(Creating) Creative Confidence

The first thing I have done to prepare my child for independence and school (day care) is to love him.

This sounds beyond basic, but what I mean is that showing love in the forms of hugging, cuddling, spending quality time reading and playing, and responding to my son when he needs me has turned him into a confident, caring child.

I have no worries that he will excel when I take him to day care this fall, or to school in future years. Already, I have found that I can leave him with babysitters and the play room at the gym with no incident. He knows he will be fine and have a good time, and he knows I will be back.

The second thing I will do is talk to him. Children don't get enough credit for understanding and intelligence; it's amazing what a little talk will do to boost even a preverbal child's confidence. Even if they don't understand everything, they will pick up on your calm confidence.

The third thing is to make the transition from the familiar to the unfamiliar, well, more familiar.

You can't change every aspect of school, teachers, the bus or other kids to fit your child's needs, but sometimes it's the little things that can help start out the year right or help your little one take more confident steps toward independence.

Look for back to school items that not only fit the bill for the teacher's list but also your child's tastes/needs. If she is nervous about losing her lunch money, get her something that will keep it safe and put a smile on her face, like our giraffe penny pal ($4). Or if he doesn't know who he will sit by at lunch, give him a built-in lunch buddy with our insulated monkey snack sack ($14.50), which comes with note cards for mom or dad to write a midday pick-me-up.

You also may want to consider getting a list of students in his class and find one or two kids to have a playdate with before school starts. This way, your child will start the year off with at least one familiar face in the crowd.

Especially for the younger crowd, a little something to cuddle may be in order. Even if it has to be left in a cubby or backpack during the day, your child will know that it's always there. Growlgearstore.com's cozys ($7.50) are perfect--they're just cuddly enough and small enough to ball into the palm of your hand, or a pocket.

Our back-to-school items will engage even the most reluctant lunchbox toter, (Click here to see all our lunchboxes) and hopefully, help make those first few days in unfamiliar territory a little more comfortable.

Fun in the sun--with hats!

Long summer days and fun in the sun are here! And to ease your protective parental mind, GrowlGearStore.com is featuring four styles of hand-knit sun hats to prevent burns.
The ladybug and clownfish brim hats (UPF 50) and whale and chick hats are hand-crocheted with a texture like a soft straw hat. The hats are stretchy, flexible and breathable, made of 100% cotton.
It's great for kids to be outside, learning about nature, independence, activity and creativity, but it's as important as ever to educate them about the advantages and disadvantages of sun exposure.
The Mayo Clinic says it's thought that as little as 10 minutes daily of sun exposure can prevent Vitamin D deficiency; and since Vitamin D (www.sunsafetyforkids.org) protects against several diseases and helps the body absorb calcium (that's why it's added to milk), it's important to have. And since too much Vitamin D is toxic, consult your doctor about how to best get your child's daily dose. However, it's also important not to get too much sun.
I know you've heard it before.
The American Academy of Dermatology estimates that 80 percent of damaging skin exposure occurs in childhood. So what you do to teach and protect your child now has a direct impact on his or her chances to avoid cancer later.
Does she fight you tooth and nail when you try to smear the sunscreen on? Does he throw all his hats to the ground within minutes? Keep at it. When they arch their backs and cry when they don't want to go in the carseat, you still buckle them in. When they throw tantrums when they want to inspect the shiny, hot grill, you still pull them away. Make sunscreen, hats and protective clothing the same: non-negotiable protection for their health and safety. (And our hats at least make it fun!)
This year when I went to get new sunscreen, I found out Coppertone Water Babies Sunscreen started making an SPF 70+ version. An because it's a struggle to smear and rub in sunscreen on a squirmy toddlers tiny cheeks and nose, the new, clear, incarnations of the sunblock sticks are a godsend (also for lips!!). Coppertone Water Babies stick is SPF 30, which would be fine for everyday use, and the SPF 50 Banana Boat Baby Sunscreen Stick seems to be a good choice for days at the pool or beach.
All sunscreen products recommend consulting a doctor before use on babies under six months old.
Our sunhats ($24), however, can be used on kids no matter how small. Available in sizes 0-6 months, 6-12 months, 1-2T and the brim hats in 3-6. Click here to buy!

