Mommy's little helper.
Get your passports ready and let's go play! For young parents, the local playground is a gathering place, a community, and, above all, a place for energetic tots to run run run. While most communities have some sort of playspace, some have taken the concept of playground to awesome new levels. Click through for 12 of the most exciting playgrounds from around the world, sure to stir up a little Read more
Just about every kid loves a trip to the playground. Some children favor climbing up and flying down the slide. Others swing until their hearts are content and then there are those tots who love building castles or plowing through the sand. A couple weeks ago we had a Mommy Dearest post about a mother who forbid her son to play in public sandboxes. The comments sparked some debate between Read more
My husband and I were at the park over the weekend watching our kids climb on a pirate ship structure when I overheard a couple of other parents chatting. Their daughter who looked to be about six or seven was complaining about a little boy bugging her. Her father said something about the other child being smaller and then advised, "Give him three warnings and then use martial arts." While it's Read more
Cold weather can bring on cabin fever, so wrap your wee ones up and go out! A trip to the playground will bring a smile to every family member's face — mom and dad get a break and the kids get exercise. Expand the list of places you and your kids visit with Playspacefinder.com. This handy site allows you to enter, search, and rate play spaces anywhere in the country. After a quick scan of my Read more
Playgrounds are normally a place for parents and their tots to let loose, but New York City parks have given youngsters something to cry about. Children running barefoot have gotten second degree burns on the bottom of their feet from the black rubber matting that lines the ground of their local playgrounds providing cushion for tots. The flooring can heat up to 166 degrees and as a result Read more
For 44 years, kids have been racing Hot Wheels cars around their homes, on the sidewalks in front of their houses, and, if they're my kids, down the slides on the playground. Playground play aside, most die-cast car play has been strictly horizontal since that time. Now Hot Wheels is shaking things up — really up! — and moving car play vertical! Hot Wheels Wall Tracks, the company's new line Read more
Jennifer Garner had a busy afternoon in LA with her two youngest children yesterday. She took Samuel and Seraphina to a friend's birthday party and later popped up at a park with Seraphina. Jennifer hung out around the playground with Seraphina and helped her ride down the slide. Jen got back to her weekly routine with the kids after an exciting Mother's Day on Sunday. It was her first as a mom Read more
Playgrounds aren't just for the kiddos. Why not use the equipment to do a little strength training after you run or bike ride through the park, or while your children are playing (might as well tone your tush rather than just sitting on it)? Check out this five-minute circuit workout to target your entire body from head to toe. For a full workout, repeat the circuit six times through for a total Read more
All seesaws are not created equal. The up and down motion of a traditional teeter-totter has provided generations of tots with hours of fun (and sore bums when their seats come crashing down), but the classic toy is getting a much needed upgrade. Consider the Spiro Bouncer ($72), the pimped-out version of your favorite playground toy. With cushioned seats and a bouncy ball attached to the bottom Read more
As soon as the hint of Summer comes along, I'm all about taking my workout outside. I'll admit, however, that for me, forgoing the gym for the great outdoors usually means I'm out for a run. Luckily, there are many ways I can take more than my cardio outside. Here are some ideas for enjoying the fresh air while you tone up and stretch out. Take a bootcamp class: Ready to get whipped into shape Read more
