Looking for dye-free Easter egg decorating ideas this year? We’ve combed the web to find genius, non-smelly (no vinegar) Easter egg coloring ideas, and we found a bunch of unique ways to decorate. Using everything from tissue paper and Cool Whip to tempera paint and sprinkles, some are still messy (these are kids we’re dealing with, after all), and some are more like Easter crafts—and they’re all super fun.

When you’re done, check out our favorite Easter Bunny ideas, silly Easter jokes, the best Easter movies for kids, and fun Easter games

Elemental Easter Eggs

How gorgeous would these eggs look in a basket? Get the details from Momdot.

No-Dye Tie Dye Eggs

We love these vibrant eggs from A Little Pinch of Perfect. You’ll be amazed at how easy they are to make with items you have in the house.

Egg Ninjas

Check out these adorable ninja eggs from Ohoh Blog—they’re sure to be a hit with kids of all ages. You’ll just need some paint, toothpicks and a ribbon.

Disco Ball Easter Eggs

The Incredible Egg

Get your groove on with what has to be one of the sparkliest Easter egg decorating ideas we've seen. Since a craft blade is a required tool, this one is best for older kids or just parents who love to get crafty. Get the details from The Incredible Egg. 

Gold Decoupage Eggs

This Easter egg decorating idea from Sugar and Charm is pure gold. Using delicate gold leaf, the project requires some patience, but the results are worth the effort. There’s one of a simple bunny silhouette we especially love.

Whimsical Eggs

A crown made from baby’s breath adds a whimsical touch to these charming eggs crafted by Flax & Twine. Make them your own by adding different colorful buds to the crown or personalizing them with sweet faces.

Related: 12 Tasty Easter Treats Ideas You Can Easily Pull Off

Brush Pens

using markers is a creative Easter egg decorating idea
Color Made Happy

Create faux watercolor eggs by using brush pens, a little water, and a lot of imagination! These less-messy decorative ideas from Color Made Happy bypasses traditional dyes and lets your littles create one-of-a-kind works of art.

Cool Whip Eggs

easter egg decorating ideas without dye
Boulder Locavore

These dyed eggs use fluffy Cool Whip and food coloring to create an edible and kid-friendly craft. Simply swirl small amounts of food coloring into a tray of the whipped topping and roll eggs! Get all the details on this dye-free activity over at Boulder Locavore.

Temporary Tattoo Eggs

temporary tattoo eggs
Brit Co.

Temporary tattoos give the illusion of a hand-painted masterpiece, but we promise these awesome eggs only look time-consuming. Made in just minutes, they can feature anything from bugs to ballerinas or your kids' favorite superhero. The sky is the limit! Check out the how-to at Brit + Co.

Confetti Eggs

tissue paper eggs, easter egg decorating ideas
Brit Co.

Have a confetti party with this festive idea from Brit + Co. Kids can pick out their favorite colors of tissue paper, then brush the confetti on the eggs with a layer of Mod Podge. Sticky, but so worth it!

Sweet Sprinkled Easter Eggs

sprinkle eggs, Easter egg decorating ideas
Studio DIY

Covered in sprinkles, these eggs from Studio DIY are adorable. It might get a little messy, but it’s well worth the effort.

Related: 15 Perfect Easter Paper Crafts for Kids

Positive Eggfirmation Easter Eggs

The Incredible Egg

Uplifting phrases or quotes for Easter? Sounds perfect for this Spring holiday. Have your kids help you pick what you want to write on your Easter eggs, and then follow the simple instructions from The Incredible Egg. 

Bedazzled Beauties

Paper & Stitch via Momtastic

Adorn this year’s eggs with a little bling. Paper & Stitch used sparkling jewels and gems to create fun shapes and patterns in a variety of shimmering hues. Visit Momtastic for the how-to.

Wild Watercolors

watercolor easter eggs, non-dye easter egg decorating ideas
A Pumpkin and a Princess

The perfect project for even the youngest artist, we love these pastel eggs from A Pumpkin and a Princess. Whether you prefer a marbled look, ombré gradation, or a tie-dye effect (minus the dye), there’s no wrong way to decorate with watercolors.

Bunny Ears

make pipe cleaner bunny ears as an Easteer egg decorating idea
The Nerd’s Wife

With soft, pipe cleaner ears and sweet hand-drawn faces, these adorable rabbits are perfect for getting your little bunny ready for Easter. Consider dressing up these simple eggs by adding googly eyes or a pompom tail. Easy enough to make with your preschooler, learn how over at The Nerd’s Wife.

Emoji Eggs

Emoji eggs
Studio DIY

If no text message is complete without a yellow face to express your every thought and feeling, then you’ll love the Emoji Easter eggs designed by Studio DIY. Check out the steps for recreating your favorite emoticon, from winks to grimaces, express yourself with eggs this Easter.

Washi Tape Eggs

use washi tape when decorating Easter eggs
Lovely Indeed

What can't you create with washi? We are totally inspired by these gems from Lovely Indeed. Parents can cut the tape into different shapes, and tots can stick the pieces in whatever design they dream up.

Chicken Eggs

Ginger Snap Crafts

Keep things super simple (and super cute!) with this fun idea from Ginger Snap Crafts. Your budding artists will love drawing the chick faces onto their eggs.

Crayon Eggs

melted crayons on eggs, a creative Easter egg decorating idea
The Nerd's Wife

Use up those stubby bits of crayon by making these genius eggs from The Nerd's Wife. The heat from freshly boiled eggs melts the crayons into awesome abstract designs.

