The Limited-Edition Animal Crossing: New Horizons Switch Console Available Now

by Jennifer SwartvagherMarch 13, 2020

Animal Crossing fans have a reason to celebrate. The newest installment of the beloved Nintendo series, New Horizons, is dropping next week. Anticipation for the release has been so high that New Horizons and its related merchandise has been topping Amazon’s best-sellers list for the past few months now.

Along with the new game, Nintendo is also releasing a limited-edition Animal Crossing themed Switch console. Priced at $299, the same as the original Switch console, this new release is decorated Animal Crossing decals that feature Tom Nook and Nooklings, Timmy and Tommy.

Animal Crossings: New Horizons, the game drops on March 20 and is available for pre-order today at Amazon and other retailers. The game retails for $59.99.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

Featured photo: Amazon

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American Dream Set to Open DreamWorks Animation Water Park in March

by Karly WoodMarch 1, 2020

New Jersey’s American Dream is opening its’ next attraction, a water park! The unrivaled hot spot already has tons of shopping, restaurants and attractions and the newest highlight will bring the first and only DreamWorks Animation Water Park to Rutherford, New Jersey.

Guests can start visiting the water park starting Mar. 19, with tickets already on sale in limited quantities. The “over-the-top water park” brings some of DreamWorks most beloved characters to life in unique and thrilling ways––water style.

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Don Ghermezian, Co-CEO of American Dream states “We can’t wait for guests to visit DreamWorks Animation Water Park and experience the completely unique, jaw-dropping and awe-inspiring destination that we have created.”

The DreamWorks Animation Water Park promises fun with your fave characters, like Shrek’s Sinkhole Slammer, Kung Fu Panda’s Temple of Awesomeness, and the world’s largest indoor wave pool, the 1.5 acres of Far Far a Bay, inspired by Shrek’s magical kingdom. Other attractions include Surf’s Up Surf Riders, the Bubbly Lazy River and the Penguins of Madagascar Play Zone.

Later this year, guests can enjoy luxury cabanas designed by Jonathan Adler, private party rooms, and much more. You can plan your trip and purchase tickets now at www.americandream.com.

––Karly Wood

Feature photo: Courtesy of American Dream

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4 Must-Know Tips to Help Prepare Kids for an Earthquake

By Linda Mansolillo

Tinybeans Voices Contributor

September 27, 2019

I get it. As parents, talking to our children about what to do in the event of an earthquake isn’t high on the list as far as fun conversations go. But it’s one that’s been especially relevant in recent months, considering the high number of earthquakes that occurred in Southern California earlier this summer. I’ve spoken with dozens and dozens of parents who are in the process of formulating their family’s emergency plans with their LadyBugOut bags, and the same concern keeps surfacing: “I want my child to be prepared, but I don’t want to scare them.”

If that sounds like you, here’s the good news: While your conversation about earthquakes with your child needs to be truthful and straightforward, that doesn’t mean the conversation is automatically going to be terrifying. The calmer and more prepared you are to have this conversation, the more that sense of calm and confidence will be transmitted to your child.

Here are four central talking points you can use as a jumping-off point when it is time to talk to your child about what to do in the event of an earthquake:

1. Drop, cover, and hold on. According to the Earthquake Country Alliance official rescue teams from around the globe, as well as emergency managers, researchers, and school safety advocates, all agree that “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” is the appropriate action to remain safe during earthquakes. Dropping to hands and knees will help your child remain stable. If there are tables or desks nearby, tell them to crawl beneath one and hold on to the legs. If there is not such a structure nearby, instruct them to hold onto their neck with both arms and hands and stay away from windows and doorways. Practice makes perfect, and this is a good opportunity to turn it into a little “drop, cover, and hold on” game!

2. If an earthquake happens at night, stay in bed. Tell them to roll onto their stomachs and cover the back of their necks and heads with their hands (similar to the “cover” situation in “drop, cover, and hold on”) while they wait for you to come to get them.

3. If an earthquake happens and they’re outside, find an open space. Instruct them to stay away from buildings, streetlights, powerlines, trees, or anything tall that could fall over.

4. Always have a pair of shoes nearby. Earthquakes create debris and can disrupt the surfaces we normally walk on. One of the most common injuries during an earthquake is cut feet; ask your child to tie a pair of shoes to their bed or store a special pair underneath it, and periodically check in with them to make sure they know exactly where their shoes are.

