From stylish gear for parents on the go to hands-on learning toys for kids, this roundup features the latest must-haves for family life. Whether you’re packing lunches, exploring the outdoors, or keeping toddlers engaged, these products combine function, fun, and a dash of genius.

GillyGro Pro

A unique 5-in-1 backpack perfect for on-the-go. Includes a built-in booster, a waterproof mat, laptop pocket and a universal organizer insert with a sleek and stylish design. $159.99, gillygro.com

Joolz Hub2 Compact Stroller

Ideal for all parents who never realized just how small their favorite coffee shop is. Easy to maneuver one-handed — whether it’s being pushed on a busy pavement or around tight corners in the grocery store. $759, ages birth-4 years, joolz.com

National Geographic Build Your Own Bird Feeder

Everything you need to create a one-of-a-kind design to welcome new friends. Assembly is easy using the included screws, pre-drilled holes and step-by-step illustrated instructions. $14.99, ages 6+, amazon.com

OmieBox UP

This upgraded bento box keeps hot and cold foods separate, with an insulated thermos for warm meals and a built-in ice pack to keep snacks chilled. Leak-proof compartments prevent spills. $49.95, ages 8+, omielife.com

Explore the Outdoors! Travel Camper

Simply open the roof to explore the exciting spaces inside — from a built-in dinette and kitchen to a comfy overhead bunk and restroom. Then flip down the awning, “fire up” the foldout grill and arrange the chairs around the firepit. $59.99, ages 3+, lakeshorelearning.com

Shape and Color Garden

With five unique shape fittings and a colorful mix of flowers and succulents, this bright and playful garden is great for hands-on learning and for building color and counting skills. $19.99, ages 18 months+, amazon.com

Slidewise

Slide, spell, solve. With more than 1,000 possible word combinations, this brainteaser provides hours of entertainment. $12.99, ages 8+, amazon.com

The post We Love It: Outdoor Toys, Gear & More appeared first on L.A. Parent.

Looking for Easter basket ideas? Our friends at the National Parenting Product Awards have put together their first ever Easter Gift Guide, featuring all NAPPA award winning toys, games, books and more.

Browse through over 30 unique and award-winning finds, from National Geographic dino egg kits to a mini Lite-Brite and more Easter gift ideas.

NAPPA Awards is one of the longest running award programs in the industry. It has been celebrating the best in family products for more than 34 years.

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“Lantern in the Dark: Songs of Comfort and Lullabies”

This 12-song collection from seasoned singer-songwriters Edie Carey and Sarah Sample will touch your heart. The album provokes a feeling of comfort and joy while providing a sense of soothing compassion. $20, all ages, sarahsample.com/merch

Crazy Aaron’s Egg-cellent Thinking Putty

A white pearlescent silly putty with a bonus yellow globby ball inside made to look like an egg yolk to provide two different sensory experiences. A great fidget toy that helps with stress relief and focus. $15, ages 3+, crazyaarons.com

PAW Patrol Rocky’s Crush ‘N’ Roll Recycling Truck

With eco-conscious manufacturing, Rocky’s paws easily clip into the driver’s seat, and the truck rolls to the rescue with real working wheels, a moveable forklift and hatch. $29.99, ages 3+, amazon.com

eekoloks Tangle Tamer

Made from natural wheat straw material, this hairbrush is gentle on your hair and the environment. Designed with carefully crafted bristles, it effortlessly glides through the hair, detangling knots, leaving it silky smooth. $20, ages 3+, eekoloks.com

SWIV Stroller + PIPA urbn Infant Car Seat Travel System

The ultralightweight infant car seat weighs only 7 pounds and installs using the advanced pipaFIX rigid latch. The baseless installation feature is integrated into the car seat, allowing for secure installs in seconds when moving from car to taxi or rideshare. The stroller features a lightweight carbon fiber reinforced aluminum frame, button-activated 360-degree swivel wheels and a three-position height-adjustable handle for customizable strolls. $1,300, birth-24 months, nordstrom.com

Name Bubbles Camp Labels Pack

Keep track of all your kids’ essentials with these personalized labels that are designed to handle everything in the great outdoors. Contains an assortment of 73 stick-on labels. $39.99, all ages, namebubbles.com

Rainbow Alligator

Crafted from PlanWood, a unique and sustainable material made from surplus sawdust and wood scraps. When pulled along by its string, the alligator’s head and tail move up and down, creating a playful click-clack sound as it “dances.” Finished with water-based paint and non-formaldehyde, e-zero glue. $30, ages 12 months+, plantoys.com

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Hop into the season with these egg-citing toys and gifts perfect for Easter baskets and springtime fun! From interactive games to creative craft kits, this list has something for every age and interest. Whether kids are cracking open gemstone-filled eggs, rounding up runaway rabbits, or crafting cuddly creatures, these picks are sure to bring smiles and spark imagination.

