Sometime over the summer, parents usually hear the very first, “How many more days until Christmas?” query. You’ll laugh and say, “Not for a while, buddy” as you toss bathing suits into the laundry basket. But as the days go on, the questions keep coming. Vague answers aren’t quite cutting it for your eager kiddo. The Tobi 2 Robot Smartwatch can be a gamechanger for Kriss Kringle-obsessed kids—because every parent could use a Robot to get us through the holiday season, #amiright?
This fun, interactive smartwatch features an intuitive, kid-friendly interface that helps kids learn to tell time and keep track of it. They can use a stopwatch, timer, alarm clock, calendar and set reminders—perfect for keeping tabs on the days until Santa comes down the chimney.
And should they need a little distraction from focusing on the best-holiday-of-the-year… they can keep busy and engaged with a variety of learning, arcade and fitness games. The pedometer, dance activity game and augmented reality Walk n’ Wonder game will keep their body moving while they dream up their wish list!
Another reason your kids will want this smartwatch? The Tobi robot character speaks gibberish, giggles and has more than 100 expressions. Featuring moving arms and legs, this built-in interactive robot is here to help children learn, manage important tasks (like a Christmas countdown!), and have tons of fun every day.
Get a head start on holiday shopping by having your kids tell you—er, Santa (duh!), what they want this year. Here are simple ways to get them thinking while you get organized.
Don’t Wait until the Last Minute
Kids tend to think about Christmas year-round, so it’s never too early to ask them to start plotting out their wish list. Late October/early November is a good time to encourage your kids to start daydreaming about their dream presents.
Set Boundaries and Limits
Your little ones can certainly write down a zillion ideas (Dollhouse! Skateboard! A Pet Pony! Smartwatch!). But let them know that the presents piled under the tree won’t be unlimited. Help them prioritize the most pined for, meaningful gifts and table some others for future special occasions.
Let Your Kids Get Creative with Their List
Sure, pen and paper get the job done (and help practice handwriting among the elementary school set!). But kids love to be creative when compiling their Christmas wish list. With the Tobi 2 Robot Smartwatch, kids can snap photos and videos of potential gifts or experiences with the two built-in cameras. Perhaps they spotted an awesome board game at a playdate (snap!). Or that visit to the zoo is a good reminder they’d love some animal books! (Selfie with a photo-bombing giraffe!) For serious wow-factor, kids can make a wish list with their Tobi 2 Robot Smartwatch, even customizing photos and videos with decorative stickers and borders. You can use the micro-USB cable to transfer those photos and videos to the computer to watch a presentation of their ideal Christmas morning. (Gotta love when kids go the extra mile!).
Overwhelmed? Guide Them to Think in Categories
When it comes to holiday gifts, kids can have a hard time narrowing down their list. Although some big-ticket items are a no-brainer, you may have to steer them to think in categories. What do they really want? (Shiny new bike.) What do they really need? (Sweaters that fit post-growth spurt!) What are they interested in? (Soccer, drama, arts and crafts, photography, singing, etc.) Is there an experience they’d be over the moon for? (Tickets to a play, great seats at a sporting event, a visit to a museum.) Whenever you can help fuel their hobbies or reflect their unique style, it’s a win!
Santa, Tell Me! (Or… Just Do Some Research Together.)
Take your kiddos to a toy store (if you dare!) to peruse the aisles and get a better idea of items they’re hoping to receive this year. It’s always good to get as specific as possible so the thing you buy is actually the exact thing they’ve been coveting. Look through catalogs and websites. Ask friends with similarly aged kids what’s on their holiday shopping agenda for inspiration, too.
The moment has arrived: The Toy Insider’s annual Holiday Gift Guide is here! The trusted resource for parents everywhere, this year’s list has the best of the best for gifts, games and toys in 2021.
