Who’s ready for some Halloween fun this year? To make up for last year’s so-so celebrations, we’re getting extra creative with some playful costume ideas, inspired by some of the most iconic parts of LA. The hard part? Picking which LA-themed costume for kids is our favorite.
LA's a doughnut town (here's our full list of must-go doughnut spots in LA) so embrace the love of circular sweet treats with this adorable DIY doughnut costume via Hellowonderful_co.
Saber-Toothed Tiger Halloween Costume
Angelenos that grew up visiting the iconic La Brea tarpits will appreciate this saber-toothed tiger Halloween costume. Of course if your kid is more into dinosaurs than tigers, you can order this fossil dinosaur costume to represent the National History Museums's iconic dinosaur displays.
Perfect for any little "Big Boy" in LA. After all, the burger chain is one of the city's most iconic restaurants. If you're crafty, here's the DIY tutorial for the costume. If not, you can always add red straps to these checked PJ bottoms and call it a day.
Another LA institution, See's Candies has been around since 1921 when the first shop opened on Western Ave. Today, workers still wear a traditional black and white uniform reminiscent of the old days, and photographer Gina Lee perfectly recreates the look on her little one. Fun fact: The I Love Lucy with Lucy with gobbling chocolates off a conveyor belt? That was at See's Candies' factory.
Bring a little pop culture to your costume (and impress the neighbors) with a reference to the Jeff Koons exhibit at The Broad, featuring the artist's balloon dog sculpture.
This ensemble is a nod to one of LA's most beloved burger joints, courtesy of the Cali mom Chelsea Foy's Lovely Indeed Instagram account. If your kiddo has a younger sibling, they can always go as the ketchup. Or get your whole brood in on the action with this complete tutorial.
LA is arguably the taco capital of the United States. End the debate about where to find the best tacos in the city once and for all with this costume. (Don't want to DIY it? Here's a ready-to-go kid's taco costume.)
Because Angelenos have been sushi lovers for decades, long before the rest of the country caught on. Check out LA mom Laura Izumikawa's Instagram for even more costumed-baby inspiration.
The only thing more surprising than how fast a baby can accumulate so much stuff is how fast that little person outgrows all of it. But, with some creative thinking and a little research on how to reuse, you can learn how a bottle rack is perfect for drying fragile glassware, how infant towels can make adorable puppets, and that you can tie old bumpers together to create a great portable nap mat. All of these ideas will help you bring your baby items into the next phase of childhood—keep reading to see them all.
Burp Cloths into Dish Towels
Use all those spit rags and burp cloths as dish towels to wipe up messes, dry pots and pans and even as a cleaning rag. Not only will you give the material a second life, but you'll cut back on the number of paper towels you use on the regular.
How's this for a clever repurposing project? After your youngest is potty trained, instead of selling or donating your changing table, simply add wheels, paint (if you want) and use it as a beverage cart, indoors or out. Check out the tutorial over at Shine Your Light. If you'd rather do something the kids can still use, check out this DIY Ice Cream Stand.
Your Favorite Clothing Becomes Your a Treasured Stuffed Animal
Since most infants double their body weight within the first five months, your little bundle probably never got a chance to wear half their adorable ensembles. Don’t fret! The clever seamstress over at Sewing With Knits created this sweet stuffed animal using outgrown infant clothing. Cute and cuddly, it’s an adorable way to repurpose your little one’s unworn attire. For an added touch of nostalgia, use your favorite outgrown outfit. You’ll likely have enough fabric to remove the milk-stained portions.
Wipe containers and formula canisters are great vessels for storing everything from toys to art supplies. Design Improvised used decorative paper in various patterns and hues to disguise her empty containers. Find out how here, and be sure to check out some other genius reuse ideas.
Thousands of diaper changes leave behind lots of empty boxes. Instead of recycling, try upcycling. 2 Little Faces used wrapping paper to transform her old diaper boxes into storage bins for her son’s toys. You’d never know that these stylish containers once held a pack of diapers.
