Make the best of shorter days when the time change arrives
Pre-kid, you never really thought about Daylight Saving Time (what’s an hour here or there?). But kids can make this seasonal change a challenge. With the end of Daylight Saving coming up soon (Sunday, November 5), falling back means it’s super dark, super early. Before you set your clocks back an hour, read on for some tips and tricks for keeping that precious, tenuous sleep/wake routine in place.
Bit by bit. You can try moving their bedtime back for a few days leading to the time change. This will help set your kids’ little clocks before the big day so it won’t be a total shock. Consider arming them with a cute (and practical) alarm clock to help make the transition a bit easier. Care.com recommends 15 minutes for babies, 20 minutes for toddlers ages 1 and over, and 30 minutes for school-aged kids.
Be consistent. If sleep time comes later, that means waking up time will, too. If you’re letting time creep up a few days before, do the same with wake-up time, breakfast, lunch, dinner, etc. Their entire day from top to bottom should feel the same, even if you’re adjusting and fudging with timing. They shouldn’t even notice a change, especially if they’re too young to tell time.
Use light and dark to your advantage. Since light and darkness influence our kids’ internal clocks, give them plenty of outdoor time during the day so it’s a bit easier to stay up later at night. Once it’s time to start winding down for that later bedtime, make sure their room is nice and dark.
Eat Later It can be tricky when your family is used to their routine, but if you can bump dinner a bit later each night, it will help your kids’ internal clocks. Be sure to offer toddlers their afternoon snack a little later, too, and adjust your baby’s feeding schedule if possible.
Ignore it. Not the best strategy for some, but if you keep chugging along, so will they. Just switch everything on the day of, and move on. Kids are resilient. But try to keep their routine (mostly) intact.
Be realistic. Your child may not even notice a slight change or they may go bonkers. But it’s important to remember to listen to them, understand why they’re upset, and work from there. Children are all so different—who knows how they’ll each react or even how one will react from year to year!
Be sympathetic. Remember to put yourself in your kids’ shoes and stay calm if they’re a hot mess for a few days. By staying calm, you’ll help kids adjust to fall daylight savings in no time.
When your kids have adjusted to the time change, make sure to capture all their cutest moments—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.
Do your kids need to get some energy out? Bring them to a Portland climbing gym—STAT
Let’s be honest, during the long winter months it can be challenging to get kids outside, especially on the rainiest days. And while we love Portland’s many indoor playgrounds and play spots, and consider ourselves experts in the realm of creative places to play on a rainy day, sometimes it’s fun to mix it up a bit. So the next time your kids are climbing the walls at home, lean in and let them climb—somewhere else. These Portland indoor climbing gyms are waiting to help you and your little ones get your wiggles out this winter.
If you are nervous about your little ones scaling a wall with only a rope to keep them safe, bouldering, or climbing without ropes, is an activity that even toddlers and pre-schoolers can enjoy. The Circuit is a bouldering gym that boasts being home to the best kids' climbing space in Portland. They have kid-specific boulders that are designed with shorter climbers in mind. Even better, all of the walls were created to accommodate climbers of all ages, sizes, and ability levels.
If your child isn't in the mood to climb The Circuit also offers slacklining. Slacklines are similar to tight ropes but made of stretchy, flexible material. They provide hours of fun for your littles as they practice balancing and carefully placing one foot in front of the other without falling.
410 N.E. 17th Ave. Portland
6050 S.W. Macadam Ave. Portland
16255 S.W. Upper Boones Ferry Rd. Tigard, OR Online:thecircuitgym.com
Located in NE, the Portland Rock Gym provides hours and hours of thrills and chills as your young climbers scale walls speckled with colorful "rocks" guiding their path. This gym offers Kids Climb which is perfect for 8-to 11-year-olds and includes a staff member who assists your child as they begin climbing roped walls, bouldering, and using the auto-belays. There are also camps and clubs you can sign your kiddo up for if they fall in love with this daring sport. Sign your clan up for the monthly family package and enjoy climbing all winter long.
