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in Blog on November 12, 2021 by The Mom Hour

Holiday Gift Guide For Little Kids (Ages 4-6)

Wondering what to give the little kids (think ages 4-6) in your life? We asked our contributor team to share what their own kids are asking for this year, and what they, as moms, like to give kiddos in this age group. Enjoy!


Yoto Player

“I’m getting my story-loving four-year-old a Yoto Player, which is a screen free audiobook player. I’m hoping it will encourage her to actually stay in her room during quiet time!”

–Katherine DeVries, @thepaperdart

Warmies

“My kids (ages five and eight) love Warmies! They’re stuffed animals I can heat up, and they’re like mini-heating pads! You can also buy lavender-scented ones.They are just a fun, cozy thing to have! Sometimes when we are getting in the car on a chilly morning, we’ll heat them up and snuggle them while the car warms. Just a fun, cozy, comfort toy we love!”

–Ashley Schafluetzel @ashleydawn519

Buddha Boards

“Last year, we gifted the kids (ages three and five at the time) Buddha Boards — essentially a board that only requires water and a paintbrush to create art, and when the water dries the kids can do it again. It’s surprisingly therapeutic for adults too!”

–Emily Roark @emilyeroark

The Nugget Couch

“I know I’m behind on this popular gift, but I’ve been nervous it would be a present my kids would be excited about for a few days, then lose interest. But, I keep seeing The Nugget couch as a toy that kids continue to love over time and I think our three kids (ages 7, 5, and 1.5) will all be able to enjoy it this year.”

-Stacy Bronec @stacybronec

Dinosaur Sound Book and Toys

“If you have a dino-obsessed kiddo like I do, this Prextex Dinosaur and Dinosaur Sound Book is the perfect gift. The names of each of the plastic dinosaur figures can be found in the interactive sound book. My four-year-old loves reading the book, having imaginary playtime with his dinosaurs, or teaching us the dinosaur names that he’s learned from the book!”

–Emily Roark @emilyeroark

Magnetic Tiles & Plus Plus Blocks

“My son loves magnetic tiles and Plus Plus blocks! I love them because they encourage problem solving, STEAM skills, patience, fine motor practice, and they can be played with in a variety of ways! They’re great for kids who love Legos but maybe want to try something new. I have both in my kindergarten classroom and they are always chosen first!

-Ashley Schafluetzel @ashleydawn519

“My four-year-old twins love Magna-tiles. Lots of creative building!”

–Jennifer Carroll @twinningtheweekend

Pretend Work Tools

“My daughter loves tools and building so a wooden workbench or tool set has been on our list for a while. This is a gift that could work for toddlers kids too, if the parts are big enough to not pose a choking hazard. ”

-Sandy Hsu, @hopefulsmiles

Outfoxed! Board Game

“My four-year-old is obsessed with this Outfoxed! board game. It’s a cooperative game so we’re all working together, and it doesn’t end in tears.”

–Catie Parrish, The Mom Hour Brand Partnerships Manager and mom to three boys

Brio Train Set

“We got a Brio train set last year and LOVED it. We set it up in all different configurations, and my twins will play for hours. The set we got came with three different trains…so there is no fighting over the train!”

–Jennifer Carroll @twinningtheweekend

The Little Book of Joy: 365 Ways to Celebrate Every Day

“The Little Book of Joy: 365 Ways to Celebrate Every Day is a book I wrote (mostly during the pandemic!)–and it comes out this November. The book invites children and families to find and share joy every day of the year by noticing things in nature, learning about international foods and holidays, being inspired by famous people on their birthdays, connecting with others through arts and crafts, and simply enjoying a rainy day. The illustrations by Annelies Draws are really charming. I’m hoping kids and their grown-ups will enjoy the book throughout the year.”

-Joanne Ruelos Diaz, @joannerevising

Virtual Cooking Classes

“I was gifted a subscription to Raddish Kids, which is a virtual cooking class my daughter and I can do together. I would say four is probably the youngest age this makes sense for (my 2.5 year old wasn’t too into it), and they send directions, science-y cooking experiments and some tools in the mail prior to your class.”