Enjoy the outdoors!

Missed Creative Bag Opportunity

I have to confess that I just robbed my young toddler of a fun and creative opportunity.
A few weeks ago, my 13-month old son and I took a 10-day vacation to Florida to visit Grandma and Grandpa, and I neglected to bring along one of GrowlGearStore.com's carry-on bags. Pulling, pushing, dragging one of our vinyl Pull-A-Longs, or storing things in or cuddling with one of our plush Pull-Alongs would have been great fun for my fledgling walker.
Taking his own bag on vacation would allow him to have all his toys, treats and books in one spot, make him feel important and teach responsibility, and best of all, keep him busy with his new walking skills! An animal backpack also makes a kid feel like he has a built in friend.
Saturday, we had a booth at the Two Mommies Craft Show at the McLeod County Fairgrounds in Hutchinson, and all my son wanted to do was sit down with the duck, and penguin, play with their beaks and quack or make a break for it down the aisle rolling the two behind him. He wouldn't stop quacking!
Click here to see and purchase all our Pull-A-Long backpacks. Ducky, piggy, penguin, froggy, moose, bear, leopard and giraffe available. Vinyl backpacks' noses/beaks and feet zip open to store small items ($23), and plush backpacks' wheels and handle can be removed for backpack-only use ($25).

Jazz Baby--a great creative book!

My "bouncin' baby bebops with a clap, clap, clap" over the book Jazz Baby by Lisa Wheeler, a Harcourt Book.

We checked out Jazz Baby from the New Ulm Public Library a few weeks ago, and Hunter (12 1/2 mos.) was entranced from the first page to the last through several readings a day, no matter how tired or crabby he was! He clap, clap, clapped (and said ca, ca, ca), and when the baby said "Go, man, go," Hunter said, Go, go, go (guh, guh, guh). Perfect for the one-year old!
We found Jazz Baby after story time at the New Ulm Public Library
I strongly encourage you to go to story time with your baby, toddler or preschooler. Even if you send your child to day care and he gets similar opportunities there, and you read at home, story time shows that you value literacy and learning. And many times, librarians teach letters/words/phonics, nursery rhymes and fun activities, all of which give children a leg up on reading.

Check out your local library website to find story hour times and more. If you're in the New Ulm area, toddler story time is at 10 a.m. every Thursday. We'll see you there!

In the meantime, check out our crab penny pal ($4) coin purse that adds a little fun, creative touch to your kid's day. Check out our other penny pals.

Unique shower gift

Our super cute monkey, kangaroo, elephant and lion plastic animal hangers are perfect to organize your new baby's closet or to give as a unique, sweet baby shower gift (along with a fuzzy hoodie or onesie!). The four-pack of hangers (only $10.99) is available in a boys' pack (one of each animal in blue, green, yellow and white), a girls' pack (one of each animal in pink, green, yellow and white), or sets of animals in white, blue, green, yellow or pink.
These hangers are made in the USA.

Encouraging Imagination

Just a few ways parents can encourage imagination in children:

1. Expand on their pretend play. When your kid is pretending to eat something, ask what they’re eating. Ask if you can have dessert with them. Ask if it’s at home or a restaurant, and if it’s a restaurant, there are all kinds of fun things to expand on the fun: draw a menu, set a table with a tablecloth, come up with a uniform.

2. For older children, find fun questions for them to answer. When I taught 7th grade, my favorite question was “What would life be like if air were made of Jello?” Try this as a trick during long drives.

3. Read to your kids EVERY day! Let them read to you or make up what could be on the next page, even if they know what happens. For crazy statistics (Like: For every year you read with your child, average lifetime earnings increase by $50,000!) and ideas, visit the National Children’s Reading Foundation.

4. Be silly. Encourage them to be silly. When your child is small, do the unexpected: put a sock on your hand, carry something in your mouth like the dog, or use a bucket for a hat.

5. Don’t discourage a boy who uses the number seven puzzle piece as a little gun. Better yet, encourage kids who use things in ways they were not intended, like using panty hose as a stretchy water balloon holder, a drum as a chair, or a hat as a basket.

