Control the scroll by following our favorite accounts for nursery decor ideas.
We’ve all been there: We pop online for nursery inspiration and 40 minutes later, we’re still scrolling and feeling more stressed than excited. There’s no question that Instagram is an amazing source of design guidance and creative energy, but it helps to start with a list of truly gifted resources to avoid wasting precious time. So we’ve rounded up 11 accounts that will help inspire the nursery of your dreams and save you time—the greatest resource of all!
A one-stop feed for all things nursery, Project Nursery tops our list of the best feeds to follow for nursery inspiration. They curate a wide range of styles from Southern-inspired to boho farmhouse and everything in between; scroll through the feed and find a beautifully designed nursery for every style and taste. You can even upload your project to their website once you finish to pay it forward and inspire the next home designer.
A go-to resource for all things eclectic and cheerful, Cubby’s feed is filled with not only stunning nursery inspiration but other clever design ideas to help with shared spaces, small spaces, storage, transitioning babies to toddler rooms, and much more.
Sarah and Josh, the parent duo behind Timberwoods Design, aim to provide a loving nod to generations past with their beautiful series of scrips and blocks. Each piece is created by hand, timeless, and loved by children and parents. That’s their primary business, but we’re featuring them because their Instagram feed is a wonderland of precious, peaceful nurseries (and babies!). Take a scroll through and just try not to be inspired to design your little one’s nursery around their beautiful handcrafted art.
WINTER DAISY, a design studio and blog created by Melissa Barling, has a feed that not only inspires but also gives plenty of functional design ideas to help make your baby’s nursery come together in both a beautiful and practical way. Check out her blog for tutorials on everything from designing a kids’ bathroom to creating the perfect art space. WINTER DAISY is a fabulous resource when kids and design intersect.
If you love color and bold design choices and want to incorporate them into your little one’s nursery, look no further than Dubai-based, French native and mother of three Emilie J. Her studio, Stella + the Stars, is known for showing how to use styling and decor to make a big statement on a small budget. So go ahead and swing into this feed. We promise you won’t want to leave.
If you want to work with a company to design your baby’s room, Havenly is a great first stop on your path to decorating a blank slate. You can use it for any room in your home, not just nurseries, and they help with everything from budgeting to sourcing. Havenly works with several reasonably priced retailers, like Wayfair and Target, meaning you can ask your designer to choose a crib that’s under $300. Wondering what mobile would work over the crib or where to find a stylish glider? For $19, you can get hands-on help with smaller details. Check out their Insta-feed for inspiration and to see if you’d like to move on to their website for more info.
You might not think of a wallpaper business as your first online visit for nursery inspiration, but we promise that Livette’s Wallpaper’s Insta account will make you a believer. As they say, nothing spices up a room quite like wallpaper, and their collection of baby nursery designs instantly creates a calm and serene baby room for your little one to grow into. They offer gender-neutral options as well as florals and bolder looks. The best part—all of them are removable! And, even if wallpaper isn’t your thing, check out their feed for other design ideas; it’s brimming with them.
If you want interior design and nursery inspiration plus a healthy dose of laughter and #realtalk, check out Dominy’s feed. The account is filled with playful rooms and beautiful colors, but our favorite reason to visit is Dominy’s hilarious reels. She’s not afraid to have fun with the ups and downs of parenting, and the account is a great reminder that laughing and designing go hand in hand.
Poppyseed Play creates tasteful and functional baby gyms, toys, and mats that your baby will love. They’ve also designed a beautifully curated feed of gorgeous nurseries that are sure to inspire. If you’re looking for soft colors and a serene aesthetic, start scrolling through this account today.
This account is filled with award-winning nursery lookbooks, and the website has tons of resources, such as nursery organization ideas, a nursery design style quiz, and helpful hints for parents with newborns.
Author of Your Perfect Nursery, Naomi Allen Coe founded Little Crown Interiors in 2008, focusing her design studio on nurseries and child spaces after seeing this specialized skill missing from other firms. Unlike other interior designers, she solely focuses on nurseries, which means her feed is filled with all nurseries, all the time. You can also visit the website and sign up for Naomi’s nursery essentials!
