Portable Play Yards for Indoor & Outdoor Fun

by Eva Ingvarson CeriseNovember 11, 2021

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Whether you call them a playard, play yard or play pen, these portable powerhouses take convenience to the next level. Doubling as travel cribs and a place for indoor or outdoor fun, some playards include features like removable covers for protection from sun and insects. We’ve rounded up our favorites and share all their bells and whistles.

Chicco Alfa Lite Lightweight Travel Playard

$160 BUY NOW

At only 13 pounds, the Chicco Alfa Lite travel playard is a breeze to bring with you. It comes with a zippered carry bag and features an easy, snap-open set up so it's at the ready when sleepiness strikes. Once snapped open, your child can rest or play on a full-size, padded area, and crawl in and out via a zippered side panel. The mattress cover zips off and is machine-washable, and the frame fabrics can be removed and washed as well. Designed for kids up to 30 pounds and 35 inches tall.

Veer Basecamp

$179 BUY NOW

Ready to head to the beach, a park or just out to the backyard? Then you need the Veer Basecamp. This play yard is delivered fully assembled and opens (and folds) in one easy step. It comes with anchors for beach or grass, a UPF50 cover for sun and rain, and a moisture-resistant bottom. Kids will love the large play area (56" wide x 43" deep x 35" high), and parents will appreciate the built-in insect protection, external zipper for safety, and the storage bag. If you have the Veer Cruiser wagon, the Basecamp's storage bag attaches to it in a stroke of brilliance. Pick up the brand's roomy, waterproof tote, and you're ready for every adventure.

Born Free Nisa

$200 BUY NOW

The nisa playard from born free has a pop-open design for a quick setup and comes with a removable, oversize six-panel canopy with three mesh panels for ventilation and three covered panels to protect kids from the elements. One panel zippers down for easy access to the inside. Bonus: You can fold up the play yard with the canopy still attached, making it a snap to reassemble next time. The play yard floor is padded and covered with machine-washable fabric. When it's time to pack up, just fold it up and tuck it into its carrying bag.

Guava Lotus Everywhere Travel Crib

$220 BUY NOW

This lightweight (13 pounds!) combination travel crib and play yard fits in the included backpack and can be brought on an airplane as a carry-on bag. It's certified free of harmful chemicals and features an ingenious zippered side door for crawl-friendly playtime. When using it as a travel crib, there's an insulated foam mattress pad with waterproof cover so your child will be comfortable on any surface, indoors or out. When you're heading outside, bring along the separately sold mosquito net and UPF50+ fun shade, which blocks the sun's rays, darkens baby's sleeping area and makes for an awesome fort.

Portable Playards Regalo Eight Panel My Play Portable Playard

Regalo Eight Panel My Play Deluxe Portable Play Yard

$100 BUY NOW

Designed for kids between 6 and 24 months, this water-resistant play yard with removable canopy (there's also a smaller, six-panel version) can be set up or folded down in one step. The canopy, made from half mesh and half UV-protected nylon, also opens with one step. The edges of the play yard have reinforced stitching to keep kids from ripping through it, and the bottom is made of a durable nylon. There's a zippered door that lets kids in or out, and a carrying bag is included.

Portable Playards Phil and Teds Traveller Crib

phil & ted's Traveller Travel Crib

$150 BUY NOW

Based on its name and ultra light weight (6 pounds), you know the Traveller is designed to make it easier to get away with your baby. It's compact enough to fit in a small car trunk and unpacks into a cozy sleep spot and play area. It assembles easily and features a zippered side so parents can slide in for sleepy snuggles and kids can crawl out while playing. Pop on the mesh top accessory ($19.99) that attaches to the crib with toggles to keep baby protected from bugs and sun.

Summer Pop 'N Play Deluxe Ultimate Playard

$109 BUY NOW

True to the Pop 'N Play name, this lightweight (12 pounds) metal play structure can be set up in seconds. When playtime is over, it folds compactly into a storage bag with shoulder strap. It has mesh sides for visibility, a full-coverage, removable canopy with zippered sections for added airflow and easy access to kids, and a padded floor. You get 14 square feet of safe, comfortable play space and, if kids need extra entertainment, you can slip a tablet, smart phone or other toy into the clip-on entertainment pouch that attaches to the side.

