If your kid is one of the 30 million who subscribes to Ryan’s World on YouTube, they’ll be stoked for this news! Skechers has collaborated with the kid star to release a limited edition shoe collection, out now. It’s the first time a major shoe brand has offered a young YouTube personality a global footwear deal.
Of course, Ryan released one of his signature videos to break the news. You can watch it now and go behind the scenes as the collection comes to life!
With three styles to choose from, your family will be back to school in style. Ryan’s Challenge is a light-up slip-on style with bungee laces, Gamer Ryan is a slip-on with a Magna-Fit toggle closure and the classic Red Titan sneaker is canvas with Ryan’s superhero character design. The shoes range from $57 to $62 and come in sizes from a kid’s 10.5 to 5.
The shoe collection is limited edition and available now online at Skechers. No doubt your kids can’t wait to unbox these!
Have you ever been eating a delicious bowl of Kraft Mac n Cheese and wondered how you could make it even better? Forget the hot sauce, bread crumbs or bacon. Say hello to Macaroni & Cheese ice cream!
That’s right, two of your childhood favorite foods have combined for a potentially delicious (or disastrous) treat. Thanks to Brooklyn-based Van Leeuwen Ice Cream, you can try the new flavor starting tomorrow in honor of National Macaroni & Cheese Day. You can order it at $12 a pint online or Instagram it in person at Van Leeuwen stores across the country, while supplies last, of course.
“As big fans of Van Leeuwen, we knew they’d be the perfect partner to create this ice cream with us. Not only does it taste delicious, but it’s also made with high-quality ingredients and contains no artificial flavors, preservatives, or dyes just like our Kraft Macaroni & Cheese,” said Emily Violett, Sr. Associate Brand Manager for Kraft Macaroni & Cheese.
Of course, the color of the ice cream is nearly identical to those familiar blue box cheese packets. The real question: does a sweet, cold version of your kid’s favorite pasta actually taste good? Or is it the stuff of gastrointestinal nightmares? The verdict is out…for now!
Get ready to say hello to Newman––Seinfeld is getting its own LEGO set! A creation of LEGO Ideas, the 1,326 piece set is dropping this August and is a must for super fans.
Seinfeld comes with everything you need to recreate the iconic show, including minifigs for the whole gang. Jerry, Elaine, George, Kramer and Newman star in their own bricktastic remake of Seinfeld’s apartment that comes with accessories to reenact moments like Festivus, the Marble Rye situation and of course, all the stand up you an ask for.
Created by super fan Brent Waller, this new set leaves no detail out. Builders will love all the Easter Eggs they come across as they put together the show that was filmed in front of a live audience for nine seasons.
The set is geared for 18+ and retails for $79.99. You can shop starting Aug. 1 at lego.com.
Looking for some indoor activities for when the weather is too hot? LEGO to the rescue!
The brick maker has dropped a slew of new sets for all ages and stages. From darling DUPLO sets to a whole new range of Harry Potter scenes, there are tons of ways to get creative this summer. Keep scrolling to see some of our favorites.
What’s more fun than playing with a fresh batch of LEGO bricks? How about playing with a friend? (Because let’s be honest, you need some peace and quiet this summer.)
LEGO has just announced a brand new experience that brings together your fave video game brothers for some two-player fun. LEGO Mario and brand new LEGO Luigi are the ultimate duo for social play and using your imagination as you craft new brick adventures! Keep scrolling to see how.
Kids can embark on two-player adventures when they connect LEGO Mario and LEGO Luigi via Bluetooth, then perform coordinated actions like jumping, working together and walking. Collect coins, share rewards, defeat goombas and race to the finish line!
LEGO Luigi ($59.99) joins the popular LEGO Super Mario lineup of sets and is available in a starter course that has everything you need to get started. Not only is LUIGI finally get his own building set, but LEGO is adding plenty more products that will take your Mario World to the next level.
LEGO is adding four new Expansion Sets, two new Power-Up Packs and ten new Character Packs. All the sets can be used in solo play, connected to an existing set and for two-player fun.
Starting today, you can already pre-order Bowser’s Airship Expansion Set ($99.99), which can be crafted in both flying and course mode and will put the Mario Bros. to the test. Additional products coming soon include:
71394 Character Packs – Series 3 (10 collectible Character Packs, including Galoomba, Parachute Bob-omb, Crowber, Boo, Amp, Torpedo Ted, Bony Beetle, 1-Up Mushroom, Scuttlebug and Swoop) ($4.99 )
The remaining sets are all coming Aug. 1, with the Luigi Start Course and Browser’s Airship available for pre-order now. Head to lego.com to place your order!
