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by NAPPA Awards Team

We have great new NAPPA Award winners to share with you – something for every interest.

Digital Fun & Learning

Get ready for an adventure with the Let’s Roam App, great for curious kids and families. Explore like never before as you take on riddles, trivia, and photo challenges. The in-home educational scavenger hunts come in seven selectable-themes that transform your home into a world of creativity. Outdoor scavenger hunt tours allow families to discover any city, learning its history, and seeing remarkable sites. Every hunt comes with downloadable photos and built-in memory-making technology. $12.99, ages 3+.

TutorMe is an online tutoring platform for individual learners that provides 24/7 live, on-demand support in 300+ subjects with qualified tutors. Using their personalized approach, TutorMe helps students regardless of ability, resource, skill level or age not only improve academically but also gain support so they never feel lost. Prices vary, ages K-higher education.

Duolingo ABC is a free app that teaches children how to read. Developed by learning experts, the app includes over 300 fun, bite-sized lessons building on prior lessons and guides children on a step-by-step path to reading. Duolingo ABC is aligned with Common Core standards and is based on recommendations by the National Reading Panel. Ages 3-6.

Love Music

Get up and dance with Growing Up Great, an eleven song musical CD for children created during the pandemic. The songs are energetic and filled with sweet reminders about being kind. $9.99, ages 2-6.

“To Awaken the Sun” is an album of classical music recorded to take music into public schools, with CD sales benefiting the Oklahoma Foster Youth. An acclaimed cellist, Remy-Schumacher has created this album that is predominately instrumental – beautiful for all ages. $15.

The Seaper Powers Connecting to Animals album is all about our connection to animals, making friends, and how important it is to accept people for their differences. Sing along to Tropical House sounds, Reggae Beats, Calypso Rhythms, Jazzy notes and colorful vocals. $8.99, ages 4-17.

Mix Fun & Learning

In KidZ expands children’s knowledge of different countries and customs through fun memorable experiences. Chocked full of activities and games, kids will be able to share details about a country without having to get on a plane or get out their passport. Both the America box and Diwali box include interactive learning items, like language flashcards, puzzles, books, games, flags and more. 50/monthly or $49/per box, ages 2-11.

Loop Lab STEM Subscriptions are created by the folks at Mad Science to bring science enrichment home. Each box has a different theme and step-by-step instructions. $32.99/per box, ages 8-12.

MindLabs Energy and Circuits is a magical STEM learning tool for children that combines a digital app, physical cards and augmented reality in a fun and exciting approach to learning core science concepts. $24.95, ages 8-11.

Bring a miniature ecosystem home with Froggy’s Lair BioShere. Each one-gallon tank comes with bioactive sand, colored gravel, a piece of living bamboo and 2 African Dwarf Frogs. All you have to do is change water every three months and feed these swimming, hopping frogs two times per week. $69.95, ages 5+.

Orbital Velocity is a space-themed numerical strategy board game where players are rocket scientists. Game focuses on math, physics, and AI, introducing kids to the concept of decreasing orbital velocity (explained in the rulebook) and gross vs fine acceleration. $19.99, ages 10+.

For more product reviews, visit nappaawards.com

 

 

by NAPPA Awards Team

Having a baby is a magical, special time. But it’s also a time of sleepless nights, endless laundry and new responsibilities. It’s amazing how everything changes – our emotions, our relationships and all the stuff we now need. We know this process well. For 30 years, we have been testing and evaluating family products to bring you the very best. We are thrilled to share this year’s Bundle: Baby, Toddler and New Mom Gift Guide.

The guide is filled with more than 100 gift ideas. Take a look inside where you’ll find perfect gifts for moms — everything from cozy robes to pregnancy earbuds. You’ll also find unique and plush gifts, items for your home and car, plus baby essentials like monitors, bottles, strollers, skin care products, high chairs and more. And of course – toys! Lots of fun and colorful items to engage babies and toddlers’ natural sense of curiosity and exploration.

