Oh, how we wish we had this a long time ago but I guess better late than never. SipSnap is a simple, spill-proof, kid's drinking lid that fits any cup, anytime, anywhere. The company makes two types of lids: a snug spout lid, which is perfect for toddlers who need to drink from a spout and a snug straw lid for the big kids, which uses a straw to drink out of. The snug straw lid is great for adu

Chicco has recently introduced a much needed functionality to its KidFit Zip 2 in 1 Belt Positioning Booster Car Seat. This new feature is the removable seat pad, which can be machine washed. How awesome is this? This is something we needed a long time ago as we all know how dirty car seats get from the food and drinks the kiddos consume while on the go. Well, guess better late than never. So

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<font color=#444444 face=Lato, sans-serif=><span style=font-size: 16px;=>Oh, how we wish we had this a long time ago but I guess better late than never. SipSnap is a simple, spill-proof, kid's drinking lid that fits any cup, anytime, anywhere. The company makes two types of lids: a snug spout lid, which is perfect for toddlers who need to drink from a spout and a snug straw lid for the big kids, w

KEVA Brain Builders is a fun toy if you are looking for a challenging, educational gift. Players look at a 2D image on color cards and translate that to a 3D structure using KEVA wood planks. Train young brains to think in multiple dimensions by transferring 2D information to 3D reality! It is the perfect size for travel and makes a great gift for school aged kids who enjoy puzzles, blocks or L

The stainless steel bento lunch box by PlanetBox will serve as your guide for what and how much to pack. It is perfectly proportioned for each of the food groups, eco-friendly as you no longer have a need to use plastic baggies and it is safe. Safe because it is non-toxic, non-leaching and safe from BPA, lead and phthalates. Finally, it is built to last as it is warrantied for 5 years! How cool

The Snap Circuits SC-300 Electronics Discovery Kit is great toy for the tween to teen set to help build cognitive and engineering skills. Snap Circuits makes learning electronics easy and fun. Follow the simple instructions with colorful pictures to build exciting projects such as AM radios, burglar alarms, doorbells and more. Play this alone or with friends and family. This is a great educati

Are your kiddos tired of sandwiches for lunch? Try one of these hot lunch thermal containers to carry hot lunches such a pasta, soups or rice. To make sure it stays warm by lunch time and not just lukewarm, try the following tips to ensure warmth. Yes, it does add an extra couple of steps in the morning to pack your kiddos lunch but it is definitely worth those steps to ensure a warm, yummy lun

LunchSkins are dishwasher safe fabric snack baggies designed to replace Ziploc bags. The bags are grease proof and moisture proof, making them ideal for messy sandwiches and snacks! LunchSkins are a great alternative to using plastic baggies making it better for the environment! Unfortunately, plastic is found everywhere filling up landfills. So, stay green and get your LunchSkins today! And, t

We love the bento style lunch box by Goodbyn for several reasons. One, no more plastic baggies. Each lunch box has several compartments to separate your food items so no need for separate plastic baggies. You save money while helping the environment. Two, the compartments allow for portion control so you can place the right amount of sweets and veggies without overindulging. Three, it is recy

When we at KidTrail saw the Sip-N-Spoon Straw, we were thrilled! Who likes the sound of slurping milk or slurping ice cream. And how fun is this for your little kiddo to use the spoon to scoop up cereal or ice cream and then top it off by using the straw end of the spoon to drink the milk or melted ice cream. We couldn’t resist and bought a six pack set. Our little 4 year old was thrilled as h

This is the perfect little chair by Melissa and Doug for your kiddo! Use it in your backyard, beach or even transport it to watch a game on the sidelines. It is sturdy and colorful and even has a handy cup holder positioned at your child’s fingertips. The chair folds and fits tightly in a carrying case making it compact for transport. Perfect for outdoor use as well as indoors! The chair come

My First Mind Blowing Science kit by Scientific Explorer is the perfect gift to spark any child’s curiosity in science. It allows your young scientist to explore and learn the basics of science from chemical reactions to the use of basic science tools. It includes some very cool mind blowing experiments such as creating a sunset in a test tube and making a color changing volcano. Not only are t

The Paderno World Cuisine vegetable slicer is a super fun tool to make healthy food fun for the kiddos. The slicer creates spiral cuts and vegetable or fruit noodles in seconds. Your kiddos will love to watch you make it and then enjoy eating spirals of fruits or veggies. The easy to use tool can make zucchini spaghetti, cucumber ribbon strands, curly fries, apple strands and more. Make easy s

Squigz is a fun and unique toy that encourages creativity and fine motor skills. Play alone or with others by connecting the pieces together by pressing the suction cups. It also makes for a fun bath toy as it sticks to bath tubs, tables, floors, windows and more. This suction style building set is perfect for the preschool age. Manufacturer recommends any age above 3, however, it works best f

