13 Beautiful Books for Curious Kids

by Amber GuetebierApril 11, 2022

Our children’s natural sense of curiosity has lead many a parent to discover more about the world around us—especially when we don’t know the answer to that pressing “why” question! Foster that sense of wonder and discovery with these children’s books that encourage those questions, from books about space and opposites, to the language of the sky, learn some of those answers yourself, too.

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Out of This World: Star-Studded Haiku

$19 BUY NOW

Explore space in a new way: through Haiku. Told in a simple and straightforward style, Sally Walker's journey through the galaxy is expertly told using Matthew Trueman's illustrations. Perfect for both kids and adults. Ages: 7-9

Bok's Giant Leap

$18 BUY NOW

The only children's book by Neil Armstrong has arrived. Kids will delve deep into the story of Bok, a moon rock who traveled space and time until he was discovered by the first men to walk on the moon. With beautiful illustrations by Grahame Baker Smith, young explorers will be captivated by this story. Ages: 4-8

Opposites Abstract

$10 BUY NOW

In this book by the beloved Mo Willems, best-selling author and illustrator and friend to all the pandemic children with his weekly drawing lessons, Willems uses colors, shapes, and textures to demonstrate the concepts of opposites—which are, to quote the Pigeon, "a matter of opinion." The book encourages discussion with children and those around them when the author asks questions like, "Is this soft?" and "Is this light?" in regards to the abstract art. An instant classic. Ages: Baby-2

The Seekers

$14 BUY NOW

We're not sure what is the best part of this amazing book; the original story based on mythology from the artists' native Mombai or the stunning illustrations created by Hari & Deepti, two paper-cut artists who bring the words to life. Both elements combine to make hands-down one of the most beautiful and unique books, one that inspires curiosity and wonder with the artwork and narrative alike: our heroines are two children who will soon learn that Silver Fox and Fire Wolf are anything but myths. Ages: 4-8

What Do You Do with an Idea?

$10 BUY NOW

The story of one small child and one big idea, that grows with the child’s confidence, until something amazing happens. This story is for all the dreamers, big thinkers, and inventors in our families, and encourages children to believe their idea is worthy and curiosity is a strength. Written by Kobi Yamada with illustrations by Mae Besom. Ages: 3-7

A Ray of Light

$10 BUY NOW

Walter Wick is known for his photographic find-and-seek books, encouraging curious kids everywhere to look beyond their first impressions. In A Ray of Light, Wick's stunning images are combined with easy-to-understand text. Kids will learn all about the speed, color, the spectrum, and all the other complex secrets to light. Ages: 6-8

She Stitched the Stars: The Story of Ellen Harding Baker's Solar System Quilt

$12 BUY NOW

For any of those kids who look up in wonder at the night sky, this book is a beautiful bedtime addition and is sure to inspire. Discover the magical story behind Ellen Harding Baker's quilt, which she began stitching in 1876, and which is an accurate depiction of our solar system. Today, the quilt hangs in the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. Lovingly told by Jennifer Harris and illustrated beautifully by Louise Pigott. Ages: 4-8

Astronaut Annie

$18 BUY NOW

As Annie prepares for career day at her school, she talks to her family about their hopes for her future as she plans her future career as an astronaut. Suzanne Slade's book will satisfy your curious kiddos with bonus material about famous female astronauts and facts about the moon, all accompanied by enchanting illustrations by Nicole Tadgell. Ages: 4-7

Barefoot Books Children of the World

$14 BUY NOW

Feed their brains with this beautiful compendium of children from around the world, with hand-painted illustrations by artist David Dean, discover countries and cultures across the globe. From holidays to hats, big ideas and little moments, this collection co-authored by Katie DePalma and Tessa Strickland will foster the global citizen in every child. Ages: 5-8

Britannica All New Kids Encyclopedia: What We Know & What We Don't

$30 BUY NOW

This hardcover encyclopedia is the book every curious kid will devour for years to come. Teeming with fascinating facts from everything we know about the universe to history to renewable energy, all on 424 full-color, heavily illustrated pages. Editor Christopher Lloyd interviewed experts in their fields to bring the most factually accurate info right to your kiddo's curious minds. Ages: 7+

