Whys & Finds

Naturally KIDS
  • 0.0 (0)
  • Parenting

The whys parents and gift-givers ask about little kids, and the finds that actually get used. On Whys & Finds, two hosts, Ellie and Ben, take one question per episode, answer it up front, and are honest about when something else would suit a child better. Both hosts are AI-generated voices. Made by Naturally KIDS.

Episodes

  1. 10h ago

    Christmas Gift for a 3-Year-Old Girl Who Loves Unicorns

    What is a good Christmas gift for a 3-year-old girl who loves unicorns? A unicorn gift she will use every day, chosen after you check three things: the real size in inches, what age it is made for, and what she actually does with her unicorns. The CPSC, the U.S. product safety agency, says to "choose toys that match each child's interests and abilities." Ellie and Ben talk about buying blind: choosing a gift from a picture, then finding out it does not fit. They talk about what she does with her unicorns, why a unicorn that sings and flashes leaves her less to do, checking a backpack's size with a tape measure, a plush unicorn she can take out for a hug, and a unicorn lamp for her room that an adult switches on. Sources: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) — Don't Be Left Out in the Cold This Holiday Season with Unsafe Presents: Buy from Trusted Sources: https://www.cpsc.gov/Newsroom/News-Releases/2026/Dont-Be-Left-Out-in-the-Cold-This-Holiday-Season-with-Unsafe-Presents-Buy-from-Trusted-SourcesZERO TO THREE — Tips for Choosing Toys for Toddlers: https://www.zerotothree.org/resource/tips-for-choosing-toys-for-toddlers-toddler-toys/Read more: https://naturally-kids.com/blogs/news/christmas-gift-3-year-old-girl-who-loves-unicornsWhys & Finds is made by Naturally KIDS.This episode uses AI-generated voices for both hosts.

  2. 1d ago

    Backpack Size for a 2-Year-Old: How to Check the Fit

    What backpack size is right for a 2-year-old? Pick a backpack that fits her now, not one she will grow into. Measure her back, and check the bag's real size in inches. Ellie and Ben each take a side. Ben argues for a bigger backpack that lasts. Ellie argues for a small one. They look at backpack advice from Mississippi State University Extension and Nemours KidsHealth. That advice is written for school-age kids, and they say so: they did not find guidance written for two-year-olds. They go through a simple fit check at home: a tape measure first, then the backpack itself, with the straps adjusted, on a short walk. They name three signs a bag may be too big. It bumps the back of her legs, the straps slide off her shoulders, or she keeps handing it to you. Then Ben makes the case for the daycare list, and wins that round: if the list does not fit in the small one, take the medium. At the end, they agree who each size is for: the small for her own things, the small with pockets if she carries her own water bottle, and the medium when there is more to carry. Sources: Mississippi State University Extension — Choose backpacks to help keep children pain free (guidance for school-age children): https://extension.msstate.edu/blogs/extension-for-real-life/choose-backpacks-help-keep-children-pain-freeNemours KidsHealth — Backpack Safety (guidance for school-age children): https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/backpack.htmlNaturally KIDS product listings: backpack sizes in inches and liters, age range.Read more: https://naturally-kids.com/blogs/news/backpack-size-2-year-old-how-to-check-fitWhys & Finds is made by Naturally KIDS.This episode uses AI-generated voices for both hosts.

  3. 2d ago

    First Day of Daycare: Getting a Toddler Ready

    How do you get a toddler ready for the first day of daycare? Visit the daycare together before the first day, practice the trip and the goodbye, pack a small bag with one familiar thing from home, and decide on a short goodbye that stays the same every day. Raising Children Network, an Australian parenting site supported by the Australian Government, suggests spending time at the new place with your child before the separation. Ellie and Ben walk through the days before the start: practice runs at the real time of day, telling your child when you're leaving and when you'll be back, asking the daycare for their list, the NAEYC tip to ask the teacher if a comfort object can stay in the cubby, and the American Academy of Pediatrics tip of keeping two identical comfort objects so one can be washed. They talk about why Ellie would pass on a big school backpack "to grow into" for a toddler, what to pack the night before, and Ben's better idea: the plush buddy goes back on the bag last thing in the morning, as the first step of leaving. Then the goodbye: predictable, short, and said every time before you go. None of this promises a morning without tears. If you are worried about your child, ask your pediatrician. Sources: Raising Children Network — Separation anxiety in babies & children: https://raisingchildren.net.au/toddlers/health-daily-care/mental-health/separation-anxietyNational Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) — 11 Ways to Help Children Say Goodbye: https://www.naeyc.org/our-work/families/help-children-say-goodbyeAmerican Academy of Pediatrics — Transitional Objects: Security Blankets & Beyond: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/Pages/Transitional-Objects.aspxRead more: https://naturally-kids.com/blogs/news/first-day-of-daycare-getting-a-toddler-readyWhys & Finds is made by Naturally KIDS.This episode uses AI-generated voices for both hosts.

