Globetrotting Mommy

From Family Adventures to Girlfriend Getaways

Five Cool Things to Check Out …

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NYC’s new American Girl Place, one of our favorite New York City hotspots has a glitzy new home in Rockefeller Center. The 40,000-square-foot flagship store is stunning and the location is perfectly central for locals and tourists. If you’ve got an American Girl doll fan at home, read on to learn about Five Cool Things to Check Out at NYC’s new American Girl Place.

Five Cool Things to Check Out at NYC’s New American Girl Place

Five Cool Things to Check Out at NYC's New American Girl Place

Five Cool Things to Check Out at NYC’s New American Girl Place

1) The American Girl Salon, Only At American Girl New York

One of the major enhancements at the new American Girl Place is the gorgeous American Girl Salon. Dolls have always been able to enjoy salon pampering but now girls can get in on the spa and salon action too. Girls can choose hairstyles to match their dolls (or not) and they can now enjoy mini mani’s and ear piercing alongside their dolls. And yes, the ear piercing is major news! Girl hairstyles start at $25 while doll styles begin at $10. It was so fun to watch my daughter and her doll Lea have their hair done in matching styles with coordinating ribbons. If you’re looking for a special girl’s day out treat, a stop here will definitely impress everyone. You’ll want to review the salon options and make reservations in advance, especially over holidays and weekends.

2) The New American Girl Cafe

Always a classic choice for a special dining treat, the new American Girl Cafe features modern decor, an updated a-la-carte menu and they have done away with the set seating times so you won’t find yourself waiting in a long line. You and your dolls can enjoy brunch, afternoon tea, lunch or dinner with old menu favorites (pink lemonade, pigs-in-blankets, cinnamon buns, chocolate mousse flowerpots) as well as new offerings. Dolls can enjoy meals (in their own seats – so bring them along or borrow one at check-in) and girls are given souvenir dining accessories to use and take home. We enjoyed our lunch and my daughter loved getting to share the experience all glammed up along with her doll. Yes, they have private rooms for birthday parties so keep that in mind when birthday season arrives.

3) Explore American Girl Books and Movies

The new American Girl store features a comfortable section where kids can watch the company’s award-winning movies and videos. There is also a cozy nook where kids can browse the brand’s hundreds of best-selling fiction and advice books. I love that these areas are for kids (and parents) to relax as shopping in NYC can be very hectic. My daughter is in third grade and the American Girl books have really been essential in teaching her how to navigate friendships and her growing body.

4) Create Your Own Design Studio

My favorite new addition is the Create Your Own Design Studio where girls can custom design their own doll via an online experience that takes personalization and customization to a whole new level. There are more than one million possible design combinations from hairstyles, eye colors, skin shades and accessories galore so girls can truly create the doll of their dreams. Girls can also design one-of-a-kind doll and girl-sized clothing at the design studio, which can be printed in-store. If your daughter likes to add her personal touches to everything, she will love these new options.

5) Check out the American Girl Doll of the Year!

We’re huge fans of these annual additions (like Gabriela, Grace and Lea) and I love that the 2018 American Girl Doll, Luciana Vega encourages girls to explore science as she aspires to explore Mars someday. 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. Best of all, the BeForever characters and newer dolls are featured in special showcases where girls can get a glimpse into their worlds and play in interactive areas. Younger girls will especially love exploring the WellieWishers and Bitty Baby areas.

Ready to visit? Check out my Top Tips for Visiting American Girl Place in NYC and pin this for your next NYC trip.

Have you been to NYC’s new American Girl Place? Who is your favorite doll?

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Thanks to American Girl for providing us pampering spa services and lunch. As always, all opinions are my own. If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to Globetrotting Mommy for daily updates!

Back-to-School Favorites for …

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This post is sponsored by Babbleboxx.com. As always, all opinions are my own.

Back-to-School Favorites for Trendy Tweens

September is almost here and before I head off on one last vacation, I’m wrapping up all our back-to-school shopping. Today I’m sharing some favorite back-to-school favorites for trendy tweens with the help of Babblebox.

Stylish Back-to-School Backpack

Now that my daughter is entering fifth grade, she has very specific likes and dislikes when it comes to a backpack. Luckily, this shimmery pink Mermaid Flip Sequin Backpack from Justice has everything she needs to be comfortable and on-trend. Flipping sequins are super popular with the tween set but the sturdy construction (the top loop can hold 100 pounds!), roomy interior, and padded back straps won me over. The key chain loop is a must so kids can accessorize and the fuzzy pompom charm is super cute.

