There is always room for a little more creativity, play, and family fun, especially when the seasons start to shift and families are looking for fresh ways to spend time together.
Katy Mann, founder of Indy with Kids, joined FOX59’s Indy Now to share a lineup of family-friendly finds that encourage kids and parents to create, play, get outside, and enjoy more time together. The segment included hands-on activities, toys, games, outdoor helpers, and even a sparkling drink maker that can turn an ordinary afternoon into something a little more fun.
As a weekly family fun expert on FOX59’s Indy Now, Katy helps Central Indiana families discover products, events, activities, and local ideas that make everyday family life more memorable. This week’s segment focused on creative play and shared experiences, with ideas for kids who love crafting, collecting, board games, outdoor adventures, and kitchen experiments.
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Janome 5300QDC: A Sewing Machine That Can Grow With Families
Katy opened the segment with the Janome 5300QDC computerized sewing machine, a standout pick for families who want to get creative together.
With Halloween around the corner, Katy shared that her kids have been very interested in making costumes and creating their own projects. The Janome 5300QDC caught her attention because it is designed to work well for beginners while still offering features that can support more advanced sewing and quilting projects later.
For families just starting out, that flexibility matters. Instead of buying a very basic machine and needing to upgrade quickly, this model is built to grow with the person using it. Katy highlighted that it can be used for simple sewing projects now and quilting projects later.
The machine also comes with a hard-sided carrying case, making it easier to take to sewing classes, workshops, or lessons. For Katy’s family, that was especially helpful because her daughters are interested in taking a sewing class. The machine also includes an extension table, which gives more space for larger projects like quilting.
One of the especially fun features Katy mentioned is the large collection of decorative stitches and alphabet options. Those details make it possible to add borders, personalize projects, or even create monogrammed touches on clothing and handmade items.
The Janome 5300QDC is part of a line connected to quilt designer Edyta Sitar of Laundry Basket Quilts. Katy also shared that there is a block-of-the-month option available for families or makers who want to follow along and create beautiful quilt blocks over time.
For kids who love costumes, parents who have always wanted to learn to sew, or families looking for a creative hobby to do together, a sewing machine can open the door to a whole new kind of family fun.
Clickeez Bubble Pops: Small Toys With Big Sensory Appeal
Next, Katy shared Clickeez Bubble Pops, a collectible toy that is small, portable, and very satisfying to click.
These little collectibles can attach to backpacks, travel bags, or keychains, making them easy for kids to carry around. Katy shared that her son once used one during a trip while trying to fall asleep. The steady clicking slowed down as he relaxed, showing just how comforting these little toys can be for some kids.
Clickeez are also fun because they combine sensory play with collecting and surprise. The Bubble Pops line lets kids see part of what they are getting in the package, but there are also hidden surprises inside to open.
Katy and the host opened one during the segment, showing the excitement kids feel when they discover what is inside. They can be collected, traded, displayed, or used as a quick little travel activity.
For parents, Clickeez Bubble Pops can be a simple surprise, a stocking stuffer, a road trip toy, or a small reward that does not take up much space.
Goliath Games: Cock-A-Doodle and Elefun Bring Easy Family Play
Katy also brought two games from Goliath: Cock-A-Doodle Board Game and Elefun.
What she loved most about both games is that the rules are simple. That means less time explaining and more time actually playing, which is exactly what parents of younger kids need.
Cock-A-Doodle is designed for preschool and early elementary kids. In the game, players flip over cards and try to wake all the animals before the rooster crows. The rooster adds a fun surprise element, and the game is easy enough for young kids to jump into quickly.
Katy demonstrated how players move the rooster’s wing based on the cards they draw. The host immediately noticed the playful sound and kid-friendly setup.
Elefun is a familiar classic for many parents, now updated with a quieter motor. The game sends little butterflies into the air, and kids use nets to catch as many as they can. It is active, simple, and silly in the best way.
Katy pointed out that Elefun is great for hand-eye coordination, color spotting, and playful competition. It is also one of those games where parents can join in and have fun too.
Both games are strong choices for family game night, preschool playdates, birthday gifts, or screen-free time at home.
NatPat: Outdoor Helpers for Mosquitoes, Ticks, and Bug Bites
Katy is always encouraging families to get outside, but outdoor fun can quickly get frustrating when mosquitoes and ticks are part of the experience. That is why she shared NatPat products during the segment.
NatPat offers patches, bracelets, and outdoor products made with essential oils to help keep mosquitoes and ticks away. Katy showed snap bracelets and stickers that can be placed on clothing near exposed skin. The patches come in fun designs for kids, and there are also options for adults.
One of the big benefits for parents is that the stickers do not have to be applied directly to a child’s skin. They can go on clothing instead, making them easy to use before a picnic, backyard play session, hike, festival, or outdoor sports night.
Katy also shared NatPat’s post-bite patches, which can be placed over a bug bite to help with itching. For families who know the mystery-bite panic all too well, these are the kind of items that are nice to keep on hand during warm-weather adventures.
The host also noticed that the bracelets smelled fresh, which made them feel more pleasant to wear than some traditional bug-repelling products.
Fritaire Fizze: A Fun Way to Make Sparkling Drinks at Home
To wrap up the segment, Katy shared the Fritaire Fizze, a sparkling drink maker that can carbonate a variety of drinks.
Since Katy had brought apple cider the week before, she used the Fritaire Fizze to make sparkling apple cider during the segment. She explained that families can use it to add bubbles to drinks and create fun treats at home.
For parents, one of the benefits is being able to control the ingredients. Instead of buying sugary bottled drinks or special beverages, families can make their own sparkling drinks using ingredients they choose.
Katy also joked that she had used it the night before to turn rosé into sparkling rosé, making it clear that this is not just for kids. It can be fun for family mocktails, sparkling juice, flavored water, cider, or adult drinks.
The Fritaire Fizze also has a compact design, making it a good fit for a kitchen counter. During the segment, the process looked a little like a science experiment, which is part of what makes it so fun for kids to watch.
For families looking for a simple way to make drinks feel special, this is a playful kitchen gadget that can bring a little sparkle to an ordinary day.
Fresh Finds for More Family Time
This FOX59 Indy Now segment was all about products that help families do more together.
The Janome sewing machine encourages creativity and hands-on learning. Clickeez Bubble Pops offer collectible, sensory fun. Goliath’s CacaDoodle and Elefun make game time easy for younger kids. NatPat helps families enjoy more time outdoors with fewer bug-bite worries. Fritaire Fizze adds a fun twist to drinks at home.
Together, the products create a theme that fits perfectly with Indy with Kids: simple ways to make ordinary family time feel a little more special.
About Katy Mann and Indy with Kids
Katy Mann is the founder of Indy with Kids and a trusted family fun expert for Central Indiana parents. She appears weekly on FOX59’s Indy Now, where she shares family-friendly events, local attractions, seasonal activities, product finds, budget-friendly ideas, and practical ways for families to spend more meaningful time together.
Through Indy with Kids, Katy helps parents and caregivers find things to do in Indianapolis and throughout Central Indiana. IndywithKids.com is a go-to resource for family events, weekend guides, free activities, local attractions, birthday party ideas, summer camps, family travel inspiration, and kid-friendly fun.
Katy is also the author of two Indianapolis-focused books: Indianapolis Scavenger and Where to Take the Kids: Indianapolis. Both books help families explore the city, discover new places, and turn everyday outings into memorable adventures.
For more family fun ideas, local events, and helpful resources for parents, visit IndywithKids.com.