A must have for your summer outdoor fun! Having a summer party or just a water playdate with the neighborhood kiddos? Well, this super cool summer tool is a must have for your summer outdoor fun! The Pumponator Balloon Pumping Station is used to create water balloons for hours of water play! It is designed to fill balloons with water. Where has this been all our lives? No more frustration wi

Looking for a fun, creative and thrilling toy to give a kindergarten age kid or older? Q-Ba-Maze is a unique system of colorful cubes that interlock to form an exciting marble run! What makes this marble run so unique is that you can create maze sculptures in the form of animals, geometric shapes or any other designs. And the marbles run through the maze in lightning speed that is sure to light

Fun and educational, the geography puzzles by GeoToys are a great way to get your kiddos started in learning geography. Started by a traveling dad who wanted his kids to learn about geography, the product line has expanded from Europe to now include Africa, Asia, the America’s, USA/Canada and finally the world. Our kiddo loves these puzzles and you will be amazed how easily they learn while havi

We love to hand out party favors that kids are actually excited about. Instead of a few junky items that usually get thrown out, why not buy a party favor that kids and parents will actually get excited about. So, with that said, we found these awesome “decorate your own” wooden trains and flower mirrors by Melissa & Doug. They are sturdy, will keep the kids entertained for a while and a toy tha

After playing with the Aerobie Flying Ring, your kiddos will wonder how they can ever go back to the Frisbee again! These patented high performance flying rings provide hours of thrilling games of catch. They fly twice as fast as conventional discs making outdoor fun thrilling! Aerobie makes two sizes for kids, the Pro Ring is larger in diameter and works best for 12 – 15 year olds. It even

This multi-purpose beach tool, Quut Triplet, is sure to keep your kiddos busy and entertained on the sand. They can dig, pack, smooth, etch, tunnel, sift, pour and decorate using one sand tool. Use the shovel side to dig in sand, use the rake prongs to spread sand evenly, use the flat base to press sand firmly into place, use the funnel to pour sand or water and use the scallops to create detail

Hape Toys is known for producing high quality toys made from sustainable materials. We could not resist these three kitchen toys. The wooden coffee maker, mixer and toaster will bring any toy kitchen to life with its fun, stylish design. And, the toys are likely to make any miniature budding chef brim with joy. Hape toys is a German company founded in 1986 with worldwide distribution. Check ou

littleBits is a library of electronic modules that snap together with tiny magnets for prototyping, learning, and fun. Each Bit has a specific function (light, sound, sensors, buttons, thresholds, pulse, motors, etc), and modules snap to make larger circuits. Circuits light up, vibrate and spin. This super cool product is likely to encourage creativity and hone your kiddos engineering skills!

Skip the princesses or Barbie. If you are interested in exposing your little girl to more challenging and problem solving toys, then this game may be for you. GoldieBlox and the Spinning Machine is a character driven game and after a few missions, it will get your little girl excited about mechanical engineering, a field that is currently dominated by men. The character Goldie, who is a kid in

Creator 1 by ZomeTool is the perfect building set for the creative and curious kid that is full of imagination. It invites kids to invent their own creations rather than follow general instructions. If your kids are ready to explore outside of Legos, try this very cool building set. Your child can explore structures in math, nature, art, science and architecture. Build domes, crystals, flowers

These 3 toys are some of our favorite educational and fun toys for the preschooler age group. Not only do our kids have these toys but they are our go to buys for most birthday party invites. They are affordable, educational and entertaining. What makes them so fun and educational? Well, read on and you will find out more. <b><font color=#F36523><u>Imaginets by Mindware</u></font> </b> Imagin

Easy Translator by Ingenio is an exciting interactive learning toy that teaches children English/Spanish basic vocabulary, picture-word association and fine motor skills. It is designed to teach English to Spanish speaking children and Spanish to English speaking children. The game allows you to slide & learn 150 basic vocabulary words in English & Spanish. It is compact and portable, perfect f

These super cute and fun Fish Pop Molds by Zoku are sure to be a hit with your little ones. Unlike the Zoku Quick Pops, these molds take much longer to freeze as they are regular molds (About 8 hours plus). It is a much cheaper option then their Quick Pop Molds. The molds include a shark, clownfish, octopus, whale, puffer fish and even a Zoku scuba diver. The sticks contain drip guards and hav

For a unique, ultra stylish crib design, look no further than Numi Numi Design. The Wired crib collection is inspired by the great city of New York. The design itself resembles the concrete jungle of NY. Inspiration was drawn from the city, the subway and the space in between the skyscrapers. While the Funky Forest Collection is inspired by the asymmetry of the tree trunks and the spaces in th

