My baby is growing into such a big kid. As she starts to eat table food, I’m wishing I hadn’t gotten rid of all the little toddler plates and bowls that were cluttering our cupboards after my three year old outgrew them. I’ve been looking at different options online and I’m tempted by this simple, gender-neutral tray, which features jungle animals with their names written in French beneath them. Four individual compartments keep things tidy (or as tidy as they can be with a new eater involved). You can purchase one of these for $15 at dandelionbaby.com. Matching bowls, cups, and  utensils are also available. Feeling frugal? I’ve some pretty cute trays for much less at Target, although I can’t find them online.

As warm weather approaches, moms everywhere are looking for simple, lightweight clothing for their babies. Onesies are a wonderful option because they help protect against diaper leaks, while leaving baby’s legs free to kick. They are also a great way to keep little ones from overheating. That said, fashion-conscious moms don’t want their babies going out in just any onesie!

These wildlife onesies from K.C. Fuzzy are a great option for either boys or girls. They feature detailed drawings by artist Katie Convington, and are made of 100% cotton. Available in 3 month, 6 month, and 12 month sizes, they retail for $28 each and come beautifully packaged for gift-giving. You can purchase one at kcfuzzy.com.

I came across this unique longsleeve t-shirt made by American Apparel recently while browsing the Internet. The Lily and Amy Animals collection feature vintage patterned fabric in the shape of animals (rabbit or fish are featured on this site) on a longsleeve t-shirt. The shirts are handmade of 100% cotton. They come in a variety of colors and sizes from 2 to 6. This tee is simple, yet special in that it is handmade, and American-made, two priceless qualities these days. You can purchase one for $24 at MaggiesThreads.com.

This cute bag recently caught my eye on Cookie Magazine’s website. The Zoo Collection Bag by Vessel features graphics of zoo animals including giraffes, porcupines, and elephants on brightly colored canvas. It’s a great alternative to the standard bag for your child to take to preschool or elementary school for snack or lunch. Vessel also sells larger zippered bags and hats to match.

You can view this item at Vessel.com, where the bags are selling from $36 to $99 depending on size. (As this product cannot be ordered online, you must call Vessel’s customer service to order. The phone number is on the website).

All babies enjoy exploring the world through their mouths, so you want to make sure that the toys you give your little one are things you feel safe about.  These cute little teething animals are a great choice in that respect.  Made in Germany by Senger, these toys are made from organic cotton and stuffed with wool filling.  They are perfectly sized for small hands to grasp, and perfect for soothing the gums of teething babies.  Each toy retails for $15.90 and can be purchased at WoolenWishes.com.  You can choose from a number of animals including a dog, camel, horse, or giraffe. One of these would make a great gift as well.

The Parents Busy Zoo toy is a great option for moms and dads who want to find high-quality, educational toys this holiday season.  I bought one of these for my toddler when she was about 18 months old, and it has really been very well-received at our house.  My daughter still plays with it, and other children who have come over to our house have been drawn to it as well.

Designed for children ages 12 months and up, this wooden toy features a bead maze, cute animal alphabet spinners , peek-a-boo doors (a favorite in my experience), and much more.  The colors are attractive and appealing and the toy adds a bit of cheer to any child’s bedroom or play room.  With so much play value, it does not surprise me that the toy has received a Parents’ Choice Award (2006).

You can purchase one of these fun toys for $49.95 at Target.com.

Many toddlers and preschoolers go through a pirate phase.  These days, there are so many pirate-themed clothes, toys, and bedding sets on the market that it is almost unavoidable.  This Large Plush Pirate Ship Set with Animals by Joo Joo is one of the most unique that I have seen in a while.  It includes a plush pirate ship and four cute stuffed animal “pirates.”  This would make a great toy or a unique piece of bedroom decor.

Each pirate is approximately 10″ in height. The ship measures 15″ x 30″ x 30″, so it is a fairly large set.  Whether your child is engaged in pretend play or snuggling up with one of the cute little pirates for nap time, this toy offers a lot of options.  It is a bit of a luxury item, however, carrying a hefty $159 price tag.  You can purchase one at Nordstrom.com.  It would be a very generous gift for any little pirates in your life.

Would your child like to find a puppy under the tree this Christmas morning? Maybe you’re not quite ready for that yet. My 4 year old son has been asking for a dog, but isn’t quite old enough to handle the responsibility of caring for one yet. Here’s one solution: buy your child the FurReal Friends Biscuit My Lovin Pup this Christmas.

Running on 4 D batteries, Biscuit has voice recognition for 6 commands, including sit, speak, and lie down. He also will give you his paw, wag his tail, bark, move his head and his eyes. Biscuit also comes with an adoption certificate that can be registered online.

This fun lovin pup measures 24 inches long x 14.5 inches wide x 6.25 inches high, and weighs about 12 lbs. He is a bit expensive, at $179.99, but the hours of enjoyment he will provide your child are priceless. You can view and purchase Biscuit at Target.com. It is recommended for ages 5 and up, so I don’t think my son will be finding a Biscuit under our tree this Christmas. Maybe next year.

