Friendship Bracelets – BFF’s and More

The award-winning My Friendship Bracelet Maker® by Choose Friendship Company has been flying off the shelves lately.

The friendship bracelet – an international symbol of camaraderie – is a wonderful reminder to youngsters that they can count on their best friends no matter what, especially in this era of bullying and hurtful words. Invented for his granddaughters by David Crorey, a retired auto industry exec, the portable My Friendship Bracelet Maker helps kids make their own designs neatly and with ease.

Michigan-based Choose Friendship Company has established quarterly campaigns encouraging support networks between kids across the country. For instance, they collaborated with Mad Habit Media to launch an anti-bully, pro-friendship campaign revolving around the song/video, Inside Out, sung by Michigan teen Marisa Nahas – and proceeds from the song’s sales are donated to non-profit organizations that support this cause.

Because children carry burdens often overlooked or misunderstood by others, we want them to feel welcomed into their own exclusive club. Our mission is to let them know they’re not alone; not only are others living with the same fear and uncertainty, but that these special children are loved and supported by a larger community.

-Julie Crorey, mom to the granddaughters

This year, Choose Friendship also introduces two new craft kits. The My Friendship Bracelet Maker Traveler™ is great for backpacks and carry-ons and the nifty slide-out storage drawer features 20 pre-cut Prism® embroidery threads in 10 different colors. With The Image Bracelet Maker™, kids can express their favorite likes of the moment on their wrist – just like Pinterest! It uses photos, magazine pictures, internet images or the included art starter sheets to assemble bracelets that are totally unique and awesome.

Choose Friendship is not only the craft kit family business’ new name (the company was once known as Crorey Creations) but also its mantra. The joy of the product line is its ability to engage impressionable kids of the importance of friends and self-expression. Plus, it’s gone global in two short years. QVC sold out its entire load of more than 55,000 kits during the 4th quarter, 2011. National and specialty retailers alike had to restock their shelves in-store and online. My Friendship Bracelet Maker® and My Ribbon Barrette Maker® have earned kudos from Tillywig Toy Awards, Parents’ Choice, Dr. Toy, Creative Child Magazine, NAPPA Awards and Brilliant Sky.

Log on to ChooseFriendship.com for instructional videos, charitable causes, store locations, to watch Inside Out and more. The Friendship Bracelet Blog is authored by the inventor’s granddaughter.

Children’s Retail Today publishes new posts on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. If you want to get the word out about your innovative, imaginative and inspiring products for children, contact me today!

The Eyes Have It

Protection for kids’ eyes is fun, stylish and oh-so-effective.

When it comes to us humans, no one can deny that we are sun worshippers. Some statistics point out that about half of the total time we spend outdoors occurs in the first 20 years of our lives. And the human eye is 10 times more sensitive to harmful UV rays than our skin – reason enough to protect young eyes as aggressively as we do their bodies.

Thanks to these innovative companies, it’s no problem.

In my practice, and in the medical literature, I see that many eye diseases are linked to chronic, cumulative sun exposure. It’s important to be proactive and protect kids’ eyes with sunglasses.

-Mark Silverberg MD, Pediatric Ophthalmology

Where Fun meets FunKtion. funKshades is the first line of sunglasses for children with snappable, interchangeable, collectible, tradable charms. Founder Candy Hendrick created the company after learning her daughter Katherine was even more vulnerable to harmful UV rays because of a permanent birthmark on her eye. The “K: in funKshades even stands for “Katherine,” and the fun concept of personalizing sunglasses is inspired by her, too.

As parents, we smother our children with sunscreen, but we often forget to protect their sensitive, precious eyes.

Not only will kids love decorating their sunglasses with these whimsical charms, parents can feel good knowing that the sunglasses themselves provide 100% UVA/UVB polarized sun protection.