—Eva Ingvarson Cerise

featured photo: Chicco

photos courtesy of retailers

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Why Families Should Check Out Boston’s Immersive Van Gogh Experience

by Allison SutcliffeNovember 4, 2021

When it comes to art, kids want it to be bold, colorful and larger-than-life. From the moment you step through the sunflower-adorned doorway into Boston’s Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience, that’s what you’ll find. It’s a sensory-igniting lesson in art appreciation that was made for 21st century families. Wondering if you should visit? Here’s what you need to know.

1. Kids Can Learn about Van Gogh

By the time you exit the experience, you’ll have seen nearly 300 digital projections of Van Gogh’s sketches, drawings and paintings, but it all starts with learning about Van Gogh’s life, influences and recognizable technique. We recommend downloading the app to get the most out of the exhibit rooms that focus on the artist. Wall placards aside, the QR codes take visitors to historical tidbits, personal notes and other intriguing facts and puts them in the palm of your hand. Plus, handing your device off to your little art lover (a.k.a. the official code scanner) gives kids a way to interact during this (mostly) static part of the experience.

2. Kids Become Part of the Art

Kids will love the 3-D effects they’ll find along the way, too, like Van Gogh’s head and The Vases. When they make it to The Bedroom at Arles, they can sit in the painting and pose for parents. And if you’re wondering what the light cameras on the ground are for, they guide visitors to the perfect spot to take Insta-worthy shots.

3. It's a Full-Sensory Experience

The most talked about part of the experience is the 360-room. A sensory-igniting area, it's the place where floor-to-ceiling animated art projections allow families to “step into a living painting.” Beyond the visual effects that make sunflowers float to the ceiling, crabs crawl across walls and wagons mosey along haystack-lined roads, kids will love the sound effects, music and playful floor projections that draw in Van Gogh fans of all ages.

While parents and big kids will appreciate sitting down on nearby benches and chairs to listen to the narration, tots will love the freedom of the space. They can chase the floor projections, darting from one spot to the next, as scenes change. Tiny dancers will love strutting their stuff when the music starts and the spirit moves them. But kids may also enjoy finding a seat and marveling at the spectacle that surrounds them.

4. Turning Inspiration into Art is Easy

If being surrounded by Van Gogh’s visually stunning creations has you itching to create something yourself, there’s an area to sit down and do just that beyond the immersive room. Here kids and parents can color one of Van Gogh’s famous works of art, adding their own touches. Finally! Time to sit and color with your kiddo. Crayons and hand sanitizer are the tools at your disposal. When you’re finished, project your work into a digital frame at the “Paint with Vincent” station. Kids can line up the picture, press the red button and watch their work magically appear on the screen in front of them. What a thrill! Take your artwork home or hang it on the wall for others to enjoy.

5. Families Can Take a Virtual Walk with the Artist

The final piece of the experience is the VR presentation of “A Day in the Life of the Artist.” Once you put on the headset, you’ll be transported to the French countryside where a simple stroll turns into a learning experience. It’s a chance to hear intriguing stories behind some of Van Gogh’s most iconic paintings. The VR experience lasts 10 minutes, and is included in the VIP package. Families can also add it on day-of for $5 each. We’re guessing big kids will jump at the chance to try this out—because, VR. And if you’ve got younger kiddos with you, consider a tag team approach with your parenting partner—you definitely won’t be able to keep an eye on roaming kids with the headset on. The sets are recommended for kids ages 6 and up.

Parent Planning Tools:

1. Plan a little over an hour, give or take, for the experience. This will give you enough time to watch the presentation in the immersion room, sit and color for a while and then dive into the VR experience, without feeling too hurried.

2. If you want to avoid the crowds (and save some money too!), get tickets for a mid-week time slot.

3. The experience is super stroller-friendly so bring one along for antsy toddlers or non-walkers. Babies in carriers are easy too. Who knows—your little bundle may even sleep through the exhibit!

