November 2014 by Minnesota Parent

November 2014

THE BEST NEW TOYS! The favorites from our annual toy test

Page 30

Blocks, boxes and a little imagination

Special holiday events calendar Page 54

Page 40

Elijah, 2, Minneapolis PHOTO BY TRACY ANN WALSH

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CONTENTS

Minnesota Parent November 2014

Features

30 TOY TEST What’s hot in the world of toys for the holidays and beyond? We asked 15 kids to test the latest and greatest (and a few reinvented classics, too). We loved them all (well, almost), but here are our top picks! By Sarah Dorison

40 ENCOURAGING CREATIVE PLAY Tired of toys that blink and beep? Mix it up with toys designed to encourage creative — not plugged-in — playtime! By Chris Dall

48 SCHOOL-LUNCH MAKEOVER If you’re in a lunch-making rut, give yourself a boost of inspiration with some fresh ideas from a local chef-mom who feels your pain. By Molly Herrmann

6 November 2014 • mnparent.com Lutsen Mountains MNP 1114 V3.indd 1

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CONTENTS

Minnesota Parent November 2014

Departments

mnparent.com

11 CHATTER

22 TEENS & TWEENS

14 BABY ON BOARD

‘Boy brain’ isn’t easy for moms or teens. But it doesn’t (usually) last forever. 24 HOT STUFF Got a baby or a toddler? This is gear you actually need to try (really).

Should you put your baby in a helmet to resolve flat-head issues? It’s up to you.

Chasing two or three toddlers around? Here’s why you’re a parenting hero!

What can you do to help soothe your teething child (besides medication)?

Don’t let ad campaigns sway your kids: Teach them how to be savvy consumers.

Our readers share their favorite children’s books. What’s yours?

Delicious, gorgeous: This tasty chicken dish with squash is our new favorite.

NEW CALENDAR

Browse or search: No place in the Twin Cities has more parenting resources online! Check out baby, maternity, education and camp resources all year long. WISDOM AND ADVICE Discover a wealth of exclusive stories and strategies, including coping skills!

58 FROM OUR READERS

20 IN THE KITCHEN

Bloomington mom Valerie Moe gives you the scoop on gear, apps and more!

DIRECTORIES

28 BOOK SHELF

18 ASK THE PEDIATRICIAN

MOE-MAMA’S MUST-HAVES

Use our new easy-peasy Out&About calendar navigation to find events and outings every day of the week.

26 GROWS ON TREES

16 TODDLER TIME

Check out our recently redesigned website for a host of new features:

Check out the portraits from Venture’s photo booth at our annual Education Fair.

Out&About PAGE 50

Holiday Out&About PAGE 54

ABOUT OUR COVER KID Name: Elijah Age: 2 City: Minneapolis Parents: Tina and George Eapen Jr. Favorite movie or book: Peek-a-Boo Forest, Trucks and One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish Favorite activities: Running around the park, reading and playing with trains and cars Favorite foods: Chicken nuggets, spinach and cheese omelets and anything chocolate PHOTOS BY TRACY ANN WALSH, POSER DESIGN PHOTOGRAPHY, POSERDESIGN.COM

8 November 2014 • mnparent.com

When your family is complete, consider Essure® permanent birth control. Essure is the only permanent birth control that’s: • Non-surgical • Over 99% effective* • Non-hormonal • FDA-approved and available in the US for over 10 years Essure can help you stop worrying about an unplanned pregnancy. It is a short, 10-minute procedure that can be performed right in your doctor’s office. There’s no downtime to recover—most women go home about 45 minutes after the procedure and return to their normal activities within 1 to 2 days. The Essure Confirmation Test is given 3 months after the procedure to verify the inserts are placed correctly and your fallopian tubes are completely blocked, providing permanent birth control. Essure may be covered by your health insurance plan at no cost† To learn more about Essure and find a doctor, visit essure.com or call 1.877.ESSURE4 (1.877.377.8734)

Indication Essure is a permanent birth control procedure that works with your body to create a natural barrier against pregnancy.

Important Safety Information WARNING: You must continue to use another form of birth control until you have your Essure Confirmation Test and your doctor tells you that you can rely on Essure for birth control. • You can rely on Essure for birth control only after your doctor has reviewed your Essure Confirmation Test results. Your doctor will confirm that the inserts are properly placed and both of your fallopian tubes are blocked. If you rely on Essure for birth control before having your Essure Confirmation Test, you are at risk of getting pregnant. • Talk to your doctor about which method of birth control you should use for the 3 months after the procedure. Some women can remain on their current birth control. Other women, such as those using an intrauterine device or contraceptive (IUD or IUC), will need to switch to another method. • It can take longer than three months for the Essure procedure to be effective. In rare cases, it has taken up to 6 months. Make sure to continue using an alternate form of birth control up until your doctor has reviewed your Essure Confirmation Test results and confirmed that you can rely on Essure for birth control. Please see additional Important Safety Information about Essure on next page.

*Based on 5-year clinical study data. †Some restrictions may apply. Visit essure.com/aca to learn more or contact your health insurance provider.

Important Safety Information (continued) WARNING: Be sure you are done having children before you undergo the Essure procedure. Essure is a permanent method of birth control. The younger a woman is when she chooses to end her fertility, the more likely she is to regret her choice later. During the procedure: You may experience mild to moderate pain, your doctor may be unable to place one or both Essure inserts correctly, part of an Essure insert may break off or puncture the fallopian tube requiring surgery to repair the puncture, or your body may absorb a large amount of the salt water solution. Your doctor may recommend a local anesthesia which numbs the cervix. Ask your doctor about the risks associated with this type of anesthesia. Immediately following the procedure: You may experience mild to moderate pain and/or cramping, vaginal bleeding, and pelvic or back discomfort for a few days. Some women experience nausea and/or vomiting or fainting. In rare instances, an Essure insert may be expelled from the body. During the Essure Confirmation Test: You will be exposed to very low levels of radiation, as with most x-rays. In rare instances, women may experience spotting and/or infection. Long-term Risks: There are rare reports of chronic pelvic pain in women who have had Essure. In rare instances, an Essure insert may migrate through the fallopian tubes into the lower abdomen and pelvis. It may be necessary to surgically remove the migrated device if the patient is experiencing an adverse event. No birth control method is 100% effective. If you do become pregnant after Essure, the risks to you, the fetus, the pregnancy and childbirth are unknown. Women who have the Essure procedure are more likely to have an ectopic pregnancy if they get pregnant. Ectopic pregnancy is when the pregnancy occurs outside of the uterus. Ectopic pregnancies can be very serious or life-threatening. If you have the NovaSureÂŽ procedure, a procedure that removes the lining of the uterus to lighten or stop menstrual bleeding, after the Essure procedure, your risk of pregnancy may increase. The Essure insert is made of materials that include a nickel-titanium alloy. Patients who are allergic to nickel may have an allergic reaction to the inserts. Symptoms include rash, itching and hives. Unknown Risks: The safety and effectiveness of Essure has not been established in women under 21 or over 45 years old. The safety and effectiveness of reversing the Essure procedure, of in vitro fertilization (IVF) after the procedure, or to you and your fetus if you get pregnant after the procedure are not known. Adverse Events: During the procedure, the most common problem reported was mild to moderate pain (9.3%). Some of the women in the study reported moderate pain (12.9%) and/or cramping (29.6%) on the day of the procedure. A smaller percentage of women reported nausea/vomiting (10.8%) and vaginal bleeding (6.8%). Essure inserts do not protect against HIV or other sexually transmitted diseases. Talk to your doctor about the Essure procedure and whether it is right for you.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects or quality complaints of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

PP-250-US-0357

Printed in USA

September 2014

Peek

TWO NEW BOUTIQUES

A MEAL AND COOKING LESSON IN ONE Imagine this: Family dinner is planned, the groceries are bought and all of the seasonings are measured and at your fingertips. But you didn’t have to do the leg work: All you have to do is turn up the heat in your kitchen. If you like to cook, but you dread answering the question: “What’s for dinner?”, check out Minneapolis-based Homegrown Foods, a new meal-planning, prep and delivery service, serving the Twin Cities. Part CSA, part personal-chef service and part cooking class, it’s just the thing for busy foodie families. Founder-owner and mother-of-three Aleksandra Till does prep work in a local commercial kitchen (using local and organic ingredients as often as possible). Then she makes deliveries every other Wednesday. We tried a sample delivery from the service and were amazed at the flavor of Fish Steaks in Chraimeh Sauce with Spicy Carrot Salad (pictured above), a salmon dish with a tasty side of caramelized onions and carrots. You learn by following the recipes and doing most of your own chopping, searing and simmering (skipping the prep parts that Till’s done for you, of course). Want to make something again? Till gives you the full recipe, so you can recreate the meal on your own, without a delivery. What a great way to learn! Four gourmet meals, delivered every two weeks, cost $128 per delivery. Certain recipes are especially kid approved, but Till also includes easy tips for cutting back the heat. Gluten-free menus are also available. See meal photos and learn more at eatgoodathome.com.

