With the Coronavirus pandemic at the front of everyone’s mind, Portland families and local retailers are finding ways to get creative while staying safe and complying with public health guidelines. Online ordering and delivery has never been more essential but many, many great local retailers are acting strategically to meet your family’s changing needs, so buy local when you can! Here are just a few local faves doing their part to support Portland families while we beat this pandemic— together. Read on to find out more.
While a lot has been put on hold, our kids are still growing, and outgrowing toys and clothes. Keep things affordable, eco-friendly, and pandemic-safe by calling this beloved local consignment shop. A manager is in both shops from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday to take your order. Ask for what you need, or check their social media channels for updated photos of gear. Curbside pick-up is available, as well as delivery within a 3-mile radius of each shop. Please note that Beanstalk has temporarily suspended consigning, so hold onto your goodies until further notice.
This toy store and community hub may have closed its doors to help flatten that curve, but they’re still open for online orders with free delivery for Portland customers. How about a glow-in-the-dark tent for quick pop-up fort fun? Or a kite to fly at the park during this gorgeous sunny weather? Order online or call!
Keep kids busy while they’re out of school with a selection of educational, interactive toys. Black Wagon’s brick and mortar store has been curating excellent toys and clothing for 16 years, and their e-commerce game is strong during the pandemic, with free shipping on all orders placed within the U.S. Order up a new puzzle, a marble run, or even a dinosaur model-building kit. Check out their Instagram page for fun activities and updates on the store closure.
3964 N Mississippi Ave.
503-916-0000
Online: blackwagon.com
With restaurants and bars closed, many are shifting to takeout and delivery service, while others are unable to make that shift. Below are a few family-friendly businesses offering takeout and, in some cases, free meals for those in need. The list is by no means exhaustive, so check in with your favorite spots to see if you can continue to support them during the pandemic. It’s also wise to make an educated choice as to whether take-out is a healthy option for your family.
Laughing Planet
This beloved restaurant chain is taking sanitizing to the next level, and has committed to take-out orders only, for curbside pickup or using delivery services like Door Dash. They’re also offering free meals for kids who qualify for their school’s Meal Assistance Program, on the honor system. Pickup varies by location. Order online or call your nearest location.
Grab a burger from PDX Sliders, also offering free meals for kids who qualify for MAP (no proof necessary, so be considerate.) Their fantastic burgers are available for take-out and delivery by calling and picking up in-store, or via online delivery services Caviar and Postmates.
Division
3111 SE Division St
Portland, OR
503-719-5464
Sellwood
1605 SE Bybee Blvd.
Portland, OR
971-717-5271
This brew pub is usually a go-to because of their quick service, impressive play areas, and high-quality food. While dining in is no longer possible, they’re offering take-out, delivery, and beer to-go options between the hours of 12-8 p.m.
Powell
2944 SE Powell Blvd
503-232-HOPS
Williams
3947 N Williams Ave
503-287-MALT
Vancouver
17707 SE Mill Plain Blvd.
Vancouver, WA
360-828-5139
Stay caffeinated with this local chain, currently accepting mobile orders via the Joe Coffee app and continuing to offer free brown bag lunches for anyone who needs them. While both shops are open, clean, and safe, they are serving take-out only from 7am – 2pm. Layer up! They are practicing “open air” environments with all doors and windows open.
The Multnomah County Library is maintaining a list of meal assistance resources for families, with information on how to get free meals while schools are closed. Most participating schools offer grab-and-go sack breakfasts and lunches for pickup outside the school. This list also includes participating restaurants, and is updated regularly.
Get help keeping family pets happy and healthy, while supporting a small Portland business. This popular locally-owned pet-supply store is limiting in-store customers to no more than five, and accepting phone orders with delivery to your car. They’ve closed self-serve dog washes, and recommend checking the website regularly for updates as the pandemic changes.
It’s officially spring, and gardening is a great way to destress at home while adjusting to the new normal. This popular local farm, garden, and animal supply store is offering drive-thru service for orders taken by phone, email, and through the fence. You can safely drive up and receive potting soil, plant starts, animal feed, and more, directly into your trunk.
The Force is strong among Star Wars fans this year. Soon we will have a chance to get our hands on the highly awaited “Baby Yoda” merchandise which has been teased for months now. New toys tied to the beloved franchise were revealed today just ahead of the New York Toy Fair.
“Baby Yoda” as he is affectionately referred to is making an appearance in the new toy line, Star Wars: Mission Fleet, which will be released later this year from Hasbro. The new collection features 2.5” figurines of characters from the movies, Clone Wars, and The Mandalorian.
