Could your kiddo use some cardboard magic in their life? If your creative child needs an outlet for their artsy side, this new product is the perfect playtime activity!
Cardboard Magic is an eco-friendly toy that gives your child the chance to create their own dramatic play set. Instead of a ready-made playhouse, this imaginative option lets littles start from the ground up and color or design the exterior and interior to their heart’s content.
The cute collection includes several different options to meet your child’s interests. Choose from a color-in play house, princess castle, rocket, pirate ship, mini castle, coastguard boat, castle (larger-sized), beach buggy, safari jeep, ice cream truck, food truck, fire truck, mini house, or helicopter.
Whether your child is a future sea captain, a budding foodie, or just enjoys a day filled with plenty of pretend play, these cardboard color-in’s take creative crafting up a notch—or a few. Each kit is 100 percent recyclable and made to use indoors or outdoors (depending on the weather).
How can you get a Cardboard Magic kit for your fam? Visit the brand’s website here to browse options, learn more about the products and buy a kit for your kids.
Pandemic life has been anything but normal but one thing is certain, all moms share the goal of keeping their kids happy and healthy. One key aspect of attaining this goal is helping your family get the best sleep possible. Between winter sniffles, inconsistent school schedules, and daylight savings, even the best sleepers can find themselves disrupted.
In my practice as a pediatric sleep consultant, I have seen a significant increase in preschool sleeping issues over the last year, which I believe directly correlates to the lack of physical and mental stimulation children are receiving during the day. Like many families, you may be finding yourself scrambling to get your family into a healthy sleep routine.
I have partnered with Mommy’s Bliss, one of the most trusted vitamin and supplement brands among parents, as they introduce their new sleep line of melatonin products for kids, three years and older. Sleep products, in conjunction with a steady sleep routine, can help your family get on track. Here are some tips you can start using right now for maintaining a healthy sleep environment for your family.
1. Create a Routine
I always suggest to my clients that they have a “timed routine” which means to have a set time for bed and not just allow children to fall asleep when they are tired. Over the past year, many families have been struggling to figure out their new “normal.” Sleep has been all over the map as parents try to balance working from home and keeping their children entertained. It’s essential to maintain a regular bedtime routine that works for your family. Children of all ages do best with consistency so, that’s why a predictable, nightly routine can be the key to a good night’s sleep.
Start with turning off screens at least an hour before bedtime (blue light from screens can delay melatonin), wind down with bath/shower time, or perhaps washing up at the sink, pajamas followed by brushing of teeth. Then move to the bedroom and dim the lights for a few books. At this point, your child can climb into bed and it should take them about 20 or so minutes to fall asleep if bedtime is at an appropriate time. Keep in mind that overtired and under-tired children may struggle more to fall asleep, so keep an eye on that clock! Wake times will vary based on your child’s age and activity levels. Try and stick to this schedule as much as possible but recognize that it’s common to deviate on occasion. After all, sometimes it’s fun to be spontaneous!
2. Use Supportive Resources
You may need to utilize outside resources to help your child wind down before bedtime. Guided meditations and yoga are excellent ways to have your child calm their bodies and minds and settle prior to climbing in bed. Some children are so wound up from their day, especially if they’ve been on screens for a large part of it, and they need a little physical outlet that also helps relax them. Consider reading to your child every single night; not only is it a great part of the winddown routine, but it also promotes early literacy. So, it’s a win-win!
3. Call in the Reinforcements
If you’ve established a good routine, you are using your outside resources, but bedtime is still a struggle, then it is ok to get back on track with the help of a melatonin supplement. Melatonin is the hormone released by your body that aids in sleep. Under the supervision of your pediatrician, this can be used for a short period of time to help supplement your child’s natural melatonin production if their bedtime has gotten far off track. The best way to use melatonin is after you’ve tried to implement a steady routine for at least a week since the majority of children benefit most from routine and consistency. If you are searching for safe melatonin products for your child, Mommy’s Bliss has a new great-tasting Kids Sleep Line crafted with a wise blend of ingredients, including melatonin, magnesium, organic chamomile, lemon balm, and passionflower. They’re designed to work hand-in-hand with a good bedtime routine to help support restful sleep.