–Katherine DeVries, @thepaperdart

Tea Set

“One of the best gifts we ever got was a high-quality tea set from my mom to my daughter at around age 4. The tea set was made for children (similar to this one), but ceramic (aka breakable!) which made it feel that much more special. But the best part was that my mom supplemented the set with a handful of additional items she found at the thrift store: a “crystal” flower vase, a little bell (to ring for tea time!) and a small embroidered tablecloth. Those extra touches made the whole thing so much more fun.”

-Sarah Powers, The Mom Hour Co-Host and Executive Producer

A Narwhal And Jelly Book Series

“A Narwhal and Jelly book series is so cute for this age group. My five-year-old and I read the books aloud playing the characters: He’s Narwhal and I’m Jelly. There are adorable box sets available and some come with little plush toys.”

-Joanne Ruelos Diaz, @joannerevising

Child-sized Travel Gear

“For families that travel a lot, a quality child-sized suitcase/duffel bag would be fun! I have been eyeing the gorgeous luggage sets from Sweet Honey Clothing for my daughter.”

-Sandy Hsu, @hopefulsmiles

Magformers Magnetic Toys

“We LOVE these Magformers for toddlers-up to any age really! We have collected sets over the years and my kids still LOVE to play with them. They are really sturdy and you can’t crack them when walking on them (an issue we had with magnatiles).”

-Joanna Martin @cafedumartin

Check Out More Holiday Gift Guides

  • Gift Guide For Babies
  • Gift Guide For Toddlers (Ages 1-3)
  • Gift Guide For Big Kids (Ages 7+)
  • Gift Guide For The Outdoor Adventuring Family (All Ages)
  • Mom’s 2021 Holiday Wish List

Visit our our Holiday Headquarters page to see all of our holiday content!

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Here’s your January reminder to save shoeboxes f Here’s your January reminder to save shoeboxes for February and March classroom projects! Valentine boxes and leprechaun traps are around the corner, and shoe boxes are so much harder to come by these days. Consider this a friendly head’s up from a mom who’s been there.

Want more help and tips, plus reassurance that you’re doing a great job? (You are.) Search for The Mom Hour in your favorite podcast app and hit subscribe!

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Since this week's podcast episode is all about kids and alone time, we thought we'd revisit this resource on the blog by Sandy Hsu:

👉 How To Encourage Independence In Preschoolers With A “Quiet Time” Routine. 👈 

Sandy (@hopefulsmiles) give tips for implementing a successful quiet time routine AND rounds up products and activities that help make independent play more likely - even in young preschoolers. Check it out by clicking this image at the link in our bio!

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Find the episode wherever you get your podcasts, or click this image at the link in our bio!

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Find the episode wherever you get your podcasts, or click this image at the link in our bio!

#themomhour #motherhood #mompodcast #podcastsformoms #parenting #parentingpodcast #podcastlove #trypod #podcastersofinstagram #shepodcasts
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Shoutout to our NEW sponsors:
🍳 @caraway_home (10% off gorgeous, non-toxic cookware!)
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😍 @fabletics (2 stylish workout bottoms for $24!)

And welcome back . . . 
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Would love to hear what you're celebrating about your older kids! Everything from learning a new skill to blossoming independence - leave us a comment! 

PS - Listen to the episode in your favorite podcast app, or by clicking this image at the link in our bio!

#parenting #parentingbigkids #parentingteens #parentingtweens #bigkidmilestone #teenagers #tweens #momoftweens #momofteens #momofteenagers
Turns out, when your last baby approaches double-d Turns out, when your last baby approaches double-digits, you find yourself staring a different milestone right in the (puffy) face:

It's been a decade since I was pregnant for the last time. 

This photo was taken the morning of my scheduled c-section, just a few hours before we'd meet our third and last babe. It's hard to remember, but I'm SURE I was ready to be done. Constant braxton-hicks, heartburn I hadn't experienced with the other two, food aversions that lasted the whole 39w5d, and physical exhaustion trying to keep up with a 2- and 4-year old: all part of an otherwise uncomplicated pregnancy, but still nobody's idea of easy.

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➡️ What Teachers & Educators Wish Parents Knew About Making School Decisions ⬅️

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...choosing “the right school” 
...what it means to be “ready for kindergarten” 
...visiting a school for a tour or open house 
...learning to read 
...kids and friendships; playground politics
...making school decisions for a special needs student 
...becoming part of a classroom or school community 
 
Click this image at the link in our bio to get the guide. Bookmark it, send it to your co-parent or mom friends, and use it as a starting place as you wade through this tricky time of year! 

