Kid Things

It’s the yearly dilemma—what to get the kids for the holidays?

You have two choices. Purchase disposable toys that will leave plastic packaging all over your home on Christmas morning, or purchase eco-friendly kids’ toys that will last for years to come.

Many parents are becoming more aware of the importance of helping the planet by purchasing sustainable toys. If you’re ready to shop smart this year, keep reading to find a few of the best toys for kids that are environmentally-friendly.

Puzzles

Puzzles made of wood or recycled materials are one of the best environmentally friendly toys. They’re both fun and challenging for kids, helping to build fine motor skills.

You can find puzzles for kids of all ages, from large blocks for young ones to more complex 1,000 piece options.

Organic Modeling Clay

Kids love toys that let them express their creativity, which is why Play-Doh has always been so popular. However, for a more eco-friendly option, look for modeling clay that’s made from organic, all-natural materials.

It’s harmless if swallowed and also free from any allergens or chemicals. Kids can knead, mold, or shape it into any creation they desire, and it won’t dry out, if stored properly.

If it does start to dry out, a little bit of vegetable oil can usually make it supple again.

Wooden Blocks and Games

Toys made of wood are another top choice if you want to go organic. Many wooden blocks, games, and toys, like trucks, are made from recycled wood, making them sustainable choices.

Plus, wooden toys are long-lasting, and they can even be passed down generations of families. They won’t break or shatter like cheap plastic toys, so they’re much better for the environment too.

Not sure which wooden toys are best for your kids? This link can give you some suggestions.

Organic Cotton Toys

Lots of kids love plush stuffed animals, but are any good for the environment? Yes—if they’re made from organic cotton.

Sustainable cotton is free from pesticides and uses less water to grow. There’s less environmental impact and it’s often grown by small farms.

You can find plenty of organic cotton toys, but make sure they aren’t stuffed with any synthetic or plastic materials.

Shop These Eco-Friendly Kids’ Toys This Holiday

With so many eco-friendly kids’ toys on the market, there are plenty of amazing holiday present choices that won’t harm our planet. Plus, sustainable toys are a good way to help teach kids about the importance of looking after the environment.

To get started, use the ideas above to research organic toys that your little ones will love. Just to be sure to wrap them in recycled wrapping paper before placing them under the tree!

Did you find this helpful? To learn more, please keep reading to find similar content.

 

Reading is one of the simplest joys in life, and it is one you should share with your child as early as possible. While to you it might just be a fun activity to do with your kid, there are also reams of benefits they get out of it! Here are the reasons for reading to your child is one of the most important activities you can do.

Bonding Time

Bedtime reading cultivates a time for you and your child where you can bond and enjoy a story together. Reading brings people together, and you can share the magic of story-telling each night. Once they are older, you will both look back on the time you spent reading to them with nostalgic glee.

Increased Imagination

Children have the wildest imaginations, and there’s no better way of pulling that out than through reading. Let them release their creativity by telling them of other’s adventures. You can find imaginative, adventurous stories at juliana-sheikh.co.uk. A great story can be enough to stimulate your kid’s mind, and soon, they will be telling entertaining stories of their own!

Time Away from Screens

These days, it can be difficult to pull anyone away from a screen, but it is particularly crucial to make sure children aren’t spending all day staring at one. One of the better ways of doing that is to introduce reading as early as possible. Make it a fun time for both of you, and they will be less interested in your phone before bedtime.

An Activity Before Sleep

It can be difficult to get your child into a routine, but reading will help you do that. If you have a regular set of activities that ends with a bedtime story, your child will grow more accustomed to falling asleep after it. You might even find they start yawning before you’ve opened the first page!

Increased Cognitive Development and Language Skills

Reading to your kid makes them smarter. It will increase both their cognitive development and language skills. Think about it, children learn through others, so if they are constantly exposed to an array of different words in the form of stories, then they will be more likely to pick them up. One day they might turn into a story-teller themselves.

They Will do Better in School

Their language skills will help them in school. School focuses a lot on reading, so if your child is already exposed to it at home, then they will thrive when they are in the classroom. You might just find that they come home with books above their reading age, and a well-done sticker from their teacher!

More Chance of Becoming an Adult Reader

If you get your child into reading when they are young, there is more chance that they will cultivate a reading habit well into their teens and adulthood. With their happy memories of reading with you as a child, reading will be an enjoyment for them rather than a chore.

Getting into a habit of reading to your child when they are small will create an imaginative reader who will still be seen with a book in hand way after they’ve left home. Encourage reading early, and watch your child blossom into a creative book-worm.

 

One of my favorite pictures is of my girl from when she was about two years old. She’s dressed in a cowgirl outfit with a bandana around her neck, a hat on a string hanging down her back, her fave cowgirl boots on, and with her hair done up in little blonde pigtails.

It was Halloween and she’s pictured sitting on a bale of hay. It’s so adorable, it squeezes my heart every time I pull out the photo album. Every time.

There’s just something magical about our kids and their love of horses and their wild west daydreams, which you must know since you’re looking for ways to throw the ultimate western-themed party.

Well, now is a great time to talk to your child and ask them what they love about cowgirls and cowboys and try to plan around what they say.

Here are a few tips to get you started.

