On the Hunt: Chic Gifts For Kids

As the founder of Pint Size Social a website designed for stylish, in-the-know parents, Meredith Levy is plugged in to all things cool and kid-friendly. “Shopping for children can be tricky. A lot of what’s out there looks and feels junky, and I’m constantly on the hunt for items that not only work really well, but also look great too,” she says. We sat down with the enterprising mom to chat more about her site and get the scoop on the holiday gifts for kids that satisfy her criteria.

The Inside Source: What is Pint Size Social?

Meredith Levy: It’s an online destination for a trendsetting parent. Someone who recently had kids and is trying to navigate uncharted territory. Though we address important topics, like highlighting the safest and most durable stainless steel sippy cup the site is largely about style, beauty, and trends. Being a parent is fraught with enough heaviness—we want people to have fun when they’re on our site. I have a background in trend forecasting, so I’ve always been interested in what’s new. I started Pint Size Social because I had just become a parent, and I wanted to find the best for my son and for myself, too.

TIS: What trends in the kid market are you really big on right now?

ML: I love the recent boom in wooden toys. I like ones without many bells and whistles—the simpler the toy, the more room a child can use his or her imagination with it.  With wood, you don’t have to worry about the toxins associated with metal or plastic. Plus, these toys are often beautifully designed and are sturdy enough to last from generation to generation, so there’s great keepsake aspect to them as well.

TIS: What kinds of things are you shopping for on eBay?

ML: I look for pieces that are hard to find. I’m constantly buying toy train accessories for my son. Normally, you can only get trains as complete sets, but through eBay, I can build off the set he already has, adding tunnels and tracks that other toy stores would never sell individually. eBay is also a great place to find Brio, a Swedish toy company that’s been around since the 1800’s and can be a bit tricky to come by otherwise in the States. And for myself, I’ve had great luck tracking down my favorite wide-leg Current Elliott jeans that are sold out everywhere else.

TIS: Which do you prefer: auction or Buy It Now?

ML: Buy It Now. If I decide I need something, I needed it yesterday, and the thought of losing an auction makes me crazy! I’ve been known to email sellers directly about an auction item to try and persuade them to sell it to me as a Buy It Now instead

Pint Size Social’s Holiday Gift Picks for Kids

Vintage Fisher Price Garage (starting bid, $24.99): My older brother played with the same set when we were kids, and my son now loves his as well. It’s next to impossible to find a set that’s totally complete.

Playsam Streamliner Car in Classic Black (buy it now price, $50.39) Playsam does the most gorgeous things. Though my baby would love this, it also looks so modern and sleek, I could see it on my husband’s desk.

Creative Education Doorway Puppet Theater (starting bid, $17.95): Puppet theaters normally take up so much room, but this allows you to use any doorway to put on a show. This is perfect for a city apartment.

Original Toy Company Cowboy Wooden Marionette (buy it now price, $14.99): Marionettes are great for teaching children fine motor skills, but a lot of them are scary to kids. This one has a much more approachable vibe.

Brio Two Lane Wooden Tunnel (starting bid, $24.99: I don’t know a single kid that doesn’t love a tunnel!

Original Rubik’s Cube (buy it now price, $10.99): This makes me nostalgic for my own childhood in the 80’s. This was such an iconic, coveted item, and I can still remember the huge sense of accomplishment whenever I solved the puzzle.

Vintage Fisher Price Sesame Street Set (buy it now price, $185): Incredibly, Sesame Street just celebrated its 40^th birthday. I end up watching all the time with my son and I’ve become a big fan. It’s really well written, witty, and educational.

Plain Blank Wood Nesting Dolls (buy it now price, $9.50): A toddler would be thrilled just taking these dolls apart and putting them back together again. Or an older child could draw or paint on them, and turn them into replicas of family members or characters from TV. These are great for a crafty kid.

Playsam Wooden Yo-Yo (buy it now price, $10.99): A yo-yo is such a nice, often overlooked gift to give to a 10-or-so-year-old boy, and this one is so streamlined.

Lynn Japardi is an eBay obsessed freelance writer in Manhattan who has contributed to publications including Allure, InStyle, People and Lucky.