What’s the cleanest type of birthday party joke? One that’s a soap-prise
It’s your kiddo’s special day so once you’ve figured out the birthday party theme and the birthday gift, you’re ready for a cuddle and a laugh. Our kid-friendly and kid-approved birthday jokes are perfect for their special day. Get ready for sweet laughs, and be sure to drop one in their lunchbox for some LOL fun!
We’ve got “Paw Patrol,” unicorns, dinosaurs, trucks and more!
It’s easy to make your toddler’s birthday celebration extra special with free printable coloring pages. We’ve gathered up birthday coloring pages featuring toddlers’ favorite things (Think dinosaurs and unicorns!). These free printables are perfect as placemats, and you can also print them on card stock and pair them with new crayons as an affordable take-home party favor for your kiddo’s buddies.
What could be better than a delicious birthday cupcake? We love this sprinkle-covered cupcake from Super Coloring pages that's ready for coloring and looks good enough to eat. This free birthday printable coloring page is a simple classic; to download a yummy cupcake or two, head over to Super Coloring.
Everybody's favorite rescue pups are ready for action on these free printable Paw Patrol birthday coloring pages. We love the badges that feature each of the Paw Patrol pups because once decorated they become wearable badges with a little tape. Find the Paw Patrol coloring badges and other birthday printables here.
This bulldozer coloring page is perfect for toddlers who wear their hard hats to breakfast and can tell an excavator from a cement mixer. Drive on down to Super Coloring to find all the construction vehicle coloring pages you need for your little one's birthday, including this big bulldozer.
Eric Carle's beloved ravenous caterpillar climbs on the candles atop the cake on this birthday-ready coloring page. We love that this coloring page's simple illustration features one of our favorite picture book characters. You can find this and more The Very Hungry Caterpillar coloring pages on Read Brightly. Pair this free printable with a copy of Happy Birthday from the Very Hungry Caterpillar for a celebration that will make your favorite two-year-old smile.
These dinosaur birthday coloring pages feature a party-ready T-Rex and a festive stegosaurus. Though these are printable puzzles, when printed in black and white, dino-loving kids can color them before you cut them into strips to make number puzzles. Download five different puzzles at Craft Play Learn.
If your toddler's favorite activity is a visit to the zoo, then we have the perfect birthday coloring page for you. This festive elephant wishes your little one a happy birthday with a trunk full of balloons. You can find this free coloring page at Super Coloring.
Whether you're taking a birthday trip to a petting zoo or waving at cows from the car, animal-loving toddlers will adore this farm birthday coloring page. We love that it doubles as a placemat and party decoration, too! Find all the cows and sheep your toddler needs at Jessie + Jade.
Lovers of all things magical will leap for this adorable unicorn birthday coloring page. Featuring a friendly unicorn, this page is ready to print and drench in glitter. Fly over to Super Coloring to print out your copy.
Birthday Favorites
Taylor Heery via Unsplash
Add a memorable element to birthday coloring with a birthday questionnaire. We love this free printable that gives you an easy way to capture your little one's favorite food, color and toy, year after year. Print out a copy and, while you quiz your toddler, give them a blank piece of paper and crayons to make a self-portrait that you can put in their memory box alongside the filled-out form.
A rainbow coloring page will keep away dark clouds on your toddler's birthday. We love the simplicity of the extra-large rainbow featured on this birthday coloring page that can be decorated with watercolors, crayons or markers. Download and print a dozen rainbows at What Mommy Does.
Wild Kratts lovers will roar for an animal-themed birthday certificate. We love that you can turn this into a birthday morning placemat or a special surprise sign on the birthday kid's door. Printing it in black and white gives kids a chance to add in their favorite colors. Head over to PBS Kids to download and print a free birthday certificate to celebrate your animal fanatic.
Looking for the best kids’ birthday party spot in San Diego? From retro eats to animal encounters, these venues know how to celebrate
Even in San Diego we occasionally need a break from the cooler temps outside. If you’re looking beyond the trademark pool party, backyard barbecue, or park picnic we’ve rounded up some of the best indoor spaces for your child’s next birthday party—and these venues are sure to keep even the littlest party guests busy and comfortable inside! In fact, these San Diego kids party venues (some of which just so happen to be world-class museums!) are destined to make the event a fantastic celebration for young revelers: There’s a theme for every interest—from rocket ships and pirate ships to trampolines and giant hammocks. Read on for birthday ideas in San Diego sure to make your kid’s big day the absolute best!
Spend your birthday boy or girl's special day at the coolest museum for kids downtown. Guests of your party get museum entry and two hours in the special party room. A dedicated party concierge will help parents throughout the party, and special activities can be added on for an additional fee. Your kiddo's crew will love all of the museum's exhibits––especially hanging out in their super cool art installation: Whammock!—a giant rainbow hammock they can swing and climb through. Be sure to book this popular spot two weeks in advance!
