Friday, December 2, 2016

Top 5 Best Double Umbrella Strollers | 2016 Reviews

Top 5 Best Double Umbrella Strollers | 2016 Reviews

Parents with at least two young children are often faced with the dilemma of how to bring their kids around without making the entire trip (yes, even a trip to the groceries) a hassle for everyone.

That’s where the lightweight double umbrella stroller comes to play.

Just as the name suggests, umbrella strollers are named so as they take the form of an umbrella when they are folded. This basically means that they are extremely compact and lightweight so that they are ideal for trips around the neighborhood, within the city, through crowded and narrow streets and even for road trips and air travel.

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The only difference this time is that the ones we have included in our list of the best double umbrella strollers are made for two children: twins, Irish twins or infant-toddler combinations.

However, unlike its single counterparts, you will have to expect that even the most lightweight double stroller is still much heavier. They are made for two children, after all! Additionally, if you want a really light double stroller to work for your family, you will have to give up a few bells and whistles such as huge storage baskets, all-terrain wheels and so on.

To make it a truly compact and light double stroller, choose those that can provide the basics including a 5-point harness and enough sun shade. Otherwise, it might become difficult to get them to fit in the trunk.

So, are you now ready for our list of the best? Below are double umbrella stroller reviews that you might want to consider on your next purchase.

Quick Comparison Table

UPPAbaby G-LINK

Maclaren Twin Triumph

Kinderwagon HOP

Kolcraft Cloud Stroller

Chicco Echo Twin

UPPAbaby G-LINK
Maclaren Twin Triumph
Kinderwagon HOP
Kolcraft Cloud Side by Side Stroller
Chicco Echo Twin

$$$

$$$

$$$

$$$

$$$

25 lbs

21.2 lbs

21.5 lbs

21 lbs

31 lbs

Side by side

Side by side

Stadium/Tandem

Side by side

Side by side

UPPAbaby G-LINK

UPPAbaby G-LINK

When it comes to daily use, the UPPAbaby G-LINK certainly does not fail.

What is great about this stroller is that it has seats and footrests that can be reclined and adjusted at different levels independently. This means that you can use it to support your kids’ varying nap times. Aside from the full recline, this double umbrella stroller also comes with extra large canopies plus extendable sunshades for maximum sun protection.

Parents love the fact that they can still see their little ones through the peek-a-boo windows in the canopies. The stroller’s design makes it extremely easy to fold and is lightweight so taking the stairs will not be a problem either.

With its aluminum frames, the G-LINK is strong yet sturdy and can be maneuvered even with just a single hand. Plus, it comes with extra storage at the back of the canopies and below the seats for small items. It also has two cup holders to keep everyone hydrated during the walk.​

This is our Top pick as it's high-quality and even with daily use, this double umbrella stroller will not disappoint you.

Details of the UPPAbaby G-LINK

Weight

25 lbs

Orientation

Side by side

Dimensions

45.5 x 19 x 14 inches

Target gender

Unisex

Weight recommendation

50 lbs per seat

5-Point Harness

Yes

Maclaren Twin Triumph

Maclaren Twin Triumph

Pushing two kids around can be very tedious which is why it is a big advantage that the Maclaren Twin Triump is super lightweight. You do not have to worry about constantly getting it in and out of the car and it folds very compact so you can easily store it anywhere.

Parents will love that the seats for this side-by-side stroller work independently so it can be reclined anytime of the passengers wish without affecting the other. Each seat also has a huge water resistant hood (which also has viewing windows) for protection against the sun and wind. When it starts to pour, you can easily don the rain cover on both seats simultaneously so your kids can stay warm and comfortable even as you continue strolling.

The seats come equipped with a five-point harness: the shoulder straps can be adjusted to three different height settings although the crotch strap cannot be moved backwards or forwards. The Maclaren Twin Triumph comes with ergonomically angled handlebars and medium-sized storage baskets great for quick trips.​

The Maclaren Twin Triumph is a quality pushchair that’s compact and easy to manoeuvre. It’s got everything you need from an umbrella double stroller, for twin or siblings, especially in urban settings and rightfully earning the number 2 position.​

Details of the Maclaren Twin Triumph

Weight

21.2 lbs

Orientation

Side by side

Dimensions

35.4 x 24 x 41.1 inches

Target gender

Unisex

Weight recommendation

55 lbs per seat

5-Point Harness

Yes

Kinderwagon HOP

Kinderwagon HOP

If you have younger kids (or kids who are smaller for their age) and love taking them around the city with you, then you have found the perfect match in the  Kinderwagon HOP Tandem Stroller.

