Ahhhh, we just love Etsy!  Where else can you consistently find such creative and unique hand-made items at such reasonable prices?  If you haven’t checked out Etsy yet, you’re seriously missing out on some great stuff, like this Alien Crib Mobile, for only $25.  Break out of the commercialized (read: BORING) nursery decor at Etsy!

$25 at Etsy

It’s Fair Trade Friday and in keeping with our alphabet theme that seems to have developed this week, check this out!  This stunning wooden alphabet set is hand painted and the perfect addition to any child’s room.  Made in Sri Lanka by Sarvodaya, the largest non-governmental organization in the country, the sales proceeds fund sorely needed community development projects. 

We must have it!

$34.00 at A Greater Gift

Learning the alphabet…what a fun stage that our kids go through (no, really…no sarcasm this time!).  These vintage alphabet flash cards from Cavallini make it even more fun.  Printed on 5×7″ heavy cardstock, they even come in their own vintage tin for storage.  Perfect!

$22.99 at Amazon

Kids are creative by nature and we’ve found a fun way to indulge and encourage that creativity.  Let them build their own drinking straws!  Each kit contains 24 non-toxic and dishwasher-safe straw pieces along with 20 flexible connectors.  Let your kids amaze you (just don’t let them catch you playing with them!).

$12.99 at Perpetual Kid

The universal parental goal:  a sleeping baby.  And thanks to the creative folks over at Cloud-b, a sleeping baby (and ergo, a sleeping parent) is now easier than ever to achieve.  If you have a baby and haven’t discovered the Sleep Sheep, you’re missing out on some serious zzzzzzzzzs.  The Sleep Sheep attaches to the crib bars, keeping your little one safe, and plays four different soft sounds from nature that lull a baby to sleep much faster than the tinny lullaby noise music produced by most mobiles and cribs.  The built-in timer plays the soothing sounds for 23 minutes before turning itself off and saving you batteries.  Parent tested product here, folks.  Great baby shower gift, as well.  Cloud-b also makes a great travel version for kidlets on-the-go.  Consider a Sleep Sheep an investment in YOUR sleep.

$23.00 at Amazon