Nicole is a sleep consultant and mom of 3 boys with a baby on the way. She's a member of the Association of Professional Sleep Consultants and has certifications in Infant Mental Health and Maternal Mental Health. Nicole views sleep holistically, addressing all elements in a child’s life that could prevent him/her from sleeping well.
Klondike wants to know Wwhat would you do-o-o for a few minutes of alone time? With everyone spending so much time at home the last year, the ice cream brand is stepping in to give everyone a way to grab a much-needed break.
Say hello to the Klondike Cone Zone: a premium ice cream cone-shaped hanging chair that serves as your cozy private retreat––complete with a zipper so you can shut out the noisy, outside world.. This completely unique piece of furniture not only gives Klondike-loving fans an outlet for doing whatever it takes to get a Klondike, but also as the ultimate spot to devour one of the new Klondike Cones.
“These days, many of us could do with a little less multitasking at home and a little more ice cream,” says Russel Lilly, Vice President of U.S. Ice Cream at Unilever. “Eating a delicious Klondike Cone deserves its own moment of bliss, which is why we engineered the Klondike Cone Zone, so fans can literally escape, take a break and enjoy their sweet treat in the most satisfying way possible.”
Klondike wants to know what you would do to get a free limited-edition Klondike Cone Zone in their new sweepstakes. To enter for the chance to win, check out @KlondikeBar on Twitter and retweet the brand’s post with the hashtag #IWouldDoANYTHINGForAKlondikeConeZoneSweepstakes.
The sweepstakes runs from Feb. 22 through Mar. 8 in the U.S. only for adults 18 and older. Full rules can be found at unileversweepsrules.com/klondikeconezone. Winners will receive a Klondike Cone Zone chair, stand and coupon for new Klondike Cones with limited quantities available.
Next time you head to the grocery store, be sure to also pick up some of the new Klondike Cones in flavors like Vanilla Chillin’, Nuts for Vanilla, Classic Chocolate, Double Down Chocolate, and Unicorn Dreamin’. Later this month you’ll also be able to find new Klondike Shakes in Wind Down & Chocolate and Chill Out & Vanilla in a 6-pack for a suggested retail price of $5.99 at major retailers nationwide.
Looking for a fabulous family outing this holiday season? Make a day of it with something for everyone at Fashion Outlets of Chicago in Rosemont! Outlet shopping at its finest with 130+ designer shops? Check! Restaurants decked out in holiday spirit? Check. Ice skating outdoors, enjoying holiday views and vibes? Check. Festive dining with lots to choose from? Check.Read on to learn more about why spending the day at Fashion Outlets of Chicago will have you and your family exclaiming, “this is the best day ever!”
Santa Is Coming to Town
Santa is coming to Rosemont this holiday season with a jolly outlook and brand-new wellness protocols for a contactless experience available now through December 24! Reservations are strongly recommended and can be made here.
Santa, his helpers and his young visitors will be wearing masks and maintaining a healthful distance in a contactless visit and photo experience fully re-designed to meet the moment. The experience will offer guests a variety of photo packages in addition to a mailbox where children can drop off their letters to Santa.
Health and safety protocols for the contactless Santa visits include hand sanitizing stations at the experience entrance and exit, floor decals to ensure social distancing, the cleaning of the photo area between guest visits, employee wellness checks and a mask requirement for guests and staff.
Shopping Outlets
Love a good deal in good taste? Fashion Outlets of Chicago is an award-winning 530,000 square-foot, two-level indoor shopping center that is home to more than 130 designer outlets, an impressive contemporary art collection(!!) and high-end amenities. If you’re asking "Is this real life?", oh yes, it is. This one-of-a-kind outlet redefines the outlet shopping experience and is just what you need for a season that's merry, bright and bountiful!
With intensified cleaning procedures and proper social distancing protocols, Fashion Outlets of Chicago is dedicated to its visitors' well-being. Complete information on the shopping center's COVID-19 healthy and safety guidelines can be found here.
