Looking for a place to play, learn, explore and so much more? LA families love heading to Imaginology Kids to tap into their kiddos’ creativity and critical thinking skills. Located in the heart of Silverlake, this joyful, nurturing 3,600 square foot space is where children of all ages can try new things, safely test limits and take on new challenges.
Imaginology Kids hosts STEAM-based classes, birthday parties, toddler classes, family discovery time, camps, a tween club and professional development courses. Here’s why you’ll love it:
REGISTER BY NOVEMBER 30th FOR 50% DISCOUNT ON WINTER CAMP!
It’s the Complete Steam Experience
Everything at Imaginology Kids is set up to help children question their world and discover first-hand how things work.STEAM elements are seamlessly blended into play—supporting multisensory learning, integrating the senses and fueling brain development. Educators at this loft-style space are always re-working the arrangements of furniture, materials,and equipment to best accommodate changing needs, interests and ages throughout the day. Toddlers will be busy filling, stacking, emptying and carrying… while elementary kids collaborate to craft elaborate worlds out of messy materials you totally avoid having at home. (A win-win!)
Little ones will love having all-access to tons of natural and up-cycled materials and tools that spur investigation and open-ended play. Building a tower? Your child may be offered measuring tape to find out how tall it is. And if they name their creation, they can make a sign, too. (See what they did there? Math + writing, all woven into play!)
REGISTER BY NOVEMBER 30th FOR 50% DISCOUNT ON WINTER CAMP!
It’s a Sensory Experience, Without Sensory Overload
This sleek, neutral space is inviting for the younger set, while not being “babyish” for older kids. The interactive discovery space is designed to stimulate the senses through three “Labs” for exploring everything Earth/Air, Water and Light.
In the Earth/Air Lab, kids may use ramps set up for gravity exploration or build with items from nature. They might test cause and effect with pulleys, pendulums, magnets, electric circuits, air tunnels, process art, fans and so much more. And at the right time of day, you’ll spot rainbows reflected on the walls. The Water Lab has an anti-slip tile floor with drains and self-serve water faucets (perfect for tiny hands!). The serene Light Labincludes light tables, flashlights, lanterns and mirrors that showcase beautiful discoveries of light and shadow. FYI: Families with children affected by autism find that Imaginology Kids is a great place for them to come with their occupational therapists.
Celebrating a birthday? Get exclusive use of Imaginology Kids for two hours. Their awesome staff will spark kids’ imagination in the Labs. Then everyone can fuel up on food, drinks and cake before heading home from the most memorable party ever.
And a true sign that this place is awesome? You’ll find yourself wishing Imaginology existed when you were little. And we bet you’ll get in on the action quite easily when exploring this neighborhood gem with your children!
Award-winning wine. Check. Gorgeous scenery. Check. Awesome family activities. Check. When it comes to a memorable getaway that offers something for your whole crew, Paso Robles checks all the boxes. This charming Central California Coast town is the perfect spot to unwind amidst rolling hills, beautiful sights, and wineries galore. Here are ten reasons Paso Robles is great for a family getaway:
It’s an Easy Road Trip between SF and LA
Whether you live in Southern or Northern California, Paso Robles is a road trip worth taking. It’s almost exactly between Los Angeles and San Francisco, and just half an hour from the Pacific Ocean. No matter which direction you’re coming from, it’s a wine country adventure that’s easy to get to by car.
And Speaking of Wine Country…
This down-to-earth town is the kind of place your kids will love, just as much as you love sipping delicious vino. With over 300 wineries, there’s no shortage of wineries that welcome kiddos of all ages to play cornhole, color, enjoy “grape juice tastings,” crush their parents at bocce ball, explore caves, frolic in nature and more. There are breweries and distilleries, too. Wine enthusiasts… this town is for you.
