With so much talk about summer brain drain, I'm always looking for activities to keep my kids learning without realizing it. That's why I love this DIY that helps kids answer the perennial question: What did you do over your summer vacat…
This is precisely the time each year that I realize my oldest daughter has outgrown all her summer dresses (grrr) and that her younger sister is not quite ready to reap the benefits. So looking at the adorable new dresses from Wunway, I'…
Can you help me with a gift for a 9 year old girl? She likes Star Wars...among other things. Thanks! - Jaime via Twitter Ooh, fun one, Jaime. 9 year old girls, like other tweens, can be tough if you don't know them--so many different per…
When the weather turns warm, I am on the hunt for fun new ways to get the kids outside--and off their various electronic devices. My latest find may be low-tech, but it's so high on fun, we're all waiting in line for our turn to play. Sl…
Our family trip to Washington, DC was filled with amazing historical stories, visits to interesting museums...and lots and lots of walking. But we did find a better, zippier way to to see all the major monuments. Take it from our tired f…
My girls have this ridiculous obsession with lip balm. Considering how it's actually on their lips (and thus, entering their digestive system, let's be honest) I tend to be more conscientious about lip balm ingredients than even things l…
When I saw College Humor's "fake" trailer for a live-action Dora the Explorer movie , I joined the chorus of voices across the internet begging that this hilarious two-minute trailer be made into a real movie. And that wish has come true…
It's always a red-letter day when you're wearing or gifting something beautiful and handmade. You'll love what one of our favorite Etsy artisans has up her (polka-dotted) sleeve. We've long been fans of the sweet baby gifts and lovely em…
We're excited to present our first gift guide series of Valentine's Day gift ideas, with lots of goodies for all the loves of your life, starting with gift ideas for kids . It's brought to you by The U.S. Postal Service's new limited-edi…
I had such a great time discovering so many cool new picks at the NY International Gift Fair this weekend. But what was maybe more interesting, was letting my 7 year-old daughter tag along so I could see her own favorites from the show t…
The siren song of electronics has a huge pull on my tweens this holiday, so if I'm going to ask Santa to bring them something that doesn't begin with an "i" it'd better be something pretty cool. I found something pretty cool. No... reall…
Let me start by saying I am not some Les Mis groupie. I have never seen the play or even read Victor Hugo's book, so it's not like I have childhood memories to stir up. That said, I cannot think of the last time I walked out of a movie s…
Chances are, if there is a new LEGO anything , my kiddos have heard about it. But buying a new LEGO set every time they want one (read: always ) can get expensive. So how do you inspire your kids to keep building with the pieces that the…
Okay, I'll admit it: I'm probably the least cool parent there is when it comes to music. I did have a brief David Bowie-loving phase, but other than that hip hiccup, my tastes tend more towards maudlin musical theater and 1970s story son…
If there's one thing I hope all parents can all agree on, it's a love for Big Bird. (There are certainly more polarizing muppets, but Big Bird isn't one of them.) With the cooler weather finally making an appearance for most of the count…
My tween is finally beyond the check-under-the-bed-for-monsters stage, and is now onto reading scary stories "for fun." So once she hangs up her Halloween trick-or-treat bag for the night, I know she'll enjoy digging into this smart and …
Board games have a lot to compete with these days. Ever tried to get your older kid to put down Angry Birds in favor of Monopoly? That's why I'm thrilled to find this interactive (albeit battery-free) board game that's not boring in the …
All kids can rock their little league team uniforms but alas, my kids don't play traditional team sports and therefore don't get a complimentary skateboarding jersey (should there be such a thing). They want jerseys, but they want them t…
One of my very favorite things about the just-finished London Olympics was seeing all the gorgeous footage of the city itself. It's made me even more determined to get my kids over to see Big Ben, London Bridge and their picturesque city…
My 8-year old is just starting to accessorize her outfits, which is probably no surprise considering I have a little addiction to accessories myself. If you've got a tween that's ready for something better than play jewelry but not Tiffa…
My oldest daughter is about to enter sixth grade and if statistics are correct, her current love of science will likely wane as society subtly spreads the message that science and engineering studies are "not for girls." But, I'm going t…
These days, there's no doubt that prescription glasses are totally cool. Exhibit A: Justin Bieber. (Oh, OK, his aren't prescription. But the fact that the kid likes geek chic enough to fake it says something, right?) Still, it's always p…
Once my kids had outgrown toddler-pop songs and quiet lullabies, they were ready for music that was a bit more grown up, though not of the he did me wrong/I partied all night long genre. Fortunately, elementary-school kids like mine have…
Last summer, I shopped around for bikinis and two-piece swimsuits for little girls that didn't make them look like teens before their time . Our readers responded so positively, I thought I'd take a browse around this year and see what l…