GoodyBlog

The Cupcake Craze Continues!

Amanda Wolfe — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 13:30:28 +0000

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.

Win Free School-Age Toys!

Amanda Wolfe — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 09:47:21 +0000

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!

Share Your Best Mama Tip!

Amanda Wolfe — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 09:00:00 +0000

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‚Äîso go on and share! To add yours, go to our new community site. We can't wait to read your amazing tips!

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Friday Night Movies

Amanda Wolfe — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 16:04:38 +0000

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:

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom & Chicka Chicka 1 2 3

Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs

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

Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure

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

Good Deed Friday: Pajamas All Around!

Amanda Wolfe — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:49:10 +0000

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‚Äôs 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.

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Parents Halloween Costumes on Good Morning, America!

Amanda Wolfe — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:58:24 +0000

Check out this hysterical video, showcasing our adorable, homemade Halloween costumes from this morning's Good Morning, America! The run-away sushi was modeled by our executive editor's son, Grant, and the crayon was our associate art director's daughter Sophia.

If you have a great child's costume that you made, enter a photo into our contest for a chance to win a Sony HDR-CX100 High Definition Handycam Camcorder and have your photo featured in the October 2010 issue of Parents Magazine! Click here to enter. And have a Happy (and SAFE) Halloween!!

Cute Kid Thursday!

Amanda Wolfe — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 11:04:35 +0000

My Name Is: Jackson
I‚Äôm: 19 months old
I hail from: Greenville, NC
I can usually be found: Doing the "Hot Dog" dance from Mickey Mouse Clubhouse
Beloved Toy: My building blocks and my Goofy and Mickey Mouse stuffed animals
Favorite Book: "Moo, Baa, La La La!" By Sandra Boynton
Pastime: Playing outside, dancing, and watching Mickey Mouse
Pet Peeve: Being told "No"
Catch Phrase: "Hot Dog!"

Hey, got a cute kid? Please email us a pic and bio and your little Mr. or Ms. Adorable could be featured on Cute Kid Thursday!

The Power of Pink

Amanda Wolfe — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 17:51:48 +0000

October may be almost over, but it's never too late to bring attention to National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. There are so many ways to help the cause, whether you donate directly to breast cancer research, participate in fundraising walks, or encourage your sisters and girlfriends to perform regular self-breast exams. Not like you need another reason to shop, but if you're going to splurge, why not help save women's lives at the same time? And with the holidays (eek!) quickly approaching, products that benefit breast-cancer-awareness organizations give you a great reason to cross off some names on your gift list. Here are a couple products we love that could make great stocking stuffers. Or pop them in your own purse. We won't tell.

Pinktober Key Chain: Keys get a little cuter with this Hard Rock exclusive. 15% of the retail sale will be donated to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Pinkitude Fragrance: Demeter's pretty perfume is nothing to sniff at. Smelling sweet gets even sweeter when 20% of Sales are donated to Susan G. Komen For The Cure.

Want more? Check out our October issue's beauty page for products that will have you looking good while doing good.

Be in Parents: Do You Get Free Childcare?

Amanda Wolfe — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 16:13:20 +0000

We‚Äôd love to hear from working parents who have found creative ways to avoid paying for day care or a sitter. Do grandparents watch your kids for free? Do you take your kids to work with you? Trade off child-watching with friends? Work opposite shifts from your spouse? Please share your story. Email tcwrites@gmail. Be sure to include your kids' ages and where you live.

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Win Free Preschool Toys!

Amanda Wolfe — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 09:00:00 +0000

Want to be the cool mom or dad on the block? Here's your chance: Bring this fantastic assortment of toys to your child's next playdate. Your preschooler (and friends) will have a blast playing with "food," making mini-masterpieces, and much more. One lucky reader will snag these thirteen playthings:

All Around Art Tower from Step2

Burger Builder Play-Doh set from Hasbro

ChickyBoom from Blue Orange Games

Curious George Hide and Seek Zoo Game

Giant Sandwich Stacking Game from Melissa and Doug

Handy Manny's Construction Laptop from V-Tech

Kitchen Playset from EverEarth

Mouse Match from Fundex Games

My First Mosaic from Alex

Penguin Peek-A-Boo Plush from Fiesta Toys

Rocky the Robot Truck from Mattel

Shake 'n Go! Crash-Ups Speedway from Fisher-Price

Stir Fry from International Playthings

Post a comment below before 9 a.m. ET on November 2nd to enter yourself to win all of these great toys. We'll choose one reader in a random drawing. And remember to check back next week for our next ginormous giveaway. Read the full rules here. Goody luck!

UPDATE: THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED! A NEW ONE WILL BE UP SHORTLY.