Summer is the season for kids’ day camps, but the day camp registration season starts right now. We’ve got the tips you need to secure a spot in the coveted camps on your wish list. How to find day camp options in your area Start with an online search where you type in “[your city] kids day camps.” Begin researching as early as possible, as popular camps may sell out quickly. Instead of settling for the same old camp as last year, investigate camps that are hosted by: Your city or municipality A nearby university or college The local community center, public library, or YMCA Kids’ activity program providers such as dance, gymnastics, martial arts, theatre, art, or computer coding Birthday party businesses, such as indoor trampolining, pottery painting or LEGO building Common field trip destinations, such as children’s museums, zoos or nature centers Youth sports associations, including team sports,…
With Spring around the corner, we’ll soon be seeing the April showers, and our kids will be eager to get outside and go puddle-jumping! It’s time to switch out the winter clothing for spring and make sure everything fits well and is in good shape. Especially their wellies! They’re the most important clothing items for spring and can be costly to replace. Here are tips on how to take care of your rubber boots. Wellington (Rubber) boots, also known as “wellies,” are the top choice of footwear for kids in spring for all the puddle jumping and muddy fields. They are durable, waterproof, and can last for years, making them the perfect item to hand down to younger siblings and friends. Here are some tips on how to take care of your rubber boots: Clean your rubber boots regularly After each use, especially if your kids have been in the…
Spring break is just around the corner and parents everywhere are starting to panic… I mean, plan activities to keep their little ones entertained. While many families have the luxury of travelling during this time, not everyone is able to take a trip. But don’t worry, a staycation can be just as fun and exciting! We’ve compiled a list of 5 days’ worth of fun stay-at-home spring break activities for kids that are sure to keep your little ones entertained and engaged all week long. Day 1: Make a birdseed cake + go for an afternoon hike. Making a bird seed cake with kids can be a fun and educational activity. Start by melting some lard in a pot and mixing in birdseed, oats, and cornmeal. After the mixture cools a bit, pour it into a mold or container lined with parchment paper and let it harden in the…
The idea of adding more toys to the never-ending pile sitting in your living room corner can seem daunting, and with your child’s upcoming birthday, you can’t imagine receiving even more. Who said all birthday gifts have to be toys, though? We’ve got the best ideas for birthday gifts that aren’t toys and we know you’ll want to share this with your friends and family before the next birthday hits your house. Take a look! Monthly subscription kits! There are so many options when it comes to a subscription kit. Many companies have specific kits geared to all different ages and there are many different kinds that you can choose from based on the interests of the child you’re purchasing for. Some that we love are: Lovevery, KiwiCo and Little Passports! Adventure experiences! What kid doesn’t love to get out for a day and do something fun? The options are…
When you welcome a new baby into the world, there are a lot of milestones that we’re told as parents to watch out for. Things like rolling over, standing on their own, and walking are just a few of these – but one milestone we tend not to think too much about is the ability to share. Can you imagine your 6-month-old taking their first steps? No! Just like there will come a time when your child is developmentally ready to share, and it’s normal for it not to happen right away. There are a few ways how to teach your kids to share and help them eventually reach that goal. But don’t stress, they’ll be sharing with their peers and siblings when they are ready to do so. Why is it important to learn how to share? Sharing with family and friends can help your little one build stronger…
Traveling with kids can be an amazing experience, but it can also be challenging and super stressful, especially when it comes to keeping track of their belongings. It’s easy to lose track of a toy, a backpack or even a child in the chaos of travel, but there is a simple solution to this problem: name labels! Mabel’s Labels has a wide variety of labels that can make your trip smoother; whether you have safety concerns, lost luggage, mix-up items, fighting kids, or allergies – we’ve got a label for that! Here are just a few ways that name labels can make traveling with kids easier: 1. No mix-ups with luggage or travel items – The Travel Label Pack The biggest way to keep yourself organized and your items are safe while traveling is to use luggage labels! This is our all-time best label pack for travel! The Travel Label…
What season are we in?? Well, I guess it’s technically winter, but around here – it’s soup season! In our house, 3 out of 4 of us are soup lovers. My youngest isn’t a soup fan, but I’ve mentioned before that he’d survive off buns, burgers, and mac & cheese if we let him, so his opinion doesn’t really count here. I think the only soup he’s ever really ‘approved’ of is this creamy dill pickle soup a local restaurant used to make before new owners took over. It was AMAZING! If I manage to find a recipe for something close to it and he gives it two thumbs up, I’ll definitely share it here. Now, our oldest is a huge soup fan. He always has been. When he was little, he was all about chicken soups. He loved chicken noodle, chicken and rice, chicken vegetable, he loved them all.…
Spring is here, and all we can think about is travelling! Of course, it isn’t as easy for new parents as it used to be. But it can also be rewarding to travel with littles! Babies have lots of baggage, which can seem overwhelming, but great products and tips can make it stress-free (ish). Whether you’re flying or driving, we all want to save space, yet we don’t want to be caught without something we rely on. So, we’ve gathered our favorite tips and gadgets for travelling with babies in 2024. You’ll want to get your hands on these before you leave! Here are all our top tips, pack lists, and devices for travelling with a baby in 2024. The best items for travelling with kids: Here are a few additional items to make sure you have on your list for 2023; investing in travel-friendly items may be the best…
Starting daycare or child care can be a significant milestone, not only for your child but for you as well. As you prepare to embark on this adventure and see all the learning and fun your child will participate in, your daycare provider wants you to know these tips to ensure a smooth transition. Kids & Company, a leading child care and early education provider with locations across the United States and Canada, provides their top tips below. Start Early The earlier you begin your search, the more options you will have available to you, and the more time you will have to evaluate the factors most important to your family. Learn about Parent Communication Practices Communication is a factor that can greatly vary between daycare staff and educators. We suggest asking about the daycare’s methods of communication so you know what to expect. Some daycares provide verbal updates at…
My kids have many strengths, but speed is not one of them. This is particularly true in the winter, when it’s time to put on snow pants and boots, along with a jacket, hat and mittens. They… are… slow. You may have experienced a similar push-and-pull dilemma on a hectic morning. It’s tempting to simply push the boots onto your child’s feet and pull them out the door with you. On the other hand, we know that as parents, we’re supposed to be empowering them to be self-sufficient. So, how do you promote independence but still get out the door on time? Here are some kid-tested tactics to add to your daily routine. How to organize kids’ winter gear Organization is key to manage kids’ winter apparel and accessories. Think like a kindergarten teacher and apply these strategies: Put it in its place. Whether you use hooks, cubbies, drawers or…