As a mom of three active boys, I know all too well the feeling of kids bouncing off the walls indoors when they’ve had too much time on electronics or just too much time sitting around.

When they start climbing on furniture and jumping on each other, I know it’s time to get out and release energy.

That’s why over the years, we’ve loved all sorts of active outdoor play — or when indoors, we’ve just let the kids bounce on the couches or resorted to home-made crash pads to soften their falls.

But one of our favorite less messy and safer alternatives has been a ready-to-go bounce house for both outdoor AND indoor use (if you have the space)!

That’s why I “jumped” at the opportunity to check out one that could stand the test of time and weight, from POGO Bounce Houses — designed for residential use, but with the strength and durability of commercial-quality material.

Crossover Rainbow Castle Smiley Face Bounce House + Slide

POGO offers several style bounce houses and slides that appeal to kids of all ages, but this one especially caught our eye. The bright rainbow colors, smiley face, and ample 12×12 room for bouncing are ideal for my growing boys with tons of energy.

We got the combo bounce house with a built-in 4.5 ft slide — perfect for a little thrill after the bouncing. It comes with a splash pool attachment to add even more fun possibilities when used dry or wet. The little pool can be filled with balls, soft blocks or their gym mat for extra cushion when coming down the slide, or of course, with refreshing water for those hot days — there’s even a built-in mister to cool kids off as they head down the slide!

And if you’re worried about quality, it’s reassuring to know that POGO bounce houses are not your typical inflatable bounce houses — their crossover bouncers are constructed with 100% vinyl material much stronger than the more common, cheaper nylon inflatables. They feature multiple layers of double and quadruple stitching to last for years.

We saw this in action as multiple kids jumped together and the bouncer endured — and if you go over the weight limit (about 4 kids, 500 lbs for ours) the option to add a second blower is key to prevent deflating!

Although we’ve only had the Rainbow Castle for a couple of weeks, we’ve already found SO many ways to get creative.

Below are 5 ways we’re getting the most out of our POGO bounce house (and how you can too, year-round!

Releasing energy

As I mentioned, my boys have a lot of energy, and releasing that energy is a big goal of ours. So whenever weather permits, we will take advantage and let them bounce around in the yard to let go and burn energy more safely.

Physical exercise

Along with releasing energy, our new bounce house is perfect for engaging the boys in more physical activity (and away from screens!). This way they can jump up and down, flip, slide, dive and move as much as their little hearts desire all while getting a workout in.

Motor Skills & Coordination

Yes! If you’ve ever stepped foot in a bounce house, you surely know how much coordination is needed to keep your balance! Not only do you need coordination to jump up and also land where you want, but you also need the skill to carefully time your movements and not crash into other kids! I love knowing that our bouncy house helps my kids get better body control, learn spatial awareness, and strengthen those motor skills as they play!

Boredom buster

I’ve lost count of the number of times my kids have uttered those words… “Mom, I’m bored!” It’s as though they need to always be “doing something” right?! Lucky for us, we have this big ole’ bouncy house to minimize the boredom. And I find they can get so creative in their play, they start with bouncing and then end up in an imaginary play for hours on end.

Birthday parties

How can you see a bounce house and not think of birthday parties? I know that’s always on my mind, especially as a mom with 3 back-to-back spring birthdays. We broke out the Rainbow Castle for our middle guys’ recent party and hope to use it again next month for our oldest’s birthday. It’s an easy way to up-level any kids’ party and just brings so much joy and excitement to everyone’s eyes!

If you’ve been considering a bounce house for your kids or getting an early start to your birthday/holiday shopping, check them out! You can learn more about POGO and see the array of bounce houses they offer like the Rainbow Smiley Crossover, here.

I received the featured product to facilitate this review. However, all opinions are 100% my own. To hear more as we share our experience, follow on Instagram stories.

Ana @ Mommy's Bundle

Ana, a mom to three rambunctious little boys, has supported hundreds of thousands of women throughout their pregnancy and motherhood journey since 2012 as a blogger and maternal health advocate at MommysBundle.com.

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The post Rainbow Castle Smiley Face Bounce House Slide Combo Review appeared first on Mommy's Bundle.

As a parent of little ones, we deal with the same predicament each year…after birthday parties and Christmas time, comes the loads of boxes that clutter the house and need to be tossed away.

But wait! Before you throw those boxes to the curb, think about using them for playtime!

Because let’s face it, kids sometimes have MORE fun playing with the actual packaging than the contents inside. This is even more true for toddlers — where the possibilities are endless when it comes to the imagination and pretend play!

We’ve tried our fair share of cardboard fun over the years — from our DIY Frankenstein headpiece and robot costume to simple headpieces and rocket crafts — the kids love getting creative every year!

This Christmas, one of the many activities we decided to make with the extra boxes was a television…a cardboard box tv they could use to watch all their favorite tunes! (And the perfect idea to get them away from the actual screen — win-win!!!)

How to Make a Cardboard TV

This tv craft was as simple as it gets.

Take whatever box you’d like — we had plenty Target boxes lying around so the sizing was perfect!

Sketch out the tv screen and use an exacto knife to cut out — adults of course for this part.

Once that’s taken care of, you can let the kids color the frame — add in a power button, volume and channels to make it look like the real thing too.

If you’re going old-school with tv antennae, use whatever material you have at home to spruce things up — aluminum foil and paper straws work well for this.

And voila! Your cardboard tv craft is complete!!

Your kid can grab whatever props he/she wants to use for each channel. Use favorite animal figurines, plush toys to create the desired effect.

Of course, my little guy had a monster station, safari and most importantly, dinosaurs!

I added a simple remote control with “on” and “off” switch for more interaction.

He loved getting creative with it too and decided he was playing video games instead, hehe!

This is actually one of our favorite crafts that’s less of a mess and great for imaginative play — especially when you involve the other kids and they decide what channel to watch!

So mamas remember, before you toss that box aside, think of the hours of entertainment it could provide for your kid and some sanity for YOU!

Ana @ Mommy's Bundle

Ana, a mom to three rambunctious little boys, has supported hundreds of thousands of women throughout their pregnancy and motherhood journey since 2012 as a blogger and maternal health advocate at MommysBundle.com.

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I’m sure you’ve seen them before — at your local mall, play areas or neighborhood park— kids trotting along with their beautiful, realistic-looking pony. You may think it’s a cross between your typical rolling ride-on and electrically-powered vehicle, but this pony cycle ride-on is quite a unique experience. Powered by human motion simulation, the ride on horse operates a little differently than others and provides as close to the real experience as possible.

What is the PonyCycle Ride-On and How Does it Work?

