Splish, Splash! The Best of Baby Swimwear 2020

by Meghan Yudes MeyersJune 13, 2020

It’s time to suit up for outdoor fun, whether that means a kiddie pool in the yard, the lake or a day at the beach. Read on to find the cutest bathing suits, including swim diapers and rash guards, from popular kids clothing brands like MORI, Janie and Jack and Tea Collection. And get ready to make a splash!

Pin the best swimwear for babies of the year.

Swim Diapers

Grow-With-Baby Swim Diapers

Pictured in the style Boho Rainbow, this swim bundle from the Sarah-Jane Collection covers all the basics: It comes with a swim diaper, a matching hooded towel and a wet bag for holding wet swimsuits, diapers, snacks or sunblock. Little ones grow so fast (they need to stop doing that!), and these diapers will grow with them. These swim diapers fit from the infant stage through toddlerhood. By the time your baby outgrows these, they'll be potty-trained!

Ages: newborn-toddler (10-25 lbs.)

Available at sarah-janecollection.com, $45.95 for the diapers, towel and bag.

Pair Down to a Swim Diaper

We love these unisex swim diapers from Primary for their cute style and comfortable, snug fit. They boast UPF 50+ to keep baby's bum safe and are free of more than 300 chemicals commonly found in garments. Keep your baby's skin free from irritants with swimwear that doubles as a diaper (like most swim diapers, they only contain waste, not liquid).

Ages: 3/6 months-18/24 months

Available at primary.com, $11.50.

Stylin' in a Diaper Cover

Keep it simple with this sunshine-print diaper cover from Pottery Barn Kids that lets your baby keep routine in their favorite diaper underneath. Add a monogram to make this simple nylon accessory more snazzy.

Ages: 3/6 months-12/24 months

Available at potterybarnkids.com, $15.50.

Boardshorts and Swim Trunks

Quick-Drying Board Shorts

Australian children's wear company Cheeky Chickadee makes clothes with cute, vivid prints. Bonus: They ship free worldwide with orders over $45. We adore these board shorts dotted with hand-drawn cockatoos. They are lightweight so they dry quickly, and they come in larger sizes so siblings (or dad & son!) can go full twinsy at the beach or pool.

Ages: 6/12 months-10 years

Available at cheekychickadeestore.com, $19.54.

Stay-Put Swim Trunks

These swim shorts from MORI sport a snug fit so they stay put when your little paddler makes a splash. Made from recycled nylon and elastane for stretch, they offer UPF 50+ protection. Pair these adorable trunks with a matching rash guard ($34) for extra protection against the sun's rays.

Ages: 3/6 months-3/4 years

Available at minimori.com, $19.

One-Pieces

Sail Away With a One-Piece

Tiny little sailboats and a billowy silhouette with a tiny ruffle detail keeps baby cute and comfy (and also does a great job of hiding a bulky diaper). This one-piece from Janie and Jack also keeps your little bundle's skin safe with a UPF 50+ fabric. We love that older sibs and cousins can find coordinating prints.

Ages: 0/3 months-18/24 months

Available at janieandjack.com, $39.

Twirl in a Skirted One-Piece

If you're looking for solid protection from the sun, check out this line of swimwear from Snapper Rock that blocks 98% of the sun's harmful rays. We love this playful number that features one of summer's favorite fruits along with a sweet, pink skirt.

Ages: 3/6 months-4 years

Available at snapperrock.com, $48.

Tankinis & Bikinis

Go Seam-Free in a Two-Piece

We're a sucker for a seersucker, and this two-piece set from SwimZip couldn't be cuter. With no seams or tags and adjustable straps, it's the perfect suit for a fuss-free afternoon in the water. It comes in pink, peach and navy gingham; each fabric blocks out 98% of the sun's harmful rays.

Ages: 6/12 months-5T

Available at swimzip.com, $20.

Bloom with a Tulip-Back Tankini

A two-piece bathing suit makes diaper changes a cinch. This sweet set from Ruffle Butts features a UPF 50+ seersucker fabric with (naturally!) a ruffled bottom and a chic tulip back (meaning it's slightly open at the waist to show off those ruffles). You can also monogram this swimwear for a super-cute customized look.

