Just for Dads Archives - Page 6 of 8

Family Fun with Baby Loves …

November 12, 2014 By admin

Can you imagine a family friendly activity where kids can dance and sing under disco lights, moms can catch up with friends and dads can guzzle beer? It exists and its called Baby Loves Disco!

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Family Fun with Baby Loves Disco Dance Parties

My family and I were invited to check out the Boo Baby Boo Halloween Baby Loves Disco party in NYC last month and it was a fun time for all. Baby Loves Disco parties are held across the United States (New York, DC, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Chicago and San Francisco) in super cool grown up venues like Le Poisson Rouge, DNA Lounge and World Cafe giving adults and kids a chance to feel grown up! I don’t know about you but I’m always happy to attend events that don’t take place in typical kiddie venues (not that there’s anything wrong with that…).

During November, the dance parties feature a Pajama Party theme (think come in your PJS, snack on Pop Tarts and late night snacks and jump on the bed dance contests!). Dress your best because there will be prizes for best family PJs…

Family Fun with Baby Loves Disco Dance Parties

The party we attended featured a variety of tables with activities for kids (like face painting, balloon twisting, arts and crafts, mini manis, tastings, etc.) and information for parents (Urban Sitter, CityMani, The Jewish Museum, Mommy Nearest, Happy Family, etc.). If you’re a new mom, this is a great way to get your bearings in the craziness of momhood.

Kids of all ages are welcome but most kids seemed to be in the 3-10 range at the event I attended. Have no fear if you have small children, Baby Loves Disco parties feature a dedicated play area with mats and toys for babies and tots.

The DJ did a great job keeping kids (and adults) entertained with fun commentary, dance lessons, and contests. When dancers worked up an appetite, super kid-friendly snacks (puffs, fruit pouches, pretzels, PB & banana roll ups, chips & salsa, etc.) and juice boxes were plentiful. Grown-ups could order from a fully stocked bar (at NYC nightclub prices, natch) so everyone stayed happy.

Winter is on its way and that means time to schedule some family friendly indoor activities. If you’ve got kids who like to boogie, this is a great pick for a staycation or vacation! The NYC Baby Loves Disco Pajama Party will take place on Sunday, November 23. Check the Baby Loves Disco events page for information on other cities and tickets.

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I AM ELEVEN: Sneak peek into …

September 16, 2014 By admin

When I was a new mom, I remember venturing out to the movies to see a documentary called Babies that chronicled the lives of four babies around the world. I was amazed to see how different moms (and babies) had it in other countries (no wipes, no plush stroller buntings, oh my!) but the unifying theme was how the babies were loved and cared for in their communities.

I AM ELEVEN

I recently had the chance to see I AM ELEVEN, a new documentary that follows 11-year olds all over the world and it was a great sneak peek into the future for me. My daughter is almost five now and she’s so grown up in so many ways but clearly she’s still a little girl. Filmmaker Genevieve Bailey traveled to 15 countries to explore the world through the eyes of 11-year olds and the result is a fascinating look at the fleeting moment between childhood and adolescence aka middle childhood.

I loved seeing the children’s different environments and learning about their concerns and hopes for the future. Some children were orphans while others were living pampered lives but the overall message was one of hope, curiosity and excitement for the future. Their dreams varied from becoming a ballet dancer, actress or secret agent to being a famous rapper or getting engaged in college, yet they shared a love of singing and dancing.

The film is currently playing in New York City with plans to open in California this month followed by Boston, Chicago, Washington DC and other markets. I think its a fascinating must-see for children, parents and grandparents so be sure to check it out in a theater near you.

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Fun Food Friday: State Series …

September 5, 2014 By admin

Are you looking for a fun way to sneak in a little geography learning with your kids? Check out these handmade wooden State Series cutting boards from Etsy’s AHeirloom shop.

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Fun Food Friday: State Series Cutting Boards for Globetrotting Foodies

I think they’d be a great gift for any budding culinary star or globetrotting family. You can have icons engraved to commemorate cities where you got married, had children, went to school, etc. making it a fun family heirloom. Available in large or mini sizes, these cutting boards would also be a great gift for that person who has everything. Just pair it with a local cookbook or ingredients and you’ve got a fun foodie gift.

Bon appetit!

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Top 10 Must-Haves for a Beach …

August 19, 2014 By admin

We’re heading off on a tropical vacation later this month and I can’t wait. There’s a spa for me, shaded cabanas for my husband, a kids zone for my daughter and a white sand beach for all of us. If you haven’t had your fill of fun in the sun this summer, today I’m sharing my top 10 must haves for a beach getaway with kids…

1) Sunscreen is a must for grown-ups and kids and The Honest Co. makes a great family friendly version. If you’ve got a girly girl in your group, Glitter Tots’ Sparkle Screen is my daughter’s favorite. When she asks for more “skin glitter,” I’m always happy to oblige.