Start The School Year With a New Book

A new book always inspires my tween to curl up and get reading so I love to start off the school year with some new tales. She enjoyed reading Merci Suarez Changes Gears, a story about a Hispanic sixth-grade girl who deals with friendship drama, family relationships and the changes that come with Middle School. Since my daughter is close with her grandmas, she related Merci’s close-knit multigenerational family and their changing family dynamics. As an added bonus, my daughter picked up some Espanol as the book features Spanish words throughout.

Use the promotion code CANDLEWICK at checkout on www.candlewick.com for 25% off your book order (only valid to US purchases).

Safety First – First Aid Necessities From Me4Kidz

Medibuddy First Aid Kit: The adorable Medibuddy First Aid Kit is great for home and away. With 50 items (latex-free bandages, gauze, ointment, stickers and more) you will always be able to fix cuts, scrapes and blisters. I always travel with a first aid kit and you should too.

Little Buddy Antibacterial Wipes: Because life is messy, wipes should always be within reach. Little Buddy Antibacterial Wipes are perfect for cleaning dirty hands and faces as well as scrapped knees. They kill 99% of germs without stinging which is a win-win and this 32-count package is perfect for traveling.

Cool it buddy – Instant ice packs: Ice packs always seem to help most injuries so I always keep a few handy. Cool it Buddy – Instant ice packs are non-toxic and the convenient 2-pack is great for on-the-go travels as well as the playground.

Use code Babble2019 for 25% off Me4Kidz products now through 12/31/19.

Freezable Lunch Bags & Bento Container from PackIt

Keeping lunch items and snacks cool is a must and these freezable lunch boxes and snack bags from PackIt are game-changers.

Freezable Lunch Bag-Unicorn Sky – The original, bestselling lunch bag is roomier in all the right places. Just keep it folded in the freezer and you’ll always be ready to go.

Freezable Snack Bag-Spaceman – Designed for snacks, medicine and cosmetics, this small, collapsible bag is perfect for school, traveling and road trips. The tiny bag is so handy, you’ll be using it every day.

Mod Lunch Box-Mint – PackIt’s new customizable bento containers feature a modular system so you can keep your foods separate and fresh. Great for on-the-go tweens, the Mod Lunch Box has a leak-resistant lid and dividers and fits perfectly in the PackIt freezable bag.

Comfortable Scissors Make The Cut

My daughter’s school sends a list of classroom supplies but luckily she can choose her own scissors. These Kids Jellies Pointed Scissors from Westcott have squishy gel handles that makes cutting a breeze without getting tired fingers. They are designed for comfort and control (for lefties or righties) and easily cut through paper, photos, ribbon and yarn. Westcott is dedicated to supporting education and inspiring creative activities in the classroom and at home and these comfy scissors will get a lot of use this year.

Maglite® Solitaire LED and Mini Maglite® Pro LED – A Must for Every Backpack

Maglite® Solitare LED – Tweens love personalizing their backpacks with key chains, etc. and the adorable Solitaire® LED Flashlight by Maglite® is the must-have keychain flashlight for every girl’s bag (see backpack photo above). This tiny flashlight packs a punch with a beam throw of 50 yards. Plus, it will run nonstop for almost two hours on just one AAA battery (included). Best of all, it comes in an assortment of colors so tweens can pick their fave.

Mini Maglite® Pro LED Flashlight – The perfect compact flashlight for tweens and adults, this iconic flashlight has a powerful beam that can travel almost two football fields. Featuring spot to flood focusing, this flashlight is a perfect companion at home, on camping trips and at sporting events.

Discount Offer: Use code MAGBB15 (15% off online orders – Some restrictions apply. Outlet, seasonal shop and discounted items excluded. Cannot be combined with another offer or discounted item. U. S. Shipping addresses only. Promotion available for a limited time through September 15, 2019.)

Lunch Notes from MyWish4U

Tweens might be too old for mushy lunchbox notes but they will love finding these witty MyWish4U Notes in their lunchboxes. Each note contains witty jokes, fun riddles, wacky facts and other messages sure to get kids smiling. Each pack of tear-off lunch notes features 101 colorful, single-sided notes with blank backs for personalized messages or doodles. Affordable at just $4.99, the MyWish4U Notes are available in three versions at Target stores nationwide:

Facts & Funnies 2 – Featuring popular facts and funnies.

Riddles & Giggles 2 – Includes clever and funny riddles and jokes.

Wacky Facts & Laughs – Showcases wild and fascinating (and educational) facts to learn about our world.

Available nationwide now through September at all Target stores in the back-to-school section. Since you probably have a dozen Target runs planned before school starts, remember to throw some of these in your cart.

