Amber Leventry's Blog
Through technology, common sense, and really creative minds, there is an unlimited supply of products for parents and their children. Parenting is hard work so I love kid products and baby gear that make life easier for moms and dads. And I love products that make the world better. I hope to find both for you, while never losing sight of the fact life should be fun too. See something I should know about? Send me a message on Twitter @AmberLeventry.
I am a parent of three—two are twins. I write about parenting for The Next Family. My writing has also been featured on Scary Mommy and Huffington Post.
/* BEGIN: Block 2 of 2 Greg Add 2013 (Jan 29) */ ?>
/* END: Block 2 of 2 Greg Add 2013 (Jan 29) */ ?>
/* BEGIN: Block 2 of 2 Greg Add 2013 (Jan 29) */ ?>
/* END: Block 2 of 2 Greg Add 2013 (Jan 29) */ ?>
/* BEGIN: Block 2 of 2 Greg Add 2013 (Jan 29) */ ?>
/* END: Block 2 of 2 Greg Add 2013 (Jan 29) */ ?>
/* BEGIN: Block 2 of 2 Greg Add 2013 (Jan 29) */ ?>
/* END: Block 2 of 2 Greg Add 2013 (Jan 29) */ ?>
/* BEGIN: Block 2 of 2 Greg Add 2013 (Jan 29) */ ?>
/* END: Block 2 of 2 Greg Add 2013 (Jan 29) */ ?>
/* BEGIN: Block 2 of 2 Greg Add 2013 (Jan 29) */ ?>
/* END: Block 2 of 2 Greg Add 2013 (Jan 29) */ ?>
/* BEGIN: Block 2 of 2 Greg Add 2013 (Jan 29) */ ?>
/* END: Block 2 of 2 Greg Add 2013 (Jan 29) */ ?>
/* BEGIN: Block 2 of 2 Greg Add 2013 (Jan 29) */ ?>
/* END: Block 2 of 2 Greg Add 2013 (Jan 29) */ ?>
/* BEGIN: Block 2 of 2 Greg Add 2013 (Jan 29) */ ?>
/* END: Block 2 of 2 Greg Add 2013 (Jan 29) */ ?>
/* BEGIN: Block 2 of 2 Greg Add 2013 (Jan 29) */ ?>
/* END: Block 2 of 2 Greg Add 2013 (Jan 29) */ ?>
Top 5 Creative Activity Toys To Buy Kids- Toy Of The Year Winners
by Amber LeventryEach year Toy Industry Association, Inc. hands out their Toy of the Year Awards. If you are looking to keep your child engaged in creative activity, check
out the following guide which highlights the last five years’ worth of
winners for the best Activity Toy of the Year. These creation-centered
toys promote inventive and artistic playtime through building, doodling,
and creating.
Evenflo Has Designed A Car Seat With SensorSafe Technology To Prevent Hot Car Deaths
by Amber LeventryAlmost 40 children die each year from being left inside of a hot car. Nearly half of these children were forgotten in the car by their parents or care givers. Now accidental heat stroke can be prevented with technology available on Evenflo ADVANCED SensorSafe Embrace DLX Infant Car Seat.
Ollie Is An App-Enabled Robot, Not Your Father’s Remote Control Car
by Amber LeventryA few years ago founders Ian Bernstein and Adam Wilson’s Colorado based
company, Sphero, introduced us to the Bluetooth controlled robotic ball
by the same name. They now want us to meet their newest creation. Ollie
is a souped-up, customizable app-enabled robot. This machine is not your
father’s remote control car.
Add Thumbs Up To Family Game Night, Get Two Back
by Amber LeventryCall me old fashioned, but I look forward to the day when all three of my kids are old enough to establish a family game night. My family of five is still a few years away from sitting down to a board game or the introduction to poker; but the idea that I will be able to play a game with them is thrilling. I will be adding Thumbs Up to our family’s rotation of games.
Quut Makes The Coolest Beach Toys Under The Sun
by Amber LeventryI am such a sucker for bargain buys, especially when it comes to buying toys for my kids. But cheap toys are not always quality toys. My biggest mistake is always
falling for brightly colored, plastic beach toys nestled neatly into a
bucket or beach bag. Inevitably, the buckets crack, the shovels break in
half, and my kids fight over the one sand sifter. Quut beach toys are
different. Their durable, multifunctional, and cleverly designed toys
are the coolest under the sun.
