Set the dinner table with a little help from Anna and Elsa! Disney’s Frozen 2 Collectible Ceramic Dinnerware set is here—and it may just make your kiddo eat whatever you put on their plate.
The 16-piece set includes four complete settings. You’ll get four 10.75-inch dinner plates, four seven-inch dessert plates, four 16-ounce bowls, and four 12-ounce mugs.
Each perfectly crafted piece features sweet silhouette designs from the Frozen film franchise. Whether your child is a fan of Anna, Elsa, or both, they’ll find the now-iconic characters on this fancy (but family-friendly) dinnerware set. Along with the character silhouettes, the dishes, bowls, and mugs also include awesomely ornate snowflake designs.
Find this Robe Factory Disney Frozen 2 Anna and Elsa Themed Dinnerware Dining Set on Amazon for $119.99. As if the Frozen 2 dinnerware set isn’t enough princess-y goodness, you can also nab another 16-piece set, featuring Princesses Tiana, Rapunzel, Aurora, and Mulan (also $119.99 on Amazon). Add the Disney Princess 4-Piece Dinner Placemat Set ($42.99 from Amazon) to complete your Disney dinner table look!
We love this slime project. Not only is it cool—in more ways than one—to touch and feel, it’s also a blast to make snowmen and watch as they melt into a soft puddle. We’re also betting any tiny Frozen toys your kids have stashed around the house would make an excellent addition to this activity. For a complete run-down on how to make this oozing goo, skedaddle over to Little Bins for Little Hands.
Got a pair of white socks? If so, get started making these adorable snowmen that require just a handful of supplies. Darkroom & Dearly blog has the full tutorial here.
Deck out your mantel with an easy snowman garland that's easy enough for your two-year-old to make. The blog Pure Heart has all of the directions here.
Build and melt a snowman faster than you can say Olaf. With just a few household items, whip up a batch of foaming dough, courtesy of Fun at Home with Kids. Snow-dough pro Asia Citro explains why it’s important to have waterproof tidbits for snowman parts, and why a squeeze bottle full of vinegar is the easiest way to create massive amounts of foam.
An assembly line never looked so good. Not only will little hands get a workout while molding snowmen, your kids will get a chance to use their fine-motor skills when they get busy adding all the extra parts. We love this easy (afternoon time-filler!) activity from Buggy and Buddy. Get the scoop over at Buggy and Buddy.
The Golden Girls knew that all life’s problems could be cured with a slice of cheesecake. The Cheesecake Factory wants to help guests start off the year on a sweet note. Next week the popular restaurant chain is offering back-to-back promotions to treat fans.
Starting on Mon., Jan. 11, guests will be treated to two complimentary slices of any of The Cheesecake Factory’s 30+ legendary flavors of cheesecake with their online take-out or delivery order of $30 or more by using promo code “TWOSLICES” at checkout.
Following that special offer, from Tues., Jan. 12 through Sun., Jan. 17, guests will be treated to one complimentary slice of cheesecake with their online take-out or delivery order of $30 or more by using promo code “GETASLICE” at checkout.
We have all been guilty of being too “plugged in” some days, and our kids are no exception. Screens are here to stay, and finding a happy medium between being online and being in the real world is more critical than ever. Teaching our kids how to balance technology and screen time with hands-on play and discovery is key, and we could use all the help we can get.
Life lesson alert: “You can plug in, but only learn by doing.” No, these words of wisdom didn’t come from Oprah, but from a robot on an uber-cool new kid’s show. Based on the beloved book by Dan Yaccarino, Doug Unplugs is a robo-centric story with a twist from the geniuses at Dreamworks and Apple TV+; and we are here for it. Read on for four life lessons preschoolers (and the rest of us) can learn from Doug and his human and robot buddies!
Doug Unplugs the Joys of Learning
Our hero Doug is driven by curiosity and a sense of wonder as he learns the computer screen doesn’t reveal the full picture. Instead of turning his back on technology, he uses it to enhance his real-life experiences. By combining the usefulness of technology with active learning in the real world, he teaches kids that you can learn by doing!
Teamwork Makes the Dream Work
Doug and his high-energy human best friend Emma are the most dynamic duo around! Emma helps Doug navigate the excitement of new experiences in the human world, and for Doug, everything is new! With her natural exuberance, Emma embodies the joy and heart of learning. Combined with Doug's insatiable curiosity for knowledge, Emma and Doug thrive—everything is more fun when you share it!
