From handheld pinball games to tiny tattoos to crayons you can wear on your fingers, these stocking stuffer ideas for kids may be the biggest hit on Christmas morning.

This year, fight the urge to wait until the last minute to shop for the smaller gifts on your list. To help, we’ve carefully curated a list of the best stocking stuffer ideas for kids. This treasure trove of doodads, trinkets, and mini-gifts is so good that this year’s stocking stuffers for kids may just upstage the fancy-wrapped presents under the tree. From brain busters to keep your crew engaged through the holiday break to sweet treats, this list proves what everybody already knows—tiny stuff is cool! Also, don’t miss our gift guides for kids of all ages, like the hard-to-buy-for-tweens, energetic preschoolers, and grade school kids. Ho, ho, ho!

Handheld Wooden Pinball Machine

Little ones who need to keep their hands busy will love this too-cute pocket-sized pinball machine. 

Handheld Wooden Pinball Machine ($13)—Buy Here!

Games on the Go!

Games on the Go stocking stuffer

This fun set includes a ton of games like Mini-Snap, Rhyme Time, and Name That Tune that are perfect for your next road trip or flight to visit the grandparents. 

Games on the Go! ($7)—Buy Here!

Get Lost Camping Survival Kit

camping survival kit stocking stuffer for kids

Got a little adventurer on your list? This kit comes with a baseplate field compass, a collapsible flatware set, a flint striker, and a compact travel memo book. 

Get Lost Camping Survival Kit ($35)—Buy Here!

Kraft Macaroni and Cheese Gummies

macaroni and cheese gummies stocking stuffer for kids

This stocking stuffer for kids is certain to get some laughs on Christmas morning. Don't worry, they are fruit flavored!

Kraft Macaroni and Cheese Gummies ($21)—Buy Here!

OOLY Art Stocking Stuffer Kit

Your little crafter will go bonkers for this kit that's full of scented gel pens, temporary tattoos, adorable erasers, and so much more. 

OOLY Art Stocking Stuffer Kit ($48)—Buy Here!

Trolls Band Together Mineez 2-Pack

trolls band together mineez stocking stuffer for kids

These blind bags are super fun to open and you have over 100 trolls to collect. 

Trolls Band Together Mineez 2-Pack ($5)—Buy Here!

BonBon's Swedish Fish

swedish fish stocking stuffer

Your favorite candy just got an upgrade! These little swimmers have natural colors and come in sweet and sour flavors or a variety pack if you can't decide. 

BonBon's Swedish Fish ($8)—Buy Here!

Fizz & Sparkle Sensory Play Potions

Uncommon Goods has the best stuff and this sensory play kit is top of our list. Glitter, bubbles, and positive affirmations make it a winner. 

Fizz & Sparkle Sensory Play Potions ($15)—Buy Here!

YuMe Toys Jujutsu Kaizen Blind Bags

YuMe Toys Jujutsu Kaizen Blind Bags stocking suffer

Got an anime or manga fan on your list? These fun blind bags come with an origami tutorial along with one of 8 figures to collect—a perfect stocking stuffer idea for kids.

YuMe Toys Jujutsu Kaizen Blind Bags ($27)—Buy Here!

Overrated vs Underrated Social Game

Overrated vs Underrated game stocking stuffer

It’s time to judge your friends’ taste on 300 different things, from classic rock bands to avocado toast.

Overrated vs Underrated Social Game ($15)—Buy Here!

Emergency Confetti Celebration Kit

There's always a need to have some confetti on hand. You'll get two confetti poppers with biodegradable confetti perfect for any celebration. 

Emergency Confetti Celebration Kit ($20)—Buy Here!

LEGO Marvel Minifigures

lego marvel minifigures stocking stuffer for kids

With 12 characters to collect, you might just want to pick up a few of these blind bag toys.

LEGO Marvel Minifigures ($5)—Buy Here!

Lucky Tickets for Kids

Lucky Tickets for Kids stocking stuffer

The twelve shining tickets inside this booklet are redeemable for fun surprises like dessert for breakfast or an escape from chores for a day. A perfect stocking stuffer for kids. 

