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Joki hanging Crows Nest in new bright colors
Just in time for Christmas Joki hanging Crow’s Nest is available in new bright colors that will delight any child. The colors to choose from are:
- Cherry Red
- Dolfy Blue
- Froggy Green
- Sunny Yellow
- Lilly Purple
Filed under: Blog - admin on November 22, 2011
Cuddle swing for anti-gravity yoga
A new type of yoga is sweeping studios all over North America. As a fan of traditional yoga, this made me excited and surprised for two reasons: first of all- doesn’t it look fun? And second, the hammock they use looks uncannily like our very own cuddle swing!
The cuddle swing has many benefits. It is a valuable therapy tool for children with sensory issues or on the autism spectrum, because the swing’s cocoon-like feel provides a soothing environment for children who have trouble with over-stimulation. Swinging in the cuddle swing makes a great wind-down tool for an over-tired and hyper child in need of some rest.
Learning about the anti-gravity yoga made me wonder if some of the exercises could be tried at home on the cuddle swing by adults or even children. Of course children should be directly supervised at all times and exercising should be done in a room clear of obstacles and clutter surrounding the swing area. People who have never been to an anti-gravity yoga class should not attempt these exercises at home.
The relaxing combination of both yoga and the cuddle swing together could create up a whole new meaning of “down time†after a busy day at work and school. Look for anti-gravity yoga at your local health club today. And then, why not try to do some of the moves right at home on your very own cuddle swing!
Filed under: Blog - admin on June 20, 2011
Get Ready for Summer Season – Camping Hammocks
Summer season is almost upon us. In no time, the mad dash with the kids to school every morning will give way to lazy, hazy days of lounging in the backyard and family camping or cottage trips.
What great time for us to announce that our very popular camping hammock is back in stock! After a long winter’s absence due to overwhelming demand, we are stocked up and ready to go. The hammock folds into an unbelievably small package, which makes it perfect for even the most minimalist campers. But don’t think that it lacks in comfort! Made out of resilient parachute material, it provides full-body support and is totally breathable. The best part? The bag comes attached to the hammock itself, so it’s impossible to lose.
So, for your next family trip, pack one or two of these along (people tend to fight over them once they try them- get extra!). You won’t know how you ever camped without it. But don’t pack it away with your camping supplies! The camping hammock is great for your backyard all summer long. And its small size and portability make it a great take-along for family day trips to the park, cottage or even friends’ backyard BBQ’s. It also makes a well-appreciated gift for a camper or that person who “has everythingâ€.
Take summer relaxation to a whole new level with our resilient, ultra light and portable camping hammock!
Filed under: Blog - admin on May 27, 2011
Tail Wags Helmet Covers – Making Safety Fun
Did you know a child’s skull is only one centimeter thick? This means it is critically important to protect your children from head injuries as seemingly minor incidents can cause permanent brain damage. Kids will recover from scrapes, bruises and even broken bones but head injuries can leave your child with life long medical issues. Healthy and happy children are active all year round but what can a parent do to provide them with the best possible protection? Safe Kids Canada wants parents to know that wearing a helmet is the most important line of defense against head injuries.
According to the Think First Foundation of Canada, helmets can reduce the risk of head injury by 88 per cent when they are worn properly. I learned first hand why safety helmets are critical. While skiing, I turned to answer a call from my son and promptly crashed full speed into a tree. When I regained consciousness, I found I was luckily uninjured but my helmet was shattered. The ski patrol told me that, without it, I probably wouldn’t have survived the accident. Read the rest
Filed under: Blog - admin on November 22, 2010
POP = Put on Protection – UV protected apparel for children
While most of us love the hot, sunny days, we have become increasingly aware of the perils associated with spending too much time outdoors, unprotected by sunscreen.
Children are at particular risk, racking up between fifty and eighty percent of their lifetime sun exposure before the age of eighteen! Unfortunately, we often forget to apply protection until after receiving a nasty sunburn – or worse – sunstroke.  Research has revealed that a bad sun burn before the age of ten can give you up to a fifty percent greater chance of contracting skin cancer as an adult.  Sun Damage is cumulative; skin can repair superficial damage like the redness and soreness of sunburn, but the underlying damage remains. Once our natural defenses against harmful UV rays are gone, you cannot get them back.