If you are anything like most busy moms, having your baby’s pacifier always within reach is a must when on the go. Pacifiers get lost in diaper bags and rushing to find it while your baby is screaming only makes both momma and baby’s stress level rise. This must have accessory keeps baby’s pacifier clean and always within reach. Closure easily attaches to car seat, diaper bag, stroller and more

A custom birth wall art by Trendy Peas is sure to put a smile on any new parent. Wow your new mom friends and family by gifting them with this custom birth wall art. The personalization of this wall art will make the gift even more memorable and special. A piece that will be kept for a long time if not for a lifetime. Trendy Peas offers customization of the art based on your child’s birth deta

The Godee, by MeLuvKush, is the perfect newborn accessory. It allows parents, family and friends to carry your newborn in a safe and secure way while protecting the baby from germs. We have all done it, carried a newborn in an awkward way due to lack of experience and fear of the baby’s fragility. Well, the Godee makes carrying your baby much easier and no more worries about spreading germs as

Ok, so do you have a picky eater at home? Well, we at KidTrail know what that is like. For some reason, when we make food fun, our picky eater is much more eager to eat it. These sandwich cutters by Lunch Punch are so much fun that even adults will want to bite into it. Lunch Punch has a variety of shapes to choose from to make your picky eater or not so picky eater’s food fun! <font color=#00B

It seems that most kids these days are much more knowledgeable in high tech products than their parents and that includes the iPAD. Just look around and you will see 3 year olds and even 2 year olds playing and navigating the iPAD as if they are old pros at it. Is this good or bad, whether we like it or not, it is here to stay. What makes us cringe the most is when a kid drops an unprotected iP

The Zoo Pack is the little kid backpack where fun meets function. Whimsical details and durable materials make this the perfect on-the-go backpack for kids on-the-go. When we saw the collection of Zoo Packs by Skip Hop, we got so excited to see the cute and cuddly animals. There are literally 15 different animals to choose from. We wanted each one! And the collection has matching items from lu

We love love the Zoku Quick Pop Maker for its versatility and uniqueness! You can make one of a kind ice cream pops. And, what's great is that it takes only seven minutes right on your countertop to make. Quickly impress your guests while providing a delicious and healthy snack or make it a decadent and sweet snack. You can make striped pops, yogurt pops or flavored core pops. To enjoy Qu

What an awesome idea for an infant bouncer! This mamaRoo bouncer by 4Moms has five unique motions. The mamaRoo bounces up and down and sways from side to side, just like parents do when comforting their babies. And, no need to download apps of soothing sounds as this bouncer already has built in nature sounds or you can connect to any mp3 player. And finally, the seat reclines to adjust to any

Glass baby bottles by LifeFactory are free from chemicals found in plastic baby bottles. These chemicals in plastic can leak into milk or juice. So, why not be safer and also help out the environment. Glass is recyclable and reusable, which is better for the environment. What about breakage you ask? Well, LifeFactory offers a solution by combining a sturdy glass bottle with a very cool, mo

Add some cool décor to your kids room while serving a function with the fabric growth chart wall decal from Petit Collage. What we love about these wall decals is that it is made out of adhesive fabric, not vinyl. It works on any non-porous flat surface and is removable and reusable! They do not wrinkle or rip. It is super easy to clean with a damp cloth. And the designs are super cute and st

We wish we had the WiFi baby 2.0 four years ago when our first child was born. Looking at the baby monitor we bought at that time, it seems so archaic compared to this super high tech and reliable baby monitor. Your baby is always at your side with the WiFi 2.0. You can watch and hear your child on your iPhone, iPad, Android phones or tablets. You can also check in from work using any browser

Are you always in search of a sleep sack that is warm enough for the winter and one that is cool enough for the summer? And, what about the various sizes of the sleep sacks? How frustrating is it that in addition to the piles of baby gear we accumulate, we also have multiple sizes of sleep sacks. Well, look no further but Woolino has the perfect solution for you. We love the Woolino Sleep Sack

This product is so simple and such a necessity that we don’t know how we didn’t think of it ourselves. But, we are glad that someone else did. We have all been in that position while we are out and about or late at night when our screaming baby just can’t wait for us to measure out the formula and water to mix together. Well, rest assured, the Mixie Baby Bottle comes to the rescue. Basically,

What we love about this high chair by Joovy is that it looks amazing and sleek with clean lines and is also functional. Specifically, what we mean by functional is that it wipes down so easily and does the job. After going through a couple of high chairs that didn’t provide what we were looking for, the Joovy high chair met all our needs. It wipes down easily and you can take the entire seat co

Being a mother does not mean you need to sacrifice style. Although, we all know how hard it is to remain stylish and chic when you are running after the kiddos and cleaning up goop from their nose. But, when you have that much cherished opportunity to head out to a girl’s night out or brunch with old college friends or date night, try spicing up your outfit with this very cool tassel necklace fr

