I can only listen to so many Raffi-like songs before I want to beat my head against the wall. You too? Glad I’m in good company.
Luckily, there are GREAT kindie bands that will satisfy your need for good music and your kids’ need for pint-sized friendly lyrics. Check out some of our favorites:
Recess Monkey: These three elementary school teachers from Washington state find music inspiration in The Beatles and content inspiration from their students. Their newest album, In Tents, was just released and is all about the circus. Everything from the odditorium to lemonade stands and popcorn.
Lunch Money: Lunch Money’s tagline is indie rock for the whole family — and they aren’t kidding! Their song “It Only Takes One Night to Make a Balloon Your Friend” topped the charts on XM/Sirius children’s radio
Secret Agent 23 Skidoo: Love hip hop? Then your kids will love Secret Agent 23 Skidoo. Funky beats and mixes combine with kid-friendly lyrics for a stomping good time. They just released their latest album, Make Believers. Don’t miss “You Gotta Be You.”
Milkshake: Milkshake is a band on a mission: to create great rock music for kids. They’re currently working on a new album full of songs less than two minutes long. But you’re kids will flip for fan favorites “Baseball” and “Great Day.”
Jewel: If you’re a child of the 90s, chances are the sounds of Jewel graced your prom. Now they can grace your nursery, too. Her album, The Merry Goes ‘Round is a mix of classics and original kids’ songs incorporating a menagerie of musical styles. Don’t miss “Give Me the Rainbow.”
I’ll admit, yesterday’s giveaway question was a wee bit influenced by the fact that I need to come up with some killer bake sale recipes for my daughter’s preschool festival next week. But, like always, KneeBouncer fans are FULL of ideas. Thanks for the suggestions!
Here’s a round-up of some recipes based on fan suggestions and from some blogs we just adore.
The grand finale? Why, the winner of our Tuesday Giveaway, of course. Scroll down to check if you won!
Peanut Butter and Jelly Muffins from Forkful of Comfort.
Homemade Hostess Cupcakes from 52 Kitchen Adventures.
Carrot Cake Muffins from Cooking Classy.
Cake Batter Rice Crispy Treats from Gimme Some Oven.
Jam Thumbprint Vegan Cookies from The Kitchn.
Banana Cupcakes With Honey-Cinnamon Frosting from NPR.
Apple Pie Cookies from Smitten Kitchen.
Toasted Coconut and Ginger Blondies from Perry’s Plate.
TUESDAY GIVEAWAY WINNER: Congrats Wendy Schott McGlannan! Please email me at heather@kneebouncers.com and we’ll get you set-up with your FREE year membership to KneeBouncers.com.
We’ve all seen that photo with the preschooler standing next to his father at the bathroom sink, learning to ‘shave.’ But grown-up let’s pretend isn’t the only thing you can do with the foamy stuff!
Why is shaving cream great for your itty bitty one? Because it’s so darn tactile. Why is it great for mom or dad? Cleans up in a jiffy.
Here’s a round up of things to try with that old bathroom staple, shaving cream.
NOTE: We suggest you use the unscented version. But hey, who are we to judge if your kid smells like Old Spice?
Shaving Cream Marbled Rainbows from The Chocolate Muffin Tree
Shaving Cream Mowhawks/Barber Shop (idea from The Happy Family Movement’s Indoor Adventure Guide, but photo is from All 4 The Boys).
Shaving Cream Bathtub Paint from (cool) progeny
Shaving Cream & Glue Puffy Paint Ice Cream Cones from Little Running Teacher
Color Mixing Experiments from No Time for Flash Cards
Shaving Cream Mess Building/Hose Down from Sara Denckhoff
GET INFORMED: We are not at all comfortable that a child could inadvertently spend your money nor are we comfortable that they be subjected to advertising that is meaningless to them and potentially unsafe. Many people and companies have approached us with on-site and in-app advertising opportunities and we continue to decline. Why? It’s simple: we believe that all children should be free to play safely. In app and in-game advertisements allow your child to too easily maneuver from the app into potentially unsafe territory online. It’s why we’ll never do what some other developers are…. If you buy a subscription or app from us, access to play safely is exactly what you get. Plain and simple.
WHIP UP SOME GARLIC BREAD: Did you know garlic promotes the well-being of the heart and immune systems with antioxidant properties and helps maintain healthy blood circulation? Plus, it’s delicious on fresh-baked bread. Add some Lycopenes by having your kiddo dip in their favorite tomato sauce! Grab a baguette from your favorite bakery and whip up this fab recipe from Real Simple.
MAKE UP YOUR OWN GAME: April is the official Let’s G.O. Month (Get Outside Month!), spearheaded by Children and Nature Network. They’re hosting the CliffKid Backyard Game Contest. So grab your kiddos and their friends, GO OUTSIDE and create your own game! Who knows? You kid could win a $10,000 scholarship. Not to mention you might just be the coolest family on the block for creating a brand-new super fun neighborhood game.
