The brands on this list all have one thing in common. They were created by moms who saw a need, believed there had to be a better solution, and built companies that are now helping families around the world. From educational toys and skincare to travel essentials and healthy foods, these are brands worth discovering if they’re not already on your radar.

Here are ten mom-founded companies we think deserve a closer look.

1. Lovevery

If you’re looking for toys that do more than simply keep little ones busy, Lovevery is a brand you’ll want to explore. Co-founder Jessica Rolph was inspired to create the company after researching early childhood brain development and wanting to give parents confidence that they were choosing the right toys for each stage. Lovevery’s beautifully designed Play Kits are created by child development experts and match your child’s age and milestones, making learning feel fun and natural. Their collection also includes books, play gyms, and developmental resources that grow with your child. It’s one of those brands that makes playtime feel purposeful without sacrificing fun.

lovevery.com

2. Tubby Todd Bath Co.

Sensitive skin is something many parents know all too well, which is exactly why Tubby Todd Bath Co. has earned such a loyal following. Founder Andrea Faulkner Williams launched the company after searching for gentle, effective skincare products her own family could trust. Today, the brand is known for clean, nourishing ingredients and family-friendly formulas that are safe for babies, kids, and adults alike. Their All Over Ointment has become a customer favorite for everything from dry patches to irritated skin, and it’s easy to see why so many families keep it stocked at home. If gentle skincare is a priority, Tubby Todd is well worth adding to your routine.

tubbytodd.com

3. KiwiCo

Few things are more rewarding than watching a child build, create, and discover something new. Engineer and mom Sandra Oh Lin founded KiwiCo after realizing how difficult it was for busy parents to find engaging, hands-on learning activities without spending hours planning them. Today, the company offers age-based STEAM crates filled with projects that encourage creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving through play. From toddlers to teens, every box arrives packed with everything kids need to start building and exploring right away. It’s a fun way to encourage screen-free learning while creating meaningful family moments together.

kiwico.com

4. Once Upon a Farm

Healthy eating doesn’t have to be complicated, especially when nutritious options are convenient enough for busy families. Mom Cassandra Curtis founded Once Upon a Farm after wanting fresher, more wholesome food choices for her daughter, and the company has continued to grow with a mission of making better nutrition accessible for children. The brand offers organic, cold-pressed pouches, refrigerated snacks, smoothies, and meals made with thoughtfully sourced ingredients. Their products are designed for babies, toddlers, and even older kids, making them a great addition to lunchboxes or busy afternoons on the go. It’s a brand that proves healthy choices can also be delicious.

onceuponafarmorganics.com

5. Lugabug

Traveling with young children isn’t always easy, but Lugabug was created to make airport adventures a little less stressful. Mom Jennie and her husband came up with the idea after turning a rolling suitcase into a makeshift seat for their young daughter while rushing through the airport. That clever solution eventually became the Lugabug, a compact travel seat that securely attaches to your carry-on luggage, giving tired little travelers a comfortable place to ride. It’s lightweight, simple to use, and perfect for families who travel often or have little ones who tire easily during long walks through terminals. If family vacations are on your calendar, this is one travel accessory you’ll be glad you discovered.

lugabug.com

6. The House of Noa

Creating a beautiful home doesn’t have to mean sacrificing practicality, especially when little ones are part of the picture. Mom Bethany Crystal founded The House of Noa after searching for stylish home products that could also stand up to the everyday messes of family life. Today, the brand is best known for its beautifully designed washable play mats that blend seamlessly into your home’s décor instead of looking like traditional baby gear. The collection has expanded to include rugs, runners, and other thoughtfully designed pieces that make family-friendly living feel effortlessly stylish. It’s proof that you really can have a home that’s both kid-friendly and beautifully designed.

