Disney+ revealed some exciting info for tons of new programming at today’s Television Critics Association Winter Press Tour. The streaming service not only shared spring and summer premiere dates for brand new scripted series, but also first-look images at upcoming shows.
Some of the new Disney+ Original Series include Big Shot, The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers, The Falcon and The Winter Soldier, Star Wars: The Bad Batch, Marvel Studios’ Loki, The Mysterious Benedict Society, Monsters At Work, Chip ‘N’ Dale: Park Life and Turner & Hooch. Keep scrolling to catch all the details!
March
Mar. 19 – The Falcon and The Winter Soldier
March 26 – The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers
April
Apr. 16 – Big Shot
May
May 4 – Star Wars: The Bad Batch
May 14 – High School Musical: The Musical: The Series Season 2
June
Jun. 11 – Loki
Jun. 11 – Zenimation Season 2
Jun. 25 – The Mysterious Benedict Society
July
Jul. 2 – Monsters at Work
Jul. 16 – Turner & Hooch
Jul. 23 – Chip ‘N’ Dale: Park Life
To sign up for your own Disney+ subscription, just click here.
Now more than ever we realize the importance of washing our hands. Amplifying Doc McStuffins themes of health and wellness, “The Doc Is In,” a special featuring the beloved animated icon interacting with real kids, families and medical professionals about healthy habits, premieres Fri., Dec. 4 at 7:30 p.m. ET/PT on Disney Junior. The special coincides with National Handwashing Awareness Week.
Set to some of the series’ iconic songs, the special includes real medical professionals Dr. Myiesha Taylor, MD, founder of the Artemis Medical Society and the “We Are Doc McStuffins” movement, and Mark Lee, RN, who provides tips to preschoolers about ways to prevent spreading germs.
Disney Junior and Doc McStuffins also recently joined forces with the World Health Organization to amplify the message of thorough hand washing as a way to prevent the spread of germs and disease with a PSA, which was released on Global Handwashing Day (Oct. 15).
The series has also inspired a new addition to its award winning retail line with the Doc McStuffins “Wash Your Hands” Singing Doll from Just Play. Nominated for The Toy Association’s 2021 “Toy of the Year Awards,” the doll comes with an interactive stethoscope, facemask, doctor’s bag, thermometer and otoscope, and sings the popular “Wash Your Hands” song from the series. Coinciding with the doll’s launch, Disney Junior and Just Play will donate funds to Feeding America, which will provide two million meals to families across the country.
Get ready for more adventures with Bingo and Rolly! Disney Junior has ordered a fifth season of Puppy Dog Pals. Season four of the series premieres Fri., Oct. 23 at 9:00 a.m. PT on Disney Channel and on DisneyNOW.
The hit animated series centers on fun-loving pug puppy brothers Bingo and Rolly, whose thrill-seeking appetites take them on exhilarating adventures in their neighborhood and around the globe. Whether helping their owner Bob, exploring with their pal Keia or overseeing their own Puppy Playcare center, the pugs’ motto is that life is more exciting with your best friend by your side.
Season four of Puppy Dog Pals stars newcomer Elisha “EJ” Williams as quick-witted, problem solver Bingo; Gracen Newton (Child Support) as silly, energetic Rolly; Tom Kenny (SpongeBob SquarePants) as A.R.F.; and Jessica DiCicco (The Loud House) as Hissy. Harland Williams is the show’s creator, serves as consulting producer and voices the role of Bob, the pups’ devoted owner. Sean Coyle is executive producer and Michael Olson is co-executive producer/story editor for season four. The fifth season will be executive produced by Olson and Coyle will serve as consulting producer. The series is a production of Wild Canary in association with Disney Junior.
Extensions for the series include storybooks from Disney Press, DVDs from Walt Disney Studios and music releases on major streaming platforms from Walt Disney Records. Plush toys, costumes, accessories and apparel are available at the Disney store, shopDisney.com and retailers nationwide.
Is it us or do you feel a Denver baby boom coming on? Whether you’re expecting or you just want to see how your kiddo’s name stacks up, we’ve got a list of baby names that honor Denver’s popular places, people and history. Scroll down for some mile-high baby name inspiration!
What could better convey a love for the great outdoors than naming your baby after a tree?
Brec
Ski destination Breckenridge is the source of this shortened name that could be good for either a boy or a girl.
Bronc
It's no surprise that this name is on the list of local favorites, after the Denver Broncos, of course.
