The SpaceX Dragon capsule successfully took off from Cape Canaveral this week with a massive load of supplies headed for the International Space Station. Among the scientific instruments, food and other important supplies for the astronauts, the 5,500 pound load also contained Nickelodeon Slime.
That’s right, the same neon green slime that has been splashing kids and celebs for years is headed to outer space for educational purposes. Scientists aboard the ISS will be conducting experiments to see how Double Dare’s famous green goo performs in microgravity, but the real purpose of the special slime promotion is to get kids excited about STEM research and education.
“We’re going to slime a couple of astronauts and put it through a couple demonstrations,” said Andrew Machles, a vice president of public affairs at Viacom, which owns Nickelodeon.
In addition to the Nickelodeon slime, the supply load also contained an Adidas soccer ball. “Observing and measuring the motion of soccer balls in microgravity improves understanding of the general behavior of free-flying objects,” NASA explained. “This could contribute to better design and use of free-flying objects such as small robots in spacecraft.”
Sounds like the six astronauts aboard the ISS will be having a pretty fun time for the next few weeks!
Think nail polish is just for girls? Think again! Because all kids should have fun, Alpha Kids set out to change the coversation around nail polish, offering the first-ever nail polish for girls and boys. All children are given the creative freedom to use their imagination, experiment with color so leave your stereotypes at the door because we focus on exploration, individuality, and artistry. It is important for girls and boys to be given equal opportunities to imagine, learn, and create.
With my M.A. degree in Early Childhood Development, I have worked for nearly 20 years as a child development specialist and currently run an educational website called Mama Bear Britt. I also work as a child development specialist for Los Angeles County. And as a mom of a girl and a boy, I know the importance of inspiring and encouraging the developing brain, soul, and spirit of her children, thus, The Alpha Kids was born.
Having a bold and fearless daughter first has paved the way for my two-year-old son—who aspires to do everything she does. Because of my educational and professional background, I have always made sure to create a more gender fluid environment, in terms of toys and stimuli. I know that there are more cognitive building skills to be had with open-ended toys, such as blocks, cars, balls, and dolls and that is where the focus is. My kids have had an environment to freely explore and create without all the typical gender biased verbiage, such as “that’s pink, it’s for girls.”
“My daughter enjoys painting her nails here and there, but it’s really my son who absolutely loves to color himself.” I didn’t think much of it until I began to see other little boys who also shared the same passion for color as my son.
Back in 2011 J.Crew posted an ad with Jenna Lyons, the creative director painting her son nails pink. The ad portrayed how she and her son enjoy their weekend quality time and how much fun they have painting their toenails neon pink. Today.com shared this ad titling it “J. Crew Ad Stirs Up Controversy with Pink Nail Polish.” How silly that the color pink for a boy or even nail polish on his toes would cause such a stir. To this little boy, he loved pink, and he loved the color on his toes. Plain and simple. Now more than ever parents today are much more mindful to how our actions, learned stereotypes and behaviors affect our children. It is much more important to encourage play, creativity, and exploration, rather than limit kids on color choices or who can paint their toes.
That is why Alpha Kids is a nail polish for everyone! Girls and boys should feel free to express their individuality in artistic, and colorful ways. Parents can rest assured that they are not harmful, toxic, or harsh for little nails. The Alpha Kid’s polishes are 10-Free, Vegan, & Cruelty-free; as well as handcrafted in small batches and made in the USA. Happy painting!
Hello! My name is Brittany and I am the creator of Mama Bear Britt! I am a child development specialist, former preschool director and mama of two littles. I am working hard to create a place for parents to gather, learn and share. Join my tribe!
Top of mind this summer: keeping your kids busy without turning your living room into a toy-tornado zone. Good news: We uncovered plenty of ways to play and get creative that are mess-free. From engaging digital coloring activities you can download with one simple click from the Amazon Appstore Family to transforming a pool noodle into a light saber, scroll down for seven ideas that’ll take you from the first day of summer to the last—no slime or glitter required.
Kids Coloring Fun
Amazon
There’s no better summer boredom-buster than good old fashioned coloring. Take those coloring books into the future with an app that allows little artists to color and create to their heart's content without any wasted paper or worry that those colors will end up outside the lines and on your walls. Pink Fong’s Kids Coloring Fun app, available in Amazon Appstore Family, your go-to hub for top apps for kids ages three to 12 years old. This Coloring Fun app offers hours of mess-free creativity with over 220 coloring pages and tools that include digital stickers, and even glitter, and all you have to do is turn it off when you’re done—no clean-up required!