The Hop is quite unique in that it offers stadium seating for its passengers – this means the rear seat is slightly higher than the front seat – and is thus ideal for kids who are close in age. However, the only downside is that it can only take one car seat at a time so it isn’t recommended if you have infant twins.

This tandem stroller’s stadium seats can accommodate only up to 50 pounds each but they are designed to be shallower than average so a lot of preschoolers might find it slightly smaller for their liking.

If you have smaller kiddos, you can definitely fit them inside. The seats are well-padded and come with a 5-point harness for added protection. Since only the rear seat can be reclined to nearly flat, the usual arrangement is to have the younger kid sit at the back and the toddler in front. When this happens, parents and toddlers often find it a big hassle to get around the bumper bar. Even if kids are big enough to get in and out of their stroller seats, they will need the help of their parents to get out of this one.

Despite these limitations, we do love the Hop as it is quite compact and is only slightly larger than the average umbrella when folded. It also comes with a slightly larger canopy, rain cover, cup holder, six-inch wheels and even front and back suspensions. Surprised? Sadly, its storage basket is quite small and can only be accessed from the sides so if you have a large diaper bag with you, you will have to carry it yourself.

After weighing all its pros and cons, we have come to a conclusion to bring this lightweight double stroller to the third position.

Details of the Kinderwagon HOP

Weight

21.5 lbs

Orientation

Tandem/Stadium seating

Dimensions

118.4 x 48 x 30.5 cm

Target gender

Unisex

Weight recommendation

50 lbs per seat

5-Point Harness

Yes

Kolcraft Cloud Side by Side Stroller

Kolcraft Cloud Side by Side Stroller

If you are in the lookout for a travel friendly stroller that you can easily fit inside the car trunk and not have an issue when checking in for your flights, check out the Kolcraft Cloud Side by Side Stroller!

This 21-pound double umbrella stroller is so lightweight that you can maneuver it with just a single hand. It also comes with a lot of features and can still fold compact.

Among its numerous features include a suspension system in its front wheels. The all-terrain wheels ensure that your kids stay comfortable and enjoy a smooth ride no matter where you bring them. It should be noted thought that this model cannot be used as a jogging stroller.​

Safety is not compromised with this one, definitely. For one, it comes with a multi-recline feature to accommodate the passenger’s needs. Another is that it has a three-point harness system ensuring that your kids stay safe even during bumpy rides. The three tier extended canopy also makes sure that your kids get all the protection that it needs against the sun.

Basically, the Kolcraft Cloud Side by Side Stroller has everything you want in a stroller: great riding experience, maximum safety and protection and compact and lightweight. Its biggest cons, for parents, are its three-point safety harness and lack of storage basket under the seats.​

Sadly, it doesn’t have a bottom storage basket and with the 3-point harness, it is our Top 4th Pick.​

Details of the Kolcraft Cloud Side by Side Stroller

Weight

21 lbs

Orientation

Side by Side

Dimensions

31 x 31 x 38.5 inches

Target gender

Unisex

Weight recommendation

35 lbs per seat

5-Point Harness

Yes

Chicco Echo Twin

Chicco Echo Twin

Last, but definitely not the least in our list, is the Chicco Echo Twin double umbrella stroller which is packed with comfort and functionality that the passengers and parents are looking for.

This extremely stylish ride is well-loved by its passengers in that it comes with embroidered seat pads, padded backrests and the independent four-tiered full reclines which can be done with just one hand. Its dual canopies, which can be adjusted independently, have zip off rear flaps that help protect the passengers further from the elements.

Parents love its stylish look which includes the European wheel design and the colored rear tubes. It also has a simple cup holder outside, a small storage basket and a detachable design for easy cleaning.

