toddler

Kids Love Sailing the Seas with the Thomas & Friends Adventures Sea Monster Pirate Set

November 1, 2017 by Kathryn 21 Comments

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Mattel Canada. All opinions are 100% mine.

When my youngest brother was a toddler, he loved watching Thomas, the plucky tank engine, and his friends as the got into mischief and had adventures on the Island of Sodor. When I had my own boys years later, I had the chance to see how Thomas had evolved for a new generation with the debut of the Thomas & Friends series.

thomas-and-friends-playset

I’m sure that Thomas will continue to be a favourite for years to come, and that’s why I was so excited to receive the new Thomas & Friends Adventures Sea Monster Pirate Set to review. My eight-year-old son loves creating stories with playsets and I knew he would have a blast with this one. [Read more…]

The SmarTfold 500 7-in-1 Trike Takes Your Baby From Stroller to Tricycle

September 18, 2017 by Kathryn 39 Comments

One of the hardest things about having a baby is all the “stuff” that tends to accumulate as a little one grows. And that’s why I’ve always been a huge fan of products that grow along with my children. Whether it’s a car seat that converts to a booster or a crib that turns into a toddler bed, multi-use baby gear means more bang for my buck!

That’s why I was thrilled when SmarTrike offered me the chance to review the smarTfold 500 7-in-1 tricycle. Not only is this ingenious trike appropriate for babies from 9 months to 3 years, it’s also perfect for travelling! And with a trip to Europe being planned for this spring, I’m sure the SmarTfold will be essential. [Read more…]

Valco Baby Strollers Offer Canadian Parents the Ultimate Versatility, Comfort and Style for Baby…Coming this Spring!

January 8, 2016 by Kathryn 14 Comments

Every mom knows that when it comes to baby gear, there are some brands that set themselves apart from the competition. Innovative designs, top-of-the-line safety features, fashion-forward style and attention to details both moms and babies love can all combine to create the most sought-after products for parents. And Valco Baby is definitely one of those examples of a brand that all parents love.

That’s why moms will be excited to hear that after a short hiatus, Valco Baby strollers will once again be distributed in Canada in 2016 starting this spring! Wondering what’s new for the company this year as it jumps back into the Canadian market? I have the inside scoop from Valco Baby Canada on some of the great new products it will be offering this year!

The biggest upgrade to the company’s hugely popular stroller line is a new Tailormade fabric collection that adds instant luxury to strollers that already boast tons of great features. The fabrics let mom show off her style while the multitude of features ensure heading out with baby is easy and fun. And with both single strollers and strollers for multiples, this line offers unparalleled versatility to fit every family’s needs. [Read more…]

Learning Through Pretend Play with Toys from LeapFrog #LeapFrogMomSquad

November 4, 2015 by Kathryn 20 Comments

While I do love the modern and trendy LeapFrog gaming systems and tablets, I have to admit that I’ve always had a special fondness in my heart for the company’s toddler toys. LeapFrog has a special talent for turning pretend play into a learning experience, and the brand new Number Lovin’ Oven and Scout’s Build & Discover Tool set are perfect examples of that.

The LeapFrog Number Lovin’ Oven not only lets kids pretend to cook just like mom and dad, it introduces basic number concepts including counting and fractions. With sixteen different food items to cook, little ones can pretend to make all their favourite treats. And with more than thirty songs and phrases from the talking oven to engage kids, learning to cook is more educational than ever!

[Read more…]

Encourage Baby’s Multi-Sensory Learning with the Fisher-Price Bright Beats Dance and Move BeatBo-Giveaway #PlayAdvocate

October 17, 2015 by Kathryn 149 Comments

Watching a baby develop has always felt a bit magical to me. The way a little one gradually masters concepts such as cause and effect or size and spatial relations always makes me think about just how complex the human brain is…and how much potential for development it has! Since we are multi-sensory creatures, it stands to reason that our learning process is multi-sensory as well. And there are all kinds of fun and easy ways to use sensory input to help your baby learn new things.

Hear

One of your baby’s first senses to develop is hearing. Encourage this through singing and speaking to your baby as much as possible. While it can be easy to revert to a “baby voice”, speak to your baby as if they are a more developed child. Sing nursery rhythms or narrate what you’re doing to your baby so they learn all the different sounds they will one day be learning to speak. [Read more…]