Make sure to capture a few snaps of your creative baby space—and share them with your family and friends near and far—with the Tinybeans app. The secure platform puts parents in total control of who sees and interacts with photos and videos of their kids.
Your wallet is getting a holiday, too, thanks to these Memorial Day sales
Memorial Day weekend. The unofficial start of summer, the time to break out the grill and cold drinks, and the perfect excuse to indulge in some serious shopping. Whether you’re in the market for a new swimsuit or just looking to upgrade your home decor, Memorial Day weekend steals are the perfect opportunity to score some serious deals. To help you navigate the sea of sales, we’ve compiled a list of the best Memorial Day sales out there.
All the products and Memorial Day sales 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.
Memorial Day Weekend 2022 is here and it’s officially one of the biggest shopping events of the year. Some of your favorite baby brands are offering big discounts, deals, and steals on merchandise for military personnel and beyond.
We’ve sussed out the best baby deals so you can save time and money shopping for yourself and for your family! Bookmark this page as we will be constantly updating it with the best Memorial Day Weekend baby deals through the weekend.
Here are the top baby deals and steals you don’t want to miss out on this year:
Baby Brand Deals
buybuyBABY: Save up to 25% this weekend on baby furniture, from cribs and nursery chairs to bassinets and organizers.
When it comes to a family vacation, kids just wanna have fun. One of the easiest ways to make that happen is to book a property that features a kids club. So we did the research (and asked a lot of little experts) to find the best resorts with the coolest experiences. Our list includes hotels and resorts that offer epic encounters, opportunities to learn and grow, and the chance to make new friends from all over the world. From Beaches and Club Med to other all-inclusive resorts, here’s the buzz on hotels that cater to kids with unique décor, plus fun and extraordinary activities. What are you waiting for?
Note: While COVID restrictions are being lifted, check with your resort to see which activities are currently offered.
USA
Fairmont Scottsdale - Scottsdale, AZ
courtesy Fairmont Scottsdale Princess
This luxury property takes kids' fun to the extreme with four family-friendly pools and the Trailblazers Kids Club. Explore interactive group activities and themed adventures every day. From 9 am - 1 pm, children 5-12 will have a blast with supervised games, crafts, sports, and virtual reality fun on the I-Beam interactive floor. Kids can make solar oven s'mores, pan for gold, play dodgeball and take nature walks. After hours, visit the Trailblazers Recreation Center together and dig into the virtual reality sandbox, play a life-sized game of Pac-Man, borrow basketballs for the sports court or rent fishing poles for their catch-and-release fishing program. Meet desert animals like their resident tortoise, Cecil.
In these beautiful, lush surroundings, it’s all about the beach. Kids from 4-13 will dig into the sand and have a fun time exploring all things water. Planning to reopen in April 2022, Kids Camp will feature daily activities like Picasso art lessons, catching a wave on a boogie board, playing life-size chess/checkers or hanging with resort mascot Duney the Dolphin. Daily themes include Move and Groove Monday and Super Soaked Saturday. Full-day, half-day and evening programs available. Check out the two family pools, splash pad and playground. New Family Fun Package includes a $100 dining credit, s’mores kit, kites and 2-hour bike rental for up to four guests.
Located on a 50-square mile island, The Nantucket Hotel & Resort offers kids 3-12 lots of cool things to do. Their complimentary Kids Club morning program is a blast, featuring nature and ocean crafts, tie-dye, crabbing for shells, and a Lily Pond Walk. The highlight is getting to ride on an antique fire truck through town. On Saturday morning walking adventures, kids learn about the island and its former residents on a Pirates Day Adventure. Programs run from Jun. 27 through Sept. 3, 2022. Their Kids’ Club Evening program includes dinner, outdoor games and a movie, all while parents enjoy a date night, Jul. 1st through Sept. 3rd, 2022 on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday Evenings.
