ML Interest Tag: bubble-gum

20+ Last-Minute Halloween Costumes You Can Totally Pull Off

by Oz Spies

Get your supply of white sheets ready, because you’re going to need them for a few of these last-minute Halloween costumes

Feeling frightened that it’s almost trick-or-treating time, and you don’t have your kid’s costume ready yet? Check out these easy last-minute Halloween costumes for kids. Many of them can be made with things you have stashed in your closets and dress-up bin, and take less time to make than it takes to eat a supersized candy apple.

Ghost Costume

This has to be the easiest costume of all time. Buy a new white sheet, cut out the spots for the eyes and mouth, and you’re done!

Gold Medal Last-Minute Halloween Costume

Your kiddo can be an Olympian in less time than it takes to sing the national anthem. Pull out a tracksuit, or a leotard if you’ve got a gymnast at home, then dig out a medal from a fun run or a 5k. Have her throw her arms in the air and give a cheer for this easy DIY Halloween costume!

DIY Strawberry

Strawberry last minute halloween costume
Pretty Life Girls

Five supplies are all you need to make this sweet strawberry from Pretty Life Girls. After a quick trip to the craft store, you can whip up this no-sew costume that is adorable, but more importantly is comfortable for kids and adults, too!

Jane Fonda

Primary

Legwarmers, a pair of leggings, and a onesie are all you need to get your heart rate pumping with this DIY aerobics instructor costume. Bigger kids can swap a swimsuit for a onesie. We love that the key ingredients for this costume can be worn again. If you're itching to do a little crafting, check out Primary's DIY felt boombox to take this costume from low-impact fun to step aerobics queen.

Related: 17 Incredibly Clever Cardboard Box Costumes

Baby Shark

Hellow Wonderful

Cardboard, gray and white paint, and sharp scissors are all you need to make this easy DIY Halloween costume. Bonus: a fierce shark costume comes with a soundtrack that all the trick-or-treaters will be singing, "do do do." Find out how you can make one of your own over at Hello Wonderful. Check out more of our favorite cardboard box costumes here.

 

Last-Minute Mummy Costume

This version might look complicated, but the very easy DIY option requires a white sheet, coffee, white underthings, and not much else! Check out a stress-free tutorial here.

Ballet Dancer

Iiona Virgin via Unsplash

Dig into your kiddo's dance bag, and you'll find the key ingredients for a ballerina costume. Add a fancy updo and voila: you have a future New York City Ballet dancer costume. If you don't have a tutu, check out this easy, no-sew DIY tutu tutorial.

Bubble Gum

Jeff Mindell via Studio DIY

Chew on this cute DIY costume! Gather up balloons, felt, and silver ribbon: that's about all you need to create your own bubblegum costume. While this version features a pink dress, we think a pink t-shirt would work just as well for a kids' Halloween costume. Find the step-by-step instructions at Studio DIY.

Related: Family Halloween Costumes That Are a Freakin’ Delight

Basic Monster

Amber Gutebier

Dig out an old pair of pants and your trusty black Sharpie for this easy DIY Halloween costume. With a snip of scissors and a light coat of green makeup, you'll soon have Frankenstein's monster lurching out your front door. Get the tutorial here.

 

Bath Time

Cheerful and Co Via Primary

Clear and white balloons pop all over a set of white PJs for this easy DIY Halloween costume—it's bubble bath time on the go! Primary has all the instructions so you can make your own, and then take that rubber ducky for a spin around the block.

Emoji

Hello Wonderful

Pick your kiddo's favorite emoji and whip up this cute Halloween costume that's easy to customize. You'll be running after your smiley face trick-or-treating in no time. Hello, Wonderful shows you how you can make your own with not much more than cardboard and paint.

 

Trolls

Doranda Woestman via Watch Out for the Woestmans

Pull out a brightly colored skirt or a tutu and a light t-shirt or leotard, and your little ones will soon be trolls. The awesome hair-dos look impressive—but they're easy to pull off when you follow blogger Doranda's DIY tip. Troll or treat!

Related: Halloween Costumes for Girls Who Aren’t into Princesses

Paper Doll

Slapdash Mom

With not much more than a big piece of poster board, you can create a perfect paper doll costume. We love that this easy DIY Halloween costume costs way less than a pumpkin spice latte while still being extra eye-catching. Follow the step-by-step directions at Slapdash Mom.

Stick Figure

All for the Boys

This clever stick figure costume from All for the Boys is sure to get lots of laughs. We love that it's easy, affordable, and eye-catching. 

Star

Brit Co

Make your star a constellation this Halloween. Brit + Co's adorable, sparkly costume relies on a gold ribbon and glittery duds that your kiddo probably already has in her closet. They recommend using craft foam for the head-topping star—but cardboard plus gold paint will also work in a pinch.

Baby Doll

Hart Sew

This adorable wind-up doll is guaranteed to be one of the sweetest DIY costumes you'll find. Plus it's easy and cheap to make it yourself. Find how you can turn your toddler into a doll at Hart + Sew.

Related: 20 Halloween Costumes for Twins (Older Siblings & Parents, Too!)

Cat

last minute cat halloween costume
Paging Supermom

In less time than it takes to do the Monster Mash, you can make an adorable black cat costume. Paging Supermom calls it her Super Easy Kitty Cat Costume—and we couldn't agree more. It's a sweet option for preschoolers who change their minds about their costumes at the last minute. See our other favorite cat costumes here. 

