Globetrotting Mommy

All things family, fun or just plain fabulous!

Great Holiday Gifts For Little …

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Finding holiday gifts for little kids can be tough so I’m sharing some unique ideas for every kid on your list. If you’re shopping for older kids, check out the Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide for Tweens and Teens…

Great Holiday Gifts for Little Kids

Tree of Light Book

This book shares an inspiring story about a mother (a tree) sending her child (a seedling) off on her own. The seed learns to find strength from within, forgive and, become flexible along the way. We can all use a reminder to remain flexible and be forgiving, especially this year. 

Dimpl Digits

Toddler toys need to really captivate kids’ attention and this colorful squishy bubble toy does just that. Kids can learn to count to ten in English AND Spanish, and moms will have some free time. Win, win!

Awesome Jokes That Every 6 Year Old Should Know!

This joke book series (versions for ages five – nine) is one of my personal gift-giving favorites. Kids never tire of telling jokes and these books guarantee they will always have plenty of material. Perfect for girls and boys.

Musical Jewelry Storage Box with Spinning Unicorn

For the girl who has everything, this musical jewelry box with a spinning unicorn will become a favorite spot for all her baubles and trinkets. Over unicorns? Check out the ballerina and superhero versions.

TWEE Sidewalk Chalk

Chalk is always an easy go-to kids gift but these gorgeous handmade chalks, shaped like macaroons, sushi, pizza, donuts, ice cream, jewels and more, are anything but ordinary.

Crayola Color Bath Dropz

These colored bath drops make tub time fun for kids of all ages. Drop one or more in the water and kids will be sure to stay and play for a while. Perfect for those kids who dread bathtime and also great for traveling.

Blockaroo Magnetic Foam Building Blocks

STEM gifts make great holiday gifts for little kids and these colorful magnetic foam blocks are a nice option. These blocks offer endless imaginative building with frustration-free stacking as they “magically” connect together. I love that these can also go in the tub and dishwasher.

Little Passports Gift Subscriptions Boxes

Subscription boxes are a great way to extend the holiday season. Little Passports is best known for their travel themed boxes (USA Edition for kids 7-12) but they also have Early Explorer for kids 3-5, Science Junior for kids 5-8 and Science Expeditions for kids 9+ versions as well.

Are you still shopping for the holidays? If you need more ideas, check out The Best Books for Little Travelers.

Note: This post contains affiliate links.

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE – THE …

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If you’ve got a tiny travel lover on your gift list, here are some of the best books for little travelers this holiday season. Books are always a great gift idea especially for kids who have a million toys…

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE - THE BEST BOOKS FOR LITTLE TRAVELERS, globetrotting mommy
HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE – THE BEST BOOKS FOR LITTLE TRAVELERS

Holiday Gift Guide – The Best Books for Little Travelers

The Travel Book: A journey through every country in the world – This kids version of Lonely Planet’s The Travel Book is filled with facts and quirky insights on more than 200 countries. Perfect for little explorers ages 8 and up.

A Smart Girl’s Guide: Travel: Everything you need to know about adventuring near and far – This is a great beginner’s guide to travel for elementary and middle school girls. Filled with fun quizzes, smart safety tips and cool trivia, this book will get girls ready for adventures near and far.

Passport To Your National Parks – America’s national parks are amazing spots for generations of families to visit and this passport has a page for each park to be stamped during a visit. For more details on famous parks, check out the beautifully illustrated National Parks of the USA.

The Penny Passport Souvenir Book – If your kids like collecting pressed pennies on their travels, this is a must-have. The sturdy book fits more than 36 elongated cents and eight pressed quarters or nickels.

Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls: 100 Immigrant Women Who Changed the World – The latest edition of these gorgeous bedtime books features stories of Immigrant Women who have helped shape the world. A great gift to celebrate diversity and encourage all girls to reach for their dreams.

This is How We Do It: One Day in the Lives of Seven Kids from around the World – This is a great way to show elementary school kids what life looks like around the world. The book’s illustrations show seven kids from different countries going about their day including their meals, homes, outfits, etc.

