Valentine’s Day Is Here for a Whole Month at Disneyland & Love Is in Bloom

by Karly WoodJanuary 28, 2019

If you’re headed to Southern California you’ll want to check out Valentine’s Day at Disneyland. From now until Feb. 18, the park is decked out in fun Valentines decor that celebrates Mickey and Minnie Mouse and of course, the day of love!

From the moment you enter the park, you’ll notice the heart decorations, flower “portrait,” perfect for that photo opp off Main Street U.S.A. and plenty of sweet treats. Did we also mention there’s a scavenger hunt?

Help the kids complete Minnie’s Valentine’s Surprise, a special scavenger hunt where guests help Mickey find hidden valentines throughout the park. All you have to do is purchase a commemorative map and stickers at select merchandise locations, find the secret valentines and then return your completed map to Disney Showcase to redeem a special Valentine’s surprise!

And of course, it wouldn’t be Valetine’s month at Disneyland without some sweet treats, like this adorable Minnie Mouse-inspired Specialty Funnel Cake, available at Stage Door Cafe at Disneyland Park.

Don’t forget to check out the seasonal entertainment, especially Get Your Ears On–A Mickey and Minnie Celebration. This show is all about celebrating the 90-year legacy of our favorite mouse couple, Disney style.

––Karly Wood

All photos: Courtesy of Disneyland Resort

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Rose Gold Is Out, Purple Potion Is In with These New Sequin Minnie Ears

by Shahrzad WarkentinJanuary 22, 2019

Sorry rose gold: it’s time to move on down and make way for purple, a.k.a. is the new “it” color in the Mouse House. No Disney ensemble will be complete without the must-have Purple Potion Minnie ear headband.

The new purple-sequined Minnie ears topped with an iridescent purple satin bow are part of the new Purple Potion trend taking over Disney Parks. Everything from cupcakes and churros dusted in purple sugar to these Insta-worthy ears are turning the parks on both coasts purple.

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The Purple Potion Minnie ear headband is available at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World and if you’re not lucky enough to be paying a visit to either anytime soon, you can even score a pair of these coveted ears on the Shop Disney website for $27.99.

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While you’re at it you might want to pick up a few of the other purpli-cious items in the collection, which includes a purple sequin covered backpack from Loungefly and matching wallet. There are also t-shirts, jerseys, water bottles and more all featuring the shimmering, deep purple that is set to become everyone’s new favorite color.

—Shahrzad Warkentin

Featured photo: itscarooritz via Instagram

Disneyland’s Donut Minnie Mouse Ears Are All That’s Right with the World

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70+ Mad Scientist Experiments for Freaky Deaky Fun

by Erica LoopOctober 24, 2018

The leaves are turning colors, sweater weather is upon us and, drumroll, please … fall is here. Before spending countless hours clicking through Pinterest and Instagram for inspo, start your holiday celebration with a few crazy-cool science experiments. Yep, these all-out awesome ideas are straight out of a mad scientists lab! Scroll down to find your favorite.

11 Bubbling Potions

They bubble. They fizz. And they're all kinds of ooey, gooey fun. What better way to play the role of the mad scientist than with 11 different potion-filled experiments? These ideas include everything from fizzy fairy potions and witch's brew to rainbow concoctions and glittering galaxies. Read more about how to mix up your very own potion lab here.

6 Ways to Get Glowing

Halloween science? Your kiddo can get glowing with these cool, but kind-of-creepy mad science experiments. Turn out the lights, tell a not-so-scary ghost story and watch as these awesome explorations glow brightly in the night. Learn more about creating all things that glow with six, easy how-to ideas and instructions.

35 Experiments Like Exploding Pumpkins

By now you've probably parented for long enough to have tried the good ol' baking soda and vinegar volcano more than a few times. This fall-themed take on the classic, is a science exploration that will make a mess in the most magnificent way possible! Click here for the how-to, plus got 35 more madly amazing experiments to keep your laboratory full of fun.

8 Disgusting Ways to Play with Science

From spit to boogers to germs, we've got eight oozy, gross science experiments we guarantee they will love.

Super-Slimy Stuff

We all know that slime-making is THE activity of choice for many, maaaany kids. Hey, it's fun all year-round. But when Halloween rolls around, slime science kicks up to another (decidedly creepier) level. Whether your kids are into fluffy slime, chalkboard slime, glowing slime, glitter slime or just about any other crazy concoction, you can find a bounty of recipes from Little Bins for Little Hands here.

Pumpkin Science

It's fall and Halloween is right around the corner. And that means pumpkins are plentiful. Along with painting, carving and otherwise decorating your pumpkins, you can use the squashy gourds as part of majorly mad science experiments. You'll find several tutorials for pumpkin science activities over at iGame Mom.

