Best of the East Bay - Kids

Where to celebrate a birthday, buy a party dress, or get your kids science fair help.

Photograph by Joe Budd

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► Science Buddies

► Swim Lessons

► Social Network for Girls

► Kids Bath Products

► Party Place

► Summer Camp

► Dress Designer

► Kids Dance Lessons

► Nursery Décor

► CD for Babies

► Science Camp

► More 2009 Kids Reader Picks

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Nursery Décor

Editor Pick

Moms can’t get enough of Nicole Leigh Smith’s sweet stuffed animal portraits. The 29-year-old Walnut Creek artist creates mini oil paintings daily for her website, A Bunny A Day, and donates 10 percent of sales to animal charities such as House Rabbit Society and the SPCA.

“I love the texture and color,” says Smith of her subject matter. Since the project began in early 2008, she’s collected more than 300 stuffies, many from thrift stores. “If I see one that’s unique, I have to get it.”

The outrageously cute portraits of plush giraffes, bears, and well, bunnies, range from $85 to $130. And, Smith will accept commissions if your little one has a beloved stuffed animal you’d like to immortalize in paint. abunnyaday.com.  —LeeAnne Jones

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CD for Babies

Editor Pick

Sandi and Stevie, rockstars to the East Bay elementary school set, are expanding their repertoire. The duo, best known for their fun children’s songs and shows, have just released a CD of classic lullabies, called Bedtime Favorites. You can sing along to classics like "My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean," but if you’re lucky, the songs will lull your little one to sleep. sandiandstevie.com.  —Susan Safipour

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Science Camp

Editor Pick

When you drop your child off at Mr. Shargel’s Science Adventures, chances are you’ll be late for your next appointment. Not horribly late, but at least a few minutes because you won’t be able to resist going in to see what your child is building. A rocket? A robot? RC planes? Submarines? A boat they can race across a pool? If Matt Shargel sees you, he might start demonstrating things that are likely to explode, and then he’ll ask your child to explain why it did. Your child will explain in great detail, perhaps more than you needed to know as you look at your watch. But when you do finally leave, you will leave knowing that your child will be having the time of their life building things and learning about science by middle school science teacher, who is also something a camp expert, being the prodigy of parents who are both camp directors themselves. 975 N. San Carlos Dr., Walnut Creek, (925) 207-4000, shargelscience.com.  —Susan Safipour

More 2009 Kids Reader Picks

► Baby Shop
Stork’s Nest, 55 W. Angela St., Ste. 100, Pleasanton, (925) 462-3680, shopstorksnest.com.

► Clothes Store
Red Wagon, 2926 Domingo Ave., Berkeley, (510) 848-1450, 3535-A Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette, (925) 962-1450; redwagonkids.com.

► Gymnastics Class
Edge Gymnastics Training Center, 6780 Sierra Ct., Ste. K, Dublin, (925) 479-9904, edge-gymnastics.com.

► Kids Bookstore
The Storyteller, 30 Lafayette Cir., Lafayette, (925) 284-3480.

► Kids Haricut
Cool Tops: Cuts for Kids, 3367 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette, (925) 284-5360; 5697 Miles Ave., Oakland, (510) 601-6502; 3171-H Crow Canyon Pl., San Ramon, (925) 867-1836; coolcutsforkids.com.

► Martial Arts Classes
Richard Lee’s East West Kung Fu, 140 Alamo Plaza, Ste. C, Alamo, (925) 831-0292; 2242 Camino Ramon, Ste. 101, San Ramon, (925) 355-9091; bokfudo.com.

That's not all! For even more Best of the East Bay coverage, check out our additional online-only editor's picks here.