Check out these helpful tips for how to teach kids to be grateful this year
As parents, guiding our kids toward living a life of gratitude is no easy feat. After all, how do we actually teach our kids what gratitude means and how they can demonstrate it on a daily basis? It starts with simple acts and words that even the youngest of kids can understand. (Also, try reading these books about gratitude.) Here are a few specific examples to get your little one in the habit—you can thank us later.
1. Give back to the community. Acts of service are great ways to instill gratitude in kids. Consider participating in a local park clean-up, donating canned goods to a food pantry, or giving away unused clothes and toys. There are also lots of ways you can volunteer right from your own home.
2. Ask your kids to name one thing they're grateful for every night. Starting this habit helps kids (and adults) remember what is good in our lives, and that we are grateful for even the smallest of things. This can be during a dinner conversation or before bed.
3. Make a good deed calendar. Use it in the holiday months as a countdown or year-round to inspire kids to pay it forward every day.
4. Teach them to "work" for a reward. I'm sure we've lost track of how many times our kids ask for a new toy or something fun. The next time your little one wants another hour of screen time, how about telling them to complete a household chore before getting the reward? Receiving a reward after work always makes the treat feel more well-deserved.
5. Integrate gratitude with holidays and special days. Thanksgiving and Christmas aren't the only holidays that are all about gratitude. Other days where it's equally important to teach kids the meaning of the holiday and how they can be grateful for it include Veterans Day and Memorial Day are teaching opportunities for kids to be grateful for service members.
6. Model saying "please" and "thank you." There's no substitute for good manners. Regularly using words like "please" and "thank you" gets little ones to remember to be grateful while demonstrating respect to others.
7. Gratitude goes both ways, so make sure to say "thank you" to your kids. As parents, it's easy to get caught up in the day-to-day and forget to show appreciation to our little ones. So when they do something kind or follow directions, remember to say "thank you." It may seem like a small gesture, but they will know you're grateful.
9. Look for the positive in even the most difficult situations. It's easy to focus on the negative, especially when a situation doesn't go our way. Helping kids focus on the positive (even if it's a small positive) will go a long way in helping them feel grateful in life, even during difficult times like we are experiencing now.
10. Send notes of gratitude. Don't reserve your "thank you" notes for birthday gifts and holiday cards. Teach your kids the importance of gratitude by having them write a note or draw a picture for a special person each month. This could be a grandparent, a neighbor, a teacher or a community member.
11. Turn holiday gifting into an opportunity to give back. With the holidays approaching and kids making their wish lists of toys, try making a new kind of list. Have your kiddos write down a few gift ideas they'd like to give to others. So rather than focusing simply on the getting, it's also about giving. Check out also these gifts that give back with every purchase.
12. Gift experiences not gifts. Kids who get tons of presents for holidays might not appreciate it when another one comes along. Gifting experiences like museum memberships or a special day with mom or dad can be something they remember long after that last toy gets chucked under their bed.
13. Create a gratitude jar. A mason jar is the start of this fun activity the whole family can participate in. A few times a week have everyone write down what they are grateful for. Then, have a special night where you read them all aloud.
14. Try out Turkey on the Table. This one is specific to Thanksgiving but is a fun way to get the flood of gratitude going. The feathers of this festive turkey are things that each family member is grateful for. You add them in the weeks before Thanksgiving and then read them aloud after dinner. Check it out here.
15. Discuss "needs" versus "wants." This one's more for the older kids but you can get the discussion started even at younger ages. Thinking about what we need to survive versus everything else can help kids to be grateful when they get those little "extras."
17. Write down a reverse bucket list. Instead of focusing on things they want, have kids write down things they have done and loved. This shift in focus will reframe this time of year away from all the wants.
18. Be a grateful parent. Kids learn from observing. There's no better way to demonstrate gratitude than for you to show how much YOU are thankful in life.
I started “mommy blogging” in 2011. It was a time when it felt revolutionary to put some honest truths about parenting out there—to admit that it wasn’t always sunshine and giggles. More and more voices joined in the chorus; here were women who felt empowered to own their stories and share them to help others feel seen.
But somewhere along the line, being open about one’s family and experiences turned into putting children on full display to build a “brand.” The parenting bloggers of the past transformed into the Instagram influencers of the present—and so much of that world is based on how comfortable influencers are with letting their fans into their personal lives, visually. It’s a shift that many on social media are no longer okay with. And parenting influencers with very large audiences, built out of that willingness to share, are changing the way they do things.
“I literally think about it every single day,” Grant Khanbalinov, a TikTok personality with 3.2 million followers recently told The Washington Post. “Why we were doing it for so long and what impact this is going to have on the kids as they get older.” His TikTok profile now reads, “No longer a kids show.”
He’s one of the many parenting influencers who built a large online following by sharing day-to-day details of his kids’ lives—and now has some major regrets. “I went from this average person, this nobody, to getting brand deals,” Khanbalinov said. “All this money is coming in. People are inviting us to places and noticing us and our kids on the street.”
Then he became aware of Reddit forums accusing him and his wife of exploiting their kids, and he eventually started wondering if they were right. He told The Washington Post that his “breaking point” was when the family took a trip to Disney, and he noticed his kids weren’t enjoying it—instead, they were waiting for cues to pose for the camera. From that point on, Khanbalinov either made content that included his kids private—or stopped posting about them altogether.