Just for Kids. Real Kids Shades are designed exclusively to fit a child’s face properly, and are shatterproof/impact-resistant, too. Made from durable, quality materials to ensure 100% of harmful UV rays are blocked, the folks at Real Kids Shades have worked with pediatric opthalmologists for optimal fit, comfort and safety. With a goal of having children’s shades viewed as a year-round necessity, the company hopes to educate the public on common misconceptions that can lead to permanent eye damage.

The truth is, wearing cheap toy sunglasses can actually do more harm to a child’s eyes than not wearing anything at all. Shaded lenses without 100% UVA/UVB protection will relax pupils, causing them to dilate and let more harmful radiation into children’s eyes.

-Real Kids Shades vice president Lisa Medora

Real Kids Shades’ collections -My First Shades, Flex Shades and the new Flex Duo Shades- are CPSIA compliant, CE Certified and FDA Approved to provide 100% UVA and UVB protection.

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Be a Chatfan of Chatman

Cheerful, emotive figure helps make computer time more fun, productive and safe.

Atlanta, GA-based Penny Black Digital, in partnership with Israel-based Rondyo Ltd., introduces Chatman, the first and only artificially intelligent computer friend designed to make online chat sessions, web surfing, games and homework more fun, creative -and safe. This cool, smart and funny friend sits by a child’s computer and interacts with them.

Bright Yellow and Boisterous. For kids ages six to12, Chatman talks, moves eyes, hands and ears, and has a unique animated LED mouth. Just like a friend, Chatman understands language, context and mood, and expresses emotions, recognizing over 15,000 words, with 2,000 movements and 30 moods.

No Stranger Danger. In addition to providing education and fun, Chatman also filters words and web content based on parental controls helping to keep children safe on the Internet. Chatman allows peace of mind for parents by working with and filtering a child’s online conversations on Facebook®, Skype™ and MSN® Messenger. Chatman alerts when inappropriate web searches are attempted.

The internet can be both social and isolating at the same time. That’s one of the reasons Chatman is available -to provide kids with a friendly emotive companion while they spend time online. Chatman has plenty of functionality, but integrates solid parental controls and creates a safe zone that keeps your child safe online, too.

-recent product review

Boom Boom. Chatman received an exclusive invitation to participate in the 2012 Oscars Boom Boom Room celebrity gifting suite as one of the hottest must-have parenting products. Chatman was created and developed by Rondyo co-founders Joseph Levy and Doron Frenkel. Chatman’s migration to America follows its successful debut in Israel in 2010.

Children’s Retail Today publishes new posts on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. If you want to get the word out about your innovative, imaginative and inspiring products for children, contact me today!

Funnel + Flip + Nipple = Flipple

Meet Flipple, made with American ingenuity by a mother of invention.

Imagine being able to convert any bottled water product into a baby bottle. Couldn’t that just make your day?

Leave the baby bottles at home…on purpose! Flipple is an adapter with a thread design that attaches to 99% of standard bottled water products, so parents can easily add formula and other liquid, thus solving the problem of forgetting baby bottles at home. Flipple creates a secure connection between bottle neck and baby’s favorite standard nipple with no leaks, too.

Made in the USA. BPA-free, Flipple is a safe, fast and convenient way to feed a baby on the go with no clean up. “Mothers will quickly see the high standards used when putting together this product and it is backed with a 100% guarantee,” says creator Linda Lewis, who quit her full-time job of 30 years to fulfill the great American dream of running her own business.

It has been a true adventure getting Flipple to where it is today. It began with cutting, gluing and measuring at the kitchen table to get a very ugly prototype, but it worked!

Based in Galesburg, IL USA Linda’s family-owned Flipple Company provides top quality products that parents will learn to trust, value and need. In addition, she’s on a mission to prove that production can be sourced in the USA at a competitive price, thus getting Americans back to work. Flipple is the first example: All production tooling is made in the St. Louis area.

Great Gift Idea. The versatile Flipple can be used in all sorts of ways:

As a kitchen funnel
Re-use bottles while camping
Fertilize indoor plants
As a garage funnel

Children’s Retail Today publishes new posts on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. If you want to get the word out about your innovative, imaginative and inspiring products for children, contact me today!

