Ah, finally summertime is here. It’s a great time to get back outside and the perfect opportunity to introduce your little one to some really neat new sights & sounds.

Go, go garden!
Your garden is filled with colors and textures that will be brand new to your little sprout so bring him along for the adventure (and don’t be afraid to get a little dirty). Introduce him to new textures by sprinkling a handful of dirt on his hands or tickling his little arms & feet with a leaf. Let him smell the crisp scents of fresh herbs. Take some time to show and tell real examples of bright colors with a red tomato, yellow sunflower or anything in your garden. To make garden discovery even more fun for your toddler bring along Baby Einstein Nature Nesting Blocks. Together you can match the photos on the blocks with real examples of what he is seeing. Each relaxing gardening session time out can be filled with new experiences for your new little helper!

On the run.
You are probably itching to get back to old routines like your morning jog. Once your baby is about 6 months old, you can get back to business as usual bringing him along for double duty (provided your doctor gives you the okay to resume physical activity). Who says exercise has to be a solo activity? The stroller is as good a place as any to discover nature. As you run, explain what you see and pick up a few tactile natural toys along the way, like a shiny leaf, smooth stone or craggy piece of bark. From the woof of a puppy to the color of passing cars, use everything you experience as the chance to explain the wonderful world around you (and ask your little one questions about what he sees if he’s old enough to talk). We’re sure that watching him in total wonder is awesome motivation to put on those running sneaks!

Park playtime
A day in the park may require a little more prep, but can be a lovely relaxing day for both you and baby (and a new universe filled with fun stuff to explore together). From the rustling of tree branches to a scampering squirrel, everything outside is the opportunity to see him amazed by the beauty he sees and a great chance to snap his reaction, so have your camera handy.

Get up and out, mamas and papas! Take advantage of this summer to explore the beauty of nature with your baby and enjoy every minute. Happy trails!

We’ve just launched the All About Baby Sweepstakes! Moms and dads can enter for an amazing chance to win a $2,000 U.S. savings bond for the little one in their life along with special Baby Einstein product package prizes. You can enter now through August 20th. Winners will be chosen at random.

One grand prize winner will win a $2,000 Series I U.S. savings bond
One first prize winner will receive a $500 Series I U.S. savings bond
Two 2nd prize winners will receive Baby Einstein Product packages valued at $300 each
Five 3rd prize winners will win Baby Einstein Product Packages valued at $100 each

Baby Einstein has even more exciting news! Fans are also invited to visit the new Baby Einstein Facebook Page. This, Baby Einstein Company’s first official Facebook Page, is a place where parents with a passion for sharing the arts with their baby can share real life experiences and tips. Baby Einstein will also regularly post useful advice for encouraging discovery, information on new products and exclusive offers.

Baby Einstein, loves babies and creates DVDs, CDs, books, toys and activity items with every baby in mind every day. Enter the Baby Einstein: All About Baby Sweepstakes today for a chance to nourish your baby’s tomorrow.

© The Baby Einstein Company, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Baby Einstein is a trademark of the Baby Einstein Company, LLC. EINSTEIN is a trademark of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Sweepstakes open to legal residents of 50 U.S./ D.C., & Canada (excluding Quebec), 18+ (not a minor in state/ province of residence) and be or sign up to become a registered member of the Baby Einstein site. Sweepstakes begins 12:01 p.m. PDT, 7/19/10 & ends 12:01 p.m. PDT, 8/20/10. Subject to the Official Rules. Sponsor: The Baby Einstein Company L.L.C., Burbank, CA.

Hey Parents,

Have you ever held a Baby E toy and thought “if only it could do THIS?” We want to hear your ideas! After all, who knows what your baby likes more than you?

Baby Einstein was formed from the imagination of Julie Clark, a real mom that wanted to nourish her baby’s imagination in a new way and we know that our best new ideas come from real parent like you. We promise to make the best products that evolve with your family and create memorable together time with your little one.

We invite you to be part of our Parents Panel. When you join, you’ll be part of a network of real moms and dads ready to share ideas and tips, test new products, get special Baby Einstein offers and more. Imagination is everything and together, we can help develop creative babies who are inspired for a lifetime!

