FB-Web Red Tricycle Totally Awesome Awards San Francisco Bay Area Celebration – Niall David Photography-1260

Parents from all over the nation picked their favorite family-friendly businesses for Red Tricycle’s 2013 Totally Awesome Awards!  Over 236,777 votes were cast and the results are in with all of the Totally Awesome winners listed below.

All of us at Red Tricycle want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of the winners, finalists and especially, to everyone who took the time to nominate and vote for their favorite local businesses. Without further ado, here are your 2013 Totally Awesome Award Winners:

Amusement & Theme Parks: LEGOLAND Florida
Announcement, Birthday & Holiday Card Suppliers: Swish Printables
Art Supplies: The Art Pantry
Baby & Kids Accessories: Babiators
Baby & Kids Skincare Products: The Honest Company
Baby Essentials: OhBabyChic
Baby Shower Gifts: Little For Now
Beloved Bedtime Stories: I See Me! Personalized Children’s Books
Bikes, Trikes & Scooters: Plasma Car
Biking Gear: iBert Safe-T Seat
Birthday Party Ideas: We Heart Parties
Blankets & Comforters: Elonka Nichole Designs
Bottles & Drinking Containers: Yummi Pouch
Car Seat: Diono
Cleaning Products: Wabi Baby
Clothing Lines for Boys: Andy & Evan
Clothing Lines for Girls: Mixed Up Clothing
Coolest Kids Flicks: Ruby’s Studio: The Friendship Show
Coupon Sites for Moms: I am THAT lady
Cribs and Beds: PetitNest
Deal Site for Mom & Kids: babySTEALS
Diaper Bags & Backpacks: Ju-Ju-Be
Eco-Friendly Baby & Kids Gear: Squooshi
Eco-Friendly Games & Toys: Green Toys Inc.
Eco-Friendly Room Decor: Kt Steppers
Educational Toys & Games: NumbersAlive!
Family Cruises: Disney Cruises
Family Travel Sites: Travel with Bender
First Birthday Gifts: FunPod
Healthy Snacks: GoGo squeeZ
Hiking and Camping Gear: Piggyback Rider
Inspiring Nursery Ideas: Nesting
Kids Apps: The Bored Game Company
Kids Bedding: The Little Acorn
Kids Music Artists: The Battersby Duo
Kids Shoes: Stonz Wear
Kids Swimwear & Accessories: SwimZip
Kids Travel Essentials: Itzy Ritzy
Lunch Boxes: Itzy Ritzy
Maternity Fashion & Products: Boob Design
Mom & Dad Blogs: Chasing Rainbows
On The Go Prepared Meals: Sprout Organic Baby Food
Online Consign, Swap & Recycle Sites: Moxie Jean
Parenting & Baby Magazine : Mini magazine
Parenting Humor: Honest Toddler
Parenting Sites: Baby Guy Gear Guide
Pinterest Boards: BabyList
Playroom Must-Haves: LaLaLounger
Rainwear: Rainy Day Kids
Recipes for Whole Family: Teeny Tiny Foodie
Shopping Sites: Mothers Organic
Ski Resorts with Kids Programs: Sierra at Tahoe
Slings & Baby Carriers: TULA Baby Carriers
Snack Bags: Itzy Ritzy
Snacks & Drinks for Moms: Zevia
Soaps & Shampoos for Kids: The Honest Company
Stroller Accessories : Baby Elephant Ears, Inc.
Strollers: Baby Jogger
Subscription Box Services: Citrus Lane
Summer Resorts for Families: Tyler Place Resort
Sun Screens & Lotions: TruKid
Toy Storage & Organizers: Ace Baby Furniture
Toys & Gear for Backyard Fun: HearthSong Hugglepod
Wall Art & Room Decor Accessories: Baby Jives Co.
Zoos & Animal Parks: Roger Williams Park Zoo

To celebrate the winners and finalists, we threw 9 #totallyawesome grand events in 9 Red Tricycle cities.

Want to see the winners of all our local categories? Click on the city link to see their Totally Awesome celebrations; Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, DallasDenver, Los Angeles, New York, Portland, San Francisco, Seattle, SoCal and Washington D.C.!

