Tag Archives: kids

FINALLY: How to clean up what your kids see on YouTube

Why is it so difficult to screen and filter what our kids watch on YouTube? I’ve been complaining about this forever, lamenting about the amount of garbage that’s out there, and the lack of content moderation. In fairness, it’s pretty much impossible to expect YouTube to be able to screen all of the millions of videos posted every day, but in that case YouTube should really make it easier for parents to block and screen stuff on our end.

My kids watch a lot of videos I fear will melt their brains – other people playing video games, for example, or compilations of dance clips from TikTok. Then there is the really inappropriate stuff with bad language, music videos that aren’t meant for kids, things they probably shouldn’t be learning about from strangers on the Internet.

So why don’t I just ban them from watching YouTube altogether, you ask? Because there is also an overwhelming amount of really great content available for them on YouTube. Stay with me, and I’ll share a list of our favorite wholesome, entertaining YouTube channels!

So I set out to find out how to leverage more control over the content my boys are consuming on YouTube, and I was shocked and dismayed at how complicated it is. It should be a simple matter of block this video, block this search, block this channel. But for whatever reason, YouTube doesn’t make it that easy.

The first step is to connect your child’s Google account to YouTube, if he or she has one. I was able to connect the Google account my son has through school. (If your child doesn’t have a Google account, you can easily create a free one here.)

Next, create a YouTube channel for them. I know, I know. I myself thought this was an unnecessary step, because I don’t really intend for my son to become a YouTube content creator, but alas, having a channel allows you greater governance over suggested content. Make sure you are signed in with their Google account when you create the channel, and note that if you are using a school Google account, you may not have control over editing the name of the account. My son’s YouTube channel is now his first and last name.

Now, if your child’s account has anything in the feed or watch history, you can begin to remove things you don’t like. Click on the three dots beside or under the video, and then select “Not interested” or “Don’t recommend channel.” My rule of thumb here is if it looks like the channel is full of stuff I just don’t want my kid to watch, I choose “Don’t recommend channel.” Next, go to Watch history and click the X to “Remove from watch history.”

You can also clear the search history, or remove certain keywords from the search history, although if your child can spell and type this won’t stop them from just entering the search terms again.

Finally, you can enable Restricted Mode. But in my humble opinion, Restricted Mode is lousy. It blocks content that is 100% safe and appropriate (for example the live stream of the jellyfish tank at Monterey Bay Aquarium?!), yet on Restricted Mode my 5- and 8-year-olds were watching a “kids say the darndest things” compilation video in which a little girl talks about how mommies poop babies out of their butts. *eyeroll* And know that if you decide to go the Restricted Mode route, that feature is enabled at the device level, so you will have to toggle it on on every single device your child watches YouTube with.

The filtering method I’ve described here is not perfect, and it’s not permanent. You’ll still have to go in from time to time, and weed out anything in the suggested feed or watch history that you don’t want your kid to see, and I have yet to find a way to block them from searching out certain channels or videos. If you know a way, please share.

 

Oh and as promised, here are our 10 fave “everybody’s happy” YouTube channels:

Save $50+ on Amazon FreeTime Unlimited for kids subscription

In 2019, Santa brought my boys new Amazon Kindle Fire kids’ edition tablets. They each came with a free one-year subscription to Amazon FreeTime Unlimited, which gives them access to all the apps, games, videos, books, etc. that Amazon has to offer. After the free year the subscription renews at a rate of $2.99/month, per kid. If you have up to four kids, they offer a family rate of $6.99/month.

Honestly, that’s not a bad deal, considering what I could be spending on the kids’ downloading apps, watching shows and movies, downloading books and magazines.

So when I logged in to my account to check out the renewal options, I jumped at the chance to save 70% on a one-year family subscription, for $19.99 (regularly $83.88). That’s a savings of $63.89! With two kids, I would have spent $71.76 on 12 months at $5.98, so at the very least I saved $51.77.

To take advantage of this deal, click here then tap the “Save 70% on one year” banner at the top of the page.

In related news, FreeTime Unlimited is getting a new name: Amazon Kids+. Amazon plans to roll out the change over the next few months, although parents (and kids) don’t have to worry about a thing with the change. You don’t need to do anything, and you’ll still have all the features and functions with Kids+ that you’ve always had with FreeTime, and then some.

Good deal alert: $4.99 (or less) racerback tanks, $13 EO diffuser, and deals on kids’ activities!