Ages: 3/6 months-4T

Available at rufflebutts.com, $27.50

Rash Guards

Stay Sun Safe in a Full-Body Rash Guard

When you want all-over protection from the elements, a full-body rash guard is in order. UV Skinz offers an extra layer of protection with a fabric that is certified UPF 50+. This guard comes in three adorable prints: Hibiscus Floral Geo, Peony Pink Geo and Pink Flamingo Dot. For head-to-toe protection, you can also order a matching sun hat.

Ages: 3/6 months-3T

Available at uvskinz.com, $46.95.

Make Things Easy with a Two-PIece Floral Set

This multi-floral suit from the Gap really adds a pop of color to a sunny day. A rash guard offers extra protection with long sleeves, but this two-piece option comes with the convenience of a separate bottom.

Ages: newborn-24 months

Available at gap.com, $29.95.

Zip It Up in a One-Piece Baby Rash Guard

This rash guard from Tea Collection features an adorable ruffle leg line and an 80% nylon/20% spandex blend that provides UPF 40+ protection. A front zipper means you don't need to wrestle baby out of a wet suit when it's time for a change.

Ages: 3 months-4T

Available at teacollection.com, $42.

—Meghan Yudes Meyers

featured photo: Tea Collection

Halloween Safety Tips for Trick-or-Treating

By Elaine Thompson

Tinybeans Voices Contributor

October 22, 2019

Photo: Haley Phelps on Unsplash

For kids, Halloween is nothing but fun. They get to dress up, go trick-or-treating and receive stashes of free candy from strangers. What’s not to love?

For parents, it’s a different story. Halloween can be a night of full-fledged anxiety. Between the fear of poisoned candy and dangerous strangers, there’s a number of reasons to be worried about letting your little ladybug or Buzz Lightyear roam the neighborhood freely at night.

Luckily, there are ways to keep your kiddos safe this Halloween without taking any of the fun away. For starters, it always helps to go with them and watch them as they knock on every door. It also helps to establish trick-or-treating ground rules beforehand, so your children know not to run away from you or go inside any houses or cars.

Here are six ways you can ramp up your trick-or-treating safety this Halloween—for you, your kids and everyone else too.

1. Stick to a Pre-Planned Path. Walk the route you’re going to trick-or-treat this year with your kids prior to All Hallow’s Eve. Pick a well-lit path that’s familiar to your little ones. That way, if anyone gets separated they’ll have a sense of how to get home. If you can, avoid busy roads or areas where children have to walk near moving traffic.

If you have big kids that are ready to trick-or-treat on their own, establish a safe route for them in advance. There’s also truth to safety in numbers: the bigger the group your kid goes with, the safer they’ll be.

2. Have Your Kiddos Wear Glow Sticks. When you go to pick up a 5 lb. bag of candy to hand out, grab a few glow sticks too. No matter how unique your kid’s costume is this Halloween, there could be a million other neighborhood children sporting the same look. Keep track of your kid easily by having them wear a glow stick around their ankle, wrist or neck. This will be especially important when they’re crossing the street: Halloween is a deadly day for child pedestrian-related accidents, so make sure you can easily spot your kids from afar or when they’re in a crowd. Plus, parents and kids alike can agree that wearing a few glow sticks beats carrying around heavy flashlights any day.

3. Inspect Your Kid’s Candy. Rule #1 when it comes to candy: feed your kids a healthy Halloween dinner before they hit the streets. That way, they won’t be tempted to eat all their candy before they get home. Your kids shouldn’t devour all their candy at once or they could get sick. If your kids want to munch on candy as they trick-or-treat, take some candy from your own house or let them eat only candy that’s been commercially packaged.

And before your kid dives in, unwrap every single piece of candy that hasn’t been commercially wrapped (think rolled candies or taffies). If a bag of Skittles has a hole in it, toss it. If candy that has been commercially wrapped is still air-tight (like KIT KAT or a bag of M&Ms), they’re safe to eat.

