Kidorable has now expanded away from the ladybugs, frogs, and dinosaurs that parents and kids alike adore, and into the realm of high fashion with their new English Rose collection of rain gear.

With matching raincoat, boots, and umbrella, Kidorable’s English Rose designs come in three varieties: Houndstooth, a stylish and contemporary black and white pattern with pink accents; Dots, a bright, bubbly design of colorful polka dots; and Characters, a solid pink design embellished with happy cartoon characters.

Each raincoat features a hood, eight large buttons, a waist strap, and two pockets. They’re made from rugged, durable PVC, with a comfortable polyester liner on the interior. The boots are made from all-natural rubber, and the umbrella is made from 100% waterproof nylon. Each item is available in a wide range of kids’ sizes, and is sure to quickly become a classic children’s favorite.

Many know about the fantastic Schylling retro toys and vintage toys that have been pleasing kids and parents alike for decades. But few know the story behind the toys. Since 1975, Schylling has been on the forefront of both vintage and retro toys and innovative new toys. Their great designs range from homages to the 1950s or even the turn of the century to prized collections and keepsakes to vehicles, tops, lunchboxes, alarm clocks and more!

By now Schylling has definitely found its niche and a huge demand for their excellent products. Items from Schylling are now available in over 15,000 locations. Their catalog of playthings includes everything from animal toys to outdoor accessories to kids’ musical instruments and much, much more, and Schylling continues to lead the industry with their distinctive specialty toys.

There’s almost nothing that toddlers love more than feeling like adults. That’s why kids are delighted to get their first backpack and head off for their first day of preschool. I found this great line of Stephen Joseph Go-Go Backpacks that have the most adorable designs to match any child’s personality.

These backpacks are made from durable, easily washable vinyl, and are just big enough to hold everything a toddler needs to carry around. But the best part about these packs is the designs. They come in more than 15 different varieties, from cowboys, monkeys, and pirate ships for boys to flowers, ladybugs, and cheerleaders for girls.
With one of these go-go backpacks from Stephen Joseph, your child will be all too eager to get up and go to school!

Think puzzles are boring or out of date? Think again!

1) Puzzles are perfect for children of all ages (and adults too!). Puzzles come in varieties for different ages and skill levels, and anybody can enjoy the timeless fun and learning.

2) Both parents and children have loved puzzles for centuries, and they have always been at least as popular as the latest, flashiest kids’ toy.

3) Puzzles help a child develop their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Babies can do this with large, chunky pieces, while toddlers and older children can take on puzzles that are a bit more challenging.

4) Puzzles have been shown to stimulate multiple different types of learning, all at the same time. Rational, deductive, analytical, and sequential thinking are all benefited by jigsaw puzzles, as well as spatial awareness. Children must learn to focus on both the big picture of the completed puzzle and the details of the individual pieces.

5) They sustain a child’s interest much longer than other toys. Not only are children compelled to complete a puzzle that they’ve started, but the fun doesn’t wear off! Puzzles are sure to become a favorite in any toy box.

The holiday season is nearing it’s peak here at Sleepytime Store and it looks like Kidorable may be the most popular gift of the season. Barefoot Dreams Robes and Throws are a perennial favorite, and Little Giraffe blankets are as hot as ever, but Kidorable is turning out of be one of the hottest gifts of the year! It’s no surprise really, Kidorable is popular year round and one look at the cute collections will tell you why.

It can be hard to get your child to dress weather appropriately. I remember my parents could never get me to wear a coat, much less shoes! When it came to rainy days, my mother always despaired that I was sure to catch a cold and ruin another pair of socks in the mud. Well that’s certainly not the case with Kidorable. Kids love the cute designs! We have stories of little boys using their Fireman Raincoats for make believe adventures and little girls who wore their Dinosaur Towels to be Tyrannosauruses for Halloween! When children come into our showroom, they are always attracted to the bright and smiling faces of the Frogs and Ladybugs. And then there is the little girl who trumped around the showroom refusing to take off her pretty new Lotus Rainboots!

With such whimsical and colorful designs, it’s no wonder that so many children, and parents, love the Kidorable collections. They are more than just rain gear, they are a way of looking at the world. Kidorable believes that every child is beautiful and deserves to feel wonderful. They believe that life should be fun and colorful and their collections are made to match. It really isn’t surprising that Kidorable is such a popular holiday gift. In fact, I wouldn’t mind getting some in my own size, if they made it!

I can’t tell you how many times growing up I heard my parents say, “They just don’t make toys like they used to.” And until I started working here at Sleepy Time Store, I believed them. When my parents first came into the showroom here in Atlanta, they were thrilled to see toys that they recognized from their childhood. No, we don’t sell consignment toys; we carry toys by an amazing company called Schylling.

Schylling makes recreations of the toys that many of us grew up with. You remember that Tin Wind-up Duck on the Bike, Sea Monkeys, or tin airplanes? Schylling makes all of those and more! Browse through the Schylling Toys and you will surely catch yourself saying, “I used to play with that!”

These vintage-looking toys may appeal to you because of your memories, but kids love them too! They seem to find the unique look of Schylling’s retro toys refreshing after being inundated with new-fangled, walking, talking, light-up toys every day.

Not all of Schylling’s toys are vintage recreations, so Curious George lovers rejoice! Schylling also makes a handful of products featuring your child’s favorite television and book characters. So whether you are looking for Thomas the Tank Engine, Curious George, or Madeline, Schylling has something to offer. Plus Schylling offers lots of other traditional toys like jewelry boxes, tea sets, and tons of toy robots!