11 Freaky Fall Favorites

Science for the season equals fab fall fun! So get ready for your mini mad scientist to make a major mess (in a totally educational way, of course). Your science-loving kid can experiment with oil and water, learn about tissue paper color transfers, get ooey gooey with a pumpkin's insides, make perfectly messy pumpkin-canons and so, so, so much more with these 11 autumn explorations, activities and science ideas.

Mad Mason Jars

Okay, okay, so we all kind of equate mason jar activities with the cute crafts on Pinterest. But you can use these jars for sooooooo much more. Forget about the crafty jar projects (at least for right now), and check out these, "slimy, squishy, super-cool experiments." Try these mason jar science experiments are activities anytime or add them to your Halloween party line-up!

6 Incredibly Easy Rainbow Science Experiments

7 Sun-Science Experiments to Make Your Day

It’s Alive! Gross (But Cool) Science Experiments for Kids

12 Throwback School Supplies from Your Childhood

by Melissa HeckscherFebruary 20, 2018

If you’re a child of the ’80s, we know at one point you loved fluorescent clothing and wore jelly bracelets up to your elbows. And when it came to school, the gear was, shall we say, a bit more interesting than what our kids use today. From hand-operated (gasp!) pencil sharpeners to everyone’s favorite folders, scroll down to re-discover some of the school supplies you probably couldn’t live without.

Jessica Lucia via Flickr

1. Scented markers made your papers smell delicious. Lucky for kids everywhere, they're still going strong and available anywhere school supplies are sold.

Michael Coghlan

2. You hand-crank sharpened your pencils.

Louise McLaren via Flickr

3. You put trolls on your pencils way before Poppy and Branch were cool.

st_jerome_homeschool_library via eBay

4. You kept your papers in the whimsical yet slightly psychedelic Lisa Frank folders.

Amazon

5. You kept your Dep hair gel close for quick bathroom touch-ups.

twitchery via Flickr (cropped)

6. You hoped Kissing Potion lip gloss really worked. You can still find it on Amazon!

henry via Flickr

7. You loved your Walkman ... and the mixed tapes your friends made for it!

Enokson via Flickr

8. You loved when your teacher rewarded good grades with Scratch And Sniff Stickers on your test papers.

giveawayboy via Flickr

9. Trapper Keepers helped you stay organized. But it was the outside design that stole the show.

Isriya Paireepairit via Flickr

10. You used a tape recorder and had to hit rewind ... a lot.

11. Remember when all your information came from the Encyclopedia? Yup, no Google for us.

Jim Hickcox via Flickr

12. Learning to spell was fun with Speak & Spell. And then E.T. used one and sealed its fate as a classic '80s relic.

Can you think of any throwback school supplies that aren’t on the list? Share with us in a comment below!

—Melissa Heckscher

Let’s Boo-gie! The Ultimate Playlist for Your Halloween Party

by Nikki WalshSeptember 5, 2016

Get your little ghosts and goblins in the mood for Halloween with this fun and ghoulishly-good playlist (it’s not too spooky for little trick-or-treaters!). From Five Little Pumpkins and Creepy Crawley Spider, to Ghostbusters and Love Potion No. 9, we’ve found songs for every pumpkin in the patch.

What Halloween songs does your family love to sing? Jot it down in the Comment section below.

—Nikki Walsh

Today Is Magic Day

by rtstephenApril 9, 2016

Daily

Today Is Magic Day

Abra-abra-cadabra!

Let them hypnotize the family using a few magic tricks just for kids.

Mix up a Potter-worthy potion or two to pass the crafternoon away.

Keep the illusion alive every day with these books about magic.

{ Today’s ideas brought to you by Deck of Cards }

10 Baby Skincare Products to Combat Winter Woes

by Kelly AiglonJanuary 14, 2016

Cold, dry winter air takes a toll on skin, even smooth, soft baby skin. Protect, soothe and moisturize those dimpled cheeks, that pouty mouth, those chunky legs and chubby hands with a few great remedies for winter skin. Here are our favorites.

Erase Dry Patches and Chapped Cheeks

So you missed the boat on preventing chapped cheeks and your little one has a few dry patches on his arms and legs too. Use this rich, thick cream as a spot treatment before bed and your baby will wake up with smooth, healed skin in the morning thanks to super-ingredient Calendula extract which has been soothing dry skin for centuries. Don't let the price scare you, a little goes a long way.

Available at californiababy.com, $24.49.

What is your favorite lotion or potion for rough winter days? Shout about it in the Comments!

— Julie Seguss & Kelly Aiglon

Today Is Valentine’s Day

by rtstephenDecember 12, 2015

Today Is Valentine’s Day

How sweet it is.

1

Trust us: Valentine’s Day treats can be sugar-free and still awesome if you try out one of these sweet DIY projects.

2

Crank up the volume on this playlist that says “I love you” with 27 lovely songs.

