Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in Virginia Beach, VA

Garden Kit by Sassafras

My boys love nothing more than to play in the dirt.  Having them "help" us in the yard thrills them.  With this set and their little wheelbarrow, they will play for hours and they even do some good when it's time to mulch every Fall and Spring!

Kid Tough FP3 Player by Fisher Price

When a friend gave this to my son for his 3rd birthday, I'll admit I was skeptical that it would hold up.  One year later, it's still going strong despite a lot of hard use.  My son loves to pack his "iPod" for plane and car trips and regularly asks me to update it with favorite new songs.  Trust me, there is nothing cuter than a 4 year old bopping and singing to silent music!

Kid Tough Digital Camera by Fisher Price

I own a portrait photography business and my kids are quite used to the site of my face attached to a camera.  Of course, they want to try whatever Mommy does, but my expensive digital SLR camera is not quite up to the toddler treatment.  We started out with a few disposable cameras for the boys, but that was a bit expensive.  When I found this camera, I was thrilled and so were they.  They love to take pictures of all their favorite things and people almost as much as they love the sound effects when they delete them!  We've had this camera for 2 years and it still works great.  Just beware if your kids still bust in while you're in the bathroom....  I've had to secretly delete more than one photo!

Shape Sorting Clock by Melissa and Doug

I'm convinced that this clock taught my 2 year old his numbers and shapes.  He loves to dump them out and then patiently name each number and shape as he puts them back in their correct locations.  We'll work on telling time next!

For the Kids by Various Artists

I hate most kids' music.  I hate to admit it, but sappy kids songs with the happy sing songy voices just annoy me.  My kids have been listening to MY music since they were born, but I have to be careful about language and adult themes. When I found this CD a few years ago, it was the perfect compromise.  We can listen to the Barenaked Ladies singing La La La La Lemon (my kids' favorite) and everyone is happy.  Sarah McLachlan has a wonderful version of Rainbow Connection on here as well. I sang this to my boys when they were babies and listening to Sarah's version always takes me instantly back to that time.

Victor Vito by Laurie Berkner

OK, OK.  I've always said that I hate kids' music.  But I'll make an exception for Laurie Berkner.  A friend introduced me to Victor Vito several years before I ever had kids and I figured that if the song was stuck in my head after 5 years, my toddlers would love it.  I was right!  They make me play it over and over and over and over....