thehouseofnoa.com

7. ezpz

Mealtime can be one of the most memorable parts of parenting, but it can also be one of the messiest. Mom and speech-language pathologist Lindsey Laurain created ezpz after experiencing the daily frustration of plates and bowls constantly ending up on the floor. Her solution was a line of silicone suction plates, bowls, cups, and feeding tools that help make self-feeding easier for little ones while minimizing the cleanup parents know all too well. The products are thoughtfully designed to support developmental milestones and encourage independence from the very beginning. Whether you’re starting solids or navigating toddler meals, ezpz has become a trusted favorite for families everywhere.

ezpzfun.com

8. Freshly Picked

What started with one pair of handcrafted baby moccasins has grown into one of the most recognizable brands in children’s fashion. Founder Susan Petersen launched Freshly Picked from her kitchen as a way to help support her family, and her dedication to quality quickly earned the attention of parents across the country. Today, the brand offers stylish footwear, diaper bags, and accessories that combine fashion with everyday function. Their bestselling diaper bags are especially popular with moms who want something practical without giving up great style. It’s a brand that continues to prove family essentials can be both beautiful and functional.

freshlypicked.com

9. Monica + Andy

Finding soft, high-quality clothing for babies shouldn’t have to be complicated. Monica Royer founded Monica + Andy after becoming a mom herself and struggling to find premium newborn essentials she felt completely confident bringing home to her own baby. The brand focuses on organic fabrics, timeless designs, and everyday essentials that are made to last through countless cuddles, naps, and milestones. From newborn layette sets to pajamas and blankets, every collection is thoughtfully designed with comfort in mind. It’s an excellent choice for new parents, baby shower gifts, or anyone who appreciates beautifully made children’s clothing.

monicaandandy.com

10. GoWhee

Planning family vacations often means spending hours searching for activities that everyone will actually enjoy. Mom Maud Maciak created GoWhee to simplify that process by giving families one place to discover kid-friendly attractions, restaurants, parks, accommodations, and experiences around the world. The platform is built specifically for parents and is filled with recommendations from other families who have been there themselves. Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or an international adventure, it helps remove some of the guesswork from traveling with children. It’s an incredibly useful resource for parents who love making memories without the stress of endless research.

gowhee.com

Supporting Moms, One Purchase at a Time

Every purchase tells a story, and choosing to support mom-founded businesses is one meaningful way to celebrate the creativity, resilience, and determination of women who have transformed everyday parenting challenges into products and services that make family life better. Whether you’re looking for educational toys, healthier snacks, stylish home décor, baby essentials, or smarter ways to travel, these brands offer thoughtful solutions created by moms who truly understand the journey. We hope you’ve discovered a few new favorites to explore and support because when moms lift each other up, everyone benefits.

The post 10 Mom-Founded Brands Worth Adding to Your Radar appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

Kids look forward to going to summer camp all year long.  Packing for camp can be a hassle due to limited space and uncertain weather. Most summer camps will provide a list of must-have items and a few things that are not allowed. To help you stay on top of your game, here’s a comprehensive check-list to make sure you’re totally prepared for camp season this year.

Clothing – As parents we try to control everything we can to insure our little campers have a memorable camping experience, that includes making sure they have proper clothing and shoes to keep them warm and dry.  Pack items like:

• Tennis shoes, hiking boots and flip flops for the shower
• T-shirts, flannels or light sweatshirts that can be layered or shed to meet the changing weather throughout the day
• Pants and shorts (enough for 1.5x the length of camp)
• A light jacket or rain poncho
• Swimsuit

Include some old clothes that kids don’t need to worry about getting dirty or possibly damaging at a camp fire or while climbing trees.  Be sure to mark your child’s name or initials in all clothing items. 

Toiletries – Good hygiene definitely make camp more pleasant; include a wash cloth, two towels (one for bathing, one for swimming), toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, soap, deodorant and other items necessary for good personal hygiene.  Pack these items in a large vinyl zippered pouch to protect clothing in case they leak from altitude changes.  The pouch will also make it easy to take to the showers when it’s time to clean up.

