It’s been over two weeks since I was able to attend the 2015 ABC Kids Expo. I tried so hard to get this up sooner, but life has totally kicked my butt. I’ve been bursting with excitement to share this rounds up with you all! This was my 5th year attending the expo, and I have to say – it never stops being amazing to be there. It’s over a million square feet of the best, coolest, and newest products! Four days is a long time, but I could have spent at least another day or two there – there is that much to see, do, and visit.
I wish I could include everyone on this list, but I did my best to narrow it down to the products that really caught my attention or that I would want as a parent. So here we go… (PS – I clearly stink at narrowing down so I ended up dividing this into 2 posts. My second part will feature: Feeding, Cloth Diapers, and Honerable Mentions!)
Let’s start with baby gear.
Austlen Entourage – Available early 2016
I had three overall favorite takeaways from the show and this was one of them. This is the stroller by Austlen Baby Co. that any parent who plans on having more than one kid OR plans on going on lots of adventures should and will want. So much so that if I could only if you told me I had to pick one stroller and that was all I was going to get – this would be it. This stroller is SO innovative – SO smart – SO what every parent could ever want out of a stroller/travel system. This stroller very literally grows with your family. It has 3 expansion stages, has the highest cargo capacity of any stroller (accommodating 150 lbs of gear and kids!), and 30 different seating configurations.
It has a heavier price tag, with the bast model starting at close to $800, but honestly with everything it does – I have to tell you I think it’s totally worth it. I could go on and on about this stroller, but I think you’d just be better off watching the video. FYI – The man Patrick in the video was the designer/engineer for the Austlen Entourage. The Austlen Entourage is coming in 2016.
Bumbleride Speed – Available Spring 2016
Another stroller that I absolutely LOVED was the new jogger coming from Bumbleride. As a previous owner of the Bumbleride Indie I am already a huge fan of this company. They make quality strollers built to last, but also built with an eco-friendly foot print. The Bumbleride Speed has SO many things that active parents will love. Easy fold-down, 3 speed steering system, huge comfortable seat for baby, and so much more. They also used an innovative dye process on their fabrics that produces 25% more color fastness and uses 89% LESS water during the production process. Talk about a company that really cares about leaving the world a better place for our children. The Bumbleride Speed is due out in spring of 2016.
Britax BAgile – Available January 11, 2016
So if you aren’t new to the baby gear world you probably are saying to yourself “Emily, the Britax BAgile is already on the market…”, and you’d be right, but coming in 2016 Britax will be releasing the new and improved BAgile! They listened to their customer base and made some pretty awesome and some what subtle changes to the existing BAgile. So lets talk about those changes. The best change (and the one I commonly hear from moms about stroller in general) is the seat will be able to go more upright. They also changed the wheels, added a larger basket, and a new foot rest design are among the main changes. It will also come in two new fashions as well: Steel (dark gray) and Cyan (bright blue). It will retail at $269.99. I’m hoping to check out these changes come 2016, because we just love Britax!
GB Pockit – Available early 2016
The final stroller that really caught my eye actually holds the world record for the smallest folding stroller. As in Guinness World Record holder! This stroller is 9lbs and if for baby 6+ months – 55lbs! It should retail around $229 and is coming in early 2016! Just check out my video – it really does tell the whole story! (Spoiler Alert – I could very realistically pack this stroller in one of my diaper bags.)
JuJuBe BeClassy – Available January 2016
Speaking of diaper bags… One of my most FAVORITE brands Ju Ju Be announced a brand new style to add to their existing line of diaper bags called the Be Classy. Coming in January the Be Classy no official price point is set, but I am imagining it will retail around $150+.
I love the hidden bottle pockets and the whole look of this bag. You can bet I will be ordering one as soon as they are released… I just need to decide on a print! Check out my mini Instagram video with the Commodore Print. (Not the front pocket corners will be rounded – this was a prototype.)
