Making Bath Time Fun

As your little one gets older, bath time can become a daily battle for parents.

When you're trying to bathe a wiggly toddler, it takes some serious reflexes and coordination. When you incorporate some fun bath time activities, bath time is easier for parents and safer for baby. We gathered together some of our favorite products and activities to make bath time actually a fun way to wind down the day.

Don't get too upset if your fun bath time isn't picture perfect, there's no creative parenting judge. Anything that can bring a little more whimsy to bath time will be appreciated by your kids and make the whole process easier on you.

LUSH's Intergalactic bath bomb in action.

LUSH's Intergalactic bath bomb in action.

This is Fun, Literally!

Lush's Dragon Fun Kit

Lush's Dragon Fun Kit

The popular all natural cosmetics brand LUSH is famous for their hypoallergenic and fresh ingredients. Aside from their bath bombs that explode into a rainbow of colors, they've also been hard at work trying to make bath time a little more fun. Who doesn't like play dough? You can't exactly build a play dough pizza in the bath tub, but with LUSH's fun you can! They've engineered a malleable dough that can be used as bubble bath, shampoo, soap and sweetly scented sculpting clay exclusively for bath time. 

What can make this brand better? LUSH is a huge advocate against animal testing, only uses sustainable ingredients and donating to charities. With every roll of "fun" sold, part of the profits are sent to build playgrounds and safe recreation spaces for children in Japan.

Kitchen Utensils

Sometimes simple is the way to go. With the help of some plastic kitchen utensils like colanders, plastic spoons and measuring cups can transform a bath into sensory play time. Plastic colanders of different sizes make fun "rain clouds" with fun patterns of water. Measuring cups and spoons can help your crafty toddler make a big bowl of soap soup. Little kitchen gadgets can help distract your little ones long enough to wash their hair without any complaints or fussing. 

Fill the tub with different size containers and utensils with your LUSH bath bomb and you'll be able to make bath time fun with plenty of aromatic oils to relax your little one before bedtime.

Glowing Tub

Nothing captivates kids more than glow sticks. One of the coolest bath time accessories is floating a handful of colorful glow sticks into the tub and dimming the lights. The bath water will light up incredibly bright and your toddlers can explore a neon scavenger hunt in the tub. Dimmed lights will get them sleepy and glow sticks are incredibly difficult to break, making this a safe way to spice up bath time. Kick up your outer space theme with some homemade alien slime! Really it's just food coloring in some shaving cream, but your kids can paint the tub while you wash them up. 

If you're nervous about putting glow sticks in the tub for some reason, did you know that tonic water glows light blue under black light? Try picking up a couple bottles of tonic water from the grocery store and replacing your bathroom vanity bulbs with some black lights. Just be careful, these black light bulbs tend to get extremely hot. 

She Bakes and Creates homemade glowing bath paint recipe

She Bakes and Creates homemade glowing bath paint recipe

Who said bath time has to be boring?

With a little help from some toys and homemade bath accessories, you can have an awesome bath adventure that will make bath time fights a thing of the past. 

Try switching it up for holidays, events and heading to sites like Pinterest for a little bit of inspiration for crazy bath adventures for every age. 

Where to Find That Holiday Glow

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No matter what you celebrate this time of year, bringing light into the darkest days is a theme in many religions and winter routines. There is a special feeling that accompanies the sparkle of a string of lights or a flicker of a candle. Here we share some of the upcoming events in our communities to celebrate this winter tradition.

LL Bean Northern Lights

November 18-December 31 

LL Bean is changing things up this year. They are creating a Discovery Forest surrounding a geodesic dome featuring the aurora borealis, instead of their usual musical Christmas tree. The lighting and kick off celebration starts tomorrow (November 18th) at 6:45. The fun doesn’t end there, as Bean continues the holiday happenings with a model train village daily, and horse drawn wagon rides, reindeer barn (real reindeer!) and visits with Santa on the weekends. The events will wrap up on new year’s eve with their annual kiddo fireworks display. Check out their hashtag #llbeanmoment to share the fun!

Once you've enjoyed the epic holiday cheer at LL Bean, there are plenty of other wonderful TREE LIGHTING EVENTS around the state:

Christmas in Rockland

November 25-27th

These festivities kick off when Santa arrives by Coast Guard escort! He’ll help light the tree after a busy afternoon. The following day there are events all around town leading up to the Festival of Lights parade. The weekend wraps up with a breakfast with Santa on the 27th. A full family weekend!

Lighting of the Nubble Lighthouse, York

November 26th 4:30-7p  

What is more Maine than celebrating the holidays at a historic lighthouse? Cocoa, carolers and a visit from Santa round out this lighthouse lighting celebration!

Also in York on December 3rd at 4:30 is their Festival of Lights parade. 

Christmas in Kennebunk

November 26th 5-9  

Santa lights the tree while carolers sing! Opportunities to skate with Santa.

Tree Lighting and Fireworks Downtown Kennebunk

December 9th 5:30

Tree lighting and fireworks display at Dock's Square to kick off the holiday season in downtown Kennebunk. 

Holiday Fest 2016 at Millcreek, South Portland

December 2nd 4:30-7pm 

Horse drawn carriage rides, a visit with Santa and a tree lighting!

Old Fashioned Christmas, Bath

November 26th-December 31st 

The lighting of the tree starts the festivities, but this town celebrates in such a way that you’ll be transported back to simpler times. One highlight is their red letter box, where children can post letters to Old Saint Nick.

