People born in April are either Aries or Taurus

For those of us living in the Northern Hemisphere, April is a happy month of beginnings: the start of springtime and the restarting of the zodiac cycle, which begins with Aries. For those with an April birthday, longer days and the renewal of seasons have imbued April babies with bubbly personalities and positive outlooks. Here are some other fun facts (like what’s April’s birthstone) and traits of people born in April, the fourth of the year.

They’re born in the middle of the pack

April babies are usually neither the youngest nor the oldest students in their class, neatly fitting in the middle of the school calendar. A study from the University of Exeter found that first-time moms were more likely to attempt to plan their delivery dates for the spring. 

Aries are natural-born leaders

If you know someone born under the sign of Aries, (March 21 – April 19) you’ll know that thanks to their ambitious and tenacious natures, people born in April tend to be leaders. They can be innately stubborn and bossy—a potent combination (when used right) that can lead to people born in April to achieving their goals.

April’s birthstone is one the rarest of all—the diamond

When worn, the diamond is thought to increase the wearer’s inner strength. One of the hardest materials on the planet, April’s birthstone is also the symbol of eternal love and is one of the most popular gems to give as a gift. In the middle ages, the diamond was thought to have healing powers.

Your BFF is probably born in April

Passionate and caring, those born in under the sign of Taurus (April 20 – May 20) are steadfast, making loyal and generous friends. But be forewarned: April babies can be chatterboxes who love attention and can sometimes want to hog the spotlight.

People born in April can be emotional

Aries babies are known to be passionate, fiery, and impatient, which means they tend to wear their emotions on their sleeves. The good news is, this makes them wonderful friends because they bring all that passion to every relationship in life.

April babies are fearless risk-takers

Aries is the most fearless sign of them all. This means there’s a good chance your baby born in April will be enthusiastic about everything they do and be unafraid of taking risks. That’s great news if you’re a parent who doesn’t like to stay still because April babies are feisty and possess seemingly boundless energy.

People born in April are hard workers and love routine

Those who are born under the sign of Taurus tend to be hard workers—they’re not afraid to roll up their sleeves and get the job done, already. They’re also a huge fan of consistency, so don’t be surprised if your April baby thrives on a routine (aka, don’t EVER skip the nap).

They share their birthday month with these celebrities born in April

Plenty of famous people have April birthdays, including Michael Fassbender, Pedro Pascal, Robert Downey Jr., Natasha Lyonne, Pharrell Williams, Elle Fanning, Samira Wiley, Chance the Rapper, Jennifer Garner, and Tim Curry. Notable (fictional) characters born in April include animated smart-aleck Bart Simpson (born April 1, 1979) and heavyweight boxer Rocky Balboa (born April 6, 1946).

Related: The Parent/Child Astrology Compatibility Chart

Do your kids need to get some energy out? Bring them to a Portland climbing gym—STAT

Let’s be honest, during the long winter months it can be challenging to get kids outside, especially on the rainiest days. And while we love Portland’s many indoor playgrounds and play spots, and consider ourselves experts in the realm of creative places to play on a rainy day, sometimes it’s fun to mix it up a bit. So the next time your kids are climbing the walls at home, lean in and let them climb—somewhere else. These Portland indoor climbing gyms are waiting to help you and your little ones get your wiggles out this winter.

1. The Circuit

https://www.instagram.com/p/CXKGmoUPMju/?hidecaption=true

If you are nervous about your little ones scaling a wall with only a rope to keep them safe, bouldering, or climbing without ropes, is an activity that even toddlers and pre-schoolers can enjoy. The Circuit is a bouldering gym that boasts being home to the best kids' climbing space in Portland. They have kid-specific boulders that are designed with shorter climbers in mind. Even better, all of the walls were created to accommodate climbers of all ages, sizes, and ability levels.

If your child isn't in the mood to climb The Circuit also offers slacklining. Slacklines are similar to tight ropes but made of stretchy, flexible material. They provide hours of fun for your littles as they practice balancing and carefully placing one foot in front of the other without falling.

