Kicking off the 2^nd year of their partnership, Adobe Youth Voices & The Black Eyed Peas’ Peapod Foundation have opened up yet another academy, this time in NYC.  Based on 3 of their California centers, the NY facility will also foster arts education, putting new technology into the hands of teens to engage & inspire.

Empowerment via creativity & self expression is what it’s all about!

For more info go to www.youthvoices.adobe.com/peapod/ or to get involved go to the amazing Urban Arts Partnership

In the fine cuisine category for kids, Disney’s Family Fun just posted some cleverly whimsical ways to get your preschooler (& above) to enjoy new or “never gonna touch it” foods.  Very cute and fairly simple directions should assist the pickiest eaters in enjoying their creations.  Seen above, the folks at Disney pay homage to Eric Carle with The Very Tasty Caterpillar.

[check out the post]

“This site is dedicated to the thought that something as simple as fun is the easiest way to change people’s behaviour for the better. Be it for yourself, for the environment, or for something entirely different, the only thing that matters is that it’s change for the better.”

It’s a Win/Win..Bravo Volkswagen!

[watch the fun at theFunTheory.com]

Chillies and Chocolate (out of www.squirrelldesigns.co.uk/) creates some colorfully whimsical artwork out of the UK.  Great for decorating your child’s room..or any room in the house for that matter. The following Warning About Broccoli gives you a little flavor (no offense to broccoli, we’re big fans mind you):

Little Alouette started in 2007 making beautiful wooden toys for babies & the little people in our world.  They’ve got a beautiful aesthetic and sharp focus on what they want to bring to all of us.  Beautiful things from beautiful people…

Visit Joe and Amy at Little Alouette

Are your kids tired of that same old hand puppet? Simple flesh color is sooo twentieth century!  If you wish to invite a few new friends along, these temporary tattoos are just the trick.  Come in 4 flavors: Dino, Robot, Animal & (of course) Monster.

[more info]

Finally an answer to “What do I do with all this stuff?!”

Makedo is receiving a slew of design & parents’ choice awards for their reusable connectors which allow you to create incredible objects and spaces out of all your recycled materials.  Check out their gallery for further inspiration, if needed.  Really..how can you not love this stuff?!

There is little question that an effective arts program can do wonders for our childrens’ emotional intelligence, problem solving and further development.  With this in mind, about 7 years ago, we enrolled our daughter (at the time, age 3) in HiArt! A well conceived arts class which as explained in their literature is “not your neighborhood art program”. It’s a class overflowing with art, music, movement, etc. to inspire our budding artists (& ourselves).

The class we had enrolled in alternated museum trips every other week to expose the class to more intimate gallery spaces where the kids could sit on the floor and sketch on their art pads or get a more personal, up-close view of some of the work. The following week would be met in Cyndie’s (program director) beautifully  lit art studio.  This was filled with all types of vibrantly colorful and textured media, to work on more elaborate creations..all while listening to the themed opera which played throughout the semester.

If you’re around the Big Apple, check it out.  If you’re not, simply go to the HiArt! website to be inspired & incorporate that creative philosophy at HOME!   There’s no wonder why HiARt! is entering it’s 14th year in downtown NYC!

Huge fans of most Melissa and Doug toys, puzzles, etc. but really, who can resist a little puppet play to brighten their day?

[SEE SITE]