Favorite Kid Podcasts

Do your kids listen to podcasts?  My kiddos are on the younger end of podcast listening, but we do have a few favorites we play in the car from time to time.

Wow in the World is hosted by Guy Raz and Mindy Thomas, this podcast covers topics from what's in your saliva to 3D printing to understanding where the universe came from.  An ideal podcast for curious kids with questions about the wonders of the world.  The pace is fast, and Guy and Mindy are high energy, sometimes a bit too animated for my taste, but my kids love it!

Another recent favorite is But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids, also by NPR.  This is probably geared more toward school-aged kids, so we selectively pick and choose topics that might be interesting to a pre-school audience, but there is a lot of interesting content to absorb.  They cover everything from why do turtles have shells, why is fire orange, to heavier topics such as why do people get cancer.

Lastly, our most recent discovery is Fierce Girls.  My kids are currently too young for this one, we tried a few but they're a little more mature - and many parts went over my daughter's head at present , but I'm making a mental note of this podcast for future listening.  All are stories of strong, independent women, each of whom has overcame obstacles, navigated hardship, or gone head to head with societal norms to make a difference in the world.

And as always - we love recommendations! Do you have a favorite kid podcast you listen to?  

The Real Meaning of "Fragrance"

Do you know what’s in your kids’ shampoo? Flip over the bottle and scan the ingredients for the word “fragrance.” 

“Fragrance,” is considered a trade secret, so companies aren’t legally bound to disclose what chemicals make up the scent. It is often dozens, sometimes even hundreds of chemicals.” All tucked away in one little word. Scary, right?

I did this with all of my kids’ products and found the word “fragrance,” on every single bottle, even the ones that were sulfate, phthalate, and paraben free and seemed “clean.” 

Yet another reason I love Beautycounter and their kids line. There’s no mystery “fragrance.” They fully disclose all essential oils and ingredients used. The kids’ shampoo and conditioner come in fresh citrusy vanilla scent and you’ll feel confident knowing you’re not putting any chemicals onto or into your kids. 

Lovely Little Reads: Not Quite Narwhal

Books are my love language.  Have I told you that?  I love a good book; whether that be a high-school-English classic or a children's picture book or a smutty chic-lit read, there is something about engaging and getting sucked into a good book.

I've been a bit behind posting our latest favorites in children's literature to the blog, but I'm quite active over on instagram if you'd like to follow along.

Not Quite Narwhal caught my eye because my kids are obsessed with narwhals.  Fun fact, my husband - the engineer, mind you - wasn't sure narwhals were real things.  He thought they were up there with unicorns and hippogriffs.  Yep, honey.  They're real whales.  

Anyway, Young Kelp was born in the sea, but as a helmet-clad unicorn, grew up believing he was just an unusual narwhal.  He recognized that was he was different growing up; tastes in food, speed of swimming, you know, the basics, but never really understood why.  Until one day, he catches a glimpse of a unicorn's silhouette on the horizon at dusk and is enchanted.  Could it be?  Another creature just like Kelp?  His first experience on land, he must teach himself to walk, and discovers that there is a much bigger world than what he's known in the sea.  A sweet story about finding your footing, learning you you really are and where you want to be.

For more of our favorite reads, follow along on instagram!

Diagnosing Ear Infections on Your Smart Phone

Have you heard of this?  As a parent of a toddler who has had 3+ ear infections in her 16 short months of life thus far, I am thoroughly intrigued by the Oto Home.  This handy dandy device attaches to your smartphone, where it takes a video of your child's ear drum.  Then, without visiting the doctor, you can send the video in for a diagnosis.  

What will they think of next?!

image/soundshc

What An Animal!

Cutest baby animal hats ever!

I think the lion is my fave.

via hiphiphooray

The Birds Go Marching 2 by 2...Hurrah! Hurrah!

Bringing back the juice box! If this is a way to get kids (or adults) to drink more juice, I'm jumping on the bandwagon. I would totally make my juice boxes march in a line...just for fun.

via/dieline

crewcuts

How could you not love J. Crew's crewcuts catalog. Man I wish I had they had stylish options like this around when I was a kid. I'd be rockin' my tartan, scarves, and bright colors all through elementary school!

images/blackeiffel

Fancy a Dance?

Aren't these adorable?!? When I was little, I loved standing on my Dad's feet as he walked around the house. Now you can do the dance-walk in style!image/handmadecharlotte
via designmom

Burger Anyone?

Spotted...these hunger inspiring hamburger pillows over at Slices of Beauty. What kid would not go crazy for these? Build your own burger while you relax or watch TV, ingenious! What will they think of next? images/freshome
via slices of beauty

Jewelry at Play

I remember as a kid incessantly asking my mom to borrow her jewelry. My sisters and I would take turns wearing her wedding ring, prancing around her bedroom (as long as we didn't leave her sight, of course).
I discovered these these crayon rings via Merry Mishap, and cannot get enough of the idea! Aren't these perfect for your little one who likes to mimic your accessories. Not only do they get the pleasure of sporting the jewelry, a child could put it to creative use as well! Put a few of these crayon rings on their fingers and you're good to go!


found via merrymishap
image/timothyliles

Mashed BOOtatoes

Leave it to Martha Stewart to take Halloween eats to a new level! Mashed BOOtatoes anyone?
Perhaps a side of lady fingers and man toes...(don't worry, they're just pretzels with almond fingernails...creepily creative huh?)
Finish off your meal with one of these monster creepcakes...images/marthastewart

Loveable

I was introduced to these whimsical, handmade skunkboy creatures via one of my new favorite blogs, mackin ink. I thought these little guys looked at though they had personality, soft, imperfect, and entirely loveable.

My favorite is Ophelia the octopus, although the owl twins, Camille & Owly, run a close second. Don't think I've ever owned an octopus stuffed animal before...

images/etsy
via mackin ink

Take a Sip

I spent the majority of my college career toting around a Nalgene water bottle - well technically 2 - one for water, and one for recreational beverages...Anyway, now I've come to learn that putting these water bottles in the dishwasher can slowly slough away the plastic, health hazard much!?! Whoops, who knew?

At the end of the school year, I received one of these trendy aluminum water bottles from a student's family, and have since become a trek bottle convert. Especially loving these funky, cartoon designs by shinzi katoh.

via blackeiffel

Birthday Princes and Princesses

When you're a kid, birthdays are a BIG deal! The crown, the cake, it's all part of the production. I love these little details that truly enhance a child's special day.

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Sticky Notes

As an elementary school teacher, I have learned that you can never have too many sticky notes. I'm not a fan of writing on student work, and instead prefer to use sticky notes. I write comments in green pen and then tack the stickies on work to be sent home.

I received these fun, kid-friendly sticky notes from a parent as a birthday gift. I'm certain my students will get a kick out of these quirky forest critters. Unfortunately they will probably be more excited about the sticky itself that my teacher comments!
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