With the world slowly returning to normal, Disney Cruise line is in full prep mode for its 2021 and 2022 sailing season. That’s right, festive holiday cruises await!
Get ready for Halloween on the High Seas and Very Merrytime Cruises, including on the all-new Disney Wish in 2022. With five ships in the fleet ready to set sail, there are plenty of options for guests from around the world.
Cruises will depart from Florida, New York, Texas and California, with options for both the ’21 and ’22 season.
Halloween on the High Seas is available for this season in October of this year and returns in mid-September through October 2022. Travelers will be able to catch their fave Disney characters decked out in Halloween costumes, ghostly decor, a magical Pumpkin tree, Mickey’s Mouse-querade Party, thematic food, beverages and crafts and be able to dress up.
Set sail on a Very Merrytime Cruise in November and December for both the 2021 and 2022 season. This festive cruise is packed with everyone decked out in holiday garb, plenty of music, food, decor and of course, Santa Claus.
Bookings for the 2022 cruise season opens to the public Jun. 24, 2021 at disneycruise.com.
Your kids have spent too much of their time in COVID lockdown on their gaming consoles. It’s time to get them out of the house for some fun, family game time that takes place IRL. Portland has awesome miniature golf courses just waiting to host your family for a day of play. If you are looking for some gorgeous outdoor venues where you can practice your swing, then read on to find out where we think you and your wee ones should head the next time you want to play golf!
Tualatin Island Greens You don’t have to be a serious golfer to swing your clubs with the pros. This course makes even the tiniest of athletes feel like they have a camera-ready game. With scaled-down version of 18 world famous golf holes, this location has water hazards, sand bunkers, and three acres of forested beauty to enjoy all day long. The range, mini golf is open and when you get hungry, the grill is open for a quick bite offering both indoor and outdoor seating.
Oaks Amusement Park Everybody knows that Oaks Amusement Park is the place to go for great rides and roller skating, but their Chipper’s Woods Miniature Golf Course is should not be overlooked. This newer addition to the amusement park, has 18 super-fun holes on a rolling terrain with exciting obstacles to maneuver through. Shaded by beautiful big oak trees, with a gorgeous view of the Willamette River, it is a popular destination during the warm summer months. Bonus! Golfers 5-years and younger play for free!
Where: 7805 SE Oaks Park Way Hours: Vary daily, visit calendar for up-to-date info. Note: mini golf is available during all amusement park hours Pricing: $9/person (6 & up), 5 and younger free Contact: 503-233-5777 Online:oakspark.com
Eagle Landing Golf Course If you are looking for a scenic mini-golf experience Eagle Landing is your place to go. It's 36-hole challenge winds through trees, waterfalls, fountains, and mountains keeping the game interesting and pleasing to the eye. While getting out your clubs is the perfect summer activity, this location stays open during the day all year long and then extends into the evening during the warm months. Bonus: This location also offers nine holes of Soccer Golf, the facility is designed to offer both beginning and avid golfers an experience unlike anything else in Oregon.
Twin Pines Country Club Located in the beautiful SE Montavilla neighborhood, this course is a unique "must experience" for the professional mini-golfer. Twin Pines Country Club is a homemade, free mini golf course set up by Olivier and Donna. That’s right – it’s free! They don’t even accept donations.This Portlandy duo decided to donate their time and resources to the community by building a miniature golf course in their large, grassy side yard, and leaving it open for everyone to use! It’s small and simple, with brick-lined AstroTurf to define the course, a number of eclectic statues and obstacles (including the quintessential windmill) to provide the appropriate level of fun and challenge, and of course two signature pine trees to provide shade and a requisite “nature” hole. This is truly a family-friendly course for all ages—if your little one can walk, then they can play! The family even provides clubs and balls in a locker on-site. They only ask that you keep your groups small, and respect the neighbors and residential parking restrictions.
Where: 8434 SE Clay St Hours: Daily, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Contact: 971-361-4653 Online:twinpinescountryclub.com
This gorgeous course is perfect for the whole family. It features sandtraps, sneaky breaks and undulations that will challenge even the best putters with 18 holes of fun in a relaxed and beautiful setting under towering fir trees. Open to all ages, this course is easy enough for little ones, and will keep strong players on their toes at the same time. They have putters of all sizes available, so this course will become a family favorite.
