Category Archives: Age 7-10

4 Kid’s Bikes for Kids Learning to Ride + 7 Bike Safety Tips

June 26, 2014Age 5-7, Age 7-10Bicycle, bike, summerAlicia

Learning to ride a bike is an essential part of childhood for most kids. For some kids learning to ride a bike is a breeze and for others, like my second child, learning to ride a bike isn’t easy at all. If there’s one thing I’ve learned when shopping for bikes for my kids, it’s that there are a lot of different bicycle options for kids.

Below are some great bicycle options for kids learning to ride a bike along with tips on making the bike-riding experience fun and safe for kids.

Bikes for kids learning to ride a bicycle

1 – The Radio Flyer EZ Fold Stroll ‘N Trike is helpful for you and your toddler. It is designed to fold quickly and can be pushed with its unique handle. It also offers a canopy, 3-point harness, back seat and foot rest. It is made to accommodate kids at up to 5 years.
• $139 at Radio Flyer

2 – The Y-Volution YBike Balance Bike, available in blue, green, pink and orange, is made for kids aged 2 to 4 years. For those just starting out it offers a great way to learn balance and coordination. The wheels are designed to offer a large turning circle without falling and to reduce the chances of running over their feet.
• $58-79 on Amazon.com

3 – For a lightweight and portable option the Smart Gear Kid’s Wooden Balance Bike features its own carrying handle. It is made to assist in adapting to a 2-wheel bicycle.
• Approximately $75 on Amazon.com

4 – The durable Novara Firefly 12” Bike features removable training wheels, back pedal brakes and a full-length chain guard. For the adventurous biker the handlebar is made in a BMX style and comes with a bag and cheerful bell.
• $139 at REI and REI.com

Provide your child with the right bicycle for their age, height, and skill level, and they will get fresh air and exercise and possibly even make new friends to ride bikes with!

Safety Tips For New Bicycle Riders

Always wear a helmet: The first step to bicycle safety is to keep a helmet securely attached at all times to protect the head in the event of a fall or collision. I point out to my kids that professional riders (bicycle, skateboard, etc) wear helmets and I think that helps them realize that ‘the cool kids wear a helmet’, even though some of their friends don’t.
Check your child’s bike for loose components: Before your child gets on their bike, make sure each part is securely bolted or screwed in place to prevent loosening that could result in accidents or injury.
Check the brakes: Before letting your child ride away, make sure the brakes work properly so he or she can quickly stop as necessary.
Check tires: Don’t forget to check your child’s bicycle tires for proper pressure. Tires that are too full or tight may suddenly burst while riding and those that are not fully inflated may affect your child’s ability to steer.
Wear bright clothes: Wearing bright clothes makes your child more noticeable to passing motorists.
Ride in a safe area: For kids learning to ride a bike, stability is key. Keep them in a flat open area preferably away from the road.
Learn hand signals: When your child must ride their bike on the street, knowing and using hand signals helps motorists know which way your child plans to take go to avoid guessing or accidents.

Enjoy the adventure that is teaching your child to ride a bike!

– Alicia

Madelyn Loves Reading Thanks to iPad App Bookboard

December 9, 2013Age 3-5, Age 5-7, Age 7-10, iPadBookboard, ipad, reading appAlicia

I cancelled cable about a year ago because I was so frustrated with the kids always expecting to be able to watch tv, then they’d turn into zombies when they were allowed to watch something, then they turned into evil little monsters when I told them to do something while they were watching tv. Since I cancelled cable, I’ve had to come up with ways, creative ways, to occupy my 7-year-old. My 14-year-old occupies himself by doing stuff outside, but my daughter has a difficult time finding things to do even though she has a gazzilion toys. I was told about an iPad app called Bookboard recently that encourages children to read. I’ve tried dozens of reading apps with my daughter but she never stuck with any of them. I purposely didn’t right this post until she had been using the app for a month to be sure that it really was different and she still enjoyed it after that long.

Bookboard iPad app

For children who are inundated with fast-paced video games and television shows, reading has become a chore rather than a delight. The myriad benefits of reading–increased vocabulary, more developed analytical and critical reasoning, improved memory and focus–are useless if a child never picks up a book. Fortunately, not all electronic devices are detrimental to the habit of reading: one iOS app, Bookboard, has reimagined the concept to enchant and encourage young readers to explore the infinite world of reading.