Hot Tot – Stylish Haircare with a Heart

Hot Tot Haircare recently celebrated its first birthday on April 15, and it is truly very different from any other children’s hair products on the market.

This is a line of fabulous, salon-quality styling products formulated especially for kids – “so they can be stylish from the start and grow into confident individuals.” The contemporary white and silver bottles house a bevy of eco-friendly, healthy hair styling products for babies and children that do not contain harsh or harmful chemicals. Biodegradable, cruelty free, never tested on animals – even the posh packaging is recyclable – Hot Tot is committed to sustainable business practices, investing in people and technology that enables the brand to make a positive impact.

Do kids really need their own specialized hair care line? Yes!

Founder Megan Gage worked with a cosmetic formulator to create her luxurious products specifically for the physical characteristics of immature hair –and a love for all things fabulous, she says. “Motherhood provided an opportunity to share such fun with my kids.” But after reading an article on the effects of chemicals in personal care products on children, she simply couldn’t ignore statistics like this:

1 in 3 American children has allergies, ADHD, autism or asthma
Biological immaturity impairs a child’s ability to detoxify chemicals, making them extremely vulnerable in the early years of life
57% of the top selling baby soaps are contaminated with 1,4-dioxane, 82% of the top selling children’s products contain formaldehyde, and neither chemical is required to appear on American labels

After significant time in research and development, Megan and her husband introduced the natural, luxurious and professional Hot Tot Haircare line. Visit them online and see some of their favorite trendy looks. Hot Tot t-shirts and rompers are available, too.

True beauty is a kind and giving heart. As a former social worker, Megan has a special place in her heart for social responsibility. “I believe that inner beauty is more important than outward appearance,” she says. To that end, the company donates to several charities, including Save the Children, CASA and Ronald McDonald House Charities.

Children’s Retail Today publishes new posts on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. If you want to get the word out about your innovative, imaginative and inspiring products for children, contact me today!

The Beauty of Simply Lana

As a special Mother’s Day promotion, enjoy free shipping with any purchase of Simply Lana towels between now and May 13.

Amanda Sayler recently introduced me to Simply Lana, a line of beautiful, large round towels made with a unique buttoned loop, for easy hanging on almost anything. As sales manager, she’s been keeping me up-to-date on all their celebrity likes, too – such as chef Paula Dean, actor Patricia Arquette and super-mom Giada De Laurentiis, who uses the Little Chick towel in her daughter Jade’s playroom.

“Our towels make a perfect baby shower gift for the mom to be,” Amanda says. “The soft cotton terry is gentle on a baby’s skin, and our unique button loop will make sure the towels never fall down staying clean for your baby.” Made from durable, high-quality100% cotton terry with cotton trim, Simply Lana towels feature contrasting color combos and embroidered embellishments that appeal to everyone. “Because the towel drapes in soft folds, you can dry your hands on one bit, then turn it to get to the next dry section, so it’s always ready for you.”

The towels are super-versatile, stay in place (so stay cleaner) and will be loved and used by adults and children, cooks and golfers, moms and tennis players – everyone you can think of!

Growing up in the former Soviet Union, Lana Hall enjoyed the practical, analytic side of life. Earning several degrees in the medical field, she immigrated to the U.S. in 1994 –and that’s when she received a unique gift from a friend back in Russia: a circular kitchen towel, suspended from a center loop, so it could be hung on a cabinet knob or on a hook. Her scientist mind kept thinking of new ways to make it better –bigger, more absorbent, colorful, even more practical- so, she set about customizing the design, until Simply Lana was born. Her doctor husband –and all of her friends- simply love it!

Children’s Retail Today publishes new posts on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. If you want to get the word out about your innovative, imaginative and inspiring products for children, contact me today!

Dainty Lions – Hot, Young Accessory Line with Celebrity Following

In a snap, mix and match trendy accoutrements to any single headband, hair clip, button or pendant.

