BlueSuitMom's Working Mom Must-Haves
For the Kids
By Maria Bailey, Co-founder of BlueSuitMom.com and NewBaby.com
We know that video games are all the rage with children so we've picked out a few new releases for Nintendo DS: Ener-G Gym Rockets, Bella Sara, Monster Lab, Shaun the Sheep and My Secret World by Imagine.
If you have a crafty kid on your list, pick up Creativity Express, Let's Start with Art!
It is computer software that won the 2007/2008 Media of the Year Award and is perfect for ages 7 to 97. It features art as language, messages in art, value, color, making paint, time, eyes, shapes and forms, museums.
The Wii game system is the hot item for the whole family but you need the games to go with it. Cartoon Network's hit television series, Ben 10 Alien Force comes to life on Wii with puzzles, challenges and 3-D action. For race car enthusiasts that may include husbands, uncles and grandfathers there is Penny Racers Party Wii Game. It's an arcade style racing game that allows players to customize their cars, race, wind-up dash and wacky courses. There are over 50+ vehicles including officially licensed cars from Honda, Nissan and Mazda as well as wacky cars in fun themes.
Finally in videogames for little girls is Lovely Lisa, a fashion stimulation style game that helps young girls learn and understand the importance of working hard.
We're always looking for something to keep our digital savvy children engaged and inspired- especially on the go! We've found a positive alternative to mindless handheld video games and DVDs. MobiStories, www.mobistories.com, are virtual books for kids. The founders of MobiStories are parents themselves, and truly believe that reading is the single most important skill a child can learn to survive in today's digital world. Since digital impressions are prominent in kids' daily lives, they set out to instill the joy and love of reading in children by providing a story time experience on a screen. Perfect for on-the-go lifestyles, MobiStories digital books are published children's literature that can be played on many common devices, including an iPhone, iPod, PSP, portable DVD players and Mac and PC computers. With a great selection of titles in their online catalog, MobiStories offers parents a worthwhile activity for their kids, whether waiting in a doctor's office, on a long car trip, or even at home. MobiStories is the "digital babysitter" that Moms can feel good about!
For a more practical idea, check out Uneaks. It's customizable footwear that boys or girls will love. Even better is the free socks and shipping that they are offering with promo code UN358.
Small World Toys
If you are looking for high-quality toys that focus on early learning, imagination and active play (not video games), check out Small World Toys. Small World Toys carries toys like IQ Preschool, Nuerosmith and Eric Carle (of The Very Hungry Caterpillar fame). There has been recent news of stores carrying unsafe toys, but not here. All of the Small World Toys catalog passes the new 2009 CSPC saftey standards and they stand behind all of our products. They are offering a discount to BlueSuitMom readers through Dec. 15, 2008. http://www.smallworldtoys.com
BlueSuitMom Discount: 20% Off plus free shipping on order above $50 with code SALE138 (make sure to use all caps).
BlueSuitMom's Working Mom Must Haves and Great Finds:
Over the next year, we'll continue to add to the list, so if you know of something we missed, please send us an email.