Does Mommy Love It?

As you have probably seen time and time again on this site, I am huge advocate of wooden toys.  I believe that the tactile element of wood is wonderful for a child’s learning as well as a springboard for their imagination.

My son’s latest obsession with all things with wheels has been more than satisfied with Jack Rabbit’s wooden fire truck with seven firefighters and a Dalmatian puppy companion!  This beautiful fire truck with moving wheels also includes magnetized figures that help them from getting lost and add a fun component to your child’s playtime.  Every time we are out and about, and my son spots a fire truck, his excitement is through the roof.  Spending hours paying with a wooden toy one is the next best thing for him!

What makes this fire truck extra special is the company who designs it.  Jack Rabbit Creations is a small company that sells only to specialty markets.  Their products are original and designed by them!  They tend to use wood, tin, cotton and other natural materials and are supporters of the “no batteries required” philosophy.   What I love most is that they are truly a “mom and pop shop” with husband and wife Erica and Jim Lancaster in the office and one employee!  So, please do check out Jack Rabbit Creations when searching for a quality toy for your child or some else’s!

Be sure to check out the Jack Rabbit Creations website for more toys, clothing, and games all made with natural materials!  Jack Rabbit Creations is offering free freight on orders $50 or more using discount code: mommylove

This review is based strictly on my opinion.  Others may have a different opinion or experience with the products listed above.  I was not compensated for this review aside from the sample provided by Jack Rabbit Creations.

2 Comments | In: Accessories, Ages- Elementary, Ages- Preschooler, Ages- Toddler, Toys | tags: Fire Truck, handmade, Jack Rabbit Creations, organic, wooden toys. | #

In order for my son to work on the many arts and crafts I have been writing about, I needed a space or area for him to work in.  As I was searching around for a cute little cubby to store the growing number of art supplies for my little guy, I came across a new toy company called Justb-byou.

Justb-byou launched about six months ago with their main focus being making toys that make a difference.  They are committed to the protection of the planet through their use of eco-friendly, recyclable materials.  For many of their toys, they have eliminated packaging altogether, instead offering the toys in reusable bags made from recycled polypropylene plastic.  The packaging reverses into wrapping paper!  I found this ever so thoughtful!  Though their toys are made of plastic, you can be sure it is lead and phthalate-free.

You can find a toy nearly for every age group broken down by B. curious, B. smart, B. creative, B. sculptural, B. lively, and B. caring.  We have the You Hue toy under the category of B. creative and absolutely love it!  It is a terrific “comfy creation center” that comes with 10 chunky washable markers, lift up storage, and 3 sided pockets and compartments below.  It is great having a home to store my sons’ ever growing art supplies and projects.  He is slightly obsessed with the use of crayon, markers, and pencils at the moment.  His passion for art is so extreme we have to monitor his time with it or the crayon ends up everywhere including wall, floor, or any other “canvas” once his paper is filled.  The You Hue is also very pleasing to the eye with its “fashion forward” colors and simplicity in design.

Justb-byou toys are funky, fun, and playful for any child.  They strive to be a voice to children in helping them explore all sides to who they are.  I love their motto, which reads:

“We want to be a voice to children that says it’s okay to be curious, to be pensive, to be loud, to be happy and sad all at the same time, to be generous, to be afraid, to be quiet, to be wild, to be fun, to be open, to be specific, to be poetic, to be giddy, to be serious, to be smart, to be free, to be you.  Just B. Just You. B. You”

Be sure to check all their website for their full collection of toys!  Available at Target and specialty stores only.

This review is based strictly on my opinion.  Others may have a different opinion or experience with the products listed above.  I was not compensated for this review aside from the samples provided by Just b.-b you.

1 Comment | In: Ages- Elementary, Ages- Newborn to 1yr., Ages- Preschooler, Ages- Toddler, Arts & Crafts, Toys | tags: Justb-byou. | #

Direct from France with love, come the wonderful Deglingos character toys!  These gloriously tactile toys come from 48 different fabrics and string making them a wonderful feast for the eyes as well!

The Deglingos each come with their own back-story along with a double portion of personality.  They have been designed and crafted with a great deal of care and it shows in each of their adorable appearances.

The Deglingos line has something for every age group such as rattles and Baby Deglingos for infants, bath toys, and original Deglingos for those a bit older.  I am loving the mini Deglingos that can easily clip to any stroller, car seat, or backpack.  These mini characters add spice and décor to an object.  If you are really digging the Deglingos style you can invest in a pair of their machine washable “kicks” for your 6-24month old!