3

Share the love today with a game. From playing musical hearts to concocting a love potion, here’s how to entertain your true loves all day long.

{ Today’s ideas brought to you by Cupid}

New & Cool: The Halloween Version of “Elf on the Shelf”

by Gabby CullenSeptember 21, 2014

What if the Elf on the Shelf preferred ghosts and goblins to reindeers and Santa? Get ready for a new Halloween tradition — Switchcrafted. Your very own “Switch Witch” acts kind of like that sneaky Elf; she comes with a storybook, legend and fun way of getting your kids to give up their stash of treats. Here’s the scoop on the new doll and gift set that will help you face that massive pile of trick-or-treat candy with a new weapon under your pointy black hat.

What It Is
Enter a world of bubbling cauldrons and spells this Halloween with Switchcrafted: The Story of the Switch Witches of Halloween. It’s a gift-worthy package that will keep your kiddos on the edge of their seats all October long. Page through the book to find out why witches get out so often on Halloween. Then make the story come alive by playing with your very own witch doll. She moves around the house (aka: you find cool places for her to hide) to keep an eye on all of your pre-Halloween activities.

The Legend
In order to whip up a potion or two, witches need candy — lots of candy — especially if they want to complete the ultimate spell, the Candy Spell. Through the story, you’ll get to know “Switch Witches” Ruby, Wanda and Piper, as well as their handy helpers, Sugar and Chewy. Read about their exploits and welcome a Switch Witch of your family’s very own so she can report directly back to the head Switchers. When the time is right, kids can exchange their candy swag for a new toy so the conjuring — and magic of Halloween — can continue!

Cool Stuff Parents Love
The story continues on the Switchcrafted website and is filled with handy tips on donating candy, healthy snack alternatives, games, activities and more. There’s a whole world of “switching” out there waiting to be discovered, including a new app coming soon. The set comes with a keepsake box, trick-or-treat bag and, of course, one Switch Witch ready for adoption. This book is a good fit for goblins of all sizes.

Switchcrafted: The Story of the Switch Witches of Halloween is available on amazon.com, $30.

Will you enter the world of Switchcrafting this Halloween? Share with us in the comments!

— Gabby Cullen

Natural Cleaning Products for a Safe & Spiffy Nest

by Kelly AiglonSeptember 5, 2014

Mystery stains? They’re par for the course for parents. Tackle them with ease — and without worry — with products formulated with babies and kids in mind. We rounded up some great home cleaning products that are made with organic ingredients or touted as being safe for kids. Click through our album to discover your new favorite counter sprays, floor cleaner, dish soap and other miracle workers.

For Just About Everything: Branch Basics Concentrate

This potion isn't just non-toxic, it's "human safe." Having formulated it as pure soap (fatty acids, coconut oil, plant enzymes), Branch Basics claims it's not harmful if inhaled, absorbed, or accidentally ingested, and it does not sting eyes or irritate skin. Can't get more kid-friendly than that! There is some legwork, though. It's a concentrate, so you must add water. The upside is you can make it as strong or weak as you like (i.e.: less dilution for a super dirty oven, more dilution for easy cleaning like a sink or window).

Available online at branchbasics.com, $27.50 for 32 ounces.

What is your favorite “green” cleaning product? Let us know in the Comments!

— Kelly Aiglon & Christal Yuen

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11 Bubbling Potions

6 Ways to Get Glowing

35 Experiments Like Exploding Pumpkins

8 Disgusting Ways to Play with Science

Super-Slimy Stuff

Pumpkin Science

11 Freaky Fall Favorites

Mad Mason Jars

Related reads

1. Scented markers made your papers smell delicious. Lucky for kids everywhere, they're still going strong and available anywhere school supplies are sold.

2. You hand-crank sharpened your pencils.

3. You put trolls on your pencils way before Poppy and Branch were cool.

4. You kept your papers in the whimsical yet slightly psychedelic Lisa Frank folders.

5. You kept your Dep hair gel close for quick bathroom touch-ups.

6. You hoped Kissing Potion lip gloss really worked. You can still find it on Amazon!

7. You loved your Walkman ... and the mixed tapes your friends made for it!

8. You loved when your teacher rewarded good grades with Scratch And Sniff Stickers on your test papers.

9. Trapper Keepers helped you stay organized. But it was the outside design that stole the show.

10. You used a tape recorder and had to hit rewind ... a lot.

11. Remember when all your information came from the Encyclopedia? Yup, no Google for us.

12. Learning to spell was fun with Speak & Spell. And then E.T. used one and sealed its fate as a classic '80s relic.

Related reads

Related reads

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Erase Dry Patches and Chapped Cheeks

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Today Is Valentine’s Day

How sweet it is.

1

2

3

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For Just About Everything: Branch Basics Concentrate

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