Being featured on our blog previously, you already know the Activity Mom has tons of ideas for stimulating playtime for babies to older kids. For a fun way to remember the itty-bitty size of your baby’s hand, or how your kids’ hands grow as they grow up, try one of these valentine handprint crafts. (Photo shown is from ActivityVillage.co.uk.

Happy Clippings, a blog based out of our hometown of State College, recently featured a sleek paper heart garland craft, with great ideas for using what you already have on hand to complete the project.

Another nifty eco-friendly craft comes from the blog, Mama to 4 Blessings, and could be done anytime of year! See the steps to make soda bottle hanging planters from – you guessed it – soda bottles!

While candy seems to take center stage for nearly every holiday, Valentine’s cards make this holiday so special. For a paperless Valentine surprise, send an e-card! The Monterey Bay Aquarium has an assortment of free underwater-themed cards, including this fitting octopus that is “Stuck On U.”

Of course, we won’t leave tasty treats out here. While the blog, Craft-O-Maniac has an endless number of creative craft ideas, here’s a festive plan for a Valentine Lunch that any kid will love!

Finally, here is a great site for anyone looking to cook with their kids – Cooking with My Kid! Last year she featured festive Valentine Hearts Cookies and be sure to visit as she’s putting up new Valentine-related recipes!

For more fun with a Valentine twist, take a look at our special Valentine’s Day category. See additional craft ideas, fun with food (real & pretend), and toys perfectly adorned for the 14th, like this Heart Tin Tea Set!

Whether you and your family lives or visits somewhere for the holidays that’s blanketed with snow or not, you can still have snow-themed fun thanks to one of the simplest of crafts: snowflakes!

The supplies are simple – paper and scissors. It’s a great way to use scrap paper as well! Simply fold the paper, say in half, then half again, then half again, cut out shapes, and unfold to see what you’ve created! See this handy How to Make Paper Snowflakes slideshow if you want to see exactly how you can get started. But remember – it doesn’t have to be totally symmetrical!

This is a great, extremely low-cost craft for younger kids to learn about shapes and develop cutting skills. A set of My First Scissors would be perfect for these early learners to use!

Now if you want to be truly inspired by what can be done with just paper and scissors (and as she says, with a “dash of craft knife”) take a look at these stunning works of snowflake art by Jenny Lee Fowler. Looking at the thumbnails, you’d have no idea how intricate the designs are, but click through and you’ll see amazing cutouts like people, birds, trees and more.

You still have time to get your gifts for the holidays – order by this Thursday, December 16th for guaranteed ground shipping by Christmas Eve! Refer to our holiday shipping deadlines to be sure that your gifts arrive in time.

Now – to the deals!

Twilight Sea Turtle Toy $33.95 $28.95 Save 15%

Metal Grocery Cart Toy $48.95 $39.95 Save 18%

Legends of Magic Kit $69.95 $43.95 Save 37%

Pink Sing A Long Microphone $43.95 $36.95 Save 16%

Tickle Monster Laughter Kit $34.95 $27.95 Save 20%

Make Your Own Lip Balm $19.95 $15.95 Save 20%

Mozart Magic Cube $33.95 $27.95 Save 18%

Lift Off Rocket Play Set $49.95 $39.95 Save 20%

Lady Bug Tent & Tunnel Set $69.95 $54.95 Save 21%

Bubble Gum Factory Kit $19.95 $14.95 Save 25%

10. The Magic Fish Bowl Toy—Tropical fish specimens swim in a fish bowl for observation. They aren’t real, they’ll never die and no one has to clean the tank. Perfect.

9. Fish Sketch Book and Fish Pastels—Perfect, stylized tools to documenting unique creature finds.

8. World Map Puzzle Ball—Members of the Zissou Society needs to know geography. This spherical puzzle also shows where many different species live.

7. Strange Plants Collection—Discover and grow some of the world’s oddest plants in a home terrarium.

6. Sea Horsing Around Puzzle –A 300 piece puzzle jigsaw puzzle teeming with colorful marine life.

5. River Crossing Game –This brainteaser is perfect training for adventure. A hiker is fighting his way across dangerous waters and it’s up to the player to see him across.

4. Playmobil Shark Diver Play Set—Maybe Esteban wouldn’t have been eaten by that jaguar shark if he played with this toy as a child. It’s pretty neat and the diver gets to be safely within a cage.

