Kids and online shopping don’t exactly go hand in hand—especially if they can buy with one click and order $2,600 worth of Spongebob popsicles, for example. But kids 11 and under have purchasing power, approximately $1.2 trillion according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

That’s why CAMP, an interactive toy store, has launched the new Present Shop, the first safe and secure e-commerce shopping platform for kids. Now kids can shop and send the perfect gift straight to parents, teachers or friends, with a few parameters set up by the resident adult, of course.

First, the parent or guardian visits camp.com/presents to choose the event, budget, shipping and payment info. From there, kids receive a unique code to enter the Present Shop and the fun begins! Budget money is converted to digital coins and kids experience a unique game-like interface to spend them. They’re guided by Scout, CAMP’s animated mascot, who provides visual and audio cues.

“Grown-ups used to give kids a little ‘walking around’ money to treat themselves every now and then,” said Ben Kaufman, CEO of CAMP. “Today, kids can’t use cash online, and there are very few real world stores that curate a kid-safe assortment of toys, gifts and treats. CAMP’s Present Shop reignites the magic we all felt as kids walking through a mall with a $10 bill.”

It’s a win win: parents save time on the shopping front and kids get take responsibility for gifts in a fun, safe environment. The Present Shop is Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) compliant and it helps your youngsters put value behind their choices. Not quite the same as visiting the local mall, but no parking headaches, either!

—Sarah Shebek

 

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Who lives a pineapple under the sea? Maybe you! Vrbo and Paramount Home Entertainment recently teamed up to re-create SpongeBob SquarePant’s iconic animated abode—80 feet above sea level in Seal Beach, California.

In celebration of the new film The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run (available starting Mar. 4 on Premium Video-On-Demand and Paramount+), Vrbo and Paramount Home Entertainment converted a historic water tower into a pineapple-shaped vaycay home.

While the Vrbo rental isn’t in Bikini Bottom, it does have just about everything else SpongeBob’s home does. The IRL version of the animated pineapple has a living room that features SpongeBob’s notable red couch, a Krusty Krab-themed kitchen and a pineapple-shaped entrance.

Lish Kennedy, VP of global brand marketing at Vrbo, said in a press release, “Families can book cabins, condos, castles, treehouses and train cars on Vrbo, but this is the first time we’ve had a gigantic pineapple on our platform.” Kennedy continued, explaining the new-normal way guests can experience this rental, “We’re glad people can tour the Pineapple Over the Sea virtually and enjoy the new movie at home together.”

Michelle Hagen, EVP Worldwide Partnerships, Paramount Pictures, added, “Now everyone can dive into SpongeBob’s world with the new movie and a fun virtual tour of Vrbo’s take on SpongeBob’s iconic home.”

Instead of the typical Vrbo weekend getaway rental, this pineapple creation is currently only available to view online. According to a press release from the brand, “Due to travel restrictions and regional stay-at-home orders in California, the Pineapple Over the Sea will not be available for guests to book.”

To take a virtual tour of the Pineapple Over the Sea rental, visit Vrbo’s website here.

—Erica Loop

Photos courtesy of Vrbo

 

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Traveling with small kids comes with plenty of challenges, the least of which is navigating through crowded airports. Luckily, the new Liki Trike is a complete game changer for parents and kids on the go.

Why maneuver through those crowds with a stroller when you can make things easy and fun with a tricycle? A ride on a trike can be much more enticing than getting strapped in a stroller and with a one-handed control bar, you’ll have your other hand free to carry all that luggage.

The best part of all is that this lightweight trike folds down easily and is so compact you can fit it in an overhead bin or car trunk. That’s right, no more gate checking your stroller and hoping it returns in one piece.

The Liki Trike features five different functional modes and is designed to grow with your toddler from ages 10 months to three years. For the youngest riders, parents can control the trike, but it can also be converted into a fully-functional (yet still foldable) tricycle.

The Liki Trike is available in two different models starting at $249.99. You can order one online here.

—Shahrzad Warkentin

All photos: Courtesy of Liki Trike

 

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Even if you’re a seasoned traveller, long flights with young ones can be challenging. One airline is looking to make it easier for parents to fly with kids by making air travel much more comfortable and it’s a wonder no one thought of this sooner.

Air New Zealand recently announced a brand new way for families to fly with the Skycouch. The seat modification allows both adults and kids to safely lay down in flight, even during takeoff and landing. Using a row of three economy seats, the space can be converted into a flat surface so that kids have a safe space to stretch their legs and play, take a nap or just curl up next to mom and dad for a cuddle.