OK, fashion-minded moms, we’ve got news for you: Two new clothing shops are now open in the Twin Cities! You’ll find NTY Kids just west of the Ridgedale shopping center in Minnetonka. Bright and cheerful, the shop is a pilot location for a new national chain of children’s resale stores. Among the store’s 50 featured brands you’ll find Abercrombie Kids, Carters, Children’s Place, Crewcuts, Fisher-Price, GAP, Graco, Little Tykes and Nordstrom Baby. (Yes, the store is buying clothes for consignment now and no appointments are required.) Toys and a colorful play center are provided to keep the kids busy while you browse. Learn more at ntykids.com. Peek, meanwhile, has set up shop in Nordstrom Court at the Mall of America — the San Francisco-based company’s first foray into Minnesota. Peek is known for its high-quality “playfully sophisticated” apparel. (We love the “MN Nice” graphic tee!) Oversized glass jars filled with complimentary toys and treats entice kids to stay and play. Learn more at peekkids.com.

mnparent.com • November 2014 11

From the editor

Play on, kids!

oys! What would we parents do without them? Sometimes I think we had our son just so we could play LEGOs, Connect Four and marble track on a daily basis. I’m kidding, of course, but getting to play — and feel like a kid again with my kid — is one of the things I love about parenting life. Of course, toys can easily get out of hand to the point of overwhelming your entire house if you aren’t super-vigilant about initiating pick-up time and reining in family consumerism. So which toys should you choose? That’s up to you. But in this issue, we’re offering a few suggestions — OK, more like 25 — all inspired by the reactions we saw during our annual Toy Test! Yep: We loaded a room with 15 kids (ages 6 months to 9 years ) and more than 50 toys (both educational and just plain fun) and watched the magic unfold. Then we picked the best of the best. What surprised me most was how many toys I’d never even heard of! Our local Twin Cities toy stores (which contributed/loaned us many of the test toys) have some truly amazing gift ideas, much more than I knew, including many ridiculously fun yet educational toys. Speaking of educational amusements, this issue also includes a fascinating, must-read story about the importance of creative play. In the era of the app, it can often feel like imagination-driven play has fallen by the wayside for our kids. Fear not: Toymakers — locally and beyond — are producing toys that take kids back to basics, including simple cardboard construction sets by Play from Scratch of St. Paul and basic wooden blocks, made magical by magnets, from a Colorado-based company, Tegu. Why is this so important? Creative play — unassisted by software or batteries — is the foundation of learning, creativity and constructive problem solving, said Susan Linn, a psychiatrist and director of the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood. “It helps them learn empathy. It helps them manage their feelings. It’s the foundation of everything that is worthwhile about being a human,” she said. “The best toys just lie there until a child picks them up and transforms them into something, or uses them in a new way.” Well, that sounds true — and pretty amazing — to me.

Sarah Dorison, Editor

12 November 2014 • mnparent.com

Vol. 29 • Issue 11

Co-Publishers Janis Hall jhall@mnparent.com Terry Gahan tgahan@mnparent.com General Manager Chris Damlo 612-436-4376 cdamlo@mnparent.com Editor Sarah Dorison 612-436-4385 sdorison@mnparent.com Contributing Writers/Photographers Eric Braun Chris Dall Zoe Gahan Kimara Gustafson Tricia Heagle Molly Herrmann Shannon Keough Tracy Ann Walsh Jen Wittes Jennifer Wizbowski Creative Director Dana Croatt dcroatt@mnparent.com Senior Graphic Designer Valerie Moe Graphic Designer Amanda Wadeson

Are you currently pregnant or had a baby during the previous month and interested in participating in a telephone-based health and wellness program? The University of Minnesota is seeking women who are currently pregnant or less than 6 weeks postpartum to participate in a research study examining the effect of exercise and wellness on mood following childbirth • Participants receive a motivational exercise program or a health and wellness program, which begins after the birth of your baby (participants can sign up for the program during pregnancy) • Program delivered to you via the mail and phone • Must be 18 years of age or older; must not currently exercise regularly • Must not take antidepressants • Must have a history of depression • You will receive $100 for your time

Call 612-625-9753 or email mompro@umn.edu to see if you qualify for this research study U of M - Kinesiology Dept MNP 1212 S3.indd 1

11/15/12 2:37 PM

Sales Administrator Kate Manson 612-436-5085 kmanson@mnparent.com Circulation Marlo Johnson 612-436-4388 distribution@mnparent.com Advertising 612-825-9205 sales@mnparent.com 60,000 copies of Minnesota Parent are printed monthly, available at news stands statewide. Get Minnesota Parent mailed to your home for just $12 a year. Call 612-825-9205 for more information. Minnesota Parent (ISSN 0740 3437) is published monthly by Minnesota Premier Publications. POSTMASTER send address changes to: MINNESOTA PARENT, 1115 Hennepin Ave. Minneapolis, MN 55403. Minnesota Parent is copyright 2014 by Minnesota Premier Publications. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is prohibited. Address all material to address above.

mnparent.com • November 2014 13

Shannon

Keough

Why we went for a helmet

t’s a common scenario for a new mom out in public — a grandmotherly woman approaches you to ooh and ahh over your baby, usually commenting, “It goes so fast!” On the day in question for me, I was out with my 6-month-old son at the grocery store, fielding the usual comments from a friendly older woman. “What a sweetheart!” she said as Felix gave her a goofy smile. Then she gazed at me with a serious look: “Does he have seizures?” These are the moments I dread. No, my son doesn’t have seizures — he has a massive flat spot on the back of his head and the helmet is designed to correct it. No, there’s nothing “wrong” with him; my husband and I simply decided to encase our baby’s head in a helmet for 23 out of 24 hours a day in an effort to make his skull more aesthetically pleasing. In other words, it’s just cosmetic. We’re doing our best to make sure our child conforms to cultural norms about head shape and therefore, uphold mainstream standards of beauty. As you might have gathered, I have mixed feelings about the helmet.

What’s plagiocephaly? For readers who might not be familiar, the helmets I’m talking about are orthotic devices designed to help reshape an infant’s head by directing cranial growth. They’re used to treat plagiocephaly (a.k.a. “flat-head syndrome”), a condition

characterized by the flattening of one side of the skull and brachycephaly (a wide head shape with a flattening across the entire back of the head). I started noticing the flattening on Felix’s head when he was about 2 months old. It wasn’t severe, but it was definitely noticeable. Our pediatrician noticed it, too, and suggested we work on getting him to turn his head to the right more (the flattening was on the left side, at that point). Our older daughter, Lydia, had had a similar flattening early on, but it all evened itself out after some basic reposi-

tioning (switching the direction we placed her in the crib every time we laid her down, for example). We did the same with Felix, and were even more interventionist — slightly elevating the left side of his mattress, for example. I was also diligent about “tummy time” and frequently carried him around in an Ergo carrier. But when I took him to the pediatrician a couple months later, the flat spot was still there. She referred me to the plagiocephaly

Is tummy time feeling like a pain? Learn how to make it fun — and log more minutes — at mnparent.com/feature/tummy-time-made-easy

14 November 2014 • mnparent.com

MORE INFO Read a primer on plagiocephaly from Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota at tinyurl.com/ flatheadsyndrome.

clinic at Children’s Hospital. I was wracked with guilt, and felt like such a failure. Isn’t flat-head syndrome just a fancy way of saying I didn’t pick up my baby enough? Of course, I consulted Dr. Google before making an appointment. I read countless testimonials from parents who’d done the helmet and had NO REGRETS and would recommend it to anyone. I read about a recent Dutch study that suggests helmets don’t do anything, and that “time heals all wounds” (or flat heads, at least) and that I’d be an idiot to put my baby in a helmet.

Making our choice My husband and I ended up meeting with two clinics in town that deal with cranial reshaping helmets. Both of them recommended the helmet, but emphasized that the decision was up to us. Ultimately, we decided to go for it. Insurance covered a fair amount of the (significant) cost, so we figured it couldn’t hurt. Felix’s head is already starting to look more “normal,” but we’ve definitely met with some challenges along the way — like recurrent skin problems on his scalp, forehead and cheeks (a reaction to the helmet) that have resulted in frequent visits to a pediatric dermatologist. Despite the unsightly rashes, Felix doesn’t seem to be bothered by the helmet at all. And although we’ll never know if getting the helmet was the “right” thing to do, part of our job as parents is to make decisions on behalf of our children. And if I can do my part to reduce the number of times my son is called a “blockhead” in school, I’ll take the rashes and the judgmental looks at the park. Shannon Keough lives in Minneapolis. Send questions or comments to skeough@mnparent.com.

Jen

Wittes

Toddler Times Two? I Salute You

oddler parents: There are some among you who deserve a special shout-out. You’re warriors of a different distinction. I’m talking about those of you who have not one but two or — have mercy — three toddlers. Perhaps your “perfect” pink-hued, albeit overromanticized, pre-pregnancy vision included two angelic little girls — one year apart. You dreamt of tea parties, matching quilts and two sets of pigtails cheering one another on at the soccer field. I don’t need to remind anyone what fantasy looks like when it’s hit with big, bad reality. You, Toddler Parent, now have a 1-year-old boy (vision be damned) who somehow started walking — fast — at 8 months. And you have a 2-year-old girl who spends every hour of every day trying to find a way to send him back. Add you have all the other treats we’ve talked about here at Toddler Time — the potty, the picky eating, the par-for-the course tantrums and you find yourself picking out patterns not for those matching quilts of your daydreams, but for your own padded cell. Can it double as a wine cellar, please?

Next-level challenges There’s another level still. In my work as a postpartum doula, I’ve known several parents who were gloriously competent but also, possibly, clinically insane by the end of the day, because they were in the midst of a special kind of chaos: I’m talking about moms and dads of multiples. These are parenting heroes. I know because I’ve looked briefly into their worlds: Once, a family with triplets that I’d worked with as infants called me back for a four-hour shift a year later so that Mom could attend her doctor’s appointment in peace.

16 November 2014 • mnparent.com

It was quite a scene: Sweet potatoes everywhere, more water on me than anyone else at bath time and discovering that one of them had put himself down for his afternoon nap in the middle of the hallway while I was dealing with the shenanigans of the other two. It was madness, it was overwhelming and it was also delightfully fun. But then, it was easy to enjoy the circus knowing I could leave in a few short hours. The parents of multiples and close-in-age toddlers I see out and about don’t have that luxury. They’re sort of like normal parents, only superhuman and better organized. They have a game plan, a tricked-out dual stroller, a super-cool diaper bag — and it’s loaded with everything — Veggie Booty, an Allen wrench, plus four tickets to tomorrow night’s Twins game, bestowed upon them at random by a passerby at the mall because these parents are magical and

The most challenging part about having two toddlers is having two little independent beings take off in opposite directions — both literally and figuratively. — Carrie Jarvis, St. Paul

Read about the art and science of parenting multiples at mnparent.com/ feature/double-wow

enchanting and deserve more attention, admiration and random acts of kindness. And Twins tickets. Obviously. Toddler-Times-Two Parent, I’m in awe of you. You’re the walking, talking definition of “in the trenches.” You have one with a nut allergy and one who wants nothing but PB&J. You have a breakdancer and a cuddle bug and you have a righteous fear of potty training. Said Carrie Jarvis, a St. Paul mother of twin boys, “The most challenging part about having two toddlers is having two little independent beings take off in opposite directions — both literally and figuratively. I have taken them to the playground by myself only once in two years, and it was last week, because I can’t keep up with both of them and keep an eye on both of them at the same time.”

