Best Picks: The ParentGuide

Family Events,
Current Issue
Special Events

Tips, Contests, Tools, Best Picks, Recalls, Websites, Dr. Felicia,
Webcast, EveryDayMom,
Exclusive Interviews

Tampa Bay Kid's Clubs and Family Activities

Mommy and Me, Kid-friendly Sites, Movies, Music

Local Family Resources, Newcomers Guide

Resource Guide

Subscriptions,
About, Advertising Business Opportunities,
e-Newsletter,
PPA Members

Tampa Bay ParentGuide: Parenting tips, Family calendar, Tampa Bay resources & more!

MAGAZINE CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER
Subscribe Change Address Current Issue ParentGuide PDF e-Newsletter

Best Picks

Are you overwhelmed by the child-related products and services out there? The ParentGuide^® features a "Best Pick" each week on our Home Page to help guide you through the maze of websites, entertainment, books, videos and much more! If you would like to make a child or family related recommendation, please email us!

Listed Alphabetically

Attractions

Adventure Island -- Tampa Bay’s premiere family water park where More than a dozen water rides, slides and attractions delight adults and children of all ages.
MOSI
- Kids In Charge, MOSI -- The largest children's Science Center in the nation will motivate learning, introduce young people to science through hands-on, minds-on discovery, and encourage creative thinking.
- Funology is an outdoor fun lab where you can bungee jump, rock climb, use a giant slide and blow bubbles.
Cracker Country -- Quality interpretive programs and educational opportunities to learn about rural Florida history and folklife.
KIDZPALOOZA, Cypress Gardens 09/02 - 09/26/2005. All new and all for kids! This September, Cypress Gardens Adventure Park is all about being young and having fun with Kidzpalooza. Special shows and meet and greet favorite cartoon characters!
St. Petersburg Pier -- home of Pier Pals every 2nd Saturday! Family activities, fishing dolphin sightseeing, boat rentals, Pier Aquarium, shops, restaurants, boutiques, restaurants, special events.

Books

Busy Book Series: The Toddler's Busy Book, The Preschooler's Busy Book, The Children's Busy Book and The Arts & Crafts Busy Book by Trish Kuffner. These popular books for parents and caregivers contain age-appropriate activities using things found around the home.
Children's Book Week! Annually in Nov. A celebration of the written word, Children's Book Week introduces young people to new authors and ideas in schools, libraries, homes and bookstores.
Cookbook "From Grouper to Grits" - Full of recipes as well as general and historical information about our coastal community, by the Junior League of Clearwater-Dunedin.
"Cooking Rocks" by Rachael Ray, Food Network. Cooking with your kids helps build self esteem and teaches them a sense of working towards accomplising a goal.
2 new books from Ekadoo Publishing Group to jumpstart your child's learning!
"Marty the Martian Learns ABC" features Marty, a quirky little extraterrestrial visitor with a mission: to learn how to read. A colorful voyage through the alphabet! "The Picture Book Dictionary English Spanish Edition" is a colorful, easy-to follow reference tool that encourages readers to learn Spanish words and phrases familiar to the everyday world.
The Kissing Hand, by Audrey Penn. A touching book that describes a "secret" technique to comfort any youngster who is temporarily separated from home or loved ones. Perfect for those first few days of 'back to school!
Reading Tree. Leafing through books has never been so much fun! To encourage your kids to keep reading through school breaks and summertime, post a "reading tree" on your refrigerator. Tape a bare tree trunk and limbs made of construction paper to the fridge. For each book that the children read, tape a new construction-paper leaf onto the tree. Write the book's name and author on each leaf. The kids will love seeing the tree fill out and by the end of school break, you will have created a very full tree!
Who's Running Things Around Here Anyway?! Parenting Coach Dianne Couris teaches parents simple limit-setting techniques that teach children to be self-disciplined and respectful. Dianne trains throughout the Tampa Bay community, on the Internet and radio, and on television.

Educational Entertainment

Boca Beth -- bringing Spanish to life for your child by combining music, movement and creativity.
Classical Fun Music -- Classes where children learn classical music through fun filled sing and dance-a-long activities.
Mary Jo's Performing Arts Academy -- The Academy offers a complete performing arts curriculum in Dance, Acting, Voice, and Musical Theater for beginners through the professional level of all ages.
R¹Club Child Care - New Location! This summer '06, look for the new, state of the art location of R'Club at U.S. 19 and Ulmerton Road in the Clearwater/Largo area of Pinellas County. Positions available. More info. 727-578-2817
Reading Rainbow -- bringing books to life through real-life adventures.
SquKid Fitness in New Port Richey offers several exciting fun fitness classes for children up to age 12.
The Little Gym -- Non-competitive motor skill development programs, such as gymnastics, sports skills and karate, all taught in a fun, safe and nurturing environment. Try a class at the new Palm Harbor location!