Chill out at this awesome resort in Kissimmee where kids are king! Margaritaville features the thrilling Island H2O Live! Water Park with 20 experiences, and it's open from Mar. – Nov. There’s also a wave pool with ocean waves, a river raft ride and a splash pad. Innovative technology lets guests share their experiences on social media with their friends back home! Guests can also discover the island vibe at the resort’s Fins Up Beach Club—head to the Sunset Walk Promenade for live entertainment and street markets. Dine at the Estefan’s Kitchen. Yep, we're talking about Emilio and Gloria’s restaurant.
Create memorable family vacations at DreamMore Resort. Accommodations include rooms with bunk beds, plus fun throughout the property like s’mores, apple cider tasting and bedtime stories in the lobby. Kids ages 4-10 years old will love Camp DW, featuring ranger talks, painting birdhouses and pool parties (in the summer). Share the fun in the family game room or fort-style playground. Jump into Dollywood Splash Country Waterpark (opens Memorial Day Weekend) and thrill to Dollywood with 40 rides, great entertainment, and award-winning dining.
Kids’ imaginations will soar at this tropical paradise. Play with dress-up gear, see Disney films, navigate an outdoor play structure and meet Disney characters throughout the resort. Add in the rich culture of the Hawaii islands and it’s a winning combination. There are also plenty of activities for tweens and teens, including water play, games, boogie boarding, adventure trails, the Aloha House Party, the North Shore Beach Zone and more. Check their website to see when Aunty’s Beach Club and other kids’ programs plan to reopen.
Acqualina Resort & Spa on the Beach - Miami Beach, FL
Courtesy of Acquamarine Resort
This five-star resort treats kids like little scientists and turns the experience into a marine learning adventure. More than two-thirds of the Acqualina is dedicated to family residences with a relaxed, kid-focused atmosphere. The hotel's award-winning kids' program, AcquaMarine uses a marine biology-inspired program for children ages 5-12. There are themed days like Amazing Alligators, Feisty Fish, Ocean Mammals and Super Sea Storms. Kids will learn about all things oceanic, from the Coast Guard to science projects about waves through outdoor games, technology and creative activities. There's also an oceanfront soccer field, basketball net, foosball, chess, plus pool and beach games. The best part? The daily program is complimentary to hotel guests. Currently available Thurs.-Sun. by appointment only.
In the beautiful Pacific Northwest, just east of Seattle, lies this sprawling, year-round resort. Enjoy condominium-type accommodations, ideal for families with lots of kids’ activities. Take in the great outdoors with hiking, biking, even ax-throwing or have fun at the Great Suncadia Scavenger Hunt. Try the Build-a-Bear, Painting Kits or Tie-Dye Down at the Farm. Come winter, families can experience the thrill of the hill on an inner tube, ice skating and sleigh rides.
Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort - Hilton Head, SC
Courtesy of Disney Hilton Head Resort
You’ll spend plenty of quality time with your family at this Disney Resort. Enjoy singing, storytelling and roasting marshmallows around the campfire. Go crabbing on the resort pier, take a walk with a naturalist and zip down a wraparound Water Tower Slide at the Big Dipper. Play Goofy Bingo with trivia questions, sweet treats and plenty of fun. Bring the whole family to watch classic Disney movies at their outdoor movie theatre under the stars or just hang out at the beach. Trek on down to the Disney Beach House to swim at the pool and hang out at the game tables.
A true island escape set on 12 miles of the world's best beach; Beaches Turks & Caicos is the ultimate all-inclusive vacation for families. Discover endless land and water sports, and global gourmet dining at 21 restaurants with luxurious rooms and suites. Fun, family-friendly activities include Sesame Street® stage shows, The Pirates Island Waterpark and swim-up soda bars. There are even two new food trucks by the waterpark that offers Mac & Cheese and ice cream creations. That’s why Beaches Turks & Caicos has been voted Top 25 Hotels for Families in the World by TripAdvisor® year after year. Kids Camp is available for kids of all ages, from tots to teens, with certified nannies and Kids Camp staffers. For children with special needs, Beaches is the first resort in the world to offer Autism Certification with specialized service, engaging activities and custom dining options.