Buffy
This name has a cool, retro feel and pay homage to the University of Colorado mascot, the buffalo.
Clara
Clara Brown was often called the "Angel of the Rockies" and is reportedly the first Black woman to cross the plains during the Gold Rush. She came to Colorado by working as a cook on a wagon train in exchange for her transport. In Denver, she opened the first laundry and used her profits to help formerly enslaved people relocate to Colorado.
Denver
It's never wrong to go right to the source and name your baby after the Mile High City. Plus, Denny is just too cute for a nickname.
Elizabeth
Elizabeth Piper Ensley (three awesome ideas for Denver baby names!) was a Denver reporter for Woman’s Era, a newsletter of the National Association of Colored Women. Her tireless work campaigning for the Colorado Equal Suffrage Association is credited for helping the state to give women the right to vote in 1893.
This classic name is an homage to Dr. Florence Rena Sabin, the first female medical professor at Johns Hopkins. She retired to Colorado although her retirement was short lived as she was asked to help combat infant mortality, scarlet fever and diphtheria in the area.
Hattie
Isn't this just the cutest name? Actress Hattie McDaniel was the first Black person to win an Academy Award. The award was given for her role as "Mammy" in the movie Gone with the Wind.
Lark
The Lark Bunting is the state bird of Colorado and we think it makes a lovely girl name.
Miles
How better to pay homage to the Mile High City than with this classic name?
Mills
Enos Mills moved to Colorado early in his life and his love of nature permeated his entire life. He was the main figure behind the creation of Rocky Mountain National Park.
iStock
Peyton
This gender-neutral name is a great option for Broncos fans, after Peyton Manning.
Pike
Winter sports fanatics, this one's for you.
Rocky
This name harkens back to times past and a love of the Rocky Mountains.
This vintage name is a great option that also shows a love for Colorado's Ruby Mountain Range.
Spruce
The Blue Spruce is the Colorado state tree and it makes for a lovely middle name.
Vail
This gorgeous name honors the gorgeous ski area of the same name.
Make sure to capture all the joyful moments with your Colorado kid—and share them with your family and friends near and far—with the Tinybeans app. The secure platform puts parents in total control of who sees and interacts with photos and videos of their kids.
According to the National Camp Association, more than 14 million campers attend overnight and day camps in the United States annually. This year, families are figuring out how to adapt time spent during the summer months. Amazon Handmade has introduced Camp Handmade to bring elements of the camp experience into homes across the country.
Families who are looking for a creative outlet are encouraged to learn from the best through the Makers Camp which is in session now through Aug. 15.
Each workshop will feature a curated list of supplies needed for each craft and virtual guests will follow step-by-step instructions to create unique crafts inspired and created by each participating Maker. Customers can view the interactive tutorials spotlighting how to make flower paintings, candles, needle felting, and crafting your own bath salts.
Participants can also tune into a panel moderated by Amazon Handmade and featuring Makers Rebeca Flott (Rebeca Flott Arts) and Sheena Tahilramani (Banter & Bliss Candle Co.), and Creator and Interior Designer Hilton Carter. This panel will explore how Rebeca, Sheena, and Hilton have successfully leveraged their passion to create their small businesses.
It’s all happening at the zoo. In honor of American Zoo Day on Jul. 1, The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) wants to bring the zoo home to you. Zoo and aquarium fans can visit their favorite animals at AZA-accredited facilities around the country by “walking” through AZA’s YouTube playlist.
Hear from zookeepers, view up close footage of your favorite animals, and go behind the scenes to learn more about each species. YouTube playlists play automatically, so kids, big and small, can learn and be entertained while in quarantine.
Visit aza.org for more information and take a “walk” through a zoo virtually, while learning more about the importance of conservation.
Family get togethers look different these days. This Father’s Day many people will be opting for socially-distant celebrations at home. Biscayne National Park Institute is now offering interactive virtual experiences so Dad can feel like he spent the day exploring a National Park, all from the comfort of home.
Led by Biscayne National Park Institute’s Captains and Naturalists, participants will see and learn all about the history and diverse ecosystems that make up Biscayne National Park. From shipwrecks to sharks to parties fit for Presidents like Herbert Hoover, Biscayne is full of fascinating stories for participants of all ages. This is a great way for Fathers and kids to “explore” and learn about the park, without having to leave home.
This 1-hour, live, interactive experience will be hosted on Zoom. Each group will be limited to 15 participants per session and the Captains and Naturalists will be available to personally answer your questions about Biscayne National Park. The virtual experience is $10 and you can register online.
