When you’re a sleep-deprived new parent, how are you supposed to remember when you last fed your baby, how long they slept, or even when they were immunized and for what? Especially during those first few months when leaving the house freshly showered and in spit up-free clothing is considered a near miracle. Here’s the good news. You don’t have to. Some of the best baby tracking apps out there help exhausted parents stay on top of every milestone, feeding, diaper change, nap, and so much more.
With Baby+ parents can track their child's height, weight, and head circumference through interactive graphs, and log information on feedings, diaper changes, sleep, and new teeth to get a better understanding of baby's routine. You can also keep track of baby's milestones and upload photos, as well as help baby relax at night or during feeding time with lullabies and white noise.
Available for iOS devices and on Google Play.
2. Sprout Baby
You can use the Sprout Baby app to record your child's health history (illnesses, symptoms, temperature, medications), as well as to keep track of feedings, bottles, pumping sessions, and diapers. The app features a handy printable report with your child's health data that you can bring to doctor's visits. There's also a memories section for recording milestones and other special moments, which you can then export to an eBook.
Available for iOS devices.
3. Talli
Talli
This baby tracking app is a little bit different. It pairs with a stylish device that comes ready to track baby's sleep, bottle feedings, diapers, pumping, and more right out of the box. And it's customizable too, so you can determine which of baby's many activities you track. The companion app is fully integrated to let parents track all sorts of data, see trends, invite family members and caregivers to contribute, and view past events. It's also Alexa enabled, for those moments when you don't have your hands free.
Available for iOS and on Google Play.
4. Tinybeans
Yup, we've got an app! If you're looking for a secure place to store your baby photos, look no further than Tinybeans. You can edit pics before posting and share them with a select group of family and friends, who can comment on and join in the excitement of all your adorable new memories. The app will prompt you to post (to keep eager relatives appeased) and also track baby's developmental milestones.
Available for iOS and on Google Play.
5. BabySparks
This development tracker informs you when children typically learn specific skills, compiled from sources including the American Academy of Pediatrics and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. BabySparks also provides activities you can do with your child to support this development. The activities are organized by the area of development: gross motor, fine motor, cognitive, speech, sensory, self-care, and social-emotional, so you can focus on a specific area if you prefer. The app also offers a paid subscription option so parents can access parenting classes.
Available for iOS devices and on Google Play.
6. BabyTime
BabyTime
All caregivers can track and record baby's activities in the BabyTime app. And since it's designed for one-handed operation, you can save all that valuable information while holding baby—a big plus. Track breastfeeding, bottles, sleep, and diapers, and use the slick charts to oversee baby's day or identify trends. There's also a night mode with a low-contrast background that's easier on your eyes.
Available for iOS devices and on Google Play.
7. Baby Connect
Baby Connect
Baby Connect records diaper changes, naps, moods, feedings, medicines, photos, and activities, and displays it in graphs and charts to help you identify trends. Multiple users can access your kid's info so your babysitter, Grandma, and other caregivers can see what baby has been up to and keep you updated, too. And the voice integrations mean you can record important information, even when your hands are full.
Available for iOS devices and Android.
8. Baby Tracker
Baby Tracker
Love knowing when every little thing happened and when it might happen again? Baby Tracker keeps track of every element of your baby's day, including sleep, feedings, and diaper changes. You may even discover your newborn's natural daily routines and nap schedule by comparing a week's or a month's worth of days. You can also track and record memories, growth, medical history, milestones, and more.
Available for iOS devices and on Google Play.
9. Baby Feed Timer
Baby Feed Timer
Nursing moms love the Baby Feed Timer app because you can record which side you fed your infant with last. Bottle-feeding parents love that you can keep track of just how much formula baby took each time. This baby tracking app will also tell you when it's time for the next feeding. Plus, it tracks diapers, pumping, medication administration, sleep, and solid feedings, making it useful past the first year.
Available for iOS devices and on Google Play.
10. Glow Baby
Glow Baby
This baby tracking app for the first year tracks developmental milestones, feedings, diapers, sleep, baby's ailments, medications, and more. Use Glow Baby's timers to manage feeding and sleep schedules, and then head to the in-app community to chat with other parents and share strategies and successes.
Your child says, “I’m hungry,” and you grab them a snack. They say “I’m bored,” and you find a way to entertain them. But when should the butler treatment end? When is it time to teach your child how to be self-sufficient and let them do things for themselves?
Believe it or not—now is as good a time as any! Your two-year-old can help you do the laundry; your 6-year-old can brush her teeth; and your 10-year-old can hang out alone at home while you walk the dog. And, no matter how desperately they cry, “Watch me!” young kids don’t always need you right there next to them (being just nearby is just fine).
“What you’re really trying to do is get the child to learn how to make decisions and take control over the things they can have control over,” said Dr. Michael Ungar, director of the Resilience Research Center and the author of We Generation: Raising Socially Responsible Kids. “What you really want is a child who can make a contribution to their family, who can navigate their community, who can problem solve.”
We created an age-by-age guide that ranges from letting your toddler help with household chores to giving your tween tech time to help you figure out the right time to give your kids that much-needed independence. Here’s what the experts say.
Things Kids Can Do: Ages 0 to 2
Don’t worry: You won’t need to start nudging your one-year-old out of the nest. According to Los Angeles child psychiatrist Patrick Kelly, it’s the opposite: the stronger the attachment between parents and their babies, the more comfortable those kids will be doing things independently as they grow. That said, there are a few “big kid” things your tiny tot can start learning at this age:
Feeding and Dressing Themselves – According to Los Angeles pediatrician Amin Davari, simple things like allowing older infants to feed themselves age-appropriate foods and letting young children dress themselves give kids “minor struggles and successes” that help them learn how to be self-sufficient and build skills and confidence.
Swim Lessons – The AAP recently changed its guidelines to say that kids should start swimming lessons at age one. Although swim lessons will never make a child “drown proof,” lessons between the ages of one to four years have been shown to reduce drowning risk, according to the AAP.
Sign Language – Just because your baby can’t talk doesn’t mean she’s not trying to tell you something. Advocates say teaching babies and toddlers basic signs (things like “eat,” “more” and “milk”) can increase confidence in both the kids and their caregivers, helping little ones who can’t yet speak get their needs met. Taking a class can mean a fun social outing for Mom or Dad—though you can also learn from home.
Things Kids Can Do: Ages 2 to 4
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At this age, kids are ready—and willing!—to take on some responsibility around the house. You’ll know the time is right when you see them start pretending to do grown-up things, like playing “family” or play-driving the car when they’re in the push car. Take advantage of this need now by giving them:
Simple Household Chores – Give them a broom or a dustpan, and let them help you sweep the kitchen floor. You’d be surprised how willingly kids this age will want to help you clean. If you’re lucky, the habit will continue into their later years. Other simple household chores suitable for two-to three-year-olds, according to The Montessori Notebook are:
Help pack their backpack
Brushing/feeding the dog (just let it go when they make a mess!)
Helping make the bed (at four, kids should be able to at least pull up a duvet by themselves)
Placing clothing in the laundry and pushing the buttons you point to
Solo Playtime – As long as you’ve created a safe space to play, at this age most kids are generally past the swallowing-small-objects phase and can happily play by themselves for 30 to 45 minutes at a time. If your child is reluctant to play alone, just agree to be nearby, but set up toys with which they can play solo.
“Reading” Time – Your child doesn’t need to know how to read to get lost in a world of books. Give kids a stack of picture books and let them have at it. If they want to hear stories read out loud—but you still want them to be on their own—we love the Yoto player, a simple speaker designed for kids ages three and up that allows kids to insert small cards to read popular stories aloud.
Pick What they Wear – Something as simple as choosing their clothes can make a child feel incredibly independent, says Dr. Ungar. “Three-year-olds can’t negotiate their bedtimes, but they can decide to wear green pajamas or blue pajamas. The trick seems to be to find these ways that the child can make a genuine contribution.”
Use a Balance Bike – Kids may not be ready for a two-wheeler at age two… but a balance bike is an easy go-to! “Once a child can confidently walk around the house, they can start walking with a balance bike between their legs,” says Schwinn spokesperson Ryan Berkicht. “This could be as soon as 18 months old for some kids.”
Things Kids Can Do: Ages 4 to 6
Gross motor skills are advancing quickly at this age, too, so your kids should be ready for fun things like climbing on a play structure (without you constantly spotting), and using the “big kid swing” all by themselves. And while these may seem like ordinary childhood milestones, all of these accomplishments help them learn how to be self-sufficient and instill huge amounts of confidence. So cheer your kids on as they:
Brush Their Teeth: While most dentists advise that you keep assisting with their pearly whites until age 7, your kids should know how to brush their teeth all on their teeth by age 5 or 6—with you nearby to make sure there’s actual brushing going on (as opposed to just holding the electric toothbrush in their mouths while the motor revs). A good compromise is to let your kids do the morning brush and you can brush their teeth in the evening.
