Cate and Levi Collection

Josh Title, a frustrated dad looking for one-of-a-kind, responsibly made and beautifully designed products for his first child, decided to create a unique collection of products that would be intricately designed and environmentally responsible.

The Cate and Levi Collection of hand puppets, zoo cubes, stuffed animals et al, is handmade in Toronto. All materials are sourced close to home, using reclaimed wool whose colours and textures are individually selected to ensure each animal is truly unique…just as each child is!

A company that takes their environmental footprint seriously, loves kids and soft fun critters and donates 10% of their profits to funds that help children in need…a toy any parent or child can be proud to own. Oh yes, Sir Elton John has a Cate and Levi puppet, too.

Diabolo Puppets

Steve Barkley of Laval, Quebec, has been making puppets since he was 10 years old. Inspired by Jim Henson and the Muppets, Steve started using mop heads and fabric scraps from his mother and grandmother. Steve founded Diabolo Puppets in 1992 and now he’s moved up to acrylic fun fur, blanket fleece and foam…but they’re still original, zany, colourful, fun creatures made in his basement of his own designs.

Space Monkey, Piranha Puppet, Puppet Bunny are just a few of the lightweight, loveable creatures with soft fleece mouths with built in squeakers.

Diabolo Puppets has been awarded the highest level rating (three stars) from the Canadian Toy Testing Council. This demonstrates excellence in all areas of function, design, durability, and most importantly, play value in an educational setting or at home.

For kids aged 3 to 83.

Dry Goods

The folks that work at Dry Goods must love their jobs – and have a good time doing it. You just have to read some of the sayings on their t-shirts to know they’re fun people.

On the serious side though, they make all their own shirts from weaving and dying the fabric to ‘sweatshop-free’ in-house cutting and sewing. Their sustainable materials are helping reduce overseas transport costs and helping support North American farmers because their material is naturally dyed and knitted in Toronto. All screen-printing chemicals are made with soybeans and some shirts are made with pesticide-free bamboo, which does not hold odour and has a natural anti-microbial component.

All this at the lowest possible price.

Goo Goo Baby

At Calgary Mom-preneur Rea Cymbol’s family-owned and operated business, their mandate is to create and manufacture child-safe, non-toxic accessories for babies and toddlers.

And their products are so practical. For instance, the Miracle Milk Bib, Top Choice Award Winner in 2008 for Best Bib, is designed for bottle and breast-feeding as it is made of super absorbent layered fabric construction with fleece neck roll to prevent leaking and neck rashes.

Another award winner is their Perfect Pocket Waterproof Bib, winner of the 2007 Seal of Excellence Award. This bib has a leak-proof patented design that holds up to ½ cup of liquid mess and unsnaps and lays flat for quick cleanup.

Treat your baby – and yourself – to a Goo Goo Baby bib.

Kid Brother

When it comes to clothing for kids, why should girls have all the fun? Carol Pitre, mother of 2 boys, was disappointed with traditional boys clothing which was either unimaginative or overpriced. She took matters into her own graphic designer hands and got creative, launching her line of Kid Brother clothes in 2004.

Not only is Carol a great graphic designer, she also has a sense of humour and knows how boys’ minds work. Kid Brother t-shirts come with a neat graphic and fun slogan: Railway – One Track Mind; Trucking Company – We’ll Drive You Crazy; Demolition Crew – You Make It, We Break It.

Kid Brother t-shirts are 100% cotton, ranging in sizes 6 months to 8 years, and are designed and handmade in Canada from top quality fabrics and materials.

For the Dennis the Menace in your life, a Kid Brother t-shirt is just the answer. Do they come in adult sizes? Sorry, no they don’t…I already checked.

Kids Can Press

Take the largest Canadian-owned children’s publisher, add an award-winning list of over 500 picture books, fiction and non-fiction titles for toddlers to young adults and you have Kids Can Press. Each book is designed to develop children’s literacy levels and their love of reading.

Started in 1973 by a small group of Toronto women who wanted to produce books for Canadian children, within a few years they were producing books for children around the world. Their reputation for quality books has made Kids Can Press a favourite among parents, teachers, librarians…and kids. They’ve partnered with the Royal Ontario Museum, the Ontario Science Centre, the Federation of Ontario Naturalists, the National Museum, the Museum of Nature, World Wildlife and the National Hockey League.

In addition to their affiliation with Canadian institutions, Kids Can Press collections of books continues to inform children about the world and inspire them to be better global citizens.

The Toy Maker

Smart toys, games, puzzles and brain teasers are what Peggy and Kevin Vickers, The Toy Maker of Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, do best.

From wooden brain teasers made with wood from companies using sustainable products, to butterfly and dragonfly kits; whether you’re a kid-at-heart or looking for a durable, safe, hand-crafted toy to stir a child’s imagination, The Toy Maker’s selection at Ground Waves is a must.