We are so thrilled to announce the winners of Red Tricycle’s 2012 Totally Awesome Awards. All of us at Red Tricycle want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of the winners, nominees and especially, to all 206,648 of you who took the time to nominate and vote for your favorite businesses from your favorite amazing kids apps to perfect playroom pieces. Without further ado, here are the 2012 Totally Awesome Award Essentials Winners:

Adorable Duds for Little Dudes: Little Z Kids

Amazing Kids Apps: Early Ascent (Makers of Reading Raven)

Artistic Art Supplies: Flax Art & Design

Baby Shower Gifts: Makaboo

Bedazzling Bedding: Baby DeeDee Sleep Nest

Beloved Bedtime Stories: Beautiful Oops by Workman Publishing Company

Big Birthday Ideas: Kara’s Party Ideas

Biggest Backyard Fun: Bilibo

Biggest Bargains: MamaSource by Mamapedia

Charming Clothes for Little Girls: Anthem of The Ants

Chic-est Kids Accessories: Bow Allure

Classic Cleaning Products: The Honest Company

Comfiest Cribs & Beds: PetitNest, Alouette Crib

Coolest Kids Flicks: Toy Story

Creative Card Suppliers: PosePrints

Daily Fix Parenting Site: InCultureParent

Dapper Diaper Bags & Backpacks: Ju-Ju-Be

Darling Drinking Containers: organicKidz

Exceptional Educational Toys: Little Pim

Extreme Weather Wear: Polarn O. Pyret

Extremely Eco Friendly Room Decor: Children Inspire Design

Fantastic Family Recipes: For the Love of Cooking

First Birthday Gifts: FunPod

Freshest Maternity Fashions: Boob Design

Gourmet To Go: GoGo Squeez

Raddest Ski Resorts: Sierra at Tahoe

Prettiest Pinterest Boards: Six Sisters’ Stuff

Spaciest Storage & Organizers: Delta Children’s Products

Monthly Must-Read ‘Zine: Babiekins

Wheely Cool Bike Gear: Tailwags Helmet Covers

Nicest Nursery Ideas: Honey + Fitz

Ship-Shape Family Cruises: Disney Cruises

Scintillating Summer Resorts: Tyler Place Family Resort

Perfect Playroom Pieces: The Imagination Tree

Most Amusing Amusement Parks: Oakland Children’s Fairyland

Rockingest Rollers, Bikes & Trikes: Sbyke

Zaniest Zoos & Animal Parks: San Francisco Zoo

Ultimate Car Seats: Britax

Smartest Stroller Accessories: SnoozeShadeUSA

Sublime Consign Online Sites: Trading Cradles

Sunniest Swimwear & Accessories: i play.

Stoutest Sun Screens & Lotions: TruKid

Surefire Shopping Sites: Diapers.com

Most Influential Blog: Raising Happiness LLC

Outstanding Outdoor Gear: Piggyback Rider

Top Family Travel Sites: Field Trips with Sue

Sparklingest Soaps & Shampoos: Circle of Friends

Sweetest Strollers: UPPAbaby

Greenest Games & Toys: Green Toys

Wonderful Wall Art & Accessories: Phyllis Harris Designs

Smoothest Skin Products: 100% Pure Kids

Snappiest Kids Shoes: Rileyroos

Snappy Snack Bags: Itzy Ritzy

Sleekest Slings & Baby Carriers: Beco Baby Carrier

Longest Lasting Lunch Boxes: EasyLunchBoxes

Super-Cool Subscription Services: Green Kid Crafts

Snuggiest Blankets & Comforters: Elonka Nichole Designs

Must-Have Travel Accessories: Lay-n-Go

Neatest Newborn Stuff: Aden & Anais

Tunes for Tots: Mo Phillips

Greenest Baby & Kids Gear: Gro-Via

Happy-Mom Healthy Snacks: GoGo squeeZ

Any busy parent knows that when it comes to holiday gift giving, we want to give a totally awesome and memorable gift to our loved ones without spending hours jumping from store to store or staying up late squinting at small photos from our favorite online retailers. In the spirit of the holidays and giving, we’ve come up with our ultimate gift guide (seriously, you’ll want to print it out), which outlines our favorite gifts for preschoolers, toddlers, new moms and everyone in-between. Our editors spent countless hours culling through hundreds of products, drawing on our own experiences giving and receiving gifts, tapping into our mom and dad friends and our wonderful Red Tricycle community via Facebook and Twitter and the result is our awesome 2012 Gift Guide.

Happy holidays (and happy shopping) from the little elves at Red Tricycle.

Green Toys
For the hottest Green Toys, in a variety of age levels, check out our eco (and baby) friendly list. From toy race cars to gDiapers, we’ve got toys big and small to make your kiddos and the earth very happy.

