It seems like our annual Back to School Guide gets earlier each year, because hey - we're here for you, parents! Whether you're already scrambling to get those school shopping lists covered or you've got a good month left to track down t…
The coolest thing you'll encounter in the water this summer may be my daughter, who has transformed herself from a normal 13-year-old into a full-fledged mermaid. And, whoa, if you have a child who would love to swim like one of these cr…
With lots of kids heading back to school in early August, and September really not that far behind, it's not too soon to start thinking about back to school. Especially when they're some of the most adorable backpacks and lunch boxes you…
This election cycle has been pretty brutal, leaving a lot of us wondering how to talk to our kids about politics . Well, I just got a copy of Grover Cleveland, Again! by the celebrated documentarian Ken Burns and illustrator Gerald Kelle…
Even though Finding Dory has only been out for a few weeks, she already has a ton of fans who are likely going to want her be the star of their birthday party (well, after the birthday child of course). So we've gone fishing for some of …
During the summer I usually let my kids stay up late, but we ditch the screens and play board games together instead. So, each year I keep my eye on the Spiel des Jahres award-winning board games to find the best new board games that are…
We all know that there are some pretty amazing possibilities when it comes to LEGOs, from the skills they develop to the fantastical forms they can take. But the new LEGO Disney Castle is honestly pretty jaw-dropping. Disney fans, this i…
We're so glad we're raising girls in an era where feminism is front and center, and the number of strong, visible female role models is growing across every profession at the highest levels. So I was thrilled when I saw this adorable fem…
It's probably one of my kids' least favorite things to talk about these days: Summer reading. Which is odd, because they really do love to read. They just don't like someone else telling them what they have to read -- and when to read it…
My kids and I have encountered some very memorable girls with very memorable experiences in their children's books over the years -- Madeline's midnight appendectomy, Freckleface Strawberry (a favorite among my brood of redheads) wearing…
Serious bookworms out there are probably already familiar with the cool, literary-inspired gear from Out of Print . Maybe your kid proudly sports the Madeline cover art on her Out of Print tee , or your baby's rocking a Very Hungry Cater…
Of all the toys that have passed through the hands of my three kids over the past dozen or so years, there is no question that LEGO bricks have been the most enduring and versatile. From their first little plastic bucket of mixed bricks,…
If I had a dime for every time I walked into what was once a clean den or bedroom to discover it's been colonized by tiny pillow forts and sheet palaces, well, then I could buy one of these awesome, animal-shaped HULKI playhouses instead…
Happy 4th of July everyone! Oh America, you look pretty great for 240. Here's our advice for making the most out of the holiday: (Top image: popsicle stick American Flag craft via A Pumpkin and a Princess) 1. Be safe out there. 2. Fire u…
My kids love to read. But they also love to go to the movies. Luckily, that makes our summer reading easy this year, since I'm going to encourage them to pick up some of the great children's books that are being adapted into movies this …
This post presented in partnership with Target If you're not a total Target addict like I am (seriously, my daughter and I spent a good two hours in their Brooklyn store yesterday and I have the biceps to show for it), you may not be awa…
We're already big fans of To The Market: Survivor-Made Goods , which produces the most gorgeous accessories, home goods, and toys. A couple of years ago, our editor Liz featured the store and its mission to support causes such as the fig…
We all know that theme parks, playgrounds, and big outdoor events can be pretty overwhelming places to bring younger children, especially if you have several to keep track of. And big distractions like fireworks, cotton candy, and costum…
Though the Fourth of July may be the number one holiday of the summer, Shark Week comes in a close second. It's pretty popular among our readership because our kids get a good excuse to watch an entire week's worth of programming about o…
I'm long past the days of decorating a baby's room (sniff), but when you find inspirational nursery prints this wonderful and beautifully designed, it's a wonder we ever used to settle for those ubiquitous licensed children's characters …
When it's brutally hot outside like it is now in some areas -- hello, summer! -- we start thinking seriously about protecting our littlest ones' skin from damaging UV rays. And, sunscreen can only do so much. It's important we find other…
I am an unabashed Athleta fan after being introduced to their clothes by a friend a couple of years ago. I practically live in them, mostly because I can wear them to workout and then for the rest of the day without feeling like I'm wear…
Now that my kids are old enough to play "real" games -- you know, the ones where I don't have to let them win -- I love finding new clever and fun options for when we all gather around the table to play. So I was really excited to learn …
We all know chewable, sturdy board books are a great choice for babies and toddlers who are still in the oral fixation phase of development, but these books aren't always known for being the most stimulating for adult minds. Especially w…