the whiz kid

SLATE: Funny article about a father searching for the best potty chair on the market.

celebrations around the world

Mini voyagers learn about the culture and traditions of various Asian countries at the KidsQuest Children’s Museum in Factoria Mall. Create a chinese dragon today from noon-5 ($7.50, under 1 is free)

adventure playhouse

From ParentMap: Youth Theater Northwest and Wing-It Productions is proud to present an improvised adventure story where the audience creates the show with the actors. Adventure Playhouse features live music, games and art; all designed to engage children in the story making process and spark their imaginations. On Mercer Island today at 2:30 p.m, ages 3-10 ($10)

cherry street coffeehouse

Head to Cherry Street Coffeehouse on First and Seneca for their Kid's Cafe! Kids can enjoy free hot cocoa, books, toys and a chalk wall. In Downtown Seattle today from 10-11 (free)

groundfrog day

Come celebrate GroundFrog Day in Snohomish. The Community Frogorama will be held at the National Guard Armory building from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Slew's passion for Northwest Green continues at the Frogorama by promoting how we all can live, work, play and ride green with vending booths, Kid’s recycled Arts and Crafts, frogtabulous games, green demonstrations, and great entertainment.

free kindermusik class

Come to a free Kindermusik Class. There will be singing, movement activities, stories and more for children ages newborn-7 with a parent or caregiver. Learn how music and movement can nurture your young child’s developing mind and body. In Puyallup today from 10-10:45am (free)

ymca open house

Dale Turner Family YMCA Open House. Everyone in the community is welcome to come and experience the YMCA for free. In addition to swimming, playing basketball, Kids Corner and Adventure Zone, and using the cardio and strength equipment, the YMCA is also offering some special 101 classes for its most popular activitie. In Shoreline today from 10-2. All ages (free)

full moon fun

Take a guided walk through Discovery Park as night falls. Bring a flashlight -- and dress for the weather! Call 206-684-0195 to register. 4:30-6:30 p.m. Ages 8 and up ($5)

mariners fanfest

Mariner's FanFest is this weekend, Sat and Sun from 10-4. Meet the players, tour the clubhouse, be a big leaguer for a day AND hit the kids zone.

Tickets are
* $10 Adults
* $5 Kids (6-14)
* All children 5 & under are free

seeking fresh faces

Artistic child photography opportunity to represent "the quintessential pacific northwest childhood". Shades of Gray Photography is seeking fresh faces - girls and boys from the Pacific Northwest between the ages of 4 and 12. Interested parents should contact via phone or email. They will email you a short application, and ask for a brief description & snapshot of your child. Participants will be selected between Feb. 5-15

tada!

Or rather, Tada Shop. From DailyCandyKids, "The just-launched site for apparel (girls, boys, babies) and toys is more than a virtual shopping cart; it compares and contrasts looks and prices from hundreds of brands, saving you the chore of website hopping."

cafe o'play

Check out the "soft" opening today of Cafe O' Play, a new indoor cafe and playspace (Ravenna/University District). Grand Opening is this Fri. Free play area admission through the weekend - and then choose-your-own-price during the entire month of Feb!

more foodie gear

This was my go-to Christmas gift for the (3 years and older) kids in my life this year, and it was a huge hit! Remember Wooly Willy? Try this plate (also found at most Barnes & Noble stores)



For the under 3's, I think this Play & Learn Baby Spoon is very cool.

tuesday fun

University Village PlayDays: Visit Kid's Club to create a custom balloon animal craft and great toy to bring home. Tues, 10-11am (free)

ParentMap: On the last Tuesday of every month, head to Secret Garden bookshop in Ballard for a special story time that features authors and illustrators reading from their own work! Every kid through the door gets a prize. In January, the guest author is the fabulous author/illustrator Nina Laden, who will read from her latest, "Button Nose," a book for the very young. Tues 7-7:30pm (free)

foodie gear

Or "how to survive being out in a public restaurant" with:

a toddler: Eat-N-Play Activity Cooler

a baby: Neatnik Saucer

foodie kids

Coming off of yesterday's post, here are two recent books on food and kids you might want to check out!

The Gastrokid Cookbook: Feeding a Foodie Family in a Fast-Food World

Hungry Monkey: A Food-Loving Father's Quest to Raise an Adventurous Eater

sunday grub

RedTricycle: ""Baby Palate Pleasers from Alina's Cucina". The baby food cookbook and DVD are based on International Cuisine. Visit their website here.

Like the variety but not into cooking? Try local "World Baby Foods": Exploring the planet one flavor at a time.

Also, check out www.giveavoice.com, a website where you can create and print visual menus so your kids can tell you exactly what they want to eat.

language skills

Want to know what your baby is saying? Yep, there's an app for that!

Tacoma Art Museum: The Secret Language of Animals Exhibition Opening Celebration tonight. Also, explore an instrument petting zoo and be one of the first to receive a special edition Leroy coloring page. Animal-inspired attire is encouraged for guests of ALL AGES. The opening celebration is free with your R.S.V.P. to 253.722.2455 or Education@TacomaArtMuseum.org.

got weekend plans?