Use a Microwave with Supervision – Not only does using the microwave buttons help reinforce number recognition, but it also makes kids feel like real big kids. Teach your kids what can and can’t go in the microwave, and let them push the buttons and press “start” all on their own.
Ride a Two-Wheeler – Sure, some kids are ready for a two-wheeler at three years old—and some five-year-olds want nothing to do with a bike—but experts say age 5 or 6 is a good target age for getting a kid on her first two-wheeler. If they’ve been riding a balance bike or a bike with training wheels, they should be able to transition easily.
Have Drop-Off Play Dates – According to the AAP, kids around ages 5 and 6 are developmentally ready to be dropped off for play dates. Got a child who’s nervous about it? It might help to have the playdates at your house, where you can step away—but not out.
Day Camp – Since this is the age when kids start preschool or kindergarten, they’re also usually ready for day camp at this age, too. If your kids don’t seem uber-enthusiastic about camp, try to keep the camp schedule similar to their school schedule (if your child attends a half-day school, for instance, start with a half-day camp).
Things Kids Can Do: Ages 6 to 8
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By this age, kids have started kindergarten and are usually happy to do anything that makes them feel grown-up and competent. So watch them closely for opportunities to teach them how to be self-sufficient—while also keeping them safe (for instance, let them ride a bike up and down your street, but make them wear a helmet). Here are some things kids are ready to do by this age:
Use a peeler to peel raw potatoes, ginger, mangoes, and other washed fruits and vegetables
Break eggs into a bowl (and remember to wash hands afterward)
Scoop out avocados after being sliced in half by an adult
Snap green beans
Shuck corn and rinse before cooking
Rinse and cut parsley or green onions with clean, blunt kitchen scissors
Take a Bath By Themselves – According to this article in the National Library of Medicine, most children can take a bath by themselves (i.e., without you sitting by the tub) by age 6. We recommend parents still stay within earshot and keep baths short enough that kids don’t get tired or rowdy in the bathtub by themselves.
Tie Their Shoes (with you supervising) – By age 6 or 7, most kids have the fine motor skills to attempt this surprisingly complex set of movements, according to Carolina Therapy Connection. You’ll know your child is ready to tie their shoes when they’re able to easily cut paper with scissors, string beads, or button and unbutton buttons.
Use a Computer to Browse the Internet – Experts recommend supervising children’s internet use at this age: If you’re not able to be there watching, you can use a filtering device like the Circle, which lets you dictate what apps and websites kids can and can’t visit online (as well as setting up bedtimes and screen time limits); or try a web filtering program like Microsoft Edge Kids Mode, which keeps your kids from seeing anything inappropriate online and lets you customize their web experience (it also prevents them from exiting the kid-safe browser to explore other apps on the computer).
Things Kids Can Do: Ages 8 to 10
Older kids are ready for adventure! Now’s the time to loosen the reins and let them chart their course a little bit. By this age, your child might be ready to:
Have a Sleepover – Around this age, they may be ready—as long as they can sleep through the night, no problem. That said, before you send your kids to another person’s home for the night, they must understand body boundaries and inappropriate touching. “I do think it’s a great time to start teaching kids about appropriate touches and that we’re the boss of our bodies and we’re the boss of our private parts,” writes child abuse prevention expert Pattie Fitzgerald. She also urged parents to talk to the host parents so they’ll know exactly who will be supervising and whether there will be older kids (such as teenage-aged siblings) or extended family in the home. The answer to these questions may well alter your decision to say “yes,” as parents should have a strong baseline of trust with the hosts.
Note: Some experts believe children (and their parents!) aren’t ready for sleepovers until the age of 10 and up.
Go to Overnight Camp – As long as your child can shower, doesn’t wet the bed, and has shown no problems spending the night at friends’ or relatives’ homes, they’re probably ready for sleepaway camp. While many overnight camps offer programs for kids as young as six or seven, the American Camp Association gives age nine as the target age for kids to start the summer camp journey. Some camps offer one-week “starter” programs for reluctant or nervous campers.
Walk to School by Themselves(Under Certain Conditions) – The AAP says elementary school-aged kids can walk to school by themselves, provided the walk is short, the neighborhood is safe, and there are school crossing guards stationed at any intersections. If there are non-guarded streets or you live in a city, waiting until age 12 is better.
Things Kids Can Do: Ages 10 and Up
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Tweens are all about breaking free and taking risks. Your job is to let them experiment with autonomy while still making sure they’ve got set limits to keep them safe. By age 10, kids can:
Be Left At Home for a Short Time – The laws vary on this, with some states like Oregon and Tennessee giving home-alone privileges to 10-year-olds and states like Colorado and Delaware saying 12 is a better age to start this. This Washington Post article gives state-by-state guidelines on the regulations, but it’s a good idea to check with your state’s Family or Child Services Department to be sure.
In any case, before you leave your kids home alone—even for a short time—it’s important that they know what to do in case of emergency and what your expectations are should unexpected things happen (like someone knocking on the door or a friend stopping by unannounced). The Department of Health and Human Services recommends that parents ask themselves these questions before leaving kids alone:
Is your child physically and mentally able to care for him or herself?
Does your child obey rules and make good decisions?
How does your child respond to unfamiliar or stressful situations?
Does your child feel comfortable or fearful about being home alone?
If you’re leaving for more than an hour, it’s best to wait to take your children. And experts say it’s not a good idea to let kids this age babysit younger children while no parents are home.
For more advice and tips, see this handout from the DHH.
Ride a Bike to School – It’s hard to find any specific laws about kids riding bikes to school, but the American Academy of Pediatrics says that by late elementary school, most kids can safely do this, provided the route is short and the roads safe. Before your child starts riding to school, make sure you practice the route with them (several times!) and go over what to do if unexpected things arise, such as a fall or a flat tire. If it makes you feel better, have your child wear a GPS watch or other tracking device to alert you when she gets to school safely.
Of course, you should always make sure your kids wear a good-fitting helmet and try to enlist a friend to ride along, to ensure both kids get there safely.
This is it. The bridge to the young adult years. Kids in this final stretch to the teens are longing to break free, so the trick is to let them feel independent and learn how to be self-sufficient while encouraging them to make responsible choices. Here are some things they’re ready to do now:
Have Their Own Cell Phone – While many argue that cell phones should wait until high school, middle schoolers can have a phone, provided it is monitored and filtered by the parents. Before you give your child a phone, have them sign a technology agreement that lays out the rules—for instance, no cell phones should be allowed in your child’s room overnight, and your child should know that you will read and monitor her messages. To keep your kids off inappropriate or dangerous apps and sites, use apps and programs like Screentime (for iPhones), Circle, or Securly.
Babysit Younger Children – There are no real legal restrictions for babysitting (except in states that have laws on when kids can be left alone), but the Red Cross doesn’t allow kids to take its babysitting course until age 11. By 12, kids should be able to babysit with a grown-up present in the house (or for short times when a grown-up leaves the house); by 14, they can usually babysit younger children on their own. When it comes to an older sibling watching the younger kids in the house, parents need to ask themselves whether their oldest is mature enough and responsible enough to handle the task. If there are any doubts, skip it.
Be Dropped Off in a Public Place with Friends – As long as your child agrees to stay with the group and you’ve talked about uncomfortable situations (if a stranger talks to them or if other kids are experimenting with drugs or alcohol), most experts agree that by middle school—or around age 13—kids can be dropped off at public place (like a movie theater or mall) for a few hours as long as they are in a group and you are leaving them in a safe location. This depends, of course, on your child’s level of maturity, your city’s crime rate, and whether you trust them to make good decisions.
Note: Check with your state laws before letting your teen go to certain places solo: Some states, such as Minnesota and Delaware, do not permit children under 16 to be in certain malls without adult supervision, according to this article.
Whether you are trying to keep a resolution to stay organized; got inspired while rewatching The Home Edit’s Netflix show; or are once again being swallowed up by school papers, sports gear, and the like, finally getting your home in order takes a healthy dose of trust and courage—much like jumping off the high dive at the local pool. But fear not, we’ve reached out to our favorite organizing gurus, a.k.a. moms who are also professional organizers, to help you tackle the job once and for all. Check out the home organization tips below and get ready to experience the rush of feeling organized—you may be surprised by how good it feels.
