Reviews for 0-1 years old
Goosie Cards$16 and up at Goosie |
Goosie Cards are a great product for several reasons. First, they’re extremely high quality. Large, durable, glossy lamination enables them to withstand a fair amount of bending and biting (it happens occasionally). Next, they’re educational. Using a combination of visual images and printed words, they help babies and toddlers with speech development, preschoolers with pre-reading skills, and young school-aged children with early reading. But what makes Goosie Cards most interesting is that you can personalize each card with your own family photos, thus creating your own custom set of memorable photo flash cards to present to your grandchild. Since they are high quality, in addition to providing a fun learning experience, a set of personalized Goosie Cards have the potential to become a keepsake of sorts, that grandchildren can use to remind themselves of you and other family members, friends, pets, vacation memories, etc. Of course, we love the simple yet effective way Goosie Cards help to strengthen intergenerational family connections. It’s easy to upload photos to their website, and Goosie Cards are produced and delivered quickly. And, if you don’t want to personalize your set, Goosie Cards has a fantastic library of stock photography to choose from to design what they call “Chic” flash cards. Or, you can even purchase a gift certificate so parents can make their own set for your grandchild. You may also appreciate the fact that Goosie Cards were invented by a new mom who saw a unique opportunity to enhance early learning — as well as the fact that they’re made in the USA. Another classic product with a new twist, and executed perfectly!
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So many families with young children end up having to buy extra beach pails and shovels when they arrive at a vacation destination. In fact, I recall buying a brand new set, then immediately “donating” it to local children when our trip wrapped up, simply because we couldn’t fit our existing one in a suitcase or carry-on. Of course, they aren’t expensive, but just think about all of that plastic! Well, we were thrilled to learn about the new eco-friendly SandSac foldable travel beach pail, designed and sold by a mom and dad team who understand the challenges of traveling with young children, as well as the responsibility we all feel to help protect and conserve our environment. The SandSac comes in three sizes, is foldable, and includes a large spoon-like bamboo shovel. The SandSac itself is made of 100% cotton canvas and it actually holds water. My kids couldn’t believe it (and my husband and I couldn’t either!). One nice little bonus I found is that because the SandSac is canvas and soft, my kids didn’t get bumped or bruised like they sometimes do from carrying hard plastic pails full of water around. SandSacs also include 4 non-toxic fabric markers so your grandkids can decorate them and make them their own. If they wish, they can also use fabric paint, appliques, beads, and anything that holds up to sand, beach water, and wash cycles. It’s this decorative customization that makes the SandSac a perfect summer or vacation gift for young children. It’s a beach toy, craft project and keepsake all rolled up into one! And, when your grandkids and their parents are neatly packing their SandSacs and enjoying them at the beach, they can feel good about the fact that MESCO Associates (SandSac’s official entity) is planting a tree (via Mokugift) as a result of that purchase. And planting trees for each sale isn’t the only thing MESCO Associates is doing to help the environment. You can read more about that on their website. In the meantime, know that the SandSac is a unique new product from a small shop doing big things — fulfilling functional and environmental needs, while promoting fun and relaxation. Hooray!
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We wash infants’ clothing in special detergent and boil baby bottles and pacifiers before use — in order to protect our littlest kids and grandkids. But as we’ve learned in the past few years, we often don’t know what chemicals are used in the manufacture of many children’s products, including everyday baby gear. DANO2, a new toy designer and manufacturer, has eliminated this anxiety, at least when it comes to baby teethers. Their Circus Teethers are made with non-toxic, medical grade materials that are free from harmful substances such as Lead, Phthalates and Bisphenol A (BPA). They are tested by independent, ISO (International Organization for Standardization) laboratories to ensure compliance with all U.S. and EU safety regulations, and are made right here in the U.S.A.! DANO2 was started by pop-art toymaker, Daniel Monahan (for his daughter) and his entrepreneur father, and the company is advised by a top-notch pediatrician and chemist. Monahan’s designs are slick, yet practical. Three teethers come in a handy round carrying case, which can fit in any diaper bag, or purse, for that matter. The yellow “monkey” teether is flexible, the blue “seal” is firm, and the green “lion” is tough — all easy to grasp, and, thankfully, easy to trust.
