In my many years of mom experience, with my 3 kids — each one reacted differently to cup transitioning. My first child was finally transitioned from his bottle at 22 months. We just didn’t think about it until my brother in law, a dentist said that it could affect his teeth. My son, who was almost 2 at the time, did not want to use a cup –  he wanted his babas back. Finally I had to just keep saying no and give him a cup and it took a weeks to stick (and was a nightmare). Plus we went through so many cups to find the perfect ones.

My second child picked it up easily at around 13-14 months. She saw her big brother using a cup (peer pressure is a wonderful thing!) My third child, who was breastfed until 13 1/2 months had a rough time. He would take one bottle a day until we weaned at 13 1/2 months and then I gave him bottles more often (mistake). When I’d give him a cup, he’d look at me and drop it off the high chair. Then I tried a straw cup and it surprisingly worked instantly (I also gave it to him when he was hungry!).

Remember this doesn’t mean you have to stop giving your toddler breastmilk! Just transition the breastmilk from bottle to cup.

Here are some tips to help:

1. Start as early as possible: While most people don’t think about it (with a baby you’ve got enough to deal with), you can introduce a cup as early as 6 months of age. But most parents, including myself, introduce a cup between 12-24 months of age.  Don’t stress if your child looks at you like you’re an alien and bats the cup away. Keep the cup in your cabinets and pull it out every few days or weeks so they get used to seeing it.

2. Let them play around with it: You may want to restrict cup time to when they’re in their high chair or feeding booster seat.  But keep offering the cup during mealtimes.

3. What can you put in the cup? You can give them expressed breast milk, water, formula, or whole milk (if they’re over 12 months). If you choose to offer juice, water it down. We love WebMD’s tips from Atlanta pediatrician Jennifer Shu, MD, co-author, with Dr. Laura Jana, of Heading Home With Your Newborn and Food Fights, “Start weaning baby by skipping a bottle feeding every five to seven days and Give your little one the liquids he likes best in the sippy cup and the ones he likes least in his bottle.”

4. Don’t let your children keep toting bottles or sippy cups around. Dr. Susan Sorenson explains the reason why in an article on BabyCenter, “Every time he takes a drink, natural bacteria in his mouth feed on these sugars and attack the teeth for 20 minutes. If he’s taking sips from a bottle every few minutes for an hour, his teeth are exposed to the sugars for at least 80 minutes. Over time, that causes tooth decay.”

3. Change up the Bedtime Bottle Routines. Some babies use bottles as security objects, like during a bedtime routine (like drinking their bottle as you read to them in the glider in their room). Just modify the routine, by using a cup of milk, but make sure to add toothbrushing in. Milk contains sugars,  which will cause tooth decay, by brushing their teeth, you’ll prevent that. Bring in your baby’s toothbrush and baby/toddler toothpaste (flouride-free) in the room with you and you brush their teeth gently after their bottle, before you put them into their crib.

4. Keep cups out of the crib, unless they contain water. Between 12-24 months, children decrease waking up at night, so going bottle free may be much easier.

5. Straw cup Vs. Sippy? If your child keeps refusing the sippy cup, before you get totally frustrated –  try a straw cup. My oldest child and my youngest child preferred them to sippy cups.  You also may have to go through several brands and types (soft spout, one handle, two handles…)

If your child keeps resisting any cup, Dr. Shu in the WebMD article recommends, “let him get into the groove of eating solid foods before trying again. Some children naturally lose interest in the baby bottle or breast once they’re eating three solid meals most days.”

How is your child doing with transitioning to a cup?

Cups we like:

Playtex Baby Sipsters Stage 3 Spill-Proof, Leak-Proof, Insulated Toddler Straw Sippy Cups – Milk and Water, 9 Oz, 2 Count

Playtex Baby Sipsters Stage 2 Hard Spout Cups, Green/Pink, Blue/Lavender, 9 Oz, 2 Count – Spill-Proof and Leak-Proof

WeeSprout 2-in-1 Drinking Cups for Kids, Durable Stainless Steel Tumbler for Smoothies, Silicone Straws with Stoppers, Premium Plastic Twist Lids, Easy-Grip Sleeves, Set of 4 Dishwasher Safe Kid Cups

Munchkin Cool Cat Sippy Cup for Toddlers, Stainless Steel Straw Cup, 8 Ounce, Blue

• Tips for Transitioning Your Child to a Toddler Bed
• My Toddler Fell Holding a Sippy Cup and Injured his Mouth #toddlers #pediatricER
• Why We love the Joovy Dood Sippy Cup
• Update: My Toddler’s Mouth Injury & Our Visit to the Pediatric Dentist
• Four Must-Haves for Back-To-School

The post Transitioning Your Baby To a Cup appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

Wobbly World, located on the second floor of the museum, is a result of a collaboration with toy designer Cas Holman, who created Rigmajig – the award-winning pop-up playground at the High Line in Manhattan. Here at the Liberty Science Center, she has created a magical, whimsical world where teeny-tiny babies can explore movement in interesting, fun ways.

The brightly-colored exhibit is a playscape with a variety of items that babies and toddlers can touch, climb, roll on, build and more! At the center, there is a giant body mobile, which is a carousel of sorts, where kids can balance and spin on. There are also oversized balance blocks, as well as a scales and stacking station, where kids can sort, stack and balance a variety of blocks.

Here are some of my favorites from the exhibit:

The gorgeous mobiles are not just for playing – they are also on display on the walls!

Click here to learn more about the exhibit and the Liberty Science Center. All visitors ages 12 and up are required to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination.

This is a sponsored post. All opinion is my own.

Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman is a PR consultant and freelance writer and has written for several blogs, including The Huffington Post. She has been living in the New York City area for over twenty years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree. Maytal is a mom to three kids, ages 14, 12 and 9.

The post Don’t Miss Wobbly World at Liberty Science Center appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

Every year, Americans catch millions of colds, and 7 in 10 people will use over-the-counter medicines to treat their cold and flu symptoms. However, many of the multi-symptom cold and flu medicines contain acetaminophen. .

It’s one of the most common drug ingredients in the U.S., found in more than 600 different over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medicines, including many cold and flu medicines. It’s safe and effective when used as directed, but there’s a limit to how much you can take in one day.

The FDA has set a maximum daily dose of 4,000 mg of acetaminophen in a 24-hour period for adults. And if you look at the directions, it will tell you how many tablets/capsules/gelcaps to take per day. Don’t exceed the dosage.

Here’s a list of all the cold and flu medicines that contain acetaminophen.

Over-the-Counter

Actifed®
Alka-Seltzer Plus®
Cepacol®
Contac®
Coricidin®
DayQuil®
Dimetapp®
Dristan®
Excedrin®
Feverall®
Formula 44®
Goody’s® Powders
Liquiprin®
Midol®
Mucinex®
NyQuil®
Panadol®
Robitussin®
Saint Joseph® Aspirin-Free
Singlet®
Sinutab®
Sudafed®
Theraflu®
Triaminic®
TYLENOL® Brand Products
Vanquish®
Vicks®
*And store brands

*Many OTC and Rx medicines have store-brand or generic versions. For example, there are many store-brand products that are similar to brands like TYLENOL®, NyQuil®, and Robitussin®. Prescription medicines that come in generic form may list the ingredients in place of a drug name. For example, the generic version of “Vicodin” has “hydrocodone and acetaminophen” written on its label. Your prescription label may list the ingredients, the brand name, or both. Always read and follow the label and ask your healthcare provider if you have questions about the ingredients in your medicine.

Keep Track of Acetaminophen Dosing

When you aren’t feeling well, its easy to not remember what dose of acetaminophen you’ve taken, so what I do is make a note in my iPhone Notes App. I mark the time and how much I took (usually 2 capsules).
You can also mark it on an index card or post-it note, which is what I used to do when my kids were small. I was afraid that I would give them too much, so this way my husband and I knew what time and dose we gave to our children.