World-Class Brands
Swoon, drool and dig in! Fashion Outlets includes Bloomingdale's The Outlet Store, Forever 21, Nordstrom Rack and Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH. Also, Fashion Outlet brands include Prada, Gucci, Michael Kors, Kate Spade New York, Banana Republic, J.Crew, Nike, Swarovski and many more. This shopping mecca even offers outlet stores unique to the Chicago area, including AllSaints, Lululemon Outlet, Burberry, Ted Baker, Zadig and Voltaire, Gucci, Kipling, Jimmy Choo, Moncler, Tory Burch and Vineyard Vines.
Sounds incredible, right? It gets even better; just wait.
Kids Wing
Families visiting the center can enjoy the convenience of Fashion Outlets' children's wing. The center's family-friendly retailers, including the Disney Outlet, Carter's, The Children's Place, Abercrombie Kids, Crocs and American Eagle, are all situated in the same wing on level one. Kiddie rides are located near the children's wing in the shopping center's food court. Now you can keep them contained and keep them entertained—checkmate!
Ice Skating in the Park
Skating on ice is the quintessential, seasonal event. You can experience the magic of gliding on frozen water directly across the street from the Fashion Outlets, at Rosemont's Parkway Bank Park! The Village at Rosemont's entertainment district is thrilled to kick off the holiday season with the return of its Chicago Wolves Ice Rink.
The Chicago Wolves Ice Rink at Parkway Bank Park will be open every day through January 5, 2021. In addition to special holiday hours, the rink will also be open on Sundays through February 28.
Admission to the Chicago Wolves Ice Rink is free, but a credit card is required to hold reservations. Guests are invited to bring their own skates, or skate rentals are available onlinefor $8. Call the Parkway Bank Park hotline at 847-349- 5008 or visit the Park's Facebook or Instagram for updates regarding rink hours.
Festive Dining
All that shopping and skating making you hungry? Rosemont offers a wide variety of restaurants featuring festive outdoor patios for dining plus takeout and delivery options. Enjoy brews and Bavarian fair at Hofbräuhaus Chicago, sweet and savory American culinary classics at the Sugar Factory, classic Irish pub fare like bangers and mash at Fives Roses, pasta and brick oven pizza at Carmine's and so much more!
Craft kits are a great way to keep your kids busy while inspiring creativity. Kadoodle Kids just debuted their new product line comprised of four specially themed kits that let kids design masks for themselves and their toys. Featuring markers, glitter pens, pouches and paint stampers, the kits are the perfect way to spark imagination and artistic play for children in the age of COVID.
“Kadoodle Kids lets children’s imaginations shine,” said Jodi Okun, a seasoned retailer. “It’s a creative outlet for kids. Easy art projects they can complete on their own or with a parent.”
Now available for sale at www.kadoodlekids.com, the series includes the holiday-themed “Color a Mask Chanukah Kit,” which comes with two dreidels, and “Color a Mask Christmas Kit,” featuring a mini-stocking mask holder. Also available are “Doll/ Stuffie and Me” kits, available in unicorn or dinosaur sets. Created by three mothers, Kadoodle Kids offers fun, educational and tactile experiences that get them away from phone, computer and television screens for hours.
“It’s a great opportunity for them to put down their phones and gadgets and go back to playing,” said Lyss Stern, an entrepreneur who lives in NYC with her husband and three kids. “Kadoodle Kids’ masks allow children to use their brains, creativity, fine motor skills and express their emotions through decoration and design. Plus, as kids get more engrossed in playing with the kits, mom and dad get a rest and peace of mind that their children are engaged in something meaningful.”
The mask kits make the perfect gifts for kids this holiday season. Both holiday kits, available in toddler, child and tween sizes, are on sale for $19.99 while “Doll/ Stuffie & Me” kits, available in toddler and child sizes, are $29.99. Additional masks can be purchased for $8.
Pam Mandell, a mom of two and speech language pathologist with 20 years of experience working with kids: “Children need an outlet to let their imaginations roam free without pressure from the outside world … where they can be comfortable in being themselves and complete art activities on their own. These projects will enable children to believe in themselves and their own abilities and build confidence for the future.”