One last thing to keep in mind: Every conversation you have with your child about emergency preparedness is part of the bigger aim of helping them develop that all-important attribute: Resilience. Cultivating resilience is a win-win, because not only will it help your child to better cope in any emergency situation they may face, but they’ll also be better equipped to handle the smaller challenges and disappointments that are much more common in our everyday lives.

Linda Mansolillo

Tinybeans Voices Contributor

As both a medical officer in the Air Force Reserve and a biotech strategist, Linda has combined her military and civilian career experience to found LadyBugOut. Linda has deep expertise in disaster preparedness, and believes that communities become more resilient when individuals take responsibility for preparing their families.

This Little Girl Accidentally Brought K-Y Jelly to School Instead of Lotion

by Shahrzad WarkentinSeptember 11, 2019

Motherhood can include some mortifying moments and one mom wins the prize for most embarrassing call home from a teacher, thanks to the fact that her daughter confused K-Y Jelly with lotion.

As mom Espesa Jugosa Fupa from Walkertown, North Carolina shared in a now viral Facebook post, when her daughter innocently asked to bring some lotion to school, she had no idea what she was really in for. “My daughter asked if she can pack some lotion in her bag,” Espesa wrote in the post. “And, of course, I said, ‘Yeah go get the small travel-size one out of my top drawer.'”

Unfortunately as Espesa later discovered, it wasn’t the lotion that her daughter ended up grabbing. Fifteen minutes after dropping off her daughter on the third day of school, Espesa received a phone call from the teacher. “The teacher’s laughing hysterically,” Espesa explained. “She asked if I knew what she used to put on her legs. I told her, ‘Yeah it’s Jergens lotion.'” Not exactly.

When she arrived in the classroom she immediately noticed that her daughter’s legs were extremely shiny and guessed that she had grabbed baby oil instead of lotion. If only it were that simple. Instead, it turned out that her daughter had brought a bottle of K-Y Jelly to the classroom. Someone definitely learned a lesson that day: always check what your kids put in their backpacks.

—Shahrzad Warkentin

Featured photo: Amazon

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Food Network Is Launching Halloween-Themed Shows and They’re Spooky Cool

by Shahrzad WarkentinSeptember 5, 2019

Love Cupcake Wars? Can’t get enough of the Kids Baking Championship? Then your mini master chefs will be very excited to check out Food Network’s Halloween line up.

Food Network has just revealed it will be launching a whole slate of Halloween-themed programming to kick off the holiday season. While the channel has featured Halloween shows like Halloween Wars in the past, this year there will be even more spooktacular fun to enjoy.

The #FoodNetwork revealed its slate of Halloween programming, including #HalloweenWars and #HalloweenCakeOff: https://t.co/Fap9d9gjNt pic.twitter.com/66EsQTb29h

— ComicBook.com (@ComicBook) September 4, 2019

“Food Network is the ultimate destination for Halloween-themed content, showcasing the holiday like no one else can with nail-biting competitions and jaw-dropping creations that viewers just can’t get enough of,” Courtney White, President, Food Network and Cooking Channel, said in a statement. “With Halloween Baking Championship and Halloween Wars both seeing series-high ratings last year, we knew we had to deliver even more tricks and treats this holiday season, upping the ante across both networks.”

The programming will kick off on Sep. 23 with both the return of Halloween Baking Championship and the new series premiere of Halloween Cake-Off. On Sep. 26 the fun continues with the launch of Kids Baking Championship: Tricks & Treats, which features hosts Valerie Bertinelli and Duff Goldman challenging young chefs to create the spookiest spider web desserts.

Other new series premiering in September and October include Halloween Wars (Sep. 29), Outrageous Pumpkins (Sep. 29) and Haunted Gingerbread Showdown (Oct. 6). There will also be special sweets and treats-themed episodes of Barefoot Contessa: Cook Like a Pro, Chopped, Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, Girl Meets Farm, Guy’s Grocery Games, Guy’s Ranch Kitchen, The Kitchen, The Pioneer Woman and Trisha’s Southern Kitchen.

