November 30, 2007
Browny The Dog Wooden Pull Toy from Djeco
Pull toys are definitely a staple of every toy chest. I guess kids just love pulling around the clacking and gyrating beasts. The Browny The Dog Wooden Pull Toy is a great looking pull toy. He's got a floppy head, a lolling tongue, a wagging tail, and a little bell that chimes as he's pulled along. Browny is made from solid wood and child-safe non-toxic laquers.
November 30, 2007
Miracles & Milestones: Table Top Playmat
One of our biggest problems going out to eat is what to do to keep Andy entertained. The Miracles & Milestones: Table Top Playmat is perfect for this problem. It is made of vinyl so it's easy to wipe clean. The sides have suction cups to stick to the table. The activities on the sides include tracking beads, a pop up lid with mirror, a clicking toggle, and a textured roller. It can be washed with or without the side toys as the actual mat unbuttons. And it folds for easy storage.
November 29, 2007
Geduldsteine Blocks from Haba
These Geduldsteine (German for patience stones) are neat little building blocks. One face of each is a window into a little puzzle waiting to be solved. The blocks are made from maple wood and coated with several layers of non-toxic laquers. They definitely look well made and will probably last through years of abuse!
November 29, 2007
Review: The Farmer Says
Here's a toy that has changed a lot from when I was a toddler using it! Gone is the pull string on The Farmer Says. Now there is a pull lever on one side. There's also a page that can be flipped, revealing new animals to learn. There's a quiz mode addition as well as The Farmer in the Dell and Old MacDonald songs too.
Andy loves this toy. I was worried that the lever would be too hard for him to pull, but he has no problems. You do need to pull it all the way down for it to work though, not just 3/4 of the way. Andy is very interested in what everything around him is named, so this toy is helping him learn his animals. While it's different than the version I grew up loving, I am still a fan.
November 28, 2007
Lean On Me Activity Bolster
When Anderson was just learning to sit, we always had to stick a pillow behind him, because he would throw himself backwards at the slightest provocation. With this Lean On Me Activity Bolster our fears would've been eased. And as an added bonus it makes a great play area. There are five different toys attached, including an eight page book that crinkles and rattles. There is a removable snack cup, storage pockets and a carry handle. This might be a great bolster to take with you on your holiday travels this year. The one thing I don't get is: do they really expect 2 year olds to use this? Maybe as a place to sit while watching their favorite TV show?
Alpaca Coverall Hat by Oeuf
Andy hated hats last winter. I had a neighbor stop me at the mall once to complain that I didn't have one on him. I didn't see the point of trying though, as he's throw it off and end up in a bad mood. I think the Alpaca Coverall Hat by Oeuf would have been a good option for us. I could have distracted him long enough to forget it was on! This hat will stay where it is while also keeping the ears and neck warm. Besides the brown and raspberry one above, it's also available in grey and white.
My First Touch 'n Feel Flash Cards
When we reviewed Goosie Cards earlier this year, I was surprised at how much Andy liked them. Even now, he hands them to us to read to him all the time, or else goes through all the pictures. Here is something similar, the My First Touch 'n Feel Flash Cards. Each card has textures on the picture as well as the word underneath so your child can explore the cards as he learns the words for them. The back of each card also offers talking points for parents and the word in four other languages as well.
November 27, 2007
Amazing Animals Sing & Go Choo-Choo
For some reason, just about every kid loves trains. Here's a neat one that would make a great gift this holiday season, the Amazing Animals Sing & Go Choo-Choo. The train has three removable animals (they're relatively large so they won't be easily lost) each with movable joints, textured feet, and teethable ears. As your child plays with the train, it will light up and play catchy songs. It has two modes to help it grow with your child: a sitting mode for the youngest children, and a motion-activated mode.
Review: WedgEZ
If you're like me and many other parents, you probably hate pulling out those little plastic outlet protectors every time your searching for a place to plug your vacuum in. Well, the folks over at WedgEZ have a great new product that will make that a lot easier, and they've sent us one to review.
