We’ve all been there. Staring down a pile of laundry or an entire bin of toys on the ground and thought, do these chores really matter? If we’re being honest, when considering all the things we balance as parents, cleaning the house usually falls somewhere toward the bottom of the must-do list. And for good reason. After all, there are other (more important) things that usually take precedence: work, feeding a family, getting kids to school, and somewhere in there—finding time for self-care. But, eventually, you’re going to need to tackle that fridge or make a clean sweep of the place before guests arrive. The good news is, there are plenty of shortcuts and cleaning hacks you can use to tackle both the little and the big jobs, which leaves you more time for the things that really matter—like bedtime stories, family dinners, or a good Netflix binge-session.
Before you check out all these cleaning hacks, take an honest look at your bandwidth and decide what you can do and when. If you can do one or two small things a day, nothing every piles up, which makes your house look more tidy overall.
2. Use an oven-cleaning hack that doesn’t take hours
It’s everyone’s least favorite chore if it even ever gets done. Forget about using the self-cleaning option and go old-school with baking soda, a sponge, and real citrus.
Need to clean up in a jiff? Using creative storage solutions is an absolute must. Make sure you have a basket or bin in each room to throw everything in before housekeeping or a surprise visit from grandparents. When the basket is full, it’s time to put everything away. When you’re on the hunt for a special item and can’t find it, it’s time to dump out the basket, find your treasure, and put everything away. Plus, with so many styles and colors, it’s a total design hack, too!
3. Try a ceiling fan cleaning hack that really works
Instead of using paper towels or a Swiffer (dust will get everywhere), use an old pillowcase. The dust will be captured inside!
4. Embrace a solution for how to dry sheets the first time
Amazon
This little device is of those things that’ll make you say, “Why didn’t I think of that?” It helps prevent the dreaded rolled and wadded mess of half-dried sheets that lead to multiple cycles in the dryer and inevitably waste energy (and valuable time). Just clip the corners of your sheet into the Wad-Free before you wash and dry. Get a 2-pack on Amazon for $20.
If you love your air fryer as much as we love ours, it’s probably time to talk about how often you actually clean it out. While you should be cleaning the basket every time, there are a few deep-cleaning tricks you should try every few months too.
6. Use this genius cleaning hack to get glitter off tables, floors, and just about anywhere else
Gabby Cullen
The kids are dying to pull out the art supplies and go wild making you a masterpiece for the fridge. But, who can stand the glitter that inevitably ends up everywhere, forever? Pull out a lint roller and use it after they’re done being creative, you’ll be amazed at how much of the sparkly stuff you’ll be able to clean up.
Whether you’re trying to get your kids to do their chores or just want to make cleaning easier for yourself, Joyful Homemaking has an amazing idea. Create your very own chore baskets with plastic shower caddies—one basket for each room with a list of items that go in each basket.
8. Use toothpaste to clean in a pinch
iStock
Plain white toothpaste includes baking soda, which is a common household cleaning supply. You can use toothpaste to clean jewelry, polish bathroom fixtures, get rid of kitchen odors, and much more.
9. Figure out which tools you need to really clean that fridge
It’s a miracle cleaning solution that you probably already have! Use it to clean that oven, descale an electric kettle, put half in your dishwasher to cut grease, and so much more.
11. Clean plastic toys in the washing machine
Gabby Cullen
Whether covered in sticky residue from your own kid or if you’re giving a secondhand set a fresh start, plastic blocks clean right up when sent through the wash. Be sure to add items like towels or sheets to prevent banging during the cycle.
Amazon parents have a lot of opinions. These are the best baby bottles according to reviews!
Fed up with spending hours researching for the best baby bottles online? Look no further! Our roundup is based on Amazon customer reviews and satisfaction, so you can trust that you’re getting exactly what your fellow parents trust the most. These baby bottles are designed to reduce colic, reflux, and other challenges in babies that can come from bottle-feeding. No more searching and comparing – we’ve got you all taken care of.
Every baby is different, so we made sure to include baby bottles of all kinds (is there anything Amazon can’t do?). From bottles designed to mimic the breast, to vented designs, collapsible silicon, and angled options, we’re confident there’s a solution to your feeding issues, or an improvement to what you’re already doing. Of course, we also recommend you connect with your child’s pediatrician if you’re struggling with feeding your baby to rule out any kind of underlying issues that may be impacting them. Once you know it’s time to change up your bottle game, start reading!
Dr. Brown’s Natural Flow Anti-Colic Options+
Dr. Brown's/Amazon
Dr. Brown's anti-colic vent system is clinically proven to reduce colic, gas, spitting up, and general tummy discomfort. The breast-like nipple shape encourages your baby to latch correctly for more natural bottle feeding and eases the transition from breast to bottle and back again!
Glowing Amazon Review:I bought these for my granddaughter. She was getting hiccups and had a lot of excess gas and spitting up from regular bottles. These bottles have alleviated gas and spitting up and she hardly ever gets hiccups after eating now. Highly recommend these bottles. And they are so cute.—Pamela Collins
Philips Avent Natural Baby Bottles with Natural Response Nipple
Philips
The opening and tip of these bottles from Philips is uniquely designed to only release milk if your wee one is actively drinks, just like breastfeeding! They can drink, swallow, and breathe, so they can control the flow.
Glowing Amazon Review: Only bottle I could get my strictly breastfed baby to take after trying so many brands! He did not do well with the "breast like/ orthodontic" nipple shape and took to this one almost immediately.—Abigale R.
MAM Easy Start bottles have a vented base that releases liquid slowly, reducing colic in 80%* of babies! (*Market research 2010-2020)
Glowing Amazon Review:These are great bottles! I spent hours reading bottle reviews and I hesitantly picked these. My son started using them at one month old. The flow is perfect. The nipple is perfect. They don’t leak. They’re sturdy. I used pumped/frozen milk and they do fine in the bottle warmer. When I switched to formula, I found that the mouth of the bottle is big enough for scooping formula. They’ve held up well. I would recommend these bottles to any parent.—Amazon Customer
In addition to the same great features we've been loving (anti-colic vents, breast-like feeding design), this set is a win thanks to the variety included in the bundle: two 5oz. bottles, two 8oz. bottles, and a package each of slow flow, medium flow, and fast flow replacement nipples!
Glowing Amazon Review:I steered clear from these because of the hype at first, but then I tried it the one in my sample pack of different bottles and it was the only one to not leak and not dribble. So I got more and more. These are amazing. My baby loves the comotomos. As do I. The only things are that the 4 oz easily tips over, so be careful. And, they're a little too wide to fit in some insulated holders properly.—Y.
Your babe will ingest less air and more milk to prevent colic, plus the flexible nipple is closer to the breast! (Also, how cute are these limited-edition colors?!)
Glowing Amazon Review:I purchased these for my niece who I keep during her parents working hours. The bottle we did use was out of stock and we could not get them in. We purchased these based on other positive review of breastfed babies. She did not have any issues switching from her previous bottle to this one and there was not any nipple confusion between mom and bottle. She was an older baby when we started using these therefore established with breastfeeding. They were easy to clean and assemble. It says to not use a normal bottle brush for the actual nipple. So I would recommend getting the bottle brush for this bottle to have on hand.—Anonymous
These super cute bottles have a silicon pouch design that collapse as your baby drinks, decreasing air intake to prevent colic-like symptoms. They're also reusable and can be boiled, microwaved, frozen, sterilized, and are dishwasher safe!
