Sleepovers of the past included movies, popcorn and endless games of Mall Madness. Put down your credit card and take a trip to the virtual mall with your kids. The Mall Madness board game is making a comeback this fall.
Cha-ching! Hasbro is bringing back the popular game 15 years after the original version left store shelves. The game requires “shoppers’ to get all the items on their list and it coached you through the entire process. It was a thrill to swipe your pretend credit card at I.M. Coughin Drug Store and 2 Left Feet Shoes. The food court had plenty of options including Aunt Chovie’s Pizza.
The new modernized version has the same feel as the original with 22 mall locations on 2 floors including a nail salon, candy store, jewelry store, arcade, shoe store, electronics store and a toy store. The talking electronic button features fun sound effects when a player buys something. It also tells players where to move, announces surprise clearance sales and more.
The new Mall Madness board game will be available on October 1 online and at most major retailers for $24.99. It can be played by two to four people and is suitable for ages nine and up. Mark your calendar or pre-order it now on Amazon.
Before we had hand-held electronics, we had other toys to keep our hands and our minds busy. Sitting in the backseat of the car, many kids played with water arcade games or magnetic drawing boards. In honor of their 60th anniversary, Etch A Sketch has teamed up with other iconic names to unveil a series of limited edition launches.
For 2020, the Etch A Sketch brand is joining forces with the beloved MONOPOLY brand, space exploration leader NASA, heritage toy Rubik’s and comic book marvel Stan Lee. Each will have their own limited-edition Etch A Sketch® drawing toys, merging two iconic worlds into one magic, shake-to-erase collector’s item.
“The Etch A Sketch drawing toy is one of only a handful of breakthrough toys that’s popularity spans generations,” says Arlene Biran, VP of Marketing for Activities and Building Sets, Spin Master. “It is a timeless toy that encourages creativity on a magic screen that doesn’t need WIFI. Our series of limited-edition collaborations with other inspiring and imaginative classics honors 60 years of unplugged creativity.”
“We’re thrilled to work with the team at Spin Master to bring the Etch A Sketch MONOPOLY Edition to market,” said Casey Collins, GM & SVP of Entertainment and Licensing at Hasbro. “As we honor major milestones for both brands this year, we hope fans of all ages will treasure this release for years to come.”
The Etch A Sketch limited edition collaborations will be released in limited quantities throughout the year on EtchASketch.com as well on Etch A Sketch Day, July 12, 2020, marking the official day the first Etch A Sketch toy was sold.
The Etch A Sketch® Brand draws in the classics with a series of limited edition collaborations to mark the 60th anniversary year. (CNW Group/Spin Master)
Etch A Sketch MONOPOLY Edition (March, $19.99):
As the classic board game celebrates an 85-year milestone, pass go and collect a limited-edition MONOPOLY-inspired Etch a Sketch.
Etch A Sketch NASA Inspired Edition (April, $19.99):
And after 60 years here on earth, we’re looking to space to encourage a new generation of creative explorers with the NASA-inspired Etch a Sketch. Because even the biggest space shuttles, started with a simple sketch.
Etch A Sketch Rubik’s Edition (May, $19.99):
With a cumulative age surpassing 100, worlds will collide with an Etch a Sketch inspired by the mind-bending heritage toy that has become a household name.
Etch A Sketch Stan Lee Edition (July, $19.99):
Out-of-this-world storytelling merges with the original magic screen inspired by the superhero of creativity who co-created such iconic characters as Spider-Man™, Iron Man™, X-Men™, and many more.
In addition to the collaborations with iconic classics, Spin Master is unveiling a new limited-edition Diamond Edition Etch a Sketch featuring a sleek black frame and custom crystal knobs available in limited quantities on EtchASketch.com. The company will also release new innovation with Etch a Sketch Revolution in August. This will be the first Etch A Sketch with a spinning screen that allows you to make circles.
The future of technology is geared to make life easier and parents need all the help they can get. Lucky for us, the latest inventions in consumer technology were on display at the 2020 Consumer Electronics Show. Scroll on to see some of our favorite innovations in family tech for this year.
Octobo
Thinker-Tinker
Octobo is not what you would expect a robot to look like. Resembling a stuffed animal, it was designed as a tool to help improve your child’s motor skills using innovative sensory technology. Compatible with tablets up to 8 inches, this cuddly STEM toy uses an accompanying educational app to help screen time become more interactive.