Here’s what to look for when inspecting your children’s Halloween candy:

Expiration dates
Abnormal bumps or lumps
Holes
Pieces of glass, metal, or razors
Handmade candy
Hand-wrapped candy
Baked goods
Caramel apples
Loose candy

Sifting through your child’s candy also helps you watch for any allergies your child may have. If your kid is severely allergic to peanuts, toss each Reese’s, Snickers or Payday you see before they get to it.

4. Avoid Candles. Candles can be dangerous around Halloween decorations, and webbing and flammable costumes. When candles are placed inside pumpkins on front steps or walkways, children’s costumes can catch on fire—especially if they’re running excitedly past it. Instead of a real flame, use candles with powered batteries. They look just as cool, and they’re a whole lot safer. It’s also smart to check the flammability of your kid’s costume. Cotton, rayon and nylon are particularly flammable, so be on the lookout if your child has a nylon Superman Cape or cotton Princess dress.

5. Use Lots of Light. Don’t be the dark, scary house children dare each other to walk up to. Fog machines and spooky lighting make for a chilling stop on trick-or-treaters’ path, but it can also be dangerous to walk on. For instance, If you have cobblestone, steps or missing pieces from your pathway, dark lighting makes it difficult for kids to see—even if they’re walking slowly and carefully. If kids are wearing floor-length costumes or shoes that are difficult to walk in, poor lighting can make them especially prone to tripping.

Use lots of external lights to illuminate your pathway. You can position them in a way that doesn’t ruin your decorations. If trick-or-treaters come less frequently, opt for motion sensor lights instead. Don’t waste money by having the light on when no one’s around. All things aside, a well-lit house lets trick-or-treaters know that you’re game to hand out candy anyway.

6. Do a Trunk-or-Treat. If your neighborhood is too dangerous for trick-or-treating, consider a trunk-or-treat! It’s safer, you can keep an eye on your kids, and depending on how big it is, you can let your kiddos roam free. If there isn’t a trunk-or-treat at your child’s school, you can search for trunk-or-treats in your area, on Facebook groups, or by asking around. Trunk-or-treats can be just as exciting—especially if your trunk is well-themed and decorated with love. Get candy and decorations as you would for your home, and then, as a bonus, match your costume to the theme of your trunk. Is your trunk Harry Potter themed? Rock the witch look or a Hogwarts student get-up. If it’s a spookier theme, go the scary route.

Elaine Thompson

Tinybeans Voices Contributor

Elaine is a digital journalist whose work has appeared in a variety of online publications, including Women's Health Magazine, POPSUGAR, VentureBeat, and Austin Fit Magazine. Her writing focuses on how to use technology to stay safe and live sustainably.

This Is Why You Should Wash New Clothes Before Wearing Them

by Shahrzad WarkentinJuly 24, 2019

It might sound weird to wash that pile of fresh back-to-school clothes before they have a chance to collect ketchup and grass stains, but according to experts you should always wash newly purchased clothes before you wear them the first time.

Wearing new clothes without washing them could put you at risk for developing allergic contact dermatitis, according to Dr. Susan Nedorost, a professor of dermatology at Case Western Reserve University and director of the dermatitis program at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center. “When we see allergic contact dermatitis from clothing, it’s usually from disperse dyes,” says Dr. Nedorost explained to TIME.

photo: stevepb via Pixabay

The allergic reaction can be delayed and cause a rash that can last for weeks, says Nedorost. The disperse dyes are used in synthetic fabrics, like polyester and nylon, and are often concentrated at higher levels in the fabric prior to being washed for the first time. If you’ve ever washed your new clothes only to be dismayed by the color fading, you can understand how the process works.

Sweating, combined with the friction caused by regular bodily movement, can cause the dye that would be minimized through washing to disperse onto your skin and cause a reaction. This is often the case with workout wear according to Nodorost. “If a patient comes in and has a rash around the back of the neck and along their sides around their armpits, the first question I ask is what they wear when they work out,” she told TIME.

There isn’t enough data to determine how common this type of allergy actually is, however, there are other reasons to avoid wearing your clothes before washing them. A 2014 study conducted by Stockholm University in Sweden found that, when tested, a majority of retail clothing items off the rack contained a type of chemical compound called “quinoline” which is used in clothing dyes and is listed as a probable human carcinogen by the the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Ulrika Nilsson, a member of the Stockholm University group, explains that washing new clothes “reduces the content of chemicals,” especially those like quinoline that may be residual from the manufacturing process.

