Dia de los Muertos is a day to remember departed friends and family. Use these Day of the Dead recipes to celebrate!
After your kids have ridden the sugar high of Halloween night, take some time on Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) to honor friends and family members who have passed away. The Mexican-originated holiday can spark interesting conversations about life and death. Feed your kiddo’s curiosity by making some Day of the Dead recipes, from traditional Mexican recipes to colorful sugar skull–inspired treats.
Try this delicious, classic Mexican drink! Atole de Pinole has flavors of cocoa, cinnamon, and vanilla mixed with ground corn. It’ll keep you warm on cold, fall days. Get the recipe here.
Try out these sugar skull pancake designs. It’ll put an artistic spin on your celebration.
Pan de Muerto
Make a batch of pan de muerto like this one from Mangio da Sola to celebrate the day. The “bone” decorations on top represent loved ones who have passed away. A simple sweet bread flavored with anise seed and orange, this is sure to be a win with the whole family.
Pair your pan de muerto with a comforting cup of Mexican hot chocolate, like this one from Onion Rings and Things. Rich bittersweet chocolate contrasts beautifully with black pepper to make a spicy but decadent treat.
These cute cookies from Girl versus Dough are a fun take on sugar skulls. The chocolate cinnamon cookies are delicious, and the kids will love helping decorate them with sprinkles and candies.
Tamales are traditionally served for big celebrations like the Day of the Dead, Christmas, and Mexican Independence Day. Let the kiddos get involved in making this fantastic recipe from How to Feed a Loon. They definitely require time and patience, but the result will be well worth it.
Similar to tortilla soup, this dish from The Bojon Gourmet is made with lots of roasted veggies and topped with crispy tortilla strips. It’s easy to customize with your favorite vegetables and cheese, too.
For an easy but delicious take on sugar skulls, try this recipe from Growing Up Bilingual. Candy markers make it a breeze to decorate the white chocolate strawberries. Sugar skulls are traditionally part of the ofrendas (offerings) made to deceased loved ones as part of the Dia de los Muertos celebrations.
Empanadas might sound tricky to make, but with a few shortcuts from Food Lovin’ Family they’ll be a breeze. Refrigerated pie crust cuts out a lot of the work, and you can let your mini sous chefs help fill the pockets with a chicken mixture and top them off with an egg wash.
These cute peanut butter candies from Presley’s Pantry will make the perfect Day of the Dead treat. The best part? They're made out of pantry staples that you probably have on hand.
Grab a stack of origami paper and get ready to do some folding, because we’ve discovered your next crafting obsession. With a few cuts and folds, you can create owls, flowers, cranes and frogs—these paper crafts will blow your mind. Keep reading to get the scoop on simple origami for kids that is easy enough for beginners but cool enough to impress your friends.
This Origami heart garland from Mama.Papa.Bubba. is an adorable way to decorate your house or just spread some love! And it's such a fun craft to make.
These Origami flowers from Dream A Little Bigger are a beautiful and fun project. If you want, you can follow the instructions to connect the flowers into a Kusudama ball.
If you’ve got a budding bookworm in your family, you’ve got to make this adorable project from Easy Peasy and Fun. There’s lots of room for creativity with these since you can add eyes, teeth, horns...the sky’s the limit.
File this under “coolest idea ever”: origami you can wear! These modular bracelets from Paper Kawaii are so much fun to make and can be made in any color combination or size your little ones desire.
Take inspiration from It’s Always Autumn to make a batch of colorful frogs. Once you’ve made them, you can get a competition going to see who can make them fly the furthest.
These pencil holders from Gathering Beauty are a perfect project for origami newbies. They’re super easy to put together with a few folds and a dab or two of glue.
Origami Teddy Bear
Christal Yuen
We can hardly bear how cute this origami craft is, and it’s easy to make too. Kids will get to finish off their masterpiece by drawing on eyes and a mouth.
Cootie catchers just got way cooler, thanks to this awesome craft from Easy Peasy and Fun. If you made these yourself as a kid, it’ll be fun to pass on the tradition on to your kids.
How cute are these origami faces from Pink Stripey Socks? Kids will love putting them together and customizing each one with colorful hair, jewelry and freckles.
This might be our favorite simple origami for kids. We’re obsessed with these transforming ninja stars from What Do We Do All Day?, and chances are your kids will feel the same way. You’ll first make eight parallelograms into a wheel, then push and pull on the sides to turn it into a star.
You’ll have the perfect new prop for your “Wheels on the Bus” sing-alongs thanks to this DIY from Moms & Crafters. It’s super easy for beginners, and kids can decorate it with markers, buttons or whatever else you have on hand.
If your kids are fans of The Little Mermaid, they’ll have a blast making this adorable origami from Pink Stripey Socks. Pop the movie on in the background while you make them, and you’ve got a great afternoon in store.