Lucky Tickets for Kids ($10)—Buy Here!

Ghostbusters: Mini Ghost Trap

Kids can search for things that go bump in the night with this replica ghost trap with lights and sounds. 

Ghostbusters: Mini Ghost Trap ($12)—Buy Here!

Heroes of Goo Jit Zu

Heroes of Goo Jit Zu stocking stuffer

Choose your favorite character from the Deep Goo Sea and see how they can stretch up to three times their size!

Heroes of Goo Jit Zu ($12)—Buy Here!

Hot Wheels Barbie Corvette

Hot Wheels Barbie Corvette stocking stuffer

Set off on your own Barbie adventure with this replica car just like the one from the movie. 

Hot Wheels Barbie Corvette ($8)—Buy Here!

Tattly Tiny Funner Tattoo Tin

Tattly Tiny Funner Tattoo Tin stocking stuffer

Your little one will be too cool for school with these cute mini tattoos. 

Tattly Tiny Funner Tattoo Tin ($15)—Buy Here!

Crayola Spa-Ghetti Soap

This tea tree-scented soap that looks like pasta makes bathtime fun. 

Crayola Spa-Ghetti Soap ($6)—Buy Here!

Plus-Plus Axolotl

Plus-Plus Axolotl stocking stuffer

Assemble this adorable amphibian and you'll see that he glows in the dark! 

Plus-Plus Axolotl ($8)—Buy Here!

Baby BLU 360° Blue & Red Light Toothbrush

Go Smile

We don't know about you, but we grew up with toothbrushes in our stockings. For kiddos 3-8, this is a total upgrade. Available in several characters, it's fun to use and utilizes red light for circulation and blue light to kill germs and lets them brush all their teeth at once.

Baby BLU 360° Blue & Red Light Toothbrush ($48.30)—Buy Here!

Hey Champ Candy Bars

Hey Champ Candy Bars stocking stuffer

This six-pack gets you two of each of the three flavors: pretzel, miso, and coconut. 

Hey Champ Candy Bars ($24)—Buy Here! 

UNO Minecraft

UNO Minecraft stocking stuffer for kids

You'll love this fun take on the classic UNO game with a Minecraft theme. 

UNO Minecraft ($11)—Buy Here!

Lip Smacker Lippy Pal Unicorn

Lip Smacker Lippy Pal Unicorn stocking stuffer

This lippy pal packs away your lip gloss in a cute carrier. 

Lip Smacker Lippy Pal Unicorn($4)—Buy Here!

Heart Ring Crayons

As functional as they are cute, these heart ring crayons will top the list of stocking stuffers they love. 

Heart Ring Crayons ($5)—Buy Here!

Tops Malibu Deluxe Surprise Ball Orange

Unwind colorful crepe paper ribbons and discover vintage-inspired toys, gifts, and keepsakes in this fun orange shape. 

Tops Malibu Deluxe Surprise Ball Orange ($24.50)—Buy Here!

Rotten Gummy Worms

Rotten Gummy Worms stocking stuffer

With 60% less sugar and a 100% compostable bag, these gummy worms are a choice you can feel good about (plus, they're pretty tasty!). 

Rotten Gummy Worms ($29 for 8 bags)—Buy Here!

Cocofloss Happiness Set

Cocofloss Happiness Set stocking stuffer

Kids will get excited to floss when they are given this colorful set with a fruity fragrance. 

Cocofloss Happiness Set ($36)—Buy Here!

Olio e Osso Bright & Light Balms

Olio e Osso Bright & Light Balms stocking stuffers

Kids into beauty will love these balms that do double duty on lips and cheeks with just the right amount of color. 

Olio e Osso Bright & Light Balms ($28)—Buy Here!

Welly Bravery Bandages

Pop this tin in their stocking and they'll love carrying it around to school and after school sports. 

Welly Bravery Bandages ($7)—Buy Here!

Kwik Stix Holiday Edition Paint Pens

Kwik Stix Holiday Edition Paint Pens stocking stuffer

These washable paints dry quickly and don't require a paint brush. 