Bedding – Be sure to check out the camp’s requirements for bedding.  If the campers will be sleeping indoors sheets and a blanket or a sleeping bag should be fine.  However, if your little camper will be out in a tent, make sure you have an air mattress, pump and a properly rated sleeping bag for the expected weather conditions at night.

UV Protection – Sunscreen and insect repellant will protect your child’s skin from sunburn and unwanted insect bites.  If your child is camping at high altitude, the sun’s UV rays can be much more damaging.  Instruct your camper to apply it several times a day to stay protected, especially if they participate in water activities.  You should also want to pack a hat to wear on hikes for added protection.

Flashlight – If your camper is roughing it for the week at an outdoor camp site, you won’t want to forget a flashlight with extra batteries for late night outhouse visits.  Be sure to include any medications your child is taking with written instructions for the camp nurse as well as some band aids and antibacterial ointment for any small cuts or scrapes.

A Piece of Home – Prevent homesickness by including a favorite item from home like a stuffed animal, a family photo or a trinket that will help him feel secure while away.  Include pre-addressed stamped envelopes or post cards so they can stay in touch and share their camping experience with you while they are away.

Entertainment – Books, playing cards and word games can help pass the time in case of inclement weather. 

Money – If there is a camp store, ask the camp director for a recommendation on how much money to send for extra expenses like off-site trips, snacks and souvenirs.  Making sure your child is prepared will insure they have an excellent camping experience.

Medical Records – One of the most important things to have on hand in case of an emergency are your child’s health records – recent immunizations, allergies, medications, ongoing medical issues, insurance and pediatrician contact info.  Use a handy tool like Kinsights.com – parents can easily create and maintain a personal health record for their child on Kinsights’ secure site.  No more searching through drawers to find the most up-to-date information. Put a copy in your child’s suitcase and leave one with the camp leader or physician. 

Keep this checklist handy to make packing for camp easy, so that your kids can spend less time getting ready for camp and more time having fun!

About Jennifer Chung:

Jennifer Chung is a parenting expert and co-founder of Kinsights: part parenting community, part online health record. Kinsights provides parents with a safe place to seek answers to their questions while also helping them track their child’s health information. Organize your child’s growth and developmental milestones, immunizations, medications, allergies, and more.  Connect with Kinsights at https://kinsights.com to learn more and sign-up! You can also follow them on Facebook and Twitter (@kinsights).

The post PARENTS, BE PREPARED FOR CAMP SEASON THIS YEAR appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

Below are some favorite Pottery Barn Kids essentials that will have all the kids scrambling to come over for some after-school and weekend fun!

Blank Canvas – Arts and crafts time doesn’t have to end when the school bell rings. Create a mini art studio and help your child find their inner Picasso with Pottery Barn Kids Carolina Craft Table Paper Roll, Jumbo Wall Mounted Paper Roll, Art Jar and Art Pad. When they’re done having fun and have finished creating the next masterpiece painting, display the works on Pottery Barn Kids Star Art Cable, Art Clip Rack or Magnetic Multiplication Artwork – it will be the hippest art studio on the block.

Land of Make Believe – Create a magical fantasy land for your little princesses. Let girls have fun decorating with the Westport Doll House – by far the most stylish dollhouse on the street – with the Dollhouse Living Room, Dining Room, Kitchen and Bathroom Sets. Or watch them play house with Pottery Barn Kids Cottage Playhouse. Adorned with detailed appliques of flowers and gardens, and with a real mail slot for letters, the Cottage Playhouse will keep young girls entertained all day long.

After a busy day playing, it’s time for tea. Pottery Barn Kids Finely Play Table and Chairs is the perfect set-up for tea and cupcakes with friends. Set the table with the Silver Tea Set, serve cakes using the petite Tea Cart and enjoy tasty treats like the delectable Cupcake Set – yum!