Deglingos has definitely taken stuffed animals up a notch with their funky detailed characters.  These are great for teaching kids about textures, colors, and designs.  Check out their funky site for more Deglingos!

This review is based strictly my opinion. Others may have a different opinion or experience with the product listed above. Deglingos provided the products, and I provided my honest opinion. No other type compensation was received for this review.

No Comments | In: Accessories, Ages- Elementary, Ages- Newborn to 1yr., Ages- Preschooler, Ages- Toddler, Toys | tags: bath toys, Deglingos, shoes, stuffed animals. | #

Here is a fabulous craft that doubles as a toy once completed, providing hours of enjoyment for you little ones.  Calafant Cardboard Toy Kits allows your child to build tree houses, castles, haunted fortresses, buses, airplanes, and dinosaurs all made from recyclable cardboard!  Best of all they have different kits for different age groups!  These encourage creativity both in the building process and through pretend play, once they are assembled.  Awesome!  It’s such a joy to have this product around for these hot days as a nearly 9 month pregnant mom.  As a toddler, my son will spend 15 minutes at a time working on it.  It’s really becoming a piece of art!

Also available on the #mce_temp_url# site are the perfect reusable lunch bags by a company called Lunch Skins.  These dishwasher safe lunch bags are made from a German tech fabric that is moisture and grease proof, food safe, and dries amazingly fast.  This is what all reusable lunch bags should be, and obviously, a better choice for the environment.

#mce_temp_url# has these as well as a great deal of more toys and tools for your child’s growth.  They are a great company for school fundraisers as they provide 30% of the profits to the host school.  Their products are educational and beneficial toward the family so are a perfect fit for this type of sale.  Visit their website to check out all of the unique products they stock at Creativetoys.com and to learn more about their school fundraisers visit creativetoys.com/fundraisers.

Creative Toy Shop  is  offering a $25 GC  to one of our readers! Simply visit Creative Toy Shop and leave a comment here with your thoughts and favorites!

For additional entries:

1) Subscribe to Does Mommy Love It? then leave a comment stating you did so.

2) Twitter about the contest and leave us a hyperlink to the tweet!

3) If you haven’t, please join our FACEBOOK FAN PAGE!

4) Write a post on your own blog about this giveaway and comment with the permalink to this post.

5) Grab our button and put it on your sidebar and comment with a link to your blog.

6) Email 5 of your friends and tell them why they should check out DoesMommyLoveIt?. Be sure to COPYus on the email (doesmommyloveit@gmail.com)! Then comment stating you did so.

This contest ends August 5th, 2010 Midnight EST. Click here for contest rules at DoesMommyLoveIt.com

This review is based strictly my opinion. Others may have a different opinion or experience with the product listed above. Creative Toy shop provided the Treehouse and Lunchskin, and I provided my honest opinion. No other type compensation was received for this review.

35 Comments | In: Ages- Elementary, Ages- Preschooler, Ages- Toddler, Arts & Crafts, Educational, Family Time, Green, Toys, Websites | | #

As I continue to explore the world of art and crafts for my son, I have found items that can be mess free and relatively easy to assemble.  Bendaroos is a perfect craft for a child three years and up!  There is no tape, glue, PAINT, or mess involved and the creations can be endless.  You can purchase a small box at Target for about six dollars and I totally think it is worth it.  In addition to the wonderful creative possibilities, I have used the different colored wax building sticks to teach my son colors and basic addition.

The one complaint that I would have is that you have to work in the wax to keep the sticks sticking.  Once I discovered this, my creations have kept together longer.  My son loves helping to create the animals and foods that the instruction manual provides.  For those looking for ideas, the manual is great because it guides you step by step on how to build the objects.  My personal favorite is the Food set!  It’s so fun making something so detailed and realistic!  Next time you are looking for easy and mess free entertainment craft for travel invest in Bendaroos!

Bendaroos is offering a kit of choice to one of our readers! Simply visit Bendaroos and leave a comment here about your thoughts and favorites.

For additional entries:

1) Subscribe to Does Mommy Love It? then leave a comment stating you did so.

2) Twitter about the contest and leave us a hyperlink to the tweet!

3) If you haven’t, please join our FACEBOOK FAN PAGE!

4) Write a post on your own blog about this giveaway and comment with the permalink to this post.

5) Grab our button and put it on your sidebar and comment with a link to your blog.