You can trade in that bulky baby bag for something way sleeker thanks to our new app! Download My Baby Einstein and turn your iPhone or iPod Touch into a handheld playground filled with discovery cards, a memory book, music and videos to engage your baby when you’re on-the-go. It’s everything that you both love about Baby Einstein in the palm of your hand. Curious to see what you’ll get? Let’s dive in!

Discovery Cards are interactive flash cards that let you and your baby explore pictures of different themes. A card pops up as a narrator gives you simple facts. There’s even a feature to create your own, personalized flash cards that will keep your baby happy
on-the-go. Here’s a fun tip- if your munchkin misses daddy while he’s at work, you can make a card with his photo and even record his voice to share a personalized greeting!

The Memory Book allows you to capture baby’s every adorable memory as it happens with audio, video and photos. You can customize photos of your little one by adding Baby Einstein characters and text. You can save photos to a photo album or upload them to Facebook to share (and show off) instantly!

The My Baby Einstein app would be incomplete without our award-winning Baby Einstein DVDs that keep baby engaged and put a smile on his face! There are 3 Baby Beethoven videos and 3 Baby Neptune videos included for you to enjoy together.

And of course there is music! From the grocery store to the waiting room, fill any daily destination with music and sing along with your baby to popular songs from the Baby E series! You can choose from popular favorites including the Itsy Bitsy Spider, Wheels on the Bus,
B-I-N-G-O, and more.

For just $3.99, you can download through iTunes or directly on your device. And you’ll be really excited to know that the app will grow with your baby as he develops. If you notice that he’s really excited about animals, nature, a certain type of music or a DVD theme, there are add-ons being constantly added to the store.

Talk about the app with other moms on our Facebook Page and check out Tanya’s review on Mommygoggles.

Exploration from the comfort of your beach blanket:
There are so many opportunities for discovering new things on your baby’s first beach trip. Start out from the comfort of your beach blanket.

First, let your baby touch everything to get acquainted with the different textures and sensations. She’ll probably be both confused by and fascinated with sand. Let her move at her pace. Start by placing sand on her chubby little leg then hold her and let her gently feel the sand as she pretends to walk. The warm feel of the sand will spark her curiosity.

You can also make a patch of wet sand and explore how the sand turns harder. She may not be able to communicate, but the intrigue in her eyes will let you know that she’s completely engaged.

Once she’s comfy with her beach surroundings you can send daddy to collect seashells and together feel the different ridges and shapes. Look at the beauty in their color together and if you happen upon a sand castle definitely stop by and explore with your little one.

OK let’s get her ready for the ocean! Grab 2 small beach pails. Fill 1 with warm ocean water and 1 with cool bottled water. Show her the different water temperatures by dipping her little fingers from a cup of cool water to a cup of warm water. The sensations will intrigue her and get her ready for more water!

Taking the big dip:
Most parents agree that you should wait until your baby is about 6 months old before exposing her to the ocean. Her delicate immune system is still developing and needs to be protected. To be sure, check with your pediatrician before you head to the beach. Once your baby old enough you can start having so much fun exploring the ocean together.

On your first trip you won’t want to go in too deep. Babies are still developing trust so take things slowly. Sit on the edge of the ocean with your little girl on your lap and just watch and feel the waves together. With each incoming one your baby will begin to giggle as she splashes around. While the two of you are playing, try blowing bubbles on the water’s surface to get her giggling even more! She may not be able to imitate you just yet, but she’ll have a ball and be so curious about these new things going on in the water.

Another fun idea is to tickle her senses with fun floatables. You can bring anything that floats and show her as it bops along the water’s surface.

The new wet sensations will spark her curiosity about that place she only sees on Baby Neptune .

Remember 2 safety things moms & dads-keep track of your tot’s temperature. She could get cold quickly if the water is below 85°F so if she starts to shiver, take her out and towel her off right away and always hold your baby, never let her more than an arm’s length!

Chill beach together time:
After all of your playful beach time your little one will need a nap so cuddle up under your cabana grab your Splash and Giggle Bath Book Water, Water Everywhere and read to your lil one.

