Laughter is the best medicine for what ails you—kids
Parenting memes are the antidote for a tough day (or even an average one), and we’re betting there are a few out there you can really relate to. From “Yes! This happened to me five minutes ago!” to out-and-out guffaws because it happens every night, give yourself five minutes (lock yourself in the bathroom if necessary) and give yourself a good laugh over these hysterical mom memes.
French fries are delicious. They are also world record holders
You’ve consumed a fry or two in your day, but we’re betting you’ve never had one as long or eaten them as fast as some of the world record holders. Read on to learn a few fun facts about french fries, perfect for dipping in and out. When you’re done, check out our list of fun facts for kids.
1. The most considerable helping of fries was served at Twin Oaks Farms in Eagle, Idaho on Sep. 20, 2014. It weighed 1003 lbs. It used 1256 lbs. of raw potatoes and 110 gallons of oil to fry them up.
2. In many parts of the world, French fries are known as American fries.
3. The world’s longest French fry is 34 inches, discovered at Taffy’s Hot Dog Stand in Buffalo, NY by diner John Benbenek in July of 2010.
4. Thomas Jefferson is said to have requested that the White House chef, a French man, prepare for him “potatoes served in the French manner” for a dinner party. These are believed to be some of the first French fries in the United States. The year? 1802.
5. Here’s a fun fact about French fries—the Belgians eat more fries per capita than any other European country.
6. Hugh Rutherford of Oakland, CA set a record on Aug. 25, 2011, for eating a medium-sized order of fries (from Burger King) in a record-breaking one minute and 46.40 seconds. In 2013 in Hamburg, Germany, a woman known only as Caroline E. ate 20 french fries in 2 minutes, and 21.70 seconds without using her hands.
7. We call potatoes spuds after the spade-like tool once used to harvest them by hand.
With all us moms and dads have to remember on a daily basis, we don’t blame you if you forgot to stock up on Kiss Me, I’m Irish tees and shamrock socks in preparation for St. Patricks Day. But that doesn’t mean you have to send your little leprechaun to school without a speck of green. Here are seven simple (and sometimes silly) ideas for how to add some instant green to their look today, to ensure no one gets pinched.
Photo: The Twig and Toadstool
Make a Leaf Crown Forget the store, just stop by the nearest tree to complete your “Luck of the Irish” look. Just follow this easy tutorial from Twig and Toadstool, and your little will rule the day.
Raid the PJ Drawer
No green tees or pants? You may have more luck in the pajama department. For this fun day make a wardrobe exception, and let them wear those dino PJs out into the world.
Photo: Mom100
Pack a Green Lunch Pesto, broccoli, edamame, kiwi, grapes, bell pepper, celery, green apple—we are betting your fridge is stocked with green, so why not challenge yourself to pack an all green lunch today? The Mom100 has more great ideas on adding some color to packed lunches, so check it out here.
Sport a Green Juice Mustache
This idea is so easy it involves doing LESS than you do on a typical day. Just blend up a greens-filled power juice and skip the clean up after, and let your little smoothie sipper sport a green juice mustache all day. Some dripped on their shirt? Even better.
Don A Broccoli and Kale Corsage This one is sure to garner giggles from their schoolmates. Just bundle up a few of the prettiest greens from the crisper drawer and make a prom-worthy (and Iron-packing) corsage. The best part? A healthy snack is always at hand…literally.
Green Hair, Don’t Care All you need is a stick or two of green chalk, some warm water and a little hair gel for an instant and very temporary (promise!) hair dye. Follow these simple instructions from The Krazy Coupon Lady and your kid will head to school looking like you planned for this holiday for weeks.
Raid Mommas Jewelry Box We are betting there are some faux emeralds or even forgotten Mardi Gras beads in that jewelry box of yours, so let you littles sort through your stash and come up with something sparkly and green. Just be sure and remove anything of actual value from the pile of options!
You don’t need an extreme home makeover, or even the help of a design pro to give your home an easy upgrade. From fresh flowers to perfectly placed candles to an expert stack of books, we bring you six ideas that you can execute today, probably with things you already have in your home.
This is a classic, for a good reason. A vase full of flowers is sure to brighten up any space, and the dining room table is always a winner. But not all arrangements are created equal. For a dining table where people will want to look at one another, low and wide arrangements work best. A safe rule is to cut down bouquets from their original length. It will keep your blooms fresher, plus low arrangements are more modern than the "long-stemmed roses" of days past.