Morton Salt Girl

last minute Morton Salt girl Halloween costume
Brit Co

We love this Morton Salt Girl costume because it's cute, clever, and takes almost no time to pull together. An extra bonus—since it relies on regular clothes, there's nothing that'll make sensitive kids uncomfortable while they're on the hunt for candy. But remember, as Brit + Co will tell you, the container of salt is a key accessory.

Jellyfish

A Casarella

This unusual animal costume is simple to make and packs a big punch. Dig out an umbrella and ribbon, then swim over to A Casarella to learn how to make your own easy jellyfish costume. We love her clever tip that'll give this daytime costume a spooky nighttime glow.

Cowboy (or Girl)

Dust off that denim, wrangle up a pair of boots and top it all off with a plaid shirt and a ten-gallon hat. You’ll have everything you need to be a cowgirl or boy costume—minus the horse, of course. If you’ve got a pool noodle left over from summer fun, you can turn it into a horse ready to ride off into the sunset. Yee Haw!

Pirate

Pirate Treasure Hunt
iStock

Shiver me timbers! It's easy to pull together a last-minute pirate costume. Grab a striped shirt and wrap a bandit around your kiddo's head. Pull out a pair of old pants and cut off the hem, using some shark teeth-style zigzags If you'd like a little extra flair, add eyeliner, a pile of necklaces, and make your tiny Blackbeard a cardboard cutlass. Don't forget to check our guide on how to talk like a sailor!

Athlete

RODNAE Productions via Pexels

Calling all sports fans! Dig out your kid's fave jersey—whether it's football, hockey, or basketball—and in no time you'll have a sporty Halloween costume. You can add an accessory like a helmet or a hockey puck, a swipe of festive face paint, and then get out the door. Candy's waiting!

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10 Classic Yard Games for Kids

by Katie Brown

Capture the flag is always a popular choice

It’s time to drop the phone, drag the kids away from the tablets, and send them out the back door to play enough of the classic schoolyard games listed below to make them break a sweat and earn that popsicle. Sure, “Green Light, Red Light” and “Mother May I” are on the list, but we’re betting there are a few you haven’t played in years. 

1. Steal the Bacon

Divide your group into two teams and make sure each player gets a number. Set up a boundary line for each team and place the “bacon” in the middle (this could be a ball or some other toy. Call out a number, and the player for each team with that number will make a dash for the bacon. The first player who gets back over their boundary line wins that round.

2. Blind Man’s Bluff

This classic schoolyard game is like the thinking man’s tag or a slow-mo version of it anyway. All you need is a blindfold and three players to start. Put the blindfold on the Seeker; then spin him or her around a few times while the other players scatter. Now it’s time to seek. Using her keen other senses, the Seeker tries to tag the scattered players who are rooted in place. Sure, they can duck and dodge her outstretched arms, but they can’t move their feet. It’s a giggle-worthy game everyone can play!

3. Capture the Flag

This game requires a few players, so it’s a great one for larger families. Each team attempts to capture the other team’s flag, which is located at the other end of the playing field, at the “home base.” Players can tag members of the other team when on their side, sending them to jail. Get your teammates out of jail by crossing into enemy territory and tagging each one. The first team to capture the flag wins!  

4. Sly Fox

Fun fact: in France, this game is called, “One, Two, Three, Piano!” To play, one person is chosen to be the “fox” and faces away from the other players, standing by a wall or an imaginary line. The other players must stand in a line at a distance. When the fox isn’t looking, the other children must run or walk to get closer to the fox. If the fox turns around, however, the other children must freeze. If the fox sees someone moving, that child must go back to his/her starting place. The first child who tags the fox without being seen moving wins that round and becomes the fox for the next round!

5. Hopscotch

Using chalk, draw a hopscotch design on asphalt or concrete (see here for an example). The first child takes a turn throwing a small stone or similar object (i.e. a bean bag, shell, small toy) onto the first square. (The child loses his/her turn if the stone lands on a line or outside the square, and passes the stone to the next child in line.) The child hops on one foot into the first empty square (i.e. skipping square one) and every subsequent square, jumping with both feet at the pairs (4-5 and 7-8). When the child reaches square 10, he/she hops with both feet, turns around, and heads back to the beginning. When he/she reaches the marked square, the child picks up the stone while still standing on one foot and completes the course. If the child completes the whole course without falling or missing a square, he/she throws the stone to the subsequent square (i.e. square two) on his/her next turn. The first child to get all the way to square ten wins!  

6. Simon Says

Give your bossiest cherub a permissible outlet! One child is designated “Simon” and stands in front of the rest of the group. Simon then issues commands to the players, i.e. “Simon says pat your belly three times with your left hand.” The children must only follow commands preceded by the phrase, “Simon says.” If Simon simply says, “Touch your nose,” any players who follow the command are out of the game. The objective is to stay in the game as long as possible.

7. Mother May I

One child is chosen to be the “mother” “father” or “captain.” The other children stand in a line at a distance. Each child takes a turn asking the mother if they may make a certain movement, always preceding their request with, “Mother may I …” (i.e. “Mother may I take five bunny hops?”). If the child forgets to say, “Mother may I …” before the request, he/she must return to the starting line. The mother either says, “Yes, you may,” or “No, you may not, but you may… instead.” The first person to reach the mother wins and becomes the mother in the next round.

8. Jump Rope Rhymes

There are too many songs to count: Bubble Gum, Cinderella Dressed in Yella, Down in the Valley, and Grace Dressed in Lace. And these energy burners boast an assortment of educational perks: coordination, memory, balance, and teamwork, to name a few!