Community Mindedness
Doug is part of a unique robot crew. Rather than staying contained in his small world at Reboot factory, he goes forth into Megacity! While exploring the real world, he never forgets his roots. Doug shares his knowledge gained on his adventures with his buddies at Reboot! His robo-community thrives while relationships with his family and friends grow as they all enjoy the excitement and discovery together!
Technology With a Purpose
In this show, much like life, tech is essential, but it can't replace a real-life experience! Doug is immersed in tech; heck, he is tech! When he steps away from his automated world of robots to engage with the unpredictable real world, he's in awe of everything around him, big and small—a great reminder that sometimes, it's the little things!
This series encourages kiddos to not just turn to technology when it's time to learn but to use tech to fuel their curiosity, inspiring them to get out and start exploring. Let's face it: sometimes...you just gotta unplug!
The season is about to smell a whole lot sweeter! OREO has been making delicious cookies for decades and their foray into home fragrance is the next best thing.
You can snag an OREO Cookie Scented Candle over at oreo.com for just $12.99. According to the description, “if you’ve ever wanted to trick your guests into thinking they just stumbled onto a tour of the Oreo factory, our deliciously-scented Oreo candle is exactly what you need!”
photo: OREO
The candles come with an OREO cookie design on the jar and a silver lid. Looking for more OREO goodies?
The OREO site also sells pillows, shirts, hats, mugs, water bottles and of course, cookie jars.
It’s time to get the kids prepped for Halloween. While the holiday may look different this year, 1-800-FLOWERS.COM,Inc. is helping families to stay connected to make the most of the day. From socially distanced trick-or-treating to no-contact gifting there are endless ways to celebrate.
Harry & David Halloween Pear Decorating Kit ($34.99): A fun and creative new way to enjoy a fruit alternative as a Halloween treat, this unique and sweet Halloween Pear Decorating Kit comes complete with a sheet of food-safe stickers. Once completed these pears are perfect to use as Halloween décor.
The Popcorn Factory Halloween Popcorn Ball Decorating Kit ($39.99): Play with your food! This kit includes everything you’ll need to fashion ghosts, goblins, witches, bats, pumpkins, monsters, spiders, bats or anything else your imagination can create using eight popcorn balls.
Cheryl’s Cookies Halloween Cut-Out Cookie Decorating Kit ($49.99-$79.99): A delicious and fun gift idea! The cut-out cookie kit arrives with everything you need to create yummy buttercream frosted Cheryl’s treats at home – no baking necessary. The kit includes 24 unfrosted, cut-out cookies, a 1 lb. tub each of vanilla and orange icing and Halloween sprinkles. If you choose, you can add aprons and a spatula.
This year, Halloween activities for kids are definitely not cancelled!
Oh. My. Gourd. It’s pumpkin season at Shake Shack. Also known as fall in a cup, the Pumpkin Shake features Libby’s 100% Pure Pumpkin mixed with cinnamon, nutmeg, marshmallow, and vanilla frozen custard topped with whipped cream and toasted pumpkin seeds.
This delicious shake is made with 100% REAL, all-Natural, nothing added pumpkin. Libby’s has been growing its pumpkins in Illinois for generations giving them that one-of-a-kind flavor. They go straight from the patch a few miles up the road to its factory and are packed immediately, preserving as much of that awesome pumpkin color and flavor as possible.
These pumpkins are going straight from the patch to the shack.
Get the kids suited up in that new mohawk helmet and find them the perfect bike for your day on the bike trail. Akron, Ohio is home to miles of trails that are perfect for new riders, experienced bikers and our favorite, the family cargo bike riders. Ride along paths that used to be train tracks, look for hidden waterfalls and take a dip in a lake when you are done. Scroll down for all the best bike trails for kids of all ages and abilities.
Bike and Hike Trail, Summit Metro Parks
iStock
The paved 34-mile Bike & Hike Trail travels southeast from Sagamore Hills to Munroe Falls and Stow. This was one of the first "rails to trails" conversions in the country and sections of the Bike & Hike Trail follow the course of two abandoned railroads. There are several parking lots with access points along the way.
East of Route 91 in Munroe Falls, the Bike & Hike Trail parallels a scenic section of the Cuyahoga River where great blue herons, Canada geese and a variety of ducks can be seen. Don't miss a stop at Brandywine Falls. At 75 feet, the fall are one of the highest in Ohio.
