Keeping It Clean…Organizing Your Kid’s Toys

Both of our kids have fall birthdays and each birthday means new TOYS! This delights our kids to no end…and if I am honest, it makes this stay-at-home mom happy, too, because it means new toys to enjoy with the kiddos.

All the new birthday toys have prompted us to clean out our playroom and “toy stash,” and it’s coming at a perfect time since the holidays are right around the corner. It seems like such an overwhelming task to accomplish, but with these tips below, I think it will go smoothly this year!

- Use clear bins to house similar toys. Cars go with cars, dolls go with dolls, etc. This will make finding toys and cleaning them up much easier.

- Avoid duplicate toys. Children do not need two stacking rings or two musical keyboards. Consider donating duplicate toys to goodwill. This will help you declutter your toy areas

- Always put toy bins at eye-level and within reach of the kids. This way, they can find the toys they are looking for easily, and they can also put the bins away when they are done playing. This will teach your children the importance of cleaning up after themselves.

- Consider using photo or pictures to label bins when your kids are younger. Pictures will help small children know where to put certain toys when it is time to clean up. When your kids are older and can read, use labels with words to mark your bins. This will help them to learn how to spell new words while keeping your play areas tidy.

- When organizing your toys, think about what your kids play with the most often. Put those toys out in your play areas and when you sense your child is tiring of them, put them back in a closet or in storage and bring out different toys. Rotating your toys will make old toys feel new again.

- Consider donating the toys not used very often to charity or goodwill. This is an excellent way to instill the spirit of giving to your children.

Good luck cleaning out your toys this year. Here’s to staying organized the rest of the year and into 2011! I'm off to a good start...I just put all my daughter's Barbie gear in clear bins with labels. It's funny how the small things in life can make you feel accomplished!

Let Your Imagination Run Wild with Sticker Set Play Scenes!

Pure and Honest Kids has a fabulous toy that your children will just love…Sticker Set Play Scenes! Children will play for hours with this very imaginative, very fun toy!

These reusable sticker play scenes are great for on the go or for quiet times at home! We carry two kinds of sticker set play scenes- the Original Sticker Set Play Scenes and the new Mini Play Scenes!

The Original Sticker Set Play Scenes have more than 50 reusable vinyl stickers to arrange and rearrange for ever-changing adventure. The sticker set comes with background boards (size 9 x 12" closed) containing exciting play scenes that fold up just like a book. It even has a cool handle so you can carry it around everywhere you go!
$11.00

Pure and Honest Kids now carries the new Mini Play Scenes as well! With more than 40 reusable stickers, the Mini Play Scenes are fun and educational, too! The scene boards measure 7-3/4 x 8"closed.
$8.00

With more than 12 Sticker Set Play Scenes for you to choose from, your child will have endless hours of fun with this original toy! All materials in the Sticker Set Play Scenes are printed with non-toxic inks, so it is not only a fun toy, but also a safe toy.

Here are some of our favorites below, all available at Pure and Honest Kids.

Very Funny Faces Mini Play Scene:
$8.00
Who doesn't love funny faces? You'll love this Very Funny Faces Mini Sticker Play Scene! Apply different eyes, glasses or mask, hats, wigs, mustaches, accessories as envisioned by illustrator Cristian Turdera. With over 40 vinyl, reusable stickers to choose from, you can create all day long! Suitable for ages 3+. All materials in this set were printed with non-toxic inks.

Room to Play Sticker Set Play Scene:
$11.00
When children step into this Room to Play sticker set play scene, their imaginations spring to life. Children can decorate the room or use the alphabet stickers to spell things on the walls or floor. Watch as they create scenes with the teddy bear eating cookies, the cat riding a bicycle or the dog wearing sunglasses and roller-skates. With over 50 vinyl stickers to choose from, this play scene is not only portable fun for children, it’s educational too! Sticker board with handle comes with 50 reusable stickers. Ages 3+

Garden Bugs Mini Play Scene:
$8.00
Let your child's imagination run wild with this very fun sticker scene set based on all our favorite friends from the garden! We've got dragonflies, slugs, earthworms, beetles--don't worry--they're all very cute. With over 40 vinyl stickers to choose from, this play scene is not only portable fun for children, it’s educational too! Illustrated by Emilie Chollat.

