Style Lush

Melissa and Doug Prince & Princess Magnetic Dress-Up Set

By Tara

I know we've talked about Melissa and Doug toys here before (both Elizabeth and Jonna have had great luck with the products), but I'd never really paid much attention to the toys until my daughter got her hands on a friend's Pizza Party set and wasn't too thrilled to let it go. We kind of figured at that point that we'd be the proud owners of our own set before too long because...well, I thought it was as awesome as she did, and I was looking for any excuse to buy something that wasn't branded with a various Disney princess or two.

(Note: I love the Disney princesses, but I've watched Beauty and the Beast/Tangled enough in recent weeks to sing the songs in my sleep. I deserve a break, I think.)

While picking up the awesome wooden pizza, I also came across this set, which I immediately added to the cart, as well:

{photo credit: melissaanddoug.com}

See, Brigid was gifted her first set of paper dolls a couple of months ago, and until she brought them out to play with one day, I'd forgotten how much of a pain they actually were to use. The dresses never stay on, the accessories rip, the dolls fall over. Every time she brought them out, I told her she had to wait until grandma came over to play with them, because grandma bought them for her, and she'd be sad if someone else played with them.

(I think they'll include that little story on my mother-of-the-year award, yes?)

These, however, are wooden. And magnetic. And actually user-friendly. And while the crowns are a little small and maybe should be held back from younger kids who might have a tendency to swallow them, we've had a good time with the rest of the outfit options. And the best part? I haven't seen the other paper dolls come out for a couple of weeks now, thank goodness.

Melissa and Doug win again.

Brain Quest Cards for Junior Nerds

by Leah  

Calling all parents of nerds, present and future. My little nerdlet is two-and-a-half and downright enamored with the decks of Brain Quest cards my mom has sent him. Your nerds should have some too.
The decks come in a two-pack labeled by age, and each set has between 300 and 1,500 question/answer pairs ranging from basic stuff like letters, numbers, shapes, and colors for the wee ones to trivia on American history for middle schoolers. Brain Quest decks are more wide-ranging than your average set of flashcards--the focus is not narrowed to one subject or even strictly academic but also covers things like emotions, logic, cause and effect, and common sense--and the content isn't simplistic ("What number is this?") but multidimensional ("How many yellow trucks are behind the red one?") Major bonus: Because the answers are all tucked behind the questions, kids can easily play with these by themselves, like in a car or on a plane or when Mommy has simply had enough, thank you very much.
We love our Brain Quest decks, and we love the company motto: It's fun to be smart! These cards prove that getting smart is a whole lot of fun too. *whispers*These fit perfectly in a stocking. (Emily started it!)

{Photo credit: brainquest.com}

Airplane Toys for Kids

by Elizabeth

We're about to embark on yet another cross-country airplane trip with our four-year-old and our one-year-old, and because we just did this in June, I've got a few ideas about what to bring with me to entertain the older child during the five-hour flight.  

When we flew to Vermont last month, I mostly just hit up the Target dollar bins in the front of the store, with mixed results, and so this time I thought I'd try a little more pre-planning and get a few things that may have more staying power than a Lightning McQueen white board. Ideally this is stuff we could keep around for road trips and I don't know, power outages or something. Work with me here. 

Here's what I've got so far:

A new (dinosaur game) for the Leapster Two. (I have to make sure not to forget batteries like I did last time.)

A Find It Game (the beach flavor, since we're going to the beach, and this one gets good reviews). 

The Magnifico Go Art Coloring Travel Book, which I like because it all zips up into a very compact package. 

A new book, because it's ALWAYS more interesting when it's something you haven't seen before, obviously.

We already own these kid headphones so Eli can use my laptop to watch movies or tv shows on the plane, and I've been really happy with them.  

I'm also going to bring lots of fun Little Dover Books like Build Your Own Robot and the Little Airport Activity Book (topical!). They're cheap and take up very little room!

 

I'd like to bring a few more things, but I'm out of ideas. These magnetic dinosaurs could be a hit, or they could be really annoying, and $9.99 is a lot if they're not fun.

Do you have any hits or misses to recommend (or not) from recent plane trips or cross country travels?

{Photo credits:  amazon.com}

Summer Entertainment: Stomp Rockets

By Elisabeth

Before leaving for our summer vacation to Southern Oregon, I was doing some research on a few new toys to bring with us for the boys to play with while we spent most of our days outside.

 
I stumbled upon Work it Mom's Milk and Cookies section that posted suggestions on "what fun things are we buying our kids for summer vacation?"

Um, talk about perfect timing!

One of Kristen's suggestions was Stomp Rockets. No batteries. No nothing. Just a foot is needed to stomp the rockets high in the air.