Boys Toys –Pottery Barn Kids has everything boys need to slam dunk and have fun with friends! From the Personalizable Basketball Hoop, Soccer Rug, and Wilson Sports Balls for outside fun, to inside games where they can master prehistoric times with Remote Control Dinosaurs, explore the universe with the Solar System Floor Puzzle, and save the neighborhood using their Super- Hero Kit – there’s so much to do! Your little one’s games room will become the cool spot for all the little juniors on the block.

Available at www.potterybarnkids.com

The post Be the Coolest Kid on the Block with Pottery Barn Kids appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

Long before tween star Jaden Smith make martial arts popular in the remake of Karate Kid, children everywhere have been participating in karate.

And Tinseltown’s tots are no exception. From Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck’s daughter Violet, to Heidi Klum and Seal’s kids, to Britney Spears’ boys, let’s take a look at Hollywood’s karate kids.

We just spotted mom-of-three Jennifer Garner picking up her 6-year-old daughter Violet from karate class. The eldest Affleck kiddo looked so cute in her uniform.

We’ve seen Britney Spears taking her sweet sons Sean Preston and Jayden James to and from karate class.

Jessica Alba‘s elder daughter Honor was spotted in her karate outfit earlier this year. She looked so proud as she walked with the nanny after class.

We often see Mark Wahlberg picking up his son Michael from karate class in sunny California. What a cute father-son pair!

My Name Is Earl star Jaime Pressly was spotted with her adorable son Dezi after karate class last summer. We wonder if he’s kept up with martial arts training?

Michael Jackson‘s sons Prince and Blanket have been spotted leaving their karate lessons. Their sister Paris has also been photographed in her white uniform.

Although it’s been years, we used to see Ryan Philippe regularly taking his son Deacon, now 8, to and from karate class.

Rockstar parents Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale were seen taking their elder son Kingston to karate class last summer. Not sure if we’ve seen him in his karate uniform since?

Heidi Klum seems to be forever dropping off and picking up all four of her kids – sons Henry andJohan and daughters Leni and Lou – at karate class. We even saw her oldest son receiving an award for his martial arts skills.

More Celebrity Parenting News:

Spitting Image:  Celebrity Moms And Their Little Lookalikes

Celeb Mom & Tot Pics Of The Week

Kelly Rutherford Pleads For Return Of Her Two Kids

Usher Opens Up About Custody Battle

Khloe Kardashian Talks Fertility Struggles

Christina Applegate Talks Motherhood

Celebrity Baby Scoop is one of the most popular blogs on the topic and the foremost provider of everything celebrity-baby, featuring baby fashion, baby names, baby trends and up-to-the-minute celebrity baby gossip and pics. Get all the latest news, updates, and photos about Hollywood’s most beloved celebrity moms, dads and their babies. Who’s the latest Tinseltown baby? Who’s due next and who just announced a pregnancy? It’s all on Celebrity Baby Scoop.

The post A Look At Hollywood’s Karate Kids appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

On warm spring days I can’t wait to toss the baseball around. “How about a game of catch?” I asked my son enthusiastically one glorious Saturday morning.  “No thanks, Dad,” he replied nonchalantly, oblivious of my pained expression, “I’d rather play lacrosse.”

Lacrosse?

These days, lacrosse is an increasingly popular springtime sport, complete with well-organized youth leagues and overly engaged parents.  But for Dads like me who somehow grew up believing that baseball was the quintessential American sport, lacrosse still seems like a silly stick game introduced by communist Frenchmen with a disdain for peanuts and Cracker Jack.

But the real problem is this: the only thing I knew about La Crosse is that it is somewhere in Wisconsin and home to Old Style beer and the G. Heileman Brewing Company.   So until my kids are old enough to drink beer, lacrosse is probably not a sport I can help them with.