The Skycouch isn’t entirely new. The design for the Skycouch Cuddle Belt, which keeps you safely in your seat even when laying down, was originally designed for couples flying together, but now it has been adapted for use by families with kids. It can safely be used by two children laying side by side. The airline has also introduced the new infant pod, which acts like a tiny bassinet where a baby can lay down to take a nap or simply give your tired arms a break.

“While we initially marketed the Skycouch to couples, we quickly found the product suited parents with young families especially well,” Air New Zealand general manager Anita Hawthorne told the Huffington Post. “Parents can relax while their children are able to have their own space and flat area to play without interrupting other passengers.”

The Skycouch will be available to travelers later this year. Hopefully it will inspire more airlines to follow suit. After all content kids in airplanes benefits everyone.

Would the Skycouch encourage you to travel more with kids? Share your thoughts in the comments.

—Shahrzad Warkentin

Featured photo: Pixabay

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Steamy bowls of pho, chicken tikka masala burritos, gourmet gelato popsicles and burgers piled high with produce—food halls offer options like these and much, much more. They are the perfect spot for families because they provide a break from meal monotony, offer something for everyone, and just might push the kids to try something new. We’ve gathered 15 of our favorite foodie spots that are totally worth a visit (or two!). See them all below.

Anaheim Packing District – Anaheim, Ca

Originally distributing the citrus fruit for which Orange County was named, the Packing District was converted to a community gathering space a few years ago with two levels of restaurants. Try some made-to-order fish and chips from The Chippy followed by gelato or sorbetto on a stick at Popbar. The chicken sandwiches from Sweetbird never disappoints. You can grab your eats and choose a spot at any of the communal tables or even swing in one of the wooden bench swings on the bottom level. Visiting without the kids? Definitely plan a stop at the super secret speakeasy The Blind Rabbit (if you can find it!).

Must Try: Snowballs from I Am (corn puffs with liquid nitrogen)

Online: anaheimpackingdistrict.com

photo: Kate Loweth

 

Do you have a favorite food hall that didn’t make our list? Give us the deets below!

— Kate Loweth

You’ve raised a reader and their love of books makes you one proud parent. But sometimes there are a few too many to fit the shelves, you’ve been gifted duplicates or they’ve just outgrown ’em. Why not start a Little Free Library in your community? Click through our gallery of inspiring Little Free Libraries and then check our our tips and tricks for starting your own below.

Portland, Oregon

photo: Annette Benedetti

Tips & Tricks

How it works: The Little Free Library organization started as a non-profit in 2009 to help increase literacy and encourage access to books for all ages and stages. The principle is pretty simple—take a book, leave a book. You can stock yours with a few favorites to start with and you’ll be surprised how quickly books change and exchange.

How to do it: You can build your own from scratch and Little Free Library even has plans and tips. You can also purchase a pre-made library in a variety of different designs or a basic one which you can customize with paint and your own flair. Be creative with your library: we’ve seen everything from libraries painted perfectly to match the owner’s house to converted curio cabinets: just make sure it is waterproof and has a glass door that makes it easy to see what is inside.

Do this: Once you’ve got your library built, be sure and register your library. You get an official plaque to hang on your library and you can even register it on the world map.

No yard? No problem. What about starting a Little Free Library at your kid’s school, a local community center, at a park, or in front of a city or county building? You can even approach a local business and see if they are interested in having one in front. Naturally, you’ll need the property owner and organization on board, so check with your local parks department, etc. but it can be a great way to give back to the community and involve the kiddos.

Do you have a Little Free Library in your neighborhood? Share a photo on Instagram with the tag #redtricycle so we can see it! 

—Amber Guetebier

Photo: Letrons

It doesn’t battle Decepticons (or fly), but heck, we’ll take it! A team of Turkish engineers has successfully converted a working BMW into a real life transformer in a span of only 8 months. Wowzers! The Turkish design and engineering firm, Letrons, has now created the most realistic fully-functioning transformer robots to date.

Photo: Bored Panda

Check out the transformers in all their glory in the video below.

Video: Letvision via YouTube

Is your mini-me a Transformers fan? Let us know in the comments below!

H/T: Bored Panda

Despite recent evidence to the contrary, we don’t typically cover the pigeon beat. However, arts nonprofit Creative Time, the Brooklyn Navy Yard and artist Duke Riley have partnered to present somewhat of a pigeon symphony in May, and we think it shouldn’t be missed. It’s free, and happening on multiple dates through early June, but you have to register for tickets in advance and they’re going fast! Read on to get the full scoop!

photo: Creative Time

Only In New York
Entitled “Fly By Night”, Riley’s project is the type of thing  that can pretty much only happen in New York, as it involves thousands of pigeons living in a converted ship docked at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, benefactors like Creative Time and the Yard, and a Brooklyn artist who also happens to have special bond with New York City’s unofficial avian mascot. (Riley rescued a pigeon as a child, and when he let it go it came back, resulting in a lifelong bond with the birds. As an adult, he lived and worked in a pigeon coop  for five years, and in 2013, trained homing pigeons to smuggle cigars from Havana to Key West as part of the piece Trading With the Enemy.)