Julia G. Raz, Ph.D., professional organizer and founder of Golden West Organizing, uses her expertise in Communications to work with her clients by empowering them with confidence in their own voice—guiding them in a non-judgmental way to understand what their needs are, and helping them "become the best version of themselves through decluttering and organizing—all the little things in life that can weigh us down." Adding, "At one point in my life, I decluttered about 80% of my belongings because I was overwhelmed by how cluttered my life had become." For Raz, it's important to stress for new organizers to understand that, "Decluttering is not a one-time be-all, end-all. Instead, decluttering has to be an ongoing part of your life." She also points out that organizing is a skill that may be new for some and may take time to develop or you may need help to learn it." The takeaway? Set realistic expectations and realize that to stay organized, there may need to be a change in your behavior, and that could take time, so be patient with yourself and the process.
Joni Weiss and Kitt Fife, Co-Founders of Practically Perfect, believe in order for an organizing system to work, it must be age appropriate. "The number one mistake parents make is to have a system that’s too complicated for their kids! Staying organized is about maintenance and accountability, and that means kiddos have to be able to pick up after themselves when playtime is over. It’s imperative to consider the age plus stage of your little ones when you consider which organizational system will work best for your play spaces."
Their advice (that can be applied pre and post-pandemic) to maintain an organized space? Try not to control everything, learn to roll with changes, create a routine (and stick to it), and update your entryway drop zones as well as dedicated zones in the fridge and pantry for handy snacks and the like.
For Beth Penn, founder of the professional organizing business Bneato Bar, motherhood has upped her game. “As a new mom myself, it's about starting small. In my book, The Little Book of Tidying is this quote: ‘Tidying is not a quick-fix solution; it’s a practice, a daily intention, an approach to living.’ Us moms can be very hard on ourselves when we look at everything that needs to get done. Now, more than ever, prioritization and simplifying life is key. What does this look like? Taking distracting apps like Facebook and Instagram off my phone, joining a group that promotes not buying stuff I don’t need—small tweaks like these really add up in keeping my home organized.”
Another way Penn recommends starting small that can make a big impact? Choose environmentally-friendly products when you are organizing. Choose a whiteboard with a dry-erase marker for your DIY command center to reduce your use of paper.
NYC-based best-selling author of The Happiness Project and more, Gretchen Rubin, rocks writing, parenting two daughters, and an in-demand speaking schedule. She has also found a way to be highly organized. A spin on her “Power Hour” idea (working once a week for an hour on a given chore), she suggests abiding by a rule all organized moms can follow: the one-minute rule. “With any task that can be finished in one minute, do it without delay. Hang up your coat, read a letter and toss it, fill in a form, note down a citation, file a paper, put a dish in the dishwasher…and so on. Because the tasks are so quick, it isn’t too hard to make yourself follow the rule—but you’ll see big results."
This concept is perfect for the one-minute rule. Practically Perfect's Joni Weiss and Kitt Fife say if you commit yourself to do this each day, you'll remember how good it feels to be organized. "Changing habits can also be key, and we encourage carving out a small amount of time each day put items away. And labeling can help!
Raz, of Golden West Organizing, says, "I usually have clients first pick the things they love the most. Once we’ve found all of those items in a particular category, I’ll ask them 1) do they use it, 2) do they need it, 3) would they buy it again if they saw it in a store? This method is inspired by The Minimal Mom—a YouTube channel I’ve been following for years. She adds, "Decluttering is the best way to stay organized. There is no bin or storage system that can make too much clutter work. Lessening the number of items to what is reasonable for you is what makes all the difference."
Since her bestselling books, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up and Spark Joyhave become must-read tidying tomes, Marie Kondo’s KonMari Method has sparked serious joy across apartments and suburban homes everywhere. And while, yes, Kondo finally admitted her methods don't work as well when you have kids, you'll still get great home organization tips from her advice. SPOKE contributor Lynn Laplante Allaway put the KonMari method to the test with a modified pace for her family of six and a whole lot of humor along the way. She jokes about calling it something of “the AllLyn Method,” if you will. We love her takeaways on socks, the sentimentality of children’s books, and suburban closet space.
There’s neat, and then there’s NEAT Method, which creates personalized systems for each client’s unique needs and lifestyle. After being founded in San Francisco by friends and organizing entrepreneurs Ashley Murphy and Molly Graves, 32 NEAT cities nationwide now help on-site with home projects (like making room for a new babe), while online packages are available to all. As the moms behind the method told us, their secret to success goes right along with the seasons: “In order to keep things NEAT as a mom, it is crucial to set aside a few times every year that you will clean out your children's toys! Get your kid involved and make a donation and a toss pile. A perfect time to do this is after a birthday or holiday when likely a lot of new toys have entered the playroom.”
Does the lid no longer fit on that one bin you dedicated to all the LEGO pieces? Time to designate a little LEGOLAND of your own at home. We’ve already done the heavy lifting with a round-up of 14 storage ideas you’ll totally want to try. We’re talking color-coded bins, tackle boxes for the tiny stuff, hanging buckets, and even an all-in LEGO Table and Storage Unit. If LEGO isn’t your kid's thing, several of these organizing ideas would translate well to other multi-part toys (Shopkins Shopville storage, anyone?).
The daily grind of work inside the house and out can get tedious, and things like mail can literally pile up. For Texas-based pro organizer (and mother of four!) Mary Johanson of Creating Mary’s Home, that very pile is actually the secret to her success. “Set an appointment with yourself once a week to do the boring adult stuff,” she recommends. “I pile mail into a basket throughout the week. During the time I set aside weekly, I act like my own secretary. I go through the mail, pay bills, RSVP to parties, file or scan important stuff, make phone calls, and whatever else needs to get done. This weekly appointment keeps mental clutter out of my mind, not to mention paper clutter off my counters!”
Minnesota-based professional organizer Sara Pederson of Time To Organize shared her two top tips for saving time when it comes to cooking. First, “set aside a little time on the weekend to plan out five dinners for the following week. Take a quick peek in the pantry and fridge to see what you need to buy in order to make those meals happen. Jot a list and shop on the weekend so that weekday meals can be as quick and easy as possible.”
Then—and here’s where you get a whole night off cooking, people—set up a meal exchange with another family in the neighborhood! “Pick a specific day each week to double whatever you’re making that night and drop it off so your friends can enjoy an effortless, home-cooked meal. In exchange, that family will provide a meal to you on another pre-planned night. It takes virtually no extra effort to double a recipe, saves money, and connects two families in a fun way.”
When it comes to containing the clutter, it’s all too easy for kids to keep us swimming in it. SPOKE contributor Marisa Svalstedt has a genius method for categorizing and downsizing your home’s personal toy department. “While clothing is easy to discard at the appropriate time as children grow out of them so quickly, toys are another story,” Svalstedt writes. “The toys in my household go for a sort of ride through our home before either settling or making a permanent departure." From keeping current favorites well within reach to storing well-loved keepsakes (you’ll adore her easy and affordable storage hack!), and on through to the end of the line, where the definitively outgrown is donated or sold, you’ll want to hop aboard this train.
Laura Gaskill is a San Francisco Bay Area-based mom and writer who offers e-courses on home organization tips to help folks clear the clutter at home and in life overall, so there’s time to focus on what matters most. Gaskill suggests charting a “Time Map,” which she defines as “simply a record of how you actually spend the hours of your day. The key word here is actually!” she writes on her website. “When we make guesses about how we are spending our time, we tend to underestimate how long we spend on not-so-great things (like browsing social media) and overestimate the amount of time we spend on positive things (like playing with our kids).” And as she points out, “getting a clear picture of how we actually spend our time is the first step if you want to change things.”
When it comes to household chores, you’ve got plenty of tasks to go around. More importantly, when kids are required to pitch in and help with age-appropriate chores, they’ll learn how to cooperate, gain a sense of independence and feel a sense of accomplishment. If you’re wondering what exactly to put on your chore chart for kids, we’ve broken it down by age, from toddlers up to tweens. From picking up toys to helping with dinner, here is our ultimate chore list for kids.
Age-Appropriate Chores for Ages 2-3
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Pick up the toys.Ask your toddler to help clean up when playtime is over, instead of doing it at the end of the day when you’d rather be watching Netflix instead of cleaning up DUPLO blocks.
Wipe up small spills. This is an easy one and is especially important if they are the ones that made the mess. Don't make a big deal, just let them know they need to clean up after themselves.
Put shoes away. A toddler can easily put his shoes away, especially if there's a special bin or shelf for footwear.
Put dirty clothes in the hamper. Show your little one where clothes go before he chooses his own drop spot.
Match socks. An easy way to let someone else worry about why there's always one sock missing.
Throw away trash. Kids can start putting trash in its proper place at an early age.
Pick up sticks in the yard. What's more fun than collecting sticks?
Sort the groceries. Preschool-aged kids can help you put away things like cereal, snacks, canned goods, and other things that aren't too heavy or breakable.
Chore List for Kids Ages 4-5
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All of the chores listed above.
Put away clean utensils. It’s the little things!
