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.
Set the dinner table with a little help from Anna and Elsa! Disney’s Frozen 2 Collectible Ceramic Dinnerware set is here—and it may just make your kiddo eat whatever you put on their plate.
The 16-piece set includes four complete settings. You’ll get four 10.75-inch dinner plates, four seven-inch dessert plates, four 16-ounce bowls, and four 12-ounce mugs.
Each perfectly crafted piece features sweet silhouette designs from the Frozen film franchise. Whether your child is a fan of Anna, Elsa, or both, they’ll find the now-iconic characters on this fancy (but family-friendly) dinnerware set. Along with the character silhouettes, the dishes, bowls, and mugs also include awesomely ornate snowflake designs.
Find this Robe Factory Disney Frozen 2 Anna and Elsa Themed Dinnerware Dining Set on Amazon for $119.99. As if the Frozen 2 dinnerware set isn’t enough princess-y goodness, you can also nab another 16-piece set, featuring Princesses Tiana, Rapunzel, Aurora, and Mulan (also $119.99 on Amazon). Add the Disney Princess 4-Piece Dinner Placemat Set ($42.99 from Amazon) to complete your Disney dinner table look!
The next time you’re itching to get out of the house, head out on an easy hike with your whole family. Thanks to our friends at AllTrails, we’ve rounded up a list of the best kid-friendly trails in Pittsburgh that are gentle enough for even the youngest of hikers. Read on to check them out.
1. North Shore Riverfront Trail
Sam G/AllTrails
North Shore Riverfront Trail is a 10.1 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania that features a river and is good for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for walking, running, road biking, and mountain biking and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
Distance: 10.1 miles Difficulty: Easy
2. Riverview Park Loop Trail
Matt Thompson/AllTrails
Riverview Park Loop Trail is a 2.7 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania that features beautiful wild flowers and is good for all skill levels. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
Distance: 2.7 miles Difficulty: Easy
3. Nine Mile Run, Braddock, Kensington, Homewood and Tranquil Loop
Rocco Derenzo/AllTrails
Nine Mile Run, Braddock, Kensington, Homewood and Tranquil Loop is a 3.6 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania that features a great forest setting and is good for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, running, and nature trips and is best used from April until November.
Distance: 3.6 miles Difficulty: Easy
4. Meeks Run and Oil Well Trail Loop
Adrienne Schierer/AllTrails
Meeks Run and Oil Well Trail Loop is a 1.8 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania that features a river and is good for all skill levels. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail.
Distance: 1.8 miles Difficulty: Easy
5. Highland Park Double Loop Trail
Suhail Baloch/AllTrails
Highland Park Double Loop Trail is a 2.5 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania that features a lake and is good for all skill levels. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
Distance: 2.5 miles Difficulty: Easy
6. Fall Run Trail
Leigh Morgan/AllTrails
Fall Run Trail is a 1.4 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Glenshaw, Pennsylvania that features a waterfall and is good for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, running, and mountain biking and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
Distance: 1.4 miles Difficulty: Easy
7. Hartwood Acres
Eileen Angulo/AllTrails
Hartwood Acres is a 5.5 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Allison Park, Pennsylvania that features beautiful wild flowers and is good for all skill levels. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from May until September. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
Distance: 5.5 miles Difficulty: Easy
8. Dark Hollow Woods Trails
Adrienne Schierer/AllTrails
Dark Hollow Woods Trails is a 1.2 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Oakmont, Pennsylvania that features a river and is good for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for hiking and walking and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail.
Distance: 1.2 miles Difficulty: Easy
9. Monongahela Incline
Brendan Carroll/AllTrails
Monongahela Incline is a 1.7 mile lightly trafficked loop trail located near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania that offers scenic views and is good for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, and nature trips and is best used from April until October. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
Distance: 1.7 miles Difficulty: Easy
10. Snowflake Loop, Wissahickon and Bridle Trail
Matt Thompson/AllTrails
Snowflake Loop, Wissahickon and Bridle Trail is a 1.4 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania that offers the chance to see wildlife and is good for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for hiking, nature trips, horses, and mountain biking and is best used from March until October. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
AllTrails helps connect us to the outdoors and makes getting outside easier and more accessible. Home to the largest collection of hand-curated trail guides, with AllTrails you can search for and navigate trails, parks, and green spaces, or use filters to find your next favorite trail.
It may be too early to have visions of sugarplums dancing in your head, but have you ever wondered what one tastes like? Find out at Dunkin’ with the new Sugarplum Macchiato, a whimsical, light-purple layered drink that looks as good as it tastes. Pair this seasonal purple drink with a Frosted Snowflake Donut.