Map of the USA Sticker Set Play Scene:
$11.00
From sea to shining sea! With this Map of the U.S.A., children can take their characters and travel across the country, take a canoe ride up a river or simply match the state name stickers with the corresponding state shape on the board. With over 50 vinyl stickers to choose from, this play scene is not only portable fun for children, it’s educational too! Sticker board with handle comes with 50 reusable stickers. Ages 3+.

Cooking with Kids!

Looking for a rainy day activity? How about a great big brother or sister gift? Pure and Honest Kids has the perfect solution for you! Cook up some yummy goodies with your kids with these awesome cooking sets!

Cookies, cupcakes and ice cream, oh my! These delicious kits will make your child feel like a gourmet chef and you can both enjoy the fruits of your labor.

Kids Mini Fairy Princess Kit

$14.00
Your princess will love making cookies with this adorable Fairy Princess Cookie Kit! It includes cookie mix that turns pink, pink frosting, fairy dust sprinkles, cookie cutter, fairy wand and rhyming recipe/instructions in a clear bag.

Play Ball Baseball Cookies

$14.00
Your little slugger will love making cookies with this cooking set, made just for little boys! It includes cookie mix, decorating gel, icing, and cutter.

Kids Ice Cream Tote Set

$14.00
We all scream for ice cream! This ice cream set has it all! It includes the necessities to create delicious sundaes. Kit includes: 2 paper hats, 2 ice cream cups, 2 ice cream spoons, scoop, sprinkles, rhyming recipe and instructions in a clear vinyl bag.

Kids Cupcake Tote Set

$14.00
Enjoy yummy cupcakes with this very cute cupcake set. It includes the necessities to create delicious cupcakes. Kit includes: paper hat, sprinkles, frosting, cupcake mix, wooden spoon, paper liners, rhyming recipe and instructions in a clear vinyl bag.

Sweet Little Friends for Your Little One!

Pure and Honest Kids is carrying new a new line of animal friends that your little ones will just love! We carry many “Knitty” animal friends, such as the elephant, lion, kitty and mouse, in many different sizes and styles, including large friends, small friends and baby rattles.

You’ll love the Knitty Baby Rattles! These colorful, cheery rattles will take you on a trip down memory lane while your little on makes a new best friend! Our Knitty rattles are $7.00. Check out the four Knitty Rattles we have available here.

We also carry Knitty Bitty stuffed animal friends in sizes 11” and 24”. Your children will love the vibrant colors and happy faces of these very special friends. The large Knitty Bitty animals are $37.00 and the small Knitty Bitty animals are $13.00. Check them out here.

Here are some of our favorite Knitty friends below!

Large Knitty Kitty:
$37.00
So squeezable! Your little one will love this plush Knitty Kitty. The larger size makes this kitty perfect for cuddling. Pink accents give this toy tons of personality. This knitted stuffed animal is reminiscent of the toys you had when you were little. The eyes, nose and mouth are embroidered on, so there are no small parts to hurt your tot. Standing at 24" tall, this stuffed animal is almost as big as your little one. Machine washable.

Small Knitty Elephant:
$13.00
Turn their room into a miniature circus with this precious stuffed elephant. Blue stripes give this little elephant tons of character. Standing at 11" tall, this toy is perfect for tagging along on outings. Machine washable. Measures 11".

Knitty Mouse Rattle:
$7.00
There's a mouse in the house! What could be sweeter than a beautifully knit rattle? Soft and durable, this knitted mouse rattle is reminiscent of the days when toys were simple and made to last. The eyes are embroidered on so there are no small parts to hurt your babe. Machine washable.

Large Knitty Lion:
$37.00
Lions and tigers and bears, oh my! Ok, maybe just lions. Far from scary, this stuffed lion is super cuddly! The larger size of this stuffed animal makes this toy perfect for snuggling. Orange accents give this sweet stuffed animal lion tons of personality. The face is embroidered on, so there are no small parts to hurt your tot. Standing at 24" tall, this lion stuffed animal is almost as big as your little one. Machine washable.