6. Provide your kids with collections of things to spark their imagination. Specific toys may actually dull creativity, but it doesn’t hurt to have some props. A drawer of buttons, paper, scissors, feathers and glue can go a long way. And trunk full of dress-up clothes is always a hit. For a couple of small ideas, see GrowlGearStore.com’s kitty Cutie Clips and bunny, zebra and dog headbands.

7. Watching TV shows that encourage curiosity in the world are great in very limited amounts, but nothing can beat real life. Take the ideas from those shows or from blogs like Brightest Kidz, or Kids Creativity Portal, and do them in your kitchen or your back yard.

8. Buy your toddler a doll. Both girls and boys learn empathy by "taking care of" another baby, real or pretend. A doll will also give your child some encouragement to begin using imaginative play by mimicking actions you and baby do together. My nephew loves taking his little sister's Gloworm for a walk, and my son give lots of kisses to his baby boy with rattle and tactile clothing we found at WalMart (couldn't find it online).

9. Check out another website's ideas for encouraging creativity: Suite 101

Adorable NEW Baby Animal Outfits

GrowlGearStore.com's new and adorable NOO Designs baby outfits start babies off the right way, encouraging imagination as baby is dressed from head to toe as a koala, bee, ladybug, giraffe, cow or leopard. Outfits include booties, pants, shirt and hats with ears or antennae.

Australian company, NOO Designs, like Growl Gear, has a goal of bringing fun back to children's clothing. Not only that, but they are also dedicated to producing products of superior quality. All outfits are made from 100% Australian cotton and are hand-dyed with colorfast dyes so the clothes won't be ruined when machine washed.

Available in sizes 0-3, 3-6, 6-9 and 9-12 months.

Only $39.99
Click here to buy koala
Click here to buy bumble bee
Click here to buy ladybug
Click here to buy giraffe
Click here to buy cow
Click here to buy leopard

Imaginative Play

Instinctively, I've always known that imaginative play is an important part of childhood.

In a short amount of time this weekend, the fascinating article "The Serious Need for Play" from Scientific American (www.sciam.com) confirmed what I have suspected for a long time: that imaginative play is incredibly important to a child’s social and cognitive development, and that imaginative play is on the decline.

• Sustained free play, without imposed rules or structure from adults is the most important.
• Free play teaches social, coping and problem-solving skills, as well as creativity and language.
• Animals and adults who do not play when young tend not to thrive as adults.
• American children's free-play time has dropped drastically since the late 80's, because parents are scheduling every minute of their kids' days with lessons, classes and sports. And when kids aren't doing things to ensure they get into a good school, video games and computers fill the rest of their time.
• What to do? Author Amanda Wenner suggests playing house or doctor or mock fighting—as long as there aren't rules and the kids are in charge.

At GrowlGearStore.com, we suggest injecting imagination into your childs day every day. We choose all our products with creativity in mind, like our lion fleece hoodie (shown above), so your child can have fun and grow too!

Lunch Bags for Picnics

Pull out a quilt and get ready for a picnic with a Froggy Lunch Bag! Our insulated lunch bags (8.5"x4"x6") are perfect for keeping lunches cold for school, field/car trips, or picnics. Lunch bags, which come with a handle, an adjustable shoulder strap and zipper closure are also available in ducky, pig and penguin.

Only $17
Click here to buy!

ECFE Family Fair

Join us at the Family Fair in New Ulm, sponsored by Early Childhood Family Education from 10-noon Saturday, April 4 at Jefferson Elementary!

The booth for www.GrowlGearStore.com will feature items for spring, such as jump ropes, t-shirts, hoodies, and our popular frog, ladybug and duck umbrellas.
Many community services, clubs or businesses will be present with information, games and activities for the kids, as well as entertainment.

ECFE Family Fair
Saturday, April 4
10 a.m.-noon
Jefferson Elementary
318 S. Payne St.
New Ulm, MN

See us in St. Paul Sunday

We are excited to be a part of the first ever Midwest Kids Fest in St. Paul, MN. The first day exceeded expectations with an estimated 4,000 visitors to the gathering at the St. Paul Rivercentre. Visitors to the show can take home our awesome animal products from the show, avoiding paying shipping.

