playtime


These award-winning animals make the perfect gift for a toddler!  Stuffies are giving new meaning to the words “stuffed animal”: they have 7 secret pockets for kids to hide their “treasures” and each comes with a hidden interactive storybook.  I was sold on this item when I read Stuffies‘ near-flawless reviews.  Reviewers with children ages 2-10 rave about how much their kids love these toys.  They’re “cuddly”, “durable”, and all-around “loveable”.  I just ordered “Gracie the Hippo” for my almost-3-year-old nephew who loves collecting and carrying coins, sticks, and small toys!

Below are links to view my favorite Stuffies on Amazon.  Read the reviews and make sure to check out all 16 designs!

1. Sky the Giraffe  view on Amazon
2. Digger the Dog  view on Amazon
3. Blaze the Dragon  view on Amazon
4. Scout the Monkey  view on Amazon
5. Prancine the Unicorn  view on Amazon
6. Gracie the Hippo  view on Amazon
7. Shuffles the Turtle  view on Amazon
8. Champ the Lion  view on Amazon
9. Dash the Horse  view on Amazon

“Animals-on-Wheels” are the newest addition to TLB Music‘s indoor playspace! These adorable push toys by Green Toys are perfect for babies and toddlers: they’re sized for small hands, safe, durable, and really easy to clean.

*”Animals-on-Wheels” are made from 100% recycled milk jugs.
*Encourage fine and gross motor skills.
*No sharp edges or metal axles.
*No BPA, phthalates, or PVC.
*3 adorable designs to choose from: elephant, pig, and turtle.
*Affordable: only $12.99 each (we got ours for less than $9 each on Amazon!)
*Dishwasher safe!

Why Green Toys is one of my favorite toy companies:
In the past 5 years, thousands of kids have visited our indoor playspace to play with the variety of eco-friendly toys we keep stocked. While other similar toys have needed replacing, the Green Toys items stand the test of time. Their trucks, kitchen sets, and stackers all look (almost) new and haven’t faded in color or function!  I love that in addition to being eco-friendly and safe for babies and toddlers, they’re also extremely durable and long-lasting.

View Animals-on-Wheels on www.amazon.com:

Elephant-on-Wheels
Pig-on-Wheels
Turtle-on-Wheels


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1. Snow Stompers by Poof Slinky  {View on Amazon}
Your kids will love stomping through the snow, leaving behind giant footprints. Easily attaches to shoes or boots!

2. Sno-Brick Maker by Poof Slinky  {View on Amazon}
This mold makes snow “bricks” so kids can construct forts, igloos, walls, and castles!

3. Snowball Maker by Flexible Flyer  {View on Amazon}
Make a snowball in seconds with this handy tool.

4. Toddler Boggan Sled by Paricon Sleds  {View on Amazon}
This pulling-sled is ideal for young toddlers. With a high back and safety straps, your little one won’t miss out on outdoor winter fun!

5. Kids Snow Shovel by Suncast  {View on Amazon}
This practical mini shovel is perfect for small hands.

6. Freestyle Mini Luge Snow Sled by Zipfy  {View on Amazon}
This lightweight sled is easy for kids to carry up hills and is a favorite with reviewers who love its speed, its sleek look, and the fact that it can hold up to 250 pounds- meaning parents can get in on the fun!

7. Snow Ball Throwing Stick by SnoFling  {View on Amazon}
Take your snowball fight to the next level with a SnoFling.

8. Snow Dino Kit by Wide Ideas Inc.  {View on Amazon}
Tired of making your same old snowman? Update the classic snow sculpture with this adorable set! Wide Ideas Inc. also makes a snowman kit (level 1) and a snowbear kit (level 2).

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Gift shopping for the little ones in your life? I put together a list of some of my favorite non-toxic, eco-friendly gifts for kids, including toys by environmentally-responsible companies like Green Toys, PlanToys, and Hape.

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Last week, we hosted our first annual Halloween Costume Party at TLB Music!  Our amazing staff teamed up to transform our music studio and playspace with giant cobwebs, bats, jack-o-lanterns, lights, balloons, LED candles, and more.  We created a Trick-or-Treat table filled with yummy vegan sweets like YumEarth lollipops, Dandies Marshmallows, Newman’s Own Cookies, and fruit.  I also baked almost 300 mini brownies!  (Brownies are so easy to veganize:  just substitute eggs with flax eggs in any brownie recipe.)  Continue reading to see my photos from the party!

