If I make it through Christmas without tripping over a toy, I’ll be amazed. Call it the curse of generous gift-givers or from years of writing about kids’ product for my various magazine jobs…no matter how you slice it, my kids have been blessed with more playthings than Santa’s Workshop could hold. Do you find that your house is the same–that you too are surrounded by Legos, Calico Critters and tiny pepperoni pieces from a play pizza kit? If you’re noticing how messy your family room has become, while also realizing just how long your child plays with a toy before she loses interest, forget about banishing Barbie to the basement. Giving new meaning to the idea of “re-gifting,” thredUP.com is expanding its kids’ clothing [&hellip
The Playful Walnut Archive
I remember fondly the days my little one played in her ExerSaucer. An extremely active baby who didn’t like to sit still for very long, she wasn’t one to sit on a playmat and play with blocks, even for a few minutes so I could fold some laundry. She finally met her match once we invested in an ExerSaucer: a contained space where she could play and be on her feet at the same time..and I could actually get through a load of whites! And if she were a baby today, boy would she be in heaven with the latest incarnation, the ExerSaucer Jump & Learn. Now with up to 55 activities to keep your little one entertained, this model lets her jump, spin and [&hellip
You’d have to be living under a rock not to know that October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. And yet while you may pass by pink-hued displays at the mall, you may not be aware of how you can do your part by supporting this worthy cause. Keep an eye out this month for two worthwhile purchases that caught our eye…Make like Reese Witherspoon and help Kiss Breast Cancer Goodbye with the Avon Lips for Life tote. 100 percent of the proceeds will go to benefit research on breast cancer. To help “pass the kiss on,” Avon and Reese are inviting women to send messages to their family and friends via an online widget shaped as a pair of talking lips. So, pay some lip [&hellip
It’s October 1st…do you know what your kid is going to be for Halloween? It’s the question we parents struggle with year after year that can drive us a little crazy! But before yourself get in a tizzy, head right over to Carter’s. Between now and October 12, they’re running a special promotion on baby/toddler costumes that are up to 60% off! Choose from adorable styles for babies, such as a green monster or ladybug, and toddler ensembles like a fuzzy ducky or gorilla (shown here). So, savor those moments when you can still have a say in what your little ones dons. And for those of you with girls who want to dress up like Lady Gaga…sorry, you’re on your own. In a Nutshell: [&hellip
Sometimes, I’m amazed at just how perceptive my cat is. The minute the last child is put to bed for the night and the doors are closed, she appears by my side for some undivided attention. Pretty savvy. And she’s not the only feline who’s as sharp as her claws. Everyone’s favorite Dr. Seuss character is coming to PBS Kids with a brand new series that premieres this Labor Day, September 6. Set your DVR to watch “The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That!,” an animated TV show (with Martin Short as the voice of The Cat) that is bound to intrigue preschoolers about all things science. From explaining why owls sleep at night, to how bees make honey, this program will [&hellip
Summer may be winding down, but it’s not truly over ’til the fat lady sings…or is it when the baby cries? Yes, we know that some days, it feels like your little one’s tears will never dry up, the sun will never shine again and you’ll never have another adult conversation ! Well, maybe it’s not all that bad. But for days like these, wouldn’t it be nice to receive a treat (even if it is for your kid)? Four ultra hip baby products companies, Mutsy, Kushies, kokopax and pediped are teaming up to bring you the Hot Summer Fun for Baby Giveaway with prizes valued at $1,000. You can enter to win stroller gear, toys, a baby carrier and even new shoes for your [&hellip
All aboard the Dinosaur Train! If your kid is a fan of this PBS Kids’ animated TV show starring a posse of prehistoric creatures, then you’ll want to check out Learning Curve’s cool line of Dinosaur Train interactive figures, train sets and plush pals. Preschoolers really dig this show, and we can see why. They can relate to Buddy, a Tyrannosaurus Rex just about their age who rides along with a family of dinosaurs on a colorful train that takes them to magical places. If you’ve got a resident dino expert in your house, this is one show that will truly capture his attention and encourage his imagination. And this new toy line zeroes in on the show’s excitement. We love the talking Dinosaur Train [&hellip
How often do you tell your child “Dinner in 5 minutes”…only to have to call her again to the table repeatedly? Or that he’ll have 10 more minutes to finish his Leapster game–and not when he “gets to the next level. Find yourself threatening no dessert? TimeBuddy strives to lessen the frequency of such battles by putting the power of time management in your kid’s hands. Best suited for ages 3-7, this colorful, customizable clock comes with stickers that correspond to various routines and activities: meals, homework and oh yes, bedtime. When you program the clock, it lets kids know when the jig is up and that it’s now time to brush their teeth, put their game away, etc. You can even record your own [&hellip
If you or someone you know has had a baby in the last decade, you probably owned a Gymini. Name ring a bell, but you can’t quite picture the product? It was a colorful playmat with an arch of toys that kept your not-yet-mobile little one occupied in one spot. I remember when my daughter couldn’t yet “roll over” (why did it sound like she was a dog?)…the Gymini was her favorite place to lay around and coo and bat at her little toys. But once she was able to sit up, the days of the playmat were over. Lucky for today’s kids (and moms), they don’t have to outgrow the Gymini concept so quickly. Tiny Love’s Gymini Bouncer replicates that same playtime experience for [&hellip
Calling all cubists: are you ready to do the Rubik’s Cube? If you were a kid in the 80s, you probably spent quite a bit of your time desperately trying to solve this puzzle. (My own brother eventually resorted to taking it apart with a screwdriver and put it back to together, colored piece by piece!) Well, if you can believe it, it’s been 30 years since the famous cube came on the scene and today, it’s being touted for its ability to engage kids in math and science. Schools across the country are honoring its anniversary via the You CAN Do The Rubik’s Cube program, which awards students for successfully completing cube-related activities. But you don’t need to wait for September to try it [&hellip