9. Red Light, Green Light

In this classic schoolyard game, one child is designated the “stop light” and stands at a distance from the other children, who are in a line. When the stoplight says, “Green light!” everyone moves toward the stoplight. All children must immediately stop when the stoplight says, “Red light!” (or the child must return to the starting point). Start a new round when one child reaches the stoplight.

10. Hide and Seek

Let your kids entertain themselves with endless rounds of what might be the most classic game of all time. Even older kids who may have outgrown this game will be up for it, and you can play it inside, too.

Related: 25 Backyard Games Perfect for Sunny Days

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33 Foods That ’80s Kids Will Recognize

by Allison Sutcliffe

The synthesized pop music. The colorful neon clothes. The totally tubular language adults needed a key to—like—decipher. We love everything about the ’80s, especially ’80s food and candy. Take a trip down memory lane with some of our gastronomical favorites from the most rad decade you ever lived through.

Hostess Pudding Pie

YouTube

Flaky crust, creaming pudding filling, tons of corn syrup, and shortening? What didn't we love about this now-discontinued '80s food? 

Slice Soda

Ebay

Introduced by Pepsi Co. in 1984, and replaced by Sierra Mist in most markets by 2000, Slice was THE fruit-flavored soda to drink in the '80s. 

Smurf-Berry Crunch Cereal

via ebay

The only thing better than watching the Smurfiest show around on Saturday mornings was sitting down to do it with a bowl of Smurf-Berry Crunch in your lap. Total kid bliss.

 

TCBY Yogurt

courtesy tcby.com

Your kids enjoy theirs with every topping under the sun. But when FroYo debuted on the scene the flavors were the main (and only) feature, and TCBY was where you went to get it.

Bagel Bites

YouTube

Pizza in the morning, pizza in the evening ... you remember it. While Bagel Bites were largely popular well into the '90s, they had their birth in the good ole '80s, and we're darn proud of that. There was nothing quite rushing home, popping some Bagel Bites in the oven, and subsequently burning the roof of your mouth with piping hot cheese.

Available at target.com

Ecto Cooler

Amazon

There was no shortage of sugary drinks in the '80s, but none so exciting as Hi-C's repackage of their Citrus Cooler into Ecto Cooler. You could watch your fave episodes of The Real Ghostbusters and sip the drink in all its glory.

 

Quisp Cereal

eBay

You could never quite figure out what this guy was and why he wasn’t the star of one of your favorite video games. These are just a few of many deep kid thoughts you had over bowl after bowl of this crunchy corn cereal.

Push Pop Candy

Amazon

The original packing for this popular '80s candy looked like it walked right off the set of Saved by the Bell. But you liked it because the cool checkerboard wrapping matched your Vans.

Available at amazon.com

Lean Cuisine

courtesy YouTube

You probably passed by this one when you were rummaging through the freezer on the hunt for popsicles. But this diet food fad of the ’80s wasn’t lost on moms.

Available at amazon.com

Fruit Wrinkles

YouTube

They may not have looked like much, but Fruit Wrinkles were a pretty tasty snack for the '80s. A sister product to the famed Fruit Roll-Up, the bite-sized bits were supposed to look like wrinkly fruit. 

Pac-Man Cereal

Amazon

A true cross-marketing colossus, Pac-Man cereal fed '80s kids’ Pac-Man fever—literally. Between the cereal, the song and the game, kids could eat, sleep and breathe Pac-Man… for a few years anyway.

 

 

Jello-O Pudding Pops

via YouTube

As if pudding wasn’t awesome enough already, the marketing gurus over at Jell-O made it into a popsicle in the ’80s. Rich, creamy and touted as healthy, these were a go-to fave any time of year.

Squeezeits

General Mills

Squeezeits made lunch and snack time worth it. The plastic, juice-filled bottles came in tons of flavors and were guaranteed to stain your mouth, all while giving you a sugar high.

 

Cool Ranch Doritos

YouTube

Everyone's favorite salad dressing that became a drench-everything-in-it dip became a tortilla chip. Ad spokesman Jay Leno encouraged our obsession with the tagline: "Crunch all you want, we'll make more."

Crystal Light

ebay

You'll be hard-pressed to find a 1980s kid who doesn't know the peppy jingle set to pop music: "I believe in Crystal Light, cause I believe in me." 

Fruit Roll-Ups

General Mills History

A lunchbox staple and must-have, we folded, twisted and tucked the sticky, chewy fruit roll-ups into the right size to stick it to the roof of our mouth for hours after lunch ended. It really did make fruit fun.

Dr. Pepper Gum

ebay

No soda machine? No problem! One bite into a Dr. Pepper piece of bubble gum sent a burst of the spicy cola out of the gum's liquid center to quench your thirst.

Cheez Balls

YouTube

So what if they turned your fingers bright orange and left a cheesy residue all over your hands––Planters Cheez Balls were an easy, airy snack and they came in giant canisters which meant no fighting with your siblings over who got to eat the most.

Toaster Strudel

Taste of General Mills

Your unassuming toaster oven became an instant bakery when you popped in a frozen Toaster Strudel and out came a flaky pastry filled with warm fruit goodness that you got to top with sugary icing. Breakfast was served indeed.

Mr. T Cereal

ebay

You pitied the fool who didn't get to start the day with a big bowl of Mr. T cereal. Let's face it—we all just wanted the stickers inside the box.

Big League Chew

ebay

Move over candy cigarettes, kids of the '80s got more than a mouthful pretending Big League Chew was tobacco. How many of you actually packed an entire bag of the shredded gum into your lower lip? 

