Story Pirates are getting ready for the holidays! The top-rated and award-winning podcast has just released a holiday recording your kiddos will love.
The wacky songs are all about holidays made up by kids and include “Monster Day,” “Diggy Day,” “Hug an Alligator Day,” and “Shmeep Loo.” You can listen by clicking here to stream the songs on various music platforms such as Amazon, Apple Music, Pandora and Spotify.
photo: Story Pirates
If you’re looking for more fun activities during this season, check out the Story Pirates After School sessions. The highly interactive series is connecting with best-selling Random House Children’s Books authors, including Mary Pope Osborne (Magic Treehouse) and Chris Grabenstein(Mr. Lemoncello’s Library, The Smartest Kid in the Universe).
For November and December, kids can interact with a variety of authors who will read and talk about their books, as well as take questions from kids. These webinar-style author visits are open to the public andStory Pirates Creator Club members get a discount on the fees.
You may have just taken your back-to-school pictures, but we all know that the next few months will fly by and holiday gifting will be on our to-do lists soon. One way to stress (a little) less this holiday season: Shop great deals that come up long before you start making Thanksgiving plans! Now through August 29, 2020, you can save 15% on Osmo, one of our favorite at-home learning tools that combines healthy screen time and hands-on play.
Shoe shopping for kids isn’t always a picnic, for them or for you. And even with all the great options online for kids’ shoes, trying to figure out the right size from brand to brand can be tricky. (One brand’s 11 toddler is another brands’ 9.5.) In fact, one study showed that only one in three kids actually has the right size shoe. And with those little feet growing so quick, it can be hard to keep up. Recently, the app Jenzy revamped their online site. We tried it and here’s why you should too. (Plus, read on for am exclusive discount for Red Tri readers.)
photo: See Kai Run via Jenzy
There are two ways to shop for shoes through Jenzy, a handy app and directly on jenzy.com. Both are easy and super fast. Here’s how it works.
Step 1: Create an Account
Download the Jenzy app or go right to their desktop site and set up a profile for your kiddo. Enter your email to set up the account (for the desktop site you’ll receive an access code. Ours came instantly). You can enter their name, gender, age and even choose an icon (we chose the blue robot).
photo: Jenzy
Step 2: Determine Your Kid’s Size, No Tape Measure Needed
If you are using the website:
Take a 1-minute quiz to figure out the right size and style for your kiddo. You don’t even need a tape measure.
All you need to know is the size and brand of a shoe that fits your kid or that they’re growing out of. Jenzy actually allows you to put in a size and brand and then rate it “too small” “room to grow” etc.
If you are using the app: determine your kiddos’ shoe size by snapping a photo of your kiddo’s foot! All you need is a card like a Costco card to snap a photo of your child’s foot next to it, which you then upload to the app.
Step 3: Shop!
Jenzy has a curated list of mom-approved shoes, so you won’t be overwhelmed by choices but you will be excited by the many reasonably priced, vetted, high-quality options. Brands include See Kai Run, Nike, Crocs, Saucony and more. You’ll also find seasonal shoes like sandals and rainboots.
Shop by style and color (you can filter by age, gender/neutral). Jenzy determines the size for your kiddo based on their profile. You can shop by age range as well, including Crawler, First Walker, Toddler, Little Kid & Big Kid.
The entire process, including decision making, took less than 20 minutes. One of the pairs of shoes we’d picked out was not available in our kiddo’s size, but we received a prompt notification from Jenzy with a code to do a swap. For this reason, we suggest having a back-up pair picked out just in case.
Overall, we were absolutely delighted with the ease of both the app and the website (with the website seeming a little easier).Jenzy carries shoes for infants to about 8 years old. This is generally a child size 6-12 months to a size 3 youth.
Check your pantry. The U.S. Food & Drug Administration announced Hostess is voluntarily recalling certain Hostess Raspberry Zingers/ The product may develop mold prior to the best by date.