There are several options available on Amazon. I purchased the  Jr. Stomp Rockets for my 3 and 6 yr old. For just over $10, I figured, worst case, they'll ruin it and only get a day or so of play out of it.

HOWEVER, the rockets made it home from our trip and continue to entertain my boys in the backyard daily.

I purchased an extra set of rockets, also "glow-in-the-dark" for $6. (Even though my kids have yet to stay up late enough to use them in the dark.)

The only draw back I have seen has nothing to do with the rockets themselves. It's my 3 yr old. He thinks taking the "wings" off the rockets is SUPER FUN. They still fly, just not as controlled, by any means. (I hope after threatening him with his life, I mean nicely suggesting that isn't an ideal choice, he has learned NOT to do that again.)

Luckily, I bought that extra set. It seems we already need it.

 

Also, check out Leah's suggestions on other games to play outdoors this summer!

{photo credit: amazon.com}

Lawn Games from Target

By Leah

We threw a big picnic on a giant grassy field under the Golden Gate Bridge on Sunday, which meant we spent Saturday afternoon at Target stocking up on outdoor games to supplement our meager collection, which before last weekend consisted of a set of lawn darts we got for our wedding plus my son's soccer ball. That doesn't exactly make for a party, does it?

We thought we'd pick up a couple of hula hoops, a kite, and maybe a set of plastic horseshoes or something, but we hit the jackpot and came away with a ton more, and for less money than you'd think because summer stuff is already on the way out to make room for back-to-school supplies. (Seriously? It's still JULY, people!)

Note: I found ZERO of the following items on Target's actual website, so the links and photos are from other places (mostly Amazon), but if you want any of this and also want to get a killer deal, definitely try a brick-and-mortar Target first.   

This was the surprise favorite. It's called either ladderball or golf toss, and you can buy a nice set made of wood for over a hundred dollars or you can find the 75% off area of Target's seasonal section and get this set for $5. Five bucks! You can't even DIY this out of PVC for that little. It comes apart and fits into a small carrying case and is harder to play than it looks (but in a good way).

 

Not your mama's sharp-tipped you'll-poke-your-eye-out lawn darts, these are safe for kids and beloved by everyone. We've taken these to every summer party this year and they're always a hit.

 

This rocket is basically a two-foot-long pool noodle with foam fins that help it sail through the air. My two-year-old loves it (and wants to sleep with it), but older kids and adults had a good time with it too. It was FIFTY CENTS, you guys. If you're having a space-themed birthday party, these would be awesome favors.

 

Another simple and cheap toy (fifty cents!) that everyone got a kick out of was a giant nylon flying disc. I can't find the exact one online (and ours is way cuter than everything I saw on Google), but look for it on Target's summer clearance aisle as well. It's fun to throw (and easier than a regular Frisbee) and also makes a fetching hat.

 

You could definitely make a ring toss yourself, but at $10 this was right on the cost/effort threshold of probably-cheaper-to-just-buy-it, and I'm glad we did.

 

 

Our one not-cheap-but-worth-it purchase: bocce balls in a nice carrying case. You can pay hundreds of dollars for these or get an inexpensive plastic set (the 75% shelf had a $5 version), but if you're going to bother with bocce at all (and you probably should because it's fun), spring for solid resin balls that will last. Our set is by Sportcraft and was about $40 on the sports aisle at Target.   

Okay, your turn. What are you playing with this summer?

{Images from Amazon, Rocket Dungeon, and Fun Services, Inc.}

 

101 things to do with your kids this summer

By Elisabeth

Today is the third day of our summer break and we're all about to go balls to the walls CRAZY in my household. This girl has got to get her act together and get these kids involved in something constructive, NOW.

I was on Facebook the other day and saw a sorority sister link to the blog Counting on Me and her list of 101 things to do with your Toddler. Now I don't have a toddler per say, (my baby is two months old and my toddler turned into a preschooler this past year) BUT this list still does have very good ideas for fun things to do with my 3 yr old and 6 yr old. (plus some other activities that the kids can do themselves! SCORE.)

(Of course, these aren't that difficult to achieve, which is why I like them. If I need a few hours to fill, or just 15 minutes, then these could work in my household.)