Glowing Amazon Review:Only bottles we use in this house. So easy to clean, cute colors to pick from, easily graspable for child. Totally leak proof until they get older (past 1) and learn how to shake it and drip it everywhere but that’s what the cap is for! I love that you can buy different parts like the interchangeable sippy cup top or the storage pods. I love that you don’t have to replace the whole bottle to get a new one you can just buy new inserts. We have 9 of these bottles, only because I wanted the different styles.—Diana Cheyenne Brown
With extra-soft silicon and triple-vented design to mitigate colic and colic symptoms, the Flexy is definitely a parent fave.
Glowing Amazon Review:My first daughter rejected bottles and it was very rough on me going back to work. Second time around, I wanted to introduce bottles early so that I don’t have the same issues/stress when it’s time to return to work. My second baby was initially taking some bottle between breast feeding and recently started to scream/cry and reject. Obviously this was overwhelming. I looked up new bottles and read the reviews for this. Decided to give it a try since it’s supposedly good for breastfed babies. Oh my god. What a difference! She accepts it, will go back to it even if she pauses (previously would not if she stopped for any moment), and will actually finish a bottle. Wow. Thank you. So far this is a god send.—Alyson
Evenflo's angled shape promotes a semi-upright feeding position that decreases the chances of ear aches, reflux, and gas!
Glowing Amazon Review:Our baby for some reason will only take bottles with the slimmer nipple. He doesn't like the "just like mom" nipples or the ones that are supposed to resemble breasts. We were using Dr. Browns, but they started leaking on us and the only option after 4oz was 9oz and those didn't fit in our diaper bag anyway. These were much cheaper, had less parts and fit in our bag. They work great! The angle makes upright feeding really easy and I like the colors the plastic is super durable and the vent in the nipple makes them really easy to clean. Only complaints: the oz on the bottle can be hard to read of the formula inside got too frothy or bubbly and the kids are hard to take off until you find the right technique. Bottom line.... Well worth the money.—Samuel
If you buy something from the links in this article, we may earn affiliate commission or compensation. Prices and availability reflect the time of publication.
A speech-language pathologist (and mom) shares if (and when) parents should be concerned about delayed language development
As parents, it’s natural to worry about our children’s development every step of the way. During storytime, we notice toddlers of the same age beginning to walk. At daycare pickup, we overhear kiddos with a vocabulary wider than that of our own child. In a world where perfection is celebrated, it is difficult not to compare our child’s development to that of his or her peers—but we should try not to. As both a mother and a speech-language pathologist (SLP), this is what I’d like parents of babies and toddlers to know about late language emergence.
Understanding Language Development
Language development begins the moment we start interacting with our child. Back-and-forth interaction during the first year sets the foundation for later development of language. I often recall the viral video of a father and his baby taking turns during conversation. His son may not be saying words just yet, but by allowing him the opportunity to babble in response, he’s learning the rules of back-and-forth conversation. This father sets a great example of what parents should be doing to enhance their child’s language development from an early age.
When I had my own children, I saw language development through the parental lens for the first time. I realized that language acquisition doesn’t always correlate to a perfect timeline. I anxiously awaited my son’s first word when he turned one, with the milestone chart at the forefront of my mind, as a clinician typically does. But not every child has a word by his first birthday. Not every kiddo is combining words by the time she’s two. And in some cases, that’s okay. Each child is unique, and so is his or her development. Ranges of acquisition leave some wiggle room for children to develop at their own pace.
Milestones to Look for in Language Development
Milestones are helpful if we consider them to be general guidelines and not solidified expectations. According to The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, babies begin to repeat sounds and vocalize when they’re spoken to around the age of 4 to 6 months. Babbling, communicating through gestures, and responding to requests picks up between 7 to 11 months. Words begin to develop around 12 to 17 months, and between 18 to 23 months a typical vocabulary is approximately 50 words. Towards the end of this period, toddlers begin to combine words into phrases, and by 2 to 3 years they’re typically using sentences.
Often, we see children falling beyond these ranges as a sign of a speech/language disorder. But there are some instances where a child’s vocabulary may grow at a slower rate than expected; this is not always a reason for concern.
What if You Have a Late Talker?
When late language emergence is a concern, without other diagnosed disabilities or developmental delays, a child may be referred to as a “late talker.” Typically, late talkers have acquired less words or a smaller vocabulary (expressive language) than what is expected, but parents report that their language comprehension (receptive language) is intact. For example, a child may struggle to ask for his sippy cup, but when his parents say, “Go upstairs and get your blanket,” he can follow the instruction without difficulty.
Being a late talker with an expressive language delay does not necessarily mean a child will go on to be diagnosed with a language disorder. In fact, a subset of children who have a late language emergence, or a delay in language onset without other diagnosed disabilities or delays, will catch up on their own. However, seeking an evaluation is recommended because it’s difficult to distinguish these children from the rest. It should be noted that children delayed in both expressive and receptive language are at greater risk for a language disorder than those whose comprehension skills are in the normal range.
The Benefits of Early Intervention
Children ages birth to three (and in some states until age five) can receive fully funded speech-language evaluations and therapy (upon qualification) through early intervention. A professional may refer a child for a speech-language evaluation, but parents do not have to wait for a referral to reach out themselves. Eligibility for early intervention varies by state, but in general, if a child has significant developmental delays in one or more areas, they will qualify for services.
Speech therapy can only aid in speech-language development; it can’t hurt in any way. An evaluation ensures that any on-going speech-language issues are discovered early so that therapy can allow for the best possible outcome later. When in doubt, have your child evaluated; there’s truly no reason not to. The CDC can aid in locating an early intervention program near you, if you’re not sure where to start.
Just Remember…
I hope parents remember that children acquire new skills in their own time. We should only compare our child’s development to their previous gains, while also paying attention to ranges of typical development. Comparison to other children often leads to unnecessary stress and inaccurate assessments.
As a mother of two boys who were both late talkers and who both received speech support through early intervention, I realize that deviation from expectations doesn’t always mean a disorder is present. But as an SLP, I also know that we can’t always determine which children will catch up on their own and which won’t. A referral to early intervention services is always recommended when parents are unsure if a need exists. The benefits of early intervention are undeniable, and we want to take advantage of that precious time.
Don’t stress over your child’s every word. Remember that each child is individual, and just like their ability to crawl and walk, they may not speak exactly when the milestone chart says they should. Also know that it is okay—and expected—for parents to be unsure of their child’s need for speech therapy. Referring your child to early intervention allows specialists to determine that for you. An evaluation through early intervention is available at no cost. There are SLPs ready to work with your child at every stage of development, and that may be exactly what your child needs to flourish.
An unbelievable summer is just a few clicks away when you sign up for one of our favorite Seattle summer camps
Sure it’s not even mid-winter break yet (hint: we’ve got camp suggestions for that too), but that doesn’t mean Seattle summer camps aren’t filling up faster than your toddler goes from calm to tantrum because their sippy cup color is wrong. In fact, some already have waitlists. But not to worry, you’ve still got summer camp options that’ll keep your kids engaged. Whether they love art, sports, science, or hanging out in nature, we’ve got a Seattle camp they’ll love. Just don’t wait too long.
This article is sponsored by Wilderness Awareness School, an award-winning program connecting children, teens, and adults with nature through adventure. Based in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains, about 45 minutes outside of Seattle, WA, Wilderness Awareness School offers summer camps, youth programs, nature instructor training, and much more. Click here to learn more!