To make it as easy as possible, The Toy Insider has broken the most popular gifts into three lists that include the Hot 20, the STEM 10 and the 12 Under $20. Overall, the guide has more than 300 ideas for babies, preschoolers and big kids to make this season as magical as can be.
photo: Juliana Malta via Unsplash
Within each category, parents will find ideas based on age range that have been hand-picked by The Toy Insider. With ideas that range from tech toys and activity kits, to career-based playthings, there’s definitely something for everyone on your list this year.
You can pick up The Toy Insider‘s 2021 Holiday Gift Guide in the November issue of PARENTS magazine starting Oct. 4. Otherwise, head to thetoyinsder.com to start your wish list!
It’s a no-brainer that kids want to do everything that you do, including those cycling classes they see you so pumped about. The Little Tikes Pelican Explore & Fit Cycle nails it: It’s the kid-sized version of that super popular cycle…we’ll just say it rhymes with “Sweataton.”
This bike is like a cycling or spin class for kids, personality-pumped trainer included! One of our editors, Jamie Aderski, and her son, Watson (5), tested out the new Pelican Explore & Fit Cycle. Read on to learn more about the hot new bike that is sure to be on every kid’s (and parent’s) wish list!
The Review
I am a huge spin class fan (but only at home where people can’t see what a mess I am!) and I love my at-home cycling setup. When the Pelican arrived, I have to admit, I was a little jealous… of my five year old—This. Is. COOL! It’s a mini-version of my favorite ride to nowhere plus a full sensory experience—nothing “stationary” about it. Here’s what blew us away about the Pelican:
1. Motivating & Fun Trainers + Adventures
Much like that other bike, Pelican's trainers are full of energy and excitement! I love the ease of access to the vids: Just head to YouTube and hit play. Not only are their trainers top-notch, but the visuals of the videos take kids on adventures! You can experience the thrills of mountain biking or snowboarding (no real skills required) and even a roller coaster. Watson said it best: “It’s like going to another world!". Pelican, take me away...
The bike itself has adjustable seating and handlebars—perfect for kids of all sizes and if you have more than one rider, it can be easily adapted to their height. What we thought was really cool is that there's a lever that adjusts the pedal intensity, with three different levels. Hey, sometimes you wanna ride pedal-to-the-metal and sometimes you just wanna coast—Pelican gets it!
3. More Than Just Pedaling
Hot (and unexpected!) feature alert: The Pelican tilts back and forth to add to the thrills, minus the spills! Not only that, kids can "steer" the front wheel which makes for a good time. My two year old is too little to pedal the bike, but loved that she could just sit on it and go for a "ride". Watson said: "I love how bouncy it is!"—agreed! The Pelican is stationary, but not sedentary and it's pretty darn awesome!
This feature feels grown-up and cool. Watson is a big music fan and now can play his favorite jams while riding along to the beat. Favorite songs of the moment? Anything by BTS, Imagine Dragons or that Parry Grip guy—the forecast is always calling for tacos, y'all.
5. No Tablet, No Problem
That’s right. You don’t even need to part with your smartphone for this ride. The Pelican comes with built-in audio adventures to cruise along with. You get excitement right out of the box with or without a screen!
6. Surprise—You’re Exercising!
Gotcha, kiddo. Pelican made it so simple for our son to get active and have fun!
Dueling deals! Walmart has announced Deals for Days from June 20-23, stretching one day longer than Amazon Prime Day and Target’s Deal Days. And the retailer offered a sneak peek at some of the hottest bargains that will be available.
If you’re looking to up your housecleaning game, the iHome Nova Auto Empty Mopping Robot will be half off, at $299 (originally $599). You can grab a 40 inch smart LED TV for $178 from Hisense (originally $228). And a fun tech toy for kids, the Little Tikes Tobi Robot smartwatch, will be only $24.50 (originally $49). There will be plenty of other deals on the most in-demand categories, like electronics, fashion, toys and home goods.
Walmart is also offering free same-day delivery, two-day shipping and next-day shipping. If you have a Walmart Plus membership, two days shipping is free, though the deals are open to everyone. And you’ll also be able to find deals in the store, with rollback items you can only get with in-person shopping.
