10 Best Kids' Products from Playtime New York

While they can be overwhelming and exhausting, I honestly love going to baby expos and trade shows to discover the latest and greatest maternity / baby / kids' products and introduce them to all of you!! Last Sunday I wandered the halls of the vast Playtime New York trade show, which featured over 200 up and coming American and international brands in children's fashion (and other related products). It is truely difficult to narrow it down to a reasonable number of "top picks", but here are 10 products and brands that really blew me away!
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Disclosure: Amazon links below are affiliate links - you don't pay more if you click or purchase, but I will grab a teeny tiny cut away from Amazon, win-win!

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#1.  Rookie Humans:  artistic crib sheets

I'm a sucker for a good photo opp, and these imaginative crib sheets hand-drawn by artists are that and then some! Great for photographing your child, and for simply watching them sleep on beautiful bedding. Made of 100% cotton sateen, each sheet costs $34.99 on their website or Amazon. Personally, I'm really rooting for them to partner up for a line with QuickZip - give them both a shoutout on social if you'd love to see this, too!!

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#2.  Lil' Pyar:  hot air balloon mobiles

I don't know what it was about these hot air balloon mobiles, but they really caught my eye. I think they're such a fun but not babyish way to decorate a nursery! Not just cute and stylish, but also functional - you can store items in the balloon's basket (hang it next to the changing station and fill with diaper cream and loation?). They have tons of different designs, and even a blank one, which if you ask me, would make an amazing baby shower item - guests could all leave a little message or drawing for the little one!!! These mobiles retail for $60 - $64 on their website.

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3.  Goose Grease:  fair trade wooden peg dolls

Not just cute toys and collectibles, these fair trade wooden peg dolls are hand-crafted in Colombia. They have an amazing variety of collections, from custom families to artists to superheroes to cake toppers (the only set currently available on Amazon), even pets and DIY blank dolls. A set of 4 runs for about $28 on their website, and they even have accessories such as doll houses and chess sets! 

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4. Chérubin: leather baby shoes hand crafted in America

Baby moccasins are huge these days. I sure love them - they're cute, easy to get on and off, comfy for the kiddos, and wonderfully flexible for new walkers! What I especially love about these shoes by Chérubin is that they're handmade by leather artisans right here in America. And oh yeah, they're also hella cute and come in tons of designs, not just the moccasins but also boots, mary janes, and matching pacifier clips! You can buy them for about $60 a pop on their website or Amazon.

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5. OMY:  coloring projects

From wall paper to backpacks to puzzles to pocket maps, OMY creates products with fun designs that your kids (and you!) can color! You can purchase on their website and Amazon.

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6.  KaiKai & Ash: toy storage boxes

These adorable 13" canvas toy storage boxes by KaiKai & Ash really caught my eye. Functional, playful, colorful, a great way to customize any child's bedroom or playroom! You can buy them for about $17-19 each on Amazon.

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7.  Moon + Beck:  gender neutral cute & comfy clothing

Seriously cute, soft, and comfy ("moombex" bamboo + spandex blend) gender neutral clothes for babies and toddlers, designed by a mom in Tennessee. Prices range from about $16 (head wrap) to $42 (hoodie) and you can find her entire collection on her website.

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8.  Oeuf - creative children's hats

I knew they had amazing cribs, but I didn't know Oeuf also made great children's clothing!! I fell in love with their hats at the show, namely the floppy eared rabbit and unicorn (see above photo)!! You can shop their entire collection on their website and Amazon.

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9.  Ikue by Maruju - coordinating swaddles, bibs, & more

While Maruju has been a staple in Japan for over 90 years, Ikue, meaning "layered fabric" in Japanese, is new to the American market (and actually looking for a distributer, if anyone is interested!). They have gorgeous 100% cotton muslin fabric that gets softer with each wash, in a variety of products, from swaddles to bandana bibs to stroller strap covers. Buy all in the same print, or mix and match! I especially love the brightly colored animal camouflage line. You can find them on Amazon, and stay tuned as they'll be taking part in an upcoming giveaway right here on US Japan Fam!!

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10.  Tsukihoshi - Japanese split-toe shoes

Whether you have a lil' Ninja at home or simply dig unique international style, you've got to check out Tsukihoshi's Tabi Tabi split-toed shoes! Designed to allow ultimate flexibility of the feet as if barefoot, Tsukihoshi has been designing these traditional Japanese split-toe shoe socks since 1873. You can shop the Tabi Tabi line on Badorf Kids ($34.95 a pair) and you can also find their "regular" sneakers on Amazon ($29 - $68 per pair).

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So what do you think? Loving any of my picks? Already own some? Have a product you'd like me to review?? Share in a comment below!!

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• Highlights from the 2016 New York Baby Show
• ​Best of the 2016 Biggest Baby Shower Ever
• ​My Favorite Things for Babies & Toddlers