From an Idea to LEGO

$8 BUY NOW

This awesome series, which includes other books like From an Idea to Google, and From an Idea to Disney, is basically like a "How I Built This" for kids, in book form. We learned so many amazing things about LEGO including the beginning concepts and hardships, fun facts and so much more. The perfect book for little LEGO lovers who want to go beyond sticking bricks. In short, Lowey Bundy Sichol's books are brilliant and inspiring for inventors and innovators everywhere. Ages: 8-12

How to Be a Coder

$14 BUY NOW

Kiki Prottsman doesn't just know all about coding, she knows how to foster curiosity and creativity in kids by encouraging, teaching and getting kids excited about learning to code...by reading. No small feat, getting kids to learn about greats like computer science pioneers Katherine Johnson and Alan Turing along with gleaning new skills, this impressive (and very colorful) book from DK is sure to be a hit. Ages: 7-9

The Book of Ingeniously Daring Chemistry: 24 Experiments for Young Scientists

$13 BUY NOW

Take a trip through the periodic table with the ultimate STEM book from Sean Connolly. With 24 hands-on experiments (which you can try again and again) and easy-to-follow instructions, kids can learn about chemistry by doing things like using ultraviolet light to locate bad cat smells, making “hot ice” by crystallizing vinegar and baking soda and so much more. Ages: 9 and up

—Amber Guetebier & Karly Wood

Be Sun Smart: 10 Summer Safety Tips to Follow with Babies & Toddlers

by Julie SegussJuly 4, 2020

Long, lazy summer days spent outside are the best. But babies’ tiny bodies and sensitive skin need careful consideration. Here are the top sun-safety rules to live by this summer, to keep your baby comfortable, covered up and well hydrated.

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photo: Weefarers

1. Baby sunglasses! Not only are baby sunglasses all kinds of adorable, they provide important protection against the sun’s harsh rays. If your little one likes to fling them off, try sunglasses with a band or strap to keep them on securely. We love Weefarers sunglasses (above), which come with a removable strap and carrying pouch in two sizes (age 0-2 and 2-4) and polarized or not. All styles provide 100% UVA and 100% UVB protection.

2. Choose sun-protective swimwear. The key to keeping your baby safe in the sun is sun-protective clothing. Look for swimwear that has a UPF (ultraviolet protection factor) of 30 or higher for the best protection. One-piece, full-coverage suits and rash guards cover more skin, which means less time struggling with applying sunscreen to a wriggly baby.

3. Dress in light layers. Look for breathable fabrics, like cotton, which soaks up sweat and can help keep baby cool. And dress kids in layers, covering as much of their skin as is comfortable. You can remove any excess clothing when you’re in the shade.

photo: iStock

4. Apply, and reapply, sunscreen. Check out our favorite sunscreen for babies, and reapply after contact with water, or approximately every two hours if you’ll be outside longer than that. Pro tip: Set your phone’s alarm to remind you when it’s time for more sunscreen. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that infants 6 months and younger shouldn’t wear sunscreen, so keep the little ones in the shade and in sun-protective clothing instead.

5. Pop on a wide-brimmed bucket hat, preferably with a chin strap. Baby hats are important for all kids, especially little baldies. The wider the brim, the better. Also, look for a hat that’s made of a lightweight material that will dry quickly and offers UV protection. A chin strap is extra helpful to hold hats in place, but avoid the ones with a one-piece strap, due to safety concerns over it being a strangulation hazard. Instead, get one with a two-piece strap that attaches in the center with a clip or velcro.

6. Limit time in the sun during the hottest part of the day. The sun’s rays are strongest from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. And since that’s pretty much most of the day, it can be hard to stay indoors the entire time. But if you can squeeze in a nap or some shade during this time frame, it helps to keep your little ones out of the sun at the time when it can be most dangerous.

7. Expand your shade options. A big sunshade on your stroller or a shady spot under an umbrella or tree can keep babies comfortable. But to protect the whole family, we love ShelterLogic’s pop-up canopies. They provide shade for 6-7 people, with ample room for playing.

photo: Veer

8. Consider a pop-up play yard. These little tents are great for the beach, park picnics, backyard fun and camping. They do the double duty of keeping your baby out of the sun and also providing a cool place for a nap, nursing or a quick diaper change. We love the Veer Basecamp (above) for its ease of use and UPF50 protection. Here are more of our favorite play yards.

