Kanye West & Tyga Wow the Kids on Easter

by Red TricycleJanuary 28, 2016

As soon as you become a parent, caring about being cool goes out the window: if it makes them laugh, you’ll do it. It turns out, millionaire rapper Kanye West is no exception. Kanye West surprised daughter North and her friends when he and Tyga dressed up as the Easter bunnies to celebrate the holiday. There’s no doubt these outfits aren’t what you’d expect from either rapper, and their kids loved it!

Photo courtesy of kylizzlesnapchats via Instagram

Go follow @kimmysnapchats

A video posted by Kylie Jenner Snapchats (@kylizzlesnapchats) on Mar 27, 2016 at 2:37pm PDT

After a while, baby North was able to tell her dad was in the costume, but that didn’t spoil the fun.

How was your children’s first easter bunny experience? Tell us in the comments below!

Lunches, Streamlined

by Sara OlsherAugust 22, 2015

For busy parents, packing creative and healthy lunches is a never-ending and tedious task, second only to descaling the coffee pot and possibly removing soap scum. We’re loving this time-saving system dreamed up by our Marketing and Community Manager, Sara. As a single mom who works full time, Sara has her days down to a science, and lunches are no exception.

She started with a list of food ideas she knew her daughter would like, then planned out a week’s worth of her favorite meals.

She purchased five tupperware containers, then labeled each one with a day of the week and a list of ingredients for each day.

On Sundays, she lays all the containers out on the kitchen table and packs everything, including fruit in reusable containers and the non-perishables like crackers. If something needs to be packed at the last minute – like warm leftovers in a thermos – she puts a note in the box as a reminder.

All the boxes then go in the fridge, ready to be taken out each morning and packed. Packing lunch literally takes Sara 30 seconds – meaning she has more time for exciting things like nagging her daughter to put her shoes on.

Looking to put this system into use in your house? We’ve got lots of inspiration for creative (and delicious!) lunches, so you can save your brain cells for more desirable activities.

Do you have a time- or sanity-saving hack? We’d love to hear about it!

— Photos courtesy of Sara Olsher

Organic is the New Black: Top Spots for Organic Baby Clothing & Products

by Ilyssa SmithAugust 12, 2015

You heard it here first : Organic is the new black. For more and more parents, buying organic — be it food, clothes, toys — is the norm, not the exception. NYC retailers have stepped up to meet the demand, with many specializing in the niche. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite spots to help you keep your new addition chem-free. (Now if only we could keep those clothes and toys clean from baby drool…) Click through to see our picks!

For Cali Cool in Brooklyn or the UES: Sprout San Francisco

Sprout knows that it be can difficult to keep up with all of the new chemicals and hazards out there when shopping for your little one, which is why they’ve made it their mission to help provide the healthiest and happiest products for your family. Their stores (they have spots on the Upper East Side and in Carroll Gardens) carry natural and organic goods whenever possible, and the Sprout folks pride themselves on ensuring no toxic chemicals are in any of the store's products. With adorable clothes, toys, décor, bedding and bathing products, Sprout has got you covered on all things organic. Added plus? Its UES location has a playroom for your kids to enjoy while you shop, and hosts a number of amazing events for both parents and kids to participate in.

Shoppers go nuts for: Chewbeads and baby sunglasses

Sprout San Francisco, A Natural & Organic Children’s Boutique
376 Court St.
Carroll Gardens
718-488-8200
Online: www.sproutsanfrancisco.com

1375 Third Avenue @ 78th St.
Upper East Side
212-861-0670

photo: Sprout N. via Yelp

Do you have a favorite spot for organic everything? Tell us about it in the comments below!

—Ilyssa Smith

Ship Ahoy!: 9 Ways to Hop a Boat With the Kids

by rtgretchenkunzJuly 29, 2015

We New Yorkers are surrounded by water, constantly going over, under and around it. But most of us — with the exception of many Staten Island commuters, of course — don’t really spend a lot of time on the water. Taking a boat ride, be it big or small, powered by wind, feet, or diesel fuel is a great way to enjoy the city with kids. Here are some of the coolest ways to go boating in NYC, for all kinds of reasons. Click through to see our seafaring picks!