Reducing the chances of your baby getting SIDS is every new parent’s big concern. Research has shown that the standard crib bumper potentially traps carbon dioxide in an infant's crib, thereby increasing the risk that an infant will die of SIDS. Oliver B’s award winning ventilated slat bumper brings crib bedding to the basics by providing completely open air spaces around your mattress. This pr

Most plastic diaper pails do not absorb odors and leaves a lingering smell. The odors still linger even when the pail is empty. Plastic pails fail to control odors because they are poorly sealed allowing odors to leak. The Ubbi diaper pail is made of powder-coated steel which odors cannot penetrate and its innovative sliding lid design minimizes air disruption to prevent odors from escaping

Incredibly lush and soft bath for babies up to 6 months. This adorable Blooming Bath is handmade from incredibly soft, cuddly materials. Blooming Bath's petals hug any sink to create a safe, fun and convenient bath time experience for your little one. What we love about the Blooming Bath is that its plush materials cradle and cushion your baby. Especially at the fragile younger months, the hard

Every parent of a small child will appreciate the benefit of Tottels towels. These super cute hand towels are designed for the vertically challenged. They are long so they are within reach of your small child and they stay attached with the adjustable snaps to the towel rod so they never end up on the ground. How clever is that! Created by a nurse and mom of three, Tottels towels unique design

Cubino by Monte Design is a cute and modern kid chair that you don’t need to hide when the guests come over. It is modern and stylish enough to flow with the current design of your home. No cartoon designs, princess theme or characters on the chair, just clean and simple design while providing comfort and relaxation! And the seat covers are completely removable and washable! Chairs are availab

Check out Sweet n Treats amazing edible cupcake toppers. They have hundreds of images to choose from or you can upload your own image for a custom topper. Make or buy your own cupcakes, use any type of icing and top it off with a fun and creative, edible topper. Your kiddo and guests are going to love these cupcakes! Best of all, these cupcake toppers contain no allergens and are Gluten Free, D

Our vacations to tropical places is always accompanied with bug spray that is smelly and filled with chemicals. So, when we heard about this product from The Honest Company, we were excited to try it out. And, yes, we were pleased! The spray smells great and we were surprised how it didn’t make your skin feel sticky. And the bonus part is that it really works without the harsh, smelly chemical

Entice your picky eater or even your non picky eater with some fun shaped foods! They won’t even realize they are eating healthy, nutritious foods when you offer it to them in cute bite-sized fun shapes. FunBites is a cool new kitchen tool that cuts kids food into bite-sized fun shapes. FunBites squares creates 12 perfect bite-sized squares. Each pack includes a curved blade cutter and matchin

With their tag line, art has never tasted so good, you can count on Edible Details to create delicious edible toppers for any event from birthdays to weddings. Choose from their current designs or commission a custom design. They all look way too pretty and cute to eat. But one taste, it will have you going back for more. And what a great way to top off your cakes or cupcakes with these delici

We totally love these super cute and super stylish upholstered beds by Monte Design. They are simple yet sophisticated. This is the perfect first bed for your child since it is comfortable and modern enough to work right through the teen years. Handcrafted and made in Canada, these beds are quick and easy to assemble. No tools required. Available in both full and twin sizes and also in contr

This Mediterranean style chicken burger is sure to satisfy both the adults and kiddos in your household.  The burgers come out so juice and full of flavor that even our one year old loves eating it in bites.  This is an easy and healthy family dinner idea.  The burgers are also great for barbecues and summer parties.  You can also substitute ground chicken with ground beef.  Enjoy! <font color=#F3

A crisp and light side dish, the Orzo salad is a perfect complement to most dishes.  It is super easy to make and tastes and looks so fabulous!  This orzo recipe has an abundance of bell peppers and cherry tomatoes to make it a hearty veggie pasta salad.  If you want to get the kiddos involved, this is a perfect, easy dish to make together.  Feel free to add chopped cucumbers and olives to make it

This recipe is honestly one of the fastest and easiest way to make vegetable enchiladas for your family. It even has its own enchilada sauce recipe but trust us, it is super easy to make. And most importantly, it is very nutritious as it's packed with all sorts of vegetables. Feel free to swap out the veggies for your favorites and let us know how it turns out. <font color=#F36523>Yield: </f

Spice up your family dinner with delicious and flavorful Vegetable Korma. Vegetable Korma is a delicious combination of several vegetables in a creamy sauce.  It is a traditional Indian dish that is mild, not so spicy hot so that the whole family can eat, even the kiddos! It is often served in Indian restaurants. Korma can be served with any Indian bread or rice. <font color=#00B7BF>Serves 5</fon