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Find the episode wherever you get your podcasts, or click this image at the link in our bio!

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Just for fun, we rounded up a few more of our team's favorite episodes from the early days of the podcast. Here are five MORE oldies that have stood the test of time, and that make for great entry-points to our early catalog.

You can listen from our website by clicking this image at the link in our bio – but EVEN BETTER, you can find the episodes in your favorite podcast app - just search by episode title, or keep on scrolling until you find them!
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looking for something?

Here’s your January reminder to save shoeboxes f Here’s your January reminder to save shoeboxes for February and March classroom projects! Valentine boxes and leprechaun traps are around the corner, and shoe boxes are so much harder to come by these days. Consider this a friendly head’s up from a mom who’s been there.

Want more help and tips, plus reassurance that you’re doing a great job? (You are.) Search for The Mom Hour in your favorite podcast app and hit subscribe!

#kindergarten #firstgrade #valentinebox #leprechauntrap #shoeboxcraft #roomparent #roommom #classroomvalentines #parenting #momlife #parentingtip #tipsformoms
Looking to implement daily "quiet time" for presch Looking to implement daily "quiet time" for preschoolers? Even for kids who want to GO GO GO all day long, having a built-in pause in the day can help develop independent play skills, encourage rest, and - of course - give caregivers a chance to reset as well.

Since this week's podcast episode is all about kids and alone time, we thought we'd revisit this resource on the blog by Sandy Hsu:

👉 How To Encourage Independence In Preschoolers With A “Quiet Time” Routine. 👈 

Sandy (@hopefulsmiles) give tips for implementing a successful quiet time routine AND rounds up products and activities that help make independent play more likely - even in young preschoolers. Check it out by clicking this image at the link in our bio!

#quiettime #parentingtoddlers #parentingpreschoolers #momoflittles #stayathomemom #stayathomeparent #activitiesforpreschoolers #activitiesfortoddlers #threeyearolds #fouryearolds #fiveyearolds #momlife #sahm #sahmlife
New episode! Does solitude come naturally to your New episode!

Does solitude come naturally to your kids, or are moments of solo play far and few between? Meagan and Sarah read some research recently that challenged us to think about the importance of alone time, and whether our kids get enough. In this episode, we dive into our own childhood memories, how our children embrace (or run from) solitude, and how challenging it is to find that just-right balance. Join us! 

Find the episode wherever you get your podcasts, or click this image at the link in our bio!

#themomhour #motherhood #mompodcast #podcastsformoms #parenting #parentingpodcast #podcastlove #trypod #podcastersofinstagram #shepodcasts
New episode! With all the day-to-day planning requ New episode! With all the day-to-day planning required to run a household, it's easy to put longterm planning on the back burner. Today Meagan and Sarah share lessons we've learned (or are still learning) that help us look ahead at a whole year, quarter, or month at a time. From knowing ourselves and our seasonal rhythms to figuring out where they keep next year's school calendar, we've picked up a few things over the years, and we're ready to dive in for 2023. Join us! 

Find the episode wherever you get your podcasts, or click this image at the link in our bio!

#themomhour #motherhood #mompodcast #podcastsformoms #parenting #parentingpodcast #podcastlove #trypod #podcastersofinstagram #shepodcasts
Happy Saturday! Been meaning to check out a deal y Happy Saturday! Been meaning to check out a deal you heard on our podcast? You're in luck because here's our sponsor roundup for January. Once a month, we use this space to thank our partners and remind you of their special offers. For our special promo codes and links, just tap our saved "Sponsors" highlight or search the brand name on our website. And when you do check out our sponsors + use our links and codes, it helps support our show! We also collect ALL our active promo codes in our email newsletter - which is full of our latest episodes and blog posts, personal updates, community news, and more. Tap on this image at the link in our bio to subscribe today.

Shoutout to our NEW sponsors:
🍳 @caraway_home (10% off gorgeous, non-toxic cookware!)
💪 @futurefitapp (risk-free trial of 1-on-1 personal training!)
🔪 @prepdish (2 weeks free of healthy, prep-ahead meal plans!)
🎨 @minted (design marketplace with art, bags, gifts & more!)
📚 @chatbooks (deals on the easiest photo books ever!)
😍 @fabletics (2 stylish workout bottoms for $24!)

