The Cupcake Craze Continues!

November 3, 2009 at 1:30 pm, by Amanda Wolfe

We know you have awesome cupcake recipes. Why not share them with us on Mixing Bowl? Log on from now through Dec. 30 and enter for a chance to win our Parents Magazine Kids' Cupcake Contest (and the $250 prize money)!
Share the cutest, most scrumptious cupcake recipe you've created by entering the original recipe and photo, or log on just to vote for your favorite. Click here for full contest rules and details.
Need a little inspiration? Check out our November issue to see some super fun ideas, like our 'Monkey Around' creations at right.

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Win Free School-Age Toys!

November 2, 2009 at 9:47 am, by Amanda Wolfe

 

Halloween might be over, but we're still handing out treats here at GoodyBlog. And unlike candy, these goodies are actually good for your kids, whether it's active games that get them off the couch or creative sets that let their imaginations go wild. This week one lucky winner is going to win a bucket full of fab toys for children ages 5 and 6. Here's the rundown:

Color Me Flowerz from Fisher-Price

Dodge Tag from Diggin'

Fairytale Spinner Game from eeboo

Hyper Blast from Wild Planet

I Spy Colorful Kids Puzzles from Briarpatch

Lucky Bee Bee Charms from Jakks Pacific

Pyramid playset from Playmobil

RipRider 360 from Razor

Saucer Scramble from Mattel

 

To enter this incredible contest, post a comment below until 9 a.m. ET on November 9th. We'll choose one reader in a random drawing.Then, visit again next week for one last amazing giveaway…for now (hint, hint). Read the full rules here. Goody luck!

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Share Your Best Mama Tip!

November 2, 2009 at 9:00 am, by Amanda Wolfe

Got a great tip or trick that makes your life easier? Tell us about it and you could be featured in Parents magazine!

Whether it's a surefire way to get your picky eater to eat her veggies, a simple organizing solution, a clever way to keep kids busy on long car-rides, or the perfect go-to present that's a hit with every child, we want to know our readers' best nuggets of homegrown advice! It can be about anything—so go on and share! To add yours, go to our new community site. We can't wait to read your amazing tips!

Image via

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Friday Night Movies

October 30, 2009 at 4:04 pm, by Amanda Wolfe

This Week's Poll Goody:

Disney announced this week that it will offer refunds for its Baby Einstein line of DVDs (bought June 2004 to September 4th), which had been marketed as educational for babies and toddlers (a claim that's caused the company problems over the years). Apparently watching TV doesn't make your child a genius. Who knew? But a lot of parents didn't expect Baby Einstein to turn their kid into, well, Einstein–they just wanted something good their little one could watch while they cooked dinner or took a much-needed breather. Regardless of the reasons for buying the DVDs, you now have the option of a refund. Here's what we want to know: Are you planning on getting the refund or letting it go? Post a comment below to let us know!

       

This Week's DVD Goodies:

Pokemon: Diamond and Pearl Battle Dimension, Vol. 5

Pokemon: Diamond and Pearl Battle Dimension, Vol. 6 

Saturday Morning Cartoons: 1960s Vol. 2 

Saturday Morning Cartoons: 1970s Vol. 2 

The Secret Saturdays, Vol. 2 

Treasury of 100 Storybook Classics (Scholastic Storybook Treasures)

           

The Put-Your-Kids-to-Bed-First Pick of the Week (Halloween Edition):

Let The Right One In

   

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Good Deed Friday: Pajamas All Around!

October 30, 2009 at 1:49 pm, by Amanda Wolfe

My favorite part of the day is when I put on my comfy pajama pants and t-shirt to curl up with a good book before going to bed. I feel like this has been part of my nightly ritual since I was little, so when I heard about Pajama Program, an organization that gives pajamas and books to kids in need, I was equally heartbroken, to hear that there were kids with no pajamas and books, and thrilled that someone was bringing these comfort items to deserving children.
 
Genevieve Piturro was volunteering at a Harlem Children’s Center when she discovered that the kids around her were pajama-less. She began Pajama Program in 2001 to bring pjs and books to children living in orphanages, group homes and shelters in New York. Since then, Pajama Program has grown to 70 chapters in 39 states and 27 countries. They've given away over 400,000 pairs of pajamas and 184,000 books in eight years!
 

Winter is known as danger season for kids without warm clothes so Pajama Program is looking for donations of pajamas, books or money to help out. Visit Pajama Program to donate, find a chapter in your area or get more information.

Photo via.

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