410 N.E. 17th Ave.
Portland

6050 S.W. Macadam Ave.
Portland

16255 S.W. Upper Boones Ferry Rd.
Tigard, OR
Online: thecircuitgym.com

2. Portland Rock Gym

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cge74vopK89/?hidecaption=true

Located in NE, the Portland Rock Gym provides hours and hours of thrills and chills as your young climbers scale walls speckled with colorful "rocks" guiding their path. This gym offers Kids Climb which is perfect for 8-to 11-year-olds and includes a staff member who assists your child as they begin climbing roped walls, bouldering, and using the auto-belays. There are also camps and clubs you can sign your kiddo up for if they fall in love with this daring sport. Sign your clan up for the monthly family package and enjoy climbing all winter long.

21 N.E. 12th Ave.
Portland
Online: portlandrockgym.com

3. Stoneworks Climbing Gym

https://www.instagram.com/p/CaGo2JPLA34/?hidecaption=true

Beaverton’s Stoneworks is designed to promote community and exudes "family-friendly." It boasts 34-foot climbing and lead walls, high-ball bouldering to 20 feet, top-out bouldering area, and auto belays. If you or your kids fall in love with climbing there are climbing lessons available, and Stoneworks offers fun kids' rock climbing programs that are guaranteed to keep your little ones engaged and interested. It is also home to one of the best junior climbing teams in the country that welcomes kids 9 to 19. Consider thinking ahead because Stoneworks also offers a variety of summer camps for kids aged 12 and under.

6775 S.W. 111th Ave.
Beaverton, OR
Online: belay.com

4. Movement Gym

https://www.instagram.com/p/CFcd2PSHctl/?hidecaption=true

This rock climbing gym recognizes that kids are natural-born climbers. Their walls are designed to accommodate all sizes and abilities and there are a variety of classes available for youth. From beginners to kids who are ready to compete, there is a program for everyone. 

1405 N.W. 14th Ave.
Portland
Online: movementgyms.com

5. Source Climbing

https://www.instagram.com/p/Ck_ttEXyRy-/?hidecaption=true

At Source Climbing, your kiddos can take classes to start off on the right foot with climbing. Ages 6-12 can take the youth intro class before moving up and really honing their skills. Kids ages 9+ can even join a recreational climbing team to explore competitive climbing in a safe environment. Also, don't forget to check out their summer camp options!

1118 Main St.
Vancouver, WA
Online: sourceclimbing.com

Pack the minivan and consult with the experts for the best time to head out on a fall foliage-viewing adventure

Fall is just around the corner and along with the pumpkin spice everything comes something truly magical, fall foliage! There’s nothing quite like the fiery autumn colors as the leaves change and the joy of watching your kids’ faces as they leap into a heaping pile of them. If you’re planning a special trip to see this spectacular sight, you’re definitely going to want to check out this interactive map for the optimal place and time to see fall leaves at their peak.

courtesy of SmokyMountains.com

SmokyMountains.com has created this fall foliage map, using data collected by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, to predict the peak of the leaf season across the country to help you plan the perfect road trip. The data is based on years of information on the peak season and the forecast ahead. Data scientist and map creator, Wes Melton, explained, “The SmokyMountains.com data model continues to improve and become more accurate each year. This is due to our expanding historical database and our ability to analyze past predictions versus historical trends. Our aggregated historical and current database now includes hundreds of thousands of unique data points giving us the ability to predict more accurately than ever before.”

When will the leaves change color this year?

Many factors go into whether leaves will change early or late. We know that areas where warmer temps persist will often have a later peak (and this was the third-hottest summer on record according to NOAA). But lack of rainfall can make leaves change earlier. So, we’ll have to wait and see how it all plays out.

Check out the interactive map here and use the sliding bar at the bottom to see what changes you can expect across the country from now until the end of October. The site also features scientific explanations of why leaves change color and free coloring pages you can download, as well as local lodging, restaurant, and attraction listings.

