Tag: children

Gifts for Kids – The Best Holiday Gifts for Kids

Magic Light Wand – click here to purchase

The magic of a Christmas tree is for both children and adults alike. Seeing those lights turn on and transforming a basic tree into the real deal, a true Christmas tree, brings a smile to about every face and chills to others. Now, with the Magic Light Wand, you can allow a child (or an adult with a strong inner child) to turn on the Christmas tree lights with a flick of a magic wand. This wand only takes 2 AA batteries, is approved for indoor and outdoor use and is UL tested and certified. Each year the Magic Light Wand company sends out tons of wands as a donation to children at the Make A Wish Foundation, St Judes and Le Bonheur – giving those children the same special magic from the wand. Available in red, gold or green this wand is sure to change the way you light your Christmas tree this year.

Hape Toys

Spark your little ones’ imaginations with high quality toys from Hape! This award winning toy company believes play is in the DNA of every child and just needs to be awaken. Hape toys are strategically designed to bring fun into learning and help develop and refine your child’s skills during each milestone. They are the world’s largest producer of wooden toys designing first and foremost for children; no matter their culture or language. With responsible business practices, Hape strives to leave this world in better condition than when they received it. With hundreds of toys, and new toys being designed each year, Hape has something for newborns to the kid at heart.

Your train obsessed miniature engineer is going to be in locomotive heaven with the Hape Mighty Mountain Mine. This multi-level play set brings a train experience like none other. A fun adventure featuring conveyor belts, rotating doors, a repair station, bells, waterfalls and more are sure to bring to life your child’s imaginative mine town story. Recommended for children 3 and up, this Hape train set provides a series of obstacles and adventures. Existing Hape railway packs combine perfectly with the Mighty Mountain Mine wood tracks and magnetic mine carts. This award winning Hape wooden railway is manufactured with child safe paint and durable solid wood construction. With Hape’s exceedingly high standards and educationally fun design the Mighty Mountain Mine is an innovative toy of endless adventures.

For your little rock star, Hape Mighty Echo Microphone will provide hours of fun in the spotlight. This classic echo microphone is revamped with high quality wood but still has the loud voice echoing sound. With bright red and blue colors, this microphone is sure to catch the eye of your little one. It also includes a pretend push button to help get the party started. The Mighty Echo Microphone is made and designed with Hape’s high safety and quality standards and as always, eco-friendly and battery free. Keep encouraging your shining star to reach for their dreams with the Mighty Echo Microphone.

Puzzles are a staple toy in childhood that provide opportunity to build and refine important skills. Hape’s collection ranges from chunky simple beginner puzzles to multilayered problem solving puzzles. The new Forest Animal Tactile puzzle combines the importance of shape recognition with stimulating sensory play. Five colorful graphic animals help toddles identify animals, shapes, and colors. Beneath each piece is an added texture to match the given animal. Little hands will love the sensory experience as they discover new contrasting textiles. Hape designs and builds their toys with the finest and safest materials, while using responsible business practicing to stay eco-friendly.

Momo Baby Shoes – click here to purchase

The way children walk and how their weight is distributed is much different than an adults. They why haven’t children’s shoe companies been designing shoes for kids in a way to promote their feet health and development? Momo Baby founder knew something needs to be done. Shoes cannot be cheaply made, as the development of a kids foot is crucial to their overall well-being. Momo Baby shoes have been reviewed by a group of APMA podiatrists to ensure it promotes foot health, and have been awarded the Seal of Acceptance. The Fox kids have been wearing Momo Baby shoes for several year now and we have nothing be wonderful things to say about them. They are so durable they can last the full period of time they are in that show size. They have never been worn out or too beat up before they outgrew them. With summer sandals to fall boots and all season sneakers, there will be the perfect shoe for the kids in your life with Momo Baby. They may even go well with the harry potter baby gift you got the baby in your life for Christmas.

Bible Belles Bundle – click here to purchase

Who are our children looking to as role models? Princesses and superheros most of the time. Bible Belles is a 4 (soon to be 5) book series that showcases different women in the bible who are real life heroes. These heroes can be looked upon and admired while giving the reader knowledge of God and His ways. Each book feature a main character trait which a child of Christ would want to grow and develop – such as pray or patience. Beautifully illustrated by a former Disney artist, gives the books a visual appeal that little girls desire, but in a biblical appropriately way. These beautiful hard cover books are perfect for any child this holiday season.

Simplay3 Play Around Kitchen – click to purchase

This innovative 3 sided kitchen is sure to bring hours of fun and creative play. Simplay3 is all about inspiring children to play with their imagination with the freedom from batteries and cartoon characters. This kitchen allows multiple children to play at once without bumping elbows. All your kid’s cooking needs are met with a pretend stovetop, oven, and sink with faucet. Also included is an 18 piece cooking, pots, pans, dining, utensils set! The Simplay3 Play Around Kitchen is a space saver with the fold down activity table. “Your child is the chef and imagination is the key ingredient!” Be sure to checkout the rest of Simplay3’s high quality and affordable toys!

True Growth Tot Tower – click here to purchase

As parents we want to encourage and develop our children to the best of their ability, while providing them with opportunities to grow. True Tot Tower is a wonderful tool to get your children involved right along side you. This safe, stable structure is a perfect boost for your littles to make them adult height. Instead of you and your child worrying about balancing on a step stool, everyone can feel secure and focus on the activity at hand. True Tot Tower has endless uses, but ideas include helping with chores, cooking, arts and crafts, and games. True Growth company strives to provide families with the tools to encourage independences and instill a love for learning. The True Tot Tower is a gift that will continue to empower your toddler’s brain to grow!

Teach My – click here to purchase

Teach My is the creator of award winning learning tools. They provide toys to help parents give their babies, toddlers, and preschoolers a head start. Teach My’s engaging fun products cover the educational basics; alphabet, colors, shapes, numbers, reading and even math. In addition, their toys help develop social, motor, and language skills. You can shop a range of learning formats that meet the dynamics of your family. Bath time kits combine water fun with educational values, teach on the road with on-the-go kits, or add movement to lesson plans with Teach My yoga mats. With an encouraged 20 minutes a day of parent and child playing, Teach My products are sure to boost your littles self esteem as you bond and engage over educational activities.

Silikids – click here to purchase

Silikids was created because waste is so excessive and it gets depressing when you think about it. So, GoSili designs and manufactures silicone tableware products for the whole family. From their new silicone coffee mug (we love this mug!) to reusable place mats for the dining room table, to dishes, spoons and reusable snack bags, GoSili has a reusable product for you. I love the kitchen table we invested in after my husband and I got married. Obviously, kids don’t respect a table like an adult would and they bang, scratch and scribble on it without a second thought. The Silikids silicone place mats are amazing for everyday meals and table preservation. It is thick enough to protect the table, but folds down for storage when not in use. You can wipe is down easily after a meal, its dishwasher safe and it comes with a map of the USA. My preschoolers are getting exited about learning and knowing where people they know are. Now we can talk about our family and friends in other states while pointing to where they live on the map. Check out their website for all their fun and useful products.

Pediped – click here to purchase

Pediped offers more than 120 designs for boys and girls between its three lines, Originals®, Grip ‘n’ Go™ and Flex®. The award-winning footwear is available in EU sizes 17 to 38 (US newborn to 6 Youth). With the winter months approaching parents and grandparents alike are searching for new boots for their children. Pedipeds new 2017 winter collection features the Naomi boot. In sleek black this pair of boots is perfect to pair with a dress, leggins or jeans. Giving a classic outfit an upgrade but without too much flash. Pediped shoes have exceptional quality, unsurpassed comfort, and distinctive styling have made the award-winning company the fastest growing children’s footwear brand in the United States.

Stuck On You – click here to purchase

Stuck On You is a leader in personalized baby and children products. Ranging from labels for daycare or school, to lunch boxes and backpacks, they understand the importance of staying organized. By creating functional products that can be customized for your child, they give each kid a sense of joy and love. When my children see their names on their lunch box, you can seen the joy beaming from their face. When lunch time rolls around, my kids never get overwhelmed with the pile of lunch boxes before them – as they can easily spot their custom box in the crowd. Stuck On You now features an even more products then have they in the past, so that grown ups can get in on the personalized fun: stationary, calendars, water bottles, and so much more. With holiday sacks and stockings you can make this holiday season a little more joyful than the last.

