If your regular Taco Bell run isn’t satisfying your craving, Ravensburger’s new game just might!
The Taco Bell Party Pack Card Game is a must for taco fiends. It comes in a party-pack style box with carrying handle that perfectly pairs with your late night Bell run and is super easy to learn. So what’s the goal?
photo: Courtesy of Ravensburger
In the fun new game, players make Taco Bell runs to pickup crunchy tacos, bean burritos, Freezes and other menu items to feed Supreme Superfans, Happier Hour Heroes, Drive Thru Divas and more. If you satisfy everyone’s cravings, you can score crave chips that earn you extra points.
Grab the Taco Bell Party Pack Card Game at Target now for $16.99 and at other retailers nationwide, including Amazon, on Aug. 1. Is anyone else suddenly craving tacos?
If you’ve ever visited a store with your little ones in tow, it quickly becomes clear that they think money grows on trees. Or rather, it flows from that magical drive-thru cash dispenser at the bank. It can be a tricky subject to tackle with kids, but those trips to the toy aisle become a bit more meaningful when you try a hands-on approach to teaching finances—even at a young age. From starting a DIY business to chore charts, here are a few ways to master the money game with your kids.
Start teaching your child positive saving habits today with anOnPoint Savers Account from OnPoint Community Credit Union. When you open an account and deposit a minimum of $25, OnPoint will deposit an additional $55!*
1. Play cashier. Use “money” to play cashier with your kids at home. Play money you’ve bought or created works well for this activity! Next, set prices for items around the house—food, clothing, you name it—and allow them to pay with the pretend money, showing them how much they need and how much change they should receive after paying. Pretend transactions at home will help build the foundation for spending money in the real world.
2. Set an achievable goal. First, choose an item with your kids that they’d like to purchase with their own money—something they could reasonably achieve within one to three months. Then, remind them to save up every time they receive money via allowance or gifts. Once your little ones have saved enough money toward their goal, take them to the store to make the purchase with their savings, or possibly continue saving and setting a new bigger goal.
3. Explain how banking works and open a savings account.Your kids may think the bank, credit union or ATM is a place you visit when you need more money or that your debit card just has money. Take them with you to your local branch, and explain that it is a place that keeps your money safe after you’ve earned it, not somewhere that gives it away. Depending on how old they are, this could be as simple as teaching them about money in and money out, or as complicated as explaining compound interest, and the basics of income and budgeting.
4. Grow savings. Show them how to keep track of the money they save by writing deposits and withdrawals in a register or at the top of a piece of paper. Then explain how they can earn more money from their savings by keeping their money in their account. For example, in addition to receiving $55 when opening an OnPoint Savers Account, the account balance will earn 5.00% APY up to $500—a higher interest rate than a traditional savings account! Along with the OnPoint Savers Account, the credit union also provides tips and tools to help savers of all ages learn positive money habits.
5. Help them start a shop. What better way to teach your kids about money than by running their own “business?” Work with your child to determine what they’ll create, where they’ll sell, what their costs will be and how much they’ll charge. Selling homemade dog biscuits near a local dog park or having a DIY plant business is an excellent opportunity for kids to have fun and learn the value of money!
—Kaitlyn Kirby
*OnPoint Savers Account rate of 5.00% APY is accurate as of December 1, 2020 and subject to change. Stated APY is for balances up to $500; balances of $500.01 and higher earn posted Regular Savings Account rate. Account must be established for members age 17 or younger by parent or guardian with a minimum $25 deposit. Parent or legal guardian must be on the membership and present to open the OnPoint Savers Account. When primary member attains the age of 18, accounts will be converted to Regular Savings Account, earning that account’s published rate at that time. Fiduciary memberships, including UTTMA and Minor Settlement Accounts are not eligible for OnPoint Savers. One OnPoint Savers Account per member/TIN. One $55 bonus per tax ID for new members only. Bonus will be included on a 1099-INT for tax purposes. Cannot be combined with other offers for opening a new membership, such as new branch promotions or Refer a Friend.
The full account balance APY is calculated by combining the 5.00% APY earnings on the first $500 with the standard APY on the remaining balance above $500.
It’s almost Memorial Day weekend, and Dunkin’ is here for the hot weather! The brand is celebrating the end of the school year with brand new lemonade refreshers, donuts and MUNCHKINS that will get you in the summer spirit.
The new menu items will be available for a limited time, and DD Perks members will get extra goodies, too. From May 26 through Jun. 8 members will earn points toward a free beverage reward three times as fast with 3X points on all Dunkin’ Lemonade Refresher purchases. That’s 15 points per dollar!
