This Week in Cool Things for Kids: A Jeremiah Brent–Approved Jungle Gym and a $99 Crate & Kids Pendant Lamp
Editor favorites for the 12-and-under crowd.
Updated Mar 23, 2023 1:00 PM
We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs.
The Internet can be a dizzying place to navigate for parents in search of the latest and/or greatest kid stuff—which is why we like to rely on word of mouth for uncovering hidden gems in the 12-and-under category. Among the latest collaborations and launches, like a new collection of Cold Picnic bath mats, and the best deals our editors Slack about on a daily basis, there’s also discussion over all the cool things for kiddos we’ve encountered. We’re talking about trendy woven bucket hats, Jeremiah Brent’s favorite kid-friendly piece of furniture, jumbo-size Connect Four, and more.
Allow this page to be your formal invite to our Domino group chat, where we’ll continue to document all of the editor-favorite kids’ products, buzzy brand collaborations, design hacks, and other children-centric nuggets occupying space inside our heads each week.
Shady Business: Rylee and Cru Rafia Bucket Hat
On top of sunscreen and umbrellas, we recommend adding this chic cap to your babe’s summer beach bag. The stripey raffia bucket hat came to our attention by way of shopping director Liz Buxton; then we collectively “died” over how cute it is. The one-size-fits-all situation has a fixed circumference of 51 centimeters. But it isn’t the only head accessory Rylee and Cru offers. We swooned over this terry-cloth version, donning tonal checks, and the blue daisy florals on this floppy cotton number with ties. And we’re currently waiting with bated breath for the straw hat to come back in stock. Bonus: This latter trio has multiple sizes, so it’ll be easier to find the right fit.
Something New: Cassarokids Blanc Collection
If designer Jeremiah Brent recommends anything, we are all ears. Last week, he took to Instagram to sing the praises of Cassarokids, a family-friendly furniture brand that also just so happened to drop a new neutral colorway for all of its climbers, playhouses, and pillows. This includes Brent’s favorite, the Waldorf rocker. These days, both he and husband Nate Berkus keep their kids top of mind when designing spaces, and the versatile toy has proven its worth as a reading nook for Poppy and jungle gym for Oskar. “We’re constantly shifting it from room to room to complement all of the ceremonies that encompass our family time together,” Brent shares on the post. And that’s the major allure of this piece: Its purpose can change as your kids’ interests do.
A Good Deal: 50% Off Crate & Kids Sphere Ceiling Light
Photographer Nicki Sebastian’s Los Angeles home is a boon for cool kid finds. But among the pattern-filled bedrooms and rainbow-, flower-, and even La Croix–shaped pillows, our favorite sight is this adorable light fixture from Crate & Kids—and it’s currently 50% off. The spherical paper-rope shade encases the brass rod, a design move that disguises the flush mount as a supersweet pendant. It’s pretty enough hanging in Sebastian’s daughter Cami’s room, and shoppers share that it’s a “stunning light” that adds a “very modern addition” to any space.
In Plain Sight: Article Underbed Storage Set
An 11.5-foot-long sectional is the star of Studio Heimat cofounder Alicia Cheung Lichtenstein’s San Francisco living room. The extra-large blue velvet sofa not only acts as a bench around her family dining table, it hides a secret: an assortment of drawers behind Samuel & Sons bullion fringe to store away all her kids’ play things. And because Lichtenstein tapped an über-secret source to make her bespoke creation a reality, we wondered how we might be able to bring the hack home, without having to invest in the full shebang. The answer, to us, is underbed storage. If your couch is tall enough, a set of pull-out drawers equipped with wheels would likely offer the same effect. We like that Article’s white oak option is sold as a set (two, four, six, or nine). Sure, they’re designed specifically to partner up with the brand’s Lenia frame, but the 7-inch clearance makes it a pretty plausible fit for most sofas. Other more budget-friendly finds include this set from Target and a wire crate at Amazon.
Screen Distractor: Friendly Loom Potholder Kit
The first day of spring may have already arrived, but in plenty of places across the U.S., it still feels like winter. To minimize screen time when stuck indoors, designer Erin Jang of creative studio Indigo Bunting put our writer Vy Yang onto this particular potholder knitting kit to please an older crowd. Her trick: Play a free audiobook via the Libby app in the background for extra entertainment while crafting.
The box comes with everything needed to create half-a-dozen 6-by-6-inch cotton squares that are machine washable and long-lasting. It’s made of metal instead of plastic, which reviews confirm makes learning a lot less frustrating. “Our 8-year-old granddaughter wanted a potholder loom set, just like the one her auntie had used to make the potholders I still use. The colors are bright and the potholders are just as good as my 35-year-old ones,” one shopper writes. “And remarkably, our 5-year-old grandson was smitten and requested the same set for his birthday. Two thrilled children: What could be better?”
All in on Game Night: Costway Jumbo Game
“Fun at a great price,” is how one reviewer describes this jumbo-size modular version of Connect Four, and we couldn’t agree more. With an impressive stature of 41 inches, and nearly 48 inches long, plus a difficulty range of easy to complicated, it’s an all-ages entertainer. “From our 11-year-old through our grandparents, hours of endless fun,” one parent writes, adding it’s easy to set up (rings are stored on the sides) and sturdy. This could be considered a staple for the playroom and the backyard, too. Comments reveal it has survived throughout multiple summers—and that longevity is welcome, since it was originally over $200.
Rough and Tumble: Brentwood Home Play Couch
We recently learned that Amanda Jane Jones loves her Nugget set as another hack for screen-free play, but in our opinion, Brentwood Home’s Play Couch is still the best couch for kids. Here’s why: The Play Couch offers two additional pieces compared to the cult-favorite Nugget, and while it’s often reconfigured into a classic sofa or fort, it can truly become anything your child puts their imagination to. Brentwood’s version of this popular piece of furniture is also Greenguard Gold certified, and its colorful cover, made with recycled fabrics, can be removed and tossed in the wash. If the price verges on too expensive for you, we also love this budget-friendly, less-than-$200 dupe.