Perhaps the most versatile of all the baby gear you might collect, glass baby food jars can be repurposed in tons of ways around the house. Create a decorative new home for your spice collection, grow an herb garden, or save the jars for holding snacks while on the go. The resourceful mom behind Monkey See Monkey Do gave the jars a fresh coat of paint and used them as a color-blocked centerpiece for the kids' art table. If you made your baby food from scratch or opted for the ever-convenient pouch, glass or plastic baby bottles make an excellent substitute for these projects.
Once your little one no longer requires supervision while snoozing, let your monitor continue to keep watch in the playroom or backyard. Hang on to the parent base, and you can get things done around the house during playtime.
Once your little one has graduated to a big kid bed, put that unused crib to good use. Deconstructed, the pieces can serve multiple uses. We especially love this picturesque idea from Allen Mowry Photography. Once you've made your DIY photo wall art, use the remaining pieces to create a toy chest.
Your little princess (or prince) has shimmied over the castle wall, and it’s time to leave the fortress behind. As they settle into their new big kid bed, consider transforming the crib into a desk or art table they can use for years to come. Check out this transformation by Straight Stitch Designs, and you’ll see it's easier than it sounds.
If getting your big kid to sit in a stroller is a feat that only Superman could achieve, then consider transforming those basic four wheels into a vehicle any superhero in training would be excited to pilot. The mom over at Just a Girl and Her Blog has turned her boys’ stroller into everything from the Batmobile to the Scooby-Doo Mystery Machine.
If your tall can reach the sink, then take a cue from Mommo Design and create a fun play kitchen out of your old bathroom stool. Compact enough to move around the house, you can even set up a sous chef station while you're making dinner.
No matter how shiny the gift inside, time and time again kids want to play with the box. We’ve found 17 epic transformations of an ordinary cardboard box that will make you forget its humble past. From mini-golf to airplanes to castles, flip through our slideshow to get inspired.
Don’t let the rain or cold get in the way of your golf game. Just makeover a cardboard box to keep practicing your swing no matter the weather. Great for hand-eye coordination for the preschool set, it also can serve as a math lesson. Have the kiddos help keep track of their points as they score. Learn how to make one yourself over at Craftulate.
Dreaming of the outdoors? This 3D suncatcher from The Artful Parent is so cool no one will believe it was once a humble cardboard box. Plus, you’ll have as much fun gathering the materials for this project as you will making it. The stained-glass windows make it an elegant little lamp, too.
The DIY Mailbox You Can Actually Do
Melissa Heckscher
Inspired by the postal service, this super cute (and super easy) cardboard mailbox can be used for pretend play and messaging the kids! Drop the occasional postcard or note in there to thrill them no end. With little more than paint and tape, you can transform a box you have hanging around the house in no time. Get the complete step-by-step here.
We’d still love this cardboard cash register even if it wasn’t painted in a bright, cheery yellow. Besides the basic box, you’ll need hot glue, a calculator and a plastic tupperware container. Find out how to measure the space just right and how to get your drawer to slide in and out over at Handmade Charlotte.
Check out this sweet camper. Perfect for unlimited vacations to wherever the kiddo’s imagination took them, this cardboard camper also makes a great rainy day activity. Head over to The Merry Thought for the tutorial.
If there’s a better material than cardboard to build a spaceship, we haven’t found it. Get inspired by the rocket spotted over at Kate’s Creative Space; the bright colors pop and side-positioned gadgets and gears are genius. The look on your mini-astronaut's face as she blasts off into space will totally be worth the time you spent haunting the local U-Haul for a big box.
From the queen of cardboard comes an arrrrg-uably awesome pirate ship. Probably one of the easier projects you’ll find over at ikat bag, your little mates will be able to help raise the mast and set sail!
How creative is this? Turn your boxes into mini foosball games that you can play after school!
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Christal Yuen
We bet Lightning McQueen would trade his whitewalls for one of these garages. Using a shoebox and paint, it’s easy to give your motor-revving, tire-screeching tyke a place to park all his special cars. Get the low-down here.
