Category: gadgets

Round Up: Fun Summer Goodies

by Jen Rabulan-Bertram
Fun Summer Goodies
It’s been a busy summer over here, involving caring for more sick kids, taxiing everyone around and of course, having fun in the sun.  We’ve enjoyed playing outdoors from morning until night, and honestly, this heatwave going on in the tri-state area is the only thing that’s really kept us indoors since school let out.
So, I thought I’d share just a few of the many things we’ve been playing with (and coveting) this summer.  I’ll share more details about these favorites soon!
Have you been playing with anything cool?

Last Minute Father’s Day Gift Ideas

by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

Last Minute Father's Day Gift Ideas

Though Father’s Day is just a day away, there’s still time for those of you (like me) who typically grab gifts at the 11th hour.

Celebrating dad doesn’t have to be about overspending or getting yet another tie.  This year, consider getting dad a fun experience or a practical gift that the whole family could enjoy.

I Polyvored just a few things that I know that my guy’s guy husband would appreciate.  So, for those looking for some gift ideas for the techy, handy and sports-loving dads, this list is for you:

1.  Let’s Go Mets!

Those that know my husband well know that he’s a diehard Mets fan, which spread throughout our little family.  As part of the #Metsmoms, we couldn’t think of a better way to spend Father’s Day than cheering on the Amazins at CitiField.  For us, quality time with dad and baseball goes together like peanuts and Cracker Jacks. And just for NKT readers, the Mets are offering a pretty cool deal: For $35, you get a limited edition Amazin’ Dad T-shirt for Dad, presented by Modell’s Sporting Goods, left field reserved ticket (regularly priced at $80) To access this exclusive deal head to: www.mets.com/bloggeroffer

2.  Jim Beam Red Stag

Is dad a drinker? Why not grab a bottle of Jim Beam Red Stag, which is cherry-iinfused Jim Beam. Ok, so hear me out. If you’re one of those people who are saying, “but whiskey shouldn’t be flavored,” Why not try something different?  Life is too short to be plain. This sweet, but robust whiskey is perfect for sipping, but great with mixers as well.

3.  Coleman Instant Tent

Have an outdoorsman kind of dad? He might appreciate Coleman’s Instant Tent. The Coleman Instant Tents are easy to set up, going from packed to fully assembled in less than 60 seconds. Along with the convenience of an easy setup, the Instant Tents also feature the Coleman WeatherTec system. I’m absolutely amazed at this technology. It sounds like there’s no more fumbling with a bazillions rods, making perfect for rugged trips in the wilderness and even spontaneous camp outs in the backyard.

4. Milwaukee Tools

When we first became homeowners, we also embarked om a DIY quest of overhauling our fixer-upper. When my seasoned electrician father-in-law came to help out one weekend, he told my husband it was time he invested in “real tools.” And it’s true, if you’re a homeowner taking on your own projects a good set of tools are a must.  Milwaukee Tools are a brand that is reliable and accessible; in fact, Home Depot often features many sets like these on sale around Father’s Day.

5. WD My Net N900

With a house full of smart phones, smart TVs, iPads and other connected devices, it’s likely your network can get bogged down.  WD’s My Net N900 is a router that can alleviate the strain all of these devices can put on your network.  Voted PC Mag’s best router of 2012, the My Net N900 is a powerhouse of a router that has streamlined our own network by increasing speed and more connectivity. With features such as, 900 Mbps, 7 Gigabit ports, and 2 USB ports, My Net N900 is for any techy dad who can appreciate fast, reliable wifi.

6. Wally

Days of the overstuff George Costanza wallet are long gone as we move forward to a paperless society.  Like many iphone and smartphone users, my husband uses his iphone to check onto flights, pay for Starbucks, deposit checks and more.  So, who needs a fat wallet anymore?  This wallet is for the pragmatic, minimalist, gadget  loving dad. Wally attaches to the back of your iPhone 4/4s or 5, by pulling the integrated ribbon to access your cards and push them back to conceal them. Now through Sunday, June 16, you can purchase Wally for 20 percent off the original price at www.distilunion.com.

