We know no greater monkey than Curious George…not that we’re friends with too many monkeys (wait, we actually are). This is one primate who knows how to have fun, no matter what he’s doing. Starting today, fans of his PBS Kids show will be treated to out-of-this-world series of adventures as George heads to outer space during “Curious George Goes to Mars” week. From now until May 23rd, this little monkey has his hands full: from making tortillas, to chasing stars and stripes and, of course, checking out none other than the Red Planet. A must-see week of kids’ programming, this is one show that has plenty of appeal! In a Nutshell: Quit monkeying around and set your DVR to record Curious George, with new [&hellip
The Playful Walnut Archive
My newly-minted 6-year-old received a stuffed lemur for her birthday earlier this week. Because we don’t know too much about this species (except from what we saw in the Madagascar movies), it seemed like a perfect opportunity to learn about something new. But before we could hit the library, our local newspaper ran a story about a nearby university’s scientist who received an award for her research on…yup, you guessed it…lemurs. Naturally it got us to talking about these mysterious creatures who happen to be endangered species. That’s when things got a little tricky; trying to explain what it means to be a dwindling breed to a kindergartner is not as simple as recapping a lengthy article meant for adults. So, since the experts say [&hellip
Hard to believe that in another month, school will be out for summer. While I’m not about to start singing an Alice Cooper song anytime soon, I do want to be ready–ready, that is, for the kids being at home and having plenty of stuff to keep them entertained before camp begins. We’ve been blessed with a big backyard, so as long as there’s no rain in the forecast, I am usually ushering them out to play, much to their chagrin. Since we know how challenging it can be to keep kids busy without breaking the bank, we love products that multitask like us moms. ALEX’s Gigantic 3-in-1 Net Set maximizes its worth by offering plenty of play options in one toy. An adjustable net [&hellip
It’s my younger daughter’s 6th birthday today, so it seems only natural that I asked her to help me review a new DVD that was not only about birthdays, but that stars one of her favorite characters. Poppy Cat: Birthday Treasure and Other Adventures stars the beloved kitty from the Sprout TV series by the same name who is making her video debut. In this 80-minute release of seven epsiodes, Poppy and her gaggle of animal friends are again off on a fantasy trip, as they journey through magical lands and meet new friends. The reason this series is such a hit, in our humble opinion, is because it allows kids with big imaginations to feel right at home–and this DVD follows this same path. In [&hellip
My kids seem to have more energy than I have in my little finger, so why is it that they’d rather be tapping on a keyboard than playing outside? With the weather (finally!) getting nicer, I nudge them outdoors as often as possible…but it’s never long before someone comes to the back door in tears or telling me they’re bored and “Can I come in now?” Frustrating, to say the least. If you feel you fight a never-ending battle with your kids about less screen time and more active play, you may finally have some ammunition. This summer, LeapFrog is introducing its latest electronic gadget, LeapBand activity tracker, that’s destined to be a big departure from sedentary play. Aimed at ages 4-7, this wearable device [&hellip
My kindergartner has found her latest heroine: PBS Kids’ Peg+Cat. If you’re not already familiar with the precocious preschooler, she and her sidekick kitty are often on the quest to solve the problem du jour–and with a sense of humor intact. Beginning this week, four new episodes will air that feature the dynamic duo on their latest problem-solving adventures. Because Peg+Cat finds creative ways to make math more engaging for its young viewers, you can expect plenty of problem-solving puzzlers in these episodes. Highlights include “The Arch Villain Problem,” during which alter egos Super Peg and Cat Guy must defend the make-belief city of Mathtropolis, and “The Long Line Problem,” one that envisions the joy being first in line (every parent’s dream!). No matter what [&hellip
It’s like The Big Chill in our Frozen-obsessed house. Can you relate? My girls can’t get enough of this movie, and I know we’re not alone. Just last week, our plumber was singing “Let It Go” as he fixed our leaky sink…et tu, Brute? As this record-setting Disney franchise continues to amaze and delight fans of all ages, prepare yourselves for the continued onslaught of Frozen-themed goodies. With so many stores already sold out of Frozen toys, dolls and dress-up clothes, insiders are predicting a new wave of merchandise lasting well into the holiday season. (Really? Guess that means Olaf might make it to that summer he’s been longing for…). Naturally, we’re keeping our eyes peeled for any and all things Frozen, and so we’re [&hellip
My almost-10-year-old has developed an ear for music. After years of being “subjected” to plenty of kiddie music for her mom’s work, she has been able to weed out the “boring” from the “too-babyish” (her words, not mine). So when she sits up and takes notice of a new sound that is both catchy and one that she thinks will appeal to discerning listeners such as herself, it makes me pay even closer attention. Danny Weinkauf’s No School Today is our latest conquest and in both of our humble opinions, it does not disappoint. Right from the opening track, “Hey!,” the upbeat tempo and catchy lyrics (“It’s easy to sing along to…they just keep singing ‘Hey’”) makes for a smooth start, segueing into the delightful [&hellip
The open road is calling your name. Maybe it’s because it’s finally Friday, the weather is good and you’re itching to get out of town. Or maybe it’s just easier said than done; you still have family commitments and a list of errands a mile long. If that’s the case, it never hurts to live vicariously and that’s what we’re doing, thanks to a globe-trotting little girl. Lately Lily is a fresh new face in the world of kids’ entertainment–and a refreshing one at that. This is not a girl who dwells in the virtual world, but who joins her jet-setting parents on their various travels and records her observations about these adventures. Aside from a doll in her likeness made by MerryMakers, Lately Lily [&hellip
When I was a kid, I loved my Play-Doh. The scent alone was enough to inspire me to create anything, from the pizza topped with pretend pepperoni to a three-dimensional heart that made for a heart-felt Mother’s Day gift. So naturally, when I had kids of my own, I couldn’t wait to break out the good stuff and watch them sculpt away. In fact, some of my favorite moments of my now-fourth grader’s early days were seeing her make play food out of dough with my dad, the two of them with sleeves rolled up, working feverishly to outdo the other one’s creativity. Boy, have things changed. Since my daughter was in preschool, a whole slew of molding compounds have entered the scene: from ones [&hellip