Ultimately, a quick wash cycle isn’t much in the grand scheme of the mountains of laundry you’ll do over your parental career, so better safe than sorry.

—Shahrzad Warkentin

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Meet Shannan, Red Tricycle’s LA Editor

by Erin LemJune 19, 2019

An LA native (yep, they exist), Shannan grew up on the westside back when there was still a drive-in movie theater in Culver City and the go-to spot for birthday parties was Shakeys Pizza Parlor. That was all a very long time ago and since then, Shannan received a BA from UCLA; moved to NYC; worked as an editor at Self magazine; wrote for Glamour, Cosmopolitan, Nylon and other publications; got an MFA from NYU; wrote a book of short stories (about living in LA) and a children’s book; and then finally, inevitably moved back to the city of angels, or home as she calls it. Now the mother of a three-year-old boy, she’s rediscovering some her favorite childhood haunts (hello, Randy’s Donuts) plus oh-so many new ones.

Favorite place to play outdoors: Our go-to spot is the “rocket ship park,” as my son calls it. It’s officially Rocket’s Universe at North Weddington Parkin North Hollywood, CA. The playground has a whole space theme, with a moon and rockets to climb on, planets to learn about and a flying saucer to swing on.

Favorite thing to do on a rainy day: If it’s a weekend, we’ll head to Noah’s Ark at Skirball. During the week, we rely on Rockin’ Kids, an indoor play space in Burbank. Parking is easy and covered (a bonus when it’s raining or blazing hot), and my son usually exhausts himself in the bounce house, which hopefully makes bedtime easier for mom.

Favorite farmer’s market: Studio City on Sundays—it’s inflatables heaven. There are usually five different jumbo slides and slide-bounce-house combos. They’re strategically placed next to the Hawaiian ice stand, which is our second stop—mostly because it’s the only thing that will get my son off the inflatables.

Can’t-live-without mom product: Hand sanitizer!

Favorite day trip from LA: The Santa Barbara Zoo—it’s relatively small, but there’s still plenty to see, including giraffes, elephants and the massive California condors. Other perks: It’s rarely too crowded or too hot (it’s right by the beach, after all) and there’s an old-fashioned train that takes you around the entire zoo.

Contact Shannan: Shannan@tinybeans.go-vip.net

These New Crocs Have Built-In Fanny Packs (In Case You Don’t Have Pockets, Right?)

by Shahrzad WarkentinMay 3, 2019

The ‘80s called and said “remember how awesome your fanny pack was, why not put them on your shoes?” Or something like that. A new line of Crocs with fanny packs has just been released and now you can wear your shoes and carry stuff too.

The Crocs, which are the result of a collab with cult Japanese clothing line Beams, feature a tiny nylon, zip-top fanny pack attached to the ankle strap of classic-style Crocs. The ankle strap can also be flipped over so that the pouches sit on top of your shoes.

The pouches are designed to hold small items, like keys or cash, so they won’t do much good for stashing those wipes and diapers, but if you’re going for a quick stroll and need your hands free for the kids, they could come in handy.

The fanny-pack Crocs are available in two colors, Ultraviolet and Tropical Teal, on the Beams site for or 5940 yen, or about $53 per pair.

—Shahrzad Warkentin

All photos: Beams

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Pottery Barn Kids Just Dropped 2 New Collabs & You’ll Want Them Both

by Shahrzad WarkentinMarch 15, 2019

Just in time for a spring refresh, several new collabs have dropped at Pottery Barn Kids and you’re going to want to shop them all.

Both Lilly Pulitzer and Mark & Graham have partnered with Pottery Barn Kids on two new exclusive lines. On the heels their first hit collab, Lilly Pulitzer is once again teaming up with Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids and PBteen on exclusive new home collections.

The new collections, which feature Lilly Pulitzer’s colorful, beach-y prints, offer a range of new items including bedding, furniture and décor for kids’ bedroom and the nursery, as well as a bath line and outdoor accessories.

