Webkinz Jr. Pets & Interactive Educational Website

Webkinz have always been a hit around our house with our daughter who’s almost 9. She loves the stuffed animals and loves to play on their website even more. As any mother of more than one child you know how the younger kids watch the big kids play and they get upset because they want to play too but they’re just too young. However, that’s all changed with the Webkinz Jr. Now your younger kids can have their own cuddly plush toy AND play on a safe website designed just for their age group. Their adorable animal plush comes to life online where they’ll be able to feed their animal, “cook” for them, help them brush their teeth, and play with them.

The Webkinz Jr. site is easy to navigate and the games are age-appropriate. Directions for the games are explained by happy and engaging characters so no reading skills are required. Something I really love is that the games, which teach math, shapes, colors, and more, allow extra chances to guess correctly until the right answer is chosen giving positive reinforcement along the way. Through playing the games your children can earn what’s called Kinz coins. Kinz coins are a fun “reward” allowing your children to “buy” online items for their Webkinz pet. My son likes to buy his purple monkey lots and lots of food and loves putting his monkey to bed. Like his sister he’s now a HUGE Webkinz Jr. fan and so am I.

Reviewed by Miranda, Keeper of the Cheerios


Smart Tip:
Purchase Webkinz Jr. with eStore points directly from Ganz.






iCarly Fans Rejoice: Season 1, Vol. 2 is Now Available

iCarly fans will be thrilled to know that the new iCarly, season one, volume 2 DVD is now available. iCarly is one of the hottest shows on Nickelodeon. It stars Miranda Cosgrove (Drake & John, School of Rock) as Carly. She’s a sweet young girl who runs a weekly web show with her quirky best friend Sam and love struck Freddie. My entire family LOVES iCarly. So much so that we follow Dan Schneider, the shows producer, on Twitter just so we can have updates on new episodes. It’s not often that a family friendly show comes along that everyone in our family enjoys.

What I love about the show, aside from the fact it’s wholesome and very family friendly, is that it’s funny too! Not “stupid” funny where only young kids would laugh, but truly funny where the whole family, young and old, can appreciate the humor. We currently own iCarly season one, volume one so we were excited to learn that volume two was available and we couldn’t wait to get it so we could watch it. If you are a fan of iCarly or a parent who wants to know that their child, tween or teen is watching entertaining, “clean” programming then you’ll want to pick up iCarly season 1 volume 2 available now where ever DVD’s are sold.

The DVD also features some behind the scenes clips; 12 episodes from season one which run for about 292 minutes and contains two discs. Also check out Nick.com for additional iCarly videos, games & downloads.

Reviewed by Baby Kid Contributor, Kimberly, She Scribes

Organized Your Family or Other Groups: Qlubb

I like organization and just found another way to keep myself and my family on the same page. Though the iPhone works perfectly to keep myself in check, my husband still relies on sticky notes which isn’t always the most efficient way for us to stay on the same page. I recently had the opportunity to use a site called Qlubb which allows users to create clubs for family members, book clubs or any group who wants to share dates, pictures, websites and more. Their new calendar service makes it easier to remind my mom that Saturday night we have a big night out, and she’s babysitting! My golfer husband can put tournaments in the calendar so I can mentally prepare for the weekend. Yes, sadly I’m a golf widow. My sister can share a link to her grades telling me she’s #1 in her law school class! (I’m so proud.) Whatever you use it for, Qlubb is certain to make life just a bit more organized, and can’t we all use a little bit of that?

Cool Tip: Once you set up your Qlubb group, click the “edit” button on the homepage to add a description of the site or welcome message to its visitors.

Someone Spoil Me & Other Gift Tips

I recently received an email which asked, “There are so many cute products on your sites plus the gift guide, but what I really want to know is where are you shopping this holiday?” So I’ve decided to take a review break today and answer that very excellent question. My real-time holiday gift buying tips:

I just purchased two presents the other day from a social gifting site called Someone Spoil Me. I found it while scouring the current edition of US Weekly looking for cool baby and kid picks. Love it! Not only is the site well designed and easy to navigate, the finds are spectacular…really unique. You can search by category or occassion and even add your own personal wishlist. A sucker for personalization, I found and purchased this cashmere scarf. Best of all, Someone Spoil Me is running the best promotion ever, 20% off the entire site by entering the code “STYLEWATCH” (Exp. 12/21). No wonder People magazine picked up on this deal.

There are so many other great gift guides out there too. Some I particularly like are Cookie magazine’s guide; they are also giving away all of the mom gifts with one grand prize winner to receive nearly $4,000 in goodies! Also, Chick Shopper Chic, From Dates to Diapers and An Ordinary Life teamed up for a 2008 Christmas Gift Guide for kids and babies. Nice…

What else? Not Sox, leg warmers manufactured by Baby Legs, is runnng a promotion on eBay that is unbeatable: $5.00 a pair or 6 for only $25.00. I bought a 6-pack beacuse you can never have too many Baby Legs or in this case Not Sox. Hurry though…expires 12/9. Just this morning I bought something (can’t say exactly beacuse the gift recepient may be reading this) at an Etsy shop I found called Simply U Botique. Definately worth checking out.

Rounding out my purchases, I have the following already wrapped and ready to go: Crayola Tadoodles, a slew of Begin Smart books, Bella Tunno bibs for the stocking, and a golf cart for both kids (bought on eBay for around $200). For others I’ve bought Goosie Cards, a Boon Squirt Spoon, and a Bebe au Lait nursing cover amoung other things.

