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Fun With Paper Dolls

By Priscila Barros, Editor-in-Chief Leave a Comment

On a cold winter day, I would sit in the corner of my home and cute and style paper dolls that my mom would lovingly take out of her closet. My sister and I would make little dollhouses out of shoeboxes and for hours, decorate, style and play with our paper dollies.

So we worked with artist, Mia Statman, to create some paperdolls you can print and give your little on a cold winter day. Download the PDF HERE and tag us on Instagram with #babiekinsmag to be featured!

Artist: Mia Stratman @miastratmanart | Clothing: Ladida | Headbands: Knothairbands

More Than a Play Mat. A Q+A with TOKI MATS

By Rachel Fox Kipphut, Contributor Leave a Comment

We chatted with Toki Mats Creator + Founder , Eli Yonas.

She’s the San Francisco based boss lady of @tokimats -a non-toxic padded play mats in gorgeous modern designs that make playtime easy! Eli gives the inside scoop on Toki Mats, motherhood, and more.

{Q} On your website it says ” Our mission was to find the safest materials without compromising on comfort. The foam we use is revolutionary – made from the sap tree, it is completely breathable, has just the right firmness, and is soft enough to make you want to cuddle up with your kids.” How and what was the process like for you to find the safest materials for Toki Mats? – for example material made from a sap tree?

{Eli}This was definitely the toughest – but most important – part of launching Toki. I spent a full YEAR researching manufacturers to find the absolute best materials available. I wouldn’t sell the play mat unless it met all the top needs for a mom: safe, easy to use, comfortable (and of course, stylish!) Ultimately, I found a unique foam that was made from natural latex (tree sap), that is just heaven!

{Q} Apart from Toki Mats, you work full time? (What is your Day-Job?)

Do you want to ever take Toki Mats full time? Also, what is one thing you wish someone would have told you about starting a business?

{Eli} Yes! I have two jobs- I work as a program manager at Facebook full time, and run Toki Mats during off hours (i.e., when I’m supposed to be sleeping). I do want to take Toki full time eventually, but we have a lot of growth to achieve for me to be in that position. I don’t have one thing I wish I would’ve known before starting Toki Mats, but I do wish fellow entrepreneurs, especially women, were more transparent with how they run their businesses behind the scenes. I eventually figured everything out, but it would’ve saved me some late nights 🙂

I’ve learned a ton in my “day jobs” that have set me up for success with Toki- hands down! From marketing, to finance, to sales- every step in my career has enabled me to build this business from scratch. I have BIG goals for both Toki, and my professional career, very excited!

{Q} What is your ultimate dream for your business and is there anything else in the works for Toki Mats (new products?)

{Eli} My ultimate dream is for Toki Mats to be both profitable and growing, to enable me to focus on the fun parts of the business: community, creativity, and strategy. I do have ideas for more products (not sharing just yet!), but they won’t be launched until later this year.

{Q} Between work, kids, business and life – how do you stay true to who you are. What do you do for “me” time…. and how do you juggle it all?

{Eli} Making sure that all of these aspects are a reflection of who I am from the start, means that when I focus on each one, they are a part of me, and not a distraction. I squeeze in “me” time whenever I am in between jobs/kids: carpool, commuting, even bathroom breaks lol. My husband and I split the family / house responsibilities which is a huge help as well. I do sacrifice sleep though, and I need to better at considering sleep “me” time too!

{Q} Why do you think it’s so important to support the small business community? {Q} What is one of your biggest frustrations as a business owner?

{Eli} I absolutely LOVE the small business community. There are some fantastic entrepreneurs, moms especially, that band together and lift each other up. I’m so grateful for the connections I’ve made, and inspired by the talented women business owners! Most of the products created by small businesses are unique, special, and fit a market need. The frustrating part is being heard over the noise of big businesses. Marketing is definitely tough- I want every parent that needs a Toki play mat to be able to discover us, but we have work to do!

{Q} Biggest reward?

{Eli} The customer reviews *insert crying emoji*! Nothing fills my cup as much as a parent who’s life we made easier and more playful.

{Q} What does a typical working day look like for you?

{Eli} Wake up to the morning rush of getting our kids to school, carpooling with my husband (shoutout to my equal partner!), commuting, focused on my day job until evening, commuting again, evening rush of getting our kids fed/bathed/sleep (jk they don’t sleep), then back to the computer!

{Q} What is one thing you couldn’t live with out?

{Eli} Is it nerdy to say my night guard? Just trying to keep it real 🙂

For more information on Toki Mats , you can visit tokimats.com ! Or on Instagram here: @tokimats .

Photography by : Rachel Fox @0utsidetheboxfox

Location : The FolkandFlora Farm

What do You do With an Idea?

