My 13-year-old niece loves to bake, and I like to think that over the years, we’ve helped cultivate her passion. When she was in elementary school, we gave her a recipe box filled with kid-friendly dishes. And this past Christmas, she was tasked with the honor of making individual cakes for dessert. If you know a tween who knows her way around the kitchen, encourage her to dust off her apron and roll up her sleeves. Sweetyhigh.com, a new social networking site for young girls, has offered The Talking Walnut a special Valentine’s Day giveaway. One lucky winner will be awarded a special baking kit that contains the following:

2 Heart Shaped Plates

1 Petite Pie Mold with Heart-shaped cut-out

1 Set of Valentine’s themed confections

1 Heart-shaped cookie cutter

2 Heart embroidered kitchen towels

1 Spatula

Whether she wants to whip up a special dessert for her Valentine or just for Dear Ol’ Dad, this kit will definitely let her capture his heart, not to mention his appetite! SweetyHigh.com members can also enter to win future contests, including a grand prize baking kit, by becoming a friend on Facebook or following SweetyHigh.com on Twitter.

In a Nutshell: To enter your chance to win this kit, contact The Talking Walnut and let us know who you’ll be baking for this year and why your Valentine is so special to you. We’ll select one random winner and post the results on Valentine’s Day. This contest closes on Friday, February 10, 2012 at 5 pm EST, and is open to U.S. residents only. Happy Valentine’s Day!

Tags: free baking kit, product giveaway, social networking sites for tweens, social networking sites for young girls, sweetyhigh.com, Valentine's Day, Valentine's Day baking kit

It doesn’t take much to realize that Elmo still resonates with little kids. A quick glance at the minivan ahead of me on the preschool drop-off line confirms his unmistakeable furry frame, whooping it up on the small screen. (What did moms do before the days of portable DVD players?). Because my girls were often too impatient to wait for “Elmo’s World,” their favorite part of “Sesame Street,”  we often turned it on to catch the last 10 minutes of the show. If your kids clamor for that lovable red monster too, they’ll be delighted by the prospect of having all Elmo, all the time in his newest DVD. “Elmo’s Favorite Things” features eight popular EW segments–over 2 hours of Elmo entertainment. EW regulars already know how well the format works: Elmo introducing said topic, followed by nuggets of fun facts and of course, the antics of none other than Mr. Noodle. Featured segments include Birthdays, Pets, Dinosaurs, Schools and the DVD premiere of Building Things.  These digestible vignettes are perfect for short attention spans, not to mention long car rides. So, the next time your preschooler needs his Elmo fix, you can pull out this DVD. “Elmo’s Favorite Things” will be available beginning February 7th.

In a Nutshell: A modern-day Julie Andrews? Hmmm…maybe not exactly. But “Elmo’s Favorite Things” tops the charts on preschool play lists any day…hands (er, paws) down!

Tags: Elmo, Elmo's Favorite Things, Elmo's World, new kids' DVDs, Sesame Street, Sesame Workshop, Warner Home Video

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.

Tags: 100th Day of School, apps for kids, Nokia, Nokia apps for kids, Sesame Street, Sesame Workshop, smartphone apps for kids, Symbian

My 3-year-old’s new favorite fruit is the clementine. She can’t get enough of them, and I can’t say I blame her. They are sweet, incredibly juicy and easy to peel and eat. From a mom’s perspective, I like that they’re portable and pack easily when we’re on the go, and don’t result in sticky, orange fingers. In fact, theirs is a rather invigorating, citrusy scent that I much enjoy this time of year. Because I tend to buy clementines in bulk, I am forever experimenting with different brands and currently can’t resist Cuties Clementines. Bursting with flavor and packed with vitamin C, they are the perfect addition to lunch, snacktime or anytime hunger strikes. If you happen to have a resident cutie who also loves clementines, you’ll want to check out Cuties.com. On top of giving you the nutritional lowdown of this fun fruit, you can upload pictures of your little darling and enter to win daily and weekly prizes–everything from Cuties T-shirts and toys, to one extremely lucky grand prize recipient of a college scholarship valued at $150,000. A different theme contest runs every week, and next week’s is cutest dress-up. Time to grab the camera and start filming; your amateur video may just pay for your child’s future education. And that’s a lotta clementines!