The idea is simple enough. It's a curved plastic wedge
that you stick behind the plastic outlet protector. Then you just twist the handle towards the wall and out pops the protector. It couldn't be any simpler than that. The handle has little brackets to attach it to the power cord of your vacuum cleaner, which is certainly a convenient place to keep it. And it fit the cords on both the vacuum cleaners in our house just fine.
The best part about the WedgEZ is the price. At $3.99 each, or 3 for $9.99, they're cheap enough to get several to keep in different places around the house. That way you'll never be prying out outlet protectors with your fingernails or the prongs on a plug again. And if it's easy to take the protectors out, you'll be more likely to put them back when you're done, keeping your exploring baby safe!
So, here at Super Cool Baby we definitely love the WedgEZ. In fact, we love it so much that its going to become part of our standard "new baby gift pack" that we've been giving to all of our expecting friends and family!
Shearling Papoose
If you are looking for something more stylish than the Baby Bjorn, the Shearling Papoose might be a good option. This natural shearling papoose has bridle leather trim and swede lining. The st4raps are adjustable, and the shearling shoulder pads have a removable elasticized suede wrist strap. It's good for up to 22 pounds.
November 26, 2007
TerriBear Graffiti Lamp
The TerriBear Graffiti Lamp would be a great gift for a budding artist. The Bear, which is made from a non-toxic and odorless plastic, comes with a washable marker so that your child can write on and decorate the lamp. Besides purple, it's also available in blue, green, orange, white, and yellow.
Review: Learn & Groove Musical Table
While with my family during thanksgiving, Andy had the chance to play with a few new toys. One of the toys was the Learn & Groove Musical Table that we've written about before.
This table is definitely aimed at kids who are a little older. It's listed for children 6 months to 3 years, but at the very least your child will have to be able to stand. There are 8 different interactive activities. You can flip the page of the book, open the lid to the secret hiding spot
, play the cello, the piano, the banjo, and the trombone. There's a part you can spin, and shapes that pop up.
Andy really loved playing with this toy. He did all the different activities several times in each session, and it was a toy that he would go back to several times over the long weekend. It was definitely a toy that he enjoyed playing with, and one that Santa might end up bringing this holiday season.
Radio Flyer Classic Rock and Bounce Pony
I am going through a Radio Flyer phase. There are at least four different products that I want of theirs right now. The Classic Rock and Bounce Pony is the newest addition to my Radio Flyer wish list. This pony has a safety saddle that can be removed for older riders, a patent rubber bounce suspension that is safe and quiet, the fabric of the pony can be removed and washed, the ears are crinkly, and it's also won many awards, including the National Parenting Publication's NAPPA Gold Award.
Super Cool Baby Holiday Shopping Guide
Looking for a great gift this holiday season? Well, we've done your homework
for you and found a bunch of super cool gifts that you can give this year. We
won't mind if you don't tell anybody where you found it, we're just glad you
did!
For The Nursery
For Newborn
Clothing
For a Toddler
Stocking Stuffers
For Mom
- A new diaper bag from:
-
Paci-Pod
Anti-microbial treated pacifier holder for your diaper bag.
-
Tucker Paisley Card Holders
Stylish holders, holds about 8 cards.
-
Strollometer
Keeps track of time, speed (max, avg, current), and distance of many strollers.
For Expecting Mothers
For Dad
Looking for more amazing gift ideas? Check out our extensive set of holiday
shopping guides on electronics, fashion, cooking, and more.
November 25, 2007
Patent Leather Moccasins
I love baby shoes more than most things. They are so unbelievably adorable. Andy has feet that are so wide we can't buy them from most stores. But if I could, I would buy the Patent Leather Moccasins. Green gives an outfit such personality and makes it more fun. They'd go well with anything too, for a girl or a boy. They are skid resistant and also wipe clean.
November 24, 2007
Holiday Card CD Covers
Looking for something a little different for your holiday cards this year? Well, why not consider one of these Holiday Card CD Covers. Any of the holiday card designs over at Ringo Baby can be used to make a custom CD cover. The card has your standard holiday greetings (as customized by you), a song list, and a circular hub to secure your CD. Now all you have to do is burn a bunch of CDs with your favorite holiday mix, and send them off to your family and friends. Ringo Baby even offers coordinating CD sticker labels to complete the package. This definitely makes for one unique holiday card that will surely stick around.
