Aw Shucks! Oyster Pajamas
How adorable are these Aw Shucks! Oyster Pajamas! Oysters will become as familiar as squirrels with these cozy cotton pajamas from Little Hometown. Offered in sized 1T-5T.
A guide to kids’ things, sorted by where you live.
Toys and books for ages 0–5 about the animals, plants and places around you.
Where are you local?
Hover a place on the map, or pick one:
- South Florida
- Mid-Atlantic
- New England
- New York
- Northern California
- Pacific Northwest
- Southwest Desert
- Anywhere
We’re building out our map! Not on it yet? Tell us where you live →
The Sub-Tropics Place Kit
A curated collection of everyday items for your baby or toddler, chosen to introduce the animals that live around them. Every piece earns its spot: real local species, natural and safety-tested materials, and makers we love, from a boat captain’s board books to a spoonbill designed for a Florida nature center. Each kit comes with our species guide, so you can go see them nearby. Take a look inside!
What’s inside
- Sea turtle loveyEmerson and FriendsA tiny blanket with a friend attached. Buttery-soft bamboo and a 100% cotton turtle.
- Roseate spoonbill plush“Ding” Darling Wildlife SocietyA first-of-its-kind spoonbill plush, designed for a Florida nature center.
- Mini manatee plushWild RepublicFriendly face and built for endless hugs.
- Sea star crinkle teetherWee GalleryOrganic cotton, crinkly sounds and a maple wood ring. Great for tummy time and the car seat.
- Coconut teetherOli & RoseNo plastic, no silicone, no holes for mold. Hand-painted with natural pigments.
- Back Country BabyElizabeth JolinWritten by a boat captain for her daughter: boats, birds and the sea, in bold pages for brand-new eyes.
- Burrowing Owl Cuties!Steph LehmannCreative Child Book of the Year. Playful rhymes and real owl photos, sturdy for lots of rereading.
- Species guide and flora stickersLittle LocalsOur guide to the animals in the kit, and where to go see them near you.
$119$109 each for 3 or more · $10 shipping anywhere in the US
See Baby Steps →
What’s inside
- Parrotfish plushWild RepublicTrue-to-life colors and patterns.
- Bonnethead shark plushWildlife TreeA soft 12-inch shark that’s easy to carry everywhere.
- Florida panther, manatee and crocodile figurinesSafari Ltd.Lifelike and sturdy enough for years of play. Non-toxic and BPA free.
- Sea turtle mini puzzleMudpuppyA first puzzle sized for small hands.
- Look Inside a Coral ReefMinna Lacey, UsborneOver 50 sturdy flaps to lift: turtles, sharks, octopus and sea horses, and how a reef forms. A book to grow into.
- Over and Under the WetlandKate Messner and Christopher Silas NealFrom the bestselling Over and Under series: the hidden life of the Everglades, above and below the water.
- Species guide and flora stickersLittle LocalsOur guide to the animals in the kit, and where to go see them near you.
$119$109 each for 3 or more · $10 shipping anywhere in the US
See Toddler Treks →
Shopping for a classroom? A kit makes a lovely holiday gift for your kid's preschool class. Add a note at checkout and we'll include it.
Meet the neighbors
All our curated picks from every place on the map, with new finds added regularly. We link you straight to the shops that make and sell them.
Baby Mobile - Jellyfish
Adorn your little one's nursery with this mobile featuring scallops, sea turtles, sea horses, whales, dolphins, and stingrays, all crafted by hand with felt wool by Nepali artists. Based in Jupiter, Florida.
My First 100 Pacific Northwest Animals
When my toddler was around 1, he just loved the Priddy Books - First 100 Words/Animals/Cars etc. My First 100 Pacific Northwest Animals is the same concept of clear and engaging photographs, single word descriptions, and sturdy boardbook, for all you lucky Pacific Northwest babies!
Pigeon Print
A minimalist pigeon? We love it. Great, straightforward print of the ever-present pigeon you and your little one are almost certain to see next time you step outside. Yes, spotting a pigeon is a wildlife encounter!
Lina the Javelina
What's a javelina ("ha-vuh-lee-na")? A pig-like hoofed mammal, called a peccary, native to the Americas and found across the southwest. This sweet storybook, Lina the Javelina, follows the journey of a young javelina as she works with friends to return a lost doll. Truly a desert adventure. Best for toddlers and up.