6) Email 5 of your friends and tell them why they should check out DoesMommyLoveIt?. Be sure to COPYus on the email (doesmommyloveit@gmail.com)! Then comment stating you did so.

This contest ends July 4th, 2010 Midnight EST. Click here for contest rules at DoesMommyLoveIt.com!

This review is based strictly my opinion. Others may have a different opinion or experience with the product listed above. Bendaroos provided the doll Cloud, and I provided my honest opinion. No other type compensation was received for this review

50 Comments | In: Ages- Elementary, Ages- Preschooler, Arts & Crafts, Craft, Toys | tags: arts, bendaroos, crafts. | #

My son really loves having a few plush toys in his crib while he sleeps.  He is most attached to a blue puppy we call “Teddy”, a gift from his grandmother on his first birthday.  The stuffed animal looks as though it has been through the war at this point, however he loves it so much, I can’t bring myself to retire him just yet.  Thankfully, my son has a few other wonderful stuffed characters that are waiting in the wings once “Teddy” moves on to a better place.

One of my favorites is a character by the Japanese company Kimochis named, Cloud.  I adore the design of this simple character.  He is blue and white and has a head that can rotate to display a happy or sad face, as well as 3 small Kimochis (japanese for feelings) that he can store in his pouch.  These each represent different feelings such as happy, sad, and mad.  These are meant to help children explore their own feelings and emotions through pretend play.  Wonderful!

In addition to the fantastic play elements to this toy, I adore the way it looks in his crib and really appreciate that Cloud takes a close second to his beloved (sigh) Teddy.  I think this toy is simply a must for toddlers for its purity of design and teaching capabilities.

Kimochis is offering a doll of choice to one of our readers! Simply visit Kimochis and leave a comment here about your thoughts and favorites.

For additional entries:

1) Subscribe to Does Mommy Love It? then leave a comment stating you did so.

2) Twitter about the contest and leave us a hyperlink to the tweet!

3) If you haven’t, please join our FACEBOOK FAN PAGE!

4) Write a post on your own blog about this giveaway and comment with the permalink to this post.

5) Grab our button and put it on your sidebar and comment with a link to your blog.

6) Email 5 of your friends and tell them why they should check out DoesMommyLoveIt?. Be sure to COPYus on the email (doesmommyloveit@gmail.com)! Then comment stating you did so.

This contest ends June 30th, 2010 Midnight EST. Click here for contest rules at DoesMommyLoveIt.com!

This review is based strictly my opinion. Others may have a different opinion or experience with the product listed above. Kimochis provided the doll Cloud, and I provided my honest opinion. No other type compensation was received for this review

47 Comments | In: Toys | tags: dolls, Kimochis, playtime, stuffed animals. | #

Game night can be an absolute blast in any home.  We enjoy playing together as a family (my son isn’t quite old enough to fully participate, but he does love watching) as well as when having guests over.  It’s a great social activity that is easy on the budget and fun for all.

One of my favorites as a child (and a grown up child) is Candy Land by Hasbro!  I have fond memories of playing this for hours with my brothers because to the bright colors, candy theme, and zany characters.  That’s why I was so excited to see that they have updated this timeless board game with a 3D version!  My son is playing with the cute pieces as I type this and I look forward to soon being able to teach him how to fully play this wonderful game.  As for now, I use the candy land road pieces to teach him colors!

For the grownups and older children, I recommend Electronic Catchphrase (also from Hasbro).  This one is great for get-togethers at your home or on the go.  It’s all there in the battery powered hand held device.  It keeps score automatically and includes over a thousand phrases.

Board games are much more interactive than a movie or videogames and something the whole family can enjoy.  I love these two titles, but visit Hasbro’s website for a whole slew of other great options!

This review is based strictly my opinion. Others may have a different opinion or experience with the product listed above. Hasbro provided the products, and I provided my honest opinion. No other type compensation was received for this review.

3 Comments | In: Ages- Preschooler, Electronics, Family Time, Recreation, Toys | tags: candyland, catchphrase, games, Hasbro. | #

Any toy that requires a bit of exercise during use is stellar in my eyes!  From Plasmart comes the award winning PlasmaCar!  The PlasmaCar requires no batteries, gears, or pedals.  The operator’s hands pushing the steering wheel from side to side propel it forward.  It has been tested extensively and is perfectly safe when used properly.  Like any toy with wheels however, I would encourage the use of a helmet.