Glittery Eggs

Lil' Luna

Razzle dazzle just about everyone with these sparkly eggs from Lil' Luna. Kids will get a kick out of making the squiggly designs with glue and following up with glitter on top. 

Perfect Pastels

Paper & Stitch

Grab paint in springy colors to create vibrant eggs like these adorable ones from Paper & Stitch. Artsy kiddos will love channeling their inner Monet to make an Easter masterpiece.

LEGO Eggs

LEGO easter eggs
It’s Always Autumn

Little builders will get a kick out of this idea from It’s Always Autumn. It’s a mess-free method that creates adorable eggs.

Tea-Dyed Eggs

Yummy Mummy Kitchen

You don’t need neon food coloring to make wow-worthy eggs. Get inspired by Yummy Mummy Kitchen to loot your pantry for natural dyes.

Tissue Paper Eggs

Aunt Peaches

For a similar look to traditional dyed eggs without the crazy mess, try this cool idea from Aunt Peaches. The tissue paper turns the eggs into a rainbow of vibrant colors—it'll make your Easter table pop.

Flowered Eggs

painting flowers is a dye-free Easter egg decorating idea
iStock

A little bit of paint, a tiny paintbrush, and a steady hand are what you'll need for this creative decorating idea. Five dabs of paint make one cheerful flower, and your kids can combine colors or make all the flowers the same. 

— with additional reporting by Taylor Clifton and Karly Wood

 

Babies enter the world with the softest, most supple skin that no magic moisturizer could ever grant an adult. While their precious new skin is indeed silky smooth, it’s also just as delicate and permeable, making it much more susceptible to rashes, bumps and dryness.

When taking care of your baby’s delicate skin in the first year, introducing hypoallergenic and dye-free products is key. That includes the detergent you use to wash their clothes–especially since you’ll be going through a lot of outfits.

This makes doing laundry all the more important. So to help you tackle your next wash day free of worry, we teamed up with moms Steph Joy Bae of @happy baes and Chelsi Lovos of @raisingwolvesss_ for tips and tricks on what to look out for in a baby detergent and how to get yourself organized.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by s t e p h b a e (@happy_baes)

1. Choose a Baby Detergent That's Free of Phosphates, Dyes & More

With baby skin being as delicate as it is, a detergent that prioritizes removing tough stains while remaining gentle on the skin is key. For both Bae and Lovos, the new Arm & Hammer Baby laundry detergent does exactly that.

Formulated with pure Arm & Hammer baking soda, the detergent is pediatrician-tested, hypoallergenic and free of preservatives, phosphates and dyes. Plus: it’s EPA Safer Choice Certified to have safer ingredients.

“I’m a huge detergent scent person and the “Cuddly Clean” just makes you want to cuddle your baby all the more,” says Bae, a mother of two little girls.

To get your hands on this all-new product, visit your local Walmart.

2. Stay On Top of Wash Days

It’s tough being a parent while simultaneously managing a household. To help keep you sane–and not overload your laundry room–tackle wash days as often as possible, especially when your baby has an accident since there will be many of those.

“Wash after a diaper blowout,” advises Lovos. “It happens one to two times a week, so washing right after keeps the load low.” 

For smaller items, Lovos adds that tossing them into a mesh bag can help you from losing them. R.I.P. to all of those teeny, tiny socks that have gotten lost in the washer or dryer!

3. Teach Your Older Children to Help

A busy mom to four children, Lovos has her hands full and her laundry days cut out for her. Fortunately, her big kids are a huge help and have been assisting her by folding their clothes.

Don’t be afraid to assign your kiddos small tasks around the house, whether it’s to gather all the laundry from each room, sort the clothes by colors or carry their folded clothes to their room.

Head to your local Walmart for Arm & Hammer Baby laundry detergent that’s a trusted addition to your laundry arsenal.

The phrase “healthy birthday cake” might sound like an oxymoron, but we’re here to tell you it can be done—and it can taste amazing too. We’ve rounded up a bunch of drool-worthy healthy cake recipes that are still big on flavor. Whether you’re looking for the best healthy chocolate cake recipe, a vanilla cake recipe, or even something vegan, you’ll find it here. Keep reading to get the scoop!

Vegan Funfetti Cake with Vanilla Buttercream

Orchids & Sweet Tea

A vegan birthday cake that doesn’t skimp on fun or flavor: sign us up! This sweet creation by Orchids + Sweet Tea is colorful inside and out, thanks to a healthy dose of rainbow sprinkles.

Carrot Cake Ice Cream Cake

Feasting on Fruit

It’ll be love at first bite with this deceptively healthy cake from Feasting on Fruit. The ice cream is made with frozen bananas, while the cake is sweetened with dates and coconut sugar.

Coconut Flour Cake

Well Plated

This lightened-up cake from Well Plated is a delicious pick for sensitive tummies, and it pairs perfectly with a fluffy coconut frosting. Top it off with sprinkles, and you’ve got a dessert everyone will rave about.

Cinnamon Chocolate Layer Cake

Green Smoothie Gourmet

Take your chocolate cake to the next level with this fabulous recipe from Green Smoothie Gourmet. A dash of cinnamon in the batter adds an extra dimension, and the dark chocolate frosting is a fitting finish. Oh, and it’s vegan and gluten-free!

Vegan Coconut, Orange and Chocolate Cake

Occasionally Eggs

Chocolate lovers, you’re in luck! This vegan treat from Occasionally Eggs is sure to be a hit. The cake is lightly flavored with orange juice and coconut milk, then topped with a heavenly whipped chocolate ganache.