Brian the Pekingese – click here to purchase

Christmas Jammies!! Since having kids of my own I have a new found love of Christmas pajama’s. The Foxes have a tradition – every Christmas Eve our kids get a special night before gift to open and inside that package is a their new Christmas jammies and a few other token items. This year we will be sporting the adorable unisex Christmas pajamas from Brian the Pekingese. Their pajama’s are made with 100% organic cotton and are so soft and cozy. Proudly made in the USA, each pair of Brian the Pekingese pajamas comes with the amazing send back offer. When your child has outgrown their pajama’s Brian the Pekingese offers to take them back and recycle them for you! My kids love their Brian The Pekingese stuffed animal and story, helping bedtime go more smoothly. If you have been considering this years Christmas Pj’s, then be sure to try out Brian the Pekingese’s, you will not be disappointed.

Ikiki Shoes – click her to purchase

Kid feet are in the most important developmental stage of life so correct shoe support and design is very important. Ikiki shoes are not only great for your kids feet but they are adorable shoes with friendly characters and bright colors. Built in squeakers are what sets Ikiki shoes apart from other kid shoes. Squeakers for your kids feet sounds like a nightmare, right? Wrong! The squeakers on Ikiki shoes provide safety, teach kids cause and effect, and provide multi sensory activity for kiddos. And, with a simple flip of a switch you or your kid can turn the squeak off. The shoe soles are very light weight and soft which make them flexible and comfortable. They’re breathable and durable and will stay on the foot because of the unique high top design. Any kid will love to receive a pair of Ikiki shoes. Their characters are adorable and the pops of color are an extra fun feature.

Max’is Creations – click here to purchase

“A world would be better if we played with our food” That’s what Max believed when he first created a mug with a basketball hoop in art class. Now this kid entrepreneur is making head way sharing his new mug business. He went from a simple mug made from clay to mass producing realistic colored sports mugs. The coolest part of Max’s story is that he has dyslexia and uses his business to bring about awareness. Max’is Creations give back by supporting multiple organizations helping kids with learning disabilities. Six popular sports options are available, and there is plenty of good equipment such as Cricket Nets, so you are sure to score big with finding your kid’s favorite sport. My children have Tennis Lessons in Atlanta which they love, so I’m definitely buying the tennis ball one!

Meadow Bay Bowtique – click here to purchase

Little girls love bows, and so do their mama’s! They are cute and fun, adding that touch of femininity to any outfit. MamatheFox’s daughter is now 5 and in preschool. One of her favorite things to do is pick out a bow to put in her hair for school. The preschoolers even like to talk about each others bows and compliment each others choices. But, bows can be pricey! You may be done a double take like MamatheFox has before while shopping for hair bows. While I love a gorgeous bow, I need to it be at an everyday price point. For a little girl who plays rough, and likes a variety of styles, you need to find bows that are pretty, durable and affordable – and now we have! Meadow Bay Bowtique features a great selection of bows that any parent can afford. Most are priced at $5, which is the ideal price for a nice sized bow that is also made with quality in mind. With the option to custom order, she is sure to have a few bows that would be perfect for the little girl in your life this holiday season.

I See Me – click here to purchase

With a mission to make each child feel special, I See Me creates personalized books that celebrate the uniqueness of each child. The beautiful illustrations are paired with rich literature making a joyful reading experience. With a vast variety of choices, you are sure to find a developmentally appropriate book for your little one. You can choose from a wide range of topics such as animals, space, pirates, magic, princesses and more. I See Me not only makes premium quality personalized books, but also a full line of personalized gifts. Customizable puzzles, coloring books, and lunch boxes are just a few of their many choices. Keeping a personalized gift in budget is made easy with I See Me’s wide stock. Personalized stickers start at just over $5 while bigger gifts over $40 include a personalized book and fuzzy friend. Special occasion personalized gifts make any season extra special. Their Christmas line includes a personalized sing-along book & songs with a personalized ornament. I See Me equips you with treasured gifts that will leave a lasting impression on your loved ones.

Super Undies – click here to purchase

The milestone of potty training doesn’t have to be as costly and torturous as you think. Super Undies is a cloth diaper company that meets the needs of potty trainers, as well as bedwetting solutions for toddlers and adults. Super Undies started as a child based company but expanded to helping with delayed potty training, along with adolescent and adult incontinence. For cloth diaper families it keeps the standard and lifestyle of being eco friendly and cost effective. Basically Super Undies are a diaper that feels like underwear and underwear that absorbs like a diaper. It keeps standards clear for those new little potty trainers. Diapers and disposable underwear can be confusing, leading kids to feel comfortable in peeing in their pants. However, sometimes life doesn’t allow the flexibility of letting your child wear normal underwear with the risk of an accident; traveling, child-care, hiking, etc. So if an accident does happen you can be assured a mess won’t be made. A wide range of products are available and very affordable. Super Undies uses quality products and works to make sure you have the perfect fit.

Deuter’s Kikki Bag – click here to purchase

The holiday season is approaching which means long days of travel and being displaced for days as you cram in your family’s house. Deuter Kikki kid backpacks are the perfect size for your little ones to travel with. These eco-friendly packs are small enough to fit on your preschoolers back but large enough to carry a tablet, toys, and snacks. Sternum straps stabilize the backpack on shoulders and keeps the pack safely on their back. A name tag is also featured privately on the inside. It allows a community helper to check your child’s information if lost. Pockets keep things organized and easy to find while a top clip keep things secures. Not only are these packs made with the world’s strictest standards for environmental protection, but they have a sleek and adorable design. My toddler’s eyes were quickly drawn to the bird face and bright colors. Make holiday travel a little less stressful and let your kids handle their bags as Deuter Kikki backpacks handle their stuff.

Blankie Tails – click here to purchase

The proud creator of the award-winning and original Mermaid and Shark Blankets, Blankie Tails has something for your family. Blankie Tails makes cozy warm blankets that come in many shapes and sizes. With high-quality stitching and super soft, minky fabric these blankets are unbelievably comfortable and durable. Blankie Tails makes a variety of sizes from small doll tails to adults and teens. Their collection covers a wide range of styles from beautiful mermaid, sharp shark, to even a powerful rocket ship! Blankie Tails can be a perfect gift for any one in your family this winter!

Real Shades – click here to purchase

Did you know that children’s eyes are much more sensitive to the sun than an adults? Their developing eyes need protection from UV rays starting from infancy. Most of the children’s sunglasses you find in the stores are just slightly tinted, and don’t truly protect your child’s eyes. Real Shades took the extra step and made their sunglasses with real polarized lenses, so truly protect their little eyes. Using optical grade polycarbonate material, which is lightweight and, at the same time, provides excellent impact resistance and optical clarity. In addition to the polarized lenses, they made the frames virtually unbreakable! So many times my kids have snapped those glasses in half while driving to our destination. With Real Shades, the frames have a give to them, allowing the kid to mess around with them but without snapping in half. These glasses are so worth the investment you will end up buying them as gifts for your nieces and nephews too.

Sydney Paige – click here to purchase

Buy one give one, that’s what Sydney Paige is all about. This company works hard to promote the importance of education. That’s why for every product sold, another is donated to a student in need. When buying one of their backpacks they not only give a backpack to a child in need, but they fill it with full sets of age-appropriate school supplies. What an awesome brand to support! You can even choose what non-profit organization to give to, national or local! Lots of ‘things’ accompany a child on the go. Giving a backpack that they love will not only be a perfect gift for them, but for their parents too! Put all the necessities (and wants) in the backpack and off they go! With the holidays right around the corner and lots of traveling, a backpack for your kiddo will be a lifesaver!

PawdPet – Click here to purchase

A phone case now specifically designed for those little phone stealers. Whether you are at a restaurant, shopping in the store, or FaceTiming your family, the PawdPet does it all. Choose from four adorable plush animals that are sure to become a new fuzzy friend! While undoubtably cute, these little guys also function as a multipurpose phone case. Any smartphone can quickly attach through strong magnets, making it handsfree. This phone case can hold a phone vertical or horizontal and has a protective plush padded pocket to keep it safe on the go. A removable, adjustable cross-body shoulder strap makes toting around simple. PawdPet has partnered with Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital and makes it their goal to give back as much as possible. This new, mom invented, business is continuing to expand in their produced products and helping protect phones everywhere.

