The Biz: Feature Articles

All little girls share a special secret with Cinderella; the enchanting spell cast by the perfect party dress can be truly magical! Party clothes work like a charm for boys too. Even the scruffiest ruffians are transformed into dashing young princes when dressed to the nines. Twirling and good manners abound when children are dressed up in delightful party attire from Isobella and Chloe, Biscotti, Fantaisie Kids and Us Angels. These dazzling outfits are sure to captivate all the guests at the ball!

The age-old practice of buttoning kids up in stiff, starched party clothing is a fading memory. Today’s parents realize that all their children’s clothes are play clothes. No matter what the occasion, kids will be kids and their clothing needs to stand up to that fact. No problem! Modern children’s fashions are not only super stylish, but are comfortable and durable as well, so parents can take their tots to a special event and stop at the playground on the way home without blinking an eye. Check out the eye candy assortments from Zackali 4 Kids, Right Bank Babies, Deux par Deux and Sara Sara, perfect for both partying and playing!

Spring fever is spreading like crazy, and kids who have been cooped up indoors all winter are more than ready to don their favorite play clothes and head outdoors to hit the monkey-bars, sandbox and swing-set! Colorful, fun activewear brightens a child’s day, especially after a long winter. The Giggle Guide® is a hop, skip, and jump ahead, and is excited to feature companies that provide soft, fashionable, comfortable and durable garments that allow kids to be kids when they play. Check out the newest additions at Kicky Pants, Flap Happy, cachcach, and Sweet Potatoes, Inc. for selections that make playtime fun for everyone!

Children’s products seem to be getting nominated for more awards than ever — even Hollywood might blush! But does winning awards truly help sell the products? Our moms have mixed feelings about the influence of accolades. When it comes to what matters most, moms also place a lot of weight on word-of-mouth recommendations from other moms. The eighth question in The Giggle Guide’s exclusive series asks: “Do product awards/accolades influence your selection of children’s products, and if so, how?”

I have been attending the KidShow in Las Vegas for the past 7 years. I was there at the first windy tent event at the Rio, through many seasons at the Riviera, and for the past few years at the convenient and comfortable Bally’s. KidShow, under the welcoming and efficient direction of show maestro Denise Raeside, is one of my favorite children’s business events. I talked to a trio of reps to find out how they continue their lucky streak with this Vegas show: 4 Kids on 6, Bob Parrish and 2-2 Hot.

Jill Sundahl is a Los Angeles mother of two young hip kids who share her interest in helping the environment. Recently, Jill decided to put her money where her carbon footprint was, and opened an online and brick-and-mortar environmental specialty store in Studio City, California. Although still a little sprout, her jillybean green store is quickly growing up vibrant and strong. Here, Jilly shares with The Giggle Guide® how “going green” in retailing can lead to healthy, thriving profits!

Pack your play clothes, kids, Toy Fair 2010 is about to begin! Held in New York on Feb 14-17th, there is sure to be an abundance of creativity and fun. From radical robots to handcrafted dolls, toy makers are pulling out all the stops! They love to make us “ooooh” and “ahhhh” and coax the child within to come out and play. In anticipation of all the awesome new toys, The Giggle Guide® provides this sneak peek of a few of the items that may make it on Santa’s list this year, including products from Cate & Levi, Foot Cycles, Velcro Kids and Interbots.

Maddie Bradshaw seems like a typical eighth grader. The Texas teen is a member of her middle school swim team; she plays lacrosse and tennis; she loves English and History; she’s read all the books in the Twilight saga and declares herself “Team Jacob”; and she can’t wait to celebrate her 14th birthday with family and friends. Yet Maddie is anything but ordinary. Her entrepreneurial spirit has catapulted her into the national limelight, and she’s the president of a multi-million dollar company.

What’s the perfect environment for nasty germs to invade? A kid’s world! Young children are frequently exposed to harmful germs as they play in close quarters at day cares, schools and playgrounds. Fluctuations in temperature, dry indoor heating, lack of a good night’s sleep, and a poor diet can also contribute to childhood sick days. Believing that “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” The Giggle Guide® prescribes these germ fighters to help families in the battle against the flu, while giving retailers a healthy sales boost: SquidSoap, Pipila, Crane and PureNight.

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