With classic favorites like MAGNA-TILES and new surprises from beloved brands, these finds promise hours of hands-on fun. Check out our top picks to make this Easter one to remember!

Peeksville Hide & Cheep Chicken Coop

Watch the chicken or egg disappear as you drop them into the coop, then lift, pull and rotate the doors to reveal them again. Sized for little hands, each two-piece egg can be pulled apart to build fine motor skills and unveil a chicken inside. $16.99, ages 18 months+, learningresources.com

One Two Many Rabbits

The rabbits of Wiggins Farm have been running rampant and it’s up to you to round them up and toss them back into their rabbit hole. Roll one, two or three dice and then combine the numbers to discard rabbit cards that match the outcome. But watch out, they will find all kinds of ways to hop back into your hand. $16.99, ages 7+, happycamper.games

Blue Marble Easter Eggscavation Dig Kits

This hands-on activity kit features 12 egg-shaped dig bricks, each hiding either a real gemstone or a glow-in-the-dark dinosaur figurine. Equipped with 12 individual dig tools, this set is perfect for group activities like Easter egg hunts. $19.99, ages 8+, amazon.com

Moriah Elizabeth 6” Mini Mystery Plush

An Easter collection from the popular craft YouTuber. Includes six different characters to collect, including Easter Pickle, Easter Derp, Easter Cathy, Easter Lemon and more! Each soft, huggable plushie comes in a blind box for surprise unboxing fun. $9.99, ages 3+, bonkerstoys.com

MAGNA-TILES Combo 20-Piece Set

These microMAGS add a new dimension of creativity to builds and are compatible with all MAGNA-TILES pieces. This new combo set mixes standard-sized and micro-sized tiles to allow kids exciting new ways to learn, build and create. $19.99, ages 3+, magnatiles.com

Pop Pop Bunny Hop

Flex your memory skills and practice color matching. If you land on a color, place a matching-color bunny in the carrot patch launcher. If it pops, you keep it. The first player to collect a bunny in every color wins. Some bunnies pop and some don’t. $24.99, ages 3+, educationalinsights.com

Make Your Own Loom Animals

Create up to 12 adorable animal friends. Just wrap the easy-to-use yarn around the loom, and then use the hook tool to weave it together. Add some stuffing and tie the ends together. Then customize your little plush nugget into a cute critter. Follow the illustrated, kid-friendly instructions to make a bird, bee, fox, seal, mouse and even an axolotl. $24.99, ages 8+, amazon.com

National Geographic Giant Egg Activity Kit

Features 15+ different activities—paint and race dino cars, create awesome clay dinosaur models, and more! Includes an activity booklet and learning guide. $19.99, ages 4+, amazon.com

Crazy Aaron’s Egg Hunt Thinking Putty

Celebrate the arrival of spring with this sparkling green putty. Stretch and pull your way through the vibrant “grass” to uncover a plethora of colorful eggs. $15, ages 3+, crazyaarons.com

Knotz Animal Series 1

Unwind the yarn-ball blind capsule to find everything needed to create 1 of 12 soft pals with lots of personality. Follow the included step-by-step instructions (or use the QR code to unlock a how-to video) to knot, twist and style a cute animal out of bendable faux fur stems and accessories. Collect them all to share, play and display. $9.99, ages 8+, knotz.com

Tufting Kit: Garden Magic

Features a kid-friendly tufting tool to punch fabric squares through the design card to create vibrant, 3D textured art. Includes 12 cute designs perfect for building fine motor skills, strengthening color-matching abilities and sparking creativity. $15.99, ages 5+, educationalinsights.com

Helping Hands Outdoor Sensory Tools

Includes 4 fine motor tools specially designed for little hands—kids can splash around with the water sprayer, make art with the chalk holder, cast whimsical spells with the bubble wand, and explore their surroundings with the grip grabber. $14.99, ages 3+, learningresources.com

Family Dates

Includes 40 scratch-off dates to spark family fun.  With dates ranging from laser heists to family trivia, you’ll be laughing, creating, competing and bonding like never before. $16.95, ages 4+, amazon.com

Kid Musicians: True Tales of Childhood from Entertainers, Songwriters, and Stars

An inspiring and relatable book telling the childhood stories of a diverse group of musicians, including Taylor Swift, Ella Fitzgerald, Harry Styles, Mariah Carey, Yo-Yo Ma, Paul McCartney, and 10 other influential performers. Featuring kid-friendly text and full-color illustrations. $14.99, ages 8+, quirkbooks.com

National Geographic Dino Egg Dig Kits

Includes 12 dino egg-shaped dig bricks, each containing a dinosaur figurine inside. Great for an Easter Dino egg hunt. $29.99, ages 8+, amazon.com