Lottie Dolls – click here to purchase

Little kid dolls for your little kids. Lottie makes a range of relatable dolls, outfits, accessories, and play sets that are developmentally appropriate.Their dolls are unique because their bodies are based on the proportion of a 9 year-old child, besides having a larger head for hair-play. They even empower real mini kid designers by using their ideas and input for designing dolls. Lottie’s vision is to protect the simplicity and innocence of childhood, while empowering children to confidently be themselves. With Lottie’s diverse line of dolls, any kid is sure to find a doll they relate to. Dolls cover a variety of skin, hair, and eye colors and include a themed costume or outfit completing their creative back story. In addition, Lottie has a collection of outfits and play-sets that are sure to spark the imagination and get your little one dreaming big. Check out this award winning doll company that your kids can imagine themselves as.

Gotcha Covered – click here to purchase

Uses for notebooks are so plentiful that we seem to go through them so fast around here. I know I use them for my grocery and shopping lists, for my bible studies, for taking notes and reminders about school functions. I use them and take them everywhere, which is why we like them to look fun. Since finding out about Gotcha Covered my family is so excited about getting new notebooks. With a ton of cover designs to choose from, you can totally customize your notebook. Adding a name or saying to the front cover, the size/shape of the notebook, picking the type of paper inside (wide rule, college ruled, practice, sketch, graph, checklist…) and even the color of the spiral binding! These notes books are so unique that they will make the perfect gift for anyone who loves to journal or keep a diary.

Farm Hoppers – click here to purchase

Jumping on things is a highly used skill by every single toddler I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. They have the wiggles constantly and are needing to get that energy out in a safe and fun way. With Farm Hoppers you can give your kids an outlet to jump, bounce and wrestle with a toy that is safe and fun. Farm Hoppers are made from high quality, brightly colored, BPA and phthalate-free plastic for long lasting use and durability. Each Farm Hopper includes a free hand pump and have a self-closing valve – no plug that can be a choking hazard like other animal hopper brands. They come is many animals and colors, like cows, horses, dogs, pig and rabbit – with colors of blue, pink, white and more. When your kid starts playing with their Farm Hopper you will wonder why you didn’t have one from the time they turned one. Be sure to share this link with your friends so they can get a Farm Hopper for their little ones too.

SoapSox – click here to purchase

Bath time is one of my kids favorite times. But I know some kids don’t have as much fun in the tub as mine do. To make bath time a pleasurable experience I always strive to include the best toys to increase enjoyment on the water. When we learned of SoapSox a year ago I knew these newer products would be a splash hit. A soft and cuddly animal friend makes bath time fun…and helps get little ones clean, too. Built-in finger pockets allow for secure scrubbing, while a clever opening for liquid or bar soap makes sudsing up all the easier. With characters like Mickey, Minnie and Ariel to sharks, fish, sting rays, dinosaurs and alligators, there are sure to be several styles that would appeal to the kid in your life. The SoapSox are machine washable and dryer save, so the upkeep and life span is way better than plastic toys that you typically buy for the tub. Be sure to check out their new gift sets and multi packs to get a better splash for your buck.

National Geographic Books for Kids – click here to purchase

With so many book options available on the market you can easily feel overwhelmed with the options. Play it safe – and smart – by giving the gift of National Geographic kids books. Their huge selection of books for children will make you get as excited about learning as a child walking into first grade. Topics ranging from outer space or dinosaurs to bugs and animals. If you want to learn some awesome facts they have books focused directly on that, like the almanacs or the reference guides. Silly topics like is it Real or Fake books, or Weird or True books. All books are written by the National Geographic team, so you know that the information, images and stories included are of the highest quality and have your child development in mind. They are constantly adding new and exciting books to their line up, so be sure to check back each time you need a gift idea for the newest and hottest in their selection.

Kids 2018 Calendar – click here to purchase

Starting in preschool, our children start to learn about the days of the week and months of the year. They start to understand the concept of ‘tomorrow’ and vaguely what ‘next week’ means. By showing the child, on a calendar, the day it is and when the upcoming event is, they begin to engage in a new and exciting way. Having count downs to special days like birthdays, trips or holidays can be part of the fun of the day itself. The building of excitement and knowledge of a certain date creeping closer helps children understand the time frame. Give the children in your life, this easy to read, child friendly calendar. It will not only help them understand the date and month but it also helps in responsibility of crossing off each day. The link above takes you to Amazon, where the author, C.A. Jameson has a fun collection of other books and calendars for the kids in your life.

How The Candy Cane Got It’s Stripes Book – click here to purchase

Every Christmas Eve the Fox children get to open 1 special box. This first gift always contains a new pair of Christmas pajama’s, a small treat and a book. This year my husband and I are so excited to present our children with a new classic, How The Candy Cane Got It’s Stripes. This magical tale is told to use through 2 main characters, the candy cane, named Cane and his buddy Snowy the snowman. Children has so many questions about Christmas, like when will Santa come? Why do I have to be good? What if we don’t have a chimney? But this year they can learn how the candy cane got it’s stripes. This beautifully illustrated book will quickly become and instant classic in your home.

Plush Heated Throw – click here to purchase

Are your kids freeze babies? Mine sure are. Every winter we have to keep a few blankets in the backseat for them. Sadly, they heating vents dont warm up the backseat for out kiddos as fast and warm as we sometimes wish. Frost Guard took this issue to heart and created a plush throw electric blanket that plugs into your car! As you probably know you cannot safely strap a child into a car seat with a large, puffy coat. It is unsafe and dangerous for them. This has caused my kids to be especially cold when we first get them strapped in to their seat. Now, with our heated throw blanket, they can get cozy comfy fast. My favorite feature of this blanket is that is has a safety timer and will shut off after 45 minutes. With low, medium and high settings, this blanket will change the way your family travels.

Toy Rings Wooden Stacking Set by Bookid – click here to purchase

One of the most classic and dependable toys for children is the wooden ring stacking toy. This toy is a favorite in most all children’s collections. By learning their colors, difference in size variations, and the skill of hand/eye coordination by placing the rings on the pole, they gain confidence and see the work they accomplished. Even when they are not placed in order of largest to smallest (this is a more developed skill) they are learning how to use their hands and fingers in a more fine motor type skill. Each ring is make from the highest quality, non-toxic materials to ensure your child’s safety. This toy will give them house or entertainment

House Building Set by Bookid – click here to purchase

In a land full of building toys things can get overwhelming. Play it safe, and less expensive with Bookit building sets. This house set contains 76 pieces, which is a perfect amount of blocks, for under $30! Most brick sets are a pretty penny. When you want to give an educational gift but at a price point an average family can afford you turn to Bookit. This particular set comes with 2 people, a car and a lot more. We love how this set helps with hand eye development, gives a sense of accomplishment and self satisfaction when the set it built. They also have a few other similar sets if you are looking for affordable, nice quality building bricks.

Wooden Marble Run Toy by Bookid – click here to purchase

This wooded marble run is one of the coolest toys to offer a small child this holiday. It comes in separate parts, allowing your child to create and design their own marble run! Typically a marble run is one piece. I love how this offers your child the chance to make their own run. This allows their creative juices to flow, and helps them develop problem solving skills. Allowing their imagination to run wild with ideas and showing them how gravity and cause and effect are related, you can help your child develop a love for physics. By using logic they can create run after run. Being made of separate parts it makes clean up and storage that much easier. It is made of non-toxic materials and passes all American and European safety standards.

Bead Maze Activity Center by Bookid – click here to purchase

The Bead Maze Activity center by Bookid is such a fun and affordable gift for small children. At under $25, you can give the gift of hours of entertainment. It’s a 5 in 1 activity center: packed with learning activities. Features five different fun-filled activities which your child will enjoy. These activities include wooden bead roller coaster that races over cute trail mazes zig-zag race paths shape sorting puzzle. It is made from high quality non-toxic material making it safe for your children. Helps guide hand/eye coordination, develops knowledge of shapes and colors as well as cause and effect.

TopKnotTwirl – click here to purchase

If you are looking for a quality personalized gift that will be cherished for a lifetime, check out TopKnotTwirl! They are a brand new Etsy shop that creates customized fabric dolls to match the look of your special little one. Each doll is made just like the way you imagined with 5 customizable features; hair placement, bang style, hair color, skin color, and dress print. Each doll is dressed in a miniature twirl dress with a fashionable criss cross back. And like every girl loves, the hair styles can be taken out and redone for those beauty shop play dates. All of TopKnotTwirl dolls are handmade by the shop owner Lauren so top quality is always delivered. Her current turn around is 2-5 days, plus shipping, so there is still time to order for Christmas. TopKnotTwirl will even ship directly to a love one as a gift and include a handwritten personalized gift message. Be sure to follow TopKnotTwirl on Instagram for production stories, reviews from happy customers, and new designs.

