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Surprise Powerz STEM Dolls: Perfect For Kids Who Like Math AND...

While I question her discernment of donuts, I have to say, she has a point about these dolls. The Surprise Powerz Dolls, educational toys for young kids, really are all that and a bag of chips.
To know my six-year-old, Elise, is to know her unbridled joy for everything life has to offer. The nondescript donut place in town? The...

Gift Guide For The Comic Book Lover

Have a comic book lover in your life (or someone looking to start drawing)? We've found uber-cool gift ideas for them (think drawing, drafting & swag).
I think one of the most daunting things about walking into an art store is the 4,000 types of paper and 800 types of...

17 Cool Gifts for Teens (& Tweens)

We're eyeing cool gifts for tweens & teens — gifts that go beyond the usual popular requests (video games, phones) but will still 'wow' 'em (& maybe their parents, too).
Things are changing in our house. Our old playroom, once filled with blocks and Magna-Tiles and dress-up costumes and Nerf guns...has been recently renovated...

We Love Chess: 5 Favorite Products To Teach Kids Chess

Obvi our kids were going to learn how to play chess. We’re not trying to raise grandmasters; we think chess is a life skill. From the best chess boards to apps & books: our 5 tips.
I first beat Mike on our honeymoon. We were staying at some small B&B in California, and it was raining that day. Moodily, we...

Books for Kids Featuring AAPI Characters

I scoured the internet & library for kids' books featuring AAPI characters. This is just a sampling & certainly doesn't cover the breadth + diversity of the AAPI experience.
One of the ways I find most helpful to start meaningful discussions with my children about topics such as ethnicities, cultures, religions, equity, etc.,...

The Tech (And Non-Tech) Toys We Pack For Road Trips These...

My kids no longer turn into complete monsters after screen time. They actually play video games, watch movies, make Spotify playlists & listen to Audible books TOGETHER without fighting (which is lovely).
If you, like me, have completely stepped over to the dark side in allowing (and even encouraging!!) tech toys on road trips, read on....

Not Your Ordinary Jigsaw: Unique Puzzles (That Happen To Be Perfect...

Just the kind of challenge kids & adults need: beautiful puzzles — double-sided, round, recycled, layered...perfect for indoor family time (& also for gifts).
I am mind-blown right now, in a great way, by a puzzle. This Gray Malin Beach Puzzle is not only a beautiful work of...

Let’s Play! Playful Gift Ideas From Zulily

Let's play! We're shopping fun gifts — think LEGO, Star Wars, matching family pj's, graphic tees & of course, games. Zulily is on it — #addtocart.
A huge thank you to Zulily & ShopStyle for sponsoring this post. Oooooh! Today's Zulily shop is GOOD! I considered featuring the big sale...

Checkmate: 10 Cool Chess Boards To Gift

Chess is all the rage (oh, hey, The Queen's Gambit fans), so w/ fresh eyes, we're scooping up cool, modern chess boards — for those grandmasters in training.
If there's one holiday gift move to make this year, if you're also obsessed with The Queen's Gambit, it's this: order a Chess Board...

No Pool, No Problem: Our Favorite Summer Sprinklers For Kids

Narwhals, unicorns & other inflatable sprinklers + hydro hoops, trampoline water parks & plain ol' lawn sprinklers. Best outdoor water play for kids, inside.
How do we get the kids outside, in the city, and keep them cool—through the summer, at a safe social distance —and in such...