Favorite Things - A Guide to Classic and Cool Toys, Gear, Gadgets and Other Fun Stuff For Kids

Finding a beloved childhood toy in an attic, hearing anhave rubber tires and no spokes to protect from
ageless lullaby or teaching our children to ride a bikepinched feet. Powder-coat paint on the steel tubing
can bring back nostalgic memories. For futureframe won't chip so your scooter looks good year
generations, here are a few of those favorite things,after year. Find dealers at
from timeless collectibles, heirlooms to destined-to-beWhen is playwear truly play-wear? When its
classics and just great kids stuff for little ones andaccessorized with touch-and-feel tags,
parents, and some even come in brown paperappliqués, flaps and pockets to encourage
packages tied up with string.interactive, tactile development, like the 100% cotton
Toys to RememberTAGGIES Colours Sweet Swirls 3-Piece Take Me
Since 1789 Holgate Toys has made fine woodHome outfit ($28.00, sizes newborn to 12 months), with
playthings, right here in the USA, including the latesta secret friend hidden inside an opening in the jacket.
edition to their collection of Presidential planes, theAvailable at
Barack Obama Air Force One ($18, for ages 18For the coolest styles for little dudes and little misses,
months and up). Available atPeek Aren't You Curious shops carry the latest hip
The Skuut wooden bike ($99, ages 2 to 5) is a firstand happening styles for babies, girls and boys, like the
bike that kids will always remember, and with its100% washed cotton fleece USA Track Jacket ($58,
durable design, it can be passed on child to child as asizes XS-2/3 to XL-10). Locate stores at
family grows. It has no pedals and no training wheels,Bring it On
so children propel themselves by kicking off theFor a quick trip to the shopping mall, walk around the
ground, helping them to learn balance, steering,block, the comfy Kokopax Classic Carrier ($149.99, up
coordination and independence. Available at REI andto 35 pounds), is the perfect backpack for everyday
other retailers atuse. With stylish designs on 100%-cotton canvas and
Girls in White Dresses with Blue Satin Sashesadjustable light-weight aluminum frame and shoulder
Cupcakes & Pastries is a new line of artsy,straps and padded waist support, it looks and feels
deliciously styled dresses for girls designed by a momgreat. Includes a handy storage pocket and
and inspired by her two-year old daughter. The fabricsEarth-friendly carry bag. Locate retailers at
and details are contemporary and luxurious yet stillThe Sunshine Kids Radian 80 Convertible Car Seat
affordable. ($58-$72, 12 months to eight years).($249.98, 5 to 80 pounds) grows with your child, with
Available at Fred Segal and other retailers atsafety features galore, including 5-point harness, side
Schnitzel with Noodlesimpact protection and adjustable cushions for bigger
Meal time for baby was never so stylish as with thekids. Thanks to its steel frame and narrow seat, you
Boon Flair Highchair ($229.99, Up to 4 years/50 lbs.),can place three across in a car, and it folds flat when
which combines innovative features with distinctivenot in use. To insure you get all the safety benefits,
modern design. The seamless BpA/PVC-free moldeduse a professional safety seat technician, such as
plastic seat makes clean-up easy, and the pneumaticInfant Toddler Youth, itysafety.com, to demonstrate
pedestal base and gliding casters allow for effortlessthe seat's features and instruct you on future
height adjustment and positioning, including under tables.adjustments. Available at Target.
Available at Right Start and BabyGAP.Organize yourself with Baggino ($149), the 3-in-1
The Baby Dipper Feeding Set features a stay-putCombination Diaper Bag-N-Changing Belt. It coverts
rubber grip base that makes it easier for toddlers tofrom a shoulder bag to a mommy tool belt, equipped
feed themselves and gives mom a free hand forwith changing mat, wipes case and pockets and
other duties. Transparent angled sides help mommypouches for all your diapering supplies and personals.