Did I mention that the Plasmacar is adult friendly? Due to its construction of high quality plastics, it can hold up to 220 pounds!  My son and husband have spent hours enjoying this car at the park and sometimes it’s hard for me to tell which of the two are having more fun!  They especially like cruising down some of the paved hills in Central Park.  I have overheard my husband on many occasions sing the PlasmaCar’s praises to his friends and family.  He and my son have already logged countless hours on this little contraption! Even I at six months pregnant have been known to on more than a few occasions, jump on the PlasmaCar and do a few figure eights in the park!

This is perfect for children of all ages and is a wonderful encourager to get your child to play outside. Just don’t be too surprised if you catch Daddy taking it out for a spin!  This is priced wonderfully too at about 70USD.  Check out their site for videos of this car in action!

This review is based strictly my opinion. Others may have a different opinion or experience with the product listed above. Plasmart provided the Plasma Car, and I provided my honest opinion. No other type compensation was received for this review.

2 Comments | In: Ages- Elementary, Ages- Preschooler, Toys | tags: plasma car, Plasmacar, Plasmart. | #

It really amazed me how soon my son began to gravitate towards all things with wheels.  Cars, trucks, bikes, trains, and tractors are all things he enjoys playing with and loves when I point out the real thing when we are out.  The wonderful thing about this interest is that he has begun to play independently with these toys for long periods of time.  It is adorable to watch him begin to create various scenarios with his trucks and trains.

Imagine his joy when he received the Weekend Warrior playset from Mighty World!  The set includes a 4 x 4 pickup truck and a trailer with an ATV, two action figures!  Also included are a toolbox loaded with tools, cans of motor oil, a gas can, cooler, ice box, boom box, soda cans, sunscreen, thermos, and even a Dalmation puppy.  I must say that I have set aside some of the smaller pieces until my son is a little older as this set is intended for ages 4+.  My son has had loads of wonderful pretend play with the truck and ATV!  I highly recommend this beautifully detailed playset as well as the others offered on the Mighty World website.  Check it out!

This review is based strictly my opinion. Others may have a different opinion or experience with the product listed above.  Mighty World provided the product, and I provided my honest opinion. No other type compensation was received for this review.

No Comments | In: Ages- Elementary, Ages- Preschooler, Toys | tags: Mighty World, Toys, trucks, weekend warrior. | #

What are your old sweaters doing these days? Mine are folded in storage or lining the shelves of a Goodwill somewhere.  Wherever yours are doing, it’s probably not as fun as what the old sweaters at Cate and Levi are doing. This eco-friendly, Canadian company is giving reclaimed wool a second life in its whimsical puppets and toys.

These delightful animals inspire creative play and offer a snuggly buddy for your child. The silly Walrus puppet had my daughter cracking up. One of my favorite features is the ribbed cuff on the neck of the puppet that gives it a snug fit.  It also felt great knowing that it had been responsibly made.

Cate and Levi uses only natural and reclaimed wool to create its one-of-a-kind items. Owner (and dad) Josh Title seeks to use materials that are sourced as locally as possible to minimize their carbon footprint. Ten percent of Cate and Levi’s profits are donated to children in need.

Be sure to check out the funky Pillow Pals and adorable Zoo Cubes. The Alligator pillow is a favorite of mine!

This is a perfect place to find gifts.  Because each piece is utterly unique, there is no chance of duplication.  Many of the items offer a choice of boy/girl when ordering to influence the color scheme.

Cate and Levi is offering a puppet to one of our readers! Simply visit their site and leave a comment here about your favorites.

For additional entries:

1) Subscribe to Does Mommy Love It? then leave a comment stating you did so.

2) Twitter about the contest and leave us a hyperlink to the tweet!

3) If you haven’t, please join our FACEBOOK FAN PAGE!

4) Write a post on your own blog about this giveaway and comment with the permalink to this post.

5) Grab our button and put it on your sidebar and comment with a link to your blog.

6) Email 5 of your friends and tell them why they should check out DoesMommyLoveIt?. Be sure to COPY us on the email (doesmommyloveit@gmail.com)! Then comment stating you did so.

This contest ends May 25th, 2010 Midnight EST. Click here for contest rules at DoesMommyLoveIt.com!

This review is based strictly my opinion. Others may have a different opinion or experience with the product listed above. Cate and Levi provided the product, and I provided my honest opinion. No other type compensation was received for this review.