Avoid summer brain drain and have some no-mess fun making origami stars. Kids will put their STEM skills to the test with math art that’s so much fun to play with they won’t even realize they’re learning. Get the full tutorial on folding origami paper into ninja stars from What Do We Do All Day?
Soft pool noodles aren’t just great for water play, they're also the perfect accessory for a safe and mess-free light saber battle. Take advantage of the abundance of pool noodles on sale for the summer to make this out-of-this-galaxy craft. After kids have designed their light sabers you can let them loose to play without worrying about anything breaking. Check out the full details from Muddy Boots.
Kids Doodle 2 - Color and Draw
Amazon
Neon and glow-in-the-dark projects are always fun for those warm summer nights, but they can get a little messy. Get your glow on with the Kids Doodle 2 app—available in Amazon Appstore Family—which offers the perfect way to get creative without any mess. A great option for your older artists who need something more than a coloring page, the app features endless bright colors and 18 different brush styles including glow, neon and rainbow, and once the masterpieces are completed, the young artists can display their work in a mini movie gallery.
Popsicle sticks, yarn and a little imagination is all you need for this fun, low-mess craft that offers hours of creative play. Kids can decorate the sticks in different colors and add faces, then they can put on a puppet show or just play. Check out the full details at Happy Hooligans.
If your playful tots can’t stop singing Baby Shark, they’ll love doo-doo-doing this cute paper craft shark from Easy Peasy and Fun. With nothing more than paper and scissors, they’ll have a mini shark made in no time that they can use to chomp away the day, pretending to be under the sea without actually needing any water. You can download the full instructions and free template here.
Those dog days of summer can get long when the kids have already played with same toys over and over. You can spice things up and get creative with nothing more than a few roles of washi tape. Transform those been-there, done-that cars and dolls by letting your kids tape out a city on the floor for creative play. When they’re done all you have to do is pull the tape off, no mess guaranteed.
Check out more creative, mess-free ways to play this summer with Amazon Appstore Family.
Take a trip back in time to your ’90s self with these retro Steve Madden platform slides, which have returned to stores just in time for summer.
These quintessential Steve Madden sandals were so popular when they were first released in 1999 that chances are you and every woman you know owned a pair. You might even still have them stuffed in a dark corner of your closet, but if not here’s your chance to own a pair of these platform slides once again.
Steve Madden has teamed up with Urban Outfitters to bring back the uber-popular platform slides. The perfect summer shoes are apparently still so popular that they’ve already sold out online in just a few days. Re-released in the original black color, as well as two new modern editions in black with a neon green strap or a completely hot pink pair, all three color selections were selling for $70 at Urban Outfitters. They are currently sold out, but hopefully with such an incredible demand the company will stock more.
In the meantime, if you’re still dying for a Steve Madden platform, the collaboration has also rolled out the flip flop version of the platform made popular by Lizzie MacGuire. The thong platforms are still available in neon orange, black and multi colored for $60.
Spring is in the air and that means Target’s Pillowfort line got a refresh! The exclusive home collection for kids is already full of whimsy and style, but this updated spring collection makes it all the more buyable.
When it comes to updates, there are fabulous finds in pillows and bedding, growth charts, lamps and more. Here are a few of our faves.
Neon Butterfly Wall Light
Bright and cheery, this neon butterfly light ($35) will flutter right into your heart! It pairs perfectly with Pillowfort's "Purple Girls" collection that features light and airy fabrics and sweet prints on sheets, pillows and comforter sets.
Constellation Growth Chart
Why settle for hash marks on a door jam when you can have a Constellation Growth Chart ($20) instead? The fun and stylish wall chart not only tracks your child's growth, but it looks great while doing it. You can also check out the Pillowfort Insect Growth Chart, too!
Velvet Stitch Quilt
Coming in both an orange and a purple and gray combo, the classy new Velvet Stitch Quilt ($50) from Pillowfort is great for your big kids. The subtle, yet detailed comforter is perfect for not only staying warm but packing a design punch.
Figural Throw Pillows
These novelty pillows ($17) will become your kiddo's best friend! Expect to find adorable aliens and animals that will tie together your room design in a cinch.
Colossal Chomp Microfiber Sheet Set
Your mini dino-lover will rawr over these adorable microfiber sheets ($25)! Soft and cuddly, the multi-colored dinosaurs make a big statement against the white background. Check out the other new additions this spring, like Maritime Mates, Species Study and Dragon Dreams.