There Are a Variety of Places to Stay
No matter your lodging style or budget, there’s a place that’s just right for every family in Paso Robles. From boutique hotels to RV resorts to private chateaus, every setting brings a unique vibe to your vacation. Stay downtown for walking access to restaurants, shops, and more. Cava Robles’ luxury RV resort is known for spacious and private full hookup RV sites or fully furnished chalets for a “glamping” vibe. There are pools, a kid splash pad, on-site wine tastings and a wellness center at this pet-friendly gem. If you’d rather stay in town, try Hotel Cheval for sophisticated quarters and some extra special treats like a candy bar in the library and an extensive s’mores menu (yep, a s’mores menu!). Another great spot to feel right at home is at the family-owned Adelaide Inn, full of special touches. Kids will love the outdoor pool, micro golf and complimentary homemade cookies!
Snag your tickets to Light at Sensorio, a solar-powered walk-through installation by artist Bruce Munro. Field of Light spans 15 acres and features 60,000 illuminated glass orbs lit by fiber-optics. And his newest exhibit, Light Towers is composed of 6-foot-tall towers including 17,000 wine bottles to celebrate Paso Robles’ wine country. Colors morph to music, creating a breathtaking experience for all. Come after dark and stroll through the glowing landscape. Thursday is Family Night, and children’s tickets (12 and under) are half price.
You Can See the Sights on Horseback
Whether you’re a first-time rider or an experienced equestrian, Central Coast Trailrides has a horse for any skill level. A one-of-a-kind adventure for families, where kids big enough get to handle their own horse and explore the Central Coast’s scenic areas. Head down lush trails, take in gorgeous views and saddle up for some fun.
Cool Off at the Ravine
This waterpark is a family favorite thanks to the wave pool, Kickback Kreek lazy river, extreme water slides and “Tadpool” kiddie pool. Rent a cabana as your home base for the day, complete with lounge chairs, a dining table and food and drink service. Live bands perform on most summer Saturdays. And you can enjoy adult beverages at the Tiki Bar and Grill. Thrill-seekers: be sure to check out the park’s newest slide, the Sidewinder.
Get your corn dog and carnival fix… Paso Robles is home to the annual California Mid-State Fair, which runs July 21-August 1st. Kids (and kids at heart!) love the rides, livestock, musical performances and cotton candy.
Everyone Feels at Home for the Holidays
Family-friendly events are always fun in this idyllic, historic town. During Halloween, visit a charming pumpkin patch, hop on a hayride, get lost in a corn maze and go trick-or-treating while enjoying food and music downtown. Great restaurants host fantastic Thanksgiving and Christmas meals. And all throughout town, parades, festive parties and light shows bring delightful holiday cheer.
You Can Go Where the Wild Things Are
Book an all-access tour at Conservation Ambassadors’ Zoo to You (they’re not open to the public!). From lemurs to kangaroos, otters to bald eagles, you’ll learn all about rescue animals from all over the globe. Known as “animal ambassadors,” the wild/exotic residents here were once displaced, abused, injured or abandoned. Kids can learn all about what it takes to provide them with a loving, safe home!
Get Your Wiggles Out… Outside
Hiking, biking, ziplining, golfing, playing at Uptown Family park, visiting North Central Coast State beaches, marveling at wildflower super blooms on the hillside… no matter what you do, there is breathtaking beauty at every turn in Paso Robles!
SpongeBob SquarePants and his gang are back! Paramount+, the new streaming service from ViacomCBS has announced that two new offerings featuring your fave pals from Bikini Bottom will air exclusively on the platform.
First up, get ready to feast your eyes on The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run beginning on Thur. Mar. 4. The first-ever all CGI SpongeBob film follows the main character and his bestie, Patrick as they head to the Lost City of Atlantic City to find Gary who has gone missing. Get ready for tons of flashbacks that also tell the story about how SpongeBob and Gary became friends!
In addition to streaming on Paramount+, The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run will also be released by Paramount Home Entertainment for Premium Video-On-Demand (PVOD) the same day. You’ll also be able to snag the film on VOD platforms for a limited time for $19.99
Paramount+ will also be hosting an all new original series, Kamp Koral: SpongeBob’s Under Years, the first ever spinoff. The prequel series will follow 10-year-old SpongeBob SquarePants and friends at summer sleepaway camp. Like the new SpongeBob movie, the show will also premiere on Mar. 4 with the first six episodes available to stream exclusively on Paramount+ for subscribers in the U.S. The remainder of the episodes will roll out at a later time.
