NY and NJ Moms: 25% OFF "Elmo Makes Music"
Sunday, February 1, 2009
New York and New Jersey Moms: Looking to bring the kids somewhere new and exciting? Round up the troops for a fun-filled musical experience when Sesame Street presents: "Elmo Makes Music" LIVE Feb. 7-15 at WaMu Theater at MSG.Take advantage of a special 25% off discount on select performances. Let Elmo tickle your music fancy and click here for the details:
Use Promo Code "SSLEMM" when purchasing
Labels: entertainment, kids
posted by The Mom Salon Editors @ 9:20 PM,
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New Online Game from Cartoon Network: FusionFall
Monday, January 19, 2009
There are a lot of games out there for children, from console games, to handhelds, to online games. There are so many games to choose from, in fact, that oftentimes parents don't know which ones are the least violent, safest, and are essentially the best value for their money. This weekend I tried out an online game for children that I believe you will like based on its value, creativity, and functionality. Cartoon Network has just launched FusionFall, a MMOG (massively multiplayer online game) where children can create a character and follow the storyline to fight creatures, go on quests, level, and even meet up with their friends. If those
gaming terms throw you a bit, let's put it this way: If you know anyone who plays World of Warcraft, FusionFall is just like it except it is perfectly scaled down for children, but the gaming capabilities are essentially the same.FusionFall is a subscription-based MMOG that is priced at $5.95/month. I was able to download and begin playing in under 10 minutes. Check out the character I created. Children will love interacting with the Cartoon Network characters that are present throughout FusionFall. Almost all of the voice over work for the Cartoon Network characters featured in the game is done by the original TV show voice talent. And, your children will also enjoy creating their own characters and working diligently to make steady progress to achieve the thrill of the end-game.
If there is one concern I have about the game it's this: FusionFall is so good you will have to closely monitor the time your children spend playing the game. In general, really well-made, creative MMOGs tend to be time suckers, so as a parent you will have to be diligent about the amount of time you allow your children to play FusionFall because they could play it all day. That's how interesting and interactive the game is.
I enjoyed playing FusionFall and even had my 10 and 8-year-old daughters run through some quests with me and help me create a character. They loved it!
Full Pricing Model:
$5.95/mo
$14.95/ 3 mos
$49.95/ 1 year
$9.95/mo -- Family Plan (up to 4 accounts)
On the Net: http://www.fusionfall.com
-Jennifer James, Editor
posted by The Mom Salon Editors @ 12:06 AM,
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Jumpstart World is Giving Away a $10,000 College Scholarship
Friday, December 26, 2008
What better way to reward your child's creativity than with a $10,000 college scholarship?Jumpstart World, a virtual, educational world for children, is proud to announce their very own CREATE YOUR OWN "JUMPEE" AVATAR CONTEST. With virtually endless avatar combinations for face, hair, eyes, mouth, hats, and clothing; children can jump, hop, skip, and swim their way to cool prizes and non-stop adventure.
Kids can win cool daily, weekly, and monthly give-a-ways including: Nintendo DS, Nintendo Wii, free year subscriptions to Jumpstart.com, and a $10,000 grand prize college scholarship!
On the Net: www.jumpstart.com
posted by The Mom Salon Editors @ 12:17 AM,
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Last Minute Shopping Tips from PresentProfessor.com
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Okay, so you're looking at the calendar and realizing you have just 1 week till Christmas--and you still have shopping to do. Where do you turn? For kids, it's all about the toys. For you, it's "How do I not have to step foot into a crowded toy store replete with frustrated parents and empty shelves?" Thankfully, Amazon allows you to order up till Thursday, December 18 and still qualify for free shipping for orders over $25. Some great, current deals on toys:
- Barbie My House (more like Barbie "My Studio Apartment") $14.99.
- Melissa and Doug's 10-piece Band in a Box ($7.99)
- Chou Chou-Mommy Make Me Better Doll ($11.99)
- Eyeclops Bionicam --a seriously cool portable magnifier with LCD screen that zooms items to 400x their original size, complete with a flash drive for storing and sharing your finds ($19.99.
