Mama Speaks

Yo Baby Kick Flipper

Flip 'Em The Board

For months now my son would sit entranced by the big kids performing their stunts in the form of kick flips and ollies and endless combinations.  He couldn't wait to step foot on his very own skateboard.  The time finally came and visions of cheering my boy on from the X Games stands came to a halt.

It seems as though the wheel thing was a bit of a deterrent for this little one. He wanted tricks without the board taking off.  After attempting several alternatives, moving to the grass, tightening the trucks, we were afraid the board's destiny was calling from the cobwebby corners of our shed along with skateboarding dreams. 

That is until we came across the Yo Baby Kick Flipper [$12] at our local skate and surf shop.   Made in the USA by an extreme sporting father, the trick board takes on shape of a lightweight, smaller scale skateboard minus wheels and trucks.  The Yo Baby Kick Flipper is perfect for little ones wanting to get their feet wet while lessening the risk of breaking them.  It encourages balance, imagination and athletic skill.  Extremely portable, the Yo Baby Kick Flipper will allow your child to ease in to the fine art of extreme tricks and before you know it, wheel fear will be a thing of the past.

Win it!
We're giving away a Yo Baby Kick Flipper to one reader! To enter, email giveaways[at]mamaspeaks.com with Kick as your subject and let us know the name of the company behind the Yo Baby. Giveaway ends 10.21.08.

-Cara

Eco Dough

Dough Goes Eco

Not all dough is created equal. We'll admit that while we won't let our kid near it, the thought has surfaced that nothing can beat that kind that we grew up with as kids. Thankfully, we keep coming across Mama made, eco-friendly alternatives that are just as good and dare I say, even better?

Eco Dough, from Eco Kids, was created by a family who wanted to play with the real stuff but didn't want the artificial dyes, metal and chemicals that come along with it. Made with plant, fruit and veggie extracts Eco Dough is safe enough to eat (we won't recommend it but it happens!). There's even a gluten free/soy free option to keep those with food allergies and sensitivities safe.

The color palate is bold yet saturated and we love that the colors it boasts are those we can relate to nature. The smooth texture is roll-able without being sticky or slimy and this stuff lasts forever. Seriously, if a stray ball (or the entire container) gets left out over night a couple drops of olive oil will bring it back to life. When it is time to retire your Eco-Dough you can simply toss it onto the compost pile, container and all and it will make its way back to nature.

Halloween Guide

It's almost time for miniature ghouls and goblins, fairy princess and firefighters to take to the sidewalks. Those kids of ours will spend the next few weeks anticipating getting all dressed up and spending one joyful evening in search of sugary sweets, scares and silliness (ok, lets be honest, that sugar high will probably last more than one day).

While they flip-flop on costume plans and trick-or-treat brigades you're likely to find yourself up to your eyeballs in fabric, costume catalogs and concern over just where to hide the candy haul this year so that the kids don't find it and neither do you.

But you can stop all that, (really, it's ok) we've done the digging for you and while we can't help you talk your tot out of fashioning a costume out of your discarded nursing bras (yes, I'm speaking from experience) we're happy to cover the costumes, candy and safety side of things to make for a Happy (and hopefully worry free) Halloween night.

First Act Discovery

For Those About to Rock... Alternatively, Ear Plugs Not Included

Our kids want to do everything we do and somethings we can't. Whatever the reason I'm trying to temper my glee at the fact that my two year old is aspiring to fulfill my rock star dreams. Ok, so I never really wanted to be a rock star but it might have been cool, right? Despite my picking up and failing to stick with just about every instrument under the sun my little one seems to have a bit more perseverance than I.

Thanks to First Act's Discovery line his dreams can be a reality even if he's only rocking within the four walls of our house. These are real instruments simply scaled down to fit a child's size so whether your wee one is still in the stage of pounding and banging or is ready to take the actual stage, they'll have the tools to experiment with the real thing from the start.

The 5 piece Drum set [$130] includes a bass drum, mounted tom and snare drum, crash/ride cymbal, seat, pedal and drumsticks. It's 90% pre-assembled to save us grown-ups a headache (don't worry, that will come later) and the exclusive color and shape learning guide will give your little drummer boy (or girl) the leg up they need to create more beats than bangs.