9. Keep them hydrated. Keep your babes topped up with breastmilk, formula or water (if they’re old enough) to avoid dehydration. Fresh fruit makes a hydrating snack.

10. Keep your summer bag packed. Stay ready for adventure by choosing a summer bag and keeping it mostly packed, with a change of clothes, sun hat, sunscreen and packaged snacks so you just have to add a few items to get you on your way.

—Heather Dixon

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The Best Sunscreens for Your Family & 10 Mistakes to Avoid When Applying It

by Jennifer SwartvagherJuly 2, 2020

Do you have a sunscreen that you know and trust? Now that summer is in full swing, parents need to find a safe and effective sunscreen for their family, The Environmental Working Group just added 119 more SPF products to their Guide to Sunscreens.

Lists of products by category:

Best Beach and Sport Sunscreens

Best Sunscreens for Kids

Best Lip Balms with SPF

It’s important to read product instructions. When sunscreen is applied incorrectly, it provides far less protection from harmful ultraviolet rays and leaves skin exposed to sun damage.

Here are 10 of the most common mistakes people make when applying sunscreen:

Not reading the ingredient label

EWG recommends a mineral-based sunscreen with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide because these active ingredients have fewer health concerns, and these products generally offer good sun protection. Zinc oxide especially provides good broad spectrum protection, protection from both UVA and UVB rays, and stability in the sun.

Not applying enough sunscreen

To protect your body fully, you should use about an ounce of lotion – enough to fill a shot glass. Product testers apply a thick coat of sunscreen to their skin to determine its SPF – the equivalent of a family of four using up a four-ounce bottle in just two hours. Make sure to slather it on!

Forgetting to reapply sunscreen every two hours

Sunscreens lose effectiveness over time and having a high SPF in the product you use is no excuse to prolong your time in the sun. Such products can give people a false sense of security so they think they are completely protected from sunburn and long-term skin damage, and can stay out in the sun longer without reapplying. EWG recommends that consumers avoid products labeled with anything higher than SPF 50+.

Applying sunscreen outdoors

Apply sunscreen 15 to 30 minutes before you venture outside. If you’re already exposed to the sun while applying sunscreen, harmful rays are already hitting your skin. On some days, even five minutes outside in the bright sunlight without sunscreen can damage skin.

Wearing sunscreen only at the beach or pool

You’re exposed to harmful UV radiation year-round. Up to 80 percent of the sun’s UV rays can penetrate through thick clouds. It’s not unheard of to get a sunburn on an overcast day. In winter months, the sun’s skin-damaging ultraviolet rays reflect off snow and ice, increasing your exposure. This is especially true on ski vacations, with greater UV exposure the higher the altitude. Remember, UV rays can pass through some glass panes while you drive or work by a window. Check out more sunscreen myths here.

Using an old, separated or expired sunscreen

As sunscreens age, or repeatedly heat and cool the formulation can separate or clump in its container. When this happens, the sunscreen won’t coat your skin in the thick or even way that’s necessary for proper skin protection. Shake sunscreens before applying and store them at an even temperature whenever possible. Toss any product if it clumps or if the oil separates from the lotion. Sunscreens are generally formulated to last about three years. However, it’s important to check expiration dates and examine the product’s texture before use. Discard products after their expiration date because they may no longer provide proper protection.

Neglecting to wear sunscreen because of your darker skin tone

No one is immune from the sun’s harmful UV rays. Although dark skin tones naturally produce more melanin to protect skin, it’s not enough to prevent skin cancer, wrinkling and photo-aging.

Using a product that combines sunscreen and bug repellent

Avoid products that combine insect repellent with sunscreen. Bugs are typically not a problem during the hours when UV radiation peaks. And, more importantly, if you reapply sunscreen every two hours, as advised, you will be overexposed to the active ingredients in the repellent.

Overlooking SPF products formulated for babies

Many baby products are formulated without fragrance and other sensitizing or allergenic ingredients. These products also work well to help protect adults with sensitive skin. This year, EWG found 16 best-scoring sunscreen products for kids.