The Best Seattle Day Camps
1. KidsQuest Children’s Museum
courtesy KidsQuest
Calling all adventurers and explorers! KidsQuest Children’s Museum camps are one of the Eastside’s best bets for summer fun. It’s a chance for kids to take a deep dive into their favorite pastime, whether it’s art, science, nature, or engineering. Kid Adventurers (ages 4-6) will spend their half-days at themed camps dedicated to engineering, nature, and art, while Explorers (ages 7-10) can Tinker with Tinkerbell, sculpt with BAM, and learn about the science of slime at the museum. And if staying at home works best for your fam, KidsQuest has two virtual (prerecorded options) families can sign up for too ($125).
Good to Know: Registration for these popular camps opens March 13; members get priority registration starting March 6.
Editor’s note: WPZ’s wildly popular summer camps are full for 2023, but you can still join the waitlist or bookmark it for next year.
If your wild one wants to hang out with some animals this summer, the Day Camps at Woodland Park Zoo are the place to be. Campers explore the zoo while learning about conservation, building STEAM skills, and connecting with nature. Whether you’re a Bear Cub (ages 4-6), Black Bear (ages 6-9), or a full grown Grizzly (ages 9-13), you’ll find these camps are as engaging as they are exciting.
Dates: weekly, starting June 2023 Cost: $465/week Ages: 4-13
Get cooking at FrogLegs Culinary camp for kids. It’s a chance for chefs of all ages to put their creative skills to work in the kitchen, pairing things they love (think: Harry Potter, retro ice cream shop, or your kid’s storybook favorites) with food. Camps are available in the morning and afternoon, and kids get the chance to play games and hear stories in between whipping up tantalizing treats we’re sure they’ll willingly share.
Dates: weekly, starting June 2023 Cost: vary, depending on session Ages: 3 & up
Camps held at U Village and in Redmond, Issaquah & Kirkland. Online:froglegskca.com
4. Camp Kindness Counts
Although plans are still in the works for this Eastside camp, it’s one to keep an eye on. With a focus on putting good works out into the universe as a way to build a happy healthier world, you can count on this camp experience to focus on community service. In fact, Art in Community will be the theme this year, planned in partnership with East Shore Unitarian Church.
Good to Know: The free July camp (July 24-28) will run this summer too. Plans are being hammered out now and will be available in April.
Dates: Jun. 26-30, 2023
East Shore Unitarian Church
12700 SE 32nd St
Bellevue, WA Online: campkindnesscounts.org
For kids who love to express themselves, there’s Arts Aloft summer camps, where they immerse kids ages five and up in drawing, painting, sculpting—basically anything that gets them messy and creative. Pair your budding artist with a theme they’ll love (think: Rebel Girls, Super Mario Brothers, Fairies), then drop them at the studio where they’ll find all they need to create and have fun with friends. Pack a snack and expect some play time too.
Good to know: Expect waitlists on some of the more popular themed camps (yep, already), like Harry Potter and Star Wars.
We couldn’t think of a better place for kids to learn about and create art than through Seattle’s very own SAM. Art educators lead kids through a different theme each week, inspired by SAM exhibits and collections. This year kids can explore mixed media, paint paradise, and build with creativity at different week-long sessions. Campers are broken up by age group (grades 1-3 and 3-6) so they can make new friends too.
Good to Know: Registration opens February 15, and spots go quickly. Afternoon extended care is available until 5:30 p.m.
Seattle Asian Art Museum
400 E. Prospect St.
Seattle Online:seattleartmuseum.org
7. Redmond Art Works
If art is what your kid craves over the summer, but you’re not so big on the clean up, sign your budding artist up for a week at Redmond Art Works. They offer weekly summer camp sessions, each with a different theme. Kids can get Lost in Space, explore Enchanted Lands, and even learn about The Art of Magic.
Head to West Seattle to enjoy three-day art camps with West Seattle Art Nest. This year will include seven different sessions that cover intriguing topics like Abstract & Splatter Art, Art in Nature, and Slime, Potions, and Magical Mixtures. Expect lots of artistic expression as kids work with various mediums and techniques to create pieces parents will surely want to put on display.
This summer camp really rocks, and not just because it empowers youth of marginalized genders while fostering leadership and creativity along the way. Campers will make music, develop skills, and get to know each other in a safe and welcoming space that encourages participants to learn about the creative process (and themselves) during the week-long session. Each day is a combo of activities and creativity, accompanied by tons of hands-on fun.
Artists of all ages will enjoy learning about drawing, painting, sculpting, or creating with mixed-media at MUSEO’s summer camps,. Kids focus on specific skills in each camp sesh, building from the basics through to advanced techniques during half- or full-day classes. We love the Friday-only pottery camp ($175) that can stand alone or be tacked on to the end of your Monday through Thursday camp experience to keep the good times roll…err… throwing. Plus, add-ons like early arrival, extended stay, and a lunch hour option help busy families coordinate schedules. What will your kiddo create?
Dates: weekly, starting June 2023 Cost: $275/half-day session Ages: 5-13
160 N.W. Gilman Blvd., Suite 341
Issaquah, WA Online:museoart.com
11. Mode Music and Performing Arts
Add a little music to your summer with Mode Music’s MMPA camps. With both morning and afternoon options, you can pick and choose your way through the summer. Kids can learn about everything from Music Theory to Music in the Movies. They can even try their hand at a Songwriting Workshop or learn to play ukulele. Let’s just say we’re “hear” for it.
Dates: weekly, starting June 2023 Cost: $300/week Ages: 5 & up
Whether your kiddo wants to be on the stage or behind the scenes, SCT has a summer camp to match. One of the best things about this camp is that kids as young as 3.5 can get their drama on all summer long (and we know how much they love to do that). Kids will learn the ins and outs of acting with creative programming like Drama Quest, Tablecloth Theater, Scene Study Showcase, and even the Art of Drag. We can’t wait for the lights, camera, action of this summer camp favorite.
Dates: weekly, starting June 2023 Cost: $125-$540 Ages: 3.5 & up
If all the world’s a stage, Studio East is bringing the world to you this summer with their in-person and virtual performing arts camps. Whether you’ve got a Little Player, Tale Spinner, or a Play Maker, Studio East’s camps put kids in the spotlight. Each session offers kids of different ages and theatrical experience the chance to be drama kings and queens. With exciting themes like Paw Patrol, Encanto and Enola & Sherlock Holmes, there’s something to pique every player’s interest.
Good to Know: Take advantage of an early bird registration discount when you sign up before March 31, 2023.
Dates: weekly, starting June 2023 Cost: starting at $260 Ages: 4-19
Camps are held at six locations on the Eastside. Online:studio-east.org
14. Wedgwood Drama Studio
View Ridge Park is where these outdoor drama camps hosted by Wedgwood Drama Studio are held. Theater in the Park is the name of the game and campers will have the chance to create and bring to life original characters, practice scene work, and explore movement. But that’s not all. They’ll also have time to play, make some art, and bust out a song or two too.
Good to Know: Spots for each session are limited to 15 campers, and a few camps are full already.
Because every wild child needs a place where they can roam free, there’s summer camp programming at Wilderness Awareness School. With day camps for kids ages 6 to 12 and overnights for teens, it’s as easy as picking a week this summer to commit to keeping the kids outside. Camps focus on hands-on nature skills, play, awareness games, and storytelling. And the fact that your kiddo will know all about edible plants, animal droppings, and the natural world around them is the bonus to all this forest exploration.