Hope you enjoyed reading about these must-have Back-to-School favorites for trendy tweens. Good luck to everyone on their first-day of school.

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Back-to-School Favorites for Trendy Tweens

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

Summer Fun at Splish Splash …

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We love kicking off summer at Splish Splash water park, Long Island and this year’s trip was as memorable as always. Splish Splash is located on Long Island’s East End, about 90-minutes from Manhattan making it a great day trip to escape the city heat. Read on for the scoop before you plan your summer visit.

Summer fun at Splish Splash Water Park, Long Island (and coupon)

Summer fun at Splish Splash Water Park, Long Island (and coupon)

What’s New at Splish Splash, Long Island – Riptide Racer and Bombs Away

These two new slide rides start from the same tower with the Bombs Away entrance a flight up from Riptide Racer.

Riptide Racer was my daughter’s favorite ride this trip and since the lines were short, she got to ride it quite a few times. Up to four guests race down the colorful tubes and slides going head-first on cushy blue mats. Watching the racers splash to the end line side-by-side is so fun as you never know who will go fastest.

The colorful Riptide Racer, Splish Splash, Long Island, Water park

The colorful new Riptide Racer at Splish Splash was a big hit with my 8-year old.

Bombs Away is a bit more daring with two dueling 300-foot slides. Guests stand in the clear launch capsule, waiting for the floor to drop. When it does, riders rush through a tidal flow as they fall at 26 feet per second. If you’re looking for a high-thrill, adrenaline rush, this is the ride for you.

Family Fun for Everyone at Splish Splash, Water Park, Long Island

From babies to grandparents, everyone will find a favorite attraction at Splish Splash Waterpark making it a great option for a multi-generational visit. I love that most of the grounds are shaded and the attractions geared towards small children have plenty of seating.

Splish Splash Waterpark, Long Island, Lazy River, kids, coupon

The lazy river is a ride the whole family can enjoy. Watch out for the spraying waterfalls….

Splish Splash, Water Park, Long Island, Kids, Coupon

The areas for little kids feature cute submarines and pirate ships at Splish Splash Waterpark.

Splish Splash Water Park, Coupon, Globetrotting Mommy, Long Island

spilsh splash, water park, coupon, long island

The wave pool is fun for guests of all ages. This was the quiet before the storm…

Spish Splash can get very crowded on hot weekends so try to get there at opening or consider buying a H2GO Pass Ride to avoid long waits.

What to Bring to Splish Splash Water Park, Long Island

Even when you travel light you’ll still need those family friendly summer essentials including a comfortable bathing suit or rash guard and a light cover-up or sarong. Water shoes (preferably the stretchy tight types), goggles and sun hats are a must for little kids.

Be sure to stay hydrated at waterparks with Hydaway collapsable water bottles. Splish Splash, long island

Stay hydrated at waterparks with Hydaway collapsable water bottles and don’t forget a waterproof phone case.

You will want a waterproof case for your phone and a small portable safe to keep your car keys and credit cards safe. Last but not least, bring a colorful quick dry towel and water bottles for everyone in the family.

We test drove Hydaway Bottles on our visit and I loved how they easily clipped onto our bags when full and collapsed to a small disc when empty. Lockers are available and there are free cubbies where you can store your towels and shoes throughout the park.

Ready to visit? Check out my Top 10 Tips for Visiting Splish Splash and save up to $8 per ticket with this Splish Splash coupon code. If you can, make a weekend of it and check out all the family-friendly things to do on Long Island’s East End.

Have you visited Splish Splash Water Park?  Tell me your favorite ride in the comments below.

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Special thanks to Splish Splash for inviting us to visit. This post contains affiliate links. As always, all opinions are my own. If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to Globetrotting Mommy for daily updates!

Summer Shoes Kids Will Love …

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Summer travels call for shoes kids will love wearing. So toss out those old smelly school sneakers and stock up on some cute and comfy summer shoes.

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Summer Shoes Kids Will Love Wearing

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For girls who love glitter:

My daughter loves dresses and I usually cringe when she pairs them with sneakers but no more! These rose gold Champion Glitter Keds for Kate Spade are the perfect dressy sneaker that works on the playground and at a fancy dinner. Best of all, they come with two sets of laces (regular and satin ribbon) so you can easily dress them up or down.

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For girls who love rainbows:

Rainbows are so fun for girls of all ages and these adorable blue metallic platform espadrilles from Target’s Cat & Jack feature an elastic rainbow strap so they will match everything in her closet.