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Top 10 Must-Haves for a Beach Getaway with Kids

2) On those days when its chilly coming out of the ocean or pool, I recommend hooded towels for kids. Some of my favorites are from The Company Store, Pottery Barn Kids and Carters.

3) A cute bathing suit is a must have. For moms, Miraclesuit makes some a stylish options that don’t scream “mom.” For fathers and sons who want to be matchy matchy, I am loving the Tom & Teddy line.

Top 10 Must-Haves for a Beach Getaway with Kids

4) Hats and sunglasses for the whole family are a must. Flap Happy offers a great hat selection for babies and toddlers and I highly recommend their swim hat and floppy hats with the chin tie. Target also has a great selection of sun hats for the whole family.

5) Beach toys can be as simple as a plastic container or as complex as a fancy kite. You can’t go wrong with Melissa & Doug products and the Melissa & Doug Sunny Patch Speck Seahorse Sand Ice Cream Set and Melissa & Doug Sunny Patch Seaside Sidekicks Sand Baking Set are always popular with my daughter and her friends.

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Top 10 Must-Haves for a Beach Getaway with Kids

6) For those who haven’t fully mastered the art of swimming, bring along some accessories. For toddlers, I recommend taking along a Stearns Kids Puddle Jumper Life Jacket Vest (one of the few coast guard approved devices) while a backpack type floatation device like the Water Gear Back Float 4-Color Split Back Float is better for new swimmers who want to do more than just doggie paddle. Kickboards are also fun..

7) You’ll need some cute beach bags to carry all your stuff. For kids, I adore the Trunki PaddlePak waterproof backpacks that come in a variety of colors and sizes. They are the perfect size and kids will love the secret compartments and extras like a special tag to hang sunglasses. I also love this Stephen Joseph Mermaid Beach Tote above because the back is made of mesh so the sand stays at the beach. It comes with beach toys and is also available in a cute Shark version.

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Top 10 Must-Haves for a Beach Getaway with Kids

8) Picnics at the beach are great family fun but you want to be careful your food stays nice and cool. I took a PackIt Freezable Picnic Bag to the beach on a super hot day and it did not disappoint. You freeze it overnight and stays cool for up to 10 hours. The Picnic Bag is a great size for a small family but you could also use it for baby bottles/food, drinks and anything else you want to keep cool. They also make lunch bags, shopping bags, wine bags and more which are great for summer or if you live in a warm climate.

9) Cover ups are a must for the whole family. I love the cool cotton kurtas and dresses for kids and adults from Roberta Roller Rabbit. Rash guards are also great for keeping active kids protected when they’re swimming and building sand castles.

10) Nobody wants to bring sand home so don’t forget this trick… Put some baby powder in an old sock and the sand will magically disappear when you wipe the sock across your skin. You’re welcome.

I hope you enjoy your last few trips to the beach…

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Fun Food Friday: Amazing Ice …

July 25, 2014 By admin

Did you know that July is National Ice Cream Month? Who comes up with this stuff? Move over Mister Softee because I’m about to share my top 5 picks for amazing ice cream in NYC’s East Village.

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Fun Food Friday: Amazing Ice Cream Cones in NYC’s East Village

These family friendly frozen treats will please adult and kiddie palates so plan to treat the whole family.

Sundaes and Cones (95 East 10th Street)

This ice cream parlor is around the corner from my apartment and I can still remember indulging in a lot of pregnancy ice cream cravings back in the summer of 2009. They have some traditional flavors but you’ll want to try the more exotic options like taro, black sesame, Thai tea, wasabi, corn and more. Everything is homemade and delicious.

Davey’s Ice Cream (137 1st Avenue)

This new ice cream shop features handmade classics like Mexican Vanilla, Chocolate Chocolate, Strong Coffee, Cookies & Cream, Peppermint Chip and Roasted Pistachio but you will also want to check out their seasonal flavors like Ultra Babka featuring extra chocolatey cinnamon babka from Moishe’s Bake Shop and Brunch featuring chunks of maple cinnamon brioche french toast and slabs of coffee glazed bacon. OMG!

Big Gay Ice Cream Cone (125 East 7th Street)

This East Village outpost is known for their over the top signature cones like the Salty Pimp (vanilla ice cream, dulce de leche and sea salt topped dipped in chocolate), Bea Arthur (vanilla ice cream topped with dulce de leche and crushed vanilla waffers), Cococone (vanilla ice cream topped with toasted curried coconut) and American Globs (vanilla ice cream, pretzels and sea salt dipped in chocolate). Yum!