The PonyCycle Ride-on is a plush mechanical riding horse, unlike the traditional rocking horse that stays in one place. Kids sit on the saddle, hold the handles and tread on the pedals. As they move in a bounce-like motion and the seat raises, the horse’s legs fold. When the rider comes down and releases the pedals the horse’s legs spread and advances the pony forward. When done continuously it creates a gallop motion, as if your child is riding a real horse!

Why Your Kid Will Love the PonyCycle Ride On Horse Toy

If you’re wondering whether the PonyCycle toy is worth the investment here are a few factors to consider.

Unique Gift Idea

The pony cycle ride-on is really like no other ride-on toy. Unlike, the stationary horse rocker that only moves back in forth, this ride on horse glides forward with your child’s movements, however they like, without batteries or charging needed.

Realistic Features

The quality pony features hair and fur that is made to look like a real horse. The newer models include redesigned ears, eyes, and face shape — the head mold is 3D carved so it looks more vivid. Plus, with the mechanical galloping movements and sounds, kids can feel like they are really learning to ride a pony!

Safe Ride-On Options

With the advancements (listed below) Pony Cycle aims to keep the ride-on safe for little ones. Not only are there separate ponies for younger (3-5 years old) and older children (4-9 years old), the newer models include safety brakes. Now the pony can stop when your child wants. 

Safety one-way wheels make it less accident-prone and smoother to ride. Plus, the pedals are non-slip so your little one can ride with ease.

PonyCycle Model U 2021 Improvements

The newest PonyCycle, Model U 2021, features many updates and functions in sound, wheels, and brakes from the original.

If you’ve read reviews for the original Pony Cycle, it’s important to note a few improvements made.

For starters, the pony ride-on now includes brakes to keep your child safer. Simply squeeze the handlebars to bring the horse to a stop. This addition is one of the breakthroughs among mechanical riding horses to keep your little ones safer on the go. 

Another improvement is the upgraded wheels for a smoother and silent ride. The larger contact area provides a more stable use. And one of the biggest changes from the previous model N to the new model U, is the integrated wheels to end the noise of stop rings.

Also, with a touch of a button kids can make the ride-on horse come to life with neighing and galloping sounds.

Finally, you can grab pony accessories, such as a brush, medallion or reign to complete the riding experience. There’s even a Christmas costume this year to ring in the holidays with!

Although there are a variety of pony toys out there, the PonyCycle is the original world-powered mechanical ride on horse that brings tons of fun, entertainment, and laugher from little to older kids. Whether you have a pony-lover or active child who simply enjoys ride-on toys, kids will remember this one as one of the best holiday gifts yet!

Find one on Amazon HERE or shop at the retailer directly this holiday season.

Note: I received a PonyCycle to facilitate my review. All opinions are my own.

Ana @ Mommy's Bundle

Ana, a mom to three rambunctious little boys, has supported hundreds of thousands of women throughout their pregnancy and motherhood journey since 2012 as a blogger and maternal health advocate at MommysBundle.com.

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The post PonyCycle: The Best Ride-On Gift for Kids appeared first on Mommy's Bundle.

I received product samples to facilitate my review. All opinions are my own.

The Best Gifts for Preschoolers in 2020

We know this year of isolation and increased time indoors has been tough for parents of small children especially. That’s why this year’s holiday gift ideas focus on the best preschool toys and games that promote creativity, independence, and simple, pretend play at home. All toys that help make a stressful time a bit more manageable.

Ready to shop? Find all these gifts for preschoolers HERE.

Cry Babies, Goodnight Coney

For an adorable toy doll your little one can cuddle up to at bedtime, try Cry Babies — dolls that cry real water tears just like a baby when the pacifier comes out. But no need to worry, your toddler or preschooler can provide easy comfort by cuddling the doll or popping the pacifier back in!

Goodnight, Coney is one popular doll from the Cry Babies collection to help your child fall asleep at night. The doll features:

• A soft body with super soft pajamas
• Light-up LED tears when you take away her pacifier
• Face lights up with a soothing glow when you give pacifier back
• Plays 5 sweet lullabies for up to 10 minutes
• Makes realistic baby sounds

An adorable way to help your little ones prepare for a new baby sibling or learn gentle play.

Recommended for ages 18 and up, but we love it for both toddlers and preschoolers alike! Find it on Amazon or Target.

Magformers Milo’s Mansion

If you have a child who loves to build, be sure to check out the Milo’s Mansion set from Magformers this holiday season!

The fun playset lets your child build anything they can imagine with magnetic rainbow shapes that connect to build Milo the puppy’s mansion. The toy promotes color and shape recognition, fine motor skills, and problem-solving abilities – perfect for preschoolers.

Milo’s Mansion features just the right amount of pieces to let your little one create, and not overwhelm, including:

• 4 Triangles, 12 Squares, 2 magnetic support connectors, and accessories including 4 bricks, 2 windows, 1 Milo Puppy Character, 1 Fence, 2 Pictures, 1 Gate, 1 Tree, 1 Puppy House, 1 Skateboard and 1 Stair.

It’s a top STEM toy perfect for stimulating critical thinking and brain development starting at 3 years and up.

Schleich Vet Practice with Pets

Have an animal lover? Help your child hone those budding Veterinarian skills with Schleich’s Practice with Pets set which allow them to lovingly treat their favorite farm animals back to health.

The playset from the Farm World line, features a ready-to-go vet, office, and all the animals needing care including a dog, cat, horse, rabbits, and mouse!

Use the professional vet equipment to weigh each patient, check x-rays, treat on the examination table, record progress on a laptop or simply nurse back to good-health!

Kids will love the intricate details and quality in each and every Schleich character.

The Vet Practice with Pets is recommended for kids 3-8 years-old. Find it on Amazon or Target this holiday season.

Baby Dolls by JC Toys

Let your little one cozy up to an adorable baby doll by JC Toys this holiday!

JC baby dolls are beautifully crafted, featuring a large selection of diverse dolls in all shapes and sizes, made to look like real babies, from newborn and beyond!

I personally love the soft-bodied baby dolls like the Lots to Cuddle collection featured here, so kids can snuggle up to them at night.

The collection includes 20-inch baby dolls of either Caucasian, African American, Hispanic, or Asian descent, with a plush body and vinyl hands and feet.

Baby doll’s life-like facial features make pretend play fun.

Your child can learn to care for baby with the bonus bottle and paci accessories or just enjoy sweet cuddles together.

And if you’re worried about messy play, no need to worry! The baby doll is easy to maintain with a little bit of soap and water to spot clean surfaces with machine-washable clothes.

As a mom of three boys, there haven’t been many dolls in our house, until recently when we got a chance to play with these adorable JC Toy babies. They look so real that the boys can’t help but love them! In fact, pretending to take care of a baby has helped them practice being gentle and nurturing!