Kristin Gallant, one-half of the duo behind wildly popular toddler parenting brand Big Little Feelings, has added herself to the list of influencers who no longer show their kids online. “Okay, so there’s going to be a little change here at Big Little Feelings,” Gallant shared to Instagram stories last year. “I don’t want to disappoint any of you… but I’ve taken a full year to weigh pros, cons, and do research. Starting tomorrow, I’m going to remove the girls’ faces from social media. I’m still going to share my real raw vulnerable life; that’s never going away. And this is no judgment on whether you share your kids on social media or you don’t, but sharing them with 2.7 million people is very, very different. And so now I have to consider their safety.”
Gallant explains that showing their faces and posting something as benign as their favorite snack or birth month could make it easy for a person they don’t know to walk up and start a conversation and establish a false sense of trust. Beyond physical safety considerations, launching this successful platform was Gallant’s dream come true, she says, not necessarily the path her kids would have chosen for themselves. She wants to wait until they get older to make that call.
As do plenty of celebrities who keep their children safely tucked away from the public eye. Dax Shepard and Kristen Bell are known for honoring their kids’ privacy. “My feeling is that I chose a career in the public eye. I chose to be quoted, I chose to have my picture taken,” Bell told Romper, about choosing to keep her kids off social media from infancy. “I don’t know them yet. I don’t know if they will want that. So I really don’t have the right to choose for them.” Even Mark Zuckerberg has decided to keep his kids’ faces off of social media. Might not be the worst idea to follow the lead of the person whose fortune was built off of the world’s willingness to share.
Respecting a child’s privacy seems like a good enough reason to question whether “sharenting” is appropriate for your family, but experts warn that there may even be larger dangers that lurk with the practice, as parents “unintentionally put their children at risk of hacking, facial recognition tracking, pedophilia and other online threats to privacy and security when oversharing on social media,” reports CBS.
Apart from those worst-case scenarios, though, is the everyday reality that parents are laying the groundwork for how to exist in a digital world that rewards over-exposure. “If we’re modeling appropriate use, as well as appropriate content that’s shared, how we share, and getting consent to share things, I think that’s going to… help children make that a part of their best practices when they’re using social media,” says child development and parenting expert Caron Irwin.
Social platforms have changed, as has our understanding of how to use them and what the implications of doing so are. If we equip our children with the knowledge that their image is theirs and they are allowed to decide how it’s shared, that has to be a step in the right direction.
“When we’re parents of young kids, it’s hard to see where they end and where we begin,” Stacey Steinberg, a professor at the University of Florida’s College of Law, who researches parental sharing and child privacy told The Post. “And as they get older, that becomes more and more apparent. But when we share so much about them in early childhood, it’s harder for them to create their own identity and become who they want to be.”
For those simply wanting to share moments with friends and family without making it a public display, there are safer options like the Tinybeans app (you can learn more and download it here!), which puts parents in total control of who can see and interact with photos and videos.
Sometimes when I go out with my non-verbal son, I can be a bit on guard. My concern is that someone will say something to or about us, and it will cause some old-school ninja battle in the middle of the Olive Garden. I know it’s just paranoia because, in the 11 years since he was born, I have had a grand total of zero ultimate showdowns. Still, my senses tingle, and my antennae go up when we’re surrounded by strangers who appear to be looking over.
Lucas is well-behaved, though. That’s why I don’t allow too much leeway from onlookers. He doesn’t bother anyone and, aside from some excited shouts here and there, he is always on his best behavior. He certainly was on that Father’s Day we all went out to eat.
Out at a beachside restaurant here on Long Island, the day had gone pretty well. The host sat us at a table overlooking the water and, through the window behind my son, I could see all the families dining at outside tables.
Feverishly poking around on his iPad, my boy was distracted from the meal in front of him. We all enjoyed our appetizers as I’d look up to occasionally smile in his direction and offer him bread. As I mentioned, he was being great. There was no reason that there should have been a little boy staring at him through the window. Which there was.
I looked only out of the corner of my eye. Stares from young kids are somewhat tolerable. After all, my son is different than most. Curiosity from children, provided they’re not rude, should be allowed. My daughter, who is neurotypical, was once that age. I’d encourage her to ask questions too. It’s understandable.
Laughter, however, isn’t understandable. So when I saw this kid in the glass smiling and appearing to laugh, I got a bit annoyed. Still, I told myself, it is what it is. They weren’t close enough that I could say anything, and, since glass was there, I wasn’t completely sure what was happening. I tried to calm myself. I tried to enjoy Father’s Day without getting all ninja’d out.
My blood pressure rose as the courses came out and, as time went on, I saw this kid running to the parents at his table. They all appeared to be looking over at us now and, from what I could see, laughing. I was ready to flip tables.
All my son was doing was playing on his iPad. He wasn’t bothering a soul. Yet, this gruesome family wants to laugh at him? I had internally debated whether or not to ruin Father’s Day by getting carted off to jail for some major fatherly meltdown. The back and forth was still going on as I saw them laughing and pointing and bouncing the son on the father’s lap.