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While back-to-school will definitely be different this year, it’s important to make it as exciting and normal as we can for our kids, whether they are heading back to a physical campus, distance learning, pods or a hybrid of some kind. These recent NAPPA Award winners provide a great way to get the school spirit going.

Keep Positivity Going

Provide an uplifting daily message for your kiddos with these adorable Washaway Lunch Box Notes that will completely disappear each night! These personalized peel-and-stick labels will adhere to the outside of your kid’s lunch container every morning so you can write them a daily message. Once you’re done with it, the label will disintegrate quickly in water, whether you wash the lunch box by hand or in the dishwasher – no soaking or scrubbing required.  Available in 8 adorable designs. $17.

 

A Fun Treat

 

Don’t pay a fortune on store-bought crustless sandwiches. Instead use your creativity and healthy ingredients to create fun snacks and meals. BWICHED Sandwich Cutter and Sealer by Savoychef is changing the way we eat a sandwich by creating a tool to make it more enjoyable. $17.99.

 

Get Organized

Get organized with Classroom Lineup Floor Decals and Classroom Name Tags from Mabel Label’s. The durable, non-slip floor stickers are a fun and useful addition to any classroom, whether you need to guide students where they should line up or where to sit. The strong material will adhere to most floors, including low pile carpet. Classroom Floor Decals are easy to apply, wipeable and removable when you’re finished with them. Available in 8 design choices and a wide variety of color options. $18.

The class name labels can be customized with up to 30 kids’ names so that teachers or parents can label individual items around the classroom or study area like kids’ cubbies, shelves, bins and more. The labels are super-durable and waterproof but are also removable at the end of the school year. Classroom Name Tags are a great tool for keeping students’ items organized and separated this school year and they help curb the spread of germs in the classroom Available in a wide array of color choices. $18.

The Easy Up Reusable Multi-Purpose Utility Hooks are super handy anywhere — at home or in the classroom. Infinitely versatile and made out of high-quality plastic, free from phthalates and BPA. Because of the arch shape and the gripping pins these hooks can be squeezed and released in any corner between wall and ceiling and easily removed without leaving noticeable marks, allowing for hassle-free hanging. $15.95

Add Some Style

This Pink Unicorn Backpack by JOJOOKIDS is bright and fun and features 3 easy-access compartments, 2 side elastic pockets for water bottles and adjustable padded shoulder straps.  Great for kindergarten or elementary school. $35.

The Obersee Preschool Sparkle Backpack collection has a simple yet stylish design, perfect for kids who love glitter and glam. Features zippered insulated front pocket to keep lunch and snacks cool and a side pocket to hold a water bottle or thermos. Comes in 8 vibrant colors and make a grate tote for gymnasts, ballerinas, soccer players, and cheerleaders. The small, compact size is easy to carry for younger kids. $34.99.

 

For more product reviews visit nappaawards.com

by Christina Elston

It’s probably been a while since you actually sent your kids off (as in out of the house) to school. All signs indicate that it could be a while longer until you do, but any school day, even a day of distance learning, should start with the right breakfast fuel.

In 2015, Catherine McCord realized that wasn’t happening at her house. That’s a surprise, since she is the mom behind Weelicious, a website devoted to simple and healthy recipes for the whole family. Her son, the oldest of her three kids, was experiencing unexplained headaches, nausea and fatigue. McCord eventually identified breakfast as the culprit. The family was eating a super-healthy diet the rest of the day, but in the morning, she was letting the kids have the pancakes, waffles and toast they requested.

She realized that these foods weren’t giving her son what he needed to start his day. Smoothies became the family’s new breakfast, her son’s health problems disappeared and McCord wrote “The Smoothie Project,” a cookbook with almost 100 smoothie recipes to fuel healthy eating.

“The idea is that all the smoothies have fruit and vegetable and protein, and that they’re keeping you full and energized,” says McCord. “Having a smoothie a day means you’re replacing a meal that might not be as good for you.”