The Lots to Cuddle line makes holding and caring for little ones an easy skill kids can practice, regardless of gender!

These baby dolls are perfect from toddler to preschool-age. You can get a closer look at them on my Instagram highlights during the holidays or purchase them in a variety of stores including Amazon.

Preschool Collection Watches & Clock

Every parent can relate to the tantrums that follow when you tell your little one it’s time to stop…stop playing, stop watching tv or time to go.

Because it’s hard for toddlers and preschoolers to manage time expectations — they just are too young to really have a good sense of time when you tell them “only 5 more minutes”.

That’s why I love this Preschool Clock from the Preschool Collection — a clock that uses visuals to help your child understand time.

The clock uses color blocks and familiar animals to teach time. For example, “it’s time to stop when the big hand reaches the bunny rabbit” replaces “we’re leaving at 2pm”.

This way you can speak their language and help reduce some of those tantrums.

But that’s not all! The clock comes with number stickers so that as your child practices numbers, you can add each number to the appropriate time — making learning time so much easier!

The Preschool Collection also makes preschool watches using the same visual logic — so your child can manage time and expectations on the go! And as your child grows, you can upgrade to standard school watches with numbers. We love the array of designs for kids from superheroes and dinos to mermaids and unicorns!

Shop for Preschool Collection clock and watches HERE.

Learning Resources

If you’re one of many parents that have been forced to enter the homeschooling world this year or are just looking for ways to supplement preschool learning at home, Learning Resources is a must-have brand to add to your shelves!

The brand has helped parents and teachers support learning in children through educational toys. From letters and numbers to fine motor and STEM skills, Learning Resources provides the foundation kids need to succeed in school and home for a life-long love of learning.

We recently had the opportunity to check out WriggleWorms, Counting Sheep, and Snap-n-Learn Llamas.

Our 4-year-old is currently learning at home and needed some educational tools to work with.

Both the Counting Sheep and Learning Llamas have been a great resource during this time. Not only do they make learning fun — to him, it’s pretend play — but in addition, each animal is color-coded and marked with numbers or letters for matching.

It’s an easy way to help preschoolers count, identify upper and lower-case letters and build fine motor skills as they snap the pieces in place.

If you are looking to combine all those preschool essentials needed for kindergarten-readiness, don’t forget to check out WriggleWorms.

The 5-in-1 preschool game builds fine motor skills, strengthens pencil grip and supports coordination using tongs to catch and sort colorful worms.

Our preschooler really enjoyed playing this game, as it didn’t feel like “work” but just simple, everyday play at home!

Browse the array of educational toys from Learning Resources here to choose your favorites!

Pillow Pets

If your child is like most this year, seeking extra comfort, they’ll love the variety of characters and snuggles Pillow Pets bring!

Pillow Pets are adorable stuffed animal plush toys that double as pillows! They feature the largest selection of friendly characters from movie and story-time favorites to classical and mythical creatures.

Think: An adorable puppy, turtle or even Cosmic Kitty pictured below!

One of the features I love about Pillow Pets as a parent is their versatility. Your child’s Pillow Pet can be a cuddle pal during pretend play or storytime and then serve as a cozy pillow to rest on during nap or bedtime.

Each Pet can convert from pet to pillow by detaching the velcro straps. This opens up to a washable 18-inch pillow, making it easy to take wherever you go!

But not only this, each Pillow Pet provides a friendly face and warmth whatever your child is doing.

Like many families, this year has been especially tough for our three boys, not being able to see friends and extended family, and having to go back and forth between in-person and remote-learning. Stuffed animals and pretend play, have been a huge source of comfort. The kids are really loving their new Pillow Pets — even if it’s just a corner of refuge during a time-out.

Make sure you add these to your wish list, during a year that has surely been difficult for most kids!

You can learn more about each Pet and shop for your favorite here.

Burping Bobby by Goliath

If you want to play a silly, simple game with your child, Burping Bobby by Goliath may be just what you need for some laughs!

Burping Bobby is a no-reading needed type of game, keeping it easy as possible to get started.

Bobby the hippo lets out a stinky burp every so often after feeding. Kids try their luck feeding Bobby 1 of 24 pieces of stinky food from garlic and onions. After each turn and crank of a lever, wait for the magic to see if Bobby’s mouth will light up and let out a big burp!

A fun and easy way to bring excitement and learn the names of different stinky foods.

Burping Bobby is recommended for ages 4 and up. Check it out on Amazon along with the array of other Goliath games like Dino Crunch and Rattlesnake Jake — one of my kids’ favorite!

Wonder Wings Plush Unicorn

Another adorable gift idea for a young child who loves whimsical creatures is the Wonder Wings Unicorn!

This plush toy is super soft and huggable, featuring colorful pull-out wings with hand access to make the unicorn “fly”. Your child can pull the tail to tuck the wings back in.

The plush toy features large embroidered eyes, a colorful heart, and a soft mane for fun pretend play!

Let your child indulge in creative imaginary play with this mesmerizing unicorn that helps improve hand-eye coordination.

Recommended for ages 2+. Buy the Wonder Wings doll HERE.

Long Haul Excavator Transport

For the truck-loving kiddo, try the exciting Long Haul Excavator vehicle from Maxx Action.

The toy brings lots of action, with LED flashing lights and electronic sounds that mimic different construction sounds.

Lots of fun ways to see it in action.

Your child can just push the truck forward and let go to see it roll or use the detachable cab to pull the transport with a friction-rev motor.

This toy features soft super grip tires that spin for imaginative play!

With the removable excavator piece, your kid can dig up dirt or try the articulated arm and swivel motion.

A great gift idea for the construction-loving kid. Find it HERE.

Scooby Doo Play Tent

And finally, a great gift idea for the preschooler who enjoys fort-building and hiding out is the pop-up play tent featuring Scooby-Doo.

This simple tent provides a creative way for your little one to play indoors with no assembly needed. Just open and the tent pops-up to form a tent.

The front opening allows for easy entry and fits one child comfortably and can be used however you see fit — from a reading nook, a hide-out or playhouse to host stuffed animals!

Add it to your wish list and get it online HERE.

Ana @ Mommy's Bundle

Ana, a mom to three rambunctious little boys, has supported hundreds of thousands of women throughout their pregnancy and motherhood journey since 2012 as a blogger and maternal health advocate at MommysBundle.com.

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The post The Best Gift Ideas for Preschool Kids Age 3-5 Years Old appeared first on Mommy's Bundle.

As parents of small children, we understand the importance of baby-proofing our homes for the early years.

We install baby gates, cover outlets, move or secure furniture and pick-up small choking hazards throughout the house for baby’s safety.

But there is one area we forget about…or just don’t pay much attention to: child-proofing window coverings.

