It's a colorful maraca, a tambourine, and/or a drum. But it also looks like a kaleidoscope! This simple toy takes just a few minutes to make and will delight your toddler or preschooler. Step-by-step instructions are included at I Can Teach My Child. Link -via Tots and Giggles

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David Israel's 3-year-old son has a future in tech. He's already reviewing products for the internet! Read more at GeekDad. Link

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This lovely short film relates the adventures a child has with just a cardboard box and an imagination. Filmed in Bergen, Norway, entirely on a cell phone by Temujin Doran. -via Laughing Squid

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Is a three-year-old too young to drive an ATV by himself? I think so. Can he do it? Apparently. Little Hannes Pfeiffer tries out his new quad in the snow. What can possibly go wrong? -via The Daily What

I just found a wonderful blog called Parenting, illustrated with crappy pictures™. Amber Dusick tells stories about her children and draws pictures that are not crappy, just simple. This illustration is from the post art with kids, the two scenarios.

Their attention is held because of the amount of mess they are making.

Scenario Two officially starts the moment they invent a new technique, like splattering paint across the paper or pouring it directly onto the paper. I always applaud these techniques. They are having fun! Creativity is messy!

I applaud them because there is a stifled artist inside of me living vicariously through their freedom. Plus, I am an idiot.

The other posts are just as funny. My particular favorite is what fortunate means. But you'll want to read more of Dusick's stories. Link -via Metafilter

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Eight-year-old Sean channels Kermit as he sings "Rainbow Connection" and plays his ukulele. -via 22 Words

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Do I really need a good story? Isn't it enough that these cute laughing babies will make you smile? -via Sofa Pizza

When a child who is about to turn four asks for a Mario birthday party, most parents would oblige with paper Mario tableware and a cake with the appropriate icing. But one family went the extra mile, hand-crafting the treats, decorations, costumes (yes!), and games around the theme of Super Mario Bros! A good time was had by all. The birthday boy's uncle posted lots of pictures at Behemoth Gaming. Link -via reddit

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A nine-year-old girl shows off her shuffling skills at Tianenman Square and near the Olympic Stadium. Her father joins her for the finale, so you will know where she learned these mad skills. -via a comment at reddit

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Learning new stuff is hard! Coordinating hands, fingers, and arms takes a lot of practice, but it's what a baby's gotta do if he ever wants to play with toys! -Thanks, Lily Landes!

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A two-year old boy helps to tell the story of Jack and the Beanstalk. He has a real future as a storyteller! -via Buzzfeed

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While recording some footage of pianist Colin Huggins performing at Washington Square Park, photographer Senén Llanos caught a beautiful interaction between a father and child. http://www.senencito.com/my-blog/2011/5/23/a-beautiful-moment-i-witnessed-in-washington-square-park.html-Thanks, Senén!

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The little girl is supposed to be the star of the show, but one young man behind her has boogie fever! -via Buzzfeed

The most popular names for new babies in 2010 is out, and the influence of the Twilight series of books and movies has influenced the lists. Both the top names for boys and girls are characters from the franchise. For baby girls:

1. Isabella
2. Sophia
3. Emma
4. Olivia
5. Ava
6. Emily
7. Abigail
8. Madison
9. Chloe
10. Mia

And the top ten boys names are:

1. Jacob
2. Ethan
3. Michael
4. Jayden
5. William
6. Alexander
7. Noah
8. Daniel
9. Aiden
10. Anthony

Link -via Parenting

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Dress a bunch of babies and toddlers in their best finery, take them to a fancy restaurant, and serve them dinner fairly unsupervised. That makes a fine ad for Dutch company Olvarit's new varieties of baby foods. -via the Presurfer