In case you missed it, ViacomCBS’ existing subscription video-on-demand and live streaming service, CBS All Access, will be rebranded as Paramount+ on Mar. 4. You can head to paramountplus.com to start your subscription.
From solving the city’s hunger crisis to leading a peace movement for kids, we’ve found some of San Diego’s biggest helpers at spreading kindness and providing much needed essentials and services to the community––and they all happen to be parents. Read on to learn about San Diego moms and dads who are making a difference––and see how you can join their movement.
Julie Rais Ellis is the mother of two and the founder of Rais Case, which started as a bags and accessories collection and has since expanded and grown into a movement. She's passionate about designing the highest quality products that cultivate community and culture around locally handmade goods. The Rais Case team pivoted when Covid-19 struck and they began to utilize their local manufacturing resources to create high quality face masks and bandanas. Shifting production to high quality face masks felt like the perfect way to help out a community that was struggling to find them. Ellis explains, We quickly realized we couldn’t keep up with the demand our wonderful Rais Case community requested. As a solution, we reached out to our handbag production partners to see if they could make our face masks. Because we are an USA made brand with local manufacturers, we could train our handbag cut & sew team in person, get them materials and get into production immediately. We had online orders and direct orders from many San Diego based corporations wanting to equip their frontline employees with face masks. We also wanted to help the front line workers in need of masks and implemented a donation campaign. Our goal was to donate masks to medical workers including doctors, nurses, and staff. We have donated masks to emergency rooms, diagnostic pathology labs, pediatricians, infectious disease departments to name a few. Customer purchases directly supported our ongoing efforts to donate masks to those on front lines. We are proud to have sent thousands of masks to hospitals and medical clinics locally and across the nation.
Ellis offers, Our relationship with our community is where magic happens. Our co-op shop doors are open 7 days a week. This is where you can find a curated collection of local handmade goods as well as our Do It Yourself table. The DIY table is designed for customers to create personalized leather goods from our scrap leather (appointments now required).
Our mission is simple but focused. It is to make quality goods that create community & support well-being.
Passion 4 K.I.D.S. (Kids In Desperate Situations) is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit charity dealing with handicapped, neglected, abandoned, abused and underprivileged children of any race, color and creed as well as children in acute, life-threatening, emergency situations in the United States.
Founders, Charles and Linda Van Kessler, have a passion for kids – their kids, other people’s kids, kids that are hurting, kids that are “special” – any kid! That’s why they created Passion 4 K.I.D.S.
With economic hardship, families unraveling, serious childhood illnesses in epidemic proportions, etc., Passion 4 K.I.D.S.’ mission is to focus on children in the United States that need help. These precious little ones have been given very heavy burdens to bear, through no fault of their own – some with life-threatening illnesses, some with abusive homes, some with life-altering accidents caused by others’ irresponsible actions. Each one deserves our best efforts because each one counts.
Charles and Linda reflect, “We hope we can be an example of two very ordinary people – no prior experience in setting up a non-profit, middle class with few resources, helping with situations we previously knew nothing about – who stepped out of our comfort zone to let God interrupt our life with a purpose and mission we are passionate about, yet totally inadequate in our own strength to accomplish. We have learned over and over when God gives the vision, He gives the provision.”
Connect: Passion 4 K.I.D.S invites you to join them on their God-given journey of trying to make a difference – one child at a time! Donate here. There are no salaries taken out of any of your donations. 100% of all donations go directly to the children’s needs
Dana Williams & All the SuperParents Behind Feeding San Diego
Dana Williams is the Director of Marketing & Communications for Feeding San Diego and the mom of two young girls, Charley (10) and London (7). Dana was inspired to join Feeding San Diego because she didn’t feel that it was right that one in eight people in San Diego County face hunger, including one in six children, when more than 40% of all food produced in the country is wasted.
Feeding San Diego is a hunger-relief organization on a mission to connect every person facing hunger with nutritious meals by maximizing food rescue. The organization provides more than 26 million meals to the community every year and 97% of that food is rescued. By diverting more than 25 million pounds of high-quality food from going into the landfill, Feeding San Diego is helping to avert more than 23,000 metric tons of CO2 equivalent from going into the atmosphere each year (comparable to taking 5000 cars off the road).