Seeking, accepting help Did I mention, Toddler-Times-Two Parents, that you’re rock stars? I have very little advice for you, because you’re self-made pros. If anything, I would tell you to seek and accept any and all help — as often as you can. Take those Twins tickets, cut in line at the stadium restroom, too! And after each long, laborious, lovely day, let the “good parts” wash over you like the rose-colored sham of a matching quilt daydream. The good parts — as you know them — include literal armloads of hugs and kisses as well as a built-in playmate who can’t be rivaled, no matter how intense the sibling rivalry. Said Jarvis, “They are the very best of friends. The other night there was a thunderstorm. I heard one of them cry and then I heard the other one say, ‘It’s okay. Just thunder. Hold my hand. Now kiss.’” Jen Wittes lives in St. Paul and is a mother of two. She’s helped many Twin Cities families in her work as a postpartum doula.

Parents often ask me about topical teething gels. I usually recommend against them for two reasons: I find them to not be very helpful. A teething infant typically drools so much that the medication washes off very quickly, so the pain relief is very short-lived. Second, it’s possible to apply too much gel. The medication it contains to provide pain relief, at high doses, can cause serious side effects for young infants. If the pain is clearly unbearable for your child, however, and the non-medication pain relief options aren’t sufficient, I recommend using low-dose Tylenol or Ibuprofen (for infants older than 6 months) for better pain relief.

Kimara

Gustafson

My son hates washing his hands, so we’ve resorted to using hand sanitizer almost exclusively, which he seems to do well with, even on his own. Is there a downside to this method?

What can I do to help my child get through teething? Teething usually first occurs starting at about 4 to 7 months old. Usually the front top or bottom two teeth emerge first. (If your infant is older than 7 months and still doesn’t have any teeth showing, don’t worry. Teething times can vary dramatically.) Teething can cause mild irritability, crying, drooling, low-grade fevers (but not higher than 101 degrees) and an increased desire to chew on everything. Gums around the teeth that are erupting can swell, appear redder and become tender. It’s thought that teething pain is mostly associated with when the teeth first erupt through the gums. After that time, pain typically decreases or resolves, even if the teeth continue to

emerge from the gum. Giving your son something firm to chew on can make teething feel less painful. Options including teething toys, such as a firm rubber teething ring, a damp washcloth that’s been frozen, frozen bananas or other fruit, a frozen or cold bagel or teething biscuits. If you’ve already introduced a sippy cup (usually OK for infants older than 6 months), you could try offering a slowflow sippy cup filled with chilled water. Both the cool water and the cool drinking spout can help decrease teething pain. I don’t recommend teething toys that have liquid inside them because it’s possible these could break open and cause a child to accidentally swallow the liquid.

Read more Ask the Pediatrician tips at mnparent.com/asktheped

18 November 2014 • mnparent.com

There are two potential downsides. First is that, though hand sanitizer is useful when there’s no sink/water and soap available, it’s not as effective in removing dirt as a proper sink hand washing. Hand sanitizers are designed to kill bacteria, not to remove dust and dirt. Imagine the difference of only using hand sanitizer in place of bathing as your way of getting clean. It might work in a pinch (if you’re camping or in a place without running water and bathing facilities), but you definitely won’t feel (or be) as clean as you’d be if you took a regular bath or shower. Also, studies have shown there’s no benefit to using antibacterial soap or other products in place of regular (non-antibacterial) products for removing dirt and bacteria. Some infectious disease experts worry that antibacterial products may be killing off good bacteria that help protect our immune systems. There’s also the concern that these anti-bacterial products may increase our risk of creating “super bugs” or bacteria that require stronger medica-

tions when they cause infection. The second downside is that most antibacterial hand sanitizers use some form of alcohol base (ethanol). If an average 30-pound 2-year-old were to accidentally ingest 4 to 5 teaspoons of hand sanitizer, there’s a high likelihood it could produce toxic effects requiring medical attention. Also, many hand sanitizers contain triclosan, a controversial chemical the state of Minnesota banned earlier this year (though the ban doesn’t take effect until 2017). See ewg.org/skindeep for a list of triclosan-free sanitizers. Keep all hand sanitizers out of reach of young children.

At what age is it safe to let a child sleep with a pillow? It’s recommended to not use pillows for children younger than 2 years old. Young children can easily suffocate with large pillows, fluffy comforter blankets, large stuffed animals and other accessories. A safe crib has a firm mattress without extra padding, blankets, pillows or stuffed animals. If it’s cold and you want to use a blanket, it’s best to use wearable sleep sacks, which can’t accidentally cover the face. If it would be helpful for your child to have a comfort item, use a small sleep “lovie” or animal, usually about the size of a napkin/handkerchief. If you’re interested in offering a pillow to your child, it’s best to wait until he or she moves from a crib to a bed. If you think your child would benefit from a pillow while still in a crib, use a firm one that’s small — about the size of an airline pillow. Older children may not need pillows either, even if they’re in big-kid beds. You may find when you offer one, your child’s head ends up at the other end of the bed or the pillow routinely gets pushed out of bed and onto the floor. Dr. Kimara Gustafson is a Minneapolis mother who works as a pediatrician at HealthEast Care System in Maplewood. Send questions or comments to kgustafson@mnparent.com.

Roasted chicken thighs with Delicata squash ½ lemon, ends trimmed, halved lengthwise, sliced into wedges, seeds removed 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 1 ½ pounds) 1 tablespoon, plus 1 teaspoon, extra-virgin olive oil 1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage 1 ½ teaspoon coriander seed 1 teaspoon black pepper 1 ½ teaspoon kosher salt 1 Delicata squash (about 1 ¼ pounds) ¼ cup maple syrup 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into cubes Large pinch chili powder ¼ cup thinly sliced scallions Serves 4 Heat oven to 425 degrees. Bring a small pot of salted water to a boil; drop in the lemon slices and cook for two minutes. Drain well. Toss chicken with lemon slices in a large bowl along with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, sage, coriander, pepper and 1 teaspoon of salt. Let stand 30 minutes. Slice squash into quarter-inch-thick rings and remove the seeds and pulp from each ring while the chicken marinates. Place the rings in a large bowl and set aside. Combine the syrup, butter, remaining half teaspoon of salt and chili powder in a small saucepan over medium heat. Simmer for 3 minutes. Pour the sauce over the squash and toss thoroughly to coat the rings. Lay the squash rings in a 9-by-13-inch pan or on a large rimmed baking sheet. Nestle chicken and lemon wedges on top of the squash. Roast for 15 minutes. Toss the scallions and remaining 1 teaspoon of oil in small bowl. Scatter the mixture over the chicken and squash and keep roasting until the chicken is no longer pink, about 20 minutes more. — Adapted from nytimes.com by Krysta Tanico

20 xxxx 2014 • mnparent.com

PHOTOS BY SARAH DORISON

She’s my biggest investment.

That’s why I depend on NARI. Visit narimn.org or call 612-332-6274 to find a NARI-certified professional for your next remodeling project or to become a NARI member. The NARI logo is a registered trademark of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry. ©2007 NARI of Minnesota.

NARI MNP 2011 NR5 H6.indd 1

12/5/12 5:26 PM

Kale, apple and date salad Juice of 1 lemon (about 3 tablespoons) 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 bunch kale, ribs removed, leaves very thinly sliced 1 apple (Honeycrisp is ideal.) 1/4 cup dates, cut into thin slivers 1/4 cup slivered almonds, toasted 1/4 cup pecorino or Parmesan cheese, grated Salt and pepper, to taste Serves 4 Whisk together the lemon juice, olive oil and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a large bowl. Add the kale, toss to coat and let stand 10 minutes. Cut the apple into thin matchsticks while the kale stands. Toss the apple sticks, dates, almonds and cheese with the kale. Season with salt and pepper and toss again. — Developed by Krysta Tanico

Krysta Tanico is the education and events coordinator for Mississippi Market Natural Foods Co-op in Saint Paul.

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mnparent.com • November 2014 21

Jennifer

Wizbowski

Waiting out ‘boy brain’

hen my son entered middle school — the dead center of the tween years — he seemed to lose his head. And I couldn’t figure out why. During his elementary years, schoolwork seemed almost effortless for him. Always easygoing and friendly, confident and calm, he was a natural in the classroom. He was a verbal processer, so he’d happily talk through whatever he was

learning. He was able to ease into conversations with teachers. I was so proud! But what do As and Bs in elementary school mean when you’re facing the very new challenges of middle school? It was then that I noticed my happy young teen start to grow disinterested. He remained active in sports and other activities, but middle school work became less engaging for him. He would do his homework at home

and somehow it wouldn’t make it to school — or, if it did, it was lost in the pit of his locker.

What can a mom do? I became weary of my relationship with his school’s online grading system. Some days I checked it rigorously. Other days, I remained distant, afraid of what it might report. I urged him to talk to his teachers about making up missing assignments. I found it difficult to communicate with him. Some days I was hard on him. Other times I was sympathetic, offering rewards and asking him to set simple goals. I remained helpless watching the cycle: He’d be doing well for a week or two and then he’d let it all slide again when he thought he was caught up.

Finding perspective I was at this emotional intersection of feeling like a parenting failure and enduring deep frustration with my boy when I ran into one of his teachers. She asked about my son, praising his character and his ability to lead his peers. She asked how I felt he was doing with his new school and I hinted at his challenge with organizational skills. She let me know that she, too, had a son who went through what she called a “boy brain” phase. “I hate to sound sexist,” she said, “But

Read more about the art of parenting teens and tweens at mnparent.com/teens-tweens

22 November 2014 • mnparent.com

Winter Courtyard it happens to them just like the girls and their hormones. He’ll get through it. They all do. It’s just a stage.” Did I miss what she saw? I’d been so wrapped up in teaching him to advocate for himself, urging him to set manageable goals — and working hard to reach them — all the while missing his best qualities.