And window coverings are 1 of the top 5 hidden hazards in the home.

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, other top hazards include magnets, recalled products, furniture that can tip over and pools/spa drains.

But window coverings are the MOST overlooked baby and child hazard.

Keeping Child Safety in Mind

From a parent’s perspective, I get it. Windows don’t automatically come to mind — they are built into the house and the window coverings that we use are often inherited from the previous homeowners.

Even my own home which we bought just 5 years ago included out-dated blinds — the real estate market was quick to highlight the fact that the windows were new…but I didn’t realize the coverings were not.

So parents may forget about childproofing windows early on, or just wait to update them at another time — because they can be expensive to replace.

But therein lies the danger…putting things off.

And accidents and hazards happen when we least expect them.

Now more than ever, paying attention to these hazards around the home is essential. With more and more time spent indoors at home it just makes sense.

So how do you go about making changes for your child’s safety?

Well, first consider the age of your children — if you have small children in the home, you know that curiosity is a big driver of exploration. Kids see something new and want to play with it. This is especially true as your child grows from a baby to toddler to preschooler.

Children have a wild imagination — and pretend play is the norm.

They see a dangling cord and may think — a vine to swing like a monkey, a lasso to round up my animals, or may just innocently tug at it out of curiosity and end up in a seriously compromising position. 

One of the best pieces of advice I ever received from a pediatrician was to put myself in my child’s shoes when baby proofing — and literally get down to their level and crawl around the house to see it from their perspective.

So I like to take that piece of advice and apply it to everything else around the home. Because then it helps me take note of household dangers and understand what’s at stake.

HOW TO CHILDPROOF WINDOW COVERINGS

Now that you can truly understand the hazards window coverings pose, consider your options for childproofing.

Install Cordless Window Coverings

First look around your house, and check your windows. Go from room to room and take note of the type of window coverings installed — blinds or shades, look closely to see if they are cordless. 

If they aren’t, the best fix is to replace the window coverings just like you would replace any recalled baby products. 

Because the truth is, long or dangling cords can lead to entanglement or become a strangulation risk for small children.

There’s no use in keeping things in the house that pose a serious risk to your family, especially if you have small children. 

Instead, the first thing to do is to research and install the safest alternatives — cordless window coverings.

If you’re not sure where to start, no need to worry, because a new US Safety Standard requires that all stock products be cordless or have inaccessible cords. Meaning, that’s what stores will have in stock! Look for products marked with a Best for Kids certification label.

The label lets you know that window coverings have gone through third-party testing and are specifically designed for use in homes with young children.

Keep Cords Out of Reach

If you’re unable to update to cordless window coverings right away, make sure the cords are out of reach and not accessible to children as a short-term fix.

This may mean wrapping the cords up and securing them at the very top of the window.

You can also shorten or cut tasseled pull cords — so kids can’t reach them.

The key is to keep the cords hidden and inaccessible until you’re able to replace the coverings with cordless and safer alternatives.

Move furniture away from windows

Another helpful tip to keep cords out of reach, is to look at the furniture in and around your windows.

Do they make it easy for your child to access windows and/or the hidden cords?

Think stools, chairs, bureaus or other furniture kids can climb on to reach.

Start with your child’s nursery or bedroom. Move the crib away from any windows — this may be tricky depending on the layout of your home, but it is worth the extra caution.

Even if your crib is on the adjacent wall to the window, take a close look at the distance to the window — toddlers can be quite clever in planning an escape. Don’t overlook the small things when it comes to baby safety!

As you make adjustments to your home to protect your children, keep a reminder of when you plan to replace corded window coverings with cordless window coverings.

Because when you have small children, it’s easy to forget and leave things on the ever-growing to-do list.

Taking initiative early on will help to prevent accidents and keep your children as safe as possible while at home.

To learn more about window cord safety and cordless window coverings during National Window Covering Safety Month and throughout the year, visit WindowCoverings.org.

Ana @ Mommy's Bundle

Ana, a mom to three rambunctious little boys, has supported hundreds of thousands of women throughout their pregnancy and motherhood journey since 2012 as a blogger and maternal health advocate at MommysBundle.com.

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The post The Most Overlooked Child Safety Hazard in Your Home appeared first on Mommy's Bundle.

It has taken a toll on little kids, adding more screen-time even if not developmentally suitable.

But as parents trying to adjust to these crazy times, unfortunately, sometimes we have to resort to screens to get through the day. Whether we are working from home, helping our other kids with virtual learning or even homeschooling.

So although not ideal, it makes sense why we turn to more tv, tablets or video games this year.

What else can we do?

How do you help younger children find more independent and creative ways to play at home without screens when you need to multi-task?

This is a struggle I have encountered for years. As a mom with a baby and toddler, as a mom with two toddlers and a newborn, and as a mom managing projects around the house, work and temporarily homeschooling a 4-year-old.

And it was the perfect time to have discovered the Toniebox!

What is the TonieBox?

The Toniebox is a kid-friendly audio system, that lets kids of all ages listen to stories, music and record their OWN tales.

It’s designed for kids to use — a padded bright cube (speaker) with two rubber ears as the volume controls.

The starter set includes:

• Toniebox cube (the actual speaker)
• Tonie (a whimsical character that contains the audio — song or story)
  • A special character tonie that contains pre-loaded songs/stories
  • A creative tonie let’s your child create the content
• Charging station
• Instructions

Why I love the TonieBox for Kids

I was pleasantly surprised by how enamored my preschooler became with his Toniebox, upon learning the basics.

It’s not only a favorite routine as he winds down for bed, but also an activity he feels comfortable turning to throughout the day — switching songs during a movement break or listening to a pre-recorded message during calm down.

He knows how to use it and enjoys switching the different tonie characters to listen to songs or stories from a classic like Pinnochio, The Little Mermaid or The Lion King.

It has helped me find a few guilt-free minutes for work throughout the day, without overdoing it with screentime. And it does so in an educational manner — because the audio storytelling introduces pre-readers and developing readers to stories and narratives before they can read the words in a book.

Another perk is the imagination and creativity that the creative-tonie promotes.

Not only can little kids make up whatever story they want and save it, you can also have distant family members or grandparents record stories your little one can cherish — an amazing idea to help them feel connected to family they haven’t been able to see in awhile!

Setting up the TonieBox

Although it may seem a little complicated at first, the TonieBox is pretty simple for your child to use, once you get started and load your tonies.

The first step is to charge the Toniebox in the charging station, download the Toniebox app on your phone and connect to wi-fi.

Once the initial set-up is complete you can grab your creative tonie to start adding content — you’ll need to have the app open on your phone or sign-in to your account at my.tonies.com.

How does the TonieBox work?