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Some preschool and elementary school kids are learning Spanish words and phrases as part of their curriculum. These Use Your Words™ Kids Shirts by Whimsical Walney are another tool to help teach kids Spanish one word at a time, while also being fun and fashionable. The shirts come in short-sleeve or long-sleeve, and are made of high quality extra soft interlock cotton. The collars on the girls’ shirts are narrow, and would be considered more of a dressy tee. Each shirt features a perfectly clear and pleasing to the eye illustration of the thing to be accompanied by its English or Spanish word. You can choose shirts from three categories, such as Fruits & Vegetables, Professions, and Whimsical. Our daughter loves her long-sleeve watermelon shirt, which is white, and features a big chunk of watermelon in the middle of it. Underneath the image, in a playful yet clear lower-case font, reads “la sandia” — or you can also have it say “watermelon.” Choose Firefighter, from the Professions category, and the shirt will feature a firefighter’s hat, with “soy bombero” beneath it. Or choose Bubbles, from the Whimsical category, and the shirt will feature a bubble wand with floating bubbles and “las burbujas” beneath it. We should note that some styles are also being offered in French as well. Choose from size 6 months to 4. Muy Bueno, Whimsical Walney!
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After a year of reviewing wonderful children’s products for Grandkids Gift Guide, we realized that so many of them are worthy of award status – they are truly outstanding products. So we created the Grandkids Gift Guide Superproduct Award! This award is presented to companies with products that have received our editorial team’s highest honors. To see this year’s Holiday 2008 Superproduct winners, press the “Click Here” button below.
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The Day that Came to Play $39.95 at Flattenme |
Flattenme has done it again with another fantastic addition to its personalized storybook series — this time babies (and their readers) are the lucky audience! Similar to the original Flattenme books personalized for 2-4 and 4-7 year-olds, your tiniest grandchild’s photo is expertly superimposed onto the rhyming pages of a magically illustrated adventure that you might imagine to be played out in a perfectly choreographed baby dream. Alongside your grandchild’s likeness (and name), you’ll be treated to a perfect sunrise, puffy clouds, rainbows, castles and a moss-covered bed — and let’s not forget a smiling cow, winking cat and red balloon wearing a hat! This visual enchantment is Flattenme’s strength — pages your eyes will never tire of, nor will your grandchild’s. Simply upload or mail a photo of your grandchild to Flattenme (see FAQ page for details) and they’ll do the rest! Since we last reviewed Flattenme’s original books, they’ve won more awards and have been featured on several national television shows — well-deserved kudos!
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We love trying out products invented by parents who were inspired by their kids. In this case, it’s Little Capers — spawned from a mom whose toddler boy went through a typical superhero phase, set on wearing dish towel capes clipped to his shirt… anywhere. She had to do something! Many of us moms can relate, often feeling compelled to placate our young heroes with very un-original, un-stylish, and un-comfortable polyester costumes of superheroes who shall remain un-named. Alas, there is hope for our little heroes! Little Capers are 100% cotton, stylish T-shirts (with velcro-attached matching shiny capes) adorned with original positive hero-like images, such as a star, the earth, a peace sign or a thunderbolt. The shirts come in both short and long sleeves, and girl and boy colors and styles. Better yet, they’re made in Los Angeles, U.S.A. in a “non-sweatshop” facility. Choose from infant sizes (without capes), on up to size 8. My daughter loves her black with pink and sparkly silver star shirt, and I love that it’s stylish and can be worn with our without the pink sparkly cape. I also love that the message it sends is nonviolent and noncommercial — almost impossible these days. With this gift, you and your grandchild will both be heroes!