Wait, what?
The staring window kid, from what I could see from my peripheral vision, was way too old for lap rides at a restaurant. He was my son’s age and, while Lucas sits on my laugh and giggles as I tickle him, most kids without special needs aren’t. That’s when I looked up and, for the first time that whole meal, saw the family behind the glass.
Their son was jumping and clapping. He had a joyous smile that I had seen before on the face of my own child. This was not the boy I was expecting to see. Not only that, but he was holding an iPad of his own. It was in the exact same case as Lucas’s iPad. That’s when it all hit me. He wasn’t laughing at my son. He was just like my son. They were all pointing at his iPad because it was the same one that their family was using, right down to the bright blue rubber case.
In that moment, I experienced so many different feelings. I felt bad for having prejudged another family without even bothering to look directly in their direction. It was all that I had condemned the rest of the world for doing to us. Had I really seen them, I’d have known from the start that they weren’t mocking us. They were us.
I also felt less alone. So often, we’d go out and feel we were the only family in the world with a child like ours. We aren’t. There are so many others just like us. We’re far from alone. We never see them, though, if we never look.
A positive attitude about yourself goes a long way when it comes to building self-esteem in kids
How many times have you looked in the mirror and frowned at the outfit you’re wearing, or thought twice about eating dessert because it’s a “bad food” (even though it’s not)? Definitely a few, because you’re human, after all. But it’s important to take stock of the things you say when the kids are around and do your best to present yourself as a strong, confident parent.
Kids learn about body positivity and self-confidence from their parents long before they internalize perceived ideals of how they should look on YouTube or social media. And if they have a strong foundation of self-esteem, those messages will have far less of an impact when they do, inevitably, encounter them. We rounded up 9 things to say—and believe!—about yourself in front of your kids so you can help them learn to take pride in who they are.
1. I look nice today. Say it when you’re tired, say it when you feel a cold coming on, say it even if you haven’t showered in a few days. Little ones learn by example; if they hear you speaking positively about yourself, it becomes second nature to do the same. Projecting self-confidence shows worthiness—despite the negative messaging that bombards us daily.
2. That was challenging, and I’m going to try again. Showing you are okay with failure helps kids develop the tools necessary for dealing with disappointment. It might be handy to have a list of people who failed before finding success on hand: think Albert Einstein, Michael Jordan, and Oprah.
3. I made a mistake. It might be one of the hardest things to do, but admitting when we are wrong is one of the best ways to show (and teach) personal responsibility. And that’s a life skill everyone needs.
4. Food keeps me healthy and happy. How you talk about food with kids has a major impact on how they look at their bodies and health. If you practice food neutrality (broccoli is broccoli, a cookie is a cookie—nothing is “good” or “bad”), it’ll help to set the stage for kids to learn the balance of fueling the body and enjoy the pleasures of the food itself.
5. I am proud of my job. Whether you’re a stay-at-home parent, work remotely, or head out to a job, show pride in what you do! Talking about what you do all day shows the kids that while you might be busy, it’s for a good reason—not because you don’t want to read Dragons Love Tacos for the 10th time.
6. I’m glad my body protects me and keeps me alive every day. We can kick a soccer ball, push a swing, and play a board game, and we can do it all without being the “right size.” Referring to your body as something you use as a tool for life is key to helping kids develop a positive self-image.
7. This outfit makes me feel beautiful. Raise your hand if you’ve found yourself cursing while trying on clothes because something doesn’t look quite right. Try focusing on things you like about what you’re wearing: this color complements my skin tone, these leggings are perfect for our park play date, and this hat makes me stand out in a crowd. Pointing out the good instead of the bad is a way to encourage self-love and confidence.
8. I enjoy exercising because it makes me feel strong. Moving our bodies is about so much more than losing weight. It’s about how exercise is good for our brain, helps us ward off illness, and prolongs our lifespan. In today’s tech-driven culture, driving home these ideas is more important than ever.
9. I believe every day is a new chance to start over. It’s easy to let negative thoughts rule our mindset. Yes, life is tough, but it’s also beautiful, and we only get one go of it. A wonderful gift (or tool) you can give your kids is the ability to look at the present and the future and understand that everything moves forward. We alone can make change for ourselves, even if it’s something as tiny as writing down notes of gratitude or as big as demanding the help you need.
Whether you are planning a big Halloween party or just a festive night at home with the family, these Halloween songs for kids will get everyone into the groove.
Get yourself in the mood for ghosts and goblins with this not-too-scary list of Halloween songs for kids. Don your Halloween costumes and cue up your playlist with old favorites like “Ghostbusters,” “Monster Mash,” and “I Want Candy.”You just might find some new favorite tunes to get you in the Halloween spirit before you dive into those party games!
Halloween songs for young kids
The Great Pumpkin Waltz by Vince Guaraldi
This is a classic Halloween song for kids you'll want to add to your playlist for sure!
Haunting Days of Halloween
By Lucy Kalantari & the Jazz Cats
Haunting days of Halloween Nothing's quite as it may seem All the tales you’ve been told All the creatures you know Have been walking with you hiding under your nose But now now now now It’s time time time To be free!