4. Remember to check out the COVID policies and cleaning protocols so you know what to expect when visiting with kids. Staying socially distant, wearing masks and hand sanitizer stations are all part of the protocol here.

Date & Hours: Mon. & Weds.-Fri., 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sat., Sun. & holidays, 9 a.m.-8 p.m.

Strand Theatre
543 Columbia Rd.
Boston, MA
Online: vangoghexpo.com/boston

—Allison Sutcliffe

Article images courtesy the writer (from the Seattle exhibition)

Feature image: Cheshire Isaacs

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Why You Need to Take the Kids to the Immersive Van Gogh Experience

by Allison SutcliffeOctober 29, 2021

When it comes to art, kids want it to be bold, colorful and larger-than-life. From the moment you step through the doors of the bright blue building that houses Seattle’s newest art exhibit, Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience, that’s what you’ll find. The oversized sunflowers that greet you at the door set the scene for this immersive art experience that was made for 21st century families. Wondering if you should visit? Here’s what you need to know.

Learn about Van Gogh

By the time you exit the experience, you’ll have seen nearly 300 digital projections of Van Gogh’s sketches, drawings and paintings, but it all starts with learning about Van Gogh’s life, influences and recognizable technique. We recommend downloading the app to get the most out of the first few exhibit rooms. Wall placards aside, the QR codes take visitors to historical tidbits, personal notes and other intriguing facts and puts them in the palm of your hand. Plus, handing your device off to your little art lover (a.k.a. the official code scanner) gives kids a way to interact during this (mostly) static part of the experience.

Ignite All Your Senses

After walking through the first few rooms, it’s time for the big show. The 360-degree, floor-to-ceiling immersive room is where families can “step into a living painting.” Beyond the visual effects that make sunflowers float to the ceiling, crabs crawl across walls and wagons mosey along haystack-lined roads, kids will love the sound effects, music and playful floor projections that draw in Van Gogh fans of all ages.

While parents and big kids will appreciate lounging in the beach chairs listening to the narration, tots will love the freedom of the space. They can chase the floor projections darting from one spot to the next as scenes change. Tiny dancers will love strutting their stuff when the music starts and the spirit moves them. But kids may also enjoy finding a seat and marveling at the spectacle that surrounds them. We love the comfy rugs on the floor, too because they make sweet spots for tots to watch the show.

Turn Inspiration into Art

Take a Virtual Walk with Van Gogh

Parent Planning Tools:

2. If you want to avoid the crowds (and save some money too!), get tickets for a mid-week time slot.

3. The experience is super stroller-friendly so bring one along for antsy toddlers or non-walkers. Babies in carriers are easy too. Who knows—your little bundle may even sleep through the exhibit!

4. There are lots of public parking lots in the area, including at the exhibit building. Plan to pay anywhere from $3-$10 to park and plan on a short walk, depending on where you’re able to snag a spot.

5. Remember to check out the COVID policies and cleaning protocols so you know what to expect when visiting with kids. Staying socially distant, wearing masks and hand sanitizer stations are all part of the protocol here.

Important COVID info.: Please remember to bring your proof of vaccination or negative COVID test.

Date & Hours: Mon. & Weds.-Fri., 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sat., Sun. & holidays, 9 a.m.-8 p.m.

Cost: $41-$50/Adult, General Admission; $25-$28, Kid (4-12), General Admission; $62-$72/Adult, VIP; $42-$47/Kid (4-12), VIP; $104-$125/Family Pass (2 Adults + 2 Kids); $21-$25/Additional Family Pass Child; Discounts for students, seniors and military

1750 Occidental Ave. S.
Seattle, WA 98134
Online: vangoghexpo.com/seattle

—Allison Sutcliffe, all images courtesy the writer

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Candid Confessions of a Pinterest-Challenged Mom

By Nina Meehan

Tinybeans Voices Contributor

September 13, 2021

Photo: Ryan McGuire/Gratisography

I have a theory that cupcakes are a form of feminine oppression. No joke. Allow me to explain.