During the summertime many enjoy picnics and cookouts complete with fresh berries, hamburgers and, of course, corn on the cob. Whether you enjoy your corn grilled or boiled there is always the dilemma of not wanting to get your hands messy or worse, dropping your cob before you can enjoy it.
If your little ones are swinging from the rafters these days, going to the park might not be enough to burn off all that energy. Check out these obstacle and rope courses around DC, where your wild adventurers can get their wiggles out in the air or on the ground. Whether they’re traipsing on bridges, swinging free through the air, or climbing walls (literally!), these courses have something for everyone and plenty of adrenaline to go around.
Adventure Park USA
Adventure Park USA
Make it a full day of adventure by heading to Adventure Park USA’s Hang ‘Em High Ropes Course. Hang out 13 feet above the ground to navigate this fun and challenging mid-air adventure perfect for anyone at least 40-inches tall. After you’ve had your fill of aerial adventures, take off your safety harness and enjoy some of their other adventures, like the go-karts or the rock wall.
Cost: $8 for the ropes course only; $25-100 for a fun pass that gives you the rope course and other adventures Where: 11113 W. Baldwin Rd, Monrovia, MD Online: adventureparkusa.com
The St. James
The St. James
This Springfield-based gym has a health club with fitness classes, racquetball courts, indoor sports fields and courts, ice rinks, an Olympic-size pool, a water park – and so on. But this is focusing on obstacle courses, so we’ll put on blinders here and head straight for the 30,000-square-foot area that has trampolines, a Nerf battle zone, a ropes course, colorful climbing structures and, of course, a Ninja Warrior Course. The biggest challenge may be tearing yourself away.
Cost: $13/one hour for nonmembers, $23/two hours Where: 6805 Industrial Rd., Springfield, VA Online: superawesomeandamazing.com
Summit Ropes
Summit Ropes
The largest indoor ropes course in the United States boasts 16,550 square feet of courses split into a Kids Course for ages 4-9 and the Main Course for ages 7 & up. Guests wear a full-body harness and use a smart belay system so climbers can go it alone or with a partner. The course uses via ferrata, a steel cable that runs along the route and is attached to the rock every 3.3-32.8 feet.
Insider tip: Reservations are required at this time. If you make a reservation and are a no-show, you will be charged the full amount for the booking.
Cost: Ages 7 & up - $29.50 (1hr), $48 (2hr) Ages 4-6 (combo with adult) - $47 (1hr), $65 (2hr)
Where: 44810 Old Ox Rd., Sterling, VA Online: summitropes.com
SkyZone
SkyZone
Children and adults can test their skills on a variety of equipment, such as the Ninja Warrior Course (open to ages 6 and up), which tests balance, strength and speed; rock walls, warp walls of varying height and difficulty; trampolines (open to anyone who can walk); and dodgeball. A main attraction is the Ropes Course (for anyone 48 inches and taller), which is suspended above the facility’s floor and requires a harness to use. Check the website for special events like Glow ($25/person ages 6 and up) on Friday and Saturday from 8-11 p.m. and Toddler Time ($10/child 5 and younger) on Tuesday-Thursday, 9:30-11 a.m.
Cost: Prices vary by location Where: 21070 Southbank St. Sterling, VA; 5325 Port Royal Rd., Springfield, VA; 7807 Sudley Rd., Manassas, VA; 15813 Gaither Dr., Gaithersburg, MD Online: skyzone.com
ZavaZone
ZavaZone
With three adventure zones to choose from, there’s something for every goal, whether it’s scaling a warp wall, reaching new heights on a giant trampoline, winning a balance battle or swinging through the challenges of the high ropes course set about 20 feet off the floor. And if you’re tired from all that obstacle-crushing, take the 40-foot zip line from one high platform to another. The height requirement for the high ropes course and zip line is 52 inches, and the overall age recommendation is at least 5 years.