To get your family in the smoothie-a-day habit, McCord’s book proposes a 28-day plan: Have a smoothie for one meal a day for 28 days and you’ll notice a difference in your body, she says. “Then you have two paths. You can have mac and cheese or chocolate ice cream later in the day and feel less guilty because you know you had a good meal already, or you can feel so good that you want to keep the feeling going, and you’ll make better choices,” says McCord.

The book has smoothies to suit every flavor preference, including coffee- and chocolate-based smoothies, tropical, berry heavy and seasonal options. There are also chapters to help simplify smoothie making, a bit about blenders, nutritional information and a thorough guide to the types of “super boost” ingredients you’ll find in the supplement aisle at Gelson’s. “There’s something for everyone, depending on your flavor preference and what you’re trying to get done in your body,” says McCord.

Through the online community McCord built using #smoothieproject, she has heard how smoothies have helped parents with picky eaters, parents trying to minimize their kids’ processed-food intake, people trying to lose weight and even senior citizens. One Potato, McCord’s family meal-subscription service, recently added smoothie kits to its menu of options.

Want a taste of what it’s all about? All you need is a blender (a high-powered one, if possible, and McCord suggests borrowing a friend’s rather than buying one if you’re just getting started).

A great gateway is this Blueberry Cherry Lemon smoothie, which McCord says is an “antioxidant bomb” with tons of nutrition and flavor.

Blueberry Cherry Lemon Smoothie from ‘The Smoothie Project’

Serves one

¾ cup (111 grams) frozen blueberries

¼ cup (38 grams) frozen cherries, pitted

¼ lemon (with peel and pith), seeds removed

2 tablespoons coconut yogurt

1⁄8 teaspoon ground cardamom

1 tablespoon hemp seeds

1 tablespoon honey or blue agave

¾ cup (180 milliliters) almond milk or milk of choice

Combine all the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Enjoy!

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We’re excited to introduce you to entrepreneur and dad Jordan Weiner, the founder behind the 2020 NAPPA Award winning How to Be Good Behavioral Learning Kits.

Jordan Weiner with daughter Lauren Alexa.

We would love for our readers to get to know you better. Tell us a little about your daily life.

In addition to investing time daily in children’s educational businesses I also own Internet Consulting, Inc.  Working on these businesses aren’t work to me – it’s play. I am a single father, which is my most important job/love.  I truly live an American Dream fairytale life, which I am grateful to the core of my being.  Everyday I wake up and wonder how did I get to be so lucky in life, and I try and give back as much as possible.

One of my favorite parts of the job is seeing our illustrators bring our characters and products to life.  Knowing our work will help kids strengthen and expand life skills and self-worth.  The work is chicken noodle soup for my mind, heart, and soul.  Seeing and hearing the kids, parents, grandparents, teachers, nannies, babysitters, counselors, and therapists all say how much they love our materials makes getting all the details done fun.

What was your motivation behind launching this company and developing these behavior education kits?

How To Be Good For Santa was my daughter’s, Lauren Alexa Weiner’s, flash of genius when she was only 7 years old.  She was playing a SIM’s game and building an online bookstore when I asked her what some of the titles of her books where.  She rattled off some amazing titles such as “The Meaning of Life” and I forget most of the others … but when she said “How To Be Good For Santa” I immediately knew that it was a flash of genius because what kid doesn’t want to know the secrets for how to be good for Santa and what parent wouldn’t instantly by that product as long as it was truly top tier award winning materials that would genuinely help their kid(s) build life skills?

A few of my motivation goals for launching this business where to show my daughter that she has million dollar ideas, to help her learn real business in the business world, and to help her get into a top college by brining her idea to fruition.  Other core motivational goals are to genuinely help kids have fun learning to build life skills and making it easy for guardians to have access to award winning materials that help their kids live happy and wonderful lives.

I help a lot of businesses and people with Internet Consulting, Inc., which is what is funding How To Be Good For Santa and How To Be Good with Polly the Parrot (The Polly the Parrot product versions are for people that don’t believe in Santa and for the educational market).  By the time I die, I want to leave something truly humanitarianly beneficial behind – and what better way to invest time, money and my human resources than helping children build life skills and self-worth? The pay it forward returns are exponential.