A cotton t-shirt offers only about a 5SPF while SunSmarty UV apparel by Seasons UV has 50+++SPF.
Seasons UV Solutions, a leader in active wear and swimwear offers sun protection that can help keep your kids safe in the sun. But aside from wearing the right clothing or swimsuit, there are some important tips to follow.
Tip number one is: remember three simple letters.  POP!  Put On Protection. Wear a hat, apply sunscreen, and don protective apparel.  It’s important to protect our skin all year round.  Even as we head into fall, it is vital to realize that the sun is still out and we still need to be mindful of sun safety.  POP! As ski season approaches, concern shifts to the reflective rays from the snow. POP! Many families will travel south for winter vacations and spring break getaways and children will be running around in bathing suits and shorts.  POP!
Seasons UV is a Canadian company that has been making UV protected apparel and accessories market since 1999.
Filed under: Blog - admin on November 15, 2010
Keeping Children Healthy and Active
Like every other parent I worry about whether or not my children are getting enough physical activity.  They spend hours in classrooms, are often driven home, and then spend time completing homework, on the computer, playing video games and watching TV.  It is far too easy for them to remain inactive. According to a government report, “Healthy Weight for Healthy Kidsâ€, one out of every four Canadians aged 2-17 is overweight or obese and that number has increased dramatically over the last 30 years. The report also states that only 21% of children and adolescents meet the international guidelines for daily activity for optimal growth and development.
While there are lots of warm weather activities for children, such as baseball, soccer, camping and hiking, many parents find it challenging to keep children active during the colder months. Summer playgrounds are often inaccessible and, although it would be great to spend the whole time outside tobogganing, skiing and skating, the reality is we have too few days suitable for outside play. Besides, sometimes it is nice to stay home in the warmth and comfort.
Filed under: Blog - admin on November 8, 2010
Wellness from the Beginning – “Teach My” Products
Were you aware that the care babies get from the beginning has dramatic and long-lasting effects on how they develop and learn as children? According to the National Association of Child Care Resource, research suggests the right kind of experiences in a baby’s early years can actually help their brains to grow! Therefore, in their first few years of life, it is crucial to create an environment for growth, development and learning. For example talking, reading, and singing with your child, all adds to their brain development. You are your child’s first and most important teacher. You provide the play experiences in your child’s life that lead to learning.
Realising I was my son’s most important teacher drove me to start my educational toy business. When my son was 18-months old, I was excited to teach him the basic building blocks of learning – the alphabet, numbers, shapes and colours. After searching several stores for an all-in-one kit, I settled for buying individual pieces at various teaching supply stores in my area. I filled a box with mismatched flashcards, kindergarten charts, books and puzzles, and called it ‘Mama’s School’. My son and I sat down with ‘Mama’s School’ almost every day for 20 minutes. By the time he was three-years old, he could read. Parents at nursery school and playgroups began to ask how I had taught him. Continue to read
Filed under: Blog - admin on November 1, 2010
Teaching Kids to Ride a Bike Safely
We all remember the trauma of learning to ride a bike, or worse, trying to teach someone to ride a bike. Â Setting out on your first two-wheeler can be frustrating and scary for both parent and child and has been the cause of many a scraped knee and twisted ankle. Â Bicycles with training wheels are heavy and wobbly, and even tricycles tip over.
We know that children develop essential motor skills early in life and Pediatricians agree that learning balance and coordination with exercise can jump-start a child’s growth and development.  Traditional bikes tend to place too much emphasis on learning to pedal while steering at the same time is very difficult for children. The challenge of mastering that skill can lead to feelings of instability and fear, sometimes causing children to give up altogether.
The Strider™ PREbike is designed to instill confidence in a child as they acquire their balance and coordination.  It is free of cables, chains, sprockets, pedals or protrusions that can harm your child.  Control is enhanced with a low and flat handlebar design.  Kids can reach forward rather than up, which gives them better leverage and maneuverability.  The Strider’s lightweight design and low center of gravity make it easy to control, offering your child a safe and secure sensation.  At the first feeling of instability, your child will instinctively place both feet securely on the ground and because the bike’s adjustable seat height starts at 11 inches, it accommodates the shortest of legs.  Designed to be steady and stable, the Strider™ encourages bike safety and fitness.