Dates: weekly, starting June 2023 Times: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Cost: Starting at $565 Ages: 4-12
If your kids love gardening, or if you’re hoping they’ll grow a green thumb (or help you grow yours), Tilth Alliance Camps are your go-to spot. Offering week-long programs for kids as young as 3, these camps offer more than just outdoor fun for kids. Activities are informed by Learning in Places, a program that emphasizes equitable, field-based experiences for kids and families, so every kid has the chance to plant roots this summer. Maybe yours wants to learn to be a Garden Artist, or investigate the World of Invertebrates, or learn about Farm to Table practices over the summer. No matter what camp they choose, we know they’ll dig it.
Good to Know: Camps run each week at both locations.
Dates: weekly, starting June 2023 Ages: 3-15
Good Shepherd Center—Wallingford
4649 Sunnyside Ave. N., Suite 100
Seattle
Rainier Beach Urban Farm & Wetlands
5513 S. Cloverdale St.
Seattle Online:tilthalliance.org
Farm and nature camps on the Eastside fill up fast (just ask parents who missed the Shoofly Farm window), so if you think your kids would love the chance to run wild at camp, you better pick a camp session here while you still can.
34920 S.E. Fall City Snoqualmie Rd
Fall City, WA Online:wildwoodranch.co
The Best STEM & Computer Coding Camps in & near Seattle
18. Pacific Science Center
PacSci is ready to ignite curious minds this summer from Seattle to the Eastside with the return of their science summer camps. Their creative camps include programming on everything from Hydro Heroes and Snack Science for Pre-K kids to Duct Tape Engineering and Robotics for the oldest campers. And to make it easy for everyone, camps take place around the Sound, so no matter where you’re located your kids can get their science on this summer. Sign up for morning, afternoon, or all-day sessions.
Good to know: PacSci offers sensory-friendly and girl-focused sessions in an effort to make everyone’s camp experience a success.
Dates: weekly, starting June 2023 Cost: $182-$635, depending on session and membership Ages: 4 & up
Locations at PacSci, Mercer Slough, St. Thomas School, Kirkland Seventh-Day Adventist School, Explorer West Middle School & Salish Sea Elementary. Online:pacificsciencecenter.org
When you add your kid to the Girls Rock Math equation, the sum of it all is an educational adventure she’ll love. In addition to building her math skills, your kiddo will get plenty of fresh air and the chance to make new friends. Our favorite part is the creative approach this camps takes to making math both fun and accessible for every girl. After all, what curiously-minded camper can resist punny camp sessions like Folotastic Mathematics, Alice in Numberland, and Bead-DazzlingMath. The best part? Girls will boost their confidence and build real-world soft skills like collaboration, persistence, and strategizing that will take them far when they attend these camps.
Dates: weekly, starting June 2023 Cost: $460 Ages: 6-12
The Museum of Flight’s popular Aerospace Camp Experience (ACE) is one that kids look forward to all summer long. Campers ages 7 and up will spend each week-long camp session engaging in hands-on activities and experiences that will ignite their interest in the science of flight at any altitude. The youngest campers (going into Kindergarten) can Blast Off! or learn about the Magic of Science, while big kids (ages 6-8) can build Rockets for Rookies and more. Older campers can attend Junior Flight School, learn about Flight Dynamics, and more. Before and after care is available for all sessions.
Good to Know: Camp registration opens Feb. 27, 2023.
Dates: weekly, starting June 2023 Cost: $450-$525 Ages: 7 & up
If your kids wonder if science is magic, this is the camp for them. Working with scientific principles and adding just the right amount of imagination, kids will take their ideas from realistic to fantastic as they work together to create something special. It’s where science and engineering meet creativity.
Brick builders of all ages are in for a treat with Play-Well’s LEGO summer camps. Held at locations all over Seattle and the Eastside, your LEGO lover won’t have any problem finding a favorite summer camp to sign up for. Classes like Jedi Engineering, Women Innovators in STEM, and Robotics using the LEGO WeDo & EV systems are sure to keep your creative kiddo learning and busy this summer. The best part? 2023 summer camp registration hasn’t opened up yet, so you’ve still got time to plan (and get a spot too!).
Dates: starting June 2023 Ages: 5 & up
Various locations on Seattle & the Eastside. Online:play-well.org
The Best Dance, Circus & Sports Camps for Little Athletes in Seattle
Editor’s Note: SANCA’s summer camps are full, but you can join the waitlist or bookmark these popular camps for next year.
Spend summer under the big top when you register for one of SANCA’s weekly sessions. Tiny tumblers ages 6-8 will get an excellent introduction to the circus arts during Circus Odyssey. It’s all about body awareness, partner skills and advancing basic acrobatic skills in this one. Bigger kiddos, ages 9 and up, will take it to the next level during the Circus Ringmasters sessions. Juggling, tumbling, tightwire and aerial fabric exercises will keep kids engaged and learning new skills every day. Expect a small parent show at the end of the session so your Littles can show off what they’ve learned too.
Dates: weekly, starting June 2023 Times: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Cost: $485 Ages: 6 & up
If your kids are ready to have a blast this summer, Arena Sports can help you out. They’ll keep kids active in half- or full-day sessions with field games, inflatables, arts and crafts, and more. Camps are held both indoor and out, depending on location and weather. We love the parent perks of these camps that allow for early drop off and flexible registration that means you can sign kids up for half days, full days, even single days so your summer plans work out just the way you want them to. Plus, if you’re signed up for the Mill Creek or Issaquah locations campers get to take advantage of the Family Entertainment Complexes.
Dates: weekly, starting June 2023 Ages: 3-12
Camps are held in SODO, Magnuson, Issaquah, Mill Creek & Redmond. Online:arenasports.net
25. Kong Academy
Calling all wiggle worms! Kong Academy’s parkour programming has what it takes to keep kids active and engaged this summer. If getting your kids outside for jumps, leaps, and rolls is what you’re after, sign them up for a week of Parkour Adventure Summer Camp at Carkeek Park (they’re working on a way to connect parents for carpools). Each week of camp is held together with a story theme—this year it’s pirates. So kids can combine their mad movement skills with story elements as they work through stations learning how to vault, climb, jumping, and roll.
No matter what sport your kiddo plays, Skyhawks has a camp for that. From soccer to basketball to volleyball and golf, if it’s played on a field or with a ball, it’s in their wheelhouse. Camps are held around the city and surrounding areas and give kids the chance to improve their skills or just play their favorite sport all summer long via half- or full-day camp sessions.
Whether your creative kiddo is an artist, nature explorer, singer or dancer, the award-winning, multi-arts camps at Creative Dance Center will unleash your Little’s imagination. Camps focus on kids’ joyful self-expression, while at the same time letting campers explore movement and art, develop dance skills, and strengthen the body and brain. Kids will love camps like Ballet Stories, Art in Motion, Musical Theater, and Hip Hop. Parents will appreciate the innovative and holistic teaching methods that create an environment where children communicate, connect, collaborate and create through dance.
Dates: weekly, starting June 2023 Cost: TBD for 2023 Ages: 4-10
I have a confession to make: bedtime reading barely happens in my house. After working at a stressful job, juggling side hustles to pay down debt, commuting for hours to pick up kids at distant schools, cooking, checking homework, checking in on elderly relatives, and attempting coherent conversations with my family, I’m just—done. We don’t read a lot on weeknights. But we’re a family of readers.
I’m a school librarian, owner of thousands of books, and a graduate-level instructor of children’s literature. All of my experiences tell me that there are countless ways to raise readers and no one-size-fits-all approach. I’m not a huge fan of required summer reading lists either since each child has radically differing learning and literacy needs.
