You've hauled the whole family out to dinner--and instead of crisp linens, the tables are covered in white butcher paper and scattered with crayons. What a lifesaver! Why not bring this tame-the-tots strategy home with the Mealtime Rhymes Placemat Book by Chronicle. It includes 36 pages of tear-off paper placemats, with full color illustrations on one side and black and white versions on the other so they can try their hands at drawing inside the lines, while you try yours at having a peaceful meal.

For those of you raising future astronauts, Smart Lab has come up with toy that lets you explore the wonders of a shuttle launch without making a family trip to Cape Canaveral. This remote control rocket is fueled by the age-old science fair combo of baking soda and vinegar and, with the press of a button, it heads straight for the sky. Next stop: space camp.

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It is not often that we find a toy that costs less than twenty dollars, hearkens back to the simpler toys of our own childhoods, and is spare enough to appeal even to our Swedish-design-freak editors. This railway set by Genius Jones meets all marks, and with three cabooses, eight interlocking tracks, and wooden trees, kids can create their own unique routes. Bonus: in this age of uncertainty surrounding toxins in plastic toys, this is one plaything you can always feel good about.

In September, the promise of brand-new school supplies is enough to get the kids excited about class. But come April, a freshly sharpened pencil won't quite do the trick. Why not reintroduce some excitement with this series of Vintage Marvel notebooks? The set of four 48-page books features graphic scenes from vintage editions of Spiderman, Captain America, and other favorites. You could even dole them out one at a time to keep things interesting, but remember: with great power comes great responsibility.

Spring is in the air, and we suspect you'll have some bunnies hopping through your home - especially if you visit Mahar Drygoods. Rusty the Bunny is just one of their new hand knit stuffed animals, meticulously made with 100 percent wool by a Montreal artist. Each creature (you can choose from rabbits or lambs) is dressed a little differently, with embroidered noses and black plastic safety eyes. So cute, and so spring!

The onset of boredom while on the road is next to unavoidable -- and doesn't make the journey feel any shorter. Next time you find yourself in a mid-level panic over what to do with the kids, turn off the Game Boy and look to Think-ets. The little mesh pouch holds a host of fantastical trinkets including a tiny building block, a horse, a silk flower, and twelve more to spark the imagination. Instructions for 10 different games come with the set, but these intriguing little figures may even inspire them to create their own.

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You know socks that seems to disappear each time you do laundry? It might be spiriting away to Sok-o. The new company makes darling stuffed animals out of the very things most of us simply put on our feet. Hooligan, Peeko, and Dazzze, pictured, each have their own story -- and each is handcrafted and unique. You can adopt one of your own (complete with birth certificate) today. We bet you never really missed those old socks, anyway.

If you're in need of a little extra luck, here's something a little more useful -- and a lot more unique -- than the traditional St. Paddy's shamrock. In Japan, the word for Gecko (yamori) is pronounced the same way as the one meaning "house protector." The cute little guy even has four magnets in his feet to stay securely on your fridge, so that streak of good fortune isn't going anywhere fast.

Just how often do you find a truly dependable friend? The cuddly creatures in miYim's Fairytale Organic Knit Collection are made from 100 percent organic cotton dyed with plant and mineral pigments. Baby Victoria and Baby George would be cute companions for your own babes, and you'll breathe easy knowing they're completely chemical free and machine washable. And their precious expressions? Completely embroidered -- no hard buttons eyes or noses to choke on. So don't hold back; bring on the love. For more of our toy recommendations, click here.

We're all about shopping for a cause, especially when the products are as precious as these. The Hmong Weaving Puppets are made from vibrant scraps of batik-dyed fabrics, salvaged from worn out traditional clothing. Each little guy is then decorated with meticulous embroidery, all hand-done by a Vietnamese women's sewing group who make their living crafting these creatures. Now you can own a truly unique piece of art -- and know you're supporting artisans, to boot. See more great handmade toys.

If you're feeling the urge for home improvement, let these little helpers brighten the place up (without the cacophony of real tools). This 100 percent cotton set comes complete with a denim tool belt to put a smile on your tot's face. Yellow Label Kids, the maker, is a member of the Fair Trade Federation, which guarantees that their products are made in sweatshop-free conditions. Remodeling with a conscience -- there's a great idea.

You want to let your kids express themselves with art, but you don't want it to take up a lot of room--or get too messy. Enter the InModern Ecotots Easel. The beautifully designed fixture has a sturdy, three-point base, disassembles for easy storage, has plenty of workspace for any kind of project, all with the added reassurance of formaldehyde-free SmartWood and a non-toxic finish. Plus, it doesn't look too shabby, either. For other eco-friendly products, peruse Green Sites We Love.