57 Comments | In: Ages- Elementary, Ages- Newborn to 1yr., Ages- Preschooler, Ages- Toddler, Contest, Green, Personalized, Toys | tags: cate and levi, eco friendly, natural, puppet, reclaimed wool, stuffed animals, Toys, zoo. | #

Sometimes, during playtime with my toddler, I am reminded just how much fun it was to be a kid!  As my son continues to grow and advance in his developments, we are able to play with more advanced toys.  When I was child, I absolutely loved playing with Play-doh, as it was a real springboard for my imagination.  In addition, I believe it was incredibly therapeutic.  Well, I have come to appreciate it once again as I introduce my son to the world of opportunities with the Magic Swirl Ice Cream Shoppe Play-Doh set!

The Magic Swirl Set is an endless means of creativity while making countless forms of ice cream “desserts”.  The play set features a soft-serve style “ice cream” dispenser that makes a lovely swirled “ice cream” that can be put in a cone or cup.  It also includes dessert-themed molds to create “strawberries”, “cookie crumbles”, and even “cherries” using the pieces.  The set also comes with four 3-ounces cans of play-doh, over 40 dessert-themed molds, two “ice cream cones”, two spoons, one ice cream scoop, and more!  Seriously, I think I am enjoying playing with this more than my son.  It has inspired me to make these deserts in real life!

As my son becomes more interactive, I have found myself enjoying watching his imagination soar through toys and crafts.  As let go of my own agenda and set time aside for this, I am always overwhelmed with how rewarding the experience is for me as well him!  Thanks to creative toys such as the Magic Swirl Shoppe to help in open up this new world of pretend.  My son and I have enjoyed our sweet time spent at the “ice cream shoppe”!

This review is based strictly my opinion. Others may have a different opinion or experience with the product listed above. Hasbro provided the Ice Cream Shoppe Set, and I provided my honest opinion. No other type compensation was received for this review.

No Comments | In: Ages- Elementary, Ages- Preschooler, Toys | tags: Hasbro Ice Cream Shoppe, Play-Doh, Toys. | #

THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED.  CONGRATS EMILY M., YOU ARE THE WINNER!

There is something so special about personalized burp cloths.  I love the thought of passing it down to his kids one day.  The Baby Habit, an online and free standing store, makes burp cloth sets by hand in their small town in Arkansas.  These burp cloths are made with top quality clothe diapers in a 4x6x4 layering for maximum absorption.  This is perfect for those heavy doses of soiled milk that spew forth from our little darlings!  Each burp cloth set includes two burp cloths with coordinating ribbon trim.  You can personalize your burp cloth set with a name, color, and style, all of which are included in the price!  I love supporting a US business that puts this much love and effort into their product.

Along with their handmade burp cloths, the Baby Habit carries an array of eco friendly products on their site.  My personal favorite brand they carry is Plan Toys.  I have their Fun Stacker and it has been a joy watching my son delicately stack each piece in different ways.  It comes in five different colors with a ball piece on top.  You can use this toy to encourage counting, learning colors, and making various sculptures!  This stacker is made from all natural organic recycled rubber wood and colored using water based dyes! Plan toys are safe learning tools that your little one will play with for hours on end.  Next time you are shopping for a loved one or friend who is expecting be sure to shop the Baby Habit!

The Baby Habit is offering one of the handmade personalized line(either burp cloths, diaper satchels or personalized bibs) to one of our readers!  To enter, simply visit The Baby Habit and then leave a comment here on our site.

For additional entries:

1) Subscribe to Does Mommy Love It? then leave a comment stating you did so.

2) Twitter about the contest and leave us a hyperlink to the tweet!

3) If you haven’t, please join our FACEBOOK FAN PAGE!

4) Write a post on your own blog about this giveaway and comment with the permalink to this post.

5) Grab our button and put it on your sidebar and comment with a link to your blog.

6) Email 5 of your friends and tell them why they should check out DoesMommyLoveIt?. Be sure to COPYus on the email (doesmommyloveit@gmail.com)! Then comment stating you did so.

This contest ends May 5th, 2010 Midnight EST. Click here for contest rules at DoesMommyLoveIt.com!

This review is based strictly my opinion. Others may have a different opinion or experience with the product listed above. The Baby Habit provided the Burp Cloth and Toy, and I provided my honest opinion. No other type compensation was received for this review.

33 Comments | In: Accessories, Ages- Newborn to 1yr., Ages- Preschooler, Ages- Toddler, Toys | tags: burp cloths, eco friendly, personalized gifts, plan toys, wooden toys. | #

THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED.  CONGRATS LOLA, YOU ARE THE WINNER!