Baby-Friendly Cake

Oh Everything Handmade

Bettina at Oh Everything Handmade whipped up this dessert for her baby’s first birthday—but the delish ingredients can be a hit with kids and adults of all ages. Think applesauce, bananas, cinnamon and nutmeg, with a cream cheese frosting to top everything off.

Chocolate Beet Cake with Chocolate Avocado Frosting

The Pretty Bee

Trust us, you can’t beat a beet cake. With this decadent dessert from The Pretty Bee, you get all of the fiber and antioxidants, but the beet flavor is totally hidden under all that chocolate-y goodness. Add on a super creative (and delicious!) avocado icing and you’re set for any celebration.

Chocolate Quinoa Cupcakes with Naturally Pink Frosting

Making Thyme for Health

How about some quinoa in your birthday cupcakes? Making Thyme for Health gives the traditional chocolate cupcake a healthy twist with quinoa, almond milk, and more. As for that pretty pink frosting? It’s colored using a little beet juice instead of fake dye!

Flourless Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cake

Chelsea’s Messy Apron

We’ve got to give major props to this cake from Chelsea’s Messy Apron. Not only does it showcase our fave fall flavors in a healthy way, but it’s also made in one bowl. That means less cleanup, more birthday party!

Best Gluten Free White Cake Ever

Yammie’s Gluten Freedom

Ahh, white cake. There’s a reason it’s a birthday staple. This version from Yammie’s Gluten Freedom has all the traits of the classic cake except for one update: it’s totally gluten-free.

Dye-Free Rainbow Cake

Itsy Bitsy Foodies

Want to give your kiddo a colorful cake but without all those iffy food dyes? Itsy Bitsy Foodies has come up with a way to do it thanks to veggie and fruit juice. The result? Totally wow-worthy and dye-free.

Healthy Chocolate Cake with Peanut Butter Cream Cheese Frosting

HelloBee

Chocolate, banana, and peanut butter are pretty much a dynamic trio when it comes to birthday cake flavors. HelloBee makes this fudgy masterpiece with whole grain flour and a cute five-inch pan. Oh, and did we mention the cake is totally free of refined sugars?

Carrot Cake

Love & Lemons

What’s up, doc? Vegan carrot cake, that’s what! For your birthday kid, Love & Lemons has totally vegan-ized everyone’s favorite carrot-y treat. Special ingredients include applesauce, almond milk and frosting that uses macadamia nuts instead of cream cheese.

Kid-Approved Healthy Cake

Chocolate Covered Katie

This cake from Chocolate Covered Katie has been kid-tested and kid-approved. It’s light and fluffy like any good birthday cake, but it’s also got its fair share of fiber, selenium, manganese and protein. Don’t forget the healthy strawberry frosting!

Fig Newton Cupcakes

Amy’s Healthy Baking

Ready to give a classic cookie a whole new twist? These Fig Newton-inspired cupcakes from Amy's Healthy Baking are 100% whole wheat and made without refined flour or sugar—but they still have the same great flavor you know and love, thanks to a fun figgy filling.

Flowerless Whole Meyer Lemon Cake

The View From Great Island

You will love this delicious Flowerless Whole Meyer Lemon Cake from The View From Great Island. An entire lemon, peel and all, is used in the recipe, so you will not be missing any flavor!

Almond Flour Banana Cake

One Lovely Life

This Almond Flour Banana Cake from One Lovely Life is a tasty way to use up older bananas and make a healthier cake. This recipe is paleo-friendly, healthy and it will make everyone happy!

Gluten Free Angel Food Cake

Veggie Balance

If the typical birthday cake isn't your thing, then this Gluten Free Angel Food Cake From Veggie Balance is a sweet and light way to celebrate. This recipe is also dairy-free and nut-free!

— Taylor Clifton, Abigail Matsumoto & Susie Foresman

 

RELATED STORIES:

Easy Birthday Cake Decorating Ideas That Look Fancy

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20 Healthy First Birthday Cakes (and Smash Cakes)

Featured image: Vlada Karpovich via Pexels

Even if you’re not one of those people that allow Christmas to start the day after Halloween, you might have to admit that this year it’s been creeping in– with recommendations to shop early, you might be compiling a list already! If your holiday gift list is looking slim so far, we’ve rounded up the best recommendations from local Portland stores for the whole family– Dad, Mom, Big Kid, and Baby. Read on for some great ideas from great local places to check out!

Dads:

 

Staghorn Fern from Pistils Nursery

Courtesy of Pistils Nursery

Get your plant dad a stunning Staghorn Fern Plaque to grace his wall-- these large antler-like fronds are like a piece of living taxidermy: a dramatic statement for any man cave or living room! Local plant gurus Pistils Nursery have been in business for 20 years, sharing the gift of green and gently encouraging those with blacker thumbs. Their flagship store on Mississippi, along with a new location in Slabtown showcase everything from rare and unusual plants to the coveted swiss cheese monsteras, along with chic planters, pots, and accessories. If Dad is still growing his plant passion, try a ZZ Plant (otherwise known as Zamioculcas amiifolia). One of the most low maintenance houseplants around, this is a great "set it and forget it" plant -- at least for a few weeks at a time.

Pistils Nursery
3811 N Mississippi Ave.
Portland, OR
2139 NW Raleigh St.
Portland, OR

 

Vintage Trail Blazers Jersey from Laundry

Erika M via Yelp

Tucked into Old Town/Chinatown, Laundry is like a candy store for the sports-loving Dad in your life. Full of thoughtfully curated vintage merch (like jerseys, caps and tees) from a wide variety of sports and sports brand, you can cross a few things off your list here in no time. For the Blazers fan, find Damian Lillard and Andre Miller jerseys, or go further afield with a bright orange Netherlands soccer jersey, among hundreds of others. And they have kids sizes, too!