To start loading your own content, turn on the Toniebox via a press of the “ear”. The square on the box will turn a solid green color letting you know it’s ready to place your creative-tonie on the box to listen.

Listen for a message here before seeing the creative-tonie appear in the app. This is the okay to start recording whatever story, message or song you’d like to load into the system.

I will admit I was a little confused at this point…as I wasn’t sure where to record my message. Did I have to go to my phone’s recorder, save and then upload?

No. Don’t overthink it!

Once the new creative-tonie is loaded onto the app you need to click and navigate to the recording section within the app to record. As soon as you click the red button, it will start recording.

I noticed there wasn’t a pause button, so if you need to take breaks or mess up you’ll have to start over.

But then the recording should be complete. Squeeze one of the ears on the Tonie-box for three seconds and let go when you hear a sound. Place the tonie back on as soon as the light turns a solid green again.

The new content will be played and downloaded to the system.

One thing I did notice, is that there’s no way to skip ahead from story or song on each tonie once loaded — which can be a little frustrating for small children. However, my son has been okay with it so far, as he just prefers to switch tonie characters instead!

All-in-all, the Toniebox is another tool for the overwhelmed parent struggling with too much screen-time indoors.

It helps promote independent play, helps inspire creativity and act as a storytime companion.

Definitely something worth the value for surviving this year at home!

The Tonie-Box has been popular around the globe, and recently launched in the U.S. It’s now available at major retailers. To learn more and see it in action, go here!

I received a complimentary Toniebox set to facilitate my review. All opinions are my own.

Ana @ Mommy's Bundle

Ana, a mom to three rambunctious little boys, has supported hundreds of thousands of women throughout their pregnancy and motherhood journey since 2012 as a blogger and maternal health advocate at MommysBundle.com.

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The post TonieBox: A Creative Audio Box to Get Preschoolers Away from Screens appeared first on Mommy's Bundle.

These days, it may feel like the only option you have for dealing with kids’ birthday parties or gatherings is to simply cancel everything. It’s just a little party after all. Kids won’t remember it much, right?

But the truth is, there are better alternatives. Those that can bring some of the same joy and excitement a typical party would, and a sense of normalcy especially during these stressful times of isolation, where community is more important than ever.

Below you will find an array of social distance party ideas to help your child feel special, whether you decide to just stay at home or venture outdoors to celebrate.

10 Ways to Celebrate Your Child’s Birthday During Quarantine

Around the House

First things first, something I like to do for my kids every year when the excitement of celebrating their birthday becomes real to them (usually at around 3 years old), is making them feel special throughout the day, right at home.  It doesn’t have to be complicated. Start simple with the ideas below.

Birthday Messages

Hang special birthday notes on your child’s bedroom door (or even the fridge if your kid doesn’t stay in their room like mine, ha!). Include things you love about them, why they are so special, and what makes them unique.

Birthday messages like:

• You give the best hugs
• You are so thoughtful
• You have the best smile

Whatever you think will brighten your child’s day.

I adapted this idea from a popular Valentine’s love notes, posted on social media years ago, but it’s always a hit and a positive way your child can remember this quarantine birthday.

Birthday Balloons or Decor

Along with those birthday messages, add some color to your child’s special day, by decorating. Balloons are a kid favorite, so whether you pick up a few favorites from a party store or go the DIY route with blow-up balloons, decorating is a must.

During this time when I can’t get out, I stick to blowing up a few balloons by mouth — as long as you have a helpful tool and an array of balloons the possibilities are endless.

You could create a variety of centerpieces with basic latex balloons:

• Balloon garland
• Balloon avalanche
• Balloon banner

Birthday Breakfast

And of course, light up your child’s face with a special birthday breakfast. You don’t have to load them up with cupcakes and candy first thing in the morning, but let them know it’s okay to indulge a little on this day.

Get creative and find a way to use that candle in the AM.

• Pancake or waffle “cake”
• Birthday muffin
• Fruit cup + birthday donut

Virtual Birthday Party Ideas

Now that you’ve made your kid feel special as they start their day, here are some fun ideas to help them celebrate with friends and classmates who can’t actually be with them in person.

Zoom Party

This is becoming a more popular option for kids in quarantine right now. I wrote a detailed post with tips on actually hosting a virtual party for little ones, but the gist is, you get everyone online to wish your child a happy birthday on camera. You can keep it short and just focus on birthday wishes and cake or you can add a little extra element of fun, but playing virtual party games and sharing a snack together.

We did a zoom birthday for my middle child and it was a hit!

Video/Slideshow Montage

Another fun quarantine birthday idea for kids is to ask friends to send a birthday message you can later compile into a birthday montage. Kids can record a short message or just send a picture.

My son’s kindergarten class did this for him and it was so sweet! Each child held up a picture of something they drew with a birthday message. It was an incredibly special way to lift his spirits during a time of loneliness.

Digital Board

Padlet is an easy to use digital board that I only recently discovered. You create a “board” of sorts and can share the private URL with friends and family. From there, the family simply clicks a button to upload a video, picture, drawing and message. Once complete, you have this beautiful, digital birthday keepsake with messages from friends and family to treasure.

Plans range from $8 and up, but you can check it out with the 30-day free trial.

Virtual Hugs

Similar to digital boards, you can send virtual hugs through a collaborative effort online via a platform called VidHugs. Once you open an account, friends and family upload a short video message that is combined to make a “virtual hug” of sorts.

NOTE: I’d only recommend this option for larger groups of about 15 or more videos or “hugs” because the fee is $15 (which I found pricey, although a cute idea). Use the code BDAYHUG for 15% off.

Outdoor Quarantine Party Ideas

Finally, the option that may bring the most exciting and more of a practical idea for younger children (who can’t keep it together long during virtual parties) is outdoor socially-distanced celebrations. And I’m not talking about a public gathering at all! Read below to see my recommendations for social distance party ideas for kids!

Drive-by birthday

A drive-by birthday party is pretty simple yet brings many smiles. It’s an easy alternative to the traditional birthday party, where you hang outside your house, near your driveway and wave as guests drive-by, donning their homemade birthday signs or balloons. Although not required, some even go so far as dropping-off goodies for the birthday child.

We did this last week for my 8-year-old and it was so nice to just see other people and have a quick chat while 6 feet away. We set a 1-hour window for when we would be outside and waited for guests to arrive as they could. This made it easy to have a solo convo with each passerby…rather than having them backed up in a line. Guests waved, sang happy birthday, and honked to celebrate.

Birthday parade 

Another super fun way to celebrate your child’s birthday in quarantine is the birthday parade. Similar to the drive-by party, families load up in cars with their decorated vehicles and make their way to the birthday child’s house, at a pre-determined time. This way, there is literally a “parade” of cars passing by to help your child feel extra special.