Let your little one rock and roll their way through a birthday celebration at the '50s style Corvette Diner. Birthday guests are treated to serenades from the beehived servers. Themed party packages include a party space, choices from a pre-set menu, and either time in the very popular arcade, crafts, or a dance-off! Many add-ons are available, including a popcorn cart, cupcake buffet, and balloon artist.
Calling all young explorers! The San Diego Children's Discovery Museum is the perfect party spot for little tykes, and it's easy to plan for the big day. They offer themed parties like Dinosaur Discovery, Future Farmers, or Little Chemists. You also get a party assistant and your own parking spot on that special day. Also good to note, the museum offers mobile birthday parties, which include some of their traveling exhibits and workshops.
Party-goers get to have their cake and eat it too at CeramiCafe. The best part about this venue is that you don't have to be an artist, yet you get to paint a great piece of pottery. The popular cupcake party includes a party host and cupcakes and lemonade for all guests. But, most importantly, the birthday artist enjoys creative time with friends.
Take your little ones' birthday celebration to the next level by jumping the day away! Rockin' Jump is an indoor trampoline park filled with foam pits, dodgeball courts, and a ninja challenge course to keep your tykes moving and grooving. Party packages include a private party room where guests can relax and take a break from the high-flying fun before chowing down on pizza and refreshments.
Shoot for the moon at this birthday spot that budding astronauts will love. Each party blasts off with a super scientific activity like Balsa Gliders, Alka-Seltzer rockets, or foam Rovers. Then, guests get a personalized museum tour with lots of good facts about the airplanes and rockets. You supply the food and they will take care of the rest! However, kids will leave with a goody bag perfect for the whole flight crew.
A bounce-it-out party that's also private, clean, and safe sounds great to us! First, there are plenty of party themes to choose from including a glow theme, pirate quest, and even superhero training. Kids bounce 'til their heart's content then head into a private party room for snacks, pizza, drinks, balloons, and party bags. Also, the birthday boy or girl gets to sit on a giant throne to unwrap presents. The Pump It Up crew sets up, cleans up, and packs the presents up, too.
Hands down, this is the best place to have an animal birthday paw-ty because the nonprofit expertly pairs education with the festivities. Further, they include themed party decorations, set-up, hosting and clean up. Plus, you'll get an animal encounter, face painting, and private backroom tour. We love the Bow-Wow Party for little ones and the Jammin' Jungle theme for bigger kids who crave a reptile encounter.
Capture the imagination at this birthday hot spot. With creative dress-up from princess to fire person and great attention to detail, party planning is easy and fun. So, bring your ideas and let them get to it. Even more, kids love to slide down the castle, climb the pirate ship and ride the bright red fire truck. Plus, at party time, bubbles and a giant parachute keep the kiddos entertained.
This oasis hosts a blooming marvelous birthday fete for the littles. Set-up in a private picnic spot and explore the Seeds of Wonder garden. Budding green thumbs can pot plants, easel paint, create bubbles and paint rocks. Plus, there's also a train mountain, dino dig, and an epic treehouse to play in. Here you'll find that nature is nurture.
Age: 1-5
230 Quail Gardens Dr. Encinitas, CA Online: sdbgarden.org
Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate party for me! All aboard the Star of India for a three-hour pirate party. Ye little mateys learn Swashbuckling 101 including the secrets of ship plundering. Even more, they raise the sail and lower the anchor. And finally, divide the gold amongst the crew. Also, you bring the cake and goody bags—which little pirates find on the treasure hunt.
These fun and festive menorahs from Amazon are adding some extra twinkle to your Hanukkah celebrations this year
Hanukkah 2022 starts a little bit later—December 18th to be exact—but it’ll be here before we know it. And no Festival of Lights is complete without a menorah. We’ve found some fantastic menorahs—where else?—on Amazon to light up your celebration.
Quick brush up on your Hanukkah history:
How well do you know your Hanukkah history? Let’s get a little refresher out of the way.
Firstly, the word menorah means “lamp” in Hebrew. The ancient menorah had seven branches, and was an “everlasting light”, an oil lamp meant to never go out in the temple in the area that was known as Judea. At the time—167 B.C.E.—the small area of then-Judea was caught in conflict. The Egyption Empire and the Greek-Assyrian Empire clashed and Greek king Antiochus outlawed all Jewish practices. The observance of the Sabbath, keeping kosher were eliminated and the temple where the menorah burned was desecrated.