World Map Tapestry
This machine washable World Map Tapestry ($15) is great for little travelers! Made from cotton and in bright colors, it features a basic map of the world along with native animals and trees.
Fuzzy Bean Bag Chair
Create a reading nook or just a cozy place to rest with this snuggly, fuzzy bean bag chair ($50). Choose from light pink, cream, gray and turquoise.
Space Ship Wire Table Lamp
Calling all astronauts! This Space Ship Wire Table Lamp ($35) is perfect for your galactic explorer. Coming with a lightbulb and white shade, the ship-shaped base is unique and creative, without looking overly childish.
Celeb baby name alert: Photos of Jessica Simpson’s baby shower may show more than the pregnant mama’s pre-baby bash. Rumor has it that the shower decor was also a not-so-subtle hint about her baby’s name, too!
The singer and celeb mom recently posted pics of her baby shower for baby number three. The ‘Gram highlights a glowing neon sign that reads “Birdie’s Nest.” Eagle-eyed fans and IG followers believe that “Birdie” is Jessica Simpson’s baby’s name.
Not only does the pic feature the possible clue, but Simpson also captioned the photo, “Birdie’s Nest.” Even though this seems like a pretty major sign—both literally and figuratively—Simpson has yet to confirm or deny the baby name rumors.
If “Birdie” sounds familiar, this isn’t the first time a celeb has chosen the name. WWE and reality star Brie Bella chose this sweet name for her daughter, as did actress Busy Phillips.
While Las Vegas might already be at the top of your list for your next grown-up weekend away, surprise!—it’s also a great place to bring the kids! With loads of shows, restaurants and activities geared towards those who haven’t quite reached gambling age, you’ll find tons to do there for all your people. Bonus: it’s super close to the Grand Canyon. We’ve got all the info here for your next family vacay in Las Vegas!
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The Neon Museum
Start your visit to Las Vegas with a stop at The Neon Museum and you’ll get all caught up on the city’s history through its retired neon signs. Knowledgeable guides tour guests through this this neon boneyard that includes signs from old casinos and other Las Vegas businesses while providing interesting facts about the area’s development into the tourist destination that it is today. You can visit the museum and tour the signs on your own until 4 p.m. daily or opt for the full experience of a one-hour guided tour in the evening.
Earlier this year, the Neon Museum launched Brilliant!, a 30-minute night show in its North Gallery where lights are projected on to unrestored signs making them appear to come to life. Kids will especially love this show and the music and story that goes along with it. You can buy tickets to Brilliant! on their own, or pair them with your visit to the museum.
770 Las Vegas Boulevard North
Las Vegas, NV Online: neonmuseum.org
Las Vegas Monorail
When you need to make your way around the Las Vegas Strip, ditch the car (and the exorbitant parking fees) and opt for the Las Vegas Monorail. Connecting the MGM Grand and the SLS Las Vegas, the Monorail has seven stops along the strip to get you where you need to go.
Operating from 7 a.m. until the wee hours of the morning, the Monorail is a favorite among families as it provides a quick and air conditioned way to get around the city and is super fun for the kids. Pro tip: Once you enter the Monorail system, you can ride as long as you’d like on one ticket so make the most of it and ride it from beginning to end! One ride costs $5, an unlimited day pass is $13 and multi-day discounts are available. Nevada residents can ride for a buck and kids under five ride free.
High Roller Observation Wheel
Hop off the Monorail at The LINQ and you’ll be in the right spot to board the High Roller Observation Wheel. This observation wheel is akin to a Ferris wheel but on a massive scale that only Las Vegas can pull off. A full rotation brings you up 550 feet during its 30-minute rotation.
During your ride you will be inside a huge pod that allows you to walk around and take in the Vegas sights. Screens inside provide area history and information about the observation wheel itself. Plan your visit for the evening hours and you’ll get to see the city in all its neon glory. Pro tip: Tickets are cheaper during the day and also when purchased in advance online. Kids six and under ride free and you can get a family four-pack for $59.
Michael Jackson ONE
If you are looking for a Las Vegas show that both kids and parents will adore, Michael Jackson ONE is the ticket. Combining the gravity-defying artistry of Cirque du Soliel with the epic music of the King of Pop, this show will have you dancing in your seat. The hour and 30-minute show takes place at the Mandalay Bay Resort (with no intermission). You won’t know where to focus your attention with performers on the stage, in the aisles, on the walls and even suspended above the audience.