Your cupcakes for the second grade class are due to the teacher Monday at 8 a.m. sharp. You remember on Sunday around 5 p.m.. You freeze — and then visions from Pinterest begin to dance in your head. You know what I mean: the perfect cupcakes, the ones with the frosting piped on and the delicately drizzled decorations…

For those of you who spark joy from Pinterest-perfect cupcakes and can pull it off, I applaud you. I know you are out there. But for those of us mere mortal moms, I say… free yourselves! You see, to my way of thinking, Pinterest-perfect cupcakes lack an essential ingredient. They’re missing the OOPS.

Oops cupcakes have uneven, spattered batter and frosting that was smooshed on with a dinner knife and probably have a few finger pokes around the outside edges. Maybe a few even landed on the floor (frosting side down, naturally). Oops cupcakes are a form of freedom—freedom from a world where the image of perfection doesn’t allow for the beauty that is a mistake. Beauty that comes naturally and unintentionally. Beauty that comes from an oops.

In my work as the founder of Bay Area Children’s Theatre and mom of three (2, 6 and 9), I have found that creativity thrives when kids (and parents) are allowed the freedom to learn and discover on their own. Yes, they need adult guidance, but they also deserve an opportunity to make a mess and make a giant mistake.

“Living in the Oops” is accepting that if our job as parents is to train these small people to one day leap into life as fully formed adults, we must not only allow for mistakes, we must model mistakes and CELEBRATE mistakes.

In a theatre class, kids are asked to embark on a rehearsal experience where mistakes are a natural part of the process. No child will remember every dance step, every word of the song and the blocking all at the same moment. They have to learn each of those elements incrementally and as they are learning, mistakes are expected. What a powerful learning tool!

The permission to make repeated mistakes allows them to move towards proficiency.

At my house, we don’t usually have anything that resembles perfect. My boys like to cook dinner on their own occasionally. I assure you, these dinners are not pinned by anyone on Pinterest, but nonetheless, those two serve their scrambled eggs and over-steamed broccoli beaming with pride. My toddler is pretty sure that frosting is actually a versatile art supply.

And, right now, the infamous California missions school project has taken over an entire room of my house with LEGOs. My nine-year old has no idea how to build a LEGO model of a mission, but he’s going to try, and I applaud his can-do approach. There will be mistakes, there will be frustration, but he will persevere and I’m not going to tell him to clean up the LEGOS—even if I step on them with bare feet in the middle of the night.

5 Ways You Can Live More Freely in the Land of Oops

1. Celebrate mistakes . Make a silly dance, turn on music, throw confetti every time a mistake is made.

2. Tolerate a level of chaos that’s right for you. When kids create, they make messes, and messes allow for the “Oops” to thrive.

3. Remember small eyes are watching . If you make a mistake, respond with laughter and positivity.

4. Create with what you have, not with what you think you need. If your kids want to build, leftover cardboard and masking tape are just as exciting as the fancy building kit

5. Share your own “Oops” stories with your kids. The best bedtime story is a true story from your childhood. Last night, I told my gang about the time that I ignored my mom, jumped on the bed anyway, and it fell through the floor. OOPS! Trust me, that story got some good laughs! (And I will never, ever have to tell my kids not to jump on the bed.)

So, back to those cupcakes. Sure, I like beautiful, perfect cupcakes. I struggle because I sometimes think of my whole life as an analogy around The Perfect Cupcake. I’m supposed to be the perfect mom, the perfect artist, the perfect boss.

The reality is, the more I strive for perfection, the more I struggle.

So, let’s revel in the sprinkles that end up on the floor, relish the blob-like sugar decorations that are supposed to be snowflakes and release ourselves from Pinterest-perfect cupcake oppression.

When we let in the Oops and celebrate the mistakes, that’s when we leap.

Nina Meehan

Tinybeans Voices Contributor

Nina Meehan is CEO and Founder Bay Area Children's Theatre and the host of the Creative Parenting Podcast. An internationally recognized expert in youth development through the arts, Nina nurtures innovation by fostering creative thinking. She is mom to Toby (13), Robby (10) and Meadow (5).