New York: Panorama Pops – This small travel book features awesome illustrations of some of New York City’s most popular attractions. The city literally unfolds page after page. The series also includes Paris, Venice, Berlin, London, etc.

The Flag Book – In The Flag Book, Lonely Planet Kids introduces children to the flags of every country in the world, from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe. Such a fun way to learn what the design, colors, and images represent, as well as interesting facts about each nation.

The 50 States: Explore the U.S.A. with 50 fact-filled maps! This fun book highlights every state including their famous residents, cities, unique facts, historical moments and more.

You can shop this list on Amazon or support your local bookstores. Check out my favorite kid-friendly New York City books for more holiday gift ideas and my 2020 gift guide for tweens and teens.

Note: This post contains affiliate links.

Puzzles for Kids: Explore the …

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Puzzles have become one of my favorite pandemic pastimes. Until family vacations are back, here are some cool puzzles for kids to explore the world from home.

Cool Puzzles For Kids, Puzzles, Tween, Teen, Kids, Travel,

Puzzles For Kids: Explore the World From Home

This World Map Foam Puzzle would be a great play date activity for young elementary school kids.  Play some international tunes and serve fun global bites and the kids won’t even realize they’re learning.

World Map, Foam Puzzle, Puzzles for Kids, Kid Puzzles, Puzzles, Educational Puzzles

Foam World Map Puzzle

This wooden USA Puzzle Map from Melissa and Doug is a great way for kids and up to learn their United States geography.

USA Map for Kids, Melissa and Doug, Puzzle, Kids puzzle, Map Puzzle

This wooden USA map puzzle is a great choice for elementary school kids.

This 3D Globe Puzzle from Ravensburger is a good option for kids ages 7-12.  The 180-piece puzzle features curved pieces that click into a solid ball when completed. I love that it includes a rotation stand for display.

3D globe puzzle, puzzle ball, Ravensburger World Globe, travel puzzle, globe

3D Globe puzzle

Tweens and teens can spot some insta-worthy global landmarks in this 1000 piece Globetrotter Jigsaw Puzzle.

Landmark Puzzle, puzzles for teens, globetrotter Puzzle, puzzles for kids

Cool puzzles for kids – Globetrotter Jigsaw Puzzle

For artsy kids (and adults) Michael Storrings has a slew of scenic puzzles from favorite cities like NYC, Paris, London, etc. Here’s New York City’s Bethesda Fountain in Central Park, 1000 piece puzzle.

Puzzles for kids and adults, nyc puzzle, puzzles for kids, Central Park Puzzle, Michael Storrings puzzle

Which is your favorite?

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Holiday Gift Guide: Toys That …

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The cold has arrived and the holidays are on their way. I got a chance to see some of the latest VTech Toys at the Momtrends Moms’ Night Out and today I’m sharing some of my favorite toys that travel.

Holiday Gift Guide: Toys That Travel From VTech

Holiday Gift Guide: Toys That Travel From VTech

VTech is a world leader in developing high-quality, innovative educational products that enrich children’s development and make learning fun! In the last nine years, my daughter has gone from playing with VTech’s baby laptops and interactive toys to snapping photos on vacation with their cameras and watches.

If you’re looking for holiday toys that make learning fun and are easy to take along on travels, read on for my VTech toy picks in every age range…

Holiday Gift Guide: Toys That Travel From VTech Toys

BABIES:

Brilliant Baby Laptop™ – This travel-ready toy laptop features nine brightly colored shape buttons and a movable mouse that interacts with the light-up screen. There are various modes to learn about animal sounds, shapes and colors and music. Close the laptop, and it’s ready for on-the-go fun with a chunky carrying handle.

Holiday Gift Guide: Toys That Travel From VTech

My Friend Alice™ –  This interactive plush bear features different textures that provide tactile stimulation. Little ones will have fun putting on Alice’s mitten, tying her shoelace, buckling her shoe, putting her handkerchief and bear in her pockets and reading her storybook. Press the buttons for playful phrases, feelings and simple questions as well as numbers, a short story, music and sing-along songs, body parts and animals.

