The latest and greatest in gadgets, gear and goodies
Remember your BFF necklaces—those too cool half-heart pendants that you’d give to your best friend for evah? Well, the styles might have more bling, but those charms, like great friendships, are timeless. I’m loving this cool friends forever bracelet from Myzos:
Kooky Klickers, the crazy collectible pens, now have a USB flash drive counterpart. The Kooky USB flash drives by EMTEC come in a range of fun and bold designs, emulating the popular pens that have sold millions since they hit the market. The unique pens, known for their springy hair and often worn with a lanyard, have been a big hit with school-aged kids, especially tweens and teens.
At 2 gb, the Kooky USB flash drive can hold homework, projects, photos and other media. Just like the pens, the USB drive features its own take of the crazy hair and funky faces. An interesting change from colorless USB drives, the Kooky USB flash drive is just as portable as the Kooky Klickers, and even has a place where it can be added to a key chain or lanyard.
I’ve joked before how, as kids, my brothers and I used to race to see who could get the most tan. In retrospect, it wasn’t the safest “game,” even with our darker complexions. It was the 80s, afterall—y’know, the decade of excess… But now, as a mama (with a very fair-skinned mestizo babe) naturally, like many other mamas, my perspective on sun safety has since changed.
According to Kidshealth.org, most kids rack up between 50% and 80% of their lifetime sun exposure before age 18.
That’s a lot of fun in the sun, which is also why my mom friends and I often compare notes on the best natural sunscreens for our kids. Kiss My Face, California Baby and Jason products are often mentioned, but since being introduced to TruKid products, I can’t say enough great things.
A small family-run business, TruKid was born as a result of a mother who sought to fill a void. After searching for safe, but effective skin products for her five active kids (now six), Jennifer Adams Bunkers created TruKids. TruKid uses natural ingredients and essential oils, and it’s no surprise that he Environmental Working Group has given TruKid’s entire line, 
(including the products I’m about to review) the safety rating of 0-3.
Just as I started this blog, TruKid was one of the first companies to reach out to me after a mention on my Toxic Tub post. Yeah, they’re that awesome. I’ve spoken highly of the Happy Face and Body Lotion in the past, (seriously, can’t get enough of that fun apple scent and I love the smell of my clean boy) but with another long and SUNNY holiday weekend upon us, I wanted to share a review about TruKid’s Sunny Days, which comes in a fabulous sunscreen lotion and super-convenient face and body stick.
The Sunny Days sunscreen lotion comes out thick and creamy, yet not greasy or oily. Because of its creamier consistency, with just 2 dollops, the boy is good to go. I’ve used much watery sunscreens in the past, and I feel like all I do is squirt, squirt and apply.
The facestick is definitely a favorite for us. We have it tucked away in our diaper bag, stroller pocket and even our beach/playground bag. About twice the size of a tube of chapstick, the facestick, is easy to apply with just a few swipes. It, too, isn’t too thick, but light enough to apply and smooth on with one or two swipes. Because the kid thinks the facestick is actual chapstick, I tend to wipe some on my fingers to avoid unnecessary sunscreen-licking.
It’s no surprise that car seat innovation and car seat safety will always elicit a lot of attention from parents. In our case, even though we rarely drive day-to-day, we do, however, drive 6-8 hour stretches quite regularly. (With our next trip slated for tomorrow evening.) Car seat safety, of course, is always paramount, as is comfort for driving long distances. That said, all families have different needs when it comes to the big ticket kid gear such as car seats.
What’s great about the juvenile products market is that it’s always evolving, especially to meet all those different needs while maintaining the highest safety standards. Dorel, the parent company of Safety 1st products, proves just that with its latest innovation.
Earlier this week, Dorel announced the launch of Air Protect, a new safety feature that was developed to protect children in the event of side impact collisions. Dorel brought in the big guns for their latest innovation: the company worked together with Kettering University’s Crash Safety Center to develop Air Protect, which, essentially puts a layer of air protection around the child’s head.
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While shopping, some kids get bored, some get hungry and some just want what they can’t have. So, for those of us who try to get in and out of stores as fast as possible to minimize the chance of a public meltdown, an extra set of hands would be a big help.