Toys from Yellow Label Kids---Perfect Baby Gifts That Are Eco-Friendly, Too!

The company, Yellow Label Kids, makes beautiful, eco-friendly toys that are fun, stylish and safe! These toys make perfect baby gifts! All Yellow Label Kids products are 100% made by hand, not machine made with a few hand-touches.

Yellow Label Kids toys don’t light up or come programmed with catchphrases, and that’s exactly what makes them so special. Each of their handcrafted toys is designed to delight, inspire and ignite your child’s imagination.

Also important to note, Yellow Label Kids works with the Fair Trade Federation to ensure that the artisans crafting their products receive real living wages. That’s one more reason to buy these fabulous toys today!

This company has been making headlines in the news, too, with so many magazines touting Yellow Label Kids’ wonderful toys. Parents Magazine and Bon Appetite Magazine feature two of the Yellow Label Kids toys that we carry at Pure and Honest Kids! Check them out below. Also be sure to browse our other great Yellow Label Kids toys today! Just click here.

Doughnut Assortment Set:
$35.00
Dig into this tasty assortment of bright play donuts, packaged together in a hand-loomed box with ribbons. Our play donuts are soft, richly textured and colorful, making them a perfect plaything for babies and older siblings, who can serve them up in a tea party or play kitchen.

Cupcake Assortment Set:
$32.00
Dig into this tasty assortment of play cupcakes-yummy! The cupcakes are soft, richly textured and colorful, making them a perfect toy for babies. Older siblings will love the cupcake assortment from Yellow Label Kids, too! Big brother or sister can serve them up at a birthday party or in a play kitchen. The wrappers on these cupcakes peel down making them fun for little hands. Set of four with fabric box.

Doodle Dolls= Hours of Fun for Your Little One!

Check out this great new toy from Pure and Honest Kids…Doodle Dolls by Manuella. It’s a Pure and Honest Kids top pick!

A Doodle Doll is a doll made out of special water-resistant paper that children can scribble on. The doll comes with a colorful set of markers. Your child’s imagination can run wild with this creative and innovative toy!

Doodle Dolls are sure to create endless hours of creative fun. Your child can create any kind of face and clothing he or she wishes! And if your little artist wants to change up the doll’s outfits, face or personal features, all you have to do is machine wash your Doodle Doll and they can start over from scratch. Talk about meshing art with play!

Available in both boy and girl Doodle Dolls. Doodle Dolls make great birthday gifts and big brother/big sister gifts, too!

Measures 18".
$42 from Pure and Honest Kids

Birthday Party for Little Ones

Do you have a birthday party coming up for a special toddler in your life? Pure and Honest Kids has a great selection of toys that would make perfect birthday presents, all under $20! Toddlers will love these great toys from Pure and Honest Kids because they help little ones use their imaginations, explore the world around them, and most of all, have fun!

Pure and Honest Kids offers toys that are wholesome and age-appropriate. Parents like the toys as much as the kids do. Here are some of our favorite toys available at Pure and Honest Kids.

Zoo Puzzle
$12.00
Perfect for providing silly fun for kids of all ages, the 12 piece zoo puzzle can be turned over to change the head and body pairings too! Fun and humorous with lots of intelligent wit. Measures 13.7" x 5.7". Ages 3+. Makes a great gift!

Butterfly Net
$10.00
What a way for your little one to learn about nature! Decorated with butterflies and stripes, the butterfly net measures 22.5" L x 8"W.

Doodlebugz Crayon Apron or Crayon Belt
$16.00
Keep your crayons close by with a Doodlebugz Crayon Apron! or Crayon Belt. It comes complete with a pad of paper, perfectly sized for small hands, and 10 washable crayons. With an adjustable hook and loop closure in the back, not only is it easy to put on and take off, it can be worn even as the child grows!