Gobstoppers

ebay

Anyone else in awe that the sweet shell of an ingenious Gobstopper changed colors multiple times before arriving at its sour center? Entertainment for hours.

Capri Sun

Anthony Jauneaud via Flickr

If kids today only knew how hard it was to get the straw into the original packaging of a Capri Sun. But the Wild Cherry juice in the metallic pouch really added some punch to school lunches and snack time. 

Lunchables

EWG

In retrospect, Lunchables were like the PlanetBox of the '80s. Circular disks of bologna, squares of neon orange cheese, crackers to stack 'em on and a dessert and drink all tucked perfectly secure into their own compartments. 

Handi-Snacks

Wikimedia Commons

Ahhh, Handi-Snacks. We all pretended to be master chefs spreading that hard blob of cheese ever so gently across a buttery cracker without breaking it. In an effort to be eco-friendly, the red stick is no longer included, but a petition is trying to bring it back.

Diet Coke

ebay

Diet Coke first hit the scene in 1982 and one or both of your parents probably bought it by the case and lived on it as some sort of magical elixir. 

Keebler's Magic Middles

Amazon

The cookie was elevated to an art form in Keebler's Magic Middles which thrilled us all with the chocolatey frosting inside. Two desserts in one.

Jolly Rancher Fire Stix

Candy Favorites

More like a punishment than a treat, Jolly Rancher Fire Stix sticks set your mouth on fire—and cut your tongue once you sucked on them long enough to turn them into a sharp shard.

Sara Lee All Butter Pound Cake

ebay

If you ate all your veggies, you were promised a thick slice of thawed Sara Lee All Butter Pound Cake that every kid of the '80s came to know and love as an after-dinner dessert.

Hot Pockets

YouTube

Hot Pockets were the ultimate DIY after-school snack. You slid the pizza into that silver sleeve from the space age and watched mind-blowing microwave technology do its thing. 

Nerds

ebay

You may still have one of these teeny-tiny pebble-like candies stuck in one of your molars today. You got to pour them straight in your mouth––and if you were really crazy, you slid open BOTH sides of the box to get a mix of each flavor at once. 

Microwave Popcorn

Wikipedia

The decade started with a real bang in 1981 when General Mills got the first patent for a microwave popcorn bag. Sure, it wasn't the perfect pop every time, but the convenience factor outweighed the frustration of unpopped kernels.

 

 

RELATED STORIES:

15 Foods You Only Ate if You Grew Up in the ’70s

Do You Remember These Classic Sidewalk Toys from the 80s & 90s?

21 Random Snacks We Ate in the 1970s & 1980s

28 Radical Toys from the 70s & 80s

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Secret Stairways and Colorful Murals: Urban Hikes for Everyone

by Nicole Findlay

Hiking is always fun but throw in hidden staircases and gorgeous murals, and you’ve got yourself a real adventure! Explore the city on foot and soak in the beauty of the stairs, the views from the top and our Bay Area’s very own local artists. Here’s a guide to a few of our favorite spots!

 

Staircases

Nicole Findlay

The Hidden Steps on 16th Avenue

You'll find the Hidden Garden Steps at 16th Avenue and Kirkham Street in the Inner Sunset. The steep staircase, adorned with beautiful mosaic tiles, depicts colorful flowers, plants, insects and more!

At the top, turn right and follow 16th Avenue through the Golden Gate Heights neighborhood. Here, you'll reach another set of beautifully tiled stairs where you can climb from the sea (at the bottom) to the stars (at the top).

And when you get to the top of that staircase, why not turn right, and catch a third set of stairs? This not-as-pretty concrete set leads you to the tip-top of Granview Park. The views of the Pacific Ocean, the bay, and the entire city below are jaw-dropping. Pat each other (and yourself!) on the back. That was quite an urban climb!

The Steps to Macondray Lane

Have you seen "Tales of the City?" You know, the 1993 miniseries (with a sequel in 2019) featuring Laura Linney, Olympia Dukakis, Paul Gross and Barbara Garrick? Well, Macondry Lane was the inspiration for Barbary Lane in "Tales of the City." It's a secluded, greenery-lined pedestrian walkway in Russian Hill between Leavenworth and Taylor Streets. At the Taylor side, there's a set of wooden stairs, and from the top, you can see the beautiful bay.

Holding hands on stairs
Amy Humphries on Unsplash

Explore Berkeley's Thousand Oaks

At the top of Solano Avenue in North Berkeley starts the most unexpected urban stroll through parks, streams, volcanic boulders, and traditional Ohlone Indian sites. You'll even find chickens to feed on the route! From Solano Avenue at The Alameda, go straight on Indian Rock Path, a narrow lane cutting between houses with a dead end on Indian Rock Park, a climber's Mecca. Look for stone steps carved on the right side of the rock and walk to the top. The 360-degree view of the bay is breathtaking. Continue up Indian Rock Avenue and turn onto San Diego Road. On your left, you'll discover John Hinkel Park with its lush canyon and stone amphitheater. Go down into the park to Somerset Avenue and turn right onto Arlington Avenue, then left into Yosemite Road. This is where a clever resident set a chicken coop at street level with a bubble gum dispenser filled with chicken feed and treats for good dogs. Get your quarters out! After Great Stoneface Park, find Indian Trail at the south (left) corner of San Fernando Avenue and walk down Berkeley's wild side. Turn left on The Alameda, left (up) Yosemite Steps after Capistrano Avenue and down Contra Costa Avenue back to Indian Rock Path. Turn right to Solano Avenue.