And welcome back . . . 
⭐️ @stitchfix ($20 off your 1st purchase!)
⭐️ @theessentialcalendar (10% off full-season calendars!)
⭐️ @hiyahealth (50% off 1st order!)
⭐️ @kiwico_inc (50% off your 1st mo!)
⭐️ @athleticgreens (1yr of Vit.D + 5 travel packs!)
⭐️ @vionicshoes (free shipping on cute, comfy shoes!)
Braces on, braces off. First phones, driver's ed, Braces on, braces off. First phones, driver's ed, high school registration. As we discussed in this week's episode, we still get all the feels when older kids meet cultural or developmental milestones - even if they cringe when we celebrate and share.

Would love to hear what you're celebrating about your older kids! Everything from learning a new skill to blossoming independence - leave us a comment! 

PS - Listen to the episode in your favorite podcast app, or by clicking this image at the link in our bio!

#parenting #parentingbigkids #parentingteens #parentingtweens #bigkidmilestone #teenagers #tweens #momoftweens #momofteens #momofteenagers
Turns out, when your last baby approaches double-d Turns out, when your last baby approaches double-digits, you find yourself staring a different milestone right in the (puffy) face:

It's been a decade since I was pregnant for the last time. 

This photo was taken the morning of my scheduled c-section, just a few hours before we'd meet our third and last babe. It's hard to remember, but I'm SURE I was ready to be done. Constant braxton-hicks, heartburn I hadn't experienced with the other two, food aversions that lasted the whole 39w5d, and physical exhaustion trying to keep up with a 2- and 4-year old: all part of an otherwise uncomplicated pregnancy, but still nobody's idea of easy.

I don't miss it - being pregnant. Grateful to have had the experience, absolutely. But I've never really pined for another go-around, at least not seriously. Still, a whole decade removed feels as significant a milestone to me as does the notion that that double-dimpled babe will blow out ten candles this weekend.

Time, like, whoa. 

-Sarah
If you're looking at school options for Fall 2023, If you're looking at school options for Fall 2023, you might be feeling overwhelmed by school tours, open houses, registration deadlines, or the all-too-common "red shirting question". That's why today we're revisiting an enormously detailed resource on our site: 

➡️ What Teachers & Educators Wish Parents Knew About Making School Decisions ⬅️

This piece is a collaboration between four educators on our team whose careers span preschool through middle school. They weigh in what what they wish parents knew about things like...

...choosing “the right school” 
...what it means to be “ready for kindergarten” 
...visiting a school for a tour or open house 
...learning to read 
...kids and friendships; playground politics
...making school decisions for a special needs student 
...becoming part of a classroom or school community 
 
Click this image at the link in our bio to get the guide. Bookmark it, send it to your co-parent or mom friends, and use it as a starting place as you wade through this tricky time of year! 

@lisaapayne4 @ashleydawn519 @thepaperdart @cafedumartin
C-e-l-e-b-r-a-t-e good times, come on! Today’s e C-e-l-e-b-r-a-t-e good times, come on! Today’s episode is number 400! We can’t think of a better way to celebrate hitting a big podcast milestone than talking about how we honor birthdays and milestone celebrations in our families – especially as kids get older. Join Meagan and Sarah as we offer insight into making birthdays special for big kids, tweens and teens; how kids getting older hits us differently as moms, too; and how honoring big kid milestones gets tricker, but still gives us all the feels. 

Find the episode wherever you get your podcasts, or click this image at the link in our bio!

#themomhour #motherhood #mompodcast #podcastsformoms #parenting #parentingpodcast #podcastlove #trypod #podcastersofinstagram #shepodcasts
Y'all's reaction to our entire catalog now being a Y'all's reaction to our entire catalog now being available has been so fun! Listeners have told us that they're now able to re-listen to old favorites, or - amazing for us - share them directly with friends.

(If you missed it, previously, podcast apps showed only our most recent 300 episodes – less than half our catalog. The rest were only available on our website.)

Just for fun, we rounded up a few more of our team's favorite episodes from the early days of the podcast. Here are five MORE oldies that have stood the test of time, and that make for great entry-points to our early catalog.

You can listen from our website by clicking this image at the link in our bio – but EVEN BETTER, you can find the episodes in your favorite podcast app - just search by episode title, or keep on scrolling until you find them!

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