Bookboard iPad app reading

Bookboard is especially appealing to children who have not yet fostered a love for reading. The gaming features (collecting new ebooks and unlocking items) provide an incentive for kids who are struggling with reading to continue to practice. And, of course, children who are already avid readers will enjoy using their skills to earn new titles to explore.

Bookboard is designed for readers up to age 12, and includes over 400 ebooks that are unlocked gradually the more a child reads. My daughter responds well to incentives and the Bookboard app offers just that.

Madelyn reading Bookboard iPad app

You can download a 30-day free trial of Bookboard to explore its features and test out its unique motivational approach to reading. If you like the app, the pricing options for a full subscription are pleasingly affordable. A monthly subscription runs just $8.99 per month. A six-month subscription costs only $29.94, which works out to less than $5 a month. Considering many hardcover books run $30 or over, accessing Bookboard’s extensive library for the same price is a great deal.

Gift subscriptions to Bookboard can also be purchased for friends or family whose children will appreciate the gift of unlimited reading. A full year’s subscription only costs $54.99.

Bookboard subscribers enjoy other features of the app, including offline reading capabilities. Bookboard allows you to download up to twenty books at a time for your child to read at their leisure, no matter how far they are from a WiFi hotspot. Subscribers also have access to audio books which allow children to tap words or blocks of text to hear them read aloud.

If you are looking for a new way to encourage your child to read, give Bookboard a try. Its goal-based approach might just transform your reluctant reader into a bona fide bookworm.

Connect with Bookboard

A 7-Year-Old Girl’s Dream Shopping Trip at OshKosh B’gosh + 25% Off Coupon!

November 9, 2013Age 3-5, Age 5-7, Age 7-10, Fashion & Style, Holiday, Shopping, Style Guidegirl's clothes, holiday clothes, Oshkosh B'goshAlicia

*I participated in an Influencer Program on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for OshKosh B’gosh. I received a gift card to facilitate my shopping trip and to thank me for participating.

As strange as it may sound, I rarely take Madelyn with me when I buy her clothes. I’d rather buy a bunch of clothes and bring them home for her to say yay or nay to and try on at home, than deal with the potential whining about trying clothes on and me taking too long. On that note, last week I was brave and took Madelyn to the OshKosh B’gosh store. I expected whining. I expected chaos. And I got it. Not because she didn’t want to try clothes on. It was the opposite this time. She wanted to try on everything! We were at the store for 2 hours.

When we arrived at OshKosh B’gosh, two employees greeted us. One asked what we were shopping for and one told us about the amazing doorbuster items. My jaw dropped when she told me that the fleece pullovers were just $9! If I wasn’t there to buy outfits for school, I would have grabbed a dozen pairs of fleece pants and pullovers and been done with our shopping trip.

After perusing the doorbuster items we made it to the racks of clothes. Madelyn put three outfits together in a matter of minutes.. then five.. and more and more. Oh my gosh they were cute outfits too! I quickly got down on my knees and explained to her that while I would love for her to have a velvet dress with an adorable turtleneck to pair with it and tights, my goal with this shopping trip was to buy her a couple of outfits she could wear to school. While I was talking to her, I saw her eyes focus on something behind me. Boots.. “the most super-adorabalist boots EVER” she said…sort of like that new word she came up with earlier this week; fancasual. She’s on a roll with the interesting new words. That was the end of that conversation.

While she tried on the boots, I found jeggings. I have bought Madelyn several pairs of jeggings in the last year and she’s worn holes in all of them. When I picked up a pair of OshKosh’s jeggings, I realized that the jeggings I had bought were not nearly as good quality as OshKosh B’gosh’s. Their jeggings are thick and seem very durable.

Madelyn paired a knit cardigan from OshKosh B’gosh that she had with one of the outfits we bought, creating this adorable outfit. This is my favorite of the outfits she picked. It is practical for school and it will also make a cute holiday outfit.

Oh, and aren’t the boots adorable? The boots are regularly $50. I initially told Madelyn she couldn’t get the boots but when she put the effort into putting them on with every outfit she tried on and I saw just how freakin’ cute they are with everything.. I caved. I was sure the boots were going to put us well over our $100 limit.. but seeing as how our entire purchase was just $96, they didn’t!

I could not believe how many items we were able to get with our $100 gift card at OshKosh B’gosh! Seriously. I took a photo to show you just what we bought with $96!

This is what we got for $96!

2 pairs of jeggings
1 fleece pullover
1 long sleeve embellished tee
1 long sleeve tunic
2 pairs of jersey yoga pants
1 pair of microfleece pants
1 pair of sherpa ankle boots
1 pack of cotton tees
1 star belt
1 bracelet

Pretty great, right?

