This simple project is practically a rite of passage for kids
Does your little aviator have a hankering for flight? If you’re looking for tips on how to make a paper airplane that even the tiniest of fingers can figure out, look no further. Here are the eight easy steps to make a simple “Dart” (the fastest, easiest-to-make, and longest-flying paper airplane). Once you’re done, head outside to try it out, and when you’re done, try another outdoor science experiment for kids!
What you’ll need to make a paper airplane
8.5 X 11 Paper (printer paper works)
Tape
Crayons or markers to decorate (optional)
Step 1: Make a Crease Down the Middle of Your Paper
Fold your paper in half (lengthwise) then unfold, leaving a crease down the middle. This line will serve as a reference for the rest of your folding.
Step 2: Fold the Top Corners into Center Crease
Step 3: Fold the Right Side Toward Center Crease
Fold the right side into the center crease again, being careful to keep the point of your airplane sharp. You should end up with a long triangle, with one side of the triangle running just along the center crease.
Step 4: Do the Same With the Left Side
Step 5: Fold Onto Side So Flaps Are On The Inside
Step 6: Fold Down the Outer Sides To Make The Wings
Carefully fold the outer sides of your airplane down to make the wings. Be sure that the front of your plane ends at a point and that the outer edges of your wings line up with the center fold; otherwise, your plane won't fly as well.
Step 7: Seal the Body With Double-Sided Tape
Make a loop of tape and affix it to the inside folds of your plane's body. Then squeeze the folds shut. This will keep your plane "closed" so that it will get the most speed while in flight!
Step 8: Fly!
You're done! Send your plane soaring with a quick flick of your wrist. If you'd like to make your plane a little more personal, use crayons or markers to decorate it before takeoff.
BONUS: Make a Trick Plane
Want a simple hack to make your plane spiral through the air instead of a straight soar? Fold up one corner of one wing and you've got a stunt plane!
Parents who grew up watching Goose and Maverick will love the newest collectible doll from Barbie. Just in time for Christmas and in celebration of the Top Gun: Maverick hitting theaters in May 2022, future pilots-in-training can now get their hands on The Top Gun: Maverick Barbie!
Inspired by Natasha “Phoenix” Trace, the doll embodies the character’s confidence and skills as she navigates the competitive Top Gun flight school. Mattel’s design shows commitment to the movie details: she wears a pilots helmet, jumpsuit with signature patches, aviator sunglasses, dog tags and a watch.
Perfect for under the tree, shoppers can already pick up their own Top Gun: Maverick Barbie® at Barbie.com, Target, and Amazon for $40. And don’t forget to head to the theaters when the newest flick drops on May 27, 2022.
The weather is cooling down so that means it times to lace up those skates and take to the nearest ice skating rink near you, or maybe one that’s not so near. With so many great options to chose from finding the perfect rink for you and your brood should be a cinch. From outdoor rinks to indoor ones, from those geared toward younger kiddos and semi-pro teens, there’s something on this list for everyone. Check out these 11 ice skating rinks in New York City.
This free rink opens Oct. 28 and offers skaters so much more than a place to skate. The rink is surrounded by dozens of vendors selling amazing crafts and holiday-themed items. There’s also plenty of options for grabbing a bite to eat, as you are sure to work up an appetite on the ice. While admission is free, skate rental costs $20 and parents can rent adorable penguin Skate Aids for $22/hr for their kiddos. However, be warned that the rink can get crowded with lines flooding out far beyond the entrance, especially during winter break. Off-peak times are best for families and locals who are looking to beat the crowds.
You are more than likely familiar with Wollman Rink, located just a short walk from Central Park South, but there’s a lesser know known skate rink in Central Park that is much less crowded and has no time limit to how long you can skate! Lasker Rink is comprised of two rinks, one for public skating and the other for a skate school that includes lessons in hockey and of course, ice skating. Admission is $9 for adults and $5 or kids 12 and under. Skate rentals cost $8 and a lock can be rented for $4, plus a $4 deposit.