November 23, 2007
Angel Wing Pajamas
If your baby is an angel, why not show the world with the Angel Wing Pajamas. This pajama jumper has angel wings attached to the back which are too cute for words. It has snap closures at the front and bottom, is available in three colors and from 3 to 12 months.
Perennial Buggy Blanket by Brooks Pond
Books Pond makes some super cool products. Their Buggy Blanket is a great example. This blanket
is much more than just a blanket. In the summer you can convert it to a lap pad or play mat, and its washable bottom half can be used as a liner to protect your stroller from sticky summer messes. In the Fall use just the breathable wind- and water-resistant nylon shell. In the Spring the scuff resistant boot guard and boot pouch protect the interior from muddy shoes. And of course, in the winter, use it to keep your child warm on those cold wintery walks!
Eezy Peezy Toddler Swing And Slide
The problem with most swing sets is that they are way too big for the little kids. One came with our house, but Andy is still a couple of years away from fully getting use out of it. I think the Eezy Peezy Toddler Swing And Slide would be much better if your toddler wants to play but is too young to climb. It is low to the ground, safe, and much less inexpensive than we were expecting. I also love how high the weight restrictions are. For those of us with large babies, we don't have to worry about them growing out of it before they are ready, like so many other products.
November 22, 2007
Happy Thanksgiving!
We are taking today off to celebrate the holiday with our friends and family. We hope all our readers have a fabulous Thanksgiving!
November 21, 2007
Laminated Chalk Mat
Are you tired of cleaning crayon off your tables and floors? I know I am. Which is why I want this Laminated Chalk Mat. This 11x17" mat comes with chalk (and your can use your own obviously), and simply unroll it to give your little one an instant space to be creative. And I've got to imagine that chalk is way easier to clean up than crayon on just about every surface.
New Designs at Bub Love
In time for the holidays, Bub Love has come out with two new designs that are cute, Been Caught Teething and Go To Time Out. For a refresher, read our review of Bub Love from last November.
Chooka Boots
The boots by Chooka at Babesta remind me of ones I wrote about last winter on Shirt Snob. They are super cute and fun, perfect if you like to dress your little one up in edgy clothing. They are available in four different patterns.
November 20, 2007
Faux Fur Baby Russian Hat
This Russian Hat over at Calliope Boutique is super cool. It's made from high-quality faux fur that won't shed. The ear flaps are big enough that you don't necessarily need to tie the hat to cover the ears, but lets be honest you'll end up tying it just to make sure your child doesn't take the hat off! The hat is available in 3 sizes (newborn, 0-1, and 1-2) and in thee colors (Chocolate, Honey, Milk). This would definitely make a great hat to keep your baby warm this winter!
Mega Brands CAT 3-in-1 Jr. Ride-On Dump Truck
This 3-in-1 Ride-On Dump Truck would be a great gift for any of you with a toddler in the house. The truck is big enough so that toddlers will be able to easily push it around as they walk. And with the dump bed up, your child can ride the truck while grasping the steering wheel or the dump handle. The steering wheel features three buttons each eliciting a construction site sound: an engine starting, a horn honking, and a truck dumping. The truck creates engine sounds when pushed forward, and even beeps when in reverse! And of course, you can remove the batteries for some more imaginative sounds as well. So, if you're looking for a great gift this holiday season, this would be a great one for any little boy or girl who loves construction sites!
Silikid Bibs
The Silikid Bibs at Baby Dagny seem to be a much better designed bib than most of the ones I currently own. This one is designed to lay flat against your baby, is made of a wipe-away material that won't stain, and it's even dishwasher friendly. It's perfect for someone on the go! It's even available in four colors.
November 19, 2007
Review: Bébe Belay
Bébe Belay recently sent one of their products to Super Cool Baby for review. According to their website, this accessory is "an instant bib, baby bootie connector, and pacifier holder" all in one product. It definitely sounds like a very useful little gadget, so I was very excited to try it out.