Can't make it to the show? Take a look at our online store now.

Onesies--the perfect summer outfit!

The perfect outfit for summer is even cuter when you add a fuzzy doggy into the mix! Our Ollie Dog one-piece shirts are comfy by themselves or paired with shorts or pants. Available in sizes 0-6 months and 6-12 months.

Only $15
Click here to buy!

The older ones can also sport Ollie--this time with a squeaky nose! The red or blue t-shirt (2-4T) is also available with a fuzzy brown and white terrier .
Only $15
Click here to buy!

One last hurrah

Hunter, pulled by sled dog Gus, waves goodbye to winter.

He went sledding for perhaps the last time this season, wearing his Daylee Designs bear ears chenille hat to keep his ears snuggly warm for the hour-long trip through the snow.

Say hello to spring with Hunter by visiting our new products page! New products include knit sun hats by Daylee Designs.

Fun Bunny Headband

Kids can hippity-hop into spring with this bunny ear headband. Perfect for Easter, a costume, or a fun addition to a dress-up wardrobe, this accessory is washable.

Only $5
Click here to buy!

Bunny Hoodie Sweatshirt

Your little rabbit will hippity-hop around the house in this bunny zip-front hoodie that's perfect for warmer spring weather or for layering. The hoodie is made of the softest micro-fiber polar fleece (100% Polyester), and the hood gathers around the face for warmth. Machine washable. Available in 2-4T.

Only $24
Buy it now!

Hippity Hopping Purses

Spring is in the air! Our lop-eared bunny purse is perfect for spring fun, Easter Sunday or simply for anyone who loves bunnies. This silky soft plush bunny purse (13") features fully-lined zippered central compartment, ribbon bow and sturdy tricot handles. Machine washable. (Because of eyes/small parts, this purse is for kids older than 3.)

Only $20
Click here to buy!

Stay warm with spring fuzzy bunny jackets

Hippity hop into spring! Our cuddly soft bunny jacket is cozy warm with jersey knit lining. This spring jacket is baby safe and machine washable. Available in two sizes: 12-18 mos. and 18-24 mos.


Only $30
Click here to buy!

Spring showers are around the corner

Splish Splash! Your puddle-jumper will love to carry around this ducky umbrella, complete with friendly eyes and bill that folds out when the umbrella is opened. The umbrella arc is 41 in.

Only $12

Click here to buy!

Our umbrellas are also available in 37 in. ladybug and frog, both of which have eyes that stand up on top of the umbrella. The lady bug sports spots, and the frog smiles up from the umbrella top.
Only $12
Click here to buy froggy!
Click here to buy ladybug!

Don't forget your kids on Valentine's Day

This leopard magnet perfect add-on to a Valentine's card or to send in by mail in an envelope to a grandkid! This soft, flexible 8-inch magnet can hang by its hands and feet from a locker or refrigerator, and link magnetic feet with another animal magnet friend. Also available in giraffe, tiger, lion, monkey and zebra.

Only $5.50
Click here to buy!

Don't want to spend $4.99 on shipping for just buying a $5.50 item? Take a look at these stand-alone elephant animal photo albums. The albums (9") have a head on top and four feet on the bottom to make these cute books stand on end for display! Also available in giraffe, monkey and zebra.

Only $7.50

Click here to buy!

Panda Lil' Pack

Any little bear lover will cuddle this Panda Lil' Pack over-the-shoulder backpack and won't want to put it down! The backpack has a single strap and can also be carried across the back. The pack is 13 in., is fully lined and has a zipper closure. Lil' Packs have lock washer or embroidered eyes and nose for safety.

Only $14!

Click here to buy

Need a baby shower gift?

This sweet ducky chenille hat is soft and warm and perfect for a baby shower or new winter baby. The hat is hand-crocheted and has an adorable duck bill, "feathers" and little webbed feet at the end of the ties. Size 0-6 months. Hand wash in cold water; air dry.

Only $24.
Click here to buy!