Teething can be one of the most painful experiences for both the child and the parent.  I was reminded of this truth after last nights screaming episode with my teething son. Thankfully, there are products to help ease the annoyance for our child- The RiNGLEY!

The RiNGLEY is the best natural teething tool for our little one.  It is made with untreated Maple wood and 100% organic terrycloth. Your child has the option of chewing on two different textures without ingesting any harsh chemicals. You can choose to serve the teether wet or dry depending on your child’s preference.  I tossed it in the freezer for a bit to get it cold and believe it brought a bit more relief to my son..

RiNGLEY is now our teething toy of choice in this home.  Organic, natural, and handmade in Toronto, a perfect combination for a great product!  Be sure to check out all four styles!  They even made a limited heart edition for Valentines Day!  Absolutely brilliant!

RiNGLEY is offering a straight teether to one of our readers!  To enter, simply visit RiNGLEY and then leave a comment here on our site.

For additional entries:

1) Subscribe to Does Mommy Love It? then leave a comment stating you did so.

2) Twitter about the contest and leave us a hyperlink to the tweet!

3) If you haven’t, please join our FACEBOOK FAN PAGE!

4) Write a post on your own blog about this giveaway and comment with the permalink to this post.

5) Grab our button and put it on your sidebar and comment with a link to your blog.

6) Email 5 of your friends and tell them why they should check out DoesMommyLoveIt?. Be sure to COPY us on the email (doesmommyloveit@gmail.com)! Then comment stating you did so.

This contest ends April 30th, 2010 Midnight EST. Click here for contest rules at DoesMommyLoveIt.com!

This review is based strictly my opinion. Others may have a different opinion or experience with the product listed above. RiNGLEY provided the teether, and I provided my honest opinion. No other type compensation was received for this review.

39 Comments | In: Accessories, Ages- Newborn to 1yr., Toys | tags: organic, Ringley, teethers, teething. | #

Having a distraction for a newborn can be a lifesaver when food is not an option.  Bright colors, texture, and sound are key elements to a successful toy for this earliest of ages.  A wonderful activity toy that has all of these elements and more is the Kushies Zolo Fuzzi Nubbinz from the Canada based Kushies Company!  The toy creature has toggle ears that can be stretched from side to side, stretchy numbered ball feet, and an attachable strap at the top perfect for hanging from a stroller, car seat or diaper bag!  It’s always important to keep toys like this on hand with your newborn, and this is one that I highly recommend for its interactive qualities!

This review is based strictly my opinion. Others may have a different opinion or experience with the product listed above. Kushies  provided the toy, and I provided my honest opinion. No other type compensation was received for this review.

No Comments | In: Ages- Newborn to 1yr., Toys | tags: Fuzzi Nubbinz, infant toy, Kushies. | #

THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED.  CONGRATS MARIA, YOU ARE THE WINNER!

I normally shy away from stuffed animals because of how cheesy they often are.  For my son’s first birthday grandma gave my son a stuffed animal and he instantly fell in love.  I had never seen him hug and adore something so much.  Once I discovered his soft side towards stuffed animals I began the look out for organic and interesting ones. It was in my search that I found Aminals!

Aminal Dolls are the cutest and most unique huggable soft dolls I’ve come across.  There are about eleven different dolls to choose from with each having their own special story.  They were inspired by the imaginative world of kids and their artwork.  “Exaggerated proportions, squiggly lines, bright colors; they are creative expression at its most honest-and most hilarious!”

Aminal Dolls make it under my so very cool list because not only are they uniquely designed but organic.  They are certified under the Global Organic Textile Standard.  Every aspect of this line is made with integrity and for the safety and care of our children!  There is an Aminal to choose from that can suit any child!  We have the Momey Doll and my son adores it!  Kudos to Aminal!

Aminal has offered a doll of choice to one of our readers!  To enter, simply visit Aminal and then leave a comment here on our site.

For additional entries:

1) Subscribe to Does Mommy Love It? then leave a comment stating you did so.

2) Twitter about the contest and leave us a hyperlink to the tweet!

3) If you haven’t, please join our FACEBOOK FAN PAGE!

4) Write a post on your own blog about this giveaway and comment with the permalink to this post.

5) Grab our button and put it on your sidebar and comment with a link to your blog.

6) Email 5 of your friends and tell them why they should check out DoesMommyLoveIt?. Be sure to COPYus on the email (doesmommyloveit@gmail.com)! Then comment stating you did so.

This contest ends March 20th, 2010 Midnight EST. Click here for contest rules at DoesMommyLoveIt.com!