Rearrange the Furniture & Decor
iStock
If your space is feeling a little stale, consider rearranging your furniture, swapping area rugs or moving some of the home decor you already own. You'll be amazing at what a difference it makes.
Dirty tub? Grime disappears in the dark! Whether it's bath time or you are expecting dinner guests any moment, flip off the lights and fill the bathroom with enough candles that no one will ever need to reach for the switch. The combo of candles, glossy tile and mirrors will turn this humble room into a glittering little getaway in no time. Bonus: scented candles will fill the small space with sweet smells.
Even the most well-designed house can suffer from a cluttered coffee table. But a quick and easy clean up can make your living room party ready in minutes. First, get rid of all of the "real life" stuff like remotes, tattered magazines and drinking glasses. Once you have a clean slate, handpick three to five of your prettiest hardcover books (take a peek under the dust jackets to see if anything special is hidden underneath), and make a stack. Add a pretty bowl filled with olives, a selection of your best coasters, and you are guest-ready.
Show Off Your Produce in the Kitchen
Jen Siska
The most eye-popping colors and design comes from nature, and we are betting your fridge or pantry is filled to the brim with pretty stuff. Same as the coffee table makeover, clean the counters of all clutter, then set out a few pretty bowls. Lemons, eggplants, apples, pears, avocados—all make for the perfect decoration when displayed thoughtfully. But remember, these styling props are for eating, so never deny a hungry visitor to spare your lovely setup!
Duvets are pricey, and picking one to commit to can lead most to a mellow neutral. But to easily spice things up in the bedroom, collect a few tapestries or oversized patterned blankets. Hang them over sofa arms, on the backs of chairs or spread them out over the bed for a quick and dramatic change. If you're feeling crafty, hang on from the ceiling above the bed or on the wall for a temporary headboard.
Use a Patterned Wicker Basket Instead of a Plastic Laundry Basket
Swapping out a typical plastic laundry basket for an eye-catching patterned wicker basket is an easy way to give your laundry room (and wherever else you fold the clothes) a quick upgrade.
Fact: there’s never been a puddle our kids didn’t like. In order to keep little feet dry (and your sanity intact), why not add a shiny new pair of rain boots to your family’s collection of outdoor gear? From the ever-popular Target rain boots for kids to the cult-favorite Crocs kids’ rain boots, we’ve curated a list that’ll be sure to have something that fits your needs. Scroll down to see them all.
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With a vintage-yet-thoroughly-modern vibe, we love this gender-neutral Paper & String rainboot from London Littles. The whimsical kite pattern against a striking, cheerful yellow will brighten any day and keep their toes warm and dry, too.
There's a reason these rain boots are a favorite with parents. Basic but sturdy, the range of colors means you can find a pair that'll go with just about anything your kid wears.
You love Western Chief boots even before you buy them—these classic rain boots for toddlers and kids include the signature styles like firefighter and frog, as well as a selection of character boots including Batman and Minnie Mouse.
We love the comfort level of this boot—it's like wearing a sneaker. Kids can run, jump, climb and splash all they want and they might not even notice when it stops raining. They come in other colors, too!
We love the easy pull-on handles that help independent toddlers jam those boots on and go! Plus, with extra features to keep feet dry, rainy days can be outdoor play days, too.
Your favorite comfort shoe comes in a rain boot for toddlers and little kids too! This unisex style is offered in seven bright colors and is made with the same material your own feet love.
Bold, bright colors meet minimalist design in these waterproof boots that have a rubber-like red finish. Tested to keep kids’ feet dry for over four hours submerged in water, these boots are also ergonomically designed for maximum foot health for your puddle stompers. Toddler & big kid sizes are available; you’ll want to check out the sizing chart before you order.
Sperry’s classic-look duck boot in mini sizes, these boots have the ultimate wet/dry traction and a zipper closure for a close fit and easy on/off. They’re perfect for super active kids who never let a little rain or light snow stop them.
You’ve caught yourself humming the PAW Patroltheme song enough to know it’s one of your kiddo’s favorite shows. Now, for the first time EVER, Ryder and his gang of pups are heading out of Adventure Bay and taking to the big screen! Get your pup packs ready and head to your local theater to catch PAW Patrol: The Movie on August 20! Read on to get the scoop.
