Angels We Have Heard On High

Okay Halloween is officially over, so now the decorating plans turn towards Thanksgiving and Christmas! I love decorating for the Christmas holidays. We started a tradition of letting Miss E decorate her own little tree each year, and it is fun to let her select the ornaments. Some will become keepsakes and others are fun little whims from the Target. I think it is nice to have some holiday decor that the children can touch and even play with through the season. Our little Kobold has selected some adorable pieces that will add to you and your beloved's holiday joy.

Music lovers will love the adorable wooden angel with a violin. She also has friend in the choir who loves to sing, and a friend holding the candle of hope for the season. These wooden angels by HABA are sure to delight. And what a perfect gift idea for your music teacher!

Collect the family of HABA angels for your child's mini- tree, hang from greenery on the mantel, or tie to a holiday gift. With wonderfully unique colors, striped socks and curly hair, these will bring a smile to faces of all ages! Gloria, Felicia, Marina, Lemona, Rosa and Stella are keepsakes that will delight for years to come.

Kobold Toys is a fan of the Angel Dolls by North American Bear Company. Lovably sweet in soft velboa with embroidered facial features, in blonde and brunette, ribbon accent and attached tricot wings. This soft doll is a keepsake friend for baby and is machine washable!

The holidays are upon us, and Kobold will be sharing his and Santa's elves favorite toys for the children on your list. Keep checking our site daily for updates on holiday items and gifts.

Happy Holidays! ~ Ashley

Shake, Rattle and Roll

Babies learn and develop through play that stimulates their sense of sight, sound, touch, taste and smell. Infant stimulation can improve your baby’s curiosity, attention span, memory, and nervous system development. Research also suggests that babies who are stimulated reach developmental milestones faster, have better muscle coordination, and a more secure self image.

Kobold Toys offers a selection of infant play toys that are safe, facilitate development, and most importantly, create giggles! Here are some of our favorites for your baby or for your next baby shower:

We love the all natural wooden rattle by Maple Landmark. The truly natural rattle has ends that are made from sustainable harvested local (Vermont) maple and have a whey-based finish. It is small with little bars that make it easy for little fingers to hold. The rattle is 2.5" long and the oval ends measure 1.5" X 2.5". The bell floats freely for maximum sound.

Lilliputiens remains a favorite for high-quality, luxurious toys that stimulate. The Leo the Peacock Activity Chain is made of 4 magnetized rings in different geometric shapes. Baby can rearrange the order of the rings to his liking. Each ring stimulates the senses through the colors, fabrics, noises and magnets. The Basile Activity Mirror (pictured above) attaches to the playpen or the bed. This funny monkey is full of discoveries, stimulating touch, vision and hearing. Making silly faces in the mirror will definitely delight baby and the rest of the family will enjoy watching too!

Everyone knows the award-winning Winkel by Manhattan Toy. Kobold Toys believes this is the perfect baby rattle! What makes is perfect is that those tiny fingers can easily get a hold of it and hold it and rattle it for hours. If put in the refrigerator, it becomes a great teether as well. Stunning colors give this perennial favorite a lively look.

A new favorite is the Calico Ball Chime. This soft ball with contrasting cotton print has old fashion whimsical charm. The bright patterns stimulate your child's visual awareness. Its small size is perfect for little hands to grab and roll with you.

Our final suggestion is the wrist rattle by HABA. In either a car or flower shape, these soft companions for the wrist and ankle will not get lost. Adorable!

Have fun playing with your baby and watching him learn. It is amazing how the little things you do now to stimulate their minds will reap incredible rewards later. When shopping for your beloved, don't forget Kobold Toys has an extensive selection of baby gifts from rattles to playmats!

Shake it Baby!

If You Build It, He Will Scream!

The first fourteen months of my son's life have been pretty similar to those of my daughter. He is more laid back than she ever was (or I will ever be), and he is in no hurry to walk by himself. He does say some words, but he also makes a sound that my daughter compares to that of a Teradactyl. On the toy front, no big surprises either. He plays with the same toys my daughter did: PlanToys kitchen accessories and food, wooden blocks, animal and dinosaur figures, anything musical, puzzles and books.

This past week he has discovered the dump truck and the bulldozer. The property adjacent to our home is commercially zoned and construction has started. HE IS IN HEAVEN. Every time he hears a truck or the sound of some heavy equipment, he scoots to the door screeching with delight. Unfortunately, we do not have a lot of construction equipment in the house as darling tomboy has not passed through her engineering phase...yet.

If you have a son or daughter fascinated with digging, cranes and construction, Kobold suggests:

A construction puzzle! This adorable puzzle board has the same drawing as the puzzle pieces so your child can easily put the pieces together. The puzzle has magnetic backing so that it can easily stick to the refrigerator.

Playmobil’s Truck with Garage is also a wonderful starter toy for the younger construction fan. The toy is also a shape sorter. While pretend playing to be a truck driver, your little one can also practice coordination and motor skills by trying to put the right shaped blocks in the right place. Once the truck is loaded up, it can leave the garage and go to wherever your child's imagination takes it!

For summer travel, consider the Take-Along Construction Set by Playmobil. This on-the-go construction set comes with a rolling garage door, an unfolding ramp for easy car entrance, and enough pieces to tackle any project.

Playmobil also offers an amazing crane, and your child will love to move it, pick up things and let them go! The crane comes with integrated steering for six different functions (rotates and movable). This fantastic toy has won several prestigious awards.

If you are anti-batteries, consider the crane by PlanToys. PlanToys offers wonderful and eco-friendly toys for your budding engineer. Our favorites include the forklift, bulldozer, highway trucks and the garbage truck.

Although I am not as excited about the big trucks and noisy equipment as my son seems to be, I am delighted with his response and eager to see how his new found love of trucks and construction will evolve. I only hope that the "vrooms" and "booms" this pretend play will elicit will be more tolerable than the Teradactyl scream. - Happy Building! Ashley