Your child can get playful with this little caravan of a Camel, Elephant, Giraffe, Bird and Lion. I think children will want to “handle” these animal blocks in the Zid Zid Caravan Block Set. They look like they’d weigh pretty solidly in your hand, and the cool vinyl material coupled with the embroidery details makes this a tactile delight. The company also offers a variety of block styles/themes, including “Off to the Country” and ”In the City Blocks”. It’s a very unique concept in children’s blocks.

Zid Zid Kids was founded by married artist/designer couple Julie Klear and Moulay Essakalli in 2003 after they and their two children relocated from Massachusetts to Morocco, where Moulay was born and raised. Julie and Moulay combine the local warm colors and unique designs to their line of high quality products for generations to enjoy. All of their products arel handmade by artisans in Marrakech, Morocco.

The caravan block set includes the colors blue, brown, orange, silver, gold. They are handmade from high quality vinyl with fine embroidery details.  The set even comes with a re-usable cotton drawstring bag. Sizes range from 3-14 inches.

Purchase this unique block set for $68 at pokkadots.com.

This great little set of utensils is sure to bring joy to your dinner table (or your child’s high chair).  Made from stainless steel, this three piece set features a penguin knife, a dolphin fork, and a seal spoon.  They are 4.5 inches in length, so they are easy for a toddler to use.

Although I’m not sure that my two-year old needs a knife (yikes!), I do think this set is quite sweet.  I like that it incorporates friendly animal shapes without introducing plastic into its design.  The set is imported from Japan and can be purchased for $20 at gingerandscallion.com.  It would make a nice gift, too.

I’ve seen similar baby bath wraps online but these Nursery Critter Bath Wraps made me chuckle.  Your baby is not going to notice that the hood is decorated with an animal theme, but it might just make you smile.

Imagine that it’s been a long day and you’ve been at home all day with baby OR you’ve been at work at the office all day and this is the only one-on-one time all evening that you have with your child?  It’s very easy to get caught up in “getting things done” and we can miss important moments that also need to happen. So you put on one of these silly bath wraps on your baby and it just makes you smile and stop for a moment to enjoy what all your hard work makes possible - a loving and caring environment for your little ones.

Each wrap is woven of thick cotton terry and measure 31″x23″. Imported, personalization is available (add $6.50).

Price: $24.00 at potterybarnkids.com.

I am in love with the fall line of girls’ clothes from the European company Mim Pi. I especially love this super-chic outfit. The long sleeved shirt is made form cotton and features felt appliqués of a cat, dog, and little girl.

It is available in sizes from 2T to 8. The fun skirt features ruffles on one side and pleats on the other. I love the bold polka dot print, especially in contrast to the striped tights and appliquéd top. The tights are a combination of black and white stripes and red dots. The combined effect of these three pieces is very modern and hip. Your daughter will definitely be a trend setter in this one.

The outfit is a bit pricey. The shirt retails for $42, the skirt for $52, and the tights for $28. You can pre-order the complete look at duckduckgooseboutique.com. Fortunately, it looks like it would hide stains and wear well.

Noah’s Ark is a frequently used theme in nurseries and children’s gifts and clothing. I suppose we connect the precious life that was in the Ark with the precious lives of our children as they begin their life’s journey.

Whatever the connection, these little plush animal creatures are peeking out their basket and snuggled in with Noah’s Ark-themed keepsakes. Comes in a 12″x8.75″ whitewashed wicker basket and in three styles: neutral (pictured), little boy or girl. Get yours for $89.00 at babygiftidea.com.

I’m a sucker for anything Oprah endorses from books to baby clothes. That’s what got me interested in these adorable slipper boots on garnethill.com. These comfortable booties made in Germany are perfect for little ones.

Not only are they soft and durable, they come in great designs that will have your kid asking to wear them all the time (both of my girls do). You can choose from a bunch of different animals like unicorns, elephants, dogs, dragons, sharks, bunnies and penguins to name just a few.

These boiled wool slipper boots are great for toddlers, little kids and big kids. You can pick up a pair for $38. How can Oprah be wrong!?

After spotting it on the Baby Earth site, I realized that the Jungle Bean Bag Toss by Alex could be incorporated nicely into nursery/play room décor. Take the lighter of the greens for wall color and you have yourself the beginnings of a vivid theme.

However, for outdoor play, the cute, happy looking, and colorful animals will delight children and the fun of throwing bean bags will keep them delighted. It’s made with strong wood to ease the fear of tipping over onto small children (though recommended for ages 3 and up) and includes 5 bean bags.

Good for hand/eye coordination but not too difficult, as the openings are large, it makes for active but not frustrating or overly competitive fun. Teach your children about numbers and adding while playing a round. Fun for parties or for anytime, the Jungle Bean Bag Toss costs $26.95 at babyearth.com, a site with some innovative play ideas.