CreativeChild

How Vitamin D in Early Pregnancy Supports Your Child’s Brain Development

Mon, 13 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0700

Getting enough vitamin D early in pregnancy may play a key role in boosting your child’s brain development, especially their problem-solving and learning abilities. A recent study from the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Cohort found that higher vitamin D levels during pregnancy are linked to better cognitive performance in children aged 7 to 12. This is particularly important for expecting moms, as vitamin D deficiency is common, especially among Black mothers and those with specific risk factors.

Prenatal vitamin D screening and supplementation could be a simple, impactful way to support your baby’s healthy brain growth. Want to know more about how early nutrition shapes your child’s future and what you can do now? Read the full article to discover why vitamin D matters and how to ensure you’re getting enough during pregnancy.

Click here to read the full article from Contemporary OB/GYN

Discover the Best Maternity Clothes of 2025: Style and Comfort for Every Trimester

Tue, 07 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0700

For readers seeking comfort, style, and versatility during pregnancy, the Forbes "Best Maternity Clothes of 2025" article is a must-read. It features a meticulously curated selection of standout maternity brands, such as Storq, Quince, and Ingrid + Isabel, each chosen for excelling in both comfort and fashion throughout every trimester. The article blends first-hand experiences, expert interviews, and thoughtful product testing to guide expectant parents toward pieces that not only adapt beautifully to changing bodies but can also be worn postpartum. Whether looking for chic workwear, ultra-soft leggings, or affordable luxury basics, this Forbes roundup will help create a maternity wardrobe that makes every stage of pregnancy feel stylish and supported.

To read the full story go to Forbes

Fun Family Halloween Traditions to Create Lasting Memories

Sun, 05 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0700

Halloween is one of the most exciting times of the year - filled with costumes, pumpkin carving, trick-or-treating, and spooky fun. It's also a perfect time to start new Halloween traditions with your kids and build memories that will last a lifetime. Here are some creative family-friendly Halloween ideas to make this year extra special.

Get Ready to Decorate and Dress Up

No Halloween is complete without costumes! Encourage your kids to get creative and design their own costumes using materials you already have at home. You can also coordinate matching family costumes for a fun themed look.

Since every trick‑or‑treater needs something to collect candy in, decorate your own Halloween bucket, reusable bag, or pillowcase. Kids can reuse their custom candy bags year after year and remember the fun they had making them.

Don’t forget to decorate your home for Halloween. Get everyone involved by hanging spooky decorations, making a scarecrow, or switching your lightbulbs to orange or purple. Add homemade crafts and festive yard décor to welcome trick‑or‑treaters with a frightfully fun atmosphere.

Pumpkin Patch Adventures and Carving Ideas

Pumpkins are the heart of Halloween, so make a family outing to a local pumpkin patch part of your fall tradition. Many pumpkin patches also offer hayrides, corn mazes, warm apple cider, and fall treats — a great way to enjoy the season together.

When it’s time to carve your pumpkins, pick a different theme each year to keep things exciting. Try carving designs inspired by your favorite sports teams, animals, cartoon characters, or classic spooky faces. You can find free pumpkin carving templates online or create your own unique designs as a family.

Fun Halloween Games and Treats

Add more excitement to your Halloween celebration with themed music, games, and snacks. Play fun activities like bobbing for apples, Halloween bowling using small pumpkins, or turning friends into mummies with rolls of toilet paper.

Create festive treats together, such as mummy hot dogs, witch finger pretzels, pumpkin‑shaped pizzas, or caramel apples. Whether it’s a small family night or a Halloween party with friends, these little details make the holiday extra memorable for kids.

Share a Spooky Story or Movie Night

Set the Halloween mood with spooky stories or family‑friendly movies. Choose age‑appropriate books and read them by candlelight for an eerie touch. You can also plan a Halloween movie sleepover and let your kids invite a few friends for a night of scary fun and laughter.

Give Back with Halloween Kindness

Halloween is also a great time to give back to the community. Participate in a local “trunk‑or‑treat” event, where families decorate their car trunks and hand out candy.

Another meaningful idea is a “trick‑or‑treat for hunger” night. Collect non‑perishable food donations as you go door to door and donate them to a local food pantry. Families can also take part in the Teal Pumpkin Project by offering non‑food treats or allergen‑free snacks so that all kids can safely enjoy Halloween. Visit www.foodallergy.org for more details.

Creating Meaningful Halloween Memories

Family traditions are what make the holiday season truly special. As your children grow, they may forget the little things — but the Halloween traditions you share year after year will stay in their hearts forever. Start small, have fun, and make every Halloween a time your family looks forward to.

Bones Is Back! Your Kids New Halloween Tradition!

Fri, 03 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0700

Bones is Back is a one-of-a-kind Halloween book and toy set that turns October into a month of magic, mischief, and meaningful family moments. The set includes an award-winning children’s storybook, and a glow-in-the-dark, poseable skeleton toy that brings the story to life—literally!