In an increasingly global world, having the ability to connect across languages and cultures is a beautiful thing!

There is a belief that being bilingual can only be achieved if a child begins to speak two languages simultaneously. I disagree. It’s a myth that you can’t be bilingual past a certain age. Although the ideal is to start learning languages in parallel, you can be bilingual by learning later as well.

I’m a Hispanic-American mother who was born and raised bilingual in Spanish and English here in the United States, while my parents are South American natives who have been in this country for over 30 years. Over the years, I’ve learned that you can learn a language and be bilingual if you study it in the right way.

Any child can be bilingual. And bilingual people not only have the advantage of knowing how to speak in another language, with the benefits that will accrue to the professional level but psychologically as well. Bilingual children are more creative, develop their brains differently, and have higher self-esteem.

How to Learn to Be Bilingual in Spanish and English

A safe bet is a total immersion in the language. Courses spoken in Spanish make it easier for children to get used to listening to another language, phonetics, and expressions and associating it with people who always speak to them in that language.

Children don’t have to resist speaking in English. It Is normal if they wish to communicate in the language with which they feel more comfortable. Don’t pressure them. If children feel pressured, they’ll end up blocking the language, making it harder for them to enjoy learning. A common mistake parents make is to press without realizing it. The typical “Tell me something in Spanish” when they pick you up after school can potentially have a negative effect.

It bears repeating: if a child feels pressured, they’ll end up blocking the language, and it will be more difficult for them to enjoy learning and therefore to learn.

On the other hand, the brain needs time to be able to jump into speaking another language. It’s like math. A child can’t learn to add without knowing anything about numbers first. Trying to get him or her to speak a new language on the first day of class is like forcing a kid to do math with three-figure sums while they are still learning the basics of single digits numbers.

Parents need to understand that learning a language takes a while. The first six months to a year of a child’s life are “the period of silence,” a necessary time during which the child can’t speak any language, but his brain is working. One day, all of a sudden, they’ll start building sentences correctly! I was so excited when this first happened, but I digress!

Simple Things Parents Can Do to Introduce Spanish to Their Kids

  • Watch TV and movies in Spanish: Many stations such as ABC, Netflix, and Disney have Spanish language options. Just change the language in the audio settings or switch to the dedicated Spanish language station. Movie night in Spanish can be fun for the whole family.
  • Find bilingual books: We can instill a love of reading in another language using bilingual books adapted to their age. Some libraries also have audiobooks that can be listened to at home, in the car, or before bedtime.
  • Find simple and fun activities to help reinforce learning: For example, if the school focuses on learning nouns for colors in Spanish, ask your child to call out the colors of buildings and signs on the way home.
  • Download apps in another language that children can use: Always make sure they are age appropriate of course.
  • Teach at Certain Times: Alternate between speaking English and Spanish on different days. These help keep the languages fresh and strengthen their ability to switch between languages once they grow older.
  • Teach by Specific Themes: Use a certain language to talk about something in particular. For example, if there’s a favorite Spanish language series that has now been adopted, always discuss it in Spanish.

Children’s minds can absorb a great deal of information while they are young, and it’s the best time to teach them a new language. My husband speaks five languages, and I’m always jealous of his ability to connect to so many people and cultures in so many parts of the world. During increasingly polarized and divisive times, sharing culture and language can help bring us all closer together.

Im a new Hispanic mother in the United States here to offer tips for new parents about the best products for their little ones.

Get your motor running—these picture-worthy waterfalls are all within an easy drive of Washington DC

When the feels-like temp hits 100, it’s time to cool off at one of the area’s local watering holes. Take a dip at a near-by lake, splash around at a local water park or enjoy beautiful vistas at these worth-the-drive waterfalls. Not only do these scenic spots  provide the perfect backdrop for a family photo, but there are added health-benefits to chasing waterfalls. Did you know falling water has scientifically proven mood changing abilities? From Virginia to Maryland to West Virginia, we’ve rounded up the best kid-friendly waterfalls within a day’s drive of Washington, DC.