For Paddle Boats and More: NYC Parks

You don’t have to go any further than one of your local parks to have a boatful of fun. Central Park boasts the famous Loeb Boathouse on the lake, where you can rent rowboats or kayaks to paddle under your own power, or take a ride in an authentic Venetian gondola for a little bit of Italy in NYC. In Queens and Brooklyn, Wheel Fun Rentals can get you in a pedal boat or kayak at Flushing Meadows Corona Park, LeFrak Center at Lakeside Prospect Park, Marine Park or the World's Fair Marina. In Staten Island, you can rent a row or paddleboat at Clove Lakes Park, and in the Bronx you can get in some free rowing on weekends at Hunts Point Riverside Park via Rocking The Boat.

Where is your favorite place to explore the seas around the Big Apple?

—Gretchen Kunz

Play with Your Food: Pancake Games They’ll Flip For

by Amber GuetebierJune 21, 2015

National Pancake Day isn’t the only reason to play with your food. Kids love pancakes most any day, and these DIY games are no exception. Read on for our silly, sweet and simple ways to make pancakes without so much as a stove or syrup on hand.

Photo: Two Twenty One

Pancake Walk
Cut 6 pancakes out of cardboard or an old cereal box. The heavier weight works better than just paper. Using a regular kitchen spatula, have your kids stack one, then two, then three, etc. “pancakes” on the spatula and try and make it across the room without dropping them. You can also make this into a race with more than one kid at a time (or have them race against you) to see who can get to the other side first without dropping the pancakes.

Pancake Memory
Using simple paper, cut out 12 circles for the pancakes. On one side, draw simple shapes or icons, making sure to have two of each icon. Let the kids help with the coloring and drawing. Then lay all the pancakes, drawing side down, and play a game of matching/memory. For older kids, you can make more than 12 and for the youngest set, try making just 6 (3 matching sets).

Felt Pancakes
This one requires a few more “ingredients” than the others. You’ll need brown and yellow felt, scissors and fabric or Elmer’s glue. Cut out circles to represent pancakes and small yellow rectangles to represent pats of butter. Have the kids help assemble. Serve the pancakes on a paper plate to some of your kiddo’s resident stuffies.

Flip a Word
Make circle shapes with letters that will form words on the other side. For toddlers, you can do the letters of their name or basic words like mom, dad, cat, pig, etc. Older kids can do longer words or sentences. Write the letters on one side, and have the kids flip them with a pancake spatula, then place them in the correct order for the words.

Got any other ideas for Pancake Day games and crafts? Share them with us in the comments below!

—Amber Guetebier

Handmade Holiday: 6 Kid-Friendly Spots for DIY Gifts

by Hanna NeierDecember 8, 2014

Here’s a holiday PSA from us here at Red Tricycle NY: Your mother-in-law does not need another serving platter that you picked up in a panic at Macy’s. However, she’ll love one personally hand-painted by her grandchild! Make holiday dreams come true — and keep your little one engaged on a cold or rainy day — at one of these drop-in spots where kids can unleash their creativity and help you cross a few folks off your gift list!

For Tons of Options: Make Meaning in Manhattan

With its four stories of lofty modern colorful creativity areas, Make Meaning is an Upper East Side hangout with lots of options for you and your crafty kid. Make Meaning goes beyond the ordinary and offers an enormous range of activities and crafts like soap and candle-making to cookie decorating and more. Many projects costs less than $25 to make, including the make-your-own candles and soaps; you can also decorate a pair of four-inch cookies for $19.

Good to know: The activities here are suitable for all ages with the exception of glass-making, which is for kids ages eight and up. Weekday mornings are open studio where you're pretty much on your own and receive little instruction and, depending on the day, limited to plaster and ceramic painting. For more instruction, and more options, come in the afternoons or weekends when staff run drop-in, hour-long workshops every half-hour. Although drop-ins always welcome, Make Meaning offers and recommends making reservations if you want to avoid a table wait during busy hours.

Hours: Sun.-Thurs., 10a.m.-7p.m.; Fri., 10a.m.-8p.m., Sat. 10a.m.-9p.m.

212-744-0011
1501 3rd Ave. Upper East Side

Online: makemeaning.com

photo: Make Meaning/Shirley Serure Photography

Have a favorite DIY spot? Leave a comment below and let us know about it!

