Fun Finds for Special Families

Fun for everyone!

These goodies have extra-special appeal for families with special needs.

By Amy Crelly

fall back (to bed)
Because a rested family is a happy family, we love this improvement on the night light! The Good Nite Lite’s friendly, glowing moon face shows kids when to stay in bed—and give the rest of the family a rest! Then, at the parent-programmed “wake-up time,” a smiling sun gives kids the okay to rise and shine. The visual cues are great for deaf or hard-of-hearing children, as well as those still learning to tell time, and this behavior-modification tool can also help parents reset kids’ sleep schedules when they get off-track. It even has a daytime auto shut-off feature, to conserve energy.
$34.99 at GoodNiteLite.com

make a mistake
Blunders become wonders in Barney Saltzberg's "Beautiful Oops!" (Workman; 2010). With a playful attitude and an imaginitive eye, Saltzberg illustrates how kids can start to see their mistakes as a fun part of their own creative process. Accidentally tear your paper or drip paint on the page? Beautiful! Spills, smudges, smears, and stains all become wonder-filled works of art, with interactive pop-ups, unfolding flaps—even an accordian "telescope." Recommended "for ages 3 and up (way up)," it's a lighthearted read with a very kind message: It's OK to make a mistake. It’s a nice reminder for less-than-perfect parents, too. (That would be all of us.)
$11.95 at local bookstores, including Time Tested Books in midtown Sacramento

take a walk on the soft side
We were among the first to celebrate when Soft Clothing arrived on the scene, and their latest line continues to delight! Comfy enough even for kids with sensory issues, Soft’s super-cute clothes are made with super-soft cotton, flat seams, and other non-irritating features. Their screen-printed tees are stylish and playground-friendly, with a hip sense of humor. Among our faves: the tie print “dressy” tee, their (non-itchy) lace print, the “hipster” tee (complete with water-based screen of skinny suspenders), and the “bling” tee. Check ‘em out! And while their unisex “jean” (french terry pants with gold topstitching) may not pass with the ultra-fashion-forward, it’s close enough to “what the other kids are wearing” to have sensory moms and kids rejoicing. 
Soft tees: $15-$18 (“Jeans” $28) at SoftClothing.net

branch out
Gentle enough for newborns and older kids with super-sensitive skin, Little Twig baby bath and skin care products are hypoallergenic and made with purely organic, extra-mild botanical ingredients. Packaged in PET-1 recyclable bottles and made without parabens, phthalates, SLS, synthetic fragrances or artificial colors, they’re gentle on the environment, too.
$9.99 and up at Goore’s in Sacramento, local Nugget Markets, Henry’s Farmers’ Market in Elk Grove and Penny Lane in Nevada City, or online at LittleTwig.com.