Kid-tested, kid-reviewed and kid-approved… meet Nicholas Bubeck, my 7-year-old, who helped me put together this fun list of stuff that will keep your kids entertained this summer. (Because we could use all the help we can get; right, mamas??!)
Instill in your children movie-making skills with the V-Tech KidiZoom Creator Cam digital camera. Ages 5-10 will love creating HD videos via their camera that sits atop a selfie stick-turned-tripod. Use the included green screen and 20+ animated backgrounds to make your own weather report… or opt for the on-screen editing tools to add music, create trick shots, or time-lapse.
Created by a crafty kidpreneur, check out these neat DIY Plane Kits from Creations by Nicholas. New for summer: the Decorator’s Kit which comes with everything you need to make a plane- plus paint, a pen and stickers to make it truly unique. $1 of every sale goes to the Triple Heart Foundation.
I'm the Chef Too! STEM cooking kits takes families on entertaining and educational edible adventures. These all-inclusive projects come packed with ingredients and activities that make learning science fun and tasty.
Create an erupting volcano cake or an edible dinosaur terrarium… or join their new subscription model featuring monthly themes (we’re loving the Beach Pops for summer).
Is your kid struggling in math? Here’s a solution… The Art of Problem Solving offers comic-style workbooks that helps young students improve their math skills while challenging them with hundreds of thought-provoking word problems and puzzles. The Beast Academy is the ultimate curriculum for students ages 8-13; it’s a sure way to beat the summer slide.
Guardian Bikes are the safest bikes on the market. The company scored a Shark Tank win, thanks to its easy start/stop fast brake system; one brake lever stops both the front and back tires. Flaunting a rad physique, Guardian bikes are made from premium ultra-lightweight aluminum, specifically engineered for a child’s proportion. Plus, the quick-release adjustable seat grows with your child.
Watch these items in action here!
Art-Infused Incentives for Kids
Incentivize your kid’s art skills… turn their creations into notebooks and puzzles from PrintArtKids. Have your child concoct a finger painting, drawing or family pic, then snap a photo of it and upload the picture into the online system. Once there, turn their art into an array of options: postcards, labels, games and more. It’s simple and fun… plus, your kids will feel extra special when they see the result arrive in the mail.
Treat your craft closet to something extra special: custom crayons from Art2TheExtreme. Order your child’s name in a crayon set- each crayon blends a mix of colors, making each letter unique. Plus, it makes coloring extra cool, adding that rainbow look to any picture.
This affordable lifesaver will keep kids occupied for hours (plus, they’re good for road trips). All your kiddos have to do is find the sticker, peel the sticker, and place the sticker in its appropriate spot… and watch the paintings come to life! Comes on sturdy card stock, and well under $10.
Get the tie-dye party started with Doodle Hog- kits with everything you need to make groovy tops and tees. The kit comes with custom color dyes, pastel fabric dyes and neon dyes… plus, it’s nontoxic and fume-free.
Try any of the 5 different techniques from the dye guide; the no-mess squeeze bottles and gloves make the process a breeze, and your dyed creations can be washed worry-free.
If you can’t make it to the beach this summer, bring the deep blue sea indoors. Let’s Explore offers a unique virtual reality experience in the comfort of home! Download the app and insert your phone into the special glasses, and once in place, your kids can watch tons of videos on sea life- as if they were in the water with sharks, whales, and more!
Probably one of my favorite building blocks on the market, Plus Plus just released a compact travel system, perfect for getaways or picnics. Fit for creativity on the go, it comes with 100 pieces and a baseplate with plenty of room for additional pieces.
Create colorful flat mosaics or work in 3-D to make more intricate builds. Suggested for ages 5-12.