Busy parents everywhere know this trick of the trade for keeping curious toddlers out of their hair: plop them down in front of the TV and go straight to a kids’ network.

Eventually, though, they’re back at your side, tugging on your pockets, stepping on your feet, generally inconveniencing you when you’re trying to do the chores you’ve been putting off for a week.

There are few activities your child can do unattended, so TV is always the best option. It’s what your child is watching on TV, though, that is—or isn’t—holding their attention.

To kill two birds with one stone—entertain your child and give them a head start on their education—check out the following shows.

Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood

An adorable reimagination of Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood, Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood teaches life lessons by familiarizing viewers with memorable jingles. This show educates children on behavioral cues, like how to help when their new brother or sister comes home from the hospital, or how to treat other children they meet at school.

Tumble Leaf

It’s never too soon to learn about science—even if it’s the most basic of principles. Tumble Leaf is a show about a fox who encounters various problems that he must solve using science. Your child will be introduced to concepts like motion, flight, energy, temperatures, and matter. These parts of science can get difficult later on, so begin the fundamentals with good TV shows now!

Dinosaur Train

Ross Geller-approved, Dinosaur Train is an interesting show about dinosaurs that any kid will love—dinosaur enthusiast or not. Each episode introduces viewers to a different breed of dinosaur, and kids will learn about diets, behavior, habitats, etc. Even if you don’t find dinosaurs to be a particularly valuable educational concept, this show will keep your kids engaged!

So, no matter how much time you let your kids watch, make sure they are watching educational TV shows!

Editor’s Note: Julia Miglets is a freelance content provider & writer for Daphyl’s LLC. Daphyl’s is a USA based multi-national world leader in safe, innovative, Licensed Rock N Roll, branded baby gear. The opinions, advice and assertions made in this article are for entertainment and information purposes only & are solely those of the author.

How You Can Teach Your Little Ones About This Holiday

Get ready to go green — St. Patrick’s Day is right around the corner.  This holiday is a great time to teach children all about Irish culture and history in a fun and exciting way. Looking for some tips on how to have some educational fun with your little ones? We can help!

We’ve rounded up some of the best ways to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with your kids. Whether you’re looking to teach them something new or just have them celebrate in style, we’ve got a host of great St. Patrick’s Day activities for kids.  Pick out your favorites and get ready for an unforgettable St. Patrick’s Day with your children.

Cook Up Something Special

To celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, bring your children into the kitchen and help them cook up a feast for family and friends! You can teach them the ins and outs of cooking classic Irish cuisine, like corned beef and cabbage. As you cook, you can teach your little ones fascinating facts about Irish history and food, feeding their bodies and their minds at the same time.

You can also opt for some sweet treats at your St. Patrick’s Day celebration, by baking shamrock cookies with bright green frosting. Your children will love decorating their shamrocks and sharing them with loved ones! You can finish off your delicious meal with a beverage served in their favorite Pink Floyd sippy cup – we suggest adding a little green food dye to their milk for a colorful and fun concoction kids will love.

Make Leprechaun Traps

Your little ones will love learning about Irish history as they hunt leprechauns! This fun tradition is a great way to get your children excited about the past while stretching their creative muscles. First, tell them the rich history of the legend of leprechauns, and how it’s become a part of Irish culture. You can even tell some old fairy tales to get them in the spirit of the celebration!

Afterwards, it’s time to catch some leprechauns of your own (or at least pretend to)! Have your children design fun traps using their favorite snacks as bait. They can construct traps out of pipe cleaners, building blocks, or construction paper and rubber bands. Let their imaginations run wild! And remember, if they do catch a leprechaun they get a pot of gold or three wishes — so be sure to ask them to think of what they’ll do if they manage to find one!

Editor’s Note: Lauren Saccone is a freelance content provider & writer for Daphyl’s LLC. Daphyl’s is a USA based multi-national world leader in safe, innovative, Licensed Rock N Roll, branded baby gear. The opinions, advice and assertions made in this article are for entertainment and information purposes only & are solely those of the author.

You’re expecting! Congratulations!

Wishing for a boy? Hoping for a girl? Those are questions you’ll be asked time and again during your pregnancy; most parents will truthfully answer that it doesn’t matter, as long as the baby is healthy.

Deep down, Dad might be hoping for a boy he can toss a football with and take hunting, while Mom is keeping fingers crossed behind her back for that little girl she can put in pretty dresses and spend days baking with.

But at the end of the day, yes, health trumps gender.

And you’ll enjoy them no matter what. Boys can help moms bake and girls can catch a football. No big deal.

There is the chance that you might have three or four or even more children, and they might all be of the same sex. And that’s okay. It might sound overwhelming and you might feel somewhat disappointed that you didn’t get to experience both worlds, but there’s lots to love about having all of the same gender when you have kids.

We’ll take a look at the BEST things about having all boys or all girls.

Snips and Snails and Puppy Dog Tails

Boy oh boy oh boy…it might not be easy, but raising all boys can be loads of FUN.

Maybe one of the best is that boys will be boys…even when they’re grown up. Honestly, boys just seem to stay little for a bit longer. There seems to be some innate pressure on girls to grow up more quickly. Your tween boy might still enjoy exploring in the woods or playing in the dirt as much as he did when he was younger. Enjoy those times as much as possible. You’ll miss them when they’re gone.

A mother/son bond is strong. You’ll love it. Most never grow too big or too old not to need their mamas…or give them a hug.

Hand-me-downs! (Save lots of $$ on new clothes).

Long car trip and no rest stops in sight? Behind every tree along the highway is a rest stop when you have all boys!

Boys also tend to be more laid back. Need to be out the door in record time? No hair to fuss with or clothes to change several times—boys are just ‘go with the flow’!
All boys can also build healthy competition, a tolerance of rough-housing and maybe best: built-in playmates! If you’re stuck inside on a rainy day, boys might be content with toy trucks or dressing up as their favorite superhero and pretty much entertain themselves.

Oh, and let’s face it: boy toys are cool!

Sugar and Spice and All Things Nice

You already have three girls and really want this one–your last–to be a boy…but the doctor proudly proclaims, “It’s a girl!”

Though not without its challenges same as raising all boys, having an all-girl clan is great. First, little girls LOVE to be Mommy’s Little Helper. Cleaning the house? Your girls will love to dust and vacuum and straighten up. It might not be done perfectly, but so what? You can all have fun “playing house”.

Boy clothes are neat and cheaper, but what Mom doesn’t love to dress up little girls? You can spend days wandering stores shopping for girl clothes. Most girls will love it.

Dads: it takes a special guy to raise a daughter. You’ll be the #1 man in her life. There’s no feeling like it. No imagine it multiplied by three or four. Bliss. And you get that special dance with each one at their weddings.

That maternal instinct girls have will come in handy when you need help with the newest addition. Your older girls will step up and be little mamas to their baby sister. It can be a huge help!

Daddy/daughter dances. Mom/daughter Girls’ Nights Out. All girls? You get to do these over and over and over. Cherish it.

So all boys? Or all girls? Life’s the BEST either way.

Editor’s Note: Harrison Howe is a freelance content provider & writer for Daphyl’s LLC. Daphyl’s is a USA based multi-national world leader in safe, innovative, Licensed Rock N Roll, branded baby gear. The opinions, advice and assertions made in this article are for entertainment and information purposes only & are solely those of the author.