The governor ordered my county on lockdown at 8 p.m., last night. We’ve essentially been staying home, but with this new directive it’s feeling like things are getting real…

So even though I have been hard at work keeping the kids occupied, getting some work done and trying not to want to pull my hair out, I managed to scout out some good deals for you, some of which might help you make it through this time!

Good deal alert – Quarantine Edition

Under $5 for a simple racerback tank top in lots of shades and sizes. Some options are $4.99 and some are even less.

Here’s a cute woodgrain essential oil diffuser, at a killer price – $13.37 on Woot. It’s got the obligatory 7-color cycling LED function, and it has a decent capacity of 300 ml. Use your Amazon Prime account for free shipping, and Rakuten for up to 5% back.

If your kids are enjoying the free trial of ABCmouse, get two months for $5 (use promo code ABCmouse5for2), or an entire year for 62% off ($45).

I don’t know about you but I’m all about kits and activities that keep my kids busy and not watching TV or begging for my phone. Here are a couple good deals on Amazon. Don’t forget to check for Warehouse deals for extra savings. (Check out the real pasta maker – dinner’s on the kids tonight!)

How are you holding up? Just remember, we’re all in this together! #AloneTogether

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links.

How to (sort of) maintain your sanity while you’re stuck at home

Okay, by now you know you can (probably) survive the coronavirus outbreak by avoiding unnecessary contact, washing your hands, and staying home if you can. Don’t forget to wipe down your phone/tablet! Your kids’ schools are closed for two or three weeks and your husband is working from home (God help us), and hopefully you were able to find toilet paper somewhere.

Now what? You’ve taken precautions to protect your physical health, but what about your mental and emotional well-being? How the hell will you keep the kids occupied and entertained for weeks if you’re not supposed to leave the house?

I have some suggestions for you.

First, Disney has graciously announced that it will be releasing Frozen 2 on Disney+ three months ahead of schedule. If you don’t already have Disney+, it’s totally worth the subscription, which is as low as $6.99/month. They have tons of content your kids actually want to watch, with new (and old) stuff being added all the time. My kids have enjoyed rediscovering old favorites like Imagination Movers and Handy Manny, and I’m anxiously awaiting the arrival of Special Agent Oso.

Want something a little more engaging for your kids? Netflix has a bunch of interactive content, which is the 21st century equivalent of the “Choose Your Own Adventure” books we had as kids. Each story has a number of decision points, and you use your TV remote to make a choice. You can also watch on certain mobile devices. Every option leads to a different storyline so the kids can spend hours exploring each show. My kids are enjoying the Captain Underpants interactive show right now while I work on this post. Together. And they are quiet. Netflix FTW!

Right now, Netflix has the following list, with more interactive content to come:

Puss in Book: Trapped in an Epic Tale
Buddy Thunderstruck: The Maybe Pile
Stretch Armstrong: The Breakout
Minecraft: Story Mode
Black Mirror: Bandersnatch
Bear Grylls’ You vs. Wild
Captain Underpants Epic Choice-O-Rama
Carmen Sandiego: To Steal or Not to Steal

If you have a library card, find out if your library offers membership to one of the “free” content providers like Overdrive, Libby, and Hoopla. These services offer library patrons free access to thousands of ebooks, audiobooks, movies, TV shows, and music. You may be limited to how many items you can borrow at a time, or in a certain time period.

Google Arts & Culture has put together a collection of 12 complete museums from around the world, including The J. Paul Getty Museum in L.A., and the Guggenheim in New York, and hundreds of museum galleries, collections and exhibits that you can virtually tour without leaving the house.

Are you committed to working in some educational time for your kids over the next few weeks? This website has a large, and growing list of companies who either already offer free educational resources for parents and kids, or who are offering special access and free subscriptions during these difficult times.

Work on your 2020 Census response. If you received your invitation in the mail mail, you can respond by phone, by mail, or online. It’s “fast and easy” according to the Census website.

Tackle a project. You know those tasks that are forever at the bottom of your to-do list because there’s just never enough time to dedicate to them? Now you’ve got nothing but time. Set the kids up with Frozen 2 or Captain Underpants, and organize the garage or paint your dining room. Do it in chunks of one or two hours at a time, so you don’t get overwhelmed or neglect the kids so long that they start drawing on the walls and themselves, and taking apart things they have absolutely no business taking apart (I speak from experience). Catch up on laundry, schedule bill payments online, or give the fridge a deep cleaning. If you have the ingredients, make a bunch of freezer meals or prep dump and go crock pot kits.

Plan a movie marathon. Let everyone choose a movie, then pop some popcorn and get comfy. Or play movie roulette: Open your DVD drawer or favorite streaming service, close your eyes and point. Whatever you land on – as long as it’s audience-appropriate, you watch!

