Has anyone here tried the FPRO soccer mat? I came across it while googling for rainy-day soccer options for my 6yo and it looks like it might work well for an apartment - it’s a roll-out mat with an app that gives different dribbling and footwork drills videos. Seems like it could keep things fun without too much noise, and the app might help mix things up so they don’t get bored after a week. I haven’t bought it yet, but I did find a SPORTY20 code for 20% off, so I’m tempted. Curious if anyone here’s used it and how it holds up and is it worth it?

Anonymous wrote:Do you have a hover ball? They are super quiet and move around like a soccer ball.

thanks for the suggestion!

Anonymous wrote:We're in a small upstairs apartment with thin floors, and no amount of rug pads really cuts the noise my kids generate when they're jumping, so we got a thick folding gym mat and they use that for jumping/tumbling etc. It folds into quarters and is like a foot thick when folded to it's smallest (still big enough for one kid to do jumping jacks on).

Oh, that's really smart!!!

Looking for indoor ideas that keep a 6-year-old moving for 20–30 minutes without a lot of noise. Small upstairs apartment + thin floors, so I need compact, neighbor-friendly options.

What’s given you the best payoff for early-elementary kids?

~mini-trampoline with handle

~foldable tumbling/crash mat

~agility ladder + floor dots for footwork

~pop-up goals with a soft ball

~balance board/beam

~obstacle sets… or something else entirely?

Key questions: noise on hardwood vs. rug pad, real space needed, closet-friendly storage, and whether your kid still used it after week two. Budget ≲ $150. Real wins/fails appreciated!

Yeah, unfortunately it’s a real thing - it’s kind of piggybacking on the same distrust-of-science trend we’ve seen with vaccines and other public health measures. There are legitimate discussions about sunscreen ingredients and environmental impact (like oxybenzone in coral reefs), but those are completely different from claiming “no sunscreen is safer.” The risk of melanoma, especially in fair-skinned people, far outweighs the minimal absorption concerns from regulated sunscreens. It’s frustrating to see nuanced science replaced with outright misinformation

We've used Bombas for our kids and honestly, the quality is great - super soft and they hold up really well after multiple washes. For sizing, you're right that Youth goes up to size 3. If your child is a 3.5, the Women's Small is usually the next best fit. It might be a little roomy at first but still comfortable, especially if they’re growing fast. Some people also prefer sizing down in Women's if their kid is on the border. Hope that helps!

that sounds like way too much for one household to handle. It’s great that you enjoy hosting, but 4–5 days with 19 people basically living in your space? That would drain anyone.

I think you absolutely can still host Thanksgiving dinner, but you need to set firmer boundaries this year. Maybe something like: "We’re hosting the meal on Thursday and would love for everyone to join, but we can’t accommodate overnight stays for the whole group this time. There are plenty of nearby hotels or Airbnbs."

Also, it’s completely reasonable to say that you’re not planning to organize group activities every day. Let people know in advance that you won’t be doing three meals a day, and if they want to hang out, great , but everyone should pitch in or make their own plans.

Honestly, it sounds like last year turned into an unintentional all-inclusive resort , and that’s not fair to you. Better to be clear up front than silently resentful the whole weekend.

You’ve got this- just speak up early and don’t feel guilty about it.

I’ve been trying to find fun and effective ways to help my kids become more physically active. With so many distractions like screens and homework, it's been a bit of a challenge to get them excited about moving their bodies regularly.
Would love to hear your experiences and suggestions!

we went with the original LL Bean backpack. It’s a great size fits his lunchbox, folders, and a jacket with room to spare, but doesn’t look huge on him. He puts the lunchbox inside the main compartment and we haven’t had any issues with spills. Water bottle goes in the side pocket. It’s held up really well so far, even with daily use and being tossed around.

Chopped up tiny inside mini pizzas (with cheese and tomato sauce)

Hidden in grilled cheese sandwiches with mozzarella

Mixed into homemade chicken patties

Blended into a nut-free pesto (just basil, olive oil & cheese) and used as a “green spread” on bread

Oh wow, yes , my son does something very similar! I’ve actually wondered about it too. He’ll laugh when someone gets a small injury or hears something “shocking” like you mentioned not in a mean way, but with this wide-eyed smile like he's fascinated. I think for some kids it’s just how they process unexpected information or feelings they don't quite know what to do with yet.

I usually say something like, That’s not really a moment to laugh , can you imagine how the other person might feel? And he usually gets it, even if it takes a few reminders. I totally relate to your worry, though - you don’t want others to think they’re being rude or heartless when it's really just curiosity or nervousness.