A small group of Jewish rebels, known as the Maccabees, were able to take back the temple over the course of several years. The menorah was relit. As the story goes, despite having only a single day’s worth of oil, the menorah miraculously lasted for eight days. Accordingly, the modern-day menorah has nine candles: one for each of those eight days and one to light the rest. Hanukkah marks the rededication of the desecrated temple of Judea when it was taken back by the Maccabees
So, now that you know why the menorah is such an important element of Hanukkah, we can get to the roundup of some of our favorite ones. These menorahs are not only unique, fun, pretty, and festive, but can be found on Amazon because we love convenience. They’re a great option for keeping with tradition while at the same time, creating a holiday aesthetic that’s perfect for your own vibes. So get ready for eight nights of celebration with our menorahs from Amazon roundup!
If you buy something from the links in this article, we may earn affiliate commission or compensation. Prices and availability reflect the time of publication.
Were you lucky enough to have a spring or summer, or even early fall baby? That is, do birthday-month temperatures accommodate the budget-friendly option of having a birthday party in the park or at a playground? An especially good choice for the toddler set (because, just add cake and friends) a party at a public park can be a real cost-saver, loads of fun and even, with a little planning, easy to pull off. Here’s our guide to throwing a NYC park birthday party with ease! If you are looking for even more outdoor birthday party ideas, we’ve got lots here! (And hey, if you do want to buy a cake, we think these are NYC’s best!)
Choose Your Birthday Party Park Wisely
You can have a party at any NYC public park. You’ll want to suss out your options carefully before deciding on the perfect location. Look for a playground with age-appropriate equipment and a fence that locks securely. You’ll want the playground to be big enough to hold all the kids at the party, but not so big that you can’t see where your kid is at all times. If your party is in the summer, look for one that will be at least partially-shaded at the time of your party. (For both you, and the kids.)
A few other things to consider about your venue: does it have tables you can use? Are there bathrooms? A water supply? Does it have sprinklers to cool kids down? How busy does the playground get? And one very important detail to consider: how far away from is the playground from your home? Don't forget that you’ll be trekking there and back with a lot of stuff, so the closer the better.
Have a Rainy Day Backup Plan
You can never rely on the big party day being sunny and dry, so get your rainy day plan in order. Can you hold it in your home in a pinch? Is there a room in your apartment building you could use if needed? If not, you might want to consider a rain date. Either way, make sure you tell your guests your backup plan, and let them know as soon as you can if you are switching dates or location.
Get a Permit for Your Party
If you plan to have 20 people or more in a NYC park, or want to reserve a specific area, you'll need a Special Events Permit. The permit is easy to get and costs $25. Just head to this page on the NYC Parks Department web site, create an account and apply online at least a month in advance. Be advised: permits are not issued on major holiday weekends.
Playground & Park Party Decorating Tips
Obviously it’s a lot different decorating a shared outdoor space than your home, but it can be done. Print out (or buy) a birthday banner and tie it on the playground's fence. Attach balloons behind the table so people can find you. Turn the food into decorations with cute cupcake toppers (which can also be stuck into other food, like fruit). Gift bags also add color and festivity to the area, as do little stuffed animals placed on the table (which make great take-home gifts for kids who get particularly attached to them by the way!). Here's a lesson we learned the hard way: spend a few dollars on balloon weights—or make them yourself using rocks and decorative bags—to keep items that might blow away (plates, napkins, tablecloths) in place.
Playground Party Extras
Consider bringing some fun things for kids to play with around the party area like balls, chalk and bubbles. Michael's is great for inexpensive options or a simple craft if you're feeling ambitious. Activities a key for keeping little kids occupied so you and the other parents don’t have to chase them around the playground the whole time. If there’s a sandbox, bring a few buckets and shovels. Buy enough of one simple craft or activity so that it can serve as the favor, which is nice and simple and lightens the load of what you have to carry back to your place.
Playground Birthday Party Food
Don’t get carried away with food, unless you’re having it delivered. Carefully assess how you’re going to get everything there first. One easy idea is to host an afternoon tea party because you can get away with simply offering cupcakes, fruit and crackers. Finger food is the easiest to supply and the easiest for busy parents to grab and eat with one hand. Even easier (to serve and clean up)? Individually-wrapped snacks like mini bags cheddar bunnies, fig bars, etc. For slightly older kids (and parents) many places will deliver pizza to parks. Call the nearest pizza place and ask—chances are they've done it before.
An easy drink is juice boxes in bulk, or bottled water. The economical (and environmental) choice is of course to bring a pitcher and fill it up on site. (Bring cups if that's the case.) Also recommended is some water, seltzer, etc. for steamy adults. FYI: If you're celebrating in the afternoon and you're thinking about providing parents some adult beverages, that's not allowed. (i.e. it's illegal.)
