When a birthday or holiday rolls around, no doubt your kids will present you with a wish list of the toys they want. And every time a toy commercial comes on TV, your child is probably pointing to everything they see, asking you to buy it. While you’ll want to fulfill some wishes, there are some more things you should think of when buying toys for your kids.

Here’s how to make the right choice for finding perfect toys for your kids.

Choose Brand Names

Brand names tend to be more reputable and often offer warranties that ensure the durability of the toys you buy. If you shop online, in particular, be cautious of brand names because there are many knock-off items at cheaper prices. While those price cuts might seem like a bargain, they often aren’t very durable. They’re also more likely to come from a vendor with a less than stellar reputation which could leave you with a broken product and wasted money.

Check Out The Reviews

Internet trolls aside, the majority of reviews you see are legitimate. You can learn a lot about the products you plan to buy by seeing what others who have bought and used them have to say about it. If there are more bad reviews than good ones, you’ll probably want to look for a different brand or product instead.

If you want to know if buyer reviews are legitimate, check out Fakespot.

Keep It In The Age Limit

Toys are all designed for different age ranges. Children under the age of 3, for example, shouldn’t have anything with small parts because of the dangers of choking.

Other toys are for older children and while a child of 5 won’t be attempting to eat small pieces, they might not have the patience or understanding for a toy that’s been created with older children in mind.

Think About The Product Features

That toy guitar sure is cute! But does it have a volume control on it? If not, you’ll be doomed to listen to it blaring every single time you attempt to make a phone call. Some products in the same genre will have very different features on them too and it’s up to you decide what makes one set of features better for your child.

Choose Toys That Do More Than Entertain

Some of the toys you choose for your child will be purely for fun value. But other toys will have educational elements to them. Things like water tables or block sets or even toy kitchens all provide an opportunity for your child to learn new things like colors, shapes, new words, even new languages.

There are also other toys that can help children build self-confidence or self-esteem such as pretend toys or musical instruments. While it’s nice to give your kids plush and cuddly toys to love on, the perfect toys for your children can teach soft skills too.

Think About Assembly

Is the toy you’re choosing ready to go right out of the box? Or will it require some effort on your part to put it together?

Make sure you’re aware of the packaging and assembly so you won’t be surprised when you’ve got a new dollhouse that you have to put together while your children shriek with excitement and try to touch everything as you’re assembling it. Talk about pressure!

Compare Prices

Once you’ve decided on the toys you want to buy for your child, you’ll want to look at the price. Not everyone has a limitless budget. You’ll want to factor in things like the cost as well as the usage of it.

For example, if you’re going to buy a walker, you might want to invest in one that has a detachable face of learning activities. That way, when your little one begins walking on her own, she’ll still get use out of this toy.

Before you buy it anywhere, compare the prices of the toys you’ve selected among reputable stores in your area as well as online. Don’t forget that if you order online, you will have to factor the cost of shipping into your budget unless it comes with free shipping.

Remember, toys should be age-appropriate, safe, and durable. Keep that in mind and you’ll always find the perfect toy!

 

The post 7 Tips in Choosing Perfect Toys for Your Kids appeared first on Dumb Little Man.

http://ift.tt/2rKq9Wt

The will to go to the gym and work your heart out usually gets trumped by the lack of energy to give it all you’ve got. You may be pumped up and hyped but you do not get the most out of your time in the gym. You lose steam easily and you wrap up and throw in the towel early.

Our daily food intake has a lot to do with the energy in our body or the lack thereof. There are pre-work out food that are very ideal to give you that boost you need to make sure you get the workout you have in mind.

We have categorized this energy boosting food that will surely give you that sense of well-being and that extra oomph you need to hit the gym hard.

Dairy

• Yogurt

This has lactose, a sugar derived from milk which is easily digested to give you that extra boost you need before working out. This grab-and-go snack is also packed with protein which allows slow absorption of that milk sugar giving you a longer energy boost.

