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February 24th, 2010

Bedtime Stories From Far, Far Away

New service lets you read books from anywhere in the world

When do you have the best bonding experiences with your kids? For many, it’s the quiet times just before bed or a lazy Sunday afternoon where you and your kids can get lost in a story together.

Now, what if you never got those moments? For parents who travel frequently or relatives who live far away, it can be tough to build that special bond. That problem led one dad to create Readeo, a new site that offers a shared reading experience called BookChat. The service lets friends and family read stories together no matter how far apart they are.

Once you become a Readeo member, you get access to their library of quality books (along with their video chat system) that lets you share storytime anywhere in the world. They’ve launched with about 30 titles in their library, with more being added every day.

But please, be responsible: use Readeo when you truly need to be away; reading bedtime stories from a bar isn’t a good look.

January 27th, 2010

Life In Living Color

Two great websites let anyone become an expert art collector

It used to be that the art world was just for those with private jets and Swiss bank accounts. Luckily, thanks to the magical powers of the internet, it’s easy to get a crash course in art collecting.

But wait, why art? Well, besides being nicer to look at than peeling wallpaper, it produces all sorts of benefits: art boosts kids’ imagination, improves their sense of craftsmanship, and even helps with problem-solving. And one of the easiest ways to inspire an early love of art in your kids is by surrounding them with colorful and vivid imagery.

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December 24th, 2009

Let Someone Else Read to Your Kids

Vintage recordings encourage imagination, while you save your voice

Do you have fond memories of sitting next to your orange Fisher-Price record player, listening to story albums like “The Rescuers” or “The Story of Star Wars” over and over? Now kids can relive the experience, thanks to a few children’s storybook collectors Read more

December 10th, 2009

Why is Santa’s Nose So Red?

Awesomely strange photos show shopping mall Santas of another era

Nowadays, when taking the kids to see Santa, there’s a level of quality you’ve come to expect. The Santas all have real white beards, sport fresh-pressed red velvet outfits, and sit in front of perfectly decorated trees that put Martha Stewart to shame. Sit the kids on the jolly man’s lap? Of course! Santa has surely been Read more

December 3rd, 2009

Meals For Nothing (and Your Chips For Free)

New apps make dining long on conversation, short on price

Does this sound familiar? You’re trying to save money, but suddenly it’s 6pm, the kids are getting hungry, and no one’s even thought about what’s for dinner. So, the options are either braving Day Three of those reheated pasta leftovers, or trying to find a good, quick place to eat where they won’t roll their eyes at your, um, enthusiastic brood. Read more

November 17th, 2009

Food with a Face

One dad makes sandwiches like you’ve never seen

Take a stroll through the “Parenting” section of any bookstore, and you’ll find countless books all promising to cure your little picky eater. Some offer monthly menu planning, while others show you ways to sneak veggies into your kid’s diet. Well, it turns out that Read more

November 13th, 2009

Blast Off with Kid-Friendly Science

Inventive experiments makes science fun for all ages

As an author, teacher, toy designer, and Emmy-winning science TV-show host, Steve Spangler was already well accomplished. Then one day, he dared to mix Mentos with Diet Coke, and created a phenomenon.
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November 6th, 2009

Create Your Own Private Lollapalooza

Treasure chest of live shows features all the bands you’ve been missing

If you’re like most Dads, it’s been a while since you’ve been out to see live music. Sure, in your past kid-free life, you saw a million bands. But these days? Read more

November 6th, 2009

Hack Your Way to Being a Better Dad

Site provides countless tips and tricks from other parents

Are you one of those dads who laughs whenever you see a limited-edition $800 bamboo play fort, because you know an empty box would be a lot more fun? Then head over to  Read more