Coloring has never been more fun, or more fragrant! Smencils ($14) are the coolest pencils out there. This ten-piece set fuses scent and color. The grape scent writes in purple, bubble gum in pink, etc. They’re made from corn and recycled newspaper, and completely biodegradable and compostable. Clean lines and clean-for-the-earth pencils that just happen to smell great: color us impressed! And watermelon, and root beer, and orange, and….
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Smencils
Brownstone Buddies Cloth Dolls
It takes every kind of doll to make the world go round! Brownstone Buddies Cloth Dolls ($34.99) are all about tolerance and inclusion. Miko, Ama, Harley and Veena live in the same Brownstone, and they come from all over the world, bringing unique talents and personality to the party. Your kids will love mastering Harley’s Science skills, Ama’s Math skills, Miko’s Geography skills and Veena’s Dancing skills! Teach your children well, the Brownstone Buddies way.
Zoo Care Monkey
Okay, THIS is different. The Zoo Care Monkey from Koko Company ($50.40) is totally hand made out of soft wool from New Zealand and boiled felt. It’s a vibrant blue, green and orange design, with all sorts of crazy tree limbs to grab on to. Anyone can build a bear. This is a one-of-a-kind handmade original. You do the math…
Tubbly Bubbly Hippo
Let’s face it: Hungry Hungry Hippos was a pretty lame game, in retrospect. Kel Gar changes the game (and brings it into the tub) with the Tubbly Bubbly Hippo. ($9.99) It’s an easy-mount soft hippo head that prevents contact with sharp, scalding faucets in the tub. Even better, it’s also a bubble dispenser! They’ll have a lot more fun in the tub with this beast! Much more than you did with that stupid board game…
Soft Cloth ABC Book & Door Hanger
Well, this beats the garbage bag of crap you have hanging on your door, doesn’t it? The Soft Cloth ABC Book & Door Hanger (call for prices) leaves them hanging…with educational fun. 26 pockets hold plush animal characters of that letter, all of whom also appear in the accompanying book. They learn letters, words, spatial concepts and motor skills, and have a blast in the process. What’s your trash bag teaching you, hot shot?
Alphabet Soup Table and Chair Set
So, what’s your table teaching you, hot shot? Not as much as the Alphabet Soup Table and Chairs Set from Levels of Discovery ($299.95) is teaching your kids, guaranteed. The table top is the board for The Alphabet Trail Game! Roll the dice and set out around the table, learning as they go. It’s hours of educational fun, and the set matches with the Alphabet Soup Nursery Bedding from Cocalo, so you won’t screw up their décor. Win/win!
Discovery Ladybug Children’s Book
Yeah, you definitely never had a book like this. The Discovery Ladybug Children’s Book is a fully interactive stuffed animal learning book. Flip the wings of the ladybug to learn what the life of a ladybug is like. It’s a great way to teach language development, motor skills, colors, shapes and textures. And unlike your GI*Joe coloring books, this doesn’t suck!
BornFree BPA-Free Pacifier
Said it before, say it again, natural is best. The BPA-Free Pacifier for Day and Night Use from BornFree ($7.99 for a two-pack) is as natural and innovative as it gets. 100% BPA-Free orthodontic silicone is totally clean, and the design is brilliantly simple. It’s got a flexible handle that holds its shape without hampering sleep, and a collapsible teat that encourages natural growth of teeth and gums. It’s the best! Naturally.
Hot Potato Tater Toss Game
Forget about that other Potato toy. (Mr….something or other?) The Hot Potato Tater Toss Game ($9.99) has him cooked! Wind up this crazy spud and toss him around while he ticks. Last one to hold him when the ticking stops wins. First one to drop him looses. Hours of fun for ages 3 and up. Hot potato incoming!
Tubby Bath Toy Organizer
Sick and tired of stepping on that toy shark fin every time you get in the tub? You need Tubby from Skip Hop. ($20) It’s the ultimate bath toy bin! It’s made of neoprene, for soft stretchy toughness, with a mesh front so their toys will dry out nicely with no mildew. Stay-put mounting plate and four suction cups keep it on the wall. And did we mention no more agonizing stepping on toys for you?