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Does your tot deserve a cuddly, larger-than-life friend to love? These stuffed Floppy Dogs by Manuella are madeentirely from 100 percent cotton. Each dog is almost two feet long and a foot wide - perfect to present to your wide-eyed little one. More importantly, they lack the usual plastic eyes (oh so tempting to pull off and swallow). In three colors and with plenty of snuggle opportunities, they're sure to be adored.

If your daughter is equal parts princess and budding inventor, she'll love this Spa Science kit. The brilliant set includes lavender and peppermint essential oils, sea salt, oats, citric acid, and baking soda to make everything from fizzing bath balms to an all-natural salt rub. The ingredients come with safe, unbreakable pipettes and test tubes, and the enclosed instructions even include a fun quiz to test your responses to different scents. All in all, it's a great way to mix learning and pure, indulgent fun.

The Avalisa Memory Game will surely keep you from forgetting to pack an on-the-go plaything. Nineteen graphic, colorful images cribbed from the company's "animals" wall art collection makes up this memory deck, which comes snapped in a portable, lightweight tin. Featuring all manner of animal kingdom-members--including giraffes, flamingos, cows, and pandas--it's a virtual carry-on trip to the zoo.

Happy New Year! Now, something great for '08 -- the Gregory calendar. Ingenious for little ones, the 11 x 17 calendar comes with a white pencil, and each day is represented by a dot. At the end of the month, you've produced a fun picture (we liked this whale). There's plenty of space to write appointments and such in the margins, and we think it would look great in a kids' room.

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Doodling is a fine pastime to begin with, but with this kit your scribblings will really stand out. The 3-D Doodle Kit has a compass for precise circle doodles (or you can just go crazy--your choice), a red and blue pencil, and -- voila -- 3-D glasses to make that little drawing pop. We recommend that you or your kid give it a whirl. 

As parents, you may be reluctant to introduce any toy that makes noise into the house, but the delight offered by this four-piece instrument set is well worth the (minimal) racket. The First Act Discovery Junior Quartet includes a tambourine small enough for little hands (6 inches), two jingle sticks, and one chrome triangle-all of which will sound decidedly sweeter around the piano during the holidays. Even if your musician is too young to keep the beat, "Jingle Bells" will have a particularly special ring to it after this gift has been opened.

The budding carpenter in your family now has a place to work out her skills: the Play Wonder Workbench. The wood construction play piece has a 24-piece accessory set containing all the goodies a quality woodworker needs, including a hammer, wrench, screwdriver, nails, nuts and bolts, and wooden planks. The set even has a working vise, so your curious child can get real experience -- without the fear of hazardous results.

These stacking 'Attack of the 50 Foot Baby' blocks will make your tot look as tall as he feels. When assembled, the seven-story skyscraper reaches almost 3 feet high-just the right height to provoke an irresistible urge to topple the structure. Each story is illustrated with bits of narrative genius (look out for the spoiled brat hanging from his chandelier, or the wise-cracking city pigeon). And when he tires of all the building mayhem, he can knock it down at his will.

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If you've got a young gourmand on your hands, let him sample something from award-winning toy company Haba's new soft play food line. The plush Biofino Bon Appetite Pizza comes with delicious-looking magnetic cheese, mushrooms, olives, tomatoes, onions, pepperoni, and even anchovies, so he can get creative in the kitchen without making a mess. For more play food we love, go to our web-exclusive round up of yummy-looking fun.

Stuffed animals are a surefire gifting go-to, but after a while, well, you've seen one teddy bear, you've seen 'em all. The Sigikid animals have serious personality and just a little bit of attitude (after all, they are European). We have fallen in love with the Pilo Plemplem (German for "out of your mind" -- but we call him "The Cat"), whose sloppy smile makes us think he has a secret he's not sharing.

With all the lead paint scares lately, it's great to find something that's as safe as it is charming. This fully functional 13-piece Toadstool Tea Set from Mahar Drygoods is handcrafted by artist Giana Eden, who uses traditional Japanese throwing techniques, hand-made tools, and (most importantly) lead-free glazes. Let them sip water, tea, or imaginary magic potions from the little cups in peace; there's not a poisonous mushroom among them!

The holiday season is upon us, and here at Daily Find, we're determined to inspire shopping before the last minute. We'll be bringing you 30 days of unique, covetable gifts to assure that everyone on your list is satisfied. And we're starting with an oldie but goodie: the Inchworm. Redesigned by Radio Flyer for the new generation of kiddies, this bouncy, wheeled toy is full of personality to delight the toddler in your life (and ensure that he won't just play with the box).

