When it comes to kids cooking kits, there is certainly no shortage of products on the market. But until now none of them have been designed to help parents incorporate important social skills and practices in the mix. Playful Life Inc. has now launched a unique line of products and tools that help provide kids & parents with fun, educational opportunities in the kitchen – and beyond. And in today’s economy, families are looking to eat in more often, and these unique tools helps to involve and empower kids in the meal making process.

“Busy parents appreciate clever, effective solutions to life’s many challenges with their kids,” says Playful Life CEO Lisa Ligon. “Playful Life creates opportunities for parents to help kids build confidence, connect with family and friends, and accomplish a tangible goal.” Ligon says they want to help parents make the most of those teachable moments that come and go throughout the day. Playful Life takes the energy out of the planning and into the moment when a child tackles a new skill, masters it, and relishes a taste of accomplishment.

PLAYFUL CHEF COOKING KITS. These kits prove that encouraging kids to eat healthy food can be fun and easy. Playful Chef cooking kits help teach children all of the amazing lessons that cooking has to offer: nutrition, hygiene, science, math, teamwork, and motor skills. The Playful “Parent Instruction” recipe cards provide just the right words and steps to walk a child through a culinary education while creating memorable quality time together. Playful Chef Kits are available for kids ages 3 to 5 and 6 and older. The kits includes six educational and entertaining recipes cards, an apron & backpack, mixing bowl, baking pan and up to ten kid-sized kitchen tools. All of these tools make a much more complete system than any other cooking kit out on the market. All Playful products have been FDA & toy tested for safety. Recipes range from Chicken Nuggets to Pita Pizza to Chocolate Lava Cake and more. $39. 99

PLAYFUL CHEF COOKBOOK. The Playful Chef Cookbook is a great stand-alone product for families or a perfect addition to the Playful Chef Cooking Kit. All of the 33 recipes are written in the same format as those included in the Playful Chef Cooking kit. Color-coding to cups and spoons, shopping list, prepping, 10 illustrated steps – all there. The spiral bound, laminated covered cookbook includes recipes ranging from appetizers, salads, entrees and even pet treats – all geared towards healthy eating. Every chapter also includes an important life skill needed in the kitchen such as “How to Crack an Egg” and “Shopping for Fresh Fruits and Vegetables.” $18.95

PLAYFUL PLAY DATE. Playful Play Date outlines what children can learn at each age and outfits parents with easy interactive activities that create meaningful memories while building social skills and self-confidence. Playful Play Date is an easy to use planner for parents and children to work on together to learn how to execute a successful play date for both the host and the guest. Featuring eleven parent instructional pages: What to Expect & What to Say, and 33 ready-to-go kid activities: games, art projects, discussion lists and two tear-out play-sheets for each activity. A CD of kid activities is also included. $18.95

PLAYFUL PARTY PLANNER. Let kids be involved in the planning and hosting of their party. A successful party host needs imaginative ideas, a talent for talking to people, and outstanding organizational skills. The Playful Party Planner will help children channel their creative genius, inner socialite, and list lover. They will be able to design, coordinate, and execute the perfect celebration in no time. The Playful Party Planner includes five tear-out lists for every party-planning step, easy to follow 10-step process, and a CD Rom of party lists. Some chapters include: How to be creative: party themes and decorations and music, How to be socially skilled: being a good host and guest, guest list and invitations, activities, thank you notes, etc. $18.95

The entire Playful Life product line is in stores nationally and on the website. For a listing of retail venues go to: www.playfulinc.com.