Otter Carries On
In this charming new book, a sea otter accidentally gets swept away while clinging to her favorite rocks during a storm - a gentle adventure that may resonate with parents who have found pockets full of "treasures" after a day at the beach ;). Set in the kelp forests of Northern California's coast, it captures the sea otter's famous habit of holding onto rocks and the marine world kids can explore around Monterey Bay. Reminds me of the stories on "Puffin Rock," a cute nature-based toddler show we love.
Crochet Deer Teether & Rattle
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.
Uncle Goose Swamp Blocks
We were introduced to Uncle Goose blocks through their language blocks, and love that they also have these swamp blocks. The 6 block-scene introduces an alligator, frogs, dragonflies, measurements, and counting. Made in the US from sustainable wood. Recommended for ages 2+.
A Voice for the Everglades
I really was moved by this book! A Voice for the Everglades tells the story of Marjory Stoneman Douglas, the woman behind the creation of Everglades National Park, in such an accessible way. The gorgeous illustrations introduce the quiet beauty of the Everglades and should honestly be read by all adults living around South Florida! My 4 year old was also a fan ;).
ABC Birds Everglades (Baby Rangers)
This is from a cute series called Baby Rangers, and offers a solid introduction to the birds you might see in the Everglades. We appreciate that you learn a few facts about the animals, in addition to the nice illustrations. Good for 1+.
Adventure Headlight
A battery-powered headlight perfect illuminating your for outdoor explorations. Not a toy, recommend 8+.
Baby Cactus (Finger Puppet Book)
These chunky fingerpuppet board books are always fun. This one tells the story of a cute baby cactus and her flower - including how she wards of a threat from a hungry jackrabbit! Perfect for 6 months+. Toddlers love them too.
Because of an Acorn
One acorn becomes an oak, and the oak feeds and shelters everything around it. A short, lyrical picture book about how a forest connects, for the kid who fills their pockets with acorns every fall.
Boat Trip to the Manatees
We thought this was very fun, a Playmobil "Boat Trip to the Manatees" set. Great for playtime or bathtime (the manatees float!). Not for the very littles though, as there are small pieces. Ages 4+.
Cactus Bamboo Newborn Gift Set
Super cute and super soft newborn set made of bamboo fabric by Emerson and Friends. Saguaro, prickly pear, barrel, and cholla cacti all get a shout out here. You can also find baby/toddler/mom pajamas in the same cacti fabric.
Cactus Blossom Swaddle & Burp Bib Gift Set
Cactus blossom baby swaddle by Little Hometown made from muslin and organic cotton featuring flora and fauna of the southwest, including a prickly pear cactus, a cactus wren, a striking Saguaro cactus.
Chipmunk Plush
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!)
Get this from Wild Republic ↗Get this from National Park Store ↗
Cougar figurine (Florida panther)
Cougar figurine from schleich. Incredibly detailed fur pattern. Did you know cougars, panthers, mountain lions, and pumas all refer to the same species? We call them different names depending on where they are location. In the Pacific Northwest, they're usually called cougars or mountain lions. Often found in the forests and mountains, occasionally along the urban edge - eek!
Crinkle Acorn Teether
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.
Desert Animals in Black and White
For the newest littles - a black and white boardbook to help their visual development and gently introduce creatures that they'll learn to recognize as they grow. Desert Animals in Black and White ticks all the boxes.
Desert Earth Playsilk
Sarah's Silks are a wonderful open-ended toy. We love this desert earth playsilk - the ideal setting for little desert figurines. But we won't limit how your little one chooses to use this. Truly, the possibilities are endless.
Desert Friends Bamboo Baby Pajamas
Adorable and soft desert-themed pajamas by Emerson and Friends. Your little one will spot jackrabbits, coyote, armadillos, various cactus species, and more. Comes in toddler pajamas and a newborn set too!
Desert Friends board book
A sweetly illustrated boardbook featuring desert flora and fauna! We love it. Desert Friends is necessary reading for all desert-dwelling and desert-visiting little ones. Grown-ups, too.
Get this from Emerson and Friends ↗Get this from Maisonette ↗
Florida Panther Plush (12")
Adorable - and quite large at 12" tall - Florida panther plush made of recycled materials. Florida panthers are some of the most endangered animals in North America, and there are only an estimated ~200 in the state. If you're curious about where these have been spotted, the FL Fish and Wildlife Commission has a map of sightings with verified photos - pretty cool to explore.