Providing children with activities that allow for creativity and self-expression during the pandemic is especially important to the women, who have witnessed first-hand the effects of shutdowns and social distancing. Kids are away from their friends, familiar routines, daily exercise and dependent on computers and phones for human contact outside the home. “Kadoodle Kids brings them happiness in a very unsettling time,” says Stern.
Now that the weather is getting colder, it’s time to bring the fun indoors. FUNBOY has you and your little ones covered this winter with their re-imagined inflatable kiddie pools. Now you can enjoy the fun of a ball pit right in your living room or playroom.
FUNBOY has taken their best selling inflatable kiddie pools and sprinkled them with some magic. These indoor ball pits are bound to be a hit with your kiddos.
The Clear Heart Ball Pit & Tropical Palm Ball Pit were released this week and are guaranteed to provide hours of fun providing an outlet for energy on those days when you can’t get outdoors.
This school year is anything but normal. After school activities have also needed to pivot and convert their curriculum to meet the needs of those learning remotely. Broadway From Home, offers kids and teens a way to get the creative and artistic outlet that they crave while stuck at home.
Broadway From Home’s classes are an opportunity for students to participate in immersive activities, while also supporting out-of-work actors as the Broadway shutdown continues into 2021. Originally created in response to COVID-19’s impact on theater and schools, Broadway From Home will continue programming into the fall as an alternative for cancelled after school activities.
The fall program welcomes an array of Broadway actors and other guests that will lead each class and experience. Broadway From Home’s coaches and special guests are known for memorable roles in Broadway shows past and present including Aladdin, Mean Girls, Hadestown, The Lion King, Dear Evan Hansen, Wicked and many more.
“With schools closed around the country and students adapting to learning virtually, we wanted to make sure kids were still able to participate in extracurricular activities and created a fall program to do just that,” said Broadway From Home Founder Harley Harrison Yanoff. “Broadway From Home ensures that students will be able to improve their theater skills while also socializing with kids from all over the world. We love being able to bring students together and give them this fun, interactive and educational experience!”
Broadway From Home’s new fall schedule includes a la carte classes as well as weekly and monthly programs. Individual classes are available now and include Improv, Broadway Dance, Scene Roulette, Broadway Masterclass, Cartoon Voiceover, Voice Studio, Film and TV Acting and two-day Broadway Now Workshop. Individual class pricing starts at $22 per class.
The “6 Week Musical” workshop begins on Sept. 15 and features a popular Broadway show that the group will tackle. Students ages 7-18 will meet twice weekly on Tuesday’s and Thursday’s from 5:30-7:30 p.m. ET. Over the six weeks, students will work in depth on multiple scenes and songs from the show with their Broadway coaches. On the last day of the workshop, there will be a livestream performance for family friends and the public to enjoy. The early bird registration rate is $499 until Sept. 1st, and $549 thereafter.
The “Teen Training Program” for ages 13-18 meets three times weekly for six weeks, beginning on Sept. 15 with a focus on acting, movement and voice. This is also an evening class taking place from 5:30-7:30 p.m. ET. The program culminates with a showcase for industry professionals, agents, casting directors, friends and family. Participants will work toward the showcase as well as make personal discoveries in their craft to take risks and grow as artists. From this program, participants will walk away with an audition-ready monologue, an audition song, an edited tape of the Final Showcase and a glimpse into the industry and how to navigate it. This program is limited to 15 students and you must audition for it. The Teen Training program is available at an early bird rate of $1,099 until Sept. 1st, and $1,199 thereafter.
For more information on Broadway from Home or to sign up for a workshop visit www.bwayfromhome.com.
With a toddler who demands constant attention and a new baby who prefers the bottle, Erin, our Head of Editorial has no time to be attached to an outlet pumping. She decided to put Willow’s new Generation 3 breast pump to the test and here’s what she learned:
From packing a hospital bag to securely installing the new car seat, you’ve done your prep for bringing Baby home. But, what you can’t plan for—and what the books don’t tell you—is the sheer amount of time you’ll spend feeding your baby. For those who have lived it, nursing and pumping is a marathon deserving of an Olympic medal.