If your pint-sized rocker is more for strings the Acoustic Guitars [$35-$50] will bring the house down. The thin body makes it easy to hold and the steel reinforced neck is narrow enough for little hands. Steel strings and low string play make it easy for tiny fingers to strike the right chords comfortably, while the intonation matches that of a full size. Of course, not every parent is a pro so the set of Learn & Play Chord Cards will clue you all in on how to work that thing.

One of our favorite things about First Act is that they cover it all. Be sure to check out their accessories (available online and at Target stores) for extra drum sticks and seats, guitar straps, over sized picks and so much more. And when you're little rocker out grows the mini's you can simply step it up to First Act's grown up collection.

PlanCity Road and Rail

For The Most Sophisticated Train Connoisseurs.

We're experts in this house - experts of cars and trains. My son's first word was car, his third was "choo choo." As soon as he could crawl, he did so while pushing a car right by his side. Before we had any real trains in our house, he would line up the cars front to back and then push them in a line, thereby creating a train. In the world of wheeled objects, we know what we're talking about over here. And I thought I'd seen it all, I really did, until we played with the PlanCity Road and Rail Deluxe set [$85] for the very first time.

It's all about the details with this train/car/track/road combo. As I pulled each piece out of the box I was amazed at the amount of care that PlanToys had taken to provide an outlet for open-ended, creative play . . . then I was snapped out of my reverie as my son grabbed each item from my hands exclaiming, "A clock is on the station! Look, a street lamp! A stoplight!" There even are moveable turnstiles in the train station so that the little passengers can enter the platform in a single-file line. With so much going on, including track crossings for the road so that the cars can sit and "wait for the trains to pass," the PlanCity Road and Rail sets are so elaborate that they will inspire countless hours of imaginary play for years to come, allowing your urban planner to create unlimited combinations of little functioning communities.

Not only have they spared no expense in making these toys appealing and imaginative for children, they have gone above and beyond to appeal to parents as well. Made from organic, recycled rubberwood, water-based dyes, and formaldehyde-free glue, the Road and Rail sets are compatible with other standard wooden train sets (yes, including the blue one with the immobile face and the lidless eyes), only with these you won't have to worry about them being recalled for lead paint. All of the toys from this green company are completely manufactured in their own factory, so that every element of quality is carefully controlled. With their innovative designs and environmentally responsible practices, it appears PlanToys has truly planned for everything.

Win it!
We're giving away a Plan City Family and Cars set! To enter, email giveaways[at]mamaspeaks.com with Plan as your subject. Let us know which Plan Toy you'd like to see covered next (excluding the City collection). Giveaway ends 09.02.08.

-Beth

ImagiPLAY

A Natural Dream With a Touch of Green

I feel really old when I hear myself starting in about how today's toys leave no room for imagination but too often it's true. This is why I tend to turn to brands we know and trust around here when I'm looking for new playthings for my boy. ImagiPLAY is one of my favorites. In addition to their amazing selection of eco-friendly, imaginative toys, they are always expanding their catalog with new additions that recreate old classics or take their reputation of cool to a whole new level.

Their latest and greatests include Puzzle Playsets and Natural Dream Puzzles. The Puzzle Playsets [$20]name pretty much says it all but it doesn't say how much fun these sets really are. Available in three animal themes (Rainforest, Sealife and our favorite Dinosaurs) each includes several sturdy animal and environment pieces that can be used to create endless scenes and scenario's. These are the tools open ended play are made of. When you're done or as part of the play all of the pieces fit together to create a square puzzle that is a scene in of itself.

The Natural Dream Puzzles [$12-$30] are for a bit of an older set with more free form and intricate pieces. The large selection of animal, vehicle and holiday inspired pieces come au natural and with the ColorMeUp sets your little artist can paint the puzzle herself as her little heart desires with the included watercolor pallet and brush (or not).

As always ImagiPlay's toys are made with the environment and your child's safety in mind and at this moment I can't think of much better than watching my little one get lost in his own little world of happy, healthy play.

