TikTok’s New Features Help Your Family Combat Cyberbullying

by Sarah ShebekMay 25, 2021

If you have a tween or teen in your house, chances are they’re on TikTok. The popular video sharing platform had about 100 million active users as of last August, posting dance challenges, animal antics and more. Unfortunately it’s also a popular target for cyberbullying, but the company has recently announced new features to combat unkind interactions.

This past week, TikTok announced the ability to delete multiple comments at once, as well as block multiple accounts in bulk. Keep reading to see how the new features will work.

To delete several comments or block multiple accounts at once, go to the video you’ve created and long press on a comment or tap the pencil icon in the upper left corner to select a menu of options. The feature is rolling out gradually over the next few months to all content creators. The company also recently announced the option to filter all comments, so only approved comments will display with the video.

Beyond these features, TikTok recently partnered with the Cyberbullying Research Center to create a guide on bullying prevention. It lists how to identify bullying behavior, how teens can control their account to safeguard against unkindness and resources for standing up to bullying safely.

The platform continues to work to help users feel empowered with their experience on TikTok and make it a fun and welcoming experience for all. So the next time your teen pulls out their phone to post a video, make sure they’re aware of these new features. Safety first, trends second!

—Sarah Shebek

Image courtesy of TikTok

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Bring Waldo on Your Summer Adventures with This Fun New Book

by Sarah ShebekMay 13, 2021

Where’s Waldo? Anywhere you go, thanks to a new book featuring the classic character!

Where’s Waldo? Awesome Adventures is a new travel-size compendium full of searches, puzzles, games and more. It’s available now to spice up your summer entertainment.

The 64-page book is targeted at elementary-aged children and is divided into five sections, each for a different character: Waldo, Wenda, Woof, Odlaw and Wizard Whiteboard. It’s compact and flexible, so it’s easy to slip into a pool bag or car seat to stave off boredom. Better yet, it comes with complimentary game cards and a poster, plus an elasticized closure to keep everything together.

Searching for Waldo has been a beloved family tradition for the last three decades. Martin Handford created the bespectacled, red-and-white sweater-wearing character and there are more than 75 million copies of books about Waldo printed worldwide. You can buy Where’s Waldo? Awesome Adventures for $12.99 online or at your local bookstore.

For even more Waldo fun, you can preorder Where’s Waldo? The Ultimate Watcher Collection now. The seven book set features puzzling classics with new games and searches, plus a cohesive redesign. It officially launches for hours of activity in September 2021.

—Sarah Shebek

Image courtesy of Candlewick Press

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Here’s How To Enter Gerber’s 2021 Spokesbaby Search

by Erica LoopMay 7, 2021

Gerber is looking for a new spokesbaby—and that’s not all! This year the beloved brand is adding an extra bonus for the winner. Along with the spokesbaby honor, the top pic pick will also become the Chief Growing Officer.

What exactly is a Chief Growing Officer? According to Gerber, the CGO will “Steer—whether by crawling, wobbling, walking, or running—Gerber’s Executive Committee with big kid decisions, eat tasty and nutritious baby food products, act as the adorable face of the company, and appear on Gerber’s social media channels and marketing campaigns throughout the year.”

photo courtesy of Gerber

Mohini Joshi, Gerber Vice President of Marketing, said in a press release, “As part of our mantra to do anything for baby, each year we strive to make Photo Search bigger and better. In honor of the program’s 11-year anniversary, we’re excited to give Gerber families something new and exciting.” Joshi added, “Our Chief Growing Officer’s adorable roles and responsibilities are sure to make Gerber’s 2021 Photo Search a year like NO other and provide executive leadership new inspiration to help babies thrive.”

To apply for the 2021 Photo Search and CGO position, submit your 0 to 48-month-old’s pic to Gerber through the brand’s submission portal from Apr. 27 to May 17!

—Erica Loop

Featured photo: Tatiana Syrikova via Pexels

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Here’s How to Get $20 By Using Amazon’s In-Garage Delivery

by Erica LoopApril 29, 2021

Amazon is making it easier to get your groceries delivered! The e-tailer recently announced the expansion of Key by Amazon In-Garage Grocery Delivery to more than 5,000 cities and towns across the country.

