LilSugar

6 New Toys to Add to Your Toddler's Toy Chest

Rebecca M Gruber — Thu, 03 May 2012 12:41:15 PDT

Kids quickly develop favorites when it comes to toys. Pull out the toy box and they always seem to go to the same things day in and day out. Though they may be perfectly satisfied with them, mama may feel the need to change things up a bit. Even if your toddler's birthday is a ways off, there's nothing wrong with adding a new toy or two to the mix every now and then. Over the next few weeks, a number of new toddler-friendly toys will hit store shelves. Here are a few that are worth adding to your playtime repertoire!

Snap! 10 Fun Finds For Your Little Shutterbug

LilSugar — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 11:41:16 PDT

Snap-happy parents who want to inspire lil ones to follow in their footsteps are in luck - cameras are a hot trend in kids' toys, gear, and more. From infant toys and onesies to fully functional digital cameras made especially for little fingers, there's a way to nurture your child's inner shutterbug at every stage of their development. Check out 10 of our favorite photog-friendly finds here . . . and don't forget to say "cheese!"

Matryoshka Doll-Inspired Picks For Your Own Lil Doll

Rebecca M Gruber — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 07:24:14 PDT

Stack 'em up! Matryoshka dolls have been entertaining grown-ups and tots alike for more than a century. The Russian wooden dolls - which are characterized by their nesting abilities - are now finding a new generation of fans, who are enjoying the traditional babushkas as more than just dolls. Check out these fun finds that incorporate the Matryoshka theme beyond just the nesting dolls.

Mod Alternatives to the Old-School Rocking Horse

Kate Stahl — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 03:17:23 PDT

A rocking horse is a must-have addition to any little kid's playroom, and while we still love that classic Radio Flyer, these modern alternatives are sure to excite both you and your lil one. From a superaffordable vintage Vespa design (my 1-year-old is getting a pink one for her birthday!) to a luxe sheep covered in real lambswool, keep clicking to find the perfect rider for your little rocker!

Wooden Toys and Games Great For Learning

LilSugar — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 03:15:03 PST

There's something about wooden toys that feels timeless and classic - as if they're something to be passed on. We've taken it one step further and found wooden toys that offer a learning opportunity, too. From games that teach balance to those that strengthen memory, these nine wooden toys are both fun and educational.

There's a Doll For That: Teaching Kids About Natural Birth, VBAC, and More

LilSugar — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 08:49:24 PST

If mama ever wants to explain to her lil one how he was born vaginally, while his big sister came out via C-section, there's now a doll for that! Perhaps one of the odder baby products out there MamAmor has just introduced a VBAC doll ($175), complete with a C-section scar and a Velcro opening through which her new lil one can enter the world. The company recommends the doll for tots over the age of three, but mom may want to wait until her tot is a bit older to explain the differences.

The VBAC doll joins a growing collection of anatomically correct toys on the market that help a mom visually explain vaginal birth. From breastfeeding versions to those that also deliver the placenta, here are six birthing dolls for kids.

5 Wooden Play Tables For Some Old-School Fun

Kate Stahl — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 11:34:16 PST

If you haven't added a play table to your toy collection, we highly recommend it! A combo of activities means extra playtime for kids of all ages, and when you invest in a slightly more expensive, but doubly sturdy wooden table, even cruisers can join in on the fun, as the table gives new standers support while they explore. Just be sure to supervise, as small pieces have a way of making their way into tiny mouths (I removed any choking hazards for my lil one). Play tables come in all shapes and sizes, but we picked five of our favorites, all sure to become heirlooms.

Playtime! 5 Creative Additions For Your Toy Box

Kate Stahl — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 10:04:00 PST

Winter can call for a little - OK, a lot - of creativity. Get some help (and get your kids away from the television) with these five supercreative new toys. From an affordable, make-your-own model that your lil one will spend hours designing online to a book with incredible disappearing-ink technology that requires some fun and time-consuming interaction, these toys are totally worth the cost. Now how many days do we have until Spring?

A Future Feminist? Watch This Lil One's Rant Against Toys' Gender Stereotypes

Kate Stahl — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 14:06:52 PST

Now that the Christmas buying madness is over - and your little lady's room is probably stocked full of new princess toys and your son has scored some new trucks - watch this future feminist's rant against the gender stereotyping of toys. The adorable little Riley is not happy that toy manufacturers keep forcing pink and princesses on little girls, who she says like other colors and superheroes, too. Her diatribe puts her right up with the 5-year-old lil girl who told us she had to have a job before she got married - one of the cutest kid videos of 2011. Kind of makes you think, right - and wonder what her parents did to make her so articulate and thoughtful at such a young age? Riley, Betty Friedan, and Gloria Steinem would be proud!

Best of 2011: The Baby and Kids Products That Had Us Doing Double Takes

Natasha Dantzig — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 12:32:50 PST

Things that make you go hmmm. This past year saw some pretty amazing, innovative, and seriously game-changing products for moms and tots; great new toys, new baby carriers, and of course the ever-important new strollers. Amidst all the good, there were definitely some - er - questionable products to hit the market in 2011. Keep reading for 10 items that definitely left us scratching our heads.