The “Battle of the Bounty ” set features your favorite characters from the popular Disney+ series, The Mandalorian and The Child (aka Baby Yoda.) In addition to a floating bassinet with a detachable Baby Yoda figurine, the set also includes the bounty hunter’s speeder (which the bassinet can attach to) as well as his rifle, jetpack and a projectile launcher. The set, which retails for $14.99, will be coming to most stores in fall 2020.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 20: STAR WARS New York Toy Fair Product Showcase: THE MANDALORIAN And STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS at Dream Hotel on February 20, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Craig Barritt/Getty Images for Disney)
The Child Animatronic Edition figure that can blink his eyes, move his ears and even take a “Force nap” is set to hit shelves this fall. This new toy from Hasbro will retail for $59.99 and will be available for preorder at most major retailers at 1pm ET on February 20, 2020.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 20: STAR WARS New York Toy Fair Product Showcase: THE MANDALORIAN And STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS at Dream Hotel on February 20, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Craig Barritt/Getty Images for Disney)
Other highlights include, Star Wars TROUBLE: The Mandalorian Edition and Star Wars OPERATION: The Mandalorian Edition games, all from Hasbro, a LEGO construction set featuring the Mandalorian’s Razor Crest ship and LEGO BrickHeadz™ Star Wars The Mandalorian & The Child 75317 building kit. These new items and more will be available later this year.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 20: STAR WARS New York Toy Fair Product Showcase: THE MANDALORIAN And STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS at Dream Hotel on February 20, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Craig Barritt/Getty Images for Disney)
Other items featuring “Baby Yoda” from Hasbro, Funko, Mattel, Build-A-Bear, The Disney Store and more, some of which went on pre-sale starting late last year, are expected to hit shelves and doorsteps starting next month.
—Jennifer Swartvagher
All photos courtesy of Craig Barritt/Getty Images for Disney
The kids will be spending more time than usual inside during the winter months, but rather than succumb to mind-numbing boredom, why not grab a few activity kits? We’ve curated a list for every age and stave with activities that will not only keep brains sharp, but come with the added bonus of being complete entertainment in one little (or medium-sized) box, so set up is a breeze.
For Everyone:
KiwiCo Summer Camp Crate
KiwiCo
You know and love KiwiCo for their high-quality kits that everyone from your toddler to your teen can enjoy. They’ve just launched their summer camp line, which will send you five to eight weeks worth of supplies for activities and experiments that range from electronics to art. If your kid finishes early? There’s also a magazine and extra activities to deepen the learning experience. Bundles start at $99.95 with free shipping.
Because laying out butcher block paper for your sweet tot isn’t always on your to-do list, there’s Miserwe’s Doodle Mat. Spread it out, fill the included six pens with water, and let your tot have at it—drawing with stamps, stencils and rollers to create a memorable masterpiece. The best part? It dries to a clean slate in just 10 minutes making creating and clean up easy as pie.
Sheer animal magnetism. That’s what makes this toy so engaging for kiddos. The magnetic heads and tails of six of their safari faves (think hippo, lion, elephant and more) click together to make magical new creatures or recognizable everyday animals. The magnets make it easy for tiny hands to create and re-create hilarious animal combos to their heart’s content.
Green Toys and Sesame Street are helping little green thumbs bring a whole garden to life any day of the year with butterflies, critters and flowers galore. As for the flour in this dough, parents will love knowing it’s organic. No toxins in this garden!
Packed with over 200 items, from beads and yarn to stickers and googly eyes, the possibilities for creativity are limitless for your mini artists with this expansive art kit from Kid Made Modern.
Getting kids to engage with the world is important, and teaching small lessons about nature and our environment is a great way to divert attention towards something meaningful. The GeoSafari Jr. Ladybug Garden is the perfect way to bring nature to your young explorers, letting them be up close and personal with the life cycle of a ladybug. The garden comes with a mail-in certificate for ladybugs, and it lets kids watch the creatures grow from larvae to adults, all the while inspiring an appreciation for nature.
You’ll want to join the tea party yourself with this adorable Fox Tea Party set from Djeco. It’s just right for pretend play, with two spoons, two cups, two small plates, one larger plate, one cake sliced into four pieces (with four removable candles), one sugar bowl, one teapot, two tea bags and one tray. Plus, we love the vibrant teal and pink design that's a modern update on the tea sets of the past.
Just in time for the final installment of the classic Pixar series to hit the screen comes this fun art and craft kit. Young kids can make their own version of Forky, dress up as Woody or Buzz, or create their very version of the story with stickers, foam, pom poms and more. For ages 3 and up, $11.24.
Ideal for kids ages 3 and up, these kits are not only aesthetically pleasing to kids and adults alike, but they are also super fun, too. Their line of Free Range Art for Kids kits includes a Collage Box with all kinds of cool pieces like colorful muslin, seashells and buttons; a Print Box with paint, sponges, cork and more; and our favorite, the Build Box which contains a variety of interesting wooden shapes and spools, non-toxic watercolor paint and glue, and more. All paints and glues are vegan, and everything is free from toxins and single-use plastics. Each kit is $24.99.
Little chefs can get creative in the kitchen with this new set that lets you stamp out colorful cookies and frosting topped cupcakes using Play-Doh. The mixer comes with different stamp attachments and tools to create designs and pretend candies for toppings.
Let your little artists get creative with colorful stamps without worrying about the mess. Crayola's Color Wonder Scented Light Up Stamper set comes with several animal stamps and Color Wonder inks. The inks are not only scented, they magically won't work on skin, furniture, walls or any surface other than the special Color Wonder paper. The inks appear invisible until they touch the special paper, but the stamper handle will light up with the color in use.
Tiger Tribe offers an array of small, travel-sized activity kits perfect for kids of varying ages. This one was among our faves; recommended for ages 5 and up, the kit includes everything your junior crime fighter needs to learn some forensic science and mystery-solving skills.