Pony Up

First, figure out your budget. If you can afford it, there are companies that will bring you a pony for the children to ride. Nothing’s more memorable than an actual, real live pony.

I’ve seen them start at around $150 for a session and then go up from there. Each child should get a turn, and be sure to take tons of pictures!

If a real live pony doesn’t seem quite right for your shindig, then pick up some hobby horse stick toys. Buy ribbon, sparkly stickers and buttons, so each child can decorate a horse to take home. You may want to sew little loops on the horse heads to make decoration easier.

If you do go for hobby horses, only let the children use them for decorating, pictures, and maybe a quick race. Any longer, and somehow the horses will magically be transformed into whacking sticks. So cheerfully take them away and promise to return them at the end of the party when the children go home.

A third option is to spring for a horse-shaped pinata. Birthday pinatas are not exactly original, but these are kids. They’re new enough to them. Besides, they’re popular for a reason. A paper mache beast that rains candy and toys is always popular.

Dress Up

You can pick up a set of foam or plastic cowboy hats and a pile of bandanas fairly cheap online. Tell parents that their children can wear anything of their own that they have, but you’ll want to make sure to have plenty of accessories on hand so no one feels left out. You can also collect brown paper bags and turn them into vests that the kids can color.

Need a special outfit for the birthday child? Presley Couture carries adorable cowgirl dresses with western-themed Mickey ears. There’s also a unisex cowboy/cowgirl hoodie that’s as cute as can be.

Games

Of course, you can always play pin the tail on the donkey and musical chairs with your favorite cowboy music. You can turn any of the old standards into a rootin’ tootin’ good time.

But if you’re feeling ambitious, you can also paint some rocks gold, dump them and some other pebbles, sand and water in a tub, and let the children pan for gold. You can also put a lot of inexpensive, colorful stones in the mix and let the children take home what they find.

Don’t let them think it’s real gold, though. Some people think it’s hilarious to disappoint children. I’ve never seen the appeal myself. Besides, this party’s about them, so no pranking!

Food

This part’s easy. Call your local bakeries, comb online for cowboy/cowgirl themed recipes, and order candy and paperware from party supply stores.

Have fun and good luck!

 

There are so many baby products on the market that can make it difficult to decide what you do and don’t need which can make you left feeling overwhelmed. It is easy to walk into a shop and think you need one of everything, especially if you are a first-time parent because you want to be prepared for your child. However, there are a few essentials that are recommended for you and your baby.

Pushchair

A pushchair is important as it makes travelling easier, even when you are only popping to a shop whilst providing comfort to your baby. Babies spend most of their time sleeping so a comfy bassinet or car seat is important when considering what pram to choose. New-borns need to lie flat to protect their back to aid development and to assist with their breathing. Therefore, any baby prams 3 in 1 travel system is preferred by a lot of parents as you can adjust the way your child is positioned as they grow and develop. Starting in a bassinet, then sitting in a car seat and finally, sitting in the pram without any other aids. These can be more expensive than buying a different pram for each stage your baby reaches but they are more convenient as they grow with the child until they don’t need a pushchair.

Cot

New-borns sleep on average 16 hours a day so you baby needs to have somewhere safe and comfy to sleep in at night-time and for naps. Opting for a crib or a Moses basket for your baby’s first 6 months is common as they are lightweight, therefore, easy to move between different rooms. Whilst a cot is important as it is your baby’s bed, the mattress choice is just as vital. It is recommended that your baby has a firm, flat mattress to support their back. In addition, buying a mattress that is waterproof would be an added bonus as babies are often sick and easier to keep clean. Cots can be multifunctional as you can buy cots that transform into toddler beds, which saves money when your child outgrows their cots.

Baby Monitor

Being able to hear your baby when they are sleeping in a different room is a must; so choosing the right baby monitor is important based on you as a parent as there are various types available like audio, video, and smart technology ones which connect to your phone via an app. These are more of a necessity when your baby moves to their own room to sleep in at night. Furthermore, the majority of monitors have a temperature gauge built in so you know if the room is warm enough for them to sleep in. Also, baby monitors would give you more flexibility as a parent as you can carry on doing daily tasks whilst your child gets much-needed rest.

High chair

As your baby gets older, you will need to start the weaning process which is time-consuming. although you need space for a high chair, they are very versatile as you can adjust the height as your child gets older. Furthermore, they are many highchairs which are foldable so they can be stored out of the way if you don’t have a lot of space. Although highchairs are preferred by many parents, feeding chairs can also be used as an alternative as they are seats that strap to your normal dining chairs. These are very good if you are going to family and friend‘s houses or even to restaurants as it gives you peace of mind that your child will be comfortable when eating their food.

Clothes

It wouldn’t be an essential baby list if clothes weren’t mentioned! Making sure you have enough vests and babygrows is important as regular outfit changes are needed when you have a new-born. Furthermore, it is important to keep your baby clean to maintain their health. In addition, blankets, especially cellular ones are important as your baby needs to be kept warm without overheating. Besides, they also add comfort and security to your baby.

Baby Products

Nappies, creams, and wipes are the most important items to purchase to keep your child clean and free of rashes and sore. Not forgetting formula if your baby isn’t breastfed to make sure they get the right nutrients to be able to grow and develop into a healthy child. However, these essentials are hard to forget when you have a baby!