Spring In The City

We think it’s safe to say that spring has finally sprung in the city. Signs of the seasons changing have been popping up everywhere from local food spots opening their patios to green grass and pastel flowers starting to sprout. With this, we’re excited to be bringing out our spring and summer stock to get you ready for the beautiful weather ahead. There are so many things to do in a city so abundant with nature and culture that we want to make sure you can venture out with ease.

Spring Fashion:

We cannot begin to express how adorable the spring/summer fashion is in our stores this year! First off, have you seen the SS 2014 Tea Collection? With Moroccan-inspired patterns and colours, there’s something for every young lady and gentlemen. With cute jungle animal tops and girly, twirly dresses, your kids will look fabulous all season long. All three of our store locations are carrying pieces from Tea so you can get in on the fun wherever you may be.

 

We’re in love with some of the new summer styles and classics that TOMS has come out with this year. With sizes ranging from 2 – 11, your whole crew will have their feet covered while visiting local parks and festivals or playing outside with friends. Already looking for those summer sandals? See Kai Run has beautiful buttery soft leather shoes in cool style for boys and girls ranging from 6 months to 9 years old. Both shoe brands are available in all our store locations and online.

Sun Protection: 

As a parent, it’s super fun to dress your kids in cute summery outfits, but one of the most important things to accessorize them with this season is sun protection! Don’t worry, you don’t have to send them outside with a big glob of goop on their noses, we’ve got your sweet peas covered so you don’t have to worry!

Before heading out for the day, it’s important to apply a generous amount of sunscreen 20 minutes beforehand. Anything with a UV protection level of 30 SPF or higher will do the trick like our Goddess Garden Organic Sunscreen, available for both babies and kids. It is water-resistant and is packed with anti-oxidants and vitamins to keep skin hydrated during busy outside play. We like this brand because it is made with 90% organic materials making it non-toxic and safe for delicate skin.

Did you know that even babies should wear sunglasses? Wrap-around sunglasses are the most recommended when outdoors with both UVA and UVB protection. Baby Banz Sunglasses cover all the bases of sun eye safety while in the sun. Designed in Australia, one of the world’s toughest UV spots,  Banz comes in sizes for newborns to kids up to five years old. They have 100% UVA and UVB protection, they feature polycarbonate lenses and a unique neoprene band with a soft silicone nose and brow piece for superior comfort and fit. You can pick yours up in store or online in an variety of colours and sizes.

The fun doesn’t stop there! Hatley has an awesome collection of kid’s wide-brim sunhats. Each hat is reversible with a solid colour side and a patterned side.

Upcoming Local Events:

Now that you’re protected and ready to go, here are some upcoming local events to check out.

Canadian Tulip Festival | May 9 – 19
This year marks the 62^nd edition of the Canadian Tulip Festival. The festival is hosted in celebration of the return of spring, with over a million tulips in 50 varieties blooming in public spaces across the National Capital Region. The highest concentration of tulips can be viewed in the flower beds of Commissioners Park, on the banks of Dow’s Lake, where 300,000 flowers bloom.

Ottawa International Children’s Festival | May 9 – 14
The Ottawa International Children’s Festival is an annual celebration of performing arts for children. Programs are geared towards children aged four to 15 and focuses on enriching school curriculum and promoting the arts as an integral part of children’s education. The majority of the events take place at LeBreton Flats and the War Museum. For a full schedule of events and to purchase tickets click HERE. 

Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend | May 24 – 25
Join thousands of runners from around the world during Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend. Children, youth, and veteran runners take over Ottawa during this weekend for a number of events, including a kid’s marathon and two- and five-kilometre runs. The main marathon passes many of Ottawa’s major landmarks, so there are plenty of great spots to watch the races too. 

Great Glebe Garage Sale | May 24
You betcha we’ll be a part of the Great Glebe Garage Sale again this year. The GGGS is a community event organized by the Glebe Community Association where homeowners set up yard sales on their front lawns creating one huge community events. Local businesses also take part in the event by having awesome sidewalk sales. Many vendors and shoppers collect and give donations to the Ottawa Food Bank. The event happens rain or shine and runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

 

 

Indoor Winter Activities

It sure has been a chilly winter so far and with wind chills and runny noses, sometimes it’s best to keep your little ones inside for the day. So while the mittens and boots are tucked away, here are some great indoor activities to do with your kids.

Puppet Show:

You can create your own theatre or scope out the best spot behind the couch and create a magnificent puppet show with your children. We have some beautiful puppets from Cate and Levi that are made of cozy reclaimed sweaters and are proudly Canadian. With cute characters to choose from like frogs, moose and even a walrus, your little ones can act out their favourite stories or create their own.

Indoor Concert:

Just like the Brady Bunch, you can start up your very own family band and hold an indoor concert! Whether you have pots and pans or the real deal, music is always a fun way to play. This musical set from Janod has  everything you’ll need to go on tour. It includes a trumpet, harmonica, tambourine, a kid-sized guitar and a fun clapper. The five piece set is made of wood and comes in cool confetti colours.

Youngster Café:

Sometimes it’s okay to let them play with their food, especially when it’s in their very own Youngster Café. Your mini chefs can toss up some gourmet fun with the playfully delicious Garden Salad from Hape or serve you up a fresh croissant with a cup of espresso with the Janod Espresso Machine. Once pretend play is over, you can prepare a fun and healthy snack with your kids from our Kid-Friendly Snacks Pinterest board.

Snow Removal:

Even though they’re stuck inside all day, you can bring the white fluffy snow inside in the form of cotton balls! The Green Toys dump truck is the perfect vehicle to get the job done. Lay out a bunch of cozy cotton and allow your kids to scoop them up with the truck or even the Green Toys tractor.

However you spend your days, we hope they are filled with quality fun and giggles. Happy winter!

Back To School (But Not For Baby)

As we draw closer and closer to September, many of us are preparing our children to head back to school. If you’re like me and your eldest is gearing up for her first year of full days then you’re probably preparing yourself more than anything else (*sniffle sniffle). Back to school time is rife with shopping trips to compile the necessary arsenal of gear, talks about expectations, and an attempt to restore some semblance of a routine pre game day. As I prepare our household for the big day, I can’t help but look at my almost 2-year and wonder how she’ll handle her big sis and best friend being gone all day. 

Road Trippin’ : Part II

In our last post we talked road trip tips – ways to help keep road trips fun for the whole family. To expand on that theme, we’ve compiled a fantastic list of road trip activities to help keep the little ones happy for the whole ride. We’ve chosen tried and true car-friendly activities that are sure to make your road trip fly by!