Family Days: Animal Inspiration on Etsy

Children + Animals. It’s always been a long standing love affair. The last time I babysat my co-worker’s daughter I mesmerized her with a lime green dinosaur. Not all NYC-sized apartments are accommodating when it comes to furry friends, but when it comes to decorating or playing, you can start by checking out the Etsy shops of these Manhattan and Brooklyn-based artists.

ellynelly
Sells: safari-inspired wall decals
This mother-daughter duo sells custom wall decals in the forms of monkeys, giraffes, and geckos, among others. The decals will brighten up any bedroom or playroom. My boyfriend and I even put our safari-inspired ones in our hallway (seen above). Assembly is quick and simple if you have flat walls; ours are textured so it took a little longer, but the result is still great. And your kids will love at least one of the 16 vivid colors; my favorites are tom and benny. Bonus: shipping arrives in two days or less.

cutecumber
Sells: animal-infused jewelry
Once you get past the fact that this is probably the cutest esty shop name ever, you can start stocking up animal-decorated hair clips and barrettes for your daughter. My favorites are the deer, scottish dogs, and the owls. And her whimsical designs even manage to make hedgehogs look cute. Don’t see your daughter’s favorite animal? Cindy will custom create a barrette or hair clip just for you.

wonting
Sells: animal prints
You already know that decorating your kids’ bedroom can be more stressful than decorating your own. Not only do you have to decide on a style that both you and your children won’t grow tire of in a year (I had lavender walls for about two years when I was younger; then one day I woke up and decided I had to paint over it), but you have to accessorize it. Thankfully Christine creates funky, fun prints such as this rad pig, hungry squirrel, and swimming goldfish. A recent mention—and well-deserved—on Apartment Therapy has increased her popularity so buy your favorite prints while you can.

rabbitsmoon
Sells: hand-made stuffed animals
After moving to Brooklyn via Germany over a decade ago, this artist set up shop creating unique stuffed animals with a Japanese flair. How’s that international for ya?! You may have recently seen her designs at last month’s Renegade Craft Fair, but if you didn’t here’s your chance to find an elephant or owl. These probably aren’t the best gifts for toddlers because you don’t want them to end up with a mouthful of cotton and fabric, unless you lucked out and have a toddler who doesn’t instinctly put everything in his or her mouth, then I say, congrats!

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