What Will Happen
It sounds sort of hard to believe, but at dusk on Friday to Sunday through early June, Riley will blow a whistle, at which point thousands of pigeons will emerge from their ship home at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. The birds will be wearing small legs bands, similar to the ones historically used to enable pigeons to carry messages. (Yes: it may take a bit to get the kids to believe people actually communicated via hard copy and birds.) However, instead of carrying messages, the bands will be outfitted with tiny LED lights, and the birds will swoop and fly together, creating a twinkling piece of public art that of course will be different every evening.

photo: Creative Time

What’s It All About? 
“Fly By Night” plays homage to pigeon-keeping both here and further afield, as well as to the pursuit throughout history. (Apparently, the birds have been domesticated for thousands of years, used for companionship, sports and service.) New York, of course, has long been home to communities of pigeon keepers, known as “fanciers”, with rooftop pigeon lofts found throughout the five boroughs, the numbers of which are sadly waning.

(Concerned about the pigeons’ welfare? Don’t worry: so is Riley, and the team of people hired to look after the birds, which includes an avian veterinarian, and specially-trained handlers on site before, during and after the performance. At the conclusion of the piece, Riley will adopt many of the birds as pets; others will find homes with other fanciers schooled in the ways of pigeon-keeping. You can read more about the kinds of birds involved in the piece, how they’re cared for and more, here.)

Riley hopes “Fly By Night” will help the uninitiated feel some of the joy the birds bring their keepers. “The first time I flew birds, I looked up and forgot the rest of the world’s noise. Pigeon keeping is like a religion, and those who enter into this relationship find more peace in their birds than anything else. My hope is for the audience to look up at these beautiful creatures and experience that same rapture, a freedom like no other.”

Will It? Well, you won’t know unless you’re there. Reserve your spots now!

Duke Riley’s “Fly By Night”
Fri.-Sun. evenings, dusk,  May 7- June 12
Tickets: Free, advance registration required
Brooklyn Navy Yard
Online: creativetime.org

Are you going to “Fly By Night”? Tell us in the comments below!

—Mimi O’Connor

Whether it is a 5 a.m. fever or just a tantrum-busting tickle-fest, Dad takes care of his own. Why not celebrate him this Father’s Day with some locally-made loot? From handcrafted wares he can wear to fun, foodie finds—here are 6 Atlanta-made gifts he is sure to love.

Lincoln’s Links
This set of Lincoln pennies converted into cuff links by Atlanta artist AmySueCraft celebrates baby’s birth and the date he became a dad. $10.49 on Etsy

Staying Power
The message of these hand-stamped aluminum collar stays from Block and Hammer with stay with him long after Dad’s Day. Shop B&H’s site for other sweet sayings and custom creations that are perfect for Dad’s Day.
$24.99 on Etsy 

Sweetwater Suds
Atlanta’s own Brown Bag Soap Company‘s “handcrafted beer soaps” are just the thing for Dad. Choose from their three beer bars—Pale Ale, Brown Ale or Blue Ale—all made with ales from locally loved Sweetwater Brewery.
$6 on Etsy

Pops for Pops
Make him the “King of Pops” with a special themed Pop Pack from King of Pops that includes 12 pops and a t-shirt.
$40 online at King of Pops or 678-732-9321

Meat Treats
If dad is a meat-lover, surprise him with a basket of goodies from The Spotted Trotter. This boutique charcuterie offers an ever changing selection of cured meats, sausages and more. Try the Peppered Umami Beef Jerky or the Kimchee Salami. Their bacon is pretty awesome, too.
Prices vary. At The Spotted Trotter, 1610 Hosea L. Williams Dr., 404-254-4958

Dad Needs a Beer
Dad may just need a cold one to celebrate his special day. How about a growler of local beer from a growler shop? With over 40 beers on tap to choose from, the folks at My Friend’s Growler Shop can help you land on a beer that he will love.
Prices vary. My Friend’s Growler Shop, 415 Memorial Dr. SE, 404-963-7882

Looking for other ways to show pops he’s tops? Click here for our list of subscription services fit for fathers!

—Rachel Quartarone

Photos courtesy of Etsy, King of Pops, My Friend’s Growler Shop via Facebook and Yelp! Jim C.