New England Play
Toys, books, and activities inspired by the vibrant ecosystems and cities of the New England - think Boston, Providence, Portsmouth, Portland, and Burlington.
Discover the flora and fauna of the coastal plains, rocky coasts, river valleys, and mountains that make up the northeast. Our picks focus on native species you can actually find within a few hours' drive, sustainable materials and nice designs that look great in your home, and books with compelling stories that make learning irresistible. When possible, we link to small businesses and nature center shops. Your support through affiliate purchases with Bookshop.org, Amazon, and other partners helps us continue curating amazing local products for families.
Violet-patterned muslin swaddle by Little Hometown. One of New England's most recognizable native wildflowers, wild violets bloom from April through early summer in woodlands and meadows throughout the region. Perfect "first flowers" for little nature lovers to discover on family walks. And, wild violets are edible! But do some research if you go this route, as many flowers look similar...
Buy from Little Hometown
We love Kate Messner's "Over and Under" books, which invite you into the perspective of a child exploring nature and the animals and plants that live above the surface, and below. Follow a mother and child as they discover the interconnected world above and below the water - from prowling catfish to painted turtles. A perfect introduction to the pond life your family can explore nearby. Great for 4+.
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How adorable are these Aw Shucks! Oyster Pajamas! Oysters will become as familiar as ladybugs with these cozy cotton pajamas from Little Hometown. Offered in sized 1T-5T.
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Love this idea. Boardbook featuring colors of the region as illustrated by local species. Simple (in the best way) and lovely. Good for babies and up. Buy from Bookshop.org
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We love Wild Republic’s realistically designed yet cuddly stuffed animals. This soft red fox makes the perfect snuggle buddy, and a fun reminder to keep your eyes peeled at dusk, when you might spot a real fox darting through your own urban or suburban neighborhood.Buy on Wild Republic
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Can you believe that a tiny acorn becomes a mighty oak tree? A perfect metaphor the blink-and-you'll-miss-it nature of childhood. Savor your tiny acorns and help them build appreciation for the oak tree with Wee Gallery's Crinkle Acorn Teether.
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Little Loon is a beautifully illustrated story of a little, well, loon (a water bird, but not a duck) born in the summer and eventually learning to migrate in the winter. A sweet story, with some supplementary facts sprinkled throughout. Good for older toddlers and elementary-aged kids. Buy from Amazon.com
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Realistic, huggable, and ready for adventures, introduce this Chipmunk Plush from the earliest days. We may take them for granted, but in addition to being adorable, they help disperse seeds and support new growth. (They also serve as food for other animals in the food chain, but you can save that fact for when your little one is a bit older!) Buy from Wild Republic
Buy from The National Park Store
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Love this book about the water cycle. Water is Water is the story of the water cycle as told through the seasons and how children and families interact with water in its different forms (swimming in a lake, ice-skating, throwing snowballs, jumping in muddy puddles...). Exceptional illustrations by Jason Chin. Good for 4+.
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We love Schleich figurines - so realistic, durable, and always chosen during pretend play. This North Atlantic Right Whale figurine is no exception. Slightly covered in barncacles and with its distinctive white spot on its underside, you can introduce this beautiful and endangered creature to your little one easily with this figurine. These whales are occasionally seen in the Massachusetts Bay during the springtime. Buy from Amazon
Buy from Schleich
We love a good deer sighting. Introduce the species early to your littlest one with this Crochet Deer Teether & Rattle from Blueberry Hill. Hand-crocheted and features a baby-safe beech wood ring. Buy from Maisonette
Buy from Blueberry Hill
Turkey Schleich figurine. Did you know that the wild turkey was actually Benjamin Franklin's preference as a national symbol, over the bald eagle? Maybe not considered quite so special to most of us, these native creatures can be found across New England. Buy from Amazon
Buy from Schleich
A classic. One of our family's favorite books, Blueberries for Sal is a delightful story of a little girl, her mom, a baby bear, its mom, and a hill filled with summer blurberries. Masterful pen and ink illustrations. Kurplink, kurplank, kurplunk..!
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Ok, too adorable. Adorable ducks adorn this "take me home" baby outfit by Lewis - for the littlest of littles.
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Beautiful felt wool mobile hand-crafted by Nepali artisans, featuring adorable woodland creatures. Perfect for a nursery. Buy from Ganapati Crafts Co.
The majestic white-tailed buck, another Schleich figurine. These male deer, though somewhat common in suburban and wooded areas on the East coast, are always a delightful site to see. Don't get too close... Buy from Amazon
Buy from Schleich
Charming lobster crawfish pajamas by Little Hometown. Distinct from marine lobsters, these lobster crawfish, these larger freshwater lobster crawfish are found in New England's lakes and deeper waterways. Exciting to discover, but they pinch! So best to observe from a distance. Usually brown or olive in nature - only bright red in color when cooked! Swaddles, bibs, and more in this cute print on the Little Hometown website.
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Woodland activity block by Wee Gallery. This soft block is great for a newborn, with its high-contrast illustrations of a squirrel, a fox, an owl, and leaves. Non-toxic and made of organic cotton.
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Buy from Wee Gallery
Red fox figurine from schleich. So alert - look at that stance! You may spot these in forested areas, and they are increasingly seen in the suburbs. Buy from Amazon
Buy from schleich
Become a seashell investigator with this wonderfully informative guide to deciphering the characteristics - color, pattern, shape, and more - of seashells to learn more about the shell and its surroundings. Bring this on your next visit to the beach. Good for ages 4+. Buy from Bookshop.org
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Look how cute! A white-tailed fawn from schleich. Fawns are typically born in the spring or early summer, and their spotted coats help them to camouflage while their mom forages for food. Buy from Amazon
Buy from schleich
A great white shark figurine from schleich. These apex predators arrive in New England in the summers looking for seal populations and other prey. schleich never fails to deliver on the details here - check out the double row of teeth and the slightly flexible fins. A ferocious playtime delight. Buy from Amazon
Buy from schleich
Is there a more endearing story than Make Way for Ducklings? Written in 1941, this piece of children's literature follows the Mallards as they look for a suitable home for their family of ducklings in busy, urban Boston. Little Bostonites will enjoy seeing familiar places and urban wildlife in this book. Great for 2+.
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A male mallard duck is called a drake, which we did not know. Drakes are common sites in ponds, marshes, or wherever there is suitable water throughout New England. They even stick around in the winter. This drake figurine from schleich is a perfect introduction to this common waterfowl - your little one will be happy to quickly recognize one in the wild. Buy from Amazon
Buy from schleich
We love Sarah's Silks' wonderful open-ended silks. This ocean earth playsilk can be anything, but we love it especially as a setting for your little one's beachwalk finds, figurines, and stuffies. Buy from Sarah's Silks
A beautiful story of a young girl waking up on a snowy day and experiencing the neighborhod around her in new ways as she walks to her grandmother's apartment to make grape leaves together. Perfect for 4+. Buy from Bookshop.org
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Another stunner from Sarah's Silks'. This forest earth playsilk will serve as the perfect setting for all sorts of pretend play woodland adventures.Buy from Sarah's Silks
If you are looking for new winter ideas, look no further. The illustrated guide, 50 Things to Do in the Snow, for kids and their grown-ups will be your pocket companion to make the most of a wintry day.
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Oak Leaf follows the journey of a leaf as fall arrives. A lovely meditation on autumn. Read it again and again. Recommended for 4+.Buy from Bookshop.org
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An iconic story of a child and her father, Pa, going out one snowy night to look for a Great Horned Owl. Owl Moon transports you to the moon-lit silence of a winter forest. Beautifully illustrated.
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