Amazon Moms: Picks to Keep Baby Entertained

I recently announced my collaboration with Amazon, where I”m now a Guest Contributor!  My tips for how to keep kids entertained during the holiday season are below, but you can get the full read here. 

You have to wonder how many of all these toys are to keep baby entertained and how many of them are to keep you entertained.  The truth is, they do both!  I like to create a little circuit training for my babies so they can spend just enough time at each station to be interested, exercise their muscles (mind and body) and then move on to the next thing.  It”s worth remembering too that newborns are rarely awake for more than two hours at a time, stretching to 3-4 hours for the first year.  Fill up those stretches with lots of engaging activities that involve quality time with you and solo time that allows you to do those things that have become so difficult, like taking a shower or making yourself a nice cup of tea!

Here are some fabulous products that will keep your kids entertained all year long:

	Munchkin Mozart Magic Cube Indestructible! And truly delightful as babies get to press the buttons and control the sounds themselves. Nothing like a little cause and reaction to get some giggles. Take it to the next level and get them to press your “ear button” or “nose button” and make crazy sounds too! Shop now
	Prince Lionheart Wheely Bug Sometimes I find that perfect toy that is great fun but also looks pretty sophisticated in a nursery or living room so that you don”t feel like bright lights and colors are taking over your life! This is one of those perfect combinations. Shop now
	Skip Hop Treetop Friends Activity Gym Lots of activity centers are not appropriate for newborns and you might want to wait before constructing them and having them take over your living room! However, an activity gym is great from day one and is a brilliant place to begin tummy time and stimulate your baby between naps and feedings. I love that this one comes with all the accessories. Shop now
	VTech Rhyme and Discover Book Brilliant for time in the car, waiting at the doctor”s office, or keeping your little audience captivated while you whip up some lunch. But in all that activity don”t forget to just curl up on the couch and play with toys together. Just because they are interactive doesn”t mean we shouldn”t interact too. Shop now
	Baby Einstein Musical Motion Activity Jumper, Blue All of my little ones have spent some time in this bouncer and it”s a fun place for older siblings to be able to interact with the latest baby. Just make sure to invest in extra plastic clips so you can keep changing the visual landscape and keep your baby excited. I also like to add teethers to the clips fresh out of the fridge! Shop now
	Manhattan Toy Counting and Sorting Farm I promise you, it”s a must to have toys that let the little ones simply take things in and out, in and out. The great part of having them do this one is while you play with them it might give you a little inspiration too! Shop now
	Sassy Ring O” Links Rattle Developmental Toy Sometimes flashing lights and buttons are just right, but don”t forget about the basics. You can”t beat a bunch of keys for them to chew on, to help them work on finger dexterity, and to help them learn about colors. I love the simple toys–they always entertain the longest and, when they fit in my purse, I am one happy lady! Shop now