Our products are amazing, with hand illustrated water colored animal characters that kids, parents/grand parents, teachers/educators, counselors/therapists, and everyone that sees them love.

Why do you think character development is so important for kids?

Helping children build life skills and self-worth provides a solid foundation for them to do well and feel good about who they are.  If we invest a little time, efforts and resources while the children are learning how to act it truly helps all stakeholders.  Knowledge is power.  Kids minds are sponges, by being a little proactive instead of reactive we can increase our children’s positive to negative ratio, helping them know how to be safe, how to act properly so the ongoing cause and effect is in a positive direction.  An evolutionary advantage humans have is the ability to create tools and pass knowledge down through our generations… so our children don’t have to recreate the wheel for experiences we know have already learned.  Investing time helping kids with their character development will pay exponentially in their lives as well as the lives they influence.

What do you enjoy doing when not working?

I love raising my daughter, spending quality time with my family and friends.  Playing any type of game, watching quality movies, I love to cook and feed the people in my life, I used to love to travel but the pandemic put a stop to that for a while.

Favorite place to be with your family?

Anywhere as long as I am with family and friends.  I’ve done everything from parachute to scuba dive and try all types of experiences in my life’s journey.  I truly appreciate the nuances of life and living in the moment, the where and what are not as important as the with who.

Best life advice?

One of my characters Georgey the Gerbil who specializes in greeting people nicely sums up my best advice in life “Run through life happy and free while treating others with dignity!”  A couple other Jordanisms are everyone goes through ups and downs and you must make it through the lows to get to the highs.  Positive actions usually get positive reactions and negativity usually gets negative responses so for your own best interest it is best to be kind to others.  I also believe that you can only do so much with your own hands and thoughts and that to truly leverage yourself and ideas in life you need to work well with others by building a strong relationships with quality people. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes and/or admit to being wrong.  Live to learn and enjoy the ride, you only go through this life once so try and be kind and help everyone, so you don’t have any regrets.

Best advice for dads?

Say and do positive things for the kids, role model how you want your kids to act, and most important is time on task… spend as much time with your kids as possible and they will turn out knowing they were loved and be good humans.

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We have great new products just for baby and new mom — all NAPPA Award winners!

Soothing Baby Massage Oil

Made with only five ingredients that are all natural and organic, including over 50% cold-pressed sunflower seed oil. $16.00, ever-eden.com

Evereden Baby Moisturizing Lotion

Lightweight and specifically designed to soothe and comfort your child’s delicate skin with 2% colloidal oatmeal. $17.00, ever-eden.com

Day at the Spa Candle

Hand-poured with the finest quality soy wax and cotton wicks available. The perfect way for moms or moms-to-be to destress and relax. $39.95, thespagirllife.com

Honest Baby Wipes

Clean up all of life’s messes with these 100% plant-based baby wipes, made with over 99% water and gentle on sensitive skin. $4.95, ages birth+, honest.com

Honest Baby Diapers

These eco-friendly diapers offer advanced leak protection, cloud-like comfort, and stylish prints that keep your baby dry, comfy, and happy on life’s daily adventures. $10.95, ages birth to 3, honest.com

CicaLux – Energized Scar-Care

Helps new moms easily care for their c-section scars using heat and tension. $79.00, cicalux.com

Infinity Convertible Stroller

Perfect for the active family and will take you from birth through toddlerhood. $175.00, ages newborn to 45 lbs, evolurbaby.com

Coast Rider and Stroller

Can be easily plugged-in with any stroller, making it a perfect dual ride for older brothers or sisters, relinquishing the need to purchase yet another twin or extra stroller. $70.00, ages 6 months+, dreamonme.com

I Dreamed You

A love poem, a testament to the gift that every child is to those who care for him or her and to the unbreakable bond between them. $7.95, ages birth to 8 years, amazon.com

 

For more award-winning products, visit NAPPAAwards.com

 

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Ready for some family fun! Check out these new NAPPA Award winners!

