With all the concern about the safety of children's toys these days, it is worth your peace of mind and your child's health to invest in something that is free of BPA, phthalates and other toxic chemicals. But this investment doesn't have to break the bank - or your budget. You can spend just a few dollars more for a toy that is made of the highest quality materials, is more engaging than those pastel-colored plastic car keys and will be a heck of a lot safer for your little one.

Take the Tulpino rattle from German toymaker Selecta. This colorful grasping toy is made from hardwood coated with environmentally friendly, safe paint and finished with a coat of beeswax. So when your little one stops rattling and starts teething on her Tulpino rattle, you can rest assured she isn't ingesting anything harmful. And just because a toy is safe doesn't mean it’s boring! While the Tulpino's wooden handle is perfect for tiny hands, the colorful little balls click-clack against each other and can be spun around by those same little fingers.

My favorite feature of the Tulpino is the small (literally) element of surprise Selecta has thrown in with all that clicking and clacking. This wooden rattle has a mirror on its base, and nothing says fun like a baby seeing a reflection of herself on what is sure to be her new favorite rattle.

You can purchase Selecta's Tulpino rattle for $17.50 from Amazon.com. A bit more than those plastic car keys, but it will last longer and you'll know exactly what's going into your daughter's mouth when she chooses to use it as her favorite teether. - Emily H.

I have four kids ranging in age from 11 to 1, which means we’ve had our share of bouncer seats, bungee-style jumping chairs and exersaucers. I’ve come to believe a good baby activity seat, one that can sooth, entertain and even help develop motor skills, is worth the investment. That’s why I love what I see in The First Years’ new Kickin' Coaster, even with its $90 price tag.

The Kickin’ Coaster is a new baby seat from The First Years and is designed with a unique kick plate at the base that creates a back-and-forth glide exercise, perfect for helping baby develop motor skills and strengthening core and leg muscles. The motion is a natural one for babies even at a very early age.

Like other baby seats the Kickin' Coaster also has entertaining visuals and interactive lights and sounds. And when your baby has done enough kicking you can choose the stationary setting, which helps soothe him to sleep with vibrations and twinkling lights. The Kickin' Coaster has eight adjustable positions, a removable infant head support, multi-level volume control (one of my must-have features), a removable teether and is ideal for infants from birth to 25 pounds.

Though there are more affordable bouncer seats/activity centers out there, I'm thinking this has to be one of the most fun and physically stimulating for a growing baby. All my babies loved kicking their legs, whether it was in a bouncer seat, on mom’s lap or in their Evenflo Jump Up (only an option a few months down the road). They would have really enjoyed this seat had it been available. You can purchase The First Years' Kickin' Coaster for $90 (includes free shipping) from Amazon.com.

Does your baby have an entertaining bouncer seat/activity center? What are its best or worst features? - Emily H.

Amazon has a few Fleurville Re-Run diaper bags on sale. These bags are made of an eco-friendly fabric that is produced from recycled plastic bottles. They come with a changing pad and a wipe case, are extremely lightweight, and offer some really neat features. We have the Stroller style bag and couldn't be happier with it. The Fleurville Re-Run Stroller bag is on sale for $70, 20% off the regular price in red or pink and the Fleurville Re-Run Messenger Diaper Bag in olive is 20% off for $75.

Melissa and Doug make some fun, educational, and safe toys for children, like the Crimson Crab Grasping Toy which is currently on sale for $6.50, 50% off the regular price. Amazon has a few more Melissa & Doug items on sale here.

If you're hunting coupons, you can get two rather easily by submitting your baby or child in the Gap Casting Call. It only takes a few minutes to fill out some general info and upload a photo, then you're rewarded with a coupon for 15% off of a $75 purchase at babyGap or GapKids, and a free 8x10 print from Snapfish. Winners of the Gap Casting Call will be chosen in December and entries must be received by 10/22/08. Winners receive a trip to CA for a Gap photo shoot, a Gap gift card, and some other fun stuff! - Jenn