We’ve attended a couple parades like this that even included a surprise visit by the fire department leading the way to party. Talk about a way to take it up a notch!

Birthday car ride

And if you just want a change of scenery for your kiddo, you can consider a variation on the birthday drive-by where the birthday child drives with mom or dad to different houses. Each “party guest” can decorate their lawn in a creative way, celebrate with music and a birthday song or just shout happy birthday to the guest of honor as they drive by.

This is a great option if your kid is going stir-crazy, itching to get out of the house and around town.

Birthday scavenger hunt

Last but not least, celebrate your child’s birthday during this social distancing time by partaking in a fun birthday scavenger hunt around your neighborhood.

This can be done in a variety of different ways. You can participate in one of the popular town-wide scavenger hunts where communities hide smiley faces, teddy bears, or chalk messages on their driveways and you go out around town spotting those treasures. Or, you can organize a scavenger hunt among friends, telling them to leave a clue outside their house so your child can spot it on the hunt.

Remember, even though these are extraordinary times, it’s important to help your child find a sense of normalcy at home during milestones like birthday parties. Get creative this year and celebrate however you see fit, whether it be a virtual birthday party, birthday car parade or just eating cake at home with mommy and daddy.

Ana @ Mommy's Bundle

Ana, a mom to three rambunctious little boys, has supported hundreds of thousands of women throughout their pregnancy and motherhood journey since 2012 as a blogger and maternal health advocate at MommysBundle.com.

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The post How to Make Your Kid’s Birthday Special While Stuck At Home appeared first on Mommy's Bundle.

When I left the hospital with my second baby after 4 days of a c-section recovery, I knew our family dynamics were in for a bit of a change. But I never imagined what a chaotic turn my entire life would take with two under 2.

Like many new parents, we always wanted our child to have a sibling — someone to play with, share toys with and just a best friend to grow with. Although we didn’t do much planning and just let it happen when it did, we were excited about our growing family.

I just WISH I had prepared myself for the transition from one kid to two kids a bit more.

The challenge of adding a second child

When I found out I was pregnant a second time, I knew it would be more work overall and quite a transition for our toddler. I just didn’t fully comprehend how the changing dynamics and needs would affect the day-to-day.

But going from one kid to two small children, especially when you have an ACTIVE toddler, is truly exhausting. I mean it’s a game-changer. And that’s not just because you’ll have your hands full as a stay-at-home mom.

Your world will alter because this first child will now have to compete for YOUR attention with a new baby…one that you will absolutely have to spend most of your time with. While breastfeeding or bottle-feeding. Soothing. Changing frequently. Bathing. And taking to the doctor for check-ups or vaccines.

And this will contribute to regressions in your toddler.

They may want that newborn paci or bottle again. They may experience sleep disturbances or may just feel a bit jealous as though mommy doesn’t love them anymore — which is of course, untrue but still heart-wrenching.

With a little planning to set expectations for all, adding another child to your family doesn’t have to be a complete struggle.

Tips to Go from One Child to Two

Prepare your toddler (and yourself!)

One of the most overlooked tips for adjusting to another child is to simply prepare for it — mental prep included. Be real with yourself about what adding a second child will look like for your family, taking into account your lifestyle, support available and current child’s needs and personality.

• Do you have an easy-going child?
• A high-needs child?
• A special-needs child?

Reflecting on these questions will help you better prepare for the changes once they occur.

To prepare your toddler, start talking to them about a sibling. Even though they are little, you don’t want to just surprise them with a new baby. Warm them up to the idea of a little sister or brother — so that they are better prepared for the big changes when they come.

Consider spacing kids out

Age can definitely play a role in how the transition from one to two will go — the wider the gap between baby number one and number two may make things a little easier. For one thing, the older child becomes more independent as they grow so you can focus a little more on baby those first few weeks.

And if we’re being honest here, having kids closer in age may seem nice for playing and bonding, but it does come with challenges. It means you’ll have to learn to really master divvying up your attention, supervision and energy between kids — because if they are into the same things, you can guarantee there will be a little sibling rivalry in your future.

My boys were all just under 2 years apart. So one of my major challenges was caring for and breastfeeding a newborn, while trying to keep up with an active toddler. And then potty-training. Then handling tantrums. And picky-eating.

It was a trying time for sure!

So think about your specific child and their needs for each age: will you have a newborn and a toddler at home with you all day? Will you have a preschooler or older sibling that will be in school for a few hours.

Thinking about age proximity can really help you, plan your day-to-day and make the best choice for your family.

Don’t ignore your toddler when the baby arrives

It’s natural to focus all your energy on caring for your newborn those first few days. They do in fact depend on you for everything. But it’s important to not ignore your other child in the process. Of course, you might not intend to do so, but it happens often. Visitors want to see the new baby, hold the new baby and go gaga over the new baby.

So it’s up to you mama, to include your toddler in as much as you can throughout the transition and remind your guests as well!

At the hospital, greet your toddler while baby is in nursery or sleeping. Embrace them fully. Shower them with attention BEFORE bringing baby over for the big intro. Give them a special gift “from baby” — it doesn’t have to be anything fancy — our go-to are the big brother books.

At home, you can have special time with just the two of you to reconnect (this isn’t just a nice-to-do it will save you some stress later when your kids start showing more jealousy). Sure you may not always be able to do it during that precious nap hour, but quality time with your older child (who’s world has just be turned upside down) is SO key.

I can’t recommend it enough. So many times I thought I was already doing activities with my toddler, but it wasn’t with 100% focus on him. If the tv is on, if you are multitasking around the house, it won’t be as effective. Turn off all devices and give your kid your full attention — even if it is only 15-20 minutes of play, make sure it’s done right and remind your child this is your “special time” to reinforce the idea.

Involve your toddler with your baby tasks

Once you are settled back at home, involve the older sibling in helping with baby. Even the little things count. They can:

• “Read” baby a story as you breastfeed
• Tell baby about their favorite toys and games to play
• Be your assistant and pass you, towels, bibs or outfits for baby to wear

Those little things will help make your kid feel important and included — another key to making the new brother role acceptable.

Stick to a schedule for your baby and toddler

With kids, schedules and routines really can make a big difference and help them adjust better.

This is something I wish I had done more of when my boys were little. Those early days felt so chaotic and having a good routine to follow definitely was lacking.

I wouldn’t be a stickler and say “if it’s on the schedule it must happen!” Just use the schedule as a guide for ideas to make the day easier. For example, in the mornings you may want to wear baby while taking your toddler for a stroller walk. Then you can all eat lunch together. And during baby’s nap, you may want to schedule that one-on-one time.

