February 13th is National Cheddar Day. Tillamook County Creamery Association (TCCA) is celebrating this very special day with a limited-edition Cheddar Capsule collection—and it includes the 40-pound Tillamook Sharp Yellow Cheddar Mother Loaf.
Tillamook cheddar cheese products all start as 40-pound blocks. The cheese-makers than age the cheddar anywhere from 60 days to a full 10 years. After the cheddar reaches pure cheesy magnificence, it’s turned into a block, slices, shreds, or other Tillamook snacking products. Now you can buy the big block before it gets paired down into tinier bricks and other cheddar creations!
Along with the 40-pound Mother Loaf ($150), the Cheddar Capsule collection includes cheese-inspired thick cut crewneck ($25), party pants ($35), slices bag ($15), snacky koozy ($5), lucky cheddar playing cards ($10), fine cut hat ($35) and varsity t-shirts ($26-$28).
Nab your fave cheddar products from the capsule collection on the Tillamook website, starting Feb. 1 at 8 a.m. PST.
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All the world needs now, is love, sweet love and we have all the ways you can show love this Valentine’s Day right here. These Etsy Valentine’s Day gifts for kids include lots of personalized options that we know won’t get cast away on February 15th. Your little one will definitely feel the love when receiving one of these options!
Those darn darts from your kiddo’s Nerf blaster are everywhere. Now you don’t need to crawl around the carpet, picking up each individual piece of foam from the floor.
The Nerf Elite Dart Rover is the toy cleaning tool you need right now. The Dart Rover looks like a mini lawn mower, but doesn’t cut down your carpeting. Instead, the River picks up those pesky little Nerf darts with a simple swipe.
photo: Amazon
Instead of a one by one pick-up process, this genius machine lets you grab up to 100 darts at a time. Along with the super-picker up potential, the Dart Rover also comes with non-slip wheels (which are perfect for your non-carpeted floors) and an adjustable handle. A mesh net basket catches darts as they fly off the floor and into the Rover.
Built for kids ages eight and up (and moms and dads too!), this grabber gadget gives your child the chance to clean up their own Nerf-tastrophy—instead of you playing the role of dart keeper.
This quick catcher retails for $29.99. Nab The Nerf Elite Dart Rover online at Amazon.
The new Puppy Mixtape incorporates content that teaches the alphabet, counting and colors via fun songs, sounds and phrases. If you ever used a pencil to wrap the tape ribbon back up you'll love that Fisher-Price added an interactive tape ribbon that your little one can wind up and down.
The Busy Boombox is loaded with music and lessons for babies. It even includes the key functions you would use the most in an actual boombox, such as the play button and volume lever.
This handheld pretend “gaming console” takes families back to the ‘90s with a D-pad, A and B buttons, pretend game cartridge and a light-up screen. The toy integrates nostalgic music, sounds and phrases, and teaches directions, colors, numbers and shapes.
Keep Portland Weird! It’s the slogan locals have come to know and love dearly. But why is Portland considered to be so weird? We’ve put together Portland trivia that will drop jaws, elicit gasps and make your young Portlanders giggle. Read on to find out exactly which Portland facts have earned our city the reputation we’ve all come to embrace.
Located near the Willamette River in downtown, Mills End Park is the smallest park in the world according to the Guinness Book of Records. Tell your kiddos not to expect a swing set or slide, this grassy area has a diameter of 0.6 meters and a total area of 0.29 square meters. The park was originally intended to be the location for a light pole, which fell through so Oregon Journal columnist Dick Fagan planted flowers in the hole. It was recognized as an official city park in 1976.
Portland also has the largest urban forest in the country
Unlike Mills End Park, Portland's Forest Park, just northwest of downtown, offers families tons of room to run and play. Stretching for more than 5,200 acres and offering visitors breathtaking views of the Willamette River, Forest Park is the largest urban forest reserve in the US within the limits of a city. This beloved park is perfect for hiking, with more than 70 miles of trails.
There is a dormant volcano in the city
Portland is one of only two cities that has a dormant volcano within the city limits. Mt. Tabor is located in SE Portland and one of Portlander's favorite spots for picnics, hikes and watching the sun rise and set. It even is home to a park where kids can play and an outdoor amphitheater.
