Just Add Water

Looks like we have another hot day in store for us.

Today, why not try keeping cool with an old favorite game of Balloon Toss. Gather the neighborhood kids plus any willing brave adults and cool off without a pool. Pair off  into teams of two and line up facing one another about 3ft apart. Give each team a water balloon filled as full as it will go. Each team begins to toss the water balloon back and forth, taking a step back after each successful toss, widening the distance between them. The team that can toss the balloon the farthest without dropping or exploding the water balloon wins. Good luck trying to keep an orderly game! Can you say splash?

Well now, if that was not a wet enough trick, give Water Limbo a shot. Crank up some calypso  music. Next have and adult, not the neighborhood prankster use a hose nozzle to spray a jet of water horizontally and get the kids to take it in turns to limbo underneath the water. Lower the jet after each successful limbo and surely cool everyone off. How low can you go? How wet will you get?

Have you ever played a game of Sponge Tag – Sure, we all know how to play tag, but just changing the rules of the game slightly and adding the element of getting wet can really shake things up. The best sponges are those enormous sponges used for washing cars.  So take that wet sponge and toss it at one another. If you get hit with a sponge, you’re out! We have kicked it up notch when we’re at the lake and dipped the sponges in cherry Kool-aid, putting it in the messy fun department. There’s definitely no question who got hit by the sponge.

Watermelon is a great way to hydrate and you can’t let summer pass you by without dazzling (or frightening) the fam this shark. Rachael over at Sun Scholars shows you how to make this amazing  Watermelon Shark.

Gotta make this for my brother who didn’t take bath for months after seeing Jaws. Lucky for us we did have a shower.

Staying hydrated during this heat wave can be a challenge. Evenflo offers 5 tips on how to defeat the heat:

Tip # 1: Either mostly or completely cut out soda from your child’s diet. There is no nutritional value in it, and all it does is dehydrate their body even more than it already is. If your child is going to miss the soda, try giving them water with some fruit slices that will naturally add some flavor and sweetness.

Tip #2: Provide your children with snacks that will not only fill them up, but hydrate them. For example, cucumbers are almost completely made up of water, which makes them a light, refreshing snack. Other good choices are watermelon, citrus fruits, grape tomatoes, and colorful bell peppers. If your child gets turned off by the veggies, try cutting them into fun shapes or providing a healthy dip like yogurt or hummus, which also gives them a protein punch.

Tip #3: This one helps when you have kids who are too “busy” playing to stop to munch a snack, is to make it fun. My daughter almost always comes running when I make fruit caterpillars for her. All you need are toothpicks and fruit (just be careful if you give these to small children). Kids can even help make these, which can be a fun learning activity as well. Your child can make patterns with the fruit alternating grapes, blueberries, strawberries, or kiwi pieces. You can also make veggie caterpillars, which when you add some small pieces of cheese, adds some protein as well. The munching possibilities are endless!

Tip #4: Here’s a simple one, if you know you’re heading outside to be in the sun, try to get your kids to drink some extra liquids before you leave, so you won’t have to worry quite as much once you get to your sunny destination.

Tip #5: When your kids have their hydrating snacks and drinks, make sure you join them! It’s just as important that mommies take care of themselves as well. You set the example for your kids, so if they see you taking care of yourself, chances are they’ll follow!

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Want to know when a Watermelon is ripe?

There’s an app for that! http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/melon-meter/id450015952?mt=8

The Melon Meter claims to help you choose a ripe watermelon using the microphone on your iPhone!

Science Saturday

Teaching Kids About Solar Power

Where does all energy come from? Do your kids know that you can harness electricity and heat from the sun.

No batteries required – these quirky little fellows are powered naturally by the sun!
Watch them come alive and walk around in an amusing, mechanized fashion.  Kids will have hours of outdoor fun as they learn about the powers of the sun.

This is an excellent way of witnessing an effective demonstration of how the power of the sun can be harnessed by the solar panel and converted into electrical energy.

This robot is designed to be suitable as a first time science project to help teach children about alternative forms of energy.

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Science Saturday Solar Energy Experiments                                                                    from Renewable Energy World.

You can teach kids how darker surfaces are more absorbent of heat with this experiment. Here are the materials you will need:

6 colored papers (black, white, red, blue, yellow, green)

6 ice cubes, same size

This solar energy for kids experiment will show how fast the ice cubes will melt on darker shades. Put one ice cube on each colored paper. Make sure that they are equally exposed to sunlight.  Wait for a couple of minutes. The results would show that the ice cube on the black colored paper melts the fastest. While the one on the white colored paper, will melt the slowest. This is because white reflects or lets heat bounces back. Darker shades, on the other hand, absorb heat.