Games by Ravensburger – click here to purchase

Finding fun, family friend games is exciting. Some of the top board games for families this holiday season are from Ravensburger. Our top favorites are Eye Found It! Despicable Me & Harry Potter Pictopia Family Picture Trivia Game. Eye Found It! – Hop in Lucy’s car and join the Minions on a wild road trip through the world of Despicable Me, from Gru’s lab and Paradise Mall, to Minion Beach and more! Along the way, search for hidden objects – there are over 1,000 things to find! Race to the end of the giant 6-foot game board before the amusement park closes to win! For Harry Potter Pictopia you can show off your knowledge of J.K Rowling’s Wizarding World when you encounter 1,000 picture trivia questions featuring the beloved characters, extraordinary places, magical creatures, and enchanted objects from the epic Harry Potter movies.

Games by Wonder Forge – click here to purchase

If you want to play some games while being with your closest family and friends this holiday then Wonder Forge has your back. Their top sellers for this holiday include Vampirnia Spin Go Round! Game and the new hit, Banned Words. When the kids get rowdy and its time to sit for a little bit and burn off those candy canes, play a round of Vampirina Spin Go Round! Take a Spin with Vampirina in this exciting twist on bingo! Spin to see where you can play. Match the color, pattern, shape or character. If you get Spin Go Round, everyone switches spinners! For 2-4 Players, game duration is about 15 min’s and perfect for ages 3 and up. When they kids crash in bed and the parents are still hitting the eggnog, take a whirl at Banned Words. Perfect for Ugly Sweater parties and groups of adults. In Banned Words you gt your teammates to guess 5 words in 90 seconds without saying any BANNED WORDS. The Banned words are created by the opposing team! This game is sure to liven up any party and create hilarious memories.

Baby Bijoux – click here to purchase

Baby Bijoux was especially made for the mini mommy or daddy of the house. With realistic and anatomically correct features, this baby doll encourages nurturing-based imaginative play. While engaging in a world of make-believe, children will learn social skills, practice empathy and care taking, and develop language and and new vocabulary. The 15.75″ tall Baby Bijoux doll is the perfect size for 3-6 year olds and the vinyl body is easy to clean; making it the perfect companion for outings. Baby Bijoux is especially unique by providing multi-cultural and gender choices. They currently make African American, Asian, Caucasian, and Hispanic boy and girl dolls. With just-like-me skin tones children can connect with dolls that look like them or be encouraged to have global mindset with a doll of different ethnicity.

Baby Doux -click here to purchase

These adorable soft cloth dolls are a perfect first baby doll for the family. The 12″ crafted doll is constructed with a perfect combination of a soft cotton cloth body and durable vinyl head, arms, and legs; making it perfect for 2-5 year olds. The Baby Doux doll is machine washable and fabricated with deluxe European design. With four ethnical choices, children are sure to find a doll they can relate to which builds confidence and leadership skills. Having ethnically diverse toys also helps children develop a global mindset and nurtures compassion and understanding. Baby Doux dolls help develop language, social and emotional skills in the little ones through play. Help your child relate to the world around them and develop life skills with Baby Doux.

Mayka Tape – click here to purchase

Mayka is one of the hottest toys this holiday. Mayka Tape is 100% compatible with Lego, Mega Blocks, Kreo and all other leading toy block brands. It comes in 9 colors so you can use it so tons of sets and concepts you are working on. Each roll has 6.5ft of high-grade, reusable, adhesive tape that can turn any surface into a toy brick base plate. Create new worlds with Mayka tape by going up walls, different angles and surfaces. This tape is so exciting that it is wanted by both children and adults alike. It will be the stocking stuffer that will get the whole family excited. Made with the highest grade of BPA-free food safe silicone and combined it with high quality 3M adhesive which is easily and safely removable and reusable. Be sure to pick up a few rolls for that White Elephant exchange you have coming up. Its on Amazon and is sure to please.

Tangle – click here to purchase

The original fidget toy – Tangle. Tangles are the perfect way to express your creative side in a whole new light. Attach them however and mold them into whatever you’d like. If you have busy hands in your house (and boy do we have a lot of those) then you are going to love putting some Tangles in some stockings. They make great toys for places like airports, waiting for your table at a restaurant, long car trips and other times you need to just keep a little busy. Tangles are meant to be taken apart and put back together again. They click in and out, giving another way to play. Click sets together to make longer or shorter Tangles. They come in tons of colors so you can add to you collect as you want. They offer a hands on art experience that brings out creativity and artistic imagination while also being silent and calming. They do not disturb or disrupt others. Safe, reusable, and affordable, Tangle toys come in a wide array of patterns, colors, and types for different age groups.

Luna Petunia – click here to purchase

Luna Petunia is a magical new show – a Netflix original. It’s inspired by the curiosity, surprise and wonder of Cirque du Soleil. Luna Petunia is set in the whimsical and fantastical world of Amazia, where Luna and her friends empower preschoolers to use their creative potential. They overcome challenges together and make the impossible possible! This new hit has a few amazing new toys available for its fans and preschoolers alike this holiday season, the hit sellers have been the Luna Petunia Talking Doll and Amazia Garden Playset. The doll and playset alike showcase the wonderful colors of Luna Petuna’s world and engage them in using their imaginations. By evoking them to create play situations on their own you are allowing them to develop and engage their creative side, helping them develop a plethora of skills. These toys will make any preschooler excited when they see them under the tree Christmas morning.

View Master – click here to purchase

Do you remember playing with a View Master as a child? It was one of little brothers most favorite toys. We would spend hours sitting by the window (getting that nice sunlight) imagining we were on a far off planet or on a safari trip in the jungle of Africa. This year you can share these memories with a child in your life by giving them the gift of a View Master. With the same classic structure, but newer technology this classic toy is sure to be a blast to the past. There are tons of new slides you can purchase, giving a gift that can be “renewed” when the child’s birthday comes up after the holidays. The 3-D eye popping visuals will be a thrill and make perfect toys for long car rides while vising relatives. No batteries required makes it the perfect gift for crunchy parents too!

Lite Brite – click here to purchase

Throw back toys are in! My favorite toy as a little girl was my Lite Brite. Now, thanks to it’s amazing popularity, it is back as a top gift for children this holiday. I would spend hours creating pictures, words and scenarios. This newly updated version is so much more slim and easy to take with you. It is slightly larger than a tablet would be in a thick rubber protective case, making it very easy for small hands to hold and carry. It comes with 156 round pegs in white, yellow, blue, pink, orange and green, 1 transparent removable storage tray. Give the children in your life the gift of creativity with Lite Brite. When you share memories of you playing with this classic as a child it will inspire a holiday feeling and lead to making special memories together.

Moon in My Room – click here to purchase

The Fox kids are in love with the moon. Searching for it in the night sky is a favorite pastime. On cloudy nights the kids get sad, wishing to see their friend the moon. Now they can see it every day with Moon in My Room. This amazing night light from Uncle Milton allows you to see the moon all 12 phases of the moon. The moon is has an authentically detailed 3-D lunar landscape. You can hang it on your wall and use the remote to control which phases you would like to see. Each Moon in My Room comes with a code to download an MP3 to hear a guided tour of the moon. With its auto shut off feature you can let it work like a comfort night light each night at bedtime, then once the kids are asleep it will shut off on it’s own. For any moon lover, this will make the perfect gift.

Honeysticks – click here to purchase

These crayons are made from 100% New Zealand beeswax and are handmade! Because the crayons are made from beeswax, they are totally non toxic, meaning they are completely safe for children! They contain no paraffin wax or cheap fillers, so there’s no need to worry about your child eating the crayons; although I wouldn’t advise this 😉 The beeswax gives the crayons a nice honey scent and the sustainable process causes minimal impact on the environment. Honeysticks stand out from other crayons not only because of the non toxicity but also because of the unique chubby shape of them. The crayons chubby shape make it really easy for children to hold AND really difficult for them to break.

Mifold – click here to purchase

Christmas traveling is here! Make traveling easier with mifold, the super slim and easy to transport Grab-and-Go Car Booster Seat! It is more than 10x smaller than a regular booster seat and just as safe. For children ages 4 and up, with a weight of 10 to 100 lbs and 40 to 57 inches tall. It is so small it can be folded to put into a purse, glove compartment, or child’s backpack. When you have flights, airports, highway travels with rental cars, make the easy choice and use a mifold. It comes in a variety of colors so you can use different colors for different kids (to tell them apart). You can use it all year when you need to car pool, grandparents need to transport your child and other in a pinch situations. Some kids may have out grown their regular car seat, but you are not ready to let them sit without out a booster, then this is the perfect investment.