Finally, I really did list many of my favorites and great gifts ideas on the Baby Kid Blogs Holiday Edition Gift Guide. Between Someone Spoil Me and Amazon, I may not even have to brave the crowds this year! Happy shopping.

Cool Tip: Share one of your own. What was your best gift find so far this year?

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The Baby Kid Blogs Are Born!

It’s been one year since the birth of Cool Baby Kid. To celebrate, I’d like to announce two new Baby Kid Blogs today! Smart Baby Kid, like it’s mama blog, reviews products and resources for youngsters. And while cool products are fun to find, educational ones deserve their very own site. Finally I’m able to utilize my expertise as an educator to help you sift through the toys, books, DVDs and other educational products on the market. Ask Baby Kid, the baby sister of the bunch, grew out of the many questions from friends and Cool Baby kid readers on topics ranging from parenting tips to all about blogging. Busy moms and parents want real, quick answers about where to find packing lists for family travel or how to start and maintain a blog. You can Ask Baby Kid a question and find your answer in an simple, referenceable answer.

So why the birthing analogy? Gisele Jaquenod, the designer of all three sites, has worked nearly as hard creating these blogs as I did giving birth to my two children! OK, maybe not so painful. But she has worked relentlessly over the last few weeks to perfect every aspect of the new blogs; I can’t thank her enough for all she’s done. In just the last two weeks I counted over 100 emails back and forth (no kidding) and the adorable designs you see on the new blogs and re-design of Cool Baby Kid are the result. Gisele offers spectacular free blog templates for the brand new blogger and her Birdie Says shop has the cutest original designs you’ve ever seen. I would be eternally grateful if you’s stop by her site and tell Gisele what a wonderful job she’s done!

I have a round of other thank you’s for those people who helped make the Baby Kid Blog launch a success starting with my husband who dealt with the laptop in the bedroom for the last few weeks and me complaining about the lack of sleep because of it. Thanks also to my mom, sister and friends who put up with multiple frantic “please visit my blog” emails last November when I first got started and had very little idea about how to gain blog readership. Finally, I would like to give a special thank you to the following launch partners who have helped get the word out today about the new Baby Kid Blogs. Blogging is a wonderful community and some of these ladies are not just blogging partners but friends as well. Bridgette and Erin, for instance, have gone out of their way to help me promote this launch, and I appreciate it so much!

Stop by all three blogs to enter to win a unique launch prize pack on each one. Subscribe to the Baby Kid Blogs, become a Follower, grab a logo or banner, ask a question, apply to become a featured blog, join me on Twitter or Facebook, and I promise to continue to deliver the coolest, smartest products and resources for moms, babies and kids with tips, picks, and of course giveaways. This post will remain sticky all week!

Extra Cool Giveaway: Each of the Baby kid Blogs is giving away it’s own special launch Prize Pack! Here, on Cool Baby Kid, you can enter to win the “Baby Launch Prize Pack” which includes all of the baby items listed below by leaving a comment on this post. Click here to find out how to increase your chances. Contest ended. Congratulations Liz! A big thank you to the following launch sponsors for supplying these great giveaway gifts!

Cool Baby Kid: Holiday Edition

The Ultimate Gift Guide for Moms, Babies & Kids

It’s official. This weekend I visited the Christmas Tree Shop for some fall decorations and there it was…the Christmas section, front and center. For a minute I thought they were giving away something for free with so many people buying up decorations, wrapping paper and lights. Yes, it’s a bit early. And yes it’s a marketing ploy to get us to buy for longer periods and spend more money. But I love it! I’ve started my Wishpot list and am ready to go this season; Cool Baby Kid is ready too. The gift guide blog lists some of my favorite products and websites, making it easy to find unique gifts in particular price ranges. And to celebrate, every post all week on both sites will include giveaways galore! Enjoy the new site and stop back often for your chance to win something super cool.

Cool Tip: When you visit Cool Baby Kid: Holiday Edition check out the “coupon codes” section for special deals as well the “customizable” section for personalized gifts.

Taking Care of Mom

The Well Mom Website

Yesterday I took the kids to the beach for a day. When I finally sat down after unpacking, applying their sunscreen and changing diapers, I realized I forgot my SPF lip balm and was lucky to have remembered to wear a bathing suit! As moms everywhere know, we often put ourselves last since the little ones need us. The Well Mom realizes this better than anyone and has created a welcoming site for moms everywhere to take a minute for themselves. It’s a beautifully designed webpage with tons of information and ideas for moms. Browse through the well-nourished or well toned sections for eating and exercise tips or the well-centered and well-pampered sections all about taking care of yourself. How can I resist articles like “What’s in a Wine Glass?” This one’s for you mom…

Cool Tip: Check out “more from the well” for some humor & organization tips. You can never have enough enough of either in your life!

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Resource for Family Travelers

Child to Go Website

Preparing for an overseas trip with a baby and toddler is a bigger undertaking than I first imagined. After putting together a list, I set out to find some of the travel gear. I found Child To Go which is a packing mother’s best friend. With an extensive inventory of travel necessities, the site is well-organized and even offers a search by age. Child To Go carries items from car and air travel to accessories and gear. Whether your planning a trip or arejust a family on the move, you will love this site!

Cool Tip: Cool Baby Kid readers should enter the code “5412105001″ for 10% off your order!
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