—Hanna R. Neier

Word Play: A Dictionary for Seattle Parents

by Allison SutcliffeOctober 25, 2014

Like any specialized group, parents have a lingo all their own. When parents talk about a “blow out” they don’t mean an epic party, or even a real big sale (wink, wink). And Seattle parents are no exception. We have our own language, specific to our favorite haunts and hangouts in the Emerald City. So whether you’re new to parenting, new to Seattle or new to both, this dictionary will help you parent like a pro in “R Town.”

photo: Mark Grantor

The Rock
Everywhere else: Dwayne Johnson, former football player turned WWE wrestling star, turned action movie hero.
In Seattle: Mercer Island, a beautiful scenic island located in the center of Lake Washington.

photo: Derrick Coetzee via Flickr

The Clink
Everywhere else: Jail
In Seattle: Century Link Field, where we take our littlest sports fans to cheer on the Super Bowl Champion Seahawks or Sounders FC.

photo: Calandra Childers

The Eastside
Everywhere else: The place to which George and Wheezy moved on up.
In Seattle: The land across the bridges, where families extend their Big City playground with hikes, farm visits, trendy classes, and lots of shopping. Also, home to two of Seattle’s most famous parents, Bill and Melinda Gates.

photo: Hina S. via Yelp

Easy Street
Everywhere else: Living large and easy, usually because one is financially independent.
In Seattle: An ultra-cool, indie record store where parents can pick up the latest Caspar Babypants’ release right next to Macklemore’s or Arcade Fire’s newest album.

photo: Allison Sutcliffe

Pill Hill
Everywhere else: A hill made out of pills.
In Seattle: First Hill, the current home of three major health care facilities and where many, many, many Seattle babies are born!

photo: Richie D. via Yelp

Snowpocalypse
Everywhere else: A massive snowstorm barreling toward any city in the Midwest or on the East Coast, where accumulation is measured in feet, not inches.
In Seattle: Any amount of snow that sticks (usually half an inch or less) and causes school and work to be canceled, leading to impromptu family snow days!

photo: Emily Williams

Web-footer
Everywhere else: A duck or swan, usually any animal with webbed feet.
In Seattle: A born and raised Seattleite. We’re guessing your mini me fits the bill (see what we did there?).

photo: Jana Ablin

Beth’s
Everywhere else: Of or belonging to Beth.
In Seattle: An iconic greasy spoon in Green Lake, where parents can take their early risers for a 12-egg omelet and lots of coloring and doodling all around.

photo: Beth’s Cafe Facebook page

The I.D.
Everywhere else: A form of identification.
In Seattle: The International District, where parents and their foodie minis can nosh on some of the best pho, sushi, dim sum and banh mi in town. Delish!

photo: Melinda Wong

The M’s
Everywhere else: The letter smack dab in the middle of the alphabet.
In Seattle: The Seattle Mariners. And while a game with the fam is always exciting, it’s even more so on family days when kids (and their grown ups) get to run the bases. Home run!

photo: Ben VanHouten, Seattle Mariners

What Seattleisms did we miss? Add yours in a comment below so other parents can be in the know.

–Allison Sutcliffe

Inside Skate Like a Girl with Nancy Chang

by writerredtriNovember 5, 2013

There’s definitely something fantastic about organizations that aim to empower girls and women and Skate Like a Girl is no exception. Through skateboard-related programs and a whole lot of support, this grassroots business is committed to being all-inclusive, with an emphasis on diversity. Is it any wonder Skate Like a Girl was your Totally Awesome pick for best kids sports classes in Seattle?

Nancy Chang has been volunteering with Skate Like a Girl since 2006 and in addition to acting as Board Chair, is also the teen program coordinator in Redmond and a pretty fab skater herself. Here’s Nancy’s take on the Totally Awesome Skate Like a Girl, the importance of community, and more:

Red Tricycle: Congratulations on being “Most Awesome” by your community! What do think your customers value most about your business?

Nancy Chang: Our supporters value the opportunity to skateboard in an inclusive community that supports everyone’s desire to learn and improve.

RT: What inspired you to start your business?

NC: Skate Like a Girl began as a response to a community need for structured opportunities to learn to skateboard!

