For a stroller that’s compact and durable, but without sacrificing style points turn to the Bugaboo Bee 5. It’s a no-brainer for on-the-go city families. It’s super easy for parents to use and ultra comfortable for baby to cruise around in. Here’s what we like about it:

Nimble for caregiver
The Bugaboo Bee 5 has an incredibly lightweight yet comprehensive design. This stroller is meant for daily use as its advanced four-wheel suspension can take on any cracked sidewalks, bumpy streets, or park terrain. That means whether you’re one-handed steering through tight spaces like train cars and coffee shops or squeezing onto an escalator, the Bugaboo Bee 5 does it with ease.

And the compact chassis makes it extremely easy to fold and store just about anywhere. Everything can be done with a single hand, which kind of defines city living: swiping a metropass, hailing a taxi, or pushing a swing while sipping your morning latte. You always need one hand free.

Comfortable for baby
Bugaboo is practically synonymous with luxury when it comes to baby gear. It’s like flying first class for your little one because it’s just that comfy. The seat has extra padding and three different recline positions to switch up depending on what your child needs at that moment: an eye out to the world or a stroller nap. The seat is also fully reversible, so your baby can face you or face out to take in the sights and scenes.

Navigating stairs, subways, and sidewalks is never a problem, whether you’re exploring your neighborhood or traveling far from home. When baby is a newborn, use the baby bassinet and glide on over to storytime at the local library. When she grows with enough neck control to sit upright, use the child seat to chauffeur your tot to and from preschool or daycare. Don’t forget to stash everything you need in the spacious underseat basket with its own built-in pocket.

High on city style
No matter your personal style, Bugaboo has you covered. The Bee 5 is fully customizable from canopy cover to seat fabric choice. Choose from a modern black or sleek aluminum chassis. Then pair it with the blue mélange, grey mélange, black or steel blue fabric for a look that’s impeccably clean and chic. The Bee 5 has the bassinet option (for an extra cost), which we love since you can start using the Bee 5 the minute you get home from the hospital.

Prefer to use an infant car seat? Simply purchase adapters and pair them with any compatible car seat or place your tot in the provided seat with sun canopy. It’s bound to become a quintessential part of any city kid’s street style.

Want to learn more? To see the Bugaboo Bee 5 in action and learn about its recommended use, visit bugaboo.com. Available at bugaboo.com starting at $699.

—Whitney Harris

Building blocks are an absolutely essential plaything in every baby’s toy box. Aside from offering hours of child-directed fun, they do wonders for building spatial awareness, motor development, language and problem-solving skills. Read on to discover why Lovevery’s Block Set is only one you’ll need.

More than 20 ways to play and learn!
Expertly crafted for infinite play potential, The Block Set is both comprehensive and flexible in its design. The system consists of 70 wood pieces in a variety of shapes and a rainbow of beautiful hues. From cubes, planks, and geometric shapes, to solid wood people, wheels, and threading blocks, The Block Set has everything your child needs to grow into a lifelong learner.

The Lovevery Block Set is simple yet sophisticated with research-driven tools for your child’s developing brain. Babies, tots, and kids can stack, sort, roll, count and categorize while connecting the dots between basic concepts. What’s more, a stage-based guide packed with 20+ developmental activities and with clear and actionable instructions provides a logical map for inspiring learning through play.

Grows with your child
The Block Set by Lovevery is intended to become your family’s favorite box of open-ended amusement. The fun begins at 18 months when baby can use its modular features to discover cause and effect, gravity, and velocity. As your child grows, so does the potential for play. You might find your little one building a city, acting out a story, or challenging their creativity and confidence by physically engaging with the blocks. Watch your little one mix and match activities as they advance. When ready, your child can follow a sequence of steps and transform the set’s compact wooden storage box into a charming pull car.

The name of the game is experimentation with this set. And it lasts well beyond the first four years of your child’s development. Learning activities range to meet every stage of your child’s growth. The blocks are all made to last and crafted using 100% child-safe materials, including FSC-certified sustainably harvested wood with water-based non-toxic finishes.

Supports early childhood development
The magic of childhood is captured in this timeless toy set. In addition to being simply fun, it’s designed under the guiding principles of the Montessori method of teaching. Moreover, the Block Set can help little kids grasp STEM concepts like math, physics and engineering. Whether your child is leading their own play or following your lead, they can unknowingly be practicing everything from higher-order planning to hand-eye coordination.

Your child might start out examining and categorizing the blocks or fitting them together spatially. Then, engage in pattern play and explore connections. Next, you might overhear the wooden friends talking about feelings. Or spy your child investigating how things balance or topple over. Your child’s development and imagination may flourish as they create and learn.

