Oompa.com is an online purveyor of fine European toys aimed at children age 6 and under with a policy of “no batteries, no blinking lights, no cartoon-themed toys.”

Oompa has a huge selection of gift items you won’t find at major retailers or even smaller specialty shops. And while these types of toys can cost a [...]

Is there anything as classic as a set of hand-crafted wood building blocks? No bells, whistles, batteries, LEDs, CFLs, or PAM*s required. Just an imagination and a desire to build things. And then to knock them down and build again.
The set of 24 blocks in walnut, maplele, and cherry comes boxed and ready to give. [...]

Your baby may be oblivious to the commercialization of February 14 we call “Valentine’s Day,” but that doesn’t mean she shouldn’t have something soft and smooshy to chew on. Heart rattle from Yellow Label Kids (also available in yellow and blue), $8.99 at Oompa.

Baby (and parents!) will love these lullaby renditions of The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, U2, Metallica, Nine Inch Nails, The Eagles, Bob Marley, Coldplay, and more. Or check out organic socks or a cozy, insulated, fleece sac. Babies have it goooood.

Eco Dog: Healthy Living for Your Pet by Corbett Marshall and Jim Deskevich demonstrates the everyday dangers in traditional cleaners and pet products–then shows you how to make your own safe, natural foods, flea treatments, and toys. There’s even instructions to recycle your old sweaters into a felt blanket for Sparky. Here’s an idea: Make one of the recipes from the book (but don’t get it dirty!) to present with the gift.

Babies love looking at babies–so says Manhattan Toy–and if you’ve ever put two babies in a room together and watched them stare each other down, you know they’re right.

Taking advantage of this ego-centric baby behavior, Manhattan Toy started a line of baby toys covered in pictures of babies.

Abi writes:

Hi there! I just found your site today while I was scouring the web for a baby shower gift for my boss, who is also a good friend. She is going to have a little boy in December. We are both pretty crafty, but I just had a baby and don’t have time to make something spectacular. They are going with a surf theme in the nursery. Any thoughts?