Gifts For New Moms
New moms are spending all of their time preoccupied with their new arrival, and that’s why someone needs to look out for their health and happiness. That’s where you come in! Why not send her to a spa for a day, give her a wine of the month club membership, or a bundle of gift cards to her favorite coffee shop. Reminding her that taking time out for herself is just as important as keeping her new bundle of joy happy and healthy.

Gifts for Dad
We can’t forget about Dad over the holidays! For every new bicycle he will attempt to construct before Christmas morning, and for every doll house sitting perfectly beside the tree, Dad deserves some appreciation. How about some priceless peace and quiet with noise canceling headphones? Or the Star Wars Box Set DVD? We’ve got plenty of ideas to keep Dad in the spirit.

Newborn Gifts
Newborns may not appreciate their first holiday season, but moms and dads surely do. Help keep baby clean with an adorable Blooming Bath for the sink! Or you can’t go wrong with a sooth Sheep Sleep for fussy babies. Any of our items will have any parent of a new born thanking you over and over again.

Awesome Toys For a Two Year Old
They’re old enough to run around (and fall face first) but still lack the attention span for board games. They aren’t a baby anymore, but they’re not quite a little kid. What to get two year olds? What about a 15 piece Chubbies Bucket, filled with tons of transportation toys? Or a Rody Horse for bouncing around the living room? Check out our many great options before it’s too late!

Gifts For a Three Year Old
Some of your three year olds are already in preschool, while others are almost there. These little rugrats can sit for longer periods of time, and have better dexterity than their two year old selves. Let them show off their artistic skills with a Crayola Creativity Play Station, and for little girls who love to play dress up, check out the indoor/outdoor princess playhouse! We’ve got tons of great gift ideas for your little movers and shakers.

Gifts for Preschoolers
The little ones are almost kiddos! Getting gifts for kids who are excited to learn is tons of fun when you have lots of options. Encourage your little explorers with a Garden Treasure Box, a Leap Frog Scribble and Write, or Little Passports with a mini suitcase and tons of interactive travel documents.

Best Gifts for School Age Kids
Now that they’re officially post-toddler age, gifts for the school age kids in our life take on a whole new element of fun. We’ve got ideas for gifts that build reading skills, ones that encourage creativity, and others that are just downright fun. 

Simple DIY Gifts That Amaze
Not looking to hit the stores this year? Don’t worry — we’ve got a trove of amazing ideas for simple gifts you and your kids can make. From wooden frames to a totally unique pencil holder, you definitely will want to go the homemade route this year. 

And don’t worry, we’ve also made a list of the worst gifts this year – just so you know exactly what to steer clear of (hello, swearing baby doll!). Though you won’t be buying these, we’re sure you’ll find them very interesting to say the least!

photo courtesy of Alan Cleaver via Creative Commons

Toy cars and trucks zoom straight to pole position on many kids’ holiday wish lists and letters to Santa. If you’re in the market for a new set of wheels for your car-crazy kiddo, we’ve rounded up ten eco-friendly toy cars and trucks that tread lightly on the earth. Some of these magnificent looking, classic rides can even double as decor, and all of them are destined to become sure-fire favorite toys. So start your engines and get ready to rev up the fun meter in your household by bringing these automobiles home for the holidays.

Tree Hopper Toys Hopper Jalopies 6 for $80
The more the merrier, so why not buy your tyke a six-pack of these all-natural, wooden Jalopies from Tree Hopper Toys? Each car is handmade from midwestern hardwoods, sanded super smooth and finished with 100% custom beeswax blend. Jalopies double as rattles and grasping toys that also roll along as toy cars in a unique variety of fun and intriguing shapes. They are the perfect starter set of wheels for the tiniest tots. (Jalopies are also sold separately).

Automoblox $26.36 for set of three
If your kid likes cars and blocks, then Automoblox are just the ticket. These engaging vehicles may be completely dismantled and put back together again, which encourages the development of problem-solving and fine motor skills. Automoblox are best for kids age 3 and up because they contain small parts which could pose a choking hazard. These clever, interchangeable cars are sustainably made and they have won many awards for their innovative design.

Green Toys Dump Truck $20.25
Think pink! It’s not every day you see a pink and purple dump truck, but Green Toys’ thinks outside the box by employing the feminine hue on their hunky truck. Made from 100% post consumer recycled milk jugs and delivered in 100% recyclable packaging, Green Toys’ dump truck is free of harmful BPA, PVC and phthalates, making it truly green. Also available in red/yellow version.