Mark & Graham has just launched a limited capsule collection of the upscale Nylon Convertible Diaper Bag and Changing Pad Clutch. The matching bag and clutch come in four color ways, including classic black or colorful stripe designs and of course they can all be monogrammed at no extra cost.

The Mark & Graham Nylon Convertible Diaper Bag ($189) and Nylon Changing Pad Clutch ($79) are available at PotteryBarnKids and MarkandGraham. The entire Lilly Pulitzer Collection is available at PotteryBarn, PotteryBarnKids and PBteen.

—Shahrzad Warkentin

All photos: Courtesy of Pottery Barn

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Marie Kondo Totally Changed How I Pack for Family Vacations

By Marcie Cheung

Tinybeans Voices Contributor

January 17, 2019

Photo: Marcie Cheung via Marcie in Mommyland

I like to think that I was a fan of Marie Kondo before it was “cool.”

My husband actually read her bestselling book, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, when I was pregnant with my youngest. He was super motivated to go through the entire house and start a massive purge. I, on the other hand, was completely exhausted from growing a life inside me and managing our toddler. After shooting him a few death stares about cleaning our house every night, he finally got the hint and backed off.

But, once our youngest was born, my husband persuaded me to listen to her audiobook in the car just to see if it resonated with me. It only took a chapter and I was totally hooked! Everything she said made sense to me and after amassing so much kids stuff, I wanted to feel organized.

Luckily for us, our neighbor was studying to be a KonMari consultant and she needed to work with families in order to get her hours. Score.

Every weekend for seven weeks, we got a sitter for the kids and we spent five to six hours systematically going through our entire house. It was a HUGE undertaking but the results were incredible. Our lives felt calmer and I could think a bit clearer.

I wanted to extend this feeling for our family vacations.

For one thing, doing the big purge of clothes made packing a lot easier. I tried every piece of clothing on so my closet just had clothes that fit me and that “sparked joy” for me. That means I had less clothing and it was a lot easier to pick out items to pack for my trips.

We also went through all our travel items, like passports, foreign money, travel-sized toiletries, Disney dollar store items, etc. and put them all in one place. So, instead of running all over the house looking for specific travel toys I bought at the Target Dollar Spot, I could just go to the bin and pull out what I was looking for.

I would consider myself a diligent packer. You won’t find me throwing things into a bag before heading to the airport. I’ve never been that way and I certainly wouldn’t be able to do that with little kids. I know I’d forget so many crucial items. Instead, I usually start a week before our trip and gather items we’ll need. And I make a list of items we are currently using but need to pack (like my toothbrush and sunglasses).

In the past, I used to swear by my system of rolling each clothing item, putting it in a Ziplock freezer bag and squishing out all the air before I sealed it. I loved being able to see all my clothes and the bags easily slid into any bag. However, once we got to our destination and I started opening bags, I quickly became disorganized. I’d have clothes spilling out of bags and it felt like I couldn’t find what I was looking for. Then I was forever living out of my suitcase digging through slippery bags.

I tried a variety of ways to use the bags. Sometimes I’d put each outfit in a separate bag. Other times I’d sort it by type of clothing: shirts in one bag, pants in another. But nothing seemed to work efficiently for me.

After working with our KonMari consultant on how to fold our laundry so that each item stood on its edge, I realized that this would be a game-changer in how I packed for vacation.

I invested in packing cubes in a variety of sizes. Marie Kondo is always talking about bringing boxes with her so she can organize people’s drawers. Why not use this system when packing a suitcase? I mean, it’s basically a drawer on wheels!

Since we usually combine all our items into two large suitcases, I assigned each family member a different color packing cube. Clothes take up most of our suitcase space, so I start by folding each piece of clothing using the KonMari method. Then, I find the smallest size packing cube they will fit in. I do this for myself and my kids. My husband is a grown man and fully capable of doing his own packing.

Then I move on to shoes, toiletries, diapers, wipes, etc. Each category gets put in a small packing cube. Then, I try to put the smaller packing cubes in a larger packing cube to keep them together.

I don’t use just use this method for our checked luggage. It applies to our carry-on bags, too. I like to use a backpack with lots of different compartments, so I don’t need to use so many packing cubes. Instead of just filling our backpack with all the items we’ll need on our flight, I separate things by category. Since I bring a lot of snacks, including pouches, I put them all in a Ziplock freezer bag so I can easily pull them out and I don’t worry about them leaking all over my backpack.