Forest Magic
"Forest Magic" is a whimsically illustrated and well put together field guide/storybook for little ones that live near the forests in the Pacific Northwest. The guide breaks up what you might find in the forest into categories: leaves, animals, fungus, lichen, and wildflowers. But the MOST important page, in my opinion, is the "Do not touch" list at the end of the book. Critical for young explorers! Good for 5+.
Grand Canyon
This is a stunning journey inviting us alongside a young girl and her father as they hike across the Grand Canyon from the North Rim to the South Rim. I wish I had read this before visiting this amazing site 15 years ago! Telling the geologic story of Earth through the Canyon, this one can be read and re-read, studied, its illustrations slowly pored over. Best for 6+, including curious adults.
Great White Shark Figurine
A great white shark figurine from schleich. These apex predators pass by the mid-atlantic coast as part of their annual migration - following warmer waters north to New England in the summers, and then wintering - like a good snowbird - down the southeast Atlantic coast. We love these figurines starting with young toddlers - perfect for playtime and bathtime.
Humpback Whale (Young Zoologist)
Beautiful illustrations and digestable facts about the majestic humpback whale are to be found in Humpback Whale in the Young Zoologist series. Can you believe these creatures have been sited in the Chesapeake, and even in the Potomac River?! They migrate around the Mid-Atlantic in the spring and summer months, so go test your luck and see if you will be blessed with a sighting.
Hurricane
This picture book, Hurricane, is set on a North Carolina barrier island, but should be required reading for all families that live in hurricane-prone areas! Jason Chin tells the story, beautifully illustrated of course, of how a small community prepares for a hurricane, including how the hurricane begins and grows, where forecasts come from and how they are reached, and how communities can respond if impacted. Informative and surprisingly hopeful. Best for 5+.
Javelina Plush
Standing javelina ("ha-vuh-lee-na") 12 inch stuffed animal from Wild Republic. Start your little one's stuffie collection with some local pals.
Jenny's First Catch
We appreciate children's books that teach us something about a local species, but that are still primarily stories, not just factbooks! Jenny's First Catch fits this category well, following a young and eager roseate spoonbill who is learning to fish on her own. You'll learn quite a bit about different wading birds and how and how they catch their food. Also, a bonus list of where you can go in South & Southwest Florida to see roseate spoonbills. Good for ages 4+.
Kid Explorer Kit
We've been on the lookout for a duratble, intuitive, not-too-plasticky, somewhat nice-looking explorer kit. This Robud one checks a lot of those boxes. Complete with binoculars, compass, tweezer, magnifying glass, bug containers, a small cage, and more, nascent biologists will find plenty to do with this. Good for 5+. Older ones shouldn't find the neutral design too kid-like.
Oak Leaf
Oak Leaf follows the journey of a leaf as fall arrives. A lovely meditation on autumn. Read it again and again. Recommended for 4+.
Ocean Earth Playsilk
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.
Our World
This is a clever one - an illustrated introduction to planet earth, Our World is a boardbook that uses magnets to stand itself up as a page-turnable globe. A lovely way to learn about diverse ecosystems. The littlest ones will like the colors and chunkiness of the book, but toddlers and early readers will really enjoy learning from this one.
Owl Moon
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.
Raccoon figurine
We started putting this raccoon figurine on the regional pages, but realized this is one of the few creatures that actually lives across the entire US - from Miami to Seattle - and seem to enjoy the urban life wherever they go . A true North American native, raccoons are so adaptable for a few reasons: omnivorous diet (they'll eat anything), dense fur (keeps them hot or cold, as needed), dextorous paws (almost like hands). So wherever you are in the US, there's probably a raccoon not too far away.
Red Fox Stuffed Animal
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.
Redwoods
An award-winning book by Jason Chin, Redwoods follows the journey of a boy who finds a book about redwoods and as he reads, becomes drawn into the magical world of California's coastal giants, traveling from a New York subway straight to the redwood forest. A clever blend of imagination and science delivers fascinating facts about the world's tallest trees. Good for ages 5+.
Saltwater Crocodile figurine
No, this isn't a duplicate! It's a saltwater crocodile figurine (also with a movable jaw). Can you tell the difference? Crocodiles have V-shaped snouths, while gators have more rounded snouts. American Crocodiles are also federally protected as an endangered species, while alligators are more abundant throughout the southeast and out west to Texas.
Sam the Sea Cow
Sweet story of a manatee named Sam. "Sam the Sea Cow" introduces many aspects of the life of a manatee - environment, diet, threats, childhood - but maintains a nice narrative, and definitely does not talk down to its young readers. Based on the story of a real South Florida manatee. Good for 4+.