Witches' Brew by Hap Palmer
Dead leaves, seaweed, rotten eggs too Stir them in my witches' brew I got magic Alakazamakazoo
Spider web, moldy bread, mucky mud too Stir them in my witches' brew I got magic Alakazamakazoo
Halloween Rules by Bounce Patrol
Whatcha wanna be for Halloween A ghosty or a goblin or the fairy queen A superhero red and blue A monkey or a mouse It's up to you
Ding dong, trick-or-treat Walking up and down the street Halloween night is way too cool
Ding dong, trick-or-treat Candy and make believe Can you shout it out? Halloween Rules!
Five little ghosts went out one night Haunting, spooking what a fright Mother ghost said, "Booooo, boo!" But back to the house only four ghosts flew One, two, three, four
Four little ghosts went out one night Haunting, spooking what a fright Mother ghost said, "Booooo, boo!" But back to the house only three ghosts flew One, two, three
Down by the Spooky Bay
Down by the bay Where the pumpkins grow Back to my home I dare not go
For if I do My mummy will say Did you ever see a ghost Eating some toast Down by the bay
Down by the bay Where the pumpkins grow Back to my home I dare not go
For if I do My mummy will say Did you ever see a vampire Making a campfire Down by the bay
Trick or Treat Nursery Rhyme
By Blippi
Every 31st of October there's a day Where the people all come out onto the streets and like to play
All dressed up in costumes in all shapes and every size It can be a little spooky but no need to close your eyes.
Five Little Pumpkins
Five little pumpkins sitting on a gate, First one said "Oh my, it's getting late!" Second one said "There are witches in the air," Third one said "but we don't care!" Fourth one said "Let's run and run and run." Fifth one said "I'm ready for some fun!" Ooo ooo went the wind, and out went the lights, And five little pumpkins rolled out of sight.
Dem bones, dem bones, dem dry bones, Dem bones, dem bones, dem dry bones, Dem bones, dem bones, dem dry bones, Now shake dem skeleton bones!
The toe bone's connected to the foot bone, The foot bone's connected to the ankle bone, The ankle bone's connected to the leg bone, Now shake dem skeleton bones!
Monster Boogie
By Laurie Berkner
I'm the biggest monster that you've ever seen My eyes are purple and my teeth are green I'm big and I'm scary, you know what I mean This is what I like to do
I do the monster boogie, the monster boogie The monster boogie round the room Everybody does the monster boogie The monster boogie, the monster boogie
Choc-o-lot in My Pock-o-lot
By Laurie Berkner
When I walk, I walk a lot And when I talk, I talk a lot And when I’m not, what do I got?
Choc-o-lot! I got choc-o-lot! I got choc-o-lot in my pock-o-lot!
I wear my shoes and my socks a lot And when I paint, I wear a smock a lot But when I’m not, what do I got?
Choc-o-lot! I got choc-o-lot!
The Purple People Eater
By Sheb Wooley
Well, I saw the thing comin' out of the sky It had the one long horn, one big eye I commenced to shakin' and I said "ooh-eee" It looks like a purple eater to me
It was a one-eyed, one-horned, flyin' purple people eater (One-eyed, one-horned, flyin' purple people eater) A one-eyed, one-horned, flyin' purple people eater Sure looks strange to me (one eye?)
Scooby Doo Theme Song
Scooby-Dooby-Doo, where are you? We got some work to do now Scooby-Dooby-Doo, where are you? We need some help from you now
Halloween songs for older kids
Something's Brewing
By Purple Fox and the Heebie Jeebies
Something's brewing in the basement That's where, the basement Down, down, down, down, down Something's spooky on the stairs There's an empty chair I think this house is haunted Look around, look around What's that sound? Don't look now Is that a blob? Or is it Bob?
This medley of Disney Halloween songs includes "This Is Halloween," "Vive La Vi," "The Haunted Mansion Opening Title," "It is Halloween-lo-ween," "I put a spell on you," and "Grim, grinning Ghosts."
Haunted House
Oh no, here we go Walking through the haunted house Haunted house, haunted house What do you see? I see skeletons!
Oh no, here we go Walking through the haunted house Haunted house, haunted house What do you see? I see a witch!
Ghost In My House
By Jumpin' Jamie
My homework's missing There's holes in the sheets He pushed my sister And blamed it on me Always turning on and off the lights And making noise so I can't sleep at night
There's a ghost in my house And he's really annoying And he needs to get a job But no one will employ him
Monster Mash
By Bobby Pickett
I was working in the lab, late one night When my eyes beheld an eerie sight For my monster from his slab, began to rise And suddenly to my surprise
He did the mash, he did the monster mash The monster mash, it was a graveyard smash He did the mash, it caught on in a flash He did the mash, he did the monster mash
I Want Candy
By The Strangeloves
I know a girl who's tough but sweet She's so fine, she can't be beat She's got everything that I desire Sets the summer sun on fire
I want candy I want candy I want candy I want candy
Ghostbusters! If there's something strange In your neighborhood Who you gonna call? Ghostbusters!
If there's something weird And it don't look good Who you gonna call? Ghostbusters!
The Addams Family Theme Song
By Vic Mizzy
They're creepy and they're kooky Mysterious and spooky They're all together ooky The Addams family Their house is a museum Where people come to see 'em They really are a scream The Addams family
This Is Halloween
From The Nightmare before Christmas
Boys and girls of every age Wouldn't you like to see something strange?
