This Month in Cool Things for Kids: Playfully Painted Beds, Pint-Size Suitcases, and More
For the 12-and-under crowd.
Published Oct 26, 2023 3:30 PM
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The Internet can be a dizzying place for parents to navigate when they’re in search of the latest (and greatest) kids’ stuff, which is why we like to rely on word of mouth for uncovering hidden gems in the 12-and-under category. Aside from the best deals of the week our editors Slack about regularly, we’ve been gushing over all the cute new kid-size drops—from Oeuf’s first foray into painted furniture, MasayaCo’s lounger fit for toddlers, and SteamLine’s carry-on collection for little travelers.
TL;DR: Allow this monthly roundup to be your formal invite to our group chat. We’ll document all of the editor-favorite kids’ products, buzzy brand launches, design hacks, and other children-centric finds occupying space inside our heads every month.
Wheels Up: SteamLine’s Kids’ Carry-On Collection
We’re big fans of vintage-style luggage brand SteamLine, known for its suitcases’ burnished gold details and tailored leather straps. The fiberboard trunk styles have earned a reputation for durability, and now parents can get a matching set for the whole family—as of today, you can shop the suitcases in kid-size carry-ons so your mini-me can haul their own belongings through airports and train stations. The new line, Entrepreneur Kids, comes in four fun color combos that nod to the originals. Choices include ivory vegan leather and red (with a lip print interior), pink, navy blue (both with tent stripe linings), and a darker tanned leather and red.
Gifting Gold Mine: Kohl’s x Crayola Exclusive Drop
At the beginning of October, Kohl’s and Crayola teamed up to create an exclusive gifting collection ahead of the holiday season. Everything from ever-popular squishy pillows and colorful bath melts to bomb sets and spaghetti (yes, it’s a thing) is up for grabs and, in our opinion, make for delightful stocking stuffers. There are also bigger gifts that would be tough not to put under the tree like an affordable customizable rainbow-hued scooter. Our favorite from the collection, however, is the matching apparel—reversible bucket hats, scarfs, puffer vests, sherpa pullovers, and more—perfect for seasonal greeting cards that stray from tradition.
Whimsical Wood Furniture: Oeuf’s Moss Collection
Following the drop of its sleepover-friendly convertible bed frame earlier this year, Brooklyn-based, French-inspired studio Oeuf has done it again. An even bigger—and bolder!—line of furniture was announced, and it has finally arrived. (To put that in perspective, it had been nearly six years since the last launch.) Still handmade by artisans in Latvia with European-harvested, FSC-certified wood, the Moss collection is defined by whimsical, wavy silhouettes in bold colors—a first for power couple and cofounders Sophie Demenge and Michael Ryan. It signals a fresh foray into maximalism for the designers, with saturated tomato red and pea pod green leading the way on convertible cribs, toddler beds, nightstands, and more. Of course, there is the all-natural birch finish, too, for fans who fell in love with the brand’s original minimalist flourish. We, for one, welcome the change. Psst: There’s free shipping on all furniture this weekend only.
Playtime Is the Best Time: Lalo’s Monthly Toy Subscription
A subscription box dedicated to play—what parent wouldn’t love that? Lalo’s latest venture, the Play Box, is now shipping packages filled with aesthetically pleasing nontoxic toys for important development milestones (ages 0-12 weeks; 3-4 months; 5-6 months; 7-8 months; 9-10 months; 11-12 months; and so on, up until 24 months). The product comes just in time for the holidays. Why not set up a two-month subscription for the parents in your life or make one-off purchases based on a little one’s age? Each shipment includes a handy guide from the company’s head of play and development, Lizzie Assa, walking through what items are good for (as in: cognition, fine motor skills, the works). We’re particularly smitten with a wood camera; fruit slicing kit; and cute cleaning set complete with a mop, broom, and dustbin.
A Culinary Adventure: Eric Adjepong’s Debut Children’s Book
Sankofa: A Culinary Story of Resilience and Belonging is celebrity chef (and father) Eric Adjepong’s first children’s book. It not only tells the story of a first-generation Ghanaian American’s experience but includes a recipe for rice jollof that character Kofi shares during his class potluck at the end. Illustrations by artist Lala Watkins have catapulted the tale into a top new release spot on Amazon. It’s a must-have addition to your child’s bookshelf at home.
Baby Lounge Chairs: MasayaCo Little Ones Collection
The best-selling Masaya accent chair, down to its durable cord backing and woven seat, now comes in toddler form—the brand’s smallest release yet. The low-profile loungers are constructed with the same teakwood as adult-size options and similarly made to order by Nicaraguan artisans (shipping time: 10 to 12 weeks). An heirloom in the making, this is the sort of seat that, when your kids grow up, can be passed down to the next generation. In the market for two? There’s a deal for that: You can take 10% off the second piece.
Double Duty: EcoBirdy Azure Set
We’re always on the lookout for kids’ furniture that pulls double duty, and EcoBirdy’s pint-size table with twin blue chairs is just as helpful to have around for crafting and snack time. The set is outdoor-safe since it’s constructed with ecothylene, but we often spot the brand inside; 2LG’s latest project is the most recent sighting. It fits right into the southeast London home’s eccentrically styled playroom, complete with a 9-foot-tall Scandi-inspired treehouse.
Take a Seat: Nicole Crowder Upholstery for Kids
Designer (and auntie!) Nicole Crowder released a miniature furniture line of armchairs, chaises, and more in her signature eclectic fabrics that playfully appeal to little ones and adults alike. This month, Crowder dropped a new design. Available as of October 23, a few are already out of stock, but there are plenty more to shop before they’re gone.
“This collection is a love letter to my nieces and nephews, and an expression of my admiration for kids everywhere and their innate propensity to always orient toward their desire for play,” Crowder writes in her announcement on Instagram. “From chairs that will cradle them as they sit to have their hair combed, brushed, and braided, to the rocking chairs where they will perch to enjoy their favorite shows (shout-out to Gracie’s Corner).”