LEGO wants to help your little adventurer celebrate International Women’s Day with a very special deal! The new Amelia Earhart Tribute set is here—and it’s free with any purchase over $100.
You read that right. LEGO wants to gift your master builder with their very own brick version of Earhart’s Lockheed Vega 5B plane. The 203-piece set is age-graded for children ages eight and up and includes a mini figure of the aviator herself.
Mel Caddick, the designer behind the new set, said in a LEGO Q&A, “Amelia Earhart taught us that passions, aspirations and courage know no gender—a legacy not passed on by many, and for that I think we found the perfect personality to celebrate for 2021 International Women’s Day.” Caddick went on to talk about what people can learn from this model, “I am hoping the model of Amelia Earhart can inspire and encourage, not only women, but all people around the world, to be curious and brave about their passions and aspirations—especially when facing rigid traditions, structures or the likes, that tries to keep them down.”
Visit LEGO’s website here to learn more about the free (with $100 or more purchase offer). Don’t wait to order your kiddo’s Earhart-themed set. This offer is only good through Mar. 14. If you order after the free offer period or you don’t purchase $100 worth of other LEGO items, you can buy the set for $19.99.
Mattel has announced the latest historical icon to be honored in Barbie’s Inspiring Women Series. This year, ahead of Black History Month, Barbie is continuing to inspire girls to dream big by honoring writer, author, activist and teacher, Dr. Maya Angelou, who used her voice and unique writing style to connect with people and inspire generations of Americans.
Dr. Maya Angelou had a multi-hyphenated career and numerous awards and accolades, including over 50 honorary doctorates and a Presidential Medal of Freedom. She was nominated for a National Book Award in 1970, her autobiography I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings continues to move readers around the world today.
The Maya Angelou doll wears a head wrap and floor-length dress with floral print. She also holds a miniature replica of her prolific autobiography so girls can be inspired by her stories through play.
In 2018, Barbie debuted the Inspiring Women Series, a doll line dedicated to honoring historical and present-day role models who paved the way for generations of girls to dream bigger than ever before. The series has paid tribute to a diverse lineup of women including Amelia Earhart, Katherine Johnson, Frida Kahlo, Rosa Parks, Sally Ride, Billie Jean King, Ella Fitzgerald, Florence Nightingale and Susan B. Anthony.
As part of Barbie’s 2020 commitment to the Black community, the brand pledged to spotlight more Black role models and, moving forward, more than 50% of global role models featured will be Black, Indigenous and Women of Color. Barbie knows that kids’ early childhood experiences shape what they imagine to be possible, so it’s important that all girls not only see themselves reflected in product and content, but also see inspiring role models who have come before them.
During these uncertain times people are finding hope and joy in the birth of new babies. Babybel wants to welcome their newest fans conceived in the early days of quarantine with their own little Babybel Boom. The brand is selling personalized onesie featuring the baby’s name inside the iconic Babybel logo to celebrate the new little one in your life.
Babybel fans can head to BabybelBoom.com to order their own custom Babybel baby onesie for $15. With each onesie purchased, Babybel will keep the goodness going and support the non-profit Baby2Baby to help ensure babies and children living in poverty have access to the basic essentials they deserve.
“Families, friends and communities are finding hope and joy in the birth of new babies despite the ongoing uncertainty in the world around them. Given our namesake and shared sentiment, we wanted to offer something special to help these families celebrate,” said Melanie Nemoy, Brand Director for Babybel in the US. “We’re excited to lend our logo in playful tribute and of course, to see the cheesiest of baby pictures!”
With each onesie purchased, Babybel will keep the goodness going and support the non-profit Baby2Baby to help ensure babies and children living in poverty have access to the basic essentials they deserve.
“All of us at Baby2Baby are so grateful that Babybel shares in our mission,” said Baby2Baby Deputy Director Jen Armstrong. “Their support this holiday season will enable us to provide essentials to so many children in need when their families need it most.”
Beginning today and for a limited time, you can purchase your personalized onesie while supplies last. If you miss the chance to purchase a onesie – parent or not – you can still enjoy the 100 percent real cheese goodness of Mini Babybel as a balanced, convenient and playful snack this winter.