Beaverton’s Stoneworks is designed to promote community and exudes "family-friendly." It boasts 34-foot climbing and lead walls, high-ball bouldering to 20 feet, top-out bouldering area, and auto belays. If you or your kids fall in love with climbing there are climbing lessons available, and Stoneworks offers fun kids' rock climbing programs that are guaranteed to keep your little ones engaged and interested. It is also home to one of the best junior climbing teams in the country that welcomes kids 9 to 19. Consider thinking ahead because Stoneworks also offers a variety of summer camps for kids aged 12 and under.
6775 S.W. 111th Ave. Beaverton, OR Online:belay.com
This rock climbing gym recognizes that kids are natural-born climbers. Their walls are designed to accommodate all sizes and abilities and there are a variety of classes available for youth. From beginners to kids who are ready to compete, there is a program for everyone.
At Source Climbing, your kiddos can take classes to start off on the right foot with climbing. Ages 6-12 can take the youth intro class before moving up and really honing their skills. Kids ages 9+ can even join a recreational climbing team to explore competitive climbing in a safe environment. Also, don't forget to check out their summer camp options!
Let’s just all agree—eggs are pretty amazing! They are surprisingly strong and you can use them to do all sorts of STEM activities to learn about osmosis, strength, air pressure and physics. Use your bounty of Easter eggs to try out some of these science experiments with eggs!
Walk on Eggs
Photo: S. Massey
How can you walk on eggs without breaking them? An egg’s unique shape gives it tremendous strength, despite its seeming fragility.
Insider tip: if this science experiment has you in the mood for eggs, check out our list of the best egg-cellent egg recipes for kids.
Make Eggs Magical
This “look ma, no hands, wires or mirrors” trick will get them every time; an egg being sucked into a jar while your little scientist delightedly looks on is always a hit. To perform this illusory feat, you’ll need a glass jar with an opening just smaller than an egg (think: old school milk jug) and a peeled, boiled egg. When you and your little scientist have checked these items off your list, it’s time to start the show. Mom or dad should toss a lit match into the glass jar, followed by your mini lab assistant, who’ll quickly set the egg over the opening. Abracadabra! Alakazam! The match dies out; the egg gets (seemingly) inexplicably sucked into the bottle. And just like that you’ve performed another bit of parent magic without breaking a sweat.
Why it works: The match uses up the air inside the bottle. Once that happens the pressure outside the bottle is greater and pushes the egg down into the bottle.
You may have seen this science experiment with eggs make its way around TikTok this past summer with people trying to crush an egg with their biceps. You'll find the science behind it described on Science-Sparks and everyone will be cringing when little hands put the big squeeze on a fragile egg. Try as you might, that baby won’t break (until you crack it into a pan to make breakfast for dinner afterward).
Brain Boost Factor: The egg’s shape is clearly stronger than it looks.
Can you and the kiddos solve the mysterious case of the disappearing egg shell? Following the simple how-to at Go Science Kids, you’ll learn the step-by-step and talking points about the process along the way. Warning! Although it’s totally non-toxic, toddler aged kids will be tempted to squeeze the egg at the end so keep an eye out!
Crystal Egg Geodes
This grow-your-own experiment that lets you grow crystals inside an egg shell. Be sure to get alum powder that contains potassium, or else you won't get any crystal growth. Adding drops of food dye to the growing solution yields some super cool crystals. A perfectly formed geode takes about 12-15 hours to grow, making this a great weekend project. Get the full scoop on how to do it from Learn to Grow.
The Egg Drop Challenge
If you have fond memories of building your own egg drop contraption for high school Physics class, this is a great one to share with the kids. They'll love learning all the science behind what can protect the egg and constructing their own egg drop contraption. Get the full scoop here.
Eggs and Osmosis
Teach kids all about how liquids pass through semi-permeable membranes in this fun science experiment with eggs from the QuadSquad.
Make a Folding Egg
Kids will love being able to bounce this egg between their hands and fold it up into their pocket during this egg science experiment. How does it work? Steve Spangler shows you in this video.
