Growing up, the Easter Bunny often left creative, sometimes even practical “baskets” filled with goodies. Rarely did a traditional basket make its way into the house. I’d still take a toy wheelbarrow, laundry basket, or garbage can any day over a traditional pastel basket.

If you’re also into unique Easter baskets, check out this totally chic kid Shopping Cart by Plan Toys.

What young child wouldn’t be thrilled to find this cart loaded up with a gigantic chocolate bunny on Easter morning?

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I happened to find myself “window shopping” in a super pricey, albeit totally chic, brick and mortar baby store the other day.  I discovered two things (although the first I already knew, but reminders are ALWAYS useful):  (1) you generally get so much MORE bang for the buck when you shop online, and (2) there are some uber cool play baby photo albums (a.k.a. developmental photo toys) on the market.

Wondering why you’d ever give your baby a chewable photo album toy?  Well, for development purposes for starters.  Baby friendly photo albums or toys help baby develop familiarity with the displayed faces.  Baby and Mom (Dad, Grandma or the sitter) will find endless joy in playing “who’s that?” or peek-a-boo–and of course, in watching baby give ”kisses” to her favorite photos.  Photo albums or toys also encourage baby talk and giggles.  Colors, designs, and textures also captivate baby’s interest.

baby-Wise.com has a fabulous selection of baby photo albums, toys and cubes.   

Like this one, the Hello Baby Photo Cube by Sassy ($11.49), which introduces baby to fun noises when photos are pressed.  

And this one, the Whoozit Photo Album by Manhattan Toy ($15.95), which holds 5 4×6 images and has special flaps for peek-a-boo fun.

Let’s make a project!  Without fail, that’s my preschooler’s predictable response to the question, ”so, what do you want to do today?”  Give her paper, scissors, glue, and crayons, and she’s one happy crafty camper.  She made the most adorable tissue art flower poster today, using green ric-rac for a flower stem, a button for the flower center, and scrunched up tissue paper for petals, thanks to ALEX art supplies.  If you aren’t familiar with ALEX products, you don’t know what you’re missing!  ALEX makes quality art supplies and kid pleasing games, like the cool and sturdy Jungle Bean Bag Toss.  I find it hard to resist buying ALEX.  I even gravitate to ALEX products when I need affordable, guaranteed to please gifts.

When it comes to art supplies for kids, safety is key, especially in this age of recalls.  Recently, I happened to stumble upon a blogger’s post about safe craft supplies for children.  Who knew that Wikki sticks are made in the U.S. and out of food grade wax?  Thanks for that tidbit Mamanista!

Knowing craft supplies are safe for my preschooler is important to me.  While I’m not so much worried about intentional consumption, like eating a crayon or licking glue, I am concerned about what she may touch and unintentionally ingest.  Remember the huge 2003 lead-laced sidewalk chalk recall, not to mention the wave of recent recalls? 

Children can ingest lead by coming into contact with products containing lead–i.e. touching the products.  The ingestion of lead is linked to behavioral problems, potentially dangerous blood levels, and learning disabilities, among other medical issues.  To learn more about product safety, check out the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s website.

Obviously, the use of safe art supplies is crucial for making project time safe.  Good hand washing as part of clean-up time is also part of the equation, if anything, as a just-in-case precaution–but, then again, if you want to rid those sticky hands of glue, you’re probably planning to hit the sink anyway!

Do you have a tip to share for making project time safer?  

Lately, anything–okay, let’s be real here, everything–retro is totally chic.  Somehow retro looks even more fashionable the second time around.  Take for example, oh say, kitchen appliances.  Cuisinart, one of the coolest names in kitchen gear, has infused retro spunk into their products, making even somewhat dull kitchen appliances, like the toaster oven, look outrageously hip. 

When it comes to *baby*, retro style is over-the-top adorable.  From groovy crib bedding by Babylicious to retro play kitchens by KidKraft, it’s entirely possible to raise a baby retro style.  The must-have Ergo Baby Carrier is even available with retro lining (among other lining options)!  Even when your baby is no longer a baby and heads off to school, you can continue the retro theme with a  metal lunch box reminiscent of your own youth!

Love retro, too?  Tell us, what’s your favorite parenting/baby retro must-have?

Pressed for affordable gift ideas for that little one in your life?  Here are 5 great gifts for tots: 

1.  Pony or Unicorn Stick.  Sure, playing with the broom is fun, but not nearly as much fun as the real thing.

2.  Bubbles.  What kid doesn’t love bubbles and bubble accessories, like a gigantic wand or bubble mower?

3.  Planes, trains, and automobiles!  Most little guys and gals alike love playing with pint-sized toy vehicles.  Mom and dad (and grandma, too), will appreciate the entertainment value–just pack a couple of vehicles in a diaper bag and pull out when needed to keep the little one occupied!

4.  Shape Sorters.  A classic, must-have gift.  Melissa & Doug makes terrific sorting toys.  Chicco and Sassy also make educational and fun sorters.

5.  Puppets.  Kids love puppet play, especially when they get to watch a show by Mom or Dad.  Finger puppets are a sure crowd pleaser!  

A friend asked me the other day, “so, is your preschooler into Barbie, yet?”  My gut reaction:  what on Earth do you mean by yet?  Yet assumes living in a Barbie World (thanks, Aqua) is inevitable.  First off, I don’t think the Barbie phase is inevitable.  But, back to the question.  The answer is yes.  My preschooler has just started to show interest in Barbie.

I realize the word “Barbie” alone can stir up the liveliest of debates among parents, especially moms.  Some draw the line at Barbie.  Others say, “what’s the harm?”  Still others lie somewhere in between–”maybe one or two dolls, but forget the dream house and hundreds of accessories.” 