Don't forget Best Buy's store-pickup option, available till 3 p.m. on December 24. I love DVD boxed sets--they offer your recipient hours of content to pore through and are often a great value. The complete Godfather collection ($34.99; $54.99 for Blu-Ray) is an offer that you, perhaps, cannot refuse. And complete seasons of a wide variety of TV shows (Smurfs, The Shield, Friends--just make sure you give them to the right people!) go for just $19.99.
For the serious procrastinator, a trip to the grocery store may be in order. There, you can pick up tins of tea, bags of Starbucks coffee, pretty bottles of olive oil and balsamic vinegar, and real maple syrup (as opposed to the Mrs. Butterworth variety, which is as close to real maple syrup as it is made by a homely woman wearing an apron). For the kids, buy a magazine--then fill out the subscription form inside, giving them a year's worth of reads. And don't forget a hunk of chocolate for yourself--you've earned it, shopper!
For more tips visit PresentProfessor.com
Labels: boys, girls, holidays, kids, toys
posted by The Mom Salon Editors @ 9:47 AM,
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Miquel's Wonderful Life
Sunday, December 7, 2008
It's Christmas, and the Santos family is getting ready for the festivities. Maya, in her enthusiasm, manages to mess up things for Miguel: she spills juice on his book report, volunteers him to hang a piñata in class (a task which makes him take a humiliating fall), volunteers him to wear a too-big Santa suit and follow her around wishing their neighbors happy holidays (his pants fall down in front of everyone), and smudges a painting he was making as a gift to his parents. Frustrated, Miguel angrily declares that he wishes he never had a sister. The next day, he awakens to find his wish has come true; Maya doesn't exist, and nobody's ever heard of her. Paco (who has inexplicably become incredibly articulate) follows him around, commenting as Miguel takes in how the world has changed. At first, it seems like all his Maya-made troubles are over... but then Miguel sees how the lack of Maya's influence has adversely affected the world: Maggie and Chrissy aren't friends because they had a difference of opinion (which Maya had previously helped them overcome), Mr. Nguyen isn't their teacher because he felt unappreciated (Maya had made him feel appreciated), Jimmy McCorkle became a bully, etc. Finally realizing how much worse everything is without Maya, Miguel regrets he ever made the wish, and wishes it all to be reversed. Poof! The world goes back to normal. Maya is back, Miguel's painting is still ruined, and Miguel couldn't be happier to have a twin sister.
On the Net: www.pbskids.com
Labels: boys, entertainment, girls, kids
posted by The Mom Salon Editors @ 8:33 AM,
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Questions for Curious Kids: Table Topics to Go
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Curiosity is one of the mainstays of early childhood. Children are always interested in knowing such things as why the sky is blue or where do babies come from. As much as kids love asking you questions, the next time they're in an inquisitive mood, have your kids ask each other questions. Table Topics, a company that has built its success on conversation starters, has created a set of 40 questions for kids to ask each ot
her if they're on a trip, at a sleepover, or if they're just plain bored. Questions such as "Are you afraid of anything?", "What's your favorite joke", and "What's your favorite Disney character?" will get their little minds thinking and give them constructive game-play. The Table Topics to Go for Kids retails for $9.00 and comes in a plastic slipcase. My daughters, who are 10 and 7, love it and invariably learn something new about each other even though they're around each other the vast majority of each day Table Topics to Go for Kids is a great learning and discovery tool for children.
On the Net: http://www.tabletopics.com/
Labels: boys, education, entertainment, girls, kids
posted by The Mom Salon Editors @ 6:06 PM,
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Teaching Children Empathy
Sunday, November 30, 2008
There is no written rule that says children must be self-centered simply because they are children. In fact, now is the time to teach them how to care for others so they will grow into respectable, empathetic citizens of this country and of the world.The December issue of Reader's Digest features an article, Raising Kids Who Care, which highlights five ways to teach kids to think about others. Here are two:
Start them young: A mother from Darien, Connecticut got her 3 children involved in various volunteer organizations through Kids Care Clubs when her oldest was just 10 years old (now 20). They all took different paths, but they carried those lessons throughout their adolescence and are each still involved with volunteer work.