Scale South San Francisco's Sign Hill

We bet you've seen this place hundreds of times as you've zoomed up 101 toward San Francisco: A hill covered with white letters, reading "SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO THE INDUSTRIAL CITY," —it's the Hollywood sign's way-less-glamorous, NorCal cousin.

But did you know that this city park situated on the face of San Bruno Mountain is also a rare grassland habitat with endangered animals, stairs, and kid-friendly hiking trails? Getting to the letters is easy from Grand Avenue, just a short, uphill walk through a quiet suburban neighborhood. The Letters Trail is quick and takes you right up to the big white signs. (If you're looking for something longer, there are three other trail options to choose from: Ridge, Seubert and Iris Hill). Three-year-olds should be able to walk this trail on their own.

Dipsea Stairs

This staircase is not necessarily urban, but it's hidden in Mill Valley—and one of our favorites in the Bay Area. For the more experienced hiking family, this 3.70-mile loop tackles 680 stairs—but wow! How amazing are you going to feel when you reach the top? This trail takes an average of 1 hour and 53 minutes to complete, and feel free to bring your furry four-legged family members (as long as they stay on leash).

Climb Telegraph Hill

Paper streets may sound tame but they’re a guaranteed workout! Go down Sansome Street three blocks to a concrete-and-steel stairway called Filbert Steps where you start your ascension.  Wooden cottages, rose bushes, and sculpted gardens line both sides of the stairs. Kids will love the “Teacup poodle OK” mural around a water hydrant on your right. Continue the stairs up to Coit Tower—enjoy the view—and come back down the Greenwich steps. These turn into Greenwich Street, leading you to Levi Plaza’s park, a zen place with fountains to splash in and rocks to relax on.

Murals

Hari Nandakumar on Unsplash

Mission District, San Francisco

Balmy Alley: Located between 24th and 25th Streets, this block-long alley is one of the best spots to see murals. The murals began in the mid-1980s to express anger over human rights violations and political corruption in central America. Today, new murals pop up all the time and can include gentrification and government injustice.

Clarion Alley: The Mission of Clarion Alley Mural Project (CAMP) transformed Clarion Alley into a space filled with murals. There's been over 900 since 1992.

Walking around the Mission District is like stepping into an outdoor art gallery. If you'd like to see even more murals and learn about each piece—take a walking tour. 

Ed Bierman via Creative Commons

Beach Chalet, San Francisco

Murals from the Works Progress Administration era cover the entire first floor of the Beach Chalet building. Enjoy the free art show before grabbing a bite to eat. The Beach Chalet restaurant (upstairs) and Park Chalet (downstairs and outside) are both delicious. The beach is just across the street, too! What could be better? Gorgeous murals, a delicious lunch, and a family frolic in the sand!

North Beach, San Francisco

Tucked into alleys on Columbus Street, you may have to search a little to find the murals in this neighborhood. But when you do, it's worth the effort. Our favorite, though, is not hard to spot. Stand on Columbus and Broadway and look above the New Sun Hong Kong Restaurant. We promise you can't miss it!

Chinatown, San Francisco

More and more colorful murals have popped up in Chinatown in the past decade. Take a stroll through this lively neighborhood and see how many you can spot! Our favorite is the giant blue dragon On Trenton Street and Pacific Avenue.

Brian Tromp via Unsplash

MacArthur Bart Station, 555 40th St, Oakland

Two murals inside the station are almost identical. Can your family find the differences? What do you think the murals look like? Peacock feathers, hot air balloon, a symbol of diversity? The beauty of art is that it's up to your interpretation. 

Downtown Oakland

The walk between the 12th and 19th Street Bart Stations has some really striking artwork. You'll find murals honoring the lives of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, John Lewis, the Oakland skyline and more! 

Flax Art & Design, 1501 Martin Luther King Jr Way, Oakland

The kids will surely get excited when they see the huge T-Rex dinosaur painted in rainbow hues. 

Jack London Square, 4th and Webster, Oakland

The giant Oakland Dreams mural is definitely Instagram-worthy. It represents youth holding on to their dreams. Beautiful and inspirational!

—Nicole Findlay & Sarah MacDonald

RELATED STORIES:
The Best SECRET Parks In San Francisco
Uncovering Magical Places: Hidden East Bay Parks and Gardens
Hidden Parks & Gardens of the Peninsula 

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23 Allergy-Friendly Halloween Candies to Dish Out This Year

By Susie Hultquist

Halloween is back this year and we’re making up for the last few years with the amount of candy we’re going to eat! For maximum enjoyment (including for those with allergies), check out our annual Allergy-Friendly Halloween Candy Guide! Please note there have been several acquisitions in Candyland as of late and many mainstream brands have new labeling. It’s all treats and no tricks with our guide’s information that’s updated as of 10/2021.