Since the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Feeding San Diego has seen a 50% increase in need for food assistance and many people are accessing their services for the first time. From March 14 to July 31, Feeding San Diego provided more than 12.8 million meals to the community, an increase of 43% compared to the same period the year prior. The downturn caused by the pandemic has exasperated the hunger crisis in San Diego, requiring Feeding San Diego to step in to provide emergency services to assist those affected, in addition to the hundreds of regular food distributions they already host across the county.
While it has been a challenge working full-time for a hunger-relief organization during a pandemic with two young children at home, Dana knows the work she is doing is making a difference in the lives of those facing hunger while also helping the planet.
Feeding San Diego is fueled by the hard work and dedication of so many parents. Also on the organization's media team, Allison Glader has two young sons. Additionally, the Director of Programs, Dana Henderson recently had a baby, the Director of Development Ali Colbran has a one year-old and the Facilities Manager, Clint Dooley has young children too, just to name a few staff members. Further, Feeding San Diego has more than 14,000 volunteers who support their efforts each year, and many of them are parents who bring in their children to help sort produce, etc.
Connect: To learn more about Feeding San Diego, to find food, or to discover ways you can help address the hunger crisis in San Diego County, go to feedingsandiego.org.
Serving the San Diego community has taken on a new meaning for local business owners and parents of two young boys, Marie and Jaime Brawn, operators of local catering company Root Cellar Catering and cafe/market Homestead Solana Beach. In the midst of keeping their own concepts afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Brawns and their partners The Burt Family Foundation created +BOX, a collaborative initiative providing essential nutrition to K-12 families in their local school districts, free of charge.
+Box provides weekly boxes of healthy meal kits with groceries and essential items to create a meal for a family of four. Since early April 2020, more than 1,800 +BOX kits have been distributed, side by side with the existing school lunch meal programs. +Box began a partnership with the Encinitas School District bringing the meal kit boxes to their pick up locations for families on the reduced lunch program. As the school year ended and the need for access to healthy meals grew +Box added both the Carlsbad and Solana Beach school districts to their distribution.
The + Box model is also zero waste, with unsold produce from Homestead’s market and provisions placed in the boxes. With the hope to grow +Box into a 1:1 charity, such as the Tom’s model, where for every box purchased a family will receive a box, the Brawns along with the Burt Family Foundation are seeking to grow +Box to more districts and help more families in need.
More than just a dance studio, Lovely Leaps is a movement of its own. Studio founders Lisa and Ricky McCabe started Lovely Leaps when their daughter was just five months old. Lisa's goal as a dance instructor is to offer a whole child approach to help grow kids' (ages 10 months-10 years) confidence and comfort in their own bodies. She believes dance should focus on fun instead of perfection and she stresses inclusion. The love of dance is what will take your child to the next level, not perfection or the way they look.
Lovely Leaps Dance Studio is keeping the rhythm alive through free virtual classes and the dream that one day these classes might connect kids across the country and all over the world. Lisa McCabe offers, "We have been so blessed during this season, we have virtually taught over 1000 students and had a socially distant in-person dance camp! The future of Lovely Leaps is our fun themed virtual classes, and when it’s safe we can’t wait to open our studio doors back up."
You can find Lovely Leaps' virtual studio on their website along with their free virtual classes on Thursdays. They hope to open the doors of their San Marcos and Solana Beach studio locations as soon as possible, allowing only 5 kids in a class at a time.
Steven James was passionate about art, anime, comic books, and video games growing up. Now, he creates special licensed graphics on skateboards, accessories, and apparel. His company Finesse encourages youth to follow their dreams and supports talented skaters from coast-to-coast. Finesse offers special skateboard collections featuring licensed and non-licensed graphics from anime, video game and comic book properties. Art is directed, designed and illustrated by Steven James. The Collection can be found online and at fine retailers worldwide. Pressed out of San Diego, California, Finesse Skateboards are built to last and great for all skill levels.