When I only had one daughter and one job, we read for almost an hour every night. But now, with two kids and two jobs, I read the shortest books possible in less than 10 minutes. Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown only contains 132 words—part of the reason it has consistently remained among the most popular children’s books for 75 years. When all of our family structures, economic circumstances, and schedules vary so widely, why do we feel pressed to read to our kids the same way? What if you work nights? Does that mean your kid doesn’t read with you? Nope! You read whenever and however you can.
My current nighttime routine with my 3-year-old includes songs, cuddles, nonsensical chats (“Are you a bear or a bee?”), and the grand finale, “the airplane” where I swoop her through the air and dump her, giggling, into the bed. My 10-year-old would still like me to read to her at night—and not honoring this request hurts. But so does sleep deprivation. So my older one gets read-alouds in binge sessions, usually when the sun is high in the sky. We’ve been chipping away at Little Women, the original, 800-page version for two years.
So much of the conventional wisdom about parenting derives from dated, sexist thinking. When I perused academic articles about bedtime reading, I kept seeing the words “mother” and “maternal” everywhere—as if reading, like cooking and housework, were exclusively feminine activities. People of all genders can read aloud, and at all times of day.
When I’m mechanically reading the Frozen II Little Golden Book for the 300th time, I yearn to be anywhere else, even at the DMV. If parents read a truly great book to their kids, like The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats or Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson, and have a total blast doing it—even just once a week—I believe it’s more meaningful than vitamin-swallowing nightly reading. Regular reading is important, of course, but nighttime isn’t best for everyone.
Digging deeper into the most recent research, I read a summary of Larissa K. Ferretti and Kristen L. Bubs’ 2017 study on bedtime. Drawing from data from 3,250 families, they sought to understand what kids need for healthy brain development, social-emotional skills, and school readiness. Their findings in Early Education and Development suggested that dependable bedtime routines are what matter. Bonding, stimulating activities, and sufficient wind-down for sleep—that’s the ideal. Reading can be part of this but so can other activities. A scientist mom friend of mine says she does Bedtime Math with her kids. After all, why do we only equate nighttime with literacy?
Let me leave you with some advice. Forge your own path through bedtime with confidence and tweak it when needed. Read, but do it your way. Here are some that have worked for us.
Read books on public transportation, or listen to audiobooks or podcasts like Story Pirates while driving. Talking about what you read (or hear) is so important.
Pack books for long waits in the pediatrician’s office.
Go on reading outings to new libraries, bookstores, and even parks with Little Free Libraries.
Read for ten minutes every morning for a coffee and Sippy cup date while snuggling in bed.
Who knows, maybe breakfast book-time will become the next big thing?
Jess deCourcy Hinds (jessdecourcyhinds.com) is a writer, librarian, and graduate-level children’s literature instructor. Sign up for her free quarterly newsletter, I’m an Open Book: On Love, Libraries and Life-building.
If you buy something from the links in this article, we may earn affiliate commission or compensation.
When you’re popping bottles for your babe, you want bottles that don’t leak, are easy to clean, and minimize gas and other discomfort. Most of all, you want a bottle your baby will drink from. From glass baby bottles to BPA-free plastic, stainless steel and silicone, innovations abound in modern bottles. Read on for the very best baby bottles for breastmilk and formula from brands you love, including Tommee Tippee, NUK, Comotomo, Dr. Brown’s, Philips and Nanobebe.
This glass bottle, covered in a silicone sleeve, comes with a silicone nipple and a silicone spout, so you can help your baby learn how to drink from a cup. The handles are removable as your child gets better able to hold the bottle. Once removed, the silicone sleeve gives them a good grip to feed themselves.
Liquids only touch glass in this eco-friendly bottle free from harmful chemicals, PVC, BPAs and other additives. The wide neck on the Green Sprouts’ Sprout Ware® Baby Bottle made from Plants and Glass makes for easy filling and cleaning, and the angled neck and vented nipple mean kids can sit more upright, which can help them avoid colic, gas and digestive upset. The nipple provides variable flow that baby regulates, and it flexes to mimic breastfeeding.
If you prefer glass baby bottles but want the durability of plastic, you need the Duo bottle from Chicco. This ingenious bottle pairs glass (which doesn't retain stains, smells or an aftertaste) with a plastic outer layer free of BPA, BPS, PVC and phthalates. The nipple has an anti-colic valve, a skin-like texture and is shaped for an intuitive latch.
These Flexy Silicone Baby Bottles from nanobébé have a mom-like softness and breast shape, plus a stable base so it won't tip over and spill your liquid gold or formula. The nipple features three vents and is non-collapsible, to help maintain baby's latch and minimize post-feeding discomfort. As your child gets older and drinks more, you'll appreciate that this bottle holds up to 9 ounces. It comes with slow-flow nipples (which are great for kids at any age), but nipples with different flow rates can be purchased separately.
Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature Soft Silicone Baby Bottle
The Closer to Nature Soft Silicone Baby Bottle from Tommee Tippee has a soft feel and an award-winning nipple that make it feel more like breastfeeding. The bottle is made from an odor-resistant material without BPA, PVC or phthalates and features an anti-colic valve and a no-leak lid so you can bring it with you without worrying about spills. It comes in 5-ounce and 9-ounce sizes.
The off-center, elongated nipple on this bottle from Hegen mimics a woman's breast, which can help picky breastfeeders warm to using a bottle. The positioning of the nipple, along with anti-colic vents, help reduce backflow and gas. Mamas who pump will appreciate that you can pump directly into these bottles using an adaptor and get an airtight seal with the bottle's innovative storage lid.
NUK's Smooth Flow Anti-Colic Bottle features a unique nipple design that adapts to your baby's suction strength to adjust the milk flow, which can help reduce colic. The nipple shape mimics the shape of a woman's nipple while nursing, so breastfeeding babies are bound to love it. The bottle also features a temperature indicator to let you know at a glance if the milk or formula is too hot to drink. The wide-neck bottle makes for easy cleaning, by hand or in the dishwasher. Comes in 5-ounce and 10-ounce sizes and a variety of cute designs.
The Olababy GentleBottle has an off-set nipple to promote latching and discourage bottle rejection. The texture of this soft, medical-grade silicone bottle makes it easy to grip, and the bottle contains a dual venting system to reduce colic and enhance air flow. It comes in sweet, muted colors: mint, coral, rose, sky or frost. Also great, you can add accessories that maximize your use of the bottle and help your child make the move to big-kid cups: Slip on the Teether Handle and your child can work on holding their own bottle, along with getting a safe, non-toxic spot to gnaw on while teething. Replace the nipple with the spill-proof Soft Spout and you've helped baby with the transition to a drinking cup. Then pop on the Transitional Sippy Lid and you've turned baby's bottle into a sippy cup.
If you're looking for a leak-proof bottle, check out the aMACEing ZERO LEAK® Baby Bottle with Anti-Colic Vent and Variable Flow from Mace Baby. With a clever design that releases liquid only when baby's mouth squeezes the nipple, baby can even drink while laying down without liquid leaking out. The unique nipple also means that baby's feeding rhythm controls the flow of liquid. The bottle comes with an anti-colic vent meant to reduce incidences of colic, reflux, burping or gas. The bottle comes in 7-ounce and 10-ounce sizes.