Julia
CookingPal
Julia may look like a food processor, but it is so much more. Using a Smart Kitchen Hub (a dedicated voice-enabled tablet) this intelligent cooking system offers step by step guides to recipes and even suggests meals. With Julia, you have the ability to weigh, chop, knead, mix, cook and steam all in the same device.
Countdown by Pressure Games
Pressure Games
Countdown is a handheld, screen-light gaming platform designed to get kids and families actively gaming together -- around the table, around the backyard and on the go.
Hot Wheels id
Mattel
Hot Wheels id blends traditional Hot Wheels play with a digitally connected racing system. Players can download the free app, scan Hot Wheels id vehicles and conquer countless thrilling challenges to win in-game rewards.
Blinks by Move38
Move 38
Blinks by Move38 is the world's 1st smart tabletop game system. Blinks combines the immersive qualities of digital gaming with the hands-on, face-to-face family fun of tabletop games.
Star Wars D-O Interactive Droid
Hasbro
The Star Wars D-O Interactive Droid by Hasbro lets kids and fans display and play with a droid inspired by the little roller droid from Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.
St. Noire
Virsix Games
Take family game night to the next level when you play this Alexa-powered murder mystery board game. St. Noire features multiple storylines and endings, immersive sound design and cinematic voice performances.
Many of today’s teens aren’t getting enough rest. With the popularity of social media, online games and streaming music and video services, there’s just not enough time in the day to do it all and also fit in all the necessities of life – like sleep, for instance.
According to a National Poll on Children’s Health conducted by C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, 43% of parents reported teens who have sleep troubles, and more than half of these parents think electronics are to blame.
They may, indeed, be right, but another poll determined that three out of four of today’s teens also suffer from anxiety, and the nasty one-two punch of anxiety and sleep deprivation can spell big trouble for your teenager.
Restless in America
With poor sleep being one of the major signs of anxiety in today’s teens, and anxiety leading to a lack of sleep, parents need to combat this classic “chicken or the egg” scenario first, but finding the granular reasons for the anxiety/poor sleep combo is a good way to formulate a plan for a better night’s sleep.
The “social” aspect of those social media late nights is a key factor in keeping teens awake. Everyone wants to know how many likes they got or if their crush is dating anyone. This teen angst is nothing new, but far more accessible with electronics.
Educational and athletic stressors (e.g., a big test or a big track meet in the morning) are still heavily reported as reasons for sleep deprivation as well, and though not directly related to electronics, these stressors can be reasons teens reach for their phones to try to think about something else for a while.
Ultimately, limiting these granular stressors can prevent the anxiety spiral from getting worse.
The Risks of Restlessness
The social and educational stress teens feel is nothing new, but the Mott Poll mentioned earlier has determined that restlessness can be directly related to irritability and moodiness, a lack of attention span, and ultimately a loss of friends due to the mood swings.
Further down the preverbal spiral, this restlessness has been proven to increase auto accidents for teen drivers and sleep deprivation has also been cited as a predecessor to health issues such as obesity and depression.
Limiting these stressors in teens is not only good for their minds, but also for physical health.
Helping Your Teens Get a Good Night’s Rest
Simply banning electronics in the bedroom not only prevents teens from checking their Snapchat feeds, but it also reduces light and sounds in the room, both resulting in a more relaxing sleep environment and an easier means of maintaining a regular sleep schedule. Though it may seem contradictory, limiting naps and establishing a regular wake-up time are great ways to improve a regular sleep schedule and ultimately reduce stress and anxiety.
A healthy diet has also proven to increase sleep, as well as an increase in physical activity and time spent outside, and medication is an option as well, but most parents believe over-the-counter drugs are not good for teens and a doctor should always be consulted before any sort of regular medication schedule would start.
When All Else Fails
When Mom or Dad simply can’t figure out why their teen is having sleep issues that are or could ultimately lead to much more important issues, an applied behavior analyst may be a good option for righting the wrongs of anxiety and sleep deprivation in teens.
If the above tips simply aren’t fixing the issues, the issues could be signs of psychological issues that require professional help and behavior analysts will be able to determine the deeper issues causing the anxiety, and these analysts can offer more unique means of getting troubled teens on the right sleep track.
