Parent Hacks

Get good deals on electronics batteries at the dollar store

Tracy Hengst found a good source for cheap batteries: I get so frustrated when those books or toys that require odd-sized batteries need replacements. They are SOOO expensive and wouldn't you know that the package would only come with 2 to a pack and I'd need 3. So, one day...

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Favorite multipurpose kitchen tool: Kyocera Cera Planer

Kendra uses/loves her Kyocera ceramic scraper enough to tell us great things about it: My favorite "mom tool" is a ceramic scraper made by a company called Kyocera (called the Cera Planer on the handle). I first got it from a cutlery company that sold it with their high-end wooden...

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Amazon Gold Box: Coolpix L18 digital camera 42% off

I know so many people whose point-and-shoot digital camera of choice is the Nikon Coolpix. So I thought you might like to know that it popped up in today's Amazon Gold Box: 42% off the Nikon Coolpix L18 ($129.95, usually $225.95). The price expires on April 12, but they often...

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What's your favorite stuff to reuse in art projects? Talk amongst yourselves.

Ms. Four is wondering what folks salvage from around the house to use in craft projects: I'd love some ideas on the best not-too-expensive art supplies to keep around the house. What am I throwing away that could be art? I have two kids, ages 4 & 6. and while...

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iPlayPhone winners!

Bah! I'm sorry I'm posting the winners a day late. We just got back from a Spring Break trip to Zion National Park, and I was still in vacation mode on Sunday (actually, I was in laundry/catchup mode). I was surprised to return to such an amazing response to Ryan's...

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iPlayPhone: iPhone app lets kids play "telephone" without actually calling

How's this for a parent hack? Ryan Neudorf's one year-old son always wanted to play with Ryan's iPhone, but he didn't want him to accidentally call Japan. So he built an iPhone app, iPlayPhone, to simulate the fun while keeping the phone's calling features safely tucked away. From Ryan's blog:...

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Roomba: Vacuuming + entertainment

Since when is vacuuming fun? Since Roomba , apparently! So says Amberlynn: My husband scored me a Roomba for my birthday! Besides being great competition for Baby Hoover who eats anything he can find on the floor, it is also seriously entertaining. I make a point to run it when...

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Carry a small amount of lotion in a contact lens case

Judy's got a smart hack for keeping a bit of cream or lotion on hand (On hand! Ha! Get it? Because you put lotion on your hands? What? You think puns are a base form of humor?): With the cold weather, my little boy's cheeks always need a bit of...

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Help toddlers get used to wearing helmets by storing them in the toybox

Autumn's fantastic tip for helping toddlers get accustomed to wearing a helmet: My husband and I are both snowboard instructors and have recently started teaching our son, Noah (18 mos) to ski. [WOW. -- Ed. (who didn't ski till high school)] We wanted him to be comfortable with wearing a...

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How to help a big baby learn to walk? Talk amongst yourselves.

From Megan: I've come up with a way that I hope will encourage my 14 month-old to walk. It's not that I'm panicky about her development. It's just that she's a big, big baby and my arms are tired from carrying her. So I'm trying something. I pushed together the...

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The Double-Daring Book for Girls: more daring fun and inspiration

I just got a note from author Andi Buchanan announcing the arrival The Double-Daring Book for Girls -- follow-up volume to the wildly successful Daring Book for Girls (which itself was inspired by the Dangerous Book for Boys). I'm thrilled. These books contain enough how-to and inspiration to keep kids...

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Add ankle weights to umbrella strollers to keep them from tipping

Brilliant! From Noelle: To keep your umbrella stroller from tipping over from the weight of the diaper bag on the back, we bought a pair of ankle weights and put them on just above the front wheels. This keeps the stroller from tipping over especially when the child gets out....

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links for 2009-03-24

Photojojo » Glass Jar Frames Wow, old jelly jars (any jars really) make great looking tabletop picture frames! Photojojo never disappoints. Thanks for the pointer, Lee!

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Best of Parent Hacks: Easter fun

Easter baskets are on their way! We're Jewish so we have other seasonal treats to look forward to (Mmmm. Matzoh.), but at least one Cadbury Creme Egg sneaks into our house every year. We also participate in an annual egg hunt with our neighbors which is incredibly fun. Speaking of...

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Boon Bender spoons make self-feeding a bit easier

In addition to their Keekaroo adjustable high chair, Ellen thinks these spoons simplify toddler mealtimes: We recently found a wonderful spoon for feeding babies and young kids: The Boon Bender. The plastic is malleable and can be angled, so it's handy for kids who aren't that coordinated about getting food...

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