For sporty kids:

We are huge fan of Stride Rite’s made2play Phibian waterproof sneaker sandals and their new lighted version marks my daughter’s fourth pair! The easy-to-clean exterior, comfortable interior and velcro closure make them an easy option for every day. These sneakers are lightweight and can go from sidewalk to sprinkler park.

Kids will love wearing Salt Water Sandals all summer long.

For kids who like classics:

Salt Water Sandals come in so many unisex styles (and colors) its no wonder they’ve got a cult following among kids and moms. For summer sightseeing trips or walks at home, these classic strappy sandals are a great option that can easily go from day to night. The chunky sole options are nice for younger kids and the strap and buckle closure means little fingers can’t easily take these off. These sandals are waterproof and easy to clean making them a great option for beach vacations and amusement park trips.

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For trendsetters:

I’m a big fan of Birkenstocks for their ease and comfort so this year I bought my daughter matching metallic silver Gizah sandals.  I love how sturdy they are compared to flip-flops. And, most importantly, the slip-on style means my daughter can get out the door quickly.

What shoes do your kids love to wear when traveling?  Tell me below in the comments.

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Some of these shoes were gifted for review purposes and this post contains some affiliate links. As always, all opinions are my own. If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to Globetrotting Mommy for daily updates!

Top 10 Tips for Visiting …

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Furry Sesame Street characters, musical shows, water park rides and amusement park fun await junior travelers at Sesame Place in Langhorne, PA. My daughter first visited Sesame Place when she was three and enjoyed it even more as an adventurous six-year old.

Sesame Place is a great choice for toddlers and big kids as it can be done in one day or spread over a few days. If you’re looking for a quick amusement park getaway before school starts or this fall, here are my Top 10 Tips for Visiting Sesame Place, PA.

Top 10 Tips for Visiting Sesame Place, PA

Top 10 Tips for Visiting Sesame Place, PA

TOP 10 TIPS FOR VISITING SESAME PLACE, PENNSYLVANIA

1 – Go Early

This is my usual advice when visiting any amusement park. The temperatures are milder, the lines are shorter and the parking spots are closer so definitely try to get there as early to opening as you can. You’ll also be able to claim lounge chairs in busy areas which fill up quickly.

Meeting the Sesame Street Characters is a must at Sesame Place. Langhorne, Pennsylvia, bert and ernie

Meeting the Sesame Street Characters is a must at Sesame Place.

2 – Meet the Characters

The Sesame Street characters can be found throughout the property (with minimal wait times) and in the 1-2-3 Smile With Me! area. The photographers are great at getting little kids to smile and some will also take photos with your camera which is nice. My favorite character backdrop is the hopscotch area in Sesame Neighborhood where you’ll find Bert and Ernie.

Get ready to get wet at The Count's Splash Castle. Globetrotting Mommy, Sesame Place Tips

Get ready to get wet at The Count’s Splash Castle

3 – Start dry and get wet

The park features a mix of traditional amusement park rides and water park attractions. Unless its a super hot day, I recommend starting with the dry rides (on the right hand side) and finishing with the water park. There is one “big” rollercoaster (Vapor Trail) near the entrance and the rest of the dry rides are pretty tame – except for the Honker Dinger Derby which my daughter made me ride twice…For the water rides, most are very little-kid friendly with a few more adventurous water slides near back of the park. Aside from water rides, there are some great areas to splash around – The Count’s Splash Castle has lots of waterslides and a gigantic bucket that spills over (as The Count counts backwards), Ernie’s Waterworks is an interactive water area great for younger kids and the Teeny Tiny Tidal Wave Pool is fun for all ages.

Don't miss Sesame Place's Neighborhood Street Party Parade

Top tips for visiting Sesame Place. Don’t miss Sesame Place’s Neighborhood Street Party Parade

4 – Stake your spot for the parade

The Neighborhood Street Party Parade is a must see so be sure to get there early to claim your spot. Kids will really love seeing their favorite Sesame Street characters singing and dancing while they watch all the colorful floats go by. The best viewing spot is in the middle of the route and you can lay down towels for kids to sit on in advance. There is usually an afternoon and early evening show but check the daily schedule or website for exact times.

Water shoes like Crocs are a must-have for visiting Sesame Place in the summer.

Water shoes like Crocs are a must-have for visiting Sesame Place in the summer.

5 – Wear or bring water shoes

The pavement in some areas of the water park area is very hot and bumpy. Be sure to protect little feet with slip on water shoes or swim socks kids can wear on the rides.  Crocs, Keens, flip flops and any other water proof shoes are good options and you can leave them in cubbies at the ride entrance/exit areas.