You may have experienced properties that promote themselves "family friendly," but the Martinhal Resorts take this to a whole new level. With four properties in Portugal, Martinhal Resorts truly are luxury resorts designed with parents in mind. Their incredible kid's program covers ages six months and up. When staying at Martinhal Chiado, the world's first luxury family hotel in a city center, kids can visit the kids club from 9:30-6. It's all included in the room charge. A special "pajama club" offers childcare services (for an additional fee) until 10 p.m. each evening, allowing parents to enjoy a night out in Lisbon.
Similar offerings are available at Martinhal's three other properties in Cascais, Sagres and Quinta. At Martinhal Cascais the Kids Clubhouse is unlike any you've ever seen, with over 7,700 square feet of play space and spacious outdoor playgrounds for children. Free supervised sessions are available for kids ages 19 mo - 9, allowing parents to enjoy meals on their own or take day trips to nearby towns. Check out their website for special packages.
Kids have a blast when they learn to interact with nature and be part of preserving the resort's ecosystem. At the luxury resort Banyan Tree Mayakoba, kids can monitor the release of baby turtles as they swim back to the sea to freedom between May and November. Kids can also learn to kayak, snorkel, boogie board and Latin dance. Explore the wildlife of the mangroves on an eco-tour, or even swim with the dolphins in their natural habitats.
Escape to Splash at Coconut Bay Resort with your fam and explore 50,000 square feet of active play areas including a zip line, rock-climbing wall, water park and a petting zoo that doubles as a sanctuary for rescued animals. Share the memories with the weekly hayride/beach party. Watch turtles being released from the beach to the water in the nesting season. Join the CocoLand Kidz Klub and get an awesome Coco Backpack, a water bottle, a t-shirt and a hat. Learn about pirates, ecology and wildlife with their SCOUT program, which stands for Seeing, Crafting, Observing, Understanding, Tasting, Saint Lucia.
Dare you try the flying trapeze, bungee jumping and aerial acrobatics? Or would you be happier bouncing on the trampolines? Everyone gets to be a kid at this all-inclusive Club Med, including those four and up. Pairing with Cirque du Soleil, the resort’s program showcases a circus-inspired interactive arts program called CREACTIVE, which provides recreational acrobatic and artistic activities inspired by the circus.
Club Med is also known for its outstanding children’s programming starting at four months with Baby Club Med (0-2) and Petit Club Med (2-3). Age-appropriate activities include creative workshops, archery, water sports, DJ instruction for tweens, digital treasure hunts and lots more.
Check out the all-inclusive Velas Vallartadesigned for families, starting with a range of accommodations including up to three-bedroom suites. Every day brings new adventure at their Kids Club, which offers a full calendar of board and video games, tennis lessons, sandcastle competitions, stone painting, arts and crafts, scavenger hunts, movie nights and more. Open to children ages 4-12 years old, the little ones participate in ceramic painting, while the adults get to relax with yoga, cultural tours, nightly entertainment, eco-friendly activities, water sports and more. Everyone gets to celebrate at the weekly Mexican Fiesta. New is their Bonfire on the Beach, which includes cocktails, gourmet dinner and a decadent dessert, all overlooking Banderas Bay.
Inspired by the Scout movement and incorporating the theory of multiple intelligences, Iberostar's Star Camp strives to combine fun with values and includes a range of 140 activities, based on age. Kids enjoy 12 different categories including team sports, group challenges, science and cooking activities, board games, arts, crafts, dance and even technology. Most important, they learn how to protect underwater life.
Check out the Monkeys (ages 4-7), Dolphins (ages 8-12) and Eagles (ages 13-17). You might see members of Star Camp at headquarters and then, an hour later, they’ll be on the beach participating in a scavenger hunt. They cruise the lazy river, play capture the flag, do escape room challenges, have mini-chef baking challenges. Every night from 8 p.m. - 9 p.m., they perform on the main stage, complete with costumes and great memories!
