Duck Duck Goose » Think-Inducing Toys for Tots
top: Organic Number Blocks
top: Brainbow Stacking Nesting Arches and Organic Rattle
bottom: Organic Sapling Stacker and Organic Camera
As motherhood inches nearer, I find my mind is preoccupied: where to put the crib, what to put on the iPod for our (hopefully short) stint in the birthing wing of Roosevelt Hospital, whether little Pipsqueek will be as boisterous as his/her cousin Lir, the baby’s college fund, where we’re sending the little munchkin to preschool… Every parenthood-related article that comes my way is read and pondered. It’s clear: my priorities are shifting.
Along with this new lioness mentality comes my scrutiny of modern-day toys: what happened to the gorgeous and imagination-provoking toys of old? I remember this beautiful wooden duck I had when I was a child. I loved it… There are still a few purist companies out there: with toys that don’t require an army of batteries to amuse, that don’t just give it all away without evoking an ounce of exploration. Kid O (which we’ve reviewed here and here) is one. We were thrilled to find another: Little Sapling Toys on Etsy. Nick and Kimber’s collection of wooden teethers, blocks, rattles, and Montessori-esque puzzles are minimalist and beautiful, with delicately rounded corners and a lovely finish of jojoba oil and beeswax. Most of the inventory is available in maple, walnut, and cherry wood versions and now, with they nifty new laser engraver, personalized products are an option for those possessive babies on your list… Toys range from $12 for teethers to $80 for a personalized rocking horse!
“We plant a tree for every toy sold, use FSC Certified hardwoods, recycled content packaging and participate in our local green power program.” — Little Sapling Toys
