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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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Staycation Ideas 101: DIY Salt …

August 14, 2014 By admin

Remember when I was home day after day mending my broken foot aka taking a NYC summer staycation? Well, Morton Salt sent me a care package full of goodies to cheer me up and suggested I throw a playdate party to celebrate the Morton Salt Girl’s 100th birthday! She’s looking pretty good for 100, right?

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Staycation Ideas 101: DIY Salt Dough with Morton Salt

As I soaked my recuperating foot in Morton Epson salt baths (Eucalyptus and Lavender, yum) I decided that throwing a little DIY Salt Dough party for my daughter and her pal would be a win win. The kids could get crafty, the moms could chat and the mess would be minimal.

I made the dough in advance to keep things easy. Kids plus flour is a dangerous combination in my book but if you’re feeling daring, this is a pretty easy recipe for little hands…

SUPER EASY SALT DOUGH

1 cup of Morton Salt
2 cups of flour
3/4 cup of water

Mix the salt and flour together in a large bowl.
Gradually stir in the water and mix until it forms dough.
Knead the dough and add more flour if it sticks to your hands.
Roll out the dough and separate into individual pieces.
Use cookie cutters or create your own designs.
Bake in oven at 250 degrees for about two hours depending on size.

The girls got right to work with their designs…

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Staycation Ideas 101: DIY Salt Dough with Morton Salt

They added in some stones and played while they baked. When they were cool, they added on finishing touches with markers but you could also use paint or glitter glue.

Staycation Ideas 101: DIY Salt Dough with Morton Salt

This is a great project for a rainy day or staycation. I’m sure you already have the supplies so give it a try.

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Around the World in NYC this …

July 31, 2014 By admin

If you’ll be in New York City this Sunday, August 3, head over to Union Square for some free globetrotting fun at the IYF Culture Exhibition. We checked it out last weekend and really loved all the amazing dance performances from around the world (India, South Africa, Jamaica, Russia, Korea and more…) and multi-cultural exhibits.

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Around the World in NYC

Booths were set up on the periphery with toys, games and dolls, costumes galore, and cultural artifacts from around the world. There were also arts and crafts activities, face painting, photo ops and various multi-cultural demonstrations. My 4-year old daughter especially enjoyed learning about Chinese Checkers (my childhood fave), playing with musical instruments and the life size llama. I sorta wanted to take him home…

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Around the World in NYC

If you’ll be in the area between 10 am and 5 pm, check it out. The nearby Evelyn’s Playground is always a fun pit stop and there are tons of great kid-friendly spots to grab lunch in the hood like Clarke’s Standard, Coffee Shop and Max Brenner.

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Amusement Parks 101: Top 10 …

July 17, 2014 By admin

Summertime means visits to amusement parks and today I’m sharing my Top 10 Tips for Visiting Hersheypark, Pennsylvania from my recent road trip…

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Top 10 Tips for Visiting HersheyPark, Pennsylvania – Globetrotting Mommy

1) Start your day early! You’ll want to be in line when the gates open so you can enjoy the most popular rides before the crowds arrive. If you can get your kids past the first rides they see and head towards the back of the park first, that’s an even better plan. And if you really want to avoid the crowds, try to schedule your visit mid-week.

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Globetrotting Mommy Amusement Parks 101: Top 10 Tips for Visiting Hersheypark, Pennsylvania

2) Sneak a Peek! Guests who purchase a regular full-day admission ticket can enter the park for a sneak preview the night before (either 5:30 pm or 7:30 pm depending on closing times). This is a great time to tackle the more popular rides and make a game plan for the next day.

3) Download the Hersheypark app and you’ll be able to see ride wait times as well as find restaurants, shows, restrooms and more. Try not to leave it running all day or you might run your battery down.

Globetrotting Mommy Amusement Parks 101: Top 10 Tips for Visiting Hersheypark, Pennsylvania

4) Prepare to get wet. Bring your bathing suit, water shoes, and towel if you want to visit the Boardwalk water park area featuring 15 rides as well as wave pools and lazy river. Don’t forget swim diapers and puddle jumpers for the little ones.

5) Take the shuttle if you can. Most nearby hotels offer free shuttle service to and from Hersheypark and that is definitely the easiest way to go. The drivers will put your strollers in the luggage compartment so its really easy.