Events

Angelina Ballerina Tea Party -- Tea Party or Ballet attire
A lovely afternoon of “tea”, finger sandwiches, cookies, storytelling, crafts, prizes and a special ballet performance!
ANNUAL FLORIDA COASTAL CLEANUP Keep Hillsborough County Beautiful (KHCB) The event is part of an international effort coordinated through the Ocean Conservancy to educate people about the impacts of litter and involve them with shoreline cleanups.
Family Day — A Day to Eat Dinner With Your Children™ — September 25th, 2006
CASA created Family Day – A Day to Eat Dinner with Your Children™ in 2001, as a national effort to promote family dinners as an effective way to reduce substance abuse among children and teens. Celebrate every fourth Monday in September with your family!
The Heart Gallery of Tampa Bay -- A photographic journey to the heart of a matter that affects the welfare and lives of children in our community...that is children need families. Right now, in Tampa Bay, there are children who are anxiously waiting and looking for families to nurture, love and care for them. Read their stories, hear audio clips of their hopes and dreams in their own words or songs.
International Walk to School Week -- Gives children, parents, school teachers and community leaders an opportunity to be part of a global event as they celebrate the many benefits of walking.
Kids Are Heroes Program, St. Joseph's Children's Hospital of Tampa. This program recognizes children ages 5 to 18 who have done heroic deeds or acts of selflessness and citizenship during the past year.
Million Minute Family Challenge™
This challenge encourages interaction and communication among family and friends through playing board games. The goal is to encourage at least 1,000 families, groups or organizations in each of the 50 states to play a board game together for 20 minutes. That’s 1,000,000 minutes! Game-play minutes can be logged at www.millionminute.com from September 1 through December 31, 2005. Games can be a great teaching tool, as well as a wonderful avenue for opening dialogue between parents and children!
Mommy and Me Time -- Every 1st Friday West Park Village and 3rd Friday Downtown Safety Harbor Gazebo.
National Missing Children's Day -- Annually in May, make an effort to study missing child posters, you may help to bring a child home.
NEA’s Read Across America Day ‘You’re Never Too Old, Too Wacky, Too Wild
To Pick Up A Book And Read With A Child!’ Join in on this annual reading motivation and awareness program that calls for every child in every community to celebrate reading on or around Dr. Seuss's birthday. Sponsored by the National Education Association.
Play Golf America’s Free Lesson Month The golf course is a great place for families to spend time together, to talk to each other and to enjoy the outdoors. Play Golf America is a national campaign set to introduce the entire family to the game of golf. Free 10 minute lessons in your area can be found at www.playgolfamerica.com
JUMPSTART'S READ FOR THE RECORD Tens of thousands of adults and young children will read The Little Engine That Could together in their homes, libraries, parent groups, preschool centers and major public venues on August 24 to show support for early learning, engage in the very practice that helps young children thrive, and set a world record.
September is Sarasota Museum Month Sarasota & Her Islands, renowned for being Florida's cultural coast, encourages Florida residents to experience its numerous museums this September and enjoy substantial savings. Museums throughout the county will feature special savings for Florida residents throughout September in hopes of educating and enriching people of all ages.
St. Petersburg Pier -- home of Pier Pals every 2nd Saturday! Family activities, fishing dolphin sightseeing, boat rentals, Pier Aquarium, shops, restaurants, boutiques, restaurants, special events.
Walk for Life, Annual event organized by the Pregnancy Center of Pinellas County. 2-mile, family fun celebration of life and fundraiser.

Products

2004 "10 Worst Toys" List - by World Against Toys Causing Harm, Inc. (W.A.T.C.H.) This annual list alerts the public to toys with the potential to cause childhood injuries, or even death. This research has prompted many toy and product design changes, and as a result, children’s lives have been saved.
Dr. Toy’s Best Classic Toys 2006 Classic toys are toys you return to from your own childhood. You can recall the fun by just closing your eyes for a few moments and you will see your favorite toy. Imagine the time you played with a Yo-Yo, Etch-A-Sketch, or Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head. These are among many great toys that have become classics and never go out of style.
Just Me Music -- The cast of VeggieTales records and personalizes a CD with your child's name!
On Track... Check out ParentGuide’s^®“On Track,” our new online kid's music review column, complete with articles and kid's music to sample. Read an interview with "Milkshake", the popular pop/rock band for families!
RECALL: All Magnetix Magnetic Building Sets, March 31, 2006
Several million magnetic building sets have been recalled in the United States because more than 30 children fell ill -- and one died -- after swallowing small magnets that fell out of the toys, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said Friday. "Consumers should stop using the magnetic sets and return the sets to Rose Art for a free replacement product suitable for young children under the age of 6," the CPSC said. More Recall Info.
Parenting Checklists -- Organize your busy family life with tools to help you remember all the details. Checklists for new parents, essentials to pack for family trips, questions to ask a prospective Pediatrician, daycare, or preschool and more!
TableTopper -- Disposable adhesive "eat-on" mats that give parents "peace of mind" when eating out with their young children.
Wander Wear Parent Locator Tags - Help keep your kids safe when they are away from home with identification products that are safe, affordable, functional, and practical. Parent Locator Tags clip to your child's clothing with contact information in case your child wanders off.