Aside from being sturdy, lightweight and compact, parents also love that the Chicco Echo Twin comes with a very affordable price!The only complaints about this double umbrella stroller is the small storage, lack of accessory pockets and a pretty tight weight capacity at just 40 pounds for each seat, so this strolls into our 5th spot.​

Details of the Kolcraft Cloud Side by Side Stroller

Weight

31 lbs

Orientation

Side by Side

Dimensions

85.1 x 78.1 x 105.4 cm

Target gender

Unisex

Weight recommendation

40 lbs per seat

5-Point Harness

Yes

Whilst we aim to provide you the best priced products in the market in 2016, there are always special occasions like Black Friday & Cyber Monday where, all products are available at an extremely discounted price on Amazon through deals. Click Below!

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Originally posted 2016-07-10 14:21:23.

The post Top 5 Best Double Umbrella Strollers | 2016 Reviews appeared first on ParentsNeed.

Thursday, December 1, 2016

Top 5 Best Under Eye Concealers | 2016 Reviews

Top 5 Best Under Eye Concealers | 2016 Reviews

Eye concealer sounds like it should be a lot easier to use than it often is. Just dab it over the zits, blemishes, puffy skin, dark circles or other problem areas under your eyes – what could be the problem?

Actually, there can be a lot of them. The wrong concealer, or a bad one, can end up calling even more attention to the spots you’re trying to cover up. Applying it incorrectly can lead to a big blotch, acting as a figurative flashing sign drawing other eyes directly to the glob of concealer that stands out more than your eyes do. A concealer that doesn’t match your skin tone can make you look like you have a very bad case of rosacea. And the wrong concealer combined with the wrong shade of powder can create the appearance of a patch of dirt under your eyes.

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Knowing how to properly apply concealer, and how to choose the right shades, are important steps to master. But choosing the right product for the job is more important than anything else, since it determines whether your face will have the fresh, beautiful look you’re aiming for, or will simply look like a mess. Same goes for choosing and applying foundations.

There are lots of tutorials on application techniques and matching shades, and they’re beyond the scope of what we have on our plate here – which is compiling the list of the top 5 best under eye concealers on the market. Let’s get that taken care of right now.

You may also check our comprehensive Best Under eye Concealer Buying Guide here.​

Quick Comparison Table

NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer

Clé de Peau Beauté Concealer

Benefit Cosmetics Eye Bright Pencil

theBalm TimeBalm Concealer

Yves Saint Laurent Touche Éclat Concealer

NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer
Clé de Peau Beauté Concealer
Panasonic EW3109W Portable Upper Arm Blood Pressure Monitor White/Grey
LotFancy Automatic Digital Arm Blood Pressure Monitor
Yves Saint Laurent Touche Éclat Radiant Touch Concealer

$$$

$$$

$$$

$$$

$$$

0.22 ounces

0.17 ounces

0.05 ounces

0.26 ounces

0.1 ounces

No parabens

No parabens

With parabens

No parabens

With parabens

NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer

NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer

We’ll go into all the details, of course, but we have to start off by saying that this is a really nice concealer with no drawbacks that we’ve found. We often have to spend a while figuring out which product deserves our #1 ranking, but in this case it was a no-brainer. This is a concealer that doesn’t have problems with even the worst dark circles or acne breakouts.

Even though NARS calls this a creamy concealer, you won’t find that you have to do a ton of work to apply or blend it; it’s very easy to work with and won’t smudge or smear. And once it’s on, it stays. This medium-coverage, matte finish concealer is lightweight and will last for hours and hours (and hours) while covering up any blemishes or circles under your eyes perfectly, without looking like it just makeup hiding something unslightly. It also won’t cake in your creases or other problem areas. The concealer is suitable for layering if desired, and you’ll be happy using it on other areas of your face or for priming areas like the lips and eyelids.

Since this is a long-lasting product, there could be a problem if it contained any ingredients which are irritants. It doesn’t. The NARS Creamy Concealer is free of parabens, phthalates, sulfates, alcohol and synthetic fragrances, and it is non-commedogenic so there’s absolutely no issue using it on sensitive skin. There are some antioxidants, botanicals and moisturizing agents in the formulation to improve the skin, but you shouldn’t consider this primarily as a moisturizing or repair cream; its real value is as a top-notch concealer that also does nice things for your skin.