  4. 3d ago

    Stocking Stuffer Ideas for a Toddler

    What are good stocking stuffers for a toddler? Small, simple things the child can hold, read or draw with: a little animal, a small book, large crayons and a coloring book. Before anything goes in, check three things: does it fit the stocking, does it fit the child's hands, and what age is it made for. Ellie and Ben go through advice from public sources. The CPSC, the U.S. product safety agency, says to keep balls and toys with small parts away from children younger than three. The CDC says to encourage toddlers not to put pencils or crayons in their mouth when coloring or drawing. The American Academy of Pediatrics says to avoid toys with button batteries or high-powered magnets. They talk about the stocking's opening, toys a child's hand can grab and hold, buying from a photo, and plush animal sets of 6. Ben adds a practical step: if you're filling a stocking for someone else's child, text the parents before you buy. Sources: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) — Don't Be Left Out in the Cold This Holiday Season with Unsafe Presents: Buy from Trusted Sources: https://www.cpsc.gov/Newsroom/News-Releases/2026/Dont-Be-Left-Out-in-the-Cold-This-Holiday-Season-with-Unsafe-Presents-Buy-from-Trusted-SourcesCDC, the U.S. public health agency — Positive Parenting Tips: Toddlers (2–3 years old): https://www.cdc.gov/child-development/positive-parenting-tips/toddlers-2-3-years.htmlAmerican Academy of Pediatrics, HealthyChildren.org — the AAP report on choosing toys for young children, explained: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/Pages/What-to-Look-for-in-a-Toy.aspxRead more: https://naturally-kids.com/blogs/news/stocking-stuffer-ideas-for-a-toddlerWhys & Finds is made by Naturally KIDS.This episode uses AI-generated voices for both hosts.

  5. 4d ago

    Why Toddlers Want to Do Everything Themselves

    Why does my toddler want to do everything by himself? He is in the I-can-do-it-myself stage, and it shows up in shoes, zippers and carrying his own things. You can give him a few real jobs he can manage and keep your help for the rest. The CDC, the U.S. public health agency, says the "terrible twos" is a term used to describe this stage "as toddlers begin to assert their independence." Raising Children Network, an Australian parenting site supported by the Australian Government, says toddlers this age are "keen to do more things for themselves," but "you'll probably need to help." They talk about picking jobs he can almost do, and doing them the same way every day. The American Academy of Pediatrics says: "Routines and responsibilities will let your child know what to expect." Ben's better idea for busy mornings: one job that can't make you late, the same every day. They also cover why a big backpack bought to grow into can end up on the parent's shoulder. Sources: CDC, the U.S. public health agency — Positive Parenting Tips: Toddlers (2–3 years old): https://www.cdc.gov/child-development/positive-parenting-tips/toddlers-2-3-years.htmlRaising Children Network — Toddler development at 2-3 years: https://raisingchildren.net.au/toddlers/development/development-tracker-1-3-years/2-3-yearsAmerican Academy of Pediatrics, HealthyChildren.org — Growing Independence: Tips for Parents of Young Children: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/preschool/Pages/Growing-Independence-Tips-for-Parents-of-Young-Children.aspxRead more: https://naturally-kids.com/blogs/news/why-toddlers-want-to-do-everything-themselvesWhys & Finds is made by Naturally KIDS.This episode uses AI-generated voices for both hosts.

