Bye, bye boring white socks! Bold and funky, Little Miss Matched socks are a fun way for kids to express individual style. They come in comfy liners, anklets, knee highs and more. Mix and match non-skid baby sock styles too! Check out all the options at www.littlemissmatched.com.
Here’s an interesting concept in wish-making, that also helps save the planet. Wrap a Brazilet around your wrist and tie three knots. The 200 year old Brazilian tradition says when the bracelet wears off naturally, your wishes will come true. While the wish verdict will of course depend from person to person (you gotta believe, Mom!), one thing is certain – a portion of the proceeds help with rainforest conservation and tree planting in Brazil. Learn more about this effort at www.plantabillion.com.
Available in 13 colorful styles, each say “In remembrance of our patron saint good luck in life” in Portuguese. The Brazilets, which include a card to write down your wishes, will stay on for about 2 weeks or longer. $5 each at www.brazilets.com.
Soft enough for teething babies, fun for playing “Kitchen” too - these plush toys by Under the Nile are cute and a clever way to promote healthy eating. Available in a veggie crate or fruit tote, each happy foodie item is made and stuffed with 100% organic Egyptian cotton. Fruit or veggies kits come with four plush friends and cost $30. Individual plush toys are $7 each. Learn more at www.underthenile.com.
No more icky bottles when on the go! Steri-Bottles are ready to use sterile bottles you can reuse or toss when done. Great must-pack if you’re traveling with baby. And, they are completely recyclable. A resealable pouch protects your unused bottles, fast-flow nipples also included. A pack of 5 will cost you $6, pack of 10 costs $10. Available at many Babies R Us locations, learn more at www.steribottle.com.
Here’s a quick and easy reference for the sitter. And we’re talking for babies, pets and even house sitting! With these LobotoMe checklists, jot down feeding times, allergies, important numbers and other valuable info to keep your sitter in the loop. 50 sheets for about $10 at www.lobotome.com.
One smart straw! The Straw-lution is a straw you use to puncture pre-packaged items like yogurt, pudding, baby food, certain drinks – and it doesn’t come out! Thanks to its clever built-in stopper, the straw is actually anchored until you physically remove it from the bottom of your lid. It’s reusable and dishwasher safe. The Straw-lution comes in 4 different colors. A pack of 12 will run you about $5, a 4-pack for $17. Recommended for ages 9 months and up. Learn more at www.strawlution.com.
Constantly in and out of the car on errands and kid activities? Parking lots can be a distracting and tricky experience with little ones who aren’t aware of the dangers of oncoming traffic and don’t always listen when you tell them to stay put.
Parking Pals help drive the message home. These magnetic decals, available in assorted styles, stick directly to your car so you can identify a safe zone. Have your child place his/her hand on the decal while they wait for you to load/unload other items or children. The colorful magnets are attention-grabbing and after a few trips, your child will know to go directly to their safe zone. $7.99 at www.parkingpalmagnet.com.
Socks that look like shoes -cute! Jazzy Toes Hamptons collection for boys and girls are a fun match for baby ensembles. These skid-resistant socks are available for babies 0-12 and 12-24 months. Their 6-sock set makes a great gift! Sets cost $27 at www.jazzytoes.com. Individual socks start at $7.
Let baby practice self-feeding with Tiny Tongs! This chopstick-styled spork helps little hands pick up food with its handy non-slip grip. Our 18-month old tester liked to explore with it and caught on fairly easily. Tiny Tongs are BPA-free and are dishwasher safe. $8 at www.tinytongs.com.
Ready, set, cook! Check out these “oh too cool” kid culinary tools by Head Chefs. Each utensil has bendable arms and legs with soft silicone bodies in bright colors. Handy and fun, smart suction feet enable each tool to stand alone. This line includes spoons, spatulas, measuring cups, whisks and more! Adults may want a batch of their own, they are that groovy! Find a store locations at www.fiestaproducts.com.