Now, thanks to the Willow Breast Pump, the world’s first all-in-one, in-bra breast pump, new moms can actually enjoy the feeding journey to the finish line. I’m a new mom with a 6 month old and 2.5 year old and I recently tested out their new Generation 3 model to see what the hype is all about. Read on for why I think the Willow pump is a total game changer and how it gave me back my freedom.
Convenience: Willow Lets You Pump Where You Want
With the Willow, you are never tied to an outlet and you can freely go about your day, all while pumping. I’ve pumped in the car on road trips, during work calls and building forts with my toddler. You can move without risking any spilled milk, and pump with freedom and dignity when you want and where you want. I love that I no longer have to schedule my day—or miss out on special family moments—around my pumping schedule. It’s truly liberating.
The Technology
The technology behind this pump is first-class. It’s quiet, compact and doesn’t require any special gadgets or supplies except a regular full coverage nursing bra with a nursing flap. The newest Generation 3 model even has a smart suction technology that adjusts the suction based on your preferences to increase output.
Online Tutorials & the App
Like with any breast pump, there is a learning curve (more on that below), so Willow is putting effort behind educating women on how to properly use the breast pump. You receive an instruction manual full of easy-to-follow illustrations and directions, which is also supported by an app and website that features video tutorials on everything from how to get set up to how to troubleshoot common issues. I found that the video tutorials online and in the app were helpful in the early days of using the pump.
Beyond the video tutorials, the app is especially useful when pumping. With the app, you can track how many ounces you’ve pumped per side, your historical pumping history and control the level of suction.
Minimal Parts to Wash
Unlike a hospital-grade pump, the Willow pump parts are minimal (hooray for easy cleaning!). You can either pump into single-use storage bags or storage containers (which you then wash and reuse). If possible, I suggest the latter, even though it’s one extra part to purchase. In the long run, you’ll save money and won’t be using a plastic bag every time you pump.
Milk Output and Comfort
We compared our milk output to our hospital-grade electric pump and were impressed that the amount of milk we pumped from the Willow was almost the same as the traditional pump. At times (like later in the day when our production level was low), I did have to pump longer than I normally would, but it was worth it for the freedom of mobility while pumping.
Good to Know Before Buying:
• The price point is spendy. But to put it in perspective: you invest in your baby’s crib, car seat and stroller, which you use daily. So, for those who can afford it, it makes sense to invest the same in yourself and a product you’ll also use multiple times every day. If buying a Willow isn’t an option, put out feelers to your local mom’s group to see if any mom is selling hers.
• There is a learning curve with the pump. Mainly, what Willow dubs “Flip to Finish” where you disengage the pump from your breast and flip it over to collect the milk. It took us a few tries (and a little bit of spilled milk) to finally grasp the proper steps on flip to finish. Luckily, there are a handful of online tutorials that show you exactly how to do it, as well as the Willow app itself with videos.
• Each Willow pump comes with one electrical charging outlet so if you want to charge both at once you would need to buy a second charging outlet.
• Each side of the pump can collect up to 4 ounces of breastmilk. If you do pump more than 4 ounces, the pump will automatically stop to prevent an overflow. For those who have an oversupply or pump larger quantities, you would need to disengage and pour out the milk, and then resume pumping.
• As mentioned above, Willow now has breast milk storage containers that you can reuse in the pump (they previously only offered single-use bags which could get expensive and aren’t environmentally-friendly). We suggest investing in the milk storage containers—they’re just as easy to use as the single-use bags.
According to the National Camp Association, more than 14 million campers attend overnight and day camps in the United States annually. This year, families are figuring out how to adapt time spent during the summer months. Amazon Handmade has introduced Camp Handmade to bring elements of the camp experience into homes across the country.
Families who are looking for a creative outlet are encouraged to learn from the best through the Makers Camp which is in session now through Aug. 15.
Each workshop will feature a curated list of supplies needed for each craft and virtual guests will follow step-by-step instructions to create unique crafts inspired and created by each participating Maker. Customers can view the interactive tutorials spotlighting how to make flower paintings, candles, needle felting, and crafting your own bath salts.