The power of solar energy can also be shown in the following experiment. What you would need are:

Large magnifying glass

Pencil

Flat wood

Bucket of water

Note that you can only do this experiment with kids who are old enough. Be the one to hold the magnifying glass. Draw a pattern on the flat wood with a pencil. Put the wood on full sunlight exposure. Next, hold the magnifying glass on top of the wood. Concentrate the reflection of the light on a particular spot. Have the bucket of water ready. Stay in that position for several minutes and you will see that the wood would start to burn. Explain to the kids how this happens. You could also cite particular instances such as forest fires. This way, kids would know what’s going on with the environment.

Writings On The Wall

A well-chosen phrase, quote or saying  can be worth a thousand pictures when applied to your walls.

Vinyl lettering is also a great way to personalize and decorate your child’s walls.

Vinyl letters will stick on to any dirt free, flat, non porous surface.

Planet Wall found at Etsy, offers many options in both vinyl lettering for your walls as well as images.

Wordless Wednesday

Royal Jelly Bean

Tis the season for jelly beans and we know a lot of beans (in bags) here at Totally Kids, but would never have believed it if not seen with our own eyes. (on the internet) Yes, it is a Kate Middleton Jelly Bean.

It totally looks like Kate. Is it a sign from God? Does it shed tears?

With the Royal Wedding just weeks away, add this to the frenzy:  Kate Middleton is now right up there in the supernatural world with the Virgin Mary whose likeness miraculously appeared on a grilled cheese sandwich.  Then there was Jesus’ face on a pancake and Elvis Presley on a potato chip (crisp in London speak). Now it is Kate Middleton’s likeness recently spotted on a jelly bean.

According to London’s Daily Telegraph, a couple from Somerset, England discovered the yellow and red speckled mango-flavored bean in jar from a place called The Jelly Bean Factory.

The lucky man who unknowingly bought this magical jelly bean for his girlfriend shared his story with the Telegraph:

Mr Hosie said: “As Jessica opened the jar, I saw her immediately. She was literally lying there staring back at me.

“Given that the royal wedding is only a few weeks away, we hope to make a few pounds out of it by selling it on the internet to a collector.”

Now, Mr. Hosie hopes to profit from his find and plans to auction the royal-resembling mango flavored bean for at least $800. When you see the Kate Middleton jelly bean on Ebay, please let us know.

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If you are searching for a perfect bed for your little princess, look no farther.

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A mix and match puzzle sure to delight young princesses.

Wordless Wednesday

Now You See Them Now You Don’t

What do you think of these Murphy style bunk beds? Now you see them, now you don’t. They are not intended for children, but can you see a use for them? Please offer your opinion.

The doors butterfly open, mattresses are included and there is a sturdy metal ladder.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Speaking of magic……

ABRACADABRA DELUXE MAGIC SET
Our amazing multi-piece magic set feature amusing illusions and crafty
slight-of-hand tricks for the young magician to practice and perform.
Easy-to-learn and perform, these are the same tricks used by professional
magicians! Disappearing coins, magic boxes, a secret change bag and more,
all stored in a wooden chest that “magically” becomes a performance table…
with asecret compartment! Includes: 10 great magic tricks including: Disappearing
Ball, Vanishing Coin, Magic Coin Box, Cylinder Squeeze, Secret Silks,  Vanishing
Zone, Egyptian Prediction, Magic Number Prediction, Money Maker, and Great Escape!

Find this and many more great toys visit http://www.shoptotallykids.com or call a Totally Kids
personal shopper at 952-881-2425 to help you find just what you are looking for.

Totally Kids ships worldwide and offers FREE gift wrapping on most toys.

7876 Portland Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN  55420
Give us a call!
952-881-2425

Final Four Fantasy Basketball

Our first draft pick is this basketball headboard, sure to be a big time winner for your team.

Bedtime fantasy day in and day out  for your star allowing  favorite songs to be played while in bed. The padded upholstered headboard features double-mounted speakers, adjustable volume control and mounted side pocket for easy storage of an MP3 player.

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Urban Wall provides everyday hoops decor available in your color choice for any wall.

Vinyl wall decals are a quick and affordable way to individualize your home without the hassle of painting. They are cut (with no edges or backgrounds) from a specialized vinyl that is specifically designed for home décor. Unlike standard high gloss signage vinyl, this product has a matte finish that gives a gorgeous painted look without bleeding or permanency. They are easy to apply, last for many years and can be easily removed but not re-used.

False Advertising

Riddell Football Helmet Safety and Concussions.

