Author Archive

Ah, the lazy days of summer. For a moment, forget the hi-tech stuff: the DVDs, the cell phone-directed play dates, the online visits. Electronics are great (you’d never step foot on the treadmill again without an iPod), but what about the tried-and true-summer activities? Think chasing fireflies and ice cream trucks. Below are a few easy activities to do with the kids, even if you’re staying in town for the long weekend:

Make lemonade and set up a stand to sell.

Get some chalk for sidewalk art, or play a game of hopscotch.

Collect all the loose change around the house and go out for ice cream.

Play a board game.

Write a letter and take a walk to the local post office to mail.

Stop by the fire station for a visit.

Try a new ethnic food: Indian, Sushi, Chinese.

Volunteer.

Give each other pedicures.

Camp out in the living room with flashlights.

Make your Halloween costume now so you won’t rush to the store in October.

Read together.

Host an at-home dance party.

Have a picnic in the park.

Happy summer!

Baby fever has made you axe any name you’ve ever heard, even if it’s the child of your cousin’s neighbor’s nanny’s nephew.

Beyond Ava & Aiden: The Enlightened Guide to Naming Your Baby will help you navigate the world of baby naming. With humor and a refreshing take on the trends, the book is organized by style, image, sex and tradition. Plus you’ll have a few laughs reading lists like Millennial Names (Maverick, Riley) or Music and Dance (Etta, Gershwin). The authors, experts Linda Rosenkrantz and Pamela Redmond Satran, will not lead you astray.

Better yet, maybe they can name the kid for you.

Available at amazon.com.

All the “Diva Baby” tees are going into the re-gifting pile, thank you very much. You’re looking for soft, sweet and simple for your diapered un-diva.

Sama Baby, a cuddly collection produced in India using organic cotton and Earth-friendly dyes. Sama, an ancient Sanskrit word meaning balance, calmness and serenity, accurately describes the calm and eco-oriented onesies, gowns, blankets and bibs ornamented with an elephant or cloud. Options for boys or girls, in classic blue or pink, carry through the eco-lifestyle look.

Om.

Available at samababy.com.

Before the family hits the beach this holiday weekend, make sure you’ve got all the right sun protection in place. Remember, everyone is at risk: Children especially should guard their sensitive skin, and learn the basics for a lifetime of sun safety. Below are a few expert tips.

Sunscreen basics: Look for a broad-spectrum sunscreen that blocks UVA and UVB, with an SPF of at least 15. Apply as much sunscreen as you can — imagine the size a golf ball. Use it on any area that’s exposed to the sun, including chest, ears, hands and around eyes and mouth. Reapply every 90 minutes you’re outside, or after getting wet.

Stay in shade: Adhere to the “shadow rule” — if your shadow is shorter than you, that means the sun is directly overhead. Time to head indoors.

Dress for sun: Even SPF and a T-shirt don’t protect you from the rays. Wear sun-protective clothing, like long-sleeved shirts, pants and even swimsuits that are specially designed to minimize sun exposure. Pick up a sun guard detergent that coats clothing in a UPF protection of 30.

Top it off: Go for a broad-brimmed hat, preferably with a back flap, rather than a baseball cap, to protect the face, ears and neck. Complete the look with dark sunglasses with “Total UV” protection.

See a doctor: Visit a dermatologist for a yearly skin cancer screening. Get examined right away if you notice any moles that itch, bleed or change in size, shape or color, or any skin lesion that doesn’t heal.

Visit playsafeinthesun.org.

Everyone is setting sail on summer voyages, but young travelers are tough to please.

Set up a family scavenger hunt that will take your crew all over the urban map. You can take on an entire metropolis, following clues that lead you, for example, from Boston’s notorious North End to the hallowed courtyards of Harvard. Or engage in a more specific hunt that focuses on a single museum, aquarium, zoo or sports arena (companies like Watson Adventures develop scavenger hunts all over the country).