Read the rest
Filed under: Blog - admin on October 26, 2010
Safety Alert Bracelets and Allergy Alert Bracelets – Well on Their Way
Mabels Labels Are There When You Can’t Be!
Keeping kids safe when they’re away from home is a challenge. From “stranger dangerâ€to life-threatening allergens, peril seems to lurk around every corner. Experts recommend teaching kids their full name, address, phone number, parents’ names and workplaces, and how to call 911. But what if your kid is too confused or shy to pass info on to that uniformed adult they’ve been advised to seek out if lost? Or too intimidated to explain to their friend’s mom that just breathing in that peanut filled treat could send them to hospital? There are many times when we’re not going to be there to protect our kids.
Information is key. While peanut-free school lunches are the norm, lack of awareness about other common anaphylactic-shock producing foods is a concern. Health Canada identifies these as tree nuts, shellfish, fish, milk, egg, wheat, soy and sesame. Almost 6% of Canadian children suffer from food allergies according to McMaster University’s Dr. Susan Waserman and this number is growing. A recent study showed that kids’ emergency room visits for serious food-allergy reactions may be rising while asthma, which allergies can trigger, continues to be a major cause of hospitalization of children.
Filed under: Blog - admin on October 19, 2010
Hanging seat is a Great Christmas Gift for a Woman
We are continuing a serious of blog posts about Christmas Gifts ideas. This time it is a great Christmas gift idea for any special woman in your life: daughter, girlfriend, wife, mom, grandmother.
Modesta hanging chair is made of natural cotton and it is available in ecru. It is made in Brazil to a high standard. The size of this hammock chair allows comfortably to seat an adult and a child together. It is a perfect Christmas gift.
This hanging chair comes with a matching bag. When you don’t need this hammock chair, just fold it and put it away until next time – it doesn’t take more space than an umbrella. This makes the hammock chair really practical and easy to carry.
The natural colored Modesta hammock chair offers a high comfort. Because of its understated style it blends in perfectly into every living space. It is used indoors just as much as outdoors.
- Cloth Surface 105 x 140cm (48″ × 56″)
- Total Height 145cm (58″)
- Length of Rod 110cm (44″)
- Carrying Capacity 130kg (280Lbs)
- Net Weight 2.4kg (5.2 Lbs)
Please visit Modesta Hammock Chair page to see more pictures.
Filed under: Blog - admin on October 17, 2010
Butterfly Pediatric Therapy is Organizing Parent and Provider Information Night
Do you live in Greater Toronto Area and have a child with special needs? This event is for you. Butterfly Pediatric Therapy is organizing an information night for parents and providers with special needs children. DreamGYM was invited to present its products during this event. Please join us to learn about
- Recreational activities
- Support groups
- Therapy options
- Financial assistance
- Other resources through-out the GTA!
Filed under: Blog - admin on October 15, 2010
Well On Their Way!
DreamGYM is excited to announce that next week is the launch of “Well On Their Wayâ€, a campaign sponsored by 7 amazing companies, all of whom are devoted to promoting and ensuring your children’s well-being!  Throughout the campaign, participating companies will highlight a variety of “Well On Their Way†topics on our various social media sites: blogs, Facebook, and Twitter.
Why are we initiating this program? We’re parents too and we care about your children, as well as ours. In fact, we started our businesses because we identified a lack of products addressing some basic needs of our kids. Here’s a list of the articles we’ll be posting: Read the rest
Filed under: Blog - admin on October 13, 2010
Gifts for Girls. Christmas is Around the Corner.
We are continuing the serious of posts about Christmas gifts for children.
Actually this time we are going to recommend the same Christmas presents for girls that we recommended for boys – Doorway swing. It can be set up in minutes. Chrome plated bar with padded grips, adjusts to fit most standard width door frames from 28″ to 36″ wide. The weight capacity is 210 Lbs therefore teenagers and adults can do chin-ups too.
This kit includes trapeze bar with rings that will entertain any child for hours. Children can somersault, swing, twist. You can hang many other accessories, such as: hammock swing, rope ladder, gym rings, cuddle swing, platform swing, etc.
This Christmas gift will delight any child. More posts about Christmas gifts for boys, girls, dads, moms, grandparents coming this week.