Now that three of the biggest retailers have jumped into the deal day game, you’ll have plenty of options online and in person. Hot tip: start checking off some Christmas wish list items now and your December self will thank you!
Every December as we decorate the tree, I wonder just what Christmas will look like for us. I remember seasons of beauty. Trips to the zoo to see the Christmas Lights, bundling into the car with hot cocoa and marshmallows, driving around to see the lights. I envision my husband’s work party where the kids delighted in the Jolly Fellow joining them as they visited and told them their wish list. I picture sleepy-eyed daddy as he is just as surprised as the children as they open presents. Those memories are treasures. For us moms, some of our best moments are the ones where we see our children in awe of what “Santa” brought and the feeling of satisfaction knowing that you made their day special.
For us, this was my favorite time of year but then, it changed. As I looked through photos of the holidays of the past, I realized that the holidays, since autism was diagnosed in our family, brought with them a sense of stress I had never experienced before. I still remember the Christmas I realized this. As my older children pushed gifts into my youngest daughter’s hands, she stared off into space, left the room, and felt overwhelmed. It was apparent to me that things had to be different so that we could still make memories, good ones, no matter what.
Knowing that the holiday, coming our way, would look different, I still acknowledged that I had four other children that deserved the magic they dreamed of and so I had to choose to do what was right for us. Hopefully these ideas will also help you.
Set Boundaries
The holiday is a season. With our children, we prepare by trying to clear our minds and hearts. We work to do for others. During the beginning of the month, doing small things with great love tends to warm our hearts and often reminds our family of what the season is truly about. Remember, while the holiday season is magical you need to hone in on what is most important, your family. Your children. This means that you may have to set boundaries. Boundaries can be tough. You can feel overwhelmed saying “no” but sometimes saying “no” is the gift you give yourself. If your child struggles outside the home or transitioning from event to event, it’s okay to prioritize.
I also suggest educating friends and family. So often, one of my family members has said that I should just explain it to them or tell them, or do what I need to do for my child. They don’t do this to be dismissive or unkind but instead I believe our families and friends try so hard to include us so we don’t feel left out. They see the challenges and suffering that we face and they want to support us at all times and let’s face it, those invites feel so good. They mean so much but it’s okay to say “no”, remember to thank them for the invite because they too need to know it means something to you even if you can’t attend.
Plan Ahead
If you have other kids who want to attend an event or stay longer, take two cars. Make an exit plan. Set a small goal. For us, this idea came about with my husband’s work party. While fun for my other children, 110 kids, a jolly giant man, and balloons and crafts was overwhelming after an hour for our daughter so we began to take two cars. I would make a “cameo” and allow her to experience what she could and then duck out, early.
Be Honest with Yourself
While we all want to be together all the time, sometimes, it’s okay to realize it just won’t work. One of the greatest gifts I ever gave myself and my family was saying it’s okay if we can’t take her. She may join us another year and it may be better for the other kids if they don’t have to leave early, witness a meltdown, or feel they are just as important as she is, that our attention can be turned totally to them.
Let Go & Rid Yourself of Expectations
This may be the most important piece of the puzzle. For years, I wanted Christmas to continue as it was before. We would sit around and each person opens a gift, we ooh and ahh over it and celebrate together what the others in the family received. While my kids begged for Seraphina to open her gifts, she just wasn’t ready. Finally, last year I got it. Seraphina came in and out of the room we were in. We opened gifts and when she was ready we gave her a chance. Her beginning to understand the process wasn’t just exciting for me and her father but the children too. They delighted in her joy and when she left to play with her one gift, I was reminded of the beauty of autism. They see, feel, hear, and taste so much more than we ever can imagine. Witnessing her peace with one thing while others long for more is a great reminder that when we have what we need, we don’t need much more.
As we near the holiday season, try to take a deep breath. The holiday may look different but if you take the time to make some minor changes perhaps the holiday will be better than you could have imagined.