Here is my adapted top 25 list of things to do this long, long loooong summer:

1. Make a car out of a box.
2. Play with Play-Dough.
3. Make a horseshoe game.
4. Make a shape puzzle.
5. Make a drum out of an oatmeal box.
6. Play dress-up with stuffed animals and your child's clothes.
7. Make a playhouse out of a large box.
8. Play a musical instrument together- i.e.recorder, piano, etc.
9. Go on a smelling hunt.
10. Frost cookies.
11. Plant a flower or vegetable plant together.
12. Make binoculars and go "bird watching" or "stuffed snimal watching."
13. Act out a story from a book.
14. Sketch an outline of your child on the sidewalk or paper with chalk.
15. Make a toilet paper barricade for child to go under, over, or through.
16. Make a super-hero costume out of household items.
17. Make a shoe-box train for stuffed animals.
18. Make a domino chain.
19. Have a picnic in the park, backyard, or living room!
20. Play dress up in mommy or daddy's clothes.
21. Make a tin cup telephone and talk to each other in it.
22. Make a nature collage.
23. Mirror each other.
24. Make bracelets or collars for stuffed animals out of pipe cleaners and jingle bells.
25. TAKE A NAP!

Our lovely writer Emily wrote a post on her personal blog recently (that I still have a tab open to!!!) on her ideas to keep her kids happily busy this summer. Make sure you read the comments. Lots of ideas as well. Check it out!

 

{image credit: craftbits.com}

Angry Birds Board Game. Yes, Really!

By Megan

I had the best of intentions. I wasn't going to give in and let my son play games on my phone or iPad. Oh, how the mighty have fallen. He loves Angry Birds as much as I do, and I love an almost rock solid guarantee that I can make it through an important phone call or (fingers crossed) long plane ride while he's happily occupied.

Still, I do occasionally worry about "screen time" and love for him to be active, using his imagination and just playing. Which is why I plan to jump on the opportunity to combine the best of both worlds.

Angry Birds: Knock on Wood is a game that allows you to build scenes that mimic the game and fire birds at them using a slingshot. My son loves puzzles and building train tracks and I think he'll love putting together the pieces and then destroying his creation. Although the game is recommended for ages 5 and up, I plan to buy it for his fourth birthday in a few weeks.

{Photo credit: amazon.com}

Favorite Games For Backyard BBQs

By Jessica

We get very little nice weather in Texas, and what little we get, we like to take full advantage of with as many BBQs, picnics and outside get togethers as humanly possible (notice I left out crawfish boils, I am HIGHLY allergic to shellfish, so I'll pass thank you very much).  While my main goal of any of these events is stuffing my face with as much good food and drink as I can, helllloooo margaritas, I do, on occasion like to partake in some sort of leisurely bonding activity as well.

Like Bocce

image via Amazon

or Ladderball

image via Target

 

perhaps Horseshoes

image via Walmart

or Washers (they call it Washer Toss)

image via Amazon

Badminton?

image via Sports Unlimited

or, finally, Croquet

image via Meijer

 

What's your favorite outdoor game?

Our New Favorite Toy, Tunnel Edition

by Tara

My daughter's Easter basket this year included the usual assortment of 'stuff' you'd expect to find in a basket ... candy, a couple of cute spring outfits, bubbles, sidewalk chalk, and this:

This is the Pacific Play Tents Find Me Tunnel, and it has been surprisingly useful in entertaining my 18-month old for, well, for longer than just about anything else will entertain her. She loves it, the dogs love it, I kind of think my husband loves it. It's fun for the whole family!

The best part? When she wears herself out crawling in and out of the darn thing, it doubles as the perfect nap location. Bonus!

{photo credits: Amazon.com, my husband}

Beyond Candyland: Class Preschool Board Games

By Blythe

I have made it my mission to indoctrinate my child with all of my favorite stuff from my own past.  This is, of course, the equivalent of my mother encouraging me to listen to Neil Diamond's The Jazz Singer album over and over again when I was nine.  When he eventually belts out the Duran Duran classic Rio on the playground I'm sure he will get the same confused looks from his playmates that I received when I tried to lead my fellow third graders in a school bus singalong to Love on the Rocks.  It's nice to have some family traditions to pass along.

In addition to influencing his musical tastes, I've latched on to my kid's new fascination with board games, and exposed him to the classics.  Candyland made the list, of course, but that was just the gateway game.  Here are some others that have proved to be hits with my preschooler, and that inspire happy flashbacks for me.

Hungry Hungry Hippos

It's loud! It's fast! It involves pounding on plastic levers and feeding brightly-colored hippopotami!

 

Chutes and Ladders

The classic board-gamey game, with a spinner and little guys that move around the board.  Good for teaching young children how to deal with frustration and disappointment when they get SOCLOSE to winning and then land on that freaking slide AGAIN.  Or teaching their mothers.  Whatever.

 

UNO

With a little help from older players, small kids can play and enjoy along with older folks.  We've found that the younger participants are especially enthusiastic about the part where they get to scream UNO!

 

Twister

Still tying us up in knots after all these years.

{photo credits: amazon.com}

What are your favorite classic games?