Master organization now

Just as a schedule can help make the one to two kids transition easier, now is the time to master your organization skills. Hear me out for a moment. Postpartum is a really big transition for mom too. I’m not in any way saying to start focusing on organizing or keeping a tidy house. Trust me, from experience I know that is impossible to do alone and will only cause unnecessary stress.

What I mean is, if there’s any time you need to rely on your quick thinking or organization ability it is as a mom to two or more kids. For when you have to run to the doctor’s office or errands with two kids in tow. For when you have to pack a diaper bag with baby essentials AND toddler must-haves. For when you need to load and unload baby and toddler into the car alone (oh how I dreaded that routine!!).

The mental and physical load is huge those early days, so anything to help you survive those crazy moments is a must!!

Below are a few things that helped alleviate that load for me. I cannot stress enough the difference my go-to baby gear made during the transition — I just wish I had used them sooner!

• A trusted baby carrier
• A double stroller (with infant seat)
• A diaper bag with separate compartments for all of the musts
• A pack and play

Now that my boys are growing, I often think back to that moment in the hospital when my toddler met his new baby brother. I wish someone had told me that the transition from one to two can be so drastic. Because it really does depend on so many factors in your life.

Prepare now to make life with a new baby and toddler manageable. You want to remember it as MORE than just a time where you were trying to survive the day. Make it a time where your children loved to play together, splash about in the tub, cuddle during storytime…and a time YOU were filled with joy.

Ana @ Mommy's Bundle

Ana, a mom to three rambunctious little boys, has supported hundreds of thousands of women throughout their pregnancy and motherhood journey since 2012 as a blogger and maternal health advocate at MommysBundle.com.

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The post How to Survive the Transition from One to Two Kids Without Losing Your Mind appeared first on Mommy's Bundle.

For many children, this is a really tough time to be separated from friends and family.

Birthday party season is quickly approaching. Most kids hope to be celebrating the day with cake, games…and most of all friends and loved ones by their side.

But things will be quite different over the next few months, with social distancing becoming the new norm for families everywhere.

As a mom to three spring babies, I know a virtual party is definitely something to consider, rather than not celebrating at all. Of course, not having a party is always an option — I mean what 2 or 3 year old will remember their party??

But the point is, big or small, it’s still important to celebrate these special moments in a fun way if desired.

Related: Alternative Birthday Party Ideas for Kids in Quarantine

Why a Virtual Birthday Is More Than Just FaceTiming

Your first inclination when hearing the words “virtual birthday party” may be to think of simply video chatting or FaceTiming friends so they can see you and wish you a happy birthday. But it truly goes beyond that.

Yes, this will set the stage for the celebration, but it is NOT everything.

Think of a video platform as the birthday party venue. Instead of your home, yard or the local gymnasium, the party is just online.

The center of the party will be the overall experience and time spent celebrating together!

This will include:

• Technology
• Logistics
• Theme
• Birthday Party Games
• Birthday Messages
• Cake/Presents

Want to host a virtual birthday party for your kid as well? I break down what you need to do to get started below!

Planning a Virtual Birthday Party for Your Child

Technology

Now that we’ve established where the party will be hosted (online), it’s time to choose the preferred platform. And you have many options to choose from.

• FaceTime – Great if you have an iPhone and just want to invite a couple of guests.
• WhatsApp – An app you can download to your phone that works for very small groups of about 2 or 3 guests.
• Zoom – A more robust choice for small, medium or large events (the free account can accommodate up to 100 people with a max time of 40 minutes — which is more than enough for a virtual kid’s party). You can download the app to your phone or log on from your computer.
• Google Hangouts – Probably the easiest free option if you have a large party and don’t want a time limit.

Whatever platform you choose, be sure to work out all the kinks in advance — technical glitches are always to be expected, but if you test in advance and make sure everyone is clear on how to log in, things will be smooth sailing from there!

Theme

Just like you would for an in-person party, pick a theme for your virtual party to keep things fun and as expected for your child. Dinosaurs, Frozen, under the sea creatures? Go with whatever your child is into to set the mood.

And because most of us can’t get out to the stores during this time, you can do one of two things. If you’ve planned ahead you can check online to see if any party items are in stock. If that’s not an option, go the DIY route, as we did.

• Cut out a printable birthday crown or hat
• Blow up colorful balloons and decorate around your child’s chair
• Get creative with a cake box at home

Logistics

Because a virtual party is a bit out-of-the-ordinary, you should give some thought to what you can and cannot accommodate in a virtual setting.

For example, young children need more guidance, so parents will need to manage closely to keep track of time, how to stick to the party schedule, managing settings and how to make sure everyone gets some camera time.

You can do this by following a specific party checklist — the last thing you want is for the party to get chaotic and experience technical issues.

Tips for Hosting a Virtual Birthday Party for Kids

Plan your guest list

Consider the age and needs of your guests when planning who to invite. For toddlers and preschoolers, you may find limiting it to a few close friends is much more manageable. Think 3-4 friends your child plays with and knows well.

For early elementary-age children, you might want to be more inclusive and invite the entire class — most of the time, you will only get 50-70% of the kids to show up anyhow. And it’s nice to not exclude anyone especially during a time so many can feel alone and losing touch with classmates.

Send an invite

Make sure your guests know the party is still on by sending them an invite. Like a normal party, make sure you have a set time, platform and login details in advance.

While you can keep it simple and send an email or text to friends providing the login details and date of choice, my preferred invite tool is Evite. It is VERY user-friendly, looks like an actual birthday invite, and has many design options to choose, from.

Remember to include the specific virtual login details under the description area (example: click here, enter this number, turn on your camera, wait for the host to join and then you’re in!)

Keep the party short

Thirty minutes should be plenty of time for your online party. Any more than that will most likely contribute to distracted kids, moodiness and even meltdowns. Remember the kids will be in front of the computer, so for toddlers and younger children especially, the key is keeping it short and entertaining.

Have a beginning, middle, and end

To make the party a real success online, put some thought into the structure. You don’t want to just wing it for a first-time online event. Troubleshooting issues in real-time will be a little more complicated when you are working over a computer.

To kick off your virtual kids’ party, give your birthday boy or girl the chance to welcome his/her guests from the start. Parents can then emcee and let guests know what they can expect at the party.

Your video settings should allow time for everyone to see and hear from the guest of honor (you may choose to mute others just for the first minute to avoid the crazy back and forth that can happen with video chats and kids!).

Once your child is able to welcome friends, go around and introduce each child so they can have a quick turn on camera. They may wish to deliver a birthday message to your child with face-to-face time. This adds a really special touch to friends who haven’t seen each other in awhile!

Once everyone has had a turn to say something, you can announce the next stage: games!

