Kids these days have so many options when it comes to toys. Whether it’s drones, hoverboards, bikes and so much more, the opportunities that kids have or fun and games has never been greater.

However, with so many options it can be difficult to find toys that are both fun as well as affordable. Luckily, we’re here to help you along. We’ve put together our top 5 toys that are both fun and won’t break the bank.

Think of Fun as an Investment  

Before we start, it’s important to get in the right state of mind. One key thing we look at when ranking these toys is both how much fun they are, but also the longevity of that fun. We like to see toys that provide enjoyment for not just a summer but for many years to come. Something like a drone is built to last multiple years and is likely to be just as fun three years from now as it was on the first day. Dronethusiast has a great article on Beginner Drones that you can read as well! These are the types of toys we’re on the lookout for, and you should be too.

Drones

Speaking of drones, they are the first item on our list. Drones are an excellent gift idea because they are both fun and long lasting. Drones these days are super durable, and even a beginner drone can last you and your family multiple years. They are also quite affordable, with more companies producing entry level drones that make the perfect kids’ gift.

Drone safety is a big concern for parents, and luckily, it’s something that drone companies are doing right. Many drones come with safety features that protect both the pilot, as well as any items the drone might bump into.

A good example of a drone is the Altair AA108. This is a high-quality drone, and only clocks in at about $120. It may seem a bit pricey at first, but keep in mind that this drone is going to last for years and provide countless hours of fun in that time.

Building Blocks

One toy idea that never gets old are building blocks. These come in a variety of brands, think Lego or Duplo, that each cater to a wide range of age groups.

What’s great here is that all types of building blocks are long lasting, and foster a creative spirit. I’ve seen people hand down their blocks after their kids are grown. A quality brand like Lego can even last for multiple generations of kids. What’s more, they also come in lots of different packages at different price points. This is something that you can add to over the years, with smaller sets being combined to build awesome creations.

Toy Cars

Another classic toy that still holds up, is toy cars from brands such as Hot Wheels or Matchbox Cars. These toys are a lot of fun, and once again very durable. It’s not uncommon to see these handed down multiple generations of kids.

They’re also very cheap! You can sometimes pick these toys up for just under a couple of bucks. For larger sets, you will see them priced under a dollar per car; a great deal by any measure.

Outdoor Games 

For a bit of outdoor fun look for look for the multitude of outdoor game sets. These range from classics like ladders, to a giant Jenga set.

These types of games are built to last, and you’ll enjoy them for multiple seasons of fun. There’s also such a wide range of these types of toys that you’re sure to find one that fits your child. Add on to that the fact that it gets them outdoors and away from screens and you’ve got a winning combo.

Spy Gear

It’s always fun to make believe, and spy gear gives your child the tools to open up their imagination. There’s a wide range of stuff here, everything from walkie talkies to night vision goggles. These toys will provide a child with an active imagination endless opportunity for fun.

What’s great about these toys is that it’s easy to combine several items to create a complete spy arsenal. Things like a set of walkie talkies can be picked up at a reasonable price, and they make a great start to any kid’s spy kit.

Any of these toys would make for a great choice for a kid’s toy. They are sure to provide good value for money and more importantly they will provide you years of fun.

Now that we live in the digital age 3.9 million people work from home in the United States. And if you have a computer and an internet connection you could count yourself among them.

If you look hard enough there are plenty of ways to make money from home earning a decent wage. The tough part is sifting through them to figure out which ones are right for you.

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The most comfortable place for children when at home is the playroom because it is the best spot where they can express, play, relax, and learn. It is essential that when planning, designing and establishing children’s playroom you must consider aesthetic value, safety, and fun.

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As well as being expensive and time-consuming, the harsh truth is that our little ones can also be bad for the environment. If you’d like your kids to be able to enjoy our beautiful planet as they grow up, then you might consider making some changes.

If you’re unsure about how to add eco friendly baby products to your routine, look no further. Read on for 5 easy ways to make your baby routine more eco-friendly.

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Today’s child spends half the time outdoors as their parents did when they were growing up.

This is a scary statistic as adolescence lose their connection with nature and get less exercise. So, what is the best way to combat this daunting realization?

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There are a lot of things you need to consider before you move. There are even more factors to take into account when you throw children into the mix.

You don’t want to uproot your family and move to any old place. Before you start looking at real estate listings, you need to consider a few factors to make the home buying process easier.

Let’s take a closer look at three things to look at before choosing your new family neighborhood.

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Every year, families try to figure out the best way to handle their child’s school lunch. Do you pack their lunch every day or do you let them eat the school lunch? It can be a hard decision when considering the cost. If your family receives EBT benefits, your child is eligible for free school lunches. In that respect, my advice is to take it. It will save you extra money. For other families, there are other issues to consider.