Touch & Discover Sensory Turtle™ – This cuddly plush turtle features a variety of textures, colors and patterns to stimulate your baby’s senses and encourage fine motor skills. Babies can play peek-a-boo by tucking in the turtle’s head and legs to change him into a soft, wobbly ball for 2-in-1 play. The chunky button (easy for little fingers) lights up in a variety of colors as it responds with sounds, music and cute phrases.

TODDLERS:

Holiday Gift Guide: Toys That Travel From VTech

Starshine the Bright Lights Unicorn™ – Unicorns are all the rage this holiday season and this colorful pick will be every girl’s favorite travel companion. Kids can use seven charms on any of the Unicorn’s magic hearts to watch her horn light up and hear colors, objects and phrases in English or Spanish. Kids can answer quiz questions, create their own special songs and watch the animals colorful wings flap.

Farm Fun Storybook™ – This cheerful storybook features fun sounds, playful phrases and three sing-along songs. Chunky tabs make it easy to turn and discover five illustrated pages about a farmer completing his chores. Press the light-up face button to hear different responses on each page or press the music button to play 15 different classic melodies. The spinning wheels make this a great choice for pretend play.

LITTLE KIDS:

Kidizoom® Twist – This durable kiddie camera is a great option for budding travel photographers. The camera has features for photos, selfies and videos as well as five games. Kids will be recording videos, creating stop-motion animations and taking selfies in no time.

PJ Masks Time to Be a Hero Learning Tablet™ – This kid-friendly tablet plays six educational activities that explore letters, vocabulary, phonics, rhyming words, beginner typing and problem-solving skills. Little ones will love the real character voices and exciting animations at home and away.

BIG KIDS:

Holiday Gift Guide: Toys That Travel From VTech

Kidi Secrets Selfie Journal™ – Big kids will love protecting their thoughts, photos and dreams with the Kidi Secrets Selfie Journal™. Kids can make a photo journal, write travel narratives and diary entries or record messages and keep them safe. A full suite of mini-apps includes games, photo and video filters, music and utilities gives kids a variety of activities to play at home and on trips. Best of all, there is no key to lose since facial recognition software unlocks the journal.

Kidizoom® Smartwatch DX2 – This colorful smartwatch lets kids take pictures, videos, play games, tell time and more! Featuring a new sleek and stylish design, this durable smartwatch features two cameras for action videos, photos and selfies. Kids can also use the watch’s motion sensor for active play challenges or to track steps. The included Micro-USB cable makes it easy to upload photos and videos as well as recharge the battery.

KidiBuzz™ – Not ready to hand your kid over a cell phone? KidiBuzz™ allows kids to send texts, voice messages, photos, drawings and animated stickers over Wi-Fi via the KidiConnect™ app. The kid-safe web browser features pre-approved websites and it also doubles as a multimedia player for listening to music and watching videos online. With more than 40 exciting learning games and awesome apps, kids on the go will be entertained for hours and hours.

Do you have any of these VTech toys that travel? Tell me below in the comments.

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Note: This is a sponsored post but all opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links. If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to Globetrotting Mommy for daily updates!

Cool for School – …

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September is almost here and back-to-school mania is in full swing. If you’re shopping for the elementary school set, check out my Cool for Back-to-School must haves for September and beyond.

Cool for School - Back-to-School Must Haves for September and Beyond

Cool for School – Back-to-School Must Haves for September and Beyond

BACK-TO-SCHOOL MUST HAVES – STUDENT NECESSITIES:

Cool for School - Back-to-School Must Haves for September and beyond

Cool for School – Back-to-School Must Haves for September and beyond. A sturdy backpack is a must.

Backpacks:
One of the most essential back-to-school items is a backpack so be sure to help your kids choose one that will be a good fit. I specifically look for a roomy interior, adjustable shoulder straps (plus for chest-straps), dual zippers, exterior compartments and side pouches for water bottles. My daughter uses a backpack when we travel so styles that wear well are a plus.
For third grade, my daughter chose this fun World of Disney Emoji backpack because her favorite vacation destination is Disney World (surprise, surprise). Some other backpack picks I like this year include JanSport Superbreak Backpack in Prism Pink Sparkle, J. Crew’s Glow-in-The-Dark Snaggletooth Monster Backpack, and Pottery Barn’s Mackenzie Navy Solar System Backpack. Don’t forget to grab some fun backpack charms like Whiffer Sniffer’s awesome scented foodie clips.

