HomeLinks to Toys and Other Products for Grandchildren
Links to Internet Help for Seniors
Links Especially for Grandparents
Other Helpful Sites on the Web
Looking for a super catalog for children's clothing? Searching for a great resource for new moms? On the lookout for some super classic toys for little ones? This new section provides some links to other resources that might interest you. Let us know your favorites, too!
Links to Toys and Other Products
To Grandma's House We Go! is the perfect gift for kids, moms, grandmas and great-grandmas--it's the first board game ever designed especially for grandparents to play with their grandkids, ages 3-8. It gives a whole new meaning to over-the-river-and-through-the-woods, as players zip around a colorful game board in sports cars, and laugh and share fun activities on the way to Grandma's House! Plus, at the end of the game, there's a surprise: children lift the red plastic roof of Grandma's 3-D house, and find a treat their grandparent (or another adult) has placed there. The surprise can be as simple as a sticker or a piece of candy, or it can suggest a follow-up activity to do together, such as bake cookies, read a book, or go to the park. And since the grandkids never know what's hidden in the house, it keeps them guessing--and coming back for more!
for Grandchildren
Cuddlekin Baby Blankets and Quilts. Imagine your grandchild's delight as she or he snuggles down in a warm and cozy handmade quilt! Designed by a super-creative mom, a crib set, polar fleece blanket, or quilt is sure to become a family heirloom.
Hanna Andersson Clothing. This company is called the "Rolls Royce" of children's clothiers. We love these cotton cuddlers because they wear like iron--and because the founder and president of Hanna Andersson, Gun Derhardt, has her heart in the right place: note her "hannadowns" used-clothing-donation program and the terrific maternity and child care benefits she gives her employees.
Kelly Bear materials. A friendly green bear is the star of a book and video series designed to "strenghten communication and build positive relationships between adults and children ages 3-9." How refreshing to see fundamental values presented in such a warm and inviting way!
Under the Lamb. The Dowling family has created a delightful "Flip along Fun" book and other treasures for children and their families. Stop by and see why everyone's "flipping" over their toys, books, and blocks!
The AARP Foundation Grandparent Information Center (GIC) provides information, referrals, and outreach for grandparents, policy makers, corporations and direct-service providers, with a special emphasis on support for grandparents who provide care for their grandchildren. The GIC offers a free, quarterly newsletter for grandparents who provide care for their grandchildren, and has an extensive website featuring a searchable Grandparent Local Support Database, State Fact Sheets for Grandparents and Other Relatives Raising Children, and informative articles for grandparents in their various roles at www.aarp.org/grandparents.
Grandkidsandme.com. What a meaningful mission. Grandkids and Me is all about building and supporting meaningful relationships with grandchildren. They sponsor Grandparent camps (how fun!), Grandkid days, and seminars at two sites in Minnesota (Julie's native state!). Stop in and see what founder Don Schmitz has been up to!
55-Alive. This resource for retirees offers lots of great articles on travel, grandparenting, and other senior issues.
GRAND Magazine. Filled with pertinent information and excellent articles of interest to grandparents and baby boomers.
Third Age. An innovative and comprehensive resource for seniors. It's worth a visit.
Foundation for Grandparenting. A wonderful organization dedicated since 1980 to the "betterment of society through intergenerational involvement." Check there first for the latest research on grandparenting and info about a neat summer camp for grandparents and their grandchildren!
ProudGrandparents.co.uk: Whether you are a new or a "seasoned" grandparent you'll find lots of useful information about gifts, activities and overcoming problems on this site.
Hedgehog Books. What a great idea! At Hedgehog Books, real-live teachers give their recommendations for great children's books and educational resources. They provide suggested reading lists and a place to ask questions, as well as a huge collection of wonderful ideas for your grandchild. It's heaven for book lovers--and those who want to spark a child's interest in reading.
Baby Gifts< Complete guide on bringing up your children, contains useful information for taking complete care of your children.
ClubMom.com. What a feel-good, informative website! Make this one a "favorite" in your web browser and visit this new web site for mothers often for book reviews, author Q&A's, ways to get involved politically in helping families, and interesting surveys and questionnaires. We love the neat email program they're offering--check it out!
SlowLane.com. Are you a stay-at-home Dad? Then this is the place to go for encouragement, tons of information and hotlinks, and even ideas for how to start play groups! It's a perfect antitode for that isolation all new parents feel--with a Dad's-only twist!
Internet Help for Seniors
www.MrModem.com. Mr. Modem, author of Mr. Modem's Internet Guide for Seniors and columnist for Smart Computing magazine, has been helping grandparents with their computer and Internet questions since 1988, and he can help you! Mr. Modem provides prompt, personal, plain-English answers to computer questions by email, plus computer tips, virus and spyware alerts, Web site recommendations, hoax warnings, and more delivered to your in-box each week.
Especially for Grandparents
www.boomthis.com. You'll love this site! Boom This! is your source for all things Baby Boomer--money and retirement, health and fitness, work and play, boomer lifestyle, family (grandparents) and friends, and more...take a look!
Links for the Entire Family
Chinaberry. When you receive the Chinaberry catalog, you not only get extensive and wonderful reviews of children's books and resources; you also get a warm, uplifting messages about parenting and grandparenting. The materials you find through Chinaberry will enrich your entire family!
Great Recipes (and More!)
Food for Tots. Feeling inspired to try a cooking project with a young grandchild? Check out this wonderful resource first--it has lots of great recipes for cooking projects and kitchen experiments. You can also sign up there for a free newsletter.