It’s almost time for the Olympics! To celebrate, Hello Kitty just dropped a Team USA line featuring collectibles, apparel and accessories. Including the cutest kid’s hat we’ve seen in a minute!
You’ll find the girl’s collection ready to buy at Target: a Team USA windbreaker jacket, joggers, t-shirts and much more. We particularly love the Olympic Team x Hello Kitty visor with cat ears and the Team USA backpack clip! Best of all, prices are low, starting at $8.99.
The men in your life can check out Urban Outfitters for apparel, including a Hello Kitty spin on skateboarding, which will debut at the Olympic Games this year. And Sanrio.com and select Sanrio stores carry women’s apparel and fun collectible items, like pins and mini figures.
Parent company Sanrio Inc. is partnering with U.S. Olympic medalist Allyson Felix for the Team USA collaboration. Hello Kitty and Felix will serve as “Global Ambassadors for Inclusivity” to connect friends around the world during the Games in Tokyo. Get excited for the action with this cheerful new line!
Bring storytime to life by pairing these eight toys with the classic books that inspired them for a great baby shower (or anytime!) gift. There are many benefits to reading to babies and toddlers, from building early language skills to fostering social and emotional development. And these toys take it to the next level, making your child fall in love with the books even more. Introduce these classic stories and beloved characters to a whole new generation of readers!
Babies will love this play gym to the “moon and back.” Inspired by Sam McBratney’s classic children’s book about the love between a parent and child, this playmat features a musical mobile, dangling toys, a teether, ribbon tags, and a flower mirror. It comes with a carrying case for portable tummy and play time!
An adorably soft alternative to the classic stacking rings, the Paddington stacking toy is topped off with the instantly recognizable red hat of the bear who loves marmalade. The rings come in various sizes that teach babies and toddlers about cause-and-effect. Paddington may get up to mischief in Michael Bond's stories, but this toy will surely keep your little one out of it.
Straight from the pages of David McKee’s stories about the patchwork elephant is the Elmer comfort blanket. The bold colors are eye-catching in the unmistakable pattern of the book's illustrations, and the soft plush is soothing on sensitive skin. Elmer’s classic elephant face with large ears and trunk complete the design.
This easy-to-hold ring-shaped rattle features the famous Cat in the Hat from the eponymous Dr. Seuss classic. The large plush ring has the distinct red-and-white stripes of the hat, and three smaller teether rings encircle it. The face is embroidered with details that include the whiskers to bring out the trouble-making cat’s distinctive features.
Paired with the board book Curious George Goes Fishing, this plush tackle box is a perfect introduction to the mischievous monkey created by Margret and H. A. Rey. The tackle box has a touch-and-close fastener to keep all the parts, including a crinkle worm and squeaky toy fish, inside when not in use. The soft fishing rod even has a fastener that sticks to the fish for real fishing action!
Take bath time to the Hundred Acre Wood with this Winnie the Pooh bath set. The figurines include five beloved characters from the classic book series by A. A. Milne. The bucket has a straining lid, plastic handle, and a pour spout for all of baby’s bath-time needs. Store the figurines in the bucket to save space.
Inspired by Eric Carle’s iconic hungry caterpillar, this toy is designed to stimulate all the senses of your littlest bookworm. Hook the brightly colored teether and activity toy to a carseat or stroller and let baby explore the many textures. The plush caterpillar features beads, tags, rings to chew, crinkles, and a jingle bell rattle.
Babies will love cozying up with the velvety corduroy of this security blanket in the likeness of the bear from Don Freeman’s treasured children’s book. The buttoned overalls and pocket are appliquéd and embroidered, making the toy safe for newborns. The back is a silky satin for a different texture experience. Babies and parents alike can’t help but falling for Corduroy’s sweet face.
The one you’re going to want to buy, immediately. LEGO just announced the new F.R.I.E.N.D.S Apartments Set and with 2,048 pieces, you’ll have endless opportunities to recreate your favorite scenes from the classic show.
The sprawling set features both New York apartments, plus the adjoining hallway. It features plenty of iconic features from many of the show’s hilarious moments—from Monica’s Thanksgiving Turkey hat to Joey and Chandler’s canoe-as-furniture. You’ll also find the Poking Device, Pat the Dog and Phoebe’s creepy art piece, among many others.
Of course, your set wouldn’t be complete without the minifigures and LEGO has created them for the whole crew. Rachel is rocking her iconic plaid skirt, Ross has his too-tight leather pants, Monica has her classic apron, Phoebe is in her familiar florals, Chandler looks suave in his suit and designer tie. Last but not least, Joey is wearing all of Chandler’s clothes.
This is the second F.R.I.E.N.D.S-themed set, following the super popular Central Perk set in 2019. It’s available exclusively for LEGO VIP members on May 19 and online and in LEGO Stores on June 1, retailing for $149.99. Get ready to add this stellar set to your collection!