Top 10 Tips for Visiting Sesame Place - The green tube line is much shorter than the blue tube line.

Top 10 Tips for Visiting Sesame Place – The green tube line is much shorter than the blue tube line.

6 – Go team green on Big Bird’s Rambling River

There are two entrances to Big Bird’s Rambling River – a lazy river ride perfect for families – one with blue tubes and other with green tubes. The green tube entrance is a bit hidden away so the lines are much, much shorter over there. Life jackets and kid sized tubes are available.

7 – Do bring a stroller for young kids

If your kids still nap, you’ll definitely want to bring a reclining stroller with a sun shade. An umbrella stroller also comes in handy for older kids since you can use it to cart around the towels, water bottles, sunscreen and change of clothes as you travel around the park.

Be sure to take in a show at Sesame Place. Sesame Place Tips, Globetrotting Mommy

Be sure to take in a show at Sesame Place.

8 – Take in a Show

There are three Sesame Street shows and they are all entertaining for young travelers.  Only one (Elmo The Musical Live!) is air conditioned so be sure to see that one when you need a break from the heat. For kids who like to interact with the characters, try to find seating as close to the stage as possible. And for the Let’s Play Together show in Abby’s Paradise Theater, try to sit around the sectioned off areas around the stage or in the first few rows.

This Master Lock SafeSpace portable mini safe is a great way to store your valuables at Sesame Place. Sesame Place Tips, Globetrotting Mommy

This Master Lock SafeSpace portable mini safe is a great way to store your valuables at Sesame Place.

9 – Store your valuables

There are lockers are in several areas so that is definitely an option. A more affordable solution is to bring your own Portable Personal Safe or just store your items in the stroller while you are in the water park and hope for the best.

10 – Designate a meeting spot

If you’re splitting up (which you will likely do if you kids range in age) agree on a time and place to meet. Be sure your kids can identify the uniformed staff members and if they are too small to know an emergency phone number by heart, have them wear this info on a personalized safety bracelet.

Read my Top 10 Must Have Items for a Water Park Trip for more helpful tips.

Have you visited Sesame Place? What was your favorite memory?

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This post is not sponsored but does contains some affiliate links. If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to Globetrotting Mommy for daily updates!

Must Have Travel Items for …

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Tis’ the season for family vacations! Planning a trip everyone will enjoy is never easy but you’ll be ahead of the game if you bring along these must-have travel items for family vacations.

Must Have Travel Items For Family Vacations

Emergency Bag – Load up on band-aids and ointment, bug spray, sunscreen and extras like tide sticks, ziplocs, bags for motion-sickness (these are life-changing for motion sick kids), wipes (regular and flushable), and other items depending on your destination like a beach tent and baby powder for summer vacations.

Medicine – Be sure to bring all prescription medicine (including a few extra days) along with a digital thermometer and fever-reducing medicine. Note: Always bring these items in your carry on bag.

Must Have Travel Items for Family Vacations

Tote Bags – A few lightweight bags are great to have on hand for extra purchases, carrying coats, etc. These Sesame Street Envirosax bags are a favorite for families with young kids.

Must Have Travel Items for Family Vacations

Packing Cubes are a Must Have Travel Items for Family Vacations.

Packing List – Give everyone their own packing list so they can check off items as they pack. I’m a big fan of using packing cubes to keep everything organized.

Identification Labels – Label everyone’s favorite items before you go.  It is much easier to locate lost items when they’re labeled. Order a set of Mabel’s Labels for every kid and you’re ready to go.

Must Have Travel Items for Family Vacations

Backpack/Travel Bag for Each Person – Have each person carry their own bag filled with snacks, water, journal and personal entertainment items and chargers.

Must Have Travel Items for Family Vacations

Headphones – Kids and adults will be happiest with comfortable headphones.

Must Have Travel Items for Family Vacations

Chargers and Surge Protectors are Must Have Travel Items for Family Vacations.

Chargers –  I always travel with a portable charger (and cords) for every device and a travel surge protector to use in hotels.

Must Have Travel Items for Family Vacations

Personal Safes – A portable personal safe is a must for water park visits.

Must Have Travel Items For Young Kids

Stroller Accessories – Heading to a warm climate? A clip on stroller fan is a must.

Lightweight Blankets – Muslin swaddles are great for swaddling babies, blocking sun on a stroller, sleeping and airplane blankets.

Must Have Travel Items for Family Vacations

Lightweight Booster Seats – Babies and toddlers will need their usual car seats on vacation but bigger kids can use the space saving mifold and bubble bum backless booster seats.