  6. 5d ago

    Dinosaur Toys for a 3-Year-Old: Which Kind to Pick

    What are good dinosaur toys for a 3-year-old? Pick by how your child plays. One big dinosaur friend that goes everywhere suits a kid who wants it with him all day. A set of small dinosaurs suits a kid who lines them up and makes up stories at home. The American Academy of Pediatrics says to match the toy to what the child can already do, with a little room to grow, and that no single toy is needed for the next developmental milestone. The AAP also says to avoid toys with button batteries or high-powered magnets. Ellie takes the side of one big plush dinosaur on a small backpack: how the plush comes out for a hug and goes back, the straps and zipper, and the age range. Ben takes the side of a herd of small plush dinosaurs, sized for kids' hands. He also has an answer for small toys that get lost: a drawstring bag. Then they agree who each kind is for. Sources: American Academy of Pediatrics, HealthyChildren.org — the AAP report on choosing toys for young children, explained: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/Pages/What-to-Look-for-in-a-Toy.aspxRead more: https://naturally-kids.com/blogs/news/best-dinosaur-toys-3-year-old-best-friendWhys & Finds is made by Naturally KIDS.This episode uses AI-generated voices for both hosts.

  7. 6d ago

    What Can Grandparents Give a Toddler for Christmas?

    What can grandparents give a toddler for Christmas? Pick something tied to what the child loves right now, sized for the child as they are today, and ready to give the moment it arrives. Then add time: a book you read together or a game you play on the floor during a visit. Ellie and Ben talk about buying blind: choosing from a picture and the age on the box, then missing on size. The CPSC, the U.S. product safety agency, says to choose toys that match each child's interests and abilities. ZERO TO THREE names the feeling of buying a toy a child plays with for two days and never touches again. The CDC says to set up a special time to read books with your toddler. Raising Children Network says grandparents could read to a grandchild on a video chat. Ben adds the step that comes first: call the parents, ask what is already coming, and claim your gift, so the child does not open four of the same thing. They also cover how a gift ships and reading reviews from people who bought for a child the same age. Sources: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) — Don't Be Left Out in the Cold This Holiday Season with Unsafe Presents: Buy from Trusted Sources: https://www.cpsc.gov/Newsroom/News-Releases/2026/Dont-Be-Left-Out-in-the-Cold-This-Holiday-Season-with-Unsafe-Presents-Buy-from-Trusted-SourcesZERO TO THREE — Tips for Choosing Toys for Toddlers: https://www.zerotothree.org/resource/tips-for-choosing-toys-for-toddlers-toddler-toys/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) — Positive Parenting Tips: Toddlers (2–3 years old): https://www.cdc.gov/child-development/positive-parenting-tips/toddlers-2-3-years.htmlRaising Children Network — Grandparents and grandchildren: https://raisingchildren.net.au/grown-ups/grandparents/family-relationships/being-a-grandparentOur Amazon ratings: 27,000+ ratings, 4.8 averageRead more: https://naturally-kids.com/blogs/news/what-can-grandparents-give-a-toddler-for-christmasWhys & Finds is made by Naturally KIDS.This episode uses AI-generated voices for both hosts.

  8. Oct 11

    Unicorn Gift for a 3-Year-Old Girl

    What is a good unicorn gift for a three-year-old girl? Pick a unicorn she can take with her, sized for a three-year-old. The American Academy of Pediatrics, in its report on choosing toys for young children, says to match the toy to what the child can already do, with a little room to grow. The AAP also says to avoid toys with button batteries or high-powered magnets, and to be careful with toys and apps that promise to teach. Ellie and Ben talk about why buying from a photo and the age on the box can miss, and what to check instead: the size in inches and what the child does every day. They look at a small backpack with a removable plush unicorn, and Ben's better first question for the parents: what will she carry in it? A snack and a treasure, or a small lunch box? Sources: American Academy of Pediatrics, HealthyChildren.org — the AAP report on choosing toys for young children, explained: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/Pages/What-to-Look-for-in-a-Toy.aspxRead more: https://naturally-kids.com/blogs/news/best-unicorn-gifts-3-year-old-girl-first-adventuresWhys & Finds is made by Naturally KIDS.This episode uses AI-generated voices for both hosts.

