Toddlers

Active and Creative Play with Wiwiurka Toys

As a child, being outside with nature and all its moving parts, feels like a whole world of adventure every single time. Chances are that if your child likes being outside, then they’re going to love Wiwiurka wood toys and furniture. These toys are specially designed to bring the outdoors inside. Every element of the design reflects the passion, freedom, and creativity behind the makers of Wiwiurka toys and furniture.

Wiwiurka designs are inspired by Montessori, Waldorf, and Pikler, so they encourage active and creative play, especially in the area of developing gross motor skills. Wiwiurka has a wide variety of items to choose from based on the diverse needs of each child and also functionality in the home. Wiwiurka has also designed products to suit the growing needs of your child.

There are various factors considered in each design including:

the color scheme of your home or child’s room
your child’s age
the space limitations of your home
your child’s learning ability

That’s not all. Wiwiurka’s products are non-toxic and handcrafted with top-quality wood so you can rest assured that the products your children are playing with and on are safe.

One of Wiwiurka’s key products is the Climbing Furniture Combo with Climbing Arch and Pikler Inspired Foldable Triangle. This amazing combo brings the entire Wiwiurka experience right into the home, in such an active and creative way. This combo is truly a product that your child can use at every stage of development to 12 months, and beyond. During a baby’s first 3 months, the Climbing Arch can substitute for a baby gym. Then both the Climbing Arch and Foldable Triangle can be used to support your toddler while standing up. After the first 12 months, the complete set will be your child’s best friend and accompany them through each stage of development. This combo will help strengthen their tiny muscles, optimize their balance and coordination, plus it is loads of fun.

Wiwiurka’s innovation, high quality, and aesthetics have made them pioneers in the manufacturing industry for children’s wood toys and furniture. It’s clear with each product design that Wiwiurka has successfully created products to reflect the diversity of each child’s mind. Plus, it gives parents some well-need downtime as children explore and enjoy nature on the inside.

Thank you to Wiwiurka Toys for making this sponsored post possible.

Bathtime: Top Tips and Christmas Gift Ideas!

by Christine Swearingen Leave a Comment

Here at Gugu Guru we are all about celebrating all types of families, so when we came across the blog Coraline and Us, we knew we wanted to have Liz, the mama behind the blog, come and share her story. Liz started her blog upon the birth of her adorable little Coraline, when it was “discovered unexpectedly within hours, that she has Down’s Syndrome and two holes in the heart. We did not know anything about Down’s Syndrome when she was born. This blog is about our journey of growth.” Read on for more about Coraline and Liz’s bathtime tips and gift ideas!
You can find Liz on her blog, Facebook, and Instagram.

Here’s a roundup of our bathtime favorites. Coraline used to hate the bath; she would try to climb out repeatedly as soon as she got in. You can read more about how that began to shift when she was about two and a half, with a couple of surprising discoveries in the post Bathtime.

Now, age three, she is happy to sit in the bath and play with all her toys in it. I’ll say what a mum said to me (who has an older child with Down’s syndrome): “this too shall pass”. That’s a phrase that’s come up for us a bit recently. Suddenly, things just begin to settle and click. The bath aversion doesn’t last forever. Be patient. And, as my husband Kevin said, “what are we going to do; not give her a bath?” For us, it was just a case of repetition and patience, and “this too shall pass”.

Here are our favorite bathtime things:

1. We love the Cuddledry Handsfree Bath Towel. Friends gave us this when Coraline was born and it stands out as something we love. It’s the fact it ties around your neck with a popper so it’s easy to bring Coraline to the bath in it, to have it on whilst she’s in the bath, lift her out into it and lay her down onto it, really smoothly! That was especially great when Coraline wasn’t so fond of the bath. It’s little things like this that make a real difference. Plus it’s lovely, soft and big and, in the words of Marie Kondo, it “sparks joy”.