Head Beyond the Bay
Follow your favorite furry friends outside of their beloved Adventure Bay into the big, busy Adventure City where their arch-rival, Humdinger, has been elected mayor to disastrous results. But luckily, the PAW Patrol is on a roll, and they work together with a new pal Liberty—the city-savvy dachshund— to put things right.
Name That Pup
Chase, Marshall, Rubble, Skye, Rocky and Zuma are joined by their new pal, Liberty, and an outstanding new cast of supporting canine characters. Listen closely and see if you can recognize the celebs behind the voices, including Yara Shahidi, Kim Kardashian, Tyler Perry, Jimmy Kimmel, Randall Park and Dax Shepherd. In addition, you’ll find a star-studded soundtrack by artists including Adam Levine and Alessia Cara.
On air since 2013, with nearly 200 episodes (most of which we’re betting your kids have seen more than once), PAW Patrol: The Moviewill thrill fans of the show in new ways while holding on to that core mission of the pups—do good, and be kind.
PAW It Forward
Just like the pups do, you can PAW It Forward! Parents, kids, and fans alike are talking about different ways they can pay it forward in their own community, whether at home, in the classroom, or with friends and neighbors.
PAW Patrol: The Movie is premiering on August 20 in theaters and on Paramount+, so book your seats and be there on the double!
We love this slime project. Not only is it cool—in more ways than one—to touch and feel, it’s also a blast to make snowmen and watch as they melt into a soft puddle. We’re also betting any tiny Frozen toys your kids have stashed around the house would make an excellent addition to this activity. For a complete run-down on how to make this oozing goo, skedaddle over to Little Bins for Little Hands.
Got a pair of white socks? If so, get started making these adorable snowmen that require just a handful of supplies. Darkroom & Dearly blog has the full tutorial here.
Deck out your mantel with an easy snowman garland that's easy enough for your two-year-old to make. The blog Pure Heart has all of the directions here.
Build and melt a snowman faster than you can say Olaf. With just a few household items, whip up a batch of foaming dough, courtesy of Fun at Home with Kids. Snow-dough pro Asia Citro explains why it’s important to have waterproof tidbits for snowman parts, and why a squeeze bottle full of vinegar is the easiest way to create massive amounts of foam.
An assembly line never looked so good. Not only will little hands get a workout while molding snowmen, your kids will get a chance to use their fine-motor skills when they get busy adding all the extra parts. We love this easy (afternoon time-filler!) activity from Buggy and Buddy. Get the scoop over at Buggy and Buddy.
Parents and kids are tapping into their creative sides looking for fun ways to pass the time. Now kids can take their own idea for a toy or game and turn it into a concept that could end up being sold at major retailers like Target. The CHITAG Young Inventor Challenge happens annually each year as part of Chicago Toy & Game Week, but, the group has partnered with major industry players like Mattel, Magformers, Scholastic and the American Specialty Retailer Association (ASTRA) to launch a special spring edition, specifically to help inspire kids stuck at home due to COVID-19.
The CHITAG Spring Young Inventor Challenge is open to kids ages 6-18 as of Apr.15, 2020. To enter, kids need to create an original prototype toy or game and show the judges how to play with it using photos and sending in a pitch video. The deadline for entry is Jun. 15 and winners will be announced Jul. 1.
This is the 14th year for the Young Inventor Challenge, in which heavy hitters from top toy companies mentor each entrant. There’s even a Young Inventor Design Guide which walks parents and kids through the creative design process.
During the judging phase, toy companies have the option to work with inventors to bring their games to market.
Milk’s favorite cookie now comes in a new form: OREO Cookie Crumbles. The sweet treat has been spotted by instagrammers like, @markie_devo and while we haven’t tried it ourselves, we’re betting it tastes just as good as the original.
The 16-oz. bag boasts the crumbles are made with real cocoa and shows them being used on top of truffles and cookies, and even by the spoonful.
If your young Jedi’s Baby Yoda obsession is next level, they’ll be over the Endor moon for the Baby Yoda ice cream being dished up at this Southern California gelato shop.
Eiswelt Gelato is betting Star Wars fans will fall hard for their Baby Yoda-inspired ice cream cones and we think they’re right. The dessert shop in Westminster, California, which is already famous for its animal-shaped scoops, is now serving up a cone that resembles The Child from the Disney+ series The Mandalorian.
Customers can order the “Alien Baby” treat with any of the shops green colored flavors like matcha, avocado, pistachio or green tea. It can be made to order in a cup or a cone.