We’re so excited to share that we have over 100 new, fresh, and original videos about kid crafts and classic children’s songs. Get the whole family involved in some creative, musical fun!
In our Kid Crafts How-To Videos series, watch Eva, the arts and crafts instructor, as she demonstrates each craft in simple, easy-to-follow steps. With some adult supervision, have your kids make all 26 of our favorite Parents magazine and Parents.com crafts — like a cute clothespin giraffe, fuzzy pom pom pals, and a kaleidoscope-colored stained glass butterfly.
Entertain the kids more by teaching them fun and familiar nursery rhymes. In our Sing-Along Song Videos series, music instructor Lindsey plays a keyboard and teaches kids lyrics and melodies. After watching all 25 songs, your kids can show off their singing chops and hand movements by belting out “I’m a Little Teapot,” “Itsy Bitsy Spider,” and “Hokey Pokey.”
With smash hits likes “The Wheels on the Bus” and “Itsy Bitsy Spider,” parents don’t always get to listen to music they necessarily enjoy. Don’t get me wrong–these catchy tunes are popular with children for a reason. But sometimes we need a break from the perpetual nursery rhymes.
That’s where Stephen Kellogg and The Sixers’ Gift Horse comes in. We’ve loved listening to this new album from the grass-roots American rock band. As a fan of The Sixers previous work, I think it’s safe to say their newest release is one of most mature and cohesive albums to date. Several of the songs focus on themes of family or growing up in the U.S., which I know is a relatable topic for most of us.
“I wrote the last two songs on the record, ‘Roots and Wings’ and ‘Noelle, Noelle,’ while we were making it,” says Kellogg on the band’s website. “I realized I had more to say about the subject of family, and that makes me think it’s got to be a huge thing for a lot of people. So I try to write in a way that’s going to positively impact people without being too obvious or literal.”
Check out the “Roots and Wings” music video below. And let us know in the comments section what your favorite family-friendly albums are–that don’t mention spiders or bus wheels.
In the wake of the devastating series of suicides – all rooted in bullying – that has swept the nation over the past few months, ‘tween singing duo MICHAEL AND MARISA are speaking up.
The Boston-based siblings wrote their song “The Same” after reading about Phoebe Prince, a 15-year-old Massachusetts teen, who, as result of bullying, committed suicide. Michael and Marisa released an acoustic version of the song ,off the recent EP It’s Like This, on YouTube to encourage their peers (the pair is 12 and 13, respectively) to put an end to this mean streak.
Their message: If you see something, do something. This month, the duo will spread this message further in support of the Pacer Center’s National Center for Bullying Prevention by donating funds to the organization. The Build-A-Bear Workshop Website is also playing their song during October, Internet Safety Month.
“We feel that being 12 and 13 and being in middle school, we understand kids can be kids,” Marisa explains in the video. “For kids to tell kids to stop bullying is much more powerful than for grownups to say “stop bullying,” because it feels like a lecture – like a “clean your room” kind of thing. But for kids to tell kids is just…we just feel like that can change everything.”
Check out the clip below, and let us know what you think in the comments!
For resources on bullying from Parents, click here.
Check out this wonderful toy train slash music maker. Here’s how it works: The track, which is designed with small bumps that pluck the metal keys on the front of the train, is divided into sections which children can rearrange to change the song. Amazing, right?
Not that anyone (besides maybe Suri Cruise) has $950 to spend on a table these days. And not that you’d want to encourage ’round-the-clock music-making, especially in a living room or common area. But isn’t this xylophone table by Jellio so FUN?! Just had to share.
The '80s are soooo back! I was probably a little too excited when the first-look trailer for the new Fame remake hit the Interwebs the other day. A "Woohoo!!!" might have been involved. Don't judge! When I was little, my teenage sister couldn't get enough of this dancing/singing film and TV sensation. Some dancing and singing in our living room might have been involved. OK, you can judge. Check it out, and let us know if you're excited or appalled that it's getting a big-screen update:
Watching special videos isn’t likely to help your baby acquire language—and it may, in fact, hamper her efforts. 
