The original voice of the video game Mario and Luigi will have a cameo in the new film!
Get your coin-collecting, cart-racing selves ready because Illumination has just dropped the final Super Mario Bros. movie trailer. The animated film, which hits theaters on Apr. 5th, looks to be a ride through a thrilling new universe based on the classic ’80s Nintendo game that had kids guiding two Italian plumbers through the toadstool world of Princess Peach and Bowser.
In this new, animated version, Brooklyn plumbers Mario and Luigi are working on a water main when they’re transported to a magical world via a mysterious pipe. When the two are separated, Mario sets off on a quest to find his brother. He’ll team up with well-known characters in the battle against Bowser and his Koopa Troop. The star-studded cast includes Chris Pratt as Mario, Charlie Day as Luigi, Anya Taylor-Joy as Princess Peach, and Seth Rogen (who’s been all over the animated world as of late) as Donkey Kong.
The first Super Mario Bros. movie trailer had everyone talking about how different it was from the ’90s live-action version
While the video game is one of the most popular of all time, unfortunately, the same cannot be said for the disastrous 1993 film that is easily one of the worst movies ever made—and that’s according to the film’s director! Things are about to turn around for Mario and Luigi, however, as their story has landed in the magical hands of Illumination.
“I like that this was not done well the first time,” producer Chris Meledandri told Variety. “I think that’s more exciting or more worthy than simply making another version of a film that was done incredibly well, to begin with.”
Melendandri also explained that he planned to work closely with the game’s creator, Shigeru Miyamoto, on developing the film. The 1993 version did not involve Miyamoto at all, and Melendandri believes that was a huge mistake. The new Super Mario Bros.Movie is a true collaboration, as Miyamoto is listed as a co-producer of the film and worked with Melendandri for over six years on the project. If the trailer is any indication, it’s clear that this one won’t miss the mark.
Rob Kenney is looking out for kids who don’t have a father figure in their life. His popular YouTube channel, “Dad, How Do I?” has recently gone viral. There he teaches skills you would normally ask your dad about.
According to an article in Shattered, Kenney wants to leave a legacy, particularly for those who come from a broken family or have an absent parent. Kenney’s own father left when he was still a child. After raising two children of his own, he started making videos to help fill his empty nest.
So far, the videos cover topics like checking the oil, checking your tire pressure, how to fix a running toilet, how to tie a tie and how to iron a dress shirt.
After the outpouring of support made its way to Kenney’s various inboxes, he shared a video to his account thanking everyone for their kind words.
Break out those boogie boards, and this winter, check out these slippery beach sledding spots in LA
There may be snow on the mountains in the distance (and if you want to play in the cold, white fluffy stuff, check out our kid-friendly guide to snow play in LA), but if you want to give kids a fun, only-in-LA sledding experience this winter without having to travel far, head to the beach for some sand dune sledding. Sand berms are man-made sand hills built up by the city to protect the beaches from eroding from winter storms and rough surf. They are a popular spot for sledding in Los Angeles and a beloved activity for locals—and good to know? Boogie boards are great sand sledding devices. Sand berms provide a great way to enjoy the beach during the winter when the weather is typically too cold or windy to enjoy otherwise. These are our favorite spots to climb and slide our way down to the bottom and one of our most-favorite winter activities in LA—most of which can be done for free.
1. Zuma Beach Sand Sledding
Up the coast in Malibu, Zuma always makes for a beautiful beach day, whether you're crashing in the waves or sledding in the sand. It is a bit more of a trek, so you may want to pack up a picnic along with your sleds and make a day of it. The berms at Zuma are long and much less trafficked than Venice and Hermosa, which also means they aren't as smooth and slick. For a better ride, have the grownups in the group take a few trips down the slope first, to carve out a nice pathway for the little ones—yep, it's a perfect excuse to get a turn on the new sled.
Zuma isn't as busy in the winter, so you should have no trouble grabbing a parking spot in the lot directly behind the sand dunes.
The Hermosa Beach sand berms stretch out from both sides of the Hermosa Pier providing plenty of ocean-front real estate for your little sand bunnies. These hills are a little less steep making them the best spot for the youngest (or most cautious) sledders.