Prepare your kiddos for playtime to the max! At the Moon Palace, the two resorts’ state-of-the-art Kids & Teens areas are amazing inside and out. Let’s start with water – enjoy the Double Wave Simulator Flowrider, giant waterslide and a kiddie pool for hours of fun in the sun. The colorful Kids Playroom at Sunrise gets two thumbs up with a dollhouse, Skate n Play, an X-Box room, theatre and more. The Nizuc Playroom adds a PlayStation Video Game area, computers, tablets and toy area. Spend time riding bikes, paddleboarding, kayaking and more as a family.
In-the-know travelers have discovered Portugal as a family vacation destination full of picturesque coastline, history and amazing dining opportunities. We spent a week in Lisbon and the coastal town of Cascais and have a number of tips on how to make the most of your stay in this corner of Portugal. From must-take tours to the ultimate family-friendly resorts, leave the Portugal planning to us!
1. Put Lisbon on your list.
Kate Loweth
We love Lisbon as a destination for families because it is super easy to navigate without having to rent a car. The city is built on seven hills so things can get a little steep, but the streetcars are plentiful, inexpensive and easy to navigate. Kids will love them not only as a way to avoid walking but as an adventure on their own. Board them at the beginning of the line and you can nab a window seat to tour the city.
2. Taste the culture with Eating Europe.
Kate Loweth
A great way to get to know a new country is by experiencing its food through a food tour. We love the Eats, Street Art and Undiscovered Lisbon tour that is offered by Eating Europe, especially for families with older kids and adventurous eaters. The tour takes you through the neighborhoods of Baixa and Mouraria to taste local favorites like codfish salad, dumplings from Mozambique and fried sardines. You'll learn that codfish is the national dish of Portugal despite the fact that codfish isn't from Portugal.
Along the way you'll see the street art throughout the area and learn lots about the history of the city. Other highlights include a traditional fado performance and a visit to a medieval church that survived the great earthquake of 1755. Save room as the tour ends with a stop to try warm-out-of-the-oven pastel de nata—the custard tarts you will see all over Lisbon.
We recommend booking this tour early in your Lisbon visit. The information gained from your knowledgeable tour guide is invaluable and you'll want to make full use of his advice for the duration of your stay.
You may have been to properties that deem themselves "family-friendly" but the Martinhal properties take this to a whole new level. Martinhal Chiado is the world's first luxury family hotel in a city center and it is the ideal spot to stay with your family in Lisbon.
In addition to thoughtful in-room amenities like step stools and high chairs, all of the rooms here are apartment-style with kitchens and a washer-dryer combo. Even larger families can feel at home here with two-bedroom suites available that include a room that sleeps four kids in bunk beds! Need a baby bath, diapers or bottle warmers? The Baby Concierge is available to provide these items to you for your stay.
Kate Loweth
It really is all about the kids at Martinhal Chiado (sorry, parents!). They have an incredible kids club program that covers ages six months and up. Kids can visit the kids club from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and there no additional cost, it's all included in the room charge. A special "pajama club" offers childcare services (for an additional fee) until 10 p.m. each evening, allowing parents to enjoy a night out in Lisbon.
Breakfast is pajamas-optional at Martinhal Chiado and included with your stay at the downstairs MBar. The plentiful buffet includes local specialties like pastel de nata, and warm dishes like pancakes and omelettes are available. Cereal, fruit, toast and croissants provide lots of kid-friendly options. Order breakfast delivered to your room or reserve a to-go box if you have an early morning flight.
Rates at Martinhal Chiado start at €178 for the Deluxe Studio.
4. Head to Cascais for the ultimate coastal vibes.
Kate Loweth
Just a 40-minute drive or short train ride from Lisbon is the coastal town of Cascais where you can breathe the ocean air and spend some time at the beach. It's a great addition to your Lisbon visit as it gives you a different glimpse of Portuguese life. Walk along the cliffs and stop for lunch at the many cafes offering ocean views. Along your walk into town, visit the Boca do Inferno or "Hell's Mouth" to see the crashing sea. Locals recommend Guincho Beach for those looking for sand and surf.