Because sometimes nothing hits the spot like a fresh-from-the-oven donut, we’ve scoured the city to find the best donuts in Seattle and came up with a list that is guaranteed to satisfy even the pickiest doughnut aficionado. Powdered, cream-filled, crispy or totally out-of-the-box, this list has it all. Trust us, you “donut” want to miss out on this round-up.
Raised Doughnuts & Cakes
Kathryn Mueller
Mi Kim loved doughnuts, and that infatuation inspired her journey to open Raised Doughnuts and Cakes. They don’t use preservatives, fillers or artificial coloring, and the quality shines through in the taste. They offer a menu of original donuts that are tried and true as well as rotating flavors that mix it up. In April, you can try flavors like Strawberry Balsamic or Chocolate Chip Cookie.
Good to know: This sweet spot is moving to a new location in Midtown Square mid-April (2301 E. Union St., Suite L). Swing by for their grand re-opening on April 23.
Top Pot Doughnuts began in 2002 in Capitol Hill. Since then this indispensable Seattle-based doughnut shop has grown substantially. Today, you can find locations all over the Seattle area and beyond. We love their classic doughnuts, but they also offer fancy and seasonal flavors. With more than 40 different options, there is sure to be a doughnut for everyone.
Insider tip: If you ask us, the Edmonds shop is tops. It’s steps from the ferry terminal at Edmonds, and the beach is right across the train tracks. This location also has a cozy library upstairs; the kids section is located to the far right. Grab a chair and a book, and snuggle up in the reading nook. If you’re looking for a family day trip, starting out at Top Pot is the perfect way to start a day.
Locations in Seattle, Bellevue, Kirkland, Edmonds, Issaquah, Redmond, Renton, Mill Creek & Tacoma.
The Flour Box is a woman-owned and family-run small bakery cafe in Hillman City. They serve hand-crafted, filled brioche doughnuts from scratch. Everything is made in the bakery in small batches with one special ingredient—love. Pamela Vuong said she picked up baking in college and quickly felt like she had found her calling. Since then, her passion for creating scrumptiously delectable doughnuts has taken off. Her flavors change often, so be sure to check in for what’s new on the menu. Flavors like lemon lime curd, crème brulee or everything bagel donut are as good as they sound.
Insider tip: These doughnuts go fast, so head out early. They generally sell out within a couple hours of opening their doors. They are that good!
Hours: Thu.-Sun., 10 a.m.-1 p.m. (or until sold out)
Soft, chewy, airy and shareable—that’s what you’ll get at Dochi. Their unique bubble ring-shaped donuts are a delightful cross between a Japanese rice cake (mochi) and an American-style fried donut. The flavors are as distinctive as their appearance, from red velvet cake to matcha pistachio and cosmic crunch. Although these doughnuts are designed to share, they are so good you might want them all to yourself. Like the box says, you definitely deserve to treat yourself.
Davis Vincent is the mastermind behind Zuri’s Gourmet Donutz, and we love his vision. “If it’s boring, you won’t find it here,” he says. All his flavors—as wild as they are—are 100% organic and natural in color. This black-owned family doughnut shop is truly unique. You can find pretty much any doughnut you could dream up, and that’s how Vincent likes it. His eclectic doughnuts come in flavors you’ve probably never seen before, like “Ubae Me Better” or “Just Like Butter.” He also has lots of gluten-free options and even some 21 and older doughnuts. You truly have to see them to believe them!
Hours: Fri.-Sun., 6 a.m.-2 p.m.
7600 196th St. S.W., #850 Lynnwood, WA 425-582-8803 Online:zurisgourmet.com
General Porpoise
Kathryn Mueller
General Porpoise offers truly exquisite treats crafted by pastry chef Clare Gordon. They specialize in fried donuts filled with jams, creams, custards and curds (made with fresh eggs). Three locations across Seattle make it easy to satiate your doughnut craving. Shops are conveniently located in Capitol Hill, Laurelhurst and Pioneer Square. All their locations are beautiful and bright, like stepping into a Pinterest page. General Porpoise also has a variety of delicious coffee options to start your day off right. Whether you need an espresso, pour over, drip or draft cold brew, the world is your oyster at General Porpoise.