For sweets, offering cupcakes instead of a cake eliminates the need for forks and plates, which is helpful. If you think your kid will be heartbroken without a cake, make a small one for the big song-and-candle moment, and do cupcakes, etc. for the rest. (If you don't own a cupcake and/or cake carrier and collapsible display stand, it might be a good idea to get them. Even if you're not super PTA mom, they come in handy, and will prevent infuriating and heartbreaking mishaps with baked good in the future. The stand is just cute and will take your party game up a notch.)
Playground Birthday Party Music
You've gotta have some tunes! Try this one for a lot of "happy", or this one to get kids dancing!
Boring But Important
There are several things you don't want to be caught without and others that will be nice to have. Make yourself a "go-bag" of these essentials and just-in-case items.
Garbage and recycling bags (those trash cans in playgrounds get full, fast.) Paper towels Wet wipes Band aids Scissors and tape
Transportation To and From the Party
If you don’t have a car or don’t want to hire a car service, you can get creative with transporting your party supplies. One idea: load up your stroller with the party goods. Your child can be put in a carrier if they’re not old enough to walk the distance on their own.
Even San Diegans occasionally need a break from the outdoors. So we’ve rounded up some of the best indoor spaces for your kid’s next birthday that’ll keep party guests busy and comfortable inside. These venues make the event a fantastic and memorable celebration and include themes for all interests—from dinosaurs to rocket ships and pottery painting. Read on for birthday ideas in San Diego to make your kid’s big day the best!
Spend your birthday boy or girl's special day at the coolest museum for kids downtown. Your guests get museum entry and two hours in the special party room. A dedicated party concierge will help parents throughout the party, and special activities can be added on for $25-$50. Your kiddo's crew will love all of the exhibits––especially hanging out in their super cool art installation: Whammock!––a giant rainbow hammock they can swing and climb through. Be sure to book this popular spot two weeks in advance.
Age: 1-12 Cost: $200-$1200 for up to 50 guests
200 W. Island Ave. San Diego, CA 92101 619-233-8792 Online: thinkplaycreate.org
Let your little one rock and roll their way through a birthday celebration at the '50s style Corvette Diner, where guests are treated to serenades from the beehived servers. Themed party packages include a party space, choices from a pre-set menu, and either time in the very popular arcade, doing crafts or having a dance-off! Many add-ons are available, including a popcorn cart, cupcake buffet and balloon artist.
Age: All Cost: $425-$525 for 15 kids additional fee for up to 30 kids
Liberty Station 2965 Historic Decatur Rd. 619-542-1476
Calling all young explorers! The San Diego Children's Discovery Museum is the perfect party spot for little tykes, and it's easy to plan for the big day. They offer themed parties like Dinosaur Discovery or Little Chemists. You also get a party assistant and a parking spot on the special day. Also good to note, the museum offers mobile birthday parties, which include some of their traveling exhibits and workshops.
Click here for more info and details on setting up a grand birthday party.
Age: Kids one to ten-years-old Cost: $295 for 20 guests; $495 for 40 guests
320 N. Broadway Escondido, CA 760-233-7755 Online: sdcdm.org
Take your little ones' birthday celebration to the next level by jumping the day away! Rockin' Jump is an indoor trampoline park filled with foam pits, dodgeball courts and a ninja challenge course to keep your tykes moving and grooving. Party packages include a private party room where guests can relax and take a break from the high-flying fun before chowing down on pizza and refreshments.
Age: all Cost: $265-$505 up to 20 jumpers
8190 Miralani Drive San Diego 858-693-5867 Online: rockinjump.com
San Diego Air and Space Museum
San Diego Air and Space Museum
Shoot for the moon at this birthday spot that budding astronauts will love. Each party blasts off with a super scientific activity like Balsa Gliders, Alka-Seltzer rockets or Rovers. Then, guests get a personalized museum tour with lots of good facts about the airplanes and rockets. You supply the food, and they will take care of the rest! Masks are currently required for all indoor guests and be sure to book two weeks in advance.
Ages: 3-12 Cost: $425 for up to 30 guests. 40 guests max for an additional fee.
Party-goers get to have their cake and eat it too at CeramiCafe. The best part about this venue is that you don't have to be an artist, yet you get to paint a great piece of pottery. The popular cupcake party includes a party host and cupcakes and lemonade for all guests. But, most importantly, the birthday artist enjoys creative time with friends.
Ages: Best for kids five years and older Cost: $70 party fee, plus $18 per person with a six-person minimum and up to 15 guests.