About two years ago, Heather Ells invented Dainty Lions™ interchangeable snap accessories after she decides to be a stay at home mom for her little ones. With a degree in elementary education and the inspiration of her daughters, whom she knew she’d be accessorizing for years to come, Heather put her creativity to good use, dreaming up a way to use a snap system in a line of super-trendy interchangeable accessories. After experimenting with multiple prototypes, she launched Dainty Lions, so girls of all ages can “Change it out. Snap it in.” With just one single base accessory and different button or flower snaps, girls can create multiple looks.

What girl doesn’t like a little bling?

Each Dainty Lions product has a snap securely attached, and can be mixed and matched with Dainty Lions headbands, hair ties/wristbands, ties, pendants and bobby pins. What’s more, girls can trade ’em to create even more unique looks.

The product name is inspired by the wishful thinking behind the memory of watching dandelion seeds floating in the air. It not only conjures the magic of childhood, but appeals to moms and grandmothers who treasure its whimsy.

“We sell our line in many small retail shops across the country,” Heather tells me, “and many teens/young adult stars have been wearing them to red carpet and other events.”

Dainty Lions has quite a following on Facebook, where fans can find out about new styles, contests and more –and Heather also keeps them up-to-date on the various charities and foundations she likes to donate to.

Journaling Ideas. I read recently that Heather writes all her new ideas in a journal (love this!) until they’re ready to introduce. Be on the lookout for Double the Dainty, two button snaps or two mini flower snaps on one elastic headband.

Children’s Retail Today publishes new posts on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. If you want to get the word out about your innovative, imaginative and inspiring products for children, contact me today!

London’s Award‐Winning Children’s Lifestyle Store

Across the pond, Olive Loves Alfie is known as “the most inspiring children’s independent in the country.”

Hand-picked style. London-based Olive Loves Alfie was established in 2006, offering childrenswear, housewares, women’s wear, toys and games, quickly becoming THE destination family lifestyle store not only for discerning parents, but also for designers seeking the “Olive Loves Alfie” seal of approval.

Without exception, all of the products at Olive Loves Alfie must qualify by their quality and design to have hand-me-down potential, or to become modern heirlooms.

Olive Says. Here are some of the things you will find at the store, in London and online: Contemporary and iconic children’s books including a selection from Charley Harper; children’s clothing from Bakker Made With Love, Bonnie Baby, Dandy Star, Ej Sikke Lej, Katvig, Kidscase, Louie Louis, Marimekko, Monkee Genes, Mini Numph and Mini Rodini; creative kits, games and toys from Button Bag, Djeco, Mibo and Sparrow Kids; heirlooms from an inspired portfolio of collaborations with artists and illustrators. In addition, the company launched design consultancy Olive Says in 2010.

From London to Tokyo. Founder Ashlyn Gibson has parlayed her rich background in fashion into a whirlwind of adventure, traveling the world in search of design inspiration, which has all come together with Olive and Alfie. In 2011 alone, style icon was honored with a Best Independent Fashion Retailer runner up award at the Junior Design Awards and was shortlisted in the Best Children’s Shop category for the Telegraph Shop Awards.

Recently, Ashlyn launched a contemporary paint collection at Bubble London. Soya‐based Olive Loves Alfie Colour is an extension of the store’s visionary style and concept, designed to bridge the gap between child and adult spaces in the home. Produced in collaboration with The Nursery Paint Company, the colors are blended using a secret recipe to ensure the paint is free from harmful toxins and chemicals. At the trade show, which took place in January, Ashlyn and her team created an installation for the entrance.

Children’s Retail Today publishes new posts on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. If you want to get the word out about your innovative, imaginative and inspiring products for children, contact me today!

The New Must-Have Bike Gizmo

The longer, warmer days of spring herald in bike season, and every hot-rodder is going to want this.

