Gift Idea: Straws & Connectors

Straws & Connectors is my favourite construction toy for kids 4+ and makes for a great birthday gift (only $16.95 @ Mastermind).  The building set was a hit in my Gr. 3 classroom…the kids just loved building structures and multiple kits allowed them to even build large forts.  I love to get this toy for girls because there aren’t many construction toys out there that don’t have BOY written all over them.  The set comes with 230 straws and 100 connectors and hours of busy-busy.  It’s one of my favourites because it is so simple and really allows kids to use their imagination.  If you have a baby at home, this might not be ideal for your household because the connectors are a choking hazard and they do get everywhere.

What To Do This Weekend

Join a sleepover @ The ROM (5 yrs.+ with adult).  These fun sleepovers will take place one Friday a month from this weekend until the end of the school year.  Enjoy a backstage pass to the galleries, a special movie screening, speak with the experts and make a souvenir to take home.  Let’s not forget PJ karaoke and a midnight snack before bunking down.  For program details, visit the sleepover registration page.  Groups welcome.

Go to the Farmer’s Market at Artscape Wychwood Barns (near St. Clair & Bathurst), Sat. 8am-12pm.  I have heard a lot about Wychwood Barns and hope to check the place out this weekend.   The barn was originally a repair shop for streetcars for the TTC.  The land and buildings were recently re-purposed into an arts centre for artists, environmental organizations, workshops and events.  I hear that the outdoor playground there is awesome and that the kids will have a great time!

Sing & dance with Jack Grunsky @ Solar Stage  Children’s Theatre (Yonge & Sheppard, Oct. 4th, ages 3-8).  Jack Grunsky is an award-winning Canadian musical performer.  Enjoy his upbeat and interactive performance this weekend but act quickly because the show is almost sold out.

For more fun weekend events including many Harvest Festivals, go to www.mamapicks.com

Free $20 Gift Card @ Winners

The catch is that you have to spend $100…but that’s not very difficult.   Winners is always full of fantastic surprises.  Melissa & Doug toys sell for a fraction of the price and their selection of bedding for babies and kids just keeps getting better.   Winners also has a pretty good selection of costumes for Halloween at great prices.   If only the line-ups at the cash registers weren’t always so loooooooong…  On the bright side, it’s during those lengthy line-ups that I re-think the contents of my cart and get rid of  some items that I really don’t need.  Coupon valid until Oct. 20th.

Easy Crafts for a Rainy Day

As it pours outside, I am reminded that we all need a good stash of indoor activities to keep us sane this coming Winter.  I blogged about this website when Mamapicks just started out so some of you may already be familiar.  Kids Craft Weekly sends you a newsletter full of easy craft ideas (with photos of the step-by-step process) every week and it’s free.  It’s fabulous…and we are going to make flowers today.  I miss the summer 🙁

Save Sophie the Giraffe!

Sophie the Giraffe is the best chew toy for teething babies.  I swear.  It’s non-toxic, easy to hold and babies just love it!  However, it’s a bit more pricey than other chew toys ($20) which makes it that much more annoying when your baby drops it from his/her stroller and it vanishes.  Luckily, a clever  B.C. mom designs and sells the Sophie Saver.  The Sophie Saver is a strap that attaches to a stroller or car seat on one end and to Sophie (or another toy) on the other end.  $8 @ Sophiebelle’s shop on Etsy.  Moms are just full of ideas…and some of them carry through.you can also order online or see their booth at the upcoming One of a Kind Show.

Time for Apple Picking!

There are so many wonderful farms with apple orchards in Ontario and now is the time to take the kids apple-picking!  If you are sick of Chudleigh’s (like me), and want to find something a bit less busy, check out this website for a directory of great apple-picking spots.  We personally like Applewood Farms.

Create-A-Dream Bedding Exclusive Discount!

Last week I was on a mission to find a toddler blanket.  The girl is now 2-years-old and still in a crib.  A baby blanket is too small and a twin size blanket is way too big!  I searched high and low and couldn’t find anything other than some crazy-priced quilts.  Luckily, I found what I was looking for at the Thornhill Mompreneur Night last Thursday.  It was kismet!

Create-A-Dream is a company run by a lovely mom who designs a unique, high-end line of children and baby bedding.  The designs are whimsical and original and you can mix and match patterns.  Everything is printed with Okotex certification (meaning that the bedding does not contain any harmful dyes or chemicals) on the finest of fabrics.  You can purchase a complete set or choose an item to complement what you already have.

I purchased the toddler down duvet with a beautiful duvet cover for $60 which is the deeply discounted price currently offered exclusively to Mamapicks readers!  Check here for the rest of the great deals…

What To Do This Weekend

The Ontario Science Centre is celebrating its 40th birthday on Saturday, Sept. 26th and you are invited!  Enjoy free admission, free showings of  the IMAX film North of Superior,  hamburgers, hotdogs and juice price under a dollar, birthday cupcakes and more.

Springridge Farm’s Harvest Festival (Milton) begins this weekend. There is a 5 Acre Corn Trail Maze, professional puppet shows, wagon rides, dace painting, fun farm yard with sandbox, barn, etc.).  Admission to Harvest Festival: $8 for 2 years of age and old.

Come to Queen’s Park on Sunday, Sept. 27th for Canada’s largest book & magazine festival, The Word on the Street.  There will be a marketplace as well as featured authors, poets and storytellers.  Visit the children’s area wich includes reading and activity tents for children 0-11yrs as well as a marketplace for children’s literature.  Sounds like an amazing way to celebrate reading withyour kids!

For many more fun weekend events, go to www.mamapicks.com

Pampers on Sale @ Walmart

Nothing can make me happier these days.  That’s a little troubling, I know….  Walmart’s 15th Anniversary Sale includes the huge boxes of pampers (100+ diapers, depending on size) for $26.97 (down from $37)!   Sale ends on Oct. 2nd.  Although The Girl might be toilet-trained by the time we get to the fourth box, I figure that I can always use the 90 day return policy.

Creative Costume Ideas For Halloween

Halloween is coming up and I am going to try to bring you some creative do-it-yourself costume ideas.  This adorable Lego costume is from Country Living and comes with complete instructions.  For more ideas, see the Holiday Goods category on www.mamapicks.com.

Alphabet Photography

My best find from the recent Cabbagetown Arts & Crafts Fair was Alphabet Photography.  Inspired by the book Alphabet City, photographer Jennifer Blakeley spent 3 years traveling North America in a quest to complete her extensive portfolio of everyday objects that resemble letters of the alphabet.  You can purchase any set of letters to make up any word or name.  I bought my son the letters of his name and he was fascinated!  This gift can become a timeless part of any child’s room but is even more suitable for adults (i.e. the words love or family in a family room would look classy).  The studio is located in Niagara Falls but you can also order online or see their booth at the upcoming One of a Kind Show.

Britax Car Seat Sale

I love the Britax brand of car seats because of their top safety ratings and the child’s comfort in the seat.  I measure a child’s comfort by how far their head dangles down when they fall asleep in the car.  Have you ever spent an hour in the front passenger seat but with your hand holding up your sleeping toddler’s head in the back seat?  Not so great.  With the Britax Roundabout or Marathon, you will never have to do that…I promise.  Dearborn Baby (near Yonge & Steeles) is having a one-day Britax Car Seat Sale on Saturday, Sept. 26th.  Savings range between $20-70 depending on the seat.  St. John’s Ambulance car seat installers will be on site to professionally install your seat for an additional $20.