This recall applies to the following Raspberry Zinger products:
The products were sold to mass merchandisers, grocery stores, distributors, dollar and discount stores, and convenience stores throughout the United States.
If you have one of the products contact the place of purchase for a full refund.
This recall does not affect any other Hostess Brands products.
If you have any questions, you can call 1-800-483-7253 Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CT.
Juneteenth celebrates freeing the last enslaved individuals in the US. Artifact Uprising has joined with See In Black to support Black photographers in telling their stories through a limited two week charity print sale. A selection of 70+ images will be donated by See In Black, a coalition of Black photographers who serve as storytellers of their own narratives.
“We are artists and archivists. We do not merely make images of Black figures, we document history that is often unrecorded with intentionality, respect, nuance, and care. We serve as a platform for Black people to stand proudly in their permanence,” said See In Black Founders Joshua Kissi and Micaiah Carter.
Prints will be produced by Artifact Uprising, using the company’s professional-grade giclée print process with rich, true-to-life color on archival fine art paper. Artifact Uprising also will be donating the first 1,500-quantity Large Format Prints (11×14 size) ordered to benefit the initiative.
The impact of police brutality on the Black community is highlighted in the 2018 movie, The Hate U Give. This week it was announced that the film will now stream for free on all digital platforms. This comes as more and more people are looking to educate themselves about the treatment of Black people in light of current events
“Our story is a reminder to never be afraid to raise our voice in the name of justice,” director George Tillman Jr. tweeted Tuesday. “We must stand up for what we believe. The time for change is now!”
I’m Excited that #TheHateUGive is avail Tues at no charge on digital platforms. I hope the film provides a bit of understanding. Our story is a reminder to never be afraid to raise our voice in the name of justice. We must stand up for what we believe. The time for change is now! pic.twitter.com/e9FZuqKb33
— George Tillman Jr. (@George_Tillman) June 9, 2020
Currently, The Hate U Give is available to stream for free on all digital platforms including YouTube, iTunes, Amazon Prime, Google Play and Vudu. The movie is also available to purchase at a discount (3.99) as well.
According to the film’s description, Starr Carter is constantly switching between two worlds: the poor, mostly black, neighborhood where she lives and the rich, mostly white, prep school she attends. The uneasy balance between these worlds is shattered when Starr witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood best friend Khalil at the hands of a police officer. Now, facing pressures from all sides of the community, Starr must find her voice and stand up for what’s right. The Hate U Give is based on the critically acclaimed New York Times bestseller by Angie Thomas and stars Amandla Stenberg as Starr, with Regina Hall, Russell Hornsby, Issa Rae, KJ Apa, Algee Smith, Sabrina Carpenter, Common and Anthony Mackie.
Families are spending more time together playing board games and working on elaborate puzzles. Some outlets are even reporting a jigsaw puzzle shortage. StickTogether is meeting the demand with a range of over 30 sticker mosaic puzzle posters.
“We are grateful to see the many ways StickTogether is helping families cope with the current reality,” according to company founder, Sylvia Stein. “So many parents are working from home while supervising their kids and their education. Our kits offer a stress-free, device-free break that results in a beautiful poster and provides a sense of accomplishment.”
Since the closures began last month, Stein states that families are looking to add to their puzzle collections and are buying more StickTogether kits. Some have even begun displaying the images in their windows and front yards.
The puzzles are assembled in a method similar to paint-by-numbers and have a unique twist as the image is not revealed until the puzzle is completed. A standard StickTogether poster measures 40 inches by 36 inches and costs between between $30 to $36. Each kit includes a coded poster, color key and 3,996 stickers, enough to complete the image with extras.
Most families work collaboratively to put together the puzzles. The blank canvas turns into a work of art as everyone comes together to create a masterpiece. StickTogether offers dozens of options including Van Gogh’s Starry Night, animals, seasonal and whimsical themes.