Kids Ice Cream Tote Set
$14.00
Includes the necessities to create delicious sundaes. Kit includes: 2 paper hats, 2 ice cream cups, 2 ice cream spoons, scoop, sprinkles, rhyming recipe and instructions in a clear vinyl bag.

Lion Pull Toy
$14.00
Your little one will love this sweet and wholesome lion pull toy! This soft, cuddly and colorful plush lion on wooden wheels will roll around the house wherever your child goes!

Ring Toss Game
$17.50
Classic Ring Toss game can go with your everywhere! Everything comes ready to go in a little mesh bag. Let the games begin...

Make Pure and Honest Kids your one-stop birthday shop this year for all the special little ones in your life!

Top 10 Toys at Pure and Honest Kids

By: Debbie Koontz, Pure and Honest Kids

With so many toy recalls in recent months, parents are more selective than ever when it comes to their children’s toys. Not only do parents want safe toys for their kids, they also want age appropriate toys. Pure and Honest Kids has a wonderful selection of toys available for kids of all ages, and here are some of our favorites.

1. Kojo the Croc Zoobie Pet
Your boy or girl will love Kojo the Croc Zoobie Pet. Fun and innovative, Zoobie Pets are both loveable and practical. This award winning toy transforms from a plush stuffed animal to a soft pillow to a warm blanket. All your child’s favorite lovies are rolled up into one cute, cuddly creature! Kojo is available at Pure and Honest Kids for $30.00. Other Zoobie Pets are also available at Pure and Honest Kids.

2. Fruit Rattles from Yellow Label Kids
Who knew fruit could be so fun? Your child will adore playing with this set of five rattles from Yellow Label Kids. This toy set is great for babies who love bright colors and rattle sounds. This toy has longevity, as older children enjoy playing with the fruit in their kitchens and pretend grocery stores. A special bonus to purchasing this toy is all Yellow Label Kids products are 100 percent made by hand, and the company supports Fair Trade, which ensures artisans who create the products are paid living wages. The fruit rattles are available at Pure and Honest Kids for $45.00, along with many other Yellow Label Kids toys.

3. Doodlebugz Crayon Apron and Crayon Belt
Keep your crayons close by with a Doodlebugz Crayon Apron or Crayon Belt! Both the belt and apron comes with a pad of paper, perfectly sized for small hands, and 10 washable crayons. With an adjustable hook and loop closure in the back, the apron and belt from Doodlebugz grows with your child. The Doodlebugz Crayon Apron and Belt are both available at Pure and Honest Kids for $16.00.

4. Penelope Peapod (and all her accessories!)
Penelope Peapod is sure to become your child’s best friend! Starting with a stylish basket handbag, a quick transformation unveils a doll inside! The basket turns into a bassinet for Penelope to lay her pretty head! This toy is sure to provide hours of fun. Because it is a small, self-contained toy, this is a perfect quiet, outing toy for church, events and car trips. Penelope Peapod also has many accessories you can purchase, too, to make the pretend play even more fun, including extra outfits, rocking cradle, changing table and high chair. Penelope Peapod is available at Pure and Honest Kids for $39.98. All accessories are sold separately.

5. Antique Pedal Car, Fire Truck and Plane
These antique pedal cars are one-of-a-kind and are truly a family heirloom to be passed down from generation to generation! These full-size, high quality, antique pedal cars (and also available in fire trucks and planes) feature high traction rubber tires, non-slip pedals, sealed ball bearing drive, three position adjustable pedal assembly and all metal construction. The cars are finished with automotive powder coat lead-free paint. Your child will love to pedal around the neighborhood in these very cute cars. Prices range from $189.00 for the pedal car, $249.00 for the fire truck and $439.00 for the plane. All are available at Pure and Honest Kids. These toys are best suited for children ages 3-6.

6. Round-a-Bout Tree Swing
Summertime is calling you with these Round-a-Bout Tree Swings! With bright color schemes, these fun, old fashioned tree swings are sure to bring outdoor family fun for all ages to your backyard. Not only does the swing promote fitness and fun, but it brings functional yard art to your outdoor living space. No matter where you hang this swing, it is sure to bring smiles to your children’s faces and tons of family fun to the great outdoors. Round-a-Bout Swings are available at Pure and Honest Kids for $49.98.

