Kid Friendliest

Surprise! A Valentine’s Gift from Sweet

by Stacy on January 28, 2012

We’ve been spending a lot of time in the kitchen lately, and today we decided to bake up a special surprise for you.

At first, we thought … CUPCAKES!!

But, … they didn’t last very long …

So instead Sweet thought, maybe there are a few kids out there who also like to bake cupcakes and play dress up and spend extra special time with their Moms — know any kids like that?

Sweet thinks maybe they might like an extra special apron of their own.

So, she wants to give them one!

This week we’re giving away an apron of your choice from our Etsy shop,
She & Me Designs (in stock aprons only).

Sweet is so sweet, don’t you think?

Ways to Win an apron from She & Me Designs

1. Leave a comment letting us know which aprons from She & Me Designs are your favorite (Required – 1 Entry)

2. Like She & Me Designs on Facebook - and if you don’t win, you can take advantage of the special discount we’re sharing with our fans! (Optional – 1 Additional Entry)

3. Be a subscriber to Kids Stuff World – It could be by email, RSS, Facebook or Twitter (Optional – Just leave a comment letting me know which ways you follow and I’ll give you an extra entry for each way we’re connected)

That’s 6 ways to win!

*** Be sure to enter your email address,
so we’ll be able to contact you if you win ***

Contest ends Saturday, February 4th at midnight (EST)

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Puff the Magic Dragon coming to a mobile device near you!

by Stacy on November 14, 2011

I’m so excited to tell you one of my very favorite children’s books is coming alive tomorrow in a beautifully illustrated app. I must warn you, I have yet to make it through this book without tearing up and I have a feeling the app will have the same effect on me … especially when I hear Peter Yarrow singing it! Still, you can bet I’ll be downloading this one first thing tomorrow.

Children can experience this whimsical app in three different ways:

- “Sing To Me”—listen to Peter Yarrow sing the classic song with pages that automatically turn as the song progresses

- “Read to Me”—narrated by Peter Yarrow, words are highlighted as they are read by the author

- “Read Myself”—children read the story at their own pace and turn the pages as they go

Throughout the app there are touch-activated animations to provide an added element of play and keep the little ones engaged. There’s also tilt-screen animation that lets kids create waves in the ocean around Honalee. This imaginative story celebrates a very special friendship that will be treasured by children of all ages. (Puff the Magic Dragon – Apple, Android $5.99)

Let me know if you download it, and if it makes you cry. I hope I’m not the only one out there who sheds tears at story time?

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Healthy Halloween Treats

by Stacy on October 26, 2011

1- Funky Monkey Freeze Dried Fruit Snacks/ 2 – Pirate Booty Snack Packs/ 3 – Annie’s Fruit Snacks/ 4 – Clif Kids Twisted Fruit/ 5 – Clif Kids ZBar/ 6 – Raisins/ 7 – EnviroKidz Crispy Rice Bars/ 8 – Mini Pay-Doh

I rounded up some healthy alternatives to sugary sweets this Halloween, not because I don’t think kids should ever be allowed to eat sugar, every now and then is fine. But because I believe there are plenty of tasty alternatives out there; treats you can use not only for Halloween, but also in your children’s lunches or for snacks at home. Besides, there will be plenty of other folks giving out the sweet stuff, you can rest easy knowing you gave the kids something they will like and that isn’t full of artificial flavors or colors.

My family has tried all of these brands at some point; in fact, I always have a large stash of Clif Kids ZBars and freeze dried fruit in the house. I’m really not sure who loves them more, me or the kids!

Tip: Most of these items can be found at Target Super stores or Whole Foods or online, there are usually great sales or coupons on these items too. The links I have provided do not necessarily represent the best price on these items.

I polled my Facebook and Twitter friends to see what their favorite alternative to candy were. Granola Bars ranked high, as well as goldfish, popcorn, pretzels, bottled water, and 100% juice boxes/pouches. Non-food items like mini play-doh, crayons, stickers, halloween costume jewelry, and glow in the dark bracelets were a big hit too (things you can find at the dollar store, Oriental Trading Company or the Target dollar section).

Have a favorite Healthy Halloween treat that wasn’t listed here? Please share it in the comments section for others who are interested.

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Fun Online Learning Site for Kids

by Stacy on March 1, 2011

I’ve been homeschooling Happy & Sweet since August and I have been terrible about sharing all the fun we’ve been having with you. To make up for it, I’m going to tell you about something really, really cool (AND FREE!!!).