Sarah Daren has been a consultant for startups in industries including health and wellness, wearable technology, and education. She implements her health knowledge into every aspect of her life, including her position as a yoga instructor and raising her children. Sarah enjoys watching baseball and reading on the beach.
Amazon wants to make returns even easier! The mega e-tailer recently announced that its’s giving at least one free return to customers—and you won’t even have to pay for the packaging or print a label!
While some items, such as clothing, shoes and bedding, were already eligible for free returns, Amazon has now expanded the option. The current expansion includes electronics, household items, pet supplies, kitchen appliances and more.
Libby Johnson McKee, Director, Amazon WW Returns and ReCommerce, said in a press release, “At Amazon, we’re constantly innovating on the customer experience – not only when purchasing an item, but also making a return.” Johnson McKee continued, “With free returns on millions of items, customers don’t need to worry if the keyboard they ordered doesn’t feel quite right or if their dog likes his new bed—they can buy with confidence, knowing they’ll be able to return it for free with just a few easy clicks.”
How can you get your free return? Just select the item you want to send back and the reason for the return on the “Your Orders” page of either the Amazon app or website. Amazon will give you a list of return options, including a free drop-off location. Just bring your item to the drop-off location and, in most cases, you’ll get a refund within two hours.
Free drop-off locations include over 18,000 options, such as Amazon Books stores, Amazon 4-star stores, Amazon Hub locations, select Whole Foods Market stores and eligible third party retailers (including UPS and Kohl’s).
Not only will Amazon give you one free return, but the company is committed to making this process more sustainable. Your no-cost return allows you to choose a label- and box-free option. Instead of printing, labeling and packaging your return, Amazon will provide you with a QR code for the participating location’s staff to scan. They’ll then pack and ship your item, consolidating packages when possible.
Of course, there is some fine print. Return-eligible items must weigh under 50 pounds. Only products sold and fulfilled by Amazon (not third-party sellers) are eligible for this service. You can return any new/unused item (in the select categories) for any reason, but you only have 30 days from the day of delivery. Customers must return holiday items shipped and fulfilled by Amazon between Nov. 1 and Dec. 31, 2019 no later than Jan. 31, 2020.
With the holidays nipping at your heels, finding the best deals is a top priority. We’ll let you in on a little secret: Red Tricycle readers can save on Amazon Fire Kids Edition tablets using the code REDTRI to get 20% off at checkout. The tablets designed just for kids comes loaded with thousands of games, activities and books. Add to that parental controls, and this device is a sure winner for both you and your kids. Scroll down to see all the reasons we love the Amazon Fire Kids Edition tablet and why it deserves a spot under your tree this holiday.
Parental Controls
Amazon Kids Edition tablets come with robust parental controls that are so simple to set up. With a few clicks, parents can set up educational goals and curfews, set daily limits and block content. Options include managing content for up to four child profiles and restricting social media access and in-app purchases.
Parent Dashboard
Amazon's Parent Dashboard puts power in the hands of parents! When you log in, you'll get an instant overview of your child's daily tablet activities that include time spent on books, videos, apps, Audible, music and more. Want to know what your kiddo has been up to? Amazon also provides questions to start conversations about what your child has been up to on the Kids Edition tablet.
Two-Year Worry-Free Guarantee
Having kids means broken electronics and toys are inevitable, but with the Amazon Kids Edition tablet you can put your fears aside. The two-year worry-free guarantee is designed for parents and kids––if it breaks, just return it and Amazon will replace for free! Each Kids Edition tablet also comes with a bumper case for further protection and some sizes offer a hand-free kickstand.
FreeTime Unlimited
When you get a new Amazon Kids Edition tablet, kids have unsurpassed access to over 20,000 books, movies, TV shows, Audible books, apps and games geared towards ages 3-12 thanks to one free year of FreeTime Unlimited. Amazon Kids Edition tablets also have FreeTime in Espa˜nol that is filled with hand-curated Spanish content. After one year, Prime Members can sign up for FreeTime Unlimited starting at just $2.99 a month!
Parents Love & Trust the Kids Edition Tablet
Search for high-rated products and the Amazon Kids Edition tablet comes in at the top. With over 3,000 five star reviews, parents are singing their praises over the kid-friendly design, tons of learning apps and durability.