Want to learn more? The Block Set makes a great gift and is available at lovevery.com for $90. Lovevery also has a subscription program of age-based Play Kits that are delivered by developmental stages and span from newborn to 24 months. Check them out!

—Whitney Harris

photos: Lovevery

September is known nationally as Baby Safety Month but ask any parent and they will say their child’s safety is important every day of the year. Choosing the right products can make all the difference.

Insider Tip: to save money on high ticket items, open a gift registry at a retail store even if you aren’t having a baby shower. Once the baby shower date has passed most retailers will offer 10-15% off items that weren’t bought off your registry. Another good way to save is to set a deal alert on Slickdeals.net where a notification will be sent to your email of when and where items go on sale.

Here are some must have items to keep your baby safe this September and every month of the year.

1.  Evenflo Gold Every Stage All In One Adjustable Car Seat: This car seat lets you drive safe and keep your eyes on the road. The Sensorsafe technology in the chest strap notifies you via an app if your child is in an unsafe condition. It will alert you if your child unbuckles themselves, is left behind in the car or if the car temperature gets too hot. The car seat is good from 4-120 pounds. $280

2. Owlet Smart SockThis sock is adjustable and tracks the heart and breathing rate of a child from 0-11/2 months old. $300

3. Compact Clutch Stroller by DeltaThis stroller is perfect for families on the go! It collapses and folds into a compact tote weighing only 11 pounds and fits perfectly into the overhead bin of an airplane. $140

4. Rock It Baby Rocker: Attach this battery-operated rocker to the arm of a stroller and let it rock your baby to sleep. $50

5. Carseat Coat: This coat is crash tested and CPST approved. Puffy coats have been known to create too much space between the seat belt and the child. These coats keep your child safer without all the fluff and it’s vegan and allergen-free! $80

 

Carey Reilly is mom of 2 kids and a writer for Today.com and Family Traveller. She was named a Top 50 Influencer and Brand Ambassador for O Magazine. She co-hosted The Daily Glow. She’s been seen on Today Show, Fox and Friends, Cheddar News, CNN, Food Network, HLN and Wendy Williams Show.

Traveling with small kids comes with plenty of challenges, the least of which is navigating through crowded airports. Luckily, the new Liki Trike is a complete game changer for parents and kids on the go.

Why maneuver through those crowds with a stroller when you can make things easy and fun with a tricycle? A ride on a trike can be much more enticing than getting strapped in a stroller and with a one-handed control bar, you’ll have your other hand free to carry all that luggage.

The best part of all is that this lightweight trike folds down easily and is so compact you can fit it in an overhead bin or car trunk. That’s right, no more gate checking your stroller and hoping it returns in one piece.

The Liki Trike features five different functional modes and is designed to grow with your toddler from ages 10 months to three years. For the youngest riders, parents can control the trike, but it can also be converted into a fully-functional (yet still foldable) tricycle.

The Liki Trike is available in two different models starting at $249.99. You can order one online here.

—Shahrzad Warkentin

All photos: Courtesy of Liki Trike

 

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Get ready for pumpkin spice everything! It’s that time of year again and PSL’s aren’t the only slice of autumn awesomeness that you need ASAP. The Dash Mini Waffle Maker makes pumpkin-shaped goodies and your kiddos are going to thank you.

The waffle maker, which retails on Amazon for $14.99, is compact, lightweight and easy to use—even if you’re not exactly a Top Chef-worthy kitchen whiz.

photo: Amazon

Not only can you make perfect little pumpkin-shaped waffles in this handy kitchen gadget, but you can also press paninis, hash browns or biscuit pizzas. If you’re still not sold, the pumpkin-shaped waffle maker also comes with a recipe book and online recipe access!

This isn’t the only shape waffle maker Dash has to offer. Whether you want to show your love or you need a Valentine’s Day treat, the company also sells a heart-shaped version on Amazon too.

—Erica Loop

 

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Traveling with kids has so many amazing benefits, but it also means lugging around a lot of accessories including heavy car seats and boosters. But what if that restraint system was so small it could fit inside your pocket? The WhizRider is the smallest car seat ever created and here’s how you can get one.

Newly launched on IndieGoGo, WhizRider is the most compact child restraint system ever made. The system was designed by two dads to help families who love to travel and are on the go. WhizRider, which fits neatly inside a clip-on bag no bigger than the size of a cup of coffee, is a vest that allows kids to safely use a car’s restraint system. According to the company, the system exceeds all crash test U.S Federal Safety Standards.

The WhizRider isn’t just great for traveling, however. It’s the perfect solution when a babysitter or friend is picking up your kids and you don’t want pull your regular car seat in and out of your car. It works for kids ages three to ten (30 to 80 pounds) and can be put on and installed in just 20 seconds.