Brush their own teeth. This is an easy self-care chore that any preschooler can tackle.
Fold washcloths or napkins. Something small and square is the perfect first item to have your pre-k kid learn how to fold.
Make their own bed. This is a tough one because busy school mornings can get in the way. Weekends are wide open, however, and there’s nothing like a made bed to give your home a clean, fresh feeling.
Collect the mail. This one doesn't even feel like a chore.
Bring their belongings in from the car. Whether it's their toys or backpack, four-and five-year-olds are old enough to make sure everything gets inside at the end of the day.
Help prep a basic meal. If kids with knives don't sound like a good idea, there are plenty of other things they can do. Think: gather ingredients, measure spices, crack and whisk eggs, grate some cheese, flip pancakes, and more.
Wipe down surfaces. Kids this age are perfectly capable of spraying, wiping, and cleaning down a surface. Especially if they are the ones that made the mess in the first place.
Take control of their school gear. Stop gathering your kids’ stuff every night or morning. These early years are the right time to set up good work habits.
Water the plants. This is a great chore to help develop organizational skills. Have your kid schedule a once-a-week date with a watering can on the calendar.
Help carry in groceries. Unless you're using the multiple trips to and from the car as your cardio for the day.
Set and clear the table. You prepared the meal, so your kids should help to set and clear the plates. Simple as that.
Put away laundry. Imagine a place where the laundry gets put away instead of collecting dust in a basket somewhere. It can be a reality, we promise!
Feed pets. Your grade-school-aged kid loves the dog, the chickens, and the family turtle. Well, no time like the present to teach him how to take care of something smaller than he is.
Chore List for Kids Ages 8-10
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All of the chores listed above.
Basic home maintenance. At around 10, kids can begin to do small tasks around the house that helps with upkeep like putting in new lightbulbs, changing batteries, and hanging small pictures.
Load and unload the dishwasher. Most days, after unloading, the thing fills right back up and needs to be unloaded again. Your early tween is an ideal candidate for helping out with this daily task.
Help with recycling and garbage. Older kids can sort recyclables, empty wastebaskets, and help pull trash cans in from the road. It’s also a good way for them to learn about consumption and to see where waste goes.
Vacuum the rugs. The best part about handing off this task is that your kids will have to keep their rooms picked up in order to fulfill their duty.
Dust shelves, blinds, and furniture. A Swiffer duster makes this chore a breeze.
Clean the mirrors in the bathrooms. Older kids are strong enough, and usually tall enough to reach the top of the mirror by now. Pass the Windex.
Move clothes from the washer to the dryer. Most kids ages eight and up are tall enough (and old enough) to start helping with the laundry. If there are items you don't want in the dryer or if you like to use a certain heat setting, be sure to show the kids the ropes in advance.
Walk the dog. Take pet care to the next level by asking your tween to take on giving Fido his daily workout.
Help with grocery shopping. Give your big kid his own list at the store, and arrange to meet up at the checkout. You'll cut your shopping time in half!
Vacuum out the car. She's already tackled vacuuming the living room and her bedroom. Add on the family car once a month or every other week.
Babysit for siblings or relatives in small increments. Whether it's to take charge at a social or family gathering or leave your tween in charge for 30 minutes while you run a quick errand, this is a good age to test the waters for child care.
Rake leaves. Before you can mow the grass, the leaves need to be raked. Tweens can handle this, plus it's a great way to keep them outside and off tablets.
Change their own bedsheets (and keep the bed made). This is a chore that only takes a few minutes, but it's a game changer when it comes to feeling like you're on top of the mess.
Got a little comedian in your household? These Valentine’s Day jokes for kids are sure to crack a smile sweeter than any chocolate. Let the kids memorize a few to share with friends, or write them on a note for V-Day lunches. Either way, you’re sure to get a laugh, a hug, and probably at least one eye roll. If your kiddo needs more joke material to work with, try out our other jokes for kids. If you’re looking for other Valentine’s Day fun for kids, check out these DIY gifts they can make for friends or loved ones, and Valentine’s Day-themed food and treats they’ll love.
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1. What do you call the world's smallest Valentine’s Day card? A valen-teeny.
2. What did the stamp say to the envelope on Valentine’s Day? I’m stuck on you!
3. What did one volcano say to the other? I lava you!
4. What did the cucumber say to the pickle? You mean a great dill to me.
5. How did the phone propose to his GF? He gave her a ring.
6. What did the one sheep say to the other? I love ewe!
7. And how did the other sheep respond? You’re not so baaaaaa-d yourself.
8. What did the farmer give his wife for Valentine’s Day? Hogs and kisses.
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9. And what did the tweenager give his mom? Ughs and kisses!
10. What did one light bulb say to the other light bulb on Valentine’s Day? I wuv you watts and watts!
11. What do you say to an octopus on Valentine’s Day? I want to hold your hand, hand, hand, hand, hand, hand, hand, hand!
12. What do you call a ghost’s true love? Their ghoul-friend.
13. What do you write in a slug’s Valentine’s Day card? Be my Valen-slime!
14. Knock Knock Who's there? Luke Luke who? Luke who got a Valentine!
15. Why is Valentine’s Day a good day for a party? Because you can really party hearty!
16. What kind of flowers should you NOT give on Valentine’s Day? Cauliflowers!
17. What do owls say to declare their love? Owl be yours!
18. What did one bee say to the other? I love bee-ing with you, honey!
From sound machines to tracking apps that’ll help you log everything from feedings to milestones, these are the apps every parent needs
Becoming a parent means you’ll be relying on an entire village to help you navigate the world of babies and kids. Lucky for you, there’s a whole slew of apps from infant to school years to help along the way. From managing and sharing baby photos with family and friends to connecting with a new community of moms, here are some of the best parent apps.
Tinybeans: Family Photo Album
The Tinybeans platform was founded by entrepreneurs with young kids and offers parents a private space to share photos, milestones, and other moments with their children amongst family and friends in a private social network. The app is a modern-day baby book at parents' fingertips that helps save them time, with the primary advantage for parents not having to give away ownership of the images and videos they post. The app itself also includes additional privacy features not typical of larger social media sites.
Available on the App Store and Google Play, Free / Paid $7.99/month or $79.99/year.
Peanut
Peanut is a social networking app for current and soon-to-be moms so they can connect with other mamas. Sync up with women in the same life stage to share tips like how to keep kids entertained and balancing work and life. Peanut has also created a resource for users to contact those around them using free Community Postcards. Simply use the code HERE4YOU to get a 20-pack with free shipping. Fill out the postcard with your contact information and marl which services you can spare time to help out with like late night chat sessions or help with collecting supplies in your community.
BusyKid, the brainchild of a father of six, is the world's first online platform that allows kids to earn, spend, invest, and save their allowance. It's a virtual chore chart, really. Parents upload chores (based on age) to the app and to each kid's profile, the kids check off the ones they've completed, and then they're paid via the app. It's possible for kids to make charitable donations, invest in stock and stash away for big purchases.
Available for download from the App Store or Google Play, $38.99 (after the free trial) for a year for the whole family.
Moshi Twilight
With calming audio stories and guided relaxations, Moshi Twilight helps kids find a healthy nighttime routine. The stories are set in a dreamy world, and the lulling voices help little dreamers nod off. Perfect for kids learning to sleep through the night, or how to sleep alone, this award-winning parent app is worth downloading.
Now that your sweet bundle has arrived, you'll want to know where the best bargain on diapers and food can be found. That's where Basket comes in handy. This crowdsourcing app searches nearby stores to see which one carries your total cheapest list. By allowing you to compare online and in-store prices (which vary from 30 to 40% each week), you'll be able to decide where to spend your hard-earned cash.
When it comes to tackling family health and wellness, proper preparation and education are often more than half the battle. The British Red Cross has developed a clever app, Baby and Child First Aid, that’s chockfull of useful video tutorials and easy-to-follow advice that cover what to do when various ailments or medical crises arise. The app also lets parents record their child’s medication needs, and includes a list of tips and a handy checklist. While the emergency numbers in the app are for UK users, the information and advice are useful to anyone, anywhere in the world.
If you haven’t yet, you are going to be taking hundreds of pictures. In a week. Here’s how you’re going to manage it: Babypics. Capture all the precious moments, mark them with beautifully crafted artwork and words. With an array of custom features, including filters and milestone markers, you can create, save, share and order prints with just a tap.
This HD- quality video and baby monitor for your phone, tablet or computer allows you to hear every noise, stream live video and even comfort your baby remotely.
Not sure what medication is okay to take when you are pregnant or nursing, or how much? MommyMeds app from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center will help you figure it out. Just search or scan the barcodes of thousands of medications, both prescription and over-the-counter and find clear, drug and safety recommendations and ingredients.
