The Next Kid Thing

The PBS Kids web property, Fizzy’s Lunch Lab, has launched a fun music video, just in time for Valentine’s Day.

“Give Your Heart a Valentine” is an ode to your actual heart, as in the organ that thumps in your chest. Just like all the interesting concepts that come from Fizzy’s Lunch Lab, the music video combines education and a little bit of fun. This new music video provokes kids to learn the significance of the heart and the benefit of healthy eating decisions.

In addition to all the sweet and lovey fun this week for Valentine’s Day, be sure to check out this video and give a little love to your heart!

To further prove just how digital our world has become, the White House announced the launch of a new mobile health service for pregnant women and new moms that distributes helpful tips timed to their pregnancy or age of baby a text.  

Text4baby is an educational program that was spearheaded by the National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition, which is a resource in maternal and child health.

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With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, love is surely in the air.  Sure,  some people consider Valentine’s Day a Hallmark holiday, but it’s still a great excuse to spread a little extra love for the littlest sweethearts.

While perusing the web for some Valentine’s Day gift ideas, I actually came across a really sweet line of modern children’s clothing by Glug Collection.  The name, itself, is catchy and so are their designs.

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I’m not sure if you’re aware, but today is America’s favorite fuzzy red monster’s birthday.

Yup, Elmo turns 3 today (again, I know!) Happy Birthday, big guy!

In honor of Elmo’s birthday, I thought I’d mention this new app released by Sesame Workshop, which just so happens to feature the birthday boy himself.

Elmo’s Monster Maker App, which is now available on iTunes, is an app where kids of all ages can create their own monster. With all the different body parts, the choices are limitless as to how many unique monsters can be created. With this app, kids become more aware of several different body parts, with a little Sesame Street-style creativity.

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Last night, our family enjoyed watching the Grammys, which was, perhaps, one of our most favorite award shows in a long time.  Amidst all the fabulous winners, crazy and entertaining performances, there were, of course, a few relevant categories to NKT.

To be a little more specific, Ziggy Marley won the Grammy for best musical album for children.  Marley, now a five-time Grammy Award winner after last night’s win, released his Family Time cd in May 2009.  The album is a diverse collection of reggae-influenced songs.

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In case you weren’t aware, today is National Puzzle Day.  (I wasn’t aware at all, but now I am.)  With that in mind, I’m reminded by how many really great puzzle sets that are out there.  Did any of you play with puzzles growing up?  I know we did.  I remember playing with whatever character du jour and putting it all together piece-by-piece, and feeling so accomplished when I finally laid the finally piece.

My mother-in-law, in fact, has done a great job of keeping many of my husband and his siblings’ old puzzles.  So, when the grandkids get together, all of whom range in age 17 to 2 years old, it’s fun to see them play with these puzzles together.

National Puzzle Day is said to encourage family togetherness, as well as encourage the skills that are involved in putting together puzzles:  reasoning, concentration and teamwork, among others.

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With our kids’ and babies’ safety in mind, Toys ‘R’ Us is re-launching its Great Trade-In Event today.  Just like the popular campaign that took place in September 2009, TRU is, once again, urging consumers to bring in old and used baby gear that may pose as safety hazards for the wee ones.

The Great Trade In Event kicks off today and lasts until Saturday, February 20.  For the fine print, the company said:

Toys ‘R’ Us and Babies ‘R’ Us stores will accept returns of any used cribs, car seats, bassinets, strollers, travel systems, play yards, high chairs and toddler beds in exchange for a 25% savings on the purchase of any new baby item, in any of these product categories, from select manufacturers.

With several recent stroller and drop-side crib recalls that have made news in the past few weeks, it seems like it’s a good time as ever to do a trade-in.  That 25% off is certainly a great initiative to shop and to keep the kiddies safe in the process.

Organic baby food brand, Plum Organics, has announced its latest addition to its growing product line.  The company added the Just line, which includes six single-fruit purees of USDA organic baby food made with 100 percent fruits. (Hence, the just part)  The Just fruit options include apples, peaches, pears, bananas, pears and mangoes are exempt of any added sugar, juice, colors of artificial flavors.

The Just line joins Plum Organic’s Fruit and Veggie Blends and Mish Mash, which are also packaged in their portable pouch.  Plum Organics is available at Babies R Us/Toys R Us at $1.19 – $1.29 for a 3.17oz. single pouch and $7.19 – $7.29 for a single variety 6-count box.  Plum Organics will soon be available at Buy Buy Baby, HEB, Food Lion, and online at Target.com, Diapers.com, and Drugstore.com.

One of our family’s staples, Stonyfield Farms, announced that they’re heeding moms’ advice.  By popular request, Stonyfield Farms  has introduced YoBaby 3-in-1 Meals in 4-ounce multipacks.   The smaller servings, that are perfect for traveling and snacktime, come in pear & green bean, peach & squash, apple & sweet potato.

YoBaby Meals multipacks, priced around $2.99, can be found in natural food stores and select grocery stores.

With the NY Toy Fair less than three weeks away, I’ve been starting to get my game plan in order.  While I research new companies and new products, I will be posting some picks that I find along the way.  This product is one that I found while reviewing the exhibitor list.

As a parent, there’s nothing less desirable than changing diapers—well, besides cleaning up barf.  But nevertheless, smart products make these tasks much easier to bear.  A line from yet another mompreneur, Cooshee products from BabySmart are constructed from micro-cell foam, which gives them their soft, yet sturdy frame.

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Nick Jr. watchers, perhaps you’ve noticed, but over the past few weeks, there have been some cool new music videos in between shows, particularly videos that feature sign language?  In early December, Nick Jr. introduced Signing Time, an interstitial music series dedicated to teaching sign language to preschoolers.

Rachel Coleman from Nick Jr.'s "Signing Time"

There are three Signing Time videos which feature Emmy-nominated Rachel Coleman, will be in regular rotation on Nick Jr. airing 1-2 times per day in between commercials and regular shows.

The videos that can be seen on Nick Jr. include, “In a House,” which introduces the signs for different family members; “Feelings,” which teaches signs for feelings and “Groove with Me,” which offers signs for activities such as jumping and dancing.

For those who want to catch more Signing Times, there are two additional videos that are exclusive to www.nickjr.com.  “Leah’s Farm,” which presents the signs for animals and “A is for Alex and Alligator,” which teaches kids how to sign the entire alphabet can be accessed any time online.

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