3425 Del Mar Heights Rd. San Diego, CA 858-259-9958 Online: ceramicafe.com
Pump It Up
Via Pump It Up
A bounce-it-out party that's also private, clean and safe sounds great to us! First, there are plenty of party themes to choose from, including a glow theme, pirate quest and even superhero training. Kids bounce to their heart's content then head into a private party room for snacks, pizza, drinks, balloons and party bags. Also, the birthday boy or girl gets to sit on a giant throne to unwrap presents. The Pump It Up crew sets up, cleans up, and packs the presents up too.
Ages: Kids over 34 inches tall Cost: $319-$572 for up to 25 kids
12760 Danielson Ct. St. J Poway 858-679-5867 Online: pumpitupparty.com
Are you searching for a fun-filled Valentine’s Day party game for a play date or school party? Look no further. From heart shapes and loving words to colors and following cute clues, we’ve found easy and fun holiday-themed scavenger hunt ideas perfect for your kiddo and her friends. Read on to see them all!
You may have over-bought those cartoon character-covered Valentine's Day cards. But come on, who knew the seemingly slim box had 102 teeny tiny fold and tear cards? Put the extras to use and set up a card-centered scavenger hunt. Write clues on the back of each card, creating a series of hints to follow. This holiday activity idea is easy to adapt, letting you play this game with just your child or split a larger group of kids into teams. If you go the multi-player route, create separate sets of cards for each team to find.
Give the kids something the chance to search and collect with this scavenger hunt Valentine's Day game. Start with a list of loving, lovely or loved objects. Take the complexity up a notch and use clues instead of words. Give each child (or team of children) their list to decode. The kiddos/teams also need bags to collect their bounty. As they find each clue item, the kids can bag it up and move on to the next. The first child or team to collect all their listed items wins! And what do they win? Well, that's up to you.
So your tot can't read the clues you want to write on heart-shaped cards for a Valentine's Day scavenger hunt. That's okay. Swap out the words for directional arrows. Create a series of cut-out heart shapes and place them around the house or in your yard. Each heart will have a treat and an arrow. Your child must follow the arrows to get to the finish line. How will they know when they've won? Mark the end of the hunt with a special set-up, including anything from heart confetti and cute candies to chocolate, balloons and streamers.
Sweet Treat Search
Erica Loop
Your Valentine's Day baking project is yet to get underway. Don't stress—get the kids to help. Instead of a boring baking session, take cooking up a notch and turn it into a scavenger hunt game. Create a series of clues that lead the kiddos around the house, finding all the ingredients necessary. The last clue ends in the kitchen, where the kids will help you bake a holiday cake, cupcake or another sweet treat.
Heart Hunt
Erica Loop
Is your child beginning to learn about shapes? Share this geometry experience, play up the holiday theme and keep your curious tot busy with a heart hunt. Cut out as many cardboard or construction paper hearts as you can. Get creative, scratch that—inspire your kiddo to get creative, and finger paint the hearts first. Hide the hearts (after the paint dries) and help your child scavenge the house looking for them.
What does your child love? This Valentine's Day scavenger hunt idea lets them focus on what they love. Create clues, either written or verbal, that lead them to places, spaces and items around the house that they love. Include lovies, toys or anything else that your child adores. Expand the search into your neighborhood and stage an all-out community love hunt. Look for favorite buildings and areas, such as the library, your child's school or the playground.
If your child isn't into searching for things they love, consider switching things up and making their Valentine's Day scavenger hunt about people they love. Craft your clues, writing a few words or sentences that describe the person on the front of a notecard. Glue a pic of the person to the back. Your child has to hunt the house for the clue. Don't worry if your kiddo's favorite people aren't around. Instead of flying grandma in or asking your FIL to come over, play a picture-matching hunt game. Post photos of friends and family around the house, and then ask your child to match their clue to the pics.
Hearty Hues
Erica Loop
Now that your tot is connecting color words with the actual colors, you're doing everything you can to help build a hue-heavy vocabulary. Even though the traditional Valentine's Day colors are red and pink, there's no rule saying you have to stick with those hues. Draw and cut out purple, blue, orange, yellow, brown, pink and red hearts. Give your kiddo color cards to match to the hearts as they hunt inside or outside (weather permitting).
This scavenger hunt for kids is all about math. Well, maybe not all about math—it's got a Valentine's Day theme too, of course. Instead of using written clues to hunt, Hands On As We Grow has a countdown. This is a great game for pre-readers!
This is a two-in-one scavenger hunt! Cut out one big heart or several small ones, then cut it into puzzle pieces of whatever shape you'd like. Have your kid scavenge for the puzzle pieces so they can build the heart puzzle back together at the end.
The Black community has been especially hard hit by the pandemic. Just as much now as ever, local Black-owned businesses and nonprofits need and deserve our support—part of a long-term, sustainable commitment to helping dismantle white supremacy in our community. The following are just a few of just a few of Portland’s awesome, family-friendly, Black-owned businesses and nonprofits.
