Abstract: In some implementations, a kit includes a bib having a protective surface and a bib-coupling point; at least one eating utensil having a working end and a retention end, where the retention end includes a utensil-coupling point; and a tether having a first anchor end having a first coupling point that is configured to releasably couple to the bib-coupling point and a second anchor end having a second coupling point that is configured to releasably couple to the utensil-coupling point.

Abstract: An activity system may include a mat with a work surface. In some implementations, the activity system includes a stand that can support an electronic device (e.g., a tablet, smartphone, electronic reader, etc.). A tether may also be provided, which, on one end, couples to an anchor on the mat, and at the other end retains a marker or other writing or art instrument. The activity system may facilitate combination of teaching media (e.g., electronic or pre-printed paper-based media) with physical media, such as pens, markers and other writing or marking instruments.

Abstract: A method for occupying a toddler may include providing a flexible mat; affixing the flexible mat to a vertical surface; providing an elongated tether; affixing the elongated tether to at least one of the vertical surface and the flexible mat; coupling an object to the elongated tether. In some embodiments, the elongated tether has an anchor end and a retention end. The retention end may have one or more retention apertures, each characterized by a retention-aperture diameter, and a retention terminus characterized by a retention diameter being greater than the retention-aperture diameter. Coupling an object to the elongated tether may include disposing the retention end around or through the object and disposing the retention terminus through one of the one or more retention apertures to form a compression fit.

Abstract: A method for occupying a toddler may include providing a flexible mat; affixing the flexible mat to a vertical surface; providing an elongated tether; affixing the elongated tether to at least one of the vertical surface and the flexible mat; coupling an object to the elongated tether. In some embodiments, the elongated tether has an anchor end and a retention end. The retention end may have one or more retention apertures, each characterized by a retention-aperture diameter, and a retention terminus characterized by a retention diameter being greater than the retention-aperture diameter. Coupling an object to the elongated tether may include disposing the retention end around or through the object and disposing the retention terminus through one of the one or more retention apertures to form a compression fit.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a system comprises a mat body characterized by a front side, a back side and a thickness; a plurality of anchors, each anchor comprising an anchor block having an aperture characterized by an aperture diameter, a suction cup having a sealing surface and an outer surface, and a stem that is coaxial with the suction cup and connects the suction cup to the anchor block. Each anchor may be disposed through the thickness, such that its anchor block is on the front side and its suction cup extends from the back side. The system may further comprise an elongated tether that is removably coupleable to one of the plurality of anchors, and the elongated tether may comprise an anchor end having a generally spherical anchor terminus characterized by an anchor diameter that is greater than the aperture diameter.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method includes providing a flexible mat; wrapping the flexible mat around a crossbar of an infant or toddler seat; affixing at least two of a plurality of suction cups; providing a tether configured to secure an object; and coupling the tether to an anchor block by disposing an anchor terminus through an aperture, forming a compression fit. The flexible mat may have a mat body characterized by a front side, back side and thickness; and a plurality of anchors. Each anchor may include an anchor block having an aperture configured to receive a tether, and a suction cup. Each anchor may be disposed through the thickness, such that its anchor block is on the front side and its suction cup extends from the back side. The back side may be adjacent a surface of the crossbar. The method may include securing an object to the tether.

Abstract: A teething spoon may include a feeding end with a concave, textured surface configured to retain soft food and stimulate a tongue, mouth, or gums of a teething toddler; a base having a base diameter at its greatest extent and at least one aperture capable of receiving a removable tether; a handle coupling the feeding end to the base; and a safety guard adjacent the feeding end that extends perpendicularly. The safety guard may have a perpendicular reach of about 50 mm and may include a first loop and second loop opposite and in plane with the first loop. The first and second loops may allow a cylinder of about 10 mm or about 13 mm to pass through unobstructed. The base may comprise a generally hemispherical structure that enables the teething spoon to be disposed vertically. A slot in the base may be configured to accommodate a removable tether.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an elongated tether may comprise an anchor end, a retention end, and a stretchable elastic section configured to allow stretching along a length of an elongated tether. The retention end may comprise a plurality of retention apertures each characterized by a retention-aperture diameter, and a retention terminus characterized by a retention diameter that is greater than the retention-aperture diameter. The retention end may be configured to enable the retention terminus to be compressed and manipulated through a first or second retention aperture to form a compression fit and a loop of a first size and a loop of a second, larger size. The stretchable elastic section may be configured such that an overall length of the elongated tether does not exceed a maximum length when subjected to a given amount of stretching force.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method includes providing a flexible mat; wrapping the flexible mat around a crossbar of an infant or toddler seat; affixing at least two of a plurality of suction cups; providing a tether configured to secure an object; and coupling the tether to an anchor block by disposing an anchor terminus through an aperture, forming a compression fit. The flexible mat may have a mat body characterized by a front side, back side and thickness; and a plurality of anchors. Each anchor may include an anchor block having an aperture configured to receive a tether, and a suction cup. Each anchor may be disposed through the thickness, such that its anchor block is on the front side and its suction cup extends from the back side. The back side may be adjacent a surface of the crossbar. The method may include securing an object to the tether.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an elongated tether may comprise an anchor end, a retention end, and a stretchable elastic section configured to allow stretching along a length of an elongated tether. The retention end may comprise a plurality of retention apertures each characterized by a retention-aperture diameter, and a retention terminus characterized by a retention diameter that is greater than the retention-aperture diameter. The retention end may be configured to enable the retention terminus to be compressed and manipulated through a first or second retention aperture to form a compression fit and a loop of a first size and a loop of a second, larger size. The stretchable elastic section may be configured such that an overall length of the elongated tether does not exceed a maximum length when subjected to a given amount of stretching force.