There are three new options to choose from when it comes to Dunkin’ Lemonade Refreshers: Strawberry flavored lemonade, Peach flavored lemonade and Blueberry flavored lemonade. Each one is made with lemonade, B vitamins and flavored fruit concentrate which means a bright and cheery drink.
Be sure to pick up a few Berry Powdered Donuts and MUNCHKINS donut hole treats! The items feature a new berry powder that packs a sweet berry punch, not to mention a sweet pink look.
Dunkin’ is also getting ready for National Donut Day––with a free donut. Head to your local shop on Fri. Jun. 4 to snag a free classic donut with the purchase of your drink.
Don’t forget to deck out for the big day with the #NationalDonutDay collection that is rife with limited-edition customizable donut-themed fashions! The special line officially drops at 12:00 p.m. EST on Thur., Jun. 3, only at shopdunkin.com.
Looking for a fun way to keep your kids excited about reading this summer? How about free books!
When you sign your young readers up at Barnes & Noble you can spend the whole summer reading––and earn some free books to tuck them in at bedtime when school starts again. So how does it work?
photo: iStock
When students in grades one through six read eight books over the summer and complete a reading journal, they can earn a free book at Barnes & Noble. All you need to do is download the journal here and print it.
Then, complete the information requested and have your kids log the books they’ve read over the summer. Turn in the journal at any Barnes & Noble location between July. 1 and Aug. 31, 2021.
Once completed, kids are able to choose from a pre-set list of free books grouped by grade level. The list includes titles likeMalala: My Story of Standing Up for Girls’ Rights, Judy Moodyand the Not Bummer Summer and Because of Winn-Dixie.
Parents wear many hats and it can be difficult to make sure we’re raising our kids with all the necessary life skills. A new survey from the National Financial Educators Council (NFEC) is shedding light on a very specific life lesson that is key to raising independent adults: financial literacy.
Using over 1,000 respondents, the survey asked the question “Which parent taught you the most about money and personal finance?” The overwhelming answer? “Neither.”
While respondents did say that their mother was more likely to teach financial literacy than their father (23.7 percent over 22.6 percent), it’s clear that the majority has grown up with little to no instruction on finances.
The study grouped respondents into age groups that included 18-24, 25-34, 35-44, 45-54, 55-64, and 65+ years old. Interestingly, the two youngest groups, 18-24 and 25-34, reported “Neither” more than all other age groups making this issue a relevant topic for today’s parents.
“It’s essential for parents to make a conscious and consistent effort to discuss finances, model good financial decision-making, and provide opportunities for kids to practice earning, budgeting, saving, and spending, especially while they still have the safety net of living at home and receiving family support,” says Vince Shorb, NFEC CEO.
So how can you make sure your kiddos are prepared financially as they become adults? One of the main goals of the NFEC is to encourage and provide tools for parents to teach financial literacy skills to their children from an early age. You can head to their website for tons of info.
The Looney Tunes characters your littles love, LeBron James and a host of other NBA stars will light up the small and big screen this summer in the newest Space Jam flick. Whether you’re all-in for the nostalgia of the Space Jam sequel or you can’t wait to share the animated basketball adventure with them, now you can extend the fun of Space Jam: A New Legacy with two family-friendly board games.
The new Monopoly edition (for ages eight and up) is packed with Space Jam artwork, cards, and more. The A New Legacy-based game also includes a plastic basketball hoop and launcher that fit onto the game board. Players can launch balls and sink baskets to earn points. Look for the game (suggested retail price of $24.99) at retailers nationwide, including Target.
Along with the new Monopoly edition, Hasbro will also debut a Space Jam: A New Legacy Connect 4 Shots game (for ages eight and up). This fun-filled pick pits the Tunes vs. the Goons, with players battling it out to line up four in a row. You can also find this new Connect 4 game ($19.99) at retailers nationwide and Target.
Even though it’s still spring, the Scholastic Summer Reading program is kicking off right now! Your kiddo can participate in the fully digital program today through Friday, Sep. 3, 2021—and it’s completely free.
Simply create an account of Scholastic Home Base and your little literacy lover can start their summer reading list. The 24/7 moderated digital destination gives kids the chance to read free e-books, attend virtual author events and so much more.
photo courtesy of Scholastic
After creating an account, your child will can access select e-books for free. These include family-friendly faves such as Goosebumps and I Survived along with read-aloud videos featuring The Word Collector, Train and The Rooster Who Would Not Be Quiet.