7 Awesomely Unique Kids' Water Sprinklers Sure To Make A Splash
by Amber LeventrySidewalk chalk, bikes, and sandboxes. What else does a kid need during
the summer? Sure they require food, a bit of sunscreen, and bug spray,
but summer time should be easy. Forget the boring lawn sprinklers or waiting until your neighbor’s
irrigation system turns on. Get your kids out of the house with these
unique water sprinklers sure to make a splash with kids of all ages.
Robot Turtles: A Board Game To Teach Preschoolers Computer Programming
by Amber LeventryA growing trend in children’s games is the combination of technology and
traditional toys. Toys like Avakai, apps like Osmo, or video games like
Bloxels require children to play with actual wooden dolls, puzzle
pieces, and blocks in order to get the most out of their smart
toys and iPads. This is because inventors know it is best to learn
with tangible concepts and toys. Computer programming is fair game too.
Robot Turtles is a board game which teaches kids the fundamentals of
programming and coding.
EquiptBaby Complete Diaper Bag Has It All, Including A Portable Bassinet
by Amber LeventryParents often feel the pressure of having it all—successful career,
perfect marriage, ample time to stay in shape, and quality time to
themselves. Perfection is not realistic, nor is having it all, all of
the time. While moms and dads work to find balance in their lives, it is
realistic for them to want baby gear that makes parenting a little
easier. When it comes to leaving the house with a baby, parents need a
diaper bag that will provide success, not frustration. Parents can’t
always say the same thing, but EquiptBaby Complete has it all
Award Winning WorryWoo Monsters Teach Kids To Embrace Their Emotions
by Amber LeventryBefore Disney and Pixar released Inside Out, a movie about 11-year-old Riley and her personified emotions, artist Andi Green was drawing “the monsters in her head” to help her express complicated feelings. By turning her emotions into lovable characters, she was not only able to embrace them, but was able to talk about them and share them with others. There began the journey from sketches of monsters to the award winning WorryWoo Monsters plush toys and book series.
Secure Beginnings Are Breathable, So Safest Mattresses For Baby
by Amber LeventryLooking for a safer crib mattress for your baby? When my partner and I were expecting our first child, we quickly learned
that back is best when it comes to a sleeping baby. This is because it
reduces the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The people
at Secure Beginnings wanted to make the safest sleeping environment for
our children even safer, so they created what may be the safest crib
mattress on the market.
June 2015
Five Inventive Products To Keep Children Cool While In The Car Or Stroller
Avakai Are Real Imaginary Friends For The Digital World
Bloxels Requires Kids To Design Video Games Before Playing Them, Keeps Brain Rot Away
BioLite NanoGrid Gives Everyone A Powerful And Packable Energy Hub
Clogstrom Caterpillar Clogs: These Kids' Sandals Are Functional And Super Cute
Rubie’s Children’s Costumes and Rompers Are Perfect For Geeky Parents
You Can Now Pay Someone To Teach Your Child How To Ride A Bike
May 2015
X-Pot Is The Best New Line Of Outdoor Cooking Gear For Family Camping Trips
Dreamhut Is An Indoor Playhouse And Modern-Day Narnia
Mattel And Google Revive Vintage Toy With Virtual Reality View-Master
Let Your Toddler’s Imagination Set Sail With HABA’s Swing Ship Ahoy
Joy Baby Urinals Make Potty Training Less Ugly
Bounceroo Giraffe Rocker Automatically Rocks Your Baby For You
Independence Day Clothing Gives Autistic And Sensory-Sensitive Children Freedom To Dress Themselves—Easily
April 2015
Equip Your Little Explorers With GeoSafari Jr. Toys
Lumo Play Turns Any Room Into An Interactive Playspace
Jinkies! LEGO Unveils Scooby Doo Building Sets
Osmo Is a Tangible, ‘Actual Reality’ Gaming System For iPad
Have Girl Scout Cookies Year-Round With Your Very Own Girl Scouts Cookie Oven
10 Best Wearable Tracking Devices To Keep Kids Safe
FunPod HighChair Is The Perfect Kitchen Accessory For The Little Foodie
March 2015
Super Undies Will Turn Kids Into Potty Training Super Heroes
Bitybean Child Carrier: Big Idea, Compact Solution
CogniToys Has Made The World's Smartest Dino Using IBM Watson
Worry Eaters Consume Fears And Anxieties Eating At Children
Moff Band Provides Sound Effects For Your Child’s Imagination
Top 10 Baby Strollers That Are Best For YOU And Your Needs
February 2015
Ciao! Baby Portable High Chair Is Flippin Genius
7 A.M. Enfant Nido Keeps Baby Warm, Stylish, And Safe While On The Go
Smart PJs Will Read Bedtime Stories To Your Kids
MonBaby Smart Button Monitors Baby's Sleep and Breathing Patterns
Origami Is The World’s First Power Folding Stroller. Fold Like A Mother
January 2015
Protect Baby Daddy’s Swimmers With RadiaShield Boxer Briefs
Quiet Expressions Double Breast Pump Gives Moms a Free Hand To Multitask In Silence
GottaTinkle Female Urination Device, A Girl's Gotta Go
Mimish Storage Beanbag, A Stylish Storage Solution
Balance Blox Slackline, Great For Balancing Confidence and Happiness
Baby Shusher Will Shush Babies To Happiness
Impossible Instant Lab Turns Your iPhone Into A Polaroid Camera
Snowtime Anytime Lets You Have A Snowball Fight Anytime, Anywhere
December 2014
November 2014
If Kinetic Sand Isn't On Your Kid's Christmas List, It Should Be
Roominate Is A DIY Building Kit For Future Female Engineers
Top 5 Best Slow Cookers That Are Better Than All The Rest
Lammily Doll Is The 'Normal Barbie', Average And Beautiful. Stretch Marks Included.