6) Speaking of strollers, take one if you’re bringing kids who are five or younger. Even if your kids don’t get tired, you’ll be happy to have a place to keep your bags and towels. If you’re bringing older kids, rent a locker or splurge for a cabana so you can have a home base for your stuff because wet towels are HEAVY.

7) Divide and conquer. If you’ve got a mixed age group, you’ll want to pick a meeting time and place so everyone can enjoy different rides. Hersheypark is unique because the kiddie and adult rides are mixed together in each area making it easy for families to do one area at a time which is nice. And if you and your partner want to ride an adult ride (imagine that!) or if a parent needs to ride with more than one child, Hersheypark has a “child swap” option where adults or kids can take turns riding.

Globetrotting Mommy Amusement Parks 101: Top 10 Tips for Visiting Hersheypark, Pennsylvania

8) Bring your camera! You’ll want to get some pictures of the Hershey characters so make sure to visit them throughout the park or book a Character Breakfast for a more personal encounter. If you’ve got a waterproof camera, bring that along too.

9) Make a detour to the Zoo America. Admission is included in your Hersheypark ticket so if you or your kids need a little down time (or a quiet place to nap), the zoo is a great retreat.

10) Test out some of the new for 2014 kid-friendly rides like Cocoa Cruiser (a kid-friendly roller coaster), Tea Cups (a classic spinning ride) and Sweet Swing (a gigantic swing that my daughter and I really loved).

Ready to plan your visit to Hershey, PA? Check out Spotlight on Hershey, Pennsylvania – The Sweetest Place on Earth – Part 1 and Top 10 Family Friendly Things to do in Hershey, Pennsylvania – Spotlight on Hershey, Part 2 for more suggestions of things to do and see.

What are your favorite tips for visiting Hersheypark?

Thanks to Hersheypark for providing our tickets. All opinions are my own. If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to Globetrotting Mommy for daily updates!

Staycation Ideas 101: Juggle …

July 8, 2014 By admin

Traveling with kids can be tough but sometimes you can have just as much fun at home (without packing or jet lag) when you take a staycation! If your kids are home this summer, plan some day trips and explore your hometown like a tourist or just head out to your backyard or nearest playground and bring out some new summer toys!

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Globetrotting Mommy Staycation Ideas: Juggle Bubbles

Kids of all ages love bubbles but when I heard about Juggle Bubbles…bubbles you can touch and hold in your hands…I was intrigued. The box arrived and when I showed my four-year old, she immediately squealed with joy and told me how much she had wanted these. I thought I was surprising her with something new but apparently she had already seen the commercial…

Juggle Bubbles were a huge hit! The kit includes a bubble blower, a bubble tray, bubble solution and a pair of magic gloves. It takes a bit to master the blowing technique and figure out the ideal medium-ish size but once we did, voila…

Globetrotting Mommy Staycation Ideas: Juggle Bubbles

When you’re wearing the special stretchy gloves, you can gently touch, bounce and hold the bubbles. The box says ages 5+ but younger kids could definitely play along if a grown up handled the blowing. You’ll want to use these on a not too windy day for best results. I think they’d be just as fun on the beach or at a picnic as they were in the park. And here’s a tip, if you have a hard to photograph child, these are a great distraction and you’ll be sure to get a lot of smiling action shots.

I think Juggle Bubbles would be a great surprise to pack on your adventures near or far. I also think they’d make a great gift for kids of all ages.

I was not compensated for this post but I did receive Juggle Bubbles for review purposes. All opinions are my own.

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Globetrotting Kids: Artsy …

June 2, 2014 By admin

Travel postcards are a fun way to share your adventures near and far. If you’re looking for a great way to get your kids away from their iPads and engaged in their vacation surroundings, check out this Watercolor Postcards kit from a portable studio.

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Globetrotting Kids: Artsy Adventures in Postcards

The box set includes four tubes of watercolor paint, two brushes, a mixing tray, Strathmore postcards and an instruction booklet.

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Globetrotting Kids: Artsy Adventures in Postcards

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Globetrotting Kids: Artsy Adventures in Postcards

I think kids would love designing their own postcards to send to their friends and family back home. This would also be a fun activity to do on the plane ride home. I know a few adults who would love this too so I think it would make a great gift for anyone artsy.

If you’re feeling crafty, you could easily DIY your own travel postcard kit or get some extra postcards and the whole family can share one kit.