Want it?
Enter KIDSTUFF for 15% off any order through 12.31.08

Chubbikin

Whatever It Is, It's Too Cute For Words

I love Etsy for all things handmade and unique. And well, this latest find is definitely on the unique side. The Chubbikin [$18] hopes you'll give him and his friends a new home. Whether it be as a plaything for your little one or a fun pet for yourself.

There's a Chubbikin for everyone- from Monkeys to Dogs to cute little Bunnies. Each one is about 4 inches tall, and 100% handmade, so no two are alike. I love how intricate and finely made this little creature is, and it's size is perfect for little hands to play with.

Or just keep one by your computer or in your purse to carry around as your little friend. You're never too old for toys or loveys. We won't tell.

-Steph

Maple Landmark Wooden Toys

Next stop: Middlebury, Vermont

As I sit and watch my son arrange and rearrange his train cars, which happen to consist of several letters of the alphabet, I think to myself, “This is brilliant; he’s doing exactly what he wants to be doing, and yet he just learned to spell his name! Who thought of this?”

Specializing in unique wooden toys created from local, sustainable lumber, Maple Landmark is a company that puts incredible attention into creating safe, quality toys for children, while acting responsibly toward the planet and the community. For aspiring engineers they offer several train collections including the Name Trains letter cars [$5], which fit on most standard wooden track systems, and the My Train cars [$25], which come with movable pieces.

All of these classic toys like the My Best blocks sets [$48-144] and beautiful heirloom rattles [$9-11] are finished with child-safe materials. There is even a Natural products line, featuring highly durable toys that have no finish at all, just pure maple. Best of all, Maple Landmark goes above and beyond in their attempt to do business locally, recycle, everything from sawdust to packaging, and they guarantee to replace or repair any standard product for any reason, proving their brilliance, yet again.

Win it!
We're giving away a disk rattle from the natural products line! To enter email, giveaways[at]mamaspeaks.com, with Maple as your subject. Let us know where Maple Landmark is located. Deadline is 07.24.08.

-Beth

Sock Dog

Bow Wowza

When it comes to anything that involves a needle and thread I must admit to being somewhat intimidated.  You can imagine then my trepidation when I opened the Sock Dog kit [$20] only to find two socks, a needle and thread, buttons and some shrink-wrapped stuffing.  Sock Dog (along with his Socktopus and Sock Monkey friend) is a make-it yourself stuffed animal kit with two socks as the foundation.

I began the creation of Sock Dog by following the included instructions and proudly made it past step three. Admittedly, step four gave me a bit of trouble because terms like "whip stitch" have a tendency to leave me scratching my head.  The only sewing I've ever done has involved a foot pedal, so I had to Google "whip stitch" before I could go any further.
After what I consider a herculean effort, I managed to get through the end of the directions with my own green and purple plaid creature that could pass as a distant cousin to the Sock Dog pictured on the package. 

Sock Dog, while cute upon completion, proved to be difficult for this not-so-seamstress Mama to assemble. I have faith though that for someone slightly more gifted in the sewing arena that Sock Dog would present a fun afternoon activity.  In the end, crafty types will even end up with one hot diggity of a dog to call her own. As for the rest of us? You can these cute creatures and more premade for just a few bucks more. [$25 and up]

 

Win it!
For your chance to win a Deluxe Socktopus (no purchase necessary) just enter here. One winner per month.

-Darcie

Crayon Rocks

Crayons Rock the Kasbah

As my little ones get more and more excited about creating their latest masterpiece of crayon goodness, I notice that often times they have to push too hard to get the crayon color to show up, or that their grip is out of whack as the rounded crayons post too big of a task for their tiny fingers.  This is why I was thrilled to stumble upon Crayon Rocks at the latest Green Fest here in Chicago, for their tiny unassuming little nubbins are pieces of gold now around my house.

Crayon Rocks are made of soy wax, so their colors glide on the page as if they were oil pastels or paint (but without the waxy afterglow).  Not only do they encourage the tripod grip, but they also develop fine motor skills, helping any grip strength problems.  Crayon rocks come in a variety of package options, including the 8-piece Sample Treasure Bag [$3] and the 16-piece Student Box [$5].  On top of everything else, they are adorable and kids love them.  What more could we ask for?

-Arianne