Looking back It reminded me of his babyhood. Yep, he was pretty much a non-sleeper. Oh, how I labored over cry-it-out versus no-cry strategies. I counted his sleep hours daily (especially the ones I was missing). I didn’t want to be the mom with a 5-year-old in her bed, but I was reluctant to let him wake all the neighbors in our apartment if I let him voice his need for me so loudly. I remember thinking: Isn’t there a happy medium in all of this somewhere? Eventually, I learned to trust myself and to trust him and his inner wiring — his innate need to be social and function on less sleep than I needed. He’s now 14 years old, a freshman in high school. He still doesn’t go to bed without chatting with me first, expressing how his day was, telling me about happenings at school, interactions with his teachers, which appear to be going well. He kisses me on top of the head and says, “Good night, Mom. I think it’s time for me to get to bed.” I don’t ever hear a peep from him after five minutes in. He’s a great sleeper and, a great conversationalist. My chat with his middle school teacher came to a close that day when she made it clear my son was doing just fine: “Is that all? The only thing he has a hard time with? A little boy brain?” “Yes, that’s all,” I said. And, somehow, I knew she was right. Jennifer Wizbowski lives in Excelsior with her husband, daughter and son, ages 11 and 14. Send comments, questions and story ideas to jwizbowski@mnparent.com. Shriners Hospitals MNP 1114 V2.indd 1

10/3/142014 10:58 AM mnparent.com • November 23

GOTTA-HAVE-IT GEAR Babies and toddlers don’t, technically, need a lot of gear. But certain basics are essential (and it’s best to buy them new, not second hand): We’re talking pacifiers, teethers and sippy cups. Have a kid or two, and you’ll go through quite a few. Here are some of our favorites — old and new. Bonus: Want to learn how not to go crazy with baby-related spending? Check out our financial columnist’s super strategies for saving at tinyurl.com/growsontreesbaby.

PERFECT PACI?

JUST CHILL MAM’s chillable Cooler teether offers a variety of chewing surfaces — a hard plastic, textured ring that’s easy to grab (or even wear as a handy bracelet), plus three water-filled prongs. If the water-filled parts are too cold to hold when the teether comes out of the fridge, your kid can simply hang onto the hard plastic end and chow away in comfort on the cool bits without freezing his hands. mambaby.com $6.99

Finding the perfect pacifier for your baby can sometimes be tricky. While some infants love the soothers that come home with them from the hospital, others need to try a few more to find the right fit. Natursutten’s pacifiers have a large shield that touches the nose, which is — according to the manufacturers — more comforting for babies because it more closely simulates breastfeeding. Made in Italy from natural rubber, these binkies are free of BPA, PVC and phthalates. natursutten.com amazon.com $9

WOW, REALLY! Some sippy cups are really just glorified bottles with nipple-like spouts — not the Wow cup. It’s more like a cup than any other sippy — ideal of you’re trying to wean your kid from a longtime sippy or bottle habit. It’s drinkable from 360 degrees (just like a real cup). And there are no levers, spouts, straws or buttons, just three simple dishwasher-safe parts that are easy to assemble. And, get this, it doesn’t leak (even upside down or on its side), making it an ideal travel or overnight cup, too. wowcup.net babiesrus.com $9.99

24 November 2014 • mnparent.com

American Dental MNP 1114 H2.indd 1

10/10/142014 10:09 AM mnparent.com â&#x20AC;˘ November 25

Eric

Braun

How to raise savvy consumers

n 1977, when I was in first grade, all I wanted for Christmas was a pair of Zips tennis shoes. The commercial that ran during Saturday-morning cartoons (tinyurl.com/zips1977) was brilliant. It opened with a boy lacing up a pair of bright orange Zips on his front steps and an announcer saying in a weighty voice, “When you put on a pair of Zips, you’re off — and running!” The kid sprang from the steps with a sound effect much like the running sound made by the Six Million Dollar Man — cha cha cha cha cha! I couldn’t help but feel a thrill as the kid bolted down the street, a siren-like whine

26 November 2014 • mnparent.com

building in the background, while the announcer told us more: “Fast off the line, and they corner like skateboards.” I’d never considered that I needed to be fast off the line, or what the line was, or that cornering was important — but it all sounded awesome. The camera focused alternately between the beautiful orange shoes, with their splashy Zs across the sides, and the hard-running kid, his Chachi-style hair flopping in the wind, all in dramatic slow-mo. And then, as the boy leaped over a hedge — as one is wont to do — the announcer got his best line in: “Jump in Zips, and you won’t be coming down for a

long, long time.” As the kid landed, the siren whine climaxed with a perfect superhero landing sound that echoed the cha cha cha from earlier. The final tagline: “Fast-movin’, long-leapin’: Zips — for kids.” Believe me when I say, I needed those shoes. Our kids don’t watch Saturday-morning cartoons the way we did, but, of course, they’re exposed to plenty of commercials and other marketing on TV, online, on DVDs, in video games, on phones and other devices — even in school. In fact, according to the Campaign for Commercial-Free Childhood (commercialfreechildhood.org), the average American kid sees more than 25,000 commercials per year on TV alone. All that advertising works. If it didn’t, companies wouldn’t be spending about $17 billion a year in the U.S. advertising just to kids. The holiday season is a great time to talk with kids about being smart consumers. It all starts with being smart about media. For younger kids, that means strictly limiting their media exposure, especially media with commercials. When young kids do see commercials, help them understand the difference between them and the shows they’re watching. Help older kids identify advertisements in video games and online, as well as subtler messaging like logos and product placement. Teach them not to click on ads online or enter contests, especially contests that require an email address or phone number.

Read more about family-minded ﬁnance at mnparent.com/grows-on-trees

When it comes to commercials and ads, help kids learn to see through the tricks advertisers use to make their products look appealing: Ads show only the good times: You never see a kid in a commercial struggling with the instructions or accidentally breaking a breakable part. They exaggerate the benefits: That Zips commercial didn’t actually tell me that the shoes would make me run faster or jump higher. But it sure did hint at it. They imply you’ll be popular: Businesses know that kids want to be accepted by their peers. That’s why many commercials show groups of kids gathered with the kid who has the product. They enhance the appeal with effects: Sound effects like those in the Zips commercial or a realistic explosion in a commercial for action figures make products seem larger than life. Camera angles can make toys look bigger or more substantial than they really are. Cartoons or special effects can add a magical feel. Testimonies are paid for: If a tween celebrity says she loves a certain online fashion game, it may not be true. Packaging is deceiving: Show kids how to look at the fine print. Are all the pieces depicted on the box included inside? Are the pictures to scale? Will you need batteries? People tend to make decisions based mostly on emotion, not reason — kids especially so. That’s why ads prey on our emotions. And that’s why kids still need our guidance on purchasing decisions, even if we teach them to be skeptical. But a little education now goes a long way toward raising media-savvy consumers. Eric Braun is a Minneapolis writer, editor and dad of two boys. Send comments or questions to ebraun@mnparent.com.

You can get there. We can help.

Visit www.MN529today.com or call 952-830-3127

FAN FAVES! OK, Minnesota parents, it’s your turn! Yep, this month you’re taking over our Bookshelf department, sharing your favorite books. Don’t see your top picks here? Tell us: What’s your favorite children’s book of all time (or this week)? Send the title, your ﬁrst and last name and your city of residence to editor@mnparent.com and you’ll be entered to win a free age-appropriate book for your child!

Miss Twiggley’s Tree “I remember reading it with my mom — and my grandparents — growing up. It’s the only children’s book my siblings and I can quote from memory. That shared experience and love for this story is such a fond memory that I am now passing on to my children.” — Anna Wrisky, White Bear Lake Author: Dorothea Warren Fox

Little Blue Truck This poetic story of friendship, featuring trucks and farm animals working together, is beautifully written. “(It’s a) fun, sing-song boy book. I loved when my son would say along, ‘Beep! beep!’” — Nicole Nelson, Golden Valley Author: Alice Schertle Illustrator: by Jill McElmurry See also: Little Blue Truck Leads the Way, Little Blue Truck’s Christmas and Little Blue Truck Farm Sticker Fun.

I Love You, Stinky Face “It’s a story of a mother’s love — never ending — and ‘Mom loves you no matter what!’ My daughter ‘kisses’ every page!” — Sara Boulger Malloy, Fridley Author: Lisa McCourt Illustrator: Cyd Moore See also: I Miss You, Stinky Face, Happy Halloween, Stinky Face and Merry Christmas, Stinky Face.

28 November 2014 • mnparent.com

Baby Beluga This colorful, Raﬃ Songs to Read board book is based on one of the musician’s most beloved songs. “My husband sings it while he reads.” — Andrea Porter, Little Canada Illustrator: Ashley Wolff

The Story of Ferdinand This classic children’s story — originally published in the 1930s, but still widely available today — follows the adventures of a young bull in Spain. “It teaches a valuable lesson — that being different is OK as long as you are happy.” — Katie Lawler, St. Louis Park Author: Munro Leaf Illustrator: Robert Lawson

25E

T I R O V A F

S Y O T ison

By Sarah Dor

Yep, we did it again. ding our We packed a bunch of kids (inclu o a room own), age 6 months to 9 years, int al toy test. ďŹ lled with play things for our annu Look what they found! 30 November 2014 â&#x20AC;˘ mnparent.com

Classic Wooden Tea Set Why we love it: We couldn’t get the toy-test kids (girls and boys) to leave this adorable toy alone. (Fortunately, this 25-piece set was easy to share.) Cake pieces attach together with Velcro and it’s fun to cut them into slices with the wooden knife. Downside: None Cost: $29.99 Ages: 3 and up, but our under-3 toy-test toddlers loved it. Where to find it: Lakeshore Learning and lakeshorelearning.com.