It’s practically swimsuit season, and if you’re like us, there can never be too many swimsuits for kids in the house. From playing in the sprinkler to swimming in the pool, and of course, the annual trek to the lake or beach, there are so many reasons why your kids will need a new swimsuit this year. We found 11 affordable options on Amazon, so keep reading to find their new favorite summer outfit.
Kanu Flounce Two-Piece Swimsuit
This adorable bikini set comes in so many colors and prints your kiddo won’t know which one to pick! With almost 5,000 reviews on Amazon and offered in sizes for 2T-14Y, we’re pretty sure it’s a winning pick.
Simple Joys by Carter’s Two-Piece Rashguard and Swim Trunks
Carter’s knows kids, and this fun rashguard and swim trunk ensemble is available in six animal themes, including an alligator, a shark, a pirate theme and a sailing theme.
For your kiddo who wants a two-piece swimsuit without all the fluff, this tankini is ideal. It comes in over a dozen color combos and is available for sizes 3T-13Y
Another rashguard set that comes in pastels and mermaid prints, you’ll get extra protection with the UPF +50 protection. And who doesn’t love the adorable ruffle on the bottoms?
For your tiniest kiddo, this adorable swim set comes with a hat and lots of protection for that baby skin. Both the swimsuit and the hat are made from UPF 50 material. Sizes start at 0-3 months.
For those who want more coverage, this one-piece suit will thrill! With lots of styles to choose from, It’ll be fun to pick which one they want to order: polka dots, island-inspired flowers, tie-dye and more!
For kids who want to enjoy serious water sports at the beach, a wetsuit is a must. This one is highly rated and comes in several colors, there’s even a Spider-Man version! Made from environmentally friendly fabrics, this one will wear well.
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.
We know your kids haven’t forgotten about the glory of an overnight at the Great Wolf Lodge, and the Great Wolf Lodge hasn’t forgotten about your family, either! While some Great Wolf Lodges are open with strict safety protocols in place, for many of us a visit won’t be possible this year. Throughout the pandemic closures, they’ve been working to keep that pawesome vibe going for you by offering at-home activity tutorials for fun crafts and creative projects to keep the kids happy. For New Year’s Eve, they’ve created an entire lineup for you and the kids: the ultimate Glow-In-the-Dark NYE Party. Read on to get planning.
At the Great Wolf Lodge blog, you’ll find the following activities to throw your own Glow-in-the-Dark NYE Party:
As students continue to navigate the holidays and classrooms and parents adjust to working back in the office, we are all looking for more comfortable options to protect each other. Many people are foregoing face masks and optioning for face shields, instead. The flip down face visors rest on the forehead, most with comfy adjustable straps that offer better airflow than fabric masks. If you’re looking for a face shield, keep reading to see some of the top sellers.
Sam's Club
This lightweight face shield leaves plenty of room for glasses and a mask underneath and comes with an elastic headband for a tight fit. Coming in colorful and fun designs, it makes wearing a face covering fun.
Rebel Shields' visor is attached to a steel hinge, so the wearer can flip up the visor when not in use. The graphic is made of perforated film for clear one-way visibility and a padded headband makes the visor comfortable enough to wear all day.
PPE manufacturer Ripclear has just launched kids sizes. Coming in two styles (pink bunny and panda), each mask is lined with 3/4" foam around the forehead and a soft elastic headband. Ripclear face shields also offer 91 percent optical transparency and is a certified medical face shield.
Size: Kids and adult
Cost: $20 for a pack of five for kids, $90 for a 20 pack for adults
Online marketplace Etsy has tons of face shield options, but we love Proted's lineup because of the versatile flip up option. With a 90 degree rotation, these face shield's are great for kids and adults. They lay flat when not in use, are adjustable, easy to disinfect and can be worn with glasses and a mask if desired.
For everyday comfort and style, Gemelli's black hat with attached face covering is a go-to. The visor is made of PVC and the hat has an adjustable strap to adjusting.
Zazzle's offers so many designs, we can't keep track! The company's clear face shields are made with PET plastic that is lightweight and easy to wear. They come with an adjustable band and make wearing a cinch.
Polaroid's optical grade, high clarity shield comes with an adjustable black strap so it can fit almost anyone. The curved visor makes for easy viewing and can be easily worn with glasses.
Merry Grinchmas! Skechers and Dr. Seuss have teamed up to deliver a nostalgic holiday collection for women and children inspired by the author’s beloved story How the Grinch Stole Christmas. The seasonal capsule now available online and select Skechers retail stores nationwide, is the latest release from the Skechers x Dr. Seuss collaboration announced in August.
The limited-edition capsule highlights The Grinch, featuring charming illustrations of the “mean one” and utilizing his signature green coloring throughout the designs.
Popular Skechers Street and BOBS from Skechers women’s styles get The Grinch treatment as well as three pairs for toddlers and kids.
Women can choose between the fierce Skechers Street Uno Rugged – You’re A Mean One with mischievous Grinch eyes and lug sole or the BOBS Beach Bingo – Grinchmastime slip-on from the charity-minded BOBS from Skechers line.