After a trial of In-Garage Grocery Delivery that started in five cities last November, Amazon has upped the ante and given millions of Prime members the chance to use this super-simple service. Now you can get your faves from Whole Foods Market or Amazon Fresh delivered into the safety and security of your home’s garage.

photo courtesy of Amazon

Pete Gerstberger, Head of Key by Amazon, said in a press release, “Customers who tried Key In-Garage Grocery Delivery have loved the service, which is why we’re expanding it to everywhere Amazon offers grocery delivery.” Gerstberger added, “As customers look for more convenience in their daily lives, we’re excited to deliver another service that not only helps them save time, but provides peace of mind knowing that tonight’s dinner is safe in their garage and out of the weather.”

To use this convenient service, eligible Prime members can shop While Foods or Amazon Fresh online. You must have a compatible garage door opener or myQ Smart Garage Hub ($30) and the myQ app with Key. Select “Key Delivery” at checkout to complete your order.

For more info, visit Amazon here! For a limited time eligible customers can get a $20 Amazon credit after the first In-Garage delivery order.

—Erica Loop

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These Spicy Snacks Aren’t Your Kids Goldfish!

by Erica LoopApril 28, 2021

Your kiddo’s fave snack cracker is getting a very grown-up upgrade. Goldfish recently teamed up with Frank’s RedHot for a spectacularly spicy can’t-miss collab!

Forget about nabbing your tot’s leftover Goldfish after they leave a teeny tiny pile left on their snack-time plate. Now there’s a version that’s made just for you.

photo courtesy of Pepperidge Farms

The classic snack and the beloved hot sauce brand are now one! Even though you may know Frank’s RedHot as the condiment you slather over chicken wings or dip everything from celery sticks to bread sticks in, the vinegar-y, cayenne-spiked sauce is now amping up the already unforgettable flavor of the fish-shaped crackers.

Janda Lukin, Chief Marketing Officer, Campbell Snacks, said in a press release, “We learned that adults are big fans of Goldfish and it’s an appetite we’ve never fully satisfied.” Lukin continued, “‘Hot’ is the #1 most requested Goldfish flavor across social, so we wanted to bring the heat with an unexpected partnership between Goldfish and Frank’s that fans will love.”

Jill Pratt, Chief Marketing Excellence Officer, for McCormick, added, “At Frank’s we are always looking for new ways for our fans to enjoy our hot sauce. This limited-edition Goldfish flavor brings a spicy bite to a nostalgic everyday snack. We hope that consumers enjoy this partnership between our two iconic brands for a fun experience that is sure to wake up your taste buds.”

Goldfish Frank’s RedHot crackers are available for a limited time starting this May! Look for the spicy snacks at retailers nationwide for a suggested retail price of $2.49 per 6.6 ounce bag.

—Erica Loop

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Target’s New Line Will Make You Totally Wet Your Plants

by Erica LoopApril 27, 2021

You’re used to the big red bullseye retailer’s partnerships with clothing designers and interior designers. Now the beloved brand is teaming up with a plant enthusiast/interior stylist, Hilton Carter!

Get ready to green your home with Hilton Carter for Target, starting May 14. The limited-edition line includes 65 products, featuring both live and faux plants along with accessories.

Jill Sando, executive vice president and chief merchandising officer, Target, said in a press release, “As people have spent more time at home over the past year, our guests are increasingly looking for ways to add more comfort and personality to their surroundings. Searches for plants on Target.com have increased by more than 300% over the last year – a clear indicator that guests want to bring some of the outdoors inside to brighten up their space.”

Interior stylist and line creator Hilton Carter added, “This collection of greenery and accessories was designed with the intention to inspire all—from the novice plant parent to the green thumb expert—and help everyone introduce a little more greenery into their space.”

Find Hilton Carter for Target (prices range from $5 to $130) in Target stores and at Target.com.

—Erica Loop

Photos courtesy of Target

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Celebrate Lucasfilm’s 50th B-day with a LEGO R2-D2 Build!

by Erica LoopApril 23, 2021

The force is strong with this brand-new master brick build. LEGO recently announced the debut of a Star Wars R2-D2 construction set in celebration of the 50th anniversary of Lucasfilm!

Get ready to spend the weekend constructing your very own droid. The LEGO Star Wars R2-D2 set includes 2,314 pieces and fab features galore.

Along with a rotating head and retractable mid-leg, this daring droid build also has a periscope and hidden tools tucked into a secret compartment. The set also includes a minifigure version of R2-D2 and a very special 50th anniversary Lucasfilm LEGO brick.