This ingenious STEM toy will provide years of creative and educational play. Young engineers can connect any combination of gears, claws, heads and more to the motorized base to build a robot that can then be controlled by a wireless remote from up to 50 feet away. With 149 pieces to build with, the possibilities are endless.
Your little scientists can create their own slime concoctions with this easy to use kit that gives preschoolers their first lesson in early chemistry and making observations. The kit comes packed with all the tools you need to make slime from common household ingredients. The plastic tools can easily be washed to use again and again.
OSMO has a new kit designed just for preschoolers. The new OSMO Little Genius Kit lets kids get creative with physical objects that will then appear on a connected tablet, with which they can engage in a whole new way. The kit comes packed with four games that help teach letters, pre-reading skills, critical thinking, problem solving and so much more.
Kickstart your Pre-K kid's love of travel with a scratch-off map from Elsewhere Adventures. Not only is it a cheerful map of the United States, but it also comes with 140 special spots to discover, dry erase markers to make notes and travel stickers. If you don't have anywhere to keep it on display, simply roll it up and store it in the provided tube.
Combine two kid faves—LEGO bricks and stop motion—to make a movie featuring your LEGO Minifigs. The included props and scenery along with the instructional booklet will get you started.
Create a 3D design using yarn with this kit that makes the most adorable narwhal to hang in your grade-school kids' room. Thread the Y'Art pen and color the numbered spaces; yarn magically clings to the Grip-N-Stick Y'Artboard for an easy art project.
Kids can discover how lights, alarms, motors and switches work while building fun projects with this kit. Using 25 transparent plastic spacers, children can build a dazzling display of colorful lights that light up in different colors and dance when you play music or speak to it (among other projects).
Assemble this realistic-looking tank out of only cardboard with The Grid Kit. Pop the pieces out on the dotted lines, assemble and glue. Perfect for builders, and easy to transport in your suitcase, The Grid Kit sets come in all sorts of designs like dinosaur, giraffe, butterfly, elephant and dragon. Once you've assembled them, they are fun to paint and display!
Got a budding botanist in your midst? This delightful garden kit from AeroGarden is their first that's designed specifically for kids (6 & up) and takes them on an indoor gardening adventure in 12 weeks: from seed to pizza party! Herbie comes with a 32-page activity book that explains the magic of hydroponic gardening and includes 18 different fun and educational activities. The kit contains everything you need to get started: there's no soil involved, so there's little mess, and the LED lights are safe for children. Kids can even grow in their room!
After assembling the cardboard housing, kids learn what happens when making changes to a sound wave. They record sounds using the keyboard and are taught what happens when stretching and squashing the sound waves. Record music tracks in the online recording studio and share them with friends and family. Get hands-on with how microphones and speakers work, how music is produced and even learn some music theory along the way.
At spy school, kids learn how to use an array of sneaky spy equipment to complete secret missions and tackle surveillance changes while deepening their science knowledge and sharpening their observational skills. The kit includes 11 sneaky pieces, including decoy spy storage case with hidden compartment, decoy pencil box periscope, two-in-one spy scope and decoy yo-yo.
The Boolean Box is the build-it-yourself computer and electronics kit that lets kids code, build, invent and animate. Designed to grow with them, this set is geared toward girls eight and up but can absolutely be enjoyed by boys as well. No coding experience is necessary, you hook it up to your HDMI-enabled TV or monitor, and you're are on your way!
Artists of almost any age will love thinking outside the box with this box full of fun. Art Out Of The Box comes with 80 cards, each with either a subject or technique. Take one of each and let you imagination soar as you create new worlds and creatures beyond your wildest dreams.
The GIRLS CAN! CRATE subscription is perfect for girls ages 5-10 years. The inspirational subscription shows girls they can "BE and DO anything by introducing them to fearless women who’ve made our world better." Every month your young lady will get a box of 2-3 STEAM activities, 20-page activity book, creative play prop, collectible button, and all the supplies needed to complete the activities.
Do you have your own little storyteller? Laurence King's Alice in Wonderland's Storybox is a twist on the classic fairytale, but puts the storytelling in the hands of your little one. Use the oversized story cards to arrange the story however you want in a story that stretches eight feet long!
Tinkering Labs Electric Motors Catalyst, Robotics Stem Kit for Kids
Amazon
This cool kit allows kids to build doodling robots, power electric model cars, add motors to LEGO sets and more. For kids ages 8-12 (we think kids 6-8 could also enjoy it with some assistance) the set comes with everything you need to create including batteries, markers, challenge cards, real wood, motors, hardware and more.
You know and love the Target x Todd Oldham collab line Kid Made Modern, for its contemporary take on kids’ art supplies. This new line was designed by MoMA educators, and many of the kits, including this shadow box set, were inspired by the crafts and art projects for families at the Museum of Modern Art.
Set your budding chefs up with a few kits from new cooking subscription, Harlow’s Harvest. Invented by a mom-daughter duo, this STEM-influenced kit comes with recipe cards, a science project, history on the recipe and an online game that’s related to the theme of the month. Kids will learn how to budget for ingredients, they’ll be reading the recipes, and they’ll be doing fractions when measuring out ingredients. Plus, if you’ve got picky eaters at home, chances are, if they make it, they’ll eat it. You can buy one box for $23 or set up a monthly delivery (six or 12 months) for $21 and $19.99 respectively.