7.  Birchbox Man

If dad is less into gadgets, but more into goodies, look into a Birchbox for men subscription. For as little as $20/month, dad will receive a monthly box of the best mens’ products.  Birchbox Man features a wide variety of products, ranging from grooming products to lifestyle samples.

8. Foster Grant

Who’s behind those Foster Grants?  Dad, that’s who!  After my husband’s last pair of expensive sunglasses were broken and stomped to pieces by one precocious toddler, he’s sworn off any other expensive accessories until we’re in the safer, less destructive stage. (does that even exist?)  After getting re-introduced to Foster Grant Sunglasses at the latest Getting Gorgeous, I fell in love with every single pair they were showing.  I received a sample in my swag bag and I haven’t taken them off since.
I love that Foster Grant has an equally awesome men’s line that is just as affordable and accessible.  Foster Grants look high end but are much more affordable, with most pairs starting under $30.  And even though they can be found in stores such as Duane Reade, they’re NOT your typical drugstore sunglasses.  They are high quality and super stylish.  I dig the aviators, but really like these sporty pair for the hus.

9. Pranklopedia

This fun book by Julie Winterbottom, longtime Nickelodeon Magazine editor in chief definitely doesn’t disappoint.  With over 70 pranks with lots of directions and funny pull out labels and jokes, this prank encyclopedia is a fun treat for dad and the kids to pore over.  My five year old just happens to be in that potty humor stage and, not surprisingly, my husband cracks the poop jokes alongside of him.  Pranklopedia has been a hysterical “resource” for them to bond over and share quite a few belly laughs.

10. Keep Out! Build Your Own Backyard Clubhouse

Another cool resource for dads and kids is this great guide on building a backyard clubhouse.  This guide features realistic projects, with a nod to throwback times.  I grew up with a backyard clubhouse, and one that we truly adored for many years.

11.  Paddleboarding lessons/experience

Inspired by my cousin who has been an avid Stand Up Paddleboarder, I’ve been admiring his photos and adventures for a few years. Paddleboarding is interesting because it’s become quite a phenomenon among water sports, not only for the ocean, but in rivers and lakes too.  I’m still learning about the sport myself, but from the looks of it, paddleboarding seems to be a doable watersport for people of all ages.  I was reading through SUP magazine to get a feel for the sport and I think I’m hooked.  I can totally see me paddleboarding with my dad and husband! There are quite a few places that do lessons in the tri-state, but I found Kayak Hudson to be of interest.  Check them out!

Most importantly, Father’s Day isn’t about the excess of stuff.  It’s about celebrating and enjoying dads and the father figures in your life.  Time well spent transcends material goods, so however you spend the day, be sure to embrace the ones you love.

Battling Trashies: Thoughts on UFT Ultimate Fighting Trashies

by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

We’ve been playing with all sorts of fun new toys this spring, but one toy that has seen quite a bit of playtime for several seasons is the Trash Pack.  I’ve talked about how Trashies have been innundating our home since last year, but with new seasons, brings new toys.  Moose Toys recently introduced the Ultimate Fighting Trashies, or UFT for short.  UFT is exactly as it sounds: they’re battling Trashies, complete with ring and launchers.

My first impression of this latest take on the Trash Pack line of toys: fun, quirky and cool way to further engage kids into the world of Trashies.  I’m a big fan of the kid-powered launchers and the affordable pricepoint of the UFT set and add-ons.  Having grown up in the age of Garbage Pail Kids, I would have never anticipated that my own kid would be obsessing over his own version of trash.  Despite the fact that I’m constantly finding Trashies in every nook of the playroom, I do like these tiny toys and their collectible factor.

My dislikes about this set, I wish it came with a pair of launchers and while we’re at it, a way to organize all of these tiny pieces from the set.

Biggie and I gave the ring and several of our Trashies a try, and we’ve been battling ever since.

Check out our video that we filmed a few weeks ago.

You can find Trash Pack toys, accessories and UFT at major retailers such as TRU and Target.