Central Park
Upper East Side
917-492-3856
Online: laskerrink.com
This rink is surrounded by gorgeous views of the park and NYC skyline and makes for a great day in the city. It’s currently opened so why not head over there before it gets too cold?! Admission for adults is $12 Monday-Thursday and $19 Friday-Sunday. Kids 12 and under can skate for $6 any day of the week and skate rentals cost $10. You can also pay a $5 spectator fee if you’re more of a watcher, not a skater. Please note that this rink can also get crowded so aim to visit during off peak times for less of a wait.
Central Park
59th Street and Sixth Avenue entrance
Upper West Side
212-439-6900
Online: wollmanskatingrink.com
This rink is iconic New York and tourists and locals alike flock there not only for the skating but for the famous Rockefeller Center Christmas tree. Nothing says “Christmas in New York,” for than Rock Center! If you can bear to wait in line, you will be met with an unforgettable experience. Sessions run for 90 minutes and it’s hard not to look up at the amazing architecture in your midst while skating. General admission to the rink is on a first-come first-served basis and cost $25- $33 for adults, depending on the time of season. Children under 11 and Seniors cost $11 and skates can be rented for $12.50. Of course, there are some great VIP packages offered that range in price from $60-$150. Either way, it’s definitely worth a visit for some New York holiday cheer!
Rockefeller Plaza
49th Street and 50th Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues
Midtown
212-332-7654
Online: therinkatrockcenter.com
If it’s a view you’re after, this rink should be first on your list. Skaters can take in amazing sights such as the Statue of Liberty and the New York Harbor. While it can accommodate 250 skaters, the prices are a bit steep. However, the rink offers parent-child lessons and hockey classes for kids! If you need a bathroom or a bite to eat, head over to the adjacent Brookfield Place for a myriad of shopping and restaurants.
This indoor rink on Manhattan’s Upper West Side offers lessons for kids as well as a hockey program. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for kids under 12; skates cost $6 to rent; season passes are available for $100. Affordable birthday party packages are also offered. For a bite, check out Sofrito on the Hudson for some delicious Puerto Rican cuisine.
679 Riverside Dr.
Upper West Side
212-694-3642
Online: nysparks.com/parks
photo: via Sky Rink at Chelsea Piers Facebook page
Sky Rink at Chelsea Piers
If indoor skating is more your think, check out the Sky Rink at Chelsea Piers. General skating is offered every day except Wednesdays, in the afternoon. The cost is $12 for skaters of all ages and $6 to rent skates, and $5 for a helmet. The Sky Rink is known for its classes so if you’re little one is eager to up their skating game check out the Skating School, which offers classes that range from absolute beginner to professional.
You get two-for-one at this Prospect Park rink. Skaters can chose from an indoor or outdoor rink once they arrive. Parents will love the skating lessons and hockey leagues for kids. Not to mention, the rink offers great birthday party packages. Admission for kids and adults is $7, $10 on weekends. Skates can be rented for $7. Bluestone Cafe is great for lite bights and more and is open Thursday-Sunday.
171 East Dr.
Prospect Lefferts Gardens
Prospect Park
212-661-6640
Online: lakesideprospectpark.com
You can skate year round at Aviator Sports at Floyd Bennett Field, which boasts two NHL-sized rinks. The rink is actually a former airport hanger and has tons of skate sessions throughout the week. It also offers extended hours during the weekends and holidays. Skating for non-members costs $12 for adults and $10for children 11 and under. Skates can be rented for $6 and lockers are free, just be sure to bring your own lock.
3159 Flatbush Ave.
Floyd Bennett Field
718-758-7500
Online: aviatorsports.com
Abe Stark Ice Skating Arena Coney Island
Coney Island Boardwalk and W. 19th Street
Coney Island
718-946-6536
Online: nycgovparks.org
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.
Barbie sparks the unlimited potential of every child that plays with the iconic dolls. There isn’t anything Barbie can’t do. Barbie’s Inspiring Women series is getting three new additions with some of the most inspirational women of all time, Billie Jean King, Ella Fitzgerald and Florence Nightingale.