These watermelon shaped cookies not only look good but oh, they taste so yummy too. Perfect for summer barbecues, parties or family gatherings.  They are so fun to make and also to just look at.  Aren’t they so pretty!  Your kiddos are sure to love biting into these cookies.  They are sugar cookies shaped like watermelons with icing and chocolate covered sunflower seeds.  To get the recipe and s

Lime juice is a classic drink served throughout India.  You can find it being hawked in the streets of Mumbai to the menus of high end luxury hotels.  It's refreshing with a mix of tangy and sweet.  But, most of all, it is oh so delicious!  Make sure to use fresh limes for optimal flavor.  This recipe is a simple and fast method to prepare fresh lime juice. <font color=#F36523>DIRECTIONS: </font

This is one of KidTrail's favorite apple pie recipes as it is pretty easy to make and oh so delicious!  If you are looking for a classic dessert to serve, this is it. It is perfect for a summer barbecue or holiday party! The recipe was adapted from a popular apple pie recipe found on AllRecipes.  We made some tweaks to it to make it the perfect apple pie! <font color=#F36523>Prep:</font> 30 Minut

This is a very simple recipe to make using Quaker Oats Quick 1 Minute Oatmeal.  However, the key to making this gourmet style is to simmer the oatmeal on a low boil for about 10 minutes instead of the 1 minute that Quaker suggests.  By simmering on a low boil for 10 minutes, the oatmeal really expands and becomes fluffy and delicious.  And adding cardamom to the mix, makes it a delicious way to st

This Mexican lasagna is truly a delicious comfort food that is also pretty healthy packed with protein, veggies and the right amount of carbs.  It can be a great hit for potlucks or game nights.  Not only will the whole family love this dish but so will your kiddos.  The recipe calls for beef but you can also substitute ground chicken.  Best of all, prep time is a short 15 minutes.  Enjoy! <font

This southwest chopped salad is super easy to make and oh so delicious.  Best of all, it is packed with veggies and protein.  The recipe calls for vegetarian but feel free to add some chopped chicken to the mix.  Cilantro Lime dressing from Trader Joes tastes amazing on this salad and highly recommended.  But, feel free to use another dressing of choice like Ranch.  Easy, healthy and delicious!  Y

This easy Cajun Chicken is super easy and fast to make.  Your whole family will be surprised and think you spent many more hours than you actually did in making it.  In fact, it really only takes about 5 minutes of prep time and about 15 minutes to actually sear/bake the chicken.  It has a little kick so you may want to lessen the spice for the kids. <font color=#F36523>INGREDIENTS:</font> - Bon

This potato and artichoke salad is perfect for a summer barbecue, pool party or potluck dinner.  It is super easy to make and oh so delicious.  It is filled with artichokes and peas in addition to potatoes to give you a well rounded veggie side dish.  You can make a light version of this dish by using light mayo. <font color=#F36523> INGREDIENTS </font> - 3 lbs. medium red-skinned potatoes, washe

<p class=MsoNormal>This weekend in Chicago entails lots of fall fun for families and their kiddos in tow. Whether you are looking for something indoors or out, this list has got you covered. Some outdoor options include a free telescope observatory at Adler Planetarium, outdoor kids concert at Millennium Park or maybe a haunted house at Sheridan Park.  Some indoor events include free entry at The

<div>Fall in Chicago is always a beautiful time of year with crisp sweater weather and the lovely changing of colors. And, what a great fall weekend it is going to be.  Many of the kids’ events listed here include outdoor events that the whole family can enjoy as well as many indoor events.  There is Lincoln Park Zoo Fall Fest filled with outdoor fall fun.  Fall Adventure Day at Northerly Island P

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With fall in the air, families start building traditions with their annual trips to nearby pumpkin patches and fall festivals.  Well, if you are looking for a place that not only provides pumpkins to pick but also tons of kids activities to wear them out enough for an early bedtime, then look no further.  These 10 pumpkin patches near Chicago are filled with high octane fun such as corn mazes, kid

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Bexco Expands Recall of DaVinci Brand Cribs Due to Entrapment, Fall and Laceration Hazards.  A metal bracket that connects the mattress support to the crib can break, creating an uneven sleeping surface or a gap. If this occurs, a baby can become entrapped in the crib, fall or suffer lacerations from the broken metal bracket. <b><font color=#F36523>Description:</font></b> The recall includes DaV

Fall is in the air which means Oktoberfest events have started lining up!  It’s not just for grownups as many of the events make it a family affair for everyone to enjoy!  Celebrate this traditional German festival with games, crafts, bounce houses, festival foods and of course some beer for the grownups!  Here is a list of Oktoberfest events in Chicago and the suburbs for the whole family to enjo