Turn up the AC and cozy up with a pint of ice cream. Christmas in July has begun. Starting Jun. 29 The Hallmark Channel will once again offer a selection of their holiday classics.
“Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movies and Mysteries once again bring the yuletide poolside this July, with the return of the networks’ popular summertime Christmas-movie programming events starring fan-favorites Candace Cameron Bure, Lacey Chabert, Holly Robinson Peete, Danica McKellar, Chad Michael Murray, Ryan Paevey and more,” according to a press release from the network.
Three Yuletide tales will be offered each weeknight starting Mon., Jun. 29, beginning at 5 pm ET/PT. Double Feature Fridays will pair together original movies of the same franchise, with Time for Me to Come Home for Christmas and Time for You to Come Home for Christmas on July 3, and Christmas in Angels Falls and Angel Falls: A Novel Holiday on Jul. 10. On Sat., Jul. 4, the network will honor our country’s service men and women with a daylong tribute to Veterans, featuring military-themed holiday movies including Operation Christmas, Holiday for Heroes and A Veteran’s Christmas.
Hallmark Channel’s annual “Keepsake Christmas” will continue with the tradition of nonstop Christmas cheer with 17 days of original Holiday movies beginning Fri., Jul. 10 at 12 p.m. ET/PT with Christmas at Dollywood. The festive marathon runs through Mon. Jul. 27 at 6 a.m. ET/PT with favorite movies including The Nine Lives of Christmas, A Christmas Duet, Switched for Christmas, Christmas in Evergreen:Tidings of Joy and Christmas in Rome.
On Teacher Appreciation Day, Jimmy Fallon kicked off his show with an original tune dedicated to teachers. His lyrics include, “Teachers should make a billion dollars.” After two months of homeschooling, I’m sure we all can agree with that.
Fallon has been shooting TheTonight Show from his home with his wife serving as the cameraperson and daughters, Winnie and Franny helping out as well. He has sympathized with celebrity guests wrangling their own kids during the work day. Listen to Jimmy’s sweet tribute and send some gratitude to the educators who have touched your life.
Not able to make that multigenerational family vacation happen this year? With COVID 19 on the rise and travel restrictions and recommendations changing daily, it’s no surprise to anyone that our elderly grandparent population may be most at risk. That doesn’t change the fact that kids will be disappointed. Here are some ways to help kids stay connected to their grandparents and other relatives when travel isn’t possible.
Create a Video Montage
Grandparents won't miss out on a thing when you use a service like Tribute.co to capture daily special moments. The platform is now being offered for free, and is a simple way to stay connected to loved ones from afar. Invite other family to submit videos through Tribute, then arrange the clips and add effects using the simple tools. When you're done, you'll get a high quality video to send to grandparents in jiffy.
From subscription services like Grandy, designed to help grandparents use technology to stay connected to their grandchildren, or the popular Amazon Echo or Facebook Portal, or just Skype, adding video to calls can help kids feel more connected to the person on the other end of the line. Grandparents can make silly faces, see artwork or read bedtime stories.
For babies and toddlers, consider meal time or snack time to make a video call. Wiggle worms tend to sit still while they’re eating, plus they are occupied and strapped in.
For older kids, prepare a couple of things they want to show and tell with grandparents. A few good jokes, an accomplishment at school.
Routine can be helpful. Having a set scheduled time to talk to G&G is great for some kids, as it gives them something to look forward to, but it’s not a necessity. Sometimes spontaneous calls are the most fun.
The calls don’t always have to be about the weather or school. You can use the time for “lessons” if your grandparent wants to show your kiddos how to bake, build, play piano or draw.
Play "I spy" with the grandparents. Or 20 questions.
Know when to wrap it up. If you’ve got a toddler this will be more obvious. For older kids, setting a time limit can help keep them engaged during the call.
Remind grandparents that there is sometimes a video delay and remind kids that grandparents might need a repeat or louder volume.
If the grandparents can’t do video calls for whatever reason, much of the above can apply to a phone call, i.e. telling jokes, reading stories, recalling something that happened that day in school. It’s always good to bear in mind that an abstract disembodied voice won't hold a toddler’s attention for very long, so prep the grandparents to tell a story or similar.
The Tinybeans app is an easy and safe way to have a social network that is completely private and super easy to use. You can add grandparents to the account, they download the app, and can easily see any images you share. You can also print photo books and gifts in a snap via Chatbooks.