Must Have Travel Items for Family Vacations

Baby and Toddler Necessities – Never deal with another lost pacifier again with BooginHead Paciclip. For toddlers who drop everything, the BooginHead Sippigrip is a must have for car seats, high chairs and strollers. Keep a stash in your diaper bag and you’re good to go.

Must Have Travel Items for Family Vacations

Family Entertainment – Be sure to stock up on audiobooks, movies, and travel games before you go.

I hope this helps you get ready for your next family getaway. Bon voyage!

Pin this for your next trip:

Must Have Travel Items for Family Vacations.

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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!

A Much Needed Mom’s …

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Fall is always hectic for me with back-to-school activities, a million birthdays, the sad job of packing up my summer clothes and events galore. I can’t make every influencer event but when I got invited to Momtrends’ annual Moms’ Night Out…which just happened to be in the middle of my husband’s 12-day business trip..I knew I wanted in on the fun.

A Much Needed Mom's Night Out with Momtrends and Parents MagazineThis annual Momtrends event is always a great time for influencers to learn about the newest trends, news and the latest must-have items from family-friendly brands. The event was hosted by Parents Magazine at the Meredith Publications headquarters in lower Manhattan, an awesome spot for a staycation where you can visit the Statue of Liberty and One World Trade Center just minutes away.

A Much Needed Mom's Night Out with Momtrends and Parents Magazine

But…back to my fun night out which included food and drinks, fashion, toy and health news you can use, pampering massages, giveaways and a kid-free evening with my blogger buddies. YAY!

The evening kicked off with a welcome from Parents editor-in-chief, Liz Vaccariello, tasty appetizers and a gorgeous made-to-order smoothie bar.

A Much Needed Mom's Night Out with Momtrends and Parents Magazine

Have you ever seen a smoothie bar this pretty?

A Much Needed Mom's Night Out with Momtrends and Parents Magazine

Read on for a glimpse of the event…

Culturelle® Baby Probiotics and Diaper Bag Musts

Busy moms need to make sure their diaper bags are filled with every necessity and Culturelle® Baby Probiotics gave us the chance to fill our pick of bags (I went with this chic navy backpack) with a comprehensive list of must-have items.

A Much Needed Mom's Night Out with Momtrends and Parents Magazine

Digestive wellness is important for the whole family and Culturelle is the #1 pediatrician recommended probiotic brand, based on a 2016 survey among pediatricians recommending a kids probiotic brand.

Culturelle® Baby Calm + Comfort Probiotic + Chamomile Drops helps reduce crying and fussiness due to occasional digestive upset. Culturelle® Baby Grow + Thrive Probiotics + Vitamin D Drops promotes the development of a healthy digestive and immune system, and helps babies build strong bones.

Stylish Fashions for Family and Home from JCPenney’s New  Payton & Parker Line

JCPenney gave us a preview of their new Payton & Parker lifestyle brand which features stylish and affordable clothing and home decor. I was really impressed with the on-trend items (lots of sparkle for holidays) and cozy fashions. There were plenty of matching and coordinating items for the whole family which are just perfect for the holidays. How fun are these Peyton & Parker outfits I styled for my family? I love the matching glitter shoes for me and crown headband for my daughter.

A Much Needed Mom's Night Out with Momtrends and Parents Magazine

The new Peyton & Parker Collection is available exclusively at JCPenney in select stores and on jcp.com/peyton-parker.

Entertain Kids at Home and Away VTech Toys

Momtrends’ Mom’s Night Out requires pampering and the VTech team set up a cozy Relaxation Station where we enjoyed massages! After we were relaxed, we got to hear about all the hot holiday VTech and LeapFrog picks from this year’s Holiday Gift Guide including some awesome picks for travel (more about that to come).

A Much Needed Mom's Night Out with Momtrends and Parents Magazine

VTech is a world leader in developing high-quality, innovative educational products that enrich children’s development and make learning fun. My daughter has enjoyed their activity tables, baby laptops, tablets, musical toys, cameras and smartwatches along the years. She is currently wishing for the cool new KidiBuzz for tweens.

Cold & Flu Season is here.  Borion to the rescue!

Because germs are always around at home and away, staying healthy is a priority for busy moms. At the event, we got to create our own health-boosting smoothies made with fruit, greens, toppings and pretty edible flowers courtesy of Borion.

A Much Needed Mom's Night Out with Momtrends and Parents Magazine

Boiron USA is a world leader in homeopathic medicines best known for their top-selling flu medicine Oscillococcinum and their line of cough and cold relief medicines. Their baby & children’s line includes Children’s Coldcalm Liquid Doses and Children’s Chestal Honey Syrup. These homeopathic remedies won’t interact with any other medications, herbs, or supplements, and don’t contain any of the ingredients questioned by the FDA for use in children under age 4.