Still, not wanting to miss out on a father-son bonding experience, I came up with a compromise.  “You use your stick and I will catch with my mitt!” I told him

We took our hallowed positions in silence at opposite ends of the yard.  I pounded the ball into my mitt a few times, then wound up and stiffly tossed him the ball.  Being the first throw of the season it was a bit high and wide for him to catch.  But he deftly raised the stick in the air and snatched the ball clean in the net.  And then, with one continuous motion he brought the stick around in a long graceful arc and flung the ball back to me.   It went like a missile, straight over the top of my mitt and into my forehead, knocking me flat to the ground.

And then, a dark shadow crossed the brilliant sky.  It hovered above me, a black silhouette against the sun.  It was the head of an Imperial Storm Trooper from the G. Heileman brewing company.  “Dad!  Dad!” it shouted, “Are you OK?”

As I said, I don’t know much about lacrosse, but I am sure glad his toss wasn’t three feet lower.

John Christmann is a freelance writer and all around good guy. He lives in Summit, NJ with his very tolerant wife and three children. His favorite color is plaid and he is afraid of machines and small dogs. You can check out his unique take on parenting at www.dadinthebox.com or fill up his inbox at john.christmann@dadinthebox.com.

The post Field of Screams appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

School’s out for summer…so help your child retain what they’ve learned this year.

Reading

Field trip: Visit your local library for weekly story time. Many have their own summer reading list your child can complete for a prize. For an online reading list, visit: (www.scholastic.com/summer/pdfs/SCBookList2012.pdf)

Craft: Use paper scraps and supplies around the house to make your own bookmarks.

Game: Play an ABC road trip game, finding words on signs that start with each letter of the alphabet. Challenge: Play against each other. No two people can use the same word on a sign.

Science

Field trip: Take a trip to the zoo. Read the signs to your child to teach them about the animals.

Craft: Start a collection using rocks, seeds, flowers, etc. Press objects in a book or make a special box to keep them in. Challenge: Catch a caterpillar and keep it until it turns into a butterfly. Research what you need to buy before you catch one.

Game: Catch fireflies at night in a jar. See who can capture the most.

Writing

Field trip: Make cards at home. Take a few friends on a trip to a nursing home.

Craft: Have your child make their own journal. Decorate a piece of construction paper with stickers and markers. Use contact paper to attach it to the cover of a spiral notebook.

Game: Write a funny story online together. (www.madlibs.com/page2.html)

Challenge: Help them write their own Mad Lib for friends to fill out.

Math

Field trip: Go to a baseball game. Bring a scorecard to keep track of the stats.

Craft: Work together to make a clock using parts from a craft store.

Game: Use sidewalk chalk to create a giant hopscotch. Count by twos by writing the numbers in the boxes. Have your child say the numbers as they jump. Challenge: Try counting by larger numbers.

Spelling

Field trip: Go to the grocery store and have your child write a list of their 10 favorite foods. When you get home, help them make a word search online using their list. (www.puzzle-maker.com/WS/index.htm)

Craft: Create an ABC book of words they know. Challenge: Use a dictionary to make an ABC book of words that are new to your child.

Game: Play Scrabble with the family.

Social Studies

Field trip: Visit the local art museum. Most collections can be photographed.  Add these to a scrapbook.

Craft: Make a family tree together. Draw a picture of a tree and label the branches with family names. Illustrate or use photos of family members to place on the tree. If you have room, add birthdays.

Game: Print a map of a local park. Go on a scavenger hunt finding items at the park. Challenge: Locate the park on a map. Have your child give you driving directions.

The post 18 EDUCATIONAL WAYS TO PLAY THIS SUMMER appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

 Building a home for bluebirds requires some thought and skill, two qualities I lack.    My son tells me the house should be contained because bluebirds are “cavity nesters”.  The hole must be small enough to prevent larger birds from taking over the home.  There should be no perch to attract predators.  This is the kind of stuff he has been learning in Cub Scouts.

From experience I also know that a good birdhouse should not be built with a driveway: too much shoveling.  But a man cave might be nice.