What makes this set truly unique is the toy itself. Bones isn’t just a cute skeleton—he’s designed for hands-on play. With movable joints, snap-fit parts, and a freestanding design, Bones can sit, stand, and more. Kids love that they can touch, play, and interact with him throughout the day—no rules, no limits. Parents love that there’s no pressure to move him nightly. The story encourages creativity and positive behavior, giving families an easy, fun, and engaging way to celebrate Halloween beyond just candy and costumes, it’s all about connections.

The idea was born from a real dad-daughter tradition. When creator Marc Fetscherin’s daughters asked why their skeleton didn’t “move like their beloved Elf,” he started hiding it nightly—and Bones was born. Today, Bones is Back: A Family Tradition for Halloween offers all families a new kind of family tradition—one that’s inclusive, stress-free, and filled with imagination and fun. Whether spooky, silly, or sweet, Bones brings Halloween to life in a way no other toy does.

Web: www.bonesisback.com
E-mail: info@bonesisback.com

Thule Shine City Stroller

Wed, 01 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0700

Embrace city life with Thule Shine – a compact yet spacious city stroller that allows you and your baby to take on the day together. The adjustable leg rest, well-ventilated canopy and padded seat provides comfort for your child, from newborn to toddler. For parents, this lightweight and sturdy stroller is easy to use even in the busiest of places.

The compact city stroller that provides all-around comfort for children and parents

All-Around comfort

Whether you’re exploring the local neighborhood or navigating public transport, your baby will always stroll in comfort. The all-wheel suspension means that even a ride down cobbled city streets is smooth and enjoyable. The fully extendable canopy, near-flat recline and built-in leg rest keeps your baby comfortable and allows for naps even in the middle of the hectic city.

Lightweight and stable

This sturdy stroller is easy to maneuver in crowded spaces because of its effortless one-hand push and lightweight design. Its durable materials ensure stability and security for your newborn or toddler.

Compact and flexible

This stroller has a convenient one-hand fold with an integrated handle making it easy to carry on the go. Its compact fold and self-standing capability makes it convenient to store at home.

Large storage basket

Designed for stress-free strolling in narrow places like the subway or your local store. Also includes a generous storage basket that is easy to access and holds up to 10kg. This means you can load the stroller with picnic gear for a visit to the park downtown, and still have space for some last-minute groceries on the way home

A stroller for newborns and toddlers alike

Perfect to use from day one with multiple options, tailored for every lifestyle. Equip your favorite city stroller with the Thule Shine Bassinet, Thule Newborn Inlay, Thule Newborn Nest or Thule Shine Infant Car Seat Adapter (accessories sold separately, bassinet not available in all markets). All our from birth accessories provide a comfortable ride for your baby.

https://www.thule.com/en-us/strollers

Selecting Safe Products for Your Baby: New & Used

Mon, 29 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0700

By: Baby Safety Alliance (info@babysafetyalliance.org)

Ensuring baby product safety and reliability comes first, whether you buy a brand-new dream stroller or find a great deal on a used one. Beyond checking for obvious issues like strange odors, mold, or damage, here are three things to keep in mind when it comes to baby product safety:

Register all new products with the manufacturer. This is the quickest and easiest way to identify recalls. Fill out your information on the included manufacturer’s mail-in registration card or online to be alerted directly if recalls arise.
Check for recalls and expiration dates on all used or secondhand products. Safety standards change over time, and a quick search on gov/recalls can mitigate serious accidents. Look up the item’s name or model number to check for recalls and safety details. For car seats, don’t forget to check and follow car seat expiration dates — materials can degrade over time, especially in extreme temperatures.
Choose tested and trusted products by looking for the Baby Safety Alliance Verified Seal. When you see this seal on products such as cribs, high chairs, crib mattresses, play yards, swings, and car seats, you can rest assured the product has been tested to meet the highest federal, state, and voluntary safety standards for its category.

“New parents may often overlook registration and recall searches,” says Baby Safety Alliance’s Lisa Trofe. “These are crucial first steps to protecting your baby during play, travel, and sleep.”

Learn more at BabySafetyUniversity.org.

Simply Chickie: Where Eco-Luxury Meets Laughter

Mon, 01 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0700

Born from a life-changing diagnosis and a desire to create a better world for the next generation, Simply Chickie offers a refreshingly honest and delightfully playful take on organic babywear. Made with 100% GOTS-certified organic cotton and crafted in the USA, every piece blends clean, sustainable softness with a cheeky sense of humor that parents love—and babies look adorable in.

Founder Gwendolyn Gardner started the company after learning she was pregnant and being diagnosed with breast cancer on the same day. That moment sparked her mission: to create clothing that’s as pure and safe as it is joyful and smart. Today, Simply Chickie is known for its witty printed onesies, buttery-soft blankets, and unique gift sets that deliver both heart and hilarity. Think: “Inside Me I’ve Got: World Peace, 2 Rainbows… and a Raisin.”