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Katia and I are so excited to be throwing our first Halloween costume party for kids at TLB Music!  We can’t wait to decorate the studio with cobwebs, spiders, glowing lights, pumpkins, and more.  If you live in the NYC area, please join us on October 30th for music, making Halloween-themed crafts, playing in our indoor playspace, and snacking on yummy sweets. We’ll be giving away $100 in Bird Bucks to TLB’s staff pick for favorite costume of the day and will be raffling off a full session of music classes ($688 value) for our Winter/Spring 2014 session!

What: Halloween Costume Party for kids ages 4 months – 6 years
Where: TLB Music 266 East 78th Street (between 2nd and 3rd) NY, NY 10075
When: Wednesday, October 30th 2013
Time: come anytime between 2:30 – 5:00! We think most people will stay about an hour.
Tickets: $20 per child in advance | $25 per child at door | 50% off siblings
How to Purchase Tickets: Call 212-744-0404, email tlb@tlbmusic.com, or purchase tickets online at: www.tlbmusic.com/workshops-events/

I put together a guide of kids beach essentials filled with everything you need need to spend a summer day by the shore. Sunscreen, sandals, towels, and trucks- keep reading for 24 must-have items!

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(My nephew using his Mommy’s lens cap as a teether!)

Teething babies and toddlers will put anything in their mouth to soothe and stimulate their sore gums! These are my 5 favorite teething toys:

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Click through for 10 of our favorite eco-friendly toys for kids!

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[The Playroom at TLB Music]

During most NYC winter days, outdoor playgrounds just aren’t a possibility because of the cold and bitter wind! During the summer, the heat, humidity, and stormy weather can also mean playtime indoors.  Luckily, parents have lots of options available. NYC is home to many fantastic indoor play spaces for children. Here are 5 favorites (including our own playroom) that all offer drop-in rates!

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We put together a collection of classic toys and games designed with a stylish, modern aesthetic.    No apps on this list and no batteries needed!  We’re going back to basics with tops, blocks, hopscotch, darts, and dominoes!

1.  Cat Steps by Educo (3-7 years) $12.99
view this item on www.amazon.com
Move over tin cans! These steps are safe, sturdy, and perfect for walking in the sand. Your children will improve balance, coordination, and motor skills while leaving behind adorable cat paw prints along their path! 
2. Spinning Tops Optical Set by Haba (3-8 years) $8.99
view this item on www.amazon.com
This top set comes with 8 optical illusion disks to try!
3. Life on Earth Matching Game by eeBoo (4-8 years) $12.51
view this item on www.amazon.com
The gorgeous images on these sturdy cards are a perfect way to learn about different animals and improve memory skills. Continue reading

Play mats allow babies to explore their world through sight, touch, and sound.  We picked ten favorites that rank high in customer reviews and aesthetic appeal.  Browse below to find the perfect design for your family!

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Beach day with the kids? A scavenger hunt is the perfect activity for children to actively explore the beach! Click the link below to download and print the PDF.

Scavenger Hunt- Beach Day Search PDF

Want more scavenger hunts? CLICK HERE

Want more summer inspiration? Check out our favorite sunglasses, summer hats, and swimsuits for toddlers.

1.  Blue Turtle Kite ($29) Pottery Barn Kids view item on www.potterybarnkids.com
This 15′ turtle comes with 300 feet of flying line and a handle that is easy for children and adults. (5+)

 2. Sand Play Set ($17.98) Green Toys view this item on www.amazon.com
This set, made by one of our favorite toy companies, includes a bucket, shovel, rake, and sand mold. It’s all made out of curbside collected milk containers! (3+) Continue reading

A couple weeks ago, we posted our first scavenger hunt for city kids.  We had so much fun creating it that we decided to make another one!   Click on the link below to download the PDF and print!

Scavenger Hunt for Kids: City Search 2

 

Want more scavenger hunts? CLICK HERE

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