Served hot or iced, the newest addition to the brand’s cheerful holiday espresso lineup features bright berry flavors of blueberry, raspberry, blackberry, and plum accented by notes of vanilla and rounded out with a sweet sugary finish for the ultimate winter delight. The combination of espresso, milk and sugarplum flavor creates a festive light-purple layered beverage that’s sure to get you in the holiday spirit.
According to Jill Nelson, Vice President, Marketing Strategy at Dunkin’, “Our Sugarplum Macchiato is a colorful twist on a well-known, but perhaps mysterious-tasting, flavor of holiday lore. It’s the perfect complement to our fan-favorite holiday latte lineup and brings even more delicious cheer to the Dunkin’ menu.”
Dunkin’ also has something special for donut lovers too. The new Frosted Snowflake Donut features purple icing and special snowflake sprinkles making it the perfect treat to enjoy with the Sugarplum Macchiato. Keep your eyes opened because some of Dunkin’s classic donuts will be wearing their holiday best as well, with seasonal snowflake sprinkles for a festive new look.
As Dunkin’ provides people with perhaps their first-ever taste of sugarplum, the brand wants to hear everyone’s take on the wonderfully unique drink. Dunkin’ is inviting fans to offer an original description of the Sugarplum Macchiato’s distinct and delightful taste via a special seasonal AR lens on TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook using #DunkinSugarplum.
These seasonal treats are available for a limited time only.
Has your Scout Elf visited yet this holiday season? The Lumistella Company is kicking off the Christmas season with a virtual event designed to bring holiday happiness to kids of all ages. Santa and his Scout Elves invite families to gather in the comfort of their own home and begin celebrating the holidays with “The Elf on the Shelf’s Night Before Christmas Storytime” featuring Brad Paisley.
“We are honored to bring Santa’s stories to life with Brad in an inventive way that keeps safety first this season,” notes Chanda Bell, co-CEO of The Lumistella Company and Santa’s chief storyteller. “I’ve consulted the Big Guy, and he was thrilled to have Brad’s support for the launch of “The Elf on the Shelf’s Night Before Christmas” storybook (exclusively at Target).”
On Wed., Dec. 2, “The Elf on the Shelf’s Night Before Christmas Storytime” with Brad Paisley will launch on The Elf on the Shelf’s YouTube channel. Paisley will narrate this humorous and festive tale about one Scout Elf’s Christmas Eve mission to serve up the perfect Christmas Eve, which almost ends in disaster before Santa saves the day. In addition, fans can enjoy a sing-along or two on YouTube with The Elf on the Shelf’s Night Before Christmas Song and other festive music videos, or they can immerse themselves in a silly elf-inspired talk show, “Cocoa with Joe.”
Paisley, whose Scout Elves often appear on his social media channels with funny antics each Christmas season, said, “Around our house, the Christmas season is full of family time and fun traditions. One of my favorites is waking up every morning to discover what kind of happiness and hoopla The Elf on the Shelf Scout Elves got in to while we were asleep. Our Scout Elves, Snowflake and Pinocchio, know how to make the holidays a time of joy, celebration and craziness.”
“We are deeply committed to creating joyful family moments, which the world needs now more than ever. Celebrations across the world may look different this year, but the joy of the season as seen through the eyes of children is a reminder that our shared traditions endure,” states The Lumistella Company president, Mike Champion. “We are excited to partner with Brad Paisley this season in bringing a little holiday cheer to all.”
Get in the holiday spirit! Children’s musician Laurie Berkner invites everyone to share the magic of the season at two special “Holiday Party” Live Virtual Family Concerts on Sunday, Dec. 13 at 12:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. ET on Berkner’s website. For double the fun, a family ticket grants admission to one or both livestreams.
“With all that’s going on in the world, I feel so lucky to still be able to share our annual Holiday Concert and celebrate with families this year! These will be my final virtual family concerts of 2020, and I’m so proud and moved by the community that we have built together in these past months,” says Berkner. “Seeing videos of kids and families sharing loving moments and dancing together to my music makes all of the hard work that we put into each of these livestreamed events completely worth it. I truly can’t wait!”
Berkner encourages fans of all ages to decorate their homes and wear their holiday outfits to this show, whether it be a fun sweater, fancy holiday clothes, cozy winter pajamas, or even a Santa suit.
“Get out your holiday lights, dreidels, nutcrackers, candy canes, Hanukkah gelt, wreaths, and stockings!” says Berkner. “Maybe your Christmas tree or menorah is already out. You could make a gingerbread house, an ornament, or some hot cocoa, and bring them to the show. Let’s build a winter wonderland together!”
Longtime Laurie Berkner Band member Susie Lampert will be a special guest at these holiday concerts, which will feature such traditional, secular songs as “Jingle Bells” and “Frosty the Snowman,” along with originals from Laurie Berkner’s well-loved album, A Laurie Berkner Christmas, like “Santa’s Coming to My House Tonight.” Laurie will also celebrate Hanukkah with “Candle Chase” and “The Dreidel Song.” She’ll perform an array of her greatest hits, too, including “We Are The Dinosaurs,” “Victor Vito,” and “Pig On Her Head.”
