Category: gear

Jonathan Adler Introduces Kids Line

by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

With our moving day pretty imminent, I’m decidedly in design mode.  Since we’re not only transitioning from the city to the suburbs, this is will be our first “real” house.  So, let the designing begin!


 

Jonathan Adler, perhaps, one of my favorite modern design influences, has recently unveiled a kid line, Jonathan Adler Junior.  The line, reminiscent of his signature straight lines and whimsical, yet modern designs, is softened for the kiddie set.  In addition to the playful ceramic animals, the Junior line has some sophisticated items that are making parents swoon, like this fucshia Junior Templeton chair.

Pack This: Laptop Lunches

by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

Always a fan of promoting healthier eating choices, I spotted Laptop Lunches, these fun lunch containers over on today’s Eco Baby Buys.


I was recently asked to review the toys from the latest happy meal, and as much as my kid is obsessed with the show that said toys are promoting, I had to decline the review opportunity.  I appreciate convenience as much as the next person, especially when we’re traveling, but as we all know, fast food isn’t always the best choice. With the unlimited selection and creative possibilities of packing fun and healthy meals, I think Bento Boxes are the new happy meal.

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Playground Pick: Alex Toys Catch N Stick Monster Mitts

by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

Having just spent a wild and crazy afternoon at a dance party with our favorite characters yesterday and with a beautiful weekend ahead of us, I thought I’d share a quick playground pick today.

Catch N Stick Monster Mitts from Alex Toys is a fun twist to the playground favorite.  Playing catch helps kids with hand-eye coordination, which is a fine motor activity that’s important for development.  And what better way to work on playing catch than with oversized mitts and a soft tennis ball that both stick!

The ball and mitts have a Velcro front surface and adjustable strap on the back that make for a crazy good time for preschoolers and up.  The set that usually retails for around $13 is just $6.50 on one of my favorite kiddie sale sites, Totsy.

You need to register for the site, but in case you need an invite, feel free to go here.

I have a $15 credit from Totsy that I’m giving a random Facebook Friend for commenting on the update associated with this post!  Not a friend?  Be sure to “Like” NKT to find out about Facebook-only giveaways and fun discounts.

 

 

Can You Guess LeapFrog’s New Mobile Learning Device?

by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

LeapFrog, always at the forefront of kid-friendly technology, is about to launch a new mobile learning device.  Like many of you, we’re huge fans of LeapFrog.  In addition to offering great products that I love as much as my kid, LeapFrog was one of the first big brands to reach out to me right after I launched this site.  In fact, I did my first (and only, so far) Vlog about Scout and the Text and Learn right after they launched last year.

Just as their microsite for this new mystery product went live, LeapFrog has once again enlisted us to get the buzz going about their new product. And they want NKT readers’ help, too.

Can you guess the device? What do you want it to be? LeapFrog wants NKT readers to guess what it is, or suggest what you think it does!  And we’re looking for creative guesses, so think about it and comment below.  And as an FYI, I have NO IDEA what this thing is either.

Giveaway

Each creative guess is entered into the giveaway for this mystery device.  Said NKT winner will be guaranteed front-door delivery of this new device the morning of July 15, which will be the very first day it’s available on shelf.  If that’s not the Next Kid Thing, then I don’t know what is.

So, check out their teaser and guess away and guess as many times as you like!

Comments below count as one guess, but if you decide to head over to the NKT fan page and add a comment to the entry associated w/ this post, I’ll count it as extra credit–3 entries!

 

Want even more entries?

Tweet about this giveaway for an extra entry.  Be sure to include @jenrab in your tweet.

Share about this entry on any social networking site for another entry.

“Share this” on facebook for another entry.

Get a friend to join the NKT fan page and get 5 extra entries.

Be creative and good luck!

Giveaway ends 6/6.  Winners will be notified via email and on the NKT FB fan page!

Tips on Avoiding Pesticides in Fruits and Veggies

by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

On Monday, CNN via Health.com reported that a new study revealed what many of us already speculated about pesticides being linked to ADHD in children.

photo credit: maistora

 

 

The article said :

Children exposed to higher levels of a type of pesticide found in trace amounts on commercially grown fruit and vegetables are more likely to have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder than children with less exposure, a nationwide study suggests.