James tells Red Tricycle, "We have monthly skate sessions at skateparks around San Diego County. We encourage local skaters at these parks to follow their dreams and passions in life. God has a plan for us all, on and off the skateboard. We give out free skateboards, skateboard equipment, fruit, snacks, water and Tech Decks to youth in need at Skateparks and Schools."
Connect: Support Finesse Decks so they can continue to make a difference in the lives of San Diego youth. See the Finesse deck collection here.
Cat Kom started Studio SWEAT onDemand’s Youth Channel to help get kids excited about health and fitness. But once COVID-19 hit, and most of us found ourselves stuck at home, Cat realized just how necessary it was to have workouts designed for kids, teens and even some parents can do with their toddlers! These classes were filmed before the pandemic hit, and many were filmed with local kids at Y’s right here in San Diego.
Cat tells Red Tricycle,
"Keeping our kids active is so important these days. With all of the rules and mandates constantly changing, children need a consistent and constructive way to release their energy and stay positive, while things like team sports and after-school activities are put on hold. We are thrilled to be able to support our community, and kids around the nation in this way. And as for the parents’ sanity, our brick-and-mortar studio is still teaching outdoor classes, to give those moms and dads a much needed break while staying fit, getting out of the house, and engaging in their local community.
And, for those looking to work out from home, Studio SWEAT onDemand’s library of streaming workouts is the perfect way for anyone to stay fit in the comfort and safety of their living rooms. Members can sign up for an All Access Pass, which gives them full access to our huge onDemand workouts, from rejuvenating Bedtime Yoga to calorie-crushing High Intensity Bootcamps.
We’ve also partnered with local YMCAs to help them offer our streaming fitness service free of charge to their members––to lift their spirits, keep them healthy, and deliver the experience of real group fitness classes they know and love."
Kristen Lucas founded The Well Community for Women with a mission we can all appreciate: to serve families in San Diego with affordable workspace and to host events for women with childcare always included. The Well's community events for all include business workshops, paint nights, health and wellness seminars, fitness classes, and after-school classes for kids (hope to resume one day soon)! This fall The Well will have a small distance learning class for school-aged kids available Mon.-Fri. so moms can come for a few hours and get work done or meet a friend and have help with the new virtual learning.
Paying it Forward: The Well has businesses that are community partners as well as private donors who help underwrite all of this to keep prices low and so they can offer scholarships to women/kids in need and to eight other nonprofits they partner with. Lucas says, "Ultimately, our goal is to encourage and serve women in our community in their businesses and lives!"
Connect: Learn how you can partner with The Well to provide their resources including workspace, support groups, kid’s programs and special events to women in need for free.
Carol Areas/Word Rocks Project
Carol Areas/Word Rocks Project
Carol Areas, creator of the Word Rocks Project tells Red Tricycle, "Almost ten years ago, my only son had the idea to paint rocks with positive words and, in his own words, "spread them all over the city to make people happy. That’s how The Word Rocks Project was born."
Areas adds, "He is now 19 years old, being challenged by his first college years as a young man diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome. We have continued to spread joy this way for the past nine years. With all the recent changes in the world, I see my Craft with a Purpose Workshop for kids taking a long-term leave.
To keep things rolling, I created my Art+Kindness box. In a world that can always use more art and kindness, my brand new box exists to spread some magic around. In fact, it’s a mission that I've been doing for the past ten years and that now is available for you to do as well! With 10 items, from rocks to clay rainbows, from postcards to felt birds, my Art + Kindness box has the goal to help you spread kindness & magic through art abandonment.
Send a box to a kid to help them start to understand the idea of compassion and kindness through art being abandoned to bring joy––or to have something special in hand to give it to a teacher or a friend. Buy a box to spread the love in your community and make it a special place for your neighbors. Planning a trip? Make it extra special by leaving bits of joy wherever you go.
My goal is simple: connect many, inspire & empower others to join us in creating a kinder world.
By ordering a box, besides supporting my kindness projects, above all, you are making this world a better place through art + kindness."
Connect: Email Carol to order a box at: wordrocks.me@gmail.com. The Art + Kindness box is $29.99 + $8.30 (flat rate for small box).