If your child is a bit too old for the items mentioned above, you could always see here for a gaming PC build: https://buildpc.io/best-gaming-pc-under-300/.

Thanks a Latte Giveaway

Hosted by: MamatheFox

Sponsored by: Discovery Toys (Angela)

Enter for your chance to win a $45 Shopping Spree at Angela’s Discovery Toys 

Open to: US (48)

 

MamatheFox and all participating blogs are not held responsible for sponsors who fail to fulfill their prize obligations.

 

 

Discover Fun with Discovery Toys

As an educator and mom I am always looking on sites like umkytoys for the right toys.

The mama in me looks for safe toys that are attractive and versatile. Toys need to do more than one thing and spark imaginative play. I want my kids to want to play with their toys, and I want them to play for a while.

Mama needs her coffee time!

As an educator, I look for toys that strengthen my child’s skills and development. I want them to contribute to my kids growth and challenge them to do, think, or feel.

My husband wants high quality products and our money’s worth. He does not want toys breaking…aka hearts breaking, not to mention they need to last through the years of being hand me downed to the next kid.

If it was up to him, our kids would be playing in cardboard boxes, because lets be honest, most kids love the packaging the most.

With the holiday and birthday season approaching I started researching gifts for our kids that would meet our high standards.

That is when I came across Discovery Toys and began reading about their perfect blend of fun, educational, and quality.

Who is Discovery Toys?

Discovery Toys has been in business for over 35 years and has gained a trusted reputation of providing premium quality toys. They are dedicated to designing toys that promote kid-power learning through play. Discovery Toys cover ages birth to 8 years and each toy is designed to teach, play, and inspire. Their mission is to provide engaging toys that assist parents and teachers with educating through play. The goal is to inspire a love for learning in children and adults.

Levels of Learning

These toys are unique as they combine multiple levels of learning in every toy.

  1. Products support multiple skills and learning pathways
  2. Products grow with your child
  3. Products support a varies of learning styles (audio, visual, and kinesthetic)

Special Needs

Since discovery toys are so versatile they are great for supporting children with special needs. Their toy catalogue is actually labeled with an Autism symbol that corresponds with the specific learning each toy supports. They also provide a very useful guide to help consumers select the correct product for their child’s needs.

I found this chart to be extremely helpful for any parent. As we watch our kids grow we notice their strengths and weakness in development. My son is a big kinesthetic learner and strong communicatively and cognitively. However, as a strong willed stubborned toddler he could improve his social skills and some fine motor tasks. My 12 month old is very visual and just starting to reach some cognitive milestones. I used this guide to help me choose the right toys to help grow and strengthen the needs of my littles.

Shopping Made Easy

I think my favorite thing about Discovery Toys, besides the toys themselves, is the catalogue setup. It’s perfectly color coded, organized, and supportive of parents’ choices. It’s almost as if a teacher is shopping with you explaining the benefits of each toy.

At the front of the catalogue they provide a table of context of each type of play. Their toys are grouped accordingly and each page is clearly marked.

They provide a key for their autism and special needs toys. Each letter corresponds with the specific learning the toy supports.

Also included are indicators of exclusive Discovery Toys, best sellers, and award winners.

If you are searching for a specific age rage, they provide a index by age. However, most of their toys will grow with your child beyond the listed age.

Our New Favorite Toys

As you can imagine, it was hard to choose just a few toys for our kids! There is a great desire to buy everything I think would interest my children, or be a possible teaching tool! If I followed my desire I would have every toy in the book. So I settled for 3.

All three toys are BPA free and included a tiny informational booklet. It provides a number of ways to play and educate using the given toy.

Heartbeat M.D

This best seller Discovery Toy was my no brainer. My son is getting more and more creative with his imaginative play and I am loving every minute of it. I recently started searching for a doctor kit when my son started using his tool kit for doctor play.

I give him points for creativity!

Normally I would just let it go and be satisfied with him using his tools for multiple purposes. But after a scarring visit to a hospital, while living overseas, I wanted him to get familiar with doctor tools. My goal was to play doctor enough times that he would begin to know the intention of each tool and be comfortable with medical exams.

My problem was trying to find doctor kits that weren’t outrageous colors or extremely flimsy. The Heartbeat M.D met my expectations.

The tools are a nice weight and great quality. My son’s imagination was immediately sparked as we practiced using each tool.

My educational expectations were even exceeded as I realized doctor play helped him learn to take turns, improve his focus, and communicate his feelings. Not to mention, we worked on being gentle when his little sister joined in as a patient.

 

With the help of baby dolls, doctor play can also be an independent quite play activity. We currently only have one extremely old doll but she made due.

If you have an animal lover, doctor kits are also awesome for veterinary play. We don’t have any live pets to practice on but we do have plenty of stuffed animals.

This toy is suggested for ages starting at 3 years and has won two awards!

Measure Up! Cups

A staple childhood toy has got to be stacking cups. They are versatile, durable, and grow with your child. Cups are great for stacking, playing in sensory bins, pouring in the bath tub, stamping, nesting, and so much more.

I loved that both my toddler and baby were engaged with Measure Up! Cups and developmentally benefited from their play. While my daughter was learning cause and effect of knocking down a tower, my son was experimenting with volume and getting a grasp on relational sizing.

When I received Measure Up! Cups I was curious how Discovery toys had worked to improve such a timeless toy.

The first thing I noticed was the ridged edges. This is to help prevent accidental suffocation, a risk I didn’t even know came with stacking cups. The ridges also help to stabilize the cups when being stacked and make for great castle turrets.

Each cup is numbered on the inside and outside and looks great when numerically arranged or sequentially placed in a circle to make a clock face. The numbers are also written in English, Spanish, and French and include corresponding dots. The bottom of the cups has stamped animals that correlate with the cups size. Cup 12 has an elephant while cup 1 has a butterfly. Measure Up! Cups are designed to be volumetrically proportional and are a great teaching tool for math concepts.

Discovery Toys suggests Measure Up! Cups for children from 12 Months to primary school. This toy has won three awards including the Family Choice Award.

Rainfall Rattle

I was instantly drawn to this rattle for my daughter and knew it would meet her interests. My daughter loves music and always chooses the egg shakers in the instrument box.

The rainfall rattle is a multi sensory experience as little ones watch and hear a stream of colorful beads falling. My daughter was drawn to the moving rainbow of colors and watching the effects of her shaking.

The rattle fits in little hands and is great for shaking, tipping, and rolling. Surprisingly it made for a fun toy for not only my daughter but my toddler too.

My son enjoyed experimenting with the pace of beads by how quickly he turned the rattle. He was so focused on getting every bead through the eight layers to the end.

As an educator, I also found this toy to be a soothing quiet break. My very energetic son often struggles with getting over stimulated and needing an outlet to gain control. Watching the cascading beads glistening in the sun has been a wonderful resource.

The rainfall rattle is suggested for 9 months to toddler age and has won one award.

 

But don’t just take my word for it, Discovery Toys has a wide variety of toys that meet the needs of any child.

Discovery Toys® products are available through our independent Educational Consultants in the United States and Canada. Our Educational Consultants are trained to help you select the appropriate products for the children in your lives, to take orders, to share the Discovery Toys income opportunity, to help you plan a party, and to answer any questions you may have.”

If you want to learn more about these Discovery Toys products contact Angela (The Expert!) through her website or by emailing angelakraemer_discoverytoys@yahoo.com. She is not an average pushy sales rep, rather a mom who loves discovery toys so much that she starting to sell them and spread the word.

Reach out if you want to host a party so you can get some awesome hosting rewards too! Can’t hurt, right?

 

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Irresistible ikiki Shoes

Transition is pretty much happening everyday when you have little ones. Weather is changing, milestones are being hit, likes/dislikes are developing, and in my extended family, babies are always being born.

It’s hard to keep up.

So when fall weather hit out of no where, I realized I was in a pinch for new kid shoes. We needed to transition out of easy slip on sandals back to socks and sneakers.

As a mother of two, sneakers are my worst nightmare.

Thats four pairs of socks, four wrestling matches to squeeze feet in shoes, and four races to tie shoes before the feet run away.

My daughter is transitioning into walking so this fall I knew she would need a good pair of solid walking shoes. While my son is transitioning into an opinionated “three-anger” and pretty much controls what he wears and when he wears it.

So with fall rolling in I was scared leaving the house was going to start taking 3 hours.

Then I found ikiki shoes!