 

Cool for School - Back-to-School Must Haves for September and beyond. Lunchtime won't be boring with these colorful lunch boxes.

Cool for School – Back-to-School Must Haves for September and beyond. Lunchtime won’t be boring with these colorful lunch boxes.

Lunch boxes:
We’ve got a collection of lunch boxes and my favorites are the ones that don’t leak and clean up easily (think spilled yogurt). This year we’ll have these four on rotation. The coordinating World of Disney Emoji Lunch Tote, All Change London Tube Stations Bag we got in London, a rugged Bentology Kitty Lunch Tote which includes a bento box and a cute Bixbee Owl lunch box.

 

Cool for School - Back-to-School Must Haves: Cool School Supplies

Cool for School – Back-to-School Must Haves: Cool School Supplies

Supplies:

Depending on the ages of your kids, you’ll need to stock up on pens, pencils, markers, desk supplies and other fun items. My daughter’s teacher sends a wish list for class items but I love to have some fun supplies at home. This year, I choose some fun pencils from FlyingTiger, Crayola Silly Scents washable markers, indestructible Mabel’s Labels Back to School Combos with emoji designs, and a Bright Pink Poppin Stapler.

Cool for School - Back-to-School Must Haves: Fashion Picks

Cool for School – Back-to-School Must Haves: Fashion Picks

 

BACK-TO-SCHOOL MUST HAVES – FASHION AND ACCESSORIES:

Shopping for Back-to-School fashions is either fun or torturous depending on your child’s preferences. I choose to do a lot of my daughter’s shopping online so I can easily return items she doesn’t like.
This year’s styles are full of bright colors, shiny sequins and lots of emojis sure to please every girl in class. For sneakers, my daughter chose these bright emoji Stride Rite Phibians which are light weight and double as a water shoe making them great for travel. Customized denim is all the rage and my daughter had a great time decorating a vest with colorful sequin patches. So cute, right? My daughter hates when other kids have the same things so one-of-a-kind upcycled dresses from Courtney Courtney and hand crafted tanks, t’s and hoodies from Playdate NYC are great options for kids like her. And, don’t forget to stock up on accessories like kitty-cat headbands and giant “Jo Jo” hair bows.

 

Extra credit items for back-to-school season.

Extra credit items for back-to-school season.

BACK-TO-SCHOOL MUST HAVES – FOR EXTRA CREDIT:

A good night’s sleep is a must for students (and parents) so snag new pillows like the Snuggle-Pedic Ultra-Luxury Kool-Flow® bamboo shredded memory foam pillow that can be customized for the perfect fit. I can’t talk about school without mentioning lice prevention so now is the time to stock up on these yummy scented Rosemary Repel products from Fairy Tales Hair Care. If you are having trouble getting young kids to listen (or do homework, or get to school on time, etc.) get rid of the sticker reward chart and try the new Kudo Banz which rewards kids with bracelet charms they can proudly wear. And last but not least, another awesome item to buy now is Hero Clean Odor Eliminator because even tiny shoes get stinky.

 

What’s your favorite back-to-school item? Tell me below in the comments.

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I received some of these items for review but all opinions are mine. This post contains affiliate links. If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to Globetrotting Mommy for daily updates!

Parenting 101: Managing Kids …

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Move over bedtimes, potty training, and breast feeding, one of the most controversial parenting topics is proving to be the most worrisome of all – managing kids and screen time.