12 Non-Toxic Homemade Cleaners You Can DIY

By Kristen Chapple

Tinybeans Voices Contributor

August 16, 2021

Photo: Photo by CDC on Unsplash

If you are tired of buying toxic chemicals to clean your home, you can easily DIY homemade cleaners using the recipes below.

Non-Toxic Cleaners for the Bathroom

1. DIY Hand Soap
With the current pandemic raising havoc worldwide, I always do everything humanly possible to keep my kids safe. This means preparing an effective and non-toxic hand soap for them to use every day when they come home from school or after using the toilet.

For non-toxic hand soap, you need to fill 25% of the soap dispenser with liquid or grated castile soap and then top it up with water. Mix it well and place it in the bathroom for everyone to use after visiting the toilet or getting home.

2. Disinfectant
Despite being where we clean our bodies, the bathroom floors are prone to bacteria infestations; therefore, Eco Peanut recommends that you disinfect them regularly. And being an environmentally conscious parent, you can prepare a simple yet effective disinfectant for your floor using simple ingredients like lime, lemon, lime peels and white vinegar. Mix 0.24 liters of white vinegar, lime peels, juice of one lime and juice of one lemon and 0.24 liters of water. Mix this well and spray it on the bathroom floor and then rinse it after a few minutes.

3. DIY Toilet Cleaner
For the toilet, I have two solutions (heavy-duty and mellow cleaners) that I prepare for specific types of cleaning. The mellow cleaner keeps the toilet clean daily, while the heavy-duty formula helps with stain removal.

4. Mellow Cleaner Recipe for Toilets
To prepare this mellow toilet cleaner, you need to mix 0.24 liters of white vinegar, half a cup of baking soda, and one and a half teaspoons of tea tree essential oil, lavender, grapefruit or orange essential oils. Mix it well before cleaning your toilet. This DIY toilet cleaner will leave your toilet clean and smelling nice.

5. Heavy-Duty Cleaner Recipe for Toilets
For a heavy-duty cleaner, you should mix 0.24 liters of white vinegar, ¾ cup of baking soda, five drops of lemon essential oils and 10 drops of lavender essential oils. Mix them well before scrubbing your toilet.

6. DIY Shower & Tub Cleaner
For the tub and shower, I also have two unique recipes that I use, one is for heavy-duty cleaning, and the other is for mellow cleaning.

Mellow Cleaning Recipe for Tubs & Showers: I always spray some white vinegar on the shower’s surfaces or the tub for mellow cleaning and let it sit for about half an hour before rinsing it.

Heavy-Duty Cleaning Recipe for Tubs & Showers: For deep cleaning, I mix half a cup of salt, washing soda, a cup of baking soda and five drops of lemon. Mix the mixture well and then sprinkle it on a damp floor and leave it for about 10 minutes before scrubbing and rinsing the floor.

Non-Toxic Cleaners for the Kitchen

7. DIY Clogged Sink Drain Cleaner
For clogged pipes, I have a simple yet effective formula that I learned from my grandmother. To unclog the sink drain, I always pour eight tablespoons of salt and eight tablespoons of baking soda down the drain. And then top it up with some water and let it sit for about three hours.

When dealing with a grim-clogging situation, I always leave the mixture in the drain overnight. And then repeat this process twice to clear the drain.

8. DIY Dishwasher Detergent
A huge percentage of dishwashing detergents have fragrances that trigger allergic reactions in allergy sufferers. So if any member of your family has allergies, you should try a DIY dishwasher detergent. Mix 0.24 liters of water with liquid castile soap and then add it to the first detergent compartment. Fill the other compartment with four teaspoons of lime or lemon juice and white vinegar.

9. DIY Countertop Cleaner
Instead of wasting a lot of cash on a branded cleaner with toxic chemicals, you can mix water and vinegar. If your countertops are not made from stone, granite or marble, then you can create a mixture containing one part water and one part vinegar and put it all in a spray bottle.

But for marble, granite and stone surface, you should mix 0.36 liters of water, 0.12 liters of rubbing alcohol, half a teaspoon of liquid castile soap and a few drops of your favorite essential oil. Shake the mixture well and rub it gently on the surfaces using a cotton cloth.