Projects

Kid's Lunch Menu - Thinking of different foods for kid's lunches each day can be challenging! Have your kids help you with the decisions by creating a custom school-lunch menu to choose from every night. Include main courses, snacks, fruits and drinks. You won't have to think of a new lunch every day and the kids get exactly what they ask for!
Photo Inventory. Set up a visual packing guide to help kids get their supplies ready for school or summer camp. Lay out each child's bag with it's contents on the floor. Take a digital photo of the items, print the photos and seal in a ziplock back. When your child is getting ready to go somewhere, they can easily see which items they need to look for!

Services

After Hours Pediatrics -- Pediatric care when your doctor's office is closed evenings, weekends and holidays.
ComputerTots -- Weekly computer education classes for children ages 3 to 5 years old at schools, child care centers and various community sites around Tampa Bay. Learn how fun and creative computers can be!
Dr. Sally Parenting -- Dr. Sally Goldberg, a foremost parenting expert, turns theory and research into practical information for every new parent.
More Health, Tampa General Hospital -- Quality health education and injury prevention lessons free of charge that teach school-aged children how to keep their bodies healthy, safe and strong.
Mr. Green Thumbs -- Gardening advice and consultations.
Positive In Pinellas -- parenting program that teaches important social and life skills, in a manner that is respectful to both adults and children.
SEPTEMBER IS NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS MONTH - Take some simple steps to make your familiy better prepared for emergencies.
Get a Kit: Emergency supplies
Make a Plan: Family emergency procedures
Be Informed: Potential local emergencies
Get Involved: First aid training
Tender Transitions -- Personal consulting services for women experiencing one of the two major transitions in life: new motherhood and midlife.
Wee Folks Preschool, Mom's Morning Out, Wednesdays, 9am-11:30am, St. Pauls Lutheran, 'Where children play to learn", 727-446-7718

Videos/DVD/CD

All About John Deere For Kids -- See both new and antique John Deere equipment in action – tractors, excavators, cultivators, dozers, planters, and dump trucks. Kids learn, laugh, and want more. Grown-ups, too.
The BIG Adventure Series DVD's show how things work with a child's sense of wonder. A variety of topics is covered from transportation to nature to space travel. Each one is constructed with various levels of information so that an entire family, from the youngest to the oldest, can enjoy and learn something new with every viewing!
Brainy Baby: Jingle Bells DVD - Spend a delightful half-hour getting into the Christmas Spirit with this magical holiday treasure! A colorful, musical adventure that lets children of all ages explore all the sights and sounds of the Christmas season. Young viewers will love getting into the traditional Christmas spirit as they enjoy scenes of real kids as they sing songs, count glittering ornaments and old-fashioned electric train cars, take a ride in a one-horse open sleigh, bake cookies, decorate the Christmas tree, and more. A special segment takes children on a trip to a real candy cane factory to see how the popular holiday treats are made, and the Jolly Old Elf himself makes a surprise appearance, as well!
Care Bears "Holiday Hugs" -- Includes "Care Bears" versions of eight traditional holiday favorites and four all-new original songs.
Family Fun Video Game of the Year 2004 Winners!
For kids 6-8: POWER RANGERS: DINO THUNDER
For kids 9-12: SHREK 2
Imagination Movers "Stir It Up" DVD: This energetic DVD encourages kids to dance, sing or drum as the four blue-clad Movers guide them through daily activities.
Little Upstarts DVD series This DVD series, created by a team of development specialists, combines professional instruction with entertaining visuals and sounds to give parents the chance to interact physically with their infant or child. The ultimate goal: babies moving right from the start!
Mommy & Me DVD's -- Build learning skills and encourage parent-child bonding with humor, interactive songs, games and fingerplays.
"No More Diapers" DVD A delightful animated story about a little bear who gives up diapers for big kid underpants. A proven toilet-training aid, No More Diapers is guaranteed to jump-start a child's potty-training. Includes original sing-along songs Wonderous Underous Pants, Underwear is Great and Congratulations March. Reward stickers are included with each DVD and sticker chart, coloring book & diploma can be downloaded online.
"Nursery Tap Hip to Toe" DVD Get ready to tap, tap, tap to the rhyming beat of favorite nursery rhymes -- with a twist! A charming, challenging and unique presentation of sights, sounds of rhythm, storytelling, dance and song. Little actors and dancers willlove the theatrical staging and acting out of rhymes, and will simultaneously be exposed to three of the major dance disciplines: tap, ballet and hip hop.
Pocket Snails Letter Adventure
Help teach your child the letters of the alphabet through humorous storylines, toe-tapping sing-along songs and colorful visuals.
RAGGS Kids Club Band DVD "Holiday Jam, Rockin' the Rockies" -- Join them at their school concert, a holiday street dance and in the beautiful Colorado mountains where they enjoy rock climbing, snowboarding, swimming skiing and other winter activities to the max!
Rock n' Learn -- Videos, DVD's and CD's that incorporate cool music with exciting, colorful imagery which helps children learn phonics, math, colors, shapes, counting and more!
The Safe Side DVD "Stranger Safety" A new approach in teaching your kids to find the safe side in challenging situations. Julie Clark, founder of The Baby Einstein Company, and John Walsh, host of America's Most Wanted, teamed up to produce this video to give parents simple, fun and interesting ways to discuss difficult topics with their children.
Table Time is an award winning DVD that deals with table manners and good family interaction at mealtime. Children learn best by watching and then doing. It’s so important to reach them as early as possible, before bad habits are formed. They’ll enjoy seeing Tara and Tyler, along with their friends Wesley and Merlin Manners, as they play, sing – and learn about good manners.
Tom Arma's "Christmas Favorites" CD. Gentle, soothing instrumentals of classic Christmas songs.
ZOOper Phonics -- Introduces pre-reading concepts for ages 2-5 through bright, bold computer-animated animal images.

