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2 weeks ago | 
nytimes.com | Kalee Thompson |Laura Motley
Time at the beach, lake, or pool is more fun for everyone with kids outfitted in comfortable, protective swimsuits, rash guards, sun hats, and more.
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4 weeks ago | 
nytimes.com | Laura Motley
Hot, sticky summer nights call for ice pops, cool baths, and lightweight, breathable pajamas. On the warmest evenings, my kids sometimes sleep in just undies, but the steadfast ritual of “bath, jammies, books” is hard to resist. In the fall of 2024, my daughters and I tested more than 30 pairs of jammies and nightgowns for Wirecutter’s guide to the best kids pajamas.
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1 month ago | 
nytimes.com | Laura Motley
My late grandmother loved to garden. So much so that, at the age of 60, she decided to channel her passion into a part-time career. She took a Master Gardener course, bought a red ’96 Ford Ranger, and let me tag along as she tended the stately gardens of Mount Desert Island, Maine. After we arrived at a client’s property and unloaded her tools, I would follow her around like an apprentice, struck by the beauty of the pine woods and pebble beaches.
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1 month ago | 
nytimes.com | Laura Motley
Learning to ride a bike is a rite of passage. Depending on the bike, the process can be either unnecessarily frustrating or, well, like a ride in the park.
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2 months ago | 
nytimes.com | Laura Motley
“People who get their feet wet must learn to take their medicine,” Mary Poppins declared as she dispensed mysterious liquid from an unlabeled bottle to her wary charges in the 1964 film. We now know that you can’t actually catch a cold from being wet and cold, but caregivers are still just as passionate about keeping kids’ feet dry and warm. Great rain or snow boots can assist with this worthy endeavor. After testing 27 pairs, we have nine to recommend, in sizes from toddler to tween.
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Jan 30, 2025 | 
nytimes.com | Laura Motley
When I started working on Wirecutter’s guide to children's pajamas, I expected it to be a straightforward and fun assignment, with a focus on quality, coziness, and style. Instead, I was soon flung down a rabbit hole of Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) regulations, flame-resistant fabrics, and toxic chemicals. After years of buying pajamas for my young daughters, questions that had hovered on the periphery of my shopping experience marched to the forefront.
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Nov 26, 2024 | 
nytimes.com | Laura Motley
We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more›Photo illustration by NYT Wirecutter; source photos by Petite Plume, Hanna AnderssonEarly Black Friday DealsIt's almost Black Friday! See the best Black Friday deals our experts have found so far. And sign up for Wirecutter's daily newsletter to get our favorite deals sent straight to your inbox. You’ve seen the picture.
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Nov 2, 2024 | 
nytimes.com | Laura Motley
No matter your age, changing into pajamas can anchor a bedtime routine, and soft, cozy PJs make easing into evening a pleasure. The best sleepwear for babies and kids keeps them comfortable through the night. It will also hold up through years of washing, and stay in good shape so it can be handed down to a younger sibling or friend. Below, we list a wide variety of jammies for kids—and a snuggly robe, too—that have been a hit with our own little ones.
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Sep 6, 2024 | 
nytimes.com | Laura Motley
Bike riding can be an empowering—and super-fun—way for kids to get to school. The first time my 6-year-old daughter conquered the hill between our house and her school, I don’t think she stopped smiling all day. It’s also good for their bodies: Kids should spend a minimum of 60 minutes per day engaged in moderate to vigorous physical activity, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and walking or biking to school can even increase concentration in class.
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Aug 23, 2024 | 
nytimes.com | Laura Motley
Most experts and parents agree that kids should wear a helmet every time they ride a bike. So it’s worth finding one that your child genuinely enjoys wearing. Luckily, helmet technology is constantly evolving, and kids bike helmets are more comfortable, safe, and stylish than ever. Some helmets feature rotational impact protection technology, such as the Mips system.