Scholastic Reading Club account members can also join virtual author events every Thurs. from May 6 through Aug. 26 at 3:00 ET. The events are hosted by summer reading ambassadors and award-winning authors Sayantani DasGupta (Kiranmala and the Kingdom Beyond), Varian Johnson (Twins, The Great Greene Heist), Ann M. Martin (The Baby-Sitters Club series), and Kelly Yang (Front Desk).
Along with free e-books and virtual author-led events, the Scholastic Summer Reading program will also give your child the chance to help unlock a donation of 100,000 books! Each day your child checks into the Summer Zone online, they’ll create a Reading Streak. Your child’s continued reading efforts can earn them virtual items, trophies and in-game tokens. It can also help Scholastic to unlock a donation for 100,000 books to communities throughout the country through Save the Children.
Are you still waiting on your letter from Hogwarts? Luckily for all you Potterheads, you now have the chance to enroll without having to go to Platform 9 ¾.
Hogwarts Is Here is offering the opportunity to become a student in seven different online classes, including Potions and Herbology.
Unfortunately the sorting hat does not determine your house––you get to determine that for yourself. Head into the common room to meet your fellow Gryffindors, Ravenclaws, Hufflepuffs or Slytherins.
Purchase your textbooks from Flourish and Blotts and sign up for classes. You can take two approaches to your studies: either enroll in a full Year One course load or peruse the classes at your own pace. If you want to earn points to help your house win the coveted House Cup, then you’ll need to enroll in the courses and complete the assignments for grades.
You can choose to enroll in Potions, Charms, Transfiguration, Astronomy, History of Magic, Defense Against the Dark Arts and Herbology. Each course includes nine lessons which involves reading, writing essays and taking quizzes and exams. Every professor can nominate two students to take on the role of Head Boy and Head Girl after the course is completed.
Once you’ve completed the Year One courses, you can continue progressing through the rest of the seven years until you’re officially a graduate of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
If you are not interested in academics, you can still get the Hogwarts experience by focusing on the role playing portion of the site. Current role playing groups include games that take place in the Great Hall and on the Quidditch field.
Visit Hogwarts Is Here to learn more about how you can truly become a graduate of Hogwarts.
Get ready for a whole new way to play Monopoly! Scratch that—get ready for two whole new ways to play the beloved board game.
Forget about buying railroads and get out of jail free cards. The soon-to-be released Monopoly Crooked Cash edition is all about sneaky strategies and devious deception.
The game features fake cash, fake Chance cards, and plenty of accusations. Mr. Monopoly will supply the decoder—giving the players a chance to sleuth out what’s real and what’s not. This fun-filled family-time game is perfect for kids ages eight-plus and their adults. Monopoly Crooked Cash edition has a suggested retail price of $19.99 and will hit stores nationally this coming fall.
As if one new game isn’t enough, Monopoly is bringing fans a second strategy-based option. Monopoly Builder board game takes buying and selling properties to a whole new level.
Instead of just going around the board, now you can build upwards. The game board’s center is more than just a flat open space. In this edition, it’s Monopoly Island! Players (two to four per game) strategically build their own island city using building blocks. The more you build, the more points you’ll earn.
Monopoly Builder is available nationwide starting Aug. 1, 2021 for the suggested retail price of $24.99.
Dunkin’ wants to keep their most loyal fans runnin’ this month. DD Perks members can start the week off right with a free medium hot coffee with any purchase every Monday in February. Coffee fans who are not currently enrolled can take part in Free Coffee Mondays by signing up on the Dunkin’ App or at DDPerks.com.
Fans can enjoy their go-to Dunkin’ brew, such as Original Blend or Dunkin’ Decaf, discover a new favorite with recently introduced hot coffee options, including Dunkin’ Midnight and Explorer Batch or check out their Valentine’s Day Menu.
“As we head into the home stretch of winter, we know our fans could use a little extra boost to stay energized. With Free Coffee Mondays, we look forward to keeping our rewards members running with a free cup of hot coffee to help start each week in February off right,” said Joanna Bonder, Director, Loyalty Marketing and Strategy at Dunkin’.
To take part in Free Coffee Mondays, DD Perks members can simply order ahead via the Dunkin’ App or have their loyalty ID QR code scanned before they pay. DD Perks members earn five points for every dollar they spend on qualifying purchases at Dunkin’. Once a member accrues 200 points, they receive a free beverage reward of any size, redeemable at participating Dunkin’ restaurants.