Involve their friends: A mother from Lake Oswego, Oregon attended a mother-daughter meeting of the National Charity League in an attempt to have more quality time with her two young children. The kids didn’t go willingly, but once they knew their friends were involved, they felt more comfortable. The eldest child, now 23, is in her second year with Teach for America. She remembers that her peer involvement from when she was younger made the experience fun and cool.
You can find the complete article online: http://www.rd.com/living-healthy/raising-kids-who-care/article104653.html
Labels: boys, girls, health, kids, teens, tips
posted by The Mom Salon Editors @ 11:35 PM,
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National Geographic Teaches Kids About Pluto
Monday, November 24, 2008
It can be a bit puzzling, but after all these years astronomers have declared that Pluto is no longer a planet. If you have children who knew all nine planets by heart it is a little difficult to tell them that there are only eight planets now and in actuality Pluto is a dwarf planet. Sensing the frustration from parents and teachers nationwide National Geographic has launched a web site, "Pluto's Secret" to help educate children on the recent intergalactic change.
Based at
http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/Games/ActionGames/Plutos-secret, kids can play games that teach them about all of the planets, but puts extra emphasis on Pluto's recent downgrade out of planet status.
Science and space are popular categories for National Geographic Web site visitors of all ages. Check out a wealth of space stories, photos and interactive features at www.nationalgeographic.com.
posted by The Mom Salon Editors @ 2:54 AM,
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WordGirl's Election Episode
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
We know there are a ton of WordGirl fans out there. From what we've been reading on mom blogs WordGirl is a hit in many homes. The 2008 Emmy Award-winning animated television series offers a special Election Day episode Tuesday, Nov. 4 on PBS stations across the country. Called "A Vote for Becky," this episode, produced by Scholastic Media, introduces young viewers to the concept of voting, as well as using and defining the words "candidate" and "elect."
Don't you just love it when cartoons are smart, especially for girls, instead of smash'em up, mindless TV? We do!
On the Net: www.pbs.org
Labels: entertainment, kids
posted by The Mom Salon Editors @ 8:15 AM,
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Trick or Treating Safety Tips
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
We know every year you read or hear the same old Halloween safety tips, but they definitely bear repeating. Make sure to remind your older children of these rules suggested by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons to keep them safe. - When trick-or-treating, children should stay in familiar neighborhoods and be accompanied by an adult at all times.
- Children must walk on sidewalks and never cut across yards or driveways.
- They should also obey all traffic signals and remain in designated crosswalks when crossing the street.
- Trick-or-treaters should only approach houses that are well lit.
- Both children and parents should carry flashlights to see and be seen.
- Consider skipping the door-to-door trick-or-treating and attend a neighborhood Halloween party instead.
- Examine all treats for tampering or other unsafe conditions before allowing the children to eat them.
Labels: boys, girls, holidays, kids, play, teens, tips
posted by The Mom Salon Editors @ 1:12 AM,
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Letter Pefect
Monday, October 20, 2008
We love it when creative mothers like Debbie Peretz get innovative. Peretz used her graphic design skills to create an adorable children's line, Little Des9s, that takes letters fr
om familiar animal names and artfully arranges them into animal shapes which grace eco-friendly children's clothing and stationery. Debbie also takes letters and forms them into kids' names. We like these designs the best. Who can resist their child's name fashioned in such an amazingly cute design?
Since the launch of Little Desi9s, Debbie had sold her unique line to 35 countries and is slated to appear on the Martha Stewart Show. Not bad for a mom with an idea and creativity on her side.
On the Net: www.littledesi9s.com
Since the launch of Little Desi9s, Debbie had sold her unique line to 35 countries and is slated to appear on the Martha Stewart Show. Not bad for a mom with an idea and creativity on her side.
