BabyPlays.com
If you have kids 5 and under, there's a solution for bored-toy syndrome: BabyPlays.com. Capitalizing on the popularity of online services such as Netflix, BabyPlays allows parents to borrow toys for a month or more at a time. Subscription plans allow you to choose 4-6 toys at a time and shipping costs are included. Toys are inspected and sanitized when they are returned, so you know you're getting a high quality item.
Originally posted on February 18, 2008.
Wondertime Magazine Online
In addition to a great magazine, Wondertime has a lovely website as well. You can enjoy the humor of day-to-day life with Catherine Newman's "Dalai Mama" blog or Rand Richard Coopers "Dad on a Lark" blog. There are recipes and some cute printables, too. I especially like the how-to-articles that remind you how to do the fun things you loved as a kid, including building a fort, rules for Red Light, Green Light, and learning how to climb a tree. You may not need someone to teach you how to make a fort, but it's a nice reminder that it really is the simple things that make childhood magic.
Originally posted on February 10, 2008.
Lookybook
Lookybook gives you a chance to preview picture books from the comfort of your own home. You can read the entire story and see the pictures, as well. For Internet shoppers such as myself, this is a wonderful service. You just can't buy a picture book based on the cover and the description!
Originally posted on February 4, 2008.
Swaptree
Swaptree allows you to offer up books, movies, CDs and video games for trade. Tell Swaptree what you have and what you want. They'll match you with other users who may be interested in a trade. Once you select the best match (they've got an e-Bay inspired rating system), you can print a pre-paid mailing label and put it out for your mail carrier.
Originally posted on January 28, 2008.