Thanks again to Momtrends and Parents Magazing for organizing a great Mom’s Night Out!

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Note: Thanks to Meredith Corp., JCPenney, VTech, Culturelle Probiotics, and Boiron USA for sponsoring this post. I was compensated for attending this event and writing this post but all opinions are my own. If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to Globetrotting Mommy for daily updates!

Must Have Back To School …

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September is fast approaching and that means shopping for back to school supplies. Today I’m sharing my favorite back to school supplies, clothes, snack picks and more ideas for September and beyond.

Must Have Back To School Supplies, Clothes, Snacks and More...

Must Have Back To School Supplies, Clothes, Snacks and More…

Back to School Supplies

Must Have Back To School Supplies, Clothes and Snacks

My daughter’s school sends a list of class supplies but luckily she can choose her own binders and folders. Since she’s into rainbows, she is super excited about the new Avery® and Amy Tangerine® Collection. Kids can choose from file folders and binders in rainbow patterns, black and white designs and other fun options.

Labeling school items is a must for kids of all ages and Mabel’s Labels are our go-to for fashionable and durable labels. Their latest designs include some of my daughter’s favorites like Hello Kitty, unicorns, rainbows, mermaids and emojis. I recommend the Ultimate Back to School Pack for every kid in your family (10% with the coupon code MOMTRENDS10).

If you are always printing out homework, travel itineraries and photos like me, you’ll be excited to hear about the new Epson ET-2750 wireless printer. This cartridge-free printer comes with a two-year supply of ink so kids can print away while saving money and the environment.  Win-win!

In the “hope you’ll never need this” school supply category, pesticide-free lice ridding products are a mom’s best friend. Vamousse’s 15-minute mousse treatment and shampoos will rid you and your family of any unwanted houseguests.

Back to School Clothes

Must Have Back To School Supplies, Clothes, Snacks and More...

Must Have Back To School Supplies, Clothes, Snacks and More…

New clothes are a must for the new school year and Tea Collection has launched a line inspired by the good old United States. The colorful clothes feature unique designs and high-quality fabrics that are comfortable and easy to wash. New this year, tween sizing goes up to 16. My daughter is excited to wear this cute chambray jumper, ruffled top and leggings inspired by New England.

Must Have Back To School Supplies, Clothes and Snacks

For kids who like to share their creativity and inspirational messages with the world, this Chalk of the Town t-shirt (chalk markers included) will be a hit for back to school. My daughter loves to design different shirts to match her outfits. Moms will love how easily the chalkboard erases with water.

Must Have Back To School Supplies, Clothes and Snacks

My daughter and her friends love to design their own T-shirts and I love to see their creative juices flowing. Buy some plain t-shirts, fabric markers and fabric paint and you have an easy after-school craft play date.

Check out my favorite summer and fall shoes for kids.

Back to School Snacks

School snacks are getting easier than ever with individually packed offerings in a variety of healthy treats.

Stonyfield Organic yogurt and smoothies come in a variety of packages making them easy options for lunch boxes and after-school snacks. Their new Snack Packs, Yogurt and Graham Crackers and Yogurt and Pretzels are a healthy option in convenient travel packs.

GoGo Squeez has been in my pantry since my daughter was a toddler. The portable, non-messy and deliciously flavored applesauce squeezies are perfect for school lunch, snacks and travel. Their newest offering, GoGo Squeez Blastz, is geared toward older kids with more “sophisticated” palates and comes in bold, mixed fruit flavors and larger serving sizes.

Larabars are a good all natural snack for the whole family and these mini versions are perfect for a sweet lunchbox treat. I also love that they don’t get crushed when they’ve been in my bag for a day or two.

Back to School Backpacks

A new backpack is a great way to get kids excited about back to school. Now that my daughter is entering fourth grade, she has very specific likes and dislikes.  Here are some of my favorite picks for 2018.

For girls who like to change their looks around, these reversible Chooze backpacks featuring fun patterns and designs are sure to please.

Justice is always a hit with girls and their back-to-school backpacks have something for everyone.  From flipping sequins, personalized styles, unicorns and ombre styles, girls will have a tough time picking just one.I also love this lightweight backpack covered in cactus and succulents.

Don’t forget to stock up on hanging squishies, keychains, toys and hand sanitizers. The more, the merrier!