Jill McManigal is the mother of two and co-founder of Kids for Peace, an organization that aims to uplift the world through love and action. Their mission is to "empower kids to create peace through hands-on service, global friendships and thoughtful acts of kindness. Our vision is a safe and peaceful world where all people respect and care for each other and our planet. Kids for Peace serves as a model and inspiration for creating this reality with children leading the way, not only for today, but for generations to come."
Connect: Your kids (grades 2-8) can join Club Kids for Peace, a weekly virtual after school program. Here they'll connect with peers and learn how to open their minds and hearts for the greater good.
For the first time, Ancestry will provide K-12 teachers across America a free six-month World Explorer subscription to access billions of historical records, providing support in lesson development and project creation for the school year ahead. This past spring, the brand created teacher developed lesson plans which were available to download for free. Parents and tutors will also have access to Ancestry Library Edition as a free remote learning resource.
The free subscription will give teachers the tools to help students across the nation make connections to their ancestors, historical places, and events throughout time. By pulling records around historical events to contextualize chapters in history like WWII and the Civil War, teachers can bring their curriculum to life in relevant and exciting ways which is especially important for keeping students engaged during virtual learning.
“Family history research is a powerful tool for building resilience, connection and understanding for all ages,” said Margo Georgiadis, President and CEO of Ancestry. “We are deeply appreciative of the work of educators, particularly during this challenging time. Ancestry is proud to provide free tools to support educators with their focus on inspiring students with new curriculum topics and to make richer and more personal connections to important moments in history.”
The platform allows K-12 teachers access to the World Explorer subscription, one of three membership choices; the other two are U.S. Discovery and All Access. The World Explorer membership includes access to all records (U.S. and international) on Ancestry.
Access to most records on Ancestry, including Census records, draft cards, immigration records, as well as marriage and birth records, and much more
Access to all public family trees on Ancestry
Access to Ancestry Hints® regarding the records included in this membership
Ability for educators to create and edit their own family tree
Beginning on Aug. 20, up to 10,000 teachers can verify their credentials on Ancestry.com/backtoschool through Sept. 30.
Beyond teachers, remote access to Ancestry Library Edition may be available as a genealogy research tool for parents, tutors and educators. For library patrons of over 2,100 libraries that subscribe to Ancestry Library Edition, the offering will provide instant free access to a wide range of resources for genealogical and historical research. Distributed exclusively by ProQuest and powered by Ancestry.com, the program grants card holders access to billions of records in census data, historical photos, plus local narratives, oral histories, indexes and other resources in over 30,000 databases that span from the 1500s to the 2000s. To access this database, contact your local library to ask if they participate and for more details.
In addition to the wide availability of resources obtained through Ancestry Library Edition, parents and educators also have access to an intuitive search interface, detailed search indexes, and helpful Learning Center tools, making Ancestry Library Edition an indispensable resource for education this school year. This program will be available through the end of September.
Visit the website for more information on additional back-to-school resources and creative solutions for teachers and parents.
Can’t wait to get back to Bikini Bottom? It was just announced that The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run will debut digitally in the US via premium video on demand in early 2021. Afterwards the move exclusively to CBS All Access, ViacomCBS’ subscription video on demand and live-streaming service.
“We are thrilled to have The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run, a premier, first-run movie from one of ViacomCBS’ biggest brands, join CBS All Access’ expanding slate of franchise content from across ViacomCBS,” said Marc DeBevoise, Chief Digital Officer, ViacomCBS and President & Chief Executive Officer, ViacomCBS Digital. “This launch will be perfectly timed with our continued expansion and planned rebranding of the service in early 2021, as we welcome SpongeBob and the gang from Bikini Bottom to the service in the biggest way possible.”
In addition, all prior seasons of SpongeBob Squarepants will be available on the expanded service soon.
“I’m incredibly proud of this film, and the phenomenal cast and film making team that made it happen,” said Mireille Soria, President of Paramount Animation. “Bringing this movie to life was a true collaboration and labor of love, and I’m thrilled for audiences to enjoy it as much as we enjoyed making it.”