VERIFIED BRANDS

1. YumEarth
Product: Candy Corn
Ingredients Do Not Contain: Top 9, Gluten
Contains: No Top 9
Precautionary Label: None
Facility Dedicated Free From: Top 9
Verified Brand Allergen Information

2. Enjoy Life
Product: Ricemilk Crunch Halloween Chocolate Minis
Ingredients Do Not Contain: Top 9, Mustard, Lupin, Sulphites, Crustaceans, Gluten
Contains: No Top 9
Precautionary Label: None
Facility Dedicated Free from: Top 9, Mustard, Lupin, Gluten
Verified Brand Allergen Information

3. Vermont Nut Free
Product: Trick or Treat Skipper Pack
Ingredients Do Not Contain: Peanut, Tree Nut, Egg, Fish, Shellfish, Wheat, Sesame, Mustard, Legumes
Contains: Milk, Soy
Precautionary Label: None
Facility Dedicated Free From: Peanut, Tree Nut, Fish, Shellfish, Sesame, Mustard, Legumes
Verified Brand Allergen Information

4. free2b
Product: Bag O’Treats
Ingredients Do Not Contain: Top 9, Mustard, Corn, Gluten
Contains: No Top 9
Precautionary Label: None
Facility Dedicated Free From: Top 9, Mustard, Corn, Gluten
Verified Brand Allergen Information

5. Zolli Candy
Product: Halloween Zollipops
Ingredients Do Not Contain: Top 9, Mustard, Gluten
Contains: No Top 9
Precautionary Label: This product does not carry a warning label, however if you manage a soy allergy please see allergen FAQ.
Facility Dedicated Free From: Peanut, Tree Nut (excluding coconut), Egg, Fish, Shellfish, Wheat, Sesame, Mustard, Gluten
Verified Brand Allergen Information

6. NoWhey! Foods
Product: Milkless Minis
Ingredients Do Not Contain: Top 9, Mustard, Gluten
Contains: No Top 9
Precautionary Label: None
Facility Dedicated Free From: Top 9, Mustard, Gluten
Verified Brand Allergen Information

7. Undercover Snacks
Product: Dark Chocolate + Blueberries Individually-Wrapped Crisps
Ingredients Do Not Contain: Top 9, Mustard, Gluten
Contains: No Top 9
Precautionary Label: Processed on shared equipment with milk chocolate. May contain traces of milk
Facility Dedicated Free From: Peanut, Tree Nut, Egg, Soy, Fish, Shellfish, Wheat, Sesame, Mustard, Corn, Poppyseeds, Gluten
Verified Brand Allergen Information

8. Amanda’s Own
Product: Happy Halloween Bag
Ingredients Do Not Contain: Top 9, Mustard, Corn, Gluten
Contains: No Top 9
Precautionary Label: None
Facility Dedicated Free From: Top 9, Mustard, Legumes, Gluten
Verified Brand Allergen Information

DEDICATED FACILITIES (Allergens Vary)

9. Saf-T Pops
Product: Regular Saf-T Pops
Ingredients Do Not Contain: Top 9
Contains: No Top 9
Precautionary Label: None
Facility Dedicated Free From: Peanut, Tree Nut, Milk, Egg, Fish, Shellfish, Wheat, Sesame
Allergen Statement

10. Red Bird
Product: Soft Assorted Puffs
Ingredients Do Not Contain: Top 8
Contains: No Top 8
Precautionary Label: None
Facility Dedicated Free From: Top 8
Allergen Statement

11. Smarties
Product: Original Smarties
Ingredients Do Not Contain: Top 9
Contains: No Top 9
Precautionary Label: Top 8 free if UPC starts with 0 11206.
Facility Dedicated Free From: Top 8
Allergen Statement

12. Righteous Cacao
Product: Vegan Puffed Quinoa Krispy Bites
Ingredients Do Not Contain: Top 8
Contains: No Top 8
Precautionary Label: None
Facility Dedicated Free From: Peanut, Tree Nut (except Coconut), Milk, Egg, Soy, Fish, Shellfish, Wheat, Gluten
Allergen Statement

13. Koochikoo
Product: Organic Lollipop
Ingredients Do Not Contain: Top 8
Contains: No Top 8
Precautionary Label: None
Facility Dedicated Free From: Peanut, Tree Nut, Milk, Soy, Gluten
Allergen Statement

14. Pez
Product: Halloween Party Pack
Ingredients Do Not Contain: Top 9, Mustard, Gluten
Contains: No Top 9
Precautionary Label: None
Facility Dedicated Free From: Peanut, Tree Nut, Soy, Gluten
Allergen Statement

15. Dots
Product: Original Dots
Ingredients Do Not Contain: Top 8
Contains: No Top 8
Precautionary Label: None
Facility Dedicated Free From: Peanut, Tree Nut, Wheat, Gluten
Allergen Statement

16. Raaka Chocolate
Product: Pink Sea Salt Minis
Ingredients Do Not Contain: Top 8
Contains: No Top 8
Precautionary Label: None
Facility Dedicated Free From: Peanut, Tree Nut (except coconut)
Allergen Statement

17. Tootsie
Product: Tootsie Fruit Chews
Ingredients Do Not Contain: Peanut, Tree Nut, Egg, Fish, Shellfish, Wheat, Gluten
Contains: Milk, Soy
Precautionary Label: None
Facility Dedicated Free From: Peanut, Tree Nut, Wheat, Gluten
Allergen Statement

18. Tootsie
Product: Tootsie Roll
Ingredients Do Not Contain: Peanut, Tree Nut, Egg, Fish, Shellfish, Wheat, Gluten
Contains: Milk, Soy
Precautionary Label: None
Facility Dedicated Free From: Peanut, Tree Nut, Wheat, Gluten
Allergen Statement

19. Tootsie
Product: Tootsie Pops
Ingredients Do Not Contain: Peanut, Tree Nut, Egg, Fish, Shellfish, Wheat, Gluten
Contains: Milk, Soy
Precautionary Label: None
Facility Dedicated Free From: Peanut, Tree Nut, Wheat, Gluten
Allergen Statement

20. Goetze’s
Product: Caramel Creams
Ingredients Do Not Contain: Peanut, Tree Nut, Egg, Fish, Shellfish
Contains: Milk, Soy, Wheat, Gluten
Precautionary Label: None
Facility Dedicated Free From: Peanut, Tree Nut
Allergen Statement