Non-Toxic Cleaners for the Rest of the House

10. DIY Furniture Polish
For non-wood furniture, I mix 0.18 liters of olive oil with 0.6 liters of vinegar and apply the mixture to the furniture. This all-purpose cleaner works perfectly with a wide range of materials except for wooden surfaces.

For wooden surfaces, you need 0.96 liters of hot water, three teaspoons of white vinegar and six teaspoons of olive oil. Apply this mixture to wood surfaces and wipe gently using a cotton cloth.

11. DIY Floor Cleaner
For my floor, all I need is a mixture of warm water and three teaspoons of washing soda and I am good to go. After cleaning the floors, I always apply a mixture of white vinegar and olive oil in certain parts of the house and then rub it to create a shiny thin coat.

12. DIY Mirror & Window Cleaner
For my windows, I mix 5 parts water, 1 part white vinegar, squeeze some juice from half a lemon and some lemon peels in my spray bottle. Shake the mixture well before washing all the windows and mirrors in the house. You can spread the mixture all over the window using a cotton cloth or sponge.

Kristen Chapple

Tinybeans Voices Contributor

I am an environmentalist who loves to share knowledge about sustainable living and how to save our lovely planet!

We’ve Found the Perfect Birthday Gift for Your Preschooler

by Nora BuchholtzAugust 9, 2021

The preschool years are an exciting time of major development for your child, and having toys that combine fun and learning is essential. VTech toys help boost important developmental skills through play and are soon to be your little one’s favorites! Here are some of our top picks for birthday gifts:

Stroll & Discover Activity Walker™

Toys that grow with your kiddo provide new opportunities for fun and learning at every stage—this colorful Stroll & Discover Activity Walker™ is designed for children 9-36 months. Before walking begins the activity panel can be removed for floor play. And once those cute wobbly legs are ready to make some moves, the two-speed wheel option provides safe support as they get the hang of being on the go. Little ones can learn all about colors, numbers, shapes and animals thanks to the interactive activities, songs, sounds and phrases. Light-up piano keys, spinning gears, shape sorter pieces and removable cell phone boost fine motor skills and imaginative play. Short on space? The legs fold so it’s easy to store when not in use.

Buy Now

Count & Win Sports Center™

Two sports = double the fun. Play basketball and soccer with this awesome Count & Win Sports Center™, perfectly sized for your resident preschool superstar! From shooting hoops to scoring a goal, your little athlete can practice counting with the animated LED scoreboard, keeping them engaged with active play. Bonus: 65+ songs, sounds and phrases to learn about shapes, colors and numbers! The action continues as your child grows, thanks to the adjustable height.

Buy Now

Pop-a-Balls™ Push & Pop Bulldozer™

Make way for the cutest bulldozer to grace your living room floor (and hopefully the only bulldozer to go inside of your house!) The Pop-a-Balls™ Push & Pop Bulldozer™ keeps kids active, excited and delighted as they push the handle to roll the bulldozer across the room. Colorful balls pop out of the chimney and back into the bucket as it moves. (This cool trick doesn’t get old for the preschool set.) The buttons on the side help kids learn all about colors, numbers, words and music.

Buy Now

Gallop and Rock Learning Pony™

Giddy ‘up! Another great grow-with-me pick is the 2-in-1 Gallop and Rock Learning Pony™. Start off using it as a rocking horse and then transform to a ride-on-toy. Buttons on the pony’s mane make learning fun by introducing colors, animals, and realistic pony sounds. Not only is it great for imaginative play (and working on those “neighs!”), but it encourages balance and movement.

Buy Now

Drop & Go Dump Truck™

Get ready for tons of excitement packed into a little truck. Little ones love to push or pull this Drop & Go Dump Truck™ with an attached string. Pretend “rocks” (aka balls) pop through a hole and into the truck’s bucket. Kids can count along with the interactive vehicle as the balls go in and out (they’ll love to load and unload their rocks over and over again!). Imaginative play has never been so cute!