This new movie follows SpongeBob SquarePants, his best friend Patrick Star and the rest of the gang from Bikini Bottom in the first-ever all CGI SpongeBob motion picture event. After SpongeBob’s beloved pet snail Gary is snail-napped, he and Patrick embark on an epic adventure to The Lost City of Atlantic City to bring Gary home. As they navigate the delights and dangers on this perilous and hilarious rescue mission, SpongeBob and his pals prove there’s nothing stronger than the power of friendship.
Ramsey Naito, Executive Vice President, Nickelodeon Animation Production and Development said, “We’re happy to give kids and families a much-deserved lift in any way we can, and the PVOD release of the new SpongeBob theatrical and putting all seasons of the TV series on CBS All Access are two of the best ways I can think of to get immersed in the optimism and joy that this terrific character represents.”
People across the country are utilizing video conference services such as Zoom to stay connected with family, friends and coworkers. Whether you are looking to hide your messy room or you simply want to add a bit of fun to happy hour with your friends, there are plenty of Zoom backgrounds to meet your video conferencing needs. Check out some of the best backgrounds we have rounded up so far.
The DoorDash Lunchroom has backgrounds for some of your fave restaurants, like The Cheesecake Factory, Cracker Barrel, Baskin Robbins and Panera Bread.
Unsplash offers many beautiful Zoom backgrounds from gorgeous office spaces to luxurious beach shots.
From the Golden Girls living room to Rory’s apartment in Star’s Hollow, Modsy has put together a collection of re-imagined pop culture interiors.
Delish created fun Easter and Passover themed backgrounds to brighten up your virtual holiday celebrations.
HBO has countless backgrounds based on Game of Thrones, Westworld, Euphoria, Insecure, Succession and more.
Pixar has released backgrounds for your favorite movies including Toy Story, Up, Finding Nemo and Inside Out. You can also find backgrounds for based on Cars and The Incredibles.
Insert yourself into one of your favorite ABC shows like American Idol or Modern Family.
Zoom provides instructions on how to use virtual backgrounds. The company says there are no size restrictions for virtual backgrounds but it recommends cropping the image to match the aspect ratio of your camera before uploading it.
As concerned parents, at Red Tricycle we are making every effort to provide you with the most accurate information. However, at this time wide-spread closures are occurring at the last minute due to the spread (or prevention of the spread) of Covid-19. For more on what parents need to know about the Coronavirus outbreak, click here. For current info about the Museum of Illusions check their Facebook page or call ahead before heading to the museum.
Spring Break is fast approaching but you don’t need to leave town to experience something the kids will never forget. The Museum of Illusions and the Upside Down House will make memories and epic photo ops worthy of any vacation. Located right in the heart of LA on Hollywood Boulevard, read on to find out why this incredible museum is worth a visit (and get a sweet offer code to save on tickets).
Special discount for Red Tricycle readers: Buy your tickets now to use later! Now through March 20th, 2020, save 40% on tickets!
This Is Not Like Any Museum You've Been to Before
Full disclosure: the Museum of Illusions and the Upside Down House are not like any other museum in town. You can throw out all of the “don’t touch” and “use your inside voice” cautions on this museum visit!
New 3D Illusions & New Artwork Throughout
Even if you've visited the Museum of Illusions in the past, it's recently undergone a massive upgrade to enrich your experience. All of the existing 3D artworks have been changed, and an entirely new exhibition of 3D Illusions has been unveiled to the public! Think: African Safari, walking on the edge of skyscraper, battling a dragon and more.
A Next-Level Experience
The new Illusions are now providing an even more immersive, sharp and mesmerizing experience, elevating the Museum of Illusions to an extraordinary new level and transporting you out of the ordinary.
The Upside Down House
While the original Museum of Illusions exhibit uses 3D graphics painted on the walls to immerse you into other worlds, you'll also find the Upside Down House featuring seven interactive upside-down rooms: bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, living room, and more! Kid climbing the walls at home? Now they can do it, in real life!
Kid-Friendly & Interactive
Totally kid-friendly (and basically a parent’s dream), you are encouraged to touch and interact with every part of the exhibits at the Museum of Illusion and the Upside Down House. Enter the kitchen and you can hang from the chairs and float in midair above a platter of food. What would it be like to sip a milkshake on the ceiling? At the Upside Down House you can find out!
