***Disclosure: I received complimentary samples to facilitate my review. No other compensation was provided, and all opinions are 100% honest and have not been influenced in any way.***
Before I had my 2 youngest babies, I worked in the public school system. It was amazing to me how most young children steered away from toys with all the bells and whistles, and tended to choose toys that allowed them to engage in creative play. Whether it be wooden blocks, dolls, dress-up clothing, or simple arts and crafts, kids love getting hands on and allowing the power of imagination to take over. Batteries and flashing lights were certainly not a requirement. Sometimes, simpler really is better, especially in today's super-digital world!
So when Dan and I made the decision to expand our family, we decided that while the kids would have some electronic toys, we would focus more on the classics and allowing our children to enjoy being creative, discovering the world through hands-on play, and well...just allowing them to be kids!
For this reason, I have been a longtime fan of the amazing children's manufacturer, HABA. They make high-quality children's toys that stimulate the mind, the senses and imagination. They carry toys not only for infants and toddlers, but for school-aged children as well. And all of their products are lovingly designed by experts who believe that developing a child's mind through play can be fun. In the US, the company’s ecommerce site sells its own products and those of companies it distributes at www.habausa.com. Since HABA is comprised of mainly German and European branded toys, you won't find them in mass retailers. These items are sold online, as well as at hundreds of selected boutiques throughout the country.
Recently, I received a press release with exciting news about one of my favorite children's companies, HABA. It said: "Direct from the land of little wonders, HABA is proud to be the exclusive US distributor of Lilliputiens, the land of little wonders. And like the proud Belgian mothers who created this delightful line of small, fairytale rattles, puppets and squeakers, HABA is equally proud to re-introduce this beloved line to North American babies and toddlers."
Now what exactly are Lilliputiens? (Don't worry...I hadn't heard of this line either!) Here is a bit of info about this enchanting brand :
So when Dan and I made the decision to expand our family, we decided that while the kids would have some electronic toys, we would focus more on the classics and allowing our children to enjoy being creative, discovering the world through hands-on play, and well...just allowing them to be kids!
For this reason, I have been a longtime fan of the amazing children's manufacturer, HABA. They make high-quality children's toys that stimulate the mind, the senses and imagination. They carry toys not only for infants and toddlers, but for school-aged children as well. And all of their products are lovingly designed by experts who believe that developing a child's mind through play can be fun. In the US, the company’s ecommerce site sells its own products and those of companies it distributes at www.habausa.com. Since HABA is comprised of mainly German and European branded toys, you won't find them in mass retailers. These items are sold online, as well as at hundreds of selected boutiques throughout the country.
Recently, I received a press release with exciting news about one of my favorite children's companies, HABA. It said: "Direct from the land of little wonders, HABA is proud to be the exclusive US distributor of Lilliputiens, the land of little wonders. And like the proud Belgian mothers who created this delightful line of small, fairytale rattles, puppets and squeakers, HABA is equally proud to re-introduce this beloved line to North American babies and toddlers."
Now what exactly are Lilliputiens? (Don't worry...I hadn't heard of this line either!) Here is a bit of info about this enchanting brand :
About Lilliputiens :
Lilliputiens is based in Belgium and its toys are made by hand with care in Asia. The toys are organized into themed collections. The toys, patterns, fabrics, characters, are all 100% its own creations, designed by a team of five young and trend-conscious moms who ensure that in a world full of little wonders, every toy has its own fun story. Lilliputiens’ numerous mascots each have their own magical universe. Soft materials and disarming characters engender trust, while the many shapes, colors and noises will continuously challenge a child’s inquisitive spirit. Designs and fabulous fabrics necessitate hand sewn, handmade results.
Here are a few of my favorite offerings from Lilliputiens :
Here are a few of my favorite offerings from Lilliputiens :
Our Review of Romeo the Well Fed Toad :
The awesome folks at HABA sent us the adorable Lilliputiens Romeo the Well Fed Toad to review. When our froggy-friend arrived, he was very well-packaged and I was immediately impressed by his size!
Romeo is a snuggly, plush toad made from a variety of soft, supple materials that are sure to delight any child. These fabrics all have different colors and textures, which are wonderful for stimulating little minds. His feet have the added bonus of sounds, too! They rattle, tinkle, and croak! (When my kids discovered this, they were quite amused!)
Romeo also comes along with his own "meal". After all, he is well fed! He comes with an octopus, a fly, a crab, and a fish, all ready to be devoured by Romeo's gigantic mouth. These characters offer different textures and sounds as well, which make this toy great for exploratory play.
As you can see, there is also a soft mirror on Romeo's belly for added stimulation. My toddlers loved peering at their own faces on the frog's tummy.
As you can see, there is also a soft mirror on Romeo's belly for added stimulation. My toddlers loved peering at their own faces on the frog's tummy.
As you can see, all of the rattle toys nestle right into Romeo's mouth. Kids can have tons of fun feeding their toad, and then retrieving the rattles again to play with. I also love the fact that Romeo's tongue dangles out of his over-sized mouth. This is a really fun detail that kids are sure to enjoy!
While Romeo is recommended for kids ages 0-12 months, my 2 and 3 year olds love him, too! Sophie and Xander had a lot of fun feeling the different textures of the fabrics used to make Romeo the Well Fed Toad, and they also liked playing with the rattles. They took turns giving their toad pal dinner, and even tried to make "burping" noises after he was fed. (Much to their father's delight....Sheesh!)
Here are a few photos of Sophie and Xander enjoying their new Lilliputiens pal!
Here are a few photos of Sophie and Xander enjoying their new Lilliputiens pal!
Feeding Romeo Dinner...Yum!
Sophie thought he would eat her hand, too!
We love the colorful, fun rattles!
Overall, I was extremely impressed by the Lilliputiens line from HABA. These products are incredibly well-made, durable, and provide both educational and developmental benefits. All of the different colors, textures, and sounds are sure to stimulate and delight young children. Also, Romeo is very snuggly and meant to be loved. And loved he certainly is! My kids drag him around the house with them all the time. And into the yard...Too bad they thought they could try and feed him a REAL bug...Luckily, Romeo survived the washing machine after having a worm and a beetle shoved into his mouth!
Anyway, I would definitely recommend the Lilliputiens line from HABA. These toys are truly magical, and whisk children away into a world of make-believe and wonder.
Anyway, I would definitely recommend the Lilliputiens line from HABA. These toys are truly magical, and whisk children away into a world of make-believe and wonder.
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