For kids who love to pedal, the hottest way to personalize their wheels is the Kool Rider, a clip-on accessory that mimics the sound of a speeding motorbike. The card and clothespin trick of old has morphed into a very sophisticated blend of performance polymers from DuPont. The results are irresistible -the flappers hit the bicycle spokes, producing a sound similar to those made by motorbikes. According to the company, the clamp force and spring action remain intact no matter the weather or season.

It’s so easy to put on and sounds great.

-Randy, San Diego CA

Kool Rider co-founders Howard McClurd and Troy Spencer have been friends since they were five-year-old boys. “We offer kids everywhere this clip-on accessory that’s a cinch to put on and truly durable. We tested the Kool Rider on one bike for 250 miles and it barely had a scratch!”

All my friends have it and we have our own bike club.

-Daniel, Dallas TX

For a bigger sound, clip on two. Ideal for girls as well as boys ages six and older, this clever add-on makes a two-wheeler go from ho-hum to at vroom with the authentic sounds of a motorbike. Each Kool Rider box includes one quick clip-on unit, plus kids receive the extra-customization option of long-lasting, colorful stickers, which are included. Simple to use -just clip the single unit on each wheel. To maximize that “Big Motor Sound,” simply clip on two!

Made in the USA. The New Jersey-based company utilizes developmentally disabled adults to assemble the units and packaging before shipping to retailers. Howard and Troy say that by working with DuPont, the unique and special select blend of high performance polymers produces a pleasing, accurate sound and tone. A smaller Little Kool Rider for beginner-type bikes is in the works for later this year.

Bought my son a Kool Rider and I can’t get him off his bike!

-Emily, Jacksonville FL

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The Plush Animal Kingdom of Aurora World

Visit almost any gift shop at a zoo or a hospital, a toy, Hallmark store or Claire’s …

… even a florist, a candy or stationery store worldwide – and you’ve probably ogled over the cute plush toys from Aurora World, Inc. Founded in 1981, the Korean company with headquarters also in the U.S., the UK and Hong Kong is a leader in the toy and gift industry, offering luxuriously soft, lifelike and adorable plush toys for kids of all ages –a far cry from my own little stuffed doggie named Trevor I still have from my childhood!

Signature by Aurora® This brand new line of plush animals is handcrafted with personal attention to detail. Lions and tigers and bears, oh my! Wildlife, jungle and exotics like fox and lemurs –even bald eagles and owls- are boxed individually and include a hand-stitched, illustrated booklet outlining the animal’s distinctive characteristics.

Aurora has elegantly captured the spirit, grace and vitality of real wildlife with one of the most beautiful lines we’ve ever created. Each piece is hand cut, sewn and shaded to make it so exquisite. These particular details bring each of the Signature characters to life.

-Michael Kessler, senior vice president of sales and marketing

Raggedy Ann & Raggedy Andy Aurora World and Hasbro, Inc. have teamed up on a new line of plush dolls based on the iconic Raggedy Ann and Raggedy Andy of old, bringing these beloved characters to life for a new generation of children.

YooHoo & Friends™ Aurora’s international plush toy phenomenon has sold more than 14 million worldwide, and the company recently added eight new WannaBes and an assortment based on the colors of the rainbow. Due to popular demand, Aurora added a pink gorilla and camel to the YooHoo & Friends line, too.

Lush Two-Toned Fabric. This year, Aurora adds shimmer and shine to new lines Sweet & Softer, Wishful Bear, Silly Monkey and Jewel Pets- a line of squeezably soft stuffed animals. The short pile plush appears reflective and bright from one angle and soft and smooth from another.

Three brand new plush gift lines are geared toward new parents and their children:

The western-themed Lil’ Howdys, an interactive collection of Crinkle Friends and Quizzies, a collection of bears, bunnies and puppies. Michael Kessler says, “These accessories are the perfect complement for the crib and nursery.”

Children’s Retail Today publishes new posts on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. If you want to get the word out about your innovative, imaginative and inspiring products for children, contact me today!