3. Ant-O Sphere Kit—This special structure gives ants the right lighting to put them at ease so they act as they would underground and allows kids to study ants from all angles.

2. Planet Earth Game—This DVD trivia game features footage from the beautiful Planet Earth documentary series. Your whole family will learn new animal facts.

1. Duo Lab Microscope and Creepy Crawlies Prepared Slide—A microscope is a must have for young members of the Zissou Society. How else could they fully examine their specimens? Right now (if you are reading this in a timely manner) it’s on sale! And the Creepy Crawlies Prepared Slide Set is a perfect addition to get them started.

The Althof Bergmann Santa Sleigh features Kris Kringle himself and his blue sleigh. But instead of the iconic reindeer, the sleigh is led by two goats. See other rare toys and what they fetched at auction this year!

Of course, holiday-themed toys of all kinds help ring in the season! Here we put a couple in the spotlight:

Elf on the Shelf Set
The ultimate pre-Christmas gift, the Elf on the Shelf highlights the magic of Santa and provides a fun hide-and-seek game for kids. (Visit our site for a video about this toy!)

Groovy Girl Christmas Christa
One of the Groovy Girls is all set for a holiday party: Christmas Christa!

Christmas Window Art Book
Klutz’s popular Classic Window Art book has been revamped for the holidays! Turn any ordinary window into a “stained glass” masterpiece! The Christmas Window Art Book has peel-off paints and 101 designs.

Happy Holidays!

Santa Sleigh photos accessed from James D. Julia and additional information found at Lap of Luxury.

For the first installment of our Staff Holiday Picks, it was a no-brainer for me to countdown my 10 favorites in the Calico Critters family. And it’s an exciting time to do so, as we have just added some new friends and accessories to our collection!

10. Pickleweeds Hedgehog Family
These Tina Turner-esque hedgehogs are ready to perform, and you can complete the set with the Pickleweeds Hedgehog Twins (who have even bigger hair).

9. Caravan Camper
One of the newest additions to our Calico Critters family is this three-room camper that even comes with the necessities for any family trip: maps, games, sleeping bags, kitchenware and much more! The camper fits perfectly with the Convertible Coupe (sold separately).

8. Living Room Accessories Set
One of the most popular selections from our rooms and furniture section, this set is complete with a realistic television.

7. Rikki and Magnolia’s Shopping Trip Play Set
I have fond memories of making grocery store trips as a kid, and I still enjoy my weekly tasks of planning a menu, making a list, finding deals and clipping coupons. Young kids can find grocery shopping fun too with this set!

6. Baby Jungle Gym
This is a lot of fun packed into a toy that is less than $10. The new Baby Jungle Gym comes with a slide, doors and cubes and is ready to put together and keep a number of twins busy.

5. Deluxe Village House
While Calico Critters are small (and easy to transport) and can be played with anywhere, they sure do like to play in their house! This 3-story house has nine rooms and even a spiral staircase. See more homes and townhouses for the critters to call home.

4. Persian Cat Family
These cute cats recently made an apperance on our list of Top Specialty and Learning Toys of 2010, and are a one of the many sets of Families and Twins we have.

3. Merry Christmas Santa and Babies
This absolutely adorable Christmas-themed set, featuring Father Fox as Santa along with Honey Hopscotch Rabbit and Alex Caramel Cat, is just perfect for the holidays!

2. Friesian Cow Family
Since I was very young, I have always loved cows, and if anyone told me they’d ever be part of the Calico Critters collection, I would have jumped for joy! Well now I can as the cows are here. I am still buying my set today.

1. Frog and Lion Dress Up Set
It’s very hard to pick one number one for this list. But, in terms of cuteness, I think this is hard to beat. Animals dressed as animals! Here, Benji the Brown Bear Brother and Polly the Polar Bear Sister wear frog and lion costumes, and like all Calico Critters’ clothes they can be removed and interchanged.

See all things Calico, including the new items featured here and a lot more, in the Calico Critters corner of our website! Watch next week for another countdown of favorites from the staff here at Growing Tree Toys.

A) Special B) Educational and C) Ridiculously Fun!

So if you’re in a holiday rush or just looking for some gift-giving inspiration, check out these top new toys of 2010. And don’t forget that we offer free shipping on orders of treasures over $89!