5. Relax in style at Martinhal Cascais.
Kate Loweth
Like the Lisbon property, Martinhal Cascais is all about families. From Deluxe rooms that include bunk beds for the kids, to two-bedroom villas that come complete with full kitchens and sleep up to six, there's definitely room for your crew to spread out here. The property is located in a quiet neighborhood above the rocky coast of Cascais and you can borrow bikes from the on-site Bike Station to explore the area.
Those looking for some pampering can book some time at the property's Finisterra Spa where parent-child manicures and massages are available. After your treatments, relax in the indoor/outdoor pool and sauna. We love the resort's family-focus with the elegant sophistication of a luxury resort.
Kate Loweth
Martinhal Cascais has a Kids Clubhouse unlike any you've ever seen, with over 7,700 square feet of play space and spacious outdoor playgrounds for children. Free supervised sessions are available for kids ages 19 months through age 9 to allow parents to enjoy meals on their own or take day-trips to nearby towns. Infants receive free time in the baby room from November through March, with services available for a fee during the remaining months.
Beyond the indoor clubhouse, there is a massive green space for kids to run around and play. A trampoline, zipline and sand pit are highlights. Families gather for soccer games and the property is more than happy to create programs for teens and tweens in your family. Three pools make it easy to spend your time relaxing.
Families can enjoy meals at the two on-site restaurants, both of which have a play area corner where staff members are available to supervise kids who finish their meal early so that parents can enjoy their cappuccino with the foam still on it. Brilliant! In addition to kids menu items, little foodies can older smaller portions off the adult menu if there's something there they'd like to try.
Read our full review of the Martinhal Resorts here.
6. Bring home recipes as souvenirs with Traveling Spoon.
Kate Loweth
If you are looking to create some amazing family memories of your time in Portugal, then book a culinary experience with Traveling Spoon. Traveling Spoon finds and vets talented home cooks throughout the world who will host you and your family on market tours, cooking experiences and in-home meals. Kids will love seeing what foods are popular in Portugal, how codfish is salted and stored outside of the refrigerator and how families like yours eat on special occasions.
Paulinha Sousa
We were lucky enough to experience a market tour and cooking experience with Paulinha, a talented cook specializing in Portuguese and Goan-influenced cuisine. The day started with a short ferry ride from Lisbon to Almada and then a market tour where sardines, olives and citrus were plentiful. The cooking experience happened in Paulinha's cooking studio where she also bakes intricate cakes for locals.
Families will enjoy being put to work in the kitchen making Goan gram flour fritters made with onion and cumin seeds and bacalhau a braz, a traditional Portuguese dish of cod with shredded potatoes and hard boiled eggs. There's something about the tactile nature of cooking and smelling all of the spices that will make this a truly memorable experience, especially for kids.
Once your meal is cooked, enjoy the fruits of your labor with Paulinha as she waves to the locals walking by her storefront. Immersing yourself in the local neighborhood life will give your family a literal taste of what it's like to be a family in Portugal. Bring home the memories of this experience and relive it by recreating the dishes you cooked at home.
Do yourself a favor and book a non-stop flight on TAP Air Portugal for your family holiday. With new direct flights from SFO, Washington D.C. and Chicago, the journey is easy from anywhere in the U.S..
If you are traveling with a baby, carrycots are available at the time of booking. They also have child and infant meals available when you request them in advance. We found the onboard movie selection to be pretty comprehensive and it included a number of kid-friendly shows. Make sure you bring along comfortable headphones for your little travelers (earbuds are provided).
Presents, cake and doting… first birthdays are fun for the guest of honor, but attendees over the age of one are going to need more than a smash cake to keep them entertained. Make sure this memorable milestone is a success by hosting your celebration in an activity-filled play land for crawlers. Scroll down to check out seven fabulous venues where everyone can eat their cake and have fun too.
