Category Archives: Product

Prime Time: KFDC Picks for Amazon’s Big Sale

 

It’s that time of the year when Amazon has its big annual sale.  And while it’s called Prime Day, it actually takes place over a couple of days.  You really can get fantastic deals on all kinds of items, however, there is so much to sift through, it can be quite time-consuming browsing it all.  So, I’ve done some of that for you and found what I think are great offers on a variety of products.  Many of these are in the spirit of KFDC — items to enhance your adventures around the area and beyond or just make family time better.  Others are things we have and love.  And some just look like products I would like to have (and would probably love) and think you might, too.  I hope you agree and find them useful and/or enjoyable. Happy Shopping (& Saving)!

 

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Camping Chair
We have these chairs and use them all the time —  hanging out at the park, at soccer games, and other outdoor pursuits and places that include some sitting time. They’re so easy to tote and set up — just a few quick pulls and click-ins — and fold back up nice and neat into a bundle that you can carry in one hand or stow in a backpack.

 

 

Portable Table
This table elevates a picnic, literally and figuratively! It keeps the food away from the ground (great at the beach) and also helps keep an outdoor set-up organized. Friends brought this when we were hanging out recently, and now we want one, too.

 

 

Bike Lock with Cable
This little bike lock system is perfect for family bike rides. Just loop the cable through the lock and around all the bikes, so you can lock them all up together at your destination. Ours has gotten a ton of use.

 

 

Wagon
A foldable utility wagon is exactly what you need for carting gear and  kiddos when there’s a lengthy walk to a destination from the parking lot — or even just from your house to the park several blocks away.  I can think of  some places where this would really come in handy for families with little kids, like here and here.

 

 

Bike Rack
I’ve mentioned this purchase on the blog before, but it’s such a good one that I’m sharing again. This wall mounted bike rack is such a great space saver, especially in tight DC row homes. We have several friends who saw our rack, then bought it for themselves. And it’s $20 off during this sale!

 

 

Sports Gear Organizer
I’m sure we’re not the only family that needs help organizing all of our sports gear. This looks like a great solution, and it’s 20% off right now.

 

Pickleball Set
The game is all the rage these days, and this set lets you play without having to find a court — and it packs up into one bag, so you can bring it anywhere. Friends set it up in their back alley often for neighborhood pickleball fun. And if you just want the paddles and balls, this set is part of the sale, too.

 

 

Portable Cornhole
There’s a whole KFDC post about lawn games, and cornhole is, of course, included on it. The beanbag toss game is fun and easy for all ages to play. And this portable set makes it convenient to bring along anywhere.

 

 

Scavenger Hunt Game
I’ve mentioned this cute scavenger hunt game before, and now it’s over 50% off the original price. It gets great reviews… apparently, there are brain teasing clues along with the big picture cards to get kids of all ages into the game. You can play at home or bring it along on outdoor adventures.

 

 

 

Crocs
All the kids, little and big, are wearing Crocs these days, and some styles are included in the sale. The pic links to little kid sizes (more here), and you can find older kid/adult sizes here (note that only certain colors are on sale).

 

 

 

Adidas Running Sneaks
They’re running shoes, but also cute to wear as everyday shoes. And they come in a variety of colors. FYI: Adidas has a bunch of good items in the sale, including gear and apparel for women, men, and kids.

 

 

 

Workout Tights
I recommended these exact tights last year, saying they were worth a try because they were such a great deal. Now that I have them, I can say they are definitely worth purchasing.  No, they are not on par with lulu, but for less than $16, they are really good tights.

 

 

Goodr Sunglasses
Levi has a few pairs of Goodr sunglasses and swears by them. They look cool, have protected polarized lenses, and are nice and cheap — $17 on sale, regularly $25.

 

 

 

Luggage
You can get some amazing deals on luggage during Prime Days, and this one (pictured above) is just one of them. If you prefer a soft case, check out this set.  Or just browse all of the deals here.