The Baby and Toddler Bunny Teething Blanket from Dandelion Toys is not only adorable, it’s made from luxurious, organic cotton. Healthy for babies and for the environment, this teething blanket makes our list for its comforting softness, engaging crinkle texture that provides a sensory experience for babies and for its practicality. Does the phrase “machine washable” mean anything to you? Ages Birth and Up.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Soft Book reinvents the classic children’s book from Eric Carle with ribbons, tags, crinkle panels, rattles, squeak sounds, flaps and a reflective mirror. The story is still all there but babies can chew and manipulate this soft book. Toddlers will love listening to the story of transformation and looking at the beautiful illustration. Ages 9 Months and Up.

Check out what Early Learning Centre Toys brought us this year! The Brilliant Start Light and Sound Walker grows with kids. From its uses as an activity ring with lights and sounds for babies to later use as a sturdy and colorful walker, this toy does not stop teaching little ones. Ages 9 Months and Up.

This year we found a cute friend for our Little Hands Learn to Dress Monkey–introducing the Little Hands Learn to Dress Kitty! She’s a colorful plush dressing toy for toddlers that allows them to practice 11 different dressing skills. Kids will have fun learning to snap, lace, button, zipper and more! Ages 18 Months and Up.

Sometimes I wonder if the Y-Bike is so popular because of this cute picture. But then I remember that this Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award winning foot-to-floor ride on toy is a great way to show kids the skills they’ll need to ride a grown-up bicycle! As they push along with the Y-Bike, kids gain dynamic balance, bilateral coordination, physical self confidence, and gross motor skills! It also doesn’t hurt that it comes in bright green, blue and pink. Ages 18 Months and Up.

Calico Critters are some of our most popular toys for preschoolers and young children. These sweet animal families all have removable clothing and pose-able limbs. Our favorites from our 2010 collection are the Calico Critters Persian Cat Family and the Caramel Cat Family! These furry felines are sure to be a hit. Ages 3 and Up.

Kids will love serving up slices of the delicious Tiered Special Occasion Cake Set from Melissa and Doug. This pink and white wooden cake set is sliceable with lots of wooden decorations and two pretty cake toppers. Like all Melissa and Doug pretend play food, the Tiered Special Occasion Cake Set features Velcro that makes a satisfying crunch when sliced. Ages 3 and Up.

Watch kids discover the joy of writing with the Create Your Own 3 Bitty Books Kit from Creativity for Kids! Featuring 3 blank hardback books, a book holder and markers, this project is perfect for inventive minds. Ages 3 and Up.

We’re super excited to offer the Playmobil School Building this year! The School Building is packed with accessories and ready to play. It comes with teachers, students, desks, classroom materials and more! Plus there are cute collectable expansion packs like the Gym, Woodshop and Crossing Guard that make the Playmobil School Building even more fun throughout the year! Ages 4 and Up.

Kids get to practice their reading and counting skills while having a blast with the Zingo 123 Game from ThinkFun! Zingo 123 has received both the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award and the Parents Choice Gold Award for its excellence. Zingo 123 is like traditional bingo only more fun and educational! Ages 4 and Up.

The Morphibians Killer Whale Remote Control Toy is powerful on land and in the water! Kids can steer it through puddles, mud, dirt and grass. Watch as this Killer Whale themed amphibious vehicle take on any terrain! We love that Morphibians toys help kids develop logic, spatial thinking and fine motor control skills. Ages 5 and Up.

Our Elenco Robotics Kit fascinates adults and children alike! It features three large insectoid bots to build and observe. The Robotics Kit explains how the robots work in a kid friendly way that kids—it’s the ultimate technological gift! Ages 8 and Up.

The Fashion Angels Magazine Editor Tote is an awesome creative accessory! Complete with two blank magazines to create, a layout stencil, headline stickers and more, the Magazine Editor Tote is the ultimate tool for designing a fashion magazine. Ages 8 and Up.

This year’s high energy party game is Anomia! In Anomia, players face off against each other when they have matching game cards, forcing them both to blurt out something that belongs in that category. The first player to blurt out a correct answer wins the other player’s card and continues to draw cards. Anomia is a fast paced game that gets very silly as players memories buckle under pressure! Ages 10 and Up.

Everyone is attracted to the magnetic Yikerz Game! We love that this game is played unlike any other. It’s a game of skill that requires players to challenge the forces of nature by placing magnetic pieces on a game board while avoiding collapse. It’s a cool puzzle -like challenge that will get families and friends stuck together like magnets! Ages 14 and Up.

