Made for Mama Market and Expo

I love all of the local shopping events we have in the Phoenix area, and the majority of them are super kid friendly. Made for Mama Market and Expo is different though, because not only is it kid friendly, but it's kid-centric. Practically all of the attendees have children in tow, or are pregnant (or both). 

It's a two day event with all sorts of activities and vendors, ranging from baby blankets, gadgets and supplies, to shops and activities for children, and anything else a parent may need. They had their initial expo at Westworld in Scottsdale, and their second annual event this year in Gilbert. 

Tickets are very reasonable, with a $5 online early bird special, going up to $10 as the event gets closer. That ticket will get you in the door on both days of the event, in case you didn't see everything you wanted to on your first visit. This is a great value compared to other markets in town.

Note: for tickets, children 12 and under are free as are military families. 

I hope there will be a third Made for Mama Market in 2023, as its a fun event to get out and bring the kiddos. Stay tuned to their social media accounts for updates!

Highlights

• Very stroller and kid friendly
• Wide variety of vendors and activities
• Low cost ticket that gets you into the market both days, if desired

Final Verdict

I will happily attend future markets. The vendors and activities are different each time, and its a great excuse to get out of the house and shop local.

Pumpkin Patch at Desert Ridge

I've heard of a number of pumpkin patches near the Phoenix area, and definitely look forward to going to them with my son...someday. Right now he's a little too small for that level of effort, but each October I want to ensure I at least get some cute photo ops for the occasion. 

Enter - the Pumpkin Patch at Desert Ridge. It's readily accessible, located outside of the AMC in the Desert Ridge plaza. Tons of parking, surrounded by shopping and restaurants - it's a great way to get some cute photos, and select a pumpkin or two for carving.

They have various areas setup and staged for that perfect photo op, and a huge variety of shapes and sizes of pumpkins, with both traditional orange and more contemporary white varieties available. On certain days they have other activities available, like face painting and balloon animals, making it an even more enjoyable experience for the little ones.

I went to the third annual Pumpkin Patch in 2021, when my son was just a few weeks old, and to the fourth annual Pumpkin Patch this year. It opens mid-October and runs until the end of the month, and is completely free to access. If you wish to purchase a pumpkin, pricing varies based on weight, but they accept cash and card. 

If you're looking for a perfect group activity, we've successfully done that too - inviting other parents with littles to come, get some pictures and hang out for a while, and then go to a nearby restaurant for beverages and appetizers - it has worked out really well, and we hope to continue that as a little tradition.

Highlights

• Centrally located
• Free to access
• Lots of available parking

Final Verdict

• If you're looking for a Pumpkin Patch close to town without a lot of walking - this is your spot
• Able to get adorable photo ops without much effort, and can get some shopping or dinner in right before/after

Cookie Cutters haircuts for kids

Ahead of my son's first birthday, we decided it was time for him to get his first haircut. He had a bit of a mullet, and not in an adorable way. I knew there were places that specialized in giving little kids haircuts, but didn't know much more than that. After some cursory googling, I found Cookie Cutters at Norterra, with packages for first haircuts, and decided to make an appointment.

The appointment process itself was very straightforward. You have to download the Cookie Cutters app, and input some basic information. I then was able to select an available date and time, and select the package I wanted.

When haircut day came, we arrived a few minutes ahead of time in case anything else was required for us to check in (there wasn't). While we waited, there were lots of things to look at, as well as a small play structure to keep the little ones busy. When it was time for our son to get his hair cut, they brought us back to one of the many themed chairs, and selected a cartoon for him to watch on the small tv located at that station. He didn't notice or care for the cartoon at all, but the chair had a steering wheel that he was immediately enamored with. 

Yvette is very obviously a seasoned professional when it comes to cutting hair on squirmy babies. If you look at the Google or Yelp ratings for the Norterra location, her name is mentioned over and over again. She took some "before" photos and asked if I had a preference between using scissors or a razor - she said using scissors is recommended for the first few cuts, so we went with that option.

Despite the fact that my son didn't sit still for more than 3 seconds, she managed to give him the most adorable haircut. He didn't cry or fuss a single time, and she even managed to get some cute "after" photos as well.

He was offered a balloon and a lollipop afterwards for being such a patient kiddo, and we were provided with a commemorative certificate and a baggy with a lock of his hair (all included with the first haircut package).

I'm not going to lie, pricing was a little more than I had anticipated at $37.95 but with their ability to give a stellar haircut to a kid who won't sit still, along with the certificate, lock of hair, before and after photos, and balloon/lollipop, I would say it is definitely worth it. I know if I tried to cut his hair it likely would've ended in tears, and not looked nearly as good, so I'm glad I left it in the hands of professionals.

Highlights

• Cute stations with different themes
• Well trained staff who are kind and patient with the kiddos
• Play area for kids to burn some energy while you wait

Final Verdict

• Pricey, but definitely worth it for baby's first haircut