2. A friend in our Antenatal group recommended this Angelcare Soft-Touch Bath Support Chair to us, and we used it until Coraline was about 18 months old, when we moved to a non-slip bath mat. It’s so light and easy to put in and out of the bath, as the water drains through. The “grippy” material also meant Coraline was safely seated when she was in it and its angle was good for washing her hair, and for her to look at us. For us, it was important to have something supportive when Coraline was sitting in the bath due to her hypotonia (low muscle tone) which is a characteristic of Down’s syndrome. She can also splash freely with her legs when she’s in it which she began to do as she got older.

3. Coraline’s therapists say the bath is a great place for learning and having fun! A friend gave Coraline these bathtime funny mix sponge animals, as her nephew had loved the fun of matching the bodies and heads. Coraline learns visually and through repetition. We see these animals on the side of the bath each bathtime and say their name and make their sound. She loves them. We just have to make sure she doesn’t chew them!

4. We have ordered Coraline the bath foam letters and numbers for Christmas 2020, to add to her bath toys, as recommended by the same mum I mentioned above! They will work well as we are working on letter sounds at the moment e.g. “p” and “b” and we are also working at familiarising her with the numbers 1-6.

5. Basketball hoop also recommended by the same mum I previously mentioned. I ordered for Christmas. It will be great for gross motor skills and also Coraline can recognize the word “ball” so it will give more practice and repetition of that sound. And, most importantly, be fun!

Bathroom Essentials Guide from Summer™

by Christine Swearingen Leave a Comment

When it comes to potty-training your little one, just about every parent could use some extra help in encouraging their children in making the transition. Luckily, these gadgets know just how to do it, helping to make potty training that much easier on both you and your child.

Lights & Songs to Reward The “Go”

One of the biggest hurdles parents face when potty training is finding the right size toilet to comfortably teach their children. Summer helps make it easy with the My Size® Potty Lights and Songs Transitions. Easing the transition from diapers to a normal toilet, this potty training toiler sits on top of your adult-sized toilet, providing your children with the ideal fit for their size.

This removable potty topper is easily placed and removed so as not to impede the other adults in your house, while ultimately helping your child make the transition from the potty topper to using the normal toilet. It also features a built-in wipe compartment to encourage good hygiene. Meanwhile, the splash guard and removable bowl ensure your bathroom stays tidy.

On top of all that, every time your child flushes, this potty topper cycles through six melodies, with lights flashing to the music’s beat to reward them for a successful “go.” The realistic and fun design is sleek, with cheerful music to make potty training fun. Meanwhile, the interactive handle makes a flush sound just like the real thing, getting your child into healthy habits.

Potty Training Tools for Boys

Teaching your boy how to use a urinal properly? This potty training gadget from Summer will make it that much easier. The Summer® My Size® Urinal is a realistic, child-sized urinal that offers flushing sounds and a target aim so that your little one can easily practice without making a mess.

This modern urinal is very realistic-looking and has a flush handle with a realistic flush sound to encourage healthy habits. Just attach this toddler-sized urinal to your bathroom’s tile wall using the included adhesive strips. The urinal can then be easily removed for emptying and cleaning and placed back when you’re ready. When you’re done potty training, the adhesive strips come off, too.

This gadget is the perfect solution for teaching your little one to use the bathroom standing up, all while providing for a realistic, yet toddler-sized experience. The target, for instance, teaches them how to aim for a mess-free bathroom break, while the easy clean design ensures you’ll never have a hard time cleaning up any accidents that do happen.

Thank you to Summer™ for making this sponsored post possible!

Ultimate Gift Guide: Ages 2-5

by Christine Swearingen Leave a Comment

The holidays are coming and most parents are not even close to ready. But that’s okay! Think outside the box with gifts this year, from functional gifts that are beneficial to educational toys for the little one! The possibilities are literally endless. To give you some ideas, here are a few gifts that are perfect for any growing toddler.

Mobi Zippee – $19.99

Both educational and fun, the Zippee is a multi-sensory silicone activity toy for every growing child. The Zippee comes with a slew of benefits, such as creating developmental learning skills, further gross motor skills, sensory exploration, and cause and effect. Created by doctors, therapists, and parents alike, it is BPA-free, phthalate-free, and made with food-grade silicone! It is the most beneficial toy for kids this holiday season.