Visiting grandma but forgot the baby monitor? No problem. Download the Cloud Baby Monitor app and put your iPad, laptop or iPhone next to your little love. Then use your partners iPhone or another device as the parent unit for secure streaming of your hopefully sleeping baby. It will also send you notifications of motion or sound changes. Want to attempt to soothe Baby from afar? Use the app to play lullabies, white noise or talk to Baby. This app is also a great sub for those times when your regular monitor is out of range (we mean working in the garden people, not running out to the grocery store).
With more sounds than the average white noise machine and go-anywhere ease, the White Noise Baby app wins our vote for drowning out outside sounds when Baby is trying to snooze. It includes 20 soothing ambient sounds to help you—uh, we mean your baby—snooze. Choose from options like traditional white noise to “truck ride” or “vacuum cleaner,” there is something to soothe all sleepers. There is even a timer system that slowly fades audio in and out so you can sneak your phone back once baby drifts off and if you leave your device in the nursery, you can set it up to come back on when crying is detected.
Sprout Baby is a do everything baby app. Not only will it keep you posted on the latest developmental feats your baby should be going through at every stage, but also it lets you track your baby's specific milestones with photos and journal entries and track everything from feedings to growth. You can also track health records and generate a report to share with your doctor during visits.
Find Trusted Baby Advice at Your Fingertips with BabyCenter
When you have a baby, suddenly everyone from your mom to the lady at the grocery store is an expert. BabyCenter’s Your Baby Today app puts their (less annoying) expert advice in the palm of your hand. No need to thumb through heavy books, this app keeps you on top of important developmental milestones, health and safety advice and even suggests age-appropriate activities for each week. Now who’s the expert, huh?
Breastfeeding can be complicated enough at the start. Did they latch? Football or cradle hold? Which side did they eat last? When did you eat last? Nipple confusion? How about mom confusion. Don’t stress. The Baby Nursing app tracks their latest feeding time, which side and for how long they ate, bottle feeding records, sleep and more. It logs all the information in handy dandy nursing history logs, which you can share with your doc (or whomever else cares to ask) and look like a total pro.
The WebMD app includes a lot of the same features other baby apps do: sleep tracker, diaper tracker and a feeding/nursing tracker. But the big difference here is the content. The app is a fantastic resource for new parents featuring a wealth of medically-approved content on week-by-week development, milestones, doctor visits, emergencies, baby care and more.
The newborn stage is all about eating and sleeping (and pooping). So the Eat Sleep parent app tracks all of that for you in detail. Log bottles and breastfeedings. Clock in times that baby sleeps and wakes (you may even start to see a pattern one day!). And watch those dirty diapers to ensure your little is eating enough.
If you'll be pumping a lot, whether back at work or at home, Milk Maid will help you stay organized. Not only does it track when, how much and how long you're pumping, but it also can calculate whether or not your current stash will cover your next business trip.
You take dozens of photos daily, or maybe even hourly, and for those priceless keepers, giving them a quick edit will make them even better. Snapseed is an easy-to-use photo editor even for not so savvy users. Quick swipes can adjust brightness, contrast, color and more. This parent app can also rescue any money shots that just happened to be taken in bad lighting.
In the midst of preparing for a family feast each year, we’ve also wrestled with how to talk to our kids about Thanksgiving. We want our children to learn from and do their part in changing the inequality in their world, and perpetuating the Thanksgiving story we were taught in elementary school runs squarely at odds with that mission.
But, it can be hard to know how and when to start having the true story of Thanksgiving conversation with kids. So first, remember that we don’t need to nail this by the time the turkey hits the table. This is ongoing and important work to do all year round. Following are a few ideas and resources that are helping our family to lay a foundation that, we hope, will help our kids respect and respond to real history in a way that supports a better future.
Build a Foundation for Knowing & Respecting Native Peoples
Start by teaching children real stories and truths about Native and Indigenous peoples, both from the past and the present. The more our children can be curious and aware of people for their strengths and rich history, the more they will push back on stereotypes and absorb the real history in a way that makes them compelled to act.
Here are a few easy ways to do this, even with very young children:
Learn about the people who live or used to live on the land in your area. Use an app like native-land.ca to find out which people live/lived and which languages are/were spoken on the land on which you live. Search for “native people from {city, state or region}” or “indigenous people from {city, state or region}. Then, look for historically accurate accounts of how those people thrived, being aware of the limitations of the perspective of whoever has created them.
Read books that help children come to know about Native peoples and prepare them to push back against stereotypes. For starters, check out this list of 15 beautiful picture books by Native authors about Native protagonists assembled by veteran Tinkergarten Leaders Erika McLemore, who is Creek-Seminole, and Cholena Smith-Boyd of the Shinnecock Indian Nation. As you select more books on your own, consult a reputable resource like Dr. Debbie Reese, a researcher focused on the representation of Native Americans in children’s literature. Through her expert advice, my family has learned how to pick books that are about specific tribes or Native peoples, avoiding the kind of generalizations that lead to stereotypes.
Incorporate Native history into everyday outdoor play. As you are walking in a forest or along a river in your area, share something you’ve learned about the Native people who live/lived and what makes/made them special as a group or society.
When you feel your kids are ready, work with them to question and point out the mismatches between the accurate history and the often perpetuated Thanksgiving Story. To start:
Get to know the true story of Thanksgiving story yourself.PBS Kids offers wonderful resources for parents and educators on how to approach Thanksgiving with authenticity. These resources also help us parents better understand, for ourselves, the story of the people we call Pilgrims, their interaction with the Wampanoag people, and the full history of the holiday we’ve come to know as Thanksgiving.
Don’t be afraid to share with children that there is more to the story. It’s important to help them understand that the familiar story that has been shared for a long time is over-simplified and, as such, can even be hurtful to whole groups of people as well as the allies of those people. One way you can present the disparity to kids is, that although there was a feast between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag, it happened during a time of terrible cruelty and unthinkable loss to the Wampanoag.
Seek out additional tools for learning. This New York Times article has helped us use both age-appropriate resources and inquiry to start engaging our kids in conversation about Thanksgiving. For example, it has encouraged us to help our kids ask “Who is telling the story, and what is their perspective? How is this story different from other accounts and facts that we now know?”
Focus on Gratitude
While it’s essential that we help our children become more attuned to inequality and injustice, telling the true story of Thanksgiving doesn’t have to undermine our practice of sharing gratitude. You can even kickstart an annual gratitude tradition that’s respectful of Native history. Once you learn about the original caretakers of the land you live on, it becomes easy to express thanks for all they’ve done to preserve its natural beauty as part of Thanksgiving.
Be sure to help kids reflect on what they’re grateful for in their day-to-day lives, too. For many years, our family has focused our Thanksgiving on expressing thanks for our family, our health, our earth, and whatever else feels authentic to our kids. We engage in rituals like building a tree of thanks to make this even more concrete for them, and fun for us. This has extended far beyond Thanksgiving for us as well, helping us use simple rituals to develop a gratitude practice as a family and improve our own mental well-being in the process.
However you choose to celebrate this holiday, remember that while we cannot change history, we canmake our children alert to who is telling and what needs to be told about the story. It’s the only way our kids will learn to do their part to make sure better stories are written in their time.
After 18 years as an educator, curriculum developer and school leader, Meghan has her dream gig—an entrepreneur/educator/mom who helps families everywhere, including hers, learn outside. Today, Meghan serves as co-founder and Chief Learning Officer of Tinkergarten, the national leader in outdoor play-based learning.
Stylized clothing for kids delivered right to our front doors? Sign us up
We’re going to let you in on a little secret. Signing up for a kids’ clothing subscription box really does live up to the hype. Not only do you skip the hassle of actually getting to the store, but someone else does all the work for you. There are services out there that offer everything from high-end designer duds to consignment treasures in near-perfect condition, and the best part? There’s something for newborns up through the tween years, so you’re totally covered whenever you need to re-stock their closets.
Kikpik
Kidpik’s original designs outfit your fashion-savvy kid with on-trend looks each season. Every ultra-personalized box contains 3-5 mix-and-match pieces, including tops, bottoms, dresses, layering pieces, shoes, and accessories that coordinate to create multiple unique ensembles. What’s trending this season? Denim, hoodies, pops of color, and vintage vibes.
The Back-to-School collection allows you to either shop by outfit or if you don’t want to follow the trends, pick from Kidpik’s basics collection, featuring staples in vibrant colors that can be purchased individually. The collection offers sizes ranging from 2T-16 and footwear in sizes 7-6 and is designed with easy coordination in mind. If you’ve got little ones, check out their brand-new collection just for babies in sizes 12 and 18 months.
Why You’ll Love It: Customizable to fit your needs, choose to receive your boxes four or eight times a year, or try a one-time trial box. Each box includes fun extras like a coloring sheet and whimsical iron-on patches.