Kids big and small can match mom in Grinch printed high-tops or light-up sneakers. Skechers Boys’ Duratronz – Seuss World and toddler size Duratronz – Lil Seuss-Land canvas high tops feature The Grinch in his signature Santa hat on the shoe’s exterior and an illustration of Max the dog in a matching hat on the shoe’s interior side. Red and black striped laces and Dr. Seuss branding on the tongue complete the pairs. Skechers Magna-Lights: Grinchtastic in toddler sizing rounds out the collection with The Grinch peeking out over the shoe’s light-up sole.
As the cold and rainy season moves in, figuring out how to survive a COVID/quarantine winter has been top of mind for me. Summer made living in a quarantine relatively easy because we could do so much outside. But now, the warm days are gone, replaced with clouds and cold temps. Normally, the Oregon winter drives me indoors, save a few dog walks, but this year I am vowing to do things differently.
COVID has changed how I view so much, and one thing is my perspective on the outdoors. For too long I have taken living in the beautiful Pacific Northwest for granted. However, right now, the outdoors is the #1 option our family has for doing anything fun outside the house. And this mom is determined to find a way to make it work.
There’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing, right? I think that’s how the expression goes. We just need the right layers.
This is what my family is wearing to stay warm in the outdoors this fall and winter.
Last weekend we headed to a local arboretum to see the fall colors and brave the brisk temps. Side note: face masks make great face warmers! We wore ours too but took them off for photos.
It’s truly amazing what being outdoors does for everyone’s spirits. Something about being under the open sky makes the kids feel freer and I feel more at ease.
We are currently brainstorming a list of local hikes to hit this fall and winter. I’d like to get to the coast and show the kids Ft. Stevens, I think they’d enjoy the history. I also came across this very comprehensive list of Oregon hikes, and can’t wait to tackle some of them!
One silver lining of this Covid era: we might just become more outdoorsy people, and I am excited about that.
1
Patagonia Cord Fjord Coat
A unicorn jacket because it's both warm (600 fill power!) and stylish (hello corduroy!)
$299
I often tend to shy away from the outdoors when it gets cold because most technical jackets just don't jive with my style. This Cord Fjord Coat is great because it's way more interesting than your typical puffer. It has a slight vintage vibe, but the fit is more relaxed, which makes it feel modern. The flannel and corduroy fabric feel so much more cozy than your typical nylon-y fabric.
The little pack is sleek and small, perfect for wearing around your waist, *under* your coat, or slung crossbody *over* your coat. Either way, it's a lot easier than carrying a traditional purse!
These boots are my go-to for the outdoors right now because they are warm, comfortable, and can stand up to wet weather. I really love that they look like normal, everyday boots and not 'technical' or rain boots.
We are very much urban types, who are striving to be outdoors more, and this jacket is the best of both worlds. It's sturdy, industrious and warm, yet it has a sleek, polished look to it with flap pockets and snap closures.
My 11-year-old loves this jacket because the slim fit makes her feel grown up, and the long length keeps her warm. Bonus: there are thumb holes in the sleeves that she uses approximately 100% of the time.
This one is a bit like a blanket with a zipper. It's so snuggly I catch my daughter wearing it almost every day. It's a great base layer, and would work well under a parka on colder days.
My little boy hates wearing coats and instead lives in hoodies. This jacket is a bit of a hero for us because it looks like a hoodie, but with the canvas outside and quilted inside, it's a sneaky winter coat!
My kids love to show their personalities with what they wear, including their favorite colors. I love these beanies because they are bright and colorful, but not over the top. Heck, they're even cool. My kids like them because they're soft.
Whether it’s your un-birthday or just after school, it’s always a good time for tea. Celebrate Mad Hatter Day any day and gather round your lovies, machines, snakes and dolls. All are welcome at an ad-hoc tea party fit for a king (or a tractor). Read on for some easy inspiration.
You will need:
A table, or you can make it a picnic tea party on the floor.
A tablecloth.
Tea cups, preferably assorted and mismatched.
A tea pot.
Snacks. We like fresh fruit and few treats for after school, but you can honestly serve anything.
Attendees. (Let your child select the attendees.)
A hat.
Step One: Gather your items. Remember, the key here is to use what you have. If your child has a tea set, great, but coffee cups work just as well. No tea? Use water. Somehow, it tastes more spectacular out of a tea cup.
Step Two: Have your child help decorate the table. Since your trying to invoke the Mad Hatter’s tea party, a little colorful chaos is okay.
Step Three: Bring the attendees in. Remember, this needn’t be limited to dolls and stuffed animals. Our Editor’s son brought along a front-end loader, a K’Nex creature, snakes and monster trucks as well as stuffed animals.
Step Four: Bring on the tea and cookies! If there’s room at the table you might even be able to join them. You can read the Mad Tea Party scene from the book, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, at this link, out loud while they enjoy their tea.
Step Five: Don your hat and enjoy!
Does your child love tea parties? Tell us about a memorable one in the comments below!