This adorable set comes with fringe, flowers, a plastic needle, string, craft paper and everything else your kid will need to make both a funky case for sunglasses and a butterfly keychain for a friend. An intro to embroidery, this will keep your kinder on up through grade school kiddo occupied for a few afternoons. $19.99.
Pineapples are everywhere this summer, so this fun dreamcatcher kit from JOANN Stores is sure to be a hit. It comes with everything from string to sticky gems, sequins and feathers. Ages 8 and up. $12.99.
My Gnome on the Roam Adventure Kit is a suitcase of memories waiting to be unpacked. It comes with a copy of the My Gnome on the Roam Award-Winning Story Book, a family adventure journal filled with blank pages, a colorless ready-to-be-painted gnome and a magical pen, all beautifully packaged in an adorable suitcase that kids will be in awe about. The kit is designed to encourage families to Explore, Create and Connect and to add adventure to their everyday lives. You can see all details as well as worksheets, downloads, games, articles, the link to their 15-Minute Adventure for Busy Families app and more on their website at mygnomeontheroam.com.
What if you could not only gift your kids with an awesome activity kit but also an interactive game designed to help them connect with friends and relatives far away? Thanks to Kidvelope, you can do just that. You order the kit for your child, and they work together with “players” of their choice to help solve challenges and complete the mission, all through hands-on creative activities (like secret messages written on space slime), online interactions, back-and-forth mail and phone calls. The best part? It’s easy to follow and exciting to play. It’s a perfect mix of offline, creative problem solving and using technology to connect. An excellent way to stay in touch with long-distant grandparents!
Just when you thought a kid with an electronic guitar couldn’t get any cooler, they created this: a guitar set that kids build, program, and customize all on their own. With an accompanying app, this inventor kit suggests over 12 activities with step-by-step instructions—including how to re-build your guitar into a set of air drums using the same littleBits electronic blocks that make a synth guitar. It’s totally splurge-worthy.
New form Hape, preserve the beauty of the outdoors year-round with this cute pressing kit. Paints and brush are included to then transform dried flowers or plants into artwork as original as Mother Nature’s.
The rich colors and ease of twisting the yarn around each bird frame make this fun mobile project rewarding for tweens. Each kit comes with the bird frames, a wooden ring, and even googly eyes. Ages 10 and up.
Conceived as the world’s first consumer 3D printing pen, 3Doodler was a successful Kickstarter project beforequickly growing into a $20 million business. Thanks to its ingenious design, hand-held portability and ease of use, 3Doodler has become popular among school STEM programs and at-home techie creators alike. This year’s new releases include the 3Doodler Create+ 3D printing pen ($79.99) and the 3Doodler Start Make Your Own HEXBUG Kit ($59.99). Combining drawing and sculpture with a dose of 3D magic, 3Doodler is a cool gift for gadget-loving creative types.
Faster than you can say, “Expelliarmus!” the Harry Potter Coding kit will have young wizards learning how to code in no time. Created byKano, makers of kid-friendly, DIY computer kits and programs, the Harry Potter Coding Kit lets users build custom wands that can perform acts of magic when connected to tablet or computer screens. Following a few simple steps, apprentice wizards learn how to code by connecting code blocks that pair with actions tied to their wands. A wave of a wand can make fire flow, pumpkins grow, feathers fly, goblets multiply, and much more, via iOS and Android devices.
Like colorful miniature pieces of stained glass, Creatibles DIY Window Cling Art Kit lets young artists create unique window decals that will brighten any room. The kit includes five colors of cling art paint and 14 simple-to-follow designs. Trace the designs using the black outliner paint, add color, leave for 24 hours, then stick the finished cling art to any window. Additional free printable designs are available for download on the website.
Karina Garcia DIY Squishy Art Bake Shop by Craft City
courtesy of Karina Garcia Collection
Move over homemade slime: DIY squishy arts are the latest trend to spark the imaginations of crafty kids across the country. This well-composed squishy art kit comes courtesy of Karina Garcia, a popular YouTuber who parlayed her online celebrity into a successful line of DIY crafts. Featuring an adorable bake shop theme, the kit includes decorative sprinkles, colored chalk and puffy paint. After making your slow-rise bake projects, simply color, add paint and sprinkles, and squish your original squishy art designs!
Seated neatly at the intersection of fashion and technology, the Sew & Glow Kit lets users design and build glowing badges that light up with electrical conductive thread. In addition to exploring crafting, the kit teaches kids about electrical circuits in a fun and simple way. Light up badges with LED lights and become an electronics master in minutes!
Shoppers, at your mark! Amazon’s top 100 toys and games list is finally here and boasts the most popular picks for kids this year. Get ready for plenty of Amazon-exclusive items, in addition to classic games and toys that are bound to bring joy this holiday season. Here are some of our top picks.
Mini foodies will love to sink their teeth into Fisher Price's Snacks for Two playset ($19). The pretend charcuterie snack set comes with faux salami, cheese, pull-apart grapes, crackers, two fabric napkins and "marble" plates, wood-accented cutting board and a kid-friendly knife.
We may never understand the lure of slime for kids, but the people at National Geographic do! This Christmas, you can give the gift of a Mega Slime Kit & Putty Lab ($30) that comes with eight varieties of slime and putty including premade magnetic, glow-in-the-dark, color-changing and bouncing putty, plus fluffy, liquid and snotty slime. Your little scientist will also receive one DIY glow-in-the-dark slime lab and a 16-page learning guide.