Steps to use Acetaminophen Safely
– Always read and follow the medicine label
– Know if your medicines contain acetaminophen
– Take only one medicine at a time that contains acetaminophen
– Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you have questions. Most health insurance companies will have a telehealth or nurse on demand that you can call.

Of those who exceed the maximum daily dose, most do so by taking the next dose too soon, using multiple products containing acetaminophen, or taking too much at one time. Recent data shows that older adults (ages 60+) are at risk of taking too much acetaminophen. Teens and young adults ages 12-29 are also at the greatest risk of taking too much acetaminophen. It’s important to teach your teens to check their medicine labels before taking cold or pain medicines, since accidentally taking too much acetaminophen could damage their liver. This would include kids going off to college where they won’t have your watchful eye.

By knowing how much you’re dosing, you can stop that.

How to Dose Your Children Safely with Acetaminophen

Most of us are so careful when it comes to our children and dosing acetaminophen is included with that. However, when you’re giving a dose in the middle of the night or the wee hours in the morning, it’s hard to keep track of what you’ve already given them. Here’s as handy graphic (and a printable copy) so you can make sure you’re dosing your children properly with acetaminophen   Go here for infant and child dosing (or to print this chart out in Spanish).

Get a downloadable version of this chart here: http://bit.ly/KYDcoldflu (look for downloadable materials)

Make sure to double check your medicine labels so you don’t accidentally double up on acetaminophen. Check out http://bit.ly/KYDcoldflu​ for more information.

Photo credits:

Pin 1 Image: by Mojpe from Pixabay
Pin 2 Image by press and  from Pixabay

The post How Much Acetaminophen Should You Be Taking? + Printable Dosing Chart for Kids appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

If you have a preschooler at home you’re probably hearing  “I’m a big boy/girl” all the time. Seriously, right? Preschoolers are at a point where they’re no longer babies, they’re growing out of toddlerhood, and yet they’re not big enough to do some of the things that school-aged kids like their siblings or cousins can do. But they want to keep up. And why not? Skip Hop has the cutest line of backpacks, lunch bags and tableware that’s the perfect size for a preschooler, but can give them a sense of independence. Kids will love toting them off to preschool and back. Parents will be glad of the reasonable price point and the ease of cleaning. Here’s some adorable gifts for preschoolers from Skip Hop. We love the fun backpacks and plates – and we think you will too!

Zoo Pack

The Zoo Packs are super-cute backpacks that are perfect for preschool, for the weekend, or even as a diaper bag for a toddler still not potty trained. The backpacks feature one main compartment and a smaller compartment in the front. The side features a mesh pocket for a drink. The gift set includes a plush matching collectible. Available in many different styles.
Get on Amazon.

Zoo Lunchie

These Zoo Lunchies are perfect for school or the weekend for toting snacks around. It has an insulated interior that’s easy to clean and a mesh pocket on the inside for utensils. 
Get on Amazon. 

Skip Hop Baby Plate and Bowl Set

This gift set includes a plate, bowl, cup and utensils. The plate, bowl and cup are dishwasher safe and the fork and spoon feature stainless steel heads and soft side grips. Available in many different animal styles.
Buy on Amazon.

Amazon has a lot of great gifts from SkipHop!

I was not compensated for this post. I received a sample.

Related Posts:

The post Adorable Gifts for Preschoolers from Skip Hop appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

Similar to I Believe in Little Things, A Cheerful Little Earful has an almost-identical sound and seems like a sequel of sorts to the previous album, which is a good thing! There are many similarities; for example, lots of famous jazz tunes, made for young ears. There are several Jazz standards and songs from the Great American Songbook such as Happy Talk from South Pacific, Pocketful of Miracles, A You’re Adorable and Sing A Rainbow.

Another similarity between the albums is the song All in the Golden Afternoon – taken from the movie Alice in Wonderland and sung in both English and French, just like Diana has done in the previous album with A World of my Own. 

Although several years have passed since I Believe in Little Things, Diana’s voice is still as sweet as ever and perfectly cheerful to match the title of her new album. It’s hard not to smile at the sweet melodies. This time, to add a personal dimension, she included Music and Me, made famous by a young Michael Jackson. While MJ’s version is optimistic and hopeful, Diana’s version is somewhat bittersweet and yet gorgeous and really throws light upon her life-long connection to music.

My kids loved listening to the songs as much as I did and the album is especially great in the car as most of the songs are pretty upbeat and make for a fun, relaxing, car ride. Jazz For Kids: Diana Panton’s Second Family Jazz Album is Here!

To purchase the album click here.

I was not compensated for this post. I received a sample. 

Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman is a freelance writer and has written for several blogs, including The Huffington Post. She has been living in the New York City area for nineteen years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree. Maytal is a stay-at-home mom to three kids, ages 12, 10 and 7.

The post Jazz For Kids: Diana Panton’s Second Family Jazz Album is Here! appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

Cotz Skincare

Cotz is dedicated to making safe sunscreen and their extra-gentle sunscreen can be used on babies 6 months and older. The active ingredient is zinc oxide and it’s completely preservative-free and reef-friendly. Cotz makes sunscreen for kids called Kids Pure Botanicals that is made of a plant-based formula and can also be used on babies 6 months or older. Buy on Amazon. 

Oilogic

Oilogic is a brand that makes products using 100% pure essential oil blends for babies, kids and the entire family. The oils are sourced from plants from 13 countries around the globe and are diluted with a carrier oil. Oilogic has a variety of products with some that are suitable for babies 3 months and older, such as Cranky and Fussy Essential Roll-On, which is a roll-on you can apply directly to your baby’s chest, back of neck and bottom of feet. It contains essential oils such as lavender, jojoba and chamomile that can help soothe your baby when she inhales the scent. Most of the products are roll-ons and are applied externally so that you can simply inhale the scent. Buy on Amazon. 

Boudreaux’s Butt Paste

Diaper rashes are a part of life and while you’re going to want to get rid of your baby’s rash asap, you also want to make sure you have the right cream. Boudreaux makes 3 types of butt rash creams: original, maximum strength and with natural aloe. The products are free from dyes, preservatives, parabens and talc. Bonus: Boudreaux has a cool blog aptly named Butt Blog, with tons of baby tips such as how to deal with cradle cap or how to soothe a gassy baby. Get it via Subscribe and Save on Amazon – you’ll thank us later. 

Boiron

Founded in 1932 in Lyon, France, Boiron provides homeopathic solutions to common ailments such as cold and flu, digestion issues and muscle pain and aches. Their baby line has three products: ColdCalm, which provides relief from cold symptoms, Camilia, which provides teething relief and ColicComfort, which soothes colic symptoms. The last two products are safe for babies one month or older and the first product is for babies six months or older. The website has a link for “medicine finder” where you plug in the symptoms and are provided with a medication recommendation from the site. Buy on Amazon. 

Jack N’ Jill

Jack N’ Jill is a brand that mostly makes oral care products. They have natural toothpaste made of all-natural ingredients that is safe to swallow, as well as teething gel and a variety of toothbrushes that are appropriate for infants and older kids. So you can start using their products as soon as you see your baby’s first tooth emerge and until adulthood and beyond. They even have all-natural gum wipes so you can clean their gums before their teeth come out. I love that the toothbrush handles are compostable and biodegradable! Buy on Amazon. 

Babyletto

Babyletto creates everything from cribs and other baby furniture to crib mattresses, bedding and decals. Their sleek, modern designs are apparent in their furniture, which is eco-friendly, and their bedding collections which have soft pastel colors and tiny elegant prints. Their mattresses are non-toxic. My favorite feature on their website is the “shop the room” link, which showcases clickable photos of nurseries where you can see where all the products are from. If you’re getting ready to work on your nursery this page will provide you with all the inspiration you need. Buy on Amazon. 