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Since Spring sprung, my friend has been raving about her new JJ Cole Bundle Me Lite infant car seat and stroller cover, so I decided to have a look (and a zip!) for myself. Well, it sure is handy — perfect for those times of year when frigid temps are only found in overly air conditioned buildings, or for those of you who are lucky enough to live in a civilized climate year-round. Most moms will tell you that the best thing about car seat covers is that they don’t need to struggle to put a jacket on their baby before they run out the door. But once the thaw begins and the winter covers become too warm, they have to resort to using light blankets instead, which get kicked off readily and need to be constantly adjusted. Similar to the original BundleMe (and other car seat and stroller covers) for cold weather, the BundleMe Lite attaches to your grandchild’s infant car seat (or stroller) with ease, using the car seat’s straps, but not interfering with its safety mechanisms. Your tiniest grandchild will be strapped in securely and surrounded by the BundleMe Lite. The BundleMe Lite’s inner fabric and nylon backing are new and improved, making it super comfortable in warmer temps. It’s like a windbreaker with a thin soft cotton inner lining. The outer layer is wind and water resistant but still light, so it’s great for cooler days or evenings, or a quick dash in a light drizzle. The BundleMe Lite is also helpful in the summertime to protect baby from sunburn (infants are typically too young for sunscreen), and to provide a cool, breathable layer between your grandchild’s backside and the car seat or stroller. And let’s not forget that the BundleMe Lite looks great! Shown here in graphite, the outer layer sports some nice designer stitching. The new mom in your life may not know she needs the BundleMe Lite, but once you present it to her, she’ll have a new “spring” in her step, and will be off to tell her friends about it!
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My Heritage Book is a meaningful personalized children’s book that helps you share your family’s heritage with your grandchild. Much research, work and heart have gone into these beautifully illustrated and descriptive pages, which can be personalized throughout with your grandchild’s name. Each book has an introduction about Americans originating from different places, and space to fill in a family tree and special family traditions. Also included is a letter from you, the person giving the book as a gift and keepsake to your grandchild. Over 50 countries have been researched (a list is included on their website), with more being added constantly. You can choose up to four countries to be discussed in each book, with each country being given an equal number of pages. There’s a sample book on the website that includes pages and illustrations on Italy and Columbia, to give you an idea of the writing and illustrative style, as well as the reading level. There’s even a glossary included at the end of each book! Of course, nothing beats time together with your grandchild, discussing your family’s heritage in person — why not use this as a discussion piece during those special visits. And if you can’t be with your grandchild as much as you’d like, My Heritage Book is a creative way to help strengthen connections whether you’re in the next town or another time zone.
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Giggles Computer Funtime for Baby$24.99 at Amazon.com |
We tested this Giggles Computer Funtime software with babies (its intended market), as well as toddlers and preschoolers, to see how they like it. It was a big hit with all three groups! This is due to the expertly designed, entertaining graphics that are set to a variety of kid-friendly music that you can select for baby, or that a toddler can select for herself. There are three packages to choose from (ABC’s & 123’s, Shapes, and My Animal Friends), each featuring 14 activities and more than 50 songs. When your grandchild hits any key or moves the mouse, something fun instantly happens. For instance, in ABC’s & 123’s, when you hit a key, a number or a letter immediately pops out, floats up, or somehow appears. Cause-and-effect relationships are introduced in all of the activities through these instantaneous visuals, as well as zany little sounds that indicate that a key has been pressed and that something fun has “happened.” In an ABC’s & 123’s Activity called “123 – What Do You See,” babies and toddlers are even passively (and age-appropriately) exposed to some basic counting principles, whereby the number 3 may appear on the screen with three adorable little bugs. As a grandparent or parent of a baby (6-24 month old), you’ll certainly appreciate how engaged your grandchild is, sitting on your lap at the computer, having fun and simulating something he or she sees mom & dad (and you) doing all of the time. You’ll also appreciate the fact that your important computer files are protected and safe while the Giggles software is running. Babies can press several keys at once and nothing but more onscreen fun happens! And the music choices are also appealing to both children and grown-ups, from very recognizable kid favorites (toddlers and preschoolers will boast that they “know that song!”), to classical, jazz, and even cowboy music. This software has won too many awards to mention — you can’t go wrong with this gift purchase, whether it’s for your own computer time with your grandchild, or for time at home with parents. Go ahead and “Get the Giggles!”
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