Filed under: Blog - admin on October 2, 2010
Protective Surfacing for Children Gym
Protective surfacing is intended to cushion falls and prevent serious injuries from any equipment used indoors and outdoors. The amount of a consistent type of surfacing required is based on the critical height or fall height of the equipment, which is the height of the highest designated play surface on the equipment. Common indoor surfaces (such as rugs, tumbling mates, or carpet) are not adequate cushioning for gross motor equipment with a fall height greater than 18 inches even.
The following information has been extracted from the website www.safekidscanada.ca (section “For Parents – Safety Information by Topic – Playground Safety – Design and Surfacing). There are currently no Canadian standards or guidelines for indoor playground surfacing. Ideally, the best surfacing would be material that was tested for use under play equipment, such as the rubber-like tiles designed for outdoor playgrounds. There is only a small amount of research available on indoor surfacing, but it points to some suggestions on what kind of surface material can (and cannot) be used indoors to cushion children’s falls. Read more…
Filed under: Blog - admin on September 25, 2010
Cuddle Swing – Great Christmas Gift for a child with autism
Cuddle Swing is a great Christmas present for a child with Autism. And now this product is ON SALE (25%off). There is still time to get it before holidays.
It is made of stretching soft fabric (92% cotton, 8% lycra). It is machine washable and can be used indoors and outdoors. The cuddle swing is available in 3 different colors: navy blue, red and green.
The cuddle swing will give children experience of being in a cocoon, it will provide a feeling of womb-like safety and comfort. Children will really enjoy bouncing and spinning or relaxing in this cuddle hammock swing. It is a great tool for vestibular stimulation in children with Sensory Processing Disorder.
Filed under: Blog - admin on September 24, 2010
What is a Children Gym for Home
Imagine: A sunny summer Sunday morning. You woke up full of energy and plan to spend time with your kids in a park on a playground enjoying every single moment of it. But by the time you ready to get out, the weather is starting to change and promising sunny day becomes rainy reality. Kids are upset because they wanted to spend time there. Yes, it is a small structure, but kids just love swinging, climbing, sliding, etc.
You feel stack at home. You have to wait for rain to stop and for a playground to dry out. And not too many options are available for kids to be active at home, unless you turned your living room into bouncing castle.
In winter it is getting even worse. It would be great to spend all time outside tobogganing, skiing, skating, but the reality is we have too few days good for a play outside. There is always something: freezing rain, extreme cold alert, heavy snowfall, wind-chill etc. Read the rest
Filed under: Blog - admin on
Top Boys Christmas Gifts – Doorway Swing
You may ask why to post about Christmas gifts in September, but we all know that Christmas season will approach in no time. Last winter we were very busy shipping our products up almost last minute. It was stressful for everyone, for customers who were worried that parcels won’t get on time, and for us driving back and forth from FedEx office until December 23rd. So this time around we want you to be prepared.
One of the top boys Christmas gifts last year was our Doorway swing. It can be set up in minutes. Chrome plated bar with padded grips, adjusts to fit most standard width door frames from 28″ to 36″ wide. The weight capacity is 210 Lbs therefore teenagers and adults can do chin-ups too.
This kit includes trapeze bar with rings that will entertain any child for hours. Children can somersault, swing, twist. You can hang many other accessories, such as: hammock swing, rope ladder, gym rings, cuddle swing, platform swing, etc.
This Christmas gift will delight any boy. More posts about Christmas gifts for girls, dads, moms, grandparents coming this week.
Filed under: Blog - admin on September 21, 2010
How to hang a camping hammock
I know, I know, camping season is over, but I would like to share some pictures from our camping this summer. We discovered a Ticket To The Moon camping hammock for our family that we carry now in our online store. This camping hammock is made of breathable parachute silk, and it is extremely robust. It is lightweight and compact (only 1.3 lbs) and it comes with two pieces of rope and hooks. All you need is two steady trees to install it on your campsite.
[nggallery id=2 w=600 h=500]
Filed under: Blog - admin on September 11, 2010
Real Simple Magazine mentioned DreamGYM Inc.
In the last issue of Real Simple magazine DreamGYM was mentioned in “Your Back-to-School Decorating Guide“. I hope it was not last time they recommended our products.