Aden+Anais Nursing Pillow – Available 2016
I hoped it wouldn’t be long until aden+anais came out with a nursing pillow, so I was thrilled to see this on the expo floor. The feeding pillows are everything you would want from anything aden+anais. They are cozy, soft, and shaped perfectly to breastfeed or bottle feed you baby. I had to smile when I saw these because at my very first ABC Kids Expo I met with aden+anais and they asked what I would like to see in terms of new products. This was 5 years ago and I said a nursing pillow. They said “Don’t you think it’s over done?” And I told them I thought they had such a soft and sweet product that I knew a nursing pillow from them would be different. Turns out I was right. They really put a lot of thought into this pillow and it shows. I can’t wait to buy one when we have our next baby! The pillow will retail at $50 with the cover at $15.
Kalencom Tokyo and New York – Coming Soon
My contributor and friend Alex has been a long time fan of Kalencom. Having lived in Louisiana for many years, this brand is something she associates with home, but as a parent is also one she loves. They showcased several new styles of diaper bags at the show called the urban city collection (as they are all named after urban cities…). New York and Tokyo were her favorite two styles and she felt that they deserved a place in this best in show gear for how stylish and versatile they are. No word on price or availability yet.
Cheeky Chompers – Available Now
While we were in the Kalencom booth we saw another baby product I LOVED. CheekyChompers is just making its US debut and they have the cutest bibs and loveys that also come with a silicon piece for baby to chew one. BRILLIANT! The bibs are called Neckerchew ($21.99) and come in the cutest prints. I just love the versatility these offer, and wish I had some when my boys were teething. Although even now I think my youngest D would really still love the Neckerchew with his sensory processing issues. The ComfortChew ($29.50) can be attached to a stroller or pacifier, and has tags for baby to play with as well as the silicone piece for chewing. Lots of great comfort and sensory items for baby.
Rume Travel Play Mat – Available Now
I’m a big fan of RUME already, so I have to say I just adore this collapsible play mat for baby. Perfect for the park, travel, beach or play-dates with older siblings. It’s machine washable and can be kept in the car for when you need it. I love that bay has their own clean space to play no matter where you are at. Plus the dino print is adorable isn’t it!? Retails for $24.95 and is available now.
Tiny Love 3-in-1 Close to Me Bouncer – Available in 2016
One of the things that always bothered me was the amount of gear I needed with a baby. With my babies when I wasn’t holding them or playing with them, I liked to keep them near me. So I kept them in our Tiny Love bouncers, but didn’t like how they couldn’t be closer to me when I was working. Tiny Love is coming out with an awesome solution I don’t have a picture to show you yet, but as soon as I get one I will update with any additional information.
On To The Toys
There were so many toys here I could have included – it was really hard to narrow it down at all. One of the days I attended the expo I took my tiny toy tester – aka my almost 3 year old along with me. He loved being able to see everyone and interact. Especially when he was allowed to touch the toys. Before I start with our favorites I’d like to issue a formal apology to one of our continued favorite block toys:
Tegu Magnetic Blocks – Available Now
My son was playing so nicely with their display, but then lost his balance and knocked over half of this tower… Perhaps I should have mentioned his theme song is Keith Munslow’s Tiny Destroyer, but at least he didn’t smash it on purpose (which I was holding my breath for.) He was so upset he had to leave, I on the other hand was just super embarrassed that the poor man who built all that would have to do it again. I’m sorry Tegu – we love you! If you want an incredible block set for your child – check these magnetic blocks out. They really are amazing! Prices range depending on the set you buy.
Fat Brain Toys Spin Again – Available Now
Fat Brain Toys always has wonderful toys that really get a child’s brain active. This is the brand of toys I should own stock in. My boys love them, they are smart, and always so much fun. This year they just released a new toy called the Spin Again. I can’t wait to give this to my toddler for his birthday. He loved it SO much! The bright colors are great. It’s just a whole lot of spinning and twirling fun that encourages awesome hand-eye coordination and keeps them in fits of giggles again and again! It is available now and retails for under $30. Check out D playing with the Spin Again at the expo in my instagram video.
Sago Mini Plush – Available Now
Sago Mini is a series of apps for android and iPad. They are incredibly creative and geared toward children ages 2-5, but I can tell you my 6.5 year old loves them just as much as my almost 3 year old does. They allow children to explore worlds using their imagination that all have the same 4 characters. Harvey, Jack, Robin, and Jinja. They are all now adorable and fun plush animals. I wish I would have recorded my son’s reaction to seeing this booth at the expo. He literally darted away from me – across the expo hall – and exploded into this booth. The poor people running the booth were all like “Who is this kid?” He loved seeing his favorite game characters come to life. Sago Sago Toys will also soon have plastic toys, and even the most adorable quilt with little sleeping bags built in for the plush toys.