News You Can Use For Parents

As we all know, today’s technology can feel a bit unsafe for kids and parents too. I attended a Back To School event hosted by Facebook and learned about their newly launched Digital Literacy Library and new Messenger Kids features and parental controls. While my daughter isn’t using Messenger Kids or Facebook yet, the Digital Literacy Library is full of information about online safety, privacy, sharing tips and other topics that I can start talking about now. Kids need to learn how to safely navigate with today’s tech and this is a great starting point for tweens and teens.

In addition, parents need to set good digital examples for children. This fall, several new tools that track time on various apps will certainly help everyone track their online time.

Are you ready for back to school?

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We were gifted some of these items from for review purposes. I attended the #MomTrendsSchool event and received a goody bag. As always, all opinions are my own. This post contains some affiliate links. If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to Globetrotting Mommy for daily updates!

Back-To-School Must Haves for …

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This post is sponsored by Babbleboxx on behalf of Justice

It’s crazy hard to believe but my not-so-little globetrotter is headed to fourth grade this fall. With every back-to-school season, we’ve faced decisions about clothing, school supplies and accessories and each year, her opinions become more and more important.

While I sometimes have to veto her decisions (think poor quality, obscene pricing, and plain ugliness), this year I’m thrilled with her back-to-school picks from Justice.

Back to school, backpacks for girls, tween clothing, girls clothing, flip sequin backpack, flip sequin lunchbox, cool lunchbox

Back-to-School Must Haves for Tweens

Justice has all the fashionable girls clothing that tweens want and affordable pricing and positive messaging that moms’ love. Shopping for clothing for girls can lead to meltdowns but Justice really understands their mini-customers, with so many options for girls to piece together outfits that reflect their individuality and fit their busy lifestyles, all with an extra dose of fun.

Backpacks for Girls

The most important back-to-school item is a great backpack and my daughter is super excited to start using this shimmery pink flip sequin initial backpack for fourth grade.

Back-To-School Must Haves for Tweens, Justice, backpacks for girls, girls clothing

Flipping sequins are her current love, the large G makes her feel like it was made especially for her and the pink, aqua, purple (flipping to pink and silver) shades will easily match her entire wardrobe. Since we walk to school, I’m always concerned about her backpack being heavy so I was happy to see the padded back straps.

Back-To-School Must Haves for Tweens, Justice, backpacks for girls, girls clothing

The elasticized side pocket for water bottles is a must-have as well as the spacious interior for books and lunch box. There are also roomy pockets for school supplies and random items like slime and hair clips. She brings a backpack on our travels too so it needs to be sturdy and this one passes the test with solid zippers and strong seams. Oh, and according to my daughter, the pink pompom keychain is awesome.

Stylish Accessories to Keep Girls Organized

My daughter starts the year organized but by winter, her room, backpack and school folders are a mess. We’ve talked about a plan to stay better organized this year since fourth grade is the real deal and these three accessories will be a big help.

Back-To-School Must Haves for Tweens, Justice, backpacks for girls, girls clothing, flip sequins

A matching lunchbox is a chic pick for tweens and this flipping sequin number is sure to please girls and parents alike. My daughter loves the flip sequins and initial design while I love that the interior is easy to wash. Win-win.

Back-To-School Must Haves for Tweens, Justice, backpacks for girls, girls clothing, flip sequins

Pens, pencils, highlighters, rulers and protractors need to stay safe and this clear pencil case with floating sequins offers these items a pretty home. Gotta love the FEARLESS messaging on this too.

Back-To-School Must Haves for Tweens, Justice, backpacks for girls, girls clothing, flip sequins

This matching sequin initial wristlet is perfect for bake-sale money and other small items.

Back-To-School-Fashion

Back-To-School Must Haves for Tweens, Justice, backpacks for girls, girls clothing, flip sequins

Girls can never have enough cute tops and nothing is more comfy for kids and easy to wash for moms as a t-shirt. This colorful girls top features metallic accents, cute summer graphics and funny captions. She styled it with comfy pink shorts trimmed with pom poms and pink heart shades. I love that the sizing is true with a little extra length which is nice because my daughter and her classmates are often sitting on the floor.

Back-To-School Must Haves for Tweens, Justice, backpacks for girls, girls clothing, flip sequins

How fun do these items look together?

Back-To-School Must Haves for Tweens, Justice, backpacks for girls, girls clothing, flip sequins

Just head to Justice for all your back-to-school shopping, throw everything in your backpack and you’re off to fourth grade…

Which is your favorite item?  Tell me below in the comments.

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This is a sponsored post on behalf of Justice through BabbleBoxx. 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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