Come with us and you will see This, our town of Halloween
This is Halloween, this is Halloween Pumpkins scream in the dead of night
Costume Party
By The Popups
Went to the closet to put on some costume clothes and there it was just hanging right above my head my sister grabbed the tie that grandpa used to wear and I only had eyes on that lavender dress (really had my eye)
(It's a costume party!) maybe it's the way some things button in the back some are really scratchy some are silken thread it's ok to try things on to see how it feels because clothes I suppose are just the way that you're dressed
Jump in the Line (Shake Senora)
By Harry Belafonte
Shake, shake, shake, Senora, Shake your body line Shake, shake, shake, Senora, Shake it all the time Work, work, work, Senora, Work your body line Work, work, work, Senora, Work it all the time
Little Red Riding Hood
By Sam the Sham
Owoooooooo! Who's that I see walkin' in these woods? Why, it's Little Red Riding Hood Hey there Little Red Riding Hood You sure are looking good You're everything a big bad wolf could want Listen to me Little Red Riding Hood I don't think little big girls should Go walking in these spooky old woods alone
I woke up this morning And everything was different Something was strange in the air I woke up this morning And everything was different I knew that the ninjas had been there
Skeletone
by Caspar Babypants (aka Chris Ballew from the '90s band Presidents of the United States of America)
On Halloween he can be seen dancing to and fro play your bones, Skeletone In the mist he will insist on a long solo play your bones, Skeletone
This year, around 175 million Americans will celebrate Halloween. On a Tuesday. As a parent of two children, I can tell you that a weekday Halloween is very tough for families with young kids. As a CEO in the celebrations industry, I can also tell you that when October 31 falls on a weeknight, fewer people celebrate the holiday.
Sometimes I like to ask obvious questions and challenge the way things are done. When people say, “That’s the way we’ve always done it,” I perk up and question their assumptions. I want to know “Is there a better way?” and “Will more people be served with a different solution?”
When it comes to Halloween, I believe there is a better way. The time is long overdue for a cultural change that will benefit society: the official observance of Halloween should be on the last Saturday of October.
Why does Halloween have to be on the 31st of every year? There are many other holidays that aren’t tied to a specific date. Thanksgiving is always the fourth Thursday in November. The same is true for Memorial Day (the last Monday in May) and Labor Day (the first Monday in September).
Halloween is mostly a kids’ and family holiday, and it should fall on a day that is best for kids and families! Not convinced about #SaturdayHalloween? Here are five reasons Halloween should be observed on the last Saturday of October.
It’s healthier for kids (and parents)
Halloween is arguably the most kid-focused holiday of the entire year, and we observe it on a school night eight out of every 10 years. Who wants to get home from work, stress about dinner, try to wrangle kids into costumes, and then be out trick-or-treating way past normal bedtime? It’s all too chaotic for most families.
The next day is a mess, too. Kids wake up the next morning overtired, and parents drag themselves to work. When Halloween is observed on a Saturday, not only will it be better for kids, but it will also be better for the sanity of parents.
It’s better for schools and teachers
When October 31 falls on a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday, students lose not just one, but two days of productivity. Halloween itself is full of distractions, but the next day is even more challenging.
Teachers have to manage a classroom of kids who have been out all night trick-or-treating and eating candy for lunch. The combination of lack of sleep and dealing with sugar-infused children is difficult. Halloween on a Saturday solves all of this. Plus, schools can schedule their Halloween parades and events on a Friday afternoon, which will help teachers better manage their class schedules. Saturday Halloween is the right thing to do for schools and teachers.
It’s safer
Halloween is a family holiday. Its most important cultural ritual is trick-or-treating. In my own neighborhood in Massachusetts, hundreds of families flock to the most popular streets downtown that are full of cars returning home from work.
If we observe Halloween on a Saturday, trick-or-treating could begin earlier in the evening before nightfall. Local authorities could block roads to protect the busiest neighborhoods. Accidents and fatalities would be reduced. It’s time we reduce possible danger and celebrate Halloween on a Saturday.
Families can celebrate together
The majority of parents work outside the home, and a weekday Halloween makes it difficult for families to celebrate together. A weekend holiday would suit working families and enable celebrations for the whole family. Extended family could gather as they do for other major holidays, and special memories can be made.
At Punchbowl, we have the data: there are more Halloween parties on Saturday than on any other day of the week. Let’s enable even more get-togethers and family celebrations on this important, memorable holiday.
When Halloween falls on a Saturday, it generates more revenue for the economy than weekday Halloweens. More costumes are purchased, more parties are planned, and more food and beverages are consumed. This means more jobs and higher wages, too.
Party City reported $22 million less in sales when comparing 2016 (a Saturday Halloween) to 2017 (a Monday Halloween). The impact extends to local businesses as well. If we move the official observance of Halloween to the last Saturday of October, it would not only bolster local business, but it would also provide predictability from year to year.
There are many more reasons that Halloween should be moved to the last Saturday in October and very few we should continue the old tradition of October 31. The time has come to move our national celebration of Halloween.