You'll only find this Blinger Deluxe Set Radiance Collection ($25) on Amazon this year! Just load, click, and BLING your way to glitz and glamour. Each set come with 150 gems that are easy to apply to hair, clothing and just about anything.
When you snag the all-new Amazon Fire 7 Kids Edition Tablet ($99), you not only get access to over 20,000 apps, games, books and more but also 1 year of Amazon FreeTime Unlimited, a 2-year worry-free guarantee and a kid-proof case. That means up to $89 in savings on an amazing tablet that lets kids have fun while keeping the parents in the driver seat with screen time limits and more. To save even more, don't forget to use code REDTRI for 20 percent off!
Little animal lovers need this sweet Amazon exclusive Furreal Plum Curious Panda ($99). The bear-y cute plush responds with 100+ sound-and-motion combinations and comes with a 3-in-1 accessory.
Avengers Endgame Power Gauntlet Articulated Electronic Fist
Save the universe with the Avengers Endgame Power Gauntlet ($88)! The articulated hand has a pulsating Infinity stone glow light effect that comes to life when activated and is just what your role player needs to complete in the Marvel world.
The perfect gift for baby's first Christmas, Playskool's classic Poppin' Pals Activity Toy ($23) is a can't miss classic. Designed for little fingers, the easy buttons and bright colors are sure to keep your little one happy.
Amazon's top toy list boasts several LEGO building kits, but this Marvel Spider-Man Bike Rescue ($20) set is quite the steal. Coming with 235 pieces and three minifigs, its perfect for young builders and packed full of fun.
Polly Pocket Pollyville Mega Mall Super Pack-Amazon Exclusive
Micro Polly and Lila dolls will have plenty of shopping to do at the Pollyville Mega Mall (45)! Explore six floors the food court, boutique shopping, sports center, pet store and a fold-down theater with popcorn machine spins. Don't forget to take the elevator!
Funko Pop! Deluxe: Star Wars-Millennium Falcon with Han Solo-Amazon Exclusive
Launching in October, the Funko Pop! Deluxe Star Wars–Millennium Falcon with Han Solo ($65) has already made the hot list for the holidays. The perfect addition to your existing collection, this funky take on the film classic comes with surprising detail and of course, an oversized Solo.
Want to see the rest of the 90 items? Head to Amazon to check out the entire list!
––Karly Wood
Editor note: All prices reflective of current market price at time of publication.
Looking for some fun but inexpensive Easter basket fillers? Whether you have a budding fashionista, creative artist or a dino-lover, we’ve rounded up some fun products that are all under $10 from Amazon Prime and will fill out your baskets nicely. Keep scrolling to see our picks!
LEGO Holiday Easter Egg Hunt Building Kit
It's not every day you find a LEGO kit for $10, so that's why you need to snatch up this adorable Easter Egg Hunt building kit ($10). The 145-piece set is easy enough for young builders to master, with three cute scenes and lots of festive pieces like carrots and eggs.
Peeps in Pajamas
The Peeps bunnies and chicks are taking center stage in their first Golden Book in Peeps in Pajamas ($5). Read this adorable story before bedtime to see how the sweet characters get ready to go to sleep all year long (not just for Easter).
Lindt Chocolate Carrots
Give your little Easter bunnies something to sink their teeth into! This four-pack of Lindt Chocolate Carrots ($6) is made with solid milk chocolate and hazelnut, and the perfect festive addition to your baskets.
Melissa & Doug Temporary Metallic Tattoos
Melissa & Doug's spring take on tattoos ($4) makes them perfect for your Easter baskets! The 70+ designs are easy to apply, coming in metallic colors like pink, silver and gold. They are the perfect sweet surprise for your basket.
Playfoam Pals Fantasy Friends
Start your collection with Playfoam Pals Fantasy Friends ($8 for a pack of 2), non-toxic and non-stick foam that never dries out! Once you find your pal (there are 13 to collect), sculpt your way to new creations with this fun foam.
Marshmallow Peeps Easter Bunnies
What's an Easter basket without a few Peeps? This variety pack of pink, purple and yellow marshmallow bunnies ($8.50) means there's more than enough for everyone to get their fill of the seasonal treat.
Easter Tales from Highlights
Highlights Easter Tales ($6) include 20 Hidden Pictures puzzles and more than 250 stickers! This collection of fun fill-in-the-blank stories features bunnies, Easter baskets, chicks, Easter eggs, Easter bonnets and is the perfect candy alternative to this year's basket.
3D Easter Nail Stickers
Time for a manicure! These adorable 3D Easter Nail Stickers ($6) can be easily rolled up and hidden in a plastic Easter egg in a basket or as a fun egg hunt surprise. Coming in a pack of five sheets, there's plenty for both mom and daughter!
72-Count Pack of Mini Dinosaurs
While there isn't anything that overtly says "Easter" when it comes to this pack of mini dinosaurs ($10), your kids won't mind! The variety set comes with dinos that range in size, up to 2.5 inches and will fit in Easter eggs.
Brach's Jelly Bird Eggs
Available exclusively during the Easter season, Brach's Jelly Bird Eggs ($5.62) make the perfect candy filler! The traditional sweet flavors and shape make it a great option for packing plastic Easter eggs, and sampling a few while you're at it.