If you're concerned about spit-up, burping and gas, give Dr. Brown’s Natural Flow Options+ Anti-Colic Baby Bottle a try. The Options+ bottles feature an internal vent system that supports digestion; the vent system also provides a consistent flow of liquid, which supports breastfeeding. When baby outgrows the vent system, just remove it and keep using the bottle. These bottles come in wide-neck and narrow-neck styles. The wide-neck bottles feature a breast-like nipple, which encourages a proper latch and which some babies, especially those who are breastfed, prefer to drink out of.
The ingenious PopYum bottle stores formula and water separately for convenient bottle feeding at home or on the go. Just push two buttons and shake. The bottle, made of medical-grade silicone and premium polypropylene, features a wide opening for easy cleaning. There's an included funnel to make loading formula easier, and the leak-free bottle also works great for breast milk.
The Philips Avent Anti-Colic Bottle with AirFree Vent keeps the nipple full during feedings so baby swallows less air. This can help reduce gas, reflux and colic. It also means baby can drink in an upright position if that's more comfortable for both of you. The nipples come in four different flow rates so you can choose what's right for your baby's age and flow preferences.
The sleek and modern Comotomo baby bottle distinguishes itself by its shape and material. The entire bottle, not just the nipple, is made from soft, squeezable, skin-like silicone to provide an experience similar to breastfeeding. The nipple is designed to mimic a natural latch. Built-in vents help prevent colic, a simple interlocking design stops leaks, and a wide opening makes it easy to clean.
If you've gone back to work and do a lot of pumping, the Kiinde Twist feeding system will change your life. Add an adaptor to your breast pump and pump directly into the storage pouch. Store the leak-proof pouches neatly in the fridge or freezer using the handy storage-bag holder. When baby is hungry, heat the milk directly in the pouch, then fit the pouch into the feeding bottle and you’re ready to go. With specially designed nipples (slow-flow and medium-flow), your little one should transition seamlessly between breast and bottle. No transferring of breast milk to heat or serve it, and no scrubbing bottles (just nipples) needed.
The nanobébé bottle is designed to protect breast milk nutrients through its innovative design. The unique shape also means the bottles stack easily and compactly, and the milk warms faster than a standard bottle to calm a crying child more quickly. It includes a colic-reducing venting system and a soft silicone nipple.
When bringing formula on the go, packing water and powder separately (and trying not to spill them when it comes time to mix) can be cumbersome. This clever little product, the Mixie Formula-Mixing Bottle, aims to make all that easier. A special airtight compartment keeps formula powder dry while the rest of the bottle is filled with water. When it comes time to blend, you just push a button and shake, and the formula is mixed with no clumps. Genius!
The sleek Smilo bottle will make both you and your baby smile. The company’s founders are pediatric specialists and engineers, so care was taken to optimize feeding sessions. The nipple is curved to mimic a mother’s milk ducts and breast, requiring less suction for your baby to extract milk. The leak-resistant bottle features a venting system and a circular tab that allows you to hold the bottle with just a pinky finger, leaving the rest of your arms for baby.
Don't want to cause any confusion for babies flipping back and forth between breastfeeding and bottle feeding? Try the Munchkin Latch, which is equipped with an accordion-style nipple that moves and stretches like the breast. You'll also appreciate the built-in anti-colic valve that aims to reduce air flowing through the milk. Available in 4-ounce and 8-ounce sizes, this bottle has lots of benefits at a low price.
At first glance, you might think that the Born Free Breeze bottle's biggest draw is its modern glass design, anti-colic vent and breastfeeding-like nipple, but what you'll really love is the two-piece construction. The nipple and top is a single piece. So when it comes to washing up, there aren't a lot of pieces to take apart and put back together. Also good to note: The ThermaSafe glass can go from freezing to boiling temps without breaking.
If you like the idea of glass but are concerned about putting a breakable material in your baby's hands, try the Lifefactory baby bottles, which gives a cool, modern makeover to the basic glass bottle. Each bottle comes with a brightly colored silicone sleeve that makes it easier to grip and tougher to shatter.
Make feeding time more comfortable for your baby with the Philips Avent Natural Bottle. The nipple features a wide breast-like shape and inner petals that increase flexibility and softness, mimicking the breastfeeding experience and making it easier for babies to latch on. A twin valve offers anti-colic benefits to reduce any tummy discomfort caused by feeding.
Want to add a little fun to feeding time? Try these Nuk Bottles with Perfect Fit Nipples, which come in cute designs. The bottle is designed with a silicone nipple to mimic nursing as well as an anti-colic air system that makes it easy to position the bottle in the optimal position for feeding while reducing colic, spit-up and gas.
Want to avoid plastic but stick to a lightweight material? Then you'll love the Pura Kiki stainless steel bottle. Insulated, colorful and equipped with a natural nipple, this is a must-have. You'll also love that this bottle grows with your child. Buy a sipper spout or silicone straw to transform it into a sippy or straw cup.
Babies love to gnaw on their Sophie the Giraffe teething toy, and now that company has partnered with Mii Baby to produce the Mii Sophie la Girafe Forever Baby Bottles. The nipples feature raised bumps to replicate a nursing woman’s nipple and a rounded base to comfort sore, swollen gums. Bottles come in either glass or a durable plastic alternative.
The Lux Big Boob Baby Bottle has a curvy shape and lots of handy features. The soft, food-grade silicone shape mimics a breast, while the nipple was designed to encourage latching and control milk flow. As baby grows, its unique shape makes it easy to grasp, and the wide opening makes the bottle easy to clean.
Between the picky eaters, mess makers and kids who can’t sit still, mealtime can be a struggle for some families. But like most things in life, having the right tools can help. Take the headache out of mealtime at your house with these products that prevent spills, encourage choosy kids and reduce prep time. Now if only someone would invent a tool that makes broccoli more appealing…
Big-ups to this placemat (with a suction feature) that can be used at mealtime as easily as it can during playtime. Fill the outside cups with fresh-cut veggies and make hummus the centerpiece, or surround a nut butter with sweet and savory dippables, like apple slices, pretzels and celery. Use it as a self-serve yogurt bar during breakfast or a snack tray during family movie night. And when all is said and done, wash the 100% silicone placemat in the dishwasher and fill it with paints or beads for craft time.
Being a toddler parent means navigating the world of spills, especially in the sippy cup realm. Or does it? This appropriately named Munchkin cup really is a miracle. Toddlers can take a sip from anywhere along the rim when thirst strikes, and no matter how or where they tip this cup, whatever’s inside stays put. Its three, dishwasher-safe pieces come apart for easy cleaning, and the absence of straws and other crannies means no place for bacteria and other yuckies to hide.
Whether you’re two or 92, food is always more appealing when it’s plated with panache. We’re not saying it has to be Pinterest perfect, but with this 20-piece cutting set, parents can invite their toddlers to sit down to whimsical sandwiches and fancy fruit in no time. After all, who can resist a good-ol’ PB&J when it’s shaped like a dinosaur?
We love tools that cut prep time for busy parents. And this OXO chopper tops our list. It takes a delish choking hazard and cuts it into fourths with a quick push of the plunger, so you’ve got toddler-safe grapes for your kiddo in a flash. No cutting board or paring knife necessary—and that means fewer dishes, too.
Forget the traditional fork, spoon and knife set-up when it comes to toddler eating. Go with a fork, spoon and pusher instead to help kids develop fine motor skills and learn to use utensils in a snap. We love this dinosaur-themed set that comes with a sectioned plate so food stays put while kids fork it up or use the pusher to get it onto the spoon. It’s BPA- and phthalate-free and will capture your kiddo’s imagination the minute you set it on the table, with or without food. It also comes in construction and garden fairy designs.