You can also find more about the Biscayne National Park Institute (the park’s official non-profit partner with the Florida National Parks Association) and all of the amazing work they do to educate visitors as they explore this National Park gem.
Parents and kids are tapping into their creative sides looking for fun ways to pass the time. Now kids can take their own idea for a toy or game and turn it into a concept that could end up being sold at major retailers like Target. The CHITAG Young Inventor Challenge happens annually each year as part of Chicago Toy & Game Week, but, the group has partnered with major industry players like Mattel, Magformers, Scholastic and the American Specialty Retailer Association (ASTRA) to launch a special spring edition, specifically to help inspire kids stuck at home due to COVID-19.
The CHITAG Spring Young Inventor Challenge is open to kids ages 6-18 as of Apr.15, 2020. To enter, kids need to create an original prototype toy or game and show the judges how to play with it using photos and sending in a pitch video. The deadline for entry is Jun. 15 and winners will be announced Jul. 1.
This is the 14th year for the Young Inventor Challenge, in which heavy hitters from top toy companies mentor each entrant. There’s even a Young Inventor Design Guide which walks parents and kids through the creative design process.
During the judging phase, toy companies have the option to work with inventors to bring their games to market.
When facing hard times it’s always best to channel your inner joy and face your challenges with a smile. Ethan LyBrand, a 10-year-old with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy has a secret to making other people smile, and he’s sharing it with the world via social media. For the past week, Ethan has been delivering a virtual “Joke-a-Day” every day through the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s social media channels.
Filmed by his family at their Decatur, Alabama home, the budding comedian’s favorite jokes provide a daily dose of happiness for those who need it. Ethan’s parents, Jordan and Josh, share that their son is always a source of positivity, so making people smile just comes naturally to him.
According to the LyBrand family, “Ethan’s Joke a Day for MDA is his way of spreading virtual joy across our communities. It’s also his way of raising awareness and advocacy for people with neuromuscular diseases at this pivotal time. The neuromuscular disease community – people with ALS, muscular dystrophy, SMA, Duchenne and related rare diseases – are among the highest risk populations for COVID-19 and they need our help and support more than ever.”
Ethan was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy two days before his second birthday. Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy is a genetic disorder characterized by progressive weakness and degeneration of the skeletal muscles that control movement. Ethan is ambulatory but tires easily and periodically needs his powerchair, which he affectionately calls “Bumblebee” after his favorite Transformer.
Since his diagnosis, Ethan and his family have created a movement to advocate for other kids living with neuromuscular disease. His efforts were recognized by Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA), who named Ethan its 2020-2021 MDA National Ambassador. As MDA’s National Ambassador, Ethan represents the 250,000 people nationwide who are living with neuromuscular disease.
An important way to support research for treatments and ultimately cures for the neuromuscular disease community is by going to MDA.org to make a donation at any level you’re able to. Your support helps ensure MDA’s 150 Care Centers are equipped to provide critical medical care to kids and adults who are particularly vulnerable during the pandemic. It also supports ongoing care for families like the LyBrands, through telemedicine and enriching activities like virtual game nights.
Check out MDA’s Twitter and Instagram every afternoon for a new daily joke!
—Jennifer Swartvagher
All photos courtesy of the Muscular Dystrophy Association
If you are looking for more ways to keep your kids occupied while you are stuck at home, there are many online offerings you can access. Mattel has launched the Mattel Playroom, a new free online resource that offers play-from-home activities, games, content and expert advice. Mattel has made available a host of activities and content from its iconic brands, including Barbie, Fisher-Price, Hot Wheels, American Girl and Thomas & Friends.
In the coming weeks, the Mattel Playroom will be updated with additional content and experiences including designer tutorials, new ways to play with Mattel products and more.
“Our mission to inspire, entertain and develop children through play is more important than ever,” said Richard Dickson, President and COO, Mattel. “We believe in the power of play and how essential it is for child development, especially in these difficult times when so much is in flux for kids and families. We recognize the unique challenges that parents and caregivers are facing right now both working and playing from home and have designed the Mattel Playroom to be a valuable resource for them.”
The Mattel Playroom will be updated weekly. Currently the resource offers parents content from Mattel brands including printable coloring pages and activities, free and ready-to-play games, crafting and DIY projects, animated stop-motion and live-action videos and downloadable apps. This new hub also includes learning-at-home tips in partnership with The Toy Association and insights from Mattel’s play experts.