swissmiss

House Industries Alexander Girard Memory Game

Alexander Girard originally created the images used in this memory game for his environmental enrichment panels that he designed to spice up Herman Miller’s Action Office plan. Each game comes with 72 pieces and a limited-edition wooden box. Made in the USA out of replenishable basswood and printed with child-safe non-toxic inks. Wonderful. Make sure to also check out the building blocks. Our little Ella is coo-coo about them! And then the dolls, they make me smile!

(thank you andy)

Tooby*Doo

Tooby*Doo is a new childrenswear lifestyle design label founded in New York. How cool are those rainboots?

Kids Kraft Weekly - a regular dose of crafty goodness for young kids

I subscribe to countless e-mail newsletters. There's only a handfull though that I will *always* look at the minute I see them appear in my inbox. One of them is Kids Kraft Weekly, a site run by Amber Carvan based in the Blue Mountains of Australia. Each issue of the Kids Craft Weekly newsletter contains a selection of craft ideas – organised by theme – that are cheap, educational, child-friendly and fun. Amber is craft godess extraordinnaire. Her ideas are simple, yet stunning. If you have little ones and are into crafty projects, check out Kids Craft Weekly, subscribe to Amber's newsletter, and donate a small amount (donate button at the bottom of her newsletter). This woman pours so much love into this wonderful project, she deserves a token of appreciation.

Slat Rack

The Slat Rack is made out of powdercoated steel, and is available in white, orange, green and brown.

Our Childrens' Gorilla: A Frame

A sturdy A Frame doll house by Andrew Geller.

I am all for dots.

Big, multicolor dots make a bold statement in any room. Multi-Dot Rug: Yes, please!

Soft Tree Trunk Stool

No trees were harmed in the making of this Soft Tree Trunk Stool. It’s made of soft foam, not wood, and makes an eye-catching ottoman, extra seat, or side table. Group several together and transform a room from ordinary to enchanting. Designed by Ilona Huvernaars and Alissia Melka-Teichroew. I am in love. Available at Kikkerland.com shortly.

The SkipHop way to organize Bath Toys

Tubby is a new Bath Toys organizer made of mesh and neoprene by SkipHop. I like it!

Helbotica Tee

Helbotica Tee now in Kid's size over at the ChopShop. (Nice T holding up there, Matthew, who says you can only do that with posters, right?)

(via oneplusinfinity)

You Can't Go To School Naked!

You Can't Go To School Naked! is Ella's favorite book these days. It's a lovely story and I don't mind reading it over and over. If you have a little one around the age of 3, you should check it out. Story by Dianne Billstrom and Illustrated by Don Kilpatrick.

Designy Crib: BRIO Sleep Cot

The BRIO Sleep cot had me look. It has removable sides so that it can be easily transformed into a toddler bed and a Junior Bed. From newborn to 6 years Available in white, yellow and natural wood finishes. Niiiice!

What's for dinner? Potato Flip Flops!

Purchase the Yummyfun Kooking DVD series here .

(a fantastic find by minordetails)

Crayon Physics

Crayon Physics Deluxe from Petri Purho on Vimeo.

(thanks for reminding me of this game, Tom)

OXO Guardian Nightlight

The OXO Candela Guardian is officially my new favorite gift for (new) parents. My lovely friend BB gave me one for my birthday last week, knowing that our little Ella still wakes up at least once a night. I love it. It's one of these products that I've looked at before but for some reason didn't end up buying. Little did I know that this little light gives off *just* the right amount of light for a little night-walking (or a potential diaper change) and lasts all night. Thank you BB!

Marlène polka dot suitcases

I agree with Jennifer, these Marlène polka dot suitcases could make for great toy storage.

For my german speaking readers: Do you remember Piggeldy und Frederick ?

I *love* PlayFoam!

So, here's a product, I would have never bought, did I not have the chance to try it at a friend's house the other day. PlayFoam
always looked messy to me. But you know what, it's way less messy than Play-Dogh. In fact, it's not messy at all and quite addictive to play with. I just picked up a box for our plane ride to the swiss alps tomorrow. Little Ella will be thrilled. And if not, I'll have fun playing with it. Whee! (I admit thought, I do question if it can be harmful, it sure does smell toxic!)