Maybe it’s because these baking cups remind kids of cupcakes. Or maybe it’s that they give off that party vibe. Whatever the case, there’s something about these colorful liners that make them ultra appealing to toddlers. We love using them to set out colorful arrangements of finger foods at snack time. Fill each one with fresh fruit, veggies or crackers that match by color. They also make playdates that much easier. Let kiddos fill them with their choice of snacks, chunked cheeses or sandwich bites for an easy lunch break.
When our kiddos are just learning how to eat, sometimes their greatest obstacle is getting plates and bowls to stay put. That’s why we're fans of this set of stay-put suction bowls that come in three different sizes and colors. Kids can spoon cereal, yogurt, ice cream and more out of each without having it slide across the table and inevitably end up on the floor. Now if only our kiddos would stay put as easily during mealtime.
There’s nothing quite like a fresh bowl of cherries in August. But prepping them so your toddler can eat them safely… who has the time? With this OXO cherry pitter, everyone does. Pull off the stem, load in the cherry and watch the pit fly out the chute after you press it out, hole-punch-style. It’s super practical and incredibly entertaining for your tots too. At some point, they’ll be able to use it without help. Hooray for independence!
It’s always a good time to show a new mom or mom-to-be how amazing and beloved she is. And a gift that celebrates her new role is always appreciated. Whether you’re shopping for a birthday, baby shower, Mother’s Day or the first time you meet her little one, you’ll find the right gift below.
A pre-packed birth bag to bring to the hospital is a true luxury. Choose from bags in three sizes (minimalist, happy medium and fully prepared) or special gifts for surrogates and parenting expecting through IVF. Designed by two moms who get it, these bags include must-haves like grippy socks, a massage ball, phone charger, dry shampoo and more items to make you say, "Wow, I wouldn't have thought of that!"
These beautiful pieces of art are printed to order from watercolor paintings by Sally King McBride, a New York City-based artist, illustrator and mom of two. Choose an alphabet print, a child's name or a monogram in a variety of themes, from woodland and animals to flowers and dessert. If you're unsure of what to get, purchase a gift card and let the recipient choose. This is elevated artwork that becomes the centerpiece of your nursery and will look just as stylish in your child's room as they grow up.
This gorgeous, made-to-order book reveals a baby's astrological birth chart, mapping the stars and planets at the exact moment of birth. It provides more than 70 pages of horoscope analysis, revealing insights about a child's personality and what their future may hold.
Bracelets for a new mom and her child, because moms love their babies to the moon and back. The bracelets in this delicate duo are available in three sizes (baby, child and adult), so you can choose who gets the star and the moon, and you can even buy additional bracelets for older kids, aunts and grandparents to make it a family affair. It comes in four metals: 14k yellow gold, 14k white gold, 14k rose gold, and silver.
Available at starlingjewelry.com, $90 for the silver set of two bracelets; $340 for each of the three gold varieties.
If you're looking for a fun, inexpensive gift for a mom who's far away, this is what you want. Brightbox has an amazing collection of curated gift boxes with thoughtful presents at a very reasonable price: $15. In the New Momma box, moms receive a pretty compass necklace, fuzzy baby socks, a drool bib and two stroopwafel cookies. You choose a card from a ton of well-designed options and add a personal message. There's also an option to include more items, like gift cards, snacks and hair scrunchies, at an additional cost.
Whether she's a proud mama, mama bird, mama bear, super mom or mamacita, you'll find the perfect t-shirt for her at the Bee & the Fox. The brand's Motherlode Collection has cool, vintage-looking, high-quality t-shirts and sweatshirts with a variety of sayings. And if you want to get matchy, they have onesies emblazoned with Baby Bear and Baby Bird.
This elegant and meaningful memento comes in silver, rose gold, white gold or yellow gold. It's available in three different lengths and can also be engraved for an even more personal touch.
This interview journal lets moms tell their story so kids can discover everything about them, from childhood memories and beloved relatives to their best advice. New moms have years to jot down their information before kids are old enough to read the journal, so there's no pressure on busy new moms to do "homework." But it's a story new moms will enjoy telling and kids will love to read.
The Dew you skincare bundle from Belli Skincare combines a moisturizing body lotion with a belly oil for warding off stretch marks. The Belli line is safe for use during pregnancy and while nursing and is scented with essential oils.
Literally a gift that keeps on giving, this unique gift combines 14 days of presents, like an advent calendar just for mom. Inside, you'll find beautiful gifts to make a new mom (or mom-to-be) smile: a gold-plated necklace inscribed "mama," a nursing cover, swaddle blanket, baby hat and matching headband for mom, milestone stickers, foot cream, bath bomb and more.
A birth flower necklace is a beautiful twist on the trend of birthstone jewelry. These delicate discs are made with gold filled, rose gold filled or sterling silver, and the design is hand-drawn, hand-cut and stamped. It's elegant on its own or stacked with other special birthdays.
Any new mom would love these robe and swaddle sets from Audrey & Bear. They come with a robe for mom, plus a personalized hat or headband, swaddle blanket and no-scratch mittens. They're available in a number of beautiful colors and prints, with robes fitting women in size 2 to 32, in standard and tall sizes.
Give a new mom a laugh and a nice mug that keeps her coffee hot and water cold, thanks to the stainless steel construction and double-wall vacuum insulation. It's unbreakable and holds 12 ounces of mom's favorite drink. It comes in other sizes and with different sayings.
This workout program is specifically designed for pregnant and new moms, from trimester-specific workout regiments that ward off low back pain and build stamina for childbirth to movements that heal diastatis recti and help women maintain a healthier lifestyle.
Wear baby's first initial as a 14-carat ring. If you have more kids, it makes a dramatic and beautiful ring stack. Choose from rose gold, yellow gold or white gold.
This kit from Keababies makes it easy to preserve a child's tiny little toes and fingers forever. The kit comes with clay you insert into the frame and then gently press your child's hand and foot into. Pop two photos in the photo spots and your keepsake is done.
Don’t let the back-to-school process overwhelm you! This handy guide includes everything you’ll need in the school supplies department, ideas to combat first-day jitters, funny jokes to get you through and cute clothes that kids will love. Plus, we’ve included some lunch tips and hacks for when you just cannot make another PB&J. Parents, we’ve got you covered!
This list has loads of great backpack options including super stylish backpacks, adaptive backpacks for kids in wheelchairs and wheelie backpacks for those who have to bring every book home every day.
Lunch Boxes & Snack Bags
Start the year off strong with the perfect lunch box. This story has loads of options that will keep your food chilled, in separate compartments or piping hot—just the way your kid likes it.
While you are at it, grab some reusable snack bags so that you can go all green this year.
Bento Boxes
Put a bento box into your kid's lunch and they'll love the little compartments that can fit everything from rolled-up sandwiches to tiny crackers. There are even some that will keep your lunch chilled all day.
Water Bottles
Takeya
Leaky water bottles are the bain of parental existence, right? These are our favorite water bottles for kids from sippy cup versions to insulated stainless steel water bottles. that parents will love too.
Do yourself a favor and get your kids a clothing subscription service this school year. They will get some awesome new styles sent right to them and you don't have to take them shopping with you. Win-win!
Adaptive & Sensory-Friendly Clothes
Kohl's
When it comes to back-to-school clothes shopping, your kid’s all about perfecting “the look.” And with on-trend adaptive clothing lines galore to choose from, even issues like Sensory Processing Disorder or other special needs won’t hold your fashion-forward kiddo back. This BTS season it’s ready, set, shop … for everyone.