WayB Pico™ Travel Car Seat– $330.00

Prepare for the only car seat that any parent will need. Seriously. The Pico Travel Car Seat is both portable and functional, making the whole process of putting kids in their seats as smooth as possible. It weighs in at 8 pounds and is airplane approved, making it a truly game-changing car seat for the traveling family. It comes with AstroKnit Mesh material made from wool and polyester for maximum comfort, an aerospace-grade aluminum frame for durability, and a safety-first design.

Make sure to use code: GUGUGURU20 for 20% off site-wide on wayb.com, through 11:59 PM Pacific Time on December 31, 2020!

Melange Collection Toys – $18.00 – $48.00

Calling all parents who’ve always wanted their kid to have a staple stuffed animal, it’s right here. With whimsical designs and hand-craftsmanship, these toys are perfect for any growing toddlers needing a cuddle buddy. Their stuffed animals are made with alpaca and wool, making it the softest toy your little one will ever have. Melange Collection’s beautiful, heirloom quality toys are handmade by women in developing countries, using fair trade guidelines and is woman owned and operated.

Make sure to use code “GUGU” for free shipping, expires 12/31/2020!

Thank you to Mobi Games, WAYB, and Melange Collection for making this sponsored post possible.

Toki Mats: The Softest Playmat. Ever.

by Gugu Guru Leave a Comment

As with most fantastic ideas, necessity is the mother of invention, and quite literally when it comes to Toki Mats. Founded by a mama while on maternity leave with her second child, she realized there was no place to get down on the floor and safely play with her newborn and toddler. At least, she didn’t have one that was both comfortable and modern. Toki Mats was created for the modern parent to have a functional, stylish, and most importantly, super soft place to get down and play with your crew.

Photo: @d_lillian

Toki Mats are completely unique in their structure, as they consist of one fabric cover with two side zip openings, and two natural latex foam inserts. Their unique foam is the perfect blend of squish and firmness, to pad baby’s falls and help support them as they develop critical movement skills. The outer cover is 100% super soft cotton fabric, and the waterproof covers are 100% bamboo jersey fabric. Parents love the optional waterproof covers, as they are easily washable. As an added fun bonus, the outer covers can be swapped out for a different design in no time flat. And, as Toki Mats was created by a mom, all materials are certified non-toxic and chemical free.

photo: @kaleekilgrow.photo

Toki Mats are an essential baby item for the house, as they are light enough to carry from room to room, and make getting down on the floor with your baby comfortable for you! Whether it’s tummy time, playing with the baby and toddler, reading books, or simply lounging, you too will enjoy the comfort and softness of the playmat. Heading out to grandma’s house? No worry, the mats easily fold into the travel case to take anywhere, in the car, train, or plane.

photo: @carriehuseman

The mats come in a ton of modern styles and in two convenient sizes, their regular size, and a mega size – ideal for baby and a toddler! The Toki Mat would make an awesome baby shower gift, and a gift for your own family, too. We can’t pick a favorite style, so we say get all of your favorite styles!

Cover photo: @megankawaharaphotography

The Village Reviews: Go Happy Kids Travel Tray

by Gugu Guru Leave a Comment

Traveling with little ones can certainly be an interesting journey, which is why we love any product that can help keep kids both entertained and organized during travel. We are huge fans of the Go Happy Kids Travel Tray, check out these real mom reviews below:

April: I recently had the opportunity to try the Go Happy Kids Travel Tray on a flight from NYC to LA with my nine-month-old little one. The first thing that occurred to me when I used the tray was that this product was clearly created by a parent. It’s the type of product you don’t even realize you need until you’re settled in on a flight with your little one and their snacks and toys are rolling off the small (and dirty) airplane tray. I also really liked that the tray has a slim profile that easily slips into a backpack, comes in a washable drawstring bag to protect it while not in use, and has a removable silicone cover that makes washing it super easy. You and your baby will both be happy with the Go Happy travel tray!

Erica: We love the versatility of this tray. Whether at home or on the go, the tray serves us well for Playdoh, snacks, reading, and coloring. The non-skid mat is great for travel or just unsteady toddler hands. It’s designed with sturdy, high-quality materials. It packs away well in the laptop pocket of a backpack. So many ways to use this!