The show brings to life iconic hits like Man in the Mirror, Bad and Smooth Criminal. Parents should be aware that the zombies in Thriller can get a little intense as they come up the aisles and interact with the crowd so sit the kids off aisle if you think this might be an issue. Pro tip: If you are taking an Uber to the show, ask for the Delano hotel drop off as it is much closer to the theater entrance than the one at Mandalay Bay.
Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition Your little history buffs are in for a treat when you visit the Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition at the Luxor Hotel. This fully-immersive exhibit starts out by assigning you with the identity of one of the Titanic passengers. You can read about your person’s history and when they were sailing aboard this massive ship.
The exhibit takes you through all the different classes on the ship with information about how the first class dined and how those on third class had to share a communal bathtub. Actual artifacts including “The Big Piece” are on display with videos showing how they were removed from the ocean floor. Opt for the audio tour to get the full experience. Bonus, kids three and under are free.
There’s no shortage of awesome eats in Las Vegas. If your ride on the High Roller has you there at mealtime, the LINQ Promenade is the perfect place to grab a kid-friendly meal from options like the Yardhouse, Haute Doggery or In-N-Out Burger. Save room for sweets and stop at Sprinkles Cupcakes or Ghiradelli Chocolate.
Walking between the hotels on the strip will get you to fun options like the Dapper Doughnut in the MGM Hotel or Hershey’s Chocolate World in the New York-New York Hotel (stop here for samples!).
If you have some time off-strip, definitely grab a spot in line at Freed’s Bakery—the location of Food Network’s Vegas Cakes. Dozens of cookie options are sold by the pound and half pound, or you can’t go wrong with one of their cupcakes or cookie ice cream sandwiches.
Visit the Grand Canyon
Take some time away from all the downtown crowds and spend the day in the Grand Canyon. Just a short flight from Las Vegas, Grand Canyon Scenic Airlines will bring you right to this majestic national park. A shuttle picks you up at your Las Vegas hotel and drops you off at the airport in Boulder City, Nevada to start your aerial adventure.
Helicopter and airplane tours are both available with options ranging from flight only to additions like a bus tour to the Hoover Dam or the opportunity to walk across the Skywalk Bridge—a bridge with a glass floor that allows you to walk out over the Grand Canyon itself.
The kids will be stunned by the massive size of the Grand Canyon, which can best be viewed from the air! Your flight includes an audio tour that points out many of the historical spots along the way.
A particularly fun option is to add on a Buck Wild Hummer Tour to your Grand Canyon Scenic Airlines excursion. You will take a flight to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon where a shuttle will deliver you to the Buck Wild office. There you will board a former military hummer with open-air stadium seating.
Your knowledgeable tour guide will take you through the national park, stopping along the way at scenic overlooks for a bit of a history lesson and a chance to snap photos. If you are lucky you just might spot some of the parks resident elk! Buck Wild tours can be booked on their own or in combination with your Grand Canyon Scenic Airlines flight.
Green Valley Ranch Resort
If relaxation is high on your Las Vegas list and the kids are along for the ride, the Green Valley Ranch Resort is the perfect spot. Located off Strip, GVRR lets you get away from the crowds and all the downtown nightlife that might not be very appropriate for kids. You’ll feel like you are miles away even though you are only a $20 Uber ride from the action.
The Green Valley Ranch Resort offers Vegas draws like a casino with an all-you-can-eat buffet, as well as a killer pool with its own zero-entry sandy beach. You will win the day when you take the kids to the underage version of a casino, the on-site arcade complete with tickets they can redeem for prizes. Need a spot to cool off from the heat? The hotel has its own movie theater and food court. A coffee stand in the lobby will get you caffeinated for the day and on-property restaurants like Turf Grill and Pizza Rock will keep you all well fed.
Parents who want to see a show or take advantage of the hotel’s casino or fancier restaurants without the kids tagging along can drop them off at Kids Quest. Located right on the casino floor, Kids Quest offers drop-off childcare where kids from 30 months through age 12 get to have their own fun while you get some parent time. For $10.50/kid per hour, kids can play on the climbing wall, work on an art project, check out the iPad station and more. Meals and snacks are available for an additional charge.
In addition to GVRR, Station Casinos offers nine other off-strip properties with amenities like Kids Quest, swimming pools and more—perfect options for your family vacation in Las Vegas. One even has an ice rink!
The moral of the story is: don’t leave the kids at home the next time you visit Vegas. You’ll see “Sin City” in a whole new light when you bring the shorter set along for the ride!