Filed under: Blog - admin on August 11, 2010
Teaching kids about fresh food
If you didn’t have a chance to watch the whole video in our previous post. Watch this preview to get a sense what it is about. It could be really funny if it wasn’t so sad.
Filed under: Blog - admin on August 8, 2010
Jamie Oliver’s TED Prize wish: Teach every child about food
It is very important to keep children active, but the proper nutrition is equal if not even more important. My friend shared this video with me and I want to do my part in spreading this information. It is only 20 minutes, just let your kid(s) watch it with you.
Filed under: Blog - admin on August 7, 2010
Add portable hammocks to your camping checklist
My family went camping couple times this summer. First time we stayed with two other families at Pinery Provincial Park. We spent our days hiking, swimming, playing at the beach. But favorite activity among kids at our campsite was swinging in hammocks. Since we had 7 kids we needed more than one portable hammock. We were lucky with the number of trees on our campsite, therefore we hanged a Currambera family hammock, Ticket-To-The-Moon Portable Hammock and Arsalooly Cuddle Swing.
Filed under: Blog - admin on
Benefits of Yayita Baby Hammock
Baby hammock is beneficial for premature babies, infants with sleeping disorders, colicky babies and it can be effective in preventing flat head in babies.
Premature babies – Babies born before their due dates physically crave touch and the secure feeling they enjoyed in the womb. Being held close is not just comforting to them; it’s essential for them to thrive. The Yayita baby hammock offers a safe, soothing environment and simulates the feeling of being held. The slight upright angle also helps with colic or reflux, two common preemie ailments.
Infants with sleeping disorders – Newborns’ random limb movements often startle them right out of sleep. The Yayita baby hammock makes a perfect baby bed because it holds the baby snugly, which prevents flailing of the arms and legs. The baby’s movements set the hammock in gentle motion, and they quickly learn how to make it move. While a baby who sleeps in a conventional crib or bed will stir himself awake, stirring while in a hammock sets of the rocking motion which helps the baby to fall back into deep sleep. Babies sleep longer and sounder in the Yayita hammock, and because of its portability you can keep your baby close to you as he naps.
Click to read full post
Filed under: Blog - admin on July 28, 2010
Is Yayita Baby Hammock Safe?
Yayita baby hammock was recalled in the US in August 2008 due to safety reasons. It was said in the incidence report that a baby flipped over in the hammock in such a way that it came to hang in the safety belts facing the ground. There were no injuries and the baby was safely retained by the safety belts. The baby cried and the parents went to the baby’s room and unfastened it from the belts.
Now La Siesta has upgraded Yayita Baby Hammock in such a way that flipping is no longer possible. La Siesta products receive the safety standards certificate of the German TÃœV Rheinland only after passing several static and dynamic endurance-tests. continue to read
Filed under: Blog - admin on
If I were a child I would choose to live on a swing set
Swings are avidly enjoyed by children, as well as the child inside us all. Children especially love the motion of swings, as it allows them to experience the exhilarating feeling of flying. Truly no other piece of playground equipment can capture such a magical experience.
Unfortunately, due to some rare and isolated incidents, some communities have deemed swings either unsafe or an inefficient use of space and have expelled them from playgrounds. While as with anything some risks do exist, the benefits of swinging far outweigh any possibility of injuries, especially with properly supervised use.
Filed under: Blog - admin on July 8, 2010
Vestibular therapy to calm and relax your child
We usually associate hammocks with relaxing in the backyard on a lazy Sunday afternoon. While they’re certainly great for that, hammocks can also be a valuable tool for therapy in children and adults with Sensory Processing Disorders. People with proprioceptive dysfunction, tactile defensiveness, Autism, Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD), Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Asperger’s and excessive energy levels will all benefit from the calming “all-body hug” hammocks provide.
There is a great variety of hammocks on the market, and choosing one depends on who will be using it and for what purpose, as well where it will be primarily used.
Some of the choices include:
* a reclining hammock chair
* a hammock chair with stand
* hanging outdoor chair swing
* rope, canvas, fabric, quilted, or parachute silk hammock
* hammocks for children
* baby or crib hammocks
* cushioned single chair hammock swing
* cuddle swing
Filed under: Blog - admin on May 30, 2010