I’m an entrepreneur, investor and startup advisor with 20+ years of experience in product management, marketing and software development. Currently, I’m the founder and CEO of Punchbowl.com.
When you use the codes, you’ll be able to instantly have access to specific topics like Halloween favorites and teen screen films. Here’s how to get searching.
Copy and paste the following into the URL bar of your browser: http://www.netflix.com/browse/genre/CODE. Then replace “CODE” with one of the numerical codes from the list below for the category you want.
Family-friendly Halloween Films (81346195)
Halloween Favorites (movies and TV shows) (108663/81336575)
Halloween isn’t the only season where you can utilize secret codes to find content fast. There’s also a ton of holiday codes and codes to find year-round family films, workouts, films by genre like dinosaurs and princesses, not to mention plenty of teen drama and comedies.
If you want even more codes, check out What’s On Netflix’s extensive list that includes Oscar collections, main genres and more.
Say goodbye to eye strain with the best blue light blocking glasses
Let’s face it, we are all living in a digital world––now more than ever! With iPads becoming part of the classroom, remote learning being more mainstream, and parents working from home, we’re all spending a little more time in front of a screen than usual. Rather than deal with tired eyes, protect them with a pair of blue light blocking glasses. This innovative technology help reduce eye strain, keep headaches at bay and will keep your circadian rhythms in place. The whole family can benefit from a pair (or two). Really, anyone who uses devices throughout the day (read: most of us) will likely notice a difference at the end of the day once they’ve gotten used to wearing them. Keep scrolling to see some of our fave spots to shop for a pair of the must-have best blue light blocking glasses.
Eyeconic
With frames available for adults and kiddos, plus lots of styles and colors, there's something for the whole family. We consider that a major win.
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Sunglass Hut is notorious for featuring glasses from the most swoon-worthy designers—PRADA, Versace, Ray-Ban, and more. Their blue light offerings aren't any different. They're oh-so-chic, so you'll want to rock them in front of a screen or not!
Good to know: You can also add your prescription to these frames.
To combat the negative effects of blue light and digital eye strain, GUNNAR, the leader in gaming and computer glasses, has launched the GUNNAR Youth category to provide gaming and computer glasses designed specifically for kids and teens. This line offers smudge-resistant clear and amber tinted lenses, and every pair comes with a protective case and carrying clip.
The current lineup includes: Cruz Kids (ages 4-8 and 8-12), Cruz (age 12+) and MOBA Razer Edition, the first pair of gaming glasses designed specifically for teens. Additional styles will be added throughout the year to give kids and teens more choice as they continue to embrace digital technology both at home and school.
Good to know: GUNNAR offers their youth lines for both prescription and non-prescription frames.
LOOK OPTIC sells super comfy blue light glasses and their newly released children's line means the whole family can be outfitted in this protective style. The unisex frames are available in two styles, the Abbey and Sullivan. Choose from Navy, Tortoise, Clear and Grey Camo.
Good to Know: LOOK Optic offers free shipping and returns, an 90-day risk free trial and will donate $10 to charity: water for every pair of kids glasses purchased.
Knockaround is now carrying blue light blocking glasses for littles! The matte black frames are great for kids ages one to five, come with clear blue light blocking lenses, offer UV400 protection, are FDA approved and come with a protective pouch.
Good to Know: Knockaround also carries a huge lineup of colorful sunglasses just for kids.
Barner Brands has the entire family covered with options for men, women and kids. Their lenses have a special coating that block 40% of the Blue Light on the 430nm-450nm spectrum, and 100 perent of the Blue Light at 410nm.
Good to know: You can add prescription lenses for an additional $49
Swannies uses their own proprietary amber lenses to filter blue light. Science has proven that kids and adults who wear them when using electronics before bed will actually get to sleep faster and sleep longer! Choose from both day and night Swannies in kids, men and women styles, in addition to prescription lens options.
Good to know: Swannies offer two kid sizes for 8 and younger and 9+
You might think of sunglasses first when you think of Foster Grant but they also offer a selection of stylish, affordable blue-light blocking glasses specifically designed for kids. The glasses are spring-hinged and come in a soft pouch for protection from scratches when not in use.
Good to know: You can find stylish adult sizes, too!
Pixel Eyewear's line of computer glasses offers lens technology that filters 50 percent of blue light and up to 95 percent at the strongest wavelengths, without the yellow tint. Each lens contains nanotechnology which reduces smudges, repel waters and dust and comes with an anti-reflective coating.
Good to Know: Pixel's frames are made in tons of unisex styles and are handcrafted.
With over 600 frames to choose from, you're bound to find a pair of glasses for the whole family from JINS. Both prescription and non-prescription options are available, in addition to blue light blocking lenses that are great for gamers, professionals and kids who have screen time.
Good to know: Kids boxed blue light glasses come with JINS SCREEN lenses which block 25 percent of blue light. If parents prefer the JINS SCREEN Pro which block 40 percent of blue light, they can add them to any non-boxed frame for an extra $100.
Cost: $80 for blue light blocking glasses, regular frames that can accommodate Pro lenses start at $80
Every pair of Vint & York's glasses come with premium lenses and anti-reflective and scratch coating. The uber stylish frames can be tried on virtually, and when you order a pair with Eyefend blue light lenses, you'll also get a blue light testing kit!