Skip Hop has done it again! Their new Table Fun feeding sets are the company's latest proof that good design can co-exist with kiddie-appeal. The melamine dishes are emblazoned with bright, graphic animal drawings of farm friends, circus pals, and sea critters. Each five-piece set includes a plate, bowl, fork, knife, and a double-handled sippy cup, all colorful, cute, and designed to take a beating.

You see them everywhere, those pervasive Uglydolls. But how can you resist when they're so cute? The Secret Mission Icebat is a perfect mischief-maker's companion this time of year. According to his makers, Icebat lives in the freezer, where he munches away on your favorite snacks (yet despite this behavior, he managed to be named a 2006 Toy of the Year). Hmm...better keep him away from the trick-or-treating spoils.

Chalk this pick up to beautiful design, plain and simple. These snake pull toys by Scan Details are brightly colored, smooth rolling, and downright gorgeous. The wooden wheels glide easily on almost any surface while the snake itself undulates surprisingly gracefully. For a toy that's refreshingly without flashing lights or buzzing whistles, it's surprisingly spellbinding for kids. Snakes may just be the perfect pet! Well, maybe we'll stick to the wooden kind.

Here's a bright idea: a robotic toy that requires no batteries. This Grasshopper Robot Kit is adorable, easy to build, and a great way to teach your kids about solar energy. Take a few minutes to put together the pieces (including the solar panel, which doubles as the critter's back). Once he's assembled, let him bask in a sunny spot outside for a bit--then flip the switch and watch him jump and quiver.

This magnetic monkey 'Magnimal' building set from Magnetix comes with a round belly base, six stick-on limb-like pieces, and even a banana snack. Kids can hone their problem-solving and motor skills by figuring out where each part should go, or flex their humor muscles by swapping, say, the primate's curly tail with his head. (Don't say we didn't warn you--this one-note joke, it seems, is a universal impulse.)

We've all got our demons--and when you're a kid, those often come in the form of imaginary monsters prowling your bedroom. Banish scary claws and paws with the hand-crocheted Monster Bomb, proven to vaporize the nastiest drooling beast. Just help you son or daughter toss the bomb under the bed before lights-out, and poof! The creatures are gone. And just in case any slink back in the night, the bomb keeps his single eye out for new targets.

Meet Ms. Chimp, the latest hand-sewn addition to La Maison de Lola's line of soft, stuffed Portuguese pals. According to Ms. Chimp's bio, she's a an avid sunbather who enjoys her massages (thankyouverymuch), but her diva disposition is belied by the humble, homespun look of her soft wool tweed fur. And in case she gets lonely in the animal pile, La Maison de Lola has a whole line of creatures, each with an equally distinct personality. Collect them all!

Has your tot grown weary of the pot-and-pan method of music-making? Try these ingenious color-coded Handbells from Groth Music. Each metal bell in the set is marked with its note and number to denote pitch, and with a wide variety of teaching books and other accessories, your child can learn musical concepts such as melody and harmony in no time with a play-by-color method. Sure beats the clamor in the kitchen (and they're pretty, too).

The Toast Puzzle Place Setting at Broadway Panhandler will delight at the kids' table, buying you time to put the finishing touches on dinner (and maybe catch up with your guests over hors d'oeuvres). Hand carved from cherry wood and finished with flame-blackened "crust" edges, the utensils are enhanced with star and heart cutouts, and -- get this -- are fully functional. Call 866-266-5927 to order.

If you're the parent to an artistic boundary-pusher who's bored with old-fashioned pipe cleaners and Elmer's, offer up these outlandish Brain Noodles from Love. The jumbo, fuzzy pipes are perfect for accommodating a larger-than life imagination -- and may just afford you hours of extra quiet time. Build a colorful crown, a furry specter...or even an entire castle. Your height's no longer the limit!

Remember how fun it was to catch lightning bugs in a jar? Today, kids can take insect obsession to the extreme with the Big Bad Booming Bugs Giant Bug Projector. Catch bugs with the bug scooper, pop 'em in the projector, and spend hours freaking out younger siblings with freak-show shadows. Or, if your child is less sadistic, get him the bug watch. Admire the little blinking guy in a wrist-worn dome for a few minutes, and then release the latch to set free.

These upgrades on a bathtime staple might just cause squeals (sorry, wrong animal), er, quacks of delight. Bud ducks, originally an Aussie product but now distributed by Designroom Group, come in 40 different styles, which makes them worthy of gifting to just about anyone--including kids with a wee bit of attitude. (Might we suggest the Punk duck?)

To cultivate the future rock star in your child and spare yourself the hearing loss that usually comes along with it, check out the Electronic Drum Kit from ION Audio. With the help of pads and headphones, kids can pound to their hearts' content, and you won't hear a peep. Only bummer? It's not quite as space-saving as the air guitar. (Ba-dum ching!)