(Photo Courtesy of iStock) Summer camp offers the chance for new friends and experiences, and lifelong positive memories for all kids. Here are some tips on how to prep your special needs child for a great time at camp. Summer camp can be an enriching, memorable experience for our youth....
(Photo Courtesy of iStock) I’ve heard that parents with young children need estate planning. Is this true? Adults Estate planning has evolved in ways that genuinely benefit families with minor children. The focus is more on people, and less on things. (“Who do I want to protect if something happens...
Holidays at Disneyland Stay local this holiday vacation season. From theme parks to boat parades, the holiday fun for families doesn’t stop. Here are some of our favorites to keep your calendar full. The fake snow is falling at scheduled times each day. The palm trees are all sparkly and...
(Photo Courtesy of iStock) With the festive season fast approaching, it’s incredibly important for parents to give themselves the time and space to prepare for the upcoming challenges. For adults, the holiday season can be incredibly overwhelming. We are exposed to a constant stream of advertising, our communities and homes...
(Photo Courtesy of Canva) Unwrap excitement this season with on-trend stocking stuffers and unique local finds for everyone on your list. FOR KIDS (Photo Courtesy of Red & Olive) Red & Olive Co. Stuffed Dolls Each doll created by stepmother-and-daughter team Lita Barreda and Destiny Conner has its own personality,...
For Kids Mickey Mouse Activity Bench Mickey Mouse is 92 years old this holiday season and what better way to celebrate than gifting your little one a piece from Delta Children’s licensed Mickey Mouse line. Bring home the fun-loving charm of Mickey Mouse and his friends Minnie, Donald Duck and...
Standing Desk ConverterNowadays with work and home life blurring together, there couldn’t be a better addition to your office than a compact sit-stand desk converter. Make your work days more productive by periodically standing to help boost your energy and focus. No need to buy a whole new furniture set...
Celestial Silk’s 25 Momme Silk Pillowcases Not only are silk pillowcases great for your hair and skin, they are at the height of luxury. Celestial Silk’s 25 Momme Pure Mulberry Silk Pillowcase will help your mom feel like a queen. The pillowcases regulate body temperature to keep you warm in...
Myths for Little Yogis Megan Henderson wrote the book “Myths for Little Yogis — Shiva's Dance” to share what the wonders of yoga practice can do for everyone. Henderson’s passion for yoga accessibility stems from her work promoting the healing power of yoga to children with special needs. Yoga helped...
Fender American Acoustasonic Guitars On display at the 2020 National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Show was Fender’s hybrid acoustic-electric guitar called the Acoustasonic. They come in two body styles, the single-cut Fender American Acoustasonic Telecaster, and double-cut Stratocaster — both offering a complete arsenal of convincing acoustic and electric...
BetterAir Cold and flu season is in full effect. According to the EPA, the more time we spend indoors, the more harmful microorganisms we come into contact with. Rid your home or office of harmful pathogens and allergens this winter with BetterAir’s environmental purification system. The company offers a unique...
Your guide to holiday shopping at Orange County-based businesses. FOR KIDS Learn to Surf Let the pros teach your little ones how to surf the best waves with surf lessons at Newport Beach-based Learn to Surf. All surf instructors are either lifeguards or pro surfers ready to teach all ages...
Spill-free Snacks and Drinks While you are traveling and spending time in the car or at a daycare, Precidio Design has a new snack and drink container system that bring you the simplicity and ease your busy mornings need. Their new containers, Snack in a Box and Drink in a...
Unique, trending and local — suggestions for everyone on your list For the Family 52 Essential Conversations Card Game A busy mom of three, Jenny Woo, of Irvine, wanted to create something to help maximize quality time with her children. She came up with a simple yet effective card game....
Comfy and summery items from local vendors and beyond. OC Girl Hello Kitty Tankini This adorable baby blue Tankini with seashell pattern features a Mermaid Hello Kitty on the chest with bow detail on the back. Comes in sizes 2T-6. $54; available online at Oneill.com, Sanrio.com and at select Sanrio...
It's that time of year again and we present the 2017 Parenting OC Annual Holiday Gift Guide. We've got out-of-the-box stocking stuffers that prove that big things come in small packages, unique wheels and outdoor fun options for the whole family, dolls with an eye to giving and multicultural celebration,...