There’s still one more chance to introduce her to the wonders of the beach. Listen to the ocean sounds together. The lulling sound of waves coming are a great natural soother. You’ll just watch as she drifts off to sleep so happy after an afternoon of beach adventure.

The information contained on this page is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice.

We honestly couldn’t stop grinning and giggling at the hilariously awesome moments that you captured so, now, it’s time to pass them along. Sit back and prepare for cuteness overload!

Shake It Like You Mean It
Have an empty water bottle and some dried beans? Then you can have a maraca in under a minute. Put a handful of beans (you can use rice or small stones as an alternative) in a water bottle and secure the lid tightly so your mischievous lil’ one can get shaking. Introduce your little guy to rhythms by first showing him different shakes and then letting him rock out.

Baby Boomer
Get your little guy behind his first set of drums today. Head into your kitchen, grab an assortment of pots and lids from your kitchen and lay them out on the floor (leave the good stuff behind, though). Grab 2 wooden spoons- one for you, one for baby. Show him how to bang on the pans. He’ll be giggling and banging along as you play with different sounds. Who knows you- may have little drummer boy in the family!

Zany Xylophone
You may remember from science class (or any boring business banquet) that different levels of water in glasses make different notes. Grab 5 glasses with different shapes and sizes. Fill each glass with a different amount of water (but keep it low to prevent spills). Place the glasses in a row and tap your wooden spoon lightly against the glasses to let him hear the different pitches and sounds. Once you’ve engaged his curiosity (and gotten over how cute he looks completely wowed by what he hears), pass him the spoon and start making music together.

Homegrown Harmonica
A comb and a piece of tissue paper can become baby’s first harmonica. Fold a piece of tissue paper over the toothed side of a clean comb, covering the comb as completely as possible. Now hum against the paper (like a kazoo). You should be able to make different sounds and your cutie will be giggling for sure. What’s even more awesome? This instrument can go straight in your bag for music on the go.

Jingle Bells
If you have small bells around and a small length of ribbon (or even an extra shoelace), you’re well on your way to making a set of jingletastic shoes for baby that will make music with every step! String one bell with ribbon and tie to your baby’s shoe. He can dance around and have fun with the music he’s making.

Want to one up baby’s musicality? Play along with our new Baby Einstein Sing and Play CD! to keep baby dancing and get him acquainted with classics like Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes and Old Macdonald. The punk rock can wait til he’s a teenager.

Get more ideas from Baby Einstein fave, Julie Clark.

We know the scenario well: it’s two days before Father’s Day and the last thing you’ve had time to do is run out to buy the big guy in your life something to say thanks for being an awesome dad. But (clichéd or not) the best gifts really do come from the heart, and your hubby will likely get more happiness from a day spent with you than any tool, tie or gizmo you could grab off the rack. We have a few ideas to get you started.

#1. The Great Outdoors
A trip to the park with both your favorite guys (big and little) will be a chance to enjoy quality time together and make new memories (and getting a giggle yourself watching them get dirty exploring). Take it one step further by giving Dad a picnic fit for a king. Capture the day’s adventure with a digital camera and print it out for your hubby as a special momento of the day.

#2. Breakfast in Bed +1
There’s nothing a new dad loves more than baby and bacon! So why not surprise your man with breakfast in bed? Slip away while he’s still snoozin’ and fix his favorite breakfast. Grab baby from his crib and make it a family affair. With nowhere to go just lie back and enjoy bonding (and the bacon!).

#3. Sowing the Seeds of Love
Planting a tree is a great way to spend the day busy outdoors as a family to create something you all can enjoy. As you start work together, explain what you are doing step by step. Let baby feel the textures outside and maybe even get a hand on his first tool (with supervision, of course). You’ll be able to watch the tree grow with your baby and you can always remember Daddy & Me’s first handy man job.

Have an idea you’d love to share with other moms? Tell us at our new Facebook Page!

Happy Father’s Day to all of the new dads out there!

March Offer

Start the new season with a visual and musical experience for your baby and step into the spring season with an offer from Baby Einstein.  Get $5 off of any Baby Einstein DVD.  But hurry – the offer is only good until March 31^st. 

Click here to download your coupon and save today. 

-          The Baby Einstein Team