Good to Know: The closest places to park are the two public metered lots on Hermosa Ave. at 11th and 13th St.
Just south of the Venice Beach Pier is one of the most popular sand sledding spots on the coast. The Venice berm stretches from the pier all along the length of the south parking lot, so despite being a hotspot, there's always plenty of room for everyone. These slopes are usually the biggest of the berms on the coast, making them the go-to spot for young sledders (and grown-ups) looking for the best thrill ride. Late Dec. or early Jan. is usually the best time to visit, as the sand has gotten packed down, making for a smoother, faster ride.
Good to Know: Parking in the lot can cost more on the weekends. You can also look for a spot on Washington Blvd., but it can be a bit of a walk.
Catch some sand in the Santa Monica Mountains! While the sledding here is prime, there's more at this location that will easily occupy you and your crew for the day—miles of sandy beaches with rocky bluffs, rugged hills and uplands, two major river canyons, and broad grassy valleys dotted with sycamores and oaks along with 70+ miles of hiking trails.
9000 W. Pacific Coast Hwy. Malibu Online:parks.ca.gov
5. Manhattan Beach Sand Dune Park
At the north end of this park, there’s a 100-foot high slope covered in deep sand that kids can climb up and jump, roll, or run down. If your brood grows tired of the sand, there’s also a children’s playground with other facilities including picnic areas, restrooms, and drinking water. The rest of the park includes trails and flora in Manhattan Beach Sand Dune Nature Preserve.
Good to Know: This spot does require reservations, so make sure you secure them before heading here.
If you can dream it, you can put it on your vision board for the new year.
It’s almost 2023, yikes! Spend an afternoon focusing on dreams and goals for the year (hello, travel!) by making a vision board with the kids. From learning a new skill to going on a fantastic trip, there’s no end to the awesome things you can manifest for yourself and your family.
What You’ll Need to Make a Vision Board for Kids
Painting canvas in any size
Old magazines
Mod Podge (or similar decoupaging paste)
Scissors
Paintbrush
How to Get Started
If you can see your aspirations on a daily basis, they are more likely to become a reality. Start by writing down goals and ideas, and have your kids do the same!
Browse old magazines for words, phrases, and images representing each goal.
Use the Mod Podge to paste each clipped item onto the blank canvas. Be sure to brush a coat of gloss over each image. Don’t worry, it will dry clear!
Have Them Show Off Their Vision Board
Once it's done, your kids can decide where to hang or place their vision board, and remember, it should be a place they can see clearly!
Winter in Chicago is all about parkas and your kid’s mittened hand clutching a glorious cup of hot cocoa. The weather gets downright artic some days, but a steaming cup of hot chocolate will definitely make Jack Frost’s nipping a whole lot easier to handle. If your kids love cocoa—or need a good introduction to it—check out these local restaurants or cafes that make their own from scratch. Scroll to find our favorites.
When this local confectioner isn’t busy making mouthwatering truffles and caramels, it's drawing people with delicious hot chocolate in flavors like bittersweet, semisweet or salted caramel topped with homemade ‘mallows. The secret? Steamed whole milk and a cream-top cream that has 45% butterfat.
Previously named Mindy's HotChocolate, Chef Mindy Segal of Mindy's Bakery switched things up and is now specializing in handcrafted sourdough bagels and bialys, babka, za'atar challah and seasonal pastries. Lucky for us, Mindy still has a sweet spot for the roasty-toasty drink she serves with a house-made marshmallow on top.
It was named one of the five best cups of hot chocolate in NYC by CBS New York. No need to travel to get your own cup, order the cioccolata con panna at their Lavazza café, which is rich, dark, and sweet. It's a perfect place to take a pause from holiday shopping or while your table is being set in the restaurants upstairs.
Oh, yes, Firecakes offers more than donuts. The next time you head here for a chocolate old fashioned or a season favorite, double the decadence with Chef Jonathan Fox's frothed-to-order, Parisian-style hot chocolate. It balances Belgian bittersweet chocolate with organic milk, a touch of vanilla and cane sugar, and is topped with a house-made, Tahitian vanilla bean marshmallow. Be on the lookout for the roaming bakery they loving refer to as Billy the Truck.