CREATE A WILD THING: Picture Books are fabulous art inspiration for kids because the illustrations are always amazing. Check out this Wild Thing Watercolor tutorial over on Classic Play. It kicks off their new art school column. Make your own Wild Thing or use your child’s favorite picture book to create art. You can really use any art supplies you have lying around the house …
BE INSPIRED. It’s the latest video to go viral on Facebook. Frans Hofmeester
photographed his daughter every week, from birth up until she turned 12 years old
and then made this time lapse edit. Remarkable.
Lotte Time Lapse: Birth to 12 years in 2 min. 45. from Frans Hofmeester on Vimeo.
If your house is anything like mine, you have scads of these:
Paper towel rolls.
Chances are your kiddo has grabbed one from time to time, let out an “Arrgghhh, Matey” and pretended to spot land. But if your more of a land lubber, you’ll love these fun kid-friendly crafts from some of KneeBouncers’ favorite blogs.
Paper Towel Cuff Bracelets from Eighteen25.
Tubular Owls from Fresh and Fun.
Cosmic Flowers from Family Fun.
Paper Towel Marble Run from TinkerLab.
Hansel and Gretel Storybook Scene from Nashville Public Library.
Paper Towel Sandcastle from Make Early Learning Fun.
Kaleidoscope from Skip to My Lou.
What creative ideas do you have for up-cycling paper towel rolls?
Sly Cat is a curious little guy. Sometimes his curiousness gets him into trouble (his mom found him inside the cookie jar yesterday!). He loves tuna fish sandwiches, blowing bubbles and zooming around in his play car. Sly is a really friendly little guy and is always making new friends. You’ll find him playing on the KneeBouncers website with Horatio, FooFoo, Sammy, Cesar and Freddy. His favorite thing to do on a rainy day? Paint like Picasso!
Get painting with Sly Cat! Download this free coloring sheet. We’d love to see your work — so snap a photo and upload it to our facebook page.
PS: Members have access to a large coloring sheets collection featuring all their favorite KneeBouncers on our site!
Parent Tip: Does your kiddo love sly cat? Purchase a plush Sly Cat for them to play with!
Nothing says childhood — or sparks more imagination — than a plain old cardboard box. {Remember Christmas? When you painstakingly wrapped the extra large bike box only to discover your mini-me was way more interested in the box itself? At least, temporarily…} So in celebration of Earth Day, we’ve pulled together some fabulous cardboard box play ideas from some of our favorite blogs.
When’s the last time you got creative with cardboard?
Green Grocer Cardboard Box from Ikat Bag
Cardboard Box Plane from MiniMocha
Cardboard Guitar fro MiniEcho
Cardboard Box Castle from Savvy Housekeeping
Cardboard Oven from KidsModern
Cardboard Box House from Sweet Paul
As we mentioned in last week’s post, we developed our new preschool games with the help of expert educators. We want to share the happy and give a FREE year membership to a fantastic preschool or kindergarten teacher.
We’re looking for a fabulously wonderful preschool teacher who sprinkles technology into his or teaching in creative ways. Is it your child’s teacher? Fill out this form and tell us WHY that teacher is so amazing. You might just win that teacher a free KneeBouncers.com membership — and one for yourself!
You have until Monday, April 16th at 5:00 PM EDT to enter. Good luck!
If you’ve swung by KneeBouncers.com recently, you’ve probably noticed we’ve been a wee bit busy. It’s just that we know your itty bitty ones are growing up … so we’re growing up right along with them! And playing with purpose.
Our new site features games that are age appropriate and specifically designed with preschoolers in mind. Here are a few features we’re really excited about:
We had expert input: Our new games were developed with help of preschool and kindergarten teachers.
Pre-School play…. with purpose. As we mentioned before, we know your baby and toddler kneebouncers are growing up and starting to learn their letter sounds and are counting to 20. Our new site offers games that are still playful — but purposeful and designed with the growing preschooler in mind. Everything from the concepts the new games teach to the way the new games’ construction are age appropriate for kids 3 to 5.
We brought in the mouse! Many of you have told us that you love KneeBouncers because our games don’t require a mouse. We haven’t — and still don’t — believe that games that require a mouse are age appropriate for babies and toddlers. But preschoolers? You bet. Our new preschool games involve simple mouse movements that will help acquaint your child with the tool and further develop early computer literacy skills. Again, playfully.
Lots of new coloring sheets. Take the KneeBouncing action offline with a bevy of new coloring sheets!
Playful repetition. The new games are designed so your child can concentrate on learning one number or letter. Use these games as a launch pad for talking to your child about sequencing.
Hello, phonics! We’re introducing new letter games that build on letter recognition to include letter sounds (phonics). It’s the next step on your little one’s path to reading.
More games are coming… Stay tuned for new games! Shapes and colors games coming in May.
But all of the old games are still there. Don’t worry! Your old favorite games are still available. We’re know just a whole lotta fun for babies, toddlers AND preschoolers.
Childhood is tutus and hide ‘n sneak. (Lila, Age 2)
Each Monday, we’ll feature one photo that encapsulates childhood. Do you have an image to share? Want your child to be featured? Submit your photo to Heather at heather@kneebouncers.com. Please include your child’s first name and age. Note that you give KneeBouncers permission to use any image submitted via email.