In a contained location you can easily put together your own hunt. Stop by the information desk to pick up maps and brochures, give them a quick once over to get some idea of the treasures to be uncovered within, then come up with a list of five to ten specific things to hunt for: In a natural history museum, for example, a stuffed lion or a T-Rex skull; in an art museum, a still-life with flowers or a painting of a lady with a dog; at the aquarium, the real-life cast of SpongeBob SquarePants. Work together or break into teams. Most importantly…

Plan ahead. Most hunts are around two hours long, Beforehand, visit the bathroom, don’t bring anything heavy, opt for a backpack or infant carrier for younger kids, wear comfortable shoes and eat a snack beforehand.

Get involved. Children from age 7 and up will be able to read and follow clues for themselves, but remember this is a family affair. Everyone’s input is needed. One person may be great with directions, another with getting the jokes. Younger children will feel like part of the action and stay interested only if Mom and Dad are active participants.

Wing it. Don’t feel like you have to know anything beforehand. History, animal facts and discussions about art are contained within the hunt. Just bring an open, curious mind and a willingness to have fun.

She already attempts to read under the covers with a flashlight — her bedroom should reflect her bookish ways.

In celebration of classic children’s book creator Eric Carle (whose birthday is today), a new collection of 12 ready-to-frame posters highlights his art. Kid-friendly images, including character favorites like the Hungry Caterpillar printed on colorful and thick paper, would suit any bookworm’s walls.

Available at chroniclekids.com.

A is for…aren’t you sick of all that cloying kids’ music? They’re too young for T-Pain, but you need them to get on board with something with soul.

B is for Bob is a new collection of Bob Marley recordings re-imagined for kids. Produced by son Ziggy (whose own child-friendly CD, Family Time, recently hit stores), it features a host of Bob classics (known around the world for its powerful political and spiritual message that touches people of all ages) with a new spin. Hear songs like “Jamming” and “Three Little Birds” transformed by new sounds that create a feeling of hearing them for the first time (others, like “Could You Be Loved,” remain untouched).

C is for cool.

Available at amazon.com.

Your pint-sized fashionista is putting up a fuss. There’s no way (NO WAY!) she’ll spoil the sleek look of her favorite outfit with an ugly, bulky belt.

To the rescue: Invisibelt Girl, a scaled-down version of the revolutionary Invisibelt, a clear, flat-buckle fastener that’s nearly undetectable under form-fitting tops. The new smaller-sized cincher features the same sturdy support, easy adjustability and notch-free construction as the original, but this inch-wide wonder extends from 20 to 38 inches in length, making it appropriate for girls — and possibly even a few bold boys — ages 4 to 16.

Best of all, unlike the grownup style, it’s served up in a range of fresh colors (neon pink, sheer grape) and cool designs (skulls with bows, purple peace signs) that can be worn exposed or concealed — a bonus that will surely win over even the most belt-skeptic tot.

Available at invisibelt.com.

Like many city dwellers, Little Rabbit had it all, but she was a bit lonely.

But in Moon Rabbit, a story of newfound friendship by Scottish author Natalie Russell, she encounters a kindred spirit during a day at the park. Her brown bunny pal is the companion she was wishing for, and anyone with a BFF will relate this gentle picture book with a loving message.

Friendship is golden.

Available at penguinputnam.com.

Most modern baby gear is cute and practical, but hardly worth holding on to.

For something more meaningful and lasting, check out the baby collection from Beekman 1802, a 200-year-old upstate New York farm turning out artisanal soaps and linens. Handmade 100-percent pure cotton swaddling cloths and bath blankets are woven by an award-winning master weaver and available in four colors inspired by historical dying techniques. An 8×8 inch washcloth is also hand-loomed and features a waffle weave for absorbency and softness. Pair it with the farm’s baby soap (a six-pack of chemical-free goat’s milk bars laced with soothing calendula to calm delicate skin) for a unique shower gift.

Heirloom-quality construction makes these linens keepers that can be passed down from generation to generation — and offers a far better legacy for your wee one than a onesie.

Available at beekman1802.com.