• The Traveling Walnuts Archive

    Who doesn’t love getting gifts for a new baby? If you’re a new or expectant mom ready to welcome a new arrival in the new year, have we got the contest for you! Maclaren’s ‘Tis the Season holiday giveaway is offering select new merchandise on the next few weeks on its Facebook page. Today’s featured contest, ending at 11:59 p.m. EST: 4 Universal Organizers to contain all your stroller accessory needs. Next Tuesday, December 18th, 4 Footmuffs will be given away and on Thursday, December 20th, you’ll be given the chance to win one of 4 Quintessentials Stylesets. Mark your calendars and good luck!   Tags: baby products giveaway, Maclaren, Maclaren Holiday Giveaway

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    When my girls were babies and we hit the road (even for a day trip to my parents’ house), I was always lugging tons of gear for my own precious cargo. Stroller, portable crib, booster seat…you name it. While I couldn’t, of course, duplicate all the comforts of home, judging from the trunk of my car, you’d have thought I was! For those babes on the go who can’t quite settle down without a little traveling music, comes the ideal solution. Tiny Love’s Take-Along Mobile looks just like the standard-size model snapped onto her crib back at home, but in a travel-friendly version. It attaches to most strollers, car seat carriers and play yards, so your little one will never feel compromised. Five different melodies [&hellip

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    Until earlier this week, when our electricity was restored following the wrath of Hurricane Sandy, family time was all about board games, crafts and anything that could be played by firelight. While those first few rounds of Candyland were doable, the novelty soon wore off. (I’d be lying if I told you I wasn’t envisioning an escape plan–for one.) And with school closed for more than one week, I began seeing signs of brain drain I hadn’t seen since summer vacation. Before I was ready to throw my hands up, our mailman delivered a welcome treat: a trial sample of Little Passports, one of the more entertaining boredom busters we’ve seen in a long time. This subscription-based service lets kids ages 7-12 play armchair traveler [&hellip

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    My 4-year-old’s favorite time of day is undoubtedly the afternoon. After a fun-filled morning at preschool, lunch and (hopefully) some outdoor play, she’s content to hunker down in her room for a while and settle in with her stuffed animals. I’m not rushing her off to be somewhere, so her mind is free to wander. It’s during these moments, the experts say, that kids get to “be kids” and when their imagination really takes shape. For those with an active fantasy life, but who also need to recharge their batteries with a little down time, comes CuddleUppets, a 2-in-1 plush toy that’s as fun on the go as it is for naps or bedtime. We’ve seen other soft travel toys, but none that is as [&hellip

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    When my now 8-year-old was a toddler and we went out to eat, I always kept my bag stashed with crayons, coloring books and the requisite bag of Goldfish (in times of desperation, I’d break out the snacks before the art supplies, rebel that I was). When a colleague sent me a pack of tear-off, stick-on activity place mats, I went through them almost as fast as a bag of Goldfish! I always meant to order more of them, but never got around to stocking up. Wouldn’t a reusable mat work wonders for the time-crunched parent, the one who only realized she’d forgotten the Crayolas and paper after leaving home? (Yup, I admit to that being me on at least a few occasions…) Enter Jaq [&hellip

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    When my daughter was a baby, you could tell when I was planning to visit my parents simply by gazing into the back of my car. The amount of baby gear rivaled a Babies R Us boutique, if there ever was one. Sandwiched in between my diaper bag and umbrella stroller was the all-important fish-printed bouncer. Even though it was rather cumbersome and bulky, it was my American Express of baby stuff: I never left home without it. Not only did this seat act as a secure place for my just-sitting-up babe, but it often gave her the opportunity to doze off, courtesy of its soothing vibrations and bubble-making. Despite its immeasurable value during that first year, that seat and I had a love/hate relationship. [&hellip

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    Getting ready for vacation always puts our family in a good mood. But packing for the trip? Not so much. Trying to figure out just how many books/stuffed animals/toys can be crammed into our generously sized car still proves challenging. That means there is only so much space for kiddie DVDs and CDs (or at least, that’s what we tell them). This summer, however, we don’t mind making room for some of the newer, travel-friendly releases that put even our “driver” in a toe-tapping mood. Among the ones we’ve got our ear buds plugged into this season is The Harmonica Pocket’s Apple Apple. Not only is it seasonally appropriate, as the summer days segue into autumn, but it offers a fine balance between lively sing-alongs [&hellip

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    My 8-year-old’s best friend went on an African safari earlier this year, and truly had a chance to explore the wild. While a trip to the Bronx Zoo is as close to the animals as our family will probably get, there are still plenty of entertaining and educational ways to experience the wonders of the animal kingdom without leaving home. Uncle Milton’s new Nat Geo Wild line of puzzles, toys and games spotlight the many inhabitants that make up our jungles, oceans, rainforests and other natural surroundings. We got our paws on the African Safari Dominoes, featuring up-close-and-personal photography so lifelike, you’ll almost feel like the animals are right there with you. Not only does this game have an easy-to-follow format (think regular domino rules, [&hellip

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    A mom friend of mom recently treated herself and her family (kind woman that she is) to an African safari…and I don’t mean a trip to the Bronx Zoo. We’re talking the real deal, as in they actually flew to Africa and immersed themselves within the continent’s lush surroundings. Judging from the stories she shared, it was quite the adventure–and one that she’d love to experience again. As for the unbearably long flight and having to schlep from airport to airport? Not so much fun, especially for her young daughter. Because this is the time of year when many of us are taking to the friendly skies or hitting the road with the family, we’ve been busy scouting out travel items for kids that make [&hellip

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    This has been one, hot summer, and if you’ve been spending these sultry days with a little one in tow, we’re betting you’ve really been feeling the heat. And if you’ve been noticing that even your hands are perspiring as you stroll around town, we’ve found the summertime solution for you. City Grips stroller handlebar covers are one of those baby gears extra that you’ll appreciate once you’ve put them to good use. These removable soft wrappers fit over any standard stroller handlebars to provide you with a little comfort during your walk. Not only do they help absorb perspiration, but they keep handle-bars free of extra dirt and gripe that you inevitably pick up along the way. We love that City Grips are machine-washable, [&hellip

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