Full disclosure:  we were provided a UFT set to facilitate this review.  As always, all opinions on NKT are my own.

2013 PBS Annual Meeting Highlights

by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

Words can’t adequately convey the gratitude and overall excitement I’ve experienced over the past week. From Disney to PBS Kids and through the platform I’ve created on this corner of the Internet, I was bestowed the honor of participating in conferences hosted by the aforementioned.
Perhaps you’ve seen the influx of tweets and Instagram images I’ve shared from my journey, but in case you haven’t, I thought I’d share just a quick pictorial recap of my PBS annual meeting.


As a PBS Kids VIP, together with a group of like minded parent influencers, I was afforded the opportunity to sit in a variety of sessions and breakout sessions to learn more about what’s on the horizon for PBS shows and digital properties.

On day one, we met the newest cast member of Sesame Street. The character, Mando, is a bilingual writer who will explore his creativity and hone his appreciation for culture in the venerable show’s 44th season.


During one of our breaks, I received a text from the husband at home, who showed off a Cat in the Hat craft that my big boy just completed. Seconds later, I bumped into the Cat himself. I love it when my life comes full circle like that!


Today, we learned all about Peg + Cat, the adorable new preschool series that has an emphasis on math. I’ll speak more in detail about this awesome new show, but I’m especially excited about the great music, digital platforms that will parallel the show and of course, the super funny characters, Peg and her BFF, Cat.


Along the way, I met Mr. Steve and Wilder Valderrama, too! I have much much more to report, but will share as soon as I get back!


Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Let the Magic Begin #DisneySMMoms

by Jen Rabulan-Bertram
Editor’s Note: I wrote this on the plane, on my phone, as the babe slept in my arms. How I managed that with my normally happy/angry screamer, I’ll never know, but I’ll take it!

Everyone needs a little magic in their lives, right? In the midst of chaos and specialists appointments, I was so fortunate to get a little bit of pixie dust thrown our way—in the form of an invite to Disney’s Social Media Moms. Goodness knows, we needed it.

Disney SMMoms

Having attended the 2011 DisneySMMoms, my family is well aware of the magic the Disney Parks team has a knack for throwing.

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We’ll get an inside look at what’s coming up for the Disney brand and their partnerships, as well as convene to listen to social media mavens who have made their mark in their fields and the social media realm.
This time we have our tough as nails and loud as anything tot in tow. 2011 was my husband and older boy’s first visit, and of course my first visit as a parent. So much has happened in those short 2 years; namely, the addition of our very storied baby boy. Because if baby’s special needs, we asked my parents to accompany us, which in itself, will make things a little more magical.

Unlike our last #disneysmmoms trip, this trip I was invited as opposed to registering. And so, even though i don’t have the most trafficked and update so sporadically, it’s such an honor to be tapped to be included in such an esteemed group. (All that tweeting accounts for something, I guess!) I’ve attended my share of conferences, but this one is much more intimate, so don’t mind me if you see me gawking at some of my favorite social media voices in person.

Disney, as always, has been working hard to ensure DisneySMMoms is an incredible experience. Even before we set foot at the park, all of the attendees received a Colora Spinner from American Tourister to ensure we #packmorefun.


And just the other day, Disney Interactive sent us a package full of props as a teaser for the new Story app for iPhone. I’ve yet to download or check it out, but it sounds like this iOs app helps families do as the name suggests: create stories. As a digital mama who tries to keep my pulse on new and innovative things for kids and families, the Story app sounds like it will be a great fit for this very storied family.


Even though we’ve had a rocky start thus far, in certain the stress, frustration and exhaustion from missing our flight will be forgotten once we get to the Happiest Place on Earth.

This year, we brought along my parents to enjoy Disney with us (and to help the husband with the kids while I’m in the conference.) So, being with my family, including my amazing parents, will truly magnify the magic of the Mouse!

