While most of my time at the ABC Kids Expo in Louisville was spent running from appointment to appointment with the big manufacturers, I allocated some time on my last day to walk the show as see what some of the smaller companies were introducing. Every year there is a huge section of ‘first timers’ which is mostly filled with products they have designed after noticing a void in the market when they become parents.
Some of these booths have some zany stuff, but every once in a while I come across something I think is pretty genius.
Here are some of our favorite items from the smaller vendors showing at the trade show.
Grapple – I am in love with this product upside down, sideways and all around. It is simple, but cute and effective. All parents do is stick this ‘apple’ to their child’s stroller, highchair or even the kitchen table and then attach their toys to the tethers. Nothing will him the ground, be out of reach or go missing. Plus, the apple ‘skin’ covers the tethers for easy storage. Comes in red and green.
Oogaa- This company makes silicone feeding products that are odorless and tasteless, microwave safe, dishwasher safe, heat resistant, freezer safe and super duper cute! The utensils have planes, trains, automobiles on them to make it easy for little hands to hold, while the bowls are adorned with the characters in the company logo. They won’t break, travel well and can even be chewed on during teething time.
Super Me Hero – Whose child doesn’t love wearing a cape? ‘From the outside, SuperME backpacks look cool and stylish. That it transforms into a superhero cape by pulling the hidden cape out of the pocket at the top of the backpack and that it comes with an accompanying eye mask makes it a cool backpack of epic proportion.’ Plus, your child can change the patch to match their mood or style! $45 for the backpack, $45 for the messenger bag, which also includes a messenger bag.
2 Red Hens Studio — ‘makers of all things pretty and functional.’ Designer Lori Holliday, creates one-of-a-kind, re-purposed fashions for him, her, baby, and home. Her Limited Edition bags are handmade in Denver from half re-claimed leather jackets, half half-refined silk. Lori also creates cool toy storage bags and laminated diaper bags.
Innovative Mamas Inc – This company had two products that caught my eye, and while neither was ‘earth-shattering’, I could have used both when my boys were small. First was their ‘Baby Ankees’, an elasticized piece of material that keeps the bottoms of your baby’s pajamas up. We’ve all had the issue of a bigger sleeper and a wiggly baby whose feet are never where they are supposed to be. These ‘bands’ fit around their feet and keep the sleep in place.
I had a ‘Binky’ baby who was always losing or dropping his sucky. The Soother Caddy is a cute way to keep your baby’s soother close and tucked away when it’s not in use.
Brinware – Brinware products are gorgeous tempered glass plates that are wrapped in food-grade silicone to keep them safe if they fall or get knocked. Priced at $20/2 these designer plates come with elaborate scenes with Kangaroos, Owls, and butterflies.
