What to get choosy teens? Surprise them with something they’ve been wanting and saving for or wow them with something new so they can be pioneers among their friends. These gifts build upon their interests and desire to constantly stay connected thanks to smart devices that allow them to instantly share to their social networks….
2014 Gift Guide: Best Gifts for Tweens (ages 8-12)
Tweens are at the cusp of independence but yet there can still be that occasional sweet side that longs to be the center of your attention. These gifts have a bit of the cool factor while also being practical, pure fun, and a bit educational too. Gravity Maze by ThinkFun ($29.99)— We never get tired…
2014 Gift Guide: Best Gifts for Early Elementary Ages (grades K-2)
Kindergarten, first, and second graders span a wide range of skills and knowledge. While kindergartners are still getting used to routines of school and many are moving towards reading fluency at their own pace, experienced second graders have the school thing down and are all about building on their knowledge while first graders are always…
2014 Gift Guide: Best Gifts for Preschoolers
Preschoolers are constantly busy. If they’re not in motion, their minds are racing as they work to synthesize information about the world around them as they learn at home and at school. Friendships at this age can be rewarding but tricky. Parallel play- playing near each other but not exactly collaboratively- is something that develops…
2014 Gift Guide: Best Gifts for Toddlers
What makes a good gift for the toddler set? Something that sparks their imagination and facilitates imaginative play that helps them continue to better understand the world around them, challenges them to think as they develop pre-reading and beginning math skills, and also reinforces their basic need of feeling loved. These gifts for 2-4 year…
2014 Holiday Gift Guides
If holiday shopping fills you with dread as you look at your long list, let me help! Every year since 2008, I’ve evaluated tons of products for my age appropriate gift guides and specialty guides but I only recommend the items I’d love to give as gifts, receive myself, or know that my kids would…
My Family’s Experiences with Piper as a Tool for Home Automation and Security
This is part of a sponsored content series. After having Piper up and running in the house for about a week, I’ve had a chance to dig into it a bit deeper to share how we’re using it for home automation and security. We received the Piper Z-Wave Pack ($339) with a Piper unit, Z-wave Smart Switch…
Play Nintendo: The Parent & Kid Go-to-Source for All Things Nintendo (w. giveaway)
If you’re a Nintendo fan, have you had a chance to visit the new Play Nintendo site? Launched at the beginning of October, this site is designed for kids and parents. Kids can access interactive content favorite characters, game tips, and Nintendo news through a highly visual site while Play Nintendo for Parents is a…
5 Home Security Tips for the Holidays #LSSS
This is a sponsored post and video Whether you’ll be home for the holidays or planning to travel for a few days or the duration of Thanksgiving and the winter holidays, take these 5 steps keep your home, family, and belongings safer this fall, winter, and beyond. As a member of Master Lock’s Live Secure Safety Squad,…
What You Need to Know About Protection Plans & How Asurion’s ProductProtection.com Can Help
This is a sponsored post It’s never convenient to have to replace big-ticket items when they die and this month Asurion is working to educate consumers on whether product protection is right for them as they plan for their holidays. Knowing that everything can and does go wrong at the most inconvenient times, Asurion has…