 

 

Packing cubes
These help keep packing organized when you travel, and this set comes with eight pieces and gets great reviews. Lots of colors to choose from, too.  You can also see a bigger selection of packing cubes in the sale here.

 

 

Backpack 
I’ve been looking for a very versatile backpack, and this one looks like it more than fits the bill. It can be used for travel, hiking, or just everyday toting. It has some structure for packing clothes (or food for a picnic), a laptop sleeve, a shoe compartment, lots of pockets for organizing, even a charging port. Plus, it’s waterproof. Comes in several colors, too.

 

 

Echo Dot 
I’ve recommended Echo Dots before — they are great as an alarm clock, music player, even encyclopedias. And how cool are these styles for kids (or adults) who love Star Wars? (FYI: The basic one is on sale, too, for even less!)

 

 

Echo Buds
Wireless earbuds are a must-have for everyone in our family, and who needs pricey ones when they’re easy-to-lose items. Amazon has their own brand of ear buds, and they’re a lot less expensive than Air Pods, especially with the Prime Day deal. (But just to put it out there, if you’re in a splurgy mood, there are some really good deals on Beats in the sale.)

 

 

 

Wireless Headphones
For little kids who don’t like sticking things in their ears, these wireless headphone have a lot of great reviews. Our kids had similar pairs that really came in handy on long road trips.

 

 

 

Portable Charger
I got these for my kids awhile back, so they could make sure their phones stay charged when they’re out and about. They’re even small enough to carry in a pocket and don’t bulk up the phone too much when it’s attached.

 

 

 

Patio Umbrella
A friend has a similar large umbrella for her patio, and it’s perfect for the space. I especially like that this one has LED lights for a lovely evening glow.

 

 

 

Sail Shade
For something more simple — and less expensive — to keep the sun from beating down on your outdoor space, a shade sail is great. We have this exact one and love it for our small patio.

 

 

Patio Storage Box
I just bought this box for our back patio to store the furniture cover and other items like bug repellant and sun block that we use regularly out there. It was super easy to put together, and it’s totally waterproof. Bonus: It also provides an extra seat.

 

 

Reusable Storage Bags
It’s a good time to stock up on these reusable bags to replace plastic zipper bags. They are great for lunches, packing for picnics, and storing food in the fridge. These are BPA free and come in a few sizes.

 

 

Drying Lotion 
I usually rely on my teen daughter for tips on skin care and beauty products. She uses this drying lotion when blemishes pop up, and says it works great. Snagging a couple of bottles for her while it’s on sale (one of them as a set with the patches).

 

 

 

Mini Food Processor
‘Tis the season for cold soups, and I use my mini food processor all the time to make individual servings of gazpacho or avocado cucumber soup for an easy, chilled lunch on a hot summer day. I also use it often to blend dressings and quickly chop veggies. Of course, if you’re doing bigger batches, go for the large blender.

 

 

Dyson Vacuum
Finally, this might seem like a super random, pricey product to include in this list, but we really like our Dyson vacuum and think it was totally worth it. And this is a fantastic deal on one.

 

 

Macbook Air
One more late addition… a friend pointed this one out to me. A great deal on a Macbook at $250 off the regular price. If you’re in need of a new computer, snag one of these while you can!

 

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This post contains affiliate links, which means if you click on one and make a purchase, I may get a small commission.  This helps me continue to produce KFDC, all completely free to readers.  Thank you so much for the support!

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Must-Haves for Keeping Kids Cool at the Pool

[Note:  This post was written by KFDC Contributor Emily Moise, a local writer and mom of two young children.   She always has excellent recommendations for kids’ items as well as local explorations with little ones. See more of them hereherehereherehere, and here.]

 

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Summer comes at you fast, and if you’re like my family, it’s time to gear up for spending the majority of your time at the good ol’ community pool. For us — and our water loving five-year-old — pool days have actually been year-round, giving us extra time to work out the kinks with goggles, swim bags, shower supplies, and more. Here are our must-have items for keeping kids cool at the pool.

