Deciding on the perfect nursery components and layette essentials are baby prep responsibilities often left to the mom-to-be. But it's only fair that Dad gets in on some of the fun — isn't it? We've found 10 dad-friendly items to add to your baby registry — from the must haves to the mostly-for-fun.
Snap-happy parents who want to inspire lil ones to follow in their footsteps are in luck — cameras are a hot trend in kids' toys, gear, and more. From infant toys and onesies to fully functional digital cameras made especially for little fingers, there's a way to nurture your child's inner shutterbug at every stage of their development. Check out 10 of our favorite photog-friendly finds here . . . and don't forget to say "cheese!"
Spring is officially in the air, and weekends likely mean getting outdoors more, taking trips to the park, and of course, riding bikes. Add a little pizazz to your kids' two-wheelers this season with some of the best bike accessories on the market, and remind them, it doesn't have to be high-tech to be exciting!
The temperature's heating up and lil ones are taking advantage of the weather by spending more time outdoors. Give your medicine cabinet a makeover with the cutest bandages and ice packs for Spring's scrapes and bruises!
Finding a really good toy can be like searching for a needle in a haystack. There are so many out there, but nothing stands out from the crowd. Luckily that wasn't the case at Toy Fair this year. One toy truly wowed me with its unique take on combining fun and music education — B. Toys' Symphony in B Orchestra ($60).
A virtual orchestra pit, the Symphony in B is preprogrammed with 15 songs and symphonies. It comes with 13 instruments that can be added one-at-a-time to the "stage" to actually create the music. So if the tuba, piano, and violin are on stage, the song sounds different from it does if the sitar, cymbals, and clarinet are there. When Gisela Voss, chief toymaker at B. Toys, introduced me to it, I was mesmerized. I couldn't stop playing around with the pieces and seeing what the different combinations would make. The question was would my LMFAO and Kidz Bop-loving boys find it as exciting as I did?
Who is this product designed for? According to B. Toys, the Symphony in B is for kids ages 3 to 13, but my 2-year old loves it! While he doesn't quite understand the music-making process, he enjoys placing the instruments in their shape-sorter-like places, as well as adding as many percussion instruments to the stage as possible. On the other hand, my 6-year-old is happily learning about the differences between woodwinds and strings.
What sets it apart? Truly, everything! I've never seen a toy that packs so much into one piece. Aside from simply teaching tots the sounds the instruments make (including some that are not typically taught in American schools like the Japanese koto and the Indian sitar), the entire device lights up to illustrate the instrument classifications such as woodwinds, brass, and strings.
Keep reading to see what could be better and if I would buy it.
Fans of TOMS shoes, mark your calendars for April 1, when the brand will launch its new collaboration with Lauren Bush's FEED Projects. The FEED 12 TOMS Classics feature the FEED stamp logo in silvery gray and black on burlap material, and will be available for women ($58) and tots ($34), exclusively through Toms.com. Best of all, with every pair of shoes that you purchase, 12 school meals and a new pair of shoes will be donated to a child in need. Shop early, as the limited-edition line will only be available until it sells out!
A popular trend in the home design world, chinoiserie (which literally translates from French to "Chinese-esque") incorporates Asian motifs and shapes into prints, patterns, furniture, and home accents. While it's typically a more formal and "adult" look, we were blown away by the chinoiserie wall mural and accompanying decor in this little girl's room by Martensen Jones Interiors. If a full-wall mural sounds too ambitious, fear not. We've found 10 great pieces to add the chinoiserie look to your little girl's room.
Clothes that kids can interact with make getting dressed in the morning a lot more fun. Check out some of our favorite finds that allow lil stylists to mix, match, and create their own looks.
Every season, Pantone releases a trend report of their hottest colors, and for Spring, they're especially kid-friendly. From punchy Cabaret (a rich fuchsia hue) and rich yellow Solar Power, to foamy green Margarita and vibrant Tangerine Tango, the shades are bright, fun, and lend themselves to sunny days and long, mild nights. Check out some of the best Spring products and pieces to ensure your kids are on-trend this season!
Try as we may, keeping school lunches fun, nutritional, and entertaining is no easy task. Get out of the midweek slump with these new takes on the classic lunchbox or bag — they give new meaning to the term happy meal!