Is your Portland home in need of an update or expansion since becoming your families primary location for work and play? If you are in desperate need of an office addition, bigger kitchen, outside patio space or just a spring paint job, this is the business for you. For growing families, Willco is the general contractor to choose, with their focus on remodeling, historical renovations, and residential and commercial painting. Co-owned by James Garrett and Ruth Warren, Willco’s diverse team of experts have years of experience to take your home projects from dream to reality. Like most small businesses, Warren says, Willco has felt the impacts of the pandemic, but have had the good fortune of remaining open and retaining most of their employees, adjusting policies to provide a safe working environment for all. The Black Lives Matter movement “shines a light and exposes what has been happening for too long,” Warren says. “I am comforted by the marches in my community and the desire to speak up against racism and injustice, and the willingness to listen and have hard conversations.”
Mimi's Fresh Tees If you are looking for some new threads for the family, you want to put these hoodies and tees on your "must buy" list. Founded in January 2018, Mimi’s Fresh Tees is a Portland-based t-shirt company that amplifies tough social justice conversations and allows people to wear their truth. Motivated by systemic racism her Black son experienced in the education system, owner and designer Kamelah Adams wanted to create a product that brought conversations around discrimination out into the open, in a quick and straightforward way. She started designing t-shirts as away for people to take a stand, break the silence and start a dialogue by wearing their truth.
Jameesa and Bryan Oakley already had a sign printing business, but when Trump was elected, they decided to use their vocation to impact social change. Their online shop now features striking yard signs, bumper stickers, and apparel featuring progressive statements on a range of issues, available for bulk order. Red Tricycle asked the Oakleys what they loves about what they do. "Our graphics bring progressive truths to the mainstream," Jameesa says. "The narrative in America is changing and we believe we played a small role." During the pandemic, the Oakleys have encountered supply chain issues and have had to use their creativity to overcome them. "It tested our resolve," the Oakleys say. "We’re stronger because of it."After the George Floyd murder tapes were released, demand increased more than Signs of Justice could have ever expected, and orders were temporarily delayed. "We couldn’t believe how kind and patient most people were. Love is winning."
9220 S.W. Barbur Blvd., Suite #119-122 Portland Online:signsofjustice.com
Anjelica Otness started Fat Cupcake for good reasons: she has always loved eating dessert, she enjoys the creativity of decorating cupcakes, and she wanted to create an environment where people feel loved, welcome, and known. “I love sharing the joy of a cupcake and celebrating exciting life events or being there when things are challenging,” Otness says. She jokes, “It's also a perk to be able to eat a treat whenever you want." In the wake of the pandemic, Fat Cupcake has added extra safety precautions to prioritize team members’ and guests’ health and safety. And with the world’s increased support for the Black Lives Matter movement, Otness says they’ve seen a tremendous amount of support from the local community in placing orders, coming in for the first time, and promoting Fat Cupcake.
19273 Molalla Ave. Oregon City, OR
6011 S.E. 72nd Ave. Portland
13203 S.E. 172nd Ave. Happy Valley, OR Online:fatcupcake.com
This nonprofit was created in 2006, to assist Black parents in developing critical parenting skills and in learning to be great advocates for their children's health, education and well-being. The Black Parent Initiative starts with a deep love for the community, striving to serve them well by being a constant anchor for them. BPI says helping Black families recognize their intrinsic value, beauty and capacity is the best part about their work. During the pandemic, BPI has had to adjust how they deliver services, but continues to do home visits via Facetime and Zoom, lead groups, offer doula lactation consulting, and continue with family and school engagement and employment services, by using technology and social distancing. BPI is grateful for the outpouring of love from our greater community in light of the Black Lives Matter movement. They continue to work to alleviate the stress and trauma that results from the ongoing onslaught of violence and domestic terrorism against Black people.
2915 N.E. Martin Luther King Blvd. Portland Online:thebpi.org
With over 24 years of experience working with children, Paula Rogers founded Reggio-inspired Flouriche preschool with the intention to combine the best of three guiding principles for developing minds: flourish, nourish, and niche. “The best part is the laughter and natural compassion that I am privileged to witness every day,” Rogers says. During the pandemic, the community has had to adjust to many changes designed to keep kids safe, from daily health checks to rotating mealtimes in order to reduce the number of children at the table. They’ve also begun incorporating Zoom circle times to include children who are unable to come to Flouriche, in order to help children feel connected. Flouriche stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement that is resounding all over the world, and has started a Facebook group for discussion around the history of racism. Rogers says she loves idea sharing and would love to connect with other diverse preschools in Portland, as well as develop a scholarship program for children who want to attend Flouriche but may not be able to afford it.