—Shahrzad Warkentin

Featured photo: DaytimeTVShow via Instagram

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Calling All Groms: Local Skateparks Perfect for Newbies

by Sonia GandiagaSeptember 2, 2019

If your little one dreams of kick flips, mastering the 50-50 grind and dropping in to a massive bowl, then you likely have a skater on your hands. While this distinctly California hobby has been around since our childhood, these days there are more sweet spots than ever to practice sick tricks. We’ve narrowed down our favorites below. So gear up your grom with a helmet, knee and elbow pads, and wrist guards and say L8TR SK8TR!

photo: Chris Goldberg via flickr

San Francisco

Playland at 43rd Ave.
This teeny community-built skatepark is the perfect spot for little ones, and also features a community garden and play space. It’s maintained by neighbors who pitch in to perform everything from routine maintenace to paint new murals, making it a real gem.

1360 43rd Ave.
San Francisco, Ca
Online: groundplaysf.org

SoMa West Skate Park
Skateboard legend Tony Hawk helped to build this park (score!), with plenty of opps for (literally) dropping in, or just hanging out to watch.

Beneath the Central Freeway, Valencia and Duboce Streets
San Francisco, Ca
Online: sfrecpark.org

Hilltop Park
When you’ve reached the giant 70-foot sundial, you’ll know you’re there. This is the city’s first public skateboard park, with a large skating bowl, hilltop views, and even cement slides (so bring the cardboard).

La Salle & Whitney Young Cir.
San Francisco, Ca
Online: sfrecpark.org

photo: latteda via flickr

Balboa Skatepark
This newer, all wooden skate park in Mission Terrace is calling all kiddos to get off the screens and skate into full-action mode.

San Jose Ave and Ocean Ave.
San Francisco, Ca
Online: balboaskate.org

La Raza Park /Potrero del Sol
As San Francisco’s largest skate park, this is the place to be. It has a Greek-style temple and colorful murals, and the weekend mornings draws lots of parents and younger kids.

Utah Streets
San Francisco, Ca
Online: sfparksalliance.org

photo: Thomas Park via flickr

East Bay

City View Skate Park
This park has the coolest setting of the old Alameda Navy Base—plus miles of beautiful water views. Big bonus (more for you than them): lots of antique flea market shopping nearby.

1177 W Redline Ave.
Alameda, CA
Online: alamedaskate.ca.us

Braille House and Skatepark
On weekdays, the Braille House functions as a studio for filming YouTube videos but come spring, summer and winter break they open the doors for skate camps. Private lessons are also available on select weekends and occasionally the crew opens the door for open skate.

14684 Washington Ave, San Leandro
Online: brailleskateboarding.com

Fremont Skate Park
A spacious park means there’s everything from stairs to rails to benches. Lots of options here for kids to practice popping those ollies.

40500 Paseo Padre Pkwy.
Fremont, CA
Online: fremontskate.gov

Kennelly Skate Park
From ramps to classes, this park can take the kiddos from newbie to full-fledged skater. Even BMX riders can use the park on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3–4:30 p.m., and Sundays from 1–2:30 p.m.

898 Red Rock Rd.
Piedmont, CA
Online: kennellyskate.ca.us

photo: Kelly O. via yelp

Berkeley Skate Park
Get ready for massive: 18,000-square-feet, complete with beginner-friendly areas plus classes, a skate club—and even scholarships. Park closed during events and rainy days.

Harrison St. (skatepark is located at Harrison Park)
Berkeley, CA
Online: berkeleyskate.ca.us

Joseph Emery Skate Spot
Located behind a CVS between Park and 45th Street, this park is also famously situated just outside Pixar Studios. The park is narrow, but spans the length of two city blocks and features plenty of skateable paths for little ones, mini ramps and a bowl for advanced skaters.

Off of San Pablo Avenue between 45th Street and Park Avenue
Emeryville, CA

Jack Holland Skate Park
This skate park may be small but it’s varying ramps and rails offer tons of potential, espeically for beginners. The park features shaded, stadium seating and a restroom. Bonus: It’s located right next to a playground just incase every little member of your family isn’t into allies (yet).

16301 E 14th St.
San Leandro, CA

San Ramon Central Park
This park is especially perfect for the youngest skaters. On weekends the priority usage is reserved for kids 11 and under. There’s also 40 more acres surrounding the skate park to explore, including a maze of water features, lots of trails, and picnicking galore.