I can’t wait to share the latest and greatest from Disney, so be sure to stay tuned. Join me on Facebook, Instagram, Vine and Twitter for up to the minute updates on the magic Disney has in store. Follow all the buzz at #disneysmmoms

It’s Easy Being Green

by Jen Rabulan-Bertram
The Next Kid Thing: Easy Being Green
To round out Earth Week, I thought I’d do a round up of green things that we’re currently loving. In addition to some earth friendly items, I included some goodies and gear that we’re already playing with, or are on our ongoing wish list.
l-r clockwise

1. Hello Kitty Raincoat

A departure from the classic yellow slicker, this fun raincoat features the iconic and super-cute Hello Kitty. In addition to the frog raincoat Kitty’s wearing in the graphic, ruffles in back make this chic raincoat stand out in girly outerwear.

2. HDMX Jams Portable Speaker

We are a techy family to say the least, but we’re all about unplugging, too! And when I say unplug, that also goes for wireless technology. I love this HDMX Jams Portable Speaker for so many reasons. Beyond its cool packaging (Jam, get it?), these Blue-tooth compatible speakers pack a punch. For less than $50, the speakers offer an affordable way to share jams with friends, better yet, for those impromtu dance parties with your iphone!

3. Playmates Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Playmates makes the hot-again TMNT action figures and sets. If you have boys who are into this sort of thing, perhaps you’re already familiar with the buzz with these familiar ninja-savvy turtles. Donnie is the brains behind the guys (er, turtles’) Ooze-Zooka, so beware, Kraang and the Foot Clan!

4. Lunch Bots Quatro

I love love love Lunch Bots stainless steel containers. The quatro has dividers to give the container the Bento Box treatment, which is especially helpful for school or work lunch, and even appeasing those eaters who just can’t have their food touching.

5. Feeding Baby Green by Dr. Alan Greene

I have been such a fan of Dr. Greene since before Biggie was born. I read his articles and books throughout my pregnancy and subsequent first years as a mom. Dr. Green released Feeding Baby Green a few years ago, but his message on how to feed baby healthy, wholesome food is as timeless as it is invaluable.

6. Hello Kitty Hello Spring

This adorable book from Abrams came to me on a cold wintry day. So, now as the brighter, sunny days reflect the pages in this Hello Kitty book, we can all finally say, Hello Spring. Perfect for the littlest to biggest Hello Kitty fan, this book embraces the best aspects of the season, highlighting them in such a way that Hello Kitty does best.

7. Ruum t-shirt

New this year, Ruum is finding a way to make classic and modern styles merge in our kids’ closets. The company once known as 77Kids was bought by the former head of The Children’s Place, so expect to find fun, functional and sometimes funky clothes from Ruum (sounds like room). Tees like this one showcase the fun fashion that Ruum embodies.

8. Washi tape

I’m absolutely obsessed with washi tape! This paper tape that comes in a myriad of designs can be used for virtually anything—crafts, decor, day-to-day usage and more.  We currently use washi tape for labeling and a number of crafts.  You can find washi tape in crafts stores and on Etsy.

9. Little Green Shampoo and Body Wash

We test out a lot of kid bath products, and one that we’re currently loving is this Little Green Shampoo and Body Wash.  I received several samples of this line in a swag bag a few years ago, and recently learned that this is a local product, as in the creator’s spa is 2 miles away.  What’s great about this combo shampoo and body wash is that it cleans everything without drying the hair our skin out.  There’s no parabens, allergens or sulfates and is formulated for sensitive skin like my guys.  Love this line and can’t wait to try out the other products.

10. Trash Pack Garbage Truck

If you asked me what toys were going to be big in my house last year, I honestly would have never guessed it would be trash.  And when I say ‘trash,’ I’m of course referring to Moose Toys’ Trash Pack.  Despite their small size, these toys are huge in my house.  I wrote about them around Halloween and how we gave them out for our Trunk or Treat, and like the Pied Piper, the neighborhood kids still ask me if I have more.  So, when Christmas time came around, Santa remembered this and gifted Biggie with a Garbage Truck to go with said Trash Pack.  Our Trash Pack Garbage Truck came with Series 3 Trashies like Putrid Boot and Scrummy Screen.  Collecting things didn’t get big for us until last year, so the Trash Pack has become a mainstay around here.  The garbage truck complements the collectibles and is often used to transport and store these eraser-like toys.
And because the Trash Pack has moved onto series 4, be on the look out for a review of their latest and greatest.