In response to the devastating effects of the pandemic on the Black community, and the most recent deaths in the continuation of horrific, systemic racist violence in the U.S., Portlanders Cameron Whitten and Salomé Chimuku launched the Black Resilience Fund as an opportunity for non-Black allies to support the resilience of Black people in the local community. Black Resilience Fund is a program of nonprofit Brown Hope and is dedicated to fostering healing and resilience by providing immediate and direct financial assistance to Black Portlanders. The fund provides immediate support for Black Portlanders in the form of a warm meal, groceries, and unpaid bills. Chimuku has over a decade of experience in public sector work, working with organizations such as Portland State University, the Urban League of Portland, and Unite Oregon, and Whitten has served as Executive Director of local nonprofits such as Know Your City, Brown Hope, and Q Center.
With a slogan of “coffee should be dope” and sneaker-themed art, this is the hippest coffee shop in town, for sure. But it’s not all style: the coffee, which is roasted in-house, is some of the city’s best blends, like the chocolatey Nenemar or the fruitier Fresh Prince. Grab your beans to grind at home, or order a drink for the signature sneaker latte art.
As a spicy ode to his beloved grandparents, Felton and Mary Campbell, Tory Campbell has created a myriad of Texas-style BBQ sauces and rubs made right here in Portland. Felton and Mary were restaurant owners and community-builders in SE Portland in the 80s with their renowned BBQ joint Campbell’s. By infusing the love and generosity of his grandparents into their sauce recipes for a new generation, Felton and Mary is spreading the homegrown BBQ love one jar at a time. Order online or find them at a growing list of local stores like New Seasons.
In a business that doesn't always cater to darker complexions, founder Paula Hayes is out to change that. Her mission is to empower women to look and feel their best while changing the face of beauty by putting multicultural women at the center of modern beauty movement. A product chemist herself, Hayes combines scientific-based research and development with leading color and light technology into gorgeous products like flawless foundation, perfectly tinted lip butters, and show-stopping eyeshadow. Products are mostly made from natural ingredients, and are cruelty free, hypoallergenic, and noncomedogenic. It's time to go shopping!
It’s hard to know how to approach tough topics with kids, like racism, divorce, or bullying. Founder Jelani Memory, who grew up Black in Portland, wanted a better way to open those talks with his white kids. A Kids Book About Racism, written in a simple and direct format, was born in 2018, and today the company spans over 75 books on topics like shame, grief, boredom, and addiction. But he’s not stopping there, expanding into podcasts and other media to help everyone tell better stories.
In an industry that’s fortified by tradition, Abbey Creek blasts hip hop instead. As the first recorded Black winemaker in Oregon, Bertoy Faustin has created a welcoming community space for everyone who loves wine. The vineyard and wine production are in North Plains, the rolling hills to the west of Portland where the namesake creek runs through. The tasting room, “The Crick,” is firmly in downtown, a community space with a relaxed vibe and a corner store.
Bonus, check out the website to watch the award-winning documentary Red, White and Black, about minority winemakers in the state.
While no action can undo the decades of systemic racism and redlining, Taking Ownership is an inspired community group banding together to fight gentrification. By assisting Black homeowners who request help, they can help people generate wealth and dispel predatory investors. Their inspiring projects range from replacing a roof, building new fences, cleaning up a backyard, or repairing a deck, and they are always welcoming volunteers! These small actions in Portland’s Black communities help make a more welcoming city, house by house.
At home on Alberta Street in NE Portland, owner Len Allen comes from generations of NE Portlanders. His store offers a beautiful array of plants, gardening supplies, home decor like baskets, mirrors and throw pillows, and more. They also donate a percentage of each sale to non profits working in the community to better the planet and society.
This is just a small sample of the many amazing Black-owned businesses and nonprofits in the Portland area. Visit the BlackPDX.com directory for more, where you can search by industry and location. Also check out Support Black-Owned Portland Restaurants, an extensive online directory and annual event.
Hershey’s new Kisses are popping up just in time for Easter this spring with a vanilla frosting core that your bunnies are going to love.
From the cute pink and blue plaid foil that reminds you of a spring picnic to the classic chocolate shell wrapped around frosting that’s reminiscent of the best part of a cupcake, the new Hershey’s Kisses are our favorites among Hershey’s spring offerings.
photo: Hershey’s
If you’re lucky, the Easter Bunny will also load up your baskets with the new Cookies ‘N’ Creme Polka Dot Bunnies, Cookies ‘N’ Crème Polka Dot Eggs and Whoppers Bunny Tails—in addition to the vanilla frosting Kisses. For traditionalists, you’ll still be able to find Reese’s Peanut Butter Eggs, Cadbury Crème Eggs and Cadbury Mini Eggs.