Portland holds an annual World Naked Bike Ride
Our beloved city is all about body positivity and biking, so it's no wonder that it holds it's annual naked bike ride as a part of a worldwide protest against oil dependency every year. There's no clutching of pearls as decorated bikes, and dressed up moms and dads make their way through the city streets on two wheels in an effort to save the environment. This event is almost 16 years old!
The sidewalks of Portland are peppered with metal rings. As a part of the "Portland Horse Project," people leave tiny toy horses attached to themso they can be used as a catalyst for people to realize the beauty in the details of our city. Your kids will love finding them around town. Buy some toy horses that your little one can attach to a ring for someone else to find!
Portland is home to the largest independently owned bookstore in the world
Chanced are you've visited Powell’s City of Books in the Pearl District. But did you know that it has been named the the largest independently owned bookstore in the world? Families and children of all ages love walking through this giant shop, and even spending time flipping though their favorite books, while they decide which ones to buy.
The Rose City's name was decided by a coin toss
Asa Lovejoy and Francis Pettygrove, two of Portland's founders, couldn’t agree on how to name the land they had acquired, so they decided to flip a coin. The winner got to name the place after their hometown. Pettygrove, a native of Portland, Maine, won the toss. Had Lovejoy won, the city would be called Boston, like his Massachusetts hometown.
Portland is ranked one of the best places in America for vegans and vegetarians to live
Portland has always been know for being health oriented (it's often been rated the most bikeable). It's also famous for its fantastic eateries and top-notch chefs. So it should come as no surprise that in 2020, Forbes rated it the best city in America for vegans and vegetarians. You can find a list of some of the best vegan restaurants here.
The International Rose Test Garden has over 500 types of roses
This four-acre garden is home to some of the most beautiful roses in the world. Its four acres holds over 500 types of roses? Who even knew there were that many types?
The Simpsons was born here (kinda)
Matt Groening, the creator of The Simpsons, was born and raised in Portland and attended Ainsworth Elementary School and Lincoln High School. Groening began animating The Simpsons in 1989 and named several of the characters after famous Portland streets and landmarks, including Flanders, Lovejoy, Powell, Quimby and Kearney. Now is the perfect time to start watching with your kids!
Home to the Wiley Unipiper
Chances are, you've likely heard of the Unipiper. He rides around on a unicycle dressed as Darth Vader (and most recently, other characters from Game of Thrones and Pokémon), playing flaming bagpipes! Brian Kidd, also known as The Unipiper, is a unicyclist, street performer, musician and local celebrity who calls our city home!
Portland has the largest roost of Vaux's Swifts in the World
If you head up to Chapman Elementary School in September expect to see a sight that will take your breath away. As the Vaux's Swifts migrate, the fly into the school's chimney to nest for the night
Whether decked out with the latest technology or small enough to travel with, there are more options than ever for this must-have baby gear. Read on for eight of the best baby swings out there, from brands you love like Graco, Nuna, 4moms, Fisher-Price and more.
The Simple Sway has all the features of a classic baby swing. The side-to-side sway has six speeds and the vibration features two speeds, so you can customize your baby’s movement experience. Engage your little one’s eyes and ears with a hanging mobile and a choice of 15 sounds and songs. It can run on battery or plug in for your convenience.
For the latest in high-tech baby gear, the Munchkin swing uses Bluetooth to stream baby’s favorite playlist from your phone to the swing’s speaker system. Or you can play preloaded ambient sounds and classical music to soothe your newborn. The swaying motion mimics the natural motion of parents. It can all be controlled by the sleek digital touch display or by remote. The lightweight design makes it easily to move around, and it breaks down for quick storage.
This Ingenuity Comfort swing offers both portability and affordability with all the features you need. It has eight melodies, three nature sounds, and a removable hanging toy. The reclining seat adjusts to two positions. The six-speed swinging action features TrueSpeed Technology that keeps the swinging speed consistent as baby grows. It runs on batteries and folds up compactly so it's great for travel.
With the classic head-to-toe rocking or the soothing side-to-side motion, this swing has an option sure to please baby. The mobile is motorized and includes a dome mirror. The seat pad and plush insert are machine-washable, so you don’t have to worry about messes. It includes foldable legs for storage and traveling and has plug-in or battery power to make it a versatile baby product.