 

 

De-Boggling Goggles

Oh first world little kid goggle problems: they leak, fog up, straps snap, or are just never quite comfortable enough. My 5-year-old has tried at least half-a-dozen this past year. This bungee strap pair is the winner. Here’s a similar style at an even better deal.

 

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Sunscreen Success

After many trials and tribulations, Bare Republic Clearscreen (plus the face version) became our family favorite last summer—it’s clean and has an invisible finish. For squeamish faces, try an applicator or makeup brush. Glitter sunscreen is on my radar if we encounter resistance.

 

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Preferred Swimwear

If you’re familiar with Fair Harbor swim trunks (and the game changing boxer brief liner), you’ll love this highly rated option for kids. And for girls who are into color and cut outs: rainbow one piece, cut out one piece.

 

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Unbeatable Bags

Mesh bags are a must for pool rats, and this backpack style is just perfect. This larger backpack will hold just about everything, plus features hooks on the outside to hang swimsuits to dry. And these waterproof and tip proof totes are splurge-worthy.

 

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Tried and True Toys

For pool time with little ones, there is one brand of toys that floats to the top: Green Toys. These ferry boats with cars and spouted submarines are classics, and these newer seacopters and rescue boats with removable figurines look like winners.

 

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Shower Power

Nothing beats sling-back Crocs for showering (make ‘em extra with charms). Avoid a swim bag disaster with leak-proof, refillable bottles for shampoo, conditioner, lotion, etc. And don’t forget a mini Wet Brush for easy detangling.

 

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Quick Change

The “time to go” process can be an ordeal. For a quick change, opt for a terry romper (here’s another option for sizes 6-13). This is a classic swimmers “shammy towel” for quick drying. Or just throw on a hooded poncho towel and go (best of luck with the ice cream truck!).

 

What are your must-have pool items for kids? Tell us in the comments!

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Filed under 2023, DC, Product, Shop, Summer

Beach-Ready: Top Picks for the Best Beach Day

[Note:  This post was written by KFDC Contributor Emily Moise, a local writer and mom of two young children.   She always has excellent recommendations for kids’ items as well as local explorations with little ones.  View more of them here, hereherehere, here. And this one about summertime must-haves is a must-see for the upcoming season. ]

 

It’s that time of year again when the post-Spring Break “are we ready for summer” mental checklist begins. For me, it was a recent day trip to a local beach that made me realize how underprepared I am. We had the basics for a four-hour stretch, but I know our upcoming weekend and week-long beach trips will require more strategic gear.

My almost five-year-old and three-year-old are at the playful ages where they can spend hours doing whatever the repetitive things are that little kids do at the beach. If you’re looking to build on that childhood joy, and mostly relax and “sittervise,” these picks for the best beach day are for you…

 

Are We There Yet?
There will inevitably be iPads, but you’ll want a few things in your back car seat pocket to delay screen time en route to the beach. Tablet drawing boards have been on my list since using them at a recent pediatric dentist visit, and a friend suggested these, which are more preschool age-appropriate. I am also stocking up on Magic Pattern coloring pads.

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Organized Chaos
You’re gonna need a better bag. A wide mesh tote is a lifesaver for sandy beach toys, and these smaller mesh cross-body bags are perfect for your seashell collectors. I’m also a fan of insulated backpacks, and use this small one daily. This larger one with a cooler at the base may be better-suited for a long beach day.

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Strategic Sunscreen
The hunt for the best thing to ease sunscreen resistance continues. This year, I’m testing out foaming lotion. This mineral foam sunscreen with “vanishing color” looks like a sure-fire hit. An option for both kids and parents is this one from rising brand Supergoop!. Don’t forget a sensitive, tear-free lotion just for the face.

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The Big Dig
Let’s talk digging — because kids love to do that at the beach. My favorite shovels are the large wooden ones, but we have had bad luck with the spades breaking after just a few uses. These large ones with shorter handles look much more durable. For the smaller variety, these scoop shovels are way more efficient than your standard plastic shovel.

