Apr

American Girl Crafts For Girls Ages 8-12

Making the most of the last day of Easter vacation, we enjoyed delving into an American Gift craft, specifically the Painted Memory Box. The line includes Sew & Shares, Historical Character Kits, and 2012 Girl of the Year products. Crafts specifically designed for girls ages 8-12, our Memory Box, though fun to create and well-made, don’t look exactly like the picture since my daughter is a pre-schooler and a bit under the recommended age.

Easy to read instructions were included along with the necessary materials to create the memory box. Of course, the American Girl name and logo with Josephina on the cover made it a “special craft” for our day at home. An American Girl family, my daughter has both Ruthie and a Bitty Twin. We also tested out Kit’s Fabric Flower Kit making a headband which was much easier than I anticipated, not being the crafty type myself. Check out the entire line of American Girl Crafts Kits and Gifts or, for a fun birthday party theme, the party products which include make your own invites and more.

Whether your family falls into the American Girl or crafty categories, or none of the above and are looks to find fun activities for girls ages 8-12 (or even a bit younger in my opinion), American Girl crafts are highly recommended earning a Cool Baby Kid *Top Pick* designation.

Product samples were provided for review purposes; all opinions are 100% our own.

Cool Tip

Always on the lookout for a good deal, we found these American Girl crafts on sale.

Filed Under: Cool Picks, Deals, Discounts, Family Activities, Picks & Tips, Top Picks · Tagged With: Activities, American Girl, Crafts

Feb

I Heart Minnie Valentine’s Day Fun Pack

Posted by cecelia · Leave a Comment

Cool Tip

These printable Valentine’s Day buttons include a Cookie Recipe, Mailbag Craft, and Sharing Cards will help prepare your kiddos for the February 7th release of Disney’s MICKEY MOUSE CLUBHOUSE: I HEART MINNIE. Enjoy!

Filed Under: Disney, Family Activities, Featured · Tagged With: Activities, Disney, Printables

Nov

Park Cars 2 Blu-ray/DVD Under the Christmas Tree Free Activity Download

Posted by cecelia · Leave a Comment

Cool Tip: Buy Cars 2 Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack from our amazon affiliate link for $29.49.

Filed Under: Education Corner · Tagged With: Activities, Disney

Apr

Baby Kid Bookshelf: New Books for Big Kids

Posted by giselej · Leave a Comment

I Love Words

Written by Francoize Boucher

As a middle school English teacher, I was excited to check out I Love Words by Francoize Boucher and published by Kane Miller Perfect for “at the bell” activities, warm-ups or fun days, I Love Words can also be used at home for any youngster interested in improving writing skills or just having fun with words. For example, “A Weightless Word Mobile” offers a list of words to fill in and cut out an actual mobile to hang! Story starters, Dictionary Expeditions, postcards and parent letters, I Love Words is filled with fun activities for families and teachers alike.

Girl in the Know: Your Inside-Out Guide to Growing Up

Written by Anne Katz, R.N., Ph.D., Illustrated by Monika Melnychuk

This book published by Kids Can Press is a girls perfect little manual for navigating her way through puberty. Ok…so it may not have been on top of my 11 year-old’s wish list, but it was undoubtedly appreciated. Like many pre-teen girls, she is experiencing many challenges of early adolescence. For many girls, puberty is coming much earlier these days. Many important topics are simply uncomfortable to discuss with girls in this age group because they get embarrassed. I believe that providing girls with as much information as possible is essential at this impressionable stage of development. This book won’t replace the need for that parent/child face-to-face discussion, and in fact it doesn’t even cover the topic of sex, but it does tackle many topics – some I never even thought of! The book is separated into three sections – Your Body, Your Mind, and Taking Care. My daughter, who I must admit isn’t an avid reader, thought it was easy to read and understand. This clear-cut book offers 112 pages of practical and valuable information. The pages are adorned with attention-grabbing illustrations, diagrams and little tid-bits for the taking.

Book reviews written by Cecelia and Jamie

Disclosure & Contact: A sample product was provided for review purposes; all opinions are 100% ours. Also read our full disclaimer and review frequently asked questions, subscribe to Cool Baby Kid via RSS or email for winner notification and exclusive discounts and giveaways. Check out more book reviews too!

Smart Tip: Check out our other Baby Kid Bookshelf picks: Baby and Toddler, Preschooler and Preschooler 2nd Editionr.

Filed Under: Big Kids Corner, Education Corner, Family Activities · Tagged With: Activities, Books, Education Corner, Educational

Mar

Jillybean Green: Eco-Friendly and Super-Adorable

Posted by giselej · Leave a Comment

A sucker for a cute site, I adore Jilly Bean Green, an eco-friendly online boutique featuring organic baby gifts, eco-friendly diaper bags, personalized gifts, celebrity favorites and more. Also a sucker for “As Seen In” products, this “Cool Dudes” tee featured in Us Weekly is at the top of our wish list. Cool Baby Kid personally tested out one product from jillybean Ggreen, the chalkmat for travel and on-the-go fun. One side is a place mat while the plays chalkboard with a storage spot for chalk too. We have one for each child and use them at restaurants (when coloring has worn out its welcome) and even at home as dinner awaits. The kids love them, and we love the chalk erases easier than crayon from the counter or restaurant table. And while researching for this post, I couldn’t help surf around jillybean green and found other cool picks too:

Big Color Playhouse: A playhouse you can color with a rocket ship option too.
Rock the Tote Diaper Bags: Some of the custest eco-friendly diaper bags ever.
Personalized Play Cases: These rock and so do the other personalized gifts they carry.
“Trouble” Organic Gift Set: What an adorable collection of organic baby gifts.