I'm a mom of many who is living her best life navigating a busy world full of ups and downs. Managing five kids and one with additional needs I enjoy learning through living and sharing what I know. I can't wait to share our Messy World with you.
If you have a baby (or you’re pregnant), you’re probably wondering, “why does something so tiny need so much gear?” We get it. Babies can be unpredictable; will they nap or won’t they, guzzling milk or not hungry at all, scream-crying or cooing and snuggling. For that reason, bring a baby somewhere, anywhere, and you need stuff. We are all about multi-tasking so we can save money, space and sanity—no matter where you are.
Big news: it (now) exists, thanks to one of our favorite baby safety brands, Regalo! This portable bassinet is perfect for playtime or nap time, indoors or out, and so easy to set up. It’s safe and secure; whether you’re multitasking, working from home, or on-the-go, the My Play Baby is a must-have. Read on for five reasons why you need this on your wish list ASAP!
Wanna play? No problem. Wanna sleep? No problem. (Well, for the baby, at least.) The My Play Baby is a lightweight, foldable, portable infant bassinet that's the best friend you didn't know an inanimate object could be. This multi-tasker is the perfect infant bassinet for babies up to 15 pounds, with a removable pad for extra comfort and a safe space to play. Mesh walls offer visibility, so you can keep an eye out and breathability for when you're chilling with your babe in the yard. Light enough to tote around wherever, so your baby is happy and safe while you finally get some time to yourself to relax or at least, shower.
Indoor/Outdoor & Travel Friendly
Made in the shade: The attachable protective sunshade uses UPF 50+ fabric to keep baby shaded while outdoors (Adorbs baby sunglasses not included, but highly recommended for photo ops). The shade factor is huge since sunscreen on an infant is no bueno. Going somewhere? Make it stress-free! The My Play Baby folds up super small and has a carry bag—it can fit in checked luggage, unlike all those shoes you're trying to bring.
Safety
Regalo has been keeping kids safe for years as a trusted family-owned company known for its top-rated baby safety products. When we heard they were developing this portable bassinet, we knew it would have safety at the forefront. The My Play Baby includes a removable, softly padded bottom for protection from hard surfaces, reinforced stitching along the edges for added security, a safety-lock feature and meets all safety standards, going above and beyond with ASTM certification.
Sensory
Just when you thought it couldn't get any better, it does: The My Play Baby comes with sensory toys! Colorful and playful, these useful toys overhead grab your baby's attention and encourage eye tracking. Included are a moon, heart and cloud that hang from the canopy...awww!
Easy To Clean
If it's not easy, we're not into it. Being a new parent is hard enough! Spit-ups, blow-outs (not the salon kind), and other baby goo is no match forMy Play Baby—It's easy to wipe down! A fuss-free bed/play space is precisely what you need right now. Our only question is, "Does this come in adult size?"
Have a preschooler? Then you know all about PAW Patrol and how much your kid is, dare we say, obsessed! What’s not to love? The PAW Patrol is heroic, has each other’s backs and knows how to have a good time! We approve. Of course, kids want to keep the adventure going with their favorite pups through imaginative play long after the episode is over. Just in time for crossing off holiday wish lists, PAW Patrol has new toys that will send them on epic rescue missions with cool new gear like a spinning helicopter, motorized ride and a dual race super-speed track!
Read on to learn why these three imaginative, inventive and innovative toys will be on every kid’s wish list!
PAW Dino Rescue Patroller
Well, this is cool: the Dino Patroller is the first-ever motorized PAW vehicle! With the touch of a button, this powerhouse patroller is on the move with oversized wheels to conquer any terrain. Before you head out, load the projectiles into the launcher and get ready for adventure. Push T. Rex's tail to make its mouth open to help the PAW Patrol spot a dino in trouble, then launch the rescue nets and save the day!
This all new, motorized all-terrain vehicle features room for the whole pup squad (All six! But you knew that...) and includes an exclusive and collectible Chase figure in his Dino Rescue uniform and a T. Rex dinosaur, with moving mouth and tail—now you can create your own prehistoric missions!
