My little Vivian has practicing her walking all over the place for the last few weeks. (I need to figure out how to get video in these posts and I will share some of those first wobbly baby steps.) Those are momentous moments and she is so, so, proud. Even when she falls on her bum - she claps and claps and just beams.
But before the “look ma, no hands!” kind of steps happened - she was cruising all over the furniture and the walls.
When I heard about a new product, The Cruising Shelf last month - I thought, this makes perfect sense. Father of invention, Jonathan Gomez Whitney was inspired to create this low shelf by his daughter, Paloma. Read the feature from the Star Tribune here.
After you’re done with the cruising stage - it makes a nice accessible shelf for your kids to reach the things you want them to reach!
designelefante.com

We’re in the midst of shopping and gift lists - but after reading articles like this article from last week’s Star Tribune, it’s a shame you have to second guess the toys you buy for safety. Well, today we have Cribsheeter Shannon S. sharing what she’s learned in her exhaustive research on natural toys.

Thanks for letting me talk about my favorite subject! After all of the safety recalls on toys since my son was born, I started to think that there had to be another way of doing things. I think I also got a bit burned out after the first year with a baby–everything was used and outgrown in a matter of a few months. Since I’m a researcher by nature, I started researching and discovered a wealth of information. My new goal became to give my little son toys that would grow with him, made of natural materials, and things that provided the opportunity for open-ended play (as opposed to the toys that only do one thing).

When you first step into the world of natural toys, it came seem overwhelming. At first it seems impossible to find them (though Target and Toys ‘R Us are starting to carry some nice brands). Then they’re EVERYWHERE, but so expensive and so many choices! A few good things to keep in mind:

1. Simplicity. A simple scarf can be a super hero cape, a pirate ship flag, wizard’s robes, princess or fairy costumes, a blanket for a doll, a campfire, an ocean…you get it! Remember making forts out of boxes? The simpler the toy, the more room for creativity!
2. Quality not quantity. I’m there too…toy boxes over-flowing with impulse purchases that are played with and broken or forgotten. Once we reprioritized to natural toys, the impulse purchasing stopped! The big-box toy departments aren’t really even that appealing any more. Maybe a $60 wooden toy seems outrageously expensive. But consider that toy will probably be here for your grandkids to play with. [And consider the prices of the It Toys each year! Will it still be played with in a year or two?] By putting out fewer play-things, you’ll be amazed at the change in play in most kids. They can focus and really be creative in their play! So instead of several things, consider one toy. Added bonus: your kids learn to appreciate what they’ve got!
3. But *I* can make that! You probably can! If you can’t, maybe you know someone that can!! Do you know any knitters? Crocheters? Sewers? You might be surprised what fun things they can come up with, and I’ve *never* met a knitter/crocheter/sewer that wasn’t overjoyed to fulfil a wish! Know anyone with wood-working tools? There are lots of books and magazines with DIY projects for all skill levels. Get your kids involved for something really special that they’ll remember forever! (Living Crafts Magazine is available at lots of craft and book stores and is a wonderful resource!!)
4. The toys are beautiful, but so expensive! Not necessarilly. Bargains are around if you get creative. There are lots of articles on DIY play kitchens out of old furniture, you can buy kits to make your own dolls (Dancing Rain Dolls is my personal favorite), you can go to wholesale craft stores online to get the same playthings that are sold in some of the fancy shops (my blog has links to some of my favorite resources)! There are great tutorials all over the internet! Try going to the thrift store or raiding your own closet and put together a dress up box!

Ok, so off of my soap-box. And on to the useful stuff–where can you go shopping? (This list is NOT comprehensive. Just a few places I like or have heard great things about. There are a ton of other shops out there!!)

In the Twin Cities and Online:
Peapods
Wonderment

Online:
Nova Natural Toys
Three Sisters Toys
A Toy Garden
Nico And Zoe

And if those stores don’t get you drooling…please consider shopping on Etsy.com which has some amazing toy artists! There’s even a shop local option if you’d like to keep your footprint to Minnesota! The gift guides are really great place to start if you’re overwhelmed…they’ve got Children and Baby ideas too!

Just to tempt you with a couple of cool artists…

NotAPotato has some fun cloth blocks and balls as well as other baby gifts and she’s located right in Minnesota!!

Beneath the Rowen Tree is an amazing artist and makes beautiful, simple toys from silk and wool.

WoodMouse does really cute wooden toys and ornaments.

Have a safe and wonderful holiday season!

What toys or stores have you found for natural toys? Any recommendations?

Apparently, the gloomy economy didn’t stop hundreds of parents and kids from thronging the MOA for the opening of the American girl store Saturday.

$90 for a doll! Wow. But I was just glad to see a rare happy retail story from our retail reporter, Jackie Crosby. (Our editors must have felt the same way…they slapped the story on the front page of the Sunday paper.)

In Variety, Gail Rosenblum writes about grown women who are still obsessed with Molly, Felicity and Kit and there are cute pics of young fans by Jim Gertz at the opening.

Any Cribsheeters out there with a (not so) secret American Girl obsession?

I have two baby showers coming up.  One for brand new parents and one for a seasoned mom - who has a decade between kids and needs a new stash of gear.

Thought it would be high time to tap into our Cribsheet resources for thoughts and advice.  

I just became reaquainted with marthastewart.com.  (Hey, I’ve been too busy to even consider doing labor-intensive but darling things).

There are gifts like a hospital survival kit for the father-to-be, a collection of books to start baby’s library, and a  lullaby cd (a staple of mine).

Another idea on her site for a baby shower gift was to give a basket of wisdom.  Love it! I totally am going to use this idea.

Now, the seasoned mom basically registered for Gerber white onesies in all sizes. I laughed at her list. That’s so true - pretty much what you need and what they end up wearing.  But white onesies are not fun to buy! Come on I want to get creative!

Now that you’re a parent and may have been for awhile, what would you give in your basket of wisdom?  I bet a lot of parents to be will appreciate your input as well.

For those of you who missed the comments below in Samara’s post: Commenter, Alison  shared this excellent State Fair safety freebie. 

North Memorial will be giving away 8,000 bike helmets for free to children ages 1-17 years old, at the State Fair this year. These are brand new, Bell Sports bike helmets. The exact same helmets you can buy from any retailer. The North Memorial booth is in the Health Fair 11 building and helmets will be available starting at 9am everyday. There is no cost, the only requirement is that the child be present and that you stand in line in order to get the helmet correctly fitted. I encourage you to stop by and get a helmet!