7. Mickey Walker with Blocks
This is the ultimate push (or pull) toy! The Mickey Walker, from PastelToys, is sure to become your little one’s favorite toy. After tiring from pushing this fun, pastel painted walker around, there is more fun to come with the classic blocks inside the cart! With 14 blocks in varying sizes and colors, your child will love to build his or her masterpiece! This toy is lead free and safe for use by children. The best part? This toy was made by the residents of Kishorit, a non-profit village and home for adults with special needs. Buying one of these toys helps the residents to be self-sustaining, all while enhancing their self-esteem and improving their life and work skills. This toy is available at Pure and Honest Kids for $75.00. Pure and Honest Kids also carries many other wonderful PastelToys as well.

8. ABC Floor Puzzle
What a way to learn your ABC’s! This great big floor puzzle (measures 2X3 feet) comes to life through Clare Beaton’s illustrations, which are guaranteed to ignite your child’s imagination! This puzzle, with its 24 jumbo pieces, helps to develop fine motor skills. It also promotes letter recognition and association of letters with specific objects. Your child will definitely have fun while learning with this colorful puzzle! It is available at Pure and Honest Kids for $15.00. Suited for children ages 3 and up.

9. Chalk Talk Chalkboard Placemat
Doodle at home or on the go with this Chalk Talk Chalkboard Placemat. It is the perfect accessory to take in the car or to restaurants. It comes with everything you need to keep your child happy and busy! It includes chalk, a sponge and an eraser. The Chalkboard Placemat rolls up nice and neat and will fit in your purse or diaper bag. Purchase this fabulous toy at Pure and Honest Kids for $10.00.

10. Lion Pull Toy
This is a great toy for little ones! This soft and cuddly plush lion on wooden wheels will roll around the house wherever your child goes! The bright and colorful lion pull toy is an updated classic! It is available at Pure and Honest Kids for $14.00.

Toys bring a great joy to children, and are educational and fun! Check out these toys and many more at Pure and Honest Kids.

Gotta Have a Zoobie Pet!

Check out the Zoobie Pets at Pure and Honest Kids! Fun and innovative, Zoobie Pets are both loveable and practical!

Zoobie Pets are the ideal travel companion for your child as it easily transforms from a plush animal to a warm blanket. The best part…the blanket detaches and is machine washable! No more dirty “lovies” for your child! And the stuffed animal can double as a blanket and pillow for long trips in the car.

This award winning toy (Oppenheim Toy Portfolio “Best Toy Award”, Creative Child Magazine 2007 Top Toy of the Year Award, and JPMA Innovations Award 2007 Finalist) just became even more sought after and esteemed! In the month of April alone, Zoobie Pets won eight more awards and accolades, including the Toy Man “Best of Show” award, Babies and Mom's Radio - "Squeal of Approval” and iParenting Media Award for 2008 Excellent Products Call.

Pure and Honest Kids have three very adorable Zoobie Pets available. Check them out here.

Hada the Hippo Zoobie Pet- $30.00

Lencho the Lion Zooobie Pet- $30.00

Kojo the Croc Zoobie Pet- $30.00

Makes a great big brother or sister gift or birthday gift for your favorite toddler!

Old Fashion Fun!

With Daylights Savings Time in full affect, Pure and Honest Kids everywhere are staying outside to play longer at night! What better way to soak up those last few hours of daylight than your very own All Is Well Round-A-Bout tree swing!

These old fashioned tree swings have been hand crafted with love and care to bring outdoor family fun to your backyard for all ages. The swings not only promote fitness and fun, but they bring functional yard art to your outdoor living space. The swing can be hung in many places: tree, porch, deck or A-Frame.

Round-A-Bout tree swings are 17 ½ diameter by ¾ thick and are made of durable, weather resilient painted wood. The tree swings come in colorful designs sure to delight the little ones in your life!