Smithsonian Motorized 3D Puzzles Part puzzle, part wind-up marching toy, these Smithsonian Institute-inspired wild things will be a crowd pleaser for all ages. Dinos and endangered species available, fun fact and info cards included. $4, www.skullduggery.com HEROCLIP This mom-invented 3-in-1 clip, swivel, and hook can hang anything up to 50...
Basic Outfitters Create-a-Drawer This personalized drawer of essentials just brought the classic grandma socks-and-undies gift to the next level. Pick a set of stylish socks, underwear, undershirts and bonus wildcard item (we love the Christmas pug boxers and lumberjack longjohns) and refresh your wardrobe from the inside out. $60, www.basicoutfitters.com...
Goobi and Goobi Juniors Magnetic Construction Set These ingenious magnetic design tools let creators build 360 degrees of fun, and their little sibs get in on the fun without worries about choking/swallowing. The award-winning design even got a rare certification from Toy Safety Standards in the USA, for children one...
Adora Dolls This progressive OC-based company makes these wildly realistic and award-winning dolls with BPA Free and non-toxic materials so you can feel good as your little one snuggles up. We love their expressive features, different ethnicities, and wealth of boy dolls and gender neutral accessories for inclusive play. $119,...
Max Traxxx Tracer Racer Remote Control Twin Loop Set Light Trail Technology turns cars into blazing streaks of light on Skullduggery’s Glow-in-the-Dark track. Perfect for both beginning and advanced race fans as variable speed remote control cars and adjustable track heights allow racers to control course difficulty. (Includes glow-in-the-dark dual...
Oakley Line Miner PRIZM Goggle These Oakley’s offer the ultimate in peripheral vision thanks to a cylindrical style design which helps the goggle hug close to the face. Downward and side-to-side periphery is enhanced by new PRIZM Inferno lenses. $150, www.Oakley.com K2 Spyne 120 Heat If the thought of skiing...
Web Riderz Swing This 39” platform swing is safety-rated to carry up to 600 pounds, for outdoor fun with sibs or friends. Hang from two points for traditional back-and-forth or from a single point to spin merry-go-round style. M&M’s tire swing line is made from repurposed tires, making them not...
Luke Skywalker’s Landspeeder Kids will certainly channel the force when they hop into this vehicle, modeled after the sand-pocked and sun-faded X-34 craft from Star Wars: A New Hope. With seats for 2 riders (up to 130lb), an interactive dashboard with lights and real movie sounds, and conservative 5mph driving...
Gel-a-Peel Studio Release your child’s inner fashion designer with these easy to use gel silk-screening stencils and accessories to create unique tees, clutches, book covers and more. The 15 design templates offer endless decorating options. $25, target.com Project Mc2 Perfume Maker Get your sweet, sweet science on with this perfume...
WÜSTHOF CLASSIC IKON 7 Piece Block For instant satisfaction while whipping up your signature dish or a fancy cheese tray for the fam, there is no replacement for a great knife. This classic block offers everything you need to filet, trim and chop up a feast. (Includes a 3 1/2”...
Beats by Dr. Dre Studio3 Wireless Traveling with a crying baby is rough, even if it happens to be your own. Tagteam with your partner to protect one parent’s sleep and sanity with these Over Ear headphones (or slip over a sibs’ ears to keep them in snoozeville). This new...
You stock your house with all the kids’ needs, attend to your own at the office with a few of our favorite biz goods. Vaya Tyffyn Elevate your lunchbreak with the Cadiilac (or Bentley or Rolls) of lunch boxes. The ingenius design is only enhanced by the copper finished stainless...
These OC hotspots will deliver the style your kids need and a good dose of family fun! Irvine Spectrum Back to School Endless Summer Fest (August 11 - 13) Locals and visitors alike are invited to end summer on a high note at Irvine Spectrum Center’s Back to School Endless...
Tis the season to renew your get-in-shape resolutions. Old school is great, but get the most out of your limited time to hit the gym or trails with these new fitness helpers. Samsung GearFit 2 This new dust-and-water-resistant take on the wrist-bound activity tracker will be music to your ears,...
Activity Kits Kiss Naturals Kits Kids learn about what goes into lip balms when they mix beeswax, Shea butter and safflower oil to get the perfect formulation into a jar, or a twist-up tube. This all natural kids’ cosmetics line pulls back the curtain on what goes into beauty products...
Can your children survive a week without their favorite TV shows, computer games, and videogames? More importantly, can you? According to the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood, children who spend less time with the TV, computer, and videogames do better in school and have more time for creative play and...