There are ten colors of the NARS concealer, and most of them have a slight pink tinge to them to bring out a little more color in your problem areas. Unlike most of these products which work better with some skin tones than others, the Creamy Concealer doesn’t play favorites. You can match the shades (which range from light options like Chantilly and Vanilla to darker ones like Café and Cacao) and be confident that you won’t be disappointed with your choice.

You’ll have to pay just under $30 for less than a quarter-ounce of this product, but it’s money well-spent.

Details of the NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer

Size

0.22 ounces

Parabens

No

Clé de Peau Beauté Concealer

Clé de Peau Beauté Concealer

OK, we shaded the truth just a bit. There is another under eye concealer even better than the NARS Creamy Concealer, but it’s so expensive that we couldn’t justify placing it at #1. This terrific option will run you $70 for even less product than you get with the NARS concealer (0.17 ounces), so we don’t consider it to be a viable option for most people. For those who have the coin to spend, however, oh là là!

The Clé de Peau concealer is very pigmented, so it’s perfect for covering those stubborn dark circles that laugh at every other product you’ve tried to cover them with. Just a small application (good news, considering the cost!) will wipe out any evidence of skin blemishes or discoloration. The Beauté Concealer is simple to apply, because it comes in a stick that twists up like a lipstick and glides on effortlessly with a soft matte finish, after which you simply brush it in or blend it. It doesn’t cake, doesn’t sink into fine lines, lasts most of the day and doesn’t even feel like it’s on your face.

The company says that “Japanese Powder Technology,” whatever that is, is responsible for hiding imperfections and making skin brighter. It seems to us that ingredients like titanium dioxide and iron oxides are more responsible for the latter, but whatever should get the credit, it works. There are also biologicals to maintain moisture and slowly improve the skin’s texture as you continue to use the concealer. This may not be the very best choice if you have extremely sensitive skin because there is alcohol in the formulation, but there shouldn’t be an issues for most people.

There are six shades of the Clé de Peau Concealer, almond, beige, honey, ivory, mocha and ocher, and they all work well with the proper skin tone. There’s little not to like about this product – except of course, the price. The stick does last quite a while, though, so don’t look at it as an extravagance, look at it as an investment.

Details of the Clé de Peau Beauté Concealer

Size

0.17 ounces

Parabens

No

Benefit Cosmetics Eye Bright Pencil

Benefit Cosmetics Eye Bright Pencil

Those who take the subject of this “top 5 best under eye concealers” list literally will love the Eye Bright pencil. It’s not aimed at improving your skin over the weeks or months that you use it, and it’s not aimed at super hydration – its purpose is to conceal, and it does it in a flash.

The pencil only comes in one color, Eye Bright Pink, but it will work on almost any skin tone except very warm or African-American. It’s like any other standard makeup pencil that requires sharpening regularly and then tucks away in your purse. But when you apply a little bit underneath or to the corners of your eyes, and take a second or two to blend it, you’ll immediately look like you’re wide awake and ready to roll. There’s some mica in there for glitter too, to add to the “I’ve been awake for hours” look.

It goes on light and creamy, and you won’t feel it once it’s been applied. The Benefit product also won’t crease during the day, although the consistency of the brightener can lead to a bit of smudging if you’re not careful. You’ll probably find other uses for the pencil once you’ve discovered its benefits for under the eyes; for example, it’s perfect for an accent under the brow line, or as a brow highlighter.

If the Benefit Eye Bright pencil sounds somewhat familiar you’re probably a regular viewer of the TLC program What Not To Wear, where it was the go-to brightening stick for quite some time. One note: if you’re concerned about what’s in your cosmetics, the Eye Bright pencil contains both parabens and BHT.

Don’t expect the skin around your eyes to “get healthier” by using this product. Do expect, though, that it will let you get rid of that tired appearance or cover up blemishes under and around your eyes quickly and easily, and only costs 20 bucks.