RT: Any advice for new business owners just getting started?

NC: New business owners should look for opportunities to get in the community and demonstrate their commitment to building healthy and fun communities.

RT: Can you give us one tip for balancing entrepreneurship with parenthood?

NC: I’m not a parent, but I would say build a community of support.

RT: What is your proudest moment as a business owner or parent?

NC: My proudest moment with Skate Like a Girl was having the community coming together to celebrate the Youth Employment Skateboarding program – it included City of Seattle officials, families of our 12 and Under skaters, Skate Like a Girl volunteers, and the parents of our Youth Employment Skateboarding members.

RT: Is there a special offer you’d like to include for Red Tricycle readers?

NC: We’re offering a Red Tricycle Reader’s Deal—a 2 hour birthday party for up to 10 skaters for $100. (Normally it is $100 for 1 hour.)

Intrigued by Skate Like a Girl? Find them on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram!

9 Eco-Friendly Back to School Essentials

by Erin LemSeptember 1, 2013

TotLogic is a natural body, bath and hair care line for babies, kids and even adults. With TotLogic, what you see is what you get: there are no bi-products or dangerous chemicals to be found – it’s just pure, gentle, hypoallergenic and effective. Use TotLogic for bath time, body and hair care fun for the entire family!

After the freedom and fun of summer, heading back to school may seem like a drag to some kids. Get the kids psyched to hear that school bell ring with some eco-friendly (not to mention adorable) school supplies that will have all their classmates asking to borrow a pencil. With these awesome green gadgets, your little students will be begging for more homework to do…well, maybe!

Etsy Soy Earth Star Crayons
Crayons are always essential for our kids' creative projects, and these soy crayons should be no exception! Unlike regular crayons, these eco-friendly art supplies are made from pure soy, are non-toxic, and are 100% biodegradable (not to mention their awesome shape!). Best of all, these crayons glide smoothly to create a creamy texture. Your kiddos will love doing their homework!

Available online: etsy.com
Cost: $10

We love digging up new and fabulous eco-friendly back to school products and gear! Let us know in the comment section below how you and your family are “greening” up back to school!

RELATED STORIES:

Go Green: Must-Have Art Supplies

Cute and Convenient Reusable Snack Bags

Explore: Solano Ave, Part Two

by Jacqui BolandSeptember 24, 2009

Explore

Solano Ave, Part Two
The perfect antidote to the mall–the Albany end of Solano Avenue, bordered on the west by San Pablo Avenue, is known as the Kids’ Block and is packed with child-friendly (not to mention wallet-friendly) stores. Gently worn, super-stylish secondhand goods can be picked up at Hannah’s Children’s Resale and Solano Kids Resale, and new togs (some at ridiculously low sample prices) fill the racks at Sweet Potatoes. The crave-worthy toys and gifts at Five Little Monkeys will be finding their way onto many a holiday wish list. But our favorite idea is putting together a private yoga class for your little one and some friends at Yoga for Life; classes start at $45 for up to four kids, $10 a child after that. Any good retail stretch worth its salt has tea houses, coffee shops, and places to grab a bite lining its sidewalks. Solano’s no exception–we like to steer our broods into the family-run Walker’s Pie Shop where all the baked goodies are made fresh in-house each day. The seasonal flavor to try this month is eggnog pie, of course! If you’re in the neighborhood this weekend, don’t miss the holiday park lighting at 4 p.m. on Saturday at the corner of Solano and Key Route. And next month, Dec. 6-7 and 13-14, Santa will be visiting the Albany Chamber of Commerce. Stop by for a free photo with Santa, plus popcorn and treats! www.solanoavenueassn.org

P.S. Fallen in love with the neighborhood and want to spread the word? There are Solano Ave. gift certificates available at Five Little Monkeys-perfect stocking stuffers for friends and family.

More to Explore (with kiddies in tow):

Solano, Part 1

Hyde Street Pier and Aquatic Park

the Presidio and Crissy Field

Farmer’s Market & China Camp State Park

Marin Organic, U-Pick

Elmwood

Presidio Heights

Lakeshore

Larkspur’s Magnolia Street

Mt Tam and the West Point Inn

San Francisco’s Bernal Heights

Berkeley’s Fourth Street