The Biz: Feature Articles

With Father’s Day quickly approaching on June 20th, The Giggle Guide^® has gathered a mountain of manly goodies for show and sell! While today’s dads don’t have to hunt woolly mammoths for dinner, they certainly don’t cave in when it comes to child-rearing responsibilities. Daddy Cakes, Diaper Dude, Poo-Pourri, and Air Hogs know best when it comes to awesome Dad’s Day gifts that help all the pops have a blast, while they perform their fatherly functions with ease.

“You have a gifted imagination,” is a praise-worthy complement that young children used to hear a lot from teachers and parents. Before the current home computer, video gaming, and iPod revolution, generations of kids were inspired by dawn-to-dusk outdoor neighborhood adventures and creative play with blocks, models, “army” men, tea parties, crafts and board games. Enthusiastic about these “good ole’ days” of playtime powered by active imaginations, Lisa Pearce and Wendy Scarbrough, both kids at heart, opened their Gifted Imaginations store last year. The store is a kid’s dream playroom filled with traditional wooden toys, puzzles, games and more.

The Giggle Guide^® asked 26 moms “What is one thing you think manufacturers of children’s products should know or consider changing? Our moms stood united on their soap boxes to broadcast their chief concerns for quality, durability and safety in children’s products. Even though The Giggle Guide^® knows that most manufacturers in the children’s business share the same concerns, hearing the moms’ insightful and potent message is paramount.

Many parents feel that dining out with children is worse than a food fight in a junior high cafeteria, but it doesn’t have to be that way! With a little preparation, mealtime out with kids can be an enjoyable treat for all. Most parents already know to pack wipes, small snacks, and bibs, but there are other products available that can help make the event easy, clean, and fun for both children and parents. On The Giggle Guide^® take-out menu are tasty products from Neat Solutions, Babe Ease/Clean Shopper, Bink Link and Hape Toys — delicious finds for going out without going crazy!