Best DIY Baby Proofing Hacks for NYC Parents

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DIY Baby Proofing Hacks

All parents know that the older your child gets, the more they want to touch and play with everything they aren’t supposed to. Once your kids start knowing how to crawl and walk, baby proofing the house or apartment is essential. Yes there are baby proofing tools that you can buy, but that could end up costing you a lot of money. Why do that when you have various household items you can use! Think outside the box and try out some of these DIY baby proofing hacks to keep your kids safe.

Psst… Check out Chores for Kids: How to Get Them Started

Cushion Sharp Edges

We all like to have nice dining and coffee tables around the house, but the edges of those tables can end up hurting your littles ones as they run around. One popular idea is to grab some foam pipe insulation and cut into it so it can fit around the sharp edges. If you don’t have pipe insulation, simply grab some old tennis balls you might have lying around but a slit into them and attach them on the corners of tables.

Put Bands on  Cabinet Doors

Little kids love to grab on to cabinet doors and open them up, which can be a problem if you are storing cleaning products or sharp objects in them. An easy solution can be found on many people’s wrists! Grab a few hair elastics or rubber bands and place them around the knobs of the cabinet doors. That way your cabinet door will stay secured when kids try to pull on them.

Make Your Own Baby Gate

Baby gates are essential to block off access to certain areas for kids, but buying them can get expensive. With a little creativity and some elbow grease, you can build your own gate that will cost you way less. For parents who want to build a gate that is both stylish and effective, check out this cute DIY Baby Gate!

Cover Power Outlets 

Make sure your kids aren’t trying to play with the power outlets by covering them up! You can take either duct tape or bandages (try to only use skin tone colored bandages since designed ones might draw kids in) and place them over the outlets. If your kids are still in diapers, you can also use the adhesive covers of baby wipes and tape those around the outlets.

Make Door Knob Protectors 

Kids love to try to open doors around the house. This problem can be solved by using some old Tupperware you have! Cut a whole on the lid of the container, slide it onto whatever door knob you would like and then attach the other part of the container to it. The door knob will be tucked away from kids, which gives you one less safety hazard to worry about.

Cover Power Strips

Tupperware is also a great household tool to use when it comes to covering electric cords. Every house tends to have a power strip that is connected to cords that can be dangerous for babies to get into. Place the power strip into a large Tupperware container. That way there is no risk of kids pulling on any loose electrical cord.

Secure Closet Doors

Keep your closet door securely closed by using items in them! Many people have extra clothes hangers lying around, which are also made for the perfect mask shift lock. Turn the hanger upside down and hook the sides of the two door knobs.

Make Hot Glue Socks 

Hardwood floors can be very slippery for kids who are learning how to walk. To prevent any scrapped arms or legs, grab a hot glue gun and make some non-slip socks. This is an effective way to keep kids from sliding, and it can be a fun craft for the family to make.

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Super Soccer Stars

<p>Soccer Stars is New York’s most popular youth educational soccer program! With 24 years of experience under our cleats, we have positively impacted over one million kids in our local community by putting the FUN in FUNdamentals in our weekly classes and camps.</p> <p>At Soccer Stars, we use the soccer ball as a vehicle to help children not only improve their soccer skills, but develop self-confidence and physical literacy, improve gross motor skills, build teamwork, and hone socialization skills. Our highly trained coaches and early childhood experts lead an age-specific curriculum with a low kid-to-coach ratio so every child gets individual attention and can grow at their own pace.</p> <p>Kids ages 1-12+ can join our seasonal programs, including Parent & Me, FUNdamentals, Development Training, and Travel Soccer. Join us at one of over 80 locations in neighborhoods across across Westchester County, Connecticut and New York, available 7 days-a-week:</p> <p><strong>Connecticut:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Cos Cob</li> <li>Greenwich</li> <li>Port Chester</li> </ul> <p> </p> <p><strong>Westchester:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Briarcliff</li> <li>Eastchester</li> <li>Mt. Kisco</li> <li>New Rochelle</li> <li>Ridgefield</li> <li>Scarsdale</li> <li>White Plains</li> </ul> <p> </p> <p><strong>New York City:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Bronx</li> <li>Inwood</li> <li>Upper West Side</li> <li>Upper East Side</li> </ul> <p> </p> <p>Can’t find a class or location that fits your schedule? Soccer Stars also offers private classes for small groups or individual training. Let our coaches come to you with a completely customizable program, anytime, anywhere. Birthday parties are also available! </p>

Park Shore Country Day Camp

<p>Get ready for an exciting summer adventure at Park Shore Country Day Camp as the countdown to 2024 begins! Located on a sprawling 15-acre campus in Dix Hills, Park Shore has been offering an epic summer experience for children aged 2-15 since 1959. With a rich history of creating lasting memories, Park Shore is set to make the upcoming summer truly special.</p> <p>At Park Shore, every day is a journey filled with excitement and fun activities. From swim lessons to high ropes, bungee trampoline, and a variety of athletics, children are in for a treat. The camp's dedicated and experienced counselors prioritize safety while ensuring that each child has an enjoyable experience.</p> <p>What sets Park Shore apart are its special events and unique programs that promise to make this summer unforgettable. Park Shore Travel and Extreme STEAM Science Kids are just a glimpse of the diverse and engaging activities awaiting campers. These programs go beyond traditional camp experiences, providing opportunities for exploration and learning in a fun environment.</p> <p>Exciting additions await campers in 2024, including the introduction of a brand-new Gaga Stadium with viewing decks, new Sky Trail elements, a new Spray Park, new Special Events, new Travel Trips, and a new Preschool Water Play Area. These new features are designed to enhance the overall camp experience, offering fresh and thrilling options for campers to enjoy.</p> <p>Park Shore ensures convenience for parents with transportation options, nutritious meals, and a straightforward enrollment process. As you plan for summer, consider making it extraordinary for your child by enrolling them at Park Shore Country Day Camp. Join in the tradition of creating cherished memories and providing your child with a summer they'll talk about for years to come.</p>

A-Game Sports

<div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; background-color: #ffffff;"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;">A-Game Sports is a premier provider of sports instruction and strength and conditioning for toddlers, children and adults. As an instructional and recreational youth sports facility, our goal is to make athletics a rewarding experience for all kids. A-Game Sports is located in New Rochelle, NY, and offers camps, lessons, customized programs for more than 10 sports and rental space for private events. A-Game Sports was founded in 2013 by two guys who decided that it was time to do what they truly love in life. Since then, we've made the ideology of fusing hard work and fun into a reality. Our dedicated staff of professional coaches share their enthusiasm with kids of all ages and skill levels that take part in our programs.</p> </div> <div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; background-color: #ffffff;"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"> </p> </div> <div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; background-color: #ffffff;"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;">With turfed fields for soccer, lacrosse, field hockey and flag football, batting cages and tunnels for baseball and softball, and various basketball programs, A-Game Sports is one of the premiere sports facilities for kids and adults of any age. Aspiring athletes and fitness enthusiasts will benefit from our many strength and conditioning programs, while children new to sports will learn skills and techniques within their chosen sport, all while having a great time and keeping the game fun.</p> </div>