Wild Purses

Kids love our animal carrier purses! Similar to the stars carrying their dogs in bags, your children can carry a giraffe plush animal along in the 8 in. purse, with room to spare for other small items. They can also take the clip-on tail off to use as a key chain or zipper pull. Also available in Monkey, Tiger and White Tiger.

Only $10
Click here to buy!

Let's go on safari!

Go on safari with our photo safari educational toy. Each animal makes its own noise when your baby or infant squeezes it. Set includes a giraffe, hippo, tiger and elephant (all approx. 4 in.) that fit into a six-inch safari jeep carrying case.

Only $23
Click here to buy!

My Favorite Lovey

Our puppy blankies are sweet, charming companions, machine-washable and cashmere-soft. They're fourteen inches square with just the right simple details to soothe and delight. Get two to make sure you're never without your kid's favorite lovey!

Only $10!
Click here to buy!

Cozy up with our winter wear!

It's -20 outside. At this temperature, exposed skin can freeze within one minute. If you still need to take baby to daycare, bundle her up in our winter wear.

Our eco-friendly fleece cuddlesuits are cuddly warm and made from recycled stuffed animals. Decorated with wildlife like deer, and with ears and a tail, your little one will look even more adorable! Available in cornflower blue or salmon in two sizes: 6 months or 12 months.
Only $37
Click here to buy!



This soft chenille bear-ears hat will keep ears fuzzy warm. The hat is hand-crocheted and will stay on your little one's head with a chin strap with button closure. Available in two sizes: 6-12 months and 1-2T. Also available in lamb ears, bear face, ducky and owl.

Only $24
Click here to buy!


Our scarves will not only keep children warm, but they will also keep them company. The polar bear buddy scarf is made from soft, snuggly light blue polarfleece, with the polar bear's head on one end, and his bottom on the other. Simply tie together, and with a kiss on your chin, your buddy becomes whole right before your eyes. Machine washable. One size fits most, toddler to adult. Also available in monkey, lion and rabbit.

Only $15
Click here to buy!


A "faux fur" rabbit muff will add a little class to any girl's winter outfit. Cozy warm and made of silky soft cohair, this muff keeps little hands warm. It also has a sturdy neck cord (23 in.) and hidden storage compartment on back for little girl essentials.

Only $20
Click here to buy!




Your little bear cubs don't need to hibernate when they have our bear paw mittens to keep their hands warm. These beary warm Thinsulate lined fleece mittens have a secret flap allowing kids to take their hands out without removing their mittens. Youth small fits ages 3-7. Choose from navy blue or brown. Also available in camel-colored youth large (ages 8-13).
Only $15
Click here to buy!

Shower Ideas--Bootie and Rattle Gift Sets

These bootie and rattle gift sets come already packaged in an attractive mesh bag with a bow and card! Beyond soft, this ducky or bunny rattle and booties gift set is just the right mix of sweet, cute, and fun that gives life to baby's first gifts. The rattle and booties are both made of super-soft washable cotton chamois. Both rattle and booties measure 4.5 in.

Only $14.00
Click here to buy!

Animal Hoodies

We're excited to offer animal hoodies on our site that allow kids to pretend to be the real thing. The micro-fiber polar fleece (100% Polyester) zip-front hoodies feature monkey, bear, frog, puppy, lion and bunny hoods, complete with ears and hair that stick out! The hoods are fitted around the face so they don't blow back with the wind, offering protection from the elements. Check the website for size availability; most are available in 12-24 months and 2-4T. Also available in 4-6.

Only $24.00
Click here to buy!

Cabin Fever?

Do the little ones have cabin fever? There's nothing like a little exercise to burn off some of that pent-up energy. Are you exercising as part of your new year's resolution? The kids can join in with these duck, frog and ladybug jump ropes with wooden handles. The handles are approximately 5 in.; the whole jump rope is 78 in. long (6 1/2 ft.).

Only $6.00
Click here to buy!

Lost a mitten?

Think of these black mitten clips as insurance! Always end your winters with both of our bear paw mittens. One end attaches to your child's coat sleeve and the other end attaches to the mitten to prevent mittens from getting lost.

Only $3.00
Click here to buy!