Creative Roots Paint Your Own Cactus
Since Spring is around the corner, a fun kit like the Creative Roots Paint Your Own Cactus ($10) is perfect for an Easter basket! If cacti isn't your thing, choose from other kits like unicorns, fairies and fairy houses.
Make Your Own Bubble Pop SLIMYGLOOP
The Make Your Own Bubble Pop SLIMYGOOP ($5) kits contain everything your kids need to make a slimy mixture compound that’s fun to squish and twist. Choose from tons of different kit varieties and fold in goodies like sparkly glitter, sand and gemstones to make your own unique goop.
Sugar Bombs
Decorate your own fizzy with fun and themed Sugar Bombs ($7). Use the fun whipped frosting-like soap to create patterns, shapes and textures that look just like a dessert. Choose from four fun themes!
––Karly Wood
All photos courtesy of Amazon/Feature photo: Sarah Pflug via Burst
It’s that time of year when THE best toys in the industry and top executives come brought together in New York City for the annual 2019 Toy of the Year Awards at Toy Fair. Awards were handed out in 17 categories for the best and brightest that toy makers have to offer this year.
We’ve rounded up some of the top winners from this year that are bound to be on hot toy lists for the 2019 holiday season. Keep scrolling to get your toy fix—and maybe add a few items to your wish lists, while you’re at it—because it’s never too early to get started on all that holiday shopping.
Action Figure of the Year
Amazon
Mattel's Jurassic World Dinosaur Action Figures come in a variety of shapes and sizes, from the Suchomimus and Indoraptor, to the elusive Mosauraus and range in price from $12 to $32.
Harry Potter Fantastic Beasts Minifigure Series by LEGO were highly coveted this year when it came to collectibles, with plenty of surprises and over 20 individual characters to collect. ($15 for a pack of four)
You can find Harry Potter Fantastic Beasts Minifigures blind bags on Amazon.
Construction Toy of the Year
Amazon
The Harry Potter Great Hall by LEGO ($100) comes with 878 pieces, reaches over a foot high and comes with 10 Minifigures, so reenacting your favorite movie scenes is a breeze.
Whip up friendship bracelets in a flash with Spin Master's Cool Maker KumiKreator ($25) that comes with 88 premium spools and the ability to create 8 to 12 strand bracelets.
MGA Entertainment's L.O.L. Surprise! Eye Spy Under Wraps ($15) dolls come with over 15 surprises, including a secret message that you can only view with the included spyglass.
The Disney Villainous Game ($30) by Wonder Forge lets you take on the role of your favorite villain as you try to get to your objective before your evil counterparts in this fun, family board game.
Let your littles get interactive with Fisher-Price's Laugh & Learn Smart Learning Home ($150) that includes a smart hub with light-up features and over 200 songs, sounds and phrases.
The 77-piece Botley the Coding Robot Activity Set ($42) by Learning Resources teaches your kiddos STEM skills, basic coding and is a great screen-free activity.
Scruff-A-Luvs by Moose Toys lets your little animal lover wash, dry and rescue a sweet animal and ranges in price from $18 to $20.
The Star Wars Ultimate Co-Pilot Chewie by Hasbro may not come cheap (on sale for $75 from $130) but responds verbally whenever in motion and has fun facial expressions.
Relive your arcade glory days with the in-home Arcade1Up ($300) console that includes games like Asteroids, Centipede, and Missile Command––and yes, it comes with a volume control (thank goodness!).
The PAW Patrol Ultimate Rescue Fire Truck ($57) by Spin Master & Nickelodeon comes with a two-foot extendable ladder, plenty of lights and sounds and an adorable mini fire cart for hours of play.
Snow day: they can be a beautiful thing and a scary thing. We love staying in our pajamas, skipping our commute to work and having that second (or third) cup of coffee. But it can also prove difficult to keep your littles ones occupied.
At least for my son, the novelty of a snow day seems to wear off around 10 a.m. When I report that there’s a snow day, he jumps up and down, never goes back to sleep and darts out of his room. He’s excited, happy, over the moon—until he’s bored. Suddenly, his toys aren’t appealing, he doesn’t like any of his video games and there are no “good shows” on television. How is this possible?
If it’s too cold or snowing too hard to go outside, you have to get creative with ways to keep your kids entertained and happy during snow days—and to help keep you sane!
Crafts
Crafts are a great activity for any day, but especially for a snow day. They allow children to explore their creativity, make their own choices about colors, design, and materials, and have a finished product to save or display when they’re done. Here are just a few awesome crafts you and your kids can enjoy doing together.
Rainbow Looms
Mine can’t be the only child who jumped on the rainbow loom bandwagon. They were all the rage a few years ago and are still popular today. The great thing about them is that they’re appropriate for children of all ages. Younger kids can make the basic fishtail bracelet designs, whereas older kids (and adults) can make more complicated and involved pieces. The color options are endless and since you’re using rubber bands, this craft is mess-free! As an additional bonus, your child will hone his or her fine motor skills.
Paper Projects
Who knew that simple paper could lend itself to so many fun and creative crafts? One of the most well-known paper crafts is the ancient art of origami. Even if you’ve never tried making a bird, flower, or other animal, don’t worry! There are plenty of books and how-to guides available for this fun past time.