Websites

2007 Worst Toys List W.A.T.C.H.'s annual "10 Worst Toys" list nominates representative toys with the potential to cause childhood injuries, or even death.
17 Tips For Feeding the Picky Eater! Do you have a picky eater at home? Being a picky eater is part of what it means to be a toddler. However, parents should encourage their toddlers to eat well and develop healthy food habits. Here are 17 tactics to tempt little taste buds and minimize mealtime hassles.
Ask a Librarian is a free online information service provided by Florida libraries. Real people in real time answer your questions, help you find information, or point you in the right direction to get what you need.
Car-Safety.org: Are your kids safe? Motor Vehicle Crashes are the #1 cause of death for children and adults, age groups 1 to 34. Selecting a safe vehicle and properly using child restraints and seatbelts may be the most important things you can do to protect your family.
Cybernetiquette Comix -- an entertaining, interactive way for families to learn valuable lessons about online safety. Join classic Disney characters for adventure, fun, and online awareness tips.
Edible Play Dough! If your children are at the age of preferring to eat their art supplies while you are trying to teach them to expand their creative skills, you'll enjoy these perfect projects!
Family Watchdog Your family's best friend. Protect your community, your family and yourself through this website which allows you to see where registered sexual offenders live and work around you.
Fruits and Veggies: More Matters! Give your kids some hands-on experience in the kitchen, and let the Fruit & Veggie Color Champions™ teach them about the importance of eating a colorful variety of fruits and veggies. These colorful friends guide children on fruit and vegetable exploring adventures that make learning fun. Join the Champions as their escapades take them through games, coloring, puzzles, and rhymes.
Hurricanes for Kids, by FEMA -- Information, quizzes and games to help children learn about hurricanes; The best way to alleviate fears is to educate and practice procedures in case of emergency.
Kid's Corner - National SAFE KIDS Campaign. There are a lot of ways kids can help keep themselves, their friends and family safe from injury. Quizzes and puzzles on safety at home, in the car, in the water and more.
Kaboose.com -- Holiday fun, crafts, family travel, games and more!
Make Lunch Box Notes For Your Kids! Back to school means packing lunches for your kids. Lighten up Your child's lunch box, backpack, even a pocket, and fill their school day with encouragement. Print and cut out online notes.
MyFlorida.com -- Just for kids section to learn all about Florida's history, space program, government, agriculture and more!
MyPyramid, Steps to a Healthier You, introduced earlier this year, replaces the traditional Food Guide Pyramid we have been familiar with. It emphasizes the importance of balancing physical activity with a balanced diet. MyPyramid.gov allows users to find personalized recommendations based on their indivdual needs with physical activity as a significant component. Watch for the release of the child-friendly version currently under development! Soon, the whole family can take part in making smart, healthy choices!
PBS: Get Your Web Licence -- Answer a series of internet safety related questions to earn your web licence!
Publix Preschool Pals -- Free program for children ages two, three and four and parents alike for parenting tips, healthy recipes that is fun and educational.
Save the Manatees! Boating traffic on Florida's waterways gets very busy during the spring and summer months. This makes it an especially dangerous time for Florida's manatees. Visit the Save the Manatee Club website where you can learn about the many issues and concerns affecting Florida's endangered manatees and find out what you can do to help make a difference.