Locations in River North, Lincoln Park, Naperville & Oak Park or look for Billy the Truck; Online: firecakesdonuts.com
Little Branch Cafe
Before or after a trip to The Field Museum, head to this neighborhood cafe for a warm-up. It serves creative American favorites for breakfast, lunch or dinner, and is great brunch alternative to nearby Yolk, which always has a longer wait. No matter the time of day, you can't go wrong with hot chocolate made from a tasty combo of vanilla syrup, Ghirardelli chocolate powder and milk, topped with whipped cream and cocoa powder.
1251 S. Prairie Ave., Prairie Avenue Historic District; Online: littlebranchcafe.com
The San Francisco-based icon is known for its chocolate bars. It also knows a thing or two about the drinkable version. Stop by its Mag Mile location for chocolate mocha, double chocolate or chocolate caramel hot cocoa (or some seasonal favorites!). While you're on a roll, pick up the mixes to take home—and don't forget chocolate and caramel sauces.
Chances are you're already familiar with this restaurant known for its organic food and neighborhood charm. The hot chocolate is a new reason to try it. Made from omanhene chocolate and topped with whipped cream, you can have it served in a soup bowl for great slurp-ability.
3800 N. Clark St., Lakeview & 1401 W. Devon Ave., Edgewater; Online: uncommonground.com
While its name is the Mexican slang for "little sister," chef Rick Bayless’ restaurant is a big shot in the hot chocolate scene. The Mexican hot chocolate is made from cacao imported from Tabasco, which is put through a grinding process more meticulous than the judges on Top Chef Masters. One sip and your whole family will be crying olé!
Sipping hot chocolate at the Euro-inspired cafe is a special experience. When you dine in, drinks are served on silver platters with glasses of water on the side. The smooth, rich flavor of the hot chocolate is also worth talking about. It's made from steamed milk and milk chocolate powder shipped from Austria. Ask for it topped with whipped cream and homemade marshmallows.
1920 W. Montrose Ave., Ravenswood & 3601 N. Southport Ave.; Online: juliusmeinlchicago.com
Get ready for sugar bliss. This Naperville cafe serves a wide variety of decadent hot chocolates, along with cases of baked and chocolate goodies. We highly recommend their carrot cake, one of the best around.
The brightly hued ceramic skulls are a perfect addition to any Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) décor. Rather than cause frights, the sugar skulls are intended to express the happy memories of loved ones that have passed on. This year’s eye-catching collection does just that.
The skulls are available in purple, orange, white, black, blue, and yellow colors. In years past, there have been both mini ($4.99) and grande ($9.99) sizes to shop, but so far in 2022, we’ve only seen the small versions at local stores.
While we wouldn’t call ourselves botanists, we have spied a variety of succulent plants to choose from. Echeverias, Haworthia, aloe, Tiger plants, and several other options will bring a little life (after death) into your space.
Karly Wood
The best part about succulents? Even the blackest of thumbs can keep them alive with just a little water and sunlight. They will likely survive long past Día de los Muertos, which means you can either transplant them into a year-round container or your backyard, or just keep them in the candy-colored sugar skull all year long.
The next time you’re headed out to Trader Joe’s to stock up on fall products to welcome the season or just to pick up the perfect gift, grab a few skulls before they’re gone!
Whether it’s a superhero hideout or a cool reading nook, outdoor forts bring magic and wonder to everyone in on the action. Even more, they make super summer projects for kids. We’ve found 15 outdoor forts for kids and the best part? You won’t need an engineering degree to pull it off. From tree forts and teepees to A-frames and twigs, here’s where you find out everything you need to know about how to build a fort.
A cardboard box fort works just as well outside as inside (during the warm months), and we can't get over the toy bin and spyglass that have been added to the sides.
A is for amazing! Whether you build this sturdy A-frame playhouse yourself or make it a woodworking project for kids, the end result is astonishing. We love the step-by-step over At Home With Ashley which includes all the supplies you’ll need.