There are tons of yogurt snacks out there which you can consume on the go, but if you have time to make a pre-work out meal, it will be ideal to add a little greek yogurt dip into it. If you want to have a packed morning snack to power you through the day until you hit the gym, you can even go for apple oat greek yogurt muffins with no oil but with all natural flavor packed with fiber.

Lean meats

• Salmon

This fatty fish has two powerful nutrients; protein and omega 3 fatty acid. We all know that we need protein to build muscle and repair, ligament, tendons, and bones. Omega 3 is a powerful anti-inflammatory which is also very beneficial for your post workout making sure that healing is uninhibited.

• Chicken
  

Lean meats can give you power for hours on end and it is very high in protein. It has lots of nutrients like iron that energizes through the proper transport of blood cells throughout the body, vitamin B to quench fatigue, and magnesium which is essential in building strong bones, ligaments, and tendons.

On your next trip to the gym, grab a chicken sandwich to-go to give you that boost that you need.

Fruits

• Avocado

This is a fruit rich in omega 3 fatty acids, loaded with fiber, protein, magnesium, potassium, and iron. This fruit has a unique balance for building lean muscles and burning fat.

A green smoothie avocado is an easy way of preparing and consuming this pre-workout drink, or it can also be paired with whole grain bread for an avo toast.

• Banana

Bananas have vitamins, antioxidants, complex carbohydrates, and lots of nutrients and minerals that will give you that boost that you need before a workout. It is also one of the best sources of potassium which is essential in muscle function.

Bananas with some berries, raisins, and oats will make a great homemade energy bar with all the nutrients you need and the sugar to curb your sweet cravings.

• Lemon
  

Add a little squeezed lemon in your water and you got yourself the best energy booster around. Lemon water hydrates and oxygenates your cells which in turn give you clean energy that will not give you headaches or mood swings like the artificial energy drinks packed with caffeine and sugar.

Vegetables and legumes

• Cucumber, zucchini, and carrots

These will make a light and easy option veggie roll. This snack is packed with antioxidants. Add few more ingredients like pesto and avocado to add some more protein into your meal.

• Peanuts, soybeans, and hummus

When it comes to building muscles, these legumes have a serious impact and are a great source of protein and fiber. You can have hummus mixed with some chili, carrots, and cucumber.

Grains

• Oatmeal
  

This is the best carbohydrate to start your day right because it has high fiber content and B-vitamins like niacin, thiamin, and folate. It is a very good combination that helps your body metabolize energy.

Oatmeal can also be used in homemade energy bars or healthy cookies that are easy to make for a pre-workout snack.

• Corn

Air popped corn is a whole grain that is packed with fiber and energy. Contrary to its popular version movie theater version, the air-popped popcorn will allow you to have up to four cups since it only contains 30 calories per serving. It contains tons of fiber which will leave you feeling full and satisfied for a longer period without that guilt and heaviness.

• Whole grain

A bowl of whole grain in the morning will give you that early morning boost you need to work and think. It will also satisfy that hunger from your deep slumber.

• Brown rice

Brown rice is one good source of manganese, a mineral that aids in the synthesis of fatty acids. It is also an antioxidant that keeps you healthy and protects you from the damages brought by free radicals.

• Coffee
  

Coffee is a natural energy drink that can power you throughout the day minus the artificial flavors and sweeteners. This low-calorie drink will give you the mental alertness that will surely help you power through your workout.

• Dark chocolate

This is the best way to conquer your sweet tooth cravings. It’s a much better alternative compared to desserts that are heavy on artificial sweeteners and refined starches. These give you sugar highs that only deplete your body of energy and make you crash.

• Flax seed

Flax seed is one of the superfoods that is packed with minerals for strong bones and energy. This tiny seed has more potassium than a banana and beats milk with its calcium content.

Just remember, this list isn’t just for pre workout food. These are also great to eat before going to work or school.