Parenting 101: Managing Kids and Screen time at Home and Away

Parenting 101: Managing Kids and Screen time at Home and Away

Like most couples, my husband and I don’t exactly see eye-to-eye on this topic so navigating our daughter’s screen time is far from easy. While I would much prefer her to be playing with her toys or friends instead of staring at a screen (which is clearly addictive), there is definitely a time and place for electronics. Here’s how it typically works in our house…

Kids and Screen Time – During the school year:

We enforce a no screen time rule before school and after school while she completes her homework and chores. Depending on her day, I’ll let her watch up to an hour of television and play on my iPhone for a little while to get her Instagram fix. I find that the television is easy enough to turn off but taking the iPhone away is another story. On weekends, the rules relax and she begs for as much screen time as possible. I’m happy to sleep in while she and my husband enjoy their screen time but I do find her behavior to be less than optimal after too much screen time.

Kids and Screen Time – During the Summer and Vacations:

I’ll admit that the summer is a bit of a free-for-all. If she reads a book, I will reward her with tablet or TV time if we aren’t going anywhere. When we travel, the rules go out the window and she can have as much screen time on the plane or drive as she wants. She gets car sick so she tends not to over do it on car rides but on the plane, she will watch TV (thanks Jet Blue!) and play with her tablets for hours on end. And now that some hotels put TVs in bathrooms, my daughter’s negotiation skills are sharper than ever. I enjoy the break during our travels but again, I notice that her behavior deteriorates and her crankiness increases with too much screen time.

For me, dealing with the “aftermath” of screen time isn’t worth the “free time” so I tend to discourage it and this is probably why we enjoy running around the city so much. I also find that when I take the time to sit and play a game with her or let pretend to be the teacher or doctor while I play student or patient, she is thrilled.

If you’re trying to navigate your child’s emotional and physical well being, I highly recommend checking out the new Genius of Play video campaign. These videos feature parents discussing some of the most controversial topics surrounding play – including recess, whether or not kids should play unsupervised and of course how much screen time is too much…

Here’s what some parents are saying on these topics:

At the end of the day, everything in moderation seems to be the best way to go but I will always encourage my daughter to play outside and on play dates whenever I can.

How much screen time do your kids get at home and on vacation?  Tell me below in the comments.

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Thanks to The Toy Association for sponsoring this post. As always, all opinions are my own. If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to Globetrotting Mommy for daily updates!

Top Tips for Visiting American …

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It’s always a fun time when my daughter and I can join our friends for a joint Mommy and Me date at one of our favorite city hotspots like American Girl Place. If you’ve got an American Girl doll fan at home, you’ll need these tips for visiting American Girl Place in New York City.

Top Tips for Visiting American Girl Place in NYC

Top Tips for Visiting American Girl Place in NYC

Top Tips for Visiting American Girl Place in NYC

1) Maintain your sanity by visiting off-peak. Weekends and holidays are busiest so if you can’t visit on a weekday, try to go early in the day to avoid the crowds.

Is your American Girl Doll sick or injured? Bring her into the hospital. Tips for Visiting American Girl Place in NYC

Is your American Girl Doll sick or injured? Bring her into the hospital. Tips for Visiting American Girl Place in NYC.

2) Bring a doll! Dolls can enjoy meals (in their own seats) and pampering spa and salon services and hospital visits so bring them along.

3) Decide on spending beforehand. Is this a special birthday splurge trip or a regular visit? Agree in advance on what you’re planning to buy or how much money kids are allowed to spend to avoid meltdowns.

You'll need plenty of time to take it all in at American Girl Place. Tips for Visiting American Girl Doll Place.

You’ll need plenty of time to take it all in at American Girl Place.

4) If you’re visiting for the first time, expect to be overwhelmed and plan to spend at least an hour. The store is huge with multiple floors of dolls, clothing, books and toys, as well as a doll hospital, doll hair salon, t-shirt design store, sweet shop, restaurant and play areas.

Gabriela McBride, the 2017 American Girl Doll of the Year loves art, dance and poetry. Tips for Visiting American Girl Place in NYC.

Gabriela McBride, the 2017 American Girl Doll of the Year loves art, dance and poetry.

