Kid’s Bargain Style

I was never a princess girl. Rather, I was a baseball, match box car, tire swing kind of girl. I always enjoyed playing house and kitchen but I never got into the princess scene. However, I know two little girls who do everything princess. My nieces, Kaitlyn and Emma are obsessed. So, this post goes out to them.

Mookla carries this fabulous Princess Bed…fit for any princess who can never feel the pea under the mattress.
It is a tad pricey, to say the least, but what is money when it comes to a princess? For $1579.00 this solid birch bed later turns into a stand alone.

Pair the desk with it and you have the entiree bedroom set!

Girls Play Tutus with Rose Applique - Tutu (Lavender )

Little Pea Book By Amy Krause Rosenthal - Little Pea

One of Gail Carson Levine’s first books, Ella Enchanted is just that…enchanted. My middle school students loved this book, especially in the 6th grade. Its fun and magical and appeals to younger middle school readers.

Next comes The Princess Tales in which Levine weaves three tales into a happily ever after.

And finally, Volume Two of the Princess Tales wherein a boy tries to win Princess Charming’s heart.

Make sure you also pick up the frog…because no princess is complete without her frog to kiss. As the Brother’s Grimm Legend has it… a spoiled princess reluctantly befriends a frog, who magically transforms into a handsome prince. In modern versions the transformation is sometimes triggered by the princess kissing the frog but that is the modernest version of the story. I am still a romantic and believe in the man rescuing the woman.

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If you know that I also write My Two Boys then you also know that I am a firm believer of Lead Free Toys. Lilly’s Kids is not necessarily known for Lead Free Toys and does not even have a statement on their site. However, there are several products that I would recommend. You can find a wholesome selection of choices for kids of all ages, from newborns to teens and everyone in between.

This double sided easel and chalkboard has wood trays that hold chalk on one side and dry erase and paint on the other. It is a natural beechwood frame and on sale for $44.98

This 2006 Topps Collection of 650 Baseball Trading Cards is sealed for the investor. Any young boy would love this for Christmas even though its a year out. I know my brother collected them 20 years ago and they are worth a mint now. On sale for $39.99 from $54.98

This portable MP3 Player Case is poly/nylon and stretches to fit most players. Right now it is only $1.98

These cardboard bricks have been a tradition in preschools for generations. They are strong enough to withstand the toughest kids and light enough to lift. Add ons available.

And here is one that looks fantastic but I don’t know agree with the recommendation for 3 months and up. Small items can get caught. (And I don’t know about what it is made of)

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This holiday season, enjoy our gift to you of $5.99 flat-rate shipping using media code 987860100 thru November 30, 2007.

You’re waiting, right?

You’re excited, right?

So am I.

I love giving…and so do these companies.

All November you have the chance to win Non-Toxic Toys from Hazelnut Kids, Therapy Shoppe, Lala Naturals, Natural Pod, Quiet Hour Toys, Mookla, and Duck Duck Goose.

Excited now?

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When I was little I remember my cousin had a fascination with sock monkeys. It was her lovey and she carried it around everywhere. When one fell apart another one miraculously appeared. Sock monkey’s have been around forever but they are hotter than ever now and the stores are selling out of them like crazy. So, get some Christmas shopping done early and stock up on your socks.

But, what is so special about the Sock Monkey? Well, for one they are from the Chicago Area! They are also a tradition in so many families that I know here. But, you can also make them yourselves. See today’s posting of Discussing Autism to learn how. But, if you are needing to cut corners you can simply order a kit from Super Sock Monkey and get started from there.

There are also some cool printables, finger puppets, and mazes on the site…including a history of why sock monkeys are so popular!

The Land of Nod: They have updated a retro toy and made it all the more classic.

Pokka Dots has these fabulous sock monkey kids slippers on sale right now for only $14.95 and adults can get matching ones for only $18.95.

I found a fantastic sock monkey backpack at Monkey Goods…

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“A revolutionary, fun and educational toy with no batteries, no bits to plug-in, no rules and no instructions!”

Innovative, right? All it is is molded polyethylene plastic that is 100 percent recyclable. Its like playing with a box…but one has to pay close to $30 for it. Ironic, eh? Worth every penny? Yes.

According to Growing Tree Toys the Bilibo provides the following developmental benefits: intrapersonal, spatial, logical, and physical. It also encourages manipulative play, dramatic play, and active play.

How?

You can spin it, rock it, drag it, sit in it, use it as a ramp or garage for cars and trains, use it as a step stool, a shell, tunnel…the cool thing is that it sparks the imagination.

Imagine sledding down the hill in this instead of a traditional sled…or digging in the snow…or using it as a snowball shield. Or, better yet…imagine creating a tunnel for cars in the sand or strapping on a tortoise shell for Halloween.

Your innovative child will tote it around the house trying to get into cabinets that he never saw before. Your imaginative child will use it to help build train tunnels. Your organizer will use it for a storage solution…and your seeker will play peek-a-boo.

In 2007 Readers Digest rated Bilibo the world’s best toy stating that “the best games are the ones children create themselves.” It was also Winner of the Good Toy Award in 2006.

To purchase:

I have wrote about ebeanstalk a lot on My Two Boys and Discussing Autism because I believe that they have a brilliant concept, especially for families that have children with special needs or grandparents who live far away.

ebeanstalk has child development specialists that look at over 10,000 toys and select only the best to sell. They have a team of experts , a clinical psychologist, a physical therapist, a speech pathologist, a pediatric occupational therapist, a marriage, family and child therapist, and a special educator, and a MotherBoard of 700 moms around the US. They evaluated and selected toys and then match them to the stages of a child’s development and then put them into eBeanstalk’s Gift Series.