The Next Kid Thing or Next Big Flop?

by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

It’s that time of year! If you check the calendar, then you must know what today means. If you’re gullible like me, you’ll believe almost every “new” product everyone’s shilling today. Here’s a collection of just some of the funniest Next Kid Things floating around the interwebs:

Crib Dribbler

The Crib Dribbler sounds like the perfect answer for exhausted parents. Better yet, this automatic feeding system, fashioned like a water bottle hung in a rodent’s cage, would be a must have for the lazy parenting types. You know the kind.

Thank goodness this system is just a gag box from Prank Pack. The back of the box, though, is the best! Ha!

Munchkin Naughty Mouth Soap

The Munchkin Naughty Mouth Soap actually sounds like it would have some weight in the tough love aisle. According to the spoof press release: Parents of little children who are prone to potty mouth now have a valuable tool in their parenting arsenal. The Naughty Mouth Soap is non-toxic but foul-tasting deterrent to stop the future use of inappropriate language. As a sushi fan, my favorite is Whining Wasabi. Other flavors include: Lying Liver, Spoiled Child Spoiled Milk, Vulgarity Vomit and Extra-Strength Sour Pout Face. Well played, Munchkin!

I’m actually a big fan of Munchkin products (I swear by the White Hot Safety Duck Tub!), so I got a big kick out of this funny April Fool’s Day joke!

Skip Hop Sippy Helmet

This Sippy Helmet would’ve been perfect on our whirlwind road trip. For a sippy cup wielding baby having to ride in the car for 12 hours in one weekend, this gag would actually come in handy for the trip. Too funny, Skip Hop! Haha!

Even though these fun products are just gags for April Fool’s Day, it’s fun to chuckle at all of crazy possibilities for the next big thing for kids. What crazy things have you seen today?

Happy April Fool’s Day. Be careful and have fun!

Last Minute Easter Basket Gift Ideas

by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

Easter may be tomorrow, but in case you’re still looking for basket-filling ideas, we have some fun suggestions. Since we’ve been busy checking out Spring toys and new releases, we haven’t had a chance to fully complete our reviews. I thought we’d highlight just a few cool things that would be a perfect addition to your baskets.

While Easter remains a religious holiday for many families, those with young kids know it’s fun to indulge in Bunny stuff. To me, beyond jelly beans and chocolate bunnies, Easter basket stuffers are meant to be small trinkets that fit in the basket, as opposed to another excuse to go toy-crazy. So, lucky us, there are tons of non-candy goodies that will make every ‘bunny’ happy.

Games
Card games, travel games, video games and apps are a given when thinking of gift ideas for older kids. A few games that we’re currently loving: Skylanders Giants, Brave Digital Book app, Super Animal Genius for LeapPad and Twister Rave Ringz.
Skylanders Giants continues to dominate our house. I’ll have more details on these guys soon, but Crusher and Stump Smash are my guys’ favorites right now.
Brave Storybook Deluxe app from Disney Digital is one of our favorite apps at the moment. This app lets Merida fans read or play along with a variety of Brave-inspired games. I love Merida’s Challenge which give us a chance to sharpen archery skills in between practicing our reading skills. The option that allows you to record your own voice reading, makes this app a must for new readers and Merida fans alike.
Super Animal Genius for LeapPad is another fun game appropriate for grade schoolers. This game challenges kids to learn fun facts about animals while keeping it light. This game from Scholastic allows kids to explore different regions and the animals that live there. I love the way this game engages kids through playing eye-catching games as it educates.
Twister Rave Ringz is a new take on movement and clapping games. With these light up rings, players can change colors of the rings by clapping, moving and twisting. You can play solo or with friends, at home or on the go. We actually brought these along for our nighttime roadtrip, which made things quite interesting. Perfect for tweens, but also for grade schoolers with coordination, Twister Rave Ringz is a fun and almost addictive!