Play a quick party game together

This might seem like it won’t work at first, but if you plan ahead you can certainly make room for one or two quick party games to keep a sense of normalcy at the party. Just remember to keep it simple. Besides the ideas in the virtual playdate post, you can get creative and play one of the games below. Be sure to give your guests a quick recap of how to play!

• Categories – Buy the flashcards or have the guest of honor choose a category and guests must continue naming things in that category
• Name It – Kids take turns giving silly names to alien characters
• Charades – Act out different actions or scenes and have everyone take a turn guessing
• Freeze Dance – Turn up the music and then freeze for add some pizzazz
• Simon Says – Take it old school with a simple game of Simon Says

Celebrate with Cake!

Once your guests have had enough playtime, don’t forget to move on to the main event: celebrating over a slice of cake! Or in this case, any snacks your guests have on hand and want to enjoy together.

It’s a small detail but will help kids feel they are actually right there with your kid, celebrating together.

Sing happy birthday together, blow out candles and thank everyone for taking the time to join.

Finally, be sure you snap a photo of the virtual party guests — you can take a screenshot or record the screen on your video settings. Don’t forget to send a copy to your guests to remember this moment!

Remember, this year, if you’re feeling a little uneasy about celebrating your child’s birthday party while being confined to your home, think out of the box and plan for a virtual party — your kids will be sure to treasure for a lifetime!

Ana @ Mommy's Bundle

Ana, a mom to three rambunctious little boys, has supported hundreds of thousands of women throughout their pregnancy and motherhood journey since 2012 as a blogger and maternal health advocate at MommysBundle.com.

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The post How to Throw a Virtual Birthday Party for Kids Who Can’t Be Together in Person appeared first on Mommy's Bundle.

We are definitely living in extraordinary times these days, with social distancing and quarantine being the new norm around the world due to the exponential spread of the scary virus, COVID-19.

But for kids, especially little ones, it’s hard to truly grasp the realities at hand. They are just innocent children looking to stay in touch with friends through play.

Even when you break up the day, and let your kids burn off energy outdoors for a bit or let them problem-solve alone. What do you do when the neighbor comes running over to play when you’re trying to teach a 4-5-year-old about keeping a safe distance?

It’s tough, but you just have to keep at it.

Social Distancing When You Have Little Kids

Here are a few things you can do to help kids practice social distancing during quarantine or shelter-in-place :

Teach your kids WHY keeping away from friends is sometimes necessary

Yes, it’s hard to get little kids to listen…especially if they already are struggling in the day-to-day. But it’s important to go over the basics of serious situations, like the current times, in a way they can understand.

• Break it down in simple terms that make sense to them – use social stories and language they can understand.
• Help them understand how germs spread with a simple science experiment.
• Remind them that it is only temporary until people feel better or doctors find a vaccine.

Show your kids HOW far apart they need to be to keep everyone safe

Sometimes visuals can work wonders with little ones who don’t always hear what you say. Show them what it looks to actually keep their distance.

And keep in mind, even if your outdoors, this is NOT a time to have playdates. But if you find you are out and about on a walk and people are also out, teach your kids to still keep their distance, despite what others are doing. Viruses are airborne and can still pose a danger.

Use a broomstick or pool noodle to show them how far apart they need to stand from friends and neighbors when playing outside or on a family hike.

Continue to reinforce the importance of handwashing for 20-30 seconds by singing Happy Birthday two times or any of their favorite songs. You can also use a cool timer to make sure they get the timing right!

Finally, give them ideas of WHAT they can do to play with friends from a distance

Below are 12 virtual playdate ideas for little kids. These are simple games toddlers, preschoolers, and early elementary-age children can play online via video chat using something like FaceTime, WhatsApp or Zoom.

As long as you have an iPhone, iPad, or computer, you should be good to go!

Virtual PlayDate Ideas for Little Kids

Try these fun online play ideas to help your kids spend time with friends from a safe distance.

Read Books Aloud

• • As simple as it sounds, having the kids read to their friends over the computer is a great way to keep in touch while practicing so many skills, like language and speech. Pick a book theme each week or just have your kids choose their favorite classics.

Tell Jokes

• • Let’s be real. Kids love being silly. What better way to have some fun together than a few knock-knock jokes?!

Play Dolls & Dinos

• • Let your kids parallel play across the screen with whatever favorite toy characters they enjoy. Dolls, dinos or robots.

Try BINGO

• • Although they may need a little help with the set-up, letting your kids play BINGO together over the computer is an easy way to help them stay connected while having fun. Grab a kid-friendly BINGO theme or use a free printable you can easily download and share with friends to play via Zoom.

Here’s an Easter Bingo printable to get you started:

Show-and-Tell

• • If your child is in preschool and used to having a designated show-and-tell day, why not carry on the tradition, while you’re stuck at home? This is such a great way to bring routine back to their day too!

Magic Show

• • Whether it’s a magic show, play or puppet show, kids love a good performance. Easy entertainment perfect to try over the screen.

Charades

• • Charades is another easy playdate idea for kids to do virtually. Have them act out an animal, action or verb and see how much fun they can still have.

Sing-a-long

• • Why not go back to basics and just have the kids sing together for some instant entertainment!

Read lips – Regular + Holiday Edition

• • Another fun virtual playdate idea is to have the kids try to read each other’s lips over Zoom — just be sure to hit the mute button! You can even make it more educational by taking turns choosing a sight word and practice reading lips!
  • This one can be adapted for special holidays too, from Valentine’s Day and Easter to Christmas — just use words that relate to that holiday and watch the fun erupt from silly guesses!

Below are a few ideas for Read My Lips – Valentines and Easter edition!

Ask questions

• • Let your kids ask each other questions in a fun interview-style to help them learn a little more about each other: what’s your favorite color, when’s your birthday, what do you want to be when you grow up?

Draw portraits

• • • If your child loves drawing like most little ones, have them draw portraits with their friends. You could also turn it into a Pictionary-type play and have them guess each other’s artwork. It will add lots of giggles and fun to their time together.

Play musical instruments

• • Have an instant music lesson while playing with your favorite musical instruments. Just be sure to grab some earplugs as it will be sure to get a little loud!!

I hope these ideas will bring you a little peace knowing there are still safe ways for your kids to play during social distancing times.

So the next time your neighbor comes running into your yard, you can simply explain, “Sorry we can’t play right now. It’s social distancing time. But we can try FaceTime later,” to help ease the situation and keep everyone safe.

Be sure to click to grab a PRINTABLE LIST of all these virtual ways to play.

Ana @ Mommy's Bundle

Ana, a mom to three rambunctious little boys, has supported hundreds of thousands of women throughout their pregnancy and motherhood journey since 2012 as a blogger and maternal health advocate at MommysBundle.com.

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The post Virtual Playdate Ideas for Keeping Kids at a Safe Distance appeared first on Mommy's Bundle.