Just a stone’s throw from the famous fish flingers at Pike Place Market, you’ll find a small donut stall known to locals and tourists alike as a market staple. You can’t miss it. The smell of fresh, hot donuts will lure you in the right direction. Their piping hot mini donuts are a crowd pleaser, especially with flavors like scrumptious maple bacon, sprinkles and powdered sugar. Our suggestion? You will definitely want to opt for at least a dozen.
Hours: Mon.-Sun., 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
Pike Place Market 93 Pike St. Seattle, WA 206-467-7769 Online:pikeplacemarket.org
Is there anything better than a hot, made-to-order doughnut? The owner of 9th & Hennepin Donuts knows the right answer to that question. No. There is nothing better, and that’s how he serves them. The flavors of the doughnuts change based on the season and what the chef can find locally. Most of the ingredients are sourced right here in Washington. Flavors change every week, but there are always four kinds of doughnut offerings—a raised/filled brioche, a fruit fritter, a cake donut and a fourth "something else." Doughnuts are takeout-only, and pre-orders are encouraged, but walkups are welcome. You won’t want to miss these truly spectacular doughnuts.
Insider tip:Alki Beach is just a short drive away (about 10 minutes). After grabbing a box of delicious doughnuts, head down to take in the sights. Be sure to pack your beach toys!
Good to know: The doughnut shop is part of a shared kitchen and will be transforming into something super cool this summer. Be sure to follow their Instagram or Facebook page for more details.
You’ll find both classics and fancy doughnuts here. All their doughnuts are made on-site and their motto is as sweet as their treats: Good Donuts. Good Service. Good Vibes. They offer lots of unique flavors and have a welcoming family-friendly atmosphere. And while their doughnuts are infamous, if you have a real sweet tooth, you've got to indulge and add ice cream to your order. An ice cream doughnut sandwich is only $5, and it’s worth it.
University District 4336 Roosevelt Way N.E. Seattle, WA 206-547-1633
Legendary Doughnuts has seven locations around the greater Seattle area, from Tacoma to Federal Way. Their handmade doughnuts are delicious and made in-house every day. When it comes to intriguing flavors—you name it, they have it. Whether you want gummy bears on top of your doughnut, cereal or bacon, you can find just about whatever you can dream up. Flavors sound more like desserts here, and that’s probably because these sweets are just that. The size of some of their doughnuts are also unmatched. They seriously have one that's the size of your face. When you visit, don’t forget to bring your furry friends with you. They have doughnuts for them, too.
Good to know: You don't have to leave the comfort of your home to enjoy Legendary donuts. Get them delivered fresh to your door with Doordash.
Mighty-O Donuts has reimagined the doughnut game. Healthy donuts? That’s the promise of Mighty-O Donuts, and they’re as good as their word. All Mighty-O's are organic, 100% vegan and made from scratch. You can enjoy their doughnuts from four locations around the Seattle area. It's hard to miss with a French Toast donut, a spiced cake with maple glaze. And kids will flip for the Mini O’s, a bite-sized remix of their larger doughnuts that are perfect for smaller appetites and little bellies.
Locations in Green Lake, Ballard, Capitol Hill & Denny Triangle. The Downtown location is currently closed.
My life hasn’t been perfect. My life has been messy, but after I met my husband, I thought I would finally find love, stability, support, etc. There is a reason why most people are cautiously quiet in the times leading up to and during a divorce. We fear being judged for leaving a union that we asked everyone to celebrate after saying vows that prompt us that NOTHING should separate us.
The decision to file for divorce saddened me. I had waited a long time for marriage, and, to me, it was forever. I had already weathered many, many storms and had come from a long line of successful and long-lasting marriages. “If they can do it, so can I!” I used to say.