Relying on sunscreen alone

Although sunscreen can help protect your skin from sun damage, it should never be your only line of defense. Proper sun protection includes wearing protective clothing, like a lightweight, long-sleeved shirt, pants, a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses with UV protection. Find or make shade as much as possible, and stay indoors during peak midday sun.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

Featured photo Yaoqi LAI on Unsplash

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3 Glow-in-the-Dark Recipes to Try Tonight

by Abigail MatsumotoJanuary 26, 2020

Glow your own way with recipes that combine science and a wow-worthy special effect. The magic ingredient? Under ultraviolet light, the quinine in tonic water shines bright blue. See the magic for yourself with one of the three glow-in-the-dark food ideas below that are sure to steal the spotlight.

1. Glow-in-the-Dark Buttercream
Ready to revolutionize your cakes? All you need is this glow-in-the-dark buttercream from the Craftsy blog. Under your average lamp, it looks like a nice, classic frosting—whip out a black light, and it turns any dessert into a glowing good time. Get the recipe here.

2. Black Light Lemonade
Give your fave refreshing drink a cool twist! With the help of tonic water, this lemonade takes on a spooky glow that’s sure to amaze kids and grown-ups alike. Perfect for Halloween or any ol’ Tuesday. Find out how to make your own batch at Girl Loves Glam.

3. Glow in the Dark Cupcakes
There’s no doubt about it—this glow in the dark recipe from Hoosier Homemade takes the cake. The glowing effect of these awesome cupcakes is easy to pull off, and the result is perfect for any party spread. Hint: Besides tonic water, the secret ingredient is JELL-O!

— Abigail Matsumoto

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These New Crocs Have Built-In Fanny Packs (In Case You Don’t Have Pockets, Right?)

by Shahrzad WarkentinMay 3, 2019

The ‘80s called and said “remember how awesome your fanny pack was, why not put them on your shoes?” Or something like that. A new line of Crocs with fanny packs has just been released and now you can wear your shoes and carry stuff too.

The Crocs, which are the result of a collab with cult Japanese clothing line Beams, feature a tiny nylon, zip-top fanny pack attached to the ankle strap of classic-style Crocs. The ankle strap can also be flipped over so that the pouches sit on top of your shoes.

The pouches are designed to hold small items, like keys or cash, so they won’t do much good for stashing those wipes and diapers, but if you’re going for a quick stroll and need your hands free for the kids, they could come in handy.

The fanny-pack Crocs are available in two colors, Ultraviolet and Tropical Teal, on the Beams site for or 5940 yen, or about $53 per pair.

—Shahrzad Warkentin

All photos: Beams

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Three Minutes in the NICU

By Keiko Zoll

Tinybeans Voices Contributor

January 25, 2019

Photo: Keiko Zoll

It’s quiet here in the NICU at night.

Judah was born this weekend coming in at 5 pounds, 7 ounces and 19 inches long. He’s perfect in every single way.

…He’s just five weeks early.

No parent ever expects this. We all read What to Expect and we glaze over the worst-case scenarios. We don’t even bother to crack open the pages about premature babies or labor because “it will never happen to us.” And yet, here we are.

For a 34-week old baby, he’s doing remarkably well. In just the 72 hours since he came into this world, we’ve received a crash course in neo-natal care, from intakes and residuals to Bradys and pre- and post-weights. We’ve changed his first diapers within an acrylic isolette. We’ve put him in a t-shirt and hat of his own. There’s been a parade of visitors.

Every single part of this experience has been surreal.

(And I haven’t even gotten to Judah’s birth story, which involves everything from his out-of-state birth, Japanese flight attendants, olive oil and the most enthusiastic endorsement of FaceTime you’ll ever read.)

There has been little time to just come to a full stop and simply be with the notion that our son is really here, no matter how early. It’s in this quiet time tonight that the realization sinks in, that we see the long road that stretches ahead of us in three-hour increments, each feeding and vitals check bringing our son closer to coming home.

. . .

Before you can enter the NICU, you’ve gotta scrub up.

For three minutes, you must wash your hands with the soap-soaked sponge and brush, being sure to clean under each nail with the provided plastic pick. Just as we lay in bed, Larry and I have our sides at the two sinks, side-by-side at the entrance to the NICU. I stand to the right, Larry to the left. Sometimes we crack jokes. Most times, it’s just silence as the clock ticks each second of our three-minute ritual away.