I guess you could say, we’re “unschoolers” because I tend to let Happy & Sweet dictate what we’re going to learn about each day. This morning they were all a go about deer and since deer live in the Forest and I’m knee deep in Forestry class, (what???, I haven’t told you I’m back in school either? Man, I’ve been neglecting you guys) I figured I’d roll both of our lessons into one.

I googled forest preschool activities and stumbled on to this little gem.

Sheppard Software

This image shows you all the fun stuff you can find on Sheppard Software in the preschool/kindergarten ocean, forest, jungle and farm categories. I know, awesome right? And totally interactive. But this image doesn’t even scratch the surface of all the great (FREE) learning materials they have online for kids.

Sweet had a blast creating her little forest world over and over again and Happy had a huge breakthrough in Math today while playing the Fruit Shoot game. I can’t tell you how happy I am about this, I have tried everything I can think of on my own and just wasn’t finding a way to make addition click with him. Two minutes of Fruit Shoot and he was all about it.

Sheppard Software if you’re listening, THANK YOU!!!

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Gifts for 3 Year Old Girls

by Stacy on August 3, 2010

I know a certain little someone turning three years old at the end of this month. Her mother is one of my best online buds and we’ve been searching for some gifts to make her birthday extra special.

Mom found this Fold & Go Dollhouse by Melissa & Doug ($32.50) which I think is pretty outstanding. So outstanding, one might be making its way in to our home on the next holiday.

Still, I wanted to give Mom a few more options for the birthday girl … here’s a list of toys that should last & hold a child’s attention for more than just a few minutes. Many of these toys are either in my home now, like a toy in our home now, or are on a list of toys that may be in our home soon.

1. Zanimoferme by Djeco – We don’t have this set but I’m a huge fan of Djeco and I just know Sweet would enjoy playing with this. She loves to build farms out of blocks and put all her little animals inside so this would be an extension of what she already loves. ($19.99)

2. B. Meowsic Keyboard by Branford- We’ve had this piano for months and it still gets lots of playtime. It’s extremely durable, plays over 20 songs & sounds and has a working microphone. All three of my children enjoy it. ($24.99)

3. The Picnic Game by Eeboo – I adore just about everything EeBoo puts out and I have a feeling this board game will be no exception. Sweet is very much in to board games right now (3.5 yo) although she doesn’t always play by the rules. This game not only leads to imaginary picnic play time (or perhaps even real ones) but also teaches her how to make balanced meals. How cool is that? Did I mention it comes with a red checkered cloth ($14)

4. Slice & Bake Cookie Set by Melissa & Doug – We got this set for Christmas last year and still play with it several times a week. Surprisingly enough we can still find almost all of the pieces. ($15)

5. My Real Digital Camera from Little Tikes – Well Boo! I was super excited about this adorable camera & was eager to get a pink one for Sweet & a blue one for Happy. I found it on the Little Tikes website but changed my mind when I read the reviews on Amazon. Looks like I’ll be looking for a replacement for this one. Anyone know of a great digital camera for little ones?

6. Eco-Friendly Tea Set from Green Toys – We love this tea set, we used it today actually to drink Sun Tea & nibble on Ghirardelli brownies. Personally, I think it is uber cool because it is made from recycled milk jugs! ($17)

7. Cupcake Stand by KidKraft – I think you are starting to get a glimpse of my obsession with play food. Not sue if it has something to do with my family roots growing up in restaurants or what? But I admit it, I am hooked. This one is a winner for me because it’s mix & match, cute on a shelf and my 1 year old loves to play with it too. ($20)

8. Dog & Carrier Set – These are every where right now, I know because every where we go my daughter grabs as many of them as her little arms can carry and hauls them all over the store. Then I have to plead with her to put them all back and leave empty handed. I’m sad this one is SOLD OUT already, I’ll try and find another nice quality version and get back with you … but in the meantime check out #9.

9. Disney Fairies Pet Doctor Set – This cute little play set comes with a play syringe, a note pad, a stethoscope and a little lightening bug. Tons of opportunities for all sorts of play. Sometimes Sweet cares for the bug, more often than not she is doctoring me as I lay “ill” on the floor and the cute carrier … well, she uses it to carry around her quilted puppy from Barnes & Noble ($18)

Have a child you need help shopping for? Email me at kidsstuffworld@gmail.com – I’d love to help

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