The Nuna is a motor-free swing that grows with your child from newborn to toddler. A gentle nudge will set the swing silently swaying for up to two minutes. The three-point harness can be removed to turn the baby swing into a comfy toddler seat. The fabric insert is certified organic and free of harmful substances. The chair can lock into place for use in feeding or playtime.
The WhisperQuiet technology on this swing makes for a quiet ride, unless you want to play one of six tunes. The toys that hang from the removable toy bar are detachable for takeaway play, and the seat includes tags for extra play and soothing. The lightweight design allows for easy folding, storage and transport. The swing adapts to baby’s changing weight, so the six speeds never feel too slow or fast.
The futuristic design of the mamaRoo4 seat will fit in with any modern baby’s lifestyle. The five unique rocking and bouncing motions comfort little ones just like parents do. Listen to the built-in sounds or connect to any MP3 devices for baby’s musical favorites. The three fabric options—a soft plush, smooth polyester, or breathable fabric—are all machine-washable.
Similar to sitting in a nursery glider with you, the motion of this swing is a smooth ride for baby. In addition to different gliding speeds, there is a two-speed vibration mode. A timer makes sure the glider is on only when you want it to be, and it can be plugged in or run on batteries. Music and an overhead toy bar all help keep little ones entertained.
It’s common to see the best and “must-have” gifts this time of year, but what about those that don’t quite make the cut? For as many fun and fabulous toys that hit the market, there are also those that leave us shaking our heads. We’ve sifted through the worst-of-the-worst from the past few years and came up with a few cringe-inducing toys you won’t believe were invented.
In this "game" kids can feed the cow water in order to "milk" the cow. We can't really explain it, but something about this just feels kinda weird. However, they aren't cheap, as proven by this one spotted on eBay, so maybe we're missing something.
While we totally get where the creators were going with the Marvel Black Panther Slash Claw, creating a toy that is all about acting like an oversized cat with sharp claws creates a problem. The creator didn't do themselves any favors by including a warning not to swing or hit at people––seemingly the whole purpose of the toy in general.
Nerf usually comes through with kid-safe options, but not this time. When they released the Nerf Vortex Praxis, they switched up the ammo from soft darts to hard plastic discs. The result? Scared parents who can now truly say "you'll shoot your eye out."
Nothing like teaching your kids right from wrong! While Monopoly Cheaters Edition is supposed to be a funny tack on the OG version, it's definitely not a great option for littles. Among the cards that ask players to cheat, the game also comes with a pair of handcuffs for those that get caught in the act.
Play-Doh Poop Troop
If your littles can't get enough bathroom humor than the Play-Doh Poop Troop is for them. Kids use a variety of tools to literally squeeze out "poop" from the rather large collection of included dough tubs (the most of which are brown) to make personalized turds. Just what they've always wanted.
Lightning Reaction Reloaded
A game that includes electrocution if you're too slow? What could go wrong? Even better is the fact that this is a real game you can still buy on Amazon for $35! The toy description says to "Bust out this shocking game for an electrifying good time," and the comments are equally enjoyable. One user uses the game to encourage the kiddos to do chores and says "What started out as a gag game, has turned into how I dictate which of my 3 kids will do chores. If I lose, I take the garbage out and do the dishes myself. Chores just got a little more fun around this camp." Glad we don't live at her house!
Pole Dance
Mamas want their babies to grow up and be ... pole dancers? While the packaging of this "toy" was made to look pretty alluring to kids, what with the glitter and gems, we all know this is one career we're taking out of the running.
Love n' Licks Pets
Their tagline is that you'll get "so wet, you should wear a bathing suit!" If that's not enough to steer you clear away from this doggy that drools, then consider the goal of this toy is to rub it's head so much that it barks––because everyone loves a barking dog. The commercial is a compilation of kids covered in towels or wearing a raincoat and bathing suit which is a dead giveaway how un-fun this toy can be.
The Super Soaker Oozinator was released in the '90s and was supposed to be the next generation of squirt guns. But instead of shooting free water, kids got to squirt each other from ooze cartridges—basically tantamount to shooting huge boogers at each other. The three-pound gun worked the same way as the traditional super soakers, but this one boasted "extra pumping required." Gross.