5) Check out the American Girl Doll of the Year! We’re huge fans of these annual additions (like Grace and Lea) and and my daughter brought along Gabriela McBride, the 2017 American Girl Doll on our recent visit. The New York City store features a special section dedicated to the annual doll as well as specialty items (like cafe drinks and salon services) toys and clothes. I especially love the display cases featuring past American Girl Dolls of the Year.

The American Girl Doll Hair Salon is adorable. Tips for Visiting American Girl Place in NYC. Dolls

The American Girl Doll Hair Salon is adorable. Tips for Visiting American Girl Place in NYC.

6) Pamper your doll at the American Girl Hair Salon. Dolls can get in on some pampering fun with hairstyling, ear piercing, and spa services.

The BeForever American Girl Dolls are a great way to get girls interested in history.

The BeForever American Girl Dolls are a great way to get girls interested in history.

7) Take in some history as you explore the BeForever dolls. These classic young ladies represent the past with historic outfits and stories from their times.

For a special treat, enjoy a meal at the American Girl Cafe.

For a special treat, enjoy a meal at the American Girl Cafe.

8) Have a meal at the American Girl Cafe. Make reservations in advance for the cafe’s popular offerings (brunch, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner) and enjoy a fun-filled meal in a fancy but not formal setting.  We went for an early dinner and the girls loved having their dolls sit alongside them in special chairs with their own mini plates and cups. The menu featured a variety of fun (and relatively healthy) options for adults and kids and the girls loved the adorable cinnamon rolls, fruit kebobs and flower pot dessert. There were birthday cakes and singing all around making it even more festive and definitely a great spot for a celebration.

Have you visited American Girl Place? Who is your favorite doll?

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Thanks to American Girl for providing us with the 2017 American Girl Doll of the Year. As always, all opinions are my own. If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to Globetrotting Mommy for daily updates!

Stay Safe On The Go with …

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When traveling with children, bringing along a scooter is a great idea for kids who are too big for strollers but too young to walk for miles without complaining. I’ve written about scooters before but today I’m talking about helmets and protective gear.

Stay Safe On The Go with Wipeout Dry Erase Protective Gear

NYC kids start riding scooters as toddlers and quickly get accustomed to wearing helmets without complaining. At the ripe age of seven, my daughter has gone through a handful of helmets which she has outgrown literally and figuratively. You see, if another kid in my daughter’s school wears something my daughter owns, she no longer wants to wear it. While I appreciate her need for originality, this has become an issue. When I heard about Wipeout Dry Erase Protective Gear – customizable helmets and pads – I knew it would be a great fit for her (no pun intended).

Get Crafty and Stay Safe with Wipeout Dry Erase Protective Gear, Scooter, helmet, safety, Wipeout, Dry erase, DIY

Get crafty and stay safe with Wipeout Dry Erase Protective Gear.

The helmets come in an assortment of solid colors and dry erase markers and stencils are included so kids can start being creative right out of the box! My daughter had a friend over when the items arrived and they couldn’t wait to start decorating the helmet and pads…

Get Crafty and Stay Safe with Wipeout Dry Erase Protective Gear

Customizing the Wipeout Dry Erase Protective Gear with markers and stencils

The dry erase markers and stencils were easy to use and best of all, any mistakes could quickly be wiped off. If you’ve got a kid whose interests change frequently, this is a great item as they can doodle hearts and butterflies one day and draw skulls the next. The Wipeout Website features some easy-to-follow design tutorials or kids can run wild with their own ideas.

The helmets are made of ABS hard-shell construction with EPS liners for durability and they are certified for safety protection for biking, skateboarding, roller-skating and scooter riding. There are three sizes available which fit kids ages 3-14. A snow version is also available with ear flaps and a goggle clip for sledding and snow sports.

The Wipeout Dry Erase Protective 3-Pack includes kneepads, wrist guards, elbow pads and two dry erase markers. Pads come in black, teal, neon pink or zest.

We took to the park for a test drive and my daughter commented on how comfortable everything felt and loved that she could take the knee pads on and off by herself. I loved that too!

Stay Safe On The Go with Wipeout Dry Erase Protective Gear

Stay Safe On The Go with Wipeout Dry Erase Protective Gear.