Though I feel a bit like a teacher saying, “You’re the best class ever” since there really are some super-looking sites out these…many of which we’ve discovered and shared with CBK readers…this one really does have one of the best collections for gifts and cute picks we’ve found.

Cool Tip: Use code “COOLBABY” for 10% off your Jillybean Green order.

Disclosure & Contact: A product sample was provided for review purposes; all opinions are 100% ours. Read our full disclaimer and review frequently asked questions, subscribe to Cool Baby Kid via RSS or email for tips, exclusive discounts and to enter giveaways.

Filed Under: Baby Picks, Family Activities, Gift Guides, Giveaways Galore, Toddler & Preschooler · Tagged With: Accessories, Activities, Apparel, Baby, Baby Gifts, Gifts, Toddler, Toys, Travel

Feb

HIT Entertainment Video Roundup: New and Noteworthy

Posted by cecelia · Leave a Comment

Does your child love Thomas the Train? Does your child love the water? Well, this is the DVD for you. Join Thomas and friends on some great adventures through puddles, ponds, and even a little splashing game. This DVD has fantastic animation. HIT Entertainment really outdid themselves with the CGI Animation; it feels like you are in the movies. The characters are so realistic. My toddler loved that Thomas looked as though he was taking to him. He loved to meet the new engine, Charlie, and have a sloppy car race with Sir Topham Hat. The Splish, Splash, Splosh Thomas the Train DVD includes great music your children will enjoy, and of course, lessons that make parents proud. Included on this DVD is a game with the Crane and a counting game with Thomas, both educational and enjoyable for your children. The Splish, Splash, Splosh may be one of my favorites yet from the Thomas collection. It gives my son hours of fun, and I have to admit, I did enjoy watching these adventures myself. I recommend to parents who have toddlers and to anyone who know a child that loves Thomas the Train.

If your child is a Bob the Builder fan, the Best of Bob the Builder is a must. This DVD has hours of adventures, never before seen stories, and bonus feature games. Your child will enjoy 10 of the best episodes of “Bob the Builder” over the past 10 years. Bob and all his friends, Roley, Scoop, Lofty and Muck, Dizzy, and more have loads of fun and learn some important lessons along the way. My favorite episode is when Dizzy goes camping. My son loved that one. I think this episode would be great to have your toddler watch or bring along for their first camping trip. If your child is a builder, then “The House that Lofty built” is the episode for them. My son started to take out his blocks and build his own house after that one. I would recommend this DVD to all the “Bob the Builder” fans for hours of enjoyment.

Barney’s Let’s Grow: Lend a Helping Hand is a hit with our travel DVD player. I love how this DVD includes Kelly and Chica from the Sprout network. My toddler really thinks of the comforts of home with these familiar characters. We always take it along for some smooth travel. All your favorites are rolled into one, Barney, Bob the Builder, Thomas & Friends, Fireman Sam, and Angelina Ballerina–which makes this DVD a success with both boys and girls. Let’s Grow: Lend a Helping Hand has your child’s favorite characters going on adventures where they need to help others. With Barney and Baby Bop, your children will learn how important it is to clean up after themselves–LOVE IT!! They will learn about the importance of recycling with Kelly and Chica. They even learn more about correct ways to clean up as well as the importance of working together with Bob the Builder and Friends as they get ready for the Grand Opening–of what you ask–I won’t spoil the surprise. This DVD has more adventures with Thomas the Train, Fireman Sam, and Angelina Ballerina–all with lessons on how important helping others can be.

Written by Debby, Cool Baby Kid contributor

Cool Tip: Purchase Best of Bob the Builder, Thomas the Train Splish, Splash, Splosh and Barney’s Let’s Grow: Lend a Helping Hand on Amazon.com.

Subscribe to Cool Baby Kid via RSS or email for exclusive discounts. Looking for even more baby equipment picks? We’ve got you covered…

Filed Under: Baby Picks, Big Kids Corner, Education Corner, Family Activities, Gift Guides, Toddler & Preschooler · Tagged With: Activities, Baby Gifts, Boy Stuff, DVD, Education Corner, Educational, Educational DVD, Electronics, Favorites, Kid, Movies, Music, My Favorites, Preschooler, Toddler, Travel

Feb

Musicolor: Combining Creativity & Technology {Giveaway}

Posted by cecelia · Leave a Comment

Musicolor by Delta Creative is a fun and creative toy that will enhance your child’s creativity by turning color into music. We liked it because it was so easy to do together as a fun-filled family activity. The kit includes a model record players and paper records that your child colors. The paper records have numbers on them so it is also a great exercise in following directions. If you color in all the numbers correctly the record will play a song. Some of the songs include: Jingle Bells, Three Blind Mice, and Humpty Dumpty. This innovative tool compares the power of technology with creativity in a unique way. Musicolor had my four year old occupied for almost an hour. She did need prompting to stay in the lines; I would recommend it for children from 4 to 7 years old. Musicolor was nominated for Toy of the Year in 2009 and also in Playthings Toy of the Week in October, 2009. It is available on Amazon.com, Target.com, and Deltacreative.com and a wonderful activity for the winter months.

Written by Alicia, Cool Baby Kid Contributor

Cool Giveaway: Enter to win Musicolor by visiting the Delta Creative site and commenting back here with your thoughts. US residents only. Ends 2/14/10.