Good to know: At the time of publication of this article, Vint & York did not make a kid-sized option, however the company's Petite collection will make a great fit for tweens and teens, as well as adults.
Cost: Frames start at $94, Eyefend blue light lenses are an additional $50
Why You'll Love Them: Free shipping and one year limited warranty!
In addition to making stylish, affordable sunglasses Shady Rays also make blue-light blocking glasses so attractive you won't want to take them off for your Zoom meetings.
Good to know: At the time of publication of this article Shady Rays did not make a kid-sized option, however, these will make a great fit for tweens and teens as well as adults.
Cost: Most run around $48 with free shipping
Why You'll Love Them: They are guaranteed for life!
Real Shades has specialized in ophthalmic quality lenses and unbreakable frames for almost 20 years. Their sunglasses lines range from baby to adult, with tons of styles at a great price, and their blue light blocking glasses are no exception.
Cost: Toddler, kids and youth frames are all $19.95 (with seven color choices) and adults are $29.95 (with three color choices).
Why You'll Love It: Each pair of Real Shades offers 100% UVA/UVB protection, blocks 65% of blue light and comes with shatterproof polycarbonate lenses with unbreakable frames. Available also in adult sizes.
Jonas Paul Eyewear has aimed, and succeeded, at simplifying the glasses frames buying process for families with young kids. They have seven stylish frame shapes to choose from.
How It Works: After signing up online, for $1, Jonas Paul Eyewear will send you and your kiddo a try-on kit of seven actual pairs to try out over the next week. Once you've had a chance to try them on and decide, you can order the glasses directly on their website. Upload your kiddos prescription and when you get to the "lens option" stage, be sure to select Blue Light Lenses ($69).
Good to know: You will need your kid's PD (pupillary distance) so try to remember to ask the doctor to write it on your prescription. Jonas Paul Eyewear has also just launched a brand new line of non-prescription blue light glasses for kids and teens for $59.
Tip: Jonas Paul currently offers two sizes for kids; Small, for ages 4-7 and Large for kids 8-12. They also offer teen sizes.
Cost: Most frames start at just $79 including prescription lenses; prices can vary based on prescription requirements.
Why You'll Love Them: For every pair of glasses you buy, Jonas Paul Eyewear helps provide funding to international organizations that are working to end preventable blindness around the world.
This popular eyewear designer known for bringing blue-light protecting glasses to grownups just launched a line for kids. As of June 2019, their kid frames are available in both prescription and non-prescription form in three very stylish styles fit for any face shape.
How It Works: Choose a pair of frames from their selection online and then upload your prescription. They don't currently offer a try-on kit but their detailed fit guide for kids will help you make sure you're getting the right frame for your little's face.
Cost: Frames start at $95 and come with blue-light blocking technology regardless of prescription strength.
Why You'll Love Them: Even kids that don't have a prescription can sport these stylish lenses to cut down on damaging blue light and glare from laptops, tablets and other screens they encounter.
Download the Fitz app to your phone or tablet and start shopping for the perfect fitting frame, whether you're looking for blue-light blocking glasses or prescription lenses. You can upload an image of your child and "try on" frames virtually.
Cost: Starting at $95 for prescriptions, plus $30 for blue-light blocking lenses. There is also a subscription option.
Why You'll Love It: The glasses are all 3-D printed and made to order!
Pair Eyewear is a just-for-kids eyeglass site that offers the unique feature of being able to swap out the tops of the frames to get a new color without having to get a whole second pair. The base frames are available in three colors, but each base frame can be paired with up to ten top frames in different colors and styles.
How It Works: Make your frame selection and then upload your prescription and order your glasses. Just select "blue light lenses" ($49) when you get to the proper point during checkout!
Cost: Base frames are $60 each (five styles and six colors to choose from), and each base can be fit with different top frames for $25 each (up to ten different colors and styles).
Why You'll Love Them: The kids can get multiple looks without having to have multiple pairs and for every pair purchase, a pair is donated to a kid in need.
Zenni has been around for a while and are a great go-to for glasses, especially for affordable second-pair glasses for active kids or travelers. The site also offers Blokz Blue Blockers that come in virtually clear, photochromatic, sunglasses and Trivex which offers strong impact resistance––aka, perfect for kids.
How it works: Upload a photo to their website to do a virtual "try-on." You will also need your pupillary distance and accurate measurements. Once you've added an image, you can shop a variety of frames and use the try-on feature to get an idea of how they will look.
Cost: Frames can cost as little as under $20, and adding Blokz Blue Blockers starts at just $16.95!
Why You'll Love Them: Because they do grown-up sizes, you can do some sweet mommy-and-me or daddy-and-me styling. They also offer an entire selection of teen styles.
All the products listed are independently & personally selected by our shopping editors.
If you buy something from the links in this article, we may earn affiliate commission or compensation. Prices and availability reflect the time of publication.
These Halloween decorations are all the treat without the trick!
We love a good spooky scare, but as parents of little ones, we’re all about making sure our Halloween decorations are a lot more cute than creepy. Halloween can be a really unnerving time for young kids, and we want them to have as much fun as possible. These cute and kid-friendly Halloween decorations are perfect for decking out your home this season, without worrying about upsetting the minis. From friendly ghosts to sweet skeletons and everything in between, these goodies are sure to make them excited for the holidays. Afterall, they deserve to have just as much (not too) frightening fun!