Who is ikiki Shoes?

A dad with growing kids came up with ikiki shoes in 2009. He was actually an engineer looking for shoes that were healthy and fun for kids, and not just shrunken adult shoes. He understood kid feet are in the most important developmental stage of life, and therefore needed the correct support and design. ikiki has reimagined kid’s shoes and has used the best materials to make their products breathable, comfortable, and fun.

Squeaky Shoes?

Before you freak out, please promise to read on. ikiki shoes have built in squeakers.

While living in China, I saw kids wearing squeaker shoes daily. At first I didn’t get it. Why would you want to hear that all day?

Then I saw it in action.


New walkers smiling from ear to ear as they heard the squeaking. It actually is a genius educational tool. It teaches kids cause and effect which is big milestone for littles.  The squeak is also providing a multi sensory activity for walkers; feeling feet walk while hearing squeaking in unison. I don’t think I’ve every seen my daughter smile so big than when she first wore her ikiki’s. As I held her hands and she jumped, the squeaking brought giggles and entertainment.

It also provides a safety measure. I remember seeing a mom turn around to talk to her friend and her daughter taking off. Immediately the mother heard the quickening of squeaks and turned around to chase her little one back to safety. These shoes are great for in stores and parks when you are trying to multitask. Rather than looking for groceries and watching kids, you can actually look at what you are buying while listening to your child’s actions.

 Adjustable Squeaker

Like I said, squeaker shoes are no new invention. However, ikiki shoes are built with a patent-pending adjustable squeaker design. With a simple flip of a switch you, or your child, can turn the squeaks off. So when heading to the library or movie theater, or you just need a bit of quiet, ikiki shoes can be silenced.

I liked that it was simple to turn the squeaks on and off. My 2.5 year old son figured it out within minutes of wearing his new shoes. He established his own set of rules of when he wanted the squeaks on and off. When he’s jumping and “working out” he sits down and turns those puppies on and has a wonderful squeaking time. During his imaginative play time or when grandpa’s around he chooses to keep them off. I liked that during this transition of needing control, my son has something he is in control of.

As for my newly walking daughter, we just leave her ikiki’s on because what is cuter than a tottering baby?

A tottering baby laughing at herself squeaking.

Shoe Tech

As I said before, ikiki shoes were engineered around children’s feet.

The soles are very light weight and soft, making them flexible and comfortable. The rubber bottoms protect their little feet while also allowing children to feel the ground; helping to develop balance and stability. Each sole has a different pop of color, making it easier to match the correct foot to the correct shoe.

The website provides a wonderful printable sizing guide. Included is detailed directions, an accuracy check, and scale. It was simple and quick to measure my kids’ feet and the shoes ended up being very true to size.

Kids’ Foot Sizing Chart

The actual materials making up ikiki shoes are breathable and durable. The unique high top design offers padded support for little ankles without hugging too tight. The insides are smooth making slipping on shoes a breeze, while the outsides provides extra protection for toes and heels.

My son is a wild child always looking for adventure. These shoes have held up not just through every day use but also scooter riding, playing sports, and adventuring by our local park’s creek. While reading through some ikiki reviews, I read one consumer’s fear of the shoes being too flimsy for outside. ikiki actually encouraged her to try the shoes for outside play and offered another pair if they got ruined.

The truth is, healthy kid shoes should feel light weight and flexible. ikiki has mastered just that by engineering high quality developmentally appropriate shoes for your kids’ growing feet.

EASY to put on

My favorite feature of ikiki shoes is how easy they are. These are the first shoes my son has ever independently put on!

A serious miracle!

The backs have large easy pull on loops which can actually be used. These are far from the normal wimpy loops that slip right out of your fingers.

The best part is the wide opening velcro which provides plenty of wiggle room to pop feet in. Since velcro can be adjusted, you can still make the roomy shoes tight enough for safe walking.

Appealing Characters 

ikiki didn’t just design shoes for the different needs of adolescent feet, they also created unique styles to accentuate the personality of your little ones. ikiki shoes are visually appealing with bright colors and friendly characters. Each pair doubles as a fun character friend that is as unique as your child. Their website includes bios for each character helping your little one choose his or her ikikis.

For the first time I let my son choose his own shoes. It was a much debated processes as we went through and read about each character. He eventually decided on Prince Kairu, a competitive frog working towards being the first amphibious Olympic swimmer. He loved the medal Kairu had won in his bio picture and the fact he could help him jump to victory.

For me it was a struggle to narrow it down but I finally chose Patty Potamus for my daughter, a dancing hippo ballerina that has a taste for finer things. Not to mention, we loved they were glittery and matched her favorite hippo toy.

 

Thanks to our ikiki shoes leaving the house this fall is going to be quick and simple. We finally have shoes that are made for developing walking feet while also appeasing our independent free spirited child.

 


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FALLing in Love with Simplay3

Its a new season and kids are starting a new year of school, so why not check out a new company?

MamatheFox was excited to find Simplay3 as a company destined for the success in making those staple toys for our children’s childhood.

Who is Simplay3

Simplay3 is a newer company in the toy and home plastic industry. However, the brains behind this company are far from newbies. Tom Murdough, the founder of Little Tikes and Step2, created Simplay3 after deciding to come out of retirement. He assembled a leadership and design team of experienced and talented employees that continue to stretch and redesign innovative and high quality products. Simplay3 is excited to meet the needs and wants of consumers and offer products directly from the manufacturer.

They are certainly a company to keep an eye on, as they are continuing to design and sell new and iconic products.

We are also happy to say all of their products are produced in the USA.

What I love about Simplay3

Everyone has their parent pet peeves and have developed parental “tastes” on baby products and clothing.

Well mine is battery operated toys. I don’t like repeated sounds bouncing through my house that eventually my toddler is going to be repeating. As an educator, I didn’t like that batteries took away from the imagination and controlled how kids played.

So when I found Simplay3 children line I wanted to give the creators a big no batteries thank you hug!

They believe in unstructured play and kids telling toys how to play and not vise versa. Their children products are meant to inspire imaginative play as well as provide play patterns to help fine tune motor skills and develop growing muscles.

In addition, they create activity tables and stations that welcome social play while also providing space for kids to play peacefully together. Less elbow bumping and more giggling!

But the designing doesn’t stop there, Simplay3 home produces a variety of garden and home products. From hauling equipment, Step Stool and steps, to Mailboxs they support your home improvement project and solve big to little problems.

Simplay3 simple solutions for work and play are built to uphold value. Parents can appreciate toys that last for years, homeowners can trust durable multipurpose tools.

Super Coupe Pedal Trike

One of Simplay3’s hottest toys right now is the Simplay3 Super Coupe Pedal Trike. It amps up the fun of a simple coupe car by adding big wheel pedals. Tricycles are one of those foundational toys we all had as kids growing up and still see today.

Why?

Tricycles are great energy outlets and exercise for those crazy littles that never stop moving. Coordination and agility are improved while kids build confidence from accomplishing a task independently. Tricycles are staple toys that get your kids outside and active.

The Super Couple Pedal Trike has all the same great features of a tricycle with added sophisticated design. The roof gives a realistic car feel while the low seat and big wheel gives provides easy control.

Another beneficial feature is this trike can grow with your child. It offers 3 adjustable seat positions, making it perfect for ages as young 3 all the way to age 7.

My son is 2 and a half and has little experience with bikes and pedals. He runs on the shorter side but was still able to reach the pedals with the balls of his feet. It took him about 3 rides before dominating pedaling and turning into a wild man on the sidewalks. I am anxious to see what he will be capable of when his whole foot reaches.

The Super Couple Pedal Trike is pretty light weight, 16 pounds, for being a riding toy. I was able to throw it in the back of my compact SUV and bring it to a local park. It was light enough for my son and niece to take turns pushing each other around. I liked there was a place for the kids to rest their feet if pushing becomes the game…which it always will. I didn’t have to worry about shoes dragging or feet getting rolled over.

To assure quick assembly the front fork, pedals, and big wheel are already assembled for your convenience. My husband and son had it from box to trike in less than 30 minutes…and that is with a 2 year old “helping.”

An added bonus, shipping is already included in the price for most of America!

 

So there you have it Mama’s! If you are looking for innovative durable toys that encourage imagination and physical health, I encourage you to check out Simplay3. The Super Coupe Pedal Trike is a staple childhood toy that will grow with your child and build lasting memories.

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Mama on the Move with OXO

Ok Mamas sit down to relax with a nice hot cup of coffee while you read this post.

