By JD Dotson
Our Intrepid Explorer JD Dotson’s Went on The Hunt For His Favorite Finds For Little Ones
LOOKING FOR A FEW GOODIES FOR YOUR LITTLE ONES? HERE ARE A FEW OF MY FAVORITE FINDS SURELY TO BRING A SMILE TO ANY KIDDO’S FACE.
Unicorns, mermaids and dinosaurs, oh my! Regalo is the place to go for all things socks, and these adorable kid versions come in a set of three. Fits kids shoe sizes 4-8.
$16 for a set of three.
Buttercup the Magical Unicorn grants wishes and tells time from the wall of any lucky kid’s room while jumping over the rainbow. All this magic happening in a wall clock.
$58
Regalo
234 Pearl St., New Albany
812.542.6567
562 S. Fourth St., Louisville
502.583.1798
www.regaloart.com
Pick up ceramic trinket trays for the secret mermaid or inner unicorn in the family. And, a gal is never too young to start a jewelry collection; these teething bracelets make a great accessory for mom and baby.
Trays $14
Teething bracelet $12
Your own little mermaid will be protected from the harmful rays of the sun in this two-piece swimsuit. The suit boasts a 50 UPF (ultraviolet protection factor) meaning only 1/50th of the sun’s harmful rays make it through. The only thing your kid will care about is the mermaid scales that appear when the suit gets wet.
$58 for the 2-piece set available in 18 month to 5T.
Dress and Dwell
138 E. Spring St., New Albany
812.725.7566
www.dressanddwell.com
The felted Zooties booties are handmade and fair trade by artisans in Kyrgyzstan and help reduce global poverty by giving the artists a living wage. Available in sharks, gators, whales and lots of land-loving critters, too.
$19.99
I really wanted these Bling2o goggles to fit on my giant, adult-sized noggin. The adjustable kid-sized swim accessories adorned with bling, fake eyelashes or dino spikes may not make the kids better swimmers but they will be the coolest kids at the pool.
$16
Madhouse
151 E. Spring St., New Albany
812.924.7728
www.madhousena.com
MESA is not only a culinary gem in the heart of New Albany, but a kitchen gift shop/accessory store as well. I found this amazingly adorable flamingo apron for my kitchen helper/aspiring Food Network child star. The adjustable strap will let the apron grow with the little master chef.
$20
The best alternative to the store-bought high sugar ice treats is to make your own fruit juice frozen pops in these Zoku animal silicone molds. The kids won’t notice they’re having a healthy treat but will notice the animal form it takes.
$8
MESA, A Collaborative Kitchen
216 Pearl St., New Albany
812.725.7691
www.mesachefs.com
Mommy and Baby push toys come as a set of two-wheeled toys, the smaller nestled inside the larger for mom (or dad) and baby to play together. Seafaring and land-bearing creatures are available as a set of two.
$16
Push puppets are a throwback toy from when I was a kid. This modern version is done in wood and brightly painted, but still offering simple, classic fun. All species of sea and land creatures collapse with the mere push of a button.
$4.95
Brilliant Bumble Bee
426 Spring St., Jeffersonville
812.946.9901
www.brilliantbumblebee.com