The Gift Series is developed so that a child will receive 4 gifts a year and is tailored to the child’s development. It comes with an instruction card on how to use the toy, the skills it develops, and how to parent and play with the child. It also comes with free shipping and handling, and gift wrapping. How cool is that?

M9 Sport Van

Even better? Not only can you shop by age but you can shop by skill or sensory need…social, language, dexterity…

eBeanstalk is also extremely dedicated to being safe.

Dear Customers,

At eBeanstalk we are dedicated to a child’s development and learning, and we never compromise a child’s safety. Rest assured that NONE of the recalled toys from Mattel or Fisher Price have ever been sold at eBeanstalk. NOT ONE.

10% Off Your Next Online Order

Ready to Go Retro? This Radio Flyer Retro Rocket is a keeper! AJ is 4 now and plays with this toy every single STINKIN’ day inside (yes, I said inside) the house. He gets on the rocket, scoots his little bum from door to door, picks it up, turns it around and heads back. In fact, sometimes he goes through the kitchen into the hallway, back into the living room and then back into the kitchen. It creates a neat little figure 8. Creative little guy.

Last week he took it outside and made it into a home for the worms he was harvesting from the garden. I, of course, made him clean it before it came back inside. I was not going to allow worms into my house!

The funniest part? He chases the dog with it.

The Retro Rocket has won the Parent’s Choice Recommended Award, Child Magazine’s Top 50 Toys Award, Parenting Magazine’s Toy of the Year Award, and the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award. It is a classic foot to floor push toy that has a no-slip seat (that opens up to carry plenty of worms), covered wheels for safety, and plenty of sounds and lights. It actually vibrates and makes space sounds; 3-2-1 Blast Off! Its great sensory motor and Heavy Work for Little Feet.

Little Pickel, one day after coming home from Russia, July 30, 2005.

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Julie Deardorff, an Opinion Columnist for the Chicago Tribune, wrote today on her current situation…finding a good teether for her child. Does one use a plastic polycarbonate teether that has tested positive for bisphenol-A (poses a risk for brain development of fetuses, infants, babies and older children) or does one give him a wooden toy with brightly colored chipped paint?

Hmmmmmm….tough question.

Debra at Debra’s List takes it one step further and suggests Sophie the Giraffe, organic teething biscuits, and an organic (frozen washcloth).

She also suggests this organic teether but I just can’t seem to get my teeth around chewing on wood and honestly I don’t think it would be all that appealing to a baby whose mouth was hurting. But, thats just me.

How about chewies and teethers from sensory therapy stores like the TherapyShoppe.com?

Latex-free mouthing toy is FDA approved-Great for oral exploration, and encouraging jaw and tongue movements.

Scented Chewies
Chewy Tubes

These were all Little Pickel’s favorite things to chew on when he went through his chewing phase…and I mean CHEWING PHASE! He chewed everything so we made sure he had a chewy all the time. We could HEAR him chomping away through the monitor every night. For kids who chew ALL the time they even have Chewy Necklaces and Bracelets. (contain latex)

After long “stressful” days at preschool (yes, I know…it can be stressful) AJ needs a calm night with calming activities. He is really into games right now and is constantly heading to our game closet to attempt to take out Chutes and Ladders and Candy Land, both of which he just does not get yet. He simply takes out the game, gets out the characters and the spinners and plays with those. Or, he gets out Memory and plays with the pieces…making noises with the box and the cards.

However, Haba over at my favorite toys store, Oompa gets AJ. They understand the concept of kids and perhaps they have done some training in special needs. I have a feeling you are getting tired of me telling you its my favorite but I keep finding new things that I LOVE.

Here are some games I found while searching for Family Game Night activities.
I chose my niece for our Christmas gift giving this year…and the theme is games. Do you think she might like this Sleeping Beauty Game ? She is 3.

Or, for AJ who does not quite get the roll the dice and move games yet…check out these FABULOUS stacking games… Think Jenga for kids, with color.

AJ has this one and it is a GREAT travel game. I purchased it for his first vacation on an airplane and he loved his new travel case. In fact, he was carrying it around today! Maybe its because it has to do with Crocs…

One for Family Game Night…Orchard. Its just like one I used to play but I can’t remember the name. Can You?

One for the Boys…Rev Up.

And, one just for kicks, get it???

Wherever I look I see toys that are LEAD FREE. It is certainly a good thing but sometimes it is hard to find them in the stores. So, I am bringing them to you at great prices.

My favorite online toystore is Oompa and they carry the best and most comprehensive selection of HABA.

Cuddlekin Dog Mungo

Lilli the Doll Okay, they are not all for my son!

Chess

Frog Prince Pillow

Blabla

Backpacks

Fruit Rattles

Kaloo

Wooden Activity Arch

Plume Dadou Cat with Fringes

Pooki and Co.

Lola-Green and Red I used to have a doll just like this when I was a kid. It was my absolute favorite.

Sevi

Zebra I don’t run across many Zebra’s these days and I love this one. It looks SOOO soft.

WaterTable - This is my son’s favorite summer toy.

Melissa and Doug
Magnetic Responsibility Chart

Stacking Train

Sushi Slicing Box

Melissa & Doug Furnished Dollhouse

BRIO
BRIO City Set

BRIO Waterway Fishing Set

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