Details of the Benefit Cosmetics Eye Bright Pencil

Size

0.05 ounces

Parabens

Yes

theBalm TimeBalm Concealer

theBalm TimeBalm Concealer

Another product which combines the ability to hide blemishes with ingredients to improve the skin, the TimeBalm Concealer is a fine product at a reasonable price ($18), and many people swear by it. We just don’t feel it’s quite as good as the NARS or Clé de Peau concealers in either department, so we’ve ranked it at #4.

It looks like they took most of the ingredients that should be in a product like this and packed them all in: Vitamins A, C and E, linoleic acid, soybean oil, panthenol and phospholipids. There aren’t enough of them, though, to consider this either a miracle repair cream or a perfect concealer. Even so, it will cover most circles, fine lines and skin imperfections, and will provide some anti-wrinkle and anti-aging benefit to your skin over the long-term.

The medium-coverage cream goes on smoothly and isn’t greasy, having more of a waxy feel to it which keeps it from creasing or slipping into the lines under your eyes. However, that make it more difficult to blend than most competitors, and it doesn’t mesh well with skin that breaks out easily. The finish itself is satiny. There are nine shades of this cream, from “Lighter than Light” to “After Dark, and it’s easy to match to your natural tone even if you have very dark or very light skin – not always easy with an under eye concealer. It also looks natural on aging skin, an issue with many other concealers which are perfect for younger women, but don’t help much with older ones.

The TimeBalm concealer is free of parabens and other questionable ingredients, and is a very satisfactory product. It’s not the best, but for the price it’s a good buy.

Details of theBalm TimeBalm Concealer

Size

0.26 ounces

Parabens

No

Yves Saint Laurent Touche Éclat Radiant Touch Concealer

Yves Saint Laurent Touche Éclat Radiant Touch Concealer

We didn’t think a list like this would be complete without this extremely popular product, one of the best-selling cosmetics that YSL offers and a staple in many high-end salons. It was one of the first pen-style concealers ever released, and has become almost iconic over the years.

The Radiant Touch concealer is presented as more of a highlighter than a full coverage concealer, understandable considering the way it’s packaged although the product is actually just contained in the pen, and applied with an attached brush. It’s probably not the best choice to hide large, dark circles under your eyes, but it’s perfect for covering smaller blemishes or highlighting certain areas around the eyes. It can also be used to sculpt and thin the nose areas, plump lips and fill in smile lines, and for doing other “touch-up” work anywhere it’s needed, particularly around the T-zone.

The YSL concealer goes on easily and has a silky feel to it, so it’s quite easy to blend after application and has a very light feel on your face for many hours after it’s been applied. The best word that comes to mind when trying to describe the look of the Radiant Touch product is already in its name: radiant. It definitely contributes a “wide awake” look while adding an overall glow to the entire face. It doesn’t seep into fine lines, either.

Available in twelve shades from Ivory and Peach at one extreme and Toffee and Mocha at the other, this concealer has an option for nearly every skin color although it’s slightly more in harmony with darker skin tones.

The ingredients don’t include a laundry list of vitamins or botanicals intended to improve the health of the skin under your eyes or repair damage that’s already been done; this product is designed to conceal, not heal. Radiant Touch also contains parabens, which may understandably put some customers off. But Yves Saint Laurent has seen enormous success with this concealer over the years, with both celebrities and ordinary people willing to shell out $40 for this “golden pen” containing just 0.1 ounces – and YSL says one is sold around the world every ten seconds. It’s easy to see why.

Details of the Yves Saint Laurent Touche Éclat Radiant Touch Concealer

Size

0.1 ounces

Parabens

Yes

Whilst we aim to provide you the best priced products in the market in 2016, there are always special occasions like Black Friday & Cyber Monday where, all products are available at an extremely discounted price on Amazon through deals. Click Below!

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Originally posted 2016-05-04 05:53:46.

The post Top 5 Best Under Eye Concealers | 2016 Reviews appeared first on ParentsNeed.

Best Basketball Hoops Buying Guide

Best Basketball Hoops Buying Guide

It really comes as no surprise that basketball is one of the most beloved sports around the world. It is fast paced and physical, yet it requires the use of strategy to outwit a defense and score a basket for your team. There is never a dull moment in basketball and all you need to do is watch a group of kids playing in your neighborhood court to know that it’s true.

