Spinning Lights
In honor of our Independence Day, I’d like to suggest a toy that is anything but minimalist and definitely made in China, i.e. very American! The LED spinner or whatever … Continue reading
Matchbox 20
In my grandmother’s town, where I spent my summers as a kid, there was an ancient toy store run by an even more ancient man where he still sold individually … Continue reading
Fire Trucks
Fire trucks are awesome. What’s not to love? I got a ride on one once. The firemen were heading out, I came by on foot wearing something fetching, and voila: … Continue reading
Best Play Food: Condiments
Kids love dipping their food. Ketchup, syrup, tartar sauce: our refrigerator door is crowded with salty and sweet condiments. So it makes sense that the condiment bottle collection we got … Continue reading
Best Play Food: Salad!
Astrid loves vegetables. I don’t feel like I can take much credit for that because I’ve tried to get her to like fruit too and it hasn’t worked at all. … Continue reading
First Doll
I wasn’t keen on raising our little girl to just like dolls and kitchens, so I got her a red car about the same time as I got her her … Continue reading
Bubbles!
With a two year old, bubbles are on the menu every day. They have been for a while. And babies love them too. So stocking up on bubbles, especially novel … Continue reading
Skip Hop Treetop Friends Play Mat
I’ve always liked Skip Hop‘s style and Astrid (and I) were really happy with their farmyard activity mat when she was tiny: soft fabric with some texture and crinkles for … Continue reading
Haba Toys
Full disclosure: I’m not a fan of tons of colors and noises for infants. The way I see it, if you’re new to everything, everything is interesting. Also, babies are … Continue reading
Transitional Object: Gund Comfy Cozies
I wrote a while ago about “transitional objects” and how important they can be for babies. Chances are, you’ll pick out one you like before Baby arrives, or someone will … Continue reading
Eat Your Veggies
Let’s face it: if you’re cooking dinner, your child is too. They like you, these kids of yours. So if you’re in the kitchen dicing vegetables, chances are, they’ll want … Continue reading
First Toys: The Teddy Bear (Another One)
OK, so I know I said you don’t need to have your future child’s teddy bear all sorted out and kicking it in the nursery when the baby arrives, and … Continue reading
Skwish Mobile
I was in Giggle the other day and came across the Skwish Mobile. I love me some mobiles, so I had a look. Even though I don’t think I would’ve … Continue reading
San Francisco: Toy Stores
I hope this will be useful for some of my San Francisco readers. It’s by no means comprehensive + this is an area where I have pretty strong opinions, so … Continue reading
Bells and Whistles. Or Just Bells.
In deference to my – and therefore my child’s – sanity, I swore we would keep electronic and noise-making toys to a minimum. We’ve done pretty well so far. No … Continue reading
Kitchen: M Cups
We are TOTALLY getting these! They’re kitchen measuring cups built like Russian nesting dolls and are $9-14 worth of awesomeness for a toddler at loose ends in the kitchen. A … Continue reading
First Toys: The Teddy Bear
I still have Gloria, in case you were wondering. She was my first teddy bear, and, in a deeply subjective way, I love her. In a more objective way, I … Continue reading
Music Boxes
I loved music boxes when I was a kid. The little machine inside – OK, yes, I broke one in half to see it – was like magic and the … Continue reading
Best Sand Toys!
When Astrid first took an interest in sand (other than eating it), she envied another child’s sand tower. I was thrilled and tracked one down in the off-season to get … Continue reading
First Toys: Sophie the Giraffe
See also A Word on Toys Sophie the Giraffe has been around for 50 years and is still sweet and effective. She’s a vanilla-scented, rubber teething toy from France with a … Continue reading
First Toys: “Transitional Object”
See also A Word on Toys A “transitional object” helps your baby transition from needing you all the time to wanting this object when you’re not around to, in the future, … Continue reading
Pimp My Car Seat
The infant car seat is a wonderful thing early on: your baby is small enough to snuggle in it and happy to snooze while you go from point A to … Continue reading
First Toys: Mobiles
See also A Word on Toys Mobiles are awesome. Period. Get at least one for your baby for above her crib. And maybe another one for above her play area. And … Continue reading
First Toys: Rattles
See also A Word on Toys The first interactive toys that will probably catch your baby’s attention are ones that make a small cause-and-effect noise, like a rattle or a crinkle. … Continue reading
First Toys: Mirrors
See also A Word on Toys Also in the staring category are mirrors. Astrid didn’t notice herself in a mirror until she was 3 1/2 months old despite all expert assertions … Continue reading
Fisher Price Music Box Record Player
I didn’t have a lot of mainstream toys when I was a kid. My parents were more “use your imagination/we walked uphill barefoot both ways” types, so Lincoln Logs and … Continue reading
First Blocks
Just as Astrid hit the six and a half month mark, she seemed to lose interest in her previously popular rattles and toys. And a day later I got my … Continue reading
Baby’s First Bath Toys
When we moved Astrid into the big tub, I felt like she was relaxed but bored, so I went hunting for some starter bath toys that wouldn’t make our only … Continue reading
Minimalista Mama 