On the Net: www.littledesi9s.com
posted by The Mom Salon Editors @ 12:00 AM,
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All Natural Halloween Candy
Friday, October 3, 2008
These days it is very easy to buy all-natural candy for your Halloween gatherings and your kids will never know the difference, and they won't care either because they're just as good as their overly processed counterparts.NaturalCandyStore.com offers their candy picks for the Halloween season. What we like best about NaturalCanyStore.com is that you can choose candy that fits your lifestyle. For example, if you and your family are vegans you can choose vegan candy. If you are looking specifically for organic candy, you can find that in the e-store as well. Here's what they recommend:
Surf Sweets Gummies - Look for brand new single-serving size bags of Gummy Bears and larger bags of creepy
-crawly Gummy Worms or vegan Sour Gummy Worms.
Pure Fun Organic Hard Candy - Individually-wrapped favorites like Fruit Lollipops, Root Beer Float Candy, and Raspberry Chocolate-Filled Candy sparkle with clear, bright flavors.
Glee Gum - Made from natural chicle gum base harvested sustainably in Central American rainforests (instead of synthetic plastic). New kid-friendly Bubblegum and Triple Berry flavors are now available in mini packs.
-crawly Gummy Worms or vegan Sour Gummy Worms.Pure Fun Organic Hard Candy - Individually-wrapped favorites like Fruit Lollipops, Root Beer Float Candy, and Raspberry Chocolate-Filled Candy sparkle with clear, bright flavors.
Glee Gum - Made from natural chicle gum base harvested sustainably in Central American rainforests (instead of synthetic plastic). New kid-friendly Bubblegum and Triple Berry flavors are now available in mini packs.
On the Net: www.naturalcandystore.com
Labels: boys, girls, holidays, kids
posted by The Mom Salon Editors @ 3:36 AM,
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It's PLAYSKOOL's 8O Year Anniversary
Monday, September 29, 2008
It's hard to believe PLAYSKOOL is 80 years old, but it's true. This year PLAYSKOOL has developed great new toys to celebrate their momentous occasion like their Playskool Mr. Potato Head Celebration Spud
.The PLAYSKOOL Celebration Spud comes with 80 special parts and pieces including a festive party hat, birthday cake and fire extinguisher to put out all those candles this potato is ready to party.
(PLAYSKOOL/Ages 2 years and up/Approximate Retail Price: $24.99)
BUY Playskool Mr. Potato Head Celebration Spud
Labels: boys, entertainment, girls, kids, toys
posted by The Mom Salon Editors @ 12:00 AM,
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The Upcoming IMAX Film
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Warner Bros. Pictures and IMAX Corporation have confirmed that the release date for the next original IMAX(R) 3D release.Under the Sea 3D, will be in IMAX theaters on February 13, 2009. Filming with the IMAX 3D camera, the highest resolution motion picture camera ever created, will allow the filmmakers to immerse audiences in this amazing underwater world as never before - bringing them face-to-face with these magical creatures. The film will also provide an extraordinary look at the current conditions of our oceans and the impact global climate change has had on these unique eco-systems.
On the Net: www.imax.com
Source + Phot Credit: IMAX
Labels: entertainment, kids
posted by The Mom Salon Editors @ 12:00 AM,
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Your Kids Could Win Your Family a Trip to New York City
Sunday, September 7, 2008
The Westin Hotel at Times Square is hosting its Youtube Birthday Celebration. Kids can upload original birthday jingles to the Westin Web site (http://www.westinny.com/birthday) for a chance to win a family vacation to the Westin Hotel at Times Square on New Year's Eve valued at $5,000.To enter, kids must create a video of themselves singing an original birthday song for The Westin New York at Times Square, including the hotel’s name in the lyrics. Entrants are encouraged to get creative—dress up, add dance moves—the New York City Skyline is the limit! The brainchild behind the most original and creative video will win. To submit the entry, fill out the registration form on www.westinny.com/birthday. The contest is open to entrants 15 years of age and under legally residing in the United States . Videos must be between :30 seconds and one minute and a half (1:30), and must be posted by October 31, 2008. The winner will be decided by November 30, 2008. No purchase is necessary.
