miami munchkins» Miami Munchkins is kids events, classes & products

Knows Your Name Elmo Phone

admin — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 10:25:05 +0000

Technology & toddlerhood will inevitably intersect. But it’s not all Dora and Baby Einstein. Meet the Knows Your Name Elmo Cell Phone. Think of the sippy-cup sized plastic phone as an iPhone for munchkins. Instead of apps it features five ring tones, sound effects and voicemails from the Sesame Street gang. And the best part? One quick session online and you can program it to say your little one’s name – over and over (and over!) again. Little fingers love the phone, adult ears might need a break every once in a while. $17 at fisher-price.com.

Little People ABC Sing-Along

admin — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 10:31:44 +0000

There are good kids CDs and then there are kids CDs you secretly listen to when your munchkins are nowhere to be found. Meet the latter – Little People’s ABC Sing-Along. The 32-track disc has a song for each letter of the alphabet (A, You’re Adorable, The “C” Game, etc). Each tune is characteristically upbeat, kid-friendly and educational (This is a Fisher Price product after all). The end result is a collection of happy, sweet tunes that engage without irritating – magic! $9.99 at Amazon.com.

Zoku Quick Pop Maker

admin — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 10:00:35 +0000

Could it be any hotter outside? Cool off inside and out with the Zoku Quick Pop Maker. Pop the toaster-sized device into your freezer for 24 hours, insert the plastic sticks, pour in your juice(s) of choice, clean up/play with Tupperware for 10 minutes and lick away. Nearly instant gratification, healthy deliciousness and a solid 20 minutes of distraction – a true munchkin miracle! One caveat – make sure the Zoku has been in the freezer for at least 24 hours to ensure effective freezing (and avoid spontaneous tantrums). $49.95 at zokuhome.com.

Weekly Picks: July 26-30

admin — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 20:14:37 +0000

Happy Monday morning! Who’s ready to hit the ground running?

Go Britto. Think out-of-the-box (and out of-the-book) this Sunday as MM brings its monthly storytime south to Books & Books Coral Gables in celebration of Romero Britto’s first children’s book, My Alphabet Playbook. The iconic artist will be on site to read from his bold, bright board book and lead little fingers through a pop-inspired craft project. Bring the book home and continue the fun with sculpture-ready pop-out letters. 2pm, Books & Books Coral Gables.
Get Academic. Get a crash course (or refresher) in child CPR at Miami Children’s Hospital Wednesday night. The class runs from 6-8pm and is perfect for parents, grandparents, nannies and anyone else who regularly spends time with your munchkin. Alternately, think food Thursday night in the first of a two-part kids nutrition class on Miami Beach. Focus is on kids four and under, which means there’s lots of talk of picky eaters.
Seek Solace. Camp and classes are winding down, which means mommy needs some distractions – stat. MM’s guide to August is coming soon (we promise!). In the meantime, check out our indoor activities and parks & beaches guides. Our calendar is also stocked with regular story times, mommy & me activities and Miami Spa Month fun.
Weekend Plan. We’ve got art on the brain this weekend. Spend Saturday in air conditioned bliss at the Miami Art Museum or the Bass Museum. Then head to Fairchild Sunday morning for free admission and access to the Garden’s growing sculpture scene. Sunday afternoon close out the fun with a trip to the Gables for crafting and story time with pop icon Romero Britto.

Weekend Picks: July 23-25

admin — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 10:15:55 +0000

It’s raining, it’s pouring, no time for snoring…

Friday is all about tropical storm mania. Embrace the media lunacy, make it a pajama morning and weather the storm with TV and snacks (it’s our version of a snow day). Should the rain let up, make a sunset trip to Dadeland for 6pm shopping, dinner and a Kidgits safe summer fair featuring safety demos and meet & greets with the police & fire departments.
Sunny days will be here again Saturday. Start the day with free yoga at Bayfront or Kennedy Park then treat your budding bookworm to story time in the Gables or South Miami.
Saturday night book a sitter and head to the Design District for dinner and the North Miami Avenue festival. Browse the avenue between 38 and 41 streets for cocktails, light bites, sales and live music then feast on casual Italian at Maitardi, barbecue at Q or upscale American at Michael’s.
Sunday is for the dogs – literally. Bring your favorite pooch to the Village at Merrick park form 2-6pm for a “pooch-a-palooza” featuring pet photo sessions, in-store promos and an adoption fair sponsored by the Humane Society of Greater Miami. Alternately, head to the Beach for Bass Museum family day from 2-4pm and enjoy free admission and attractions.