Laundry
140 NW 4th Ave
Portland, OR
Online: laundrypdx.com

Scientific Heroes Glassware from Boys Fort

Chee K via Yelp

Maybe you have absolutely zero idea what Dad wants-- that's totally normal. Hop over to Boys Fort, where you'll find dozens of options for the Dad who has everything. Formerly downtown, they've moved their store into Urbanite on SE Grand Ave but kept it packed full of goodies, like leather wallets, unique decor, stylish Portland maps, books, hot sauce, and even an Albert Einstein pint glass, all geared toward the modern Dad. If you're still at a loss, ask them to help-- you'll walk away with an expertly curated set of gifts in no time.

Inside Urbanite
1005 SE Grand Ave
Portland, OR
Online: boysfort.com

Gifts for Moms

New Planner from Little Otsu

Courtesy of Little Otsu

For the Mom brimming with ideas, plans, schedules, or creative brainstorming, head to Little Otsu to get her all decked out. You'll find beautiful paper goods and from all over the world that will make her home office pop and inspire! Get her set for 2022 with this vibrant planner from England, or brighten up her desk with a colorful Italian stapler.

Mom can jot down all her ideas in a myriad of journals, with fountain pens, colored pencils, highlighters, and more. Don't miss the sweet collection of books and zines, including great options for kids.
 
 
Little Otsu
3225 SE Division St.
Portland, OR
 

The Hottest Fashions from The Yo! Store

The Yo! Store via Yelp

A vibrant store melding color, vintage, adults, kids, European style and American fun into one warm experience, the Yo! Store is ready to knock a few things off your list. Founded in 2016, they've been sourcing quality goods from small independent makers worldwide for years, culminating in a store that's like having your best friend say "here, try this."

You'll find clothes (quilted jackets! stylish sweatpants! polka dot sweaters!), jewelry, bags, and colorful socks for mom, but don't stop there. Stuff her stocking with nail polish and candles before moving on to the kids sections, where adorable clothes, books, and toys await. 

The Yo! Store
935 NW 19TH Ave.
Portland, OR
Online: yoportland.com/

Doug Fir Chai from Roots and Crowns Apothecary

Roots and Crowns via Yelp

Get mom a warming blend of tea with chai spices, complete with foraged Doug fir tips at this home brewed apothecary. You'll also find hand crafted brooms, candles, artwork, and journals alongside the house line, full of rose-scented face serums, mineral makeup, herbal tinctures, and bitters.

Roots and Crowns Apothecary
1812 NW 24th Ave.
Portland, OR
Online: rootsandcrowns.com

Gifts for Kids

Cheeseburger Pillow from Black Wagon

Courtesy of Black Wagon

This Mississippi Street store is chock full of fun, for kids ages 0-14 (and up)! Even the most teen of pre-teens won't be able to resist this soft cheeseburger floor pillow-- they're designed for all ages, tough enough for interactive play yet cozy enough for catching up on their favorite shows, games, and creative activities.

Or test their skills on Christmas Day with a wooden pinball set, along with a huge variety of puzzles, games, and musical instruments next to a whole wall of adorable clothes.

Black Wagon Kids
3964 N Mississippi Ave.
Portland, OR
Online: blackwagon.com

Anything from Hello! Good Morning!

Hello! Good Morning! via Yelp

This adorable store has found a new home inside Cargo, an import shop that's been in business for over 20 years (and is worth checking out in it's own right!). With a background in animation, owner Amy has expertly curated the small space so that everywhere you look there's something bright, colorful, amusing, and whimsical. Bright journals, kids books, vintage toys, ceramics, and even those rubber finger monsters mingle together in a fun and inspiring space. Your only problem will be which things to bring home with you, and which leaves to come back for later! 

Hello! Good Morning!

Inside Cargo

81 SE Yamhill
Inside CARGO
Portland, OR

Online: hellogoodmorningkids.com

Wooden Gnome Home from Spielwerk Toys

Danna F via yelp

Being a kid is hard work sometimes, and Spielwerk gets that. That's why they stock their store with all the best tools of childhood: toys, games, puzzles, and more that helps kids think creatively, solve problems, and goof around. Find your child's new favorite friend here with a wooden gnome home, or a whimsical fairy doll. And stay tuned-- they're working on launching their own line here in Portland!

Spielwerk Toys

3808 N Williams Ave Ste 121

Portland, OR

Online: spielwerktoys.com

Gifts for Babies

Board Books from Green Bean Books

Courtesy of Green Bean Books

The folks at Green Bean Books are the best kind, ready to offer you their favorite new book along with a secret smile. Full of kids books of all kinds, head here to start Baby off right with a set of adorable board books.
 
Their top picks this year are:
What's in the Box? written by Isabel Otter illustrated by Joaquin Camp. An interactive lift-the-flap and touch-and-feel book with a plethora of boxes to open with silly things inside. Perfect for baby's gift opening practice during the holidays.
Dog's First Baby by Natalie Nelson. A new baby's impact from a dog's perspective: very sweet and charming. Don't worry, a cat one is scheduled to be released in March too!
Where Is Everyone? by Tom Schamp. An interactive lift-the-flap with goofy animal characters doing ridiculous things to discover.
 