Doing chores has never been this much fun! Don't be surprised if this DIY washing machine jump-starts your kid's love for cleanliness. To get the details on making this uber-cool cardboard creation, head over to Ooh La Wawa.
Work on a range of skills with your kiddo (shape identification, predictions and gross motor) during an empty afternoon with a quick and easy ball maze like this one from A Happy Wanderer. This project takes about two items and maybe 20 minutes to complete.
Ah, here is one classic box creation that every kid loves. This mom turned her son's puppet theatre into a lovely venue with some curtains, chalkboard paint and a pretty show sign. Head over to Kidoinfo to see how to make your own puppet theater.
Okay, so maybe you don’t have the time (or space) to create a full-sized play kitchen for your busy kids. How about an adorable doll-sized version? You probably receive the perfect-sized box from Amazon on the regular, so start collecting and when you’ve got the material you need, head to Mer Mag Blog for the tutorial.
Here's an elevator with push buttons that’ll take your little one on an up and down ride. Mom-crafter Sarah made this tot-approved gadget with a few boxes, googly eyes and a brad tack. Get her DIY instructions over at her website Repeat Crafter Me.
Now, this is one store we wouldn’t mind spending forever in. From the back to front, this grocery stand is filled with clever details like windows, shelves and drawers that really make it a one-stop-shop. See the other (equally and amazingly detailed) side of the store at ikat bag.
Halloween is the time of year when we can bust out all of our creativity and that goes for school lunches as well. Up your bento box game with these easy-to-pull-off pumpkin oranges, mummy cheese balls, watermelon bats and hot dog fingers. We’ve got all the ideas here, and scroll to the bottom to find all the gear you can order from Amazon to make these Halloween lunches over the top! Don’t forget to drop in a Halloween lunchbox joke while you’re at it.
Barbie has always been a gal who takes on challenges and doesn’t shy away from trying new jobs. Now, she’s digging into an underrepresented career where women make up less than 3%: music producers.
Barbie Music Producer ($15) is the newest a doll in a long line of over 200 careers and she’s packing a punch. Dressed in jeans, graphic tee, platforms, crop jacket, and colorful hair, Barbie comes with headphones, computer and sound mixing board.
In addition to the inspiring new doll, Barbie is coming together with Grammy-Award nominated music producer, songwriter, singer and actress Ester Dean and Girls Make Beats to fund Girls Make Beats scholarships so young girls can reach their dreams in music. Girls Makes Beat is an organization whose mission is to give females a larger presence in the industry as audio engineers, DJ’s and music producers.
Young musicians ages 5-17 can tune in live when Barbie, Girls Make Beats and Ester Dean host a live webinar on Sept. 22 at 4 p.m. PST, open to girls ages 5-17 to get more inspiration. Additionally, Barbie and MTV will host a takeover over Saturday Music Video Block on Sept. 18 at 8 a.m. EST with exclusive women-produced music hits. Want even more inspo?
Catch Ester Dean on Barbie’s newest blog, “I Interview Ester Dean, Song Machine” on Fri., Sept. 24th on the Barbie YouTube channel.
Yes, you can skip the bakery birthday cake and take matters into your own hands. Even if you aren’t blessed in the culinary department, we’ve rounded up a bunch of cake hacks and DIY tricks that will help you pull off a Pinterest-worthy masterpiece. Box cake mix is about to get a serious upgrade—read on for all the sweet deets.
If you've decided to make your own cake at home, a warm spatula or knife will make spreading frosting easier. Head over to the Kitchn for the details, and their preferred tools!
Give It a Crumb Coat
iStock
Once your cake is completely cool, it’s time to get frosting! We swear by the crumb coat trick—spread a thin first layer of frosting over the whole cake to catch the crumbs before you do the rest of the decorating.
Go wild with sprinkles inspired by Beki Cook’s Cake Blog. She’s got a hack to make decorating a cinch (it involves a plate and some careful maneuvering). Click here to find out how this colorful confection is made.
Sometimes basic is best when it comes to cake decorating! It doesn’t get much easier than this idea from Lyndsay Sung via You Are My Fave. Just buy a bunch of chocolates or gummies and pop them on the frosted cake. Click here to see two more simple ideas that look just as delicious.