21. Dum Dums
Product: Dum Dums Original Pops
Ingredients Do Not Contain: Top 9, Gluten
Contains: No Top 9
Precautionary Label: There is a trace amount of soy oil in the lubricant used on Dum-Dums cooking kettles. This soy oil has been refined, bleached, and deodorized and all of the proteins have been removed.
Facility Dedicated Free From: Peanut, Tree Nut, Milk, Egg, Fish, Shellfish, Wheat, Sesame,  Gluten
Allergen Statement

22. Dubble Bubble
Product: Dubble Bubble Gum
Ingredients Do Not Contain: Top 8
Contains: No Top 8
Precautionary Label: Soy may be present.
Facility Dedicated Free From: Peanut, Tree Nut, Wheat, Gluten
Allergen Statement

23. Blow Pop
Product: Blow Pops
Ingredients Do Not Contain: Top 8
Contains: No Top 8
Precautionary Label: Milk and soy may be present.
Facility Dedicated Free From: Peanut, Tree Nut, Wheat, Gluten
Allergen Statement

For even more allergy-friendly candy you can dish out and eat, check out the full list on Spokin.

This post originally appeared on Spokin.

Spokin is a modern platform and app connecting people managing food allergies to resources including food, restaurants, hotels and more. Users have personalized experiences based on allergies & location. With 55,000+ reviews across 79 countries, Spokin helps the allergy community share and connect. The Spokin iOS app is free on iTunes.

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Move Over Kids: This New Play-Doh Makeup Palette Is Just for Mom

by Sarah Shebek

If you’re ready to add a little whimsy to your beauty routine, you’ll love this new line from HipDot! The popular cosmetics company that’s known for its unexpected collaborations has partnered with Hasbro for a fun new game-based line. Whether you want to add a Monopoly money hue for your next business pitch or a Play-Doh neon pop for your next night out, these products are sure to please.

You have three different eyeshadow palettes to choose from: Monopoly Money Moves, Ouija or Play-Doh Super Color. Each comes in a case that riffs off the design of the actual games, including a mini Monopoly board! The palettes feature mattes and shimmers, with the addition of foils and glitters in the Monopoly set and satins and duochromes in the Ouija set.

The names of the colors might be the best part. Take Luxury Tax in the Monopoly set, which is a money green with sparkle pigment. Bubble Gum Pink is a medium pink satin in the Play-Doh set. And Seance is a reddish copper shimmer in the Oujia set.

If you can’t decide which one to buy, you can also buy all three for $74. They’re available now on Hipdot.com. All of the company’s products are vegan and cruelty-free, in addition to super fun. But if you’re interested, you might want to pull out your (real) bills because this new line is in high demand!

— Sarah Shebek

Featured image courtesy of Hasbro/Hipdot

 

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The Hottest School Supplies Right Now

by Camesha Gosha

Somehow, we’re coming to the end of summer already, and we’ll be back to school before we know it. While the new school year is still going to look a bit different than before, back-to-school supplies are still a must. The coolest supplies always help to get kids ready to leave the summer daze behind, so we’ve searched for some of the best school supplies that you can snag on Amazon right now. Keep reading to see them all.

Save this entire list on Pinterest.

Pastel Tie-Dye The Happy Planner 12-Month Student Planner

Perfect for middle and high schoolers, The Happy Planner's classic options leave plenty of room for navigating homework, while leaving tons of room for creativity. We love the plethora of cover options and tons of sticker books to make planning fun.

Get it on Happy Planner, 

Mood Tracker Planner

Amazon

This school year will feel different for many reasons. The Mood Tracker Planner gives kids the space to plan their days and process their feelings in a safe space.

Get it on Calendars.com $14.99.

Crayola Take Note Erasable Highlighters

Amazon

Talk about life-changing, these erasable highlights are going to be the top school supply this year, we know it! 

Available on Crayola, $5.99. 

Fidget Backpack Charm

Amazon

These poppers are all the rage and your little one will love having one on their backpack to fiddle with while they wait for you to pick them up from school. 

Available on Shopabunda.com, $14.98 for five. 

Smencils Scented Pencils

Amazon

Remember growing up with scratch and sniff stickers? Then you'll appreciate these sweet-smelling pencils. The scents, which include Bubble Gum, Blue Slushie, Pineapple Swirl and Jelly Donut are guaranteed to last two years. These #2 pencils pull double duty. They smell great and they're great for the environment because they're made from 100% recycled newspapers.

Available on Scentcoinc.com, $14.99.

Rocketbook

Amazon

This smart notebook is just that. It only has 32 pages, but that's all you'll need. Kids can draw and write over and over again on the reusable pages that come in plain, lined and dotted. With the Rocketbook app, your kids' artwork can automatically be saved to the cloud, so you can save some trees and room on your fridge. 

Available at Getrocketbook.com, $24.73.

FriXion Erasable Gel Pens

Amazon

Everything is better in color! Including these gel ink pens. Kids can let their artistic flair flow with no stress. Even if they happen to color outside the lines, no worries, these pens are totally erasable!

Available at amazon.com, $9.83.

Bear Pencil Sharpeners

Amazon

These cute bear-themed sharpeners will help you stay on point and keep your pencils and crayons looking brand new all year long.

Available at amazon.com, $6.99.

Animal Erasers

Amazon

These awesome erasers will cleanly take away your mistakes. They even go a step further with a roller to clean up your eraser rollings so your masterpiece stays that way. 

Available at amazon.com, $6.89.