Visit-Worthy Waterfalls in Virginia

Overall Run Falls in Shenandoah National Park: Up for a hike? This 8.5-mile loop through Shenandoah National Park rolls right past Overall Run. If you’ve got short legs in your crew, skip the scenic route and take the one-mile shortcut trail from the parking lot straight to the falls. Best known for having the tallest waterfall in the park, at 93 feet, Overall Run Waterfall is most impressive when the stream runs high in the spring, but is still worth the visit in the summer when the falls are milder.

Insider Tip: Pack the swim suits: the creek runs over a smooth, sloping rock wall that works as a fantastic water slide.

Time from DC: 2 hours
Hiking Ability: Moderate

Shenandoah National Park
Skyline Drive MP 21.5
Luray, VA
Online: nps.gov

Related: Take a Hike! 9 Easy Trails for Kids Under 5

White Oak Canyon Area: Choose between the one or four-mile trek—either way you’ll reap the rewards of up to six waterfalls and swimming holes. Due to the abundance of swimming options, this area tends to draw large crowds so plan on arriving early. The water here is shallow, so toddlers can splash and play in the water with ease, but trails do get slippery so make sure everyone is wearing the proper footwear. 

Time from DC: 1.5 hours
Hiking Ability: Moderate

White Oak Canyon Lower Falls Parking Lot
187 Chad Berry Ln.
Syria, VA
Online: nps.gov

Related: 25 Natural Swimming Holes to Put on Your Bucket List

Great Falls Park: While the water cascades more than “falls” in this park, the view is gorgeous nonetheless. And with overlooks a quick and easy 5-to-10-minute walk from the Visitor Center, the falls at Great Falls Park make for a great outing with little ones. Bonus: These paths are stroller friendly!

Editor’s Note: The Visitor Center is currently closed due to construction through Spring 2023. 

Time from DC: less than 45 minutes
Hiking Ability: All levels

9200 Old Dominion Dr.
McLean, VA
Online: nps.gov

Related: 12 Local Stroller-Friendly Hikes

Scott’s Run: When you need a quick waterfall fix, make the trek to Scott’s Run. It’s just an easy 30-minute trip from the city. Younger kids may not make the 2-mile journey to the main attraction, but smaller falls along the trail are fun for little feet to jump in. The Park Authority regularly runs guided hikes and educational programs, so be sure to check the website before you head out on the trails. 

Time from DC: 30 minutes
Hiking Ability: Moderate

7400 Georgetown Pike
McLean, VA
Online: fairfaxcounty.gov

Visit-Worthy Waterfalls in Maryland

Kilgore Falls: You’ll find Maryland’s second largest waterfall within Rock State Park. This impressive natural wonder is a popular local attraction, so you will need to reserve your spot prior to your arriving  Fri.-Sun.; May 1 through Labor Day. Kilgore Falls boasts one of the shortest walks from a parking to the scenic falls (it’s just a 1/2 mile trail), making it a great choice for families with little ones who rather swim than hike.

Time from DC: 1 hour and 45 minutes
Hiking Ability: All levels

3318 Rocks Chrome Hill Rd.
Jarrettsville, MD
Online: maryland.gov

Swallow Falls State Park: Most of the trails in this park are easy and kid-friendly, but be prepared to steer kids away from rocky edges and potentially dangerous situations if you make it to the top of Muddy Creek Falls (a 54 ft. drop). You can take a dip in the waters here, which is refreshing and Insta-worthy, but be forewarned this photo op also draws summer crowds. We recommend visiting on a weekday for a quieter experience or head to near-by Swallow Falls or Lower Falls where the falls are smaller (and so are the crowds).

Time from DC: 3 hours
Hiking Ability: All levels

2470 Maple Glade Rd.
Oakland MD
Online: dnr.maryland.gov/swallowfalls

Cunningham Falls State Park: Cunningham Falls State Park, part of Catoctin Mountain Park, has it all: waterfalls? Check. Swimming, boating, and fishing? Check check check. A beach? Check! There are even campgrounds,  picnic areas, and hiking trails. Located about 18 miles north of Frederick, the park closes when filled to capacity, so plan to arrive early.