By Ashley Williamson, Former Contributor 1 Comment

Sunday mornings tend to start slowly for us. Pancakes, a lot of coffee for mom and dad and loads of play. Sometime mid morning we usually settle into a pile of storybooks and, still in our pyjamas, dream and share stories from near and far. Today’s magical story was a keeper.A young boy has a precious and special idea that, despite encouragement, he grows and grows and finds the strength to believe in himself and free it.

What do You do With an Idea by Kobi Yamada carries a delightful message that if you nurture your ideas you can indeed change the world.

A story to inspire and delve into with illustrations of colour and magic. We can’t recommend it enough over here.

Clothing & Accessories//Pyjamas: Runaway Bunny Collection from Thread Store | Bunny/Bear: PolkaDotClub

Funkins // Tuscan Pizza Party (and Dinosaurs)

By Rachel Fox Kipphut, Contributor Leave a Comment

Here in North Carolina we have been getting a lot of rainy, very humid, grey days and I am NOT really a fan. Trying to keep the kids busy while inside, the girls and I celebrated National Pizza Party Day on Friday, May 15th. Although I am mostly Irish, my Grandmother’s Parents (on my Mom’s Side) came from Tuscany. I decided to do a Pizza Party with just a little Tuscan influence, featuring toddler friendly DIY Pizzas. Elsie’s dinosaurs also came and crashed the party.

To get our rainy day Pizza Party started, we visited our local Trader Joe’s Grocery store for everything we needed. My girl’s just like the old fashion cheese and pepperoni pizza, but this could be a fun way to explore other toppings with your kiddos. Mine just aren’t ready for that yet. While we waited for the Pizza’s to cook, we had a little chalkboard and dinosaur fun.

The girls really loved putting their pizzas together, but they loved eating them even better! Our rainy day turned bright with sunflowers, yummy DIY pizzas, lemonade, and dinosaurs. A Pizza Party is great way to stay busy with kids this summer ( including our diffrently-abled kiddos), rain or shine!
MANGIA Little Ones !

Mathching Black and White Maxis from Chrome Classic Kids https://chrome-classic.myshopify.com/
Trader Joes Grocery http://www.traderjoes.com/

Funkins // National Chocolate Chip Day

By Rachel Fox Kipphut, Contributor Leave a Comment

May 15th is National Chocolate Chip Day, the extra sweet to any treat. We decided to look past the obvious Chocolate Chip Cookie ( which has it’s own National Day as well) to celebrate Chocolate Chip Day. These tasty Morsels can be a great addition to Muffins, Ice Cream, Cookie Bars, Brownies , Granola Bars, Trail Mix, and our pick of the day, PANCAKES! We made mini chocolate chip pancakes, a fun and easy treat that you can make with even the rowdiest of toddlers. According to Elsie, mini pancakes are to be eaten all at once. She convinced me she could handle them all and wishes everyone a Happy National Chocolate Chip Day!

Toddler Top by Old Navy http://www.oldnavy.com/ | Toddler Boho Headband by G&LChicshop https://www.etsy.com/shop/GLChicShop

Featurekins//La Petite Cuisine

By Annelie Klein, Contributor Leave a Comment

Because at Babiekins we believe that playtime should be inspiring, quirky and stylish…

La Petite Cuisine// Photography & Styling: Annelie Klein | Hair/Make-Up: Jacqueline Perez-Moreno | Kid Model: Mina from Agentur Lichtkind Berlin |

Featurekins // TeePee Colors App

By Sara Eslami, Contributor Leave a Comment

Smart phone apps can either be a hit or miss with my daughter. They are either too difficult to navigate, or cannot hold her attention for more than a few moments. The TeePee Colors app is definitely one of her new go-to favorites.Lindsay Powell is the creator of the app and is also a mother.

A few months ago, while stuck between a long car ride and a bored one-year-old, she had an idea to create a mobile app. She was looking for something that was educational, well-designed and age-appropriate without being overly-stimulating. She couldn’t find what she was looking for so she decided to make the one she wanted.

The goal is to teach kids (2-5) their first colors and shapes through sound, reference images, matching and simple interactions.I love that the voice narrating the different shapes and colors sounds more like how I would say the words to my daughter, rather than a monotonous robot voice. She especially loves the mini quizzes and the fun sounds it makes when she gets an answer correct.

If you are looking for an app that will be engaging as well as educational, then I would definitely recommend TeePee Colors. This is the first in what will be a series of nature-themed Teepee learning apps. It is now available in iTunes and will soon be coming to Android devices.

Fun With Paper Dolls

More Than a Play Mat. A Q+A with TOKI MATS

What do You do With an Idea?

Funkins // Tuscan Pizza Party (and Dinosaurs)

Funkins // National Chocolate Chip Day

Featurekins//La Petite Cuisine

Featurekins // TeePee Colors App

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