This Month in Cool Things for Kids: Serena & Lily’s New Nursery Quilts and Sardine-Shaped Crayons
For the 12-and-under crowd.
Published Jun 28, 2023 1:21 AM
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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 our editors Slack about on the daily, we’ve also been gushing over a high chair brand’s new monochromatic collection, Serena & Lily’s darling nursery quilt drop, and sardine-shaped crayons your little ones can bring with them into the bath.
TL;DR: Allow our monthly roundups to be your formal invite to our Domino 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.
Kidproof Flooring: Cold Picnic’s Washable Rugs
Our Slack channel was abuzz when news broke of Cold Picnic’s 100% organic cotton rug collection (yes, they can go in your washing machine). The brand is beloved for its punchy colors and abstract patterns—the sort of styles that play especially well in a kids’ room—and this latest lineup certainly delivers. But the added layer of washability means there’s less worry of a rogue spill or splatter ruining the floor covering.
Snuggle Buddy: Patchwork Linen-Blend Teddy Bear
Stuffed animals are the natural cuddle companion of kids, and to be perfectly honest, plenty of grown-ups, too. Bearing in mind that whatever cutesy creature you give your little one now may be with them well beyond the teen years, we’d opt for something long-lasting and handmade like this patchwork teddy sewn together with a durable blend of linen and cotton. It’s a limited-edition creation and now 68% off at Nordstrom, which is a steal considering the original asking price was a whopping $220.
Summer Nursery Swap: Serena & Lily Baby Quilts
We’ve been waiting for what feels like forever for Serena & Lily’s new nursery bedding to drop. This month we finally received word that the mini quilts were officially added to the site. Hand-embroidered in cotton voile, there’s a whole range of subtle yet cheery patterns to choose from, including jungle-inspired scenes of tiger cubs among palm fronds in a soft yellow and a herd of elephants in a goes-with-anything sandy gray or sky blue. Each features a pillowy ticking stripe border for a tailored touch. Both are also reversible (the other side is a mini geometric print). While these two are our favorites, there’s also a simple scalloped edge and starfish-adorned option in a French blue to pick from.
New Heights: Lalo Monochrome Collection
Our favorite sustainably minded high chair has always come in a fun color combo of white, sage, black, pink, or blue and the natural finish of beechwood that the booster seat is made from. But for a limited time, you can grab the three-in-one design in either an all-white or all-black finish, doubling down on the modern aesthetic the brand has become known for. As one reviewer in love with the design shares, “It fits right into my dining table and doesn’t even make me feel like there’s a high chair in the house.”
On Our Radar: Lorien Stern Clothing and Decor
When our shopping director, Liz Buxton, found out about artist and designer Lorien Stern’s online storefront of kids’ clothing, accessories, and home goods, she started mentally checking off her list of upcoming baby gifts to buy. The California-based maker’s work has been labeled supercute by our shopping team, including a tadpole cotton onesie (for just $15!) and a circular bath mat that looks like a curled-up snake.
Paint-Free Pattern: Washi Tape Bookshelf Border
There’s a lot to admire in the bedroom of Emma Gurner’s 7-year-old-son—like a headboard that’s actually a climbing wall thanks to a circular cutout and colorful footholds. And while paint definitely dominates the space, it’s the paintless DIY that caught our eye. If you’re looking to quickly dress up a bookcase or floating shelves, Gurner proves an easy way is using washi tape. You don’t need brushes or stencils to achieve a perfectly patterned edge. Simply add something like this stripy option from Etsy storefront TheILovelyIFactory to your cart and then peel and paste to your heart’s content.
Baby Shower Most Wanted: Coterie’s Newborn Gift Box
Our former editorial director of branded, Angela Tafoya, has a monthly subscription to Coterie. In her humble opinion, the company “makes by far the most superior diapers on the market.” So when it announced a specially curated gift box geared toward first-time parents, we took note. The luxurious bundle is stuffed full of bestsellers, including its ultra-absorbent diapers, traveling wipes made only with plant fibers, a carrying pouch, and a sweet stuffed animal. And now through the end of June, if you purchase the box, Coterie will donate up to 5,000 packs of diapers to families in need.
Bath Time Must-Have: Sardine Bath Crayons
Made by Japanese brand Kitpas, this colorful set of 10 sardine-shaped crayons is the ultimate bargaining chip for kids who dread bath time. Parents in the comments are pretty much impressed across the board of not only how easily they wash off but how durable they are. These have been tossed and dropped without breaking; can be used underwater without dissolving; and can even be sharpened along the way.
Backyard Distractions: Avenlur Wood Climbers
School’s out for summer, but you can bring the playground home with Avenlur’s colorful jungle gyms. Right now, nearly every set is on sale and will ship for free. Swings, seesaws, rope walls, hideouts—Avenlur makes them all with real wood (no plastic to be found here!) for a sleek setup in a backyard or basement.
Diaper Dad: The Parent Backpack by Colugo
Diaper bags are a dime a dozen, and really any tote with multiple pockets and compartments can prove a worthy vessel. But Colugo’s new backpack promises to do it all, and it features gender-neutral colorways that are machine washable and wipeable. “My husband isn’t into diaper bags or doesn’t care much about them, but he specifically loves this one,” one reviewer writes. Part of the allure is that there are pockets for things beyond wiping your baby’s bum, like a laptop sleeve and back liner to easily fit on a suitcase or stroller.
Amazon Hidden Gem: Munchkin Any Angle Weighted Straw Cups
It’s hard to ignore 52,000-plus positive reviews on a product, especially when it was purchased in the thousands in the past week alone. Skimming through the Amazon reviews of these sippy cups quickly proves why they’re a bestseller. They are dishwasher-safe, spillproof, and easy for newborns and toddlers to hold (one parent wrote that their 2-year-old has been using it since they were 9 months old). For the few naysayers claiming it leaks, another shopper clears things up: “If you take the cup from the fridge to room temp, the cold air inside the cup expands as it warms, pushing out a bit of liquid from the straw. A very simple solution is to unscrew the top for a minute (maybe less!).”
It’s been dubbed the perfect transition cup, recommended for kids needing to strengthen their face muscles for speech or those who simply don’t want anything to do with bottles.