What’s better than one plant pillow? Multiple plant pillows! Green Philosophy Co. has a new batch to liven up your home sans green thumb.
Snag a beautiful blush peach Big Pop pillow for $69 and enjoy the soft, microplush material. The new pillow is also available in sage green, plus smaller versions as well.
Want to cozy up with a blanket, too? The new Sherpa Gloriosum Leaf Throw Blanket ($149) covers you in green glory. The design is inspired by the Philodendron Gloriosum’s leaves, which boast a heart shape and contrasting veins.
Snag a beautiful Alocasia Micholitziana in forest green or obisidian with a pop of white from its eye-catching vein pattern. It’s available now for $49.
You may be familiar Green Philosophy Co. realistic succulent trio that comes in sage green, olive green and peach. The pillows measure 15 inches wide and 8 inches tall. You can buy them individually ($39) or as a bundle ($109).
Another new growth, the Philodendron Gloriosum, is inspired by a lovely heart shaped plant that looks great in any room. You can buy it in Serene Green (pictured) or Moody Green for $39.
Or order a Monstera deliciosa pillows as well! The only bad news: pre-orders aren’t shipping until September. Pull the trigger on one now and you’ll have it just in time for fall!
And before you wonder if these are just novelty pillows, the reviews and our own-plant obsessed editor can attest: these babies are plush, snuggly and high-quality. So far, they’re even toddler-proof.
—Jennifer Swartvagher, Amber Guetebier, Karly Wood and Sarah Shebek
When Old Man Winter starts getting on your nerves, bundle up your babes and battle the brr’s with a cup of hot chocolate at one of our favorite hot chocolate and coffee houses. From exotic to the everyday, nothing beats a little cocoa to cajole a smile from under all those layers. Here are five hot spots to sit down and enjoy a cup with your cuties.
For a delicious marshmallow topper on your decadent cup of molten chocolate, head to Avalon and find the Malvi Mallow truck, which will be on the Boulevard until Jan. 2. Until Dec. 19, find them Wed.-Fri. from 3-9 p.m. From Dec. 20 to Jan. 2, find them daily from noon to 9 p.m.
ChocoLaté Coffee is a specialty coffee shop that specializes in hand crafted coffee beverages prepared in the European traditional way. They roast their own beans freshly every week, and their award winning hot chocolate comes in several varieties. Our favorites are their house blend of dark and milk chocolate, or the hazelnut variety.
This heavenly hot chocolate can be found on Marietta Square. The Chocolate Chaud is made with strong, freshly-melted dark chocolate, heavy cream, whipped cream, and a dainty sprinkling of cinnamon on top. Stroll the square with your cup in hand, and it's easy to convince yourself that you've found the best cup in town.
The first Europeans to consume chocolate were members of the Spanish royal family, and you'll feel pretty darn royal after a cup of Xocol's small batch drinking chocolate. While you're there, don't pass up a chance to sample their Blood Orange & Raspberry chocolate bar. And vegans rejoice! All chocolate at Xocol is vegan. Current hours are 11 a.m.-9 p.m. daily. For curbside pick-ups, call 404-333-8562.
This Chamblee coffee shop is a local's favorite for coffee, grab-and-go breakfasts, and of course, hot chocolate. Grab a cup of their rich, regular hot chocolate, or try something different with their Mexican hot chocolate—and leave with a little kick on your lips. Current hours are Wed.-Sat. from 8-11:30 a.m. for takeout (no indoor seating). Card and mobile payment only.
5394 Peachtree Rd.
Chamblee
678-332-7280
Online:moonbirdcoffee.com
Garnet Gal's is the perfect spot for picking up a some breakfast, a light lunch, or a mid-day snack to pair with your cup of hot chocolate, which comes straight up or with caramel or hazelnut, if you're feeling frisky. Current hours are Mon.-Fri. from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for grab-and-go and limited patio dining.
2770 Lenox Rd. NE
Buckhead
404-748-4027
Online: garnetgalscoffeeshop.com
Located in the backside of a building with a lovely, quiet patio, this french bakery and café has authentic food and a Parisian atmosphere. Enjoy the iconic and delicious hot chocolate or the pastries collections, and don't leave without a delicious crêpes. The tea room also offers a brunch, as well as a savory menu during the day. Current hours are Mon.-Sun. from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
4969 Roswell Rd Suite #155 (Located in the back side of Cibo E Beve, and the Food 101 Restaurants.) 404-551-5163
Have a sugar craving but can’t decide between a cinnamon roll or a cookie? Thanks to Cinnabon, you don’t have to.