Elijah Eapen, 2, Minneapolis PHOTO BY TRACY ANN WALSH

T S E T TOY

Yookidoo Discovery Playhouse Why we love it: it: “Great for multiple ages,” said one mom who came to our toy test. “Both my boys (16 months and 3 3½ years) loved this — an actual toy they could play together with and not fight over — BIG parenting win!” Downside: “Its only downfall is its large size,” one mom said. “However, it looks like it could easily be taken apart and stored.” Another said: “It’s too short for my 2-year-old to stand inside.” Cost: $79.99 Ages: 1 and up Where to find it: Creative Kidstuff and creativekidstuff.com.

Kira Heagle, 18 months, Minneapolis PHOTO BY TRICIA HEAGLE

NOTE

Yookidoo Fill N’ Flow Spout

Though we list specific local retailers — who helped make this toy test possible with donations and loaner toys — many other local retailers and online outlets also carry the toys featured in this issue.

Why we love it: This This battery-powered device draws water up from the tub and into the spout — creating an endless stream of fun. Kids can create a shower, spin the propeller or reveal a peek-a-boo float friend with the three included tumblers.

See our sidebar on local toy stores to learn more. And be sure to call individual stores to confirm availability and pricing.

Cost: $19.99

Downside: One of this toy’s biggest fans was a 6-month-old boy. His mom said: “He’s too young to turn the spout on and off himself as well as hold the buckets in the way they’re supposed to be held, but a parent can certainly sit and interact with an infant during tub time.” Ages: 9 months and up Where to find it: Creative Kidstuff and creativekidstuff.com.

32 November 2014 • mnparent.com

Wooden Treasures Smart Stages Chair Why we love it: This talking Fisher-Price seat reacts when a child sits down, stands up, flips the pages of the book or pushes its many buttons. And it offers different songs and phrases when set to various levels — one for 12 months and up, another for 18 months and up and a third for 24 months and up.

Why we love it: Lark Toys of southeastern Minnesota has made handmade heirloom wooden toys for more than 25 years. Pull Eunice the unicorn and watch her gallop as she rolls, or drive Aero the plane, complete with a spinning propeller. Downside: These toys are sturdy, but they aren’t unbreakable. Cost: $32 for Aero (pictured) and $29 for Eunice Ages: 18 months and up Where to find it: Lark Toys, 63604 170th Ave., Kellogg, a toy store and tourist attraction two hours southeast of the Twin Cities. See larktoys.com.

Downside: Kids might think it’s a potty, especially since the seat lifts up to reveal an empty compartment. Cost: $39.99 Ages: 1 and up Where to find it: BuyBuy Baby and buybuybaby.com.

My Very Own Play Store

Roller Derby Why we love it: This This colorful, doublesided wooden ball track was a toddler hit! Put the balls in any of the holes and watch them travel down the track until they hit a bell at the bottom with a satisfying “Ding!” Downside: “It would be great if it were bigger/taller,” said one test mom.

Why we love it: it: Sure, the miniature grocery-shopping basket and grocery items were a draw, but what made this toy a star with toytest kids was the beeping scanner gun. Bonus: The beeper isn’t annoyingly loud or obnoxious and it lights up each time you squeeze the lever. Downside: None Cost: $24.99 Ages: 2 and up Where to find it: ABC & Toy Zone and abctoyzone.com.

Cost: $39.99 Ages: 1 and up Where to find it: Kiddywampus.

Jaden Utsch, 16 months, Champlin PHOTO BY TRACY ANN WALSH

mnparent.com • November 2014 33

T S E T TOY

Mega Morphibians Car

Lite-Brite Magic Screen Why we love it: This isn’t the Lite-Brite you had as a kid: Thanks to its compact size and a removable storage tray with 200 pegs in various shapes and sizes (not just singles), this toy is definitely more portable than its ancestors. Six reusable templates feature scenes and sayings — such as "Girls Rule" and "Boys Rock" — to inspire hours of fun. You can buy more templates or create your own at hasbro.com. Downside: None Cost: $26.95 Ages: 4 and up Where to find it: Kiddywampus.

Why we love it: Kid Galaxy has souped up its line of remote-controlled cars. This crocodile’s main feature is that it can drive anywhere, including on dirt, grass and even water. We didn’t test it in water, but we’d recommend this toy even without that feature. As one mom said: “Big hit with my 3½-year-old. What boy doesn’t like a remotecontrol car?” Downside: None, really, but it does require some skill to get it where you want it to go. It’s safe for age 3 and older, but recommended for age 5. Cost: $39.99 Ages: 3 and up Where to find it: Amazon.com.

What’zit Fidget Toy Why we love it: Six brightly colored blocks, strung together with elastic inside, can be twisted and bent into whatever angular shape you like. You can even attach a few together to make more complex designs. But most of all they’re fun to futz with! Downside: None Cost: $3.99

Olivia Moe, 21 months, Bloomington

Ages: 3 and up

PHOTO BY TRACY ANN WALSH

Where to find it: ABC & Toy Zone.

The Sneaky Snacky Squirrel Game Why we love it: Cute, cute, cute! This game is fun and easy enough for the Candy Land set. (And will give parents a muchneeded break from that classic game.) Kids spin the spinner and try to fill their log with nuts of all the right colors, using the tong-like paws of a the Squirrel Squeezer. One toy-test mom said: “Good for working on fine-motor skills.” Downside: None Cost: $24 Ages: 3 and up Where to find it: Pacifier and pacifier.me.

34 November 2014 • mnparent.com

Amazement Park Playset Why we love it: As one mom put it: “It’s super-cool when the car goes through the loop!” Ages 6 and younger were attracted to this ramp during our toy test. It includes two tracks with spirals and ramps, plus stopping points on the way down where a child has to decide which way the car should go next. It plays music and talks, but we happily left the sound off. Downside: It comes with only one car. Also, it’s quite a space hog. Cost: $59.99

Ages: 1 and up

Where to find it: BuyBuy Baby and buybuybaby.com.

Twista Balance Bike Why we love it: Balance bikes are fantastic for teaching essential pre-biking skills such as steering, speed-control and balance. Many kids who use balance bikes skip the awkward training-wheels stage when real-bike time comes. Our toy-test kids couldn’t get enough of this bike, particularly the 2-to-4 set. It sets itself apart from other balance bikes with its double rear wheels, which offer two stability settings. For Stage 1, set the back wheels far apart for more stability. For Stage 2, move them closer together to make balancing more challenging. Downside: None

Teeter Popper

Cost: $79.99 Ages: 1½ to 4 Where to find it: Toys ‘R’ Us and toysrus.com.

Why we love it: it: Many of our younger test-panel kids were incredibly curious about this rocking toy, which has a base covered with 14 suction cups that pop loudly and repeatedly when a child rocks on it in any direction. What a fun way to be active indoors during long Minnesota winters! Downside: Hearing the bubblewrap-like popping noises for long stretches might eventually annoy parents. Cost: $36.99 Ages: 3 and up, but toddlers can easily enjoy this toy with supervision. Where to find it: Creative Kidstuff and creativekidstuff.com.

Eden Croatt, 2, Maple Grove PHOTO BY TRICIA HEAGLE

T S E T TOY

Mila Heagle, 5, Minneapolis PHOTO BY TRICIA HEAGLE

The Pet Vet Clinic Why we love it: When it comes to toys for encouraging creative play, LEGO gets all the love. But toys like this let children — especially aspiring vets — create an entire world with stuffed animals or maybe even the family cat. One tester mom said: “Very realistic!” Downside: Pets are sold separately for $9.99. Cost: $39.99 Ages: 4 and up Where to find it: Lakeshore Learning and lakeshorelearning.com.

Dream Cakes Why we love it: Creativity, problem-solving and luck are all required in this gorgeous 100-piece Ravensburger board game in which players try to win the most points by simultaneously completing the most cakes at once. All the die-cut cake tiers are double-sided and look like they’ll last a long time. Downside: As with any board game, there’s a bit of a learning curve. Cost: $16.99 Ages: 4 and up Where to find it: Ravensburger.com.

36 November 2014 • mnparent.com

Sporter Swing Scooter Why we love it: Wiggle your rear from side to side and you’re off on this threewheeled no-push, no-pedal scooter. One of our parent reviewers said: “We loved this! It’s fun to transition your weight and see the scooter react.” Downside: “It might be tough on rough terrain,” one tester said. “It was great on the smooth linoleum.” Cost: $140 Ages: Ages 6 and up Where to find it: Creative Kidstuff and creativekidstuff.com.

Quadrilla Marble Run Why we love it: Billed as The Challenger, this 147-piece wooden marble track from Hape can be set up in a seemingly endless number of runs with straight and curved rails, high-velocity funnels, a seesaw, accelerators, blocks, levelers, bases and 50 marbles. Downside: Pieces don’t interlock: They stack, so it can topple easily if a younger sibling leans on it. Cost: $199.99 Ages: 4 and up Where to find it: Creative Kidstuff and creativekidstuff.com.

Deluxe Doctor’s Oﬃce Why we love it: Billed as “everything little physicians need to set up practice,” this 70-piece set goes far beyond the typical doctor toys. In addition to a working stethoscope, blood pressure cuff and bandages, you’ll find many other elements to create an entire doctor’s office, including an eye chart, exam check lists and — how cute — a clip board. One test mom said: “I like that the stethoscope actually works. It’s the most realistic doctor kit I’ve seen.” Downside: None Cost: $49.99 Ages: 3 and up Where to find it: Lakeshore Learning and lakeshorelearning.com.

Marbleworks Starter Set Why we love it: We love the racetrack-style launcher pad for the marbles. Just about every kid at the toy test was drawn to this marble track, from ages 16 months to 7 years. “This might be made for older kids, but was a big hit with my younger kids,” said one mom. “They loved putting the marbles in different spots and watching them race down. I could see this being a great toy that they could grow into.” Downside: None Cost: $42 Ages: 5 and up Where to find it: Discoverytoys.net.