Participants can also tune into a panel moderated by Amazon Handmade and featuring Makers Rebeca Flott (Rebeca Flott Arts) and Sheena Tahilramani (Banter & Bliss Candle Co.), and Creator and Interior Designer Hilton Carter. This panel will explore how Rebeca, Sheena, and Hilton have successfully leveraged their passion to create their small businesses.
Oh, how quickly our daily lives have adopted a new normal! If all this at-home time has morphed into more screen time for your kids, finding online platforms suitable for our little ones is probably on your list. Enter local artist, Catherine Mayer, who just released a free version of her art-based mindfulness app, The L.A.U.G.H® App. It’s built to reduce anxiety and stress, provide an outlet for creativity and increase learning, belonging and confidence in our tiny students. Read on for the 411 on this new drawing app!
UnwrAPPing the Details
Michael Graubard, WHY FOR GOOD
The L.A.U.G.H® App, which encourages users to ‘Let Art Unleash Great Happiness’, is a novel way to deliver mental and emotional relief to our kids. After years of doing her research, and working in conjunction with sociologists, psychologists, behavioral specialists and physicians, Catherine Mayer has gifted us with this drawing tool that is designed to engage several senses simultaneously, such as vision, tactile, listening and focused breathing. Our kid testers dove into The L.A.U.G.H® App’s features to find out what it’s all about, what features they liked best and what parents will be excited to hear about!
The Initial APProach
Michael Graubard, WHY FOR GOOD
When you first open the app, your kiddos will be able to choose the emoji that corresponds with how they are currently coping emotionally (which also gives parents that sneak peek into our kids’ mental well-being). Then, it's on to an uber-encouraging tutorial where kids are introduced to an initial breathing exercise to relax and prepare their minds for the upcoming activities. Ahhhh! After finding their zen, kids are ushered to the art exercise, where they're taught to draw pictures by focusing on each individual shape, contour, shadow and texture. After a few follow-alongs, it's on to selecting a photo from the gallery (about 30 options in all) to complete your own drawing/tracing exercises, while listening to relaxing music that you can change to fit your mood. There are three cool options!
The app's toolkit, with various digital pens, paintbrushes, erasers, chalk and more, ensures each picture can be completely customized. The app also inspires its users to work at their own pace, relax and recognize that there is never a wrong way to draw or trace a picture. Parents will love how it encourages personal expression! After your kiddos create their masterpieces, they can then save their artwork in their own gallery or they can produce a slideshow to show off their work to you. Very user-friendly!
Michael Graubard, WHY FOR GOOD
For some kids the hardest part of the exercise may be going slow. But The L.A.U.G.H® App reminds kids to relax, breath and allow themselves the time to be completely absorbed in a creative and calming activity. It's easy to see how this app provides an outlet for creativity and can also help reduce anxieties and stressors our kids face everyday!
If You APPreciate Proof
Michael Graubard, WHY FOR GOOD
While there's no doubt our family testers enjoyed the app and what it offers, it’s important to point out that The L.A.U.G.H® App has gone through its own testing and trials (including research with University of Washington and Seattle Children’s Research Institute) to make it just right. In school trials, researchers found that the app had significant influence on students’ moods over time. In fact, after around seven sessions of L.A.U.G.H® Time, students showed a 4.7% improvement in their moods, and measurable increases in the kiddos’ joy of learning and school connectedness. As they studied this phenomenon, they found that the joy of learning score was 18.7% higher, and school connectedness was 19.2% higher at the end of L.A.U.G.H® Time. That means that belonging directly affects joy of learning and together they have a positive influence on a student’s mood. Hence the importance of launching this app at a time like this.
How They APProach the Future
SchoolPRPro via Pixabay
So what will The L.A.U.G.H.® App look like in the future? “We know there is a considerable appetite in our world for calm, less anxiety and a creative outlet for kids, families – and really everyone,” said Mayer. “In future versions of the app we will be adding features appropriate for the classroom–including the ability to share to multiple screens (Ambient Art®), as well as new adventures focused on music, movement, breathing and other elements that reinforce mindfulness, focus and social emotional learning and behavior.”
If we’ve whet your APPetite, you can download The L.A.U.G.H. ® App for free in the Apple App Store for iPad only and in the Google Play Store for tablet or phone.
