Most parents-to-be begin by setting up a nursery. Usually, a crib is the first piece of furniture you get your baby. A good crib should meet all voluntary and mandatory safety guidelines. Many parents are so caught up with the blue flowers and the pink bows that they sometimes ignore the need for safety. A cardinal rule of thumb before purchasing any baby gear is: safety first. As your bundle of joy will be spending more than two-thirds of his or her time lying down, a quality crib mattress and soft bedding are also necessary. And while you’re at it, pick up a mattress cover too! A baby-monitor is absolutely necessary in your child’s nursery. You may also want to get a changing table and a baby walker.

Sometimes, baby gear falls drastically short when it comes to baby clothes. Most new parents, (especially Moms) focus inordinately on getting all the ‘cute’ outfits. In the hurry to grab those oh-so-wonderful must-haves, essentials are forgotten. Absorbent baby blankets, cotton baby suits, bibs and soft innerwear are items that you really can’t have enough of. Sometimes baby clothes have to be changed faster than diapers. That’s because for the first year of their lives, babies are essentially messy, slobbering, waste-producing machines. But beware of the buy-it-all syndrome that some mothers suffer from. You should not have so many suits that you end up with a pile of unused baby clothes that Junior has outgrown. Half a dozen clean outfits at any given time should suffice. When you travel, pack extra.

A new baby means a whole new range of toiletries too. You will need baby oil, baby soap and shampoo and of course, baby powder. This last is useful when you need to keep your baby’s bottom dry. Choose a baby powder that has no talcum powder base; a cornstarch base would be ideal for the little tyke. Purchase ONLY mild baby soap and shampoo, as chemicals will be harsh on your baby’s tender skin. Also purchase a high-quality, natural moisturizer. To keep yourself on top of all these easy-to-overlook items, it’s probably a good idea to make a list of items and then go shopping (with the list, of course!).

When all the necessary furniture and supplies have been bought, you may want to get some things for fun and entertainment. While your baby will be busy learning from all the interesting little things going on around him or her, some toys will help soothe frayed nerves. One excellent toy for your baby is a mobile. Fluffy, soft toys that provide some kind of sensory stimulation are also quite handy. As your baby gets a little older, teething toys become absolutely essential. Baby toys are an exciting world in themselves.

With all these items safely tucked away in the nursery, there’s only one thing for you to do – wait for your adorable baby to make his or her entrance into the world!

Learning through exploration is an important part of any child’s education. Children can get so immersed in their immediate surroundings and their playthings that Heraclitus once said,” Man is most nearly himself when he achieves the seriousness of a child at play.”

Children love to play; more importantly, children NEED to play. The quality of physical space provided greatly influences the child’s level of involvement in his play. Play shades and tents provide excellent room for play, both outdoors as well as indoors. These offer a safe and closed environment where your child can play alone or with other children without injuring himself or others.

Play shades and tents start becoming relevant once your child has crossed the 1-year mark and is truly mobile. A variety of play shades are available in the market to suit small children between the ages of one and six. Age-specific play shades are useful when the child is small. As the child becomes bigger, he may be happy with a play tent where he can play with his friends. Play shades and play tents have certain standard sizes and are usually made of Ultraviolet stabilized polyethylene material. This high-density material can withstand harsh climatic variations. Play shades are fire tested to ensure safety.

Play shades are becoming increasingly popular in schools, parks and playgrounds. One reason for their immensely popularity in the recent times is the protection they offer against Ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The effects of UV are a public concern that affects children as well as adults. As we read more and more about various skin cancers and their direct relation to the harmful rays of the sun, it is only natural that we are compelled to drastically reduce play time on hot sunny days.

Sometimes, even with adequate sun protection, we are loath to send children outside to play. Play shades offer a very effective solution for this serious problem, by providing colorful and attractive shaded spots for children to play. Play shades effectively block out up to 90% of harmful UV rays. Additionally, about 80% of sunlight is filtered out, giving children a cool and happy place to play in.

Play tents can be used indoors as well as outdoors and are usually for a small group of children. Recently, there have been many themed tents appearing in the market ranging from the construction office play tent to military styled play tents. Some play tents can be attached to additional accessories like a play tunnel to help your child unleash his imagination to the maximum.

While choosing play tents for your children, it is necessary to check out the ease with which the tent can be assembled and disassembled. Some tents are relatively easy to put together the first time. But when it is time to pack it up, the material may tear and the infrastructure may become weak. If durability matters to you, go for the costlier (sturdier) varieties. One should decide beforehand whether the tent will be used inside or outside. Tents placed outside the house must have tent poles to assure safety.

A playhouse or a play shade becomes an invaluable addition to a child’s life. It changes into a rocket, a ship, a palace or a mystery house within the space of a few minutes. It’s a place where families can get together to play, read stories and even have the occasional picnic. Your child will have lots of happy memories from the many hours he spends huddled in his own little ‘cave.’