h-app-y birthday: elmo reading app

 Reading with Walnuts, The Smart Walnut, Wired Walnuts
Apr 262012
 

If your preschooler is forever calling dibs on your iPad, and you’re in search of a satisfying game that doesn’t give you mommy guilt, check out the latest reading app for the 5 and under crowd. Elmo’s Big Birthday Bash from Random House is packed with plenty of learning-based activities to keep your little party-goer in gaming heaven. With 30 pages of interactive entertainment, kids can celebrate Elmo’s special day as they play guessing games, expand their vocabularies and, best of all, have fun while doing it. There are plenty of surprises along the way, and not just for the birthday boy. Our favorite part? No after-party sugar shock to contend with. We like to think of it as a screen-time reward for anyone who earned a ticket from their teacher this week–or an incentive for those who need a learning boost.

In a Nutshell: Hand over the iPad, and let’s get this party started! The latest reading app starring Elmo is great fun for Sesame fans.

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writing on the wall: skip hop alphabet zoo decals

 The Furnished Walnut, The Playful Walnut, The Smart Walnut
Apr 032012
 

If you haven’t figured it out already, The Talking Walnut is a big fan of Skip Hop, makers of durable kiddie products kid gear in eye-popping designs. So when we recently had a chance to see their new Alphabet Zoo Wall Decals in the flesh, we knew we wouldn’t be disappointed…and we were right. This adorable assortment of removable decals perks up any child’s room or nursery with a touch of whimsy. Whether you’re spelling out your little one’s name or introducing her to the ABCs, these stickers offer instant personality to even the closest of corners. If you’re working under tight conditions (city dwellers, you know who you are) or decorating on a shoestring (man, those cribs are costly!), this sweet set will work magic for your little one’s special space. And did we mention these decals are removable? Perfect for that bundle of joy who may someday turn into a precocious preschooler with her own ideas of decor (sigh)…Well, at least you can enjoy them while they’re young–and you still have a say!

In a Nutshell: Brighten up baby’s space with some entertaining art that’s also educational. And if she learns that “f” is for “fox” before she moves to a big-kid bed, we’ll take all the credit.

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cruel to be kind: mean moms rule

 Reading with Walnuts, The Smart Walnut
Mar 192012
 

I never realized how my work as a camp counselor would someday come back to haunt me as a mother. Many moons ago, I had a camper who refused to play sports. Any time we were headed in the direction of a field or gymnasium, she suddenly felt sick to her stomach and couldn’t participate. Because I knew to play by the rules (and I certainly didn’t want the camp director reprimanding me for any bad choices), I let her sit on the sidelines. But of course, once the end of the day rolled around and ice cream time was upon us, her stomachache mysteriously seemed to disappear. Well, one day, rules or not, I was not allowing this manipulative child to have even one lick of a Popsicle “so as not to jeopardize your health,” I explained. No matter how much this child begged and pleaded, I refused to budge…only to be met with tears and cries of “You’re going to be a mean mother someday!” Today as a mother of two, I recall those words every so often–when my 3-year-old demands dessert even if she hasn’t eaten much dinner, or my 7-year-old makes a desperate plea for wearing a T-shirt when it’s 60 degrees “because everyone else is but me”–and it is without regret. I take pride in the fact that I don’t back down too easily with my girls and that after nearly 8 years of parenting, I’m slowly realizing which battles I can pick–and actually win. Maybe that’s why the new parenting book Mean Moms Rule called out to me when it hit my desk one afternoon. Author Denise Schipani is my hero, as she divulges just how you can be a good parent without losing yourself (and your mind) in the process. She breaks down her witty, yet insightful book into 10 easily digestible Mean Mom Manifestos that aim to help you through the days when it feels like you’re ready to toss in the towel. Caution: this is not reading for the parent who’d rather pal around with her kid than parent her. As Schipani divulges, there’s plenty of opportunities to show your child how much you love them…but love doesn’t have to mean picking up their socks when they can easily do it themselves. While I wouldn’t call her a Tiger Mom, Schipani is a master at conveying why parenting can be difficult…if you choose to let it be that way. For any mom who’s feeling backed up against the wall, it’s time to put down the gloves, open this book and find out how to make your job as a parent a little less frustrating–and a lot more satisfying. And if that means refusing ice cream, then so be it. The camp counselor in me salutes you.