The Chicago Park District brings a little bit of country to the city with its annual Pumpkin Patches.  Not interested in the drive to the burbs this year.  Well, there is no need to leave the city for some fall pumpkin fun!  The City of Chicago Park District plays host to its annual pumpkin patches across various Chicago parks.  Tons of family fun that you don''t want to miss! <font color=#00B7BF>

Throw on a warm cozy sweater, grab the kiddos and head out to one of these fun Fall Harvest Festivals.  Enjoy apple pies, pumpkins, family activities, hay rides, contests, pony rides and more!  This list provides some of our favorite Fall Festivals in Chicago and the suburbs!  Enjoy and let us know what you think in the comments section below.   <b><font color=#F36523>Lincoln Park Zoo Fall Fest –

On October 24, 2015, the Chicago Cultural Mile Association plans to launch one of Chicago’s most exciting, new initiatives - The Halloween Gathering.  This event is an all day festival gathering Chicago’s vast and talented creative communities for a day of dramatic display of Halloween along Chicago’s cultural mile.  Check out the schedule for this super kid friendly family festival below. <b><f

Fall is in the air, which means time to do all things Fall Fun like apple picking!  Lucky for us, there are many wonderful apple orchards near Chicago that allow you to pick your own apples straight from the tree!  Make this a wonderful family tradition that your kiddos are sure to enjoy!  Take home those freshly picked apples and make your favorite apple pie, apple cobbler or simply eat it fresh!

Loved by many parents and non-parents alike, the Wunderlist app allows you to organize and share your to do, work, grocery, movies and household lists. It doesn’t matter what you are planning as this app is super easy to get stuff done.  You can set due dates, reminders as well as assign to-dos.  It also allows you to share your lists and work collaboratively with others.  And finally, it is acces

Britax recently announced a recall of certain models of their ClickTight car seats manufactured between August 1, 2014 to July 29, 2015. Specifically, the recalls are for the Advocate ClickTight, Boulevard ClickTight and Marathon ClickTight car seat models. The defect arises with the harness adjuster button. The harness adjuster button may remain down in the release position after the harness is t

Chicago and the suburbs have an abundance of seasonal kids consignment sales.  These events are a wonderful opportunity to sell your new or gently used kids items.  It's also a great opportunity to stock up for your kiddos.  Everything from coats to sports gear to cribs and more!  We have compiled a list of upcoming kids consignment sales that are worth checking out in Chicago and the suburbs!  Bu

AnyList is an awesome and simple way to create and share shopping lists with your spouse or roommate.  Any time you make changes to a list, it shows up instantly on everyone’s iPhone. It is a great way to quickly create organized lists.  You never have to worry again about making sure the list is communicated with your shopping buddy or making sure an item is purchased.  You can also organize reci

Don't let the summer escape you before making a very short trek to these awesome pools and aquatic centers!  These suburban park district water play facilities are so nice, well maintained and loads of fun, you will wonder why you didn't go there sooner!  There is something for everyone at each of these pools/aquatic centers from babies to teenagers to grandparents. Also, each location has a conce

So, in most Eastern and/or Asian cultures, people do not walk around their homes with shoes on.  And, they most definitely expect the same of their guests.  This is probably an important thing to do in Western cultures as well, especially if you have kids that play or crawl on the ground, according to ABC News. In addition, ABC News reported that Good Morning America did a test of people’s shoes a

This super family friendly restaurant serving American comfort food offers kids eat free daily from 4 – 6pm. So, bring in your kiddos and enjoy an evening of good food. No worries here as the whole place seems like it was designed with families in mind. There is a section to park your strollers as well as stools in the bathrooms for the little ones. Top it off with some delicious do it yourself ic

Take a Break Playcare is a unique drop in playroom designed for children ages 3 months to 13 years of age.  This new Lakeview play care is part play space and part daycare.  It is the perfect place to drop the kiddos off while mom and dad get some much needed date night! Use the service any time during the day or night as hours are available from 8:30am to 9pm Monday to Thursday and till Midnight

July 4th weekend is almost here and there are so many fun, family events in the city for the whole family to enjoy! So, grab the kiddos, pack the sunblock and let's celebrate America. Here are some fun activities in Chicago that the whole family can enjoy: <font color=#F36523><b> WINDY CITY RIBFEST </b></font> Start the weekend by attending the Windy City Ribfest! The festival dates are Friday,

Presented by Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Night Out in the Parks provides world-class performances in Chicago’s neighborhood parks throughout the summer. With hundreds of Movies in the Parks, live concerts, festivals and theatrical shows, there’s something for everyone. And now, Chicago Park District has created a mobile app to get the summer’s schedule for Night Out in the Parks.  How easy is that? You ha

This fun education app by Hien Ton teaches toddlers and young kids visually and vocally how to count with animated animals and touch screen interactions. Knowing how to read is not necessary for this game. The game is voice and audio driven by design. You can adjust the level to fit your child's skill level. It is a great teaching tool that makes learning how to count fun and entertaining. Our kid

Although we all love Dora and Diego here at KidTrail, that does not mean we need to plaster our kids rooms in cartoon character decor regardless of how cute the characters are.  Enter Avalisa Design.  We love Avalisa Design for their quality modern wall art and hand-tufted New Zealand wool rugs.  Their designs are colorful, fun and aesthetically pleasing.  The great thing is your kiddos are not li

Pop & Lolli, a playful and cheery design company offers fun and funky wall art.  Use one of their wall stickers or wallpapers to spice up your kids bedroom.  The designs are fabulous and flexible enough to grow with your child.  Wall stickers are very chic over-sized wall art, rich in detail designed to transform any room into a world of imagination and play.  Each wall sticker and wallpaper is ma

WallCandy Arts designs, manufactures and distributes stylish, peel and stick, removable and reusable, wall stickers, chalkboards, whiteboards and temporary wallpaper.  It can be removed and reused without leaving any marks on the wall.  We love this product just for that and let’s not forget the super stylish designs.  Love the fact the designs are super kid chic and do not look like Fisher Price

Wall Decals are a super easy, stylish and affordable way to decorate your kid’s room.  And, many wall decals are also reusable.  Wall decals can add lots of color and character to a room without breaking the bank; that is what we love about them.  We love the website whatisblik.com for their variety of designs and affordable prices.  All of the kid’s wall decals are priced between $20 - $75.  And

If you are looking for a fairytale, whimsical décor for your little girl’s room, then look no further.  Addison’s Wonderland is all that and more.  It is a dreamy wonderland of décor from bedding to headboards to rugs all full of color, patterns and details.  Their collection is filled with colorful whimsy, perfect for your little princess.  Styles can be mixed and matched or purchased as a comple

If you are looking for a unique selection of contemporary wall decals, wall art, mobiles, wallpapers, paper goods and other items for kids, then Trendy Peas may be the answer.  Trendy Peas is an online source to meet all your needs.  The designs are kid-friendly, modern and elegant.  It will add a touch of modern flair to any kid’s room.   <font color=#F36523>Buy online at:</font> <font color=#7

We love the website WeDreamInColour.com for unique and intricate jewelry.  The jewelry is a collection of hand made adornments designed by Jade Gedeon.  By looking at the jewelry, you can see the designs have a global influence.  The designer has lived a nomadic lifestyle growing up and was exposed to a multitude of nations and cultures growing up. This international upbringing is clearly visible

We see them in the magazines and out on the streets.  The hipster mom with heels and the latest fashion with their baby in tow.  We wish we could look like them and sometimes we are able to pull it off but not always.  This site is for those moms that never compromises their fashion for motherhood.  Filled with the most coveted designer brands from around the world, this site is perfect for the mo

We recently discovered a kids clothing site, teacollection.com, which has become our new favorite. It has actually been around since 2003 but we recently started noticing how cool their kid’s clothes are.  Not only are they super cool but also quite affordable!  The words that come to mind to describe their kids clothes are rich and vibrant colors, beautiful prints, high quality and oh so stylish!

European based Bodenusa.com is a clothing website that caters not only to kids but to also adults.  Their collection of kids clothes is fun, bright and will make your kid the talk of the playground.  What really caught our attention was the enormous collection, over 45 designs, of boys graphic tees. So, start your little boy’s summer clothing shopping here at Bodenusa.com.  We are sure you won’t b

Three moms who love their kids and fashion started Wunway.com, a super stylish, hip clothing website for ages 1+.  Their motto is style starts young where they focus on girls in their formative years to foster an inspired sense of style as they learn to dress and express themselves.  The clothes on this site are not only super cool but also oozes confidence.  We love what it represents - confidenc

Bitty Birdie Boutique is your neighborhood boutique online.  Not just one neighborhood boutique but many from all over the world.  That is why we love this site.  Boutiques from all over the world have the opportunity to sell their excess inventory online at Bitty Birdie.  So, you have the chance to find a unique piece on one site without shopping each store separately.  Live in Chicago and need a

Ready for some monkey math fun!  Monkey Math School Sunshine is a fun math educational game set in a beach themed world.  Our preschooler loves this app and plays it often on his iPAD.  It will help your child build fundamental math skills while being entertained. Your kiddo won’t even know he is learning because it is so much fun to play!  Main features of the app is that it will teach your child

Wishbone, located in the West Loop, is the go to place for southern cooking since the early 90s.  It is southern comfort food at its best!  Some delicious favorites include the shrimp and grits, jambalaya omelet and their signature crunchy French toast.  Kids get a chance to eat for free every Tuesday night from 5 – 9pm.  To make it even more kid friendly, cartoons play on their big screen.  How f