For the growing kid who loves the sport, having his own basketball hoop is a dream come true. He can practice to his heart’s content and invite his friends over for a friendly game. It can also be great bonding for the sports loving family where everyone can get together for some good natured competition. Not to mention that it is one solution to a recent problem parents are starting to have about raising kids -- “How do I get the kids off the couch?” And even better, “how do I get the kids off the couch while not having them stray so far from home?” Well, a basketball hoop is your answer. Set one up, you’ll have your own children and all the neighborhood kids at your house having a grand time.

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What features to consider in buying a basketball hoop?

Truly, sport is a great way to bond with your kids without having to learn a new technology or asking them to add you into their social media account. More than that, it is something that they will voluntary join you at without a lot of coaxing. Convinced? We knew you would be, and this is why we have prepared the following buying guide for you to help make sure that you pick the best basketball system for your family’s needs.

● Portable or In-ground Basketball Hoop

One of the first things that you will have to decide on is whether you want to get a portable basketball hoop or an in-ground hoop. A portable hoop, obviously, could be moved around and away during and after playing. It normally comes with a base that you either fill with water or sand to give it some stability. And in-ground hoop is constructed into the play area, typically into concrete flooring. Whichever you choose depends on your situation.

You would choose a portable basketball hoop if you do not have a permanent place to play. So you would wheel the hoop onto the street or your front yard whenever anyone feels like a game. And since it is probably against your neighborhood rules to leave a basketball hoop in the street, you would typically take it away when you are done playing. If you do have enough space in your front or backyard, however, you might want to construct an in-ground hoop into your play area. This option has the stability to give you and your brood an opportunity for some aggressive play because it is anchored to the ground and because it will be firmly in your property, you won’t have to worry about street regulations. However, if all the friendly chiding within a game escalates into a fight, that’s all up to the kids to work out!​

● Backboard Material

The backboard is a very important part of a basketball hoop because it affects a player’s game. As a background to the rim, it guides the player’s eyes and helps him aim. During a layup, a player bounces the ball on the backboard so that it goes down into the rim. So imagine if the material on your backboard affected your ball’s bounce so that you didn’t know exactly where it would land or whether it would go into the rim or not? It sounds like a recipe for frustrated crying rather than unbridled fun!

When it comes to backboards, the most common materials you will find are acrylic and tempered glass.

Acrylic backboards are the less expensive option, however, it does come with its disadvantages. Being made of plastic, it very sensitive to heat and changes in temperature and that could make it prone to warping. Over time, it will discolor and get cloudy which not only makes it unattractive, but will affect game play as well. Acrylic is also a soft material and so it tends to vibrate when the ball hits it so it is also likely that you will not get a true bounce off of it.​

A tempered glass backboard, on the other hand is a sight to behold and in spite of weather changes, it will stay beautiful because of the sturdy material. It is also made so well that there will hardly be any vibration on ball contact giving you a reliable bounce off of the board. This is an important feature if your children are part of a basketball team because it gives them a practice hoop that has the same feel as the one they use at the gym. So if your family are earnest ball players and you have the budget for it, go for a tempered glass backboard. It is something that you will enjoy for a very long time to come.​

● Rims

What’s a practice session or friendly game without a few slam dunks, right? When it comes to showing off, everyone likes to be a little aggressive and this is where flimsy game equipment can end up hurting someone. Even the most well anchored hoop with the sturdiest backboard can shatter if it gets abused enough by the future greatest slam dunk superstar. If you want to avoid any untoward disaster, you will want to search for a rim that is spring loaded and has break away technology. This helps take a lot of strain off the backboard and keeps it from shattering during a dunk.

● Adjustability

While the most important considerations for buying a basketball hoop are the above three, you might appreciate a hoop that is adjustable if you have growing kids. A lot of the best hoops can be adjusted from a height of 7 feet up to the regulation height of 10 feet. This way, your little ones won’t feel discouraged if they are unable to make a basket at regulation height, but you can gradually move up to 10 feet as they increase their skills.

● Netting

The most common types of netting are nylon and chain links. Nylon netting is cheap but less durable while chain links are durable but will eventually rust. Either way, netting will not likely change the game so the choice doesn’t really matter as much.