And that concludes our top toys of 2010 list! Happy Holidays!

Another occasion that stimulates spring-like thoughts is of course, Easter! Bunnies and chicks, eggs and food coloring, and like it or not, chocolates and candy help bring out the fun of this festive holiday. Set for an April 4th celebration this year, it’s time to think about what to place in those Easter baskets!

With that in mind, we’ve built a section of special Easter Basket Toys, all at the perfect size AND perfect price (less than $15!) Find crafts, fun for the outdoors and more. Rest easy knowing your Easter shopping is almost complete while a special child in your life will have fun and learn from their new educational toy!

Of course, we want your holiday surprises to arrive on time! Please order by March 24th for standard delivery, or by the 31st for expedited delivery.

So, Happy Weekend, Happy Easter and Happy Spring from all of us at Growing Tree Toys!

We loved playing Santa’s elves in our warehouse workshop this past holiday season, and as our toys flew from our shelves (and some so quickly that they never made it to a shelf), we were excited to see which products you chose as your favorites!

And, to show you that we’ve been paying attention to what you want in your toys, we’ve comprised a list of old favorites and new surprises that you made popular this past holiday season.

Without further ado, here are your Top Ten Selling Toys of 2009:

1. Playmobil Christmas in the Forest Advent Calendar: A playful Playmobil spin on a holiday favorite, this Advent Calendar helps kids count down the days until Santa comes to town! This calendar includes a Santa figurine, a different animal for each day, and a traditional advent calendar.

2. Playmobil Pyramid: Hidden treasures, mummies, mysteries … this exciting Pyramid play set has everything inquisitive and imaginative minds could want! Little archeologists loved this new addition to the Playmobil family.

3. Metal Grocery Cart Toy: The perfect kid-size toy shopping cart takes “just like mom and dad” pretend play to a whole level of realism as kids load and unload groceries at whatever “market” they decide to visit.

4. Playmobil Sphinx with Mummy: Explore the secrets of the ancient world and discover the secrets held deep within this majestic sphinx – the tomb of an ancient pharaoh and his precious treasures!

5. Friends 4 Ever Bracelet Toy: A craft kit that celebrates friendship, kids will love to make colorful bracelets to wear and share with friends.

6. Elf on the Shelf: This holiday kit provides kids with one of Santa’s adorable elves to watch over them during the day; and at night, he travels to the North Pole to report to Santa about whether they are naughty or nice. Plus, when he returns in the morning, he hides in a different spot so kids can find him!

7. My First Lab Duo-Scope: The multi-purpose microscope that combines a basic biological scope and a traditional dissecting scope to view the small, indescribable features of the world as well as larger specimens.

8. Calico Critters Play Table: A great gift for the Calico Critters enthusiast, this sturdy play table features a flat top with a printed floor plan for endless imaginative possibilities, and a raised edge to keep all your Critters in one place.

9. Legends of Magic Kit: Houdini will be history once kids master the over 250 tricks and illusions in this jam packed magic kit! Can you escape from chains and produce silk scarves from nothing? Don’t worry, you’ll learn.

10. Red Sing a Long Microphone Toy: Become the next American Idol with this kid-size introduction to the world of singing and bellow out the best music has to offer. Choose a song because your fans are waiting!

Which of our 2009 Top 10 Toys do you think will make the list this year? Now, with only 330 more days to prepare for the start of the holiday season, we have a lot of work to do to make this year even better than the last! Check back often for the latest educational toys, the best art kits, and the everyday great deals of 2010. Happy New Year!

As we scatter across the country to enjoy the holidays with our families, we (the busy elves of Growing Tree Toys) wanted to share some of our Christmas Eve traditions that have made our holidays extra special as we grew up, as well as those traditions that we enjoy today.

“When I was younger, Santa would stop by our house early, while we were at Church, and deliver brand new Christmas pajamas. Then, before bed, my mom would read The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg to my brothers and me.”      Kim – Managing Partner

“My sister and I would always exchange gifts on Christmas Eve after we hung our stockings. We also put out cookies for Santa before we went to sleep!”     Jon – Managing Partner

“My whole family goes to my Aunt’s house, after church, for some delicious food, outrageous laughs, and some holiday beverages.”     Sarah – Warehouse Manager

“Every year, my mom and I bake some fresh gingerbread cookies for Santa before we settled in for the night to watch 24 hours of A Christmas Story.”     Kendra – Copywriter