Time from DC: 1.5 hours
Hiking Ability: All levels

14039 Catoctin Hollow Rd.
Thurmont, MD
Online: dnr.maryland.gov

Visit Worthy Waterfalls in West Virginia

Blackwater Falls State Park: If you’ve got a budding photographer, take them on this hike popular among both amateur and professional photographers. Elekala Falls is a short walk from Blackwater Falls State Park Lodge; these cascading falls are popular among photographers, but require going off-path and can potentially be dangerous. A simpler, family-friendly alternative is to head to Blackwater Falls, from which the park gets its name.

Time from DC: 3 hours
Hiking Ability: All levels

1584 Blackwater Lodge Rd.
Davis, WV
Online: wvstateparks.com/blackwater-falls-state-park

American families have proven the urge to travel after being cooped up from home, with demand for accommodations higher than ever. And while vaccines may be more accessible in the U.S. than ever, the spread of new variants and lower vaccination rates in developing countries continue impact our ability to move freely through the world.

Which is why Expedia Group, the travel giant that includes brands like Expedia, Hotels.com, Vrbo and more, is working to make sure those who are traveling again are doing so safely and responsibly in a way that ultimately slows the spread of COVID.

5 Tips to Help Keep Your Family Safe while Traveling

1. Mask up while traveling. This one is obvious, as masks continue to remain one of the most simple and effective ways to limit the transmission of the virus, aside from the vaccine. Traveling requires being in close quarters, like planes, trains, in rideshares, etc. so it’s important to mask up to reduce the spread.

2. Travel for the greater good. Expedia Group recently announced an initiative to support UNICEF’s global COVID-19 response by donating of $10 million to vaccine efforts. To get involved, travelers can download any app from one of the Expedia Group brands, such as Expedia, Hotels.com, Travelocity and Vrbo, plan and purchase a trip through the platform and in turn, they can help get a vaccine to someone in the world who needs it.

3. Enjoy the great outdoors. Nature destinations have provided solitude for travelers over the last year, due to the ability to easily socially distance and, essentially, disconnect. This trend is here to stay, with beaches, mountains, lakes and national parks remaining the popular areas to visit, even as we head into the fall.

4. Don’t get left behind. More and more businesses, attractions and destinations are requiring people to show proof of vaccination. So, if you haven’t felt motivated to get your shot(s), know that you might not be able to have access to dining, entertainment or other activities during your next vacation without it.

5. Be a savvy traveler. Travelers are eager to get out there again, but with travel guidelines changing so frequently, it’s important to stay up to date with restrictions and policies around your travel bookings. Double check your accommodations’ cancellation policies, keep local advisories like curfews or closures in mind and be prepared to submit documentations like COVID test results or vaccine cards.

Of course, it’s up to each individual family to decide their comfort level for taking trips again, and all are encouraged to check and adhere to local and national health guidelines and travel restrictions. Travelers are known to be passionate about exploring the world and making connections, but now it’s time for each individual to do their part so the world can truly open again.

RELATED: Red Tricycle’s COVID Resource Guide 

Melanie Fish is Vrbo’s travel expert and speaks to journalists daily about the fastest growing segment in the travel industry – vacation home rentals. She has shared travel trends and tips at the New York Times Travel Show, in magazines including Glamour, and on regular #TravelTuesday TV segments.

LEGO is gearing up for the holiday season and after the last year and a half, we’re ok with that. The brick maker just launched another addition to its festive lineup, Santa’s Visit. It includes a light up Christmas tree and a chimney that Santa can slide right down!

Like the rest of the holiday sets, it will launch October 1 and it features tons of fun details. From the cozy table where the whole family enjoys a meal by candlelight, to Santa’s chair with milk and cookies by the fire, this set will definitely get you and your family in the Christmas spirit. Although it’s meant for adult builders, your kids will have a blast setting the scenes once it’s complete.