Night Tree Event at Wolfe’s Neck Farm, Freeport

December 3rd 9a-2p 

Get your tickets early for this family favorite! Admittedly, there’s no tree lighting here, but this sweet gathering follows the story of a family who feeds the forest animals by making special tree decorations. Each hour, beginning at 9am, the story is shared, then children can decorate a pinecone to bring into the forest on a short hike. A darling tradition to start with your young ones!

Light the Farm at Pineland, Gray

December 3rd 2-4:30p 

Face painting, candle making, walking the winter spiral will all precede the annual lighting of Pineland Farm!

Gardens Aglow at the Coastal Botanical Gardens, Boothbay

November 18th-December 31st 

A magnificent vision to behold as hundreds of thousands of holiday lights are strung amidst the beautiful gardens. Enjoy the sights as well as special food and drink at the cafe.

Festival of Lights Parade and Tree Lighting, Bangor

December 3rd 4:30p

This parade is sure to beam through the city, with over 70 entries set to dazzle with the theme "Holidays Around the World". At the end of the parade, the city will have its annual tree lighting.

Does your town have an annual holiday light display? We'd love to hear about it! Share in the comments.

 

8 Seriously Cool New Year's Eve Celebrations for Maine Kids

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Fireworks, clam drops, and skating! What's on your agenda for counting down 2015 with your family? We searched the area; from Biddeford to Portland to Yarmouth to Freeport. Here are Maine Doulas' top finds for the seriously cool events happening on New Year's Eve day.


1. Yarmouth's 4th Annual Clam Drop at Yarmouth First Universalist Church

97 Main St, Yarmouth ME | 7pm

Steamer, the Clam Festival mascot, will be lowered from the church belfry at 7pm. Music, cookies and cocoa! What could be better (or more Maine)?


2. Children's Museum New Year's at Noon

142 Free Street, Portland, ME | 11:30am

Children are encouraged to wear their PJs to ring in the new year (at noon)! This shindig is free with admission to the museum. Be sure to arrive by 11:30 to join in all the fun. At 12 noon they will drop balloons to mark the occasion.


3. Portland Library 2nd annual Family Contra Dance

5 Monument Way, Portland ME | 11am

Learn a variety of fun and easy dances suitable for children and adults.  Maggie Robinson, who has been calling dances for 8 years, will be the caller and local musicians will perform. No experience necessary!

From the library event listing:

Contra Dance is a type of social dance where parallel lines of dancers stand opposite — or “contra to” — their partners. A caller, usually working with a group of live musicians, guides new and experienced dancers alike through a variety of dances. Contra dancing is about social interaction, meeting people, and making new friends, set to music. The accompanying music for contra dances includes, but is not limited to Irish, Scottish, and French-Canadian folk songs. The fiddle is considered the core instrument, though other stringed instruments such as the guitar and mandolin are used as well.

4. South Portland Library's 3rd Annual Noon Year Party

482 Broadway St, South Portland ME | 11:30am

Can’t stay awake until midnight? Come ring in the new year with our 3rd annual Noon Year Party instead! This all-ages event will take place on Thursday, December 31 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Main Library. Featuring fun crafts, story time, balloons, and a fantastic countdown to noon, this is sure to be a blast for the whole family! Feel free to wear your favorite PJ’s, dress to impress, or just come as you are. We can’t wait to welcome in the new year with you!


5. LL BEAN'S NEW YEAR'S EVE CELEBRATION

LL Bean Campus, Discovery Park, Freeport ME

LL Bean always makes it exciting for the whole family. Ring in the New Year with their festive "KidNight," featuring live music from Rick Charette and a wintertime fireworks display at 6pm. 


There are a few venues for ice skating, which always has great opportunities for silliness and laughter. Not to mention how much energy it uses! Can you say "early night"?

6. The Rink at Thompson's Point

10 Thompson's Point, Portland ME

This is the perfect place for the whole family to enjoy some skating fun. With their beautiful warming room and heated lounge, there are great spaces for even the smallest ones to stay warm while family and friends skate. They also feature on-site food vendors and warm beverages to keep your energy up. A great NYE day adventure for everyone!

7. Biddeford Ice Arena

14 Pomerleau Street, Biddeford ME

Another great option for family fun. They offer snacks and cocoa to keep you skating the day away! Open for all ages and abilities.

8. Portland Pirates New Year's Eve Celebration at Family Ice Center

20 Hat Trick Drive, Falmouth ME | 1:20pm

Portland Pirates' New Year's celebration from 1:20pm-2:40pm will feature Salty Pete, a Pirate's shooting bay, free food, and giveaways!


Or how about these options? Cozy up with your favorite hot beverage & a winter fairy tale, or put on some festive music & have a rockin' living room dance party! 

Whatever you do, we hope this final celebration of 2015 brings you and your family lots of joy! Happy New Year!

Maine Doulas Presents Little Bat's Cozy Cave at Little Monster's Ball 2015

Maine Doulas Presents Little Bat's Cozy Cave at Little Monster's Ball 2015

Maine Doulas will be hosting a nook for feeding and changing our youngest guests. So if you find yourself in need of a comfortable space to nurse, pump or put on a fresh diaper, come find us in Little Bat's Cozy Cave! We've created a sweet oasis for you.

Stop by for a chance to be included in our giveaway!

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