T S E T TOY The Original Spirograph Art Studio

Bugs in the Kitchen Why we love it: We never learned exactly how to play this game because the kids playing with the included HexBug Nano and the dynamic game board wouldn’t let us near it. But basically players try to guide the bug into their assigned trap in each corner. And the first player to do so five times wins. Downside: As with any board game, there’s a bit of a learning curve. Cost: $29.99

Why we love it: Yes, this art kit (first introduced in 1965) makes us nostalgic for our own childhoods. And, wow, what a fun gift for crafty kids! It’s packed with art supplies and, more important, graphic wheels kids can use to create elaborate spirals and other designs of epic proportions. Downside: None Cost: $39.99 Ages: 8 and up

Ages: 6 and up

Where to find it: ABC & Toy Zone and abctoyzone.com.

Where to find it: Ravensburger.com.

LEGO Friends Jungle Tree Sanctuary Why we love it: We like the direction LEGO is going with its girl-focused Friends sets — less cake and ice cream and more exploring and science. This set is fun to build and encourages would-be veterinarians to use binoculars, a laptop and laboratory tools. Downside: None Cost: $29.99 Ages: 7 and up Where to find it: Target.com.

Rollors Why we love it: Lawn games are huge right now and this one — invented by Minnesota-native Matt Butler — combines the best of bocce ball and horseshoes into one game with color-coded, wooden disks and goals. Downside: Though it’s safe for ages 4 and up, it requires patience (and math skills) to keep score. Also, it’s best played outdoors on grass or sand. (We tested it indoors, but the disks rolled way too fast.) Cost: $49.95 Ages: 4 and up Where to find it: Rollors.com, Amazon.com.

38 November 2014 • mnparent.com

TOYLAND! Shopping local this holiday season? Check out these cool Twin Cities shops. ABC & Toy Zone, Burnsville, Chanhassen, Richfield and Rochester, abctoyzone.com Air Traffic Kites and Games, seven local stores, airtrafficonline.com Autism Resource Network, Minnetonka, autismshop.com BuyBuy Baby, Woodbury, buybuybaby.com Choo Choo Bob’s Train Store, St. Paul, choochoobobs.com/store Creative Kidstuff, seven locations, creativekidstuff.com Games by James, gamesbyjames.com Goose Gang Toys, goosegangtoys.com Hub Hobby, hubhobby.com Kiddywampus, Minneapolis, kiddywampus.com Lakeshore Learning Store, St. Louis Park and Maplewood, lakeshorelearning.com Lark Toys, Kellogg, larktoys.com Mall of America: Specialty toy stores include The LEGO Store, American Girl, Build-A-Bear Workshop, Nickelodeon Store, Disney Store, Marbles: The Brain Store and JM Cremps, jmcremps.com, a locally owned "boy adventure" store. Pacifier, Minneapolis, pacifier.me Peapods Natural Toys & Baby Care, St. Paul, peapods.com Smarty Pants Kids, Eden Prairie, smartypantskidsonline.com

Perplexus Warp Why we love it: The Perplexus line of marble-in-the-sphere puzzles is addictive! We’ve tried various models, but this one isn’t a perfect sphere: It’s more of an angular egg, which makes it a bit easier to see (and a bit easier to solve). Downside: Each step of the way isn’t labeled with a number. Cost: $25.99 Ages: 8 and up Where to find it: ABC & Toy Zone.

mnparent.com • November 2014 39

IN DEFENSE OF CREATIVE — AND UNPLUGGED — PLAY, TOYMAKERS IN ST. PAUL AND BEYOND ARE WORKING TO PUT CHILDREN BACK IN CONTROL OF PLAYTIME WITH SIMPLE (YET RIDICULOUSLY FUN) TOYS.

40 November 2014 • mnparent.com

ig NA i in to a

is the best toy By Chris Dall

mnparent.com â&#x20AC;˘ November 2014 41

in i agiNAt o alk into your average toy store, and the thing you notice almost immediately is the noise. There are toys that talk. Toys that sing. Toys that beep and chirp and make all sorts of other indescribable sounds. And many of these toys will bring joy to the children who receive them. But how long will that joy last? And will these toys help stimulate creative, imaginative play? That’s a question many parents today ask themselves when shopping for toys for their children. In an era where many toys have an electronic component, and where kids are being introduced to touch-screen devices at earlier and earlier ages, are there still toys that can entertain kids by letting them do some of the work? There are. And Adrienne Appell, a toy-trend expert for the Toy Industry Association, said toys that allow kids to use their creativity is one of the major trends in the industry. “We’re seeing a lot more products that are allowing kids to create and to play the way that they want to,” Appell said. “No parent wants to spend money on

something that’s done in 10 minutes and is at the bottom of the toy chest. So, to be able to have a product that is teaching new skills, immersing a kid in creativity and getting them excited about play, that’s what it’s really all about.” Some of the foundational toys of creative play have been around forever and continue to be popular, such as building blocks and arts and crafts sets, Appell said. LEGOs are as popular as ever. And even though the company has gravitated toward movie tie-ins and pre-conceived models, kids can still use LEGO blocks to come up with whatever fantastical creations they can imagine. (That was the whole theme of The LEGO Movie, after all.)

The magic of cardboard But there are also newer toy companies manufacturing toys that put kids in charge. St. Paul-based Play from Scratch is one. In fact, one of the first products the company sold — its World Famous Box of Boxes — was the essence of simple: A box containing cardboard boxes, tubes and paper that kids could use to create whatever they wanted. Today, the company offers One Giant Box (a refrigerator-size box) for

Play from Scratch of St. Paul offers a variety of YOXO building kits. Here Sam Dorison, 6, son of Minnesota Parent editor Sarah Dorison, shows off his YOXO creation during a recent toy test for the magazine. PHOTO BY TRICIA HEAGLE

Since 1970

Dentistry for The best toys just lie there until a child picks them up and transforms them into something, or uses them in a new way. The best toys can be used over and over again. And the best toys allow children HUGE AMOUNTS OF FREEDOM

to decide how to use them.

$29.99. Its online sales pitch reads: “Save $799.99 when you buy the box alone, instead of with a refrigerator in it!” Today the company is more focused on its YOXO Kits, which contain interlocking cardboard pieces in the shape of Ys, Os and Xs. Some come with directions to create specific things, such as the Flye (pictured, left), a giant dragonfly, Doon, a dune buggy, and Orig, a robot. As with LEGOs, kids can fashion the pieces into anything they can imagine. They can also attach the links to materials from around the house (like cereal boxes and paper towel rolls) to create entirely different objects.

family members of all ages

Dr. Tanya S. Peterson, mother of 2 and Dr. Heidi Smith, mother of 1

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‘Raw-materials’ play Play from Scratch founder Jeff Nelson said the idea for the company came from a present he received when he was 8 years old — a cardboard box filled with tape, string and wire. “I remember opening that up, and it was like, ‘This is the best gift I’ve ever gotten in my whole life!’” Nelson said. It was a gift that motivated him as both a parent and toymaker.

Minnetonka Public Schools MNP 1114 S3.indd 1

10/23/14 8:44 AM mnparent.com • November 2014 43

in i agiNAt o Creative play can be as simple as a child playing, undirected, with a cardboard box. That idea gave rise to a St. Paul toy company called Play from Scratch, which today sells a variety of cardboard toys, including a refridgeratorsize cardboard box. Learn more at yoxo.com.

Opening up storytelling

“And, then, I found myself as a dad really frustrated with the toys that were showing up on the doorstep,” Nelson said. “They were plastic, they were junk, they were completely anti-creative toys where you press a button and the toy does all of the creative work for you — and it made me recall that gift that I got when I was 8.” That’s why Play from Scratch is focused on what Nelson calls raw-materials play: “Give kids raw materials and let them invent their toys.”

Child-powered toys Another company in the creative-toy market is BeginAgain Toys, based in Colorado. BeginAgain produces and sells art kits, role-play toys, puzzles and educational games. The company’s goal is to inspire kids through storytelling, creativity and adventure. None of their products make noise or use batteries. For founder and president Chris Clemmer, the reason is simple: “We really believe that kids are the true noisemakers. They are all the energy you need for play.” Clemmer is a longtime toymaker who’s invented “a bunch” of toys that use batteries. But he doesn’t believe the world needs any more. He believes that — in an age where kids are more digitally hard-wired than ever — there’s a desire to get back to the basics. “There’s a movement out there for parents to really detach and unplug and bring in these analog-type toys that are really all about the child creating and becoming that noise or that story or that voice of the toy,” he said. Clemmer calls this “slow play.”

Read about the importance of creative play for toddlers at tinyurl.com/creativetoddlerplay

44 November 2014 • mnparent.com

Then there’s Tegu, a line of wooden blocks with magnets inside them. The idea behind the blocks is simple: Let kids build, create and imagine. And, yet, it’s an idea that mixes tradition with innovation. Founders Will and Chris Haughey, who had no background in the toy industry, discovered the tradition of wooden toymaking during a trip to Germany. They quickly became inspired to bring some of that tradition back to the U.S. They began working with folks in the design school at Stanford University, where Chris Haughey studied engineering. That’s when they hit upon the magical power of magnets. And, when they began to observe children playing with toys in preschool and kindergarten, they realized toys were merely props for broader, storytelling narratives. “There was something kind of addictive and magical about the invisible force that magnets offer,” said Will Haughey, CFO and “Chief Blockhead” of Tegu.

RESOURCES Play from Scratch: Best-selling items include the YOXObot Orig Kit ($19.99) and the YOXO MegaBuilder ($59.99). All products include recycled materials and are recyclable themselves. The company is based in St. Paul. Products can be found online or at Creative Kidstuff, Bibelot and several other stores and gift shops in the Twin Cities. See yoxo.com. Tegu: Best-selling items include the 14-piece Tints set ($35) and the 42-piece Tints set ($110). Tegu’s toy factory is based in Honduras, and its employees are paid a living wage. Magnetic wooden blocks are made from sustainably harvested wood. Tegu blocks can be purchased online or at Air Traffic Kites and Games, Goose Gang Toys, Peapods Natural Toys & Baby Care and the Walker Art Center. See tegu.com. BeginAgain: Best-selling items are the Animal Parade A to Z Puzzle ($40) and the Number Snail Puzzle ($14). BeginAgain products are made of natural rubber, sustainably harvested wood, bamboo, natural cotton and recycled plastic. BeginAgain toys can be purchased online or locally at Pacifier, Peapods Natural Toys & Baby Care, Fox Den Used Books, Gibout Toys and Goose Gang Toys. See beginagaintoys.com.