Baby
For baby, I books, especially the ones found in the Target Dollar Spot, are my favorite stuffers. Baby can never have enough board books, especially for the most voracious, slobbery reader.
Annie’s Bunnies always find their way into our
Buycostumes.com has a slew of fun costumes that are available all year, but we actually had the chance to check out this fun bunny costume for baby. I’ll be sure to share pictures of our baby bunny, but in case you need ideas for spring baby photos, be sure to check out Buycostumes.com. Baby bunny will be in our guy’s Easter basket tomorrow! He has no idea what’s coming.

Rollin’ with The TODAY Show and FamilyFun Magazine

by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

Like my morning cup of coffee, I always start my day with The Today Show. Day in, day out, I rely on Matt, Savannah, Natalie and Al to get me going. And then, there’s Kathie Lee and Hoda. While the baby naps, these two hilarious ladies keep me company as I work at home.

Their segments are often lighter and sometimes wine-driven, but every now and then, there’s a topical subject for me, specifically something kid-related. In the past, Biggie has made appearances on the fourth hour to help KLG and Hoda with kid-friendly segments.  Yesterday, in fact, marked J’s third trip to the show to help with another timely FamilyFun Magazine segment.

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FamilyFun’s Deputy Editor Mary Giles shared several Easter activities and games to keep the kids entertained while mom and dad gorge on Honey Baked Ham and wine. Wait…

The activities overviewed on the segment included glitter, feathers, jelly beans and egg rolling with “Chinese sticks,” as J calls them.  I will definitely list which activities were highlighted after the segment airs, but in the meantime, for fun, I thought I’d share J’s outfit that he picked out.

What Did he Wear

If you know me, then you must know I have a sickness that involves buying cool clothes for my boys.  Way too many clothes. The outfit we agreed upon for his Today Show appearance was comprised of some fun pieces that I bought at a few of my favorite stores: a mix of big box, discount and boutique stores.  Here’s J’s best Zoolander montage:

Jack is geeky cool

I knew I wanted him to look playful, yet somewhat dressy since it was for an Easter segment.  I’m so glad we settled on the very Springy yellow button down and accessorized with a striped bowtie to assuage his current accessory obsession.  Can 5-year olds have signature pieces?

1. PD&C yellow button-down

In a sea of black and gray t-shirts found at my local TJ Maxx’s boys’ section, I spotted this super cool Paper Denim and Cloth shirt.  It was hard to miss this soft yellow and textured cotton shirt.  I almost put it back, but I’m so glad I ended up picking this one up.  It’s actually one of my favorite shirts of his right now.  The details on this shirt have an Americana/Cowboy vibe without being too Woody from Toy Story.  The color yellow is a total departure for us.  The shirt included in this Polyvore set obviously isn’t the same one, but I grabbed it as a visual.  I can’t find much information on PD&C, but I did read that this line just recently relaunched.  At $15 at TJ Maxx, you can’t beat this boutique-worthy and very versatile PD&C cotton shirt.

2. Levi’s Slim Fit Jeans

I’m one of those parents who puts my kids in skinny jeans and don’t think twice.  As long as it’s comfortable, durable and looks good on them, I’m all for it.  I found this specific pair of Levi’s at a new favorite boutique in Nolita in the City.  First turned on to Piccolini from my friend Brianne of Stroller in the City, I stumbled upon the store myself while taking my niece around downtown NYC during a recent visit.  There’s so much to love about this great shop, but beyond baby friendly baubles and onesies, Piccolini also sells must-have staples like this find.
The wash on these jeans are quite different than what we usually buy, but I’m definitely digging the brownish-orangish tint.  I have a feeling we’ll get a lot of use out of these jeans this Spring. (p.s. Brianne has a coupon on her blog for Piccolini!)

Today Show: Easter segment

3. The Children’s Place bowtie

When one of the producers told me that style guru and Today Show Style Editor, Bobbie Thomas, loved J’s bowtie, I sort of gushed, not because I dressed him, but because the bowtie is all him.  He looked sort of geeky-cool with his contrasting bowtie, but it definitely suits his quirky style. This Children’s Place bowtie is all of $5 right now.  If you haven’t picked up the kids’ Easter outfits yet, be sure to take advantage of their ongoing sale, including many of their Spring styles.  The gingham tie isn’t the same exact style that Jack picked out, but it’s quite similar.

