Product Roundups

Two weeks ago, I had 150 squishy dumplings in my shop. Now they’re completely gone — along with my certainty that they didn’t belong there in the first place. Somewhere between the restocks, the sibling negotiations, and the grandparents hunting for “just one more,” these ridiculous little dumplings reminded me what small-town shops are really about: community.

I used to avoid Dav Pilkey’s books—but after raising four kids, I see them differently. Here’s why Captain Underpants, Dog Man, and more helped spark a love of reading in our home. A real-life perspective on raising readers, embracing silly stories, and finding meaning where you least expect it.

Toddlers learn best through hands-on play. See how sensory toys like busy boards build skills, confidence, and curiosity—one twist, tap, and spin at a time.

With the school year underway and routines settling in, we sat down with preschool teacher and director Heather Reynolds to hear her top storytime picks for little learners—five books that bring comfort, laughter, and fresh beginnings.

Wooden toys are more than just a remembrance of the past - these simple toys have an abundance of benefits beyond just play. If you’re considering what type of a baby or toddler gift to buy, here are just a few key points to keep in mind as a reminder of why wooden toys remain an enduring favorite for kids and parents alike.

If you’re a parent of little ones, there’s no denying the fact that underwear is hysterical. Just the mention of it, and kids can’t stop giggling. When I was a preschool aide, the teacher used this particular angle of engagement to her advantage to introduce the letter U. The kids loved the topic, but they also loved the books that followed. If your kiddos love underwear as much as my own do, here are 5 must-read books about underwear.

What does a 1 year old play with? What's the best gift to give a toddler that doesn't have lights, sound, and require batteries? And what is an 8 year old interested in? These are questions we get all the time. So we gathered up our favorite toys and gifts in the shop for each age group to help get you started. (And hopefully it's one less thing you have to worry about this holiday season!)

Encouraging kids to play outside is one of the best investments we can make in their health, happiness, and development. There are a host of benefits to playing in the outdoors, but we know all-too-well that putting down the screens to go out and enjoy the sunshine isn't always easy. Here are a few products that can help with that, too. 

The holidays are creeping up, and for many adults, so is the mounting pressure to gift children toys that are fun and educational - gifts that might not end up in the trash a few weeks later when the batteries die or a child looses interest. Here are a few perfect toy options that meet both criteria for fun and learning support.