“And so we began to think: If we can create toys which help children find space for the purpose of storytelling — and we introduce magnets as the method of attachment — then we might be on to something,” he said. Then, when the Haugheys started researching childhood development, they saw the benefits of open-ended, imaginative and self-directed play, too. “We’re all about the toys getting out of the way,” Will Haughey said. “And, really, what we want to do is create objects which serve as a catalyst for self-directed and imaginative discovery-like play.” But you won’t see the Haugheys heavily marketing the educa-

mnparent.com • November 2014 45

in i agiNAt o Tegu’s wooden blocks contain two important elements of magic that have always been a hit with kids: Magnets and simplicity — all part of the company’s mission is to inspire child-directed storytelling and unscripted exploratory play.

tional value of their blocks. “Our intent is to let kids play on their terms, for the sake of play, not for the sake of learning,” Will Haughey said. For parents concerned about the environment, the added bonus of the toys made by Play from Scratch, BeginAgain and Tegu is that they come from recyclable and renewable materials.

Executive function, empathy For Susan Linn, a psychiatrist and director of the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood, creative play is the foundation of learning, creativity and constructive problem solving. “It’s the way children wrestle with life to make it meaningful. It’s how they learn executive-function skills, like how to initiate a task and how to bring it to completion,” she said. “It helps them learn empathy. It helps them manage their feelings. It’s the foundation of everything that is worthwhile about being a human.”

46 November 2014 • mnparent.com

Linn believes toys that best stimulate creative play are 90 percent child and 10 percent toy. “The best toys just lie there until a child picks them up and transforms them into something, or uses them in a new way. The best toys can be used over and over again. And the best toys allow children huge amounts of freedom to decide how to use them,” Linn said.

Open-ended exploration Happi Olson, marketing director for the local toy store chain Creative Kidstuff, agrees. She cites Bilibo, a Swiss-designed molded plastic dome that’s become a big seller in local stores, as a classic example. “Just give it to a child and they will show you what to do with it. It can be a bed for your baby, it can be used in the snow, it can be used in the sand; you can put the child in it and pull them around on the carpeting and give them a

ride. They can sit on it as a stool,” Olson said. “But all of this is whatever the child wants the toy to be.” Allowing a child to take a toy and use it for an entirely unexpected purpose is the epitome of creative play, Olson said. “A perfect example of that is my own child, who is 8. Markers are for coloring, right? Well, he’ll take his hundredmarker set and build a track for his cars on the floor. "So nothing is what it’s supposed to be for a child. It’s open ended.” So whatever type of toys you buy for your children, whether they have electronic components or not, encourage them to find new ways to play with them. Encourage them to use the best toy they own — their imagination. Chris Dall is a freelance writer based in St. Louis Park. His favorite toys when he was growing up were LEGOs.

X O B H C N U L N O I T A R I P S IN Break out of the school-lunch rut with chef-designed meals!

Is making a school lunch for your kid every day already feeling like an unbearable chore? We feel you! It’s time to get inspired: Minneapolis chef-mama Molly Herrmann doesn’t let the job get her down, even though her 9-year-old son, AJ, has peanut, tree-nut and shellfish allergies, plus a “bizarre aversion” to sandwiches (but only when they’re in his lunchbox). “He eats them at home, so I think he does it just to challenge me,” said Herrmann, the owner of Tastebud Catering and Kitchen in the Market, a shared commercial kitchen and cooking school inside the Midtown Global Market in Minneapolis. Molly Herrmann

Her solution? Deconstruct the common sandwich, throw in fresh fruit and veg every day and add one store-bought single-serving element to keep things easy-peasy. Follow Herrmann’s #lunchbox adventures at instagram.com/tastebudtart.

48 November 2014 • mnparent.com

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4/14/142014 12:50 PM mnparent.com â&#x20AC;˘ November 49

Out About PARENT PICK

Childish Films @ the Library ÎÎChildren ages 3 and older and their parents can enjoy a program of vintage films to honor the season’s traditions. This film series takes place the third Saturday each month. This month, celebrate African storytelling and enjoy animated versions of award-winning African folktale picture books. When: 10:30 a.m. Nov. 15 Where: Minneapolis Central Library, Minneapolis Cost: FREE Info: supporthclib.org or 612-543-8107

ONGOING Healthyville ÎÎStudy the processes of the human body — and the importance of nutrition, health and fitness — with displays like a giant mouth that needs flossing, an opportunity to measure your vertical jump height and a view inside the digestive system. When: Through Jan. 4 Where: Minnesota Children’s Museum, St. Paul Cost: $9.95 museum admission for ages 1 and older Info: mcm.org or 651-225-6015

Adventures with Clifford The Big Red Dog ÎÎHands-on displays offer children opportunities for immersive play and learning at this exhibit inspired by the Clifford TV show. When: Through Jan. 18 Where: Minnesota Children’s Museum, St. Paul Cost: $9.95 museum admission for ages 1 and older Info: mcm.org or 651-225-6015

Nature Adventurers ÎÎExplore a new nature topic each visit with stories, crafts, hands-on activities, snacks and outdoor discovery time for children ages 3 to 5. This month’s topics

50 November 2014 • mnparent.com

include bats, getting ready for winter and hooves and antlers. When: Most Tuesdays and Wednesdays Where: Wood Lake Nature Center, Richfield Cost: $8 per child. Pre-payment is required. Info: tinyurl.com/natureadventurers or 612-861-9365

NOV. 1 Digging in Clay: Thanksgiving Serving Dish ÎÎParents and children can create a unique item for their Thanksgiving spread. No experience is necessary. When: 10 a.m.–noon Nov. 1 Where: Silverwood Park, St. Anthony Cost: $25 per adult/child pair. Pre-registration is required. Info: threeriversparks.org or 763-694-7707

Drop-In Discovery Stations ÎÎThese family-friendly programs on a range of nature topics offer participants chances to touch artifacts, meet live animals and sample treats from the Discovery Hollow garden. When: 10 a.m.–noon Nov. 1 Where: Tamarack Nature Center, Maplewood Cost: FREE

Info: parks.co.ramsey.mn.us/tamarack or 651-407-5350

Microscope Day ÎÎThe Minnesota Microscopy Society will celebrate Microscope Day with a variety of demonstrations. When: Noon–4 p.m. Nov. 1 Where: Science Museum of Minnesota, St. Paul Cost: Free with museum admission ($13 for ages 13 and older, $10 for ages 4 to 12) Info: smm.org or 651-221-9444

Under the Sea Party ÎÎEmbark on an ocean adventure filled with mermaids, pirates and seashells in this community event for children ages 3 to 5 and their parents. When: 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Nov. 1 Where: Creekview Recreation Center, Minneapolis Cost: $5. Pre-registration is required. Info: tinyurl.com/minneapolisparks or 612-370-4965

NOV. 6 Owl Moon Story Hike ÎÎRead the book Owl Moon and take a walk in the full-moon light to look for owls, mice and raccoons in this program for ages 3½–6.

mnparent.com/calendar When: 6:15–7:30 p.m. Nov. 6 Where: Maplewood Nature Center, Maplewood Cost: $4 per child. Register by Nov. 4. Info: maplewoodnaturecenter.com or 651-249-2170

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NOV. 8

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Buckthorn Brigade Î Ages 8 and older with an accompanyingTeeny Bee MNP 0914 12.indd adult can learn the basics of controlling and disposing of buckthorn (an invasive species that degrades wildlife habitats) and enjoy a warm beverage afterward.

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When: 10 a.m.–noon Nov. 8 Where: Tamarack Nature Center, Maplewood Cost: FREE. Pre-registration is required. Info: parks.co.ramsey.mn.us/tamarack or 651-407-5350

Totally Kids Party Î Join other families at a party thrown by local toy store Totally Kids, where attendees can test out new toys, get their faces painted and enter contests for free toys. When: 10 a.m. Nov. 8 Where: Totally Kids Fun Furniture and Toys, Minneapolis Cost: FREE Info: shoptotallykids.com or 952-881-2425

Butterﬂy Day Î Watch a screening of Flight of the Butterﬂies in the Omnitheater, see the creatures up close in the live-butterfly house and participate in butterfly-themed activities.

available & for event e c n a rm o perf ls renta

Puppet and Mask Theatre

When: Noon–4 p.m. Nov. 8 Where: Science Museum of Minnesota, St. Paul Cost: Activities are included with museum admission ($13 for ages 13 and older, $10 for ages 4 to 12). Omnitheater admission is $8 for ages 13 and older, $7 for ages 4 to 12. Butterfly House admission is $6 for ages 4 and older. Info: smm.org or 651-221-9444

Tech Take Apart Day Î Curious about what’s inside machines like hard drives, telephones and

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612.721.2535 hobt.org

PLEASE DONATE

To be an active supporter of In the Heart of the Beast, you can make a gift online or mail a check to 1500 E. Lake St., Mpls, MN 55407

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Out About VCRs? Get your fill and more at this event with tools and safety goggles provided. Sessions start at 12:30, 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30 p.m. and are first-come, first-serve. When: Noon–4 p.m. Nov. 8 Where: The Works Museum, Bloomington Cost: Free with $8 museum admission. Info: theworks.org or 952-888-4262 Supporting organizations that provide all aspects of support, resources, opportunities and outreach programs to children and families. 95% of all proceeds go to charities we support

Go online to donate jimandjudefoundation.com Join us at our annual events:

Superior Agates and Minnesota Geology Î Learn about rocks and minerals and the state gem of Minnesota, the Lake Superior Agate. Children in grades 3 through 5 can discover the geologic history of the state, test rocks and minerals for magnetic and other properties and make a piece of rock jewelry.