This review is based strictly my opinion. Others may have a different opinion or experience with the product listed above.  Aminal provided the product, and I provided my honest opinion. No other type compensation was received for this review.

38 Comments | In: Ages- Elementary, Ages- Newborn to 1yr., Ages- Preschooler, Ages- Toddler, Toys | tags: aminal dolls, organic, suffed animal. | #

My son is beginning to become a big helper around the house.  One of the areas he wants to participate in is cooking.  However, with the dangers that come along with playing near the oven, I have had to make adjustments.  Instead of helping me with oven baking I encourage him to use his Melissa and Doug Cookie Set!

Growing Tree Toys carries very imaginative and educational toys for your young one.  I love their selection and most importantly their customer service.  When I received the Cookie and Dough Set I immediately ripped it open for my son to play with.  He began pretending with the cookies and oven mitt.  I am still amazed how long this set can keep him occupied!  We have a wooden microwave that he insists placing the cookies in.  Sounds like the way I enjoy reheating cookies!

The Slice and Bake Cookie Set is an all-in-one, thirty piece play food set to help encourage pretend play.  The topping on each cookie are removable using velcro which allows them to create their own personal cookie. The wooden pretend play food set includes 12 sliceable cookies, 18 toppings, a cookie sheet, kitchen mitt, a spatula and a knife.  Costing only $19.99, I encourage you to purchase this set for your little one!  This is not only a hit with my son, but his little friends as well!

This review is based strictly my opinion. Others may have a different opinion or experience with the product listed above.  Growing Tree Toys provided the product, and I provided my honest opinion. No other type compensation was received for this review.

1 Comment | In: Ages- Preschooler, Ages- Toddler, Toys | tags: creative toys, Educational Toys, Growing Tree Toys, Melissa and Doug Slice and Bake Set, wooden toys. | #

Nico & Zoe online website carries uncommon and artisan made toys.  I absolutely love the assortment of wooden toys that they carry.  One of my favorites is from a line call Voila.

Voila is owned and operated in Thailand and has won many awards for their quality of toys and for the way they operate.  Their collections of wooden toys are fabulously made and definitely spur on the imagination.  The Voila Yummy Pizza Play Set has been a hit with my son and his playmates! The set includes a pizza, base and rolling wooden pizza cutter.  Not only can your little one pretend with the pizza, but it can also be used as a math lesson.  Using the pizza cutter, your little one can slice the pizza into six equal pieces thus enabling your child to learn basic fractions!  Some of the yummy toppings included are mushrooms, pepperoni, shrimp, and more.  Each ingredient is fitted with pegs that can be removed for new pizza combinations.  It can be a bit tough to remove the ingredients so you may have to help your child until they develop the muscles to do so.  The plus side to this is you wont have to worry about pieces missing or dispersed around the room.

Nico and Zoe is a great place to look for quality educational toys for kids.  I am truly thankful to find this site and learn about new wooden toy companies that are out there!

Nico & Zoe has offered a Voila Pizza Set to one of our readers! To enter, please visit Nico & Zoe and leave a comment on here with your thoughts!

1) Subscribe to Does Mommy Love It? then leave a comment stating you did so.

2) Twitter about the contest and leave us a hyperlink to the tweet!

3) If you haven’t, please join our FACEBOOK FAN PAGE!

4) Write a post on your own blog about this giveaway and comment with the permalink to this post.

5) Grab our button and put it on your sidebar and comment with a link to your blog.

6) Email 5 of your friends and tell them why they should check out DoesMommyLoveIt?. Be sure to COPYus on the email (doesmommyloveit@gmail.com)! Then comment stating you did so.

This contest ends Feb 20th, 2010 Midnight EST. Click here for contest rules at DoesMommyLoveIt.com!

This review is based strictly my opinion. Others may have a different
opinion or experience with the product listed above. Nico & Zoe
provided the samples and  I provided my honest opinion. No
other type compensation was received for this review.

99 Comments | In: Accessories, Ages- Preschooler, Ages- Toddler, Arts & Crafts, Toys | tags: nico & zoe, Toys, voila pizza play set. | #

THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED!  CONGRATS, RENEE A., YOU ARE THE WINNER!

Saplings, a Canadian based website, carries stylish, eco-friendly products for your kids room.  I was fortunate enough to receive their 3 sprouts storage bin.  When you read storage, I mean storage!  This cylinder shape owl bin can fit your child plus their toys!  It is made with 100% organic cotton canvas and 100% eco-spun felt (made from recycled water bottles).  I truly love lines that integrate recycled materials into their product making.

