Vanessa Leigh

Vanessa Leigh is a busy mom of three (including twins!), a Midwesterner turned East Coaster, and a chocolate enthusiast. She’s a copywriter specializing in Early Childhood and Motherhood, plus the creative force behind her Etsy shop. When she’s not writing or designing, you can find her indulging in dark chocolate peanut butter cookies at Levain Bakery. Connect with Vanessa at www.vanessaleighagency.com or browse her creations at MamaMagicByVanessa.etsy.com. She loves chatting with fellow parents—don’t hesitate to reach out!

Latest posts by Vanessa

Staten Island Zoo Is Animal-Packed Adventure for Little Ones

Submitted by Vanessa Leigh on Mon, 07/15/2024 - 3:25pm

Indoor exhibits let kids get up close with animals in their habitats.

If you're looking for animal adventures in the Big Apple might we suggest the Staten Island Zoo—one of NYC's true hidden gems? While there are so many wonderful zoos in NYC, the compact Staten Island Zoo is seemingly overlooked. It has a perfect layout for small children and is packed with interesting species for kids of all ages to explore, plus it offers fun, family-friendly programming. Its admission fees are reasonable, so consider this your sign to head across the Verrazzano or take a FREE ferry ride to this under-the-radar NYC animal haven.

Visiting Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory for a Beautiful Butterfly Experience With Kids

Submitted by Vanessa Leigh on Fri, 06/14/2024 - 7:33am

Visit Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory in South Deerfield for a magical experience in Greater Boston!

See butterflies and more with a visit to Magic Wings!

45 Baby Shower Games That are Modern, Unique, and FUN

Submitted by Vanessa Leigh on Thu, 06/13/2024 - 12:28pm

"Pin the ......." is a silly game, but gets everyone laughing! Photo courtesy of the TYHJOY Store on Amazon

Baby shower games don't have to be stale, boring, and old-fashioned. These awesome games are fun for moms, dads, friends, parents, and everyone.

Put the days of baby word crossword puzzles or candy bars melted in diapers firmly in the past. Have you ever been to a party where they measured the baby bump with a string to see who can predict the size of the mom-to-be? (Get your hands off my belly!) While those games have traditionally been a part of baby showers, there are tons of new baby shower game ideas that are fun, meaningful, and bring people together.

Here are 50 ideas to help you plan a modern, unique baby shower! For more baby registry must-haves, baby name suggestions, and more ways to prepare for your new bundle of joy, check out our Baby and Maternity Guide.

25 Brain-Boosting Baby Games and Activities

Submitted by Vanessa Leigh on Tue, 05/28/2024 - 12:00pm

Black-and-white toys and books, like this Thremhoo foldout book, are the perfect first tummy-time playthings.

While you probably know that playing with your baby is an important way to boost their brain development, it's important to note that not all baby games are created equal. Certain activities, toys, books, and baby games do a better job than others of stimulating tiny brains, getting babies' creative juices flowing, and developing both fine and gross motor skills.

Here are 25 baby games that will keep little ones engaged and learning during tummy time, while sitting in their high chairs, or whenever you want to have some fun and give their growing brains a boost. See our Baby and Maternity Guide for all other things baby-related, from the best baby registry services to the best first birthday gifts.

20 First Birthday Party Themes and Ideas to Celebrate Baby’s First Year

Submitted by Vanessa Leigh on Thu, 04/18/2024 - 10:00am

Sure, it looks like baby's party, but it's mostly for the parents at this point, so have fun!

Looking for first birthday party themes and ideas for your baby's first birthday? We rounded up 20 of our favorites!

First birthday parties are a time to really celebrate the successes of a full year of life. Parents, you did it! Since a baby's first birthday is as much for the adults as for the baby, parents want to throw a memorable celebration that the birthday child can enjoy while marking the occasion with friends and family.

But how can you find the perfect first birthday party theme? What should you serve for a treat that will please both babies, older siblings, and adults? We've got you covered with first birthday party ideas that include themes, decorations, and sweet dessert ideas.

Find tons of other birthday bash ideas, including 100 Top Birthday Party Themes, awesome goody bag ideas, and gift guides for all ages, in our Guide to Kids' Birthday Parties and Birthday Party Ideas.

Top Baby-Led Weaning Foods and Our Favorite Baby Food Makers

Submitted by Vanessa Leigh on Thu, 03/21/2024 - 12:00pm

Baby-led weaning has become a popular method of feeding little ones their first foods.

Curious about baby-led weaning? Read on to learn more about this baby-feeding method, including the best baby-led weaning foods and some top baby food makers.

It's about that time in your baby's life. You've dreamed about it. You've worried about it. You've Googled all about it. It's time for SOLIDS!

But now the real questions begin. What are the best first baby foods? Is it better to feed your baby solids, purees, or a mixture? And what on Earth is baby-led weaning?

We are here to answer all your questions about baby-led weaning, baby food, and baby food makers. Our Baby and Maternity Guide dives even deeper into all things baby-related, from the 100 top unique baby names to developmental milestones for baby's first year.

25 Best Board Books for Babies and Toddlers You’ll Love to Read Over and Over

Submitted by Vanessa Leigh on Tue, 02/27/2024 - 10:53am

Babies love books; sure they may treat them as toys or food at first, but a love of reading will come.

Board books for babies are the perfect way to spend time together and foster a lifelong love of books and reading. From classic tales to brand-new reads, there are so many incredible board books that babies can gnaw on, play with, flip through, have read to them, and one day even read!

Sweet, silly, profane, profound, inclusive, and interactive—these are our tried and true recommendations for the best board books to read with your baby.

For more tips on building a fabulous home library check out lists of our favorite banned kids' books, bedtime stories for kids, and even 100 Books Every Kid Should Read. They're all in our Best Kids' Books Guide.

Cloth Diaper Services and Diaper Delivery Services in NYC

Submitted by Vanessa Leigh on Tue, 01/23/2024 - 9:28am

Cloth diapers can be intimidating, but these local shops and services make the cloth diapering journey easier for NYC families.

Cloth diapers for babies have come a long way. Besides the washing and care of cloth diapers, one of the biggest stumbling blocks for cloth diaper newbies is the enormous number of options: snap or Velcro closures, wool or fleece covers, pre-fold, contour, or fitted diaper inserts. We’ve rounded up great cloth diapering resources for NYC families interested in exploring this eco-friendly alternative to disposable diapers, including informational classes.

As you're contemplating the best diaper subscription for your family, consider adding these cloth diaper services in NYC to the mix. We're also including information on two of the most parent-loved cloth diaper wash-and-fold diaper delivery services because many NYC families live without a washer or dryer. Not sure which style or brand of cloth diaper is right for your little one? We even found online stores offering cloth diaper trial deals where you get to sample many cloth diaper styles before settling on the perfect fit.

Looking for more baby services or classes in NYC? Bookmark our NYC Baby Guide, which is loaded with new-parent tips and our baby bucket list for the quintessential things all NYC babies must do before their first birthday.

Vanessa Leigh

Latest posts by Vanessa

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