Available in two sizes, ages three and up and ages six and up, and two colors, pink and blue, the WhizRider is set to ship to IndieGoGo backers in October. You better act fast, if you want to score the new restraint system at a great price. In just one day the campaign has already exceeded it’s goal by 200 percent. If you order soon, you can still get a WhizRider for $54, which is 46 percent off the retail price of $100.

—Shahrzad Warkentin

All photos: Courtesy of WhizRider

 

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The first three years of your baby’s life are full of milestones both big and small. While your little one will develop before your eyes, one thing will remain constant: where your baby or tot sleeps. Sound slumber is a top priority for any new parent. And the new Nuna COVE aire delivers the goods. Whether you’re keeping baby close by as you go about your day or next to your bed for room sharing, the COVE aire is your worry-free, space-saving solution. Get the scoop on this brand-new product below.

What it is:
As a 3-in-1 napper, bassinet, and play yard, the COVE aire is every new parent’s dream when it comes to baby sleep. The system is intended for use by newborns, growing babies, and toddlers in need of a place to rest or play. For ages 0-3 years, the COVE aire has you covered from birth to beginning preschool. It’s compact enough to maneuver around your house and to travel with.

How it works:
The COVE aire is designed with a firm napper that detaches to reveal a full-size bassinet. The napper is perfect for newborns, especially considering how infants typically spend more time sleeping than awake—upwards of 17 hours! And the bassinet turns any room into baby’s room. When baby is ready to enjoy the play yard, simply unzip the bassinet and remove the attachment.

This integrated sleep system will streamline everyday life at home or while traveling with a baby. Next time you need to chop some vegetables and get dinner in the oven, answer a few emails, read that news article that’s been calling your name, or KonMari your suddenly cluttered home, you’ll have a close, convenient spot to place your baby. And when nighttime sleep is at a new premium, you can rest easy knowing that your child is beside your bed in the COVE aire.

How Nuna is different:
The brand that has delivered some of the best baby products and gear now promises a bassinet-crib-play yard combo that new and expectant parents can depend upon for the first three years of their child’s life. Its ventilated mesh sides, floor and mattress allow for abundant airflow while dissipating heat and humidity. The slim and simple, yet stylish silhouette fits with any traditional or modern decor and is available in three beautiful, neutral tones: Caviar, Frost and Champagne.

Discerning parents will appreciate details like the system’s sturdy aluminum frame with easy, one-handed folding, an above-ground base to keep baby protected from drafts, panels that remove for deep cleaning, and skid-proof feet that keep the COVE aire in place. The practical and versatile design is perfect for everyday use.

COVE aire features worth calling out:

  • Advanced air design™ with 360° ventilation for ideal airflow
  • Contoured napper with customizable recline
  • Zip-off bassinet that folds with frame
  • GOTS certified organic sheet, napper and carry bag all included

Babies need a place to rest. Parents need a product they can trust. The COVE aire is a flexible and easy sleep solution that grows with your baby so that lullabies can become dreams.

Learn more about the Nuna COVE aire at nuna.eu/usa/in-home/cove-aire

Want one for your baby? Buy online at nuna.eu/usa, or at retailers such as Nordstrom, Dillard’s, Bloomingdale’s and Magic Beans.

One of the biggest challenges in any home is keeping everything neat and organized. When life gets busy, there just isn’t enough time to keep up with it all. The kitchen tends to be a top victim of disorganization. It serves as the main hub where families rush from activity to activity, eating meals in between. Washing dishes and unloading the dishwasher often occurs in a hurry. Things tend to get thrown into cabinets and drawers just to get them out of the way. Cabinets then become an overloaded mess.

Trying to find the right bowl or storage container turns into a treasure hunt. Let’s not even talk about trying to find a lid that fits! It can be incredibly frustrating to have to dig for the everyday items you need.

Multi-use tools, organizational concepts, nesting designs, and compact items can help keep even the busiest family’s kitchen organized. Another bonus is space saving. Who doesn’t need more room in their cabinets?

These fun products are incredibly functional and affordably priced. In addition, stylish designs and fun colors make these products must-have items for any kitchen small or large.

1. 9 Piece Nesting Bowl Set

This set has everything you need for mixing, straining and measuring, all in one compact nesting design. Simply take out the size bowl or measuring item you need and when done, just nest it back in place. Easy to clean, fun colors and compact, this set keeps essential items neatly stacked in one spot.

2. Unitool- 5 in 1 Kitchen Utensil

Five, yes FIVE uses with this space saving tool! You can literally cook entire meal using just this one utensil. Use it as a flipper, solid spoon, slotted spoon, spatula and a cutting edge. The ultimate in space saving, this will take up almost no room in your kitchen drawer.

3. Nesting Storage Container Set

The set comes with 4 different sized storage containers that fit perfectly inside of each other for ease of use and storage. What I love most about this product? Each container has a color coded lid corresponding with the matching dot on the bottom. No more guessing which lids fits! This amazing set makes food storage simple, and nests beautifully so that it takes up little room in your cabinet.