12501 Alcosta Blvd.
San Ramon, CA
Online: sanramonpark.ca.us

photo: Victor Salanoy via flickr

Peninsula/South Bay

Lake Cunningham Regional Skate Park
This one wins the award for largest skate park in California with some of the biggest and bestest features in the world (read: world’s biggest cradle, tallest vert wall, and largest full pipe . . . how cool is that?!). Also check out their birthday packages, lessons, rentals, camps and live music in the summer.

2305 S. White Rd.
San Jose, CA
Online: sjactionsports.com

Greer Skate Park
Greer is a 70’s style bowl park with fast flowing lines and a rounded lip that allows for fast and easy rollins/outs. The volcano in the center of the medium bowl has rough grindable lip.

1098 Armarillo Ave.
Palo Alto, CA
Online: cityofpaloalto.org

photo: Mae Respicio

Marin

Mill Valley Skate Park
Recently totally renovated in Spring 2019 and sitting adjacent to the Bay Trail and Mill Valley Middle School, this pristine new skatepark already has a loyal following amongst Mill Valley’s young skaters. The upgraded park features smooth, new concrete and plenty of ramps for beginners to advanced (though local residents urge parents to limit use to actual skateboarders and not little tikes on scooters). Most weekends you’ll find Hot Diggity food cart serving up snacks, drinks and hot dogs.

425 Sycamore Avenue (Mill Valley Middle School)
Mill Valley, CA

McInnis County Skate Park
You haven’t experienced a skate park until you’ve seen this gigantic sea of bowls, ramps, and half-pipes, and all surrounded by a beautiful landscape of rolling hills. Scooters are allowed in the park each day until 1 p.m. and there are lots of hiking trails for before and after.

10 Smith Ranch Rd.
San Rafael, CA
Online: mcinnisskate.org

Proof Lab
Easy means one-stop shop! They have gear, indoor ramp time, art, and even a cool cafe. Here’s their list of local instructors (check with Proof Lab for the most updated indoor ramp hours): prooflab.com/surf-skate-lessons

54/244 Shoreline Hwy.
Mill Valley, CA
415-380-8900
Online: prooflab.com

Corte Madera Skatepark
This one’s not the biggest, baddest of the bunch, but because of its sweet size it’s for the mini-shredders in your life. Bonus: ice cream truck on hot days, and a huge playground right next door.

Tamalpais Dr. and Pixley Ave.
Corte Madera, CA
Online: cortemaderaskatepark.com

—Chantal Lamers, Sonia Gandiaga and Mae Respicio

Featured photo: Bob_Dmyt via pixabay

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UPS Is Adding Locations to CVS and Michaels Stores

by Shahrzad WarkentinJuly 25, 2019

When you’re running errands with small kids in tow, the fewer stops you have to make the better. Now you’ll have one less place to buckle and unbuckle that car seat because UPS is adding locations to CVS and Michaels stores.

After an initial test run in Texas stores, the partnership between UPS and several retailers is expanding to include 1,100 Michaels locations and thousands of CVS stores across the country. Now customers will be able to drop off and pick up UPS packages and grab prescriptions or shop for slime supplies all in one stop.

UPS plans to add package-pickup-or-send sites to CVS Pharmacy, Michael's and Advance Auto Parts stores throughout the country. https://t.co/itE2dwjs3E pic.twitter.com/hKmwfNvsn6

— USA TODAY (@USATODAY) July 23, 2019

UPS is rolling out the service to nearly all 8,000 stand-alone CVS locations in the United States, as well as an unspecified number of Advance Auto Parts stores. Since Amazon returns can be made through UPS Access Points this makes it even easier to shop and make returns on Amazon.

The new locations will provide an easy avenue for returns, but more importantly an option for deliveries if customers do not want their Amazon orders left on their front porch. Of course, much like dropping off Amazon returns at Kohl’s, it will probably be impossible to leave without stocking up on some art supplies.

—Shahrzad Warkentin

Featured photo: Mike Mozart via Flickr

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Here’s What Science Says about Women, Alcohol & Mental Health

by Erica LoopJuly 12, 2019

A recent study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal may have found a reason for you to put down the pinot.