Or maybe not.

Lets be real, it will probably take you a few good hours to read this blog from start to finish. In between sentences you’ll probably feed a baby, or kiss an ouchy, or stop a few hundred dangerous decisions your toddler is trying to make.

I get it. Mamas are always on the move inside and out of the home.

Since week one of my son’s birth I was on the move. Visiting family, going to special events, and eventually returning to our home overseas. I quickly learned adding children to our active lives was a whole new ball park. Always having something similar to holle formula stage 2 helped a bunch.

But not impossible.

About OXO

As a new mom, I learned there are clever people designing and engineering products specifically for mamas on the move! One of my favorite brands for ingenious baby gear is OXO. They create innovative products that cater to everyday living with children.

OXO makes 1,000+ products covering numerous areas of the home. There big philosophy is Universal Design; basically, creating products that almost anyone can use. The company started when Sam Farber promised his wife with arthritis he would create a better peeler for her to use.

Precious, right?

Sam worked through hundreds of models and did extensive research until in 1990 he invented the first OXO Good Grips kitchen tool; the iconic peeler. So we can all thank Sam, a trusty husband, for making “Women’s Work” just a tad bit simpler.

But the good doesn’t stop there, OXO is dedicated to fighting against pediatric cancer. They are a corporate partner with Cookies for Kids’ Cancer by matching proceeds from bake sales.

OXO tot brand was inspired after a baby boom in the office. When their employees faced parent pet peeves firsthand, they decided to start problem solving. OXO tot line covers a number of products such as feeding, seating, and on-the go for your littles one.

My first experience with OXO tot was when I purchased the Travel Drying Rack for our many travels in China. I remember appreciating how well thought-out its compact design was, and how it proved its durability over and over again. It came with us on every trip and was used for bottles, sippy cups, and teethers. I always had mamas asking me about it and where it could be purchased. Needless to say, I had a great start to my OXO experience.

Recently, I tested a number of feeding and on-the-go systems by OXO. I am a mama of two under three, and I can attest that I am always moving. Someone is always hungry, there is always somewhere to be, a mess to be cleaned, and a diaper to be changed. Overall, I appreciated the well thought out engineering of each individual product. It honestly felt like a mom had invented each one after facing some kind of catastrophe with their little. I hope I can give you a helpful and honest review of each individual product.

On-the-Go Gear

On-the-Go Fork and Spoon Set

Pretty self-explanatory, it’s a toddle fork and spoon in a travel case. The stainless-steel tableware is perfectly shaped, sized, and weighted for little hands.

Did I say weighted?

Yes! They are strategically weighted which gives them a much more durable feel. Not to mention, it assists in helping your little one dig into foods with ease. The travel case is durable and keeps the utensils securely in place when being jostled in a diaper bag. They are dishwasher safe and meet the mama standard of no sharp edges. An added bonus is any OXO Tot Fork & Spoon set can fit in the On-the-Go case. Which means you can have more color options than just the green and aqua. But knowing my whole kitchen is decorated in that exact green and aqua, I was pretty pleased with the colors.

Flippy Snack Cup with Travel Lid

I don’t know about you but I NEVER leave my house without snacks. Snacks are my saving grace when it comes to stalling or keeping my kids entertained. Since the time my son was old enough to snack, I had snack cups. The top is made of soft flaps that let little hands in but prevents snacks coming out. The flaps are definitely the highest quality I’ve ever used and don’t seem to lose stiffness over time. The handle conveniently doubles as a hook for hanging onto strollers and the twist on lid doesn’t pop off with impact.

Trust me, we’ve tested it.

My favorite feature of the Flippy Snack Cup, making it preferred over similar products, is the travel lid. No more cheerios at the bottom of the diaper bag or stale snacks at the end of the day. I do wish the lid was hinged on the top and not completely removable because I know sooner or later I’m going to be digging through the diaper back for the impossible to find clear lid. Overall, I would award this my favorite brand of snack cup.

Feeding Gear

Mash Maker Baby Food Mill

The Mash Maker is designed for maximum ease in pureeing food for your little one starting solids. To be honest, I have a few mixed emotions about this product. It started out rough as my mom and I confusingly struggled to get going. I would highly recommend reading the directions thoroughly and maybe even watching one of their instructional videos on amazon before getting started. After watching the video short, we had a real “ohhhhh” moment and realized how much sense it actually made.

Once we did get going I was trying to steam and puree everything in sight. The non-skid base and grip was comfortable and stable while grinding food. It worked really well for soft cooked fruits and veggies. I tried steamed zucchini, sweet potato, and squash and they all worked well. What makes this more innovative than just a blender is its ability to separate excess liquid. I would highly suggest grinding juicier foods on a plate or in the sink. We had a flood of juice out the bottom of our mill during our zucchini mash up, but great news is our puree was an excellent texture.

The blades are stainless steel, however at times it was quite difficult to forcefully push downward while cranking. My experience pureeing a mango did not go as smoothly as I’d had hoped.

My favorite feature overall was the ability to dissemble and clean the Tot Mash Maker. After each vegetable I did a quick rinse and then finally a full handwashing at the end. It came out stain free and looking like new, even after mashing sweet potato and mango. It also did great in the top rack of the dishwasher. Even with some slight difficulties, I enjoyed having a small, manual, easy to clean tool that was just meant for baby food.

Baby Food Freezer tray

With my first little I did all the fun baby food prep using my everyday kitchen tools. We literally sacrificed having ice for months because our ice trays were full of baby mush cubes. I struggled a lot with keeping the trays covered, food free from freezer burn and odors, and popping out individual cubes at meal time. What makes this freezer tray unique is the multipurpose patented cover. It slides which allows releasing one cube at a time easy. The design is made for easy stacking and is of course, its dishwasher safe. When it came to meal times, each cube popped out easily and was nice and fresh.

Roll-Up Bib

Again, this is another product most of us mamas have seen. An easy to clean bib that includes a food-safe pocket for catching those pieces that don’t quite make it into baby’s mouth. However, there are two things that make this universal design more unique. First off its made of a combination of soft fabric, on top, and durable silicone, on bottom. Both materials are BPA, PVC, and phthalate free. My daughter was not bothered by the comfortable Velcro strap around her neck and happily wore her bib through all of meal time.

Cheers to no bib ripping off battle!

Meal time was simple to clean up as my daughter stayed dry and clean under her waterproof, well fitted OXO bib. As for the bib itself, it both wiped clean and washed well without staining. The other unique design of the Roll-Up bib is it being travel friendly. The fabric rolls into the silicone and securely closes. I went straight for the two pack so that I could consistently have one in the diaper bag and one at home. A definite must have for the mama on the go!

Glass Baby Blocks

As my family moves farther and farther away from having plastic in our house, I am always looking for good solid glass containers. These durable BPA-free containers worked great in the freezer, microwave, and oven.

On those very rare days where I am actually prepared, I love having the choice of heating in the oven.

The snap lids proved to be very air tight giving me confidence to throw one in my diaper bag, not to mention keeping food fresh and odorless.

Measurement markings are great for portioning and the stackable tray helps keep my baby food organized and together

That means no more hidden food wasting away in the corner of your fridge.

Feeding Spoon Set with Soft Silicone

This soft silicone spoon worked great during feedings and the stainless steel made it feel extra sturdy. The spoon shape made it easy for wiping excess food off her face and regulating the amount given to her at a time. Since my daughter is in that fun handsy stage, she consistently grabs the spoon before it gets to her mouth. I eventually gave up and started putting food on the spoon and letting her feed herself. The contour handle worked great for her little hands and she was one happy independent baby!

Drinking

Transition Straw Cup with Handles

The minute I opened this cup it was fought over between my 2 year old and 9 month old. Not sure if it was the bright color, cool handles, or fun hinged cap that made it so appealing. I let my 2 year old try it out first and that immediately hooked me. Not sure if you have this problem, but my son is a mega water bottle stealer and hider. He attempts to drink from any cup in sight and then carries them away to a black hole where they seem to be gone forever.

Until I find a giant wet puddle leading me to the loot of water bottles.

However, this cup has proven to be completely spill proof. The straw has a valve that opens as soon as a tot drinks, minimizing messes.

It also includes a hinged cap that is leak-proof, yet easy enough for my toddler to open and close.

When I finally got it out of my son’s hands I really appreciated the ability to disassemble the cup for a good thorough cleaning. I then let my baby take it for a spin during meal time.