And that’s where the OnTray would come in handy. The OnTray is the brainchild of Laura Hamrick, a mom who spent a harried grocery shopping trip handing out snacks one-by-one to her three small boys, while trying to look through coupons and fill the cart. We’ve all been there.
Hamrick then devised a way to occupy her little guys with a small tray that would easily snap on and off, allowing her to shop and multi-task a bit easier. The award-winning snap-on tray can also can be used to hold coupons, keys and cell phones, making it a helpful gadget for multi-tasking parents. On the safety front, OnTray is manufactured in the U.S. of FDA-approved plastic, BPA-free and it meets all new requirements of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act.
If you’re like us and consider your stroller the shopping cart and a second “vehicle” I discovered that the OnTray is a great alternative to those snack trap cups! The OnTray snaps onto stroller handlebars, allowing toddlers to access snacks and toys easily.
Of the menagerie of talking, beeping and blinking toys, perhaps the most popular playthings in our home are the ones that don’t make a sound at all. No motion sensors, no batteries, no noise: the kid loves these toys as much as us. Silence–and simplicity–is a beautiful thing. Haba, Melissa and Doug and Plan Toys are some popular picks, but Nuchi is a newer line that I have my eye on, particularly the simple and classic train sets, like this Oval Train Set w/Crossing Barrier.
June will always remind me of the end of the school year AND many, many dance recitals. Standing in some barren classroom, alongside of other ballerinas prepping for various performances, my mom would perfect my bun atop of my head and spray—and spray—until every strand of hair was perfect. With all those girls (and guys) in my dance school spraying away, we sure went through a lot of AquaNet. We, alone, are probably to blame for the hole in the ozone.
Well, thank goodness times have changed. Kids who have ballerina buns, cheerleader ‘dos or maybe fauxhawks to perfect, there’s a new line of natural hair products specifically targeted to them. Recently rolled out, Glop and Glam is a line of natural hair products, formulated without harsh chemicals and preservatives that are often found in many adult hair care products. G&G Hair Products are free of Paraben and formaldehyde (Hydantoin DMDM). The products tout natural extracts like Aloe, Echinacea (A E C), and Camellia Oleifera leaf extract (Green Tea) that are said to moisturize and add gloss and texture. G&G might be intended for kids, but they’re suitable for grown-ups, too.
G&G sent me some various samples to take a look at and review. Upon opening the box, I was taken aback by the gorgeous packaging. I’m such a nerd for cool packaging, as I’m sure you’ve already figured out! Each product had its own cool scent. Our favorite, however, was the Hair Glop Banana Spike Molding Putty.
Last week, the boy had a go-see in the city, and after trekking in the rain and sitting in his stroller all morning, his hair was a crazy mess (He has hair like his mama.) I pulled out the Molding Putty, and it worked wonders with his damp, tangly hair. With just a few finger swipes from the container, the boy’s longish and uncontrollable hair was tamed again. It gave his fine-looking, yet thick hair some texture, without making it look overdone. I see a lot of boys wearing the spiky look lately, and this putty would be suitable for creating that look. The putty allowed for his hair to still be pliable, yet hold a definitive style. I loved how the putty was light and not sticky or greasy at all. The banana scent was subtle and not overpowering, again light enough to use for a kid. Every day isn’t a hair product kind of day for us, but when the situation calls for it, without a doubt, the Molding Putty comes in handy.
I tried out the Glam Chocolate Controller on myself and thought it would be suitable for longer hair, even those with hair that has a tendency to frizz. This scent was sweet and yummy, but again, nothing over-the-top.
With the unique packaging, fun scents, light and natural composition, Glop and Glam is a fun and natural alternative to adult hair products. I can definitely see my Tween nieces, nephews and teenage niece using Glop and Glam products regularly. G&G hair products for kids is sold online and can be found at hair salons; most products are in the $15 price range.
Would you like to try it out for your kid? I have the Glam Chocolate Controller and Glop Chocolate Cream samples up for grabs.
Take a look at Glop and Glam products and tell me what products your kid might enjoy and comment below.
For extra entries:
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3. Tell me what is the scent of the leave-in conditioner and detangler mist.