Labels: kids
posted by The Mom Salon Editors @ 12:09 PM,
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Back-to-School Sale at Kee-Ka
Friday, September 5, 2008
Kee-Ka (a name inspired by the sweet babbling of infants) strives to deliver expr
essive, eco-chic apparel and gifts for the littlest and most significant people in your life. Born in Brooklyn, New York we've applied our signature designs and packaging to a growing range of lifestyle products, bringing only the softest organic cotton in contact with the sensitive skin of the children (and soon pets) you love. Kee-Ka is a member of the Organic Trade Association and Co-op America.Kee-Ka is having a Back to School Sale! All Toddler Tees on sale. While supplies last.
Kee-Ka has Free Shipping for orders $75 or more. Continental U.S. only.
Labels: kids
posted by The Mom Salon Editors @ 5:34 AM,
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Evian for Kids
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
One thing I know from experience as a mom is kids like to feel special. Feeling special for kids can be something as mundane as getting them their own kids meal at a burger joint or giving them their very own bottle of water at home or packed in their lunch box or even out and about around town .My daughters who are ten and seven are big on having their own everything! Where once they were happy to share, now they are into things being separate. That's why I think Evian Les Petits is such a great idea. Kids can stay hydrated with their own water bottle instead of toting around bottles of sugar-laden juices and sodas and they won't feel they're missing out when they see other kids running around with sodas or juice boxes.
Evian Les Petits are mini 330mL water bottles designed for little hands.
On the Net: http://www.evian.com/us/
posted by The Mom Salon Editors @ 5:41 PM,
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Gearing Up For Halloween With One Step Ahead
Monday, September 1, 2008
The next time we blink it will be Halloween. Don't believe us? Then explain where summer went!When Halloween eventually rolls around you'll probably want to turn to a company that prides itself in quality costumes instead of inauthentic, "one-day" costumes -- you know the ones that are heaped in piles of glittery rubble in discount stores.
One Step Ahead is already getting in gear for little ghouls and goblins, princesses and fairies. Here are a few costumes to get you into the Halloween spirit. After seeing these you'll be just as excited as your children will be when they see the first signs of trick-or-treat candy in the grocery
store.For babies, nothing's cozier or comfier than a roomy bubblesuit, like our exclusive Dragonfly ($34.95) and Wacky Spider ($24.95). Both are designed for layering over our soft, stretchy ABC Playwear - made of stain-resistant cotton, so little ones can wear them long after October. Bodysuit and Pants are available in a range of colors to match any costume. (each
$14.95)Turn your friends green with envy - be the Incredible Hulk, complete with muscle chest jumpsuit and oversized mask. ($39.95)
On the Net: http://www.onestepahead.com/
posted by The Mom Salon Editors @ 12:00 AM,
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The Jim Henson Company Dashes to the Finish Line with the Tortoise and the Hare + Activity Page
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Latest in its lineup of CGI animated films, the Jim Henson Company, The Weinstein Company and Genius Products will debut Unstable Fables: Tortoise and the Hare on DVD on September 9.Featuring an all-star voice cast including Jay Leno, Danny Glover, and Vivica Fox, the modern version of the Tortoise and the Hare fast forwards 15 years after the infamous race. What will surprise children is that even after more than a decade later, Walter the Tortoise (Glover) and Murray the Hare (Leno) are still fierce competitors.
When Walter and Murray hear about the upcoming Mt. Impossible Nature Adventure Race, they can't resist the opportunity to challenge each other to a rematch! This time they enlist their children to be their teammates, but the kids don't share their parents' competitive nature. When Walter and Murray get separated from their kids, the two dads must team up to find them and learn there are far more important matters than winning a race! (source)
If your children enjoy puzzles, click and print the worksheet where they have to help Walter and Murray to get to the top of Mt. Impossible.