With a little bit of imagination, mama Christie over at Raising Whasians made this no-sew kids' outdoor fort. Throw in a flashlight, books and your little camper's favorite things, and you have a backyard oasis.
This teepee fort is an inventive project that bigger kids can help to build. Grab books, snacks and other favorite items to make this fort extra sweet! We found the how-to over at How Wee Learn.
Looking for a modern outdoor fort for kids? Then this is your playhouse. We love the creativity used over at A Beautiful Mess to build this sleek yellow play fort. It even has a swing set and a slide.
Kids can take fort design into their own hands with this amazing idea from Babble Dabble Do. They’ll love putting it together and painting it themselves.
Bring the spirit of an indoor blanket fort outside with this easy-to-make version from Clean Rachel Wolf. After all, the less time you spend setting it up, the more time the kids will have to play.
If you’ve got good trees in your backyard and DIY skills, then this tree fort from Hands On As We Grow might be the perfect fit for you. It’s the kind of fort that can be made in a weekend and added to as time goes on.
Take a cue from Mama. Papa. Bubba. and craft this cute teepee in your backyard. With bamboo stakes, a king-sized sheet and clothespins, it’ll come together in five minutes.
This fort from Ikat Bag just might be your kiddo’s new favorite hangout spot. You can pick up everything you’ll need to make it at the hardware store, and your cozy tent will be ready in no time.
Try out this A-frame tent from Babble Dabble Do, made with a convenient fort-building kit. The building process is a great way to teach kids about architecture, and the hangout area doesn’t hurt either.
How cool is this twig fort by Little City Farm? It’s a project for kids since you can get your whole crew involved in gradually finding the twigs and building this outdoor fort.
If you’ve got a little bookworm on your hands, encourage them to get outside by crafting a cute fort like this one from Desde My Ventana. With pillows, a stack of books, and a few snacks on hand, they’ll be set for the whole afternoon.
This last one is for all you DIY masters out there. It was a year in the making (see the YouTube video here), and you can find the instructions at Instructables.
There’s nothing we love more than a good mom hack. Especially a mom hack that’ll keep babies busy for at least 15 minutes (and that’s saying something!). So when we spotted this sensory play hack on TikTok, we had to share. Mom Elle, whose handle is @marmapickle, was looking for a way to create a safe material for her seven-month-old daughter Amara, and as you can see in the video below, she certainly succeeded.
When you’ve got a little one, finding activities for babies that are both safe and fun can be a real challenge. Not to mention that it takes some creative thinking to come up with a way to have a beach day when you live hundreds of miles from a real ocean. After looking around at what she had at home, Elle decided to use her Nutribullet to pulverize Cheerios into a material her daughter could enjoy outside on a sunny day. Once she had enough, she added regular sand toys to a sensory tray and took it all outside. The best part? It still has a sand-like consistency, but since it’s made of cereal dust, it’s totally edible.
Many commentators on the video brought up the issue of what might happen if the baby goes to an actual beach and tries to put real sand in her mouth, but plenty of people, like us, consider it to be pure parenting genius.
One smart mama had a great comeback. “This is wonderful! Some babies and kids try to eat any and everything anyway. Worry about that bridge when you get to it.”
Another mom says, ” Anyone who has a small child knows they’re gonna eat sand/dirt regardless. I love this idea.”
Whether you’re planning a beach vacation, a leisurely day at the pool or even an afternoon outing to the local splash pad, you’re going to need the right gear (and accessories!). The good news? You don’t have to go far to stock up. From a beach towel that doubles as a cover-up to a portable mini bonfire you can take to the beach, these DC companies will have you summer-ready in no time. Scroll down for the best products from local DC companies to fill your summer tote with.
Get your pedi pool-ready with Black woman-owned nail polish company Janet & Jo. Named as one of the top nail lacquers on the market by beauty magazines like Allure, Nylon and Cosmopolitan, this DC-based business boasts bright, vivid colors perfect for the pool or beach. You can purchase Janet & Jo at The Wharf’s Shop Made in DC shop.