The Rank Game by Storyastic

A super-fun game about YOU and your people–and your likes and dislikes. How well do you know each other? Can your teammate guess your RANK? $30.00, ages 8+, storyastic.com

StickTogether Mosaic Puzzle

Like paint-by-numbers, but with stickers! A great activity for the whole family, maker spaces, community-building events, reading challenges, and more! $36.00, ages 5+, letsticktogether.com

Ice Tumble

The first player to successfully place all of their ice blocks and their fox pawn on the sculpture wins the game. The blocks are slippery so be careful or the sculpture may come tumbling down. $36.00, ages 7+, simplyfun.com

Crystal Cup Rally

A fun three-dimensional game that will have players practicing their planning skills and adapting to new conditions. Race around the track, planning which paths to take in order to get ahead. $38.00, ages 7+, simplyfun.com

The Game Plan Game

Addresses every day teachable moments that aim to normalize conversations around safety and flexible thinking through the medium of a board game. $19.99, ages 4+, gameplangame.com

For more award-winning products, visit NAPPAAwards.com

by Elena Epstein

We’re excited to introduce you to Nicole Black, a mom and wellness entrepreneur. Nicole, who lives in Santa Barbara with her daughter, is the creator behind the Spa Girl Life Candles, a 2020 NAPPA Award winner.

While working in the spa industry for many years, Nicole learned about the soothing benefits of aromatherapy and relaxation and the healing powers of crystals. Creating a life of intention to manifest your dreams, wishes and desires is how Spa Girl Life Candles came to be. The candles are hand-poured using soy wax and cotton wicks. Each candle arrives with two stones and a link to a guided meditation as well as a mantra card. These candles are great for moms and moms-to-be. You can read our mom evaluators comments about these candles in here.

 

Tell us a little about your daily life as a working mom.

If I were to sum it up in one word, it would be busy! Balance has become my middle name because I am regularly working on three projects. The first project is The Spa Girl Life – my luxury candle line, which fulfills my professional needs. My secondary project feeds my soul, working on my second book, The Spiral Staircase: The Path Isn’t Always a Straight Line. My third project is my passion project. This year I am working on getting my late father’s film “Pretty Poison” named to the Library of Congresses National Film Registry. Balancing that with spending time with my daughter, cooking, cleaning, and spending time outdoors every day keeps me pretty busy.

How do you destress and maintain your own well-being?

Ho’oponopono. An ancient Hawaiian method of releasing and restoring oneself to a zero state, using a four-sentence mantra designed to restore peace. Plus, I light a lot of candles. Aromatherapy and a warm bath allow me to put things in perspective.

What do you enjoy doing when not working?

Travel. Exploring new cities and all of the adventures that go along with that is my absolute favorite past time. Being out of my element allows my brain remarkable creative freedom, and some of my best ideas show up when I have been on vacation.

Favorite place to be with your family?

Together! In my world, it doesn’t matter if we are in a tropical paradise or a snow-covered mountain, time spent talking and laughing with my loved ones is my favorite thing.

Best life advice?

Live each day fully and in the present moment. The good news is if it were a great day, you would be able to tell stories about it forever. If it wasn’t a great day, it’s over, no need to reflect on it any longer. Additionally, remember to embrace all five senses: smell, touch, sight, sound, and taste.

Best advice for moms – new moms, moms with teens, mom entrepreneurs.

My advice for all moms is the same – be present and show your children you love them. New moms: you’re going to get a lot of unsolicited advice. Take what you can use and forget the parts that won’t work for your family. Moms with teens: be present with your children, know who their friends are, and ask a lot of questions. Mom with jobs: you are doing incredible work! It isn’t easy to balance work and life. Do the best you can each day and strive to do  5% more the next day.

What was your motivation behind launching Spa Girl Life?

Candles have always instilled a sense of peace inside of me. After leaving the restaurant group I co-founded, I felt as if I was at a crossroad, what should I do next? As a serial entrepreneur, I am always looking at products and thinking of ways to improve them. One of the things I noticed about candles that come with accessories is that you have to be incredibly patient waiting to get the prize inside. I wanted to create a candle that had crystals that could be used with guided meditations while burning the candle. Hence the mini first aid kit for the soul was born. I hope that women will have a moment of peace in their busy days to reflect and breathe.