As much as I’d like my preschooler to remain interested in her natural and simple wood Ryan’s Room dollhouse and miniature Waldorf-inspired wood people,  I can’t deny that she’s losing interest in favor of Barbie and the KidKraft line of dollhouses (which by the way, are quite dreamy) that accommodate Barbie (and like sized) dolls.  Oh, in case you’re wondering, she doesn’t watch much t.v.–and when she does, it’s commercial free.

Please help me out here.  What’s the going age for Barbie?  When does life in plastic begin?  When does it end? 

Making charitable donations this time of the year goes hand and hand with the holiday spirit.  Each holiday season, my little ones and I prepare food and toy donations for drop-off at a local charity.  Although we engage in other charitable endeavors at other times during the year, I use this time of year to teach the point of the holiday season–giving to others.  This year, like every year, charities rely upon donations of all sorts.  Money.  Food.  Clothes.  Time.  Toys. 

When it comes to toys, though, in light of recent recalls, charities are reminding parents to properly dispose of recalled toys.  Disposing of recalled toys does not mean bringing them to a charity. 

Many charities, such as the Salvation Army, rely extensively on volunteers to help sort toys and weed out recalled ones.  This season is keeping charities especially busy.  

When toys are recalled, proper disposal of toys is essential for child safety.  The U.S. Consumer Protection Safety Commission (”CPSC”) and manufacturers usually provide specific information on what should be done with recalled toys, such as contacting the manufacturer for replacement or refunds.

Check out the CPSC web site for additional information about recalls.  

Maybe it’s because the cups are just so darn cute.  Maybe it’s because they make kids feel so grown up.  Reasoning aside, kids simply love tea parties.

I vividly remember one of my first childhood tea parties.  I sat at a plastic pint-sized table surrounded by my stuffed animal friends–come to think of it, that was a pretty ugly table.  It would probably pass for “retro chic” today, given the big gaudy flowers displayed all over it. Table and all, I remember those tea parties.

My preschooler really digs tea parties now.  She loves her tea set, especially when I fill the tiny serving pitcher with chocolate milk.  She absolutely loves to fill (and refill) her own cup. 

Tea parties unleash her imagination.  I love hearing my preschooler engage in full conversations with her imaginary friends, stuffed animals, and dolls.  I can only hope she looks back on her childhood and remembers her tea parties, like I do mine.  Maybe she’ll even remember her table–minus the flowers.

Want to encourage your child’s imagination through a tea party?  Here are five simple things you can do to make a tea party super special.

1.  Invite a friend to the party.  Tea parties are even more special when a ”real” friend joins in the fun.  Even if that friend is mommy or daddy.

2.  Give your child her own special tea set.  While ordinary dishes will do, there is nothing quite like a miniature child-sized set.

3.  Dress up.  Encourage your child to dress up for tea!  What a perfect occasion to wear dress-up clothes, costume jewelry, fun scarves or mommy’s heels (okay, maybe the not-too-high ones).

4.  Get fancy.  For a “formal” tea party, make tea time invitations with your child and send them to guests (bonus feature:  what child doesn’t love to send and receive mail?).

5.  Serve treats.  Tea parties are fun with imaginary tea and snacks, but even better with the real thing.  Consider chocolate milk or another special drink as a “tea” substitute.  Consider mini cupcakes or mini cookies as a snack.

Most importantly, don’t forget the camera!  You’ll definitely want to preserve those tea party moments!

Does your little one like tea parties?  What have you done to make them even more memorable for your child?   

I’m nearly convinced that one of the best gifts for a toddler/pre-K aged-child is a train table–with trains and a bunch of accessories, of course!  My children (and the children of nearly every parent I know) are drawn to them whenever they spot one, such as at Barnes and Noble or at the pediatrician’s office.

While the floor or dining room table may seem like an okay place for train play, nothing quite beats a train table that is specifically designed to keep kids busy for hours by encouraging imaginary play, while also neatly containing train parts.  A separate play space for the kids is a nice perk of a train table—fewer train parts to step on around the house, fewer times asking (okay, let’s get real here, begging) your kids to “clean up” their toys.

A quality train table can last for years.  Even after your kids outgrow the table for train play, it can be used as a versatile storage table (most train table manufacturers offer deep storage drawers as an add on accessory) or as another surface for doing other activities, like school assignments or art—some parents elect to paint a table’s surface with chalkboard paint for extended use.

There are a number of popular train table manufacturers, including reasonably priced tables by KidKraft (which offers tables in a choice of color, complete with colorful and fun play surfaces).  Baby-wise.com offers free shipping on orders over $99—that makes giving a train table gift this holiday an even merrier idea.

I just finished decking out my mantle with one of those holiday-themed greenery garlands–sure, the greens are artificial, but the glittery Pine Cones look quite elegant. My kids aren’t the only ones excited that the holiday season “officially” rings in this week with the arrival of Turkey Day. I’m also ecstatic, especially knowing that I can now count the number of days until Black Friday on one hand.

There’s no doubt, I love shopping. But, I’m also smart about it. I don’t like to clutter my closets with things I won’t ever use. I tend to think most people on my shopping list share similar thoughts. So, when the holidays come, I try to buy practical gifts.

This shopping approach gets me into trouble sometimes–because I’ve discovered that it’s really hard to keep a gift a surprise when I’ve bought something that someone could use right away.

When it comes to my own kids, I’m tempted to pull out whatever gift I’ve purchased and let them start using it. That’s why I’m nearly certain I will fail at keeping the puzzles I’m going to buy my toddler this week a secret. My toddler is completely ready for puzzles (btw, puzzles make great gifts at this age)–and, I know they would make for hours of entertainment during the hustle and bustle of holiday preparations.   

Do you shop and tell, too? If not, what’s your strategy for keeping holiday gifts for your children a surprise?