Peggy O'Mara

When my 9-year-old started walking home from school with a neighbor, I realized I needed a way to stay connected without handing over a smartphone. That search led our team to test 15 different kids smartwatches over three months, and we narrowed it down to the true standouts. If you are looking for the best … Read more

When my daughter turned two, I realized our backyard was basically a blank canvas with grass. I wanted her outside more, moving her body, and building coordination without me hovering every second. That search led me down the rabbit hole of the best toddler swing sets for backyard spaces, and I learned quickly that not … Read more

Our team tested 10 popular fitness trackers with real kids ages 5 to 13 over the past three months. We wanted to find the best fitness trackers for kids that actually get children moving without turning into another screen time battle. Every parent in our test group had the same worry: they did not want … Read more

I spent three weekends testing climbing frames with my own kids and the neighborhood children to find the best climbing frames for kids outdoor play. After watching toddlers wobble on platforms and older kids race up cargo nets, I learned that the right frame depends on age, yard size, and how much assembly pain you … Read more

When my kids started climbing everything in the house — doorframes, kitchen counters, the dog — I knew it was time to give them a proper outlet. That is exactly what the best monkey bars for kids backyard setups do: they channel all that climbing energy into something that builds real strength and coordination. After … Read more

Last summer, my daughter dropped her regular digital camera into the pool at a birthday party. Thirty seconds later, it was dead. That moment made me realize why so many parents search for the best kids digital cameras waterproof before vacation season hits. A waterproof camera for kids is not just a nice extra. It … Read more

My daughter’s eyes lit up the first time she watched a photo slide out of a kids instant print camera. In that moment, she stopped asking for my phone and started looking for things worth photographing. That was three years ago, and since then, our family has tested more than a dozen instant print cameras … Read more

When my daughter turned two, she started pretending everything was a house. Cardboard boxes, blankets over chairs, even the space under our dining table became her “kitchen.” That is when I knew it was time to get her a real playhouse for the backyard. After months of research, testing, and talking to other parents, I … Read more

There is something magical about watching your child step into their very own wooden playhouse for the first time. Their eyes light up as they turn a tiny handle, push open a half-door, and disappear into a world entirely their own. I have seen my own kids spend hours turning a simple backyard cottage into … Read more

When my daughter turned three, she started climbing everything in sight — the couch, the kitchen chairs, even the fence posts in our backyard. That is when I realized our family needed a proper outdoor climbing wall. After testing more than a dozen options over the past two years and talking with other parents about … Read more