Basics:
Available: September 9
Price: $19.97
Duration: 76 minutes
Labels: entertainment, kids
posted by The Mom Salon Editors @ 4:18 PM,
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Curious George Goes Eco
PBS kicks off the third season of the award-winning Curious George with a series of episodes that teach earth science concepts to 2-5 year olds such as composting, recycling, solar power, and growing food."Now more than ever before so many of us are striving to take better care of our planet," said Executive Producer for WGBH Carol Greenwald. "The earth science theme of CURIOUS GEORGE's third season teaches kids about the planet, its elements, and the environment. Our hope is to show children how the earth nurtures them, and in turn inspire them to nurture the earth."
CURIOUS GEORGE has consistently ranked number one amongst 2 to 5 year-olds since its launch in 2006. The new season of Curious George starts on Monday, September 1, 2008. (source)
Labels: entertainment, kids
posted by The Mom Salon Editors @ 12:21 AM,
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My Little Pony Live
Friday, August 29, 2008
On September 16th Paramount Home Entertainment will release the very cute My Little Pony Live! The World's Biggest Tea Party on DVD! Pinkie Pie and her friends are planning the best tea party ever! When Pinkie arrives she realizes she forgot the tea. Now it is up to the ponies to save the party! Get ready for some sing-a-long fun as MY LITTLE PONY LIVE! THE WORLD'S BIGGEST TEA PARTY comes to DVD on September 16th, 2008!Synopsis:
Pinkie Pie and her friends are planning "The World's Biggest Tea Party" and every pony has promised to bring something special to make the celebration positively perfect. As Pinkie Pie arrives at the party, she realizes that she forgot something very important - the tea! Will the ponies be able to save The World's Biggest Tea Party? Join Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Rarity the Unicorn and all your pony friends as they learn that teamwork and true friendship always come to the rescue!
Special Features:
* Sing-A-Longs
o "Where Do Rainbows Come From"
o "Make A New Friend Everyday"
o "Positively Pink"
o "Friendship & Flowers"
o "We're The Lady Bugs"
Labels: entertainment, girls, kids
posted by The Mom Salon Editors @ 11:48 AM,
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iLunchBox to the Rescue
Thursday, August 28, 2008
It is not an easy task to prepare healthy and nutritious lunches for our kids every day and also come up with enough variety where our children aren't bored with nearly the same lunch fare day in and day out. What is a busy mom to do about her kids' lunch without resorting to buying fattening snacks and prepackaged unhealthy meals or relying on school lunches? There is a new Web site that promises to remedy the headache of school lunch preparation: iLunchbox.com. iLunchbox has done all the homework for you. They have a stockpile of delicious recipes that are easy to make, inexpensive to buy, and that your children will enjoy such as the Chicken Caesar Salad Wrap and low-sugar fruit and cereal muffins. They also have informative articles about additives in foods, measurement equivalents, and ingredient substitutions -- all resources you need to make healthy meals for your kids.
iLunchbox's list of benefits include:
- recipes and menu ideas with a focus on lunch and portability.
- tips and tricks to make lunch easier.
- best "off the shelf" items when making something from scratch is just not an option.
- featured gadgets and products that help us get the job done.
- best products to transport lunch.
- help and inspiration on improving your school's hot lunch program.
- articles and information on nutrition and children.
- links and resources for more information.
On the Web: http://www.ilunchbox.com/
posted by The Mom Salon Editors @ 7:44 AM,
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Limited-Edition Election Tees from Nickelodeon
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Kids are encouraged to pick the next U.S. president and learn more about the candidates at Nickelodeon's Kids Pick the President Campaign. Kids have correctly picked four out of the last five presidents and have become little election aficionados because of Nickelodeon's stellar election news and content.Nickelodeon has partnered with Lucky Jeans to produce 4000 limited-edition election-themed t-shirts and will be sold in 115 Lucky stores and Nordstrom department stores in select cities including New York; Los Angeles; Las Vegas; Miami; and Washington D.C.
Selling for $34 the tees will hit the shelves in mid September.
On the Net: www.nick.com/kpp
Labels: education, fashions, kids
posted by The Mom Salon Editors @ 8:37 PM,
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