The Tablet Grows With Your Child
Once your little becomes a big kid, the Amazon Kids Edition tablet is ready for the challenge. Remove the bumper and adjust parental controls to meet the needs of your maturing kiddos. The easy to use features make the Kids Edition tablet the perfect partner to your growing fam.
Ready, set, shop—because HoliDeals are almost here. Target recently announced the biggest Black Friday deals yet, including a two-day preview sale and early access for RedCard holders and more!
So what’s new at the big red bullseye retailer this holiday shopping season? Shoppers can score four times as many deals this year compared to last year’s Black Friday Preview Sale.
Along with more deals, Target will also expand early access to Black Friday sales prices to include RedCard holders and members of the new Target Circle loyalty program.
Rick Gomez, executive vice president, chief marketing and digital officer, Target, said in a press release, “This is the busiest time of year for our guests, and with the shortened season, we want to make it as easy as possible for them to cross everything off their holiday list at Target. That’s why we’re introducing HoliDeals, which will feature savings on thousands of items throughout the season, and it all kicks off this weekend.”
Gomez added, “Our expanded Black Friday Preview Sale is just the beginning of a season full of savings. And with our biggest investment ever in guest service, our teams will be ready to help guests shop and save with ease this holiday season.”
Target’s Black Friday Two-Day Preview Sale runs from Nov. 8-9 and shoppers can score deals in retail stores or online at Target.com. Along with five percent off digital Target gift cards, shoppers can also nab deep discounts on everything from electronics and entertainment to home and beauty picks.
Early access to Black Friday Deals starts on Wednesday, Nov. 27 at 6 p.m. CST. If you don’t take advantage of the early access deals, you can still shop Target’s Black Friday Savings from 5 p.m. Nov. 28 through 1 a.m. Nov. 30. Check out Target’s Black Friday preview ad here!
Family vacations are a great way to get away from the rush of modern life and reconnect with each other. The memories that come from fun-filled family vacations will last a lifetime, but sometimes their boredom and frustration can rear its ugly head. No one can be happy all the time, but with a little bit of planning, a lot of patience and these five tips, you can survive your family vacation with a wealth of happy memories.
#1. Plan Your Expenses
Money is one of the most stressful aspects of any family vacation. You should set a budget with your spouse and any other adults that will accompany on your trip well in advance. Find out who is contributing and in what amounts. You should also set what spending limits will be. Then, start saving at least three months before you plan to depart. Aside from your spending budget, you will need to set money aside for unexpected expenses such as medical cost, impulse purchases, gifts, and even inflation. This can keep everyone in the green out of the poorhouse during your family vacation. If you have kids that will be traveling with you, consider having them save their allowance for a few months. That way they can make their own “fun” or optional purchases while on vacation. Not only will this help keep you on budget, but they will also feel more involved in the planning process.
#2. Plan Your Travel Time & Know Your Limits
One of the hardest parts of going on vacation with your family is getting to your destination. Plan your travel time well in advance of your trip to stay on schedule. Can you imagine getting packed and ready only to miss your flight? How about setting a time to hit the road only to get mired in rush hour traffic due to departing from the house too late? Instead of getting stressed out, plan properly. For every child in your vacation party, add an extra 20 minutes to your departure time. For every slow-moving adult or elderly person, add 15 minutes. Once you have the extra time calculated, set your departure ahead accordingly to stay on schedule and retain your sanity. It is also critical to know your limits and that of those traveling with you. Everyone has those little things that can cause a major meltdown, keep them in mind when planning your trip. Every so often you may have to just let the baby cry or allow your spouse to pick the radio station on to keep the peace. Choosing your battles not only will ensure your trip goes smoothly, but it will also keep everyone happy and your wits intact.
#3. Set Aside Time for Yourself
Taking a vacation with your family is a lot of fun for them, but it can also be a lot of work for you and your spouse. Creating me time allows your family to have independent fun while you get some time to yourselves. If your family has time away from you, they will begin to appreciate the time you are around them even more and you will also feel much more refreshed. Depending on the age of the people in your vacation party, downtime can mean any number of things. If you have other adults or older kids, consider letting them explore your vacation spot on their own. While everyone is away, you can kick up your feet, relax, and just let the strain of the trip melt away. You should never feel selfish or guilty for cherishing that time away from your family even on vacation. The role of a parent is one that changes often but seldom involves truly having no responsibility. Getting in your “me time” allows you to be the best parent that you can be for the rest of your vacation.