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When it comes to a small business line of credit, you can only draw as much as the credit limit determined beforehand. Here, a full amount is not given out at one time, which would be the case with a term loan. One of the most significant advantages of a small business line of credit is the fact that you only end up paying interest on the sum of funds you have drawn.

Now that you know that you know what a small business line of credit is let’s take a look on how it works and what seven features you should look out for to get the best deal for your business.

How it Works

This kind of line of credit is mostly used by businesses that need short-term working capital to finance unexpected expenses or to improve their cash flow. After repaying a draw, additional funds can be borrowed, making it perfect for your cash flow needs.

What is interesting about a small business line of credit is that it is quite similar to a credit card. You only pay for the amount you have drawn.

Every time you pay for the amount you have drawn from the balance of your line of credit, you will free up the number of funds available later on, which is not the case with a working capital term loan.

Once you have a line of credit, drawing funds will be the fastest way for your business to acquire the capital it needs for unexpected events or quick payments.

7 Features that Make a Small Business Line of Credit Attractive

1.    Easy Approval

Source

No matter how bad your business might be doing, getting a small business line of credit is a breeze. Of course, if things are rough, the terms and rates you get may not be ideal, but you will get a line of credit to sort whatever issue is holding your business back. Additionally, it is a more suitable option than getting a traditional loan.

1.    Enhances Business Adaptability

For those times, when you have a limited time to take advantage of opportunities, a small business line of credit ensures you do not let such opportunities pass you.

2.    Pay for what you Use

As mentioned above, you only pay on the amount you have drawn, and not on the whole amount available to you.

3.    Evens out Cash Flow

With a small business line of credit, you can even out your cash flow, especially during slow seasons.

4.    Lower Interest Rates

The interest rates are much lower than what you would get on even a credit a card. It doesn’t also fluctuate either, and if you pay on time consistently, you will get inexpensive access to capital.

5.    Greater Control of Capital

With a business line of credit, as long as you make your payments on time, the amount of line of credit available will be returned. Due to this continuous access to funds, you will have greater control over your business finances.

6.    Make Purchases too Small for a Loan and too Large for a Credit Card

Chances are you may be required to buy inventory or supplies that are too expensive to be charged by your credit card. However, it is not that expensive to secure a conventional loan. It is where a small business line of credit can come in handy, but only as long as you don’t exceed the maximum amount allotted to you.

If you want to use a line of credit to your advantage, then feel free to check out these useful tips here.

Starting and managing a business is not a simple task as many people think. You have to be prepared for the different challenges that come with operating a business. Challenges like competition are common in all types of businesses. You may be a dentist who is looking forward to opening a wonderful dental clinic or a trader who wants to open a store. Being prepared helps to ensure that you have a smooth time. Here are some of the things you should consider when starting your new company.

Evaluate Your Industry

You should study your industry better to understand the different things. Doing so helps you know its performance and also competition. You will learn different things you might be required to do to be more successful in your new venture. Take your time and analyze your sector better to get your strategies right.

Target Audience

Understanding your target audience better is another thing that grants you a smooth time when starting a new business. You should identify the type of people you want to deal within the market. This helps you to come up with the right strategies that will ensure you meet their needs. Interact with them through various platforms to know what they prefer most.

Plan

You need to come up with a proper plan that will guide you in your operations. Without a plan, you are bound to fail. Sit down and list down the different things you may want for your company. If possible, seek advice from various people who may have a helpful opinion. A good plan guarantees you success in your new venture.

Network

Linking up with other business people will help you understand how to run one. You should attend as many seminars or forums as possible before starting your venture. It gives you the opportunity to meet up with those who have made it in the world of business. Make sure you look presentable so that you have an easy time interacting and getting fresh ideas. You can dress appropriately and wear a beautiful smile. Using products like prophy paste can give you healthy white teeth vital for a beautiful smile. There is a lot of information you will get from such forums that is helpful for your new venture.

Goals

You should have goals that will propel you further as a business. They can guide you on various things you are doing. Having goals motivates you to put in extra effort to meet them. You should sit with your team and set targets you aim to achieve within a specific period. They should be realistic for you to have a smooth time in putting in that extra effort to meet them.

Babies don’t come with an instruction manual. From the first positive pregnancy test, there is panic. From toddlerhood, through to the cranky and emotional teen years, parents have questions.

This is where parenting blogs come in. For every parenting style, question, and phase of life your kids are in there is a blog for you. Here we dive into our top ten favorites.