In a Nutshell: Orange you glad you captured the time your toddler clomped around in Daddy’s shoes? Now it’s time to upload that footage and enter to win on Cuties.com.

Tags: clementines, cutest kid video, Cuties.com, kids' video contests, prizes for best kids' video

Has your child written his letter to Santa this year? I can vividly remember dutifully writing out my wish list–and throwing in a “How’s Mrs. Claus?” for good measure–before dropping it off in a specially-marked mailbox at a local garden center. I was convinced that somehow, it would magically arrive at the North Pole, no matter how much postage I affixed to it, and that Santa would bestow upon me everything that I had requested. After all, I had been a good girl all year…well, most of the time. When we recently took our daughters to the very place I had mailed my letters many years ago and I pointed out the same mailbox, my 7-year-old wondered aloud, “There must be a faster way my letter could get to the North Pole.” A bona fide product of her computer-savvy generation, she had a valid point (as much as I hated to admit it). For those like-minded tots with visions of LeapPads and iPods dancing in their heads comes a seasonal site that practically guarantees instantaneous arrival of merry missives. Santa.com is one-stop Christmas communication where kids can craft their wish lists, send letters to Santa and even hear back from Jolly Old St. Nick himself (virtually speaking). You can help your child get started by registering online, helping them select a decorative border for their letter and then letting them type away! When they’re ready to fire off their letter, they can simply click on “Send to Santa” and off it goes (minus the cost of a postage stamp). If you so choose to have Santa respond to your child, he can receive either a virtual note in his Santa.com mailroom–free of charge. Or, for a nominal fee, you can play Santa and compose a response that your child receives via snail mail. I still have the postcard I received from Santa, the now-faded red-inked cursive note that thanked me for my good wishes and that told me to keep being a good little girl. Well, that girl may have changed into a mom, but she’s still a child at heart. Whether it be online or on paper, writing to Santa is one of those moments I recall with pure joy. And receiving Santa’s reply? Pure magic…

In a Nutshell: Santa enters the digital world with a site devoted to corresponding with kids who wait for with him with great anticipation.

Tags: letters to Santa, Santa.com, virtual North Pole, writing to Santa

Growing bellies have launched a growing trend–one that celebrates motherhood in all its phases. In the last month, The Talking Walnut has reported on more than a few companies making growth labels for expectant moms to affix to their clothing in proud proclamation of their soon-to-be new arrival. Whether you are three months along or in your third trimester, it’s a fun way to announce your pregnancy progress–and a clever means of putting a stop to all those unsolicited inquiries. If you’re more inclined to profess your thoughts on your belly itself, then we may have be just the venue to share your feelings. The Million Moms Challenge, along with ABC News, the United Nations Foundation, Disney Baby and Anne Geddes (phew!), is holding a photo contest for soon-to-be new parents. Dubbed “Imagine You & Me,” the contest invites women in their third trimester to upload a picture of their baby bump, featuring a handwritten, creative message for their little one, on Facebook. Entries will be accepted from now until December 4, 2011 at 11:59 p.m. EST, and will be judged between December 6-15. The winning entry will be announced by famed baby photographer Geddes herself on ABC News on December 16. The grand prize is a trip for two adults and their lucky baby to Australia where they will be photographed in Geddes’ studio in Sydney. So grab a marker and start thinking about what you’d like to say to your bundle of joy before she arrives. Good luck!

In a Nutshell: Calling all expectant moms…It’ll be a g’day if you win this amazing contest that awards you with what promises to be an unforgettable experience.

Tags: ABC News, Anne Geddes, baby photography contest, Disney Baby, Imagine Me & You, Million Moms Challenge, The United Nations Foundation

In our home, Laurie Berkner rocks. When my 7-year-old was in preschool, you could hear “Victor Vito” and “Five Days Old” blasting from the CD player on any given day. Four years and two kids later, and we’re still rockin’ out, albeit to newer releases like “Shake Your Body Down” and “Choc-o-lot in My Pock-o-lot.” Yes, Berkner is a proven mainstay in the fast-growing kids’ indie music space that’s peppered with tons of musical variety. Because there’s undeniably no shortage of singers devoted to entertaining the 4 and under crowd, The Talking Walnut likes to keep on watchful eye on who’s still hot–and who’s not. We’re glad to say that 13 years later, Berkner still holds her own with plenty of toe-tappin’ favorites that even we grown-ups can find ourselves humming. That’s why we were excited to learn that she’s getting ready to release a brand-new animated holiday video just in the (St.) Nick of time. “Candy Cane Jane” features the wintertime adventures of the title character and her buddy Gumdrop Joe as they set out (atop a horse with a candy cane mane, but of course) to mingle with gingerbread people, snowmen and other festive friends. One viewing alone got us into the holiday spirit right away. And if you find yourself stuck on a long line at Target with the kids in tow, hand over your iPhone. Let the merrymaking begin! “Candy Cane Jane” will be available for download on iTunes and Amazon, beginning November 21.