Pusheen Backpack Charm

Amazon

A great way to stand out in sea of backpacks? Charms for your backpack are the perfect way to accessorize for school. This adorable Pusheenicorn will make a dose of magic to the school year.

Available at amazon.com, $8.73. 

Strawberry Scented Notebook

Amazon

Taking notes will put you in a good mood with this bright notebook. It doesn't hurt that it oozes a delicious strawberry fragrance. 

Available at amazon.com, $8.79.

Zipit Wildlings Pencil Case

Amazon

These pencil cases are the cutest monsters you want to carry with you. They can stash up to 30 pencils and keep them zipped up till you need them. It's a practical case with a unique one zipper design with five colors to choose from. 

Available at Walmart.com, $7.99.

Fire HD 10 Kids Edition Tablet

Amazon

Kids can keep their minds sharp with educational games, apps, TV shows and movies on the Fire HD 10 Kids Edition tablet. 

Available at amazon.com, $199.99.

Sensory Fidget Robot Pencil Toppers

Amazon

When the busy school schedule kicks in, things can get a little stressful. These rubbery pencil toppers will help ease some of that stress. They help with nail and pencil biting by offering something safe to chew. The toppers are made with 100% safe silicon and are washable. One less thing to stress over already.

Available at Munchables, $13.30.

Glow-In-The-Dark Glue

Amazon

Your kids' love of slime isn't going anywhere any time soon. May as well make it cool with Elmer's Glow-In-The-Dark glue. 

Available at Walmart, $13.95.

First Day of School Chalkboard Sign

Amazon

No first day back to school is complete without the perfect photo-op. These made-to-order posters will do the trick for a Pinterest-perfect post. 

Available at Paperblast.com $20.

Panda Stapler

Amazon

There couldn't be a cuter way for keeping kids' papers together. This mini panda stapler will help keep school work organized - adorably.

Available on amazon.com, $4.99.

—Camesha Gosha

Featured photo: Amazon

 

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Nostalgia Alert! Now You Can Get a Retro Ceramic Easter Tree

by Erica Loop

Move over Easter bunny. There’s a whole new way to decorate for the holiday this year. Those precious ceramic Christmas trees you may have begged to pick up and play with at grandma’s house during your own childhood are back—and with an Easter-themed twist! Now you can buy totally nostalgic Easter trees almost everywhere.

The trees look just like their Christmas cousins, but with a pastel Easter-time twist. Along with retro ceramic design, these trees are decked out in twinkling mini lights. Where can you get these awesomely adorable Easter trees? The nostalgic mini decorations are available all over the Internet.

Amazon

If you're into a bubble gum (or jellybean!) pink tree, this Retro Lighted Ceramic Easter, Large Tabletop Tree is $39.66 on Amazon.

HSN

Along with the tree on Amazon, you can also nab a set of three four-inch trees with a timer ($24.95) from HSN.

 You can snag a 12 1/2-inch tall ceramic retro Easter tree( $49.95) from Hammacher Schlemmer

Need more than one? Pick up a set of four mini trees for $39 from QVC.

—Erica Loop

 

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18 Delightfully Silly Ways to Celebrate Opposite Day

by Amber Guetebier

Ever wondered what it’s like to walk a mile in your kids shoes? While that might be a tight fit, Jan. 25 is officially National Opposite Day, so we’ve come up with a few ways you can do the unexpected. Read on for our ideas you can do with the kids today or any day. 

David J. via Flickr

1. Borrow their lunchbox for your lunch (and give them yours or use a paper lunch bag for their lunch). 

2. Write with crayons all day. Let them color with a ballpoint.

3. Brush with their bubble-gum or apple flavored toothpaste. If they are old enough, give them a pea-sized drop of your minty toothpaste.

4. Eat a PB&J for lunch with carrot sticks or string cheese and be sure your fruit serving is squeezable. (See if you can con them into a fig and goat cheese salad).

5. Swap hats.

6. Eat breakfast for dinner. And while you're at it, pour the milk before the cereal, put the syrup and butter on the plate before the pancakes, etc. Just don't pour the juice before you put out the cup!

7. Attempt to ride their bike or scooter (and let them snap a photo as evidence).

8. Use their mini-backpack as your purse.

9. Swap socks. If their socks are are really tiny, you can put a pair on your thumbs just for laughs.

10. Take them to the grocery store let them “shop” for dinner. Just be prepared to eat Cheez-Its and marshmallows.

StockSnap via Pixabay

11. Let them "read" you a bedtime story. Even kids that aren't reading yet can tell you a story based on pictures in the book.

12. Switch favorite mugs/cups. While you might not want to drink your latte out of a sippy cup, you'll get some laughs when you drink water from one while the kids drink milk from a coffee mug.

13. Use opposite names all day. They can go by Mr. or Mrs. or just call them Mom or Dad.

14. Unless they sleep in a toddler bed (or if you're a petite person) try a bed swap. Or just put their pillow at the opposite end of the bed.

15. Exchange chores. Let them sweep or mop or fold clothes while you make their bed and put away toys. (Wait, you do that anyway? Well, then just sit there and color while they do the housework!)

16. Let them take dozens of pictures of you throughout the day and send them to grandma, aunties and best friends.

17. Head to the playground and have them push you on the swing and cheer you as you slide.

18. Switch clothes: Tie a scarf or necktie on their waist or in their hair while you wear a tutu as a scarf or head to work with a pirate patch on your eye.

Got a silly or sweet picture from National Opposite Day? Share it with us on Instagram with the tag #redtricycle! 

 

—Amber Guetebier

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