Simply Chickie is for the mom who recycles, the dad who laughs at diaper disasters, and the grandparent who wants to give something memorable and meaningful. It’s eco-luxury without the pretense—just honest, high-quality babywear that’s gentle on your little one’s skin and kind to the planet

To learn more or shop the collection, visit www.simplychickieclothing.com.

Email - simplychickie@gmail.com

Playful Ways to Help Kids Calm Down

Mon, 11 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0700

Our children’s brains are under construction! The prefrontal cortex, that area which houses executive functions and is responsible for emotional and behavior regulation, impulse control, logic, critical thinking, focus, and flexibility won’t be fully developed until the mid-twenties. This is why children are impulsive, have tantrums, and sometimes make poor decisions. It isn’t naughtiness; it’s development!

We cannot force growth and maturation, but there are a few things we can do to facilitate growth, and one of the biggest ways we can support healthy brain development is to teach our children emotions regulation skills. With practice and repetition, they can improve their executive functions and build strong circuitry that leads to emotional health and well-being.

Talking to our kids about how to recognize, name, tame, and process their feelings is paramount to raising an emotionally intelligent person. Nurturing emotional intelligence sets our children up for success. Studies show that children with high EQs have better relationships, stay in school longer, get better grades, are less likely to smoke, and also make better leaders. So, as you can see, how we handle our feelings is a big deal!

Teaching kids how to calm down when they have BIG emotions is a core component of emotional intelligence. If we teach them science-based strategies that are simple and fun, the strategies are more likely to stick. Be sure to practice these techniques when your child is calm and relaxed, not just in times of stress. Here are 10 playful ways to help kids calm down.

Yoga games. Science shows that physical activity is good for growing executive function skills. Yoga is great to introduce your child to because it combines physical activity with mindfulness, and using yoga games adds in that playful element that makes kids want to participate. It can be as simple as Follow the Leader or Simon Says. Check out this list of 8 engaging yoga games!
Deep breathing is a great way to calm down quickly, but it can sound quite boring to energetic kids. Some playful ways to make breathing exercises fun are taking big dragon breaths and blowing fire, or blowing out the candles on each of your 10 fingertips.
Squeeze something like a stress ball (a balloon filled with playdough works great). As the nerves and muscle contract in your hand, the nervous system reduces certain hormones that control stress.
Do animal walks such as frog jumps, crab walks, etc. Pretend to be a giant elephant stomping across the plains or a stealthy panther about to pounce!
Hang upside down or do a handstand. Inversion directly triggers certain relaxation responses in our bodies and turns off the fight or flight stress response.
Blowing bubbles is a fun calming strategy because it naturally slows the breathing pattern. Add some aromatherapy with this lavender bubble recipe.
Listening to music can have a very calming effect on the body and mind. Turn it up and dance a little!
Better yet, SHAKE! Throw those hands up in the air and shake, shake, shake all the frustration out of your body.
Make up a silly rhyme, then say it backwards! Focusing the mind of a cognitive task engages the “thinking brain” which means your brain has to disengage from the emotions center.
Create with your hands. Whether through finger painting, building LEGOS, kneading playdough, or squishing sand, getting busy with your hands reduces anxiety, and creative acts have been compared to meditation because they release dopamine, a natural antidepressant.

Baby wellness is at the forefront of everything Inglesina does.

Fri, 01 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0700

Baby wellness is at the forefront of everything we do. We strive to make parents’ lives easier by making practical & elegant baby gear, following the values of Inglesina’s founder Liviano Tomasi and his wife Bruna. Everything is centered towards creating the most comfortable, secure, and safe environment for your baby — and peace of mind for parents. All Inglesina products are free of harmful chemicals, such as regulated BPA, PFAs, lead, flame retardants, phthalates and others. To this day, Inglesina is still a family-owned company.

Holly Lieba releases new single - Close We Are

Mon, 21 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0700

Listen to Holly Lieba's new song on Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/track/4cXLWanvhNWbTWAQa5rij7

As Creative Child approaches its 30th year, we're taking a look back at some of the children who have graced our covers over the years and check in on what they're doing today.

Let's take a look at Holly Lieba, who was once featured on the cover of Creative Child magazine's Winter 2011 issue. As a young girl in a bright red coat with a matching bow, Holly was the face of holiday fun and creativity for families nationwide . Over the years, she has evolved from her childhood magazine days into a dedicated singer-songwriter and producer.

Her debut single, "Close We Are," is out now on all streaming platforms, where she shares a heartfelt, genuine approach to storytelling through music.

If you enjoy what you hear you can stay updated on her latest songs coming out in the next few weeks by giving her a “follow” on Spotify. Every listen and follow helps support her journey as an independent artist.

You can also stay updated by following her on social media. We’ve added those links below.

Stay tuned to more updates on kids that have been featured in Creative Child and what they’re doing today.

Stream "Close We Are" on these streaming services:

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/track/4cXLWanvhNWbTWAQa5rij7

Apple Music - https://music.apple.com/us/album/close-we-are-single/1821895739

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYx3nlEI7YqAeiWdLNixMKg