We know, we know: When you last looked at your calendar you could swear it was September. But we're here to tell you the holiday season is actually upon us. And that means it's time to start thinking about gifts for your alternately naughty-and-nice brood. To alleviate panic over the thought of finding a parking space at the mall or the idea of buying your kid anything that involves a screen, we've rounded up a slew of interesting, imaginative, and creative gifts from the innovative Little Skye Children's Boutique in Ridgewood. Take a look, head on over (or browse the online kids' boutique), and have your holiday shopping done before you can say "Bye-bye, Black Friday."
Superhero Comic Kit: Who needs Batman or Supergirl when your kids can create their own superheroes equipped with any superpower they want. The kit allows them to draw, color, and sticker 10 eight-page comics with story prompts and activity sheets to help them dream up the perfect characters (who just might end up looking a lot like them).
DIY Complete Kids' Craft Sets: With 15 different DIY kits, there's a perfect fit for every kid on your list. Whether they're into board games, fairies, or dreamcatchers, the different sets come complete with everything a child needs to create their own cool craft projects.
Box World Adventures: This playtime craft kit can actually help your kids create 15 different internationally inspired projects by upcycling things you already have lying around: everyday cardboard boxes. A cereal box morphs into a British double-decker bus, an old moving box becomes the Great Wall of China, and an aluminum foil box turns into the Empire State Building. Clever, right? The kit includes building design pattern sheets, decorative stickers, and easy-to-follow instructions for all 15 projects.
Baby Rattles: These all-natural baby rattles are (almost) as precious as babies themselves. There's a bird rattle made of untreated hardwood and finished with beeswax that comes in six different styles. And "vegetable" rattles, including a radish and broccoli with friendly faces, are made of organic cotton. Hey, teach 'em to eat those veggies early … it's only going to be an uphill battle later.
Magna-Tiles: Best. Toy. Ever. These sets of durable and brightly colored shapes with magnets along the edges have the super-cool ability to always connect since they attract even when the tiles are flipped. The sets – which range from 30 to 100 pieces – help children learn basic math and science skills through fun, creative play and they provide hours of fun as the kiddos come up with their own inventions and designs.
Books, Books, and More Books: Since Little Skye's co-owner is a former English teacher and a professor of English education, she takes her books very seriously and has carefully curated a standout selection for all age groups. From the beautifully illustrated Pierre the Maze Detective, full of magnificent mazes and haunted houses to Nutcraker Magic Theater, a holiday book that magically recreates the motion of the classic ballet by simply turning pages, your pint-size readers will be sure to get lost in the world of books from the first page.
Tween Gifts: Yes, there's a plethora of goodies at the boutique for the little ones, but there's plenty for tweens (and their moms, for that matter) too. Check out the Eiffel Tower earrings, the star-dotted crossbody bags and wallets, and the "Be Yourself" journal filled with prompts, checklists, and quotes to help get any new journaler started.
Stocking Stuffers: Always the most fun category, Little Skye offers more than 100 unique little gifts perfect for Secret Santas, school gift exchanges, and stuffing stockings. And we're not talking the usual stuff. (Because, what kid wants another lame sheet of stickers or pair of leggings?) There's a deck of "Create a Story" cards, a jump rope with adorable mushroom handles, and Body Doodlers, which are non-toxic and easily washable face and body crayons. That means never having to scrub off another Sharpie-illustration-on-their-arms ever again ... hopefully.
Little Skye Children's Boutique
Official Website
171 E Ridgewood Ave, Ridgewood, NJ
(201) 645-3132