The Cutest Bookends for Little …

May 20, 2014 By admin

Story time is a favorite for kids of all ages. If you’re looking for a fun gift for literary loving jet setters, look no further than these airplane bookends from Maple Landmark. They’re made from locally sourced Vermont maple and pine and painted with non-toxic finishes. The wheels, propellers and figures are fixed so these are completely baby-proof.

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Globetrotting Mommy: The Cutest Bookends for Little Jet Setters

I think they’d be a nice addition to any baby nursery or playroom. Pair it with some favorite books and I think this would be a great baby shower gift or birthday present for any globetrotting kid.

Best Baby Present under $20 …

April 9, 2014 By admin

If you’ve got a new babe in your life, I’ve got a suggestion for the best baby present under $20! Little Sapling Toys wooden teethers are great for babies to chew and grasp and I’m loving their states collection featuring handcrafted teethers in the shapes of almost all 50 states! They are a total score at $12 each and a gift for the environment too as Little Sapling Toys plants a tree through Trees for the Future for every toy sold! Win, win.

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Globetrotting Mommy: Best Baby Present under $20 for Globetrotting Babes

Made from Hard Rock Maple, a non-splintering wood, these teethers are naturally anti-bacterial, non-allergenic, and non-toxic.

They vary in size but most are about 3″x3″ and they are all sanded satin smooth with no exterior finish. Choose the state where the babe was born or the hometown or college states of the child’s parents. Best of all, they can be engraved with the baby’s name so you never have to worry about walking off with the wrong toy at a play date.

Safe for all ages, the wooden teether arrives ready for gifting in a cotton drawstring carrying pouch with a tag that includes the wood used, a bit about Little Sapling Toys’ family business and care instructions.

They’d be a great baby shower gift and fun to use to decorate a baby’s nursery too.

Photography tips: Dress the …

March 10, 2014 By admin

Did you ever try to take a photo of your kid and have them not want to look at the camera? Me too. Imagine if you could find a way to combat that especially on vacation when you’re trying to capture your kid and the scenery for a once in a lifetime shot. If you’ve got a daughter, I’ve got an idea for you — matching Doll & Me Fashion Sets from Our Generation doll.

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Photography tips: Dress the part with Our Generation Doll & Me Fashion Set

My daughter loves her dolls, stuffed animals and beloved Pinky, a raggedy pink lovey and often brings them with her when we’re traveling. One day, I surprised her with Our Generation’s Hally and the “One Smart Cookie” set. She loved the doll naturally, but when I showed her the next surprise – a matching Our Generation Doll & Me Fashion Set – her face lit up. The pink tutu skirt is just my girly girl’s style and the gray tank top and shrug sweater add just the right amount of big girl sophistication. She couldn’t wait to dress up in matching outfits with her doll and show off their cuteness. We ran across the street to the park and I said smile for the camera and she did just that. She wanted to make sure I got photos of just Hally too because she looked so pretty.

doll3 doll4 doll5

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Globetrotting Mommy Photography tips: Dress the part with Our Generation Doll & Me Fashion Set

I think this is a great way to get kids excited about an upcoming family photo shoot and holiday pictures as well as vacation shots.

The dolls are sold at Target individually ($23) or in deluxe sets ($32) with accessories and a book. Our Hally deluxe set came with a selection of clothes including a dressy school girl outfit and a casual gym set with sneakers as well as fun accessories like a backpack, notebook, report card, fortune cookie and a “One Smart Cookie” chapter book and bookmark. There are so many different styles and accessories available and they are all so affordable compared to so many other brands.

There are several Doll & Me Fashion sets for the 4-6 set and they’re just $30 which is a great price. From dressy party dresses to sundresses there are some great options for the upcoming spring and summer holidays. I think they’d also be cute for sisters and cousins who want to coordinate their outfits and a fun gift idea for any little girly girl you know.

And if you want to take your doll on a trip with you, check out the fun selection of Our Generation doll carriers.

I was not compensated for this post but I did receive the Our Generation products for review purposes. All opinions are my own.

Globetrotting Toys: …

December 18, 2013 By admin

It’s a plane, its a submarine and everything in between! If you’re looking for a fun building toy that will get your budding pilots’s imagination flowing, the Build-a-ma-jigs Submaplane from B. toys is sure to please.

My daughter and I tested it out and we had so much fun coming up with different configurations for the interchangeable pieces. It surprised me that her favorite part was the working drill (complete with interchangeable bits) but that just proves that girly girls can handle power tools. Just check out my preschooler concentrating on that drill in princess fairy garb of course. Focus, focus, focus…