While some ’90s fashion items may be coming back around (mom jeans, anyone?), it’s safe to say that some are best left in past. But that doesn’t mean we can’t take a trip down memory lane and share a laugh over ’90s hairstyles and trends we once wore with pride. Scroll through our list and pay homage below.
Long before slime was the hottest thing on the playground, it was covering kids and celebrities in its neon green glory on Nickelodeon. As a mom you probably already know every recipe for making the modern day schoolyard variety, but do you know what the O.G. stuff is made of?
If you grew up in the 80s and 90s, you are definitely more than familiar with Double Dare and it’s host Marc Summers. If you spent your afternoons watching kids get slimed, you might have wondered just what that green goop actually was. Now Summers, ironically also the host of Food Network’s Unwrapped, is explaining to the world just what that ooze was.
The secret recipe to the original Nickelodeon slime, as Summers explains, was “vanilla pudding, apple sauce, green food coloring and a little oatmeal.” Regardless of the recipe, your kids will definitely get a kick out of the fact that you were enthralled by slime when you were their age, too.
Were you a Double Dare fan growing up? Tell us in the comments below.
Whether you are trying to get from point A to point B or whether you want to take the kids on a journey that’s a little different from your average route, Seattle has some fun, walkable bridges. Round up your little billy goats and trip trap over a few of these Seattle spans. We promise there’s only one bridge with a troll underneath and yes, you need to check out that one as well.
Fremont Bridge
For almost 100 years, the iconic blue and orange Fremont Bridge has connected the neighborhoods of Queen Anne and Fremont. Walk across the drawbridge, which crosses over the Lake Washington Ship Canal, and head straight into the Center of the Universe, as Fremont likes to call itself. As you make your way across the span, take a peek over the side and you’ll find a bevy of boats and kayaks wending their way underneath. And because the Fremont Bridge is one of the busiest in the country (rising for marine traffic on average of 35 times a day), your walk across it might get slightly delayed. Bells and crossing arms will let you know if that is about to happen which will make for more entertainment for the Littles. Psst! Be sure to check out the neon Rapunzel by the window of the Northwest Tower and the Elephant and Alligator from Rudyard Kipling’s Just So Stories on the Northeast Tower.
Arboretum Aqueduct
Originally built in the early 20th century to carry a sewer line over Lake Washington Boulevard, the Arboretum Aqueduct now serves as a pedestrian footbridge. The overpass is 180-feet long which is long enough to let the littlest of billy goats run across it several times, without moms and dads having to chase too far behind. Park at the Graham Visitor Center and ask for directions to the footbridge. It’s just a short walk through the woods to reach it. Psst! Don’t forget to bring your camera as the picturesque trestle is a great place to snap a family photo.
Good to know: The Arboretum Aqueduct is a city landmark of Seattle and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.
The T. Evans Wyckoff Memorial Bridge
No visit to The Museum of Flight is complete without a stroll across the T. Evans Wyckoff Memorial Bridge. The lattice and glass enclosed walkway is supposed to represent an airplane’s contrail. But what might be most appreciated is that the bridge allows you and the kiddos to wander over East Marginal Way safely, instead of dodging the traffic below. The kids will get a kick out of the design of the bridge and parents will enjoy the views to the north and to the south.
Good to know: The bridge shuffles visitors from the main museum to its expanded facilities and is only open during regular museum hours.
The Amgen Helix Pedestrian Bridge
Another pedestrian bridge that looks like it’s from a sci-fi movie is Amgen’s walkway that will take you over the railroad tracks on Elliott Avenue. The distinctive looking overpass was built in 2003 (with more than 180 tons of steel) as a way to connect busy Elliott Avenue to the Amgen Complex. The bridge’s inspiration? A double helix of DNA chains. If you manage to find street parking along Elliot Avenue, then taking the kids along the bridge and over to Myrtle Edwards Park can make for a fun afternoon outing.
Elliot Ave. W. & W. Prospect St.
Seattle, Wa 98119 Map It
The Fremont Troll
A Seattle bridge round up wouldn’t be complete without the Troll Under The Bridge. Yes, the one and only Fremont Troll. Tucked under the massive Aurora Bridge, the troll is a delight for kiddos of all ages… even the big ones. The massive statue grasps a real VW Bug in its hand and is big enough for the Littles to clamber over. For more trollology, head over to fremont.com to get a 360 degree of the troll. Psst! Be sure to bring your camera. The photo opps are aplenty here.
3405 Troll Ave. N.
Seattle, Wa 98103
Online: On Facebook or Map It
What Seattle bridges does your family likes to travel over? Tell us in the Comments below.