The Learning Journey – Techno Gears Marble Mania Zoomerang- Available Now
We can’t talk about toys and not include something for the older kids! Thanks to my good friend Kathy at Go Adventure Mom I was introduced to The Learning Journey. I loved all their education based toys for kids 0-6+, but one look at the Techno Gears Marble Mania series and I knew my oldest son would love these! The beginner construction sets includes over 100 pieces to that allow kids to build their own marble and gear run. It’s the perfect way to introduce them to the building of the Marble Mania sets. This set retails for $19.99 and is available now.
Tubby Table – Available Now
Playing with the Tubby Table and add on Safari Activity Mat
We saw Tubby Table last year at the ABC Kids Expo, but I loved what I saw from them this year. Last year it was really just a table that raised and lowered in the tub. I loved the concept of two kids being able to play together and yet be separate a bit, but this year they have added on a lot of cool features. The newly designed Tubby Table retails for $39.99, it folds, and comes with a water wheel and colored shapes. You can also buy additional themes to change out and keep it new! You can swap it out for the sets which cost $14.99 coming in 3 themes. Sketch, Little Racers, and Safari. I love the whole concept of this bath time toy, and I love that you can now keep it fresh and exciting from week to week! Well done Tubby Table!
Ubbi World – Bath Storage and Toys – Coming Soon
Another bath-time favorite I found came from the makers of our favorite diaper pail – Ubbi World. I love their new squeeze toys and brightly colored boats. One of the cool features that sets their squeeze bath toys apart is you can unscrew them and mix/match them. Not only does that make it fun and interactive for little hands – it keep the insides nice and clean! They also have a wonderful toy scoop/storage that sets onto a base that allows the water to drain out keeping the toys fresh from mold/mildew. I pretty much want one of everything they had in the new bath line so I can’t wait to see it come out!
SigiKid Beast Collection – Available Now (New Beasts coming soon)
Last but not least was my personal favorite toy at the show. The SigiKid Beast Collection might just be for the kid in us adults. One look and you are bound to fall in love these designer creatures just as much as I did! They are designed with high end materials so they do carry a higher price tag, but they’d all make a creative addition to any nursery or maybe even an office! Each beast has their own unique name and story. I personally fell in love with Cheerio Chicken – Cheerio Chicken is a master of using lofty words, loves to trill the schmaltziest of love songs, will lie to you through her beak, has a very inflated opinion of herself, and insistently plucks at her exclusive dress until every feather sits just right. And it is precisely in these moments that you should swear your unending devotion to her – otherwise she won’t waste a second to stun you with her deafening cry “Cheerio”!
Phew! Reading this novel of Our Knight Life Best in Show at ABC Kids Expo 2015 in Baby Gear and Toys might just give you a tiny idea of how big this expo hall is!
Any of our Best in Show’s catch your eye – let me know in the comments what you loved hearing about!
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Kerri Olkjer says
So much cool stuff! The Bumbleride jogger looks awesome. My 21 year old (who does NOT care about such things) sent me a video of the GB Pockit. Lol! He was amazed. Ooo, loving the new Kalencom, that’s what my current diaper bag is.
Melissa says
Ahhhhh, look at all this cool stuff! I’m so excited!
Jen says
Ahh! I think the Pockit is going to be AMAZING. I would love to have one!
Karen says
Wow – there is so many cool or cute things, it almost makes me want to try for a third. Almost. 🙂
Shannan says
What a ton of amazing products! The Pockit is amazing and I love the print of the Ju Ju Be in those photos!
Amy @ Oh So Savvy Mom says
Love all these picks. I would so love to go to this.
I just showed my husband your video of the Pockit stroller. Wow! That is just amazing. We want one! LOL
Amanda says
The Zoomerang was just added to Wyatt’s Christmas list! Thank you!
Kerri says
I can’t believe how small the stroller folds. What a great find! Looks like you found some awesome finds at ABC Kids Expo.
Karla says
So much awesomeness! WHere have I been missing out on this Sago Mini stuff? H will love it and I know she would love that sleeping bag quilt !!