and baby see when food is all gone. ($9.99, 6 monthsAvailable at
and up. Order or find retailers atShare and Share Alike
I scream, you scream, we all scream for alternativesWhen the playdate is over, make sure you get all the
to sugary treats and soft drinks for kids. Now there'sgoodies you came with, with Mabel's Labels ($12 for
Power Ice, a delicious, healthy frozen snack that helps60 labels), stylish, waterproof labels that stick to just
quench thirst and replace electrolytes with 0 grams ofabout anything and clearly mark your child's belongings.
fat and cholesterol and no caffeine, high fructose cornAvailable at
syrup or artificial sweeteners. Lime Kicker and OrangeMusic to Mom's Ears
Blast flavors come in packs of three for $1.99.For busy moms with no time to download music for
Available at drugstores and supermarkets nationwide.workouts or speedwalking stroller jaunts, there's the
Swashbuckling Slumber PartyslotRadio player ($99) by SanDisk, a pre-loaded player
The Pirate Ship Toddler Bed ($289.99) by Just Kidswith more than 1,000 Billboard hits from a variety of
Stuff is a bed that lil' pirates dream of. Built ot sturdygenres, including a chillout selection off mellow music
wood to last and painted by hand. To boot, there's afor lulling little ones to sleep using a docking station.
matching Pirate Toy Chest ($230). Available at Kids willAdditional cards are $39.99. Available online and at
go overboard for the super cuite Olive Kids PiratesRadio Shack stores.
Toddler Bedset ($69.99), including a reversiblePlug in your iPod or Mp3 player in the iH12BR iHome
comforter of light-weight cotton, pillow sham andDocking Station ($79.99) to playlullabies in the nursery
sheets with a pattern of ships and treasure maps, andor music by your bedside. The compact cube design
four friendly pirates adorning the pillow cases. Add afeatures a lighted digital alarm clock and a remote
matchingPirate Floor Pillow ($45.99) can becontrol to change tunes or turn the player off when
personalized with your little pirate's name. Available atbaby is finally snoozing. Available at Marshalls/TJX or
Complete the buccaneer decor with wall prints fromat
with a variety of pirate-themed prints, like artist JoelleTired of children's songs about duckies and rainbows?
Dreidemy's the Pirate Ship, framed ($114.99) orPlug into Ziggy Marley's Family Time CD ($13) with
un-framed ($19.99).some cool kids melodies with collaborators mom and
After a day of high-seas adventure, your little pirate willdad will love like Paul Simon, Laurie Berkner, Elizabeth
slumber soundly in the Pirate's Life PJs shorts setMitchell, Jack Johnson and Jamie Lee Curtis. Available
($32.95, sizes 2-14), made with flame-resistant cottonat
and acrylic, or Pirates Raglan Pajamas ($42.95, sizesIn Touch on the Go
4-12) in a flame-resistant cotton/acrylic waffle fabric.It's no kid's toy, but the Blackberry Bold 9000 sure is
Both by Sara's Prints. Available atfun, and it keeps mom and dad connected, by phone,
Along for the Rideemail and Internet, so they can spend quality family
For the hard-core kid, the Weplay Push Scootertime away from the office without losing touch with
($224.44, ages 4-8) is a heavy-duty ride built withwork. With a built-in camera 2 MP and MicroSD slot
materials that can take a beating, by children as wellyou can capture and keep plenty of family photos, and
as outdoor elements. Its wide three-wheel baseGPS, Wi-Fi music and news feeds and other cool
provides a safe and steady platform to push off toapps, even games, inform and entertain on the go.
help kids develop balance and scooting skills. AvailableProtect your smartphone investment with Otterbox
atcustom cases ($19.95 to $49.95) that shield from
Kids Will be Kidsinquisitive little hands to dirt, dust, scratches, bumps,
Get kids moving with Italtrike Outside Series Scooterdrops and other daily mishaps, from the sleek silicone
($69.99, ages 3-5). A wide non-slip foot plate andskin of the Impact series to the heavy-duty shell of the
convenient foot brake make the scooter safe andDefender series, your device is covered.
easy to use, even for small children. The plastic wheels