Green Bean Books
1600 NE Alberta Street
Portland, Oregon
 

Woodland Activity Blanket from Grasshopper

Courtesy of Grasshopper

The newest people in the world deserve the best things-- get the baby in your life this adorable Woodland Activity Blanket from Grasshopper, full of sensory bumps and crackling paper. Located on Alberta St, this store serves up a wide range of goodies for the little ones in your life, from babies and up! Useful items along with thoughtful design combine to offer goods that even adults will want to play with, like these sweet Babyoshka nesting dolls. You'll also find books, clothes, art, puzzles, games, baby essentials, and so much more!
 
 
Grasshopper Boutique
1816 NE Alberta
Portland, OR

—Katrina Emery

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Pay homage to every kid’s favorite poet by celebrating his birthday and Read Across America Day on March 2! From The Lorax to Oh, the Places You’ll Go!, Dr. Seuss’ stories have a special place in our hearts (and our heads—we could probably recite The Cat in the Hat by heart by now!). Get the fun rolling and whip up one of these tasty Seuss-inspired treats your little bookworm is sure to love.

Cat in the Hat Tomato Stack
The Cat in the Hat might just be one of Dr. Seuss’ most iconic characters, and this snack from Anders Ruff is the perfect way to bring him to your plate. The mozzarella and tomato makes for a tasty twist on the classic caprese salad. Click here to get the recipe.

tomato-and-cheese-stack
photo: Anders Ruff

I Can Lick 30 Tigers Today! Tiger Pops
Your kiddos might not be too enthusiastic about licking zoo animals, but they’ll definitely love noshing on these adorable pops from Play Eat Grow. They’re super easy to throw together using colorful candy wafers. Click here to find out how it’s done.

tiger-pops
photo: Play Eat Grow

The Grinch Who Hash
Warm up with a big bowl of Who Hash (that’s corned beef hash to the citizens of Whoville) from Food in Literature and cross your fingers that the Grinch doesn’t come and try to swipe the whole stash. To get the recipe, along with a printable label to decorate your cans, click here.

who-hash
photo: Food in Literature

A Pile of Cupcakes
Like one of Seuss’ topsy turvy stories, this stack of cupcakes from Easybaked will make the tots smile. Luckily, you won’t have to dig out your mini muffin tin—the mini cupcakes are just peanut butter cups with frosting on top. To snag the recipe, click here.

pile-of-cupcakes
photo: Easybaked

The Lorax Lunch Plate
How cute is this creation by The Fantastic Five? With a Lorax face sandwich, broccoli grass, and cotton candy Truffula Trees, there’s no way a kid could resist this meal. Click here to get all the info on how to recreate it.

lorax-plate
photo: The Fantastic Five

Dye-Free Green Eggs and Ham
Make the classic green eggs without using artificial food coloring. This genius recipe from The Food Charlatan makes use of spinach and a blender for a crazy quick and delicious (not to mention festive!) breakfast. Click here to get the full recipe.

dye-free green eggs and ham
photo: The Food Charlatan

The Lorax Fruit & Veggie Plate
Get inspired by Little Food Junction to create a whimsical Seussian plate using whatever fruits and vegetables you have on hand. An orange becomes a face, grapes are eyes, and leftover lettuce is facial hair—the sky’s the limit. Click here for more details.

Lorax
photo: Little Food Junction

— Susie Foresman

 

Photo: via The Startup Squad

The future may be bright for these six amazing girlpreneurs but the present is pretty sunny as well. Their products are sold nationwide in stores such as Wal-Mart and Target and their stories are inspirational. Learn more about these girls below:

Coder Bunnyz

Samaira Mehta was only seven years old when she had her entrepreneurial light bulb moment. She invented Coder Bunnyz with a mission to teach kids, and kids-at-heart, how to code in a fun way. Coder Bunnyz combines the fun elements of a board game with the computer programming language and artificial intelligence of computers. To date, Samaira has done over 40 workshops with her Coder Bunnyz board game in Silicon Valley and has started a “Girls U Code” initiative for underrepresented girls. Samaira’s impressive startup journey also includes speaking engagements throughout Silicon Valley. What are her ambitious yet totally doable plans for her business? “Get all the billion kids in the world access to coding tools by 2030.”

Watch Her Video

Earrings by Emma

Emma has always had sensitive ears. Three years ago, when she couldn’t find hypoallergenic earrings to buy and wear, she decided to start her own jewelry line of non-allergic earrings. And Earrings by Emma was born! Today, 11-year-old Emma continues to design and sell stylish earrings with plastic posts, hooks, and locks that don’t irritate the ears. As a young entrepreneur, Emma’s also pretty insightful when it comes to advising fellow girlpreneurs: “Find a market that isn’t being served and serve it. Or, find a need or a problem that hasn’t been solved, and innovate a new product or solution.”

Watch Her Video

Goddess Food Factory

13-year-old Simone Bridges is a kid chef from Jacksonville, Florida who loves baking as much as she adores STREAM (science, technology, reading, engineering, arts, and mathematics). Her business, Goddess Food Factory, which she started when she was only 11 years old, sells baking kits. These kits teach kids how to convert measurements accurately and bake sweets perfectly with the help of the baking tools included. As a motivational speaker, Chef Simone encourages kids to take up baking and cooking and empowers them to appreciate the magic (aka STREAM) behind every culinary creation. She’s also a big entrepreneurial dreamer and planner; she wants to have her own branded cookware, chef apparel, and interactive online companion to her baking kits someday.

