The Tale of the Beard and the Fox

We're not sure if it's because we own a toy store that we love toys, or because we love toys that we own a toy store. But, every once in a while, we fall in love with a toy and want to share it with the world. This week, it's two toys--both made in Minneapolis by Kate at Oak Tree Arts.

Wooden Mustache and Crinkle Beard Teethers

First, we saw Kate's wooden mustache and crinkle beard teether and thought it was amazing. We've sold her wooden mustaches on a stick for a few years, but these teethers take the idea to a whole new level! Made from maple, walnut or cherry and finished in locally-sourced beeswax, this toy is really two toys in one. The crinkly beard detaches and can be played with separately like baby paper, with little taggies to further pique a baby's curiosity.

So, we were pretty much thinking these were just about the cutest toys we'd ever seen until we saw...

Wooden Fox and Crinkle Tail Teether, Made in Minneapolis

Kate's fox teether! This little fox toy has panache and verve comparable to Sophie herself (gasp!). The fox is made from cherry wood and has a detachable crinkly fabric tail with a cuddle push white tip. Like the beard teethers, she's really two toys in one. Absolutely charming.

We're not sure now which toy we like better, but they both bring us joy to have them in the store. We think you'll love them, too!

Yea mustaches!

New in Store: Ziplines and Slacklines. Two Great New Resaons to go Play Outside!

Anyone who visits our back yard will immediately notice two toys that we've had for years: a zip line and a slack line. We mow around them, we duck under them or climb over them on our way to the tomato patch. We love them because each of our kids has spent hours and hours playing with them.

The zip line in particular is a family favorite. This will be it's 14th summer running between two old silver maple trees outside our back door. It isn't very long, but our kids have invented countless ways to play with it: zipping through a sprinkler, jumping off into a wading pool, going fast, going slow, all with a refrain of "Watch this!".

A Zipline kit is one of the most exciting items that you can put in your backyard for hours and hours of enjoyment. The ziplines help improve strength, athletic skills, and balance all while riding a just a few feet off the ground.

We're impressed with the quality of the new zipline kit from Brand 44, a Colorado Company dedicated to getting kids to play outside. Ours comes with sturdy metal hardware and a seat for easier zipping. 

New in store: Slackline and Zipline

A few years ago, we also installed a slackline across another part of the yard. A slackline is a wider version of a tightrope that runs low to the ground and has more slack in it so that it's a bit bouncy. It's great for learning balance. We've seen lots of kids (tho not our own--but they still might!) get really good at slackline and perform amazing tricks.

Our slackline kit is also by Brand 44 and, like their zip line, is also very well built with quality hardware that'll last for years. Whether you're just starting out, looking to build more core strength and balance, or just looking for a fun new backyard adventure, this slackline kit is all you need to start enjoying this popular new sport.

So, our recommendation for this coming summer is to add a bit of adventure to your backyard and see what your kids will do! We think you'll be amazed at how much fun they'll have.  

Toys in a Basket

Here's a great idea for 6-9 month olds who can sit up. Put several baby toys in a box or basket for her to tip over and explore. Sorting through and choosing toys makes them infinitely more interesting, even if they're all very familiar.

Thanks for the idea, Ellie!

Peapods Favorite #23: The KaZAM Balance Bike

Peapods Favorites is our continuing series about our all-time favorite toys. Keep and an eye on Facebook and Pinterest for more favorites through the holiday season!

A simple insight made its way to us from Europe almost ten years ago: the way we teach kids to ride a bike in this country is kind of backwards. The way we do it here, we use training wheels to teach peddling and steering first and balance later.

In Europe, kids are taught with "kick bikes", which start with balance and steering. Only after balance is mastered do kids graduate to bikes with peddles. With a kick bike, kids propel themselves with their feet, building confidence and coordination. Balance is learned slowly as kids learn that the faster they go, the easier it is to lift their feet and coast. With a balance bike, the scary part of balancing is learned first and kids won't need to fear the day when the training wheels come off.

Unique among this style of training bike is the KaZAM bike, an all-metal bike that features a step-through design that's easy to climb onto with a footrest that encourages kids to lift their feet up and balance. The KaZAM is adjustable to fit kids ages three to six.