Abstract: A teething spoon may include a feeding end with a concave, textured surface configured to retain soft food and stimulate a tongue, mouth, or gums of a teething toddler; a base having a base diameter at its greatest extent and at least one aperture capable of receiving a removable tether; a handle coupling the feeding end to the base; and a safety guard adjacent the feeding end that extends perpendicularly. The safety guard may have a perpendicular reach of about 50 mm and may include a first loop and second loop opposite and in plane with the first loop. The first and second loops may allow a cylinder of about 10 mm or about 13 mm to pass through unobstructed. The base may comprise a generally hemispherical structure that enables the teething spoon to be disposed vertically. A slot in the base may be configured to accommodate a removable tether.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a system comprises a mat body characterized by a front side, a back side and a thickness; a plurality of anchors, each anchor comprising an anchor block having an aperture characterized by an aperture diameter, a suction cup having a sealing surface and an outer surface, and a stem that is coaxial with the suction cup and connects the suction cup to the anchor block. Each anchor may be disposed through the thickness, such that its anchor block is on the front side and its suction cup extends from the back side. The system may further comprise an elongated tether that is removably coupleable to one of the plurality of anchors, and the elongated tether may comprise an anchor end having a generally spherical anchor terminus characterized by an anchor diameter that is greater than the aperture diameter.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method includes providing a flexible mat; wrapping the flexible mat around a crossbar associated with a seat for an infant or toddler; affixing two portions of the flexible mat together; providing a tether configured to secure an object; and coupling the tether to an anchor block on the flexible mat. The flexible mat may have a mat body characterized by a front side, a back side and a thickness; and a plurality of anchors. Each anchor may include an anchor block having an aperture configured to receive a tether, and a suction cup. Each anchor may be disposed through the thickness, such that its anchor block is on the front side and its suction cup extends from the back side. The back side may be adjacent a surface of the crossbar. The method may further include securing an object to the tether.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a system comprises a mat body characterized by a front side, a back side and a thickness; a plurality of anchors, each anchor comprising an anchor block having an aperture characterized by an aperture diameter, a suction cup having a sealing surface and an outer surface, and a stem that is coaxial with the suction cup and connects the suction cup to the anchor block. Each anchor may be disposed through the thickness, such that its anchor block is on the front side and its suction cup extends from the back side. The system may further comprise an elongated tether that is removably coupleable to one of the plurality of anchors, and the elongated tether may comprise an anchor end having a generally spherical anchor terminus characterized by an anchor diameter that is greater than the aperture diameter.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a system comprises a mat body characterized by a front side, a back side and a thickness; a plurality of anchors, each anchor comprising an anchor block having an aperture characterized by an aperture diameter, a suction cup having a sealing surface and an outer surface, and a stem that is coaxial with the suction cup and connects the suction cup to the anchor block. Each anchor may be disposed through the thickness, such that its anchor block is on the front side and its suction cup extends from the back side. The system may further comprise an elongated tether that is removably coupleable to one of the plurality of anchors, and the elongated tether may comprise an anchor end having a generally spherical anchor terminus characterized by an anchor diameter that is greater than the aperture diameter.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a system comprises a mat body characterized by a front side, a back side and a thickness; a plurality of anchors, each anchor comprising an anchor block having an aperture characterized by an aperture diameter, a suction cup having a sealing surface and an outer surface, and a stem that is coaxial with the suction cup and connects the suction cup to the anchor block. Each anchor may be disposed through the thickness, such that its anchor block is on the front side and its suction cup extends from the back side. The system may further comprise an elongated tether that is removably coupleable to one of the plurality of anchors, and the elongated tether may comprise an anchor end having a generally spherical anchor terminus characterized by an anchor diameter that is greater than the aperture diameter.