Feeling crafty? This cute idea from Paper & Stitch is easier than you’d think—just spell out your kiddo’s age with a few supplies that you might already have at home. To get all the details on how it’s done, click here.
If your kid loves circus animal cookies, they’ll adore this cute creation from Studio DIY. Best of all, the starting point is a basic cake from the grocery store. Music to our ears! To get the details (plus five more ways to jazz up store-bought cakes), click here.
We love this sweet idea from Butterlust, especially for kids who are obsessed with all things prehistoric. The recipe includes a rich chocolate frosting and ganache, but you can also simplify it with a store-bought cake if you’re short on time. Click here to learn more.
It’s pretty tricky to pipe words with icing, which is why we love this tip from the Food Network. Use a toothpick to make dots where the letters should go, then pipe them on when you’re happy with how they look. Click here for more helpful hacks.
Take inspiration from A Subtle Revelry and make a supersized donut for the birthday kiddo. The pink frosting and sprinkles on top are essential! To grab the recipe, click here.
Perfect for summer parties, all you need for this recipe from The Kitchen McCabe is a big batch of berries. Plus, there’s a way to make a layer cake without actually having to make multiple cakes—yes, please! Get the scoop by clicking here.
This Kit Kat cake is actually a single layer cake lined with Kit Kat bars and topped with M&Ms. Not only does it look super cool, but it's easy to transport, too. Get the recipe from Mom Loves Baking.
You may have heard the rumors: Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort are no longer offering Fast Passes and we’re here to tell you: it’s true. But while the free service won’t be offered anymore, Disney is not leaving us hanging!
Coming this fall you’ll be able to access the new Disney Genie service! The digital service not only helps you create a fun-filled itinerary but it’s also complimentary (please, and thank you). Keep scrolling to find out all the details!
Disney’s video covered a ton of important details so let’s break it down. First, Disney Genie fits right into the My Disney Experience and Disneyland apps so you don’t need yet another app on your already cluttered phone. You’ll be able to indicate your must-ride attractions, fave food and interests that include your can’t miss character experiences.
Once you load in your deets, Disney Genie will help guide your day by suggesting ideal times to head to attractions, when to get on restaurant waiting lists and wait times. It will also adjust throughout the day as crowds ebb and flow. No more walking across the entire park to find out the princesses have gone on a lunch break!
photo: Joshua Sudock/Disneyland Resort
If you are still craving that front-of-the-line experience, guests will have the option to use the Disney Genie+ service and make up to two individual attraction selections to skip the line. Both of these are paid options.
Disney Genie+ service will be priced at $15 per ticket per day at Walt Disney World Resort and $20 per ticket per day at Disneyland Resort. This service gives you the chance to pick the next available time to arrive at certain attractions and experiences by using the Lightning Lane entrance. Like the old Max Pass, guests can only make one selection at a time, throughout the day. Additionally, you’ll also be able to access Disney parks-themed audio experiences and photo features like augmented reality lenses (Walt Disney World only) and unlimited Disney PhotoPass downloads from your day at Disneyland Resort.
For attractions not included in Disney Genie+ service, park goers will be able to schedule a time to arrive at up to two super popular = attractions each day using the Lightning Lane entrance. Depending on the park, attraction and day, the price will fluctuate for this service.
After a year of park closures and the cancellation of annual passes, Disneyland Resort has finally shared the details of its new passholder program! The Magic Key Program has arrived and its a new take that offers plenty of variety for families.
Officially going on sale Aug. 25, Magic Key brings four pass options that resemble those under the former program. The biggest change is that the theme park reservation system will be integral to every pass going forward.
photo: Courtesy of Disney
There’s much to digest in the infographic above but in a nutshell, guests will all have the option to make at least two reservations at a time and get discounts on food, beverages and merchandise. Missing from the old program is notably the Photo Pass which gave guests access to all their attraction photos.