This child size tote is a great solution to our messy toy room.  When my son and I are finished playing we both can toss the playthings into the bin.  I thought about buying a toy storage system, but this bin is large enough to hold all the toys we currently own. I only want to have a certain amount of toys present at each age.  Therefore, this bin can keep me in perspective.

Saplings got it right when they decided to carry 3 sprouts.  This bin is a great addition for your child’s room.  It easily folds up small when not in use and the cotton side handles make them easy to carry.  Definitely a great find!

Saplings has offered one of our readers a $50(CDN) gift card! To enter, simply visit Saplings and then leave a comment here with how you would use the gift card!   For additional entries:

1) Subscribe to Does Mommy Love It? then leave a comment stating you did so.

2) Twitter about the contest and leave us a hyperlink to the tweet!

3) If you haven’t, please join our FACEBOOK FAN PAGE!

4) Write a post on your own blog about this giveaway and comment with the permalink to this post.

5) Grab our button and put it on your sidebar and comment with a link to your blog.

6) Email 5 of your friends and tell them why they should check out DoesMommyLoveIt?. Be sure to COPYus on the email (doesmommyloveit@gmail.com)! Then comment stating you did so.

This contest ends December 30th, 2009 Midnight EST. Click here for contest rules at DoesMommyLoveIt.com!

This review is based strictly my opinion. Others may have a different
opinion or experience with the product listed above. Saplings
provided the 3 Sprouts toy bin and I provided my honest opinion. No
other type compensation was received for this review.

86 Comments | In: Accessories, Ages- Elementary, Ages- Preschooler, Ages- Toddler, Furniture, Organization, Toys | tags: 3 sprouts, saplings, storage, toy bin. | #

Dado Squares are inter-connecting toys for toddlers and young children.  They help aid in the fine motor skills such as finger dexterity and coordination of small muscle movements.  I have seen this first hand with my son.  We received the set of 35-3” squares in a multitude of colors.  My husband and I love to bring them out to play and allow our imaginations to sore as we come up with building structures as high as 3 feet tall.  My son sits in amazement and has begun to attempt to participate in this with us.  I love these because they allow for constructing based on patterns, proportions, organization, colors, and structure.  My son doesn’t bore easily from these because of the sheer amount of different options for various constructions.  And when building the towers has come to an end, you can use the squares as flashcards for lear

ning colors.  I am showing my son how to sort them based on color during clean up time!

It’s difficult to go wrong with a toy that helps improve so many areas of your child’s development.  These 35 pieces break down easily into a tiny square container for storage.  I was thrilled to see that these are made in the USA! You can purchase these at Simply Good Stuff’s site.  They carry some of the best products from around the world for the whole family (including pets) at great prices!  They have been generous enough to offer Does Mommy Love It readers a discoun using codet: doesmommyloveit – It will give customers $2.00 off a single set or 2-pack. Regular price is: $21.49 or 2 for $39.95.

No Comments | In: Ages- Elementary, Ages- Preschooler, Ages- Toddler, Educational, Learning, Toys | tags: dado, dado squares, educational toy, simply good stuff. | #

The Gifted Imaginations website carries some of the most unique educational toys for the best price.  I was eager to experience both the Bilibo and Rubbabu Micro Vehicle, both found on this wonderful website.

The Bilibo’s unique form arouses curiosity, stimulates the senses, and encourages creativity.  My husband loves to place it on his head and uses the two holes it has as eyes, causing my son to laugh profusely.  When it is not in use as a mask, my son enjoy spinning and rocking in it! I love toys that force you to use your imagination to bring it to life!  The Bilibo definitely “shines as a wonderful accessory to enhance role-playing and make-believe for children’s social development and powers of imagination.”

The Rubbabu Micro Vehicle is a unique toy car that happens to be 100% biodegradable.  I was completely floored and excited about this earth friendly toy!  They are made from natural rubber foam making them soft and squishy.  Because of the material, the car is very durable.  My son puts all his weight on them and glides it through the apartment.  Not only are these green, but affordably priced as well!

It is important to provide your child with the resources they need to help grow mentally and physically.  I am so thankful for Gifted Imaginations for providing and educating me with their wonderfully edited selection of educational toys!

No Comments | In: Ages- Elementary, Ages- Preschooler, Ages- Toddler, Green, Learning, Toys | tags: Bilibo, Gifted Imagination, Rubbabu. | #