Back by popular demand, Cookie BonBites are back, bringing bite-sized cinnamon rolls stuffed into a chocolate chip cookie straight to your palate. You can start celebrating the end of summer, start of fall and back to school now by grabbing a batch of the BonBites, which are available now for a limited time.
photo: Courtesy of Cinnabon
Cookie BonBites first hit the scene in 2019 where they sold out fast. This time, Cinnabon is making sure everyone gets a taste by keeping them on the market from now through early November.
You can find Cookie BonBites at mall bakeries, Pilot Flying J Travel Center locations and on all food delivery platforms nationwide. They retail for $3.29 each or $14.99 for a pack of eight.
If you’re an ALDI fan, you probably know about the company’s Monthly Finds! There are some real gems this month, including a new batch of cheap houseplants, an adorable cactus LED lamp, a s’mores cookie kit and pulled pork chips!
Starting July 28, you can snag a cute little aloe vera plant for $3.99. A new batch of mini succulents will drop on August 11 for $1.99. And an adorable geometric terrarium is coming your way on August 25 for $13.99.
If you kill any plant you lay eyes on, there’s another fun decor option this month. The LED novelty lamp features a glowing saguaro cactus for $8.99. Perfect for dorm room decorating or a WFH glow up!
You’ll remember the S’more Cookie Kit we’ve covered and it’s finally available to buy on August 25! There are a lot of intriguing food finds for the upcoming month, but we’re especially interested in the Pulled Pork Kettle Chips that come out August 25. They’re krinkle cut and gluten free!
Move over Mane 6, there’s a new batch of ponies in town! Say hello to My Little Pony: A New Generation.
In the new Netflix movie, Equestria has lost its magic! Now, all the ponies live separated according to their species, which means earth ponies, unicorns and pegasi no longer live together in friendship.
photo: Courtesy of Netflix
Earth Pony Sunny (Vanessa Hudgens) won’t let that stop her from trying to bring the world back together in unity. She pairs up with Unicorn Izzy (Kimiko Glenn) on an adventure that takes them to new places to meet new faces, like Pegasi Pipp (Sofia Carson), Zip (Liza Koshy) and Earth Pony Hitch (James Marsden).
Can the new Mane 5 use their own talents to bring Equestria back together? You can find out when the film debuts on Netflix on Sept. 24, 2021.
What’s more fun than playing with a fresh batch of LEGO bricks? How about playing with a friend? (Because let’s be honest, you need some peace and quiet this summer.)
LEGO has just announced a brand new experience that brings together your fave video game brothers for some two-player fun. LEGO Mario and brand new LEGO Luigi are the ultimate duo for social play and using your imagination as you craft new brick adventures! Keep scrolling to see how.
Kids can embark on two-player adventures when they connect LEGO Mario and LEGO Luigi via Bluetooth, then perform coordinated actions like jumping, working together and walking. Collect coins, share rewards, defeat goombas and race to the finish line!
LEGO Luigi ($59.99) joins the popular LEGO Super Mario lineup of sets and is available in a starter course that has everything you need to get started. Not only is LUIGI finally get his own building set, but LEGO is adding plenty more products that will take your Mario World to the next level.
LEGO is adding four new Expansion Sets, two new Power-Up Packs and ten new Character Packs. All the sets can be used in solo play, connected to an existing set and for two-player fun.
Starting today, you can already pre-order Bowser’s Airship Expansion Set ($99.99), which can be crafted in both flying and course mode and will put the Mario Bros. to the test. Additional products coming soon include:
71394 Character Packs – Series 3 (10 collectible Character Packs, including Galoomba, Parachute Bob-omb, Crowber, Boo, Amp, Torpedo Ted, Bony Beetle, 1-Up Mushroom, Scuttlebug and Swoop) ($4.99 )
The remaining sets are all coming Aug. 1, with the Luigi Start Course and Browser’s Airship available for pre-order now. Head to lego.com to place your order!
We are almost halfway to Christmas and with Lifetime and Hallmark releasing their Christmas in July lineup, why not get in the spirit with some festive wines, too?
That’s right, The Hallmark Channel has it’s own batch of wines! Not only that, the purveyor has branched out from their OG batch of holiday-only blends into summer and Valentine’s Day options.
Want to relax with a summer glass of Rosé as you sip away the afternoon? Grab a pack of Rosé Wine Seltzer for just $40.
If you want to spread the love, or just stock up in time for next Valentine’s Day, you can also snag a Love or Blush pack.
And if you’re in the mood to celebrate Christmas in July, don’t forget about the Jingle and Joy duo, a combo of cabernet sauvignon and sauvignon blanc.
Summer is here and that means it’s fully acceptable to embrace all things bright and colorful. First stop? Target’s adorable summer-inspired succulents!
At under four inches tall, these fun planters are the easiest way to incorporate some whimsy into your home, especially when they’re only $5.