This beautiful animal puzzle was designed by Aoi Huber Kono in 1975 for Naef Toys, Switzerland . Make an elephant, monkey, lion, owl, hare and bear with 25 maple wood cubes. Along the way, you also might discover such bizzare creatures as a bear-owl or an lion-monkey. It comes in a white gift box, with three guide cards illustrating the basic six animals.

Each piece is 1.38″ x 1.38″ x 1.38″.

US $98 from Nova68

Shipping within the US (free) and to international destinations

The perfect set of markers for kids who like to draw people and who know that not everyone is a pale pink colour. There are eight colors per pack: tan, mahogany, tawny, golden beige, terra cotta, beige, bronze and sienna. Multicultural pencils and crayons are also available.

US $4.99 from The Crayola Store

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This modern take on the original Kewpie doll comes with one of an assorted number of cute animal hoods. Each doll is made of PVC and is 3 inches high.

US $6.95 from Kidrobot

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12 positive messages written on wooden sticks are shaken in their holder until one pops out. They include sage advice such as “it’s good to share” and “be gentle to animals”. Ages 2 – 6

5.5″ high

US $32 from Maxwell Silver

Shipping within the US

This Mini Forklift is remote controlled and comes with a pallet, two boxes and a barrel. It’s 5 inches long and 3.5 inches high.

US $15.97 from HobbyTron

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This set of playmobil includes two kids, their toys and their beds, which can either sit side by side or stack as a set of bunks.

US $7.95 from Amazon

Shipping within the US – Available to other countries

This lovely serene face cushion will smile up from a bed or favourite reading chair.

US $65 from Busy Being

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Each of these cute animal cubees opens and closes its front flap while singing a song when you press the button on the top. If you stack them into a pyramid you can enjoy one animal singing while the other two provide backup. They come in sets of three, either farm animals or pets. Ages 6+

Size: 1.5″ h x 1.5″ w x 2″ d

US $18.00 from MoMAstore

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Super strong magnets to hold up all that important kids’ art. One mighty is strong enough to hold 10 sheets of 8 1/2 x 11 paper.

US $10.00 for a pack of 8 at Plastica

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Our friends at Chronicle Books wrote in to let us know that they’re offering 40% off of all titles through December 10th. If you’ve had your eye on any of the lovely books that Chronicle offers, now is the time to buy! A couple of good seasonal picks might be 52 Christmas Activities, I Made It Myself! Christmas: 38 Festive Crafts and Recipes, and our all-time favorite, Olive, the other Reindeer.

What to do with all those soft toys which keep piling up in huge mounds in corners, on and under beds and across the floor? I bought my kids a couple of wicker baskets today but these wonderful Animal Bags would be the perfect answer. Big soft zip up bags which act as storage and a soft squooshy seat. (via) 2+ years

US $59.99 from Amazon

Shipping to the US only

As you can see from the photo above, Haba’s wonderful basket of fruit comes with essential wooden food stuffs such as an egg, a chocolate bar, cheese, bananas, salami, fruit and a bottle of milk. 3+ years

US $18.99 for a pack of at Oompa Toys

Shipping to the US, Canada and Mexico