Momofuku Milk Bar (251 East 13th Street)

Do you remember how the milk at the bottom of your cereal bowl tasted when you were a kid? Well, imagine that flavor as soft-serve ice cream and you’ve got Cereal Milk Soft Serve. It’s definitely on the sweet side and not for everyone but kids seem to like it.

Dessert Club, Chikalicious (203 East 10th Street)

Imagine a yummy soft-serve vanilla ice cream served in an eclair! Yes, its the Eclair Soft Serve Cone and it is also available as in a sandwich version topped with hot fudge. May as well skip brunch and just have this.

If you’re based in NYC or if you’re heading to the Big Apple this summer, you’ll want to check these out. Let me know which are your favorites.

Happy National Sunglasses Day! …

June 27, 2014 By admin

Did you know that today is National Sunglasses Day? I’m sure you’re savvy about protecting your eyes when you’re out and about – sunglasses are awesome for hiding those sleep deprived eyes – but how good are you at protecting your kids’ eyes from those dangerous UV rays?

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Happy National Sunglasses Day! Cool shades for globetrotting Kids

I recently learned from The Vision Council that eyes can get sunburned just like skin and everyone (adults, kids and babies) should wear sunglasses with UV protection whenever they’re outside. That means in EVERY season and even when its not particularly sunny. I don’t know about you but that came as a big surprise to me. In addition, kids are more vulnerable to UV damage because of their larger pupils and clearer lenses and contrary to popular belief, sun hats do not protect their little eyes. Damage from UV rays can cause pain, redness, swollen eyes, blurred vision, temporary blindness, cataracts and even cancer so why risk it when sunglasses are so easy to wear?

Since UV rays can reflect off surfaces such as water, sand, snow and buildings, its super important for you and your kids to wear those sunglasses on vacation too.

Here are my top picks for cool sunglasses for girls:

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Happy National Sunglasses Day! Cool Shades for Globetrotting Girls

1) How adorable are these red Selima Optique for Crewcuts Heart Sunglasses? A bit of a splurge but at $55 but so adorbs!

2) These classic pink shades from Old Navy are perfect for toddlers.

3) I love these white Betsy Johnson Cat with flowers. Great for your little fashionista.

4) Some girls love pink and some love purple. These cute purple heart sunglasses are a steal at just $7.

And here are some cute sunglasses for boys:

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Happy National Sunglasses Day! Cool Shades for Globetrotting Boys

1) These classic red Junior Ray Bans are perfect at any age.

2) Aviator shades are very trendy this summer and this cute yellow version from the Gap is just $10. Also available in blue.

3) These blue Kidz Banz Adventure sunglasses feature a wrap around strap making them great for sports and the beach. They make a baby version too.

4) For bigger boys, these black shades from Old Navy are a steal at just $5.

To learn more about the effects of UV exposure on eyes at every age, read the latest report from The Vision Council.

Have a great weekend!

I was not compensated for this post and all opinions are my own. Although The Vision Council is a nonprofit organization, I was gifted a Sun Sade Swag bag.

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Father’s Day Gift Guide …

June 5, 2014 By admin

Still looking for a great Father’s Day gift? Here is my Father’s Day Gift Guide just in time for the June 15 celebrations. Just add in a homemade card from your kid and you’ll be all set.

Globetrotting Mommy Father’s Day Gift Guide

For the dad who has everything, this personalized I Love You Dad puzzle from Red Envelope is sure to please. Just give them an address or special location and they turn it into a keepsake 40-piece puzzle.

Globetrotting Mommy Father’s Day Gift Guide

For the dad who needs a back rub, try this cute Car Play Mat T-Shirt. Kids will love rolling cars all over his back and dad will enjoy a mini massage. Win, win!

Globetrotting Mommy Father’s Day Gift Guide

For the foodie dad, try Jeni’s Father’s Day Collection featuring four ice cream flavors every dad will love (think dark chocolate, ale, rosemary bar nuts and more).

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Globetrotting Mommy Father’s Day Gift Guide

Got a daddy who travels a lot for work? These private jet cuff links from Rotenier are just the ticket.

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Globetrotting Mommy Father’s Day Gift Guide

For the dad who’d rather be sailing, I love this Tossed Anchor silk/linen tie from Jonathan Adler.

Globetrotting Mommy Father’s Day Gift Guide

Top 10 Family Friendly Things …

May 28, 2014 By admin

Following up on the Spotlight on Hershey, Pennsylvania – The Sweetest Place on Earth post, here are Globetrotting Mommy’s Top 10 Family Friendly Things to do in Hershey, Pennsylvania.

1) Visit Hersheypark. No visit to Hershey is complete without a trip to this famed amusement park. More than 65 kiddie rides, amazing roller coasters and water park attractions await visitors of all ages.