Pancake Nation™ created by Bisquick encourages communities and organizations to host a pancake breakfast fundraiser. Pancakes are a staple in most families’ breakfast repertoire so we love that Bisquick is giving back with Pancake Nation™. With everything from grant opportunities to invitations and signage, they’re making it easy by getting you started:

Consider either hosting or attending a pancake fundraiser or passing the information along to an organization who might benefit. With a chance to secure a $250 grant, this is a perfect opportunity for schools and other non-profits so spread the word! Thanks.

Disclosure: A prize pack sample product was provided for review purposes from Bisquick courtesy of MyBlogSpark; all opinions are 100% ours. Read about how Cool Baby Kid is giving back by donating 100% of sponsorships on the site.

Spring break is coming up, and for many families, that means it’s time for a road trip. Just as the laws of physics and crash dynamics don’t change because you’re within 5 minutes of home, they also do not change when you’re on vacation. Every single time you get in the car with your baby or toddler, it is equally important to make sure your little one is buckled up properly.

One case that has brought this to mind for me recently is in Massachusetts. Three young children were seriously injured in a crash because the adults in the vehicle did not put them in car seats, or even buckle them up at all. The mother of those children said they weren’t buckled because the family was only traveling a short distance.

Those adults will now face neglect charges. Some states don’t allow that sort of charge for not using car seats. In my state, for example, you might only get a $150 fine. Frankly, I think more states should call it what it is - neglect or endangerment. By neglecting to put a child in a car seat, parents are deliberately putting their children in harm’s way.

In one of the counties where I work as a Child Passenger Safety Technician, none of the children who have been killed in car crashes in the past 10 years were in a car seat or seat belt. They were unrestrained. Most were fairly close to home when they were killed. Don’t relax your safety standards for your family just because you’re not far from your home.

When you’re on vacation, the same rules apply. Opt for the smaller airport shuttle van that has seat belts. Install the car seat in the taxi. Even if you consider yourself to be a very safe driver in a very safe vehicle, there’s always someone else on the road who is careless or driving a bigger vehicle. When you make sure your children are properly restrained every single time you’re in the car, you’re protecting them from the other guy who isn’t quite so careful.

“We Were Only Going a Short Distance….” originally appeared on About.com Baby Products on Tuesday, March 9th, 2010 at 09:03:19.

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This is a fantastic new monitor just loaded with features. Handheld or…better yet…clipped to your belt or any other object, the Slim & Secure Handheld Color Video Monitor by Summer is the best baby monitor I’ve reviewed. The camera uses 2.4 GHz frequency to provide the great reception. This model didn’t interfere with our 2.4 GHz phones and provides a great picture even though the camera is about 50 feet away through 2 walls. Reception is also good downstairs when moving using the battery. A great safety feature which adds privacy for families living in apartments is that the video camera marries itself to the monitor and sends a coded signal which only that monitor can decode and view. An un-coded camera signal can be picked up by scanning monitors in nearby apartments and your neighbors could watch you and your kids through the camera. The monitor has a rechargeable battery which will save a million batteries because monitors draw a significant amount of power. The monitor is viewed in color if there is sufficient light or black and white when using the infrared lights during night viewing.

The BestView™ Handheld Color Video Monitor comes with 2 AC Adapters, one for the camera and one for the monitor which is a requirement if you plan on using overnight. The system comes with everything, AV cable for TV viewing, wall anchors for mounting and a cord clip. I also have to mention the light bar on the monitor which activates when a sound is made is useful if you have multiple monitors or a using in a noisy area. Summer Infant really thought of everything with this baby monitor, far and away the best handheld video monitor system I have used and earns a CBK *Top Pick* designation!

Reviewed by Cecelia’s Husband

Cool Giveaway: Enter to win a BestView™ Handheld Color Video Monitor by Summer by visiting their baby products page and commenting back here with one you love. Retail value: $250. Open to U.S. residents only. Expires 3/22/10.

Disclosure & Extra Entries: A sample product was provided for review purposes; all opinions are 100% ours. Get unlimited contest entries, read our full disclaimer and frequently asked questions. Be sure to subscribe to Cool Baby Kid via RSS or email for winner notification and exclusive discounts and additional giveaways.

Cool Tip: We’re focusing on Facebook so get two additional entries by becoming a Cool Baby Kid Facebook. Please leave two comments saying “I’m a fan.”

What a great concept! Your kids can have fun while bundling up for those cold winter days. You know how it goes…Mom: “Put your scarf on, it is cold outside”. Little one: “No!” How many times have your heard that? Now you can be pleasantly surprised with the sound of a “Yes mom” instead. Just before the last winter blizzard hit the Northeast, I received this in the mail. Perfect timing. My son who is five hates getting bundled up to go outside. He would wear shorts all winter if he could. To my surprise, he was happy to put this on. Sticking his hands quickly inside “Snookie the Snake” scarf he started making up a voice and playing with his little brother on the way out the door.

No arguments. Its a miracle! This adorable scarf is made of a non piling fleece which is so soft around the little one’s neck and face. The heads and tail of the scarf detach so you can wear them as mittens - an extra bonus. There are many colors/animals to choose from. They include Snookie the Snake (the one we tried), Rachel the Rabbit, Danny the Dachshund, and Shawn the Shark. Also on the website you will find adorable classic puppets which make great toys for your children and gifts for others. Visit Club VPuppets for more info. You will be more than happy with his product.

Written by Tina, Cool Baby Kid contributor

Cool Giveaway: Enter to win a child-sized Club V puppet scarf of your choice (snake, rabbit, dachshund, or shark) by visiting their site and picking your favorite design. U.S. residents only. Expires 3/22/2010.