Melissa and Doug Cutting Food Set

admin — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 10:31:57 +0000

Got a budding chef or finicky foodie at home? Please both (and score kitchen points) with Melissa and Doug’s Cutting Food set. The eight-piece wooden set is an educational bonanza. Little munchkins will discover colors, shapes and cause & effect; toddlers will learn fruits & veggies while practicing hand-eye coordination; and older kids will explore basic math concepts (part, whole, fractions). Everyone will get more familiar with produce – which might just help out at dinnertime. $19.99 at melissaanddoug.com.

Leap Frog’s Scribble & Write

admin — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 10:16:05 +0000

School’s out and living is schedule-free. Prep for the fall and fill up some toddler time with Leap Frog’s Scribble & Write. The DVD-sized tablet is a cheat sheet to teaching your munchkin letters and simple designs (straight & curvy lines, etc). Flip it on, push a letter and the drawing pad lights up with shapes for little fingers to trace. Lowercase a, capital G, etc. It’s distraction, education and entertainment in one beautiful battery-operated package. We’re bringing ours with us every time we leave the house. A couple of tips – the Scribble is best for kids who have a working understanding of letters & some coloring experience and parents with a lot of patience (there is no mute button). $21.99 at shopleapfrog.com.

Amber’s Garden

admin — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 10:37:30 +0000

Farm to table takes on new meaning with Amber’s Garden vegetable mats. Roll the biodegradable burlap mats out on a swatch of raked soil (or cut to fit into patio containers) cover with an inch of soil, water daily and watch your garden grow. Sprouts will appear in 3-5 days and full blown veggies a few weeks later – munchkins will be blown away. Choose between Asian, Herb, Salsa, Pumpkin, Salad, Rainbow Crop & Sumer Crop varieties and start meal planning – we’re thinking stir fry. $9.99-$19.99 at target.com.

Weekly Picks: July 19-23

admin — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 10:13:53 +0000

Happy Monday morning! Who’s ready to hit the ground running?

Puppet Play. There’s something eternally amusing about puppets. Mini munchkins love pulling them on & off while older ones can get creative with voices and shows. Extra bonus – imagination & coordination are hard at work throughout. Grab a paper bag, scissors, a glue stick and some markers, stickers, yarn or other goodies and go to town. Set up a table “stage” and let the shows begin. Looking for some inspiration? Head to Hallandale Tuesday at 11am as the Village at Gulfstream Park hosts an hour-long puppet and magic show.
Get Academic. Summer classes are winding down and fall registration is upon us. Looking for music? Dance? Mommy & Me? Karate? Yoga? Click here to check out our mom-reviewed class directory – and email us with any questions or additions. Most classes have begun accepting enrollments for September – happy planning!
Escape. Temps are sky high, vacation is a distant memory and we’re feeling the itch to shake up the routine. Book a sitter, grab a few friends and plan an impromptu stay-cay. Channel your inner Spaniard over sangria & tapas at Sra Martinez, go Greek at Mandolin, feast on sushi and sake at Zuma or gorge on red sauce and Chianti at Randazzo’s. It’s amazing how restorative a few hours away can be – no passport required.

Weekend Plan. This weekend is all about shopping. Make is a Safe Summer at Dadeland, clean up on summer discounts at Eanie Meanie, browse Gifts for the Gulf at Sunset Place and enjoy the Doggie Days of Summer at Merrick Park.

Still looking? Check our calendar, activities & events pages.

Weekend Picks: July 16-18

admin — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 10:21:09 +0000

Who’s ready for Friday???? Bring on the weekend…

Escape the heat Friday afternoon with a visit to Miami Children’s Museum for its monthly Target Arts & Wonder Family Event. From 3-9pm browse the museum’s exhibits (including the new Dino Land), craft, listen to stories and enjoy air-conditioned fun.
Saturday is Family Day in the Design District, which means four hours of outdoor fun. From noon to 4pm, get safe with free carseat installations & inspections, color with Friends with You, bring home an animal balloon, get your munchkin’s face painted and lunch on kid-friendly gourmet eats. Click here for all the details.
Sunday head to Books & Books Bal Harbour for Miami Munchkin’s monthly story time. At 12:30, we’re reading Eeeek, Mouse!, crafting, chatting and having a bang-up time. Think 45 minutes of semi-supervised toddler fun.
Alternately, grab your pooch and head to Merrick Park Sunday between 2-6pm for the Doggy Days of Summer. The mall is partnering with the Humane Society of Greater Miami to host a doggie parade, on-site adoptions, giveaways and more.