But marriage is teamwork on every level. Imagine playing doubles tennis, and your partner puts down his racket, sits down, and ignores you. You keep prompting them to get up and they continue to ignore you. You might try to make it work for a while, but then the tired sets in, the anger sets in, and then the realization that you weren’t ever supposed to be in this alone. At the time of my decision, I was sad. I was disgusted. I was ashamed. I was overwhelmed. I was resolute. I was scared.
How does someone get to the point of deciding that divorce is the answer? I think the answer to that question is different for each person, however, there are stories that are similar. It’s been over a year since I made the choice, and I can be honest about everything now. I was in an emotionally and verbally abusive marriage. From the moment we met, up to about a month after we were married, he was wonderful to me. He never raised his voice. He never sounded angry with me. He was attentive. He made me feel loved, wanted, and important in his life.
After that month was over, we entered a cycle of arguing that never went away. There were never any calm or rational conversations. He would “jokingly” accuse me of cheating. He would say horrible things about my children behind closed doors. He refused to take part in any sort of financial responsibility. He would scream at me with the kind of hatred that should be reserved for a select few. He refused to be social. He refused to allow me to be social unless he felt as if there was nothing to fear. For instance, going to a bar with a girlfriend was off limits but going to a parent discussion group was fine. He withheld intimacy at certain points throughout our marriage. He kept secrets. He was attentive to what suited his mood.
I was both embarrassed and ashamed. I kept the gory details of our marriage to myself. I had a handful of friends that I spoke to about different aspects of my marriage, but I never fully let on to everything that was happening. I kept thinking that I could fix it. There were times when I thought that things would change, only to be disappointed yet again.
The decision to move forward with the divorce opened my eyes in ways that they had not been before. I was able to see my marriage for what it was. There was no shine left at all. The lies that he told were all coming to light. The things he was saying to my family behind my back were coming to light. The way he was alienating me from friends and family was coming to light. It’s hard to think about something being both overwhelming and a relief, but this time was just that.
Our divorce was final on August 6, 2020. He didn’t fight for anything. He didn’t fight for me. He didn’t fight for anything in the house. He simply walked away. Oh, there were a handful of moments in those couple of months where he found some tears to display, but I was long past the display of tears having any effect on me anymore. As with everything else in our marriage, I paid for the divorce too. Here’s to fresh starts, new and exciting experiences, and a much less stressful life!
I am a single mom of three beautiful daughters ages 29, 20, and 15. At 50, I am recently divorced and making a career change. I'm trying to put my BA and my MA to use finally! My life hasn't always been easy but I feel good about the future!
We all know that kids playing outside is a good thing (and a bonus when you’re trying to get dinner on the table). They return from their forest frolics and playground romps with rosy cheeks and big smiles. Have you ever wondered why? To get to the bottom of this mystical transformation, we sat down with three experts to suss out the benefits of outdoor play. Read on to shed some light on the topic.
Parents, raise your hand if you’ve ever mistaken your kiddo for the Energizer bunny because they’re always on the go. As Megan Fitzgerald, the Co-Founder and Chief Learning Officer at Tinkergarten explains, this need to move has to do with kids’ developing sensory systems. They’re learning to take in information and integrate it. And when it comes to stimulating environments, the ever-changing outdoors provides that just-right balance that kids need—not too much and not too little stimulation.
Fitzgerald points out that both kids' proprioceptive system (our sense of body awareness that plays an important regulatory role) and vestibular senses (related to balance and our sense of spatial awareness) are fully engaged in outdoor play. Whether they’re on the playground or walking along a trail, kids are doing the hard work of moving their bodies (think jumping, pushing, bending, swinging), which means both of these ultra-important systems are activated. The result? Those systems get turned on, so kids are better able to focus.
2. It encourages creativity.
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If you’ve ever seen your kiddo turn a simple stick into a magic wand, bake a pinecone pie or jump from rock to rock to avoid the “lava” below, you know how imaginative they can be. When kids spend time in nature, they’ve got lots of room (both literally and figuratively) to imagine and create. Beyond proving just how adorable our kids are, creative play is important to their development. According to Fitzgerald, spending time outside promotes the kind of flexible thinking that helps kids generate new ideas. That’s why that simple stick can be a fishing pole, a knight’s sword or a pencil that makes amazing dirt drawings. The possibilities are endless—and that's the point.