The Thanksgiving Game Keeps Us ThanksGIVING, ThanksGUESSING, and ThanksSHARING
Move Over Elf, There's A Maccabee On The Mantel This Holiday Season
OrganicKidz Baby Grows Up Bottle Kit Will Take Your Child From Infancy To Kindergarten And Beyond
October 2014
Breaking Bad Toys No Longer Available At Toys R Us. If Fake Meth Is On Your Kid's Christmas List, You'll Need To Shop Elsewhere
Hover Ball: A Ball Safe Enough To Play With In The House
From Diaper Bags To Diaper Vests, DadGear Has Cool Manly Gear For Dads
Create Tracks Or Highways With PlayTape. Chugga Chugga, Vroom, Vroom!
What Makes A Baby: A Book To Answer An Old Question In A New Way For All Families
20 DIY Kids' Halloween Costumes That Will Put Yours To Shame. Damn You Pinterest
September 2014
Draw Your Imagination Into Thin Air With 3Doodler, The World's First 3D Pen
Move & Groove Dance Game Will Get Your Family Up Offa That Thing
Teeter Popper: Think Balance Board. Think Bubble Wrap
Get Your WaveHooks Wine Glass Holder At Amazon’s 3D Printing Store. Moms Need Fun Stuff Too
Fiona Walker England. Because All Kids Need Faux Taxidermy
The Beauty Of Play Art
Shape-Shift Your Picky Eater's Food With FunBites Food Cutters
August 2014
Light My Way Owl Nightlight Will Lighten Your Child's Night
Spherovelo Early Rider Will Get Your Child Riding Before They Can Walk - This Bike Has Balls
LEGO My Lunch: 5 Essentials For Your LEGO Lover's Lunch Box
Shnuggle Baby Bath Is Cosy And Clever
10 Timeless Backpack Favorites Your Kids Will Love
Flamingo Rampant Book Club Will Offer Children's Books Reflecting Today's Diverse Families
July 2014
Bunch O Balloons Fills And Ties 100 Water Balloons In One Minute!
Add Chalktrail To Your Kid's Bike Or Scooter For Artistic Exercise
Bugaboo Donkey Stroller: Making Life With Twins Easier?
Rest Your Child's Sleepy Head On A SlumberSling
BiKN Leashes Your Kids And Finds The Things You Never Want To Lose
Boxed Delivers Big Box Products To Your Door
The SwRing Is Fun For All Kids And Therapeutic For Those With Autism
SaddleBaby Allows For Hands-Free Shoulder Rides
Hug: A Way To Revolutionize Childhood Vaccinations
June 2014
Zoku Fish Pop Molds Are Perfect For Little Hands
ReStyle Restores Hope For Women
MaKey MaKey Makes Everyday Objects New Inventions
ImagiPlanks: Outdoor Wooden Building Sets With Endless Possibilities
Satechi Touch USB LED Lamp: Cool and Convenient Light
Doona Infant Car Seat. It's A Stroller Too.
7 Rainy Day Indoor Forts Perfect For Any Day
May 2014
Light Stax LED Building Blocks, Lite Brite Meets Duplo?
SlideRider Turns Indoor Staircase Into Indoor Slide
Shapify Turns You And Your Family Into 3D Selfies
Would You Use An Otteroo Baby Floatie?
SolePower Can't Recharge Busy Mom, But It Can Charge Her Phone With Every Step
SlotFlops, Dance Shoes And Other Unique Footwear For Moms
SwingEase Converts Traditional Park Swings Into Baby And Toddler Swings