If you’re looking for something a bit smaller, you’ll have a hard time choosing between these cute  kits. The Polar Bear & Gift Pack ($9.99) is great for kids seven and up and comes with 142 pieces.

Mini builders will love constructing the adorable polar bear that comes with a scarf, gift box with movable ribbons and cute “with love to” sticker. Did we mention these make the perfect ornaments?

The LEGO Christmas Penguin ($14.99) is also bringing whimsy, with the ability to rotate, move its wings and stand next to a Christmas tree and three presents.

The penguin set is perfect for kids eight and older and comes with 244 pieces. Both sets will launch on Oct. 1 at LEGO.com and at LEGO stores.

––Karly Wood

All photos: Courtesy of LEGO

 

RELATED STORIES

Avengers Really Do Assemble with This New LEGO Advent Calendar

LEGO Is Dropping Two New Sets Just in Time for Spooky Season

This LEGO World Art Map Lets You Document Travel Brick by Brick

After a year of park closures and the cancellation of annual passes, Disneyland Resort has finally shared the details of its new passholder program! The Magic Key Program has arrived and its a new take that offers plenty of variety for families.

Officially going on sale Aug. 25, Magic Key brings four pass options that resemble those under the former program. The biggest change is that the theme park reservation system will be integral to every pass going forward.

photo: Courtesy of Disney

There’s much to digest in the infographic above but in a nutshell, guests will all have the option to make at least two reservations at a time and get discounts on food, beverages and merchandise. Missing from the old program is notably the Photo Pass which gave guests access to all their attraction photos.

Another big change is that while monthly payment options still exist, they will only be available to California residents. The Imagine Key monthly payments will only be available to Southern California residents.

Additionally, the programs do not guarantee the ability to park hop daily like in years past. Park guess who want to park hop will need to make sure that reservations are available at the park they want to start the day at. If they are, hop away! If there is only availability at one park, then guests will spend the entire day there. Availability is shown on the reservation calendar when guests go to make their park plans and reservations.

The new program is a welcome announcement for park enthusiasts and Southern California natives who often use the Disneyland Resort as their afternoon playground. While the changes do away with old perks, they continue to offer magic in brand new ways.

You can learn even more about the new program at the Disney Parks Blog.

––Karly Wood

Feature photo: Disneyland Resort

 

RELATED STORIES

Eek! After a Year Hiatus, Halloween Time at Disneyland Is Back

Ahoy! Disney’s Holiday Cruise Lineup Is Here

Summer 2022 Is Calling: Disney Wish Is Now Accepting Reservations

While your kids are out splashing through the rest of summer, keep this new study in mind! A former college swimmer and graduate student at the University of Delaware wanted to research if exercise would boost vocabulary learning performance. The results among a group of elementary school children backed that theory up—with certain forms of activity.

The study focused on 48 participants between the ages of six and 12. All of the kids completed a word learning task, then colored for three minutes before testing on their ability to recognize the words. The exercise condition split the kids in two groups for another word learning task. Group one then completed three minutes of aerobic exercise (swimming in this study) and group two completed three minutes of anaerobic exercise (a CrossFit-like workout) before testing.

And the results? The kids who completed the aerobic exercise did 13% better compared to resting conditions in follow up testing on the new words. Meanwhile, kids who completed the anaerobic exercise had no significant difference in performance compared to resting conditions.

Co-author Madison Pruitt, the former college swimmer who is now a speech and language pathologist, had a hypothesis for the difference in performance based on exercise type. Because the aerobic exercise demanded less brain energy, it was easier for kids to retain information. When combined with the physical activity, it actually improved their ability to learn new vocabulary. The University of Delaware’s Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders plans to conduct a similar study with toddlers.

—Sarah Shebek

Featured image courtesy of Jeff Dunham on Unsplash

 

RELATED STORIES

Study Shows Children Make Progress When Given Space

New Study Shows Surprising Positive Effects of Quarantine

This Study Offers New Insight Into Toddler Language Development