The Ohio & Erie Canalway is a National Heritage Area that draws hikers, bikers, horseback riders and birders. This path is partially paved and very popular for good reason as it is a gorgeous area to explore via your bike. On weekends it can get pretty crowded so pick it for your weekday rides. Check out the Bike Aboard program where you can bike one way between the Boston Store and Station Road train stations, and ride the train the other direction with your bike onboard.
This 237-acre park has six trails that total 3.6 miles. The trails are smoothed with some rolling hills that are perfect for younger riders. There are several trails to choose from, the longest is about a mile and a half. As a post ride reward, children will enjoy the orchard-themed playground. There's also an awesome sledding hill here in winter months.
The 3.3-mile paved trail around the lake offers great opportunities for bike riding kids. Located in the southern end of Cleveland Metroparks, Hinckley Reservation is the site of the nationally-known annual Return of the Buzzards. Bonus: you can cool off in the water after your ride!
The Greenway Corridor is a 4.8-mile paved trail that's perfect for family bike rides in the beauty of nature. Bonus: The beautiful waterfall locally known as “Chair Factory Falls” is a natural feature accessible by a pedestrian trail off the Greenway Corridor in Concord Township. You'll have to park your bikes and take the very short pedestrian pathway to see the falls.
The Castro boasts a rich and colorful history, sweet treats on every corner, an old-school movie house and plenty of toys (yes, even the kind the kids can play with)
You’ve probably seen the rainbow flag swaying above the rooftops in San Francisco, but there’s only one place in the city where your little ROYGBIVs can see dozens of these colorful banners decorating every shop, cross walk, and signpost. The Castro boasts a rich and colorful history, sweet treats on every corner, an old-school movie house and plenty of toys (yes, even the kind the kids can play with). We’ve mapped out the perfect day out with the little ones in tow.
Where to Play in the Castro
Eureka Valley Playground: Inspired by The Wizard of Oz, kids can follow the yellow path or just run freestyle around this cushioned playground.The rec center onsite hosts a ton of classes, and there’s also a baseball diamond, tennis court, and a dog run!
100 Collingwood St.
San Francisco Online:sfrecpark.org
Seward Street Slides:Tap into you inner child at the Seward Street Slides. From 18th street walk west for four blocks to Douglass, then take a left onto Douglass and follow it until you find the Seward Mini Park. Two long, steep concrete slides are the main attraction, though they are not for tiny tots. Bring a piece of cardboard and wear sturdy pants. Closes at sunset.
Walk it Out: Take a self-guided walking history tour around the Castro. From Market to 19th, the sidewalks feature plaques and information about some of SF’s most famous advocates for equality.
If you want to try a true butt buster and toddler-tiring walk, head straight up Castro to 21st Street. This hill, one of the steepest in SF, gives you an amazing view of downtown and the perfect excuse to treat yourself to some Junior Mints at the movies afterwards.
The Randall Museum: The beloved museum is technically in Corona Heights, but considering it’s a scenic 15 minute walk from the heart of the Castro, we would be remiss not to mention it. Stop by on Saturday mornings at 11:30 a.m. for the weekly “Meet the Animals” presentation.
The Castro Theatre: The jewel of the neighborhood, this theater shows kids’ movies, singalongs, and classics. It also features a rising Wurlitzer Organ, which is played before each movie, offering at atmosphere worthy of the 1920s, when the theatre was originally built.
Cliff’s Variety: This unconventional neighborhood hardware store’s spoils include toys, quirky housewares, and year-round costume supplies like feather boas and glittery ribbons.
Good to know: If you’ve never been, keep in mind that this neighborhood does have sex shops and occasional nudity so if your kids are as curious as ours, be prepared for inquiring minds to ask lots (and lots!) of questions.
Photo: Amber Guetebier
Where to Eat in the Castro with Kids
Hecho: Incredible Mexican dishes await—kids and adults will go gaga over the short rib quesadillas. Drop by for dinner or Sunday brunch, and don’t leave without trying one of their killer cocktails.
The Sausage Factory: For comfort food like an Italian grandma used to make. Kids will dig the big pizzas and classic pasta dishes. Worried your kids won’t stay contained in the tight front dining quarters? Ask to sit in the back. If there are no big parties or special reservations you’ll get more space to yourself and be right by the restrooms. Open for dinner only.
Ike’s Place: This famous sandwich shop might have a line, but one bite and you’ll see why. There’s nearly 100 sandwiches on the menu (Peg Bundy, Super Mario and the Pizzle among the choices) , so it may be best to study the list online before arriving.