4. Wash & Drain

Compact, portable and totally functional, the wash and drain is a great addition to your kitchen. It is portable so you can take it with you where ever you need it. The plug allows you to fill the basin to soak dishes. When done with the washing, the plug serves as a strainer to filter out waste and food particles.

The Wash & Drain fits perfectly in any sink, making it super easy to soak pots, dishes and utensils. If ever you have cleaning needs in another room or outside, simply take it with you!

5. Nest Utensils Plus-5 Kitchen Utensils with Holder

These 5 utensils are a necessity for any meal preparation, but often take up a lot of space in a kitchen drawer or bulky utensil holder. The Nest Utensils Plus Set takes up almost zero counter space and keeps essential tools at your fingertips while working in the kitchen.

Complete with a solid spoon, slotted spoon, spaghetti server, slotted spatula, and ladle, these items nest together and hang beautifully in the stand for easy counter top access. Again, the fun colors are beautiful on any counter top without taking up precious counter space.

SIMPLIFY

Life is crazy enough as it is trying to keep up with a family. Opening your cabinets should not be a source of stress and aggravation. Organization makes life feel a little more manageable.

Happiness is: Knowing exactly where the pasta strainer is when you need it.

 

 

Hi, I’m Jennifer Farmer, an adventurer at heart.  As a mother of two young children, I seek out fun adventures and opportunities that connect families to nature and the outdoors. Follow my blog for fun, budget friendly ideas for your family. 

United Airlines understands how awesome family vaycays are and wants to make traveling with kiddos easier. Starting Apr. 1, the answer to the question, “Can you take a stroller on planes?” will be a resounding yes!

The airline recently announced that travelers with babies and young children can bring compact folding strollers on mainline and United Express flights. This means no more having to check your baby’s ride with your checked bags—leaving you with no choice but to carry your little one through the airport on your way to the gate.

If you’re wondering what the catch is—all compact folding strollers must meet carry-on baggage size restrictions. This means the maximum dimensions must fall between 9x14x22 inches when folded. Before boarding, check your stroller’s size with one of United’s bag sizers at the check-in area.

Along with allowing compact strollers on flights, United is also helping mamas by adding three new Mamava pods to Terminals B, C and E of the airline’s Houston hub. These pods, which are already located at United’s New York/Newark hub, provide private, comfortable spaces for nursing mamas to breastfeed at the airport.

Compact folding strollers as carry-ons and private nursing spaces? Combined with United’s other perks for parents—such as pre-boarding for families with kiddos under age two—the already-friendly skies just got that much friendlier.

—Erica Loop

Featured photo: Paul Hanaoka via Unsplash

 

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The U.S. Food & Drug Administration issued a warning regarding asbestos in certain Claire’s products after test results demonstrated the presence of the fibers in several makeup palettes. Asbestos is dangerous when particles or fibers enter the lungs or stomach and can lead to lung damage and cancer.

The items affected by the warning are Claire’s Eye Shadows, Compact Powder and Contour Palette and currently, are not being sold in stores. The FDA issued the warning to alert consumers to check their home for previously purchased items and to cease using the products immediately.

photo: Mike Mozart via Flickr

The FDA released the warning several years after Claire’s pulled nine makeup products from their shelves back in 2017. The statement comes after the organization tested several of those pulled items and found tremolite asbestos.

Claire’s has been in contact with the FDA and actually disputes the findings, stating that the methods used to classify the fibers as asbestos are incorrect. Representatives from Claire’s sent Red Tricycle the following statement via email:

At Claire’s, customer safety is paramount, and we pride ourselves on providing our customers with the highest quality and safest products. We wish to address today’s FDA warning that three cosmetic items sold by Claire’s may have been contaminated with asbestos. We assure customers that our products are safe.

Out of an abundance of caution, we have removed the three products identified by the FDA from our stores, and are also removing any remaining talc based cosmetic products. We will honor returns of any Claire’s talc based cosmetics.

There is no evidence that any products sold by Claire’s are unsafe. In early 2018, the three items identified by the FDA were extensively tested by multiple independent accredited laboratories, and all products were found to be compliant with all relevant cosmetic safety regulations. The recent test results the FDA have shared with us show significant errors. Specifically, the FDA test reports have mis-characterized fibers in the products as asbestos, in direct contradiction to established EPA and USP criterion for classifying asbestos fibers. Despite our efforts to discuss these issues with the FDA, they insisted on moving forward with their release. We are disappointed that the FDA has taken this step, and we will continue to work with them to demonstrate the safety of our products.

You can contact Claire’s via its Customer Service page here.

––Karly Wood

 

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