Grab some paper and scissors and get cutting! You can make chains of people, snowflakes, or even rings to make necklaces and bracelets. Of course, you can keep it simple and break out paints, markers and crayons to simply draw, make cards or create different scenes from movies and TV shows. Make coloring more interactive and turn it into a game of Pictionary!
Do you have old magazines laying around? These are perfect for making mosiacs. Allow your child to cut out all types of pictures and words and glue them onto a large piece of paper. You’ll be amazed at the beautiful and different masterpieces your child will create. You can also hunt for specific items on the pages. See who can find a cheeseburger, dog or sneaker first. It’s like a mini-scavenger hunt!
Get Active
If crafts just aren’t cutting it for your kids, there are plenty of fun games and activities you can do as a family. This will help everyone get moving and burn off some of that pent-up snow day energy!
Hide-and-Seek
Hide-and-seek is a classic and fun game that you can play virtually anywhere. Be sure to discuss safe hide-and-seek places to hide. Your child can practice their counting and problem solving skills.
If your child is too young to hide themsleves, you can hid items instead of people. Take a small stuffed animal or toy and hide it somewhere in the house. Then, help your child find it by giving hints or guiding them using “hot” and “cold” directions.
Build a Fort
This might not be coined as a game per say, but who doesn’t love building an indoor fort? Whether it’s in your child’s room or in your living room, forts can create hours of entertainment. Grab blankets, chairs, pillows and large sheets and start brainstorming ways to keep your fort up and secure. This is another great problem-solving activity.
The best part is, once the fort is constructed, it gives your child a special place to relax, explore, and hang out for the remainder of the day. They can bring all of their special things inside—stuffed animals, toys and even snacks. Certain companies even make fort-building kits that include clips, suction cups and ropes for easier construction.
Look to the Kitchen
If the weatherman is predicting a snow day, stock up on some ingredients for the kitchen. Your child will love helping you cook and they’ll be learning at the same time. Why not bake some cookies, or banana bread? Baking will warm up the home and leave it smelling delicious. Not to mention, you’ll have a yummy snack to enjoy later in the day once things cool off.
Another fun kitchen activity is making mini-pizzas. Whether you use bagels, dough or premade pizza shells, lay out all the ingredients and allow your child to do it themselves. You can provide sauce, cheese, vegetables, meats and other topping choices.
Cooking and baking provide children with so many great lessons. They can practice their math skills while measuring and counting ingredients. Reading the recipe is great practice for older children. Mixing, pouring, kneading and even decorating help with fine and gross motor skills. The benefits to spending time in the kitchen with your children are endless.
Another non-edible kitchen creation is play dough! Whip up a batch with your child and then have fun playing with it. Just remind them that this mixture is not edible.
Make Snow Day a Fun Day
These are just a few ideas to help you create a fun and interactive snow day. With a little forethought and preparation, you’ll never hear your kids lamenting about being bored again!
I am a 32 year old mother of a son and wife to an officer. I am honest about both the love and struggle of parenting. I enjoy being active and writing is my passion, second only to my family.
Forget every dollhouse you’ve ever played with and meet Roominate, the original dollhouse building kit that is anything but the toy of your childhood. After all, how many dollhouses do you know feature wires and connectors so your kiddo can install working lights into tiny rooms? Read on as we break down brick by brick how Roominate lets your kids be the brains behind this toy-house operation.
The Toy for the Innovative Imagineers
Think of Roominate as advanced building blocks. Roominate blurs the line between toys and engineering by furthering your kids’ spatial skills and circuit knowledge. The “anything-goes” part of Roominate allows kids to solve their own problems, like figuring out how to make an elevator to carry their dolls (or cars) from the first floor to the second. Watch your kids’ confidence and imagination grow each time they’ve successfully accomplished their goal.
How To Build
Whether your kids start with a Basic or Deluxe set, Roominate is easy to play with. Pieces are stackable, attachable and customizable, so that kids can build to their hearts content and bring unique structures to life. Encourage him to push traditional boundaries by building a slanted roof (or no roof!). Watch her inner architect blossom as she designs a spiral staircase or makes an electric fan spin to cool the teeny house guests. Chairs, shelves, satellites, trains, merry-go-round and more — check out what other amazing things children have put together here.
For Girls, By Girls
Designed by Alice and Bettina, two female engineers out of Caltech, MIT and Stanford, Roominate aims to inspire the next generation of female techies and creators by introducing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) concepts to kids during normal play time. This modern dollhouse lets your little ones tackle creating, playing and imagining beyond four walls. And, don’t let the bright colors and “doll-like” features stop your boys from participating since Roominate is not aimed at just one gender. In fact, the toy’s only real restriction is that it’s best for kids ages 6 and up.
Grow Your Collection
For starters, the Basic Roominate set ($29.99) comes with 4 wall/floor panels, 24 modular building pieces, 16 connectors, 20 sheets of colored paper, a motor, switch and a battery pack (AAA batteries not included).
If your kid is a big builder, you can add more modular pieces to their collection with the Design Engineer Pack ($14.99). Or if they enjoy the buzzing and flashing of lights, the Electrical Engineer Pack ($14.99) can give their “dollhouse” some airplane walkway lights! For the ones stuck in a creative rut, there’s even a Roominate Activity Guide ($19.99) to get those brain juices flowing again.