She did great with the comfortable grip handles and I was able to see how much she drank with the printed ounces down the front. Another OXO clever design is the almond-shaped straw that conforms to baby’s mouth. Its intention is to ease the transition from bottle or nursing into cup. And if you haven’t heard, straws are the new alternative due to orthodontic and speech issues associated with sippy cups. Also an added bonus is you can purchase replacement straws, because we all know the dishwasher needs a monthly sacrifice or your toddler decides to dig a hole to China using his cup. Overall, I appreciated the universal design of this cup and how it worked from infancy to toddlerhood. I’d even go as far to say it would be an awesome baby shower gift!

So there you have it.

Mamas on the go you are not alone in your daily battle to get out the door with everyone clothed and fed. Just know there are creative folks out there, like OXO, who have your back by working hard to provide you with innovative products that meet your every day needs.

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Pediped Shoe Giveaway

Welcome to the Grillin’ & Chillin’ Giveaway Hop

Brought to you by: MamatheFox

Enter for your chance to win (1) pair of Pediped Summer Collection Shoes. Winner can choose gender and size, not style


MamatheFox and all participating blogs are not held responsible for sponsors who fail to fulfill their prize obligations 

Pediped Shoes for Summer

With summertime here all parents are updating their children’s shoe collection. Out with the boots and in with the sandals! While the kids will always love having new items, shopping for new shoes can also be a great way to bond with a child. This may not be an issue for parents, but if you’re caring for children as a Cultural Care Au Pair, a trip to get some new shoes could be a great way to bond with the children you’re caring for. With so many brands and styles it can be overwhelming. There are a few basic things most carers look for when buying their kids new shoes.

  1. Comfort (We all hate to hear those dreaded words “they hurt me”)
  2. Affordable (Kids need several pairs of shoes each season as they grow, we need a break in the pocket book)
  3. Stylish (The cuter and more versatile the shoe, the better)

I have been trying so many brands of shoes over the years, but I am in love with Pedipeds 2017 summer collection. Each pair is fun, easy to put on, durable and affordable. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t take the right care of our shoes. Many find that a boot and shoe holder can be a great way to show off and maintain our lovely shoes. Even children can benefit from this, my friend tells me that her children appreciate their shoes so much more when they are shown off. I love how my 4 year old is able to put these shoes on herself! It really boosts her confidence and gives her the assurance of independence. Most 4 year old’s are in preschool, and its important for them to be independent and take care of those little things on their own, we all know their teachers have enough other things on their plates other than helping our kids with their shoes.

These shoes stay on her feet without rubbing and causing blisters or irritation. They are thick enough to withstand her rough play and running and they support her growing feet. One of the things I remember from my childhood is my mom taking the extra effort to get us durable, supportive shoes. It really does make a difference in their development. Toddlers feet are not fully developed and those muscles and ligaments need support. Without proper support the muscles cannot form correctly. Some of the top feature one should look for in children’s shoes (according to the AOFAS) are:

  • For children 9 to 18 months, choose a high-top shoe which will stay on the foot better than an oxford or a low-top tennis shoe. A leather or canvas tie shoe is more secure, will stay on the foot, and will fit fat little feet better. The sole of the shoe should be smooth like the palm of your hand. A smooth sole means less friction so the shoe won’t grab the floor, which could cause your child to fall.Choose a light-weight shoe, since children use a lot of energy walking at this age. Toddlers can go barefoot in a protected environment such as indoors.

I am pleased to tell you that Pediped hits all of these goals! Click here to read more about Pediped and to grab a pair for your child

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Pediped features 3 lines

Pediped Originals: Theses are the best for infants and are the best option for toddlers learning how to walk. With soft and flexible soles they are recommended by pediatricians and podiatrists because they allow children to clearly mimic barefoot walking. You need to make sure you get in contact with trusted podiatrists to give you the best professional advice they can. I have been in regular contact with our family podiatrist for advice on this subject matter. I must say, appointments have become a lot more stress-free ever since they started using podiatry billing services. Making payments could not be more straightforward.

Pediped Grip n’ Go: There are a great second step level type of shoe. They are perfect for kids who are more confident with walking. They are made with G2 Technology which includes a specialized soft rubber sole, rounded edges that mimic the natural shape of a child’s foot, heel stability and a soft show toe that allows toes to curl and grip the floor.

Pediped Flex: These are the ultimate shoes for confident walkers. They have developed a shoe with a cushioned arch support and a soft rubber sole which provides excellent flexibility and promotes healthy foot development.

Educational Insights Toys

Finding a toy that is fun and educational is like hitting the parenting jackpot! This is exactly how I feel about finding Educational Insights and their several lines of toys. Each line features toys that help a child develop and grow while in a playful and fun manner. These sorts of toys can also help your child develop critical thinking skills from a young age. You can read about that here: https://littlethinkerscenter.com/parents-guide/learning-challenges/critical-thinking-problem-solving/

I was able to play with 3 different products from Educational Insights. My kids LOVE these toys and have now become front runners in our daily play. If you are looking to spice up your toys, looking to teach your children about letters, words, numbers or science in a fun and creative way then do yourself a favor and check out Education Insights website today.

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Playfoam Shape & Learn Alphabet Set

Kids love to play with textiles like PlayDoh and clay, but they are hard to manipulate and work for some children with less developed fine motor skills and hand muscles. With Educational Insights Playfoam this is no longer an issue. Their foam is fun and easy to use. It sticks to each other but never your hands or other things like clothing or your table. It consists of tiny little foam cylinders, similar to a bead shape. The Shape & Learn set comes with 9 different colors for your child to play with. I choose to move mine into resealable bags after being opened, but you don’t have to do this as they don’t dry out!

The Alphabet set comes with all 26 letters of the alphabet to work the foam into the correct shape. Each letter shows with arrows the direction which you would go in to draw the letter on paper. This way when a child is ready to pick up a crayon or pen they can remember what direction it is they are to move their writing utensil.

I like to take the letters and form 3 letter words out so my 4 year old can see short words spelled out. Some words I have set in front of her include: pig, dog, cat. The Playfoam Alphabet Set fun for children to play with as a toy and as a learning tool. If your child loves to play with shaping clay’s or dough’s then I would highly recommend this Playfoam set.

GeoSafari Jr. My First Microscope

Children are fascinated by the world around them. By exploring what is interesting to them you can help nurture and encourage them to feel confident that learning is exciting and fun. For instance, if your kid loves watching movies like Star Wars or something similar, you could try getting them Minifigures of their favorite movie character. My kids love taking a closer look at things and now with the GeoSafari Jr My First Microscope by Educational Insights they can take an even closer look than they ever could before. This microscope if fully functional, it works just as a real science tool should. The two large eye-pieces for you to look through, a child sized large knob to turn to gain focus and an LED light to brighten the environment you are exploring. You are able to view items up to 8x its original size.

My children love to find small things that they desire to take a closer look at. The pictures here show my kids looking at the tiny pieces that go in the game Operation! They wanted to see the tiny pieces in a closer and they were thrilled at what they saw. Knowing that this toy works like a real grown up microscope, and they they could use it like a grown up would made them feel so confident. My husband went to college for biology and is an expert at using the most amazing and high tech microscopes the world has to offer. We love helping our children fall in love with science. By learning about all of God’s creations they can fall in love with the world around them over and over again.

Design & Drill Robot

My son loves to take toys apart and then attempt to recreate it and put it together again. This is a natural form of play for him, I call it my future engineer in the making when he does this type of play. He also thinks robots are amazing! Most little kids think robots are fun and interesting, especially after they watch programs all day about robots! Robotech seems to be a popular program amongst children, even though it was originally released many years ago. Of course, once they start watching Robotech, they have to know more about the Robotech Wars. Apparently, Canada was important in the first Robotech War, or so I’ve learnt from reading an online article. Robots are harmless though, that’s why so many children are amazed by them. Anything with robots in, the kids are interested. They walk and talk like a person but are in no way a person at the same time. When I saw this toy I knew my son would flip out! Being only 3, he is still working on developing his fine motor skills. My 4-year-old daughter is able to use the screwdriver with ease, but he is still working on his hand muscles. I love that this robot can by played with by using not only the perfect toddler-sized screwdriver but also by hand. My son loves to try to use the screwdriver, but when he gets frustrated by his lack of ability, he can drop it and turn the screw or bolt by hand.

The Educational Insights Design & Drill Robot is perfect for introducing STEM learning through basic engineering and construction play. My son is working on his hand-eye coordination with his new robot as well as his matching skills. The screws can color coordinate with the robot’s body parts. It comes with stickers you can use to customize your robot and make it your own.