All photos by @michellerosephoto, except for Babyletto and Jack N’ Jill

I was not compensated for this post. I received some samples. There are affiliate links in this post. 

Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman is a freelance writer and has written for several blogs, including The Huffington Post. She has been living in the New York City area for eighteen years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree, but blogging is her true passion. Maytal is a stay-at-home mom to three kids (ages 12, 10 and 6) and loves finding great products for her family.

The post Great Baby and Kid Finds from Babypalooza appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

We’re going on vacation later this week and I’m a little nervous where our almost 3 year old son will sleep. While he’s still in the crib at home, he is ready to transition to a bed. But I’m not sure that a vacation is the first time to introduce him to that. Rather than book a crib at our hotel, I figured out a better solution that will last for the many hotel and grandparent stays we do – KidCo’s PeaPod Plus Travel Bed ($89).

For children 1-5 years of age, we love how easy it is to use. It literally POPS open. We recommend using this with kids who are out of the crib, otherwise you may have a little wanderer on your hands! My son is about to be 3 and he can handle it. Before you use this product, make sure your child is old enough and understands that they will be sleeping in it. This is not a playard.

I admit I had trouble folding it back up into the little bag that comes with it (but I got it eventually).

Features:

• It comes fully assembled with a Micro-Lite sleeping pad already attached to the floor.
• Has s two large zipper panels
• Lightweight mesh for great airflow
• Adjustable window screens
• Anchor straps
• UV protection
• Storage/carry bag

Now a word of caution — the Peapod Plus I talk about here is NOT to be used with babies.  This is for older children, over 1 year. To be safe, I’d wait until your child is 2 or even 3. If you follow the instructions, there shouldn’t be any problems. 

Infants have suffocated in gaps between extra padding and on soft bedding. Use only the sleeping pad provided by the manufacturer. NEVER add a pillow, comforter, or another mattress for padding.
Failure to follow these warnings and the instructions could result in serious injury or death.
DO NOT place sleeping pad inside PeaPod. Sleeping pad is placed under the floor of the product and secured with snaps.
OPEN WITH CARE-When removing PeaPod from storage bag, use caution as it automatically unfolds rapidly when the safety strap is removed.
The PeaPod is not a toy. It is not to be used a pack and play/ playard.
DO NOT leave child unattended while zippered inside.
The PeaPod does not offer complete sun protection. As in, this shouldn’t be going with you to the beach. Note, models before 2012 have been recalled, make sure the version you get it newer than 2012.

You can find it on Amazon for $79 with Prime. If you are looking for a version for a baby, I always used the Baby Bjorn Travel Crib Light — here’s an Amazon link to that. 

And if you are looking for more toddler must haves for travel, head over to my list on Amazon.

Related Posts

Skip Hop Pronto! Changing Station – The Portable Changing Pad for Parents On the Go
Tips for Jogging and Exercising with Babies and Toddlers in Tow

The post Take your Toddler on the Road with the PeaPod Plus Travel Bed from KidCo appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

Blipblox is an innovative synthesizer that’s designed for little hands and features large knobs and buttons to allow very young kids to create electronic music in a way that actually sounds like real music! In fact, some of the features are so complex they make the sound come out like real, professional electronic music. This may be due to the Blipblox’s proprietary algorithm that synthesizes completely unique waveforms. In addition, the Blipblox features a multi-color LED light show that’s synchronized to the music in real-time.

For toddlers, the Blipblox is a fun way to learn basic electronic music-making and they enjoy the lights. I received a sample for review and had my kindergartner play with it. I watched as he tried the different buttons and knobs, (without telling him what they’re for) and he was having a blast discovering the different sounds and enjoying the lights. It was fun as a mom watching him discover a brand-new toy that’s so unique and different from other, more run-of-the-mill toys.

My older kids tried to figure out what the buttons were for (instructions are included) and they started noticing patterns. Kids of all ages get exposed to melody, tempo, oscillators, LFO’s, filters, envelopes and amplifiers. They both like to be challenged so it was nice watching them as they were figuring out the different knobs and buttons. Older kids and adults can click here to watch instructional videos. Blipblox can also be connected to external devices at home, such as MIDI keyboards and drum machines.

To learn more about Blipblox click here. You can purchase the Blipblox on Amazon. Price is $189. 

If buying directly from the website, use coupon code BLIPBLOG19 for a special $20 discount (valid thru Sept. 1, 2019)

We are excited to host a giveaway – one lucky winner will win a Blipbox!

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/BlipbloxExplorerChannel

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theblipblox/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/theblipblox/

https://www.facebook.com/theblipblox

I was not compensated for this post. I received a sample. This post contains an affiliate link. Kids Can Make their own Electronic Music with Blipblox! 

Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman is a freelance writer and has written for several blogs, including The Huffington Post. She has been living in the New York City area for eighteen years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree, but blogging is her true passion. Maytal is a stay-at-home mom to three kids (ages 12, 10 and 6) and loves finding great products for her family.

The post Kids Can Make their own Electronic Music with Blipblox! appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

MagStix are blocks that are made with non-toxic ABS plastic and are appropriate for kids ages 3-12. They come in a variety of shapes and colors and are a great STEM starter toy. I received the MagStix Wheel Set for review. Each stick has magnets on both ends and there are also magnets on the small balls (which can be attached to the enclosed four wheels). Kids can connect the MagStix to create 2D and 3D shapes – with endless possibilities. The MagStix also have four different tactile surfaces so they can be used as a sensory toy for kids on the Autism spectrum. 

I tried the MagStix with my kindergartner. Rather than tell him what to do I simply placed them on the floor and watched to see what he does. The set includes a booklet that provides some ideas but I put it away at first to just let my son try to build using his imagination. (We later looked together at some ideas.)

He seemed to struggle with putting together the wheels but I held off on trying to help him and he ended up figuring it out.

He had a blast creating different structures!

He was very proud of his work!

The 41-piece set includes a portable magnetic playboard so you can take them with you on the go. I love that this toy comes with a special bag for storage. Why don’t all toys come with storage?!

You can purchase Bizy Beez MagStix here. 20% of the profits will be donated to charities that provide critical services to families with children with special needs. Price is $69.99 (there is a coupon, remember to select it for a discount). 

I was not compensated for this post. I received a sample. This post contains affiliate links. 

Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman is a freelance writer and has written for several blogs, including The Huffington Post. She has been living in the New York City area for eighteen years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree, but blogging is her true passion. Maytal is a stay-at-home mom to three kids (ages 12, 10 and 6) and loves finding great products for her family.

The post STEM Toy Alert: Create Cool Magnetic Structures with BizyBeez MagStix Wheel Set appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

Lullabuddy is so small, yet the sound that comes out of it is incredibly clear. You simply turn it on and adjust the volume. There’s also a shuffle button and a one-hour timer. Lullabuddy doesn’t need batteries or electricity – you simply use the mini USB cable to charge it to a USB port and once it’s fully charged it will last up to 18 hours. I usually just use my cell phone charger and it charges pretty quickly (red light means it needs charging; blue light means it’s good to go). You can place the Lullabuddy anywhere. It’s perfect to take on vacation – you can just put in your hotel room and even in the car.

I received a sample for review and tried it with my boys – they both agreed that the songs are very soothing and help them fall asleep faster. My daughter, who’s twelve, loved the Lullabuddy so much, she’s now taking turns using it in her room. The cool thing about Lullabuddy is that you can also hook it up to your device and use it with your own playlist. The songs, by recording artist Mae Robertson, are exquisite. Some favorites: Moon River, What a Wonderful World and All the Pretty Horses.