I also pull out a few diapers and wipes and put them in a little nylon bag so I can quickly grab it to take to the lavatory. I put extra changes of clothes in a small packing cube in the bottom of my backpack. I make sure to have extra binkies, comfort items and a few packable toys in other pockets of my backpack. And because I’m a family travel blogger, I also carry my laptop, charging cables, gimbal and camera.

But the awesome part comes when we arrive at our destination. At the hotel, I can just pull out the packing cubes and set them in the drawers. Every morning, it’s so easy to unzip the cubes and quickly pull out a neatly folded outift for each of us. And because they are folded the KonMari way, they are usually wrinkle-free!

And at the end of our trip, I can put all the dirty clothes in specific packing cubes while combining our leftover clean clothes in another. So, it’s easy to (mostly) unpack as soon as we get home.

It’s been a year since we did our big KonMari house organization and we’re definitely due for a refresher, but I’m happy to say that we’ve kept up with the packing all year. Iit’s saved us a lot of time and money since we aren’t buying extra items we can’t find. I hope this helps you stay organized, too!

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Marcie Cheung

Tinybeans Voices Contributor

I'm a Seattle-area stay-at-home mom to my 3-year-old son Owen and my baby Hugo. We love travelling with our toddler (locally and internationaly) and take advantage of the amazing events and classes offered around town. We like to be out and about!

Our Top 5 Picks for Reusable Snack Bags on Amazon

by Karly WoodAugust 9, 2018

If there’s one thing that’s certain, it’s that kids love snacks and it’s a must to include them in their school lunches. Rather than waste money on one-use bags to cart goldfish and graham crackers around, now is a good time to invest in some reusable snack bags. They come in tons of cute patterns, are machine washable and will help you do your part towards saving the environment. Here are our top five picks for snack bags on Amazon.

Itzy Ritzy Mini Reusable Snack and Everything Bag

Amazon

Send your snacks to school in style with these Itzy Ritzy mini reusable snack bags. Made from an FDA approved food safe lining, the bags are BPA, lead and phthalate PVC free. These adorable packs are made with a water resistant lining and a zipper to keep snacks neat and tidy. Did we mention they're also machine washable?

Check out all the Itzy Ritzy designs starting at $10 on Amazon.

Bumkins Reusable Snack Bag

Amazon

Bumkins snack bags are constructed from waterproof fabric that is easy to wipe clean, or toss in the dishwasher or washing machine. The single ply layer prevents bacteria and mold growing between the fabric and no stinky smells sticking to cotton. The reusable bags are BPA, PVC, Vinyl, Phthalate and Lead free, and lab tested to be food safe.

Pick from 11 designs starting at just $8 for a pack of two on Amazon.

Wegreeco Reusable Sandwich Wrap

Amazon

These hand-made wraps from Wegreeco are made with recycled non-toxic, phthalate-free, lead-free and quick-drying fabric. They differ from traditional reusable bags because they don't have zippers! Instead, they are made with velcro that is easily folded to contain your sandwiches or fruit, and then the unfolded fabric can double as a placemat. Toss them in the dishwasher or washing machine to get clean as new.

Check out several other patterns starting at $13 on Amazon.

Art of Lunch Designer Lunch Bags

Amazon

Perfect for mom, dad or the kiddos, these designer reusable lunch bags are made from cotton fabric that is lined with BPA, PVC and phthalate-free food-safe polyester lining. The Art of Lunch has partnered with artists from around the world, such as Portugal, Indonesia, Sweden, the United States, Germany, Brazil, and Israel, and many have pledged to give back to their community with profits from the sale of their products.

Currently you can pick from 16 designs start at $18 on Amazon.

Yummy Pouch Cloth Snack Bags

Amazon

Perfectly portioned snacks will fit in these adorable bags that come in packs of three in five different design sets. Made with BPA, phthalate, PVC and lead-free nylon, they come with secure top zippers and a moisture resistant material. Machine and hand washable.

See all the cute designs that start at $13 on Amazon.

