Introducing YOXO: A Super Fun & Environmentally Friendly Construction Toy Made in St. Paul, Minnesota

Duncan says: This toy is awesome!

We are proud to introduce YOXO, (“yock-so”) a brand new toy that combines everything we look for in a toy! Made from recycled cardboard, YOXO is environmentally friendly. Made right here in St. Paul, YOXO is hyper-local. And, most important, YOXO is fun!

YOXO is a construction toy with huge play value. It's Y, X, and O pieces are made from dense and durable laser-cut hardboard that sturdily connect together far better than similar construction toys we've tried. And, although YOXO kits suggest designs to create, their aim is truly open-ended. They're even designed to connect to paper towel tubes and other household items that kids are encouraged to reclaim and add to their creations.

We gave the YOXOBot kit to our 8 year old son Duncan and, after an hour of play, he gave it his most glowing review ever: "That's a really cool toy!" The YOXOBot he built was super sturdy and Duncan made a sword to go with it.

YOXO kits come in two versions: The YOXOBot and the smaller YOXO To Go, which comes in a resealable bag in makes a great travel toy, too. And, both are priced just right, too! YOXO is a great idea for a birthday present.

Made by Play from Scratch, YOXO's goal is to encourage creativity and promote sustainability. We couldn't agree more!

Introducing Green Tones Sustainable Wooden Musical Toys by Hohner

We're always on the lookout for musical instruments that are durable and safe enough for toddlers. Young children love rhythm and music, but they also like to experiment and play with instruments in novel ways, like sending a guitar down the stairs.  So, toddlers need sturdy musical toys designed just for them.

We've had varying success filling this niche over the years, but we've recently seen several of our favorite wooden musical toys redesigned in plastic (sad panda...).

So, we're very excited to introduce Green Tones musical toys, a brand new line from Hohner Music. Made in India from sustainably-harvested rubberwood or mangowood with non-toxic glue and water-based VOC-free paint. Green Tones toys are eco-friendly, cute, durable, and fun. And, they're fully tested to the US CPSIA safety standards. Except for the stirring xylophone toy, they're all safe for under 3 years old, too. Try them out and make a joyful noise!

Green Tones  Mama Bear Drum	Green Tones  Baby Bear Shaker	Green Tones  Barrel Shaker
Green Tones  Handle Cage Bell	Green Tones  Stirring Xylophone	Green Tones  Side to Side Shaker
Green Tones  Triangle Castanet	Green Tones Wooden Egg Shaker Musical Toy

Peapods September Newsletter: Animals on Parade & New Fall Items

Animals on Parade We may have been a little overly excited about the recent birth of a baby giraffe at the Como Zoo. But then again, we've always had a soft spot for giraffes. And babies. In any case, it inspired us to display all of our giraffe-themed toys and baby goods all together. We were surprised to learn how much we have! From cloth diapers and baby blankets to Sophie and Gyffy, we've got giraffes! We've even got giraffe wrapping paper. Investigating further, we discovered that many other animals are also very well represented: Owls, monkeys, chickens, fish, horses, pigs... We've got them all over! And, since we're often asked to match a nursery theme or find a particular animal for a kid who really loves, say, hedgehogs, we decided to list as many as we could all in one place. So, be sure to take a look at our virtual zoo! Mark Your Calendars! We are proud to sponsor the 2013 Twin Cities Birth & Baby Expo! The Expo is the best way for new and expecting parents to connect with the incredible birth and parenting resources our community has to offer.  Mark your calendar and tell your friends; we'd love to see you there! Saturday, . October 12, 10-3pm @ Burroughs School, 1601 W. 50th St. in Minneapolis. Fall is Here & Winter is Coming We're stocking up on fall & winter baby gear! Be sure to keep an eye on our Facebook page, where we'll be posting new items as they arrive.  We've already received our first shipments of toasty warm & dry Stonz Booties, luscious organic Wee Dream sleepsacks, Robeez shoes, and Smartwool socks. Don't let cold weather keep you home! (Oh, and don't forget the Nose Frida. Trust us, it's best to keep one handy this time of year.) Finally, here's some of our favorite recent arrivals. Enjoy the autumn and thank you again for supporting our store! Milestone Baby Photo Cards From Holland Billonimo Wooden Animal Magnet Maze by Janod Innobaby Stainless Steel Sippy Cup Dan Zanes & Elizabeth Mitchell! Together! Wee Dream Organic Sleepsack from Wee Urban Magic Forest Play Tent by Haba My First Keys Rattle Teething Toy by Green Toys Classic Figure 8 Wooden Train Set by Brio Gallery Puzzle Ocean 200 pieces by Djeco