After reviewing data from over 40,000 participants in the United States and China, researchers found women who quit drinking have an increase in mental well-being. A comparison of men and women who drink, quit drinking and have always abstained from drinking found that those who never drank had the highest levels of well-being. But when women stopped drinking, something very interesting happened.

photo: Elle Hughes via Pexels

The women in both the U.S. and Chinese groups who started as moderate drinkers and quit during the study period showed the most significant improvements in mental health (in comparison to the other groups). This means the participants who stopped all alcohol consumption had greater improvements in overall well-being than those who started the study as non-drinkers.

What does this mean for you? If you down a glass of rosé on girls’ night or on your summer beach vaycay, dropping the drink probably won’t do much. But if you regularly drink moderate amounts of alcohol (in the study’s terms—seven or less drinks per week), you may get a well-being boost from going dry.

—Erica Loop

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Blue Ivy Steals the Show In Beyonce’s Documentary & We’re So Here for It

by Karly WoodApril 9, 2019

Blink and you’ll miss it, because Blue Ivy is laying it down in Beyoncé’s Netflix documentary. The streaming original, Homecoming, premieres on Apr. 17 and focuses on Beyonce’s critically-acclaimed headliner performance at Coachella last year—or more affectionally known as Beychella by her legion of fans.

While no one can argue the powerful Maya Angelou voiceover or the visually stunning images in the trailer that dropped this week are so many levels of extra, young Blue Ivy seems to have stolen the show! Twitter fans have picked up on a critical moment (fast forward to 0:31) where the seven-year-old can be seen dropping some mad choreography skills to a team of dancers in chairs and well––you just need to see this fierceness for yourself:

While it’s only a two-second snapshot, hearts were captivated on Twitter, where Beyhive fans can’t seem to get enough of the superstar-in-training. Tweets are aplenty on Beyoncé’s oldest daughter and we can totally see why:

Blue Ivy teaching everyone choreography, the 2030 music game about to 🔥🔥 #BeyonceHomecoming pic.twitter.com/ZseMUYi5A5

— Complex Music (@ComplexMusic) April 8, 2019

https://twitter.com/juliacraven/status/1115253316781531136

https://twitter.com/alleywilson_/status/1115269452067680256

While we’re excited to see Blue Ivy rock it with mama Bey, we’re also more than looking forward to the Netflix Original highlighting the star’s iconic performance as the first black woman to headline Coachella. Tune in to Netflix on Apr. 17 to catch tons of backstage moments with Jay-Z, Beyoncé’s rehearsals and workout routine, the Coachella performance, and of course––plenty of moments with the kids.

––Karly Wood

Featured photo: Beyoncé via Instagram

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LEGO Movie World Has Finally Opened at LEGOLAND—See the Pics

by Erica LoopMarch 28, 2019

Have you booked your Spring Break vaycay yet? If not, you’re in luck—because LEGO Movie World at LEGOLAND Florida has officially opened. And yes, everything is awesome.

So what can you expect from this new LEGOLAND Florida attraction? The newest and largest expansion of the theme park is 80,000 square-feet, which means your kiddo will have plenty of room to roam around and explore their favorite attractions straight out of The LEGO Movie franchise.

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LEGO Movie World includes a quick-service restaurant, three rides, a play area and (of course) a retail store.

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A post shared by LEGOLAND Florida Resort (@legolandflorida)

When it comes to the rides, Unikitty’s Disco Drop is a spinning, bouncing, dropping party.

Sunny Days…🌈☀️ #THELEGOMOVIEWORLD is now open! pic.twitter.com/zvsdbQxBnL

— LEGOLAND Florida (@LEGOLANDFlorida) March 27, 2019

The ride carries you 35 feet up into the air and like the name says, drops you down to the ground.

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A post shared by LEGOLAND Florida Resort (@legolandflorida)

There are also plenty of meet-and-greet photo opps for the whole family!

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A post shared by LEGOLAND Florida Resort (@legolandflorida)

And if all that doesn’t make you feel like everything actually is awesome, check out this clip to see just how awesome it really is!

.@ModernFam star @SuperJMaguire came to check out #THELEGOMOVIEWORLD before it opens on Wednesday! pic.twitter.com/y5KYN8Qgnh

— LEGOLAND Florida (@LEGOLANDFlorida) March 25, 2019

LEGO Movie World is open now at the LEGOLAND Florida Resort in Orlando. Book your vacation and buy your tickets online here.

—Erica Loop

Featured photo: Courtesy of LEGO

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