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Water Play
If your kids simply dig a big hole and fill it with water, add spouted watering cans to your beach bag (one for each kid). On our recent beach day, my three-year-old stood in awe of another kids’ similar spouted pitcher. Another summer staple is water blasters, and the beach is a perfect, wider space to use them.

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Toys-R-Useful
If your kid fills a big hole with water, you’re gonna want a water toy to go with it. Turn it into a mermaid lagoon with these dolls, a superhero cave with Marvel dive toys,  or play a game of Finding Dory. Vehicle lovers will enjoy a just-for-the-beach dump truck. And when your kids want you to play with them, ultra-lightweight frisbees are entertaining for everyone.

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Cover Up
For the hottest beach days, a small tent may be essential for a shaded break. They can also be used for discreet outfit changes or portable potty breaks. If you’ve ever seen a three-year-old try to hold up a towel around them, you’ll appreciate poncho towels. And try these headbands if your child won’t keep a hat on, but you still want some scalp coverage.

 

What’s in your beach bag? Tell us in the comments!  

 

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which means if you click on one and make a purchase, I may get a small commission. This helps me continue to bring you KFDC. Thanks so much for the support!

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Filed under 2022, Product, Shop, Summer

15 Stocking Stuffer Ideas for Little Ones

[Note:  This post was written by KFDC Contributor Emily Moise, a local writer and mom of two young children.   She always has excellent recommendations for kids’ items as well as local explorations with little ones. See more of them here, hereherehere, and here.]

 

There’s something about digging a little arm down a knitted stocking of unknown. As a kid, celebrating Christmas at my grandparents’ house, mine typically contained scratch off lottery tickets and pretzels — and I loved it. Which is to say, it’s not so much about what’s in the stocking, but the traditions you create.

However, if you’re trying to get more creative than salty treats and gambling games for your little ones, these stocking stuffer picks are for you. A mix of fun and whimsy with practical and developmental.  I hope these inspire new traditions of your own! (PS: Some of these may be the perfect little gift for under the tree, too.)

 

Pop Toy Key Chains
Trendy toy slash backpack adornment. Even if you’re iffy on pop toys, you can’t deny how adorable these ones are.

 

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Mini Building Blocks
These are perfect for the kid that loves to put things together and take them apart, over and over again.

 

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Mini Puzzle Tins
My daughter has a long-standing love of these. They are great for travel, and small storage spaces too.

 

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Clay Snowman Kit
Do you want to build a snowman? You can share this pack with the whole family, or save a few for friends.

 

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Wiki Stix
Family-friendly restaurants often distribute these. Kids and adults alike enjoy the simplistic creating that ensues.

 

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Mini Makeup Palette
My four-year-old requested makeup from Santa 🤦🏻‍♀️. This simple set is innocent enough!

 

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Bath Bombs
Natural ingredients, cutest hidden treasures. I also appreciate how this brand, Two Sisters, was created in the USA by a group of moms.

 

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Playing Cards
Go Fish is the best foray into family gaming. This holiday-themed version is sure to be a winner.

 

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Mini Flashlights
The perfect fort and nighttime walk accessory. This 4-pack may give you a few for the grown-up stockings too.

 

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Farting Snowman
Chances are you have a child who will appreciate this. There is a nice rabbit hole of similar items to browse through as well.

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Mini Figurines
Find a set of your kids’ favorite TV characters, then divide. This 2-pack is perfect for a pair of Bluey fans.

 

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Toothbrushes
The ultimate practical pick. The inadvertent festive colors and suction stands make these a little extra special.

 

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Holiday Note Cards
The cutest cards kids can use to make and send thank you notes for relatives and friends. Santa and your Elf may get one too.

 

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Silly Scents Markers
Refresh your marker supply with this fun set — especially if your child needs some drawing and coloring encouragement.

 

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Pop Ups Lollipops
For kids who like to have their lollipop, and show it off too. These also teach kids that they can always save things for later.

 

What are your favorite stocking stuffers? Tell us in the comments below!

 

This post contains affiliate links, which means if you click on it and make a purchase, I may get a small commission, which helps me continue to bring you KFDC. Thanks so much for the support!