Pumpkin Lanterns
Crate&Barrel
Line your sidewalk, porch, hearth, or top off your dining table with these fabulous black iron pumpkin lanterns. Add a wax or flameless candle and you're set. Available in two sizes.
Another easy-peasy decoration option—just screw these dancing flame LED lightbulbs into your existing light fixtures (indoor or outdoor) and set the spooky atmosphere.
Designed after everyone's favorite slice-and-bake Halloween cookies, these 11" throw pillows are the perfect squishy addition to your seasonal vibe! Pick your favorite, or snag all 3 for a complete set.
All the products listed are independently & personally selected by our shopping editors.
If you buy something from the links in this article, we may earn affiliate commission or compensation. Prices and availability reflect the time of publication.
In order to help you set up quality at-home screen time, we got Common Sense Media to curate a list of the top ‘80s movies perfect for family movie nights. Kids are sure to fall for these timeless classics, which include everything from underground comedies to groundbreaking action franchises, and we’re pretty sure you’ll enjoy reminiscing about (or reveling in!) the pre-cell phone era. And when you’re done with these, check out our favorite ‘90s TV shows that kids will still love.
The Secret of Nimh (1982) This classic '80s animated film about a group of intelligent rats who escape from an animal laboratory is suspenseful and rather dark. Several scenes include animal children in peril and a sword fight between rats ending in one death with a little blood. The worst part for sensitive viewers is a flashback shows the animated animals being imprisoned and injected with a needle.
Parents need to know that Ghostbusters is an iconic '80s movie that mixes a ton of humor (some of it fairly racy) with the plotline about catching scary ghosts (a few are skeletal and scary) and the possible end of the world. The scariest part is probably the large dogs with glowing eyes that attack and possess two characters, though the now-dated special effects may not faze older kids.
Recommended for ages 11 & up
Rated PG
E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982) E.T. is an outstanding family movie—one of the all-time best. Its themes of loyalty, trust, and caring are both affecting and easy to understand, and Elliott and E.T.'s extraordinary friendship is one of cinema's most enduring. After more than 25 years, E.T. continues to tug at heartstrings and prove Spielberg is a master storyteller.
Recommended for ages 7 & up.
Rated PG
A Christmas Story(1983) Part of the appeal of this must-see holiday classic, based on the memoirs of humorist Jean Shepard (who narrates), is the authenticity of the 1940s period detail, much of which will seem bizarre to kids today. But what is really engaging is his feel for the timeless details of childhood.
Recommended for ages 8 & up.
Rated PG
The NeverEnding Story(1984) Both children and adults will enjoy this film for its special effects, beautiful scenery, and colorful characters. Most of all, The NeverEnding Story's message of daring to dream and soaring to new heights through books is a powerful one that kids of any age can relate to.
Recommended for ages 8 & up.
Rated PG
The Princess Bride(1987) Simply put, The Princess Bride is stuffed full of every thrilling element of a classic romantic adventure—princes, villains, evil geniuses, giants and giant creatures, sword fights, revenge, kidnapping, and a rescue on white horses—and it coats them all in delicious humor.
Recommended for ages 8 & up.
Rated PG
Willow(1988) For today's Harry Potter generation, a viewing of Willow will surely be of interest. The adventure is easy to follow and full of school-age humor, and two forest fairies provide comedy with their slapstick, strange voices, and snappy one-liners. Lucas' fantasy has interesting-looking characters and villages, gothic castles, and, most of all, magic. Willow is an excellent choice to give young kids a taste of fantasy.
Recommended for ages 8 & up.
Rated PG
Back to the Future(1985) Brimming with lighthearted energy, Back to the Future mixes science fiction with romantic comedy for a classic 1980s blockbuster. It should come as little surprise that Steven Spielberg executive-produced it. Like so many of his films, it manages to blend heady science fiction, humor, adventure, and romance while retaining an exuberance and a sense of wonder familiar to anyone under the age of 12.
Recommended for ages 10 & up.
Rated PG
Flight of the Navigator(1986) In Flight of the Navigator, a 12-year-old Miami boy is abducted by an alien in 1978 and ends up eight years into the future. It's all very well done, with clever shots that make everyday objects look like they just might be from a spacecraft and very affecting scenes between David and his new, older family. This is a charming film, with enough drama and humor to please almost any viewer.
Recommended for ages 10 & up.
Rated PG
Chariots of Fire(1981) This film is wonderfully evocative of the time and place, with superb performances. Chariots of Fire shows us the source of two runners' determination: for one, a need to prove his worth to himself and the society that discriminates against him; for the other, a way of connecting to God. The film deservedly won the Oscars for best picture, screenplay, costume design, and music.
Recommended for ages 11 & up.
Rated PG
Check out the entire list of radical ’80s movies for kids and teens of all ages at Common Sense Media.
Common Sense Media is an independent nonprofit organization offering unbiased ratings and trusted advice to help families make smart media and technology choices. Check out our ratings and recommendations at www.commonsense.org.