We've sold maybe eight different brands of training bikes over the years, which has included everything from assembling them to fixing them if something goes wrong. By far, the best feedback we've gotten from customers and the fewest problems have been with KaZAM bikes. From the tires to the handlebars, KaZAM bikes are made with quality parts just like a real bicycle. And, although we think wooden training bikes look great, you can't beat the KaZAM for long term durability. Which is why the KaZAM is a Peapods Favorite.

Peapods Favorite #22:The Rody Horse Ride On Toy

Peapods Favorites is our continuing series about our all-time favorite toys. Keep and an eye on Facebook and Pinterest for more favorites through the holiday season!

We love toys that offer the opportunity for gross motor indoor play that won't destroy the furniture. Rody Horses fit that description better than just about any other toy!

Made in Italy, Rody is easy for young kids to hold on to and is an open invitation to endless energy-burning bouncing. We like Rody especially because of its enduring play value--six year olds love them just as much as three year olds. (For younger kids, use less air in Rody so it's more stable. Add air for older kids so it's bouncier. Rody can literally grow with your child!)

We also offer the Rody rocking horse base so that Rody can easily convert into a rocking horse.

Our kids have bounced their Rody all around the living room, the yard, and even on a trampoline (which was extremely crazy and not at all recommended!) Rody is light enough that kids can bring it wherever they want to play. It's great for channeling a fidgety kid who needs an outlet for excess energy during quieter activities. Rody's also been useful in therapy for kids with special needs because of it softness and easy rideability.

No matter what kind of kid you have, we think she'll find a friend in Rody or Rody's friend Gyffy the Giraffe. So stop sitting and start bouncing!

Peapods Favorite #21: Chewbeads Nursing Necklaces

Peapods Favorites is our continuing series about our all-time favorite toys. Keep and an eye on Facebook and Pinterest for more favorites through the holiday season!

 
Chewbeads nursing necklaces are jewelry that makes life just a little easier.  Babies are unrelentingly inquisitive and love to explore the world by grabbing ahold of anything they can reach and bringing it to the mouth. Hair, earrings, shirt collar, nose--they'll all subject to ongoing exploration and occasional tugs and pulls.

Chewbeads offer a satisfying diversion that babies can really sink their teeth into. Made from food-grade silicone, Chewbeads look great on mom (or dad!) and are pleasantly soft for babies to teethe on.

We've seen lots of other nursing necklaces, but we think Chewbeads do the best job of combining fashion with a compelling teething experience. As one of the first stores in the country to offer Chewbeads, we've enjoyed watching the company grow and hearing lots of great feedback from our customers. We also appreciate that Chewbeads are designed and tested for safety.

Chewbeads Mulberry Teething Toy

There are a number of different Chewbeads styles to choose from, including the classic round bead Jane necklace, it's multi-colored cousin the Waverly, and flattened bead designs Hudson and Perry. They've also just created a cool new bracelet/teething toy called the Mulberry which is cleverly designed to look like a ring of beads but is actually one continuous piece of chewable silicone.

So, we are pleased to name Chewbeads as a Peapods Favorite. They're a gift that both moms and babies will love!

 

Peapods Favorite #20: Potholder Looms by Harrisville Designs

Peapods Favorites is our continuing series about our all-time favorite toys. Keep and an eye on Facebook and Pinterest for more favorites through the holiday season!

There is a simple kind of magic in the good old fashioned potholder loom, a toy that brings back fond memories from our own childhoods. Yes, it's fun to make potholders, but the magic is that kids can use a loom to make a gift that the grownups will really appreciate.

Raise your hand if you have a handmade potholder that you use daily in your kitchen, lovingly crafted by your son, daughter, niece, nephew, or neighbor. What a great lesson for a child to learn: how to create something useful and appreciated.

Potholder looms come in handy both for making Holiday presents and as great activity during the long holiday break. Potholder looms also travel well and are perfect for keeping occupied on car trips. We recommend them for ages 7 and up. Be sure to get plenty of loops!

Historic Harrisville, NH

Our potholder loom kits and loops are made in the USA by Harrisville Designs, a New Hampshire family business continuing a small town New England textile tradition that dates back to 1794. Harrisville Designs began in 1971 as an effort to keep that tradition alive and is today one of only a few remaining New England woolen mills. We're proud to have been part of that tradition for the last 10 years or so!

Bonus: Our Unhelpful Video on How to Make Potholders: