CheapTweet Blog

In this edition of Happy Hatchling, Heather – mom and CheapTweet blogger – shares a few tips for developers of iPhone and iPad applications for kids. Be sure to follow Heather on Twitter and please share your tips in the comments.

I married into a technologically-savvy family. Family get-togethers involve quality time with laptops, iPads, and iPhones. Therefore, my kiddo has been exposed to Apple products her entire life and she’s been able to navigate my iPhone since she could crawl. Early on, my husband and I had to password-protect our phones so she wouldn’t inadvertently call our friends, send mass emails, or tweet!

When she was a little older we started downloading some kid-friendly apps for her to use. Although apps are innocently priced, with most only being $0.99, I’ve bought 4 or 5 bad apps for every good one I’ve found. Some are so awful that I feel like I have been scammed. Since I am a consumer and close observer of how my child plays these games, I feel entitled to give some advice. Here are my free (and unsolicited) consulting tips to kid app developers.

By the way, you can see my favorite iPad and iPhone apps in two previous posts: Baby’s First iPhone Apps and Best Toddler iPad and iPhone Apps.

1) Load fast, or don’t load at all.

There are lots of good apps out there (say hello to Elmo’s Monster maker and There’s a Monster at the End of this Book), but unless it loads quickly my toddler is not going to play them. Period. Do what you’ve got to do, but instantaneous play is key. If your game is not quick to load, then add in a fun progress bar that lets a kiddo know that the game is working and something is about to happen (for example, see Dora Ballet Adventure app).

2) Be more than a one note app.

Apps that have only one game or one element get old quickly for little kids. While a game like Dinosaur Stickers has cute graphics, it seldom gets played because the only option is dragging stickers around a page. This rule applies to book apps as well, which are typically formulated to move in one direction with minimal variation in the story. The apps that my child likes the most are those that are interactive and can change from one play to the next. See the book feature in Fun with Thadros (pictured) for a good quality book where you get to pick what is going to happen next.

3) If you’re going to offer a free app, don’t be a jerk.

I like free apps but I also realize that nothing is truly free. I understand that to make a free app worthwhile, the producers may have to include ads or another source of income. However, for games designed specifically for children, I expect a little bit of discernment about appropriate advertising. For example, I am not a fan of free apps for little kids that have advertisements in the middle of the game or book (e.g., look at this Shaun the Sheep screencap), or games that contain advertisements that if clicked on send you to an external Internet site. By the way, this isn’t only a problem with free apps (for example, Winnie the Pooh Puzzle Book).

I like the idea of having a free app with limited functionality compared to the full-priced version so you can test it out and decide if you want more. However, when the free app is only the first 10 pages from a complete book (Dr. Seuss), that is lame.

4) Have a good narrator.

This rule applies to flash cards, games, and book apps. The game Toddler Teasers Food is a decent game, but the narrator’s robotic female voice is grating. But my child loves and responds well to the kids’ voices in the Peekaboo Wild games.

5) Don’t make your application too large.

Most kids don’t have their own iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch. Instead they have to share with their parents who have their own set of applications, songs, videos, and games. Thus, competition for space should be a real concern for app developers. We downloaded a game called My Stuffy Bunny, which is another decent game, but it has long since been removed from all our Apple products because of its size (95.8 MB!). We’re unlikely to keep a game that takes up so much space, when we could have 3-8 smaller games in its place (most games range from 4 MB – 40 MB).

In this edition of Happy Hatchling, Heather – mom and CheapTweet blogger – got into the Royal Wedding spirit and found some amazing wedding-inspired hats for babies and toddlers. Be sure to follow Heather on Twitter and share your tips in the comments.

Watching the Royal Wedding last week made me wish I were brave enough to wear fancy hats. Besides Kate’s gown, the hats were the highlights of the day. But seriously, how many occasions can an adult get away with wearing statement hats and fascinators like those worn by the royal guests? That being said, it is completely socially acceptable to dress up your baby/toddler in ridiculously adorable hats, headbands, and bows. So quick dress them up, take them out, and snap as many pictures as possible before they are old enough to say ‘no’. If you must have an occasion for dressing up your little one, hats are great for photo props, and appropriate for tea party play dates and Kentucky Derby parties.

After the Royal wedding, I was inspired to search for baby/toddler hats that matched some of the exciting fashions worn by the British socialites, princesses, and the Queen. Through this endeavor, I have discovered that the really eccentric hats/headbands don’t come cheap, and perhaps rightly so – it makes them more special. Here are my finds… enjoy and be sure to visit the Etsy shop owners to see their other whimsical creations!

1. Princess Beatrice of York – The Fairy Factory Shop, $9.50

2. Tara Parker Tomkinson – Amarmi, $35

3. The Queen – Lil Lady Bows, $28.99

4. Princess Eugenie of York – Miss Ruby Sue, $68

5. Duchess of Kent, Catherine Walker – Amarmi, $35

6. Sally Bercow – Tutu Glamourous, $119.99 (includes tutu dress and hat)

7. Lorna Brooking – Amarmi, $45

8. Miriam Gonzalez – Bellas Bowtique 2008, $12.99

Royal Wedding photo credits: People’s A ROYAL WEDDING, Best Hats of the Royal Wedding

In this edition of Happy Hatchling, Heather – mom and CheapTweet blogger – shares some of her favorite children’s coloring products. Be sure to follow Heather on Twitter and share your tips in the comments.

When I first started looking at crayons for my kid, I was amazed at how many products there are for coloring. With all the options, it is hard to choose, so here I’ve included some of my favorite coloring options with their pros and cons.

Crayola TaDoodles

Pros: Crayola TaDoodles crayons are great first crayons (for 12 months+). The crayon holders are perfect for little hands to grasp and the crayons do not easily break from forceful coloring. I’ve found that my tot likes coloring with these on plain white paper much more than coloring books.

Cons: To refill the holder you have to buy special triangular shaped crayons.

Giddy-up Dora Color Blast Activity Book

Pros: This Dora activity book comes with a marker that works like invisible ink, which means that you don’t have to worry about coloring outside the lines or on the couch. Just draw on the page and the colors magically appear. This brand has several books including SpongeBob, My Little Pony, and the Littlest Pet Shop. It’s fun to watch the page turn to color, and also requires no skill. This is a great item for travel and dining out. Another plus is that you can leave the cap off for days and it still works (I know this from experience).

Cons: While the markers are no mess, it does take a few seconds to see the color appear on the paper after drawing. When my kiddo would first start drawing she was confused to not to see color immediately. Also, like the Color Wonder brand, the markers only work on the paper provided.

Magnetic Sketcher

Pros: With a Magnetic Sketcher, you never run out of paper. My daughter loves to draw and erase over and over again. I always love good travel toys and these types of magnetic sketchers can come in a smaller travel size as well as larger sizes. Guaranteed not to make a mess.

Cons: No color drawings to post on the refrigerator.

Crayon Rolls

Pros: These are bags designed to tote 8 to 10 crayons out of the house. Have you ever tried packing crayons in the crayon box in your purse? I have and the box falls apart immediately. I have also used ziplock bags, which while functional is not very attractive. Crayon rolls are made to be more durable and have more personality. My tot likes pushing and pulling the crayons in and out as much as she likes to color. I have recently started making these myself, and since I don’t sew, I use colorful felt and fabric glue. If you don’t have the energy to make one yourself, buy one from the LilBambinaBoutique on Etsy for $6.99 (pictured here). It makes a great gift.

Cons: None!

What are your favorite crayons and coloring accessories?

In this edition of Happy Hatchling, Heather – mom and CheapTweet blogger – shares some ways she’s found to keep her baby budget low. Be sure to follow Heather on Twitter and share your tips in the comments.

Having kids can be very expensive. Here are some tips on how to save money by cutting back on buying things new.

Make your own maternity clothes.

Although I loved getting maternity clothes, I totally understand that they are overpriced and might not fit like your perfect jeans. If you love your jeans and want to save money, Belly Jeans will convert your jeans to maternity jeans for as little as $17. If you are really thrifty and good with a sewing machine you could even do them yourself. (Disclosure- in the long run this may cost as much buying maternity because you’ll have to get new jeans to replace your “maternity” ones later.)

Join Amazon Mom. 

I am pretty sure that the Amazon Mom program is a mom of multiples’ dream come true. Sign up and get 30% off diapers and wipes and get them delivered to your house.

Get a library card.

I just recently got a library card. Oh man, was I missing out! I was unaware that library borrowing is FREE! This may be unsurprising to everyone but me, but I honestly assumed that they must a charge a membership fee or something. Libraries have more than just books too, including DVDs (including Pixar and Disney that regularly cost $20 a movie), and even CDs. This is perfect if you like to expose your baby/tot to a range of music tastes from classical music to Christmas CDs to kid tunes. Need another reason to go? My tot now has her own library card that she is very proud of.

Shop at kid resale shops.

Not only do stores like Kid to Kid and Once Upon a Child buy and sell gently used kid stuff, but they often do the same with maternity clothes. I’ve never bought clothes from either of these stores, but I have bought some toys. If you have great stuff that your kid outgrew and you want to earn cash back, I recommend this option. Also useful if you’re having poor luck finding nursery furniture on Craigslist.

Use Cheaptweet.

Do I even have to mention this to you? Get coupons and information about sales from CheapTweet! Printing off coupons before you visit the mall can save you money. If I need to go kids clothes shopping, I always check online to see if there are any coupons for Children’s Place or Gap that I can use to save.

What are some other ways you’ve found that you can avoid buying things brand new?

In this edition of Happy Hatchling, Heather – mom and CheapTweet blogger – shares some of her favorite baby-related Etsy shops. Be sure to follow Heather on Twitter!

If you don’t shop at Etsy, you really should. You can get artistic, unique items and support individuals rather than big corporations. Granted, most people can’t afford to buy all their kids’ clothing from Etsy stores, but it is fun to occasionally get a special outfit that you love. However, Etsy is not just about clothing – there are so many creative shops and items for decorating a nursery. It is also just fun to browse for inspiration.

Here’s a list of Etsy shops where I love to browse and shop.

Cottage Mama

Cottage Mama makes adorable one-of-a-kind modern vintage dresses. She loves to do custom orders and has a blog where she gives sewing tutorials. You can also follow @TheCottageMama on Twitter. Price range = $4 to $70

Olive and Ollie

Another adorable clothing shop that also has modern vintage dresses as well as appliquéd everyday wear. And she’s another fun person to follow on Twitter at @oliveandollie. Price range = $11 to $45

Gracious May

These are seriously cute baby shoes. Maryjanes, Eskimo Boots, loafers and more… Even though these shoes are more for the parents’ enjoyment than the baby’s, they would make such adorable first baby shoes. Price range = $30-$60

Shopop88

There are even Etsy stores for making custom dresses and bedding for your dolls. shoppr88 has darling dresses for the American Girl Dolls and you can get a matching dress for your little girl. Price range = $10-$30

NouWall

This shop has great decals for decorating walls that can transform a room from boring to friendly and fun. The wall decals are nice because they are simple to put up and don’t make a mess. And they’re easy to peel off when you kid gets older. Price range = $25 to $200

CarrotFever

There are tons of shops to find adorable mobiles, but one of my favorites is CarrotFever. Their mobiles are whimsical and simple. Price range = $15 to $40

Cute Kid Creations

Cute Kid Creations is another Etsy jewel. This shop makes personalized door signs, nursery wall letters, and bow holders. It’s a great idea for baby showers. Price range = $12 to $40

So, these are some of my favorite baby and kid-focused Etsy shops. Which ones do you like?

In this edition of Happy Hatchling, Heather – mom and CheapTweet blogger – shares some of her favorite kid-centered iPhone applications. Be sure to follow Heather on Twitter!

My family travels a lot, mostly because both sets of grandparents live far away. My parents are three hours by car, while the other set is four hours by plane. We also enjoy attending sporting events and eating out with friends. Co-workers, friends and family wonder how we are still able to do so much with a toddler who is not yet two (but already experiencing the terrible twos). My secret is our iPhone. Four hours forced to sit in my lap on an airplane? iPhone. Three-hour drive? iPhone. Two hours at non-baby-safe friend’s house? iPhone. One-hour dinner at resturant? iPhone. Now don’t get me wrong, my child doesn’t just play with my phone all day long. We use it almost exclusively for times when we’re out of the house and on the go. That makes it fun and exciting for her and keeps her occupied for short spurts of time.

I have spent a great deal of time searching and purchasing kid iPhone apps, and let’s be honest, there are a lot of apps that are duds and a waste of 99 cents. However, there are also some educational apps that I am proud to let my child play. Here are my picks for apps that are both mommy and baby approved. (Note: I am not sponsored for this post and these are my honest-to-goodness favorite apps.)

Baby’s First Apps (6 months and up)

1) Itsy Bitsy Spider

Love, love, love this app. This is a great first app for babies because it’s not complicated and everything on the screen is interactive. When you touch the spider it moves to a different scene, the flowerpot blooms, a window opens and shuts, or a banana slug eats a banana. Very entertaining and if your little one loves this app, they make others such as “Wheels on the Bus”, which is fun but not quite as easy or interactive.

2) Balloonimals

This game is fun to show off because it surprises people with its creative cuteness. Kiddo loves it, but there are not limitless options so she tires of it more quickly than other games. It may also require some parent help to play. My own mother sometimes fights my daughter for playing time on this game.

3) Elmo’s Monster Maker (pictured)

Who doesn’t love Elmo? This is app was made by IDEO, the same company responsible for Balloonimals.  The graphics are amazing… It’s like watching Sesame Street. In this app, you create your own monster muppet.

4) Peekaboo Wild

Another great first app for babies. It is a peekaboo game with wild animals (they also have a barnyard version). Your child taps the screen and the next animal is revealed. The animation and noises are cute and not annoying compared to other animal games.

5) Baby’s Animal Show

This is a basic flash card application with pictures of real animals and animated animals. It’s not very flashy, but my daughter likes to see the animals. This one is good for when your kid is learning animal noises.

Apps for Tots (1 ½ years and up)

1) Monkey Preschool Lunchbox (pictured)

Many different puzzles with many different concepts. Although, your child may not be ready for some of the games, they are designed to be solvable even if answers are chosen at random by your tot. This way your child can learn the concepts over time without getting frustrated.

2 ) Shape Builder

Simple puzzle game where your kid drags the puzzle pieces into the correct shape. Very simple, but there are lots of different puzzles and it helps with your little one’s hand-eye coordination.

3) AniMatch

This is a simple matching game. This game makes the list due to the cute animal noises and animal faces. This app is for an older tot (2 to 3 years old) because there are lots of puzzle pieces to match. There is also a free version of this app available.

4) Monkey Preschool: When I Grow Up

Similar concept as the Elmo game, except here you select an occupation for your monkey. It has unlimited play with many options.

5) Alphabets in the Zoo (pictured)

There are four parts to this app. The play mode is actually a video of the animal alphabet song. The graphics are sometimes blurry, but the creativeness and the song makeup for it. The other nice feature is flash cards of the animals that were in the song. The flash cards have four buttons, which tell your kiddo more about the animals featured in the song. There is also a karaoke option, which is totally pointless because it the same video without sound, and finally there is a poor quality matching game with annoying sounds. All in all, the alphabet video is adorable and the flashcards are informative.

In this edition of the Happy Hatchling, Heather – mom and CheapTweet guest blogger – shares a list of swim essentials. Be sure to follow Heather on Twitter!

Planning on taking a summer vacation? Do you plan on spending time at the pool? Don’t go unprepared!  Here is a list of the essential items you need for going to the pool with your baby. Make sure you purchase these items before you go on vacation, because finding an infant float and swimming diaper can be difficult in a vacation spot or you’ll pay too much money (I know from experience)! Be safe and have fun!!!

1) Huggies Little Swimmers

The best way to stay welcome at the pool with your little one is to provide them with the correct swimwear (i.e., no one wants poop in the pool). These diapers were designed specifically for taking your kid swimming.  If you take your kid swimming in his/her regular Huggies, they will fill to capacity with water.  The Little Swimmers fit under your kid’s swimsuit and are disposable, which is great on vacation where you don’t have easy access to a washing machine. Washable swim diapers are also available and good for the pool close to home. Whether you have disposable or washable diapers, they all absorb some water so change your kid into a fresh diaper when she is done swimming to avoid diaper rash or chafing.

2) Sunscreen

Protect your child’s skin by always applying sunscreen. Look for sunscreen that has a high SPF (>30), and is waterproof and hypoallergenic.

3) An adorable bathing suit or a UV protective suit

Little kid swimsuits can be super cute so I have a hard time purchasing just one.  The UV suits are not as fashionable, but they provide excellent sun protection and they have more coverage for the active infants or toddlers that like to play on the ground.

4) Swimming Pool Float

I’ve tried many swim floats with my daughter and the Swim School Baby and Me Combo Float (pictured) was my favorite because gives you a place to comfortably float alongside your kid. With this feature you can easily venture into the deep end and not struggle to stay next to your baby float.  The only downside is that it does not come with an attached shade like the SwimWays Baby Spring Float with Sun Canopy.

Finally, if you want some reading material on introducing your kid to the water, check out this book: “Learn to Swim: Step-by-Step Water Confidence and Safety Skills for Babies and Young Children”.

What are some of your favorite pool or beach accessories for kids?

The last edition of the Happy Hatchling focused on women’s needs. This week it’s all about the dads. Heather  – mom and our Happy Hatchling guest blogger – shares some of her favorite diaper bags for dads.

Today’s dad is actively involved with raising the kids. When we first had our baby, my husband was always looking for ways to help out. We got a brown diaper backpack, which I initially disliked because I wanted a more feminine bag. However anytime we would go out with the baby, my husband would automatically wear the diaper backpack to lighten my load. (Honestly, it is amazing how much stuff you need and how heavy that bag can get!) Had we gotten the feminine bag I wanted, I’d probably be the one lugging it around instead.

Now there are so many diaper bag choices that you and your husband can both get a diaper bag that you feel comfortable toting around. Women, please don’t embarrass your husband by making him carry your pink Coach diaper bag! Instead, let him pick out his own diaper bag and he will be more than willing to carry all the baby gear.

1) DadGear Messenger Diaper Bag (pictured)

The best thing about this bag is the accessibility of diaper wipes.  When you open the flap and the wipes are right there. This bag is functional and could be mistaken for your regular work pack.

Because I like this bag so much, I was excited to see that they make them with sports logos. Hook ‘em Horns!

2) Baby Sherpa Backpack Diaper Bag (pictured)

This bag is great for keeping your hands free. Shoulder bags have the unfortunate tendency to dangerously slide off, especially when you are bending over constantly to pick up your baby. You’ll never have that problem with the backpack. Plus, it is definitely not going to be confused as a man purse. The Baby Sherpa has room for everything and is modular so that you can find your items quickly.

3) JJ Cole Essentials Sling Style Backpack Diaper Bag

This sling style backpack is designed for minimal toting. It is perfect for the dad who likes to go on quick outings like going to the park or the grocery store. It holds the essentials (diapers, wipes, bottle) and won’t break your back. It is a bag that can be used as your only diaper bag or as an occasional alternate.