OshKosh B’gosh Coupon!

Because I want you to get the same amount of stuff that Madelyn did for just about $100, here is a coupon for 25% off your purchase of $30 or more!

OshKosh B’gosh has offered a special coupon for 25% off a $30 purchase for The Mommy Insider readers! This coupon can also be redeemed online or in your local OshKosh B’gosh store.

It was tempting to use my gift card to buy holiday clothes for Madelyn but she can make any outfit look festive with accessories…she’s better at that than I am.. so we refrained on buying ‘holiday specific’ items and went with fun, functional, and comfortable everyday clothes. We’ll be back soon (we got a coupon with our purchase) so maybe we’ll stock up on holiday clothes next time! Here are a few cute pieces that would be great for holiday outfits.

Connect with OshKosh B’gosh on Twitter and Facebook!

5 Fancasual (Fancy + Casual) Dresses For Little Girls Sizes 4-14

November 6, 2013Age 3-5, Age 5-7, Age 7-10, Ages 10-13, Fashion & Style, Style Guidedresses, Fashion, little girl fashion, styleAlicia

Madelyn, my 7-year-old, informed me a few days ago that she is ready to clean her closet of any dresses she hasn’t worn in a few days. A few days? She said that if she hasn’t worn them in a few days they aren’t a favorite and should be given to a little girl who will appreciate them. Seriously, I thought.. she actually heard something I said?!

So, we went through her closet and took out a bunch of stuff most of which was too small and she took out a few dresses that were not too small but she hasn’t worn more than once or twice. I had to accept that we were getting rid of relatively unworn pieces but we will deliver them to Goodwill and I’m sure there’s a little girl who will love the dresses as much as I did when I bought them for Madelyn.

girl's dress wishlist

I asked Madelyn to come up with a list of what she wants and doesn’t want in “fancasual” dresses. That ended up being quite the project. She got a whiteboard and dry erase markers and asked me to make ‘want’ and ‘don’t want’ columns then she spouted off a list of characteristics she’s looking for in a dress. Maybe she should be a dress designer after all. I have always thought career choice was an odd one but now that she’s getting older and better able to share her thoughts with me, I see it.

Here are the columns. I was a good listener despite some of her strange requests like ‘gross, uncomfortable stuff’. I wanted so badly to ask what dress she’s owned that was gross or had uncomfortable stuff on it? Really?

Two more questionable characteristics in her ‘don’t want’ list are blah and ugly sleeves. As we went through her old dresses I asked if each was ‘blah’ or had ugly sleeves. What’s an ugly sleeve anyway I asked? She said “it’s one that’s puffy or has things dangling from it”. Ok. We didn’t come across a dress with ugly sleeves so apparently I haven’t made that mistake yet.

Here are 5 dresses that Madelyn hand-picked that meet most of her ‘want’ requirements.

You’ll notice that blue from the ‘don’t want’ column was ignored when it came time to actually choosing dresses. 🙂

1 – Splendid ’Sparkle Lux’ Dress | Available in girl’s sizes 7-8, 10, 12, 14 – $68

2 – Soprano Beaded Peter Pan Collar Sleeveless Dress | Available in sizes 7-8, 10-12, 14, 16 – $42

3 – Ella and Lulu Striped Floral Dress | Available in sizes 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 – $38

4 – Truly Me Stripe Hooded Dress | Available in sizes 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 – $54

5 – Ella and Lulu Colorblock Dress | Available in sizes 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 – $38

Madelyn was a little concerned about the beaded collar on dress #2 but when she saw that it is called a Peter Pan Collar, she agreed that might be the best dress ever!

What is your daughter’s dream dress? I’d love to know what she says if you ask her! It might be different that you expect. I didn’t expect unicorns and no ‘ugly sleeves’… that’s for sure!

Girl’s Fashion Guide: 4 Glittery Headbands on Etsy

October 13, 2013Age 3-5, Age 5-7, Age 7-10, Ages 10-13, Etsyetsy, handmade, headbandAlicia

I love Etsy. I find the most unique, fun, and inspiring things there. Most of the time I go to Etsy to browse midnlessly but today after getting a request from my daughter to get her a glittery headband I went straight to Etsy.com to find some!

I was not disappointed!

I found the cutest headbands, some that I would even consider wearing when/if my hair is long again. Hair accessories are something that every little girl seems to collect and actually use, unlike pencil toppers.. that’s another story, so I don’t mind her having an abundance of them. 🙂