• Monthly Archive:: June 2013

    “Pure learning fun.” The new tagline for LeapFrog was a fitting greeting for the educational toy company’s holiday showcase this week in NYC. We were on hand to find out what’s big in teaching toys and from judging by the looks of the LeapFrog line-up, there’s plenty of opportunities to get kids excited about learning. First off, we had a chance to experience the just-released LeapReader. Bearing a striking resemblance to LeapFrog’s Tag Reader, this multi-level learning tool steps its up a notch or two, enabling kids to learn the basics of reading, begin to write their letters and enjoy the experience of listening to audio books. With so much functionality in one product, parents may wonder just how capable this product is in keeping [&hellip

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    Less than six months until Christmas; have you started shopping yet? Yesterday, I had the privilege of attending two holiday previews–Disney and LeapFrog–and boy, did I get some ideas for what toys might find their way onto wish lists this December. Over at the Disney showroom, there were plenty of stars competing for attention. We couldn’t help but fall hopelessly in love with the Monsters University products (if you haven’t seen the movie yet, run–don’t walk to the theater; in our humble opinion, it beats the original!). From crib bedding that’s already selling out, to Roll a Scare figures that make great stocking stuffers, Sulley, Mike Wazowski and the whole gang were front and center. Our favorite was the Monsters University Sulley Monster Mask, with [&hellip

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    After an enjoyable afternoon at the beach yesterday, my girls were more than thrilled at the prospect of a pre-dinner time bath. Washing off the salty, sticky remains of the day was the perfect way to cap off a fun day spent digging in the sand, splashing in the frothy surf and covering each other with seaweed (not exactly a day at the spa, even if the elements were the same). As they tracked a truckload of sand upstairs, I knew an early bath would be inevitable and for them, cause for jubilee. Truth be told, fresh from the bath is when I like my kids the best. They smell so sweet, it’s hard to imagine these devilish creatures could change their tune in a [&hellip

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    Let’s face it: they’ve had it. I’m talking about the crayons in your kid’s desk. After months and months of grubby little hands completing classwork, decorating book covers and instilling creativity in any capacity, these dutiful classroom staples have done their due diligence–and then some. And if you think you’re exhausted, just get a load of their cracked disposition. In one of the most inventive picture books of the year, The Day the Crayons Quit, these crayons finally declare “enough!” and share their feelings with a boy named Duncan, their resident artist. Told through a collection of hilarious missives, each color explains why life hasn’t actually been fair lately and makes compelling arguments for their individual cases. From the over-worked red who “even works holidays” [&hellip

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    My 5-year-old practices yoga on her own. She got a taste of it this past year during preschool, and would happily come home to demonstrate any number of poses. (Her warrior one really rocks!) The funniest thing was how seriously she takes her yoga; in the midst of a recent meltdown, she ran into her bedroom and assumed a meditation position. And within minutes, she emerged a calmer, happier self. I kid you not. So when I learned about the entire new line of Upside Down Games devoted to yoga, I knew it would be a huge hit in my house. While the products range from card games, to seek-and-find board games aged for 6 and up, any kid who expresses a sincere interest in [&hellip

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    Summer doesn’t officially begin until Friday, and we’re already off to a buggy start. I can play connect the dots on my 9-year-old’s upper arm, and my 5-year-old has a welt the size of a half-dollar. And that’s only from playing outside one afternoon. Since I definitely get a little kooky when the bugs come out in full force, I do my best to protect my girls from these pesky critters. Because many of the leading brands I’ve tried haven’t quite lived up to the hype, I figured this would be the perfect opportunity to try something new. And I’m really glad I did. Fairy Tales Bug Bandit is my go-to weapon in the battle of the bugs. This pesticide- and DEET-free natural bug repellent [&hellip

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    With temps steadily climbing into the 80s this week and school due to let out this Friday, our thoughts are turning to ice pops, the beach and all things summer. Because we know firsthand how much the kids need to get outside and play, we need the perfect excuse to keep them there. Enter the NERF Super Soaker Arctic Shock Water Blaster. This is so not your average water gun. Deep within its recesses of this mega-sized toy is a removable wide-mouth clip that can hold up to 25 ounces of H2O–along with plenty of ice cubes–for primo ammo. One blast from this super-cool soaker, and your most unsuspecting buddy will never know what hit him. Then again, if this summer winds up being another [&hellip

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    When I was a kid and Father’s Day rolled around, I often saved up enough money to buy my dad one of two things: either Old Spice after shave or Aqua Velva. And, if he was really lucky, I could spring for a gift set, which included soap on a rope. That would be a banner year for my dad. Never tiring of these gifts that epitomized what fatherhood meant to me, my father always accepted these tokens with gratitude. In fact, I think he even came to count on them, especially when he was running low on after shave. With Dad’s Day practically here once again, it’s time to treat our favorite fathers with something special. If you haven’t already gone out and buy [&hellip

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    My 5-year-old had her kindergarten screening yesterday, and walked out with the biggest smile on her face. “I can’t wait to learn!,” she told me later. It’s moments like these that make you want to stop time, and bottle that infectious enthusiasm. To help my daughter get off to great start, even before September comes, we’ve been playing lots of simple learning games–using magnetic letters to spell out fun words, talking about the bugs and birds who’ve been making a home in our backyard–and I’m watching how they fuel her imagination. Just as important as these creative teaching moments are the opportunities to reinforce what she already knows and keep it fun. Just in time for back-to-school comes Priddy Books’ Schoolies, a line of educational [&hellip

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    With just about two weeks until school lets out, I am faced with the inevitable truth that my kids will soon be home with me, and I will be tasked with what I like to call a “Herculean feat”: keeping them entertained, while not killing each other. Sure, they’ll be doing some camp time here and there, but with plenty of down time on the calendar, it’s a ripe opportunity for them to do something that’s productive and that doesn’t have to follow a set schedule. Ah, the beauty of unstructured time!…What is that, anyway? After hearing so much about ‘brain drain’ and ‘summer slide,’ I figure it’s my job as a parent to keep them intellectually challenged and mentally engaged even when they’re not [&hellip

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