Briant Giles, Manager of the Easter season, The Hershey Company, said in a press release, “Families can always look to Hershey to provide iconic treats for their Easter baskets, but also to find something new in the candy aisle for the season, such as our Hershey’s Kisses Milk Chocolates with Vanilla Frosting Flavored Creme – the perfect fit for springtime get-togethers!”
Hershey’s Kisses Milk Chocolates with Vanilla Frosting Flavored Creme and other spring offerings are available for a limited time. Look for the sweet treats at retailers nationwide. Pricing is at the discretion of the retailer.
I have a theory that cupcakes are a form of feminine oppression. No joke. Allow me to explain.
Your cupcakes for the second grade class are due to the teacher Monday at 8 a.m. sharp. You remember on Sunday around 5 p.m.. You freeze — and then visions from Pinterest begin to dance in your head. You know what I mean: the perfect cupcakes, the ones with the frosting piped on and the delicately drizzled decorations…
For those of you who spark joy from Pinterest-perfect cupcakes and can pull it off, I applaud you. I know you are out there. But for those of us mere mortal moms, I say… free yourselves! You see, to my way of thinking, Pinterest-perfect cupcakes lack an essential ingredient. They’re missing the OOPS.
Oops cupcakes have uneven, spattered batter and frosting that was smooshed on with a dinner knife and probably have a few finger pokes around the outside edges. Maybe a few even landed on the floor (frosting side down, naturally). Oops cupcakes are a form of freedom—freedom from a world where the image of perfection doesn’t allow for the beauty that is a mistake. Beauty that comes naturally and unintentionally. Beauty that comes from an oops.
In my work as the founder of Bay Area Children’s Theatre and mom of three (2, 6 and 9), I have found that creativity thrives when kids (and parents) are allowed the freedom to learn and discover on their own. Yes, they need adult guidance, but they also deserve an opportunity to make a mess and make a giant mistake.
“Living in the Oops” is accepting that if our job as parents is to train these small people to one day leap into life as fully formed adults, we must not only allow for mistakes, we must model mistakes and CELEBRATE mistakes.
In a theatre class, kids are asked to embark on a rehearsal experience where mistakes are a natural part of the process. No child will remember every dance step, every word of the song and the blocking all at the same moment. They have to learn each of those elements incrementally and as they are learning, mistakes are expected. What a powerful learning tool!
The permission to make repeated mistakes allows them to move towards proficiency.
At my house, we don’t usually have anything that resembles perfect. My boys like to cook dinner on their own occasionally. I assure you, these dinners are not pinned by anyone on Pinterest, but nonetheless, those two serve their scrambled eggs and over-steamed broccoli beaming with pride. My toddler is pretty sure that frosting is actually a versatile art supply.
And, right now, the infamous California missions school project has taken over an entire room of my house with LEGOs. My nine-year old has no idea how to build a LEGO model of a mission, but he’s going to try, and I applaud his can-do approach. There will be mistakes, there will be frustration, but he will persevere and I’m not going to tell him to clean up the LEGOS—even if I step on them with bare feet in the middle of the night.
5 Ways You Can Live More Freely in the Land of Oops
1. Celebrate mistakes . Make a silly dance, turn on music, throw confetti every time a mistake is made.
2. Tolerate a level of chaos that’s right for you. When kids create, they make messes, and messes allow for the “Oops” to thrive.
3. Remember small eyes are watching . If you make a mistake, respond with laughter and positivity.
4. Create with what you have, not with what you think you need. If your kids want to build, leftover cardboard and masking tape are just as exciting as the fancy building kit
5. Share your own “Oops” stories with your kids. The best bedtime story is a true story from your childhood. Last night, I told my gang about the time that I ignored my mom, jumped on the bed anyway, and it fell through the floor. OOPS! Trust me, that story got some good laughs! (And I will never, ever have to tell my kids not to jump on the bed.)
So, back to those cupcakes. Sure, I like beautiful, perfect cupcakes. I struggle because I sometimes think of my whole life as an analogy around The Perfect Cupcake. I’m supposed to be the perfect mom, the perfect artist, the perfect boss.
The reality is, the more I strive for perfection, the more I struggle.
So, let’s revel in the sprinkles that end up on the floor, relish the blob-like sugar decorations that are supposed to be snowflakes and release ourselves from Pinterest-perfect cupcake oppression.
When we let in the Oops and celebrate the mistakes, that’s when we leap.
Nina Meehan is CEO and Founder Bay Area Children's Theatre and the host of the Creative Parenting Podcast. An internationally recognized expert in youth development through the arts, Nina nurtures innovation by fostering creative thinking. She is mom to Toby (13), Robby (10) and Meadow (5).