Alongside all this creativity that comes from imaginative play, kids can explore empathy through it too. As it turns out, fresh air and blue skies are the perfect backdrops for this type of learning. By pretending to be that bee flying from flower to flower or a squirrel chasing another around the yard, kids make a connection with the animal they're pretending to be, according to Fitzgerald. And oh, the things they’ll think of when they do! Imagining the experiences of other creatures, especially those smaller than themselves, builds cognitive empathy in kids. It helps them understand different emotions and recognize them in other people. And most importantly, Fitzgerald notes, it leads them to care for and about others.
4. It cultivates curiosity.
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If you've got kids, you know how much they love to ask, “why?” As in, "why is the sky blue?" "Why can’t I do that?" "Why are you so tired all the time?" (We think we know the answer to that one). When kids play outside there’s a lot of natural wonder and curiosity around them.
Leah Carlson with the Wilderness Awareness School in Duvall, Washington sees the effects of time spent outside on kids’ curiosity every day. Often kids in the program create their own stories about what they see around them. And within those stories, kids learn to recognize patterns and ask important questions. They may notice animal tracks after a rainfall that weren't there before or that they can hear certain birds in the morning but not in the afternoon. Noticing these little differences (or similarities) leads them to formulate questions and develop ideas of their own. In other words, they get to both ask and answer their own "why" questions.
5. It improves mood.
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Maybe it’s the fresh air. Maybe it’s the vitamin D boost that comes with playing on a sunny day. Or maybe it’s the endorphins from all that exercise they’re getting. Whatever it is, all three of the experts we spoke to emphasized that time spent outside improves mood. According to Derrick Soong, MD, FAAP with Virginia Mason Medical Center in Issaquah, Washington, playing outside “helps to improve mood” with the bonus of “reducing the risk/severity of depression and anxiety.”
Another part of that mood elevation is the calming effect nature has on people, kids included. Remember that vestibular sense we mentioned earlier? Research has shown that when it’s activated (think: sliding, spinning, swinging) it helps to keep you calm. Calmer and happier kids? Count us in!
When it comes to life skills, our kids can never have too many. The fact that they can build foundational problem solving skills while on a hike, riding a bike or climbing at the playground? That’s what we call a bonus. As Carlson explains, spending time in the outdoors connects kids to nature, community and themselves and can have a profound effect on the way they approach the unknown. It gives them the chance to plan, prioritize, try different solutions, even negotiate in a safe environment. In the end these skills leave kids more resilient for the future.
As parents, we’re always trying to pass along healthy habits to our kids. It’s why we puree kale alongside their applesauce and sing Daniel Tiger’s greatest hits to our tantruming toddlers. Turns out that playing outside can pass along many healthy habits to our kids, too. As Dr. Soong explains, outdoor play “helps provide children with the exercise they need to maintain a healthy weight.” Playing outside is the ultimate stealth workout for kids. Whether they love playing soccer, hiking or surfing, outdoor play can help them stay healthy as they grow.
All kids find themselves in a bad mood sometimes. (Siblings, green vegetables, and being told what to do are some of the usual culprits.) But what happens when an frustrated ‘tude gets mixed in with a Halloween costume conundrum? Find out in The Bad Seed: The Good, the Bad, and the Spooky.
Based on the New York Times bestselling picture book The Bad Seed, creators Jory John and Pete Oswald bring back a favorite foodie character in this must-read seasonal tale. With Halloween on the horizon, The Bad Seed is psyched about his favorite holiday. But he’s having trouble finding a show-stopping costume. His plan: postpone trick-or-treating for everyone until he finds his perfect ensemble.
Any child who’s looked far and wide for a “just right” Halloween costume will identify with the Bad Seed’s predicament. This book is charming and thought-provoking—using humor to teach children a valuable lesson. Great for bedtime snuggles or independent quiet reading time, your kiddo will read it over and over again. You’ll also appreciate the clever illustrations and silly puns. Better yet, the two included sticker sheets are perfect décor for a DIY jack-o’-lantern.