Vibrating Harry Potter Broom
Back in 2010, Mattel started selling the Harry Potter Nimbus 2000 vibrating broomstick much to the delight of Potter fans worldwide. But when sex shops in New York City‘s Times Square started buying and re-selling the broomstick for double Amazon’s price, Mattel decided the fun and games were over and discontinued the model. You can still find similar products on Amazon, just make sure to read the reviews, "This broom looks like it has been designed and created by muggles. I arrived late to Hogwarts and almost missed the sorting hat ceremony." Ba-dum tsss...
Pretend Tattoo Parlor
While Spin Master Toys has been cranking out the hits for many years (including Star Wars, Paw Patrol and this year's Hatchimals), every once in a while they have a dud. In 2006, they definitely hit a new low with a pretend tattoo parlor for kids. The set came complete with an electronic tattoo pen, washable ink, stencils, and, presumably, a pretend follow-up morning of regrets and a hangover.
Playmobil Security Checkpoint
Unsurprisingly, this Security Checkpoint model did not perform as well as other Playmobil models like Barnyard with Silo or Pirate Fort, so it was discontinued. After all, no one want to pretend play standing in line with 300 other busy travelers!
Pee and Poo Dolls
Isn't Potty Humor fun?! Don't you want to cuddle with a defecation-themed plushy?! Originated in Sweden in 2004, these Pee & Poo dolls are an early ancestor of the popular poop emoji we're currently inundated with today (thanks, Uncle Poop!).
Dora Aquapet
Not only is this a horrifyingly bad design (if you haven't noticed, take another peek), the whole Aquapet concept is a bit creepy as well (like, why isn't she wearing scuba gear? Is this akin to toy waterboarding?). The suggestive design was first noticed in 2009 when the Dora Aquapet started showing up on moms' Christmas lists on Amazon.
Yume-chan Doll That Cries
Introduced at the Tokyo toy fair in 2012, manufacturer TOMY (makers of Chuggington, Pokemon and Lamaze products) had the ill-fated idea that it would be fun for kids to watch their doll cry after immunization. An evil plot by anti-vaxxers to scare kids? We'll never know.
Heelarious Baby High Heels
When we received the first press release for this product, we thought it was gag gift. And while it's true the founder/creator of baby high heels has taken a tongue-in-cheek approach to her products, there are parents on either end of the spectrum either squealing with delight or venting with outrage, regardless of intent
Barbie & Her Dog Tanner
Another Mattel classic sure to be discontinued (note recall for bite-sized magnetic poop pellets) and/or a future overpriced collectible. The $89 sticker price is a bit more palatable when you are entertained by Amazon reviews like this gem, " God bless America! Does this toy teach young girls moral lessons about the responsibilities of pet ownership and the importance of cleaning up their mess? Or, is the feces-eating devil dog teaching impressionable young kids that it's ok to consume their own excrement? Who knows, and who cares."
My Cleaning Trolley
Look at little Arya, doesn't she look like she is having fun vacuuming?! Put your kids to work starting at toddler-age, teaching them how to sweep, mop and dust. The gift offers the perfect inspiration for an aspiring janitorial career. We're kidding. Of course, lots of kids love to "clean" and "pretend to clean". The primary reason this sparked outrage was because of the packaging, which had a big, "For Girls Only" sticker on the front.
Poopy Time Fun Shapes
This image has been circulating on Reddit and Buzzfeed since 2009, though we can't find an actual manufacturer or more product detail. Since parents seem willing to do anything to get their kids to potty train (rewards, gold stars, M & M's), we'll simply categorize this product as "good intention gone bad."
Marie Kondo has been an organizing guru for years, but when Netflix debuted not one, but two shows based on her methods, everyone binged watched. Moms everywhere purged their homes as if their life depended on it and took the KonMari method to heart.
If that was you and you’re still hooked on keeping only those things that spark joy, then keep reading to see some of our fave storage solutions that are totally KonMari-compatible.
Kitchen Drawer Organizer
If you've watched Tidying Up, you've probably seen Marie show up with her own box of...boxes. The organizer swears by the technique of using boxes within drawers to help keep items alongside like items for that perfect tidy look. This 8-piece set ($8) of kitchen organizers comes in varying sizes to accommodate all sorts of baubles, but more importantly to keep everything organized. Perfect for your bathroom drawers, too!
Foldable Drawer Boxes
Once you've mastered the KonMari folding method, you're going to need to plenty of space to keep those beautifully folded clothes. If your drawer system is lacking, then these foldable drawer boxes ($27) can keep you on track. They're great for organizing baby and kid clothes since they're too small to stand up in large drawers, and to keep undergarments tidy, too.