  9. Oct 10

    Birthday Gift for a 2-Year-Old Boy Who Loves Dinosaurs

    What is a good birthday gift for a 2-year-old boy who loves dinosaurs? Start with the dinosaur he loves: one he can hold, carry and use by himself, sized for him, with nothing to charge or set up. Before you buy, check how it is made: what it is made of and what it was tested to. Ellie and Ben start with the American Academy of Pediatrics report on choosing toys for young children: match the toy to what the child can already do, with a little room to grow. The AAP says to avoid toys with button batteries or high-powered magnets, and that a certain toy is not necessary for a child to reach the next developmental milestone. They talk about why "boy, two, dinosaur" is not enough to go on, how to find out what he actually does with his dinosaurs, a T-Rex or triceratops backpack with a removable plush, and whether pockets are worth it. Ben adds one more test: if he moves on from dinosaurs, does the gift still have a job? Who should skip it: kids who are not really into dinosaurs, and families who asked for no more toys. A picture book you read together is a real gift too. Sources: American Academy of Pediatrics, HealthyChildren.org — the AAP report on choosing toys for young children, explained: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/Pages/What-to-Look-for-in-a-Toy.aspxRead more: https://naturally-kids.com/blogs/news/best-dinosaur-birthday-gifts-2-year-old-boyWhys & Finds is made by Naturally KIDS.This episode uses AI-generated voices for both hosts.

  10. Oct 9

    Christmas Gift for a 2-Year-Old: Ideas That Get Used

    What is a good Christmas gift for a two-year-old? Pick a simple toy the child plays with, not one that plays for them, and tie it to something the child already loves. ZERO TO THREE says: "The more a toy does, the less your child has to do." The CDC tells parents of toddlers to encourage pretend play. And the American Academy of Pediatrics says a certain toy is not necessary for a child to reach the next milestone, so there is no must-have gift. Ellie and Ben follow a gift from the store to the week after the holidays: checking that it arrives ready to give, letting the child open it, and discarding plastic wrapping right away, as the CPSC says. Ben's idea: ask the parents to hold your gift back for a quieter day. A week later, ask one question: what is the child still playing with? Sources: ZERO TO THREE — Tips for Choosing Toys for Toddlers: https://www.zerotothree.org/resource/tips-for-choosing-toys-for-toddlers-toddler-toys/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) — Positive Parenting Tips: Toddlers (2–3 years old): https://www.cdc.gov/child-development/positive-parenting-tips/toddlers-2-3-years.htmlCenters for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) — Milestones by 2 Years: https://www.cdc.gov/act-early/milestones/2-years.htmlU.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) — Don't Be Left Out in the Cold This Holiday Season with Unsafe Presents: Buy from Trusted Sources: https://www.cpsc.gov/Newsroom/News-Releases/2026/Dont-Be-Left-Out-in-the-Cold-This-Holiday-Season-with-Unsafe-Presents-Buy-from-Trusted-SourcesAmerican Academy of Pediatrics — Toy Buying Tips for Babies & Young Children: AAP Report Explained: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/Pages/What-to-Look-for-in-a-Toy.aspxRead more: https://naturally-kids.com/blogs/news/christmas-gift-for-a-2-year-oldWhys & Finds is made by Naturally KIDS.This episode uses AI-generated voices for both hosts.

  11. Oct 8

    Toys for a 2-Year-Old Girl Starting Daycare

    What toy should a two-year-old girl take with her when she starts daycare? A soft toy she loves can become part of a short goodbye that looks the same every morning. The American Academy of Pediatrics calls these favorite things transitional objects and says there is no reason to keep a child from using one. If she does not have one yet, you may want to help her choose one, and let her give it a name. Ellie and Ben go through pediatrician Wendy Sue Swanson's drop-off tips: a quick goodbye ritual with a special blanket or toy, the same routine every day, telling your child when you will be back in words she understands, not going back in, and practicing before the first day. They also talk about a toy that travels on her backpack, checking the age on the label, and what to do if the daycare keeps toys out of the classroom. Sources: American Academy of Pediatrics — Transitional Objects: Security Blankets & Beyond: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/Pages/Transitional-Objects.aspxWendy Sue Swanson, MD, FAAP — How to Ease Your Child's Separation Anxiety: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/toddler/Pages/Soothing-Your-Childs-Separation-Anxiety.aspxRead more: https://naturally-kids.com/blogs/news/best-toys-2-year-old-girl-starting-daycareWhys & Finds is made by Naturally KIDS.This episode uses AI-generated voices for both hosts.

  • 11 Episodes

About

The whys parents and gift-givers ask about little kids, and the finds that actually get used. On Whys & Finds, two hosts, Ellie and Ben, take one question per episode, answer it up front, and are honest about when something else would suit a child better. Both hosts are AI-generated voices. Made by Naturally KIDS.

Information

  • Creator
    Naturally KIDS
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    11
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Naturally KIDS Inc
  • Show Website
    Whys & Finds