Watch Her Video

Ooh La Lemon

It all started with a lemonade stand! Best friends Katie Vonder Haar and Hailey Hertzman are two thirteen-year-olds from Louisville, Kentucky and the winners of the 2017 Lemonade Day National Youth Entrepreneur of the Year contest. And they’ve been bitten by the entrepreneurial bug ever since. They’ve branched out from their lemonade stand business and now sell trendy fruit-themed products (with lots of lemonade designs!) through their online website and pop-up shop. One of their bestselling products, the Lemontastic Leash set, was even included in the swag bag for the Emmy’s VIP party just this past September. The Today Show interviewed Katie and Hailey recently and asked what they’ve learned so far as young teen entrepreneurs: “We learned that a business plan is important because it prepares you for everything you need to know to make your business successful.”

Watch Her Video

Rose & Co. Candlemakers

“Because business is a girl’s game.” That’s the motto of Rose & Co. Candlemakers in New Jersey, owned and run by 11-year-old Rose. Rose started making candles when she was eight as a way to welcome new neighbors to her neighborhood, then went on to sell candles at one of her mom’s trunk shows. Eventually, she decided to have a candle sale at her home and now sells her soy wax candles at fairs, popup markets, and through their website. Rose & Co. Candlemakers makes natural soy wax, cotton wick, dye-free candles. Their annual scents include Rose, Lemon Verbena, and Vanilla Macadamia Nut Coffee, and they add seasonal scents throughout the year.

Watch Her Video

Zollipops

When Alina was seven years old, she was at the bank with her dad and a teller offered her a lollipop. She was immediately torn: She wanted to accept but had heard her parents say candy was bad for teeth. So, she asked her dad, “Why can’t we make a lollipop that’s good for your teeth?” In 2014, the first Zollipops® hit the shelves, and Alina became known as the “Lollipop Girl.” And the name? Alina’s little sister, Lola, tried to pronounce one of the teeth-friendly ingredients in the candy. She said “Zollipops,” and that’s what stuck. Alina is now 14, and in August 2018, she became the youngest person ever featured on the cover of Entrepreneur magazine. Zollipops are sold nationwide at Whole Foods, Kroger stores, Wal-Mart and Amazon.com. Through their One Million Smiles initiative, 10 percent of profits are given to schools and organizations to support oral health education.

Watch Her Video

One of these amazing girlpreneurs will be profiled in the second book in the The Startup Squad series to be released on May 5, 2020. To vote for your favorite, head over here before October 30th. Girls Mean Business!

This post originally appeared on The Startup Squad.

I've always built businesses, from a childhood gummy bear business to adult gigs at IMAX and Coupons.com. I founded The Startup Squad to help girls reach their potential and my book series, The Startup Squad, is published by Macmillan. I live in Silicon Valley with my wife and two daughters.

Photo: Tabitha Yates via The Redeemed Mama

“I totally failed today,” I said through tears to my husband. “I felt like I was running around like a chicken with its head cut off. The house is a mess. We hardly did any homework. Why is there always a huge pile of crap on the stairs that noone brings up? I need a maid just for folding laundry. What kind of mystical people actually get to the steps of folding it and putting away? Where do they live? We need disposable clothes for the children and disposable underwear for you too, while we’re at it! Why do I clean when y’all still live here? What is the point? Tell me…WHAT IS THE POINT?!”

The struggle is real! There are some days where we can totally rock the multitasking super mom role and some days where even a chef, maid and magical fairies couldn’t help us keep our act together.

But you know what? That is okay! I promise you that there is not a single one of your yoga doing, Pinterest-worthy birthday party throwing, organic snack feeding, no dark circles under their eyes Mama’s that have it together all the time.

We all have days where we are so tired from being up all night with a sick kiddo or teething babies, that Netflix has to ask us, “Keep Watching?” Yes Netflix…thanks for checking and making me feel bad. We are still watching episode #25 of Boss Baby!

Every Mom has a day…or every day of the week that she lives in sweats and hides when someone rings her doorbell, lest someone she knows sees her looking like she hasn’t showered in three days. Maybe she hasn’t…don’t judge!   

Each Mother around the world has days where they feel like they’ve blown it. We think that the one time we gave our kids goldfish instead of Annie’s naturally colored and flavored GMO-free bunny crackers is what’s gonna cause them to revolt against all healthy food and set the pattern for their dietary habits when they’re in their 30’s.  

We are so hard on ourselves, Mama’s. We worry about what people will think of our mess, of our missteps, of our mistakes…but we all make them.   

And you are a good Mom.                                                                                                         

You adore your children, even if you haven’t gotten to bathe the third one in a few days and maybe febreezed his clothes as he went out the door.                                     
You love that teething baby, even if you wish there was a dye free, all natural permanently numbing form of orajel for those long nights.                               

You clothe them every single day, to include multiple outfit changes…who do they think they are, celebrities? Who do you think is going to keep up with your five outfit changes a day, little Suzie?!                                                                                       

You keep them fed the best you can and you added a piece of fruit with that bag of goldfish, dang it! Dried fruit…okay it was raisins…chocolate covered ones but whatever.

The point is, sometimes you have to laugh to keep from crying. Some days you have to just smile and survive. Some days you will gloriously thrive and others you will need every ounce of grace the good Lord gave you. Guess what your kids will remember?   

They’ll remember that you loved them like there was no tomorrow, that you cuddled up next to them on that couch, after 2.5 hours of sleep and desperately tried to follow along with the ridiculous plot of Boss Baby. They’ll remember that when they cried in the middle of the night, because their tummy hurt or their toothies were coming in-you were right there or that you were the fun mommy who decided it was perfectly acceptable to wear their swim shorts all day…in public…because that was the last article of clothing in their drawer!   

Give yourself a break Mom or hire a chef, maid and fairy so that you can take one for real! 

This post originally appeared on Today Parents.