Kwik Stix Holiday Edition Paint Pens ($16)—Buy Here!

Bizyboo Busy Bags

Bizzyboo Busy Bags stocking stuffer

Can you find all the hidden characters? These busy bags are perfect to bring along when you need a non-messy toy. 

Bizyboo Busy Bags ($13)—Buy Here!

GooToobz Gamers

GooToobz Gamers stocking stuffers

This fun sensory toy looks like a video game but it's full of squishy goo. A stocking stuffer idea they'll love!

GooToobz Gamers ($8)—Buy Here!

Mini Crystal Ball

Mini Crystal Ball stocking stuffers

Wave your hand over this teeny, tiny crystal ball and reveal one of 15 responses to help guide your future. 

Mini Crystal Ball ($11)—Buy Here!

Noshinku Pocket Natural Hand Sanitizer

These refillable sanitizers come with four different scents to choose from. 

Noshinku Pocket Natural Hand Sanitizer ($34 for 4-pack)—Buy Here!

All the products listed are independently & personally selected by our shopping editors.

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.

All images courtesy of retailers.

 

Here’s a hint: a cardboard box is magical

When I was pregnant with my second child, I honestly thought I was giving my son the best. gift. ever. It wasn’t until I watched him transform into the gorgon over a Glow Worm that he’d given up years earlier that I realized it might be a few decades before they truly start to appreciate each other. So in the meantime, I’ve found a close substitute for true love and affection: laughter and mischief. Keep reading for my favorite games to play with siblings to foster a united, (mostly) happy front that I’m banking on to pay out in close-knit kids. One day. Maybe.

The Game: Mean Mommy

How to Play: This is a little like Mother May I, but you’re playing the role of Mean Mommy, who says “no” in her grumpiest voice and meanest face to everything the kids ask for. You won’t be able to go two rounds without your kids dissolving into laughter and strategizing together for something to ask that you’ll actually say yes to. The more absurd the things you say no to—like them brushing their teeth or picking up toys from the floor—the better.

Why You’ll Love It: This game doesn’t score you any time off the clock, but it does let you sit still for a few minutes while they’re cracking up with one another. And let’s be honest. Sometimes it feels really good to make a grumpy face and say no to things.

The Game: Rescue

How to Play: In each round, one or more kids play the role of rescuer, and one must be rescued. The fun here is that the rescuer gets to tell the one to be rescued just what kind of a pickle he or she’s in. When my son was in his shark stage, I found my 3-year-old (the victim) in an empty bathtub, covered in paper plates. My son’s scenario? He had to rescue the younger one from a shark-feeding frenzy. The paper plates were the sharks. The rescue was better than any scene from Sharknado.

Why You’ll Love It: This one gets a little risky since the basis of the game is that one child has to tell another one what to do—an obvious red flag. But as long as they take turns, it works out beautifully. The other risk is that the rescue scenarios can get a little treacherous. I played this with my own brother as a child and my mom found me lying in a ditch, pretending to be being attacked by buzzards. Just keep an eye on the game, is all I’m saying.

The Game: Dizzy Simon Says

How to Play: This game to play with siblings will definitely buy you some peace and quiet, but it’s so funny that you may want to stick around to watch. Nothing complicated here. It’s just Simon Says, but the kids who aren’t the leader have to close their eyes and spin around 20 times before trying to follow the leader.

Why You’ll Love It: It will remind you of that friend in college who ended up coming home with one shoe missing.

photo scavenger hunt is a fun game to play with siblings
iStock

The Game: Photo Scavenger Hunt

How to Play: If you’re willing to hand over a phone, iPad, or digital camera, this game will pay out in literally hours of time to get things done on your own, while the kids play. You have to set it up, but all you do is number 1-10 on 10 pieces of paper, and place them around the yard or house. Take an up-close picture of each location, then have them flip through the photos to find each clue. When they’ve collected all 10 clues, reward them with a prize. Marshmallows work well at my house.

