My 2-year-old loves playing doctor, and so naturally I have been cast in the role of her most popular patient. Whether she is checking my reflexes (ow, that hurts!) or giving me a shot, it’s all for a good cause: helping her understand the value of practicing good medicine. While her older sister could not be bothered with furthering her little sister’s future medical profession, she does get in on the action with the Smart Heart Pulse Monitor. It’s a creative way to illustrate just how fast the heart pumps. Simply hold the monitor over your child’s heart and press the button. Within a few minutes, you’ll be able to hear an audio computation of how many heartbeats per minute, so you can calculate her [&hellip
The Playful Walnut Archive
If you blink, you just might miss him. The illusive Easter Bunny is on the loose, but he needs to get back to bunny business in time for Easter. Want to help track him down? You can join the search by taking part in the Apple Park Cyber Eggstravaganza beginning on March 30. Every Wednesday until Easter, fans of Apple Park organic toys can answer weekly questions that will earn them prizes and eventually solve the mystery of the bunny’s whereabouts. Prizes range from gift cards for Apple Park toys and Whole Foods stores, to a secret grand prize that will be revealed on April 24. Simply “Like” Apple Park on Facebook or become a fan on Twitter. Either way, we’ll need all the help [&hellip
My 2-year-old has a thing for school buses. Whenever we pass one on the road, she wonders aloud where it could be going. And when we drive past her older sister’s school, she is enthralled by the parade of yellow vehicles, all lined up and awaiting their passengers. I find it amusing since the bus often comes into conversation in our household–as in “who’s driving the bus?” when referring to a demanding toddler who professes to be in charge of all our comings and goings. It’s no wonder then that she’s big on school bus pretend play, and why the Weebles on the Bus Playset makes her feel right at home. If you grew up with the Weebles, you’ll really like this brand-new-for-spring vehicle whose [&hellip
In another lifetime, both my kids ate their veggies. Not on the same days, of course, nor the same vegetables. If one loved carrots, the other suddenly developed a strong aversion to them. And heaven forbid they both ate their greens cooked; now they demanded their broccoli “raw.” Since I don’t run a farm stand out of my kitchen, I have lovingly adopted our preschool’s motto, “You get what you get, and you don’t get upset,” for dinnertime. And when it comes to screen time, we’ve been noshing on VeggieTales.com, a new site that’s chock-full of interactive games, reading activities and amusing antics surrounding the wacky cast of characters that make up the Veggies Tales. While this gang may be known for content that hints [&hellip
The mere thought of potty training brings me down. If I wanted to spend my time cleaning up messy, little piles of do-do, I’d have gotten a dog. And yet I’ve successfully mastered this feat with my older daughter, so doesn’t that make me a pro? Nevertheless, it’s something all moms must roll up their sleeves (really) and teach their kids, and one that I’ll be taking on later this spring. Until then, we’re having a blast “experimenting” with Dino Poop, modeling clay inspired by TV’s “Dinosaur Train” that lets kids investigate exactly what makes up a dinosaur’s diet. This brown ball of poop-like dough comes with bone and plant pieces that kids simply press into the clay to create fossil imprints. Was your T-Rex [&hellip
If I had a dime for every time my 6-year-old asks my husband if she can play Angry Birds, I’d be able to pay for her first semester of college. OK, well maybe just her textbooks, but you get the idea. I shudder to think what will happen once she has her own Smartphone someday. Until hell freezes over, we’ll keep her gaming time limited to apps designed just for kids, like the new Moody Monster Manor that launches this Friday, March 25. Aimed at 3-6 year-olds, this is one app that’s bound to amuse even the most fidgety preschooler. Your child may find his likeness amongst one of the 20 monsters dwelling in this make-believe playhouse where they can join them on any number [&hellip
My toddler is fascinated with magnetic letters. Not only does she enjoy the ones on our fridge, but there are even bigger letters at our public library that she loves to put into rows and group by color. Who cares if she doesn’t know her “A” from her “B?” She’s not even 3 yet; I’m just happy that she’s showing an interest in letters. Maybe that’s why the Play-Doh Cookie Monster’s Letter Lunch Playset is such a big hit in our house. It’s a colorful, creative alternative to learning the alphabet the old fashioned way. When springtime rolls around, we always break out a new set and head outdoors (for easy clean-up). With the Cookie Monster set, my daughter loves the fact that she can [&hellip
After three days at home with a sick kid, we’ve been going a little nutty over here. Once TV has run its course and activity books have lost their allure, you know it’s time to break out a board game. Well, even if my daughter isn’t yet cured of her virus, she’s been having a blast playing The Sneaky, Snacky Squirrel Game. The concept is simple (perfect for foggy, cold-infected little minds): Each player gets a mini log and uses a spinner to land on a color. Once they have collected one acorn for each of the corresponding colors, they win! The trick is to demonstrate your dexterity with the Squirrel Squeezer (don’t worry–no animals are harmed in the playing of this game), tongs in [&hellip
As one of my favorite PSA ads professes, it’s too bad babies don’t come with an instructional manual. Do you remember what it was like to leave the hospital with your bundle of joy, only to arrive home and realize you didn’t have the slightest clue what you were doing? (I’ve been a mom for nearly seven years, and some days, I still feel that way!) To make newborn care a little less daunting comes a new book that aims to take the guesswork out of much of the day-to-day crying/burping/feeding/sleeping that has become your routine. Written by occupational therapist Megan Faure, The Babysense Secret focuses on picking up on your baby’s cues by reading her body language. Does that cry mean she’s too warm [&hellip
Ever watch a baby in her bouncer seat? I’m stunned at how incredibly hard they can kick their little legs. When my daughter was an infant (and even before she was born), she would kick so hard, I thought for sure she’d either become a Rockette or the next Mia Hamm. (We’re still waiting on the outcome). I know if she was a bit younger today, I’d opt for the Combi Pod Bouncer. It has sound and vibration features that you can set manually, or just watch your little one kick to her heart’s content. This bouncer has all the bells and whistles you’ve come to expect in a standard seat: 3-point harness, removable toy bar and multi-position recline. We’ve seen plenty of bouncers out [&hellip