In a Nutshell: A modern-day parenting bible, Mean Moms Rule proves that you don’t have to be a pushover to be a decent parent.

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i see iowa, i see maine: license plate game app

 The Playful Walnut, The Smart Walnut, Wired Walnuts
Mar 152012
 

What would a road trip with the kids be without playing the license plate game? For as long as I can remember, my sister, brother and I passed the time seeing how many different state plates we could spot on those long treks down I-95. The game always seemed to start off slow–how many times could we spot New York and New Jersey before getting out of the tri-state area?–but before long, it got a lot more interesting as we headed south. If you’ve tried unsuccessfully to engage your tech-savvy kid in this classic game, it’s time to kick things up a notch, smartphone-style. Introducing pl8s, a kid-friendly travel app for the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch that gives a virtual shout-out to U.S. geography. When you spot a particular state’s license plate, tap on the state on pl8s and find out how many points you’ve earned, along with a fun fact about that state. You can earn more points depending on the rarity of the state plate or your distance from that state. And don’t worry about your kid hogging up the entire game; pl8s can be played by up to 4 people. (Sure beats watching that same Big Time Rush movie over and over…)

In a Nutshell: A new twist on an old travel game favorite, pl8s takes your mind places, without having to leave the backseat. It’s available for download in the Apple App Store.

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the lion sleeps tonight: babyzoo sleep trainer

 The Furnished Walnut, The Healthy Walnut, The Smart Walnut
Mar 052012
 

Getting both kids to sleep in on weekend mornings is nothing short of a miracle. If one decides to stay in bed, the other must naturally bound out of her room with a bundle of energy. And no matter how many times we tell them to stay put, arming them with plenty of books/games/bargaining deals (“if you stay in bed until 8, you can watch SpongeBob in the morning), like so many parenting moments, our words appear to fall on deaf ears. Just in time for the return of Daylight Savings comes an adorably clever time-telling tool that just may do the trick. The BabyZoo Sleep Trainer is a smart clock that, at a quick glance, lets kids know whether or not it’s time to be up and at ‘em. Designed in the likeness of a precocious little monkey, Momo keeps his eyes closed when a child should be sleeping and opens his eyes when it’s time to wake up. Sleepyheads who want to take a sneak peek at those passing moments will have no trouble distinguishing hours from minutes, as Momo’s tummy is an old-fashioned analog clock and there’s a smaller digital clock at the top. Older kids will like the cool jungle-sounds alarm (in lieu of a harsh, buzzing sound) that can be turned off on weekends, school breaks and any day they can sleep in. How about giving it a try (yawn) this weekend or, better yet, tonight?

In a Nutshell: What parent couldn’t use a little extra shut-eye? Here’s a sleep training gadget that aims to buy everybody a few more zzz’s–no monkeying around.

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gung hay fat choy: blue orange games

 The Playful Walnut, The Smart Walnut
Jan 252012
 

Happy Chinese Year! In our house, we don’t just celebrate this holiday by munching on egg rolls, but trying to immerse ourselves in a bit of culture. That means picking up some special library books for bedtime, wearing red (for good luck, of course) and seeking out games like Dragon Face. If you’re a checkers or chess player, you’ll appreciate this game of strategy. But there’s a bit of a twist to this version: when you jump over your opponent’s piece, you not only capture it, but with a flip of a disc, the piece becomes your own. Because, like most holidays, Chinese New Year is largely about celebrating with loved ones, Dragon Face is a great excuse to make a Family Game Night. This is a beautifully designed game that deserves to be played all year long.

In a Nutshell: In honor of the Year of the Dragon comes a game that any chess/checkers player will relish. Polish off your Chinese New Year festivities with fortune cookies, tea and Dragon Face.

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elmo celebrates school: sesame street app

 The Playful Walnut, The Smart Walnut, Wired Walnuts
Jan 052012
 

One week into the New Year, and it’s already almost time for the 100th Day of School (for most kids, it takes place later this month). How apropos then that everyone’s favorite furry, red monster has his own interactive book app out, just in time to celebrate. Specially designed for Nokia Smartphones, the 100th Day of School takes Elmo, Abby Cadabby and the rest of the Sesame gang through a fun-filled day of learning with more than half the school year behind them. Kids will love hearing Elmo ask them questions about the story as they touch the screen. If you’re using this app along with your kids, check out the text-highlighting feature that indicates which words are being read aloud. This free download is a great one for preschoolers who can’t get enough Elmo–and need a more age-appropriate alternative to their big brother’s Angry Birds.