Photographer Paul Jordan / Stylist Jennifer Hoon
The Inspiring Women series debuted in 2018 on International Women’s Day featuring Barbie dolls based on artist Frida Kahlo, aviator Amelia Earhart and NASA mathematician Katherine Johnson. This line is dedicated to honoring modern and historical role models who paved the way for generations of girls to dream bigger than ever before. Last year, Barbie inspired a new generation of girls with the release of two new dolls, Rosa Parks and Sally Ride, the first American woman in space.
Photographer Jason Tidwell Stylist Jennifer Hoon
The new dolls are part of Mattel’s mission to close the Dream Gap, a multi-year global initiative to raise awareness around limiting factors that prevent girls from reaching their full potential, by showing girls more role models (historical & present) and telling their stories.
Each doll features authentic clothing and unique accessories, plus educational information about the honoree’s contributions to society, so girls can be inspired by their stories through play.
Barbie’s Inspiring Women series is getting two new additions with some of the most inspiring women of all time, Rosa Parks and Sally Ride.
The Inspiring Women series debuted last year on International Women’s Day featuring Barbie dolls based on artist Frida Kahlo, aviator Amelia Earhart and NASA mathematician Katherine Johnson. Now civil rights activist, Rosa Parks and the first American woman in space, Sally Ride, will join these iconic women to inspire new generations of girls through play.
“These historical women broke boundaries that made the world a better place for future generations of girls,” a press release from Barbie stated.
“As a brand that is dedicated to inspiring the limitless potential in every girl, Barbie is shining a spotlight on role models, historical and modern, to show them they can be anything,” Lisa McKnight, senior vice president and global head of Barbie, told HuffPost. “Both Sally Ride and Rosa Parks are changemakers, so these dolls celebrate their achievements, while also encouraging girls to challenge the status quo.”
The Sally Ride Barbie is available online now and the Rosa Parks Barbie can be pre-ordered for delivery on Sep. 6.
She may only be three-months-old, but Liberty Wexler has already played many roles. Yep. She’s the baby dressed up as Ruth Bader Ginsburg on Instagram. Oh but that’s not all. Nope. This adorable infant is pictured as some pretty famous figures from history in a series of photos that have since gone viral.
Mom Jenelle Wexler started taking cute costume pics of toddler son River well before she got the idea to put baby Liberty in a RBG costume. So what was thinking behind the Instagram awesomeness? Wexler told Red Tricycle, “I feel it is important to pay tribute to the women who fought for an helped to protect and further women’s causes. I only hope these are the individuals that Liberty herself chooses to admire and aspire to be like.”
What famous women has Liberty played? Check out some of the most imaginative ideas that this creative mama had!
This fab photo features the iconic artist. As the first in Wexler’s “Influential Woman” series, this post is more than just cute. It pays honor to a true pioneer.
With a remarkable career spanning decades, Clinton is much more than a presidential candidate. As a trailblazer and advocate for important issues, such as healthcare reform, she’s a true game-changer. Oh, and this version is aww-dorable too!
Those glasses. That gavel. This couldn’t be cuter pic of RBG highlights the accomplishments of the second female to be confirmed as a Supreme Court justice.
You can’t have an influential women IG without including the “Material Girl” herself!
Wexler also added, “I am hopeful that when Liberty is older and looks back at these photos, she finds them to be fun yet informatively positive. In addition, I wanted to bring attention to specific stories, to show how important these women’s actions were in helping to shape our current society for the better. I believe these women continue to inspire the young females of present day to push boundaries and strive beyond equality.”
If these soooooo sweet photos inspire you (or just makes you squeal, “Aww!”), check out Wexler’s @photographyofliberty IG account!
Remember watching Mr. Banks belt out “Let’s Go Fly a Kite” at the end of Mary Poppins? Not only did it make you feel like everything was going to be A-okay with the Banks’ family, it also inspired you to get out there and enjoy a little high-flyin’ adventure of your own. Lucky for us, San Diego offers plenty of spots to go and fly that kite to the highest height. Read on to see where to catch some air.