Visit Lullabuddy.com to learn more. You can see a list of all the songs and listen to some samples. You can purchase the Lullabuddy on Amazon. Price is $60. Sweet Dreams and a Quiet Bedtime Routine with Lullabuddy (+Giveaway)

Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman is a freelance writer and has written for several blogs, including The Huffington Post. She has been living in the New York City area for eighteen years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree, but blogging is her true passion. Maytal is a stay-at-home mom to three kids (ages 12, 10 and 6) and loves finding great products for her family.

The post Sweet Dreams and a Quiet Bedtime Routine with Lullabuddy appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

Pip’s Island has a very cool concept: the audience, which is kids, with the “assistance” of their parents, are formed into a group and meet in a room where they have to do certain things to find an entrance to another room. They keep going from room to room in a storyline where villain Joules Volter is trying to take over an island. The kids’ jobs, as explorers, is to help a boy named Pip and save the island.

The show is a perfect introduction to the concept of escape room for young kids. It’s hard at a young age to differentiate between real and imaginary and a show like Pip’s Island is the perfect vehicle to allow kids to explore that fine line between what’s real and what’s only pretend. The sets at each room are imaginative, lavish and impressive, no expenses are spared in this production. The cast of about 20 includes actors, singers and puppeteers and the entire show is very well run and organized, from the minute you enter the building and until you exit it.

I loved that the cast stayed in character the entire time and I couldn’t stop laughing at the jokes (some were intended for the parents). The show is perfect as an indoor activity for a cold or rainy day and the location – 42nd St.and 9th Ave. can’t be beaten!

My nine-year-old said it was a lot of fun. My-six-year old looked back at me once in a while throughout the show, just to make sure all was ok. When we left the building he said to me: you said we were going to a show, that wasn’t a show! It’s a mystery and an adventure!

Pip’s Island is playing through June 2019. Shows are held every 30 minutes daily (closed on Tuesdays) at 400 West 42nd St., at 9th Ave. To purchase tickets click here.

The show, which lasts about an hour, is recommended for mature four-year-olds and up to age 10.

I was not compensated for this post. I received tickets to the show.

Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman is a freelance writer and has written for several blogs, including The Huffington Post. She has been living in the New York City area for eighteen years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree, but blogging is her true passion. Maytal is a stay-at-home mom to three kids (ages 12, 9 and 6) and loves finding great products for her family.

The post Pip’s Island – An Interactive Show that Acts as Escape Room of Sorts for Kids! appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

A dancing clock, two wacky stepsisters, and everyone’s favorite rags to riches princess are all part of this traditional enchanting story! A perennial favorite of NYTB audiences across America, Cinderella is one-hour in length with choreography by Donald Mahler, costumes by Sylvia Taalson Nolan, set design by Gillian Bradshaw-Smith to the music of Sergei Prokofiev.

When: Saturday, February 9, 2019 at 11am, 1pm, 3:30pm

               Sunday, February 10th, 2019 at 11am, 1pm, 3:30pm

Where: Florence Gould Hall
55 East 59th Street, NYC

Price: $27 per adult, $15 per child

To purchase tickets click here or call Ticketmaster at (800) 982-2787. 

Photos by Richard Termine

I was not compensated for this post. I received tickets. 

Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman is a freelance writer and has written for several blogs, including The Huffington Post. She has been living in the New York City area for eighteen years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree, but blogging is her true passion. Maytal is a stay-at-home mom to three kids (ages 12, 9 and 6) and loves finding great products for her family.

The post Upcoming Show: NYTB’s Cinderella Ballet appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

Go Home Tiny Monster, from Bonnie Duncan and The Gottabees (January 19th at 11 am & 2 pm)

One day, Sylvie and her family of handmade creatures suddenly find themselves in need of a new home. Luckily, they have an audience full of people who can help them out. Go Home Tiny Monster features The Gottabees’ trademark mix of puppetry, joyously absurd silliness, physical theater, live music, and surprising poignancy.

The Doubtful Sprout, from Liz Joyce and a Couple of Puppets (February 9th at 11 am & 2 pm)

Get ready to explore the world under your feet in this underground puppet adventure. Tunnel down with Worm and Sprout as they discover the mysterious life found in soil. Along the way, kids help figure out the secrets that help Sprout grow. Acclaimed master Puppeteer Liz Joyce, brings this ecological wonderland to life with several styles of puppets, projections and song.

The Amazing Story Machine, from Doppelskope (February 23rd at 11 am & 2 pm)

The Grimm family is on the verge of presenting their amazing new Story Machine, which runs on steam and dreams and promises to revolutionize how stories are told and how people connect. When their fabulous contraption malfunctions, they have to invent a new way of storytelling on the spot, using puppets and help from the audience. The Grimms explore some of their favorite fairy tales, including The Hare and the Hedgehog, Hansel and Gretel, and The Brave Little Tailor. The show features multiple styles of puppetry, including tabletop puppetry, object theatre, and shadow puppetry, as well as live music, projections, and physical comedy.

Beauty and the Beast, from the National Marionette Theatre (March 9 at 11 am & 2 pm)

This classic tale of the ferocious looking Beast with a kind heart is a perennial favorite with audiences worldwide, and is brought to vivid life through stunning marionettes. Join Beauty, our brave heroine, as she discovers there are many ways that one can be beautiful in this world, and how one looks on the outside can be very different than how one is on the inside.

All performances take place at Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway, (at 95th St.) The shows are appropriate for kids ages 2 and up and are $17 per person. Click here to purchase tickets.Click here to purchase tickets. Puppet Shows Galore at Symphony Space

I was not compensated for this post. I received tickets.

Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman is a freelance writer and has written for several blogs, including The Huffington Post. She has been living in the New York City area for eighteen years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree, but blogging is her true passion. Maytal is a stay-at-home mom to three kids (ages 11, 9 and 6) and loves finding great products for her family.

The post Don’t Miss: Puppet Shows Galore at Symphony Space appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

Mizrahi is not only the narrator; he is also the director and costume designer. Choreography is by John Heginbotham. Music is by Ensemble Signal, conducted by Brad Lubman (Dec. 1 and 2) and Oliver Hagen (Dec. 7,8,9). This show is a real treat, not only because of the charming story, but also because this particular interpretation is especially endearing; the famous, catchy melodies by Prokofiev come to life and, of course, Mizrahi steals the show with his charm and wit.

When: December 1 and 8, 2018 at 1, 2:30 & 4pm
December 2 and 9 at 2:30 and 4pm
December 7 at 6:30pm

Where: The Guggenheim Museum
Peter B. Lewis Theater
1071 Fifth Avenue, NYC
(Enter theater at ramp at 5th Ave. @ 88th St.)

Price: $45 per person

To purchase tickets click here or call (212) 758-0024 Upcoming Show: Isaac Mizrahi Narrates Peter & The Wolf at The Guggenheim

Photo: Courtesy of Works & Process at the Guggenheim/Jacklyn Meduga

I was not compensated for this post. I received tickets to the show.

Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman is a freelance writer and has written for several blogs, including The Huffington Post. She has been living in the New York City area for eighteen years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree, but blogging is her true passion. Maytal is a stay-at-home mom to three kids (ages 11, 9 and 6) and loves finding great products for her family.

The post Upcoming Show: Isaac Mizrahi Narrates Peter & The Wolf at The Guggenheim appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

A short hour and half away from NYC is a toddler’s dream come true: Sesame Place! Filled with dry & wet rides, live shows, a parade and tons of opportunities to meet the Sesame Street characters, Sesame Place offers a little piece of Heaven for kids ages 2-10. My family and I recently attended Media Day at Sesame Place and got to experience first-hand what it is all about. It was too cold to do the wet rides, so we ended up seeing the parade, two of the three shows and going on all of the dry rides and activities (except for the roller coaster). While the theme park itself is not very big, it can get very busy when the weather gets warmer so here are some tips to making the most of your visit.