The Redeemed Mama is a writer who had had articles published by The Today Show, Love What Matters, The Mighty, Faithit, For Every Mom, The Creative Child Magazine and more. She has 3 beautiful kids and resides in Southern Arizona and loves writing about parenting, life and growth!

One thing that helps with the stress of a new pregnancy is knowing you have the products you need to help you through the next nine months and beyond. Find out what to expect and what to buy with this pregnancy buying guide that includes the very important fourth trimester! Here’s our list of essential items you can rely on through each stage of your pregnancy so you can rest easier as you prepare for your little one’s arrival.

1st Trimester

Studio 7042 from Pexels

From alleviating morning sickness to a tip on how to keep your favorite jeans on rotation, here are a few things to help get you through your first few months of pregnancy. 

Preggie Pop Drops
Morning sickness affects more than half of pregnant women. The nausea-causing illness, which is usually the worst between weeks 6 and 12, can be caused by a variety of factors, such as hormonal changes, low blood sugar, vitamin deficiencies, stress, fatigue and general anxiety. Preggie Pop Drops are a natural supplement that ease the symptoms of morning sickness. They come in tasty flavors like green apple, sour raspberry, and sour tangerine. If the pops don't do the trick, some pregnant women swear by Sea-Band accupressure wrist bands to get them through the roughest days. 

The Bellaband
Even though most people probably won't know you're pregnant, there will come a time in the first weeks or months of pregnancy that you feel like you're popping out of your pants. It's this exact moment that inspired an invention many pregnant mommas list as one of their die-hard maternity essentials. The Bellaband by Ingrid and Isabel lets you stay in your favorite pre-pregnancy jeans for longer without sacrificing comfort. The greatest part is it works for every trimester, including the post-pregnancy fourth one: You can use it to hold up maternity pants that are now big on you or keep up pre-pregnancy jeans that are still too tight.

Mayo Clinic Pregnancy Guide
One of the coolest things about the first trimester is that so much is happening under that burgeoning bump. The easiest way to learn about your baby's week-to-week growth is with the Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy. This illustrated book offers advice, meal-planning tips, healthy exercise options and much more. It's a great reference tool for each stage of your pregnancy.

2nd Trimester

estebantroncosofoto0 via Pixabay

Congratulations! You made it through the first three months and are on to what some call the "honeymoon trimester." If you experienced morning sickness, it has more than likely subsided, and you should be feeling more energetic during the second semester, so this is a good time to focus more on other areas of self-care. 

Soma Glass Water Bottle
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. That's the name of the game in the second trimester. Sometimes drinking from a pretty bottle makes it easier to do and remember. Our favorite is the Soma Glass Water Bottle, which comes in a variety of colors. Made from high-quality, shatter-resistant glass with an easy-grip protective sleeve, it’s perfectly designed to fit into your bag, your cup holder, and your lifemaking it easy to drink up!

Mio Skin Care
Trimester two lasts from the week 14 to the end of week 28, and your baby grows a LOT during this time. By the end of the 2nd trimester, baby will be the size of a butternut squash (check out how big your baby is each week). That means your body is changing and your skin can take the brunt of all this growth. Your stomach needs to expand and you may also be dealing with pesky breakouts from hormonal shifts. Mio Skin Care's second trimester bundle includes everything you need to keep your belly, breasts and face moisturized and glowing. 

Erin Baker's Breakfast Cookies
In addition to the extra energy you'll be enjoying in the second trimester, you'll probably notice something else: You're starving, like all the time! Carrying Erin Baker's breakfast cookies with you to ensure you don't get hangry is a life-saver. They come in a variety of flavors (double chocolate, peanut butter, carrot cake, oatmeal raisin, and more) and are perfect for the morning or mid-day when you need a satisfying snack to keep you going. 

3rd Semester

Artem Bali from Pexels

You're in the homestretch! That's good to remember because the third trimester can get a little uncomfortable. You may experience pelvic pressure, back aches and have more trouble sleeping with your growing baby wriggling and working its way to full-term. Here are some essentials to get you to the finish line. 

 

4th Trimester

pixabay.com

You've done it! In the last nine months, you've created a new life. Considering that growing your baby didn't happen overnight, recovering from childbirth doesn't either. Often considered the fourth trimester, the 12-14 weeks post-delivery is a very special (and intense!) time. Here are some products to help make this final trimester more bearable. 

The Fourth Trimester: A Postpartum Guide
Equally as important as the guides about pregnancy are the books about when your baby arrives. The Fourth Trimester: A Postpartum Guide to Healing Your Body, Balancing Your Emotions and Restoring Your Vitality supports women though postpartum healing on physical, emotional and spiritual levels and provides a roadmap to this important transition in a new mother's life. 

Blackout Curtains
You probably already know this, but the one thing you'll crave more than anything else during those first few months after your baby is born is sleep. That's why hanging blackout curtains in your room, where you and baby will probably be spending a lot of time, is key for better rest. 

Booby Tubes
The name sounds funny, but trust us: These are a lifesaver for breastfeeding discomfort in the first few months after childbirth. Booby Tubes are clever little, gel-free breast packs made with an organic cotton shell and filled with fresh, pliable flaxseed. They can be heated or cooled depending on what you find most soothing. Try heat to avoid clogged ducts and encourage milk flow, and use cold to reduce tenderness. 

— Aimee Della Bitta

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Hot Baby Products That Are Total Game-Changers

Popular e-commerce site Jet.com is expanding its home essentials line! Shoppers can now check out the Uniquely J baby line, a collection of hypoallergenic and dye-free baby essentials—and everything is under $15.