Another big change is that while monthly payment options still exist, they will only be available to California residents. The Imagine Key monthly payments will only be available to Southern California residents.
Additionally, the programs do not guarantee the ability to park hop daily like in years past. Park guess who want to park hop will need to make sure that reservations are available at the park they want to start the day at. If they are, hop away! If there is only availability at one park, then guests will spend the entire day there. Availability is shown on the reservation calendar when guests go to make their park plans and reservations.
The new program is a welcome announcement for park enthusiasts and Southern California natives who often use the Disneyland Resort as their afternoon playground. While the changes do away with old perks, they continue to offer magic in brand new ways.
You can learn even more about the new program at the Disney Parks Blog.
There are so many things to love about summer: the warm weather, the longer days, the slowed-down attitude, and all of the extra time for activities. Whether your family is getting creative, planning something active or wanting to relax by the beach, the summer heat makes it even more important to stay hydrated. Did you know that according to the American Journal of Public Health, 1 in 2 kids is underhyrated*?
Creative Roots is a flavored coconut water beverage that makes it much easier to help keep kids hydrated, thanks to the delicious fruit flavors that your littles will love to sip.
See what activities these moms are looking forward to this summer, and why Creative Roots is with them along the way:
When Texas-based mom Courtney Williams is looking to spend some one-on-one time with her oldest daughter, they like to check out the trails at their local park. Creative Roots is a win-win for the duo’s hikes since Courtney loves that it has one gram of sugar and Carri loves the delicious flavors.
Patricia Chang is using the summer to spend time outside in her garden with her son, Chase. To help beat the heat and avoid underhydration, Patricia gives Chase Creative Roots to sip on. With four flavors to pick from (Orange Pineapple, Mixed Berry, Peach Mango and Watermelon Lemonade), Chase is always excited to try new options!
It wouldn’t be summer without countless trips to the park! Porsha’s daughter Ivy loves the Creative Roots quirky Sploots characters and is always excited for Creative Roots to accompany her on outdoor adventures.
For Florida mom Mandy Cox, summer means sunshine, tan lines and tons of time by the pool. Creative Roots is the perfect waterside treat to help her kids stay happy and hydrated!
Crafty momma Veena Goel Crownholm spends her summertime doing hands-on activities, like these fun kindness rocks that she and her son spread throughout their neighborhood. Creative Roots helps her family stay hydrated while powering creativity.
Living near the South Carolina coast, mom of three Amber Faust spends most of her summer days at the beach. When she’s packing her cooler, Creative Roots is her go-to option, thanks to one gram of sugar per bottle.
Eight-year-old Honor and her mom Destiney Green are always on the go, whether it’s dance class, a bike ride, or a fun spa day. With resealable bottles, Creative Roots is easy to toss in Honor’s bag on her way out the door.
*Erica L. Kenney, Michael W. Long, Angie L. Cradock, and Steven L. Gortmaker, 2015:
Prevalence of Inadequate Hydration Among US Children and Disparities by Gender and Race/Ethnicity: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2009–2012
Can you believe Walt Disney World is turning 50? In honor of the momentous occasion (which perfectly pairs with the diminished pandemic), the theme park is celebrating with two brand new nighttime spectacular shows.
Starting Oct. 1, park guests can catch “Disney Enchantment” and “Harmonious” as part of “The World’s Most Magical Celebration.” The shows will debut at Magic Kingdom Park and EPCOT and pack a spectacular punch.
Head to Magic Kingdom Park to watch “Disney Enchantment,” which features first time immersive projection effects from Cinderella Castle. The show also incorporates stunning music and enhanced lighting.
Over at EPCOT, one of the largest spectaculars ever, “Harmonious” will combine songs and stories at the World Showcase Lagoon. The lighting, media, moving fountains and pyrotechnics are fabulous enough to entertain even your youngest and wiggliest kiddos.
To make the event pack even more punch, the show will highlight new interpretations of your fave Disney songs that have been translated into more than a dozen languages by over 200 artists around the globe.
Both shows will kick off Oct. 1, in perfect harmony with “The World’s Most Magical Celebration.”