Eighties and 90’s kids grew up loving Jim Henson’s Fraggle Rock, and now you can take your love to the next level. For a limited time, the gang is taking over Waze!
Starting now, you can activate the “Drive with the Fraggles” experience and choose your own mood and car that will bring the Fraggles to your phone! Waze’s new experience honors the late Jim Henson and his 85th birthday, which is coming up on Sept. 24.
photo: Courtesy of Waze
Red Fraggle will serve as your voice navigation, and Waze Moods include Wembley, a Doozer, Junior Gorg, Red, Boober, Mokey and Gobo. Don’t forget to pick a Doozer-inspired vehicle!
To access the Fraggle Road experience, tap “My Waze” in your Waze app and click the “Drive with the Fraggles.” Happy driving!
Surprise toys are all the rage, and interactive cuddly creatures are always a favorite among kids. From the geniuses behind Hatchimals, in hops Peek-A-Roo—a part panda, part kangaroo interactive plush with a surprise baby reveal! This loveable cutie responds to touch and features over 150 different sounds and reactions. Enter the ROO-niverse and learn more about this adorable creature that is sure to be the next must-have toy.
Getting Baby Roo to Reveal Herself Is Magical
We love that this toy encourages social-emotional learning in the most fun way. Peek-A-Roo encourages kids to identify emotions, empathize and problem-solve. How do you get Baby Roo to reveal herself? Pet Momma Roo’s head, tickle her foot and bounce her to embolden Baby Roo to come out of the pouch. How a kid plays with Momma Roo influences baby’s mood and the way she reveals herself. Your kiddo will delight in discovering all 10 baby moods, like sleepy, bouncy, playful and more, each with matching sound effects. Momma Roo is so intuitive, she can even sense when her baby is near and reacts!
Surprise! It’s a Baby Roo!
Hatchimals are all about the egg-citing anticipation of the hatching! Peek-A-Roo builds on that thrilling element, and now you graduate from caring for an egg to a Momma Roo! The lively surprise feature keeps kids engaged and guessing—will Violet, Rosie or Bluebell be unveiled? You’ll just have to be patient to find out...
Once Baby Has Arrived, There’s More to Explore
Momma Roo knows when baby is near and reacts with games, songs and sweet cuddles. With over 10 games and songs, there are so many ways to play with momma and baby! After a fun-filled day of play, Momma Roo can cuddle Baby Roo by placing her in momma's arms. She’ll begin to sing a lullaby and gently rock her baby to sleep, and yes, it's as cute as you imagine so get ready for loads of giggles and smiles!
Exclusive: Discover Peek-A-Roo at the LA Zoo
Head to the LA Zoo and experience the unveiling of this brand new mythical species! Be the very first to discover Peek-A-Roo and witness the enchanting arrival of one of three mystery babies hiding inside Momma Roo’s pouch—which mystery baby will you meet? Continue through the exhibit to the exclusive play space where you get to experience Peek-A-Roo and discover all of her amazing and interactive features complete with a fun photo opportunity.
This exclusive 1,100 square foot exhibit at the LA Zoo will be open to the public from Saturday, August 28 - Monday, September 6—it's magical fun for the whole family!
Working out after having your baby can seem kind of scary. Your body has been through some pretty big changes while nurturing and bringing your gorgeous new baby into the world. It is totally okay to feel nervous about getting back into working out. However, research proves that the right exercises can positively benefit your body’s healing process and will also help boost your energy levels, your mood and your fitness. CARiFiT, the post-natal babywearing fitness experts have put together a clever checklist of things to help you ease your way safely back into your workouts.
Postapartum Exercise Do’s
Start gentle exercise and activity as soon as you ready. It will help boost your energy levels, improve your sleep and your mood.
Start your kegel exercises as soon as you can as this will help with bladder control if that has been affected during pregnancy or childbirth.
Speak to your OB/GYN before you start more high-impact exercise.
