Educational toys for your baby, toddler or older child can be a great addition to your playroom because they will keep your kids occupied for hours while they learn valuable new skills. It can be hard to choose which educational toys your kids will play with, and which will gather dust in the toybox, so here are some recommendations on toys that are sure to educate and entertain.

VancouverMom.ca asked a few of our favourite local merchants to put together their list of top gifts for this holiday season. Leanne Kripp and Anne Leishman over at North Vancouver’s Jack and Lola told us what their top picks were for moms on the go. They’ve also generously offered VancouverMom.ca readers a discount of 15% (some restrictions apply – see in store for details). Just mention that you’ve heard about the offer at the time of purchase.

Guest post by Jane Eaton Hamilton. Sarah rattles the chain link fence and breaking icicles shatter like bells. I look back at Joy in the driver’s seat of the Micra, drumming mittened fingers on the steering wheel while the car puffs determined smoke rings into a swirl of snow. This is totally not going to work.

Raspberry Kids’ Chief Executive Mom Sue Sinclair names her top picks for the moms you know – including you!

It’s been c-c-c-old lately (although friends in Alberta think we have it good). I was afraid I’d freeze my toes off as I made my way to meet a friend at Bright Nights at Stanley Park this week. I thought about canceling and staying in where there’s central heating, but I didn’t want to disappoint my three-year-old friend, as I was the designated hot chocolate person. But I’m glad I went.

Just found out about the Gingerbread Competition and Charity Auction, the gala of which will be held tonight at the Museum of Vancouver. Entrants were asked to shun the traditional elements of gumdrops and smarties to create a gingerbread house in a modern context.

Beauty Mark has long been a staple of Yaletown, for top-notch brands of cosmetics, fragrances and bath products. The recent addition to Pacific Centre Sephora may be the giant superstore for beauty-loving girls and guys, but Beauty Mark makes up for its small stature by bursting with additional products like handbags, clothing, jewelry, and even baby stuff. Whether you need a last-minute baby shower gift or you want to pamper a mom-to-be, Beauty Mark has a small but effective selection of teeny, tiny booties, kids bath stuff, and creams and lotions.

VancouverMom.ca fills you in on our top holiday gift picks for you, your kids and the other people you love. You’ll find out the best gifts for kids, expecting moms and moms on the go – and more. Time to start dropping hints!