Babycape: Easier and more versatile than a jacket

Most of us are still in for plenty more cool weather. But now that Spring is around the corner the on-and-off nature of kid jacket-wearing is already full swing. Too hot! Too cold! Take it off to buckle into the car seat! Put it on again! Annoying for all involved, especially if the jacket-wearer isn't in complete control of his or her arms.

I recently received (for review) a GORGEOUS alternative. Elizabeth (of the custom embroidery business Suzi Homemaker) sent me a Babycape: the softest, coziest little hooded poncho. (I think I've already been pretty open about my attraction to soft things.) If you can bring yourself to get past the luscious warmth of the thing, you notice the coolest functional feature: a snap-open flap down the length of the back which allows you to open it up over a car seat, front pack, or set of stroller buckles. No fussy zippers and no hard-to-negotiate sleeves, either. The sizing is flexible...I can see a kid wearing this for a long time. Better ventilation (and therefore temp control) than a jacket. So many problems solved by one simple design. And it's killer cute, too.

If you've got a special baby gift to buy -- or you're sick of the winter jacket mambo -- think about a Babycape. An investment ($89-$109), but certainly a good value given the handmade quality and the long wear.

Win it! This ice-blue (gender-neutral!) cape is all yours if you're the Parenthacker who answers the following question AND gets chosen in my random drawing:

What's your favorite family-friendly springtime vacation destination?

(We're having serious getaway craving around here and I'm thinking a little collective armchair travel might be fun.)

I'll choose a winner Saturday at 3pm PST. Good luck!

Comments

[Maureen]

Carmel/Monterey... beach is so much fun for my young boys and it is such a relaxing place to be. Spring time is cooler (but we aren't hot-weather fans so it works for us) and the town is so less crowded than the summer.

[Amber Wielkens]

Our favorite destination for Spring Break is Orange Beach, AL. White sugar beaches and only an hour away from home! Thanks for the contest - that piece is ADORABLE!

[Annette]

We live in San Diego, so we don't go on vacation during the spring; home is just too beautiful!

[Marilyn]

We live in Reno, which is near Lake Tahoe. When the weather starts to look nice, we like to take a picnic lunch up to the lake and eat at one of the many beaches. It feels like such a beautiful "reintroduction to nature". Plus, we can do it in the afternoon and be back in time for dinner!

[Anna]

Our kids are still a bit young for spring time getaways. I always remember going as a child to FL, and to Sea world. We live WAY up north, so when it's warm here we go camping!

[TheAngelForever]

Nothing like going to Niagara Falls (NY or Canada) to feel that nice spring air. We also like Boston in the spring, especially for a Duck Tour.

[julianne]

I'd head for the New England woods in spring if I could. Showing little ones that beautiful world waking up from winter would be marvelous.

[Eva]

I love the Lilac Festival in Rochester, NY! I've only been once, but I want to take the kids back there again.

[Credence]

The Oregon Coast is my favorite kid-friendly destination, particularly for families with kids of varying ages. Tidepools, yummy yummy seafood (Mo's!), the Oregon Coast Aquarium in Newport, the Tillamook cheese factory, the "octopus tree," kite-flying in Florence, the list goes on and on. Any good Oregon guidebook (I like the one published by Moon) will have all this and more listed.

[Tara]

We live in Pennsylvania, and we like to head down to Washington DC. It is chilly, but the lines are very short this time of year. You can see everything you want in a relatively short period of time.

[Heather]

My husband and I are planning a trip to Orlando, FL and SeaWorld. We are celebrating our ten year anniversary without the kiddos so that our next visit will be thoroughly researched and we will have enjoyed the "adult" aspects before taking the kiddos.

[Robyn Popham]

My family Loves to go to the Tulip Festival at Thanksgiving Point in Lehi, Utah. The flowers are beautiful! The kids love to run through the garden and we can get beautiful spring photos of the children there.

[Lindsay]

We live close to the Canadian Rockies and enjoy a quick trip to Banff/Lake Louise to see the scenery, get in some spring skiing and walk the trails. It's beautiful!

[Papaya Mom]

I'm a big fan of the Big Island of Hawaii - you can see an amazing number of whales this year and there are direct flights from the West Coast, so no need for stopover on Oahu/Honolulu.

[Jill]

Oh, the Smoky Mountains. My kids love the kitsch of Gatlinburg, and we all enjoy the hiking and horseback riding.

Plus, it's only a few hours away from us and fairly inexpensive.

[cara]

The Jersey Shore. It is great there before the summer season. We like the fact that it is not crowded during the off times of the year.

[Peeved Michelle]

Michigan to visit family.

[Elizabeth]

My parents are taking the whole family (including my 1.25 year old) to Jeckyl Island, GA in early April, so I'm hoping that'll be a great family vacation.

Locally (to Wisconsin, where spring isn't until May) we go to Devil's Lake for some hiking and picnicking.

[Kate in Iowa]

We love going to San Antonio! So much to do, so much to see! We've got family there, and we're headed that way this spring. Lots of free, family stuff to do, too.

[dcoldiron]

Grand Marais, MN on Lake Superior.

I know it's way up north and most would think about going south in the spring, but Grand Marais is such a cute little town, we love going there anyway. It's so family friendly, too. No bad traffic. You can walk to get to everything. It's just a manageable destination for families with little kids. My son's favorite thing is tossing rocks into the lake. My husband loves sailing and hiking. I love shopping and eating pancakes made by someone else for a change!

[Robyn Popham]

My family Loves to go to the Tulip Festival at Thanksgiving Point in Lehi, Utah. The flowers are beautiful! The kids love to run through the garden and we can get beautiful spring photos of the children there.

[molly]

Big Meadows Lodge in Shenadoah.

[JennBartlett]

We don't travel much, but my favorite destination is my friend's working farm; about an hour from us in Cleveland OH. We get to let the dogs run and we pet the horses.

[Erin]

We love Pacific Beach,in WA State. There is a Naval Resort there open to Military personnel (active, discharged, and retired) at great prices, as well as several other little resorts. At the Naval Resort, you can even rent great ocean front houses and use the bowling alley and large hot tub/work out center. It is close enough to the popular Ocean Shores resort area to partake in their attractions, but it has a glorious, less busy beach of it's own. Perfect for families and many a kite-flying adventure in the Spring!

[Miriam]

We haven't done it before, but we are planning this Spring to head to the National Zoo in D.C. All the attractions around are free, and the kids get a great bit of fresh air, some history, and a mini-vacay!