 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
|
||||||||
 |
 |
 |
|
||||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
||||
 |
 |
|
|||||||||
 |
 |
|
|||||||||
THE MINI SOCIAL GIFT CERTIFICATE
Do you know about The Mini Social? It’s so cool. So cool. Okay, here’s the scoop: It’s a private online boutique that gives its members up to 60 percent off of designer clothing and accessories for Mama and her brood. The democratization of high-end for those in the know: smart. Saving mucho dinero on designer duds: priceless.
(www.theminisocial.com)
Win it! May 1, May 13, May 17
SMILING PLANET PLATE AND PLACE MAT
Looking for a unique, inspiring and useful gift for your favorite little hipster eco-ranger? Check out the eco-chic wares from Smiling Planet. Free of BPA, phthalates, lead and toxic ink, the earth-friendly plates hit the mark on message as much as they do on design. Couple a plate with a nontoxic (and equally moving) place mat, made from an ever-recyclable polymer, and your kids will have definite reason to give peas a chance.
($12.99, 8" plate; $12.99, place mat; www.smilingplanet.net)
Win it! May 2, May 12, May 26
BABY BANZ JUNIOR BANZ
Keep your kids made in the shade—or shades, actually—with this cool pair of Baby Banz Junior Banz. With 100 percent UVA/UVB protection, polarized lenses to reduce glare and kid-friendly (that means not-so-easily-breakable) frames, these sporty sunglasses for kids ages 4 to 10 put safety first—well, you know, tied with style, of course. Use code FAMGRV for free shipping.
($24.99, www.babybanz.com)
Win it! May 3, May 5, May 8, May 15, May 19, May 23, May 25
SHORT HATS
Head’s up: We live for kids in hats! And the ones from Short Hats are definitely tops. Seriously, they are so impossibly fabulous that we wish they’d make them for adults. Whether it’s for a shower, new-baby or birthday gift, or just because Junior needs to have one (or ones, plural), these classic-cool caps keep your littles protected from the sun and topped off with a style that puts them head (and shoulders) above the rest.
($24, Molly; $24, Coco; $22, Orbit; $24, Robo; www.shorthats.com)
Win it! May 6, May 16, May 21, May 29
TOPSIES FLIP-FLOPS
Take a step in a new-and-improved direction with Topsies. Flip-flops minus the flop, these funky walkers are made from breathable fabric that comfortably clings to the contours of your feet. From a pedicure or yoga class to the beach or a bistro, you’ll be hot-footing it about town in the height of casual couture.
(Available in solids, print and designer, from $49 for women’s and men’s styles and $29 for babies’ styles, www.topsiesonline.com)
Win it! May 4, May 24, May 28
NYOKKI! EGG PET PLANT FROM WIZARD SLEEVE TOYS
When we found this adorable little, uh, gifty-toy-knick-knack-thingy, we flipped. It’s fresh, fun and actually functional: It grows grass to full height in less than two weeks, and then you can style it and watch it grow again. We want one for ourselves and one for each of our friends, in hopes that it’ll remind all of us that life ain’t so dang bad—and maybe, just maybe, replace our collective lingering regret about cutting Barbie’s beautiful golden locks. We think it’s why Ken dumped her and we’re so sorry.
($9.99, www.wizardsleevetoys.com)
Win it! May 7, May 22, May 30
Scoots-Recycling Truck
Perfect for kids ages 2 and up, this nontoxic, wooden truck gets their imaginations rolling and is a wheely fun way to introduce them to recycling.
($4.68, www.thenaturaltoybox.com)
Standard Bell Rattle with Clear Finish
Baby can shake, rattle and roll minus the plastic and the chemicals with this eco-friendly version of the classic. Designed to stimulate your bundle of joy with touch, sight, sound and movement, it’s guaranteed to be an heirloom for generations to come.
($11, www.thenaturaltoybox.com)
Organic Play Dough with Natural Dyes
We’ve looked high and low for quality, nontoxic play dough—and we finally found it! This organic modeling clay comes in five fun colors and has an extended shelf life if stored properly in a Ziploc bag. Made by the owner herself, this better version of a classic toy makes for hours of hands-on play that is sure to bring out the Michelangelo in any child.
($19.99, www.thenaturaltoybox.com)
Win it! May 11, May 20, May 31
KOBOLD TOYS
Kobold Toys knows that the play’s the thing for budding Baby Einsteins and Kid Kahlos alike. With toys handpicked to help children develop their imaginations and creativity and foster positive emotional, physical and mental development, this fun toy store is a one-stop shop for all the smartest games, gadgets, gizmos and gear, like:
Faber-Castell Erasable Crayons
The triangular shape on these 15 easy-to-hold brightly colored crayons teaches little ones how to develop a proper grip. Oh, and not only are they erasable, but they wash off of walls, floors, most fabrics and hands.
($8.99, www.koboldtoys.com)
Papo Riding Set
This hand-painted, finely detailed figurine includes a riding girl, an Andalusian horse with a saddle and a farm dog. Your daughter will love taking her set through the “trails” of your backyard and jumping over the hurdles she sets up on your coffee table, all of which foster a compassion for animals, a love of nature and maybe even a passion for the equestrian life.
($18.99, www.koboldtoys.com)
Papo Lion King of the Jungle
Your kiddo will roar with glee when he plays with this hand-painted
figurine. The perfect addition to any animal menagerie, the realistic
lion is sure to spark your child’s interest in nature and keep him
entertained till the cows come home. (Note: This toy is not suitable for
kids under 3.)
($9.50, www.koboldtoys.com)
Win it! May 9, May 14, May 27
Naturepedic Organic Crib Mattress
Parents nowadays are very wise to the benefits of buying organic, but many forget about the importance of an organic crib mattress. This one from Naturepedic provides nontoxic fire protection and waterproofing and is made from certified organic cotton and environmentally friendly materials that keep both the bedbugs and the chemicals out of your sleeping beauty’s crib, aka where she spends most of her days and nights—well, you know, if you’re lucky.
($259, No-Compromise Organic Cotton Classic, www.naturepedic.com)
Win it! May 10, May 18
THE NATURAL TOY BOX
Green, made in the USA and fun—what more could parents or kids want out of their toys? Seriously, we all have enough to worry about in this day and age without having to fret over the state of our toys. Let The Natural Toy Box ease your modern-day-mania-weary mind. The toys are safe, nontoxic and made of wood, minus lead paint. With modern takes on the classics and classic takes on the newfangled, this eco-smart store carries quality educational playthings that do the right thing for their minds, bodies and souls.