Beach cover up, beach towel, beach tote…. roll those all together and you get the Go Go Towel, the original wearable beach towel. Created by the same DC company that brought you the Dad Vest and the Dad Hoodie, the Go Go Towel is made of a quick drying, odor resistant and sand-free microfiber that comes in both kid ($29.95) and adult ($39.95) sizes so the whole family can match!
Rainy days at the beach can be a drag! Bust beach house boredom with an illustrated educational game by DC company Little Likes Kids. These picture puzzles come packaged in their own cardboard tote so you can easily pack an activity for your beach rental or Airbnb pool house. Splash Park is a 24 piece set perfect for kids 3 & up featuring everyone’s favorite summertime activities: the playground, splash pad and ice cream truck.
Make bonfires kid-friendly with Maryland-made City Bonfires, a portable, reusable candle-sized bonfire you can take on all of your outdoor adventures. These small bonfires, created from a non-toxic soy wax, are perfect for making s’mores even if you don’t own a firepit.
Clink, clink… it’s summer! Whether you’re hosting a BBQ with a baby on board or you just want a refreshing drink everyone can drink (we’re looking at you, Shirley Temple crew) check out DC-based Mocktail Club. Mocktail Club is sold at local Whole Foods and served in some restaurants so look for it in the wild.
Suit up for summer fun at Kinder Haus Toys in Arlington, VA. Kinder Haus is a one-stop shop for all your beach-bound needs. Pick up whimsical swimsuits from Tea Collection along with summer basics like brightly colored shovels and pails, water toys, bug nets and rainy day musts like puzzles and games.
Protect little feet with these Montessori-inspired footwear by DC’s Auggie Froggy. This company specializes in “cool stuff for creative kids” with handmade products featuring pops of color and bold, fun prints. Auggie Froggy products are available online and at Shop Made in DC stores.
Grab a stack of origami paper and get ready to do some folding, because we’ve discovered your next crafting obsession. With a few cuts and folds, you can create owls, flowers, cranes and frogs—these paper crafts will blow your mind. Keep reading to get the scoop on simple origami for kids that is easy enough for beginners but cool enough to impress your friends.
This Origami heart garland from Mama.Papa.Bubba. is an adorable way to decorate your house or just spread some love! And it's such a fun craft to make.
These Origami flowers from Dream A Little Bigger are a beautiful and fun project. If you want, you can follow the instructions to connect the flowers into a Kusudama ball.
If you’ve got a budding bookworm in your family, you’ve got to make this adorable project from Easy Peasy and Fun. There’s lots of room for creativity with these since you can add eyes, teeth, horns...the sky’s the limit.
File this under “coolest idea ever”: origami you can wear! These modular bracelets from Paper Kawaii are so much fun to make and can be made in any color combination or size your little ones desire.
Take inspiration from It’s Always Autumn to make a batch of colorful frogs. Once you’ve made them, you can get a competition going to see who can make them fly the furthest.
These pencil holders from Gathering Beauty are a perfect project for origami newbies. They’re super easy to put together with a few folds and a dab or two of glue.
Origami Teddy Bear
Christal Yuen
We can hardly bear how cute this origami craft is, and it’s easy to make too. Kids will get to finish off their masterpiece by drawing on eyes and a mouth.
Cootie catchers just got way cooler, thanks to this awesome craft from Easy Peasy and Fun. If you made these yourself as a kid, it’ll be fun to pass on the tradition on to your kids.
How cute are these origami faces from Pink Stripey Socks? Kids will love putting them together and customizing each one with colorful hair, jewelry and freckles.
This might be our favorite simple origami for kids. We’re obsessed with these transforming ninja stars from What Do We Do All Day?, and chances are your kids will feel the same way. You’ll first make eight parallelograms into a wheel, then push and pull on the sides to turn it into a star.
You’ll have the perfect new prop for your “Wheels on the Bus” sing-alongs thanks to this DIY from Moms & Crafters. It’s super easy for beginners, and kids can decorate it with markers, buttons or whatever else you have on hand.
If your kids are fans of The Little Mermaid, they’ll have a blast making this adorable origami from Pink Stripey Socks. Pop the movie on in the background while you make them, and you’ve got a great afternoon in store.