Delta Children MySize 9 Bin Plastic Toy Organizer
If this storage solution looks familiar, it's because it actually made an appearance on the first episode of Tidying Up with Marie Kondo! The toy organizer ($58) comes with nine bins and is available in six different colors to match your decor, while also providing some major functionality.
Boxbox Plastic Storage
Drawers can quickly become a haven for mess, especially when you have a junk drawer––wait, isn't that a "bad word" in Marie Kondo's world? Instead of tossing pens, keys and random objects into the abyss, stock up on simple clear boxes like these. For $14 you'll get a pack of 10 that can wrangle all types of clutter.
Battery Organizer
Is it us, or does this battery organizer ($18) spark some major joy? With room to store 82 batteries in all shapes and sizes, this holder not only keeps them from accidentally de-charging, but you can also use the detachable battery tester to make sure you're only keeping the ones that actually work.
Sterilite Stacking Drawers
Whether you use them to organize shoes, small toys or garage essentials, this six-pack of stacking drawers ($45) will keep your home looking clutter-free. The stacking features means you'll have ample floor space, while the clear plastic keeps everything within eyesight.
Flex Totes
Whether you're storing away sweaters for the summer or just trying to organize the linen closet, flex totes ($20) like these will get it done. The clear plastic panels are Marie Kondo-approved and makes finding what you need a cinch! The top zipper makes for easy access and the huge size means these little bags can pack it all in.
Air-Tight Food Storage Containers
Tired of never knowing what you have in the pantry? Make grocery shopping more enjoyable and cost-effective by keeping snacks and other foods in clear containers in your pantry. This airtight version ($30) not only looks sharp, but it's also clear and will keep your food fresh longer than a toddler who doesn't know how to close a bag to save their life!
Clear 70 Quart Ultra Latch Box
Even if you follow Kondo's method to a T, we all still have items that call for storage throughout the year. These four-pack of clear latch boxes ($89) make great garage storage because they are large, clear and all match. Nothing says tidy like matchy-matchy boxes!
Sterilite 6-Quart Boxes (Pack of 12)
This basic 6-quart size clear box is a must when it comes to organizing. There are so many uses that you won't have a hard time using the entire 12-pack ($31) for things like shoes, craft supplies, toys and pretty much anything.
They’re your go-to for stamps, and but when’s the last time you bought birthday presents for your children from the United States Postal Service? Turns out, not only can you buy shipping supplies and stamps online, the USPS has an extensive online shop full of toy trucks, cool t-shirts, toddler costumes, and more. We scoured through the site to bring you our top favorites here.
Editor’s note: At the time of publication all items were in stock. We’ll try to keep this post updated with items that are still available but they go quick!
USPS Post Office Tent
The USPS partnered with Kid Trax for this awesome play tent. Now your mini mail carriers can act out in real style!
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There’s so much about wooden toys that we love: they blend in with grown-up décor so easily and literally last forever (hello, resale value!). Etsy has all of our top picks for wooden toys like the versatile Pikler triangle, too-cute play kitchens, Montessori toys, personalized gifts and more. Consider this your wooden toy shopping list.
If you don't have a Pikler triangle in your home, you need to get on it. Not only are these all the rage for indoor climbing for little ones, but they have a high resale value when you are ready to pass them on.
We love this option for your Montessori-inspire playroom. These wooden peg dolls are hand-painted in rainbow colors with different skin tones, encouraging open-ended play.
You'll love this multi-use piece for your home as it is functional and aesthetically pleasing at the same time. Kids can rock on one side and then flip it over for a climber/tunnel.
We are totally enamored by this handcrafted play kitchen with oven, cupboard, cooktop, sink, water tap and drawer. Your little one will want to bake a cake in thanks for this gift and you'll love that the dusty green color blends in with your aesthetic. The seller can also customize a kitchen to your specifications and offers other colors like dusty pink and natural wood.
Isn't this just the perfect holiday gift? Get your child's name in this personalized train that includes a steam engine, caboose and personalized name letter cars.
Lacing toys are great for working on fine motor skills and sequencing. You'll especially love this one that is everyone's favorite Very Hungry Caterpillar-themed!