● Pole Padding

Sometimes sports can get really rough and aggressive playing can cause someone to get thrown around against the basketball pole causing grave injury. You can avoid that by making sure that the hoop that you buy has some compatible pole padding. If you have young children or you know your family to be the rough housing type, you will definitely want this extra layer of protection.

Benefits of Playing Basketball for Kids

It is well known that playing sports is very healthy for growing kids. It promotes fitness and socialization and any parent would do well to encourage their kids to get into it. Basketball is a great sport to get into because it does not really require expensive equipment or a country club membership to participate. And while it is a team sport, your child does not have to wait to be with his team to do his drills. All in all, it is an easy sport to get involved in and having your own hoop at home will enhance your child’s experience. Besides, basketball has its own specific benefits including:

  1. Developing hand-eye coordination. Developing children need to be able to practice aiming in order to score a goal. Playing basketball helps them develop this specific skill and children who play basketball improve their spatial intelligence and hand-eye coordination very quickly.
  2. Agility. Agility pertains to the ability of a person to change directions quickly. Basketball is a fast paced game and will require players to shift directions fast in order to outrun a good defensive player. This is also why kids who play basketball have quick reaction times and their bodies respond just as fast.
  3. Speed. In basketball, you will need to outwit and outrun your opponents while dribbling a ball. Children who become very good at basketball develop this skill early on.
  4. Discipline. If your child is involved in an organized team, he will have to listen and learn from a coach. He will learn discipline by being in a team as well as develop a good work ethic since this is a quality needed in a basketball team.
  5. Social Interaction. Your child will need to work with a team and so he will need to learn teamwork. Parents these days lament that their kids interact only through their phones and computers. This is impossible in a team sport like basketball where a game is won by properly gelling with your team mates.
  6. Confidence. Kids who become good at something, such as a sport, become self-confident. The right amount of confidence will help your child achieve his goals later in life because he will be more likely to attempt tasks that become increasingly challenging.
  7. Competitive Spirit. It is important for children to develop a competitive spirit as well as good sportsmanship as they are growing up. This helps them to have a good attitude during success, and also more importantly, during failure and gives them the spirit they need to try again.

The above are a few of the many benefits of encouraging your child to play basketball. And if they aren’t enough to convince you that you need a basketball hoop, maybe the fact that basketball is a sport that can be played by adults and kids at the same time would. Foster the spirit of unity in your family by having a special time to enjoy a basketball game together and teach your kids a few tricks. They will love showing off their skills to you and you will love to encourage them in-game. You can also organize special adult-child team competitions in your backyard with your friends and their kids.

Tips for Maintaining Your Basketball Hoop

Nothing lasts forever, but for an investment such as your own basketball hoop, you want to get pretty darn close. This means that you will want to regularly maintain your equipment to prolong its life for a lot of family fun. Follow these regular maintenance tips.

  • Each year, check for the tightness of the nuts and bolts. If you play very often or play aggressively, you may want to check it more often.
  • Paint over rust as soon as you notice it. Be sure to use an outdoor satin paint.
  • Move your equipment indoor during harsh weather conditions such as during storms when the winds are strong or during the winter. Less elemental exposure means longer life for your basketball hoop.
Spalding NBA The Beast Portable Basketball System

Our Recommendation

The prospect of hours and hours of family fun is very exciting to us here at ParentsNeed HQ. For this reason, we have diligently reviewed the basketball systems available out in the market in search of the best. This is how we have narrowed the list down to the Top 5 Best Basketball Hoops for families. In it you will find the best high-end hoop to the best mid-range hoop made in a variety of materials – from fiber glass backboards to acrylic. The choice is yours if you want a portable or in-ground hoop, and we have included both in the list. Our favorite though, is the Spalding NBA “The Beast” Portable Basketball System. This big boy will be everything you want in a basketball system and is adjustable so that you can set it to the appropriate height for your growing children. The only downside to having this basketball hoop at home is that you might have to set up an outside dining area because there’s no way the family is going to want to stop their game to go indoors. Ready, set, jump ball!

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Originally posted 2016-09-26 14:08:25.

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