Orphan Andy’s: A hopping little old-school diner that’s open 24 hours. The menu is packed with every diner dish imaginable, and they all go great with a malt.
3991 17th St.
San Francisco
Rossi’s Delicatessen: Sammies with a great variety: salami, cheese, and even falafel. Pick up a few and take a stroll up to the Randall Museum for a picnic with the best view in town.
426 Castro St.
San Francisco
Photo: Chile Pies
Where to Get Dessert in the Castro
Sweet Inspiration:Tarts, cakes, pies, cheesecakes and ice cream. Need we say more? Well, they are all made there and you can go in and sample the wares, then order a cake (or cheesecake) to go!
Hot Cookie: Pick up a cookie (or ten) for your little cookie monsters. Located right next to the Castro Theater this tiny bakeshop, the treats are sweet but can come in some spicy shapes (beware that there are some shaped like dad’s naughty bits).
407 Castro St.
San Francisco
Chile Pies: Pies, cakes, and ice cream from the Green Chile Kitchen peeps! They serve savory pies as well as sweet and the ice cream comes from Three Twins so ask for it ala’ mode!
Getting to the Castro: Like many neighborhoods in San Francisco, parking can be tough.You can take a historic F Market Street Car (runs from the Ferry Plaza up Market Street to Castro) or any of the underground Muni streetcars: K, L, M, or T to Castro Street Station. Look for the giant rainbow flag to know you’ve made it! To and from Noe Valley you can take the 24 Divisadero, and the 33 Stanyan runs right down 18th Street from the Inner Richmond all the way to Potrero Hill. Cabs line up outside the Sausage Factory so one is always available.
There is a new Gerber baby, and she’s adorable. Chosen from over 327,000 entries, Magnolia Earl from Ross, CA was announced as the winner of the 10th annual Gerber Baby Photo Search. Magnolia’s adoption story highlights all the beautiful and unique ways families are made.
Just a year ago, Magnolia’s parents received a surprise phone call from an adoption agency saying an expectant mom in active labor wanted to speak with them, and overnight, this family of four grew to a family of five.
Baby Magnolia was chosen as the 2020 Gerber Spokesbaby from more than 327,000 entries submitted through photosearch.gerber.com where families could upload photos, videos and share stories. As the newest Gerber Spokesbaby, Magnolia represents every Gerber baby, and her family’s story serves as a reminder of what unites all parents and drives everyone at Gerber: the promise to do anything for baby.
“Magnolia has brought so much joy to everyone she meets. Her personality is beyond happy and joyful,” said Courtney Earl, Magnolia’s mother. “On May 9th, 2019 we received a call from the Adoption Agency that there was an expectant mom that was in labor and wanted to talk to us! We pulled off the highway, got a chance to connect with her amazing birth parents, and a few hours later, this sweet baby girl was born. Adoption is incredibly special to our family’s story. Winning Photo Search is an opportunity to tell Magnolia’s story and shed light on all the beautiful and different ways families are made.”
“Our Gerber family of farmers, factory workers, employees and customers are all united in our pursuit to do everything and anything for baby. We believe every baby is a Gerber baby and standing behind our babies has never mattered more than it does now,” said Bill Partyka, President and CEO, Gerber. “At a time when we are yearning for connection and unity, Magnolia and her family remind us of the many things that bring us together: our desire to love and be loved, our need to find belonging, and our recognition that family goes way beyond biology.”
Launched in 2010, Photo Search was inspired by the countless photos received over the years from parents who see their little ones in Gerber’s iconic baby logo, which features the original Gerber baby, Ann Turner Cook. Photo Search celebrates babies and families from all backgrounds, highlighting the belief that every baby is a Gerber Baby.
“Photo Search is a moment of celebration that so many families look forward to each year. And this year – perhaps more than ever – the Gerber family is thrilled to celebrate with Magnolia and her family, and with families across America,” said Kelly Schneider, a spokeswoman for Gerber. “The COVID-19 pandemic has made all of us feel more isolated than ever before, so finding new ways to feel connected has never mattered more.”
In addition to the opportunity to be featured on Gerber’s social media channels and marketing campaigns throughout the year, Magnolia and her family were rewarded a $25,000 cash prize, $1,000 in Gerber Childrenswear, $1,000 from Walmart and phones with a year of free unlimited service from Verizon – all to provide the best possible start for baby.