If you’re in the market for new safety gear, I highly recommend these. They would also be a great birthday or holiday gift for any kid on your list.

For more information, watch this video or check out the Wipeout links below:

Follow Wipeout online via these Social Links:

Wipeout Website: http://iwipeout.com/

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/iwipeout

Instagram Page: https://www.instagram.com/iwipeout/

Twitter Account: https://twitter.com/IwipeOut

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_fPeHJ5EocBnE3N_QyXXMg/videos

What designs would your kids draw on a helmet? Tell me below in the comments.

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This post is part of a sponsored campaign for Wipeout Dry Erase Productive Gear. I received compensation for my participation, but my review and opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links. If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to Globetrotting Mommy for daily updates!

Holiday Gift Guide – …

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Holiday shopping is in full force! If you’ve got some globetrotting kids on your shopping list, check out my favorite affordable gifts for kids who travel. Everything is under $30 so you’ll have money left to plan your next vacation.

2016 Holiday Gift Guide - Affordable Gifts for Kids Who Travel

2016 Holiday Gift Guide – Affordable Gifts for Kids Who Travel

 UNDER $10 Gifts

2016 Holiday Gift Guide - Affordable Gifts for Kids who Travel

2016 Holiday Gift Guide – Affordable Gifts for Kids who Travel – Under $10

Rubik’s Junior Bear – For little ones, this kiddie version of the classic game will happily entertain on car trips or plane rides.

Mabel’s Labels Stocking Stuffer Combo – At just $5 each, these sturdy label combos make great stocking stuffers and personalized add-ons to other gifts. Choose from festive holiday or classic designs and label all their favorite luggage and travel accessories.  

Reactorz 4″ Light-Up Gripz Ball – This tiny, easy-to-grip ball lights up with every touch, tap, throw or kick making it great for outdoor games at home and away.

Whiffer Sniffers Scented Backpack Clips – Kids love to personalize their backpacks for trips near and far and these deliciously scented plush characters are perfect for girls and boys to collect.

Under $15 Gifts

2016 Holiday Gift Guide - Affordable Gifts for Kids who Travel - Under $15

2016 Holiday Gift Guide – Affordable Gifts for Kids who Travel – Under $15

My first Bananagrams – Little kids can now get in on the family friendly Bananagram craze with lowercase letters and combo letter tiles to help early readers create words. This is a favorite in our house and the easy to take along zippered banana pouch makes it perfect for young travelers. 

HEXBUG Aquabot Wahoo – If you’ve got a little swimmer on your shopping list, the HEXBUG AquaBot Wahoo is perfect for your next tropical vacation. Simply twist the bottom to start the high speed propeller and watch as it comes to life, swimming, diving and changing directions to explore its environment. 

Tak-Tak – If you’ve got young checkers or chess lovers on your list, this new board game is sure to please. As players move across the board, they can attack and steal pieces keeping everyone in suspense. This is a great strategy game for kids to play with parents and grandparents on a family vacation.

Paper Punk Build Your Own Paper Toy – Looking for a quiet, non-messy activity to keep kids busy on a plane? Paper Punk’s kits make adorable folded patterned animals like Ape, Snake, Unicorn, Cat, Puppy and everything is included in the box! 

Under $20 Gifts

2016 Holiday Gift Guide - Affordable Gifts for Kids who Travel - Under $20

2016 Holiday Gift Guide – Affordable Gifts for Kids who Travel – Under $20

Pearhead Holiday Photo Props – Kids will be happy to pose for family photos this holiday season with these adorable photo props. A great way to get everyone in the picture on your holiday vacations.

Pac-Man Mini Arcade Game – If you’ve got a Pac-Man fan on your list, this adorable mini arcade game will be a big hit. This battery operated toy features a joy stick and plays just like the real Pac-Man.  A perfect choice for kids of all ages and adults too.

Dinkee Linkee For Kids-Trivia Game – Kids love trivia games and this one is easy to learn and simple for the whole family to play. Kids answer four questions and then try to determine what “links” the answer. This is a great game to play on a family vacation or at home too.