Wait for longer if you have had a c-section, and check with your midwife or OB/GYN before you get started.
Stay active as it will help both your healing and your mood.
Listen to your body and pace yourself.
Focus on your mental wellbeing by also taking time to rest, meet friends and share your experiences with others.
Try and schedule your workouts after feeding times if you are breastfeeding.
Stay hydrated.
Get a good sports bra. Your cup size will have changed and if you are nursing, it is a good idea to buy a supportive nursing bra.
Postpartum Exercise Don’ts
Start exercising until your midwife or OB/GYN says that your body is ready.
Try and restart exercise until you really feel that your body is ready.
Rush into high intensity workouts that could be unsafe instead you need to gently ease back into working out to allow your body to adjust to not being pregnant.
Put pressure on yourself. A balanced approach which focuses on safe workouts and good nutrition whilst enjoying these precious months is so important right now.
Focus on abdominal curls or crunches, your core will take time to recover. Kegel exercises and deep stomach breathing are preferred initially.
Bend from the hips when lifting the baby or heavy things, try and bend the knees so that you are not putting undue pressure on the lower back.
At CARiFiT we are committed to making sure that you can get back into working out safely and our focus is always on the right movements for the postpartum body. We want all new moms to be able to feel the physical and emotional benefits of moving but we know that this is a time when you need to listen to your body and exercise appropriately. To get you started, we have rounded up the five moves all new moms should master.
Focus on perfect form first to really engage the intended muscles. If you are doing the moves incorrectly then you run the risk of injury and are unlikely to be working the right muscles. Your time is precious so make it worthwhile! Ready to get strong? *Aim to do 8-10 reps of each following exercise, 3 times. Combine the exercises together for a full-body circuit.
Postnatal Benefits: During pregnancy, your growing bump pulls the body into anterior pelvic tilt, creating short stiff hip flexors and lengthening and weakening your hamstrings and glutes. Basically, your posterior chain (muscles on the back of your body) switches off. As well as getting your glutes and hamstrings firing again, squats aid pelvic mobility, restore core stability and recruit the abdominal and pelvic floor muscles as you inhale to lower and exhale to rise.
Postnatal Benefits: From lifting and holding your little one to putting the groceries away or storing luggage overhead on a plane or train, a strong upper body is essential for moms. Pressing overhead doesn’t just strengthen your shoulders, it works your core, activating the deep TVA muscles and pelvic floor – jackpot!
3. LUNGE
Muscles Worked: Quads, glutes, core
Postnatal Benefits: Like squats, lunges build strong legs and glutes, which can help to alleviate common postpartum complaints like back and knee pain. Lunges also ease with tight hip flexors, recruit your core for stability and control and challenge your balance. We’ve focused on reverse lunges here as they place less stress on your knee joints than forward lunges, which is particularly important while the joint-loosening hormone Relaxin is still present in your body.
4. BENT OVER ROW
Muscles Worked: Upper and middle back, shoulders, core, arms
Postnatal Benefits: Feeding, rocking, cuddling, changing—as a new mom, it can feel like you’re forever in a hunched position, which, combined with weakened abdominals, is a fast track to back pain. Bent over rows work your back muscles and help to counteract that rolled forward position your shoulders often default to post-baby.
5. DEADBUG
Muscles Worked: Core
Postnatal Benefits: Even if crunches were postpartum core-friendly (in case you weren’t sure, they’re not) there are far more effective ways to strengthen your core. The deadbug is a strong move that uses the whole core, from the deep TVA muscles to the obliques and pelvic floor, as well as the stabilizing muscles of the lower back. Performed correctly, it’s a tough one, so you might need to start with simpler variations to maximise the benefits.
For more, join CARiFiT4ALL, a free plan to help you understand how to get back into exercise, healthy eating safely and quickly.
I have been helping new moms get back into exercise for over a decade. Dubbed the "baby man" after carrying the babies for moms whilst they exercised, I saw that by merging babywearing and fitness, we could remove the barriers to exercise and I launched CARiFiT 6 years ago!