Shoes
Native Shoes
Let your little one slip into something easy and stylish this back-to-school season. These lace-free options give even the smallest pre-schooler the independence to get ready on their own. Which means less work for you!
Face Masks
Mightly
If your school is requiring face masks for in-person learners, now is the time to refresh your collection. This massive list has all the character, colorful and black (tweens, right?) face masks for kids that you could want.
Start a school day tradition like listening to a favorite song on the ride to school or having a special thing you say to your kids when you drop them off.
After a big day of big transitions, dinner can be the last night on your mind. Make dinner easy with these meal kit delivery companies.
Save this one for mid-October when all the lunch inspiration is gone. We've got tons of ideas for lunches from corndog muffins to grilled cheese rollups to freezer sandwiches.
Snag a bento box and check out this list of inspirational ideas for bento box lunches. All the friends will be jealous of your little one's spread!
If you’re in South Lake Union, a trip to MOHAI is always on the day’s docket. With the opening of their newest exhibit Da Vinci—Inventions, it’s the perfect time to plan a day in this walkable community. From exhibit tips to nearby activities and eateries, here are six great reasons to play in SLU soon.
Da Vinci—Inventions at MOHAI
If your kids aren’t fans of da Vinci’s yet, they will be after visiting MOAHI’s newest exhibit that opened just this past weekend. It highlights the ultimate Renaissance man’s many inventions, and features the work of Grande Experience, a group of Italian artisans who brought da Vinci’s drawings to life. They scoured over 6,000 pages of his personal codices, written in mirror-image no less, to get the info they needed. One of the first things you’ll see when you walk through the doors are the codices themselves (try your hand at reading them) and a secret message scrawled in red that looks a bit like abstract art. We bet your kids will figure it out (hint: let’s just say it’s as easy as A-B-C)!
Wandering through the exhibit, kids will marvel at the imaginative ways da Vinci applied his observations of the natural world to problems that needed solving and limitations of the time. Have your kiddos keep an eye out for bird wings, duck feet and other animal elements in his creations. The fantastic displays range from costumes and musical instruments to flying machines and pop-up bridges for foot soldiers (that totally work!). There are even a few intriguing inventions designed to help humans explore underwater that are easily mistaken for space suits and flying saucers. Although much of the exhibit is for eyes only, there’s a row of “touchables” young kids will love. They can test out pulleys and gears that showcase some pretty basic physics concepts that’ll get them thinking.
Save the date: This summer, MOHAI will host two Water Wonders outdoor workshops for families on Saturday, August 28 and September 18, from 2 -3:30 p.m. The workshops will be held on the MOHAI terrace and use da Vinci's inspiration to give kids a chance to explore how we move over, under and through water. Kids will move from station to station making observations, taking on specific challenges and of course, getting wet as they do. Complete them all and you’ll get $5 off your next MOHAI visit.
Good to know: Although the rest of the museum exhibits are open, the Kidstruction Zone on the 3rd floor remains closed for now. Also don’t forget about Free First Thursday at the museum, where everyone gets in for free from 5-8 p.m.
Dates: Jul. 31, 2021-Jan. 3, 2022 Hours: Thurs.-Mon., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Thurs. in Jul. & Aug., 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Cost: $22/Adult; Free for kids 14 & under
MOAHI 860 Terry Ave. N. Seattle, WA 206-324-1126 Event details
Play at Lake Union Park
Just outside MOHAI is Lake Union Park, and in the summertime, it’s a welcome grassy mecca for city kids. Start at the splash pad just outside the Center for Wooden Boats’ Education Center and you may not have to do much more than that to keep your kiddos happy. Just remember finding a shady spot is a challenge so bring plenty of sunscreen and full water bottles to keep everyone content on sunny days. The boat pond is another hot spot for families, and although the Center for Wooden Boats’ pond boat rental program is on hold for now, families can bring their own model boat to try on the pond. Then there’s the secret beach just over the bridge. While everyone else heads to Alki or Golden Gardens, you and the kids can wade in the shallow waters, launch kayaks or SUPs or just watch the sea planes take off from nearby Kenmore Air. It’s not a shady spot, so bring a sun tent if you plan to spend serious time there.
Visit the Center for Wooden Boats
Bring your little sailors to the Center for Wooden Boats to get your fill of wooden boats on display and on the water. Whether you wander through the offerings at the Wagner Education Center or stroll the docks to see what’s being restored or rented, it’s a dry land excursion every boat lover needs to take. Families can rent sailboats of all sizes for a fee when the Center is open, or stick to a free peapod boat rental for simple way to explore Lake Union.
Hours: Weds.-Sun., 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Cost: Free
1010 Valley St. Seattle, WA 206-382-2628 Online: cwb.org
Ride & Slide
Be sure to bring your scooters, trikes and balance bikes when you visit the new exhibit. Right outside the doors of MOHAI is one of the city’s best bike paths—the Chesihaud Lake Union Loop. Ride it over to the little playground that’s just beyond the Center for Wooden Boats' shelter. It’s another secret spot that lets families find a change of scenery without going far. If you’re up for it, visit the Kraken Team Store in Chandler’s Cove, just beyond the playground—look for the flags. It’s the only place you can grab a Kraken sippy cup that, let’s face it, your baby needs.
Take a Boat Ride or Tour
Kylie Kirkland
Ice Cream Cruise If you see the exhibit on the weekends, add a sweet cruise around Lake Union before or after your visit. This narrated tour lasts about 45 minutes and includes fun and fascinating stories about our fair city. Sure you’ll see the houseboat from Sleepless in Seattle, but you’ll also find out about the busiest drawbridge in the world, where Boeing was born and how Gas Works Park went from a gas tech plant to a favorite kite flying destination. A variety of sweet ice cream treats are available for purchase once you’re on board, and doggies are welcome.
Hours: Sat., sailings at 11 a.m., noon & 1 p.m. through Aug. 28; Sun., on the hour from 11 a.m.-5 p.m., year round Cost: $15/adult; $10/kids, 3-12; $4/kids, 2 & under
860 Terry Ave. N. Seattle, WA 206-422-0036 Event details
Tour the Seattle Fireboat Duwamish Weekends are also when families can climb aboard the historic fireboat Duwamish for a tour. It’s the second oldest fireboat in the country and you’ll find it docked at the Historic Ships Wharf just behind MOHAI. If you can, plan to visit on Sunday when it’s Family Funday. In addition to the usual tour, kids will find coloring pages, crafts, puzzles and more.
Good to know: The historic Virginia V is currently in the shipyard for repairs, but has plans to return to the waters outside MOHAI this fall when tours resume.
Play Mini Golf
If an easy lunch and a round of mini golf sounds like a great way to get out of the sun, head across the street to Flatstick Pub. The pizza is fresh and served up quickly (especially on weekdays) and the Ryan Henry Ward-themed, nine-hole mini golf course in back is irresistible to kids (If we’re honest, the 12-foot Sasquatch is pretty irresistible to parents, too). You don’t need a reservation to play, although you can make one online.
Good to know: Take advantage Pizza Happy Hour, week days from 3-6 p.m. Pizzas are just $10 and you can still get a round of golf in before they go 21-plus.
Hours: Sun.-Thurs., 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Fri. & Sat., 11 a.m.-1 a.m.; 21+ after 7 p.m., daily Cost: $8/person 609 Westlake Ave. N. Seattle, WA 206-258-4989 Online: flatstickpub.com/south-lake-union
—Allison Sutcliffe, story and photos (unless noted)