Activities:

Most of the dry rides and activities are geared towards very small children, while most of the wet rides are for kids that are a little bit older. The shows and parade are an absolute must! The shows are about 25 minutes long and involve music and songs – some of which are interactive – and there is very little talking going on, which is perfect for little ones’ attention span. The characters come down to interact a little with the kids in the front row. The newest show is Abby Caddaby’s Let’s Play Together which is all about friendship.

Getting to the shows early will ensure you better seats. I went early to stand in line, while my husband took the kids to get their picture with Elmo at the “123 – Smile With Me” photo studio. The studio is great because you get a gorgeous, quality picture and you can buy a package which gets you a really cute frame to put it in. In addition, the characters can sometimes be found roaming the main street of the park, but there is usually a line to get your picture with them. It’s still worth it because it’s free, so if you have the time I recommend that, too.

The parade, which is also about 25 minutes, is a lot of fun and interactive – the kids get the opportunity to join at certain parts and dance. It’s best to get there early to get a good spot. Bring a towel or blanket to spread on the ground. Other dry activities that are not rides but still just as fun are Ernie’s Bed Bounce, Cookie Mountain and more!

Dining:

Buying food at Sesame Place can be expensive, but the kids’ meals come with adorable plastic plates and cups that we still use. There are some healthy options like veggie salads & fruit cups. You can also bring your own food and snacks to save money.

There is also the option of dining with the characters for an extra fee which includes a breakfast, lunch, dinner or after-dinner desserts and involves some the characters who come up to the table and meet with the kids.

What to Bring:

I recommend bringing water shoes, swim diapers, lots of sunscreen and also lots of water bottles and snacks. I also recommend bringing a stroller with lot of storage space underneath, but there are also lockers available to rent for a fee. In addition, your kids will probably want you to buy them stuff – this is why Oscar’s Garage Gift Shop is a great option. Everything at the store is under $10 so you can stock up on souvenirs and gifts.

After the Park:

If you have a long ride home and have very young children, I recommend staying at the park until close to dinnertime, then going out to eat somewhere and after dinner getting the kids in their pajamas and going straight home so they can sleep on the way. We did this and our kids fell asleep immediately after dinner on the way home and – most importantly – stayed asleep when we put them in their beds.

There are a few dinner choices in the area, namely Cheeburger Cheeburger, located right next to the parking lot, which has lots of options for everyone, including burgers, salads, kids’ meals and a large variety of shakes, plus vegetarian options. We had dinner at Duck Sauce, a Chinese/Asian Fusion place with many non-vegetarian and vegetarian options. It’s very affordable and the food was amazing (I did not get any freebies from this place – I just happen to love it). It’s a 10 minute ride from Sesame Place so it was very convenient. It’s located at 127 S. State Street, Newtown, PA 18940

How Much:

Price is $57.99 for a one day OR an Elmo’s 2-day ticket, so you might as well get the 2-day, since you can use it anytime within that season (open until December). Kids under 2 are free.

If you decide to use the 2-day ticket on 2 consecutive days there are plenty of affordable places to stay, either right across from Sesame Place, or even 20-30 minutes away, which can end up being more affordable (use tripadvisor or expedia). If you decide to go for two consecutive days, it’s best to spend one day just doing the dry rides and some of the shows, and the other doing the wet rides, relaxing by The Count’s Splash Castle and the rest of the shows and parade.

Sesame Place
100 Sesame Road, Langhorne, PA 19047
1-866-GO-4-ELMO
Summer hours are from 10am-8 or 9pm

So, did my kids have the time of their lives? Judging by the picture below I think it’s pretty obvious they did!

I was not paid for this post. I did receive complimentary passes and parking for Sesame Place.

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Contributing Blogger Maytal Wichman is the owner of Mama’s Healthy Bites. Maytal has been living in New York City for eleven years. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree, but writing about nutrition and helping families eat better is her true passion. She grew up in both California and Israel, which explains her love for California cuisine (fresh, local ingredients), as well as Mediterranean food (flavorful, heart-healthy ingredients). Maytal is a mom to two kids (ages 5 & 3) and works hard to ensure they eat healthy, unprocessed food, while trying to make it as delicious as possible. Married to a vegetarian and being a pescetarian herself, this can be quite a challenge. On an ordinary night at her dinner table, you can hear things like “More cauliflower, please!”, “How come I didn’t get a lot of tomato?” and “Fish oil! Yaaaay!”.

The post Sesame Place Guide for Parents appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

Clear Zinc Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30 ($19.95)

This formula is suitable for young kids and is non-nano zinc oxide. It contains skin-soothing organic oils such as Argan and rose hips oil. I love that it’s non-greasy and won’t get in the eyes. It’s hypoallergenic and rubs in clear. The Clear Zinc Sunscreen is fragrance-free and rich in vitamins and antioxidants.

Super Shield Sport Stick Sunscreen SPF 50 ($15.95)

If you’re not a fan of applying sunscreen in the form of lotion, a sports stick might be a better solution for you. This sports stick is also non-nano zinc oxide and rich in vitamins and minerals. It contains jojoba and avocado oil, as well as organic shea butter. It rubs clear and is hypoallergenic.

Both sunscreens are not tested on animals, are reef-safe, and don’t contain chemicals such as phthalates.

Learn more and purchase products at Babo Botanicals.

I was not compensated for this post. I received samples.

Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman is a freelance writer and has written for several blogs, such as The Huffington Post. She has been living in the New York City area for seventeen years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree, but blogging is her true passion. Maytal is a stay-at-home mom to three kids (ages 11, 9 and 5) and loves finding great products for her family.

The post Get Your Kids Ready for Summer with Babo Botanicals appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

b.box is a company that creates innovative products that make life easier for parents and kids alike. They have an award-winning diaper caddy that is absolutely perfect for all your diapering needs. Rather than going to one place for diapers and another for wipes (not to mention scrambling to find diaper cream in the back of the dresser drawer), the diaper caddy can store everything you could possibly need when it comes to diapers.

Here’s what you can store: diapers (disposable or cloth), wipes, lotions/creams, any other smaller objects, such as a thermometer. Also included is a small changing pad, as well as a removable divider that separates diapers from cream. The diaper caddy wipes clean and comes in 5 colors – blue (in photo), pink, green, brown and gray.

Here’s how it looks with the divider:

Another thing I love about the diaper caddy is that when my son will be done with diapers (which I hope is sooner rather than later) we’ll be able to use it as storage for arts and crafts supplies.

Click here to learn more and to purchase the b.box Diaper Caddy. Price is $40.

I was not compensated for this post. I received a sample.

Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman is a freelance writer and has written for several blogs, such as The Huffington Post. She has been living in the New York City area for seventeen years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree, but blogging is her true passion. Maytal is a stay-at-home mom to three kids (ages 11, 9 and 5) and loves finding great products for her family.

The post New Parent Pick – b.box Diaper Caddy is the Diaper Organizer that Grows with Your Child appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

I recently attended the 2018 New York Baby Show – the largest show for new and expecting parents. With over 200 brands showcasing their products or services, it was quite a challenge to find the best brands but there were three that stood out as incredibly smart and unique. Cool Products: My Top Three Picks from The New York Baby Show

Here are my picks:

Monti Kids

Subscription boxes are very popular now and I’ve covered several on this blog. Monti Kids is a subscription box that sends you Montessori-style toys. With this subscription, every three months you receive a box of age-appropriate toys for your child age 0-3. This is especially great for people who don’t have a Montessori school near them, or who don’t send their kids to a Montessori school for various reasons. Kids can get all the benefits of the Montessori-style toys in the comfort of their home. Montessori schools are typically not available for infants, so it’s a great opportunity to get an early start on this method. In addition, for people who already have a child in a Montessori school, having the toys at home reinforces their learning. Aside from the toys, there’s also access to articles and videos that provide guidance in using the toys at home. I absolutely loved seeing the toys Monti Kids had on display.