While families continue to stay at home the company is offering a $4 discount on each kit through the end of June using CODE: FAMILY.
Teachers have been working overtime lately. Not only so they need to plan their lessons, but they need to get the information online and hold virtual class time. Rothy’s wants to give back to teachers in thanks for all of their hard work.
Not only are they expanding the number of 20% off codes from two to four, they are also offering a one-time 50% off code as a way of saying thanks.
After you are verified by SheerID, you will receive your exclusive 20% off discount codes that apply to any Rothy’s purchase in the Teacher’s Collection. You will need a valid school email to qualify for this offer. Make sure you verify by May 31.
Just in time for Spring Break, Walt Disney World and Disneyland have increased prices––again. In an almost annual tradition, both resorts have made changes to their single and multi-day tickets, as well as annual passes as of Feb 11, 2020.
Keep reading to get the scoop on each of the parks new pricing and tiered-ticket options.
photo: Christian Thompson via Disneyland Resort
Disneyland
The California resort increased prices on one-day and multi-day one-park and park hopper tickets and added additional tiers for the 1-day option. If you aren’t familiar with this feature, Disneyland offers different-priced tickets based on busy days, where you can save money by visiting on a less crowded day.
There are now five tiers (up from three) with prices ranging from $98 to $156 for one day. Two to five-day tickets now range from $220 to $560 with no tier options.
Park Hopper tickets also range from one to five-day options with tiers for single day tickets. Prices range from $153 to $209 for one-day tickets, with two to five day tickets ranging from $275 to $415.
Annual Passport prices have also increased and none of the passes offer a renewal discount like they have in years past.
Southern California Select Annual Passport ($419)
Southern California Annual Passport ($649, this passport is currently only available for renewal; new ones cannot be purchased.)
Flex Annual Passport ($649)
Deluxe Annual Passport ($829)
Signature Passport ($1,199)
Signature Plus Passport ($1,449)
Premier Passport ($2,270.47)
photo: Disney Parks
Walt Disney World
The Florida resort has increased the prices of all one-day and multi-day tickets, annual passes and add-on options. Additionally, there is now a new Water Park & Sports ticket, which allows guests to add water park visits and other sports options to base tickets for a flat fee of $74.55
Base tickets, or one park per day tickets, range in price depending on the busy season. Prices now range all the way from $110.76 (children) to $169.34 (adults) for one day, up to $703.65 for 10-day tickets.
Park Hopper and Park Hopper Plus tickets are also available in one-day and multi-day tickets up to 10 days. These prices range from $179.99 to $259.86 for one-day tickets, all the way to $620.47 to $815.47 for ten-day tickets.
Walt Disney World offers several annual pass options, many of which include renewal discounts.
Platinum Pass
First time Platinum Pass: $1,272.68
Renewal Platinum Pass: $1,080.98
Platinum Plus Pass
First time Platinum Plus Pass: $1,379.18
Renewal Platinum Plus Pass: $1,171.50
Premier Passport
$2,270.47, no renewal discount
For more helpful information on all the changes and new pricing, we highly recommend visiting Mouse Savers.
––Karly Wood
Feature photo: Joshua Suddock via Disneyland Resort
Everyone got a little nervous when the Target One Spot got a makeover, but most shoppers will agree that Bullseye’s Playground boasts just as many fabulous finds as its predecessor. In addition to carrying higher-end merch that ranges from one to five dollars, this entryway section always has tons of cute seasonal goodies!
In the past, Target guest have only been able to shop this discount section in-stores, but not anymore! Now, Bullseye’s Playground items are available online and in bulk. Aside from not having to dig through bins that have been ravaged, shoppers can buy entire collections of the items they love. While you may not be able to just buy one of those cute faux rope baskets with a leather handle, you still get a rocking good deal. And bonus––you can shop seasonal items all year long! Keeps scrolling to see some of our fave finds.