4) Vest Style Diaper Bag from DadGear (pictured)

I mostly hate vest-style diaper bags, but I suppose they can be useful for going out to a park or camping, especially if your husband does not like carrying any kind of bag. If you feel incredibly compelled to go with the vest for functionality sake, this one is stylish and youthful.

However, here is an example of a diaper vest that is only okay if you have multiples or you babysit for the Octomom. It is unsightly and may embarrass the people you are with.

What are some of your favorite diaper bags for dads (or for anyone who doesn’t want to tote around the typical diaper bag)?

This week, Heather – mom and our Happy Hatchling guest blogger – shares tips for the soon-to-be breastfeeding mom. Here, she discusses items that will make the first couple of months breastfeeding easier on mom. You can also follow Heather on Twitter.

1) Medela Tender Care HydroGel Nipple Pad
This product is a must for first-time moms. I did not know how sore and painful the first few weeks of breastfeeding could be. A friend of mine gave me a pack of the HydroGel nipple pads to take to the hospital, and I was so happy to have them. Now I give them to all my pregnant friends that plan on breastfeeding. The pads can be worn for 24 hours (I wore them for 48 hours), and when rinsed in cold water they feel so soothing. Lansinoh breast cream is also a common product for sore nipples, but I found that the cream was so hard that spreading the cream was also painful. The HydroGel nipple pad was so easy to stick on and provided instantaneous relief without the mess.

2) Aimee’s Nursing Nightgown – pictured
These nightgowns are unbelievably comfortable and makes nursing at night easy and accessible. I also loved the pajama tops and wore it with my regular pajama bottoms.

3) Mother’s Milk Tea
Every nursing mom goes through moments of concern that she’s not producing enough milk. Although there’s probably nothing to worry about, it is always good to be proactive. Mother’s Milk Tea has ingredients that have been traditionally used to increase milk production, and it tastes yummy.

4) Lilypadz Nursing Pads
Lilypadz are a great alternative to the standard disposable and washable nipple pads that soak up leaking milk. Lilypadz stop leakage by keeping a constant pressure on your breast. They are made from a flexible silicon that conforms to your shape. They are comfortable and unlike other nipple pads you’ll never have the uncomfortable soaked pad feeling.

Do you have any recommendations for a mom who is breastfeeding for the first time? Share them in the comments!

This week, Heather – mom and our Happy Hatchling guest blogger– shares tips on how to make memorable baby shower gifts. You can also follow Heather on Twitter.

1) Start with a theme. Some ideas: nursery, bath time, bedtime, car seat accessories, diaper changing station, etc…

2) Purchase one item from the registry. Be sure to buy at least one item from the registry so that the expectant mother feels good that she is getting the important must-have items.

3) Add one or two items that are not on the registry. These can be inexpensive or not, but go with your theme. Chances are that plenty of people will buy items straight from the registry, so you shouldn’t feel compelled to buy it all. Furthermore, while the registry is for important and necessary items, they often do not include the really fun stuff.

4) Don’t waste your time wrapping. Throw it all in a useful basket and tie on a bow. Then everyone at the baby shower can ogle your gift before the opening begins. My favorite spot to get future gift baskets is Cost Plus World Market – they have a huge variety of inexpensive baskets.

Here are a few examples of great gifts under $40.

A Nursery/Toy Theme: Bugs ~ $35
Wrist Rattles and Socks & Wooden Bug Puzzle & Bug Car Seat Toys

Bed Time Theme ~ $32
Bed time books (Books sets by Sandra Boynton or classics like Goodnight Moon) & swaddling blankets & Baby Einstein Lullaby CD

Bath Time Theme ~ $35
Boon Frog & Johnson’s Baby Wash

In addition to these suggestions, we recently compiled a long list of other good gifts for baby showers and expecting parents. Plus, be sure to check out all the deals on baby items on CheapTweet.com.

What are you some of your favorite baby shower gift ideas?