Photo: Hilltop Park via Beth Shea
Hilltop Park Hilltop Park in San Diego is like the Emma Stone of parks — there’s nothing not to love. Nestled on the top of a mountain in Rancho Peñasquitos, this locale has a great open grass field for kite flying, a kid’s playground with sand, a covered seating area and amazing views of both the city and the ocean. So, grab that kite and head over to Hilltop Park. You’ll be glad you did!
9711 Oviedo Way
San Diego, Ca 92129
858-538-8198
Online: sandiego.gov
Mission Bay Don’t you love it when local spots make worldwide top ten lists? Well, that’s what happened when Mission Bay in San Diego topped USA Today’s list of Top Ten Places in the World to Fly a Kite. Nationally recognized, locally approved — spacious Mission Bay is a prime spot to let that kite soar! You and your little ones may run into a few other kite aficionados since the San Diego Kite Club meets here every second Saturday of the month. Also, if your kiddo’s legs are too tired from chasing kites, there are plenty of awesome bike paths throughout the park to check out afterwards.
Insider’s Tip: Mariners Point, Tecolote Shores North and Fiesta Island are all prime destinations for kite flying.
2688 East Mission Bay Dr.
San Diego, Ca 92109
619-221-8900
Online: sandiego.gov/
South Ponto Beach North County dwellers who don’t want to travel south for the day, get your kite flyin’ fix at South Ponto Beach in Carlsbad. The beach is just north of Leucadia, where the bluffs end and the open stretch of ocean begins. Families love spending the day at South Ponto Beach and it comes as no surprise. The waves are calm, there are tons of stones for skipping and the restrooms are clean and easily accessible. AND, that ocean breeze gives you just the right amount of lift off to get your kite flying through the sky.
Insider’s Tip: Parking is usually available on the street, but if you can’t find a spot there’s a parking lot at the south end. Cost is $15.
La Costa Ave., HWY 101
Carlsbad, Ca 92008
619-438-3143
Online: sandiegocoastlife.com
Photo: Kiwanis Club of Ocean Beach
Dusty Rhodes Park It’s a bird. It’s a plane. It’s a… sky full of kites! Home to the oldest children’s kite festival in the United States, Dusty Rhodes Park easily makes our list for top San Diego destinations to fly a kite. Every year, on the second Saturday of May (that’s May 13, 2017 this year!) crowds flock to the Ocean Beach park to not only fly kites but also to build and decorate them. The local event includes prizes, professional kite fliers and amazing kite demonstrations as well as games, carnival activities and live music. Whether you make it to the festival or just visit the park with your family, it’s sure to be a great place for your little ones to see their kite dance through the sky.
Sunset Cliffs Blvd. between W. Point Loma and Nimitz
San Diego, Ca
Online: oceanbeachsandiego.com
San Dieguito Park Up, up, and away! Any breezy day is a good day to head to San Dieguito Park and launch a kite with your little aviator. Just a short distance from Del Mar, the park gets a lovely ocean breeze and offers a variety of recreational activities in addition to spacious grounds for kite flying. Think about packing a family picnic to enjoy on the large open lawns lined with eucalyptus trees and a tranquil pond. San Dieguito Park is truly a local gem.
Insider’s Tip: Be sure to check out “activity hill.” It has rope bridges, hillside ladders and lookout stations.
1628 Lomas Santa Fe Dr. Del Mar, Ca92014
Online: SDparks.org
Where’s your favorite kite flying destination? Let us know in the comments below.
The beloved story about a pilot, a little prince, and their travels is headed to Netflix. After being recently dropped by Paramount, The Little Prince, which includes breath-taking CGI and stop motion animation, was acquired by the popular streaming service and will be available later this year. The adaption of the book has a voice cast which includes Jeff Bridges, who plays the aging Aviator, Rachel McAdams, Paul Rudd, Marion Cotillard, and Benicio Del Toro.
Netflix hasn’t announced the exact date the movie will available to stream, but we are definitely excited to see one of our favorite books brought to (animated) life.
You don’t need much to enjoy the best the holiday season has to offer. In fact, you really only need one thing: Goldstar. We’ve partnered with Goldstar to bring you the best kid-friendly holiday shows, all at a steep discount. Read on and be sure to check availability now because tickets are going fast!
