Watch the beat! Jamtown Junior ($44.95) is an incredible way to introduce your little Gene Krupa to his or her life in percussion. Kit comes with a playalong CD, rhythm cards, 30-page practice book, carrying bag and – get this – a pair of clave, a shaker and a drum with double headed goatskin, all hand-carved by village artisans in Peru and Bali. From a simple 4/4 backbeat to crazy poly-rhythm syncopation, Jamtown Junior is THE place to start.
She’s got Bumble Bells ($40 ea., or $75 per pair) that jingle jangle jingle. These gorgeous 925 sterling silver anklets feature teeny little bells that let you know when your child is up and ready to go. They’re a beautiful investment set, as they’ll be around long after baby outgrows them. Which won’t be for a long time: size A runs to 9 months, and size B runs to 4 years old. Plenty of time to make some noise. If you would like purchase Bumble Bells for your baby but lack the funds you could look into getting payday loans from your employe
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They have to read with the P’kolino Book Buggee. ($44.90) This whimsical little bookmobile is the perfect way to cart all their books around the house. It’s 7” x 13” x 8”, so there’s a ton of room for books and snacks. And the pull-rope in front makes it easy to haul the Buggee around from room to room. Load it up and let story-time begin.
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This is one hippo that won’t tear you apart for getting into their turf. The Hippo Animal Cushion from Zid Zid Kids ($40) is a squeezably soft new pal for your little adventurer. It’s 12” x 14” with an embroidered brushed cotton flannel or fleece shell, filled with poly, and it’s as gentle as…well, not as gentle as a hippo. Gentle as a cushion? Yeah, that’s more like it.
Yes, boys can use it too. The Chick Chair ($196) is all about baby-chick style and solid Baltic Birch construction. Designers Kate and Barret Roebuck are also landscape artists, so they were inspired to bring a little nature home in their furniture line. The Chick Chair is adorable! The bird body flanks the chair, which sits on bird legs. Six colors are available, adding to the whimsy. Your little chick (or dude) will love flying with this one.
Rarrr!!! Hanno the Gorilla ($75) will lay waste to your living room! Designer David Weeks has built a solid-wood (sustainably harvested new-growth beech, BTW) gem in Hanno. Like the best wooden toys, his limbs are attached with rubber bands, for endless poseability. And like the best of wooden toys, Dad may spend as much time playing with Hanno as junior will. Eco-friendly, gorgeous and kick-ass tough. That’s a winning toy in our book.
What happened to roughing it? Oh yeah, Playtents ($325) happened. This is not your average backwoods camping tent, unless you’re camping on Lexington Ave. It’s luxe plus, with eight design schemes to choose from, all of which will remind you of your Ralph Lauren bedding. 5’ square and 5’ tall with a cut-out window in back and fabric tie closure for the door, these tents allow tons of playing and hiding room, too. Roughing it? Eh, not quite.
Your little ones may just crash before finishing the Good Night Moon Floor Puzzle. ($18) And that’s not a bad thing, right frazzled moms? This 24 jumbo-piece puzzle won the 2008 Oppenheimer Toy Portfolio award, so you know it’s a winner. And it comes with a book for extra nighttime distraction. You’ll all sleep well tonight.
Let’s face it: you are as much a target for Peppy Five Stacking Toy ($25.50) as your child. And why not? This gorgeous set of five dowels with five sets of rings and five smiley heads, all made of sustainable hale or rubber wood, will remind you of your parents or grandparents favorite toys. Just without all the lead paint. Your kids learn matching and numbers and you enjoy retro style. That’s win-win in our book.
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Giddyap Galap! The Galap Rocker by Argington ($89) is the best blend of a horsey rocker and a front-porch swing for your little buckaroo. It’s perfect just for settin’ or just for rockin’. And it’s made of solid Baltic birch with a non-toxic clear coat, so, y’know, they won’t crash through and you won’t have any guilt about slapping them down on a chemical-plant chair. Choose from ebony, red maple or birch, and rock easy tonight.
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