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The Hebrew National Better-Than-A-Picnic Picnic

by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

This Saturday, I’m so honored to be a co-hosting a fun, family friendly event at Randall’s Island in NYC.

As the big, official kick-off to the 2010 Hebrew National Better-Than-A-Picnic Picnics, together with a fabulous group of NYC/NJ and PA bloggers, we will be picnicking, enjoying giant puzzles, mechanical bull rides, activities for kids and family, music and checking out the Hebrew National AirStream bus where hot dogs, fruit and drinks will be served up.

Updated:  
I just got word that Cheryl Hines will be our celebrity co-host!  Cheryl plays Cheryl David on HBO’s Curb Your Enthusiasm, but if your little one is a fan of Jack’s Big Music Show, they might know her as Sudsy Bubblestein.  Together with Hines, we’ll be working together on a service project. Our service project is in support of the Magic Summer Lunch Box and The Food Bank For New York City.

 

Hot dogs, mechanical bulls, a celebrity, service projects and family fun—what more could you want?

Won’t you join us?

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Kid Kanteens Come in Fun New Colors

by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

Looks like Spring made its return today.  Like many of you, we are big on the outdoors and taking adventures.  As we spend more time outside in the warm weather we often find ourselves drinking so much water.  And because of that, I love having so many reusable water bottles onhand.

Kleen Kanteen, a brand that I know many of you already know and love, offers a great line of Kid Kanteens.  What sets Kleen Kanteen apart from the usual water bottles is that they have special adapter that works with Avent’s sippy cup spout. It’s BPA-free polypropylene and works with the 12oz Klean Kanteen Classic bottle.  Kleen Kanteen recently added new colors to their Kid Kanteen lineup, including Prevention Purple, Solar Yellow and Reef Blue.

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Children’s Choice Book Awards Winners Announced

by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

This week is Children’s Book Week (May 10-16) and the web has been abuzz about Children’s Books.  I’ve enjoyed reading posts on everyone’s favorites children’s books and will be sure to share some of ours too.  In the meantime, I thought I’d share about some notable children’s books that were honored here in New York last night.


The Children’s Book Council (CBC) in association with Every Child a Reader, Inc. (the CBC Foundation), announced the winners of the third annual Children’s Choice Book Awards last night. Children across the country voted for their favorite books, author, and illustrator at bookstores, school libraries, and at www.BookWeekOnline.com, casting over 115,000 votes.


The Children’s Choice Book Award winners are as follows:

Author of the Year

James Patterson for Max (A Maximum Ride Novel) (Little, Brown)

 

Illustrator of the Year

Peter Brown for The Curious Garden (Little, Brown)

 

Kindergarten to Second Grade Book of the Year

Lulu the Big Little Chick written and illustrated by Paulette Bogan (Bloomsbury USA)

 

Third Grade to Fourth Grade Book of the Year

Lunch Lady and the Cyborg Substitute written and illustrated by Jarrett J. Krosoczka (Knopf/Random House)

 

Fifth Grade to Sixth Grade Book of the Year

Dork Diaries: Tales from a Not-so-fabulous Life written and illustrated by Rachel Renee Russell (Aladdin/Simon & Schuster)

 

Teen Choice Book of the Year

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins (Scholastic)

 

Have you read any of these?  What are some of your favorites?

 

 

Mishi Design Offers Transformable Wooden Toys

by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

The kid and I were recently at a friend’s house for a playdate, and because it’s been so warm, all the kids hopped on various ride-on toys and were even pushing around their wagons and play shopping carts. And that’s when I was reminded of a really cool line of wooden ride-on/push toys that I saw at Toy Fair.

 

With their wooden construction and unique design, the toys by Mishi Design are both head-turning and intriguing. Mishi Design Toys are transformable ride on and push toys, meaning they’re multi-faceted and are multiple toys in one. Think of them as wooden transformers, with a bit of European edge and many sustainable qualities.

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