Sand Play Set
Sturdy bucket and sand tools for the beach, the sandbox, the mud, rainy days... the toddlers will know what to do with it. We like that it's durable, made from recycled plastic, BPA-free, and manufactured by Green Toys in the US.
Seal Figurine
Seal figurine from schleich. Smart creatures that are excellent underwater hunters. Spot these playful marine mammals hauled out on docks, beaches, and rocky shorelines, or swimming in harbors and coastal waters. Northern elephant seals also breed dramatically on Northern California beaches, making the region one of the best places to observe the seal species in their natural habitat.
Songs of the Birds
Songs of the Birds is a lovely illustrated book that teaches us about different birdsongs, using audio recordings. Explore different habitats in North America and the winged creatures you can find there. A perfect companion for backyard bird identification, no matter where you live.
Sub-Tropics Toddler Treks Place Kit
Our Toddler Treks Place Kit! We're so happy to share this with you and your toddlers (1.5-3 years). Explore the plants and animals living in the sub-tropical habitats, like corals, manatees, parrotfish, turtles, and so many more! Plus, a Species Guide for parents that introduce the creatures within the kit, and where you can drive around the major cities in South Florida to go see them IRL!
Tarantula figurine
Eep. This Schleich tarantula figurine might just have you mistaking it for the real thing. But the tarantula's reputation is more aggressive than in reality - they are good bug-hunters and generally pretty docile. We still steer clear though.
Ten Ways to Hear the Snow
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+.
The Blue Whale
"The Blue Whale" is a lovely and informative picture book, all about the blue whale. Probably the only time the words "a heap of 55 hippopatami" has been published (that's how much an average blue whale weighs). Lots of similarly fun comparisons throughout. Lucky northern California residents can look for blue whales around Monterey Bay during peak season, which is May to October. Recommended for 4+.
The Children's Book of Birdwatching
The Children's Book of Birdwatching is great for grown ups too. It's filled with useful information to begin identifying birds around you, as well as activity ideas and expert advice. Lot's of content; better for 6+.
The Kids' Guide to Birds of Florida
While some birds featured in this extensive guide may not live in the sub-tropics, we still love this travel-sized field guide for budding birders in south Florida. The Kids' Guide to Birds of Florida features beautiful photos and lots of useful information and identifiers. Recommended for ages 5+.
The River Is My Ocean
Little Locals was started because I wanted my toddler son to love the landscapes where he is growing up (in our case, the sub-tropics of Miami). I appreciate this book, The River Is My Ocean, about a little girl's relationship with the Hudson River, and her connection to the river through her grandmother's love of the ocean from her home in the DR. Sometimes city nature can be denigrated or seen as dirty, polluted, not as special as "real" nature etc., but "The River Is My Ocean" is, to me, a love letter to the Hudson from a perspective of a young girl, and this is really at the heart of Little Locals' mission.
Uncle Goose Desert Blocks
We were introduced to Uncle Goose through their language blocks, and love that they also have these wooden desert blocks. The 6 block-scene introduces armadillos, multiple types of cacti, mountains, and desert sunsets. Made in the US from sustainable basswood. Recommended for ages 2+.
Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt
Kate Messner's "Over and Under" series is wonderful. This one, "Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt" is no exception. While it features a landscape with four seasons (so, that may not be recognized by little sub-tropical dwellers), it's an excellent exploration of garden critters and the role they play in growing plants that every backyard gardener will recognize. Great for ages 4+.
Water Is Water
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+.
White-tailed Fawn Figurine
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.
Wild Miami
We are big fans of Wild Miami, a guide to the flora and fauna around Miami. We are truly in the sub-tropics down here, and this guide oriented and educated us about the creatures that live here (including a guide to differentiate the natives from the invasives) and how to access all of this wildlife through the many parks across the metro area.
Nothing for that age yet. Try a place page.
Showing all 56 items
About Little Locals
Little Locals began with a simple idea: kids come to know and care about the natural world by first learning their own little corner of it. Parents and caregivers can help by sharing the names and stories of the species all around them, and letting their little one become the expert on their own place.
When my son was two, he was gifted a stuffed manatee. I had never thought twice about manatees, but I realized we could go see one ten minutes from our house. What other creatures were all around us, waiting to be introduced? That’s why Little Locals started, and what every book and toy here is for.