In a Nutshell: Berkner’s back and this time, she bringing glad tidings of joy via a new holiday musical video.

Tags: Candy Cane Jane, kids' holiday music, kids' indie music, Laurie Berkner, Victor Vito

When you’re looking to buy something for a girlfriend and her little one, you inevitably wind up making more than one trip to the mall. Now that school has begun and we moms are more time-pressed than usual, we can appreciate a shopping destination that has it all. Enter Layla Grace, an online boutique that recognizes your discriminating taste for gifts that make lasting impressions. Stocked with everything from baby bedding to bubble bath, you’ll find no shortage of ideas for new arrivals, new moms in need of pampering and new homes that beg to be outfitted in style. In our quest for quality merchandise, we were particularly pleased by the Matteo line of linens for the nursery and the dining room (those linen napkins will be the piece de resistance on your holiday table). We’ve no doubt you’ll find something worth savoring.

In a Nutshell: An easy order to fill: gift-giving that doesn’t sacrifice style for convenience. We’ll take two, please.

Tags: baby bedding, baby gifts, Layla Grace

My 3-year-old tries to be like her big sister in so many ways. She mimics what she says and how she says it, she sings the same songs (eat your heart out, Katy Perry) and she so desperately wants to join her in playing Wii. Sadly, yoga and go kart racing doesn’t exactly appeal to the average preschooler, so she has been forced to watch her sister and dad from the sidelines…until now, that is. We recently got our furry paws on a copy of Sesame Street: Ready, Set, Grover!, a video game for the Wii and Nintendo DS, and let’s just say she has found her idea of true blue heaven. Right off the bat, the ultra plush remove cover in the likeness of the lovable furry monster is especially designed to keep little digits focused on the game play, and not distracted by which button to push when. The message of developing eating healthy may be a tough pill for Cookie Monster-loving kids to swallow, but the game play itself is so much fun, kids may not even realize they’re absorbing this idea. My two daughters both had a blast moving their bodies as they helped monsters drop good-for-you food into their bowls as it was being hurled toward them. Factoids about how drinking milk is good for your teeth and bones are added in for flavor, making these teachable moments. Our best laugh-out-loud experience? When Elmo flew through the air towards us, that he practically landed in our family room. After all, belly laughter is good for digestion, too.

In a Nutshell: Little ones can join in on the fun of console video games at a speed and style that’s all their own.

Tags: Grover with Elmo, Nintendo DS preschool games, Ready, Sesame Street, Set, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, Wii games for preschoolers

My 7-year-old kissed a frog the other day, but alas the little critter did not turn into a prince. My daughter was learning about different types of amphibians during camp and suddenly decided she wanted to kiss this “very cute frog.” I can see what possessed her; I wound up “meeting” this very frog during Parents’ Day and I must admit, he was awfully cute. When one of her counselors recounted the frog/prince story to her, she frowned and said “Yuck!” This is no damsel in distress, I tell you.  For those who long for their own happy ending, check out the latest incarnation of SqwishLand, the collectible characters that take a giant leap from vending machines and into toy stores. The new DIY SqwishLand lets collectors tap into their creative side by letting kids design their very own Sqwishland creature. This kit comes with either a SwishLand frog or parrot, six acrylic paints and paintbrush. Once your child is satisfied with her work, she can register her Squishie on an online gallery for all to see. Once a month, the SqwishLand community will vote on their favorite DIY design, which could ultimately appear on store shelves. As for my daughter, well, she’d much rather play with her frog Squishie than Prince Charming any day.

In a Nutshell: There’s a new neighbor in SqwishLand. If you’ve got a crafty kid who’d love to design the next Squishie, visit DIY SqwishLand...and hop to it!

Tags: DIY Sqwishland, kids' art contest, painting craft, Sqwishland