Palm Pals

From sloths to strawberries, each character has a unique personality and fun best friends. Collect them all to discover which one will capture your heart and become your next favorite companion. $11.09, all ages, palmpals.com

Pets 2 Love

Housed in a stylish heart-shaped purse, simply press the button for your lovable pet to pop out and greet you. There are four pets to choose from including two dogs – Milo and Louie, and two cats – Luna and Olive. Plus, the purse strap doubles as a leash to take your adorable companion for a walk. $9.99, ages 5+, lukilab.com

NAPPA Awards has been celebrating the best in family products for 35 years. For more product reviews and gift ideas visit nappaawards.com

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Inspired by the infectious joy and energy of his four kids, John Legend has embarked on a delightful new journey with his first children’s album, “My Favorite Dream,” a heartfelt exploration of love, creativity and family bonding.

In this Q&A, he shares insights into the inspiration behind the album, the collaborative experience with his family and the messages he hopes to impart to children and parents alike.

While “My Favorite Dream” is billed as a children’s album — and certainly there are lullabies and sing-a-longs littles will enjoy — Legend’s signature soulful style, rich with emotion and wonder, is present throughout the collection. The songs are woven with wistfulness, joy, nostalgia, promise and yearning. To give your ears a taste, listen to “Always Come Back” on YouTube.  It’s a listening treasure for both kids and adults.

What inspired you to create a children’s album?

This felt like the perfect time in my life to create a children’s album. [My wife] Chrissy and I have four kids now, two of whom are toddlers who love children’s music. I love watching them dance and respond to music, especially in their music class that we often host at our home. I wanted to make an album full of the messages we like to share with our children, an album that will help them and many other kids around the world to fall in love with music.

How did your experiences as a father influence the themes and lyrics on “My Favorite Dream?”

I’m in the thick of fatherhood right now, spending a lot of time at home with the kids. I wrote the album at home — the first time I’ve ever done that. So, all of that energy, sweetness, silliness, love and joy went into it. When it came to the lyrics and themes, I started the album by brainstorming the themes Chrissy and I talk with our kids about and how to translate those ideas into song titles and concepts. 

Your family is featured on the single “L-O-V-E.” What was it like recording with them?

We had a great time! Chrissy has sung with me on an album before (she’s part of the chorus on “Happy Xmas (War is Over)” on my Christmas album), but it was a first for the kids, and we all really enjoyed doing this together. As I was writing the album, I knew that I would want them to sing on at least one song, and “L-O-V-E”felt like the perfect choice.

What were your favorite moments in creating “My Favorite Dream?”

It was so lovely and comforting to be writing this music on our family piano, surrounded by my family who were the inspiration. I also was so excited to be collaborating with one of the coolest musicians I know, Sufjan Stevens. I’ve been a fan of his albums for years, and I knew that he would add something magical to this album if he were to produce it. I had never met him before, but I sought him out and asked him to produce the album for me. Luckily, he said yes and graced these songs with his beautiful musical ideas.         

The album artwork was drawn by your daughter Luna. How did that come about?

Luna is bursting with creativity, and a lot of our bonding time is when she and I draw and build things together in the kids’ playroom. She’s already better than I am at sketching. She has a great eye and lots of great ideas, and we were happy for her to let loose with her talents here. She nailed it!

What messages or values were most important for you to convey through these songs?

All of the original songs’ themes and lyrics were inspired by conversations and life messages we share with the children. Things we say to inspire, comfort or connect with them. There are universal themes throughout the album, but above all, it’s really about love. 

How does creating music for children differ from your usual songwriting process?

All of the songs were written at home on the family piano, directly adjacent to the kitchen and living room area where the kids spend much of their time. I usually write most of my albums at the studio, but I wanted to write this album with my family around. I also wrote the album alone, with no co-writers. This was the first album I’ve made without any co-writers on the original songs. That made the experience so special and personal, and I think you can feel that in the music.

Can you share the story behind how the Fisher-Price collaboration came about?

My daughter Esti was obsessed with the Fisher-Price song “Maybe” a.k.a. “The Purple Monkey” song. So, Chrissy was like, “John, you know you should cover this song so you can sing it to Esti,” so I went over to the piano and started learning this song, learning the lyrics and chords, and we recorded a little version of me singing it for Esti and Chrissy. Chrissy posted the video to her Instagram, and everybody was like, “John, you need to re-make more of these songs. You gotta make more songs for kids!” That’s how this album got started — because of that one moment with this one song.

As a parent, what role does music play in your family life and routines?