Discover something on one of these free “other” streaming services.

Get outside. Here in Pennsylvania, we’re having pretty mild weather at the moment, so it’s perfect for sending the kids out to play, and getting some early spring garden prep done. If you’re feeling social (and brave) invite the neighbors over for a cookout.

When all else fails, Pinterest! I have a board called Stuck Inside Days that I’ve been pinning activity ideas to for years, for rainy days, snow days and sick days, basically any time that we’re stuck at home. BuzzFeed collected a list of 27 fun indoor activities you can do with your kids at home, but if your kids are anything like mine, you’ll spend more time setting these up than the kids will actually spend doing the activities, so… *shrug*

How will you be passing the hours, days and weeks at home? Share your ideas in the comments… PLEASE!

Woot deals on stuff for kids

If you don’t know WOOT (acronym for Want One Of Those), you have been missing out, my friends. Woot is one of the original daily deals sites, and they’re now owned by Amazon so if you pay attention, there are some awesome deals to be had. There are some sweet bargains on kid stuff today. If any of these strike your fancy, jump on them right away because once they’re sold out, you’re out of luck. Because of Woot’s partnership with Amazon, remember your Prime membership gets you free shipping from Woot (and special Prime member pricing or early access on some deals). Woot also offers up to 5% cash back from Rakuten!

Melissa & Doug fire truck floor puzzle, $8.99, which is more than half off retail ($18.19). The finished 24-piece puzzle measures 4 feet by 1.5 feet.

Klutz Make Your Own Lego Movie activity book, $11.99 (reg. $18.92). Step-by-step how-to guide on making stop-motion animation.

Another cute Klutz gift, this Nail Art Book and kit is $8.99 (reg. $21.99). Includes nailpolish and design brush.

Tommee Tippee Silicone Bib 2-pack, $5.99 (reg. $8). I used these for my boys, and they’re perfect because they have a big “crumb catcher” pocket to catch things that drop. They’re also easy to clean with a cloth or soap and hot water, and I definitely ran them through the dishwasher more than once.

If you missed getting the 2016 Hess truck, or if you just want to grab one at a great price, you can get the Toy Truck and Dragster for $28.99 (reg. $46.99).

Paw Patrol lovers will flip for Ryder’s Pup Pad tablet, $12.59 (reg. $19.99).

 

 

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links.

Sweet, comic Valentines (to make you smile with your heart!)

Valentine’s Day is about a month away, but 2/14 falls on a Friday this year, which happens to be President’s Day weekend. Most schools are closed Monday in observance of President’s Day, and many, including ours, are also closed on Friday for in-service days. That means Valentine’s Day parties are probably going to be held earlier in the week.

Get a jump start on finding the cutest, most uncommon Valentines for your kids (and have them in hand before the prices start to creep up as we get closer to the holiday). I’ve got some sweet buys on cool Valentines for you:

The first couple sets are from Peaceable Kingdom. Peaceable Kingdom is an awesome company. My kids have a board game from them, and not only is it a cooperative game design (as opposed to board-clearing, , but it also has a note that says to contact them for free replacements in case parts get lost or broken. “We’re parents, too,” they say. Plus, they have really cool, unique stuff.

Everyone wants to be a superhero, and everyone loves snap bracelets, so this Kid Power Bracelet Valentine  set (cards included) is sure to please. It’s also candy-free, so you can feel good about sending it to school. 28 Valentines for $12.95

For the STEM lovers, get a box of Shark Tooth Necklace Valentines in “sign-and-give boxes.” There are three different card styles with shark design, and each has a real shark-tooth necklace! This is what I ordered for my older son, who loves hunting for shark teeth on the beach. He has a small first-grade class, so I should have some left over for next year! Another great non-candy Valentine option. 28 Valentines for $14.95
(Note: If the shark tooth valentines are unavailable when you click the link, check back later. It keeps selling out but it usually gets restocked soon after.)

If you want something a little more whimsical and colorful, check out these mythical creatures valentines with rainbow pencils. Four fun Valentine designs feature “unicornified” animals, and you just slip the rainbow colored pencil through as the horn. 24 for $10.99 (currently has an extra 10% off coupon, applies at checkout).

For the crafty kid, these Keychain Craft Kit Valentines are double the fun to receive and then assemble. Each kit is individually boxed, great for class parties or to take and make at home. 24 for $13.09

Do you choose the Valentines for your kids, or let them weigh in on the decision?