For more award-winning products visit nappaawards.com

 

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This summer will be different, but as parents we need to do all we can to create fun and a sense of calm for our kids. So this summer, turn your backyard into the FUN ZONE! Our NAPPA Awards Guide to Summer Fun is here to help you bring that carefree vibe home. We have toys, family games, music, recipes and much more. Happy Summer!

 

 

 

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Ice cream scientist Maya Warren. Photo by Jeff Miller/UW-Madison

Maya Warren has a job title that would get most kids’ attention. She’s an ice cream scientist. Translation: Warren is senior director of international research and development/tastemaster at Cold Stone Creamery, and has a doctorate in food science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, specializing in frozen desserts. After being introduced to food science through the Food Network show “Unwrapped,” she decided to combine her passions for ice cream and chemistry to create a career that lets her do what she loves every day.

While her favorite ice cream flavor fluctuates between cookies and cream and a double-buttered candied pecan that is her own creation, the L.A.-based flavor maker finds inspiration for new flavors everywhere. “Whether it is at a fine dining restaurant, the candy or yogurt aisle at the grocery store or just following up-and-coming food trends across the globe, creativity is always around us,” Warren says. “It is really fun to push the envelope with ice cream flavors.”

Honey, cornbread and blackberry jam? Thai curry, peanuts and lime? Why not! “The flavors you can make are totally endless!” Warren says. “Now, not everything will taste amazing, but you never know when you might develop an amazing flavor that will leave people wanting more.”

What does she eat when she isn’t eating ice cream? “I love a great plate of veggies,” Warren insists. “I pretty much add spinach and broccoli to anything and everything … except ice cream. I’ve definitely not tried spinach or broccoli ice cream!”

The recipe this ice cream scientist has shared is the no-churn variety, which means you can make it without an ice cream maker. She says both varieties are very tasty, and that the main difference is in the process. No-churn recipes involve whipping the cream separately to create foam and give the mixture lightness, which wouldn’t be efficient for large-scale production. Ice cream that is churned freezes a prepared mixture and uses the machine to incorporate air during the freezing process.

Using this no-churn recipe, you create the base, then let your creativity loose to create your own flavor combinations. “Layer in whatever your creative mind and taste buds desire!” says Warren. Want more inspiration? Follow the ice cream scientist on Instagram, where she hosts live “Ice Cream Sundays with Dr. Maya,” demonstrating her recipes so that families can follow along.

The No-Churn Ice Cream Recipe:

2 cups (1 pint) heavy whipping cream, chilled

1¼ cups of sweetened condensed milk (approximately one 14-ounce can)

¼ cup evaporated milk

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Inclusions of your choice – broken/chopped cookies, sprinkles, caramel and/or fudge sauce, etc.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk and vanilla extract.Gently mix with a spatula until homogeneous, then set aside.

Pour the heavy whipping cream into a smaller mixing bowl. Starting on the lowest speed to avoid splashing, then gradually increasing to the highest speed, whip with a hand or standing mixer until whipped cream forms stiff peaks, about 3-5 minutes. Be careful not to over-whip the cream or it will turn into butter.

Using a spatula, scoop and gently fold the whipped cream into the sweetened condensed milk mixture until all of the cream is folded in. This now becomes your ice cream base – set aside.

Grab your storage container and a ladle. Using the ladle, scoop a layer of ice cream base into the container. Spread a layer of inclusions on top. Add another layer of ice cream base, followed by another layer of inclusions, and alternate until all of your ice cream base and inclusions are in your container.

Place a lid, plastic wrap or parchment paper over your ice cream. If using parchment paper or plastic wrap, gently press down until it lightly touches the ice cream. Freeze for 5-6 hours or overnight. Remove the container from the freezer and let it sit on the counter for 5-7 minutes if the ice cream is too hard to scoop. Enjoy!

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