This sign may bring a smile to a few faces, disappointment to others, but  its intention is to  call your attention to a very serious matter, read below:

U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell  and U.S. Sen. Tom Udall marked Brain Injury Awareness Day last week by introducing bipartisan legislation aimed at protecting youth athletes from the dangers of sports-related traumatic brain injuries.

The Children’s Sports Athletic Equipment Safety Act would ensure that new and reconditioned football helmets for high school and younger players meet safety standards that address concussion risk and the needs of youth athletes. The bill also increases potential penalties for using false injury prevention claims to sell helmets and other sports equipment.

United States Senator Tom Udall requested that the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) investigate alleged deceptive practices of football helmet manufactures. In response to the “serious concerns” raised by Senator Udall, the FTC is now reportedly investigating the helmet manufacturers’ marketing claims. According to Senator Udall’s letter to the FTC, “there is actually very little scientific evidence to support the claim that Riddell’s Revolution helmets reduce the risk of concussion by 31 percent.”

If you have purchased a football helmet from the manufacturer Riddell or another manufacturer, they may have violated the law by allegedly falsely claiming its helmets possessed safety capabilities they did not have.

Anyone who purchased a football helmet under a belief that it possessed safety features that would reduce the risk of concussion, it may be important to talk to an attorney.

We are looking for folks who are interested in a guest posting of any experiences they would like to share on this topic.

If you would like additional information on this consumer protection case, we have a friend who could help you with this claim.

Safety First

What kids wouldn’t find this to be the bed of their dreams?

Totally Kids fun furniture & toys is constantly searching for the most unique and creative bed options. We travel the world on that quest and pride ourselves in offering the best beds for you and your growing family.

Always at the top of our list is safety. Looking at this amazing bed, do you find anything that could be considered unsafe?

Here you see a perfect example of what at first glance might appear to be a dream bed, but in fact is a nightmare in the safety department.

 

 

The Sleep and Slide Bunk Beds are our newest fun yet safe introduction.  A place to sleep by night and an indoor playground during the day (minus the dangerous ropes and pulleys). Build of solid birch, it not only meets, but exceeds all safety standards. Since it is part of the add as you grow system, it takes your child creatively from first bed to college. Available in a warm Chestnut, painted white finish or natural birch as shown.

Over the years we have found hundreds fabulous beds that are available in other countries that fall short when safety is the main concern.

Let’s take a look at the most current regulations from the federal government.

Currently the Consumer Product Safety Commission requires the following as noted on their website:

Guardrails:
1. Bunk beds must have at least two upper bunk guardrails, with at least one rail on each side.
Lower bunks with mattress foundations that are 30 inches or less from the floor do not have to have guardrails.
2. The guardrail on the side of the bed next to a wall or on the side opposite to a ladder must run continuously from one end of the bed to the other. If the guardrail does not attach to an end of the bed, the gap between the end of the guardrail and the nearest end of the bunk bed cannot be greater than 0.22 inches.
3. A guardrail on the side of the bed away from the wall does not have to run continuously from end to end of the bed, but the distance between either end of the guardrail and the end of the bed nearest to it cannot be greater than 15 inches.
4. Guardrails must be attached to the bunk bed with fasteners that you have to release to take the rails off or they must require you to move them in two or more different directions, one after the other, to take them off.
5. The tops of the guardrails must be no less than 5 inches above the top of the mattress.
6. When you take the mattress off the upper bunk, any space between the bottom of the guardrail and the top of the mattress foundation must not let the wedge block described below pass through freely.

Bunk Bed Ends:
1. No opening in either end of the upper bunk that is above the mattress foundation can let the wedge block pass through freely.
2. When you use the thickest mattress and mattress foundation recommended by the manufacturer, the top of each end of the upper bunk must be at least 5 inches above the top of the mattress for at least half of the distance between the posts on each side of the end.
3. No opening in either end of the lower bunk below the mattress foundation of the upper bunk and above the mattress foundation of the lower bunk can permit the wedge block to pass through freely, unless the opening also allows a rigid 9 inch sphere to pass through it freely.
4. Any opening in either end of the lower bunk below the mattress foundation of the upper bunk that is tested with the wedge block must also be tested for the risk of neck entrapment if the opening lets the 9 inch sphere pass though freely.

These are the guidelines set up by the federal government to ensure the safety for bunk beds that we all need to be aware of.

SAFETY FIRST

Today another safety concern was called to our attention: Warning About Hand Sanitizer Poisoning in Children! Please read this article from Dagmar’s Momsense. If you have experienced a child’s ingesting hand sanitizer, we are looking for folks interested in doing a guest posting.