You might have noticed that Play Library looks a little different these days. b5media’s Lifestyles channel has now become a part of Blisstree.  It’s an exciting change from this end, and I think it will be a fabulous change for you too.
I’ll still be here bringing you toys, games,  fun activities to do with your kids. I’m also a couple other places at Blisstree. I’ll still be blogging at She Knows Parties, bringing you ideas for birthday parties, holiday entertaining and more.
I’m also one of the new Food and Nutrition bloggers at Blisstree, where I’ll be sharing more of the …read more

For all the talk about kids being too wired to be able to enjoy simple toys, my son’s favorites are still building sets. This week, we got him his first box of “real” LEGO and he’s been busy building rockets, houses, airplanes, and anything else you can imagine. Not once has he asked for an on switch.
Like many parents, educators, and journalists, Seth Porges at CrunchGear would like to take a whack at the ugly head of modern technology and how it has ruined toys. I’m not sure if I agree since my personal observations tell me that kids might …read more

My family and I spent a scant half-hour in the basement last night as the result of tornado sirens and warnings in our area. Thankfully, we witnessed no more than a heavy rain, but it was time enough to realize that we were not prepared to keep the kids entertained and distracted while we sat out the storm.
In light of recent catastrophes, we all know that we need to keep our emergency survival kits and supplies loaded and ready. But I think it’s important, too, to have some activities for the kids to be engaged in while we’re …read more

Last summer, the kids and I attended an aquatic afternoon event that included playing on an inflatable water slide similar to the Six Flags® Banzai Blast Water Slide pictured here. The difference was that the slide our kids were playing on ended at the ground and deposited the kids onto a Slip’n Slide.
After watching a friend’s daughter, as well as a few other children, go down head first and get a good jolt on their necks, I mentioned that the kids should probably stick to going down feet first, just to be safe.
As soon as I said this, …read more

Today, the kids, grandma, my nephew and I all spent a beautiful summer afternoon at one of southwest Ohio’s best family attractions.
Young’s Jersey Dairy, located in Yellow Springs, OH (where, apparently, Dave Chappelle owns a farm. I don’t know exactly where, since I’ve never been invited over.) is a family-owned working dairy farm, and a great destination for a family outing.
What began as a purchase of a barn by a relative of the Young family in 1869 now includes a dairy, two restaurants, a mini-golf course (appropriately named Udders and Putters), a driving range, a corn maze, and …read more

With all the complicated electronic toys available on the market today, kids still turn to simple blocks, trucks, and balls to amuse themselves. Laurie Sontag’s son is no different. She made a list of inexpensive common toys and their educational features. They include:

Sandbox
Lego
Rocks and a plastic dump truck
Musical Instruments
Barbie and Ken, Action Man, or Athtar, Amazon Warrior Girl
Nerf Balls
Toy Cars

Actually, almost anything in the house can be fun and educational. All except knives and other sharp instruments that is.