Ages: Girls and Boys 12 months – 14 years
Cost: Purchase the entire box or choose items a la carte. The average retail value of each item is $15 when you keep the entire box and the 30% keep-all discount is applied. You can also purchase the whole box or send back the clothes you don’t want. In that instance, kids can choose to donate any unworn product to families and kids in need instead of returning or exchanging the items through the KIDPIK CARES donation matching program. This program benefits non-profits such as Baby2BabRight now, you can get 40% off your first subscription with KP40 and 25% OFF 5+ items in the KIDPIK shop (no code required).
Subscribe at kidpik.com. As always, shipping + returns + styling are free!
Rent-a-Romper
Founded by mom, Lauren Gregor, this baby clothing subscription box aims to kill two birds with one stone: make parents' lives easier by shipping you the clothes your child needs (and can grow into) and alleviating the negative effects that the fashion industry has on the planet. Read on to find out how they do this (and more) one capsule collection at a time.
How It Works: Take the quick quiz and Rent-a-Romper will curate a capsule wardrobe just for your child. Wear the clothes as long and as often as you like, and then return the styles in the compostable self-addressed package when you're ready to size up or swap out styles. Simply log back into Rent-a-Romper to designate what you'd like in your next capsule delivery.
Why You'll Love It: Parents are faced with enough choices, which means sometimes less is more. You'll love that instead of dozens of choices, you can choose either their "Essential Capsule" with 7 items or the "Premium Capsule" that comes with 15 items. Our recent "Just the Essentials" box came with just the must-have pieces, including pajamas, casual tees, pants for play, and even a button-down. The box was thoughtfully curated and included essentials that our growing tot could wear on a daily basis.
Ages: preemie to 4T
Cost: The "Premium Capsule" costs $41/month and the “Essentials Capsule” cost $24/month
Why You'll Love It: Stitch Fix is one of the most popular styling services out there for a good reason. You get a stylist who will curate a selection of clothing that reflects your kids' unique style. Plus, there is no subscription required! New for the 2022 back-to-school season is Stitch Fix's line just for tweens: The Commons. This new collection has 150 items made exclusively with tweens in mind, featuring graphic tees, muted colors, and a California-cool vibe. All items found in The Commons are under $50, which makes finding affordable clothes for particular tweens easier than ever.
How it works: You'll fill out a style profile for your child (or with them) and set your price range; stylists will select 10 items (some start as low as $10) from brands like Nike, Hurley, and Toms.
Ages: 2T - 18 years
Cost: Shipping and returns are always free; you pay a $20 Fix fee that goes toward your total order amount. If you keep all the items in your fix, you save 25%.
If you’re already a fan of Fabletics, check out what they have in store for your mini-me. FabKids creates original, comfortable, and on-trend pieces as well as wardrobe staples like leggings and tees. You can also request fashion pieces like dresses and boots. Start by taking a quick style quiz. Then each month, Fabkids will send style picks directly to your inbox. Choose the pieces you want or skip the month.
Why You’ll Love It: Unlike clothing subscription services that send a mystery box to your door each month, Fabkids hands the control over to parents to decide what to buy and when.
Ages: Boys and Girls 2-14.
Cost: Sign up for VIP membership and enjoy up to 50% off regular prices, early access to exclusive collections, sales, and more. $30/month goes toward your purchase.
Delivering seasonal mini-wardrobes right to your doorstep, each box contains a mix of 5, 8, or 12 classic and on-trend pieces in soft and comfy fabrics, curated to fit your child’s style and preferences (i.e. no buttons, loves patterns, etc). The design is all done in-house so you won’t find these styles in stores. And be sure to check out their e-commerce shop to order individual items between seasons.
Why You’ll Love It: Rockets of Awesome taps into your buying history and preferences to create an ultra-customized shopping experience. The more you shop, the more tailored the selections become. You also have the ability to take a peek at your upcoming box and swap out items you don’t want.
Ages: Boys and Girls newborn – 14
Cost: No membership, shipping, or styling fees. Purchase only the pieces you love, each under $40, and send back the rest!
With a Wee Blessing subscription, you'll receive name-brand items at 40-60% off the retail price each month. After working with an in-house stylist, items will be selected and shipped to your doorstep. You have ten days to decide what works, and then you send back the rest for free! Even better, they also offer a like-new service that comes with all the styling perks, but with each item costing no more than $4.
Why You'll Love It: Wee Blessing has an all-family subscription service. Moms, Dads, and kids of all ages can now receive 3-4 customized outfits every month, with just one subscription.
Surprisly is a baby clothing subscription box perfect for new parents or as a gift for your loved ones. Each box contains three hand-selected outfits from boutique brands for baby’s day out, playtime, and snooze. Every clothing item is beautifully constructed, made exclusively from cotton or organic cotton, and incredibly cute.
How it works: Your daughter will receive a high-quality, age-appropriate t-shirt once a month, alongside fun gifts that go along to match the theme! Choose to order one box, go month-to-month, or go ahead with a six-month subscription.
In this fun baby clothing subscription box, you'll get a seasonal outfit at an affordable price. Each box is designed to include an outfit and matching accessory.
A unique blend of consignment and kids’ clothing subscription box, Everlasting Wardrobe gives parents the freedom to rent clothing for 30 days.
How it works: Once you fill out a profile for each kid using the service, you’ll receive eight new or like-new items of clothing. Kids can wear those items for a full 30 days before returning them. If there’s something your kid loves too much to send back, you can buy that item at a deep discount.
Why you’ll love it: There’s no charge for shipping, you’ll have stylists picking stuff based on the categories and customizations based on your preferences (with no styling fees), and you’ll have access to hot brands like Burt’s Bees Baby, OMAMImini, Kickee, I Haven’t The Foggiest, Frenchie Mini Couture, PopUpShop, Mimi and Maggie, Red Caribou, and more. Also, if you’re opting to have gently-used items sent to you, it’s good to know that all items go through an inspection and an eco-friendly cleaning process after being returned and before being sent back out.
Ages: 6 months – 12 years
Cost: $40 per month for 8 pieces of new and like-new professionally cleaned & inspected clothing for 30 days, or $80 per month for 8 pieces of brand-new clothing for 30 days.
Lifestyle brand Izzy & Liv has a version of their Brown Sugar Box for kids and teens.
How it works: Both boxes will be themed, and even though the items will be a mystery until opened, everything included will equal a retail value of at least $100. You'll get at least one Izzy & Liv shirt and other sweet things made with the brown sugar girl in mind. Little girls might get school supplies, hair accessories, and books, while tweens can expect to get beauty products, lunch totes, and even pillow covers.
Why you'll love it: This box is designed with African American girls in mind, with culturally inspired items featured in every box.
Ages: Kids ages 4-8 and tweens ages 9-14
Cost: If you sign up now, you'll lock in a special $45 (plus shipping) quarterly rate.
One of the most unique clothing subscriptions we've seen, this new service helps moms swap gently used clothing while making sustainable choices in regards to buying clothes for fast-growing kiddos.
How it works: Fill out a profile for your child, select your delivery preferences (monthly, bi-monthly, or quarterly), and you'll receive a box of 8-10 gently-used items in your kid's size. At drop-off, you'll be able to hand off any of the items your kid has outgrown, so they can be passed on to a local family. As a bonus, 40% of the items received are donated to a local family in need, rather than thrown out or lost.
Why you'll love it: All items come washed, with no tears or stains. In addition, you can throw in seasonal items like swimsuits, boots, rain jackets, and fancy clothes.
Even though it's more of an accessories subscription, we couldn’t resist these adorable food necklaces from Tiny Hands. Consider signing up for a monthly delivery that’s perfect for pre-tween kiddos.
How it works: Join the Necklace of the Month club and your kid will receive a miniature food necklace in line with the theme for that month. For example, month one is cupcakes, month two is cookies, month three is donuts, and so on.
Why you’ll love it: The teeny, tiny details of each necklace will remind you of dollhouse miniatures, and each one has a yummy scent!
You'll never have to worry about not having enough socks again with this fun monthly shipment. Just decide how often you want to receive a box of socks, and once you sign up, they'll start delivering on your preferred schedule.
Why you'll love it: Fun, colorful socks bring a little joy into a kids' daily wardrobe.
All the products listed are independently & personally selected by our shopping editors.
If you buy something from the links in this article, we may earn affiliate commission or compensation. Prices and availability reflect the time of publication.
Your family’s official guide to things to do in Bellevue, one of Seattle’s most kid-friendly neighbors
Whether you’re heading over the bridge for a playdate, to find a new park, or take an exciting class, it’s always good to have a handy list of things to do in Bellevue with kids. Lucky for you, we’ve got the 411 on Bellevue kids’ activities including parks, museums, play spaces and shopping malls to explore, along with delicious restaurants to feed your squad while you’re there. Read on to find out why it’s easy to spend the day on the Eastside.