Buy Now

Sit-to-Stand Ultimate Alphabet Train™

All aboard! This Sit-to-Stand Ultimate Alphabet Train™ takes active imaginations on the ultimate adventure. With four ways to play (floor play, ride on, walker and wagon), it changes along with your developing kid! Thirteen stackable letter blocks help teach the alphabet. And then they’re counted when dropped down the chute. There are 100+ songs, melodies, sounds and phrases to enjoy with the press of a button. Plus, a walkie-talkie and built-in book of songs are great for role-playing and enjoying music!

Buy Now

How You Can Restore Your Postpartum Core

By Vern Hill

Tinybeans Voices Contributor

August 4, 2021

Photo: https://www.carifitonline.com/

Your body has done some amazing things over the past few months, more than anything, it has created and give birth to a tiny human! As your baby grew, your body cleverly accommodated it but for many, even most women, the abdominal muscles will have accepted some degree of separation to allow for your growing bump. This is totally normal and with the right approach and the right exercises, these muscles will find their way back together.

Let’s start with breathing! For a lot of post natal mums, the art of breathing and engaging the core muscles correctly requires some reminding and retraining. It is hugely important to restore good breathing techniques in order to form a foundation for which to grow on. There are a number of disciplines of exercise that rely on correct and proper breathing techniques and this is by no means just about fueling the body with oxygen, it is actually to make sure that you can properly connect with the core muscles as day to day movement relies on correct core engagement. By starting with a good breathing technique, you will lay the foundations for a stronger core.

How to Breathe Correctly

Start by lying on your back with one hand on your tummy and the other hand on the side of your ribcage
Breathe deeply into your tummy and into the side of the ribcage feeling your tummy rise and your ribcage expand
As you breathe out, you should feel your tummy relax

Once you have mastered this and you are sure you are activating your pelvic floor muscles you can move onto movement based exercises below.

Hip Bridges: Aim to do 2 sets of 12 reps

Lying on your back bend your knees so that your feet are flat on the floor
Raise the hips off the floor squeezing your glutes (bum) and activating your pelvic floor muscles
Hold at the top for a few seconds then relax back down to neutral position

Squats: Aim to do 2 sets of 12 reps

Start with your feet hip width apart
Breathe in as you sit back into the squat as if to sit onto a chair
Keep a neutral back throughout with weight evenly distributed through your heels
Squeeze your bum to stand back upright to starting position

Half Press Ups: Aim to do 2 sets of 8 reps

Start on your knees with your hands under your shoulders
Knees, hips and shoulders should all be aligned
Breathe in as you bend your elbows wide and lower the chest to the floor
Keep your head aligned with your spine
Breathe out as you push yourself back to the starting position

Remember only even do as much as you feel you can do, listen to your body and ease into it.

Checking your tummy gap (Diastasis Recti): Understanding your own tummy gap, core and pelvic floor activation levels is key to fully restoring your postpartum strength and fitness. Remember that everyone is unique and everyone’s starting point is personal. For more physiotherapist led core series including Diastasis check and scar massage check out CariFit.

Vern Hill

Tinybeans Voices Contributor

I have been helping new moms get back into exercise for over a decade. Dubbed the "baby man" after carrying the babies for moms whilst they exercised, I saw that by merging babywearing and fitness, we could remove the barriers to exercise and I launched CARiFiT 6 years ago!

How to Explain Homelessness & Poverty to Your Kids

By Joy Turner

Tinybeans Voices Contributor

June 23, 2021

Photo: via Kiddie Academy

Explaining tough topics to young children can be difficult and nerve-wracking for parents. But laying a foundation by asking the right types of questions and exhibiting the right forms of behavior will help them start to understand real-world issues at a developmentally appropriate level.

One tough topic near and dear to our hearts at Kiddie Academy is family homelessness. In the United States today, one child out of six lives in poverty, and families with children make up 35% of the people who experience homelessness. That’s why we’ve partnered with Family Promise, a national nonprofit organization that helps families experiencing homelessness and low-income families achieve sustainable independence through a community-based response.