Tegu Cars $22-$38
It doesn’t get any cooler than Tegu’s collection of toy cars, which feature removable, magnetic wooden wheels and various options of silhouettes which may be constructed and disassembled until your kiddo’s heart is content. Tegu blocks and cars are made in Honduras from FSC certified wood and the company donates a portion of sales to reforestation while making it their mission is to support the local Honduran community by providing living wages and supporting long-term career growth.

Hape International Bamboo E-Offroader $17.80
Get a load of this beauty. If your wee one likes off-roading, then this rugged red car is the perfect match for him. Durably made with bamboo and finished with water-based, nontoxic stains and paints, this vibrant, easy to maneuver red vehicle is sure to become a favorite toy car instantly.

Playsam Organic Streamliners $45
This sleek ride doubles as a showpiece and would look just as glorious on a nursery or playroom shelf as it would cruising across the floor. These Scandinavian toy cars were selected as a Swedish Design Classic by the Swedish National Museum for their savvy innovation. Comprised of solid beech wood, the Streamliners achieve their sheen via a clear, nontoxic enamel gloss which makes them shine in more ways than one.

Hape Bamboo Mini Hot Rod $6.47
Have car, will travel. Hape Bamboo Mini Hot Rods are available in an array of body styles ranging from beach buggys, racers and monster trucks to this sweet hot rod. These lightweight minis can fit in the palm of your kiddo’s hand  — which will make them the go-to toy of choice for on-the-go fun. Made from sustainable, renewable bamboo, minis feature nontoxic finishes in aesthetically pleasing, eye-popping hues.

Black Toy Car Roadster $24
Designed and built especially for toddlers, this wooden roadster (with a removable wooden passenger) is made to order with a 5-7 day lead time, and handcrafted out of poplar. Multiple coats of tung oil and beeswax give the beauty its satin sheen. Designed by Etsy shop Hill Country Woodcraft, the toymakers are currently offering free personalization, so you can get the lucky recipient’s name or initials emblazoned into one of the roadster’s inside wheels.

Little Sapling Toys Wooden Toy Car & Truck with Bridges $36
This charming play set comes complete with one maple car with walnut wheels, one maple truck with walnut wheels and two nesting bridge/tunnels — all conveniently packaged in a cotton drawstring carrying pouch. Little Sapling Toys makes each of their toys by hand using FSC certified hardwoods and they plant a tree through Trees for the Future for every toy sold. Their cars and trucks are sanded to a satiny smooth finish and topped off with local beeswax and organic jojoba oil to enhance the natural beauty of the wood.

Plan Toys Fire Engine $13
What’s the ultimate truck in a toddler’s eyes? A fire truck. You’ll really light their fire with this offering from Plan Toys. Made from recycled natural rubber wood and dyed with vegetable and soy dyes, the bucket on this rescue vehicle extends up and down to promote interactive, imaginative play.

Note to parents: always check and adhere to the manufacturer’s age recommendation for each toy car you purchase to make sure it is safe and appropriate for your child.

Which of these four-wheeled toys looks like a good fit for your kiddo?

— Beth Shea

Play For The Planet!

Seattle toy store Planet Happy Toys just makes you feel good. Whether you’re shopping online or in the store near U-Village, their planet-friendly practices and huge selection of fun toys makes everyone happy.  Every toy is non-toxic and must come from a company with a social responsibility practice. Additionally, the toys are either organic, recyclable (or made from recycled products), or come from companies that promote green concepts. Online, you can search to see where the toys are made. Many locally made toys are found here including Max’s Mud, Eye Can Art , and Goodbyn lunchboxes.

All of this social responsibility comes wrapped up in a totally fun package…the store itself! Planet Happy Toys is not only home to the fabulous toys, but also to a live plant wall, real birds, and a cute African pygmy hedgehog named Buttercup. Stop in to say hi and you’ll also find play areas, drop-in craft stations anytime of the day, monthly story times, and Saturday craft classes. Seattle kids Birthday parties are lots of fun at PHT, with themes based on their top-10 craft projects ( Fairy  Gardens , Budding Herbalists and more). They’ll even arrange the goody bags and decorations if you so desire!

Did we mention that for every $10 purchase at Planet Happy Toys, a tree gets planted? Now, that just makes everyone happy; even the forest!

Planet Happy Toys
www.planethappytoys.com
2914 NE 55th St (Near U-Village)
Seattle, WA 98105
206-729-0154

Open Tues. – Sun., 10am-6pm (closed Monday)

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