Tiffany: I love this tray and so does my son! It works great to keep the crumbs contained!! It has a nice border to keep toys from falling off the edge easily! The strap can be a little tricky when stretching it a little farther but holds well! I wish it could clip onto the tray though. It came with a nice and sturdy carrying bag too! The tray and silicone liner both wipe off easily and the tray has a nonslip grip on the bottom for use on a table or other flat surface. All in all this tray makes eating and playing on the go much more convenient! This tray will be great for any trips.

Brooke: We love the Go Happy Kids Travel Tray! It’s so convenient and easy to clean. My daughter was able to play with her play-doh on the coffee table without getting it into all the crevices or on the carpet. It has also been perfect for holding our snacks while we cuddle up to watch a movie on the sofa.

Denalee: The tray was great on the plane! We had the bulk head seat so it wasn’t the normal tray but the travel tray still sat well on top of the plane tray. The adjustable strap kept it in place really well especially when Mikey was done and wanted to push it away quickly (it didn’t budge). We used the tray for eating and playing. There was plenty of room to play with play doh, stickers, and eat all at once. Plus when we had to fold of the plane tray to reach our bag or move it was really nice to not have to pack everything up or try and hold everything in our laps. The travel tray made it really simple to just pick up all the stuff at once and then easily put it back. Not only did the tray make the flight easier but we actually used the inside silicone part as a mat to eat off of at restaurants on our trip. It doesn’t stick as well to the table as mats made for this purpose but it works and was one less thing to worry about packing.

Lauren: The Go Happy Kids Travel Tray was a fantastic addition to our travel bag. The tray kept germs away and snacks and crayons close to my toddler! The strap and grippy material on the bottom of the tray prevented it from moving around during use.

Alyssa: I was so excited to test the Go Happy Kids: Travel Tray. On a recent plane trip I felt like I was constantly trying to retrieve things that rolled off the regular airplane seatback tray and this product seems to fix that problem with its silicone mat and lip around the edge. No more rogue crayons! Not to mention, it covers the regular tray completely and securely so you don’t have to worry about germs and wiping everything down with disinfecting wipes before your kid eats their snack. The handy travel pouch is a nice feature to transport the clean tray around.

Molly: There’s no question that traveling with kids can be difficult. Control some of the chaos, plus art supplies, cheerios, and toys with this sleek travel tray. With a universal raised edge and extra grippy bottom, it easily stays put on standard airline tray tables to keep kids plane essentials off the germiest surfaces and away from the floor. From air to at home, it’s perfect for particularly messy or tiny crafts, (think playdoh to beads). My kids (13,5,3) also use it for snacking and coloring. Bottom line, it’s a great, sturdy surface to use for work or play. Made from BPA-free plastic with a fully washable silicone liner that helps to secure and reign in all manner of travel distractions, the Go Happy Kids Travel Tray is a constant companion when on the go. I keep mine in the back pockets of the car for my two youngest kids to grab as needed. As a mom who spends a considerable percentage of my day picking up things that have fallen on the ground, rolled under a table or disappeared under a seat, the Go Happy Travel Tray is an activity/snack time lifesaver.

Check out these related travel posts:

The Best Travel Car Seat for Infants and Toddlers
Eco-Friendly Toddler Must-Haves for Traveling Families
Gugu Gift Guide: Family Travel Picks

Minnow Swim – Swimwear Crush

by Gugu Guru Leave a Comment

Minnow swim is Gugu Guru’s bathing suit style crush! When we stumbled across minnow swim’s beyond adorable swimwear line, we knew we had to share it with you! Made and designed in California, minnow swim is a contemporary children’s swimwear label that embraces clean lines, simple details and crisp seaside breezes. Timeless yet modern, playful and polished, minnow lives for long days, sandy toes and the wonderment of childhood on the Pacific shore. We chatted with Morgan Smith, the founder and designer of minnow about how she developed the swimwear line.

View More: https://laurenjphotography.pass.us/morgan

GG: How did you decide to launch your business? Tell us a little more about Minnow Swim!