Jens Kronvold Frederiksen, Creative Lead of LEGO Star Wars at the LEGO Group , said in a press release, “We have had the pleasure of creating hundreds of Star Wars-inspired models over the past two decades since we first launched LEGO Star Wars sets.”

Kronvold Frederiksen continued, “As Lucasfilm celebrates their 50th anniversary, it seemed fitting to challenge ourselves and push the limits of what is possible with LEGO bricks by recreating a fan-favourite Star Wars character in great detail like we have never achieved before. We are delighted with the result and hope our fans get as much joy out of building the sets as we did designing it.”

Star Wars, and LEGO, lovers can nab this set ($199) starting May 1, 2021 exclusively on LEGO.com.

—Erica Loop

Photos courtesy of LEGO

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Up Your Dinner Game with These “Mandalorian” Tots and “Frozen 2” Mac & Cheese Bites

by Erica LoopApril 23, 2021

Your kiddo’s dinner plate is about to get a whole lot cuter! Farm Rich recently announced the release of Mandalorian Cheesy Potato Tots—and the Grogu-shaped pint-sized potatoes are just in time for Star Wars Day (May 4th)!

As if the Star Wars-inspired tots weren’t enough, Farm Rich is also debuting Disney’s Frozen 2 Mac and Cheese Bites. With crunchy, cheesy bite-sized pieces in Elsa’s Snowflake and Enchanted Forest Leaf designs, this savory snack is packed with 100 percent real cheddar and plenty of pasta.

Ciera Womack, Farm Rich Director of Marketing, said in a press release, “Star Wars is a story for the generations, and we’ve reimagined snacking with the new Cheesy Potato Tots shaped in Grogu’s image—inspired by the popularity of The Mandalorian.”

Find both Farm Rich products (suggested retail price $5.99 each) nationwide in Walmart stores or online this May.

—Erica Loop

Photos courtesy of Farm Rich

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Strawberry Glaze Is Back At Krispy Kreme—For a Limited Time

by Erica LoopApril 22, 2021

2020 wasn’t exactly jam-packed with goodness. That is, expect for the Strawberry Glaze craze.

Given the popularity of this sweet, spring-time flavor last year, Krispy Kreme made the decision to treat the brand’s fans to another round of limited-time Strawberry Glaze doughnuts. The pink pick is available starting Apr. 26, 2021 at participating Krispy Kreme locations.

photo courtesy of Business Wire

Dave Skena, Krispy Kreme Chief Marketing Officer, said in a press release, “Last year, fans couldn’t get enough of Strawberry Glaze and have been asking for it to come back ever since.” Skena added, “So we’re bringing it back. Hurry in and enjoy!”

The delish doughnut flavor is back in two forms—a Strawberry Glazed Doughnut and a Strawberry Kreme Filled Doughnut. The glazed version is similar to the Original Glazed Doughnut, but with a tangy strawberry taste. If that’s not enough strawberry sweetness for you, the Kreme Filled version is exactly what the name sounds like. This sugary selection is filled with the brand’s beloved Kreme, in a strawberry flavor.

—Erica Loop

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A Prequel to “Soul” Is Coming to Disney+ & It Answers Some Important Questions

by Erica LoopApril 21, 2021

Disney recently announced the upcoming release of a brand-new short from Pixar Animation. Based on Tina Fey’s sarcastically witty soul 22 from the 2020 animated hit flick Soul, the short explores the meaning of life and more!

The prequel to Soul, titled 22 vs. Earth, tells the tale of soul 22 and her attempt at a rebellion in The Great Before. Instead of entering Earth, 22 has other things in mind—namely staying exactly where she is.

photo courtesy of Disney/Pixar

Not only does 22 refuse to go to Earth, she teams up with five other new souls to rebel against the rules. 22 vs. Earth director and 21-year Pixar veteran, Kevin Nolting, said in a press release, “While making ‘Soul,’ we talked about the why of a new soul not wanting to live on Earth, but it didn’t ultimately belong in that movie.”

Nolting added, “22 vs. Earth was a chance to explore some of the unanswered questions we had about why 22 was so cynical. As a fairly cynical person myself, it felt like perfect material.”

22 vs. Earth will stream on Disney+ starting Apr. 30!

—Erica Loop

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