One of the products that kids seem to go absolutely crazy over is the Rocket Balloon with Pump. The entire toy is simply pumping colorful balloons up and watching them whistle as they shoot across the sky, but children can’t get enough of it. If you are looking for a never-fail gift, the Rocket Balloon with Pump will please any child of any age.

Schylling toys will definitely be a big hit in any home. You will love the kitschy, retro look of the toys, and your child will love playing with them. Classic toys like these never go out of style. I guess they do still make toys like they used to.

What is so ugly about Uglydolls? I ask myself that every time I take a look at these little guys. I mean, sure, they are a far cry from the traditional stuffed animal, but I think they’re cute! And I am not alone- kids love them!

Uglydolls are artist designed and created and each doll is handmade, so they are all unique in their own little way. They also each have their own personality and story to go along with them, often filled with an adorable love of cookies and cute hobbys. My favorite doll is Secret Mission Ice Bat. He is a little bat who live in an icebox in an ice cave and turns everything he touches to ice, but he warms my heart with his simple charm. He is on a mission to steal your snacks.

Uglydolls really do have their own element of cute, and they are soft and cuddly, too. I know a lot of customers say their sons especially love collecting the Uglydoll Keychains to hang on their bookbags for schools, which is a great way for them to identify their own bags. With a name like Uglydolls, you would not suspect them to be so popular, but just one look at the critters and you’ll see why they are. They were even the 2006 Toy Industy of America’s Special Toy of the Year!

I know I plan on giving a few Uglydolls as Christmas presents this year to friends and family. I’m sure my sister would love a Bop’n’Beep or Cinko! These little fellows may be unconventional, but that is a huge part of their charm. They are unique and make a wonderful alternative to the toys kids see everyday. Besides, they teach a great lesson: there is nothing wrong with being a little ugly. In fact, this ugly is cute!

Kids usually dread rainy days. They can’t go outside and run barefoot through the grass, or play on the swings or any of the fun stuff they’re used to doing. What’s more, they become resistant and tend to resent us for wanting to dress them in proper rain gear so that they don’t get sick. Well, I think I’ve found the solution to all of that. Kidorable Rain Gear is the way to go.

Kidorable understands that kids are little individuals with growing personalities and like to express them every chance they get. They have made the cutest line of umbrellas, towels, rain boots and coats, and backpacks—basically everything a little one could need for stormy weather. I got my niece a set of rain boots and coat with matching umbrella all in the adorable Ladybug style and she just loves it. She’s so attached to it in fact that she even tries to wear it on sunny days! Her brother now has the same items in Dinosaur, but there are lots more like Lotus, Butterfly, Fireman, and Frog. My nephew loves to jump into puddles making roaring noises and pretending he’s a great big t-rex—all while staying safe and dry!

Rain gear is truly a great gift for any little ones in your life. You can show them that you care in a way that expresses who they are while giving them something practical they can use when the weather is dreary. Kidorable raingear looks like nothing else around, my sister tells me that she doesn’t have to worry any more about her little ones coming home with someone else’s raincoats—they know exactly which ones are theirs!

The Webkinz craze has swept the nation, and on this occasion I think it is a good thing. I will admit, at first I was skeptical of the craze, but after much begging and pleading I finally gave in and purchased one for my niece—the Clydesdale horse (she just loves horses). Well she took it home and I logged on to the website with her to check it out, and it really is a great thing for kids.

There are lots of games that little ones can play that exercise their thinking skills and help them become goal-oriented. Once they finish playing games they earn KinzCash, which they use to feed and dress their online pets and furnish their rooms with special items. The kids get to feel really involved in their online pets, and when they’re not near a computer, they can take the real thing with them. This way they have a pet all day long! It’s great for kids to feel like they have a companion that they can actually take care of, and good for their self-esteem to know it’s all up to them. Another thing I really liked about Webkinz is how safe the website is. Kids can only interact with each other by sending preset messages, so there’s no threat of unwanted conversation, and there is a Parent’s Site that allows you to monitor your child and set safety settings on their Webkinz interactions.

I have found that taking care of a Webkinz pet is an easy and safe way to teach kids about responsibility. My sister told me that my niece had been asking for a puppy for a long time, and monitoring how well she took care of her Webkinz pet showed her that my niece was ready for a real puppy. Now she has a whole family of pets including a Webkinz Pug to match her new pug puppy!

I know that obsessing over what celebrities are doing, where they’re going, and what they’re buying is neither intellectual nor productive, but for some strange reason it’s really fun! Admit it. Everyone wants to know a little something about his or her favorite actors and actresses. And there is nothing wrong with that!

On that note, have you ever wondered what celebrity moms have been buying lately? The answer is Barefoot Dreams robes, throws, and hoodies! Barefoot Dreams products are incredibly soft and better still, machine washable! No wonder celebrities go crazy for them. Check any celebrity gossip magazine and you will undoubtedly find a picture of Jennifer Garner, Ben Affleck, and their adorable daughter Violet. And don’t be surprised if you see Violet wearing a Barefoot Dreams Toddler Hoodie. Jennifer Garner must really love Barefoot Dreams because Violet has the cardigan and hat as well!

Don’t have kids? Don’t worry. Barefoot Dreams makes adult products too, and celebrities can’t get enough of them. Barefoot Dreams Adult Robes have been worn in episodes of The O.C. and Desperate Housewives and have been featured on Ellen DeGeneres’ and Tyra Banks’ talk shows. Barefoot Dreams robes and throws even found their way into a coveted spot on “Oprah’s Favorite Things” list. Unlike most things celebrities buy, Barefoot Dreams blankets and robes are affordable enough that you don’t have to actually be a celebrity to own one.

So indulge yourself or your kids. Experience luxury like a star!