Uniquely J, a private label brand only available on Jet.com, has been around for some time now, offering groceries, cleaning, laundry, paper and plastic items at a great price. The new baby products, priced at $10 to $13 expand the existing line and provide gentle products for mom and baby.

Shoppers can find baby wipes, tear-free baby shampoo and body wash, lotion, bubble bath, baby dish and bottle soap and baby laundry pacs in the new line. Choose from fragrance-free or lightly scented products that are made without alcohol, parabens or sulfates.

Snag free shipping when you spend $35 or more on your order, and you can even save money by bundling products together! While you’re visiting Jet.com, don’t forget to check out their other products in electronics, fashion, beauty and home!

––Karly Wood

All photos courtesy of Jet.com

 

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Sure, you want all the cute baby gadgets, outfits and other goodies. But do you and your baby really need them? Nope. Here are 15 baby products that moms agree you can leave off your registry, or at least wait to buy until you’re sure they’re something that will make your life better.

photo: Shaun Versey via Flicker

1. Newborn Shoes
When was the last time you saw a newborn baby strutting around in a brand-new pair of teeny tiny Converse? Yes, they’re beyond adorable, but after you spend 20 minutes shoving little toes into newborn baby shoes, you get to watch them get kicked off. Baby socks or footie PJs are way more practical and still super cute.

2. Lots of Fancy & Expensive Outfits 
Sure, buying one or two stylish pieces for the going-home outfit or another special event can be worth it. But you’ll likely be hanging out at home for the first few weeks, so onesies and sleepers are more practical. Plus, baby duds get messy and clothes have a lifespan of about 15 minutes, so your money is better spent on other items.

3. Baby Detergent
You’ll be doing a lot of laundry once baby comes, and you don’t need to keep baby’s laundry separate to be cleaned with a special (and usually expensive) detergent. Buy a fragrance-free, dye-free detergent (look for “free and clear” on the label) and use it for the whole family’s wash.

photo: heymattallen via Pixabay

4. Changing Table
A changing table is just another piece of furniture to get rid of once your child is out of diapers. If space is tight, you can get by with just a travel changing pad. Or, if you have a dresser in the nursery, fasten a changing pad to the top for a makeshift changing table.

5. Nursing Cover
Cover up if you want, but don’t bother with a nursing cover. A thin baby blanket or a scarf do the same job, and you may be bringing them with you already, so skipping the nursing cover means one less thing to pack in a diaper bag or stroller.

6. Bottle Sterilizers
Good old (fragrance-free organic) dishwashing soap and water does the trick to clean dirty bottles and pacifiers. Or join the club of parents who throw it all in the dishwasher at the end of the day. Ta-da! Washed and sterilized!

7. Educational Videos
Your baby doesn’t need to be entertained by videos promising to make them smart. The best form of entertainment for your baby is you. They love staring at your face, hearing your voice (yes, even your singing) and being close to you. Wearing your baby in a wrap, chatting with them and taking them on daily errands will likely make them more than content.

 

photo: iStock

8. Hooded Baby Towels
Another super-cute item that is not essential. They look adorable, but your regular towels do the exact same job. Just save your softest towels for baby’s sensitive skin.

9. Baby Food Processors
The last time we checked, your regular food processor did the same thing as that fancy baby-food one out on the market. Besides, what happened to just smashing a banana with a fork? It’s also easy to make baby food with a blender. Or, give baby led weaning a try. No extra baby-specific gadgets required.

10. Gadgets That Monitor Baby’s Every Move
Monitors are great, yes. But monitors that keep track of your baby’s every poop, movement, hope and dream? That’s a little bit unnecessary when a simple sound or video monitor will keep tabs on your baby quite well. The elaborate monitoring gadgets are great for peace of mind, but they also have the potential to turn you into a nervous nelly or give you a false sense of security.

photo: glenngould via Flickr

11. Pee Pee Teepee
Yes folks, this is a real thing. It’s a cone to protect you from your little man during diaper changes. Except the little guy wiggles and giggles so much, how does the teepee even stay on? And you certainly don’t need another item to throw in the laundry at the end of the day!

12. Gimmicky Gadgets
Don’t get caught up in all the products that claim they’ll fix every little parenting problem. We promise you don’t really need a baby bath visor to steer water clear of eyes while you rinse baby’s hair (use your hand), a special sleep hat that folds down over baby’s eyes when it’s time for a nap (try blackout shades), a wipes warmer (just another thing taking up space) or a baby walking harness that helps you hold up tots learning to walk. They’ll figure out that walking thing when they’re ready.

13. Expensive and Fussy Bedding
It’s gorgeous and stunning and finishes off the nursery just so. But that bedding is also getting peed and spit up on frequently. A simple, soft fitted crib sheet will do the trick. Bedtime is safest without extra blankets, bumpers and pillows anyway.

photo: Tabitha Blue via Flickr

14. Stuffies
You can’t put stuffed animals in the crib until babies are much older (read up on safe sleep guidelines). And newborns won’t even pay any attention to them. You might as well save yourself the room in your home now because, one day, your baby will grow into a toddler and your house will be filled with stuffies.

15. Baby Spa Tub
The bubbling whirlpool action and shower stream may sound decadent, but most new parents are just trying to keep their newborn’s head above water. Save the spa ritual for mommy time.

Bonus Tip: All babies are different, with specific preferences and needs, so buy the essentials and then wait to get to know your little one before you stock up on too many swaddles, pacifiers, diapers and other items that may not suit them.

featured photo: PublicDomainPictures via Pixabay

Ashly Grzyb, Heather Dixon & Eva Ingvarson Cerise

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