Vintage Vegas Casino Night – February Golf Event – August

When: 1–2:30 p.m. Nov. 8 Where: Maplewood Nature Center, Maplewood Cost: $5 per child. Register by Nov. 6. Info: maplewoodnaturecenter.com or 651-249-2170

We are proud to support Children’s Cancer Research Fund®

NOV. 9

Jim & Jude MNP 2012 Filler V6.indd 1

10/18/12 2:41 PM

Sundays at Landmark

FREE SH OVER IPPING $50!

Î The St. Paul Landmark Center hosts a variety of free heritage festivals, musical performances and holiday celebrations between September and May. This month, children and families can enjoy Saint Martin’s Day festivities.

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PARENT PICK

Girls & Science

Î Women scientists from around the Twin Cities will be at the museum for a day along with Fox 9 News to celebrate and encourage girls’ enthusiasm for science and technology. When: 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Nov. 15 Where: Science Museum of Minnesota, St. Paul Cost: Free with museum admission ($13 for ages 13 and older, $10 for ages 4 to 12) Info: smm.org/girlsandscience or 651-221-9444

When: 4 p.m. Nov. 9 Where: Landmark Center, St. Paul Cost: FREE Info: landmarkcenter.org

NOV. 15 Meet the Snake and Salamander Î Participate in nature activities and meet new friends in this class for parents and their children ages birth to 5, in collaboration with Early Childhood Family Education staff. When: 10–11:30 a.m. Nov. 15 Where: Maplewood Nature Center, Maplewood Cost: $5 per child. Register at isd622. org/page/6774. Info: maplewoodnaturecenter.com or 651-249-2170

NOV. 15 The Magic of Celtic Music and Dance Î Presented by the duo Willow Brae and featuring dancers from the Twin Cities Irish Dance Academy, this program highlights the traditional instruments, dances and costumes of Celtic music and performance. When: 1–2 p.m. Nov. 15 Where: Crooked Lake Library, Coon Rapids

mnparent.com/calendar Cost: FREE Info: compas.org or 651-292-3249

NOV. 19 Talk Turkey Î Experience the autumn season in Minnesota with a turkey-themed drop-in day for ages 3 to 8. When: 10:30 a.m. Nov. 19 Where: Maplewood Nature Center, Maplewood Cost: FREE Info: maplewoodnaturecenter.com

NOV. 23 Photographing Your Baby for the Holidays Î Get the skills you need to take beautiful and flattering family photos for the holiday season. No experience is necessary, just bring a point-and-shoot, SLR or a smartphone camera to the class. When: 1–2:30 p.m. Nov. 23 Where: Amma Parenting Center, Minneapolis Cost: $25 per family Info: ammaparentingcenter.com

NOV. 28–30 History HiJinx Î Families and children can participate in a make-and-take craft activity. When: 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Nov. 28; noon–3 p.m. Nov. 30 Where: Minnesota History Center, St. Paul Cost: Free with admission ($6 to $11) Info: mnhs.org or 651-259-3000

Want more? Visit us online! Find out about even more local events! Check out Minnesota Parent’s easy-to-navigate online Out&About calendar at mnparent.com/calendar. Just click on the day you have free and find things to do. Have an event coming up? Send all the details (and photos) to calendar@mnparent.com at least six weeks in advance.

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Holiday PARENT PICK

Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas

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When: Nov. 11–Jan. 4 Where: Children’s Theatre Company, Minneapolis Cost: Tickets start at $10. Info: childrestheatre.org or 612-874-0400

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Nov. 7

Nov. 15

OVALumination Lighting Ceremony

Winter Wonderland Family Day

Î More than 100 arborvitae and evergreen trees are decorated with holiday lights to illuminate the Guidant John Rose MN OVAL, the largest sheet of refrigerated ice 10:40 AM in North America. Enjoy a variety of events in November and December, including a visit from Santa on Nov. 19. When: Attend the lighting ceremony at 6:15 p.m. Nov. 7. Where: Guidant John Rose MN OVAL, Roseville Cost: FREE to view, $5.50 to skate, $4 for skate rental Info: visitroseville.com/events/ OVALumination or 651-633-3002

Î Celebrate the opening of the Winter Wonderland: A Nordic Christmas exhibit by creating gingerbread ornaments and enjoying live music. When: 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Nov. 15 Where: American Swedish Institute, Minneapolis Cost: Free with museum admission ($9 for adults, $7 for seniors, $5 for ages 6–18, free for ages 5 and younger) Info: asimn.org or 612-871-4907

Nov. 17–Dec. 31 A Charlie Brown Christmas

Nov. 13–Dec. 28 A Christmas Carol if you are a fan of determination, then you are already a fan of Special Olympics. volunteer, support, coach or compete.

Î With a 40-year history on the Guthrie’s stages, this classic Dickens play follows grouchy Ebenezer Scrooge through an evening of visits from the ghosts of Christmas Past, Christmas Present and Christmas Future, helping him see the error of his ways. When: Nov. 13–Dec. 28 Where: Guthrie Theater, Minneapolis Cost: $34–$116 Info: guthrietheater.org or 612-377-2224

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When: Nov. 17–Dec. 31 Where: Old Log Theatre, Greenwood Cost: $14–$16 Info: oldlog.com or 952-474-5951

Nov. 21–Jan. 3 Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical Î This Christmas classic is given new life

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Î Join the Peanuts gang for holiday festivities in this musical, including a visit from the Great Pumpkin, a Thanksgiving feast and a quest for the perfect Christmas tree.

8/8/11 3:43 PM

mnparent.com/calendar on stage after first airing on screen 50 years ago. When: Nov. 21–Jan. 3 Where: Stages Theatre, Hopkins Cost: $25 for adults, $21 for seniors, $18 for ages 4 to 17; $5 lap passes are available for ages 3 to 4; free lap passes are available for ages 2 and younger. Info: stagestheatre.org or 952-979-1111, ext. 4.

Nov. 25–Jan. 1 Holiday Lights in the Park Î The St. Paul chapter of the National Electrical Contractors Association and the Saint Paul Police Foundation present a holiday event with more than 60 light sculptures and animated displays. PARENT PICK

Irving Berlin’s White Christmas Î The classic holiday movie takes the stage for a show full of music, laughter and beloved Berlin hits.

When: Nov. 25–30 Where: Orpheum Theatre, Minneapolis Cost: $49–$134 Info: hennepintheatretrust.org or 800-982-2787

mnparent.com • November 2014 55

Holiday Calendar Proceeds benefit the Union Gospel Mission, the Saint Paul Police Foundation and the Saint Paul Parks Conservancy.

mnparent.com/calendar

take on the classic Dickens’ tale. When: Nov. 28–Jan. 4 Where: New Century Theatre, Minneapolis Cost: $24–$27 Info: hennepintheatretrust.org or 800-982-2787

When: 5:30–10 p.m. Nov. 25–Jan. 1 Where: Phalen Park, St. Paul Cost: $10 per vehicle Info: lightsinthepark.org

Nov. 28–30

Dec. 5–23

Excelsior Christkindlsmarkt

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

Î Based on the book of the same name, this production follows the rowdy Herdman children and their landing of starring roles in the church Christmas pageant, much to the chagrin of their well-behaved peers. When: Dec. 5–23 Where: Steppingstone Theatre, St. Paul Cost: $18 for adults, $14 for students and seniors Info: steppingstonetheatre.org or 651-225-9265

Î This open-air market features German Christmas music, food and celebrations, with crafts for sale and festive activities for children of all ages, including a NorthPole Trolley and live reindeer. When: 10 a.m.–10 p.m. Nov. 28–29; 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Nov. 30 Where: 250 East Drive, Excelsior Cost: FREE Info: excelsiorchristmas.com or 952-292-8898

PARENT PICK

SPECIAL SIZE: Story, A Christmas The Musical 7.375” WIDE BY 3.2” HIGH

Nov. 28–Jan. 4

A Don’t Hug Me Christmas Carol

Î Surly Minnesota bar owner Gunner Johnson falls through the ice and is visited by the ghost of folk legend Sven Yorgensen in this comical and decidedly Midwestern

Î This popular production is based on the classic movie following Ralphie Parker and his quest for an Official Red Ryder Carbine-Action 200-Shot Range Model Air Rifle. When: Nov. 29–Dec. 28 | Where: The Ordway, St. Paul | Cost: $36–$110 Info: orway.org or 651-224-4222

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10/23/142014 10:51 AM mnparent.com • November 57

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From our readers

Inside scoop

PHOTOS OF THE MONTH Minnesota Parent’s ninth-annual Education Fair, held at the Como Zoo & Conservatory was — yet again — a total blast! Many families joined our staff and vendors in a variety of kid-friendly activities, including a photo booth by Venture Photography. Check out some of the gorgeous shots from the festivities. Don’t see yourself here? If you stopped by the photo booth, find your family at tinyurl.com/edfair2014photobooth. Learn more about Venture Photography in Edina at venturephotography.com.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE LOCAL INDOOR PLAY SPACE FOR KIDS? Eagles Nest indoor playground in New Brighton. — Xee Yang, St. Paul

Sovereign Grounds in south Minneapolis. Fun place for the kids to play and the adults to enjoy a great cup of coffee and adult company. — Marie Raley, Minneapolis

Good Times Park in Eagan. — Adele Slygh, Hopkins

Edinborough Park in Edina. — Michelle Strain, Victoria

Maple Maze indoor playground in Maple Grove. — Leslie Wedel, Maple Grove

Skyways, downtown Minneapolis. It’s a fun area to let the kiddos run around in the dead of winter. — Sarah Siedschlag, Minneapolis

The Williston Treehouse in Minnetonka. — Jennifer Brisson, St. Louis Park

Monkey House in White Bear Lake. — Jessica Larson, St. Paul

Lookout Ridge indoor playground in Woodbury. — Stefanie Kirby, Cottage Grove

Want to see your kid on this page? Send photos with your child’s first/last name, age and city to editor@mnparent.com.

58 November 2014 • mnparent.com

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