Kelsey Creek Park Farm
Right in the middle of bustling Bellevue is a quiet, expansive park with a farm full of furry friends. Kelsey Creek Farm is the perfect place to visit farm animals (think: ponies, goats, sheep, cows, pigs, chickens, rabbits), climb on playground equipment and hike some of Bellevue’s trails. If your tyke loves animals and loves being outside, Kelsey Creek has it all–for free! Animals are available for viewing in the pasture from 9 a.m.–3 p.m. every day of the year (yep, even on rainy days). There’s also plenty of wide open green spaces to run around and play, so bring a picnic lunch and plan to stay for the day. Psst…Kelsey Creek Farm is committed to providing farm animal education and hosts a variety of seasonal activities and farm programs for further enrichment.
Crossroads Water Spray Playground
Crossroads Park is the place to be on warm spring and summer days. The one-of-a-kind sprayground features a whole family of sea life to cool you off, including spitting frogs, spouting orcas and squirting calms. The park also has an all ages and all abilities playground for little explorers to enjoy on the not-so-warm days. Two small picnic shelters are available for reservation if you want to host a gathering or just want some guaranteed shade. All picnic areas, when not reserved, are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Hours: The playground is open year-round with water typically spraying from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day from 10 a.m.–8 p.m.
Bellevue Downtown Park
In the heart of downtown Bellevue is a beautiful, 21-acre park that truly has something for everyone to enjoy. The refreshed Bellevue Downtown Park provides a peaceful respite for parkgoers of all ages. From the visually stunning 240-foot wide waterfall that cascades into a reflecting pond to the large expansive lawn for picnicking and playing, Bellevue Downtown Park combines beauty and function for families to relax and play. Of course, a favorite spot for the kids is the Inspiration Playground. This innovative play space is dedicated to fun, imagination and learning, offering interactive experiences that accommodate kids of all ages and abilities. Enjoy the playground with or without the water features.
Hours: Open year-round with water typically spraying from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day from 10 a.m.–8 p.m.
Meydenbauer Bay Park
After almost two years of renovation, the new and improved Meydenbauer Bay Park is finally complete and ready for your little park-goers to enjoy. The new seven-acre park boasts a quarter-mile of Lake Washington waterfront, a beautiful swimming beach and swimming platform, a 400-foot-long curved pedestrian pier that extends into the lake, a hand-carry boat launch, paved walkways, picnic areas and a fantastic playground. The park also features a hilltop overlook with gorgeous views of Seattle, a new beach house with restrooms, changing rooms and boat rentals (think: canoes, kayaks and stand-up paddle boards) and a lifeguard station.
Insider Tip: Meydenbauer Bay Park is part of the city’s vision of a Grand Connection which will include a pedestrian corridor that is planned to extend east through downtown Bellevue, and eventually across Interstate 405 to the Eastside Rail Corridor.
Enatai Beach Park
If you’re in search of a sandy beach on a sunshiny day, look no further than Enatai Beach Park. Grab your beach toys, cooler and umbrella and spend the day on the shores of beautiful Lake Washington. Enatai Beach Park is a three-acre oasis, complete with a swimming area, swimming dock, picnic area, playground and tot lot. In the summer, there is a lifeguard on duty and you can rent canoes and kayaks to explore the lake or nearby Mercer Slough Nature Park.
KidsQuest Children’s Museum
Explore and experience over a dozen exhibits at KidsQuest, Bellevue’s awesome hands-on, interactive children’s museum. KidsQuest encourages creativity, problem solving and learning through play with an emphasis on science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM). Visit exciting exhibits like the Art Studio, Recycle Rebuild, Bellevue Mercantile, Atrium Climber and everyone’s favorite: Water! Exhibits and programs are geared towards children ages 0-10 and their families. Psst…KidsQuest has been around town for more than a decade, but reopened last year in its new home, the former Rosalie Whyel Museum of Doll Art, adjacent to the Bellevue Library. KidsQuest offers over 200 unique programs throughout the year including early learning classes, summer camps, school age workshops, free art and science programs and many special events. Visit their online calendar for monthly programs and special events.
Bellevue Arts Museum
Want to expose your kids to art and culture? Take your crew to BAM (Bellevue Arts Museum). BAM is one of the few museums nationwide that focuses on art, craft and design, working with artists and audiences to build and enhance community. Regardless of the current exhibit on display, BAM hosts Imagination Stations strategically located throughout the facility. These all-ages activity stations are open daily and free with admission. As of this writing, kids can arrange tubes and ramps to create a path for their ping-pong ball at Magnetic Motion, draw their portrait and favorite things and add it to the Community Portrait Wall and use bright colors and different materials to create original art at Reduce Reuse Create.
Funtastic Playtorium
Good ol’ fashioned play does the body, mind and spirit good–a lot of good! At Funtastic Playtorium, kids are encouraged to run amok and push the boundaries of their imagination by running, jumping, climbing, swinging, laughing and smiling. Kids need active play time and Funtastic Playtorium is a fun, safe environment for wild ones to exercise and interact with their peers. The indoor play space offers age-appropriate opportunities for kids from one to 10 years of age. Come to free play (parents, you still need to supervise play) or host a private party. Or, do both!
Kid’s Cove at Bellevue Square
Some of the best shopping in the Pacific Northwest can be found at The Bellevue Collection. If you’re power shopping with a buddy in tow, don’t forget to stop by Kid’s Cove for a breather. The large play area, located on the third floor of Bellevue Square, is geared toward tots under 42” tall and is home to soft climbing toys that have a fun maritime theme (psst…the toys are inspired by the original ferryboat on the main floor of the mall back in the day). Who remembers that?! In this current space, kids can climb on a tug boat, crawl through a ferry and explore a lighthouse, castle, and plenty of sea creatures. Weary shoppers will appreciate the soft seating and table and chair set-ups (for easy snack consumption) and the close proximity to family restrooms.
WiggleWorks Kids
Jump, run, climb, spin and bounce your way through WiggleWorks Kids’ completely soft-play system that moves. This indoor gym accommodates infants through preschool-aged children (under 48” tall), and is designed to be a place where kids can learn and explore while working on gross motor skills, coordination and balance and increase their strength, flexibility and agility skills. For non-walkers, there is a specially designated area with age-appropriate toys and activities, safe from enthusiastic toddlers. Come for open play or register for some of their fun events, like Family Movie and Glow Play Night. Visit their online calendar for all the deets.
The Studio Fine Art Classes
Creative cats can express themselves at art class. The Studio Fine Art Classes teach students the techniques used by artists with classical training. During classes, students use different mediums: pastels, charcoal, watercolor and oil to learn the basics of drawing with one-on-one instruction. At the end of the class, your little artist will come home with a finished product, ready to frame and proudly display in your gallery. A variety of class times and projects are available for preschoolers through teens, but make sure you call ahead to make a reservation.
Crossroads Bellevue Public Market
If you feel like chicken yakisoba, but your oldest feels like pepperoni pizza and your youngest wants a burrito, head to Crossroads Bellevue. Stat! The Public Market International Restaurants at Crossroads houses restaurants from around the globe, all under one roof, in a relaxed, food hall-style atmosphere. When you walk through the doors, you’ll be inundated with delicious smells, making it difficult to select just one dish to order. We guarantee you’ll come back again and again because the food is fast, affordable and easy for everyone to choose just what they have a hankerin’ for at that specific moment. Psst…there’s plenty of open seating and oftentimes the stage has live music and entertainment. Check their online calendar.
Chace’s Pancake Corral
Craving some down home diner food? Head to longtime Bellevue hot spot, Chace’s Pancake Corral where the food and service are both delightful. We love breakfast at Chace’s because all our favorite breakfast foods are on the menu, but we’re partial to the biscuits with sausage gravy. The buttery biscuits topped with a generous serving of gravy are to die for. Kids can choose from chocolate chip dollar pancakes, traditional breakfast platters or bear pancakes. If you’re coming for lunch, you’ll find an extensive menu, but it’s the Chicken Fried Steak that is the real crowd-pleaser. It’s delish! The only downside is that parking can sometimes be tricky and the wait can be long. But that’s a sign of delicious food, right?
Tutta Bella Neapolitan Pizzeria
Ciao Bella! Tutta Bella’s authentic, wood-fired pizza pies taste like a slice of Italian heaven and their Bellevue restaurant is just as kid-friendly as it is delicious. From the Wikki Stix that are passed out to keep hangry kiddos busy to the open kitchen that allows kids to watch as their pizzas are being made, Tutta Bella is an easy restaurant to dine at with kids in tow. Psst…if your kids aren’t feeling like pizza, there is an extensive kid’s menu with favorites like pasta al burro or the Neapolitan meatball. Don’t forget the gelato for dessert!