Every Sunday from 5 – 7pm, kids can make their own pizza for free.  It is an awesome deal as they offer three free kids meals for every adult meal purchased.  Each kiddo can design his or her own pizza, baked by a Foodlife chef.  To top it off, they can eat their creations while enjoying a classic kids movie on the big screen.  How cool is that!?  And, adults can purchase a meal from any of the ki

Looking for a fun day trip close to Chicago?  White water rafting on the Vermillion River is just under 2 hours away from Chicago.  For kids 8 and over, this is a fun family activity to do in the summer.  Experience the thrill of white water rafting!  The river is just 4 miles south of Starved Rock State Park off Illinois Highway 178. This is a great experience for beginning rafters and fun for an

If you are anything like us here at KidTrail, hiking is one of our favorite things to do.  It’s top on our agenda during our visits to Cali or Arizona and what amazing hikes they are!  But, just because you live in the Midwest doesn’t mean you can’t have a fun and challenging hike. Starved Rock is definitely one place to check out for 13 miles of well marked hiking trails filled with amazing cany

Wow your guests with some fun and exotic treats and sweets from Mexico.  Dulcelandia Del Sol is Chicago’s local source for over 1,000 Mexican and American candy.  They also offer a huge selection of pinatas.  The kiddos will love the variety of treats and pinatas at this candy and piñata paradise.  So, skip your local discount or party store and go a little exotic this year and fill up those goodi

Baby Jogger, has recalled its car seat adapter due to a fall hazard.  Consumer should stop using this product unless otherwise instructed.  This product was sold at retailers nationwide in both the United States and Canada.  This product was also sold at online retailers.  Please share with family and friends. <font color=#F36523>Name of product:</font> Baby Jogger Car Seat Adaptor for Strollers

Consumers should stop using this product unless otherwise instructed.  Please share this recall with your friends and family to ensure the safety of all kids and their families.  Circo Sitting Stool was sold nationwide at Target stores.  Details of this product recall below. <font color=#F36523> Name of product:</font> Circo-brand Chloe and Conner Sitting Stools <font color=#F36523>Hazard:</font>

Getting children to bed on time can be a struggle at times.  But, the effects of regular bedtimes is actually very good for their health.  According to researchers reporting in the journal Pediatrics, kids with irregular bedtimes have a higher risk of behavior problems.  The study included kids as young as toddlers.  According to the study, irregular bedtimes are similar to the effects of jet lag

Want to stimulate your child’s brain development?  Music training is possibly one answer.  According to researchers from MIT, Harvard and Beijing University, learning music at a very young age was linked with brain neural maturation.  Specifically, in the brain regions responsible for language and executive function in adulthood.  A young age meaning those children who started learning to play an

Is your kid an avid Lego builder and wants to try all the newest sets?  Well, save money and let your kiddos try out various Lego sets using Pleygo.  Pleygo aims to be the Netflix of Legos.  You can subscribe and create a wish list and as soon as the set becomes available, it arrives at your doorstep.  How cool is that?  Once your kid is done playing with the set, send it back in the prepaid box. 

We recommend this resort as a perfect local getaway with the kids at Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.  Lake Geneva is only a 90 minute drive from Chicago, yet it seems like a place far away with its quaint, picturesque town.  We love the Grand Geneva Resort and Spa for its upscale comfort.  The resort is a AAA four diamond resort, yet it is very accommodating and friendly for families.  Visit the Moose Mou

We love this Lakeview Gelato shop by native Italians who moved to the United States to specifically start their company. The Chicago location is part of a chain based in Dallas. Their menu includes more than 200 milk, water and soy-based recipes. About 30 flavors are available at any given time. They offer classics such as lemon, chocolate and hazelnut as well as some unique flavors like chocolate

SRO Chicago, aka Standing Room Only, located in Printers Row is sure to please not only your little kiddos but also your hubby.  SRO is frequented by Richard Daley as well as a heavy list of celebrity SRO supporters, including White Sox players.  There is a reason why!  Because it is just plain good.  We at KidTrail with the help of our little ones voted SRO as having the best grilled cheese in al

Chicago is known for amazing and delicious brunch spots. Just because we have our adorable kids in tow does not mean we need to sacrifice taste for comfort. So, skip the McDonalds or your favorite chain and check out these 3 kid friendly brunch spots that will not only satisfy your palette but make the whole process much easier and calmer…hopefully! All 3 of these spots have great kids menus, col

So, you have a preschooler or older kid that has a birthday in the middle of summer?  Well, let’s forget about the usual bouncy houses or playspaces and enjoy the hot Chicago summer with a pool birthday party!  Oasis Fun Center in Niles, IL is a short drive from the city(only 10 miles).  Located in the near north suburbs, Oasis Fun Center is loads of fun for a summer birthday party.  It’s perfect