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Filed under 2021, Christmas, Holidays, Product, Shop

At-Home Toys Inspired by The Little Towns Children’s Museum

[Note:  This post was written by KFDC Contributor Emily Moise, a local writer and mom of two young children.   She always has excellent recommendations for kids’ items as well as local explorations with little ones. See more of them here, herehere, and here.]

 

If you’re not ready to venture back into the DC area’s indoor play spaces, this post will bring one of my family’s favorite places to you. The Little Towns Children’s Museum opened during the pandemic and was somewhat of a secret until recently, with play sessions now filling up. The play space, designed for kids ages 6 months to 8 years, is modeled after a real town — and actual local businesses — with every storefront a child could imagine

Little Towns is more modern and impeccably detailed than some of the other mini town play places you may have been to. And the space is large yet contained, making it conducive to lots of independent play. You can follow your children around, or enjoy a moment of solitude in the café space. Along with limited capacity, Covid protocols include temperature checks, mask requirements, and sanitation between play sessions.

However, if you are keeping your activities to outdoor-only, I’ve highlighted our favorite features of the space below, along with at-home items they’ve inspired. Whether you’re ready to start your holiday shopping extra early, or just need more independent play — like asap — this list is for you.

 

The bakery, modeled after Georgetown Cupcake, is always the first place my kids go, and the one place they return to again before leaving.

At-Home: This Cupcake Party Game has been a long-standing hit in our home. My kids don’t actually play the game, they just put together the cupcakes—over and over and over again.

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After the bakery, my daughter always heads to the fire station to put on one of the complete firefighter ensembles.

At-Home: Dress-up has been an activity with the longest shelf life (pun intended) in my house. Mix up the princess dresses with dress up sets like this.

 

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The beauty salon is modeled after Drybar, and you’ll find little ones “styling” hair there with brushes, clips, and rollers for a surprisingly long amount of time.

At-Home: We paired this Elsa Styling Head with this Hair Salon Toy Kit to get lots of kid-initiated, independent play. The battery-operated, blowing hair dryer is a favorite.

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The kid-operated vehicles at Little Towns are my son’s favorite. He loops around and around the town until it’s time to let another patiently waiting kid have a turn.

At-Home: If you have a loop of open floor space in your home, I highly recommend an indoor-only vehicle. My best purchase of the year may be our plasma car, used for this purpose.

 

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The diner is the newest room at Little Towns and is so well done. Kids love to reverse roles here and serve their grown-ups—a nice change of pace, even if it is just pretend!

At-Home: Pretend food that kids can “cut” has been a winner for us, and is still one of our go-to quiet time activities. We have a fruit and veggie set; this set is fun too.

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A do-it-yourself grocery shopping experience is always a hit with little kids, and the grocery store at Little Towns is as real as the pretend ones get.

At-Home: Toy shopping carts have been a favorite of both of my kids at one point or another, more so than any other push toy. This pairs well with the pretend food mentioned above.

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The dance party room set-up for dancing and pretend DJing, takes the excitement up a notch—and is just so darn cool.

At-Home: We’ve had this kids microphone for several years and the magic of Bluetooth in a toy never gets old. This one with LED lights is great for older kids.

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Every kid must be the veterinarian at some point during their visit to Little Towns. They love to dress up and attend to one of the toy animals in the cages.

At-Home: Vet kits are maybe better for independent play than doctor kits, since grown-ups tend to be the patients for doctor check-ups. Stuffed animals can get endless check-ups!

 

What’s your child’s favorite pretend play activity? Share with us in the comments!

 

And if you’re up for out-of-the-house, in-person play…

The Little Towns Children’s Museum
Where: 4931 Wyaconda Road |North Bethesda, MD
When: Mon–Thurs, 9:30am–4:30pm; Fri–Sun, 9:30am – 7pm
Admission: $25/child for Open Play
*Reservations required (limited capacity); book in advance 

 

 

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Filed under Gradeschoolers, Indoor Play, Maryland, Preschoolers, Product, Shop, Toddlers