In my head, I’m running through to-do list items: call George about the cats. Call the bank. Call the lactation consultant. Call the insurance company. Call the pediatrician. Respond to so-and-so’s email. Check Facebook. Schedule that blog post.

As I scrub the rough yellow soapy sponge on my horribly bruised arms from multiple failed IV sites from labor and delivery, I think to myself: “Pick up another tube of Aveeno hand lotion.” I look at my ragged, short-bitten nails and realize they’ve never been so clean in my entire life.

When you come out of the elevator onto the fourth floor, you can smell the soap from the scrub station as soon as you exit. Other patients probably don’t, but I bet you dollars to donuts that any parent with a child in the NICU could identify that smell blind-folded.

I jingle now. Watches, bracelets and rings all have to come off before scrubbing, so I wear my wedding band and engagement ring on the necklace Larry bought for me for my 30th birthday last year. As I instinctively touch these tokens of love around my neck before turning on the water, I realize my 30th birthday wish did in fact, come true: to be a mom in my 30th year.

We glance up at the clock and are almost always disappointed to see that there’s usually another full minute of scrubbing to go. I use the time as efficiently as I can, running through more mental checklists: get a pumping bustier, check to see what we still have left to get on the registry, what essentials do we need right now that we’ll have to return the duplicates of that are still in Massachusetts? The listing is endless in those three minutes.

We wave our wet hands in front of the touch-less towel dispensers, each machine playing an electronic tone that puts the two machines in a minor third harmony if we time our drying session just right. With damp elbows, we press the button on the wall to page the nurses’ desk.

“Mom and Dad here to see Judah,” we say, the same words every time.

The NICU doors swing toward us in grandiose fashion, like the entrance to the Emerald City, a yellow-brick road of babies born too soon. We pass beds and bays and ultraviolet bilirubin lamp-bathed isolettes. We say “hi” to the nurse on duty. I do a mental rerun of everything I just thought about during our three-minute scrubbing session: don’t forget to call the bank. Don’t forget to call the bank. Don’t forget to call the bank.

We arrive at the corner room, sun-drenched and warm and there, this tiny little acrylic box that our son calls home.

My memory is washed clean of anything else except his beautiful, perfect face, scrubbed bare of anything else but him.

This post originally appeared on The Infertility Voice.

Keiko Zoll

Tinybeans Voices Contributor

Keiko is a mom and Red Tricycle editor. Fueled almost exclusively by Coke Zero and Nespresso, she is a textbook Gemini and her spirit animal is the octopus. Bylines include HuffPost, Romper, Disney Baby, Babble, Metro News International and others. Her favorite dinosaur is the parasaurolophus.

Sun Day Best: The Coolest, SPF-Infused Kid Clothes

by Ayren Jackson-CannadyApril 18, 2016

Getting the crew dressed and out the door during the summer—when lazy days make way for slug-like habits—is hard enough. Add to that the need to slather on SPF head-to-toe to protect your sun bunnies delicate skin, and you’re lucky if you’re ever on time. To make things a little easier we’ve rounded up the cutest UPF (that’s “ultraviolet protection factor”)-infused threads: including skirts, tops, pants, hats, and more!

SPF Ahoy!

This versatile slip-on is a triple threat—it can be worn as a dress, tunic, or beach cover-up (note to self: find the grown-up version of this!).

Available at mott50.com, $54.

How do you keep your little one protected from the sun? Tell us in the comments below.

—Ayren Jackson-Cannady

ML Interest Tag: ultraviolet

13 Beautiful Books for Curious Kids

Out of This World: Star-Studded Haiku

Bok's Giant Leap

Opposites Abstract

The Seekers

What Do You Do with an Idea?

A Ray of Light

She Stitched the Stars: The Story of Ellen Harding Baker's Solar System Quilt

Astronaut Annie

Barefoot Books Children of the World

Britannica All New Kids Encyclopedia: What We Know & What We Don't

From an Idea to LEGO

How to Be a Coder

The Book of Ingeniously Daring Chemistry: 24 Experiments for Young Scientists

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SPF Ahoy!

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