As you can imagine, music is a huge part of our lives. We always have music playing at the house. Of course, I write and sing on our family piano. The little ones take a toddler music class. Luna and Miles are taking piano lessons. Luna is a part of the musical theater program at her school and has just started taking vocal lessons as well. Miles and Luna take pride in learning about different popular artists and playing DJ in the car on the way to school. And they’ve all been to their share of my concerts.  

What do you hope children and families will take away from listening to this album?

It’s for the whole family, sweet messages, catchy melodies and whimsy for the little ones, lush orchestrations for the more mature ears. I wanted to make these songs so that parents would love to listen to them, too. 

How did your children react to hearing it?

Lucky for me, it passed the test. It’s been a regular part of the soundtrack for the two youngest kids. They love listening to it, especially when I’m not home. It calms them and makes them feel better. Their favorite song is “L-O-V-E.” They even try to sing along. Luna’s favorite is “Always Come Back.” The first time I played it for her was when I was about to leave for work for a few days. I had just written the song and recorded a quick demo on my voice notes app. When I played it for her before I went to the airport, she gave me the biggest hug to let me know what it meant to her.  

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Looking for gift ideas this 2024 holiday season, but don’t know where to start? Our friends at the National Parenting Product Awards have put together their annual holiday gift guide featuring over 120 gift ideas for babies to teens.

 NAPPA’s annual gift guide features award-winning toys, crafts, books, puzzles and games for kids of all ages. This year’s guide includes sensory toys, crafts, books, digital learning products and more.

Every product included in this guide has been tested and evaluated. NAPPA Awards is one of the longest running award programs in the industry. It has been celebrating the best in family products for more than 34 years.

For more award-winning products visit nappaawards.com.

For more gift ideas, check out NAPPA’s annual Bundle Gift Guide for babies, toddlers and new parents.

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Holiday shopping is overwhelming enough as it is, especially if you have any new parents on your list. With so many new products on the market for babies, toddlers and new or expecting parents, it’s hard to know where to start. Our friends at the National Parenting Product Awards have done the work for us with their curated 2024 Bundle Gift Guide featuring over 90 gift ideas.

The annual guide is filled with the best baby gear, feeding essentials, favorite toys and more. This year’s gift guide includes best monitors, nursing must-haves and baby and toddler toys.

Every product included in this guide has been tested and evaluated. NAPPA Awards is one of the longest running award programs in the industry. It has been celebrating the best in family products for more than 34 years.

For more gift ideas check out NAPPA’s annual holiday gift guide HERE.

For more award-winning products visit nappaawards.com.

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Color Sheen Metallic Colored Gel Pens – Set of 12

Make note taking or journaling a colorful affair. These metallic ink pens can write on both white and black paper and glide along the page. Made from acid-free ink. $12.95, ages 6+, ooly.com

Reading Skill Set

This three-part system features a unique, play-led approach to developing fundamental skills for a lifelong love of reading. Includes child-led games, activities, books and a play guide. $155, ages 2-8, lovevery.com

Sounds of Rain Sensory Tubes

Discover the power of sound and help children calm their energy with this captivating set. $21.99, ages 4+, hand2mind.com

“Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook for Kids”

Whether you’re freezing in the Arctic, escaping quicksand in the jungle or befriending tarantulas in the desert, this guide has you covered. Discover step-by-step instructions for surviving the most extreme situations that planet Earth can throw at you. $12.99, ages 8+, quirkbooks.com

BaKit Box: Pollination Exploration Bundle

A unique subscription service blending education, STEM and culinary skills. Explore the intricate lives of more than 20,000 bee species with three recipes and engaging activity kits. $74.99 per bundle, ages 3+, bakitbox.com

“Guinness World Records 2025”

Filled with thousands of facts and feats for the whole family, this new edition celebrates Guinness World Records’ 70th anniversary. $29.95, ages 8+, guinnessworldrecords.com

The Juice Learning for Families

An interactive learning platform that delivers daily articles for your child’s reading level. Original content covers current events, science, technology and more. As readers use the platform, the algorithm adjusts to your child’s reading level. Price starts at $19.95/per month, ages 10-18, families.thejuicelearning.com

National Geographic Bug Habitat

Catch bugs with the included bug catcher and add natural objects such as dirt, sticks and rocks. Then observe from all angles. The lid has two magnifiers and the kit includes a detailed learning guide filled with facts about insects and spiders. $19.99, ages 4+, amazon.com

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Our friends at the National Parenting Product Awards have put together a list of their favorite summer toys, books, puzzles, games and gear in their annual Summer Fun Guide. The guide includes over 100 NAPPA Award-winning products that have been tested and evaluated. From outdoor toys to summer reads, this guide will help you and your family have a blast all summer long.

NAPPA Awards is a family-focused brand with a mission to “showcase the best toys, learning tools, games, books, music, baby, family and home products.” It has been serving families for more than 34 years.

For even more product reviews, check out nappaawards.com.

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