The Velveteen Rabbit: A Beloved Bay Area Holiday Tradition Beloved holiday show The Velveteen Rabbit returns to Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, enlivening Margery Williams’ classic tale of a little boy, his stuffed rabbit, and the enduring power of love. With witty storytelling, charming music by Benjamin Britten, colorful costumes and larger-than-life characters, this annual Bay Area tradition has been delighting children for an incredible 29 years running.
Where: Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Theater, San Francisco
Celebrate with a Kid-Friendly Show of Peter Pan When mischievous fairy Tinkerbell sprinkles her pixie dust on Berkeley’s Julia Morgan Theater, get ready for the ride of your lives. Peter Pan visits the nursery of the Darling children, and off they go on a magical musical journey. Along the way, they bump into a crafty crocodile, a band of villainous pirates, and the cunning Captain Hook. With unforgettable songs like “I Won’t Grow Up,” “I’ve Gotta Crow” and “I’m Flying,” the Berkeley Playhouse’s Peter Pan is the perfect show for the adventurous kid in everyone. Your VIP ticket includes a $5 concession voucher, plus a small gift.
Harry Potter Parody Potted Potter Crams 7 Books into 70 Zany Minutes Whether you’re a Quidditch expert or mystified muggle, you’ll find laughs aplenty in this comedy that takes on the zany challenge of cramming all seven books in the popular Harry Potter series — that’s roughly 4,000 pages — into 70 hilarious minutes. Created by Olivier-nominated actors Dan Clarkson and Jeff Turner, Potted Potter has played to sold-out houses all over the world. Two actors inhabit 360 characters, fend off a fire-breathing dragon and even manage to stage a real-life game of Quidditch in the theater.
The Little Prince: A Universally Beloved Tale for All Ages Cummins and Scoullar’s The Little Prince tells the tale of an aviator who crashes in the Sahara. Stranded, he meets the mysterious Little Prince, who tells the aviator about his adventures among the stars. When the Little Prince and the aviator part ways, each leaves with a new understanding of how to look beyond the visible to find what’s really essential in life. Audience members young and old will be touched and enchanted by this stage adaptation that features moving music and heartfelt lyrics.
A.C.T.’s A Christmas Carol A.C.T.’s acclaimed, music-infused adaptation of Dickens’ beloved tale returns in a sumptuous production that’s become one of the Bay Area’s favorite holiday traditions. A large, lively cast tells the story of lonely old miser Ebenezer Scrooge, a bah-humbuggy sort who’s shown a second chance by four ghosts who visit him one spooky Christmas Eve. A classic story of redemption and forgiveness, A Christmas Carol captures the true spirit and magic of the holiday season, especially in this imaginative version written by A.C.T.’s own artistic director Carey Perloff and alumnus Paul Walsh.
Disney On Ice presents Frozen Presented by Stonyfield YoKids Organic Yogurt Enter a fantastical winter wonderland beyond all imagination at Disney On Ice presents Frozen. You’ll be magically whisked away into the wintry world of Arendelle, where you will be dazzled by amazing special effects and astonishing skating. Sing and dance along to inspiring songs, including “Let It Go.” Join royal sisters Anna and Elsa, the hilarious snowman Olaf, Kristoff, his loyal reindeer Sven and the mystical trolls as they journey to discover that true love is ultimately the most magical power of all! Hosted by Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, with special guest appearances by your most beloved Disney princesses and characters from favorites like Disney’s Pixar’s Toy Story, Finding Nemo and Disney’s The Lion King.
Imaginative Mime-Masque Ensemble Mummenschanz Highly entertaining and strikingly creative, Mummenschanz brings their surreal, comic, wordless universe to Cal Performances’ Zellerbach Hall where the ordinary becomes extraordinary in a performance that has thrilled generations of fans. Through the use of everyday objects and materials like tubes, wires, fabric and boxes, the clever Swiss ensemble creates fantastical characters that come to life with the help of your imagination. The legendary mime-masque theater troupe transcends cultural barriers with its universal non-verbal theatrical style, whimsy and grace.
Where: Cal Performances’ Zellerbach Hall, Berkeley