Lincoln South Food Hall
Bellevue’s Lincoln South Food Hall offers a full-service dining scene that not only provides unique and delish chef-driven quick serve menu choices, but has plenty of options for even the pickiest of eaters and a family-friendly vibe we love. Located in the heart of downtown Bellevue, across the street from Bellevue Square and right below the Cinemark Reserve movie theatre is where you will find the Lincoln South Food Hall. Park in the Lincoln Square parking garage (parking is free with validation from the Lincoln South restaurants or shops within the Bellevue Collection) or access it from any of the covered skybridges that connect The Bellevue Collection and Bellevue Square with Lincoln Square North.
The space consists of seven fast-casual eateries all under one roof—each with a totally different vibe—but all with communal seating. If you’re thinking this sounds like a food court, think again. Lincoln South Food Hall has one general manager and one executive chef and offers a casual dining environment, which you could call part kitchen, part counter and part bar, and sets itself apart from other communal-type dining settings by providing guests with extra amenities (think: linen napkins, stainless-steel trays and a friendly staff who are on hand to bring you to-go containers, clear your plates and even fill your water glasses). Whether you’re in the mood for poké or have a hankering for street tacos, ramen or burgers, Lincoln South Food Hall has you covered.
Lincoln South Food Hall
500 Bellevue Way Online: lincolnsfh.com
Lunchbox Laboratory Lunchbox Lab is your go-to restaurant to create a burger you can only imagine in your dreams. Create your own or pick from the tried-and-true list of “burger experiments” such as the Burger of the Gods made with bleu cheese crumbles, candied balsamic onions and gorgonzola spread. Each burger comes with a choice of sides including the staple french fries, but feel free to try out the loaded mac du jour. Big kids are sure to love the tater tots and grilled cheese or let ’em try their hands at creating their very own burger experiment. Smaller appetites will enjoy classics off the kid’s menu like cheeseburgers, grilled cheese and classic mac and cheese. Lunchbox Lab also boasts a Shake Lab, a milkshake creation station featuring Snoqualmie Ice Cream. Stick with delicious ice cream and yummy add-ons or make it a boozie shake by adding a test tube of your favorite spirit! Psst…on Wednesdays, bring your mini burger connoisseurs into Lunchbox Laboratory from 5 p.m. to close where kids (under 12) will score a free kid’s meal with the purchase of an adult burger.
As parents, our greatest wish for our children is for them to be happy, healthy, and confident. Experts agree that curiosity and independent thinking are key ingredients to ensuring the development of these positive character traits; however, there is still often cultural and societal pressure for kids to conform to predetermined ideas and behaviors.
Raising kids who stand up for what they believe in and who march to the beat of their drums can be a delicate balancing act, but it’s essential to fostering a strong sense of self. According to says Carole Kramer Arsenault, a licensed family therapist, and founder and CEO of Boston Baby Nurse, “Independent thinking children develop higher levels of confidence and have increased self-esteem. Children who are independent thinkers use their own experiences to interpret the world instead of believing everything they are taught by parents, teachers, society, etc.”
We asked child behavior and early education experts for their advice on how to foster confidence and independent thinking in any child. Here are their 12 best tips for raising an independent thinker.
1. Model and share the behaviors, values, and ideals you want your independent kid to possess.
Modeling and sharing with your child what you believe and what you value—early and often—will ensure that she grows up with a solid ideological foundation as she develops her sense of self. “Parents who communicate what they value with their children raise children who value communicating with their parents,” says Mica Geer, an American early education specialist based in Stuttgart, Germany. Geer adds that it’s a two-way street and parents also need to hear what their children value, too. “It may seem like the ramblings of a child, but when a kid is sharing her thoughts, parents need to really listen.”
2. Let children know that failure is an essential part of learning and growing.
Young children are like sponges: they’ll absorb virtually everything around them. Encouraging kids to learn through their failures instead of giving up when things get tough will empower them in the long run. According to the Child Mind Institute, a nonprofit organization that supports families and children coping with mental illness and learning disabilities, “trial and error is how kids learn, and falling short on a goal helps kids find out that it’s not fatal.” By learning to embrace a misstep, a child may be spurred to put in the extra effort the next time, learning a valuable lesson.
3. Expose your child to different cultures, foods, and multicultural/multiethnic experiences.
“Encouraging your child to play and interact with other kids from all cultural and ethnic backgrounds and diverse socio-economic circumstances can open a child’s mind to different worldviews and opinions,” says Kramer Arsenault. Early exposure to the wider world—to different cultures, people, and even food—teaches a child that the world is vast and open to lots of possibilities.
4. Instead of simply pushing independence, encourage self-reliance.
Kipp Jareke-Cheng via Instagram
Dr. Jim Taylor, a San Francisco-based psychologist, says becoming an independent thinker is achieved through the pursuit of self-reliance. “As human beings, we are social creatures incapable of being truly independent. Instead of raising independent children, I want you to raise self-reliant children.” Dr. Taylor defines self-reliance as “confident in your own abilities and able to do things for yourself.” For children, that means encouraging the development of essential life tools that include cognitive, emotional, behavioral, interpersonal, and practical skills.
5. Tell your kids that practice makes perfect—or at least makes pretty great.
While experts agree that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to instilling confidence and independence in children, most recognize that values can and do change with time, age, and experience. The Center for Parenting Education provides useful resources for helping parents raise caring, responsible, resilient children, including practical exercises that parents and children can work on together to share and explore their basic life values.
6. Allow your kids to act their age.
One of the greatest and longest-lasting gifts a parent can give to a child is confidence. However, a parent can undermine a child’s confidence by creating expectations that are unrealistic or not age-appropriate. Carl Pickhardt, a psychologist, and author of 15 parenting books says, “When a child feels that only performing as well as parents is good enough, that unrealistic standard may discourage effort. Striving to meet advanced age expectations can reduce confidence.” Instead, he says parents should celebrate accomplishments big and small as well as encourage children to practice skills to build competence.
7. Define and set clear boundaries for your child.
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It may seem counter-intuitive, but defining and establishing clear boundaries and expectations will help a child feel a greater sense of independence and confidence. According to Geer, “reasonable boundaries that are based in logic and frequently reinforced actually do more to encourage kids than constantly changing expectations.” She adds that parents sometimes equate expectations with limitations, but kids always are looking for things that make them feel safe and in a safe environment to build their own ideas.
8. Give your child the space to grow, learn and explore.
Younger children especially are trying to assert their independence in ways that may come across as defiant or disorderly to some parents. But experts caution not to overreact or jump in to correct too quickly. “Research shows that parents who are over-involved in an activity that a child is doing, who take over, those kids don’t develop a sense of pride, adventure, and willingness to try new things,” says Dr. Linda Acredolo, professor emeritus of psychology at the University of California at Davis. Instead, Dr. Acredolo says children need the space to try—and fail on their own to learn and move forward.
9. Give responsibilities to your child at an early age.
Whether it’s simple household duties like taking out the trash or doing the dishes, assigning chores to children can give them a sense of accomplishment as well as set them up for understanding that seeing through the completion of tasks is essential throughout life and part of being a successful person. “By making them do chores… they realize, ‘I have to do the work of life in order to be part of life,’ ” says Julie Lythcott-Haims, a former Stanford University dean and the author of How to Raise an Adult.
10. Encourage your child to ask questions and share their opinions.
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Rather than enforcing your own perspective or dismissing your child’s questions, encouraging your child to question things and share their opinions and genuinely listen will help them gain confidence in their ideas. “This shows the child that his viewpoints matter. Parents should engage in actively listening to what their child has to say. When a child feels listened to he feels valued,” says Kramer Arsenault. And feeling valued will enhance your child’s self-esteem and confidence.
11. Teach children that they have agency over their minds and bodies.
Children rely on so much from their parents and caregivers when they are young, but as they transition from childhood into adolescence, one of the most important lessons they need to learn is that they have agency over their minds and bodies. Parents can help facilitate the transition of their children’s dependence to greater independence by ensuring that their kids know the choices they make have consequences. The Center for Parenting Education has a helpful resource for helping parents and children navigate effective discipline and consequences.
12. Trust your kids.
According to Dr. Jim Taylor, there are two kinds of children: independent and contingent. Contingent children are dependent on others for how they feel about themselves, while independent children are intrinsically motivated to achieve. Trusting that your child has learned the right lessons will allow him or her to flourish in their independence. “If your children are independent, you have provided them with the belief that they are competent and capable of taking care of themselves. You gave your children the freedom to experience life fully and learn its many important lessons,” says Dr. Taylor.