4. Become a fan of NKT on Facebook!
Good luck and please leave a comment for each entry. This contest will end on July 8th.
**********This contest is now closed**********
We’ve seen rain almost every day in June where we are, but we can only hide inside for so long! We like to pull on our rainboots, grab our umbrellas and splash in the puddles when the skies don’t look so ominous. In a search for bolstering our rain gear, I ran across this great deal at Lands’ End.
For days when the umbrella just isn’t enough, this print rain hat for kids at only $6.99 would be a great addition to the rain gear stash. Right now, it looks like all the prints are still available, but at that price, I’d totally get a couple in different sizes to grow with us. My only complaint? I wish there were more boy-ish prints, although the gender-neutral and girly prints, like this white fruit print, are too cute to pass up.
Yesterday marked the official first day of summer, but this past weekend the gang at Sheetrock Hills started the summer fun with a Quinceañera. Handy Manny, the popular Disney Channel show that stars Wilmer Valderrama as the voice of handyman Manny Garcia, has a lineup of new summer shows that are set to premiere every Saturday at 8:30 a.m. this summer.
The first Saturday of new Handy Manny shows, dubbed Superstar Summer Saturdays, featured pop star Ashley Parker Angel who needed some help before his concert in the park. Everyone’s favorite cartoon handyman, Manny, and his crew were tasked with helping to fix a flower situation for Señor Ayala’s niece’s Quinceañera after a fan threw a wrench into things.
Going beyond helping popstars, Sheetrock Hills’ go-to guy, Manny and his quirky buddies, the talking tools, have a new set of tasks and adventures to accomplish this summer, including overcoming a blackout, saving the turtles and enjoying a day at the beach. The list of new shows included in Superstar Summer Saturdays are as follows:
Saturday, June 20 (8:30 a.m., ET/PT) – “Danny Starr / Quinceañera”
Saturday, June 27 (8:30 a.m., ET/PT) – “The Good, The Bad, The Handy”
Saturday, July 4 (8:30 a.m., ET/PT) – “Lyle & Leland Lopart / Blackout on the Block”
Saturday, July 11 (8:30 a.m., ET/PT) – “A Day at the Beach / The Party Dress”
Saturday, July 18 (8:30 a.m., ET/PT) – “Singing Salon / Manny’s Makeover”
Saturday, July 25 (8:30 a.m., ET/PT) – “A Night with Abuelito / Canine Case”
Saturday, August 1 (8:30 a.m., ET/PT) – “Saving the Turtles / Abuelito’s Siesta”
Saturday, August 8 (8:30 a.m., ET/PT) – “Picture Perfect / Some Assembly Required”
Pink for princesses or sleek Disney blue? If you’re on the market for a kiddie PC, Disney just might have a kid-friendly laptop for your kid.
That’s right. Disney, together with ASUS, have developed the Disney Netpal, which is described as a netbook computer for kids. Because it’s a Disney-themed computer, it features a Disney interface, dubbed the Disney Magic Desktop. It also features 40 parental control options, an 8.9-inch LCD display, Wi-Fi capabilities, Windows XP Home and of course, kid-friendly software featuring Disney characters. Kids can customize their desktops with more some of Disney and Pixar’s most popular franchises, including Cars, Club Penguin, Disney Classic Characters, Disney Fairies, Disney Princess, Vintage Mickey Mouse, Toy Story and WALL-E. The Hannah Montana and JONAS themes would appeal to the tween set.
With its spill-proof keyboard (I so need one of those!) the Disney Netpal by ASUS was designed to be kid-friendly, in terms of durability and content permissions. The Disney Netpal features ShockShield data protection that is supposed to cushion the blow and data loss when the computer is danced upon or tossed off the couch for giggles.
The Disney Netpal, designed for the the 6-12 age range, will be available in late July in two models with prices based on features. Retailers include Toys”R” Us and Amazon.com, and will retail for $350. Some are calling this kid computer affordable, but I think affordability in this economy has a different definition for everyone. A few weeks ago, I reported about the PeeWee PC, but I’d be interested in comparing the two kid-focused PCs to see which has a better bang for the buck.