Kids’ Corner
State Bags Logan Carry-on Suitcase
What’s red and green with strawberries all over? The latest State roller bag for kids. The key to not missing out when you see a State bags design that you like is to snag it before the next season’s release, or it might be gone. Kids love the Logan as much as their parents for the high-quality, sustainable materials, useful compartments, side water bottle/stuffy straps, and State’s mission of giving back to American families in need. Coordinating backpacks are made to slide right onto the telescoping handle. $220; statebags.com
Early Rider Bella Velio
The best new ride-on vehicle for little ones ages 10 months to 2 years supports children as they build strength, balance, and coordination. Velio’s Active Balance Control system allows toddlers to move forward on two wheels, using intuitive point-and-go steering. The reinvention of the wheel as a sphere allows for instability without the frustration of a tipping point. Early Rider’s bikes grow with children as they age, offering street, trail, and gravity models for ages 3 to 11. The Bella Velio features a low-slung walnut veneer frame with pink, green, blue, or black detailing. $200; earlyrider.com
Jellycat Vivien Reindeer
Just in from British stuffed animal maker Jellycat, Vivien Reindeer enters the holiday scene wearing a berry-colored faux fur coat with satin lining. Her nose isn’t red, but the 18-inch doe turns heads all the same with her long lashes and sparkling hooves. Also new from Jellycat for the holidays is a bear named Bartholomew in red winter pajamas, an all-white arctic fox, and the brand’s signature, super-soft Bashful Bunny wearing a Santa hat. $60 (reindeer); jellycat.com
Tender Leaf Mulberry Mansion
Make the Christmas exchange Hall of Fame by showing up with the newest dollhouse from sustainable wooden toy experts Tender Leaf. The three-story design comes with all the furniture shown, including a full setup for the kitchen, sitting area, family room, bathroom, and bedroom. Even the dog is set up well with a plush bed. Children can use their imaginations to fill out the balcony and attic spaces. $700; tenderleaftoys.com
Wonder and Wise Beep! Beep! Busy Board
It’s no small order to hold the attention for very long of someone at the age of 1, 2, or 3. But this toy can, with all the bells and whistles just like mommy and daddy “play” every day—from the steering wheel to the horn, the left/right clickers, and the side-view mirror. Whether you like it or not, the wooden mobile phone and dashboard holder will get the most play. $60; wonderandwise.com
Nocs Zoom Tube 32mm
The perfect motivator for your next hike or outdoor adventure with kids, this monocular telescope packs quality optics into a compact, toy-like unit. The high-impact rubber housing is bright and tactile, begging to be gripped by little hands and used to peek up into the trees or out to the horizon. And that’s exactly the point for San Francisco–based Nocs Provisions, founded by surfers motivated by their drive to maximize the time people spend outdoors. Hold the telescope up to your phone and the Zoom Tube acts like a 4x zoom lens multiplier. On its own, the wide field of view magnifies 348 feet at 1,000 yards. $75; nocsprovisions.com
PowerUp 4.0 Airplane Kit
Take off with this kit designed to mod your favorite paper airplane designs. Simply fold and attach the nearly indestructible carbon-fiber body and crossbar, which includes a nylon-reinforced nose, two propellers, and an acute sensor with gyro accelerometer stabilizing technology. Then set up the app and fly your paper creation up to 20 mph within a 240-foot range like a remote-controlled plane. Flight time lasts for up to 10 minutes, and quick charging in 30 minutes gives you time to engineer your next folded plane body. $60; poweruptoys.com
Tivoli Audio SongBook MAX
It’s time for the generation who knows the joy of the boom box to bring the new kids into the light. But this isn’t your ’90s Casio. The SongBook MAX is vintage-inspired but equipped with Bluetooth and multiple drivers for big sound. Don’t worry, parents, the analog equalizer, FM radio dial, and carry handle work the same as they used to when you were a kid. Enjoy 10 hours of battery life; available in green or cream/brown. $600; tivoliaudio.com
Sydney Evan Gold and Diamond Tiny Happy Face Cord Bracelet
Make her tween dreams come true with this youthful yet precious adornment from Sydney Evan. The grown-up brand with a playful spirit hits the right sentiment for finding favor with this complicated age group. The multicolor silk cord changes from purple to pink to green, and the 14-karat-yellow-gold beads and smiley face with pavé-set diamond eyes elevate the gift to one fit for a special occasion. The cord knotting slides like a friendship bracelet for easy on and off. $365; sydneyevan.com
Djeco Fashion by Caroline
Stylists in training will love this doll kit by 70-year-old French toy brand Djeco. The family-run company works closely with international designers and artists to produce especially beautiful and creative playthings. This set steps up the pretend game from paper dolls, offering real fabrics, bows, feathers, and other adornments that children construct and decorate by following provided patterns and simple assembly instructions. $45; djeco.com