MS: We live by the ocean, so being in the water is a big part of our lifestyle. I had the hardest time finding, boy’s swimwear for my son that was functional and stylish. I was looking for a certain length that I couldn’t find, (and was also looking for an option that was clean, stylish, well-made etc.) Everything I came across had some kind of decal, cartoon or slogan. I just wanted something timeless, yet still fresh. The more I looked into creating my own line for my son, I noticed the girl’s market was lacking as well.

GG: What was your inspiration for Minnow Swim?

MS: My son, and also seaside living.

GG: How do you balance work and family?

MS: It’s not always easy, and I think there is no perfect scenario – whatever what works for you! Find out what that is, and go with it. Originally I thought I could just bounce my baby on my lap and answer emails, and quickly realized how hard it was for me to accomplish doing a good job at both simultaneously. I then choose to have childcare part-time (a couple days a week), so that when I am working I am focused, and then when I have days with my son I am present and all there with him.

GG: What’s the best part of running your own business?

MS: I love a flexible schedule, being a mom will always come first but I love that I also get to work on something I am passionate about and continue to practice my own skill-set/talents.

Like what you see? Check out our Summer Baby Must Haves list too!

Play/Entertainment Finalist List: JPMA 2020

by Christine Swearingen Leave a Comment

The JPMA 2020 Innovation Awards for Play/Entertainment have a product for all ages. You won’t want to miss checking these out and scooping them up for your little one! We are especially excited about the winner, the Lamaze 3-in-1 Airtivity Center that will grow with your child from babyhood to toddlerhood.

WINNER! Lamaze 3-in-1 Airtivity Center A first-of-its-kind in baby-to-toddler learning, the Lamaze 3-in-1 Airtivity Center provides 360 degrees of air-powered play and was designed to grow with baby. This one-of-a-kind table has more than eight activities for exploration and teaches babies how things work with air. Flip the fish’s tail to move the other fish around, hit the bubbles, and get rewarded with fun lights and sounds. This table also teaches problem solving through air play and helps children develop fine motor skills through game play. Perfect for use from 6-36 months, the Lamaze 3-in-1 Airtivity Center includes snap-on legs to transition from floor play for infant to table height for babies and toddlers who are experimenting with cruising and mastering walking. Watch the Lamaze website for the launch!

Play/Entertainment Finalist: Zoe Baby Products The MUNCHkin Party Set Meet our mealtime, playtime, activity-time table and chair set perfectly proportioned for little ones. Your child’s first table & chairs. Sturdy construction with easy folding chairs and tip-proof folding table. This table and two chairs combo travels well in its own backpack and works both indoors and outdoors. Innovation: Table and chairs fold for storage and travel. It comes with a hands-free backpack. Use absolutely anywhere: indoors, outdoors, travel, beach or at the neighbor’s house. Easy to clean. Shop now>>

Play/Entertainment Finalist: Maxi-Cosi Kori 2-in-1 Rocker The Kori features a modern design, lightweight and supportive, easy to adjust from stationary to rocking, and the fabrics are machine washable. No matter what you need to do around the house, you can rest assured knowing your baby can sit or rock away in peace. From the first days after birth to many months later, your baby can lay back in luxury or be a part of the action in the Kori. The cozy newborn inlay, made with high-quality soft materials, provides your baby with maximum comfort and support-it’s the best seat in the house. The Kori adjusts to three different positions with just one hand, cleans easily and weighs next to nothing. The Kori’s smart design also means you can tuck it away under the bed or behind the couch when you need to. Shop now>>

Play/Entertainment Finalist: Tiny Love Wonder Buddies A smart buddy can do wonders for your toddler’s development! Learn about daily skills. Peek-a-boo: the ultimate game for 1-year-olds. Cause and Effect play patterns: suitable for toddlers level of understanding. Fits toddlers’ palms and motor skills abilities. Supports today’s parents in storytelling. Encourages mutual playtime & bonding. Also suitable for independent play. Watch the Tiny Love website for the launch!

Real Mom Review: Clek Foonf

by Christine Swearingen Leave a Comment

Sleek. Simple. Modern. Minimal. All that and more can be found in the Clek Foonf car seat. One of our Gugu Guru team members tried this car seat with her 16-month-old-daughter and quickly fell in love. Read what she has to say about it below.