PAW Patrol Ultimate Cruiser
An XL, extra-special 5-in-1 cruiser is made for our hero Chase, but roomy enough that the crew can join to do the “Pup, Pup, Boogie!” The whole squad will be ready for action and equipped to handle any emergency, whether it’s on dry land, in the air or at sea.
What’s the 5-in-1 all about? More than just a hot ride for cool pups, you can launch the helicopter that’s tucked away inside with the push of a button, spin the propellers by hand and you’re off! This ultimate cruiser features dual motorcycles that pop off with a button—now you’re ready for that high-speed chase! They thought of everything for this majorly awesome ride, including flashing lights and sound effects that bring the excitement of a PAW Patrol mission to life!
PAW Patrol Adventure Bay Rescue Way
PAW Patrol is really on a roll with this action-packed lookout tower! It features two different tracks to send vehicles racing around the tower in a corkscrew, or flip the diverter to send them down the drop ramp—boom! Craving even more action? Use the dual garage launchers in corkscrew mode to send two more vehicles flying—launch up to six true metal vehicles at the same time! Push the periscope and watch the pups race to the rescue while you cheer them on!
Bonus points: This high-speed track is equipped with exclusive True Metal die-cast Chase and Marshall vehicles—perfect for kiddos who love PAW Patrol and fast cars! Speed to the rescue and put out the fire with your favorite pups!
All three new toys are available in stores and online at Amazon, Target and Walmart.
He’s making a list and checking it twice. This year Sam’s Club is providing an exclusive look into the North Pole and offering live, virtual sessions with Santa Claus himself. Plus it’s free for members to bring the ultimate Christmas experience to their homes.
Beginning Tuesday, Nov. 17, Sam’s Club members can head to https://www.samsclub.com/santasession to book their live visit. Members will be able to choose from a diverse group of Santa’s and they can also enter kids’ details for a more personalized session with Santa. For each live video call, a photo and video will be provided to share with friends and family and via social. Sam’s Club encourages families to share their experience with #SamsSanta, so everyone can follow along.
There is a limit of one Santa visit per membership – but multiple children are welcome to attend the visit. The sessions will be booked first come first serve and are expected to fill up quickly
You must have a Sam’s Club Photo Account to sign up. The website will direct you to login to your Sam’s Club Photo account or create one if you don’t have one. Members will be able to select the Santa that best suits their family as they will have diverse options available (Hispanic, Black and White).
To personalize the visit, members can provide details on each child including their name, age and something they want Santa to mention or ask the child.
Once a member books a session, they will receive three emails:
Confirmation email with details on their confirmed date and time and a link to their visit
Reminder email one week prior to their scheduled visit
Follow-up email with instructions to download their photo and video after their Santa visit
If you are unable to book a visit because they were all reserved, you can still connect your children with Santa. The website has a Kids Activities section that allows you to create and send a letter to Santa and you’ll receive a response.
There’s also fun activities your children can do to prepare for their visit with Santa – whether it’s a virtual visit or preparing for him to come on Christmas Eve. Activities include recipes for Santa’s favorite cookies, treats for the reindeer, coloring pages and a toy shop to get ideas for your wish list.
If cheese tops your holiday wish list, then you are in luck. Sam’s Club just dropped two amazing products that any cheese lover would want for their upcoming festive celebrations. The warehouse club is offering an advent calendar and a cheese flight which will make your season’s bright.
The Cheese Advent Calendar features 24 days of cheese.The selection includes Jarlsberg, Ilchester, and Applewood varieties. With this countdown to Christmas you get much more than cheese. Each day has a cheesy joke included too.
Grab this fun gift in the refrigerated cheese section of the club for just $16.98.
While you are in the refrigerated cheese section you can also check out this exclusive cheese flight. Included are three cheeses – Copper Kettle Parmesan, Altu Alpine and Tuscan Rubbed Fontal for only $7.48. This selection is perfect for easy charcuterie boards or to enjoy all on your own.