Antique Carpenter Wood Letters

Handcrafted Antique Carpenter Wood Letters (set of 17)

Perfect Gift for a traveling 2-4 year old: Trunki

Christmas came early for our little EllaBella: Her fabulous aunt sent her a Trunki . Designed for family holidays, children can pack, sit-on and ride their own luggage, whilst parents can keep them in tow. It's been a huge hit already. We had to pull Ella up and down the hallway. Trunki will definitely keep us and E entertained next wednesday at the airport, waiting to board a plane to the swiss alps. (YAY!)

Melissa & Doug Alphabet Stamp Set

Things like this Melissa & Doug Alphabet Stamp Set just make me rejoice as an artsy/typography loving parent. I can not wait to give this to Ella so that we can both play. (And yes, I know, I should become a Melissa & Doug spokesperson. Love the brand!)

Stacking Tree

Lovely gift idea for a little one: Plan Toys Stacking Tree. Seen over at Cookie's Ideas for the Holidays.

Bestarium Minimum

Turn your office desk into a wild jungle with Bestarium Minimum by Julian Hector. Cut them out and piece them together. They stand, just like real animals would! Great for role playing games too. This one time, I played the part of the Griffin and Unicorn. Together, we poked the Cyclops' eye out, dropped a book on top of the Minotaur, threw a (lit) match down the Dragon's throat, and tied the Hydras' necks into knots, all before Medusa turned us into stone... good times.

Custom Digital Portrait Silhouette

Custom Digital Portrait Silhouette.

Eco Dollhouse | Eco-Centric Play Gift Idea

How fantastic is this Eco House? Dolls and kids can add the rewards of saving energy to pretend-play fun when they set up housekeeping in this ecologically friendly home that includes a windmill, rain barrel, solar panels, recycling bins, shower, and motor bike.

Oliver Jeffer's Lost and Found now animated!

Studio aka has completed a 25-minute film adaptation of Oliver Jeffer's book Lost And Found. The film, directed by Philip Hunt, will debut on the UK’s Channel Four on Christmas Eve. When Oliver was visiting the studio he showed us snippet. Seeing Oliver's characters come to life, it doesn't get much better than that. I can't wait to get this DVD for Ella.

(thank you rory, via cartonbrew)

Superhero in a box

Superhero in a box. Made me smile and want to be a 5 year old kid.

(via trendsnow)

two blue cars

Two Blue Cars makes fantastic T-Shirts/Onesies for little ones.

Wooden Airport Play Set

This Wooden Airport Play Set made me laugh. A sign of our times? My generation played with Parking Garages, Ella will most probably go straight to Airports.

what a lovely name

What a Lovely Name is a web application that not only helps you generate a baby name based on tags — cute, wise, quirky — and a combination thereof but it also generates a (relatively) custom logo that you can then magically export to zazzle and get all kinds of merchandise.

(via quipsologies)

Charley Harper toys at OldNavy

I am echoing Jennifer's words: Perhaps I'm late to the party but did you know that Old Navy is carrying a Charley Harper Line for the holidays?

Study: Babies in buggies need to face parent

Parents who choose a stroller that seats their baby facing away from them could risk long-term development problems in their children, according to a study published Friday.

Study: Away-facing strollers stress babies

abc song

Our little Ella approves!

Tips to Improve Reading Comprehension when reading to your kids

Muji Cardboard House

Muji Cardboard Dollhouse.

(via minordetails)

Lunch Bag Art

How incredibly cool is this dad that paints/draws on lunch bags during his lunch break for his kids every single day?

(via chrisglass)

Zuigames

Zuigames is a free online Flash gaming portal designed just for kids. All games are reviewed for kid appropriateness so parents can let their kids surf the site without concern that they'll encounter an inappropriate game.

(via e-hub)

super minimal coin bank

I believe this is the first coin bank ever that had me look. It was designed by swiss Bruno Limberger (1934-1994) who was a devoted architect, artist, and host. (I can't stand those cheesy coin banks that seem to accumulate in every kid's room. I know, I know, I am such a design snob.)

Radio Flyer Classic Red Dual Deck Tricycle

Best gift ever for a 2-5/3 year old: Radio Flyer Classic Red Dual Deck Tricycle. (Make sure to buy a helmet as well!)

ALBINO, colourinable T-shirts

ALBINO are colourinable T-shirts for kids. Practice sheets help the little artists decide how to do their shirt before they begin colouring-in directly on the shirt. Yup, a great gift for the holidays!

ABC poster gone minimal

Thank you Robin Rosenthal for this minimal and beautiful ABC poster.