Homelessness is a big topic for little minds, but it’s an important one to teach children about. Here are some tips for talking to your children about family homelessness (and other tough topics):

Remember that young children will take things literally, so use their developmental age to guide the conversation.
Ask open-ended questions based on what they already know, so you can reaffirm or correct wrong messaging.
Use literature to help with starting the conversation (see book list below).
Limit exposure to inappropriate subject matter.
Keep in mind that young children will react based on parents’ reactions—reassure them.
Be honest.
Parents know their children best, use your best judgment on how far and deep to go.

Another way to make the topic of family homelessness more understandable is to demonstrate to your child your family can help other families and participate in events that spread awareness like Night Without a Bed:

Supporting Night Without a Bed is easy. Your family can participate by sleeping anywhere but in your beds: in a tent, car or even on your own living room floor. You can post photos with the hashtags #NightWithoutABed and #KiddieAcademyFamilyPromise and promote them on your social media feeds to drive awareness.

This relatable experience allows the powerful topic of homelessness to be more easily understood by young children.

Reading Recommendations:

Still a Family: A Story about Homelessness by Brenda Reeves Sturgis illustrated by Jo-Shin Lee recommended ages 4-9

A Place to Stay: A Shelter Story by Erin Gunti illustrated by Estelí Meza, recommended ages 3-7

Sam and the Lucky Money by Karen Chinn illustrated by Cornelius Van Wright & Ying Hwa Hu, recommended ages 5-9

A Chair for My Mother by Vera B Williams, recommended ages 4-8

Joy Turner

Tinybeans Voices Contributor

Joy has over 20 years of experience in early childhood education. As Vice President of Education at Kiddie Academy Educational Child Care, she oversees all things curriculum, assessment, training and more. Joy earned a B.S. in Education from Salisbury University.

This LEGO World Art Map Lets You Document Travel Brick by Brick

by Sarah ShebekMay 31, 2021

LEGO keeps upping the ante! The new LEGO World Art Map is a legit work-of-art wall piece and at 11,695 elements, it contains the most pieces ever included in a set in the LEGO Group’s history.

Even better, it comes with customizable brick-built pins to mark destinations you’ve already visited or future travel spots. With 40 interconnecting base plates, it can be arranged in three different ways so you can highlight your own favorite part of the world. You can also arrange the oceans to your liking, following the bathymetric mapping of the ocean floor in the instructions or creating your own water patterns.

Fitting of any art piece, the set includes a coffee table style instruction booklet, a white brick frame and two hanging elements so you can add it wherever you like. Of course, you’ll have to complete it first and at 25.5 inches high and 40.5 inches wide, your masterpiece will take some time. To set the mood, this product also includes an accompanying soundtrack with stories from travel experts.

Ready to buy for an upcoming break? The LEGO Art World Map will be available online starting Jun. 1 and at other retailers on Aug. 1. It’s $249.99 and it will definitely be a talking point for all of your future guests. Flex your building muscles and get ready to map your travels in a whole new way!

—Sarah Shebek

Image courtesy of the LEGO Group

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Play Carpets Just Leveled Up with This Fun 3D Feature

by Sarah ShebekMay 26, 2021

Play mats, activity rugs, whatever you call them, they’re a staple of toy rooms everywhere. They’re great for screen-free entertainment for older kids and provide a few minutes of distraction for the younger set.

Now there’s an even more imaginative option on the market, the IVI 3D Play Carpet. It’s just what it sounds like: a mat with raised features and tactile textures that takes playtime to the next level.

Created by a mom with an architecture background who worried about the effects of screen exposure, the 3D Play Carpet comes in four different styles: beach houses, mini city, farms and playhouse.

Each are incredibly detailed with various sections, like a pool at the beach house and parking strips in the mini city. The 3D technology is patented so it’s the only product of its kind on the market.

The mini city and playhouse have four different sizes to choose from and beach houses and farms have three. The small size starts at $79.99 on the IVI website and the carpets are also sold at other retailers like Amazon.

Fabricated with a wool-like substitute that was approved by the European Child Protection Standards, they’re perfect for kids who struggle with allergies. And they might entice you enough to get down on the floor and play along!

––Sarah Shebek

Images courtesy of IVF 3D Play Carpets

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phil & ted's Traveller Travel Crib

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