We know it’s possible to do all of your holiday shopping in ten minutes from the palm of your hand. You put a dozen products with good reviews in your shopping cart, and poof; the packages are on your doorstep. But, there’s nothing quite like browsing the local boutiques during the holidays. For this reason, we hit the pavement to find some pretty cool shops that offer a thoughtfully curated stock of quality items and knowledgeable employees that can help guide you to a great gift for every good girl and boy on your list.
Appalachian Spring Appalachian Spring sells gorgeous and handcrafted gifts, glassware, jewelry and home accessories. Pick up a treasure for your little one such as a brass kaleidoscope, kid’s chopsticks crafted in the likeness of various animals, fun bib, or glass Christmas ornaments. FYI: You can seriously lose track of time browsing and reading about the artists’ and crafters’ backgrounds here.
Locations in Georgetown, Union Station, Rockville and Reston Online:appalachianspring.com
The Toy Soldier Shop The craftsman who runs this amazing little shop offers (and repairs and restores) an encyclopedic array of toy soldiers from every major toy soldier maker from over the last century. The shop owner also creates custom commissions of toy soldiers. Stop in and get a great history lesson too.
Chocolate Moose In addition to selling an array of specialty chocolate, this shop features a quirky and fun assortment of unique gifts (think: temporary tattoos that transform your hands into dinosaurs, Haikubes that are word dice that you arrange into haikus and place mats that you color on) and kitschy knick knacks. They also have a fun assortment of kids’ toys such as city blocks stacking blocks, a sculpture kit inspired by the artist, Miro, and old school portable pinball.
Le Village Marche This Parisian inspired boutique features a carefully handpicked selection of home décor, accessories, kitchenware and gifts that reflect the owner’s love of old World architecture and rustic textures juxtaposed with modern Parisian chic. The back corner of the shop is devoted to childrens’ and babies’ items. Pick up handcrafted toys, the Cat in the Hat in French, artwork for the nursery and other unique gifts.
Shirlington Village (Va) and Cathedral Commons (D.C.) Online:levillagemarche.com
For Babies and Toddlers
Photo: Covet
Covet While not exclusively devoted to baby’s things, this whimsical and beautifully curated gift shop is like walking into a brick and mortar Etsy storefront. In addition to locally handcrafted jewelry, accent furniture and other unique items, browse through baby onesies, beautiful toddler clothes and original artwork.
Dawn Price Baby This boutique stocks essentials such as strollers, cribs and baby carriers but what makes it special is its selection of special occasion outfits, unique toys and accessories you won’t find in a baby chain store and DC-themed gifts such as a onesie showcasing a map of D.C. neighborhoods.
Locations in Georgetown, Capitol Hill, Fairfax and Reston Online:dawnpricebaby.com
For Clothes
Photo: Full of Beans
Full of Beans This Chevy Chase shop features a handpicked selection of beautiful and functional children’s clothes made by small manufacturers in the U.S.A. Full of Beans also sells toys, baby slings, bibs and other gift items.
3813 Livingston St., NW
Pam K. Bambini Children’s Boutique This bright, cheerful shop features a gorgeous selection of finely made children’s clothing and features many European and Canadian brands. You can shop with your little ones in tow who can amuse themselves with puzzles, games and hopscotch.
3301 New Mexico Ave.
Tabby Cat Kids Clothes and Gifts In addition to carrying beloved brands like Le Top, Tea and Zutano, Tabby Cat has a good selection of unique and locally made baby gifts and products.
2946 Chain Bridge Rd. (Oakton, Va)
For Toys, Books and Games
Photo: Ayren Jackson-Cannady
Kinderhaus Toys In addition to a wide variety of popular toys, you’ll also find an old-fashioned Paddington Bear, Lincoln Logs, Tinker Toys and wooden hobby horses. This shop stocks quality toys that are built to last.
1220 N. Fillmore St. (Arlington, Va)
Online: kinderhaus.com
The National Building Museum Gift Shop The shop was referred to in 1000 Places to See Before You Die as the country’s best museum gift shop. The store carries architecture, engineering and design-inspired gifts for everyone on your list and it is easy to spend hours here browsing through building kits, children’s toys and books.
Labryinth Games and Puzzles The shop has an incredible selection of non-electronic specialty games, puzzles and mazes. The friendly and extremely knowledge staff can help guide you to the perfect game. There is a community area in the back of the store where you can join in game playing.
Doodlehopper 4 Kids In addition to friendly and knowledgeable staff that go out of their way to help you find the perfect gift, this shop carefully selects its stock to present a wide selection of great toys. You will find a variety of popular items here as well as a great selection of old fashioned and educations toys.
Locations in Falls Church City and Springfield, VA
Online: doodlehopper.com
Fair Days Play This neighborhood shop definitely has personality. Shop here for hula hoops, a great selection of board games, fair trade soccer balls, a bouncy Riding horse and all manner of wonderful toys for all ages. This store has a wide selection of learning toys, developmental aids and unique toys that they don’t sell at chain stores.
Tipo’s Toy Box Tipo’s has a great variety of durable and fun educational toys and crafts and organizes its large stock of toys, games and puzzles in age appropriate sections. They also specialize in toys and games for children with special needs.
724 Center Point Way (Gaithersburg, Md)
Online: tipostoybox.com