I loved this toy – you place the ball on top and watch it roll down, perfect for teaching very young kids about cause and effect:

Real Shades

Having your kids wear sunglasses in the summer months is important, especially if they spend a lot of time outdoors. My kids have gone through a bunch of them as they tend to break easily. Real Shades creates sunglasses for kids ages two and up as well as adults that are virtually unbreakable. You can twist and turn them as much as you like – they will absolutely not break.

The sunglasses offer 100% UVA/UVB protection. The frames also change colors when exposed to UV.

Real Shades also makes a cool strap that can be also used to clean sunglasses and doubles as a cover – brilliant!

People Toy Company

The one toy that stood out to me at The New York Baby Show was People Blocks by People Toy Company. This award-winning, stem-based toy is essentially colorful blocks that attach magnetically. It’s a great introductory toy for building and encourages creativity, open-ended play and critical thinking. Perfect for kids ages 18 months and up, each set has a different theme  – vehicles, city dwellers, zoo animals and an extra-large set with classic blocks. Very young kids can experiment in building things they see in their everyday life, as well as creating their own unique designs.

People Toy Company makes other award-winning toys worth checking out, such as Magic Reflection Ball and toys which are made of 51% rice.

The New York Baby Show was a fun event – you can easily spend a few hours visiting with the different brands.

There are also workshops and keynote speakers, such as Dr. Harvey Karp. I love his book The Happiest Toddler on the Block and have used some of his strategies, so I was excited to listen in to his talk.

Aside from learning about new brands, I also had fun seeing old brands. I was especially happy to see Mabel’s Labels, an old favorite of mine. Mabel’s Labels is a trusted brand that has been around since 2003. The award-winning company offers labels that are laundry, dishwasher, and microwave-safe.

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I have been using their labels for a few years now and they are very durable. I also love their cute designs. Their newest design is glitter labels, pictured below. If you zoom in on the photo below you can see the glitter sparkle on the pink ones!

Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman is a freelance writer and has written for several blogs, such as The Huffington Post. She has been living in the New York City area for seventeen years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree, but blogging is her true passion. Maytal is a stay-at-home mom to three kids (ages 11, 9 and 5) and loves finding great products for her family.

The post Cool Products: My Top Three Picks from The New York Baby Show appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

As you know, creating a calm bedtime routine is extremely helpful in getting kids to sleep well and I can’t think of anything more endearing than watching my kids drift off to sleep with the sweet sounds of classical music. Sure, you can play music on the phone but with Virtuoso Bears you can avoid the harmful blue light and simply enjoy the softness of a plush which is fun to cuddle with.

The Amadeus Bear:

Virtuoso Bears are cute plush bears that have a hidden switch that plays classical music. There are two types: Amadeus, which plays seven full-length Mozart pieces, and Ludwig, which plays 7 of Beethoven’s pieces. Each bear plays 40 minutes of music – you can listen to it here. Inside each bear, there is an interior pocket which has a short biography of each composer (pictured below).

Setting up the music is easy: simply take out the hidden music device in the back and put three AAA batteries. The bears come with simple instructions on how to skip tracks and adjust volume.

The bears are safe for newborns and make the perfect baby shower gift, but older children will enjoy them as well. I received the Amadeus bear for review. It really is super-soft and my five-year-old who’s still into stuffed animals loves cuddling with it. My daughter, however, has been taking it into bed each night, claiming the music is helping her fall asleep faster. The quality of the music is superb!

Here’s the Ludwig bear:

Click here to learn more about the bears. Price is $49.99 per bear. You can purchase Amadeus here and Ludwig here. Use this code at checkout for 20% off:  Y63QBNB9 (works for Amazon orders, until 7/20/18).

I was not compensated or this post. I received a sample. We think you should see Alice in Wonderland Ballet this April!

Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman is a freelance writer and has written for several blogs, such as The Huffington Post. She has been living in the New York City area for seventeen years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree, but blogging is her true passion. Maytal is a stay-at-home mom to three kids (ages 11, 9 and 5) and loves finding great products for her family.

The post Virtuoso Bear: A Must-Have for the Bedtime Routine (+20% off Coupon) appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

Photos by Rachel Neville

I was not compensated or this post. I received tickets to the show. We think you should see Alice in Wonderland Ballet this April!

Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman writes for Little Spoon and has also written for The Huffington Post. She has been living in the New York City area for seventeen years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree, but blogging is her true passion. Maytal is a stay-at-home mom to three kids (ages 11, 9 and 5) and loves finding great products for her family.

The post Don’t Miss: Alice in Wonderland Ballet this April! appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

Easter is fast-approaching and if you’re looking for a gift that provides a little more substance than just chocolate eggs, I found a toy that can provide hours of playtime during Spring Break and year-round: the Mega Power N’ Play Workbench from Stanley Jr. Easter Gift Idea: Mega Power N’ Play Workbench by Stanley Jr

The workbench ($49.97) is a really cute pretend-play toy that allows kids to “be grownups” while also enabling them to get creative. My five-year-old is at a stage where he wants to do everything Daddy does and will often try to get hold of my husband’s tools from his toolbox. A much safer way for him to be able to “be like Daddy” is with this workbench.

I received a sample for review and loved how easy it was to put it together. My son was actually able to look at the instructions and help me figure out what to do. Within three minutes the workbench was ready to go and my son was delighted to be able to do “grownup work” just like his father.

The workbench includes over 50 pieces, such as a hammer, pliers, saw, wrench and screwdriver, plus a battery-powered Miter Saw that has sound effects so real, the first few times my son used it I had to run to check up on him because it really sounds like a saw.

My son had a blast working on his workbench and putting in the nuts and bolts. He was also excited that there’s a built-in ruler because he is really into measuring things, so he incorporated it into his pretend-play. The Mega Power N’ Play workbench is available only at your local Walmart and walmart.com

Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman writes for Little Spoon and has also written for The Huffington Post. She has been living in the New York City area for seventeen years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree, but blogging is her true passion. Maytal is a stay-at-home mom to three kids (ages 11, 8 and 5) and loves finding great products for her family.

The post Easter Gift Idea: Mega Power N’ Play Workbench by Stanley Jr appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

Stinky McGee has tons and tons of cool patterns that can be perfect for casual everyday styles, as well as more fancy patterns for holiday styles. I’m pretty conservative so my favorite patterns are the Houndstooth, Stripes, SeerSucker and Denim. I received samples of the Navy Houndstooth bow tie and necktie. The ties are super-easy to put on – just use the plastic clasp on the back. For my younger son I tightened the bow tie with the adjustable slider.

Made in Brooklyn, Stinky McGee also makes father & son sets of bow ties, as well as other cute accessories like suspenders, all in matching patterns to the ties. Sizes are 0-7.

Click here to buy online and here for a list of stores.

I was not compensated for this post. I received samples.

Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman writes for Little Spoon and has also written for The Huffington Post. She has been living in the New York City area for seventeen years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree, but blogging is her true passion. Maytal is a stay-at-home mom to three kids (ages 11, 8 and 5) and loves finding great products for her family

The post Stinky McGee: Dress Your Little Guy with the Cutest Ties This Spring! appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

My kids had fun building right on the display table. You can even build on top of structures. For example, right on the gray roof of the fire station in the photo below.

My kids’ favorite thing at City Builder was looking for various characters, such as a pair of puppies that have been hidden by the City Builder master builders.

