base provides a safe and steady platform to push off to help kids build equilibrium and scooting skills. Ready at MunchkinField.com.
Kids Will be Kids
Get kids entertaining with Italtrike face Series Scooter (.99, ages 3-5). A wide non-slip foot plate and convenient foot brake make the scooter safe and easy to use, even for small children. The plastic wheels have rubber tires and no spokes to protect from pinched feet. Powder-coat paint on the steel tubing frame won't chip so your scooter looks good year after year. Find dealers at Italitrike.com.
When is playwear truly play-wear? When its accessorized with touch-and-feel tags, appliqués, flaps and pockets to encourage interactive, tactile development, like the 100% cotton Taggies Colours Sweet Swirls 3-Piece Take Me Home outfit (.00, sizes newborn to 12 months), with a private friend private inside an occasion in the jacket. Ready at taggies.com.
For the coolest styles for microscopic dudes and microscopic misses, Peek Aren't You entertaining shops carry the latest hip and happening styles for babies, girls and boys, like the 100% washed cotton fleece Usa Track Jacket (, sizes Xs-2/3 to Xl-10). Uncover market at peekarentyoucurious.com.
Bring it On
For a quick trip to the shopping mall, walk around the block, the comfy Kokopax superior Carrier (9.99, up to 35 pounds), is the excellent backpack for everyday use. With popular ,favorite designs on 100%-cotton canvas and adjustable light-weight aluminum frame and shoulder straps and padded waist support, it looks and feels great. Includes a handy warehouse pocket and Earth-friendly carry bag. Uncover retailers at kokopax.com.
The Sunshine Kids Radian 80 Convertible Car Seat (9.98, 5 to 80 pounds) grows with your child, with protection features galore, along with 5-point harness, side impact protection and adjustable cushions for bigger kids. Thanks to its steel frame and narrow seat, you can place three over in a car, and it folds flat when not in use. To insure you get all the protection benefits, use a pro protection seat technician, such as child Toddler Youth, itysafety.com, to demonstrate the seat's features and instruct you on time to come adjustments. Ready at Target.
Organize yourself with Baggino (9), the 3-in-1 combination Diaper Bag-N-Changing Belt. It coverts from a shoulder bag to a mommy tool belt, adequate with changing mat, wipes case and pockets and pouches for all your diapering supplies and personals. Ready at baggino.com.
Share and Share Alike
When the playdate is over, make sure you get all the goodies you came with, with Mabel's Labels ( for 60 labels), stylish, waterproof labels that stick to just about whatever and clearly mark your child's belongings. Ready at mabelslabels.com.
Music to Mom's Ears
For busy moms with no time to download music for workouts or speedwalking stroller jaunts, there's the slotRadio player () by SanDisk, a pre-loaded player with more than 1,000 Billboard hits from a range of genres, along with a chillout selection off mellow music for lulling microscopic ones to sleep using a docking station. Added cards are .99. Ready online and at Radio Shack stores.
Plug in your iPod or Mp3 player in the iH12Br iHome Docking station (.99) to playlullabies in the nursery or music by your bedside. The contract cube build features a lighted digital alarm clock and a remote operate to turn tunes or turn the player off when baby is finally snoozing. Ready at Marshalls/Tjx or at ihomeaudio.com.
Tired of children's songs about duckies and rainbows? Plug into Ziggy Marley's family Time Cd () with some cool kids melodies with collaborators mom and dad will love like Paul Simon, Laurie Berkner, Elizabeth Mitchell, Jack Johnson and Jamie Lee Curtis. Ready at ziggymarley.com.
In Touch on the Go
It's no kid's toy, but the Blackberry Bold 9000 sure is fun, and it keeps mom and dad connected, by phone, email and Internet, so they can spend capability family time away from the office without losing touch with work. With a built-in camera 2 Mp and MicroSd slot you can capture and keep fullness of family photos, and Gps, Wi-Fi music and news feeds and other cool apps, even games, forewarn and entertain on the go.
Protect your smartphone speculation with Otterbox custom cases (.95 to .95) that shield from inquisitive microscopic hands to dirt, dust, scratches, bumps, drops and other daily mishaps, from the sleek silicone skin of the Impact series to the heavy-duty shell of the Defender series, your device is covered.
favorite Things - A Guide to excellent and Cool Toys, Gear, Gadgets and Other Fun Stuff For Kids