Munchkin Playland caters to kidlets under 48 inches tall, so your baby, their crawling friends, and their toddler buddies will all be welcome to play together. The space is designed for little ones to play while parents relax, so you and your grown-up guests can keep an eye on the party action while you get a moment's break to mingle with the other 48 inch plus partygoers. After the rental cost, you can save money by bringing your own food and drink. Prices start at $195 for up to 50 guests for two hours.
This is a great spot for mixed age levels. Not only will you get a private room for your guest of honor, but partygoers are all welcome to stay and play as long as they like. Crawlers even have a sectioned off area at this three-story play palace, with bead mazes and ball play. Bring your own cake and ice cream, or just add them on to your package for a no-fuss first birthday fete. Packages start at $150 for ten children.
This is a favorite west side destination for their committment to kids’ fun, games, and development. There’s plenty to do here for crawlers and walkers alike, but kids especially love digging around in the dig pit and unearthing buried treasures from the dried beans. Party packages start at $150 for a private party with up to ten children. Outside food and drink is a-okay, and use of a kitchenette is included.
Looking to take one more to-do item off your list? A shindig here includes the staff sending out your invitations. The day of, they'll take care of clean-up and set-up, drinks, paper goods, and exclusive use of the facility for your party. Not only that, but you'll have a party assistant, and a an instructor for age-appropriate activities. Packages start at $240 for 15 children.
17890 SW McEwan Rd. Lake Oswego 503-595-9702 Online: thelittlegym.com
You'll get Sellwood's hopping spot for kid fun all to yourselves when you book a private party here. Their play area is designed for kiddos under five, including pre-walkers, with a train table, a small structure with a slide, toy bins, and a school bus with sensory play. Prices start $165 for a private party and includes rental, help with set-up and clean-up and an assistant for your party. Food, drink, and other ala carte items can be added.
A train table, puppet theater and play house, give kids plenty of opportunities for mixed ages to exercise their imaginations, and the baby room, featuring an eight-foot sensory wall, has good sightlines to the other play areas. If your one-year-old is too much of an explorer to stay in one place for very long, save a little cash by trying a host-your-own party. $15, plus admission fees, gets you cake time at a reserved table. Other party package choices include a private party room, theme parties, or a costume party with a visit from a favorite character.
2731 NE Bunn Rd. McMinnville 503-435-0600 Online: imagine-play.com
This stellar spot offers 3,000 sq. ft. of play space and a bouncy house, so it’s great for a variety of friends and family members ages 1-10. There’s even a special climbing area just for babies and toddlers. For the party itself, parents purchasing the basic package will get a dedicated PLAY specialist to help with the party, exclusive use of the celebration area with supplies laid out in the theme of your choice, snacks, water, cupcake decorating and clean-up. PLAY Boutique has supplies for a wide variety of party themes, including Dora and Diego, Barnyard Bash and Lemonade Stand. The Basic Party package is good for up to 15 kids and is $275. If you have your party Monday through Thursday, it’s $200. More good news - PLAY Boutique has two locations.
Your crib assembly manual may be bigger than a Webster’s Dictionary. Take a deep breath and save time feathering the rest of your baby’s nest by using an online decorating service. This more affordable alternative to hiring an onsite designer gives you the e-tools you need — and sometimes simply inspiration — to create the oasis of your dreams. Sit back and click your way to baby room bliss with these services.
photo: courtesy of Havenly
Havenly The Process: This new, super-polished site presents you with a quick style survey. Submit it with a few photos of the nursery-to-be and a designer will take care of the rest. Once your online guru has all your info, you two will have a 30-minute consultation to hammer out your hopes and dreams. The expert will use her creative powers to come up with a digital mockup, and you’ll have the opportunity to make two revisions to make sure everything’s perfect. Expect a final proof with a list of products and furnishings that you go out and buy to make the design a reality.