See Also: 8 Bad Food Habits That are Sabotaging Your Weight Loss Goals

 

The post 10 Energy-Boosting Snacks To Eat Before The Gym appeared first on Dumb Little Man.

http://ift.tt/2rZ5K41

Most people complain that their hair becomes too dry or too greasy after a long trip. It becomes worse when your hair is down the entire time making it more vulnerable to wind, grime, and your own oily fingers.

When you finally arrive at your destination, your hair is a total mess. So how do you ensure your hair stays relatively clean and nice during the entire trip?

A chic ponytail seems such an enticing idea, but it won’t cut it unless you won’t fret having such a hard knot on the back of your head for the duration of your trip. In most cases, the ideal hairstyle is one that can both keep the hair secure and out of the way during travel.

Below are the ten best hairstyles to rock before embarking on long and winding voyages:

French Braid

The French Braid is recommended for two reasons: it not only keeps every strand of hair out of the way, but you may also effortlessly undo it the moment you reach your destination. It is a simple hairdo, and you can definitely pull it off yourself without requiring an extra hand.

Top Knots

Top knots are a fantastic option when you want to keep your locks on lock during a long trip. Thankfully, they sit so high up on your head that you won’t easily mess them up while driving (or chilling out as a passenger).

Here’s a great tutorial for easy messy buns.

Fishtail Braid

Chic. Simple. And reliable. These are the three words that define fishtail braids. It can easily be undone the moment you arrive at your destination to give way to beachy waves.

What you, or any other person, ought to do is simply to pass a section of hair from side to side and tug on it for extra volume. Voila! You have a fishtail braid for your journey.

Low Pigtails

You want to keep your unruly hair under control and out of the way- and you’ve tried every possible style to no fruition- well, perhaps you haven’t tried low pigtails. This simple, chic and gorgeous style helps to shackle your hair and keep it out of your way for the entire journey so you are not distracted by the breathtaking views of the countryside or scenery during your trip.

Milkmaid Braids

This style is the fusion of style and convenience- while intricate, it still doesn’t get in your way. You only need to weave two low pigtails, secure them on top of your head, and you’ll be good to go.

Double Buns

If a single knot isn’t going to confine your hair well enough, you can add another. Just pull your cute hair into high pigtails. Wrap the ends of each pigtail into a regular top knot, and use a bobby pin to secure these mini buns in place. After that, you can smile, start your car, and get lost in the adventure that is just about to unfold.

The Famous Sock Bun

This hairstyle is both elegant and simple. It is a simple and perfect solution when bad hair days and an inclement weather gang up against you.

Low, Side Ponytails

Whenever you are on the road for a holiday, you need to discard that fussy do that requires lots of maintenance. Low, side ponytails are the worthy alternatives. They are perfect for long trips when you cannot blow dry or wash your hair.

Just gather the hair into a low ponytail, move it to the side of the nape, and fasten it in place. Finally, tousle the tail to achieve a casual and textured look.

A Shaved Bob Haircut

This stylish, chic, and versatile crop is arguably the best haircut you can go for when preparing to embark on a long trip. It can be incredibly messed up for a day look, is incredibly attractive, and shows off your feminine features. Now that’s incredible versatility.

An Updo Hairstyle

An updo is a hairstyle that entails arranging the hair above your head instead of letting it fall liberally. It is stylish, sophisticated, and absolutely gorgeous. It keeps hair out of the way and thus lets you concentrate on the journey.

A few more tips

While on a road trip or cruise, there are a lot of tricks you need to keep up your sleeve to avoid making your hair fussy or messy or unsightly. For example, you might want to slather your hair with moisturizers or oils before plunging into chlorinated or salt waters.

You should also shield your hair from the sun and keep brushing it often. Find a moisturizer or oil that works for you, and stick to it.

See Also: 10 Wonderful Benefits of Traveling

 

The post Beauty Hacks: 10 Best Hairstyles for Traveling appeared first on Dumb Little Man.

http://ift.tt/2sxAdod