Placement is also important.  If I build a home outside our bedroom window the bluebirds will sing Chiree Chiree in the morning.  It is hard to reach out of bed and punch a birdhouse.  “Location, location, location!” I tell my son with authority like a bluebird real estate agent.

“Dad, I don’t think that will work,” he says looking at my handiwork.  I have attached a shoebox to a tree.  It is colored with blue crayon gables to look like an old Victorian.  I think it looks pretty good.  Apparently, so does the cat.  Inside, she is watching intently, twitching her tail, ready to pounce through the glass.

“I think it should be made of wood so it doesn’t leak,” he tells me.  He is probably right, but that means finding my tools.  That’s OK.  The Cub Scout Pinewood Derby is coming up; we have to mount wheels on a block of wood that we have artfully cut and race it down a long track.   As I show him how to use a handsaw, I don’t mention the stone-and-two-birds analogy.

Now it’s finished and I don’t care what he says.  Like spring, the Cub Scout Pinewood Derby has arrived and I, for one, am proud of our new wooden birdhouse.  So what if it has wheels and a racing stripe?

By: John Christmann, is a freelance writer and all around good guy. He lives in Summit, NJ with his very tolerant wife and three children. His favorite color is plaid and he is afraid of machines and small dogs. You can check out his unique take on parenting at www.dadinthebox.com or fill up his inbox at john.christmann@dadinthebox.com.

The post Two Birds appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

Outdoor Activities:

1. Good Ole Sledding
There’s nothing like zipping downhill on a cold winter’s day. Don’t have a sled? No worries, just use an old trash can lid, an inflatable pool toy or a storage tote lid and away you go!

2. Ice skating
Whether you have one in your backyard or you go to the nearest ice skating rink, this is a great day of fun for the whole family! Kids will get a good laugh out of dad falling on his rear-end and parents are secretly slipping in some good exercise for themselves and their kids!

3. Build a Snowman   
Create a frosty friend with old hats and scarves! Better yet, build a frosty family to look like your own.

4. Snow Painting
Fill a spray bottle full of water and add a few drops of food coloring and go out in the yard and create a masterpiece!

5. Go Caroling
You don’t need a one-horse sleigh or angelic voices to enjoy caroling with your family. The key to making caroling fun for kids is mixing cheery music with lots of holiday spirit! Be sure to bring flashlights for safety, hot cocoa to warm your tummies and wear comfortable shoes.

6. Museums, Libraries or Bowling
Winter is the perfect time to find indoor places to go for family fun! Museums often have free exhibits, libraries usually have story telling times for kids and who doesn’t love a good game of bowling!

On days where the snow is falling so hard you can hardly see through it, you may just want to hang in the house.
Here are some great ideas for staying in and having a blast!

Indoor Activities:

1. Bake Cookies & Other Yummy Treats
Baking together builds great family memories! It opens up the perfect opportunity to really talk with your kids and to make this idea a little sweeter… you can all eat the goodies after!

2. Drink Hot Cocoa by a Fire
Feeling a little too frosty, cozy up next to a fire with some delicious hot cocoa (add candy canes and or cinnamon sticks for a special twist). Mmmmm!

3. Play a Board Game
Pull the old classics like Monopoly & Scrabble out of the closet, knock the dust off of them and gather around the table. These games are not only fun but are educational too! Monopoly is great for teaching your child to count money and Scrabble is a great way to work on spelling.

4. Make a Gingerbread House
Help them build the candy house of their dreams with all their favorite candies. For an extra surprise, hide a special present inside the house after for them to find.

 5. Have a Movie Night
Choose a movie the whole family will enjoy and pop some popcorn! Snuggling on  the sofa watching a movie is the perfect way to spend a cold evening in! Throw a  few M&M’s into your popcorn if you like sweet & salty!

 6. Pull Out Old Photo Albums
Reminiscing over old holiday photos will not only bring back great memories but    may also generate some fun ideas. A lot of great times started with “Remember  the time… we should do that again!”

The post Top 12 Family Winter Activities appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.