––Karly Wood

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Family Style: NYC Budget Interior Design Help

by Emily MyersJune 19, 2017

Maybe the clock’s ticking on the home office you need to transform into a nursery, or you’re struggling to get the balance between family life and grown-up space in the living room. Interior design conundrums are the price we New Yorkers pay for small-space city living — but getting help doesn’t have to break the bank. Click through to explore some of the most affordable options from designers who understand the challenges of raising a family in New York.

Map out a Makeover: Affordable Interior Design

Based out of Manhattan, with a storefront in Westchester, the team behind Affordable Interior Design believes that creating a beautiful space that suits your lifestyle should be accessible to everyone. The firm offers seven different packages to accommodate a range of budgets. The most popular is the $695 Makeover, which starts with a collaborative two-hour home visit and ends with a map of your room, pictures of how it should look and a shopping list that matches your budget. Then it's up to you to put the pieces in place - so you get to spread out the spending at your own pace and it doesn't leave you short for childcare. Owner and mom Betsy Helmuth says it's all about creating rooms you want to spend time in. One of her big tips for family rooms is to pick rugs made of synthetic fibers. Nylon and polyester are often kinder on the skin than wool which means no scratches or itching when you're down on the floor playing games with the kids.

103 Main Street
Dobbs Ferry, NY
917-767-2313
Online: affordableinteriordesign.com

photo: Affordable Interior Design

Do you have a favorite interiors tip or a designer you love? Let us know in the comments below!

—Emily Myers

5 Cool Gadgets That’ll Get Your Kids to Clean Up (No Bribery Required!)

by Gabby CullenApril 2, 2017

Imagine a place where kids scrub dishes, scoop up mounds of toys, and even clean the microwave. Sounds good, doesn’t it? Infuse your cleaning efforts with some innovative fun to help make this dream a reality. We’ve found five cool things that will make clean up time more exciting for your little helpers, so read on for the scoop.

1. The Dirty Dunk
She shoots, she scores! Laundry gets a major assist with the Dirty Dunk, a modern take on the classic over-the-door laundry basket. The new design comes with sturdy, padded metal hooks, a 12’’ metal rim, and is easily assembled. The 45” enclosed nylon net has plenty of space for clothes and encourages kids to play their way to a cleaner room.

Available at amazon.com, $34.99.

2. Eruption Disruption
Turn a household chore into an awesome science experiment with the Eruption Disruption. Let your tiny helpers add the right amount of water and vinegar to the volcano, pop it into the microwave for five to eight minutes, then wipe away dirt and grime with ease. It comes in four different color combos, a two-year warranty, and plenty of questions about why vinegar works as a cleaning agent (now would be a good time to review your science facts!).

Available on amazon.com, $12.99.

3. Boon Mini Brush
Talk about serious flower power! Made from tough silicone to prevent molding and bristle blowout, this cheerful scrubber is a perfect first sponge for your little helper. It’s ideal for easy-to-clean items, and the brightly colored petals will brighten anyone’s day.

Available at target.com, $9.99.

4. The Mess Up Tray
Your kid’s pile of LEGO has finally met its match. Designed with a wide, extra deep bin and a special squeegee scoop, the Mess Up Tray will make a clean catch of almost anything—LEGO, cereal, even liquids—so those moments when you need a whole roll of paper towels for one mess will be long gone. Best part? It works quickly, so kids won’t be stuck picking up minifigs for an hour. And for little ones, more play time is always a good thing.

Available at amazon.com, $12.95.

5. Stridepost App
There’s nothing like checking a box off your to-do list. Stridepost is a new motivational app that teaches kids how to be responsible for chores, schoolwork, and extracurricular activities. It includes a family calendar and message wall, and a to-do tracker, which allows kids to check off completed jobs and tasks (or add their own). The allowance tracker tallies up points earned for each item and the coolest part? You can decide on rewards in advance—like a night out at the movies, or additional screen time—and your kids can redeem or save their hard-earned points on their own terms.

Available on iTunes and GooglePlay, the first 90 days are free, $49.99 for the rest of the year.

Do you have any fun gear to get your kids excited about cleaning up? Share with us in a Comment below!

—Gabby Cullen

Swim Diapers

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