Disclosure & Extra Entries: A sample product was provided for review purposes; all opinions are 100% ours. Get unlimited contest entries, read our full disclaimer and frequently asked questions. Be sure to subscribe to Cool Baby Kid via RSS or email for winner notification and exclusive discounts and additional giveaways.

Cool Tip: Cool Baby Kid readers will receive free shipping on Club V orders within the U.S. Outside U.S. receives $5.00 off. Expires 3/15/2010.

As an educator myself with a background in Language & Literacy, no topic concerning kids’ education is as important to me as reading– the cornerstone of educational success. And one company knows how to make education fun…LeapFrog. With a panel of experts on kids’ learning they not only manufacture toys but also offer parents knowledge about topics ranging from early childhood education to tech savvy tips for mamas. Here are some tips from their Literary Expert Caroyln James, PhD:

· Hunt for words wherever you are. Play “find the letter” games with your children in the car, at the park, wherever your day takes you.

· Go on a rhyming treasure hunt. Help your child find items in the house or around the town that rhyme with a chosen object. Turn it into a song.

· Find ways to bring books to life. When you read aloud, “voice” the characters and add drama to the narration. Educational products like LeapFrog’s Tag Reading System can foster independent and shared reading time by encouraging children to bring books to life on their own.

· Play beat-the-clock. Help your child link objects to names by opening a book or magazine and asking her to point to and name as many letters, numbers, objects or colors as she can in 30 seconds.

About Carolyn Jaynes, PhD, Literacy Expert with LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc.

Throughout her career, Carolyn has served as an elementary school teacher, a general education tutor, a literacy facilitator and a reading curriculum resource teacher. She has also contributed to a number of publications on reading, learning and psychology. Carolyn holds a PhD from Michigan State University in Counseling, Educational Psychology, and Special Education. Carolyn also has her own blog – check it out here.

Smart Tip: On a side note, we purchased the LeapFrog Text & Learn for by alphabet-obsessed son and he absolutely adores it. Another winner. Check out even more educational tips and toys on Cool Baby Kid.

It’s time to announce some winners! Remember to contact coolbabykid (at) gmail (dot) com to claim your prize. Not a winner this time? Check out our current giveaways.

Congratulations to…

• Trixx on winning a copy of Beyond the Attractions: A Guide to WDW for Preschoolers.
• Kim on winning an Earth’s Best Prize Pack.
• Kathypease on winning the Sonny & Reed Teething Necklace.
• Tylerpants on winning one set of Little Lamb Designs cards.
• Mverno on winning a Tutulegz outfit.

Subscribe to Cool Baby Kid via RSS or email for winner notification and exclusive discounts. Looking for even more giveaways? Check out even more giveaways on Cool Baby Kid.

Facebook and Twitter exclusive giveaways are coming soon so be sure to follow both!

If you are looking for a unique piece of clothing for your little one the super soft baby clothes from My Little Pakora are sure to please. From the moment it arrived I was impressed with the organic baby t-shirt. Their clothing is beautifully wrapped in tissue paper and sealed with the company logo. Included with every order is an easy to follow organic organic recipe printed on quality card stock that can be placed directly into any recipe file. My older kids and I made the organic dark chocolate chip cookies and they were a huge hit. Each item of clothing from My Little Pakora combines Indian traditions with the principles of organic living. The Hathi (elephant) shirt from the Buddha Baby Line felt soft against my baby’s skin and the fold over collar made it easy to get on and off. Even the tag (usually something that bothers my daughter) is soft and non irritating. The t-shirts and onesies can be paired with matching lounge pants to make the perfect cozy outfit for any baby or toddler. In addition to the adorable baby clothes and accessories found on the website an environmentally conscious person can also find tips for organic living, recipes as well as information for having a healthy pregnancy. It is one stop shopping for anyone looking to combine great clothing with great nutrition.

Written by Erin, Cool Baby Kid contributor

Cool Giveaway: Enter to win an organic My Little Pakora long-sleeve tee by visiting their site and commenting back here with your favorite design. Expires 3/19/10.

Disclosure & Extra Entries: A sample product was provided for review purposes; all opinions are 100% ours. Get unlimited contest entries, read our full disclaimer and frequently asked questions. Be sure to subscribe to Cool Baby Kid via RSS or email for winner notification and exclusive discounts and additional giveaways.

Cool Tip: Use code MLP20 for 20% off and free shipping on orders of $50.

When new mom Anne tried to keep her baby daughter amused and interested in staying in her bedroom, she accidentally came across a great idea you and I could have dreamed up…but didn’t. (Don’t you hate that?) Fandanglings were born and parents, babies and kids rejoiced. Or at least I did when coming across this neat new product which essentially turns any ceiling fan into a giant mobile to keep baby amused. Choose from packages such as “All Star Sports” or “Drama Queen” for older kids and “Butterflies” and “Underwater Adventure” for babies or toddlers. We put the Butterflies in our 3 year old’s room and enticed her to bed that night with a surprise. Now we can’t out her down without turning on the fan. We only wish we found Fandanglings while the kids were babies since any trick up our sleeve to get them interested in staying in their rooms would have been greatly appreciated. Better later than never, though, as they really are lots of fun.

Cool Giveaway: Enter to win a Fandangling of your choice by visiting their site and commenting back here with your favorite design. Receive an additional entry for following on Twitter and/or Facebook and be sure to leave an additional comment for each. US and Canadian residents only. Expires 3/18/10.

Disclosure & Extra Entries: A sample product was provided for review purposes; all opinions are 100% ours. Get unlimited contest entries, read our full disclaimer and frequently asked questions. Be sure to subscribe to Cool Baby Kid via RSS or email for winner notification and exclusive discounts and additional giveaways.

Cool Tip: Use coupon code FANDANGLING10 for 20% off the purchase of a Fandangling through June 30, 2010.