Between school parties and Easter baskets from their grandparents, my kids will be coming home with chocolate bunnies and cream-filled eggs to last us till the Fourth of July. So I've been looking for some extra special Easter basket gif…
Most preschoolers can tell you that M is for Monkey and N is for Nut , but a hip preschooler may know that those letters also stand for Moustache and Narwhal . Since I'm pretty sure my three year old doesn't, I've got my eye on this Hips…
Ever in search for more colorful playthings to brighten up the dreary northeast weather, I am so happy to discover Laughing Crickets , an Etsy shop creating the most beautiful, bright, happy-making handmade toys for kids, with a focus on…
As I'm looking around the web for ideas for a little token Valentine's Gift for my kids, I came across this adorable wooden stacking heart blocks toy from Natural Family Shop on Amazon and yes, I heart it. It comes with 8 natural, beauti…
My three-year-old son brings artwork home from nursery school by the armful -- if you consider a couple of paint drops on construction paper to be art, that is. Every so often, however, he creates something that actually resembles a pers…
From amazing dolls to cool new games and imaginative toys, there have been so many fantastic options out for kids at play this year that encourage things we love, like creativity, imagination, building, interest in STEM pursuits, defianc…
Some of the best toys don't need a lot of bells and whistles, or even horns, to make them a plaything that kids will love for years. Our newest find is Candylab's stunning, yet durable, wooden toy cars . After Candylab wooden toy cars re…
Compared to last year (holy Thanksgivukkah !), it may seem like we have tons of time to prep for Hanukkah, but I have a feeling that the time will fly. Quickly. Before we know it, we’ll be on the hook for eight crazy nights of festivitie…
We are so SO excited to present our 2014 holiday gift guide , our biggest and best yet, if we do say so ourselves. You’ll find 20 pages of absolutely amazing holiday gift ideas (over 200 to be exact) for everyone on your list in every pr…
One of our great joys with this site is supporting small businesses and fellow indie publishers. (Hey, we still have a blogroll. Remember those?) And now one of our favorite bloggers and friends, Mari Richards of the fantastic design sit…
There aren't many wooden toys for toddlers that I can imagine an older kid would love too, but these super nerdy ABC blocks from Uncommon Goods are a major exception. They're made from locally sourced wood and printed with non-toxic inks…
Okay, so I'm going to go ahead and say it: The holidays are creeping up. I know that means half of you hate me, and the other half are like "whatever, my list is already done ." In which case, I bow to you. But if you're starting to thin…
Buying a special gift for a four-year-old is so much fun since this is the age that kids really start to show their preferences and interests. Plus, they aren't sticking every little piece into their mouths (phew) and can play independen…
Choosing the best gift for a two year old from among ride-on vehicles, construction toys, dolls and more can seem overwhelming, so we've narrowed it down to some favorites that our own boys and girls have loved. Because that first birthd…
If you've ever dreamed of having your own David Bowie to snuggle, we've got good news: These pop culture dolls by French artisan My Name is Simone are just as much for you as they are for kids. Whether you're into Ziggy Stardust, the Kin…
We missed the boat on a big fancy modern swing set for my kids--maybe because we live in the city and don't have a yard? Yeah, that could have a little to do with it. But their Grandma and Papa put up a handmade swing for them which made…
We have a thing for personalized dolls at Cool Mom Picks, but I am legitimately swooning over these sophisticated (but still adorable) custom family dolls, handmade by Liliana Tijeras of Citizens Collectible on Etsy. They may be made in …
Update: Regretfully, the great.ly shop is no longer in operation. We hope you'll find other cool stuff you love throughout our site. We are so pleased to announce the launch of the Cool Mom Picks Boutique at the wonderful new website Gre…
If you asked my daughter what her favorite color is, her answer would be "rainbow." I can't agree more, and its bright and cheery vibe makes the sweet rainbow learning toys for toddlers so perfect for spring. This acorn sorting game is a…
We all know how much babies and toddlers love to look at photos of the people they love, and so a custom photo gift can be a wonderful baby gift . But if you are like me, those puffy, plastic photo albums aren't your idea of great nurser…
I don't know if there's a more perfect gift for a baby than a great set of modern alphabet blocks. (Besides maybe a great alphabet poster .) They start as decor in the nursery, become a great toddler toy, and eventually you get to watch …
Just in case you didn't know, it's National Puzzle Day. And we like puzzles! So I've put together 8 of the most creative jigsaws, blocks, stackers, wooden, handmade, felt and letter puzzles for toddlers that are perfect for kids just sta…
We know personalized baby gifts are supposed to show you gave it more than two seconds' thought choosing a special keepsake. These cozy pachyderms, an exclusive offering from Baby Gardner , do just that. This little baby elephant parade …
With all the empty cardboard boxes that may still be around your house post-holiday, don't throw them out! Take a lesson from my kids, who have never seen an empty box they didn't turn into a playhouse, a race car, or a doll cradle. Sinc…