Found a puppy!

We loved the attention to detail.

Click here to read a previous post of Legoland.

Legoland is located at 39 Fitzgerald Street in Yonkers. Click here for more info.

Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman writes for Little Spoon and has also written for The Huffington Post. She has been living in the New York City area for seventeen years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree, but blogging is her true passion. Maytal is a stay-at-home mom to three kids (ages 11, 8 and 5) and loves finding great products for her family. 

The post New Exhibit: LEGO City Builder at Legoland Discovery Center appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

The show is based on the talent of Max Darwin, a magician who is not only great at magic but also hysterically funny. His humor is based on his interaction with kids – he invites many kids from the audience to participate in the show and this has become a part of his act. He has a good rapport with kids of all ages; he is as comfortable with a giggling five-year-old as he is with a sassy nine-year-old. He is quick on his feet and really makes the most out of every interaction he has with children.

Some of his magic tricks are more sophisticated than others but all are entertaining, due to Max’s charisma. Not only were my children laughing throughout the show, so were my husband and I. Max’s humor appeals mainly to young children but it’s hard not to laugh at his antics. He just seems to know instinctively what makes kids laugh and how to entertain. The magic tricks that he performs are merely one aspect of the show. What I loved even more was that some of his jokes were not intentional, but were rather made on-the-spot. It was truly an entertaining performance.

The show is 65 minutes with no intermission and is recommended for ages 3 and up. The theater has five rows so every seat gets you a great view. Premium seats, in the front, include an early entrance to the theater where kids can learn a magic lesson by Max’s assistant and get to take home a magic trick.

When: Through March 11, 2018
Sat & Sun at 3:30pm

Where: Theater at Blessed Sacrament
152 West 71st St., NYC

Price: $34.50 – 69.50

To purchase tickets click here or call (866) 811-4111. You can also purchase at the box office one hour before the show.

Photos by Carol Rosegg

I was not compensated for this post. I received tickets to the show.

Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman writes for Little Spoon and has also written for The Huffington Post. She has been living in the New York City area for seventeen years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree, but blogging is her true passion. Maytal is a stay-at-home mom to three kids (ages 11, 8 and 5) and loves finding great products for her family. 

The post Magic & Giggles at The Amazing Max Show for Kids and Their Parents in NYC appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

The exhibit takes you back to the Cretaceous period (145-65 million years ago). It features two types of environments: a land of fire, with volcanos and hot lava, and a land of ice, in Alaska.

T-Rec and Triceratops lived in the warmer climate.

Here’s the Troodon, who lived in cold climates:

My youngest had a blast dressing up as an insect:

The kids had fun uncovering fossils:

The exhibit is appropriate for kids ages 3-10. My 11-year-old loved it as well! Here she is with the Edmontosaurus, who lived in cold climates:

We learned that dinosaurs did indeed live in Alaska, but the climate at the time was probably close to Minnesota’s current climate. Researchers believe that dinosaurs who lived in Alaska at the time likely migrated south during the cold months or adapted to the cold weather by either slowing down their metabolism, thus requiring less food, or by being warm-blooded like the mammals and birds that live in polar environments today.

I was surprised to learn about the Western Interior Seaway that existed during the Cretaceous time and split North America into two.

My kids had fun exploring other exhibits at LICM. Click here to read a previous review of LICM.

Take advantage of the cold winter months to visit the LICM – be sure to check out the dinosaur exhibit, which is closing May 13.

LICM is located at 11 Davis Avenue in Garden City. Click here for more info.

I was not compensated for this post. I received complimentary admission.

Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman writes for Little Spoon and has also written for The Huffington Post. She has been living in the New York City area for seventeen years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree, but blogging is her true passion. Maytal is a stay-at-home mom to three kids (ages 11, 8 and 5) and loves finding great products for her family. 

The post We Checked Out the New Dinosaur Exhibit at the Long Island Children’s Museum appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

In the story, originally written by Itzhak Schweiger-Dmi’el, a young girl named Hanna receives a white handmade dress from her mother to wear on Shabbat. She meets her animal friends and makes sure not to stain the dress but while walking in the woods, she ends up getting stains after helping an old man carry a sack of coals. The moon hears her cries and makes the dress even more beautiful than before by replacing the stains with stars.

I took my sons, aged 5 and 8 to see the show and they both liked it a lot! Aside from the inventive stage scenery which is made of only white paper, the show is interactive in a unique way: before the show, kids are encouraged to color flowers and stars and later, during the show, the flowers and stars are collected to be on stage as part of the scenery.

The sweet, catchy songs have simple lyrics that are easy to understand – perfect for very young kids. The show is appropriate for ages 2-8 due to its simple plot; school-aged kids will understand the underlying message of “do good and good will come to you” while for the younger ones, the 50-minute performance is a great introduction to theater.

When: 1/6/18 at 11am & 1pm; 1/7/18 11am & 1pm

(The show is also playing this winter at the 14th St. Y)

Where: Theatre Row
410 West 42nd St., between 9th & 10th Aves.

Price: $42.25

To purchase tickets click here or purchase at the box office.

Photos by Basil Rodericks

I was not compensated for this post. I received tickets. 

Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman writes for Little Spoon and has also written for The Huffington Post. She has been living in the New York City area for seventeen years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree, but blogging is her true passion. Maytal is a stay-at-home mom to three kids (ages 11, 8 and 5) and loves finding great products for her family. 

The post Show Review: Hanna and the Moonlit Dress appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

Ragtag Theatre Company is back with their sold-out hit and this year’s Off Broadway Alliance winner for Best Family Show, Cinderella! Follow a troupe of poor “Italian” actors as they present the well-known fairy tale, Cinderella, in a brand-new way—with daffy llamas, roller skating fairy godmothers, selfie taking step sisters, and Carol Channing. This adaptation is performed in the Italian street theater style known as Commedia dell’Arte with larger-than-life characters, colorful song and dance numbers, tons of pop culture references and a great message on self-worth for kids.

The performance is 65 minutes and recommended for all ages. Premium seat holders can participate in a pre-show runway extravaganza, held 25 minutes prior to the show.

Here’s a video with highlights:

When: Through January 7, 2017

Where: Theatre Row
410 West 42nd St., between 9th & 10th Aves.

Price: $42.25 – $62.25

To Purchase tickets click here or purchase at the box office.

Photos by Dennis Corsi

I was not compensated for this post. I received tickets. 

Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman writes for Little Spoon and has also written for The Huffington Post. She has been living in the New York City area for seventeen years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree, but blogging is her true passion. Maytal is a stay-at-home mom to three kids (ages 10, 8 and 5) and loves finding great products for her family. 

The post Upcoming Show: Ragtag Theatre’s Cinderella – A Fractured Fairytale appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

From clockwork imps to a luminous owl that flies above the audience, mice dressed in polka dots and dancers dancing with huge chopsticks, this timeless, re-imagined classic bursts with energy and excitement. This holiday ballet… is set in Art Nouveau style circa 1907 with innovative choreography by long-time NYTB choreographer, Keith Michael; set design by Gillian Bradshaw-Smith; and costumes by Resident Costume Designer of the Metropolitan Opera, Sylvia Taalsohn Nolan. Held at the intimate Florence Gould Hall where your child will feel like part of the story from any seat.

When: December 15: Noon, 6pm
December 16: 11am, 1pm, 3:30pm
December 17: 11am, 1pm, 3:30pm

Where: Florence Gould Hall
55 East 59th Street, NYC

Price: $24 for kids under 12; $34 for adults

To purchase tickets click here or call Ticketmaster at (800) 982-2787. You can also purchase at the box office.

Photos by Rachel Neville

I was not compensated for this post. I received tickets to the show. 

Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman has also written for The Huffington Post. She has been living in the New York City area for seventeen years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree, but blogging is her true passion. Maytal is a stay-at-home mom to three kids (ages 10, 8 and 5) and loves finding great products for her family. 

The post Don’t Miss: Keith Michael’s The Nutcracker – a 1 Hour Performance for Toddlers appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

For Baby

Elmo’s World Hide & Seek – $19.99, Ages 6 months-4 years

This super-adorable and inventive game requires two players or more. One player hides Elmo somewhere around the house, using cards that have photos of places to place Elmo around the house. The other player uses the enclosed cards to find him. There are 24 location cards with ideas for where to hide, such as the couch, a backpack, even a fruit bowl. Elmo is pretty small so he can hide easily. Every 10 seconds Elmo calls the player(s) to help them figure out where he is so you can just follow the sound of his voice to find him. Once Elmo is found he calls out “Yay! You found Elmo!” You can also give your child several cards to choose from as clues. This game can also be used with a baby as young as size months – simply place Elmo under a blanket or stuffed animal and allow the baby to try and find him based on the sounds Elmo makes.

For Toddler

SnowWhite, $26.99 ages 4-7

This is a really great starter game for toddlers who love a good brain challenge and logical thinking games. In the game, which is for a single player, you have a house with 7 dwarves, Snow White and the Evil Queen figurines and a book of 48 challenges (plus solutions), from easy to hard. You place all the figurines inside the house based on pictures in the challenge book (there are special grooves that they can fit in). Once you place them you have to find the missing spot – and that’s where you put Snow White. Figuring out where to put her gets harder with each challenge and you have to use deduction and logic. When you’re finished, you open the windows and door to see if they match the picture in the challenge. The game also comes with a bonus picture book that’s formatted like a comics book.

For Elementary-school-aged kids:

STEM Gift Idea:

My First Lab WowScope, $69.99, ages 7 and up

Got a scientist-in-training? This microscope allows 3D viewing of objects up close and is a winner of the 2016 Creative Child Product of the Year Award. It’s from the makers of medical-grade scientific equipment and has real glass optics that provide crystal-clear viewing. The kit includes interchangeable 10x and 25x eyepieces for 20x or 50x total magnification. Your budding scientist can use any object in or outside the house, or experiment with the two prepared slides (5 total specimen). It’s very lightweight and can be taken anywhere, including outdoors.

Craft Gift Idea:

Blendy Pens Jumbo kit, $24.99, age 4 and up

Artistic kid can now take their creativity to a whole new level! Blendy Pens are markers  that can be fused together to create a different, mixed color. You simply take two Blendy Pens and put them in a fusion chamber. The two colors will create a new, unique color. With the 24 Bendy Pens included, you can create 276 color combinations! The kit also comes with 12 fusion chambers, 10 posters, 2 stencils, 1 art portfolio and a bonus airbrush. This is the perfect gift for a kid who loves to decorate diaries and greeting cards, or make posters and any other art they like.

Brain Challenge gift Idea:

Jump’in, $14.99, ages 7 to adult

In this game, a single player has to help the rabbits jump to safety. It comes with 60 challenges (with solutions), ranging from easy to expert. Once you select a challenge, you place the pieces on the game board as indicated in the picture. There are 3 rabbits, 2 foxes and 3 mushrooms. The object of the game is to move the rabbits by having them jump until all three are safe in their brown holes. The rabbits can jump over other rabbits, the foxes and the mushrooms; The foxes can only slide. The game requires planning, problem-solving, spatial insight, concentration and logic. It’s small and portable and comes with a carrying case – perfect for travel!

For Teen Boy/Girl

Stamp Map, $38

Encourage your teen to become a world traveler with this cool world map. One brass stamp marks an “X” on places where you want to go to create a customized bucket list. The other stamp marks “visited” to stamp over the “X”. Also included are black and red ink pads.

For Teen Girl

Hard Candy So Scentsational Bath & Body Collection, $14.88

This kit is has everything you need to relax in a bath and pamper yourself. It’s available in Pink Peony &and Lemon Verbena, as well as in Carribean Fresh Citrus & Tea Leaf scents. It comes with a gel mask, bath fizzers, hand soap, hand lotion, body mist, fragrance diffuser , nd reeds. Not tested on animals.

For Man

36-in-1 Deluxe Multi-Tool, $49.95

You literally can’t get a better deal – no less than 36 items inside this little gadget! Instead of rummaging the drawers for various items, you have them all in one tool – all you have to do is designate a special spot for it (and make sure you put it back in its place). From measuring tape, to bottle opener to screwdriver – this tool has it all! Even a level, a hammer and 26 bits! What more can you ask for!? It’s super-affordable so you can keep one in your house and one in the car (for camping and for when you can’t find the one that’s in the house…) Even if the man in your life is not handy, he’d still appreciate having so many tools in one compact item.

For Woman

Leading the Parade Earrings, $27

This exquisite pair of earrings is 10k gold plated and adds sparkle and movement. The crystals give the earrings an antique look that’s perfect for a dressy occasion. Wear with trendy layers of gold chains for a combination of classic with a twist.

To give you a brighter start to the holiday season, we’re giving you a chance to win $25 Paypal Cash. You must live in the US and have a Paypal account to enter.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

I received samples or monetary compensation for some items in this post. This post contains affiliate links — that means we may make a few dollars if you buy from this post, but it doesnt affect what you pay.

Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman has also written for The Huffington Post. She has been living in the New York City area for seventeen years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree, but blogging is her true passion. Maytal is a stay-at-home mom to three kids (ages 10, 8 and 5) and loves finding great products for her family. 

The post 2017 Holiday Gift Guide: For Kids, Men, and Women appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

The show is based on four books by Eric Carle: The Very Hungry Caterpillar, 10 Little Rubber Ducks, The Very Lonely Firefly and Brown Bear, Brown Bear (which was written by Bill Martin Jr. and illustrated by Eric Carle and is celebrating its 50th anniversary!)

In the show, the books come to life with 75 colorful puppets. This creates another dimension of the stories; rather than have the kids look at the pictures listen to you reading the books, they can watch them happen before their eyes.

Toddlers will absolutely delight in seeing the puppets and school-aged children will appreciate seeing their beloved classic books through a new medium. My kids especially loved the puppets and the noises that they were “making”. The beautiful music is the perfect accompaniment to the show and the performers are full of positive energy and perform with contagious smiles on their faces.

The show’s creator, Jonathan Rockefeller, wrote a book inspired by Eric Carle when he was four-years-old. About seven years ago he was unpacking some boxes and came across the book, which he now published. It’s available for purchase ($10) exclusively at the Hungry Caterpillar pop-up store at the show. The book is really cute with adorable drawings and a cheeky message. Hard to believe it was written by a four-year-old but when you see Rockefeller’s inventiveness throughout the show you can understand this creativity was nurtured long ago.

The show is 55 minutes long with no intermission. It is designed to be autism-friendly. The theater is small so you can see really well even from the back.

Tip: I recommend getting the four books before the show, either from a store or the library, if you don’t already own them.

When: Through February 4th, 2018

Where: DR2 Theatre
103 East 15th St. (near Union Square Park)

Price: $49.50 per person; $69.50 (premium seats); $89.50 (VIP experience)

To purchase tickets click here or call (800) 982-2787. You can also purchase directly from the box office (hours: Tue-Sat 1-6).

Photos by Russ Rowland

I was not compensated for this post. I received tickets to the show.

Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman has also written for The Huffington Post. She has been living in the New York City area for seventeen years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree, but blogging is her true passion. Maytal is a stay-at-home mom to three kids (ages 10, 8 and 5) and loves finding great products for her family. 

The post Show Review: Jonathan Rockefeller’s The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.