With so much free time during the summer it is easy for kids to swan dive into the brain drain of mindless videos and electronics.  ALTERNATIVE? Fab educational apps and a smorgasboard of classic books to keep them busy, motivated and sharp.

Best Educational Apps:

THE ZOO

For kids ages 2-6

This app helps kids Learn about animals and animal sounds through fun quizzes

TALLY TOTS

For kids ages 2-4

This app helps Introduce toddlers/preschoolers to numbers and counting

$1.99

LICKING LETTERS

For kids ages 2-8

A hungry frog named Hoppy teaches young kids how to spell without the bore of scrabble

$0.99

CHUZZLE

For kids ages 4+

This app is an interactive, furry version of connect four or bejeweled

$4.99

SLICE IT

For kids ages 5+

This app is all about Geometry Brain Teasers

$1.99

MATH BINGO

Developed by an Elementary school teacher

Its exactly what it sounds like, except SO much better than flashcards.

You can choose all different kinds of math skills and difficulty levels to challenge yourself

$0.99

STACK THE STATES

For kids Ages 6+

This app helps kids memorize all 50 states and capitols through exciting games and activities

A World version is also available

$0.99

MOTION MATH

For kids ages 8+

Think Space Invaders meets mathematics for this  outta this world app

$1.99

My Favorite Classic Books:

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

Freaky Friday by Mary Rodgers, The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster and Jules Feiffer, Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle, Mrs. Piggle -Wiggle by Betty McDonald and Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson

Book of the Month Club:

Want these classic books to magically appear at your doorstep this summer?

Keep your kids engaged this summer with the ideal reading list curated by age and by interest by CHILDREN”S BOOK OF THE MONTH CLUB. They’ll deliver two books to your doorstep for three months for only a $49.44 price tag (a 50% savings off of publisher’s edition prices, membership)  PLUS a $25 restaurant.com gift certificate for your family to enjoy.

From Goodnight Moon to Diary of a Wimpy Kid to Shel Silverstein and numerous  young adult novels, hundreds of titles are available.

Speaking On behalf of groovy moms everywhere—we have worked hard all year and now it is time for family members to prove your devotion to us. No hint—no get…

VOSGES/BUMP IT UP : FOR THE PLUCKY PREGGO IN YOUR LIFE

I teamed up with Chicago’s most famous chocolatier Katrina Markoff to create Mama’s Chocolat Gift Tower, a chocolate kit based on pregnancy cravings: spicy, fruity, savory.cheesy—it has it all. Style advice and a stash of the perfect chocolates

MORE CUPCAKES: A QUIRKY BREAKFAST IN BED

Cupcakes? For breakfast? Deconstruction is the name of foodie Patty Rothman’s game and she is a master at profiling intense flavors and Willy-Wonkifying them into savory cupcakes that skew more entrée than dessert. For Mom’s day she offers Breakfast in Bed squeezed into a delicious cupcake: Bacon/Maple, Cappuccino, Cinnamon roll, Passion. National delivery available!

MOM COUPONS

CHEAP & CHIC way to prove your love—free coupons good for room cleaning, breakfast in bed, dish washing, hugs and more!

GROOVY ACCESSORY: Sequin NYC Enamel Cuff Bracelet

Peek at magazines and shops and it is easy to see that tis the season of the accessory. What’s hot? Attention grabbing cuffs that add a dash of flash to basic ensembles.

FULLY LOADED iPAD2 or iPOD TOUCH: W/ Stress Relieving Apps For Moms

Apps designed to make mom’s life less chaotic
myMeditation, $2.99
Yoga STRETCH, 99 cents
Grocery Gadget, $4.99
Red Laser, Free

WAIST WHITTLING SWIMSUIT: Miracle Body Swimsuit

There is an inimitable dread every mom feels about swimsuit shopping. Take the anxiety out of mom’s summer by proffering her a stylish suit designed with slimming and shaping technology to make her look 10 pounds thinner!

MAKE UP PALETTES: Bronzer? Check. Illuminating powder? Check. Gel liner? Berry stain lip glosses a plenty? Check.

Get your glam on with this all-in-one kits used by red carpet fashionistas

STILA E! Red Carpet—Stunning Starlet, $25 /Glamour Goddess, $25

SMASHBOX Mega Palette, $59

THE PERFECT, GOES-WITH-EVERYTHING, BOYFRIEND CARDIGAN

The nautical sweater is the knit du jour for spring/summer. The length of this Isabella Oliver version makes it supremely versatile and  perfect for leggings, shorts, jeans or a dress
Isabella Oliver Breton Boyfriend Cardigan, $139

GET HER GLOW ON

The pure, anti-inflammatory ingredients in BELLI products exfoliate and keep skin uber hydrated.
Belli Head-to-toe Essential Kit, $100