The Bébe Belay arrived in a padded envelope very quickly. It was inside a sheer and shiny little bag with a ribbon. The bag is reusable we must note, and the ribbon is a part of the bag. We liked that a lot! The first thing we noticed was how small it is. Each end has a clip on it, and they were holding a card for the company with its instructions on the back. Bébe Belay is available in 10 different patterns, five of which are limited editions. We received the blue stripe one, which is probably the one that would match Andy's clothes the best.
Continue reading: "Review: Bébe Belay"
Blossom Flower Fabric Box by Haba
I still haven't found the perfect toy storage containers yet. I do really like the Blossom Flower Fabric Box by Haba and would strongly consider it if I had a girl. The middle section is removable via velcro and reveals a zippered base perfect for storing small items. The top part also has a lid that can hide small trinkets too. I love the patterned flowers that decorate the outside, many of which are also 3D. There's a mirror on one side too. If you like this, you may also like the Blossom Sit and Play Stool which has storage as well as a game included.
Mountain Boy Sledworks Bambino Grande Pull Sled
Looking for a sled this winter? We've already seen one, but the Bambino Grande Pull Sled by Mountain Boy Sledworks is in a whole different category. This heirloom quality, hand crafted pull sled is built to last for generations. It's made of thick birch planks with hand-carved willow hand railes. The bottom is made from a high-quality black plastic that glides easy over snow while its wide stance keeps it stable. The sled supports up to 150 pounds, and the extra long pull rope will make it easy to pull up those hills!
Ladybug Hat
All of a sudden it's gotten a bit chilly in North Carolina. I know it's not Florida, but I haven't planned for the cold weather down here. So naturally I'm now looking into hats for Andy to wear. I discovered some adorable ones at Babesta. They come in three different designs (Ladybug Hat, Frog Hat, and Monkey Hat), and each is hand knit. They are an adorable way to keep your baby warm this winter!
November 18, 2007
Fadiddle
I love the designs at Fadiddle, an online baby boutique for babies and kids. Their clothes are embroidered with the neatest of designs, and each is backed with a cashmere-like fabric to prevent chafing. And each design is available in tees and onesies. Some of my favorites include Rocket 'Scape, The Owl Who Prefers to Listen Rather Than Speak, and Future of Blogging.
November 17, 2007
Wooden Clacker Toy
This Wooden Clacker Toy is really neat toy that harkens back to a simpler time. Like a manual lawn mower, or maybe a vacuum cleaner, you push it around making a pleasant woodsy sound. Its made by hand of oil-finished wood. The colored pieces are made from a child-safe water-based toy-enamel.
November 16, 2007
Hanukkah Wall Hanging
If you want your toddler to join in during Hanukkah, the Hanukkah Wall Hanging is a good gift. This menorah has Velcro candles and flames so your toddler can light a menorah just like the adults do. Included are the dowel and hanging cord as well as two hanging pockets for the candles and flames. It can also be personalized too!
Toy Tool Set
I loved playing with "tools" when I was a kid. This Toy Tool Set reminds me of all the fun I used to have. The oak carrying box holds a toy hammer, screwdriver, saw, a square, old-fashioned hand drill, and a 6 inch ruler. The tools are made of various solid woods including walnut, maple, and oak, with a natural oil finish. If you're looking for a unique and thoughtful gift for the upcoming holiday season, this might just be it!
Safari Bowling Set
When I was little, one of my favorite toys was bowling sets. I'd play with one whenever I'd visit my grandparents along with my cousins. We always had a blast with it, and I think it'd be fun for Andy to have something similar. The Safari Bowling Set has jungle critter pins that jingle, crinkle, and rattle and soft and yet still stand up easily. The ball has a chime inside of it, and every piece is machine washable.
November 15, 2007
Review: Alphabet Blocks
As Andy's suddenly interested in everything in the world and wants to learn what everything is called, we've both really liked the Alphabet Blocks by Fisher Price. They are clear with something in the center of each with the first letter of the word on the block. Andy can hand them to me to ask what is inside. Many also have pieces inside that rattle or make noise (such as plastic rain drops inside the umbrella block) or have motions or textures. They are a good size for little hands too. They come in a nice structured bag for when play time is over too. Andy is a big fan of these blocks, and I highly recommend them to you.
Winter Wonderland