We love the super soft material of this car seat. It’s cushioned in all the right places to hug baby and keep her comfortable. We live in Alaska and the seat material is perfect. It doesn’t get super cold when our cars sit outside like her infant car seat would. The material would be great for warm states too because it won’t get warm sitting in the sun in a hot car either.

It’s not as bulky and wide as some of the other car seats on the market and fits nicely in both of our cars, a Ford Escape and a Ford F-150 Super Crew Cab. Bonus: it was also super easy to install properly!

Two of the most important things I looked for in a car seat were a solid frame build and a nice headrest. The headrest in this seat is amazing and really supports her head when she falls asleep on car rides. Clek says the Foonf is “built like a tank” and it truly is! It’s engineered with a steel and magnesium substructure, energy-absorbing crumple technology, and a rebound bar. The safety of this seat really can’t be beaten.

I would highly recommend this car seat to any family with littles. My only regret? Not buying one sooner! She would have loved it as an infant and will be able to use this car seat for years!

Thanks to Clek for sending a Foonf for testing. The thoughts mentioned in this article are my own.

Learn more or purchase the Clek Foonf on Amazon here.

What’s New on Gugu: February 5, 2020

by Abby Ludwig Leave a Comment

Calling all last-minute Valentine’s Day shoppers! Below are some great gift ideas for your loved ones with V-Day right around the corner! Coming in at all different price points, these gifts are sure to wow your little loves and big babes! Be sure to share any of your favorite gift ideas with us as well. We love hearing from our Village!

For a number of our other favorites, please check out our Explore page!

Honey Bug’s Valentine’s Day Boxes: These adorable gift boxes from Honey Bug are the perfect gift for your little ones to celebrate our holiday of hearts. While their Valentine’s Day Boxes are flying off the shelf, we also love their standard gift boxes, which are curated by the Honey Bug mamas. These boxes are unique and will truly stand out amongst the monotony of the same baby gifts!

4moms mamaRoo Sleep Bassinet: The long-awaited sleep bassinet from 4moms has finally arrived! What better gift to give than the gift of sleep?! Featuring 5 unique movements, you can control any movement or sound via the app. This is a safe sleep environment and can help keep your little one safe in your room until they reach 25 lbs or can push up on their hands/knees (whichever comes first).

UPPAbaby VISTA V2 and CRUZ V2: The newest version of the UPPAbaby VISTA and CRUZ have finally arrived! Both strollers have been updated with seat/harness improvements, suspension upgrades (SO excited about this!) and wheel upgrades as well as a more compact fold for the CRUZ V2. The VISTA V2 has also updated it’s canopy. While definitely an investment, both strollers will hold up for years and throughout multiple children! A great Valentine’s Day gift for yourself or baby!

Hooray Heroes Personalized Books: Nothing warms a parent’s heart more than a personalized gift. Turn on the water works this Valentine’s Day by securing these amazingly adorable books for Mom or Dad. You can truly personalize the characters and the storyline to fit your needs. Plus they are super high quality and will last for years!

Copper Pearl ‘XOXO’ Collection: Available in time for Valentine’s Day, we love how adorable (and gender-neutral!) this ‘XOXO’ collection is from Copper Pearl. Available in a swaddle blanket, hat, and multi-use cover there is something for everyone! If gender-neutral isn’t your style, check out the Lola print too!

Please note that these opinions are 100% my own and I have not received any products in exchange for placement in What’s New on Gugu! As an Amazon Associate Gugu Guru may earn from qualifying purchases.

Like what you see? Check out some other What’s New on Gugu posts:

What’s New on Gugu: December 11. 2019

What’s New on Gugu: January 15, 2020

What’s New on Gugu: January 22, 2020

What’s New on Gugu: January 29, 2020

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Toddlers

Lights & Songs to Reward The “Go”

Potty Training Tools for Boys

Mobi Zippee – $19.99

WayB Pico™ Travel Car Seat– $330.00

Melange Collection Toys – $18.00 – $48.00

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