The Vibe:
Your high-end nursery mockup will make you feel like you’re standing in the doorway of a fully finished room. The mockup is a photographic floor plan that will make you want to reach out and feel the fluffy rug, open the chest of drawers and spin your adorable polar bear mobile. With unique feathered light fixtures, intricate printed wallpaper and sleek cribs, choices are tailored to those interested in rearing a future Anna Wintour.
The Perks:
For a flat fee of $185, moms-to-be can have a stress-free experience that gives you creative control, but also lets the design pros do all of the heavy lifting. When you do have to take over, Havenly gives you the option of one-click buying, which connects you to the perfect pre-selected products for your little one’s new room
Get Started:
Email hello@havenly.com or go to havenly.com.
A. Peltier Interiors The Process: Amy Peltier is a Southern California mom with a passion for designing for future mommies all over the country. Amy helps you find products that combine different styles from a variety of vendors. You have a choice of two packages, depending on your budget and needs. If you’re wallet-conscious, go with a Petite Peltier Nursery Bundle. You’ll get a choice of ready-made combinations of design boards, shopping lists, floor plans and how-to manuals at a range of price points. If you want to go all out, the Custom Online Nursery Design is decidedly more customized, giving you access to a personal designer that tailors a bundle to your individiual needs and style.
The Vibe:
If you love Pinterest, you’ll flip for A. Peltier. They present you with a trove of products that range in style and come from a variety of vendors. If you’re going farmhouse vintage, bright and colorful, clean and simple, or a little bit of everything, you can use this resource to mix and match unique pieces to create an eclectic baby space.
The Perks:
There is no need to make massive purchases all at once. You can buy a few pieces here and there, or just one at a time. You’re also free to incorporate heirloom pieces or special items you found on your own.
Get Started:
Email: designer@peltierinteriors.com or go to peltierinteriors.com.
photo: via Pottery Barn Kids
Pottery Barn Kids The Process: Choose one of the gazillions of pre-designed rooms, or start with a blank canvas for your nursery mockup. The ready-made rooms allow you to swap out pieces, change furniture and flooring colors, resize furniture, and add in new pieces until your heart’s content. The blank canvas gives you the same options, and is great for parents with a designer’s eye and specific vision.
The Vibe:
These mock-ups will allow you to explore a bird’s-eye view of a digital drawing that will give you basic outlines of the furniture and accessories for the entire space. Create a space for a mini royal with clean lines and pin-tucked details, or punch things up with a turquoise crib or bright pink rugs. This is a great way to figure out what furniture will work in your space while you play around with color combos for furniture, accessories and flooring.
The Perks:
This free service is one part reality and one part imagination. Of course, you can pick your favorite Pottery Barn items to ground the room, but you can also add your own bright orange crib or green armoire to represent items you already own or unique pieces you’re hoping to find. When you feel your mock-up is complete you can save, share and print it as a source of inspiration or use it as a design blueprint.
Get Started:
Email: potterybarnkidsdesignservices@wsgc.com or go to potterybarnkids.com.
photo: via FIsher-Price
Room to Bloom The Process: Fisher-Price is in on the online decorating game, too. Its e-service lets you become your own interior designer, and mix patterns and colors to get a feel for what your bambino’s space is going to look like. Create a mockup using products from brand themes like My Little Snugamonkey, Coral Floral and My Little Lamb Platinum. Let the monkeys, lambs or bright colors inspire you to test different types of flooring, paint colors and even paint patterns. Add graphic checker patterns or alternating stripes to the walls, and switch carpet for dark hardwood to bring a sleeker sensibility to the room.
The Vibe:
This is the place to go for parents who are just starting to make plans for their new bundle of joy. Embrace kid-friendly products in a room that your messy lovable bug can call home. With a few photographic images of the themed baby products and a couple digitized drawings of basic furniture, the mock-up lets you focus on the general color palette and style of the room. It’s less of a roadmap, and more of an inspiration center for paint, flooring and the basic colors that you want to incorporate.
The Perks:
This free tool can help budget conscious parents create a nursery full of cuddly cartoon-ish characters that won’t break the bank. With print, save and Facebook share buttons, this service is designed to be totally user friendly.