FRI: Story Times at Magnolia and Columbia as well as many Eastside Libraries this morning (free)

FRI: Parent's Night Out (babysitting for $15) *or* Family Skate Night ($3). Both @ Alki Community Center tonight

FRI: Leo the Clown at Delridge Community Center tonight (free)

FRI: Don't forget about the Children's Film Festival. Runs now through Jan. 31 ($6.50/$9)

FRI/SAT/SUN: Take a train ride at Country Village. Fridays-Sundays 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m. ($3.50)

SAT: Children's Puppet Theatre at Alki Bathouse ($5)

SAT: Build a Tic-Tac-Toe board at Lowes "Build and Grow" Clinic (free)

...and many more weekend events are listed at RedTricycle.com

etsy love

These are a few of my favorite (etsy) things:

TinyToppers: Super cute hats for babies. Yes, my baby happens to be one of the models - but I genuinely like these, especially the little race car ones! $16

Bugaloo Kids Shoes - Great designs for little feet - think Robeez but affordable! $15

Baby name and birthdate necklaces: The example shown is my own personal necklace. I bought it right after my son was born and I wear it all the time. Totally unique gift idea for a new mom! $35

graco stroller recall

thebump.com lists all the details here

cloth diaper deals

Fuzzi Bunz (this pattern only) on sale for $10.95 @ Kelly's Closet (reg $18.95). Gro Baby Bio Soaker Pads (count 50 pack) are buy one, get one free! All other Winter clearance items listed here.

Have a question about cloth diapering? Ask Tereson (inventor of FuzziBunz) a question on the FuzziBunz website and if your question is chosen, you can win a free "onesize" diaper. You can ask one ? per week and they go into the pool each week for a month, so there are 4 chances to win. Thanks Stella!

library story times

Today 10:30-11am @ MANY Library branches. Details here

popatot

One product that stood out to me from the PTPA was the PopaTot, a portable activity center. Perfect for when the baby goes to in-home care or Grandma's house. Great reviews all around. $49.99 with free shipping right now.

parent tested parent approved

As seen on Rachael Ray, Parent Tested Parent Approved is a cool website that matches real parents with new products for honest reviews. You can also sign up to become a tester!

land of nod

Calling all babies! Submit your (6-24 mo old) baby's photo at the Land of Nod at U Village for a chance to be a Land Of Nod model. Entries due by Jan. 24

bebe au lait

Free tote bag with (certain style) Bebe Au Lait items plus free ground shipping. Now through Jan. 31

oshkosh

Their website shows 20% off clearance - "Starts Friday!". But I hear from a good source this must mean last Friday as its in full swing. Only at actual OshKosh B'Gosh stores. Thanks Mariana!

baby sales galore!

Target, SEARS and Fred Meyer are all having HUGE baby clearance sales right now. In particular. FM is having an additional 50% off clearance on children's and infant apparel. Many of it winter so stock up for next year! There is also a 15% coupon in last Sunday's paper. Good through Jan, 17 - 23. Thanks Mariana!

meet the author

Meet children's author and illustrator Peter Brown at the Ballard Library tomorrow (Tues Jan. 19).

5th annual seattle children's film festival

Northwest Film Forum present the 5th annual Seattle Children's Film Festival. Complete schedule here. Runs Jan. 22-31

free shipping

@ Babies R Us and Toys R Us. Today (Jan. 18) only!

got a beautiful baby?

LIVE! with Regis and Kelly and Gerber present the 2010 Beautiful Baby Search. Send in your photo for a chance at $125K. Note: Nominees must be between the age of 6 months and 48 months as of January 5, 2010

won't you be my neighbor?

Mr. Rogers Sweater Drive. Donate freshly laundered cardigans, coats, and pullovers (especially childrens’) at participating PCC locations to be dispensed by Wellspring Family Services. Thru Feb. 7 @ participating locations at pccnaturalmarkets.com.

old navy

50% off clearance items (in stores only) at all Old Navy locations. Great for maternity and kids. Today through Jan. 18.

calling all astronauts

Attend The Museum of Flight's Rocket to the Moon Family Workshop to learn about and make your own Saturn 5 rocket model. Jan. 17, 11:15 a.m. and 1:15. FREE for 5 and under.

get crafty

"Get Crafty Saturdays" at Bellevue Art Museum today, 1-3pm. FREE with admission or $2 materials fee.

mamaswap

Looking for something special but can't find it or don't want to deal with craiglist? Try MamaSwap for new and gently used items. All items are local - so you can pick it up or have it shipped!

haiti relief: how kids can help!

According to Soles4Souls, a sturdy pair of shoes is absolutely necessary in times like these when the amount of broken glass, twisted metal and raw sewage is staggering.

They are accepting ongoing shoe donations from individuals and retailers. Kids (and adults) can donate new or gently worn shoes that are just taking up space in your closet - every little bit counts. Just bind each pair with rubber bands and drop them off at a participating location. Go here for participating drop-off locations.

best kids music of 2009

About.com's Top 10 of 2009

petunia pickle bottom

Still a little steep for my blood, but if you were going to anyway...DailyCandy is offering 25% off Petunia Pickle Bottom. Diaper bags, bedding, baby carriers, layette, and accessories. Now thru Jan. 21; enter BABYCHIC.

got train?

Pacific Science Center is hosting the 36th Annual Model Railroad Show. Free with admission to the Center, runs Jan.16-18

welcome

...to my blog. A place to visit to find cool new kids' stuff and ideas of what's going about town (Seattle and Eastside). It won't be daily - or it could be multiple times a day - just when I see something cool enough to share. A cheap or free event going on around town, a great new find, links to coupons etc. Heck, I do this religiously anyway, so why not share?