Cost: $19.50/one-hour ticket to $34/two-hour ticket Where: 40 Southlawn Ct., Rockville, MD (reopening June 11, 2021); 45685 Oakbrook Ct., Sterling, VA Online: zavazone.com
NOVA Ninja
Situated at CrossFit Loudoun, which is owned by a former “American Ninja Warrior” contestant, this gym has classes and drop-ins to suit every schedule. New is a weekly Family Ninja Night on Saturdays from 6:15-7:15 p.m. ($20/family). Youth programs are available for children as young as 5. The Ninja 101 class takes kids through seven obstacles, including rope swings, balance tanks and a ring row.
Cost: Contact for pricing Where: 21531 Blackwood Ct., Sterling, VA Online: novaninja.com
Go Ape!
Go Ape
When the kids start bouncing off the walls, it may be time to take to the trees. These obstacle courses in Springfield and Rockville take climbers to new heights. The Go Ape Treetop Journey is a good way to whet your appetite for high-ropes courses. During the hourlong trek, you’ll conquer 20 obstacles and two zip lines. For the more daring – and slightly older set – try Go Ape Treetop Adventure, which takes two-three hours to complete and sits higher in the tree canopy. The minimum height for either is 4 feet 7 inches. Note that these are open seasonally. Both locations reopen March 28.
Insider tip: They’ve discontinued the use of cash and only accept card payments due to Covid.
Cost: $37.95/ages (1hr); $64.95/16 & up or $54.95/15 & under (3hr) Where: 7550 Reservation Dr., Springfield, VA; 6129 Needwood Lake Dr., Derwood, MD Online: goape.com
Terrapin Adventures
With several options to choose from, it’s pretty tough to not find something challenging – in a good way. The ultimate is the Terrapin Challenge (open to kiddos 8 & up who are at least 4 feet tall and 70 pounds). It covers all 34 obstacles, including the Zip Line, Giant Swing, 43-foot Climbing Tower, Terrapin Flier and High Ropes Challenge Course. Or tackle just one or two of those. The 450-foot Zip Line starts 30 feet above ground and riders can reach speeds of 20 mph as they sail down. Take a ride on the Giant Swing – after you scale a 4-foot-high scaffolding. The company’s patented winch system pulls guests back and up almost 40 feet in the air before they release the swing and enjoy 2 G’s of force as they swing back and forth. The Climbing Tower – a rock wall – has 12 routes to the top with varying degrees of difficulty. Ever want to free fall 40 feet? You can here – safely. And no obstacle course would be complete without a high ropes course. This one has 18 challenges and reaches 40 feet into the treetops.
Cost: $69/person for the High Ropes Course, Climbing Tower and Giant Swing; $29/person for the Giant Swing and Zip Line; $29/person for the Kid’s for Terrapin Explorer Ropes Course
Where: 8600 Foundry St., Savage, MD
Online: terrapinadventures.com
Adventure Park at Sandy Spring Friends School
Open to ages 5 & up, this location offers 13 aerial forest trails of varying difficulty. Each has a zip line but they primarily have bridges between tree platforms made of rope, cable and wood. It’s possible to create 190 unique challenges, although there are restrictions on which trails the youngest climbers can tackle.
In a dream world, you’d get paid to be a mom. And if you did, new data from Salary.com finds that you’d be making a fair market salary of $184,820, based on an average of 106 (!) hours of work a week. Of course, that doesn’t take hazard pay or retirement into account.
Those hours worked are up from 96.5 hours a week pre-pandemic and 75% of moms report putting in even more time––117 hours a week to be exact. With the additional burden of schooling and working at home, the most time-consuming and expanded roles reported were Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Chief Operating Officer (the role that makes sure everyone else is following the plan).
For the past two decades, Salary.com has surveyed tens of thousands of stay-at-home moms and working moms to determine the value of the job if it was paid fairly. Moms report their work profile across 20+ roles that make up the most time-consuming tasks from chauffeur, to CFO, to cook and more. Salary.com analyzes the hours spent and assigns an hourly wage rate to each role.
“In a year like no other, moms went to extraordinary lengths to keep things together on the home front, working, on average, 15.1 hours per day, seven days a week,” said Mary Crogan, Vice President of Marketing at Salary.com. “That’s an incredible workload, and one that encompasses everything from C-level responsibilities, to help desk manager, to teacher. It’s fitting that their salary value continues to rise, nearing the upper echelons of Corporate America.”
Of course, mom life doesn’t actually bring in a paycheck because no amount of money could compensate when the work you do is invaluable. But the next time someone downplays your role in the household, just remember you can tie a dollar amount to your hard work—and there’s data to prove it.
