Just like with baby clothes, I've found lots of great toy companies over the past few months. We're all familar with fisher price and most mom's these days know brands like lamaze and infantino but there's a lot of others out there too. Here are a few of my fave lesser known ones...
These quirky toys were inspired by emotional intelligence to nurture cognitive growth and encourage self expression, confidence and imaginitve play. Lots of fun high contrast colors and patterns from rattles to playmats to cuddly stuffed animals (http://www.kushies.com/Catalogue-new/kushies_kritters/kushies_kritters.html). One of my personal faves from this company is the magnetic stacking "Stackrobats" (pictured) that are not only visually stimulating but also help promote fine motor development/dexterity.
BRIO Wooden Toys (http://brio.knex.com/):
I've always loved classic wooden toys. I guess at first glance they may seem boring to some but I'm never surprised when a small child ends up playing with the simplest of things over the brightest flashing multi-sounds toys. Brio has taken the basics of wooden toys and updated them. Focusing mostly on train sets but also creating some great pull toys, I love these.
Wonderworld (http://www.wonderworldtoy.com/):
Another great classic wooden toys company except these toys are made from ecofriendly rubber-wood. They have some great classic stacking trains and hand toys but I found this uber cute crocodile rocker that has become one of my faves from this company.
Yookidoo (http://yookidoo.com/):Stimulating educational toys for babies and toddlers that nurture mental, emotional and physical development. This push n go snail comes with two different "shells" that can be removed and played with indivudally as their own toy. One shell is a stacker toy and the other is a bead rattler. Who doesn't like 3 toys in 1?
Dandelion (http://www.dandelionforbaby.com/):
Innovative toys made of organic, natural and recycled materials. These are also adorable! The company offers not only developmental toys, rattles and plush but tableware, a few clothing items, and totes too.