Your little ones should plan on bringing their instruments (jingle bells if you have them), dancing shoes and a stuffed animal to participate in the sing along.
A fun-filled virtual lobby will feature pre-show music and videos, holiday games and a fun snowflake craft activity to bring to the concert. For those who’d like to spend a few minutes chatting one-on-one with Laurie after the show, special Meet-and-Greet tickets are available.
We don’t know about you, but we are looking forward to holiday baking. The Funfetti winter cake and frosting collection is starting to pop up on shelves. Celebrate the next snowy day at home with a batch of colorful cupcakes adorned with candy snowflakes.
The new whimsical Funfetti Winter Vanilla Cake and Cupcake Mix features blue, green and yellow candy bits in every bite. The icing on the cake (literally) is the Light Blue Funfetti Winter Frosting that comes with snowflake-shaped sprinkles.
You can find this new Funfetti cake mix and frosting at Walmart retailing for $1.34 each.
If summer weather has to end, at least we can look forward to some fun in the snow. FUNBOY changed the game when it comes to pool inflatables, now they are taking winter sports to the next level. A retro-inspired, après chic collection of essential snow accessories recently launched.
The winter collection was created to inspire families to safely get outdoors this holiday season and make memories to last a lifetime. These products were created for the perfect snow day experience. These lightweight and portable snow sleds come in a variety of retro prints and classic shapes to elicit memories of nostalgic snow play.
The FUNBOY Winter Bloom Snow Toboggan Sled ($59) features rapid inflate and deflate valve, dual handles for easy downhill grip, hand pull rope included.
The FUNBOY Retro Plaid Snow Tube ($49) has a reinforced rubber base with directional grooves helps keep the sled going straight downhill for endless fun.
Did you know International Unicorn Day falls on Apr. 9th each year? If you have a unicorn lover at home, what better way to celebrate their favorite mythical creatures than by hearing stories about them. Whether you have books at home or are looking for a virtual event to attend, we have you covered.
The Unicorn Quest author Kamilla Benko, is hosting a virtual party for families staying home to enjoy fun and educational unicorn-themed activities, as well as connect with their favorite unicorn authors and illustrators through live readings and demonstrations.
Bloomsbury Children’s Books
International Unicorn Day is live with a full schedule of readings on Thursday from 17 authors and illustrators, including several bestsellers! The program includes a couple of exclusive reveals of upcoming May books and ends with a bedtime story from Adam Wallace as he reads his #1 New York Times bestselling picture book How to Catch a Unicorn.
Also, check out this list of magical picture books and middle grade novels:
Uni the Unicorn by Amy Krouse Rosenthal; illustrated by Brigette Barrager
Random House Children’s Books
In this clever twist on the age-old belief that there’s no such thing as unicorns, Uni the unicorn is told there’s no such thing as little girls! No matter what the grown-up unicorns say, Uni believes that little girls are real.
Pacy Packer Unicorn Tracker by J.C. Phillips
Random House Children’s Books
Pacey’s little sister Mina believes that unicorns exist. When Mina’s stuffed unicorn leads her to a mystical unicorn land, Pacey tracks them down.
I Love my Llamacorn by Danielle McLean
Random House Children’s Books
The cutest half-unicorn half-llama you can possibly imagine comes to life in this rainbow-colored confection of a board book!
My Magical Mermicorn by Danielle McLean
Random House Children’s Books
It’s a mermaid! It’s a unicorn! No, it’s a Mermicorn!
Unicorn Academy: Layla and Dancer by Julie Sykes
Random House Children’s Books
Imagine a school where you meet your own unicorn and have amazing adventures together! That’s what happens for the girls at Unicorn Academy on beautiful Unicorn Island.
Unicorn Academy: Olivia and Snowflake by Julie Sykes
Olivia hopes her sweet unicorn, Snowflake, will discover her magic before graduation day!
Unicorn Academy: Ariana and Whisper by Julie Sykes
Random House Children’s Books
Ariana loves her unicorn, Whisper, but hopes that their differences don’t get in the way of their bond.
Cheetos are a snack-food favorite, but those orange fingers running around your house aren’t always fun. Now you can enjoy the cheesy crunch in a brand new, less colorful form with Cheetos White Cheddar Snowflakes.
As any snack food connoisseur can tell you, Cheetos actually come in a variety of styles and flavors, but the newest addition is a festive addition to any winter party. The new version comes in four different snowflake shapes dusted in white cheddar cheese flavor.
As Delish points out, the Snowflake Cheetos aren’t listed on the brand’s website so they are likely a limited-edition selection. You can grab a bag at Amazon, Walmart, Kroger and Publix.
