“How was school?,” I asked my daughter one day last week. “Good,” she replied. “Anything exciting happen today?,” I offered, hoping to illicit more than a pat reply. “Not much” was the response (hey, at least it was a two-word answer.) If talking to your kid feels like pulling teeth some days, then try speaking their language: combine tech talk with a little bit of humor. That’s the m.o. of Moji Mis, a gaggle of colorful creatures who utter all sorts of silly sounds when tickled. And if you have more than one Moji Mi, you can rub their spiky heads together and they’ll start up a huge gab fest. While these giggly guys can be a riot, they only speak when kids interact with [&hellip
All it takes is one sunny day with temps that hint of spring, and wanderlust strikes! (Yup, it’s been that kind of winter.) My kids keep asking if they can wear short sleeves, but we all know how tricky the month of March can be…With an eye on the calendar, we are eagerly counting down to spring break and that means scores of families heading out of town. Even if your brood won’t be joining the masses, it never hurts to indulge in some vacation-style play. It’s why the Sea Dog Tote from Douglas caught our eye this season. Just this past weekend, my 6-year-old watch in amazement as a woman walked around town with her dog securely zipped up inside her sweatshirt. With just [&hellip
When my daughters were teething, a fresh-out-of-the-fridge snail-shaped teeth was a true lifesaver. Of course, tossing that poor snail onto the floor every few minutes quickly became a game, one they never seemed to tire of (maybe that took their minds off the pain, huh?). Surely there must be a better way to soothe your baby’s irritable gums without killing your back in the process?…Enter the Munch Mitt, a soft glove with a nubby, textured top designed for babies 3-12 months to gnaw on. The mitt fits securely around a child’s wrist via a Velcro enclosure–no more dropped teether for you to retrieve–and the BPA-free, silicone teether features a patterned surface that’s bound to attract your little one’s attention. Available in a handy travel bag, [&hellip
Like most of the Northeast, we are quite sick of winter. Enough with the endless snow, cold winds, slushy roads, school delays and shoveling! We don’t care if the groundhog was right or wrong; we’re ready for spring! As we watch the determined sun melt away all that snow –along with our winter blues–our thoughts turn to warmer weather, bringing flowers, green grass and the Easter Bunny. While you’re on the lookout for great basket stuffers this season, keep in mind a fresh idea for the baskets themselves. We recently stumbled upon Packable Pails, a line of colorful, collapsible buckets that do more than hold their fair share of jelly beans and chocolate eggs. If your house is anything like ours, the attic is packed [&hellip
Anticipation is as much a part of the holiday season as a nutty fruitcake is. And as any parent knows, all that waiting can also drive you nuts! For all those over-eager little ones who can barely make it to December 25th, comes a delightful new picture books that aims to stave off that holiday hunger. When, When, When will it be Christmas? answers that all-important question in a colorful countdown format that is both engaging and calming. Rather than employ a traditional 3-2-1 blast-off approach, author/illustrator Cathy MacLennan chooses fitting imagery that crescendos with excitement at the turn of each page, but in a careful, slow-build approach. From bright-red birds helping to tie festive holiday bows, to Santa’s reindeer hanging lights, each illustration gently [&hellip
I’m excited for my first grader who will be taking an after-school program all about STEM. If my dad were still alive, I know he’d be equally thrilled over the prospect of grooming a future engineer–and a female one at that. Because so many girl toys from my childhood were designed in pinks and purples, I’m always on the lookout for playthings that speak more to a child’s fascination with learning while having fun than toys that simply coordinate with her wardrobe. GoldieBlox has had girls’ interests at heart right from the beginning. These innovative construction kits combine storytelling with design and creative play: the stuff that imaginative kids crave. Whether it’s designing a parade flat, a spinning wheel or a dunk yank, girls get [&hellip
I’m finally ready to admit it: I feel old. My kids adore Minecraft and I personally can’t understand it. I’m not really sure where their fascination lies, but when they talk about it, I feel like they’re speaking another language. What is so great about Creative, and just who is this Steve guy, anyway? While Minecraft may be the buzzword of the moment, I still wish it wasn’t just another excuse for my kids to beg for more screen time. That’s why I’m psyched for what we’re expecting to be one of hot toys of the holiday season: LEGO Minecraft Creative Adventure Sets. Based on the different environments of the Minecraft world, these play sets encourage kids ages 8 and up to act out their [&hellip
It’s not your imagination; the days are getting shorter and there’s less daylight. I don’t know about you, but I miss summer! Until then, experts say it helps to expose yourself to more light, making it the perfect excuse to swap out those incandescent bulbs in favor of more energy-efficient LEDs. If you happen to live in NYC and are in the South Street Seaport area this coming weekend, take your old light bulb over to the Cree Great American Bulb Swap and you’ll receive a New Cree LED Bulb for free. The event takes place on Saturday, November 15 and Sunday, November 16 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m
When my girls were babies, tub time was awesome: the squeaky toys, the sweet-smelling soap, and of course, all those bubbles. It was a blast…until, of course, it was time to get out. It wasn’t that my girls protested too much, but rather that I couldn’t quite get a handle on them (literally). Even more challenging was trying to open up a big bath towel and then transfer them out of the bath. I either had to lay them down on the floor (ouch!) or gamble with an unsafe spot (on top of the clothes hamper? No thank you!). Thanks to a newly invented mom product, this dilemma is no longer an issue at bathtime. Shaikoo is billed as a hands-free baby towel and it’s [&hellip
Kids’ books are one of my most favorite things, especially this time of year as the holidays approach. But while there seem to be no shortage of great Christmas books, our stash of Thanksgiving titles always appears to be lacking. I think we’ve stumbled upon a new one worth adding to our library. Gollywood, Here I Come! is a spirited read that will tickle your funny bone and captivate even the most fidgety listener. It stars a young turkey starlet, Anamazie, who aspires to leave her small town and someday walk the famous red carpet. Her dreams are nearly crushed after she fails to earn the top spot in “Gobbleville’s Got Talent” until a better opportunity comes along. Readers will be whisked away along with [&hellip