Go Go greener

Feeling guilty about buying disposable nappies, non-organic baby food and stacks of toys packaged in environmentally unfriendly plastic? Why not ease your conscience and give something back too by choosing an ethical toy for your little sprout? GlobalKids has a great range of eco-happy products like this dashing fair trade Go Go racing car. The two-in-one toy combines a pull-along with a stacker that can be arranged in three different combinations. Handmade in India by the Leela Maya collectives, the chemical and toxin-free toy is coloured with natural vegetable dyes and polished with palm leaves. Every purchase of the Go Go contributes to the sustained development of the collectives. Suitable for ages 2+.

Technorati tags baby toys ethical

Bike cruise

As a keen cyclist, Papa Cheeks has been on the lookout for a baby bike seat but I think I've just found something even snazzier. Made by Little Tikes, Cosy Cruiser is a push-along that converts to a bike trailer without any need for tools. This funky little three-wheeler boasts fully adjustable padded handles, nylon canvas canopy, dual foot brakes and collapsible metal frame for easy transportation. It also promises a large storage compartment so you can turn a quick trip to the grocery store into a fun ride for baby. Suitable for ages 1-5 and now selling at Little Tikes.

Technorati tags baby toys

Picture this

If you're still stuck for daddy gift ideas, you can always turn to that old standby -a perfectly framed photo of his precious spawn. It's pretty hard to go wrong with this option but if you want yours to stand out from the traditional brag book, you need to update. Get Papa one of these digital picture key chains which holds up to 56 photos of baby with which to wow/bore friends, colleagues and passing strangers. Both PC and mac compatible, this handy gadget displays photos in standard or slideshow mode and contains a battery that lasts 2 weeks when fully charged. Order now at The Nest online store.

Technorati tags Father's Day dads gifts

Diaper dads

Haute mamas are up to their armpits in designer diaper bags, but what's a stylish dad to do? No matter how metrosexual he may be, your baby daddy probably won't be seen toting around what mummy considers to be arm candy - even if it is LV. So spread the joy this Father's Day by getting him one of these DadGear messenger bags which are the ultimate in utilitarian chic. Featuring a large zippered pocket and removable front panel for ease of cleaning, these non-girly bags are made for hands-free use so dad can focus on changing baby without having to put anything down. DadGear makes these bags in several fabrics but we favour the camouflage print. Visit Pokkadot for this and other great daddy gift ideas.

Technorati tags baby Father's Day gifts

That's how papa rolls

Yup, Father's Day looms. If you've been lax or lazy about scouting for gifts, have no worries. We at Hype Baby will be counting down the days with gift ideas for that most special guy in your little darling's life. For the dad who's swapped his sports car for a stroller but still hankers after life in the fast lane, this t-shirt should hit the right switch. Featuring the copyrighted slogan Drive it Like You Stole It, the classic Nappy Head tee will bring a smile to papa's face while stroking his inner wild child. Get in gear at Nappy Head.

Technorati tags t-shirts Father's Day gifts

Little and Unique

Our cheeky one's at that age where he's obsessed with anything on wheels (that age ranging from 0 to around 85 for most boys, it seems!) So I'm pretty taken with Little Uni's baby tee-shirt featuring a car logo on psychedelic orange that simply reads 'beep'. Actually I'm torn between that one and the orange scooter tee, although he seems to think it's a train and goes 'choo choo' every time I click on that image. Or should I go for the milk truck tee-shirt and personalise it with my baby's name? Ah, decisions, decisions. Little Uni is a line of quirky, modern tee-shirts and onesies with sewn appliques of classic animal shapes and objects and as you can see, you're pretty much spoilt for choice. The tees are designed for kids from 3 months to 4 years and can be ordered online at the Little Uni store.

Technorati tags baby fashion shopping

Sing with Putumayo

I was thrilled to find a copy of Putumayo’s compilation World Playground 2 at our local children’s library. I’ve always been a big fan of Putumayo whose ethos is to promote diversity through multicultural song and dance from around the globe. Following on from the multiple award-winning World Playground, this CD features tunes to appeal to little ones such as Music Farm, a sort of Trinidadian version of Old Macdonald, as well as legendary artists like Toots & the Maytals. It rounds off with Miriam Makeba singing an updated version of the joyful South African classic Pata Pata with her granddaughter.

The liner notes are filled with colourful drawings that I could read to my baby like a book. I also picked up Latin Playground and Sing Along with Putumayo which has enough catchy folk and blues to chase away those Baa Baa Black Sheep for a few weeks. Putumayo do a fab job of exposing kids to stuff often tucked away on the back shelves of record stores. But it’s up to us parents to teach them that all music is world music and world music belongs to everyone.

Technorati tags baby music gifts