Our Top Ten Parenting Blogs Every Parent Should Read

This is our list of the top ten best parenting blogs on the web today. They cover a variety of topics. You’ll find different parenting styles represented. Stuff for dads. Humor. Truth. Ways to cope with different sets of circumstances.

These blogs are helping the parents in the world do a little bit better every day.

1. City Girl Gone Mom

This parenting blog focuses on the life and adventures of Danielle Schaffer. This is one of the best parenting advice blogs on how to keep your littles busy.

She has great ideas about keeping the kids occupied while maintaining mom’s sanity.

2. Janet Lansbury

One of the top parenting blogs on the internet is JanetLansbury.com. Along with her podcast “Unruffled”, Janet is helping parents. She encourages parents to respect their children and guide with grace.

She practices her own version of the Magda Gerber parenting style. Janet encourages parents to keep their calm. Being the steady example their children need. All while teaching techniques to build up their self worth and emotional health.

3. World’s Okayest Mom

Of all the blogs on parenting, this one is one of the most refreshing. WOM showcases a variety of writers telling their truth about raising little humans. They share triumphs and hard days.

It’s a wonderful read if you want to feel like you’re not alone in this whole parenting thing.

4. Mom Tricks

There are lots of blogs about parenting but this one focuses on the early days of parenthood. Mom Tricks is the brainchild of Jennifer Taylor. She focuses on pregnancy through toddlerhood.

Her gear guides and reviews are second-to-none. If you need to know which car seat to buy this is the place to go. They do everything babies from burping to diapering. Mom Tricks does a great job of answering the questions new parents have in a lighthearted way.

5. Mommy and Love

Monica Geglio, is a mom who transitioned to a vegetarian lifestyle. She talks about getting more veggies into your kids. She shares wonderful recipes that are family-friendly and healthy too. They have also made their home as sustainable as possible. They have their own farm.

Monica even participates in the Mother’s Milk Cooperative. This organization provides breast milk for babies who have none.

6. The Budget Mom

For parents who live on a shoestring, The Budget Mom has you covered. Kumiko Ehrmantraut is the blogger behind the brand. She is an Accredited Financial Counselor and mom. She has figured out how to get herself out of debt. She’s reached a point of financial freedom. All while raising incredible children.

Her blog is a fantastic resource for living a more financially responsible life. Kumiko also provides tools to help you on your journey.

7. When Crazy Meets Exhaustion

Do you appreciate the hilarity behind parenting? Want to know more about the life of a witty teacher? When Crazy Meets Exhaustion is a blog that has a sense of humor and tells it to you straight.

Stephanie Jankowski, an English teacher, and mom writes the truth with humor. She talks about what teachers are thinking about you and your kids. Her section on teaching provides a hilarious glimpse into the everyday life of a teacher.

Check this one out if you want someone who’ll tell it like it is and have you laughing about it.

8. Life of Dad

Too often, anything about parenting is mom focused. Have you ever seen a men’s bathroom with a changing table? Have you ever seen men at the park get shady looks from the women there? Dads can take their kids out too.

Life of Dad gives dads the props they deserve. From geeky dads to brand new dads this has something for every guy with a kid. This is a network-style blog where dads share stories and bond with one another.

A group of four dads, including a warm-up comedian for The Ellen Degeneres show, gives Life of Dad its voice. This male perspective on parenting is refreshing.

9. The Dad Website

This is the best! For men and women with a sense of humor, you have to check this one out. This blog is chock full of amazing advice given with a laugh. The bios of the creators will have you giggling.

The Heart Talks section is our favorite. These are posts that tackle those big talks dads need to have with their kids. These sincere posts share how actual fathers dealt with these big questions.

There’s also a section for dads-to-be. Why is all pregnancy advice given to the mama? Dads have questions too. These posts will help ease some of your pre-baby jitters and answer questions from a dads point of view.

The Dad Website doesn’t take itself too seriously. But, their advice is legit. Don’t let this one pass you by.

10. Lemon Lime Adventures

This blog is a great resource for parents of intense and challenging kids. It helps you understand the different sensory systems. There is great advice on how to parent kids on the autism spectrum.

Dayna, the mom behind this amazing resource, lets parents know they’re not alone. She has a background in early childhood education.

With the diagnosis of a sensory processing disorder for one of her children, she had to learn to handle things a different way. Parenting becomes more challenging than in a family with only neurotypical children.

Her advice is sound. She focuses on creating a nourishing and loving environment for every child.

Build Camaraderie with These Great Parenting Blogs

We hope these parenting blogs help you put a little more pep in your parenting step. Every parent has questions. The best parents seek answers and strive to be better.

Did we miss your favorite? What is the best parenting blog you’ve ever read and why? Leave your answer below in the comments.