Madame Alexander Travel Friend Dolls – For the globetrotting girls on your list, this collection of international dolls is a perfect choice. These 7-inch dolls feature authentic costumes and gorgeous details from countries including China, France, Kenya, Ireland, India, Germany, Italy, and more. 

UNDER $30 Gifts

2016 Holiday Gift Guide - Affordable Gifts for Kids who Travel - Under $30

2016 Holiday Gift Guide – Affordable Gifts for Kids who Travel – Under $30

Props in a Bag – For imaginative play fans, I love these easy to carry Props in a Bag kits that include everything kids need to put on a show (think costumes, accessories, props, and big backdrop).  My daughter loves to put on shows with the magician kit and there is also an app to make movies.

Trolls Hair-ific Headphones – Headphones are a must for globetrotting kids and these adorable Trolls headphones are just perfect for little music lovers. If you’ve got an accessory loving girl like I do, these will be a huge hit. I love the pink hair and volume protection for little ears.

Blue Cabi Children’s Binoculars – My daughter is getting these sturdy binoculars for the holidays along with two kids astronomy books – Night Sky Watcher and Astronomy Lab for Kids: 52 Family-Friendly Activities. Binoculars are handy for kids at shows, parades and sightseeing so I know she’ll use them a lot.

Science Expeditions Subscription Box from Little Passports – Monthly subscription boxes are a great choice for a families because everyone can work on the activities together. New from the great team behind Little Passports, the Science Expeditions boxes include experiments, comic books, badges and more. The first box comes with a storage tote making it perfect to bring along on family vacations.

Need more ideas? Check out the Tween and Teen Holiday Gift Guide. What are your favorites on this list? Tell me below in the comments.

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I received some of these items for review purposes but all opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links. If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to Globetrotting Mommy for daily updates!

Coney Island With Kids: Fall …

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Coney Island with kids is always a fun summer retreat but Luna Park’s 2016 Halloween Harvest is one of my don’t miss recommendations for fall. We visited for the grand opening festivities and had a great time checking out the rides and seasonal activities.

Fall Fun at Coney Island's Halloween Harvest

Coney Island with kids: Fall Fun at Coney Island’s Halloween Harvest

Running through October 30th, the Halloween Harvest at Luna Park is sure to please kids of all ages with: 

Fall Fun at Coney Island's Halloween Harvest, Luna Park

Coney Island with kids: Fall Fun at Coney Island’s Halloween Harvest

  • Dozens of kiddie, moderate and thrill rides at Luna Park (4-hour wristbands are $35)
  • Trick-or-treating with costumed characters
  • Magician shows
  • Kooky, spooky karaoke
  • Hay Maze (with pumpkin picking and painting – additional charge)
  • Live music with dance parties
  • Fun contests and games
  • Arts and crafts
  • Face painting and balloon animals
  • Petting zoo and pony rides
  • Fun photo ops

Additional special events include:

October 9 – Luna Park’s annual Dog Parade and Costume Contest, come pick the winners for Audience Choice, Cutest, Mister/Miss Congeniality, Most Original and Best of Show.

October 23 – Mark and the Maniac Carvers, Brooklyn-based pumpkin carvers transform a giant gourd into a Halloween masterpiece.

Fall Fun at Coney Island's Halloween Harvest

Fall Fun at Coney Island’s Halloween Harvest

Fall Fun at Coney Island's Halloween Harvest, globetrotting mommy

Fall Fun at Coney Island's Halloween Harvest, globetrotting mommy

Be sure to check out my Top 5 Tips for Visiting Coney Island before you go and don’t forget your camera! If you like to take mural photos, be sure to check out Coney Art Walls for some awesome backdrops.

Luna Park is open on Saturdays from 12 noon to 11 p.m. and on Sundays from 12 noon to 8 p.m. For a complete schedule of Halloween Harvest events and activities and for more information, go to www.www.lunaparknyc.com.

Have you visited Coney Island?  Tell me below in the comments.

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Special thanks to the Luna Park for inviting us to attend Halloween Harvest.  All opinions are my own. If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to Globetrotting Mommy for daily updates!

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