It’s easy to find planes and cars flying and zooming across art decor for kids. But the artist behind Etsy shop Urban Tickle really goes the distance by pairing inspirational messages with the transportation motifs to really drive important sentiments home. Parents may brighten the nursery or playroom with Urban Tickle’s 100% recycled wood art panels, made from wood salvaged from discarded apple orchard trees, while enlightening blossoming minds with the empowering words: “I hope that even the sky is not the limit for you,” and “In life, I hope you will always go the distance…” making planting the seeds of self-esteem a sweet and subtle undertaking.

+ Plane and Car Art Wood Panels (Set of 2) $76

+ Urban Tickle

Tots looking for a soft landing, to outfit they’re indoor teepee or tent, or while kicking back to read a good board book, will love Smiling Planet‘s new collection of organic floor pillows. We dig the inspirational words and sweet graphics in neutral and pastel hues — and the peace signs, shooting stars, and an array of happy creatures from the animal kingdom grace the sweet cushions, offering a refreshing touch for nurseries and playrooms. Since the savvy floor decor is made from organic cotton in California, it’s also grounded in green design.

+ Smiling Planet Floor Pillows $47

+ Smiling Planet

The holidays and consumerism go hand in hand, so why not make the season (and your tots) bright by teaching kids about money. Mudpuppy’s Money Banks go two steps beyond saving for a rainy day. Each bank features three labeled slots in which to make a deposit: spend, share and save. Little ones may be introduced to the concepts of purchasing and keeping money in the bank, as well as what it means to be charitable. Banks are made with a minimum of 70% recycled paper and are printed with nontoxic, soy-based inks. A color coordinated padlock with two keys gives tots easy access to their small fortune. Designs range from robots, outer space and pirates to gardens, ballerinas, carousels and butterflies.

+ Money Banks $13

+ Mudpuppy

*Enter Coupon Code ZZZ2 at checkout for 15% off any purchase from the Mudpuppy website.

If you have a little lord or lady holding court in your midst, make your home his or her castle with this cute and clever children’s bureau fortress. Made in France with wood from sustainably managed forests, the model above is complete with chalkboard paint for kids to decorate and personalize as they wish. Other variations include walnut, maple, oak and muirapiranga birch wood. When pushed in, the stool acts as the castle gate so tots can close up shop when work is over and playtime calls.

+ Children’s Bureau Fortress € 450.00

As a child, the Arizona desert provided the rugged, blissfully quiet and expansive backdrop for many a sun-drenched day full of adventure, mischief and excitement when I played outdoors daily from dawn to dusk. I now have my own little girl, whose soul lights up every time we embark into the great wide open together — the fresh air and the anticipation of the unknown infusing her with the same unquenchable desire I had to explore every crevice of my small corner of the earth. While she won’t stay this age forever, or always exude the same undying curiosity and endless wonderment for all that nature has to offer, I can capture these beautiful memories in photos.
 

We’ve reported on cell phone radiation, especially with regard to the dangers of childrens’ exposure to iPhones and iPads on multiple occasions over the past year. Most readers have admitted they think iPhone apps are a lifesaver when it comes to keeping tots entertained. But that doesn’t change the fact that studies show that kids’ brains absorb twice as much cell phone radiation as adult brains, and we’d be remiss not to take precautions or avoid letting children play with these devices full stop. Lucky for diehard fans, young and old, of the iPhone and iPad, there’s a new case on the market which drastically reduces a user’s exposure to cell phone radiation. Pong Research, Inc. is a new health technology company founded by a team of PhDs from Princeton, Harvard, UCLA and MIT, that offers the only solution proven in FCC-certified labs to protect consumers significantly (up to 95% below FCC limits) from wireless device radiation.