#4. Learn to Compromise
On a family vacation, you are going to be faced with various personalities outside of their usual environment. As a result, it is important to be flexible if you want things to go smoothly. Regardless of your destination, there is going to be several things to see and events to attend. That means there is going to be conflicts about what to do first or when to go to each event. Make a point of pairing up family members with similar interest if some activities occur at the same time that different groups don’t want to miss. This can cut down on arguments and make your vacation much more enjoyable for all since no one will be stuck doing something they have no interest in. Depending on the age of your family members, some may need to sleep earlier than others. Consider taking turns going to bed early so that every night owl can have a chance to party hard all night long.
#5. Pay Attention to Family, Not Electronics
One of the main reasons to go on vacation with your family is to get away from the real world and reconnect. That is hard to do if you spend your whole trip glued to your phone, tablet or laptop. Social media and work tend to be able to reach out and touch us whenever and wherever we may be and that has to stop. Be present with your family to make memories and enjoy your time together. We are not saying to leave your electronics at home but make a point not to use them until the end of each day. Laugh, joke, and immerse yourself in the moment to get the most out of your family vacation. You may be surprised at just how much you learn about your family and how much you actually don’t miss staying connected.
The Bottom Line: Traveling can be fun though traveling with your family can be a challenge. By following our handy suggestions, you will find that your vacation flows much more smoothly and your sanity will remain intact.
Mollie Wilson is a freelance writer from North Carolina. When she is not writing, she is perusing an adventures life- backpacking, climbing, exploring local coffee shops, and traveling.
Kids can have a lot of wants, from toys to electronics, but the next time they ask for something you could turn it into a clever lesson in the value of hard work like one mom who set up a job fair for her kids.
Shaketha Marion McGregor of Dublin, Georgia was tired of her kids asking for things so she decided to give them the opportunity to earn what they wanted with jobs. Of course finding a job when you’re a kid isn’t easy so she set up a job fair in her house.
“So, my children continue to ask for a new cell phone, an allowance, and to go places. Yesterday I told them that I’ve heard their requests and that I’ll have a surprise for them today when they get home from school. SURPRISE!!! It’s a whole hiring event!” she wrote in a Facebook post sharing her unique idea. “If you want it, work for it, earn it! And yes, I also have an in home credit union lol,” she added.
She posted signs advertising the fair and the jobs available, which included kitchen manager, lead housekeeper, and laundry supervisor. She even created job applications with questions like “What is your desired pay rate?” and “Are you willing to work some nights and weekends?”
It should come as no surprise that her post went viral with thousands of likes and comments applauding the creative way she handled her kids requests.
Amazon’s Prime Day is just a few short days away, but it’s not always easy to spend time surfing the web and shopping online when the kids are running around. Luckily you’ve got a secret shopping weapon lurking in your house: Alexa. If you’re itching to learn what kind of Prime Day deals you can score, all you have to do is ask Alexa.
Prime Day launches on Mon. Jul. 15 at 12 a.m. PST/ 3 a.m. EST, but you don’t have to be glued to your phone or your laptop to score some amazing deals. All you have to do is say “Alexa, what are my Prime Day deals?” And your personal assistant will do all the heavy lifting for you.
photo: Amazon
Over the course of the two-day sale, Amazon says that new deals could launch as often as every five minutes so Alexa’s voice command skills will come in plenty handy sorting through all the new sales.
You don’t have to wait until Monday to put Alexa to work, however. You can begin asking Alexa for the scoop on Prime Day deals over the weekend. You can shop with Alexa on an Echo device starting Sat., Jul. 13 to get early access to select deals on devices.
Don’t have an Alexa-enabled device? There’s no better time to get one than during the Prime Day event when you can score the absolute best deals on devices like the Fire TV Stick with Alexa Voice Remote for just $14.99 and the Echo for only $49.99.
There will be plenty of savings to be found on a variety of items throughout the sale, with up to $80 off of select Amazon devices, up to 50 percent off of smart TVs and other select electronics, up to 60 percent off of select clothing and accessories, up to 35 percent off of back-to-school brands and other household items, and so much more.