You Will Feel Like a Kid Again (& Your Kids Will Love It)
Best enjoyed in groups (think: birthday party!), bring your whole crew and let the kids and their grown-ups loose to see where their imagination takes them. You can even get in on the action yourself and opt for the VIP treatment where you turn over picture-taking duties to a pro photographer who will follow you through the exhibit and send you Insta-worthy photos at the end.
Kids 5 and Under Are Free
Ready to plan your visit? We've got options for you! Snag an all-access pass if you want to check out both the Museum of Illusions' original 3D exhibit along with the Upside Down House. You can also opt to visit just one and save the other for another day. Whatever you decide, use code REDTRI at checkout and you'll save 15% on admission to Upside Down House or Museum of Illusions. Kids 5 and under are freee.
Museum of Illusions
6751 Hollywood Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA
747-274-9374
Online: laillusions.com
Summer is here, and parents of young children are asking the question, “What is the right age for swimming lessons?”
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, most children under the age of four are not developmentally ready to learn to swim; the age to master the crawl is actually between 5 and 6. That leads to the next question, “What about water safety and aquatic classes?”
While in the past, the Academy was stringent in not recommending swim and aquatic safety programs before four, they have become more relaxed in their guidelines for children between the ages of one and four. It is important to note, though, that these programs are not proven to decrease the risk of drowning and are not a substitute for adult supervision in the water at all times. Drowning is the leading cause of unintentional death in children in almost all age groups, so vigilance is critical.
Here are some basic things to remember to ensure safety for your children in or near water:
Always follow touch supervision, which means you are within touching reach of your child at all times in or near water.
Unless you are strictly enforcing touch supervision, do not rely on floaties or tubes to prevent drowning, but use Coast Guard approved safety devices. Children left alone with floaties or non-approved floatation devices can actually get trapped upside down in the water.
If you do enroll your child in aquatic classes, remember that while they may acclimate your child and make them more relaxed in the water, they can also reduce your child’s fear of water which can increase the likelihood that they go in or near water unsupervised. These programs can also make parents over-confident, which may reduce their own vigilance around pools and bodies of water. That said, check out your communities offerings, verify the credentials of their staff, and discover for yourself the benefits of what activities they have to offer.
If you are a pool owner, be sure that the pool is surrounded on four sides (the house should not be one of the sides) by a locked, at least four-foot high fence. For above ground pools, be sure to remove the ladder when the pool is not in use. And use a pool cover, as they add a second layer of protection. Be aware of all access that children have to nearby lakes, ponds, and streams and supervise accordingly.
Having grown up learning to swim in the Susquehanna River in Pennsylvania, then spending my summer days at the local city swimming pool, I am a water lover. As such, I was quick to share my passion for swimming and water play with my children and grandchildren as I am sure you are too. Have fun. It’s possible for parents and children to enjoy the water, and have a healthy dose of caution at the same time.
I am a parent and grandparent with over four decades of experience in early childhood education. I share my passion, wisdom and experience, with parents and the people who care for and about children at Little Folks Big Questions, where we're out to answer the questions parents face in today's world.
CBS’s digital streaming service CBS All Access just launched kids programming on the platform, making it easier for families to watch some of their favorite shows.
CBS also announced that it will be rolling out a library of Nickelodeon programs on the platform, with new titles bring added in Jan. 2020. More shows will continue to be added to the library over the coming weeks.
The initial series available include new seasons of Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs and the new Danger Mouse. Subscribers will also have access to the original Danger Mouse and popular shows, like Bob the Builder, Inspector Gadget, Madeline, Heathcliff and The Adventures of Paddington Bear.
“Bringing children’s programming to CBS All Access is a significant step toward providing even more value for our subscribers and now for their children as well,” said Marc DeBevoise, President and COO, CBS Interactive. “We’re bringing to market a fantastic roster of exclusive originals along with a library of marquee series for families, and we look forward to continuing to expand our children’s programming offering, especially with the future addition of incredible programming from Nickelodeon.”
The children’s programming will be commercial-free and feature parental pin controls on CBS.com, the CBS app for iOS and Android, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, Roku and Xbox One. Additional platforms will adopt parental controls in the future.