Play a game online that is kid and grandparent friendly, like Scrabble, Words with Friends or something similar where you take turns either in real time or at your own pace. Bonus if there’s a place for the Grands to leave little messages via chat.
Have the grands record themselves reading a book or buy a recordable book and have one of the grandparents (or both!) record it.
f your kiddos can make little cards and notes, sending something along for a special occasion or even just because, helps kids think about their grandparents in a positive way. Did your kid do their first masterpiece in colored pencil? Make a photocopy and drop it in an envelope. Kids don’t have to create custom art each time. Just sending something that shows progress and a child’s world view can be something to share (or talk about on the next video chat).
Start a story together. Have your parents start a paragraph or two of a story and mail it to your child. Your kids can add the next two paragraphs, and send back.
Send postcards from your hometown. It doesn’t always have to be a letter or package. Sometimes dropping a postcard from your favorite park or a place your kiddo loves with just a short-sweet note is a fast and easy way to let people know you care. Buy the pre-stamped kind or load up on postcards stamps to make it even easier to be spontaneous with your correspondence. Try Postcardly for taking it from online to in-hand.
iHeartMedia and FOX announced today that Fox will present the iHeart Living Room Concert for America, a music event to help fight the spread of COVID-19 and celebrate the strength of the nation during this time. Hosted Elton John, the event will feature performances by Alicia Keys, Backstreet Boys, Billie Eilish, Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day, Mariah Carey, Tim McGraw and more. The concert will air in the iHeartRadio Music Awards’ original broadcast time slot—Sun,, Mar. 29, from 9-10 p.m. ET/6-7 p.m. PT on FOX and on iHeartMedia radio stations nationwide, as well as via the iHeartRadio app.
The musical guests will appear from their own homes, filmed with their personal cell phones, cameras and audio equipment to ensure the health and safety of all involved.
The one hour, commercial-free special will pay tribute to front line medical professionals working to treat patients. Viewers will be encouraged to support two of the many charitable organizations helping victims and first responders during the pandemic: Feeding America and First Responders Children’s Foundation.
Additional details and performers to be announced soon. For more information, visit iHeart.com/LivingRoomConcert.
Actress Hilary Duff recently wed Matthew Koma in an intimate ceremony at the couple’s Los Angeles home. Even though the nuptials were private, Duff shared the details on her dress with Vogue.
In a video posted by Vogue, Duff opens up and talks about Koma’s proposal and her wedding plans. The actress reveals her wedding-day hairstyle and gives fans a glimpse of her gorgeous gown.
The simple, structured flowing white gown, which was designed by Jenny Packham, is sleek and as Duff describes it, a “statement” dress that is, “gorgeous and toned down.”
Along with the design itself, Duff dished on her plans to make the dress extra-meaningful. “There’s a sweet little embroidery with our initials. There’s an M and an H and then the date of our wedding.” The newlywed continues, “And over here there’s initials for our kids.”
After revealing the sweet tribute to her kiddos Luca and Banks, Duff went on to say, “They’re part of our ceremony and obviously the biggest part of our life.” Huff then mused, “Maybe someday Banks will want to wear my dress.”
Duff also showed off Banks’ dress—which was also designed by Packham. The 14-month-old’s dress was white, like her mama’s, but also had a sweet pink ribbon across the front and a massively adorable bow at the back!
Two Pittsburgh area hospitals celebrated World Kindness Day in a beautiful way—a beautiful day in the neighborhood way, that is!
In a sweet tribute to beloved children’s television icon Fred Rogers, UPMC Magee Women’s Hospital dressed newborns in the classic red sweater-sneaker combo. Not only did the hospital outfit the completely cute kiddos in Mister Rogers-esque gear, but Rogers’ widow Joanne came to visit.
UPMC Magee wasn’t the only hospital in the area to honor Mister Rogers on this special day. Allegheny Health Network’s West Penn Hospital also dressed its newborns in cardigans. A spokesperson for the Allegheny Health Network, Stephanie Waite, told CNN, “In Pittsburgh, we are also celebrating Cardigan Day, in honor of Pittsburgher Fred Rogers, who modeled kindness and compassion to children.”