Babies & Kids Blog

As you have probably already heard, Disney is offering refunds or DVD upgrades for Baby Einstein videos purchased between June 5, 2004 and September 4, 2009. Why? Apparently many parents felt they were being led to believe that Baby Einstein videos were educational when in fact, they are not. But really, who truly would believe that plunking a baby in front of the television is educational? If parents really thought they were being good parents by encouraging their little babies to zone out in front of the tube maybe they shouldn’t get their fifteen bucks back anyway! Common sense, right?!

Anyway, if you have a few of these DVDs around the house and you want to get some cash back or exchange them for something better, follow these instructions:

To participate, you must have purchased a Baby Einstein DVD between June 5, 2004 and September 4, 2009.

If you are not satisfied with the Baby Einstein DVD you purchased during the period mentioned above, for a limited time beginning on September 4, 2009 and ending on March 4, 2010, you may exchange it for one of the following:

One (1) Baby Einstein Book of your choice

One (1) Baby Einstein music CD of your choice

- Or -

One (1) coupon for 25% off the purchase of one Little Einsteins™ product. Redeemable with promotion code only at DisneyStore.com.

Or you may return it, and we will refund the current retail value of the DVD ($15.99). (read more)

Like every other kid between the ages of 6-15, my niece has been waiting for Hannah Montana: The Movie to come out (which is being shown in theaters this weekend, April 10th). Thus, when I heard about the preview at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, I planned on taking her to the red carpet star-studded event. Her mother, which is my cousin, however expressed her concern about whether this was age appropriate or not, even though the movie is rated PG. To her it was all about what Hannah would be wearing in the film.  

Come to find out that Disney is moving away from the “Britney” look altogether. According to Director Peter Chelsom and Costume Designer Christopher Lawrence, they wanted Miley (Cyrus, who plays Hannah in the film and on the Disney Channel show, for those of you that have been living in a cave) to be dialed in to the 6-16 year old age demographic that the movie is aimed towards. Miley apparently was not allowed to bare her midriff, wear spaghetti straps or short skirts, and summer dresses had to be paired with light sweaters or smocks on the set of the new film.  Even in real life, Miley has been known to say that young girls “shouldn’t give away everything” with how they dress and has been criticized many times for dressing older and sophisticated.

Aaahhh…a big sigh of relief for mother’s of tweens though. You can expect more ballet flats, oversize tees, and ruffled or long skirts to pop up in stores this summer, stemming from the fashion found in this movie. Finally the short shorts and spaghetti tanks made from spandex material, as seen in every store last summer, are out and wholesome, down-to-earth girls make a comeback thanks to Hannah Montana!

Source: LATimes, YahooNews

This week in babies & kids blogs: 

Disney fanatics can pick up these great vintage attraction posters featured on Coochicoos.

Strollerderby discusses under cover internet sites that are not kid friendly and violate the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act in The Internet Really is That Scary.

DadTalk discusses his issues with a Florida McDonald’s offering ‘Happy Meals’ for Grades.

This week on Smarter Babies & Kids we covered: 

The old classic game Operation was too risqué for some.  Check out the new Operation Rescue Kit where Cavity Sam is decent in his boxers and has some new ailments.

Keep your little ones safe with these handy Winter Safety Tips. 

Encourage your child to be more extraverted with the award winning Cat in the Hat - I Can Do That! game. 

Right Start has some comfortable and safe rockers & ride-on toys for your active child. 

Love You Forever is a classic children’s book that will have you in tears, but in a good way!

You may have seen commercials for Crayola’s Model Magic Fusion.  It looks like normal clay, but is model material made with a non-crumbling formula that won’t stick to your hands and air-dries.  It is supposed to be much softer than normal clay and easier to shape & mold.   I’ve only seen commercials for the insect & animal models, but today I found some Disney themed model sets that I think all kids would enjoy (recommended for ages 6 & up).

You can purchase an “Ariel’s Castle” Kit, the “Cinderella’s Castle” Kit, the Pirates of the Caribbean “Black Pearl Ship” Kit & “Flying Dutchman Ship” Kit.

Our sister site, CouponMountain.com, has some great coupons, right now, for CrayolaStore.com:

FREE SHIPPING on orders of $25 or more - Enter Code CB2SFREE

FREE SHIPPING on orders of $75 or more - Expires 12/31/07

For more kids’ model kits click here.