Jack on the Today Show 3/28

4. Old Skool two-toned Vans

My children have more shoes than I do, and that’s not just because they’re growing out of their shoes almost daily, but also because boys have some super cool shoes (see: shopping problem above.)  We get new Vans almost every Spring, mainly because they’re inexpensive but they’re also practical for street-wear in the Spring and Summer months.  Growing up at the beach, I remember always wearing Vans with shorts, except back then, we did the checkered slip-ons.  But these Old Skools are a perfect complement for the warmer weather that is finally arriving!  I loved the contrast of this bright green and navy style, and would actually love the checkered pair for myself.

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It was another fun day visiting Studio 1A to roll some eggs with KLG and Hoda.  What made it even more special was that J got to bring along his friend, and so they experienced something so fun together.  A special thanks to FamilyFun Magazine and to my friends at 360 for inviting us to “roll” out.

Best Kid-Centric Twitter Profiles

by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

Happy seven years to Twitter!  As a writer who has transitioned mainly from print to digital, I’ve found Twitter to be an invaluable resource. But more importantly, as a digital mom, Twitter is always there at 2am when my IRL network of family and friends are asleep and I have a bizarre question about one of my kids or some random thought that’s keeping me up at night.

Seriously, social media is my bff when it comes to researching ideas or stirring up inspiration. And in between the actual writing of articles, I appreciate tweeting with friends and kid-centric brands and organizations.

Always researching the latest in kid trends and relevant parenting topics, my Twitter Favorites list is a hotbed of profiles that (I think) are worth following.

1. @PBSKids

While yes, I may be a PBS Kids VIP, but I’ve been following every PBS Twitter profiles long before joining this fun ambassador program.  Specifically, @PBSKids does a great job with sharing great ideas for the kids, as well as relevant show and digital media information.  I’m big on continuing educational conversation at home, so even if it’s a 20 minute after school activity, I appreciate PBSKid’s helpful links, which often highlights their curriculum-based media with characters that my 5-year old knows and loves.

My most recent @PBSKids favorite links to some writing milestones for kindergartners from @pbsparents

I’m such a fan of Sara DeWitt, VP of PBS Kids’ Interactive.  I favorited her tweet that shared the link to her Podcast of her session at SXSW.

2. CBC Book

The Childrens Book Council dishes out the latest and greatest in children’s and young adult lit news. One of my most recent favorites from them was this one:

3. Kidscreen

Kidscreen tweets timely headlines about children’s entertainment industry.  And because they cover the global market, they share breaking news about toys, online media, tv shows and much more.

4. @Inhabitots

Inhabitots tweets interesting news that may be relevant for the eco-concious family.

5. @Playworks

I’m all about playtime and encouraging play and recess, which is why I appreciate following Playworks.  They not only share helpful stats and articles relating to play, but they also engage with like-minded advocates.

6. @HasbroNews

We’re all about toys and theHub as of late, so I love checking out @HasbroNews to keep abreast of all of their properties.

Overall, I’d love to see more organic conversation on Twitter, including these brands, I do like seeing them in my Twitter stream.  Everyone I know uses Twitter differently, but I really wish people didn’t use it as a surveillance channel or as an promotion machine.  I get it, people enjoy “watching” others online, but Twitter was actually created to stay in touch with friends.  As in, conversation.  Conversation, to me, is key when it comes to Twitter.  Sharing information and interacting with others first-hand is perhaps the coolest aspect of this social media channel.  I appreciate brands and organization who “get it” and follow through with dialogues that were created by “regular” followers and fans.  Better yet, I appreciate fellow Twitter users who still engage with one another!

And if you’re one of those who just funnel links to your work on Twitter, well, I’m just not a fan…and I know many others aren’t a fan either.

So, who are your must follow Twitter profiles?