In a Nutshell: Elmo loves school, and now he’s got another app to prove it. The 100th Day of School is a virtual class party that can be played long after school has let out.

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weather or not: backyard safari weather pod

 The Playful Walnut, The Smart Walnut
Dec 192011
 

I must confess: I am a weather geek. Nothing gives me quite a thrill as the words “five-day forecast.” Just ask my husband. He says I refer to rain as “precip” (do I really?), and that I smile when I hear the weather man say, “High pressure will dominate.” Naturally, when we had children, I hope to spread my love of all things weather and eventually cultivate my own little storm chasers. What better way than with a kid-friendly weather station? If you’re looking for a last-minute holiday gift for a kid who’s more at home outdoors than in, we predict you’ll love the Storm Chaser Portable Weather Pod. Part of the Backyard Safari Outfitters collection, this handy gadget goes wherever the wind takes you to figure out the forecast. A built-in anemometer measures wind speed, while a weather vane tells you the direction it’s blowing. Trying to find out just how much rain, sleet or snow is headed your way–or whether Santa’s ride will be a smooth one this Christmas Eve? Set this baby up outside on a flat surface (it has three extendable legs) and see how much precip collects in the pull-out water gauge. No matter if it’s a White Christmas or a wet one, you’re bound to have a budding meteorologist on your hands.

In a Nutshell: The forecast calls for holiday toys that go the distance. This toy is one that keeps kids engaged, no matter the weather.

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it’s a wordgirl life: pbs kids

 The Playful Walnut, The Smart Walnut
Dec 142011
 

Christmas movies have become my favorite quotables these days, and “It’s a Wonderful Life” happens to be at the top of that list. I can’t decide what I like best–the scene where a young George offers to get Mary the moon (“Just say the word and I’ll throw a lasso around it and pull it down”…”I’ll take it. Then what?”) or when a more mature George begs for his old life back (“Get me back, I don’t care what happens to me. Get me back to my wife and kids!”). The intense emotion and powerful drama of these moments is easy to get swept up away in. It not only makes for good television watching, but it puts the season in perspective. Maybe we just have George Bailey on the brain, and that’s why we can’t help but think that the new holiday episode of “WordGirl” is the perfect way of introducing a holiday movie classic to a new generation of viewers. In “A World Without WordGirl,” Becky wishes for a world without her superhero pal. But when Chuck turns into a king with unusual rules, she suddenly longs for the way things used to be. Sound familiar? Any kid who has tired of their own version of Bedford Falls will surely relate to this show. PBS Kids will be airing this special episode of “WorldGirl” on Friday, December 16. Check your local listings for times.

In a Nutshell: Whip up some hot chocolate, sit down with your favorite word sleuth and enjoy this George Bailey-inspired episode of “WordGirl.” And if you hear a bell ring, an angel may just get her wings (or, at least, an A on her vocab test).

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van gogh on the go: starry night

 The Playful Walnut, The Smart Walnut
Dec 082011
 

Astronomy has long been a favorite subject of mine, a passion for the planets that dates as far back to when I was 7 and wished I could ice-skate on Saturn’s rings. While I now know that’s just not possible (at least not in my lifetime, anyway), I enjoy sharing this memory with my daughters. (The little one laughs, while the older one simply rolls her eyes.) Just earlier this week, while at the bus stop, my 7-year-old told me that Pluto was no longer considered a planet, and we got to talking about outer space and the solar system. Little did I know, a few days later, my preschooler would point out a solar system model suspended from the ceiling at her play group and begin asking me about the different planets. How fitting then that I should stumble upon Starry Night, an engaging new game that lets kids spy on the solar system, right in the palm of their hand. At first glance, it may appear like an ordinary toy–a transparent star filled with lots of treasures buried among brightly colored pellets–but oh, how mesmerizing it becomes when you turn the lights off, and they glow in the dark! Kids will be able to hunt for 40 hidden items, including an alien, a telescope and yes, even the nine planets. A great game for keeping little ones occupied while you’re holiday shopping or waiting for your plane to board, Starry Night is far-out. Oh, and in case you didn’t know, Pluto is now a “dwarf planet.” Don’t feel bad; I didn’t know either…

In a Nutshell: Don’t let the stars get in your eyes; this activity toy will keep astute kids engaged for what may feel like light years.

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