Why You’ll Love It: When you get good at this game you start to place each clue in the furthest opposite corners of your property to increase the amount of ground they have to cover to pick each clue up. Wear. Them. Out. But head’s up—younger ones can get left behind on this, so be sure to give them the special job of holding the phone so the older ones have to wait on them before moving on to the next clue.

The Game: On Top of Spaghetti

How to Play: Perfect for a rainy day, this classic song can save your afternoon. Teach them to sing “On Top of Spaghetti” and role-play being the meatball. For real. They love rolling with a sneeze right out the door, landing in the bushes, then turning to mush.

Why You’ll Love It: Piles of pillows make epic piles of spaghetti. They can do it together, and they burn off some energy, to boot.

The Game: Restaurant

How to Play: Isn’t it weird that they like taking orders from “strangers,” but if you were to ask them to get you a cup of water on a random Tuesday they’d all of a sudden have broken legs? But I digress. With this one, your first step is to get them to each make a menu for their restaurant. They can cut pictures out of magazines, or draw them onto construction paper. Let them make play money. Then, they get to take turns being the server while the other is the customer.

Why You’ll Love It: Lay the law down early that the only food product they’ll be working with are bowls of water, and the worst that can happen is you end up mopping the floor.

The Game: Shadow Tracing

How to Play: Outside, have one child strike a funny pose while the other traces their shadow.

Why You’ll Love It: Anytime one child is still and quiet, the other is usually pretty happy, too. You’re welcome.

Two girls enjoying games to play with siblings outside.
iStock

The Game: The Great Outdoors

How to Play: Set up a tent, then tell them that they’re going camping. Seriously. They get really into it. If yours need some prompting, suggest they gather sticks and rocks to build a fire pit, give them peanut butter and birdseed and string and have them decorate pine cones to tie into the trees nearby. Let them paint the trunks of the trees around the campsite with non-toxic paint.

Why You’ll Love It: They’ll get messy, yes, but this is the kind of game to play with siblings that knows no end. I’ve seen mine turn a “camping” day into role-playing, fort building, and treasure hunting.

The Game: Favorite Movie Mash-Up

How to Play: Who needs to pick just one movie to act out? In this game to play with siblings, each child picks a favorite character from a movie and they have to come up with a plot for a new movie, using the characters each has picked.

Why You’ll Love It: It gets really weird. Funny-weird, not creepy weird, but still. The last time mine played this we had Pocahontas battling Elsa over who had the best “nature powers.” Honestly, some of the scenes they’ve come up with have beaten the last couple of series I’ve tried on Netflix.

The Game: Ye Old Cardboard Box

How to Play: Give them a box. Walk away.

Why You’ll Love It: Nothing holds more potential than a cardboard box. Go crazy and throw some aluminum foil and markers on the ground before you leave, if you want. It’s not like we’ll think your kids are high-maintenance or anything but . . .

I hope you find a few minutes of peace while your children play these games without too many battles.

 

After the success of the sequel released last fall, a Disney executive has confirmed that ‘Hocus Pocus 3’ is officially in the works

Dost thou comprehend? It’s time to get excited, because less than a year after the much-anticipated sequel hit Disney+, the streamer has confirmed that Hocus Pocus 3 is coming!

Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy, and Sarah Jessica Parker will reprise their iconic roles as a trio of Salem witches once again, just in time for the 30th anniversary of the original movie. Sean Bailey, Disney’s President of Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture Production, confirmed the news in a recent interview with the New York Times.

The NYT article does note that Hocus Pocus 3 is one of about 50 projects currently in Bailey’s pipeline. But it would make perfect sense for Disney to make a third movie—the second one debuted last fall, 29 years after the original, and broke Disney+ streaming records in the process. Anyone who remembers trying to watch it on release night may also remember that the traffic literally broke the Disney+ Firestick app.

The film’s stars haven’t spoken out about the third movie, but during interviews prior to Hocus Pocus 2′s release last year, they were asked what they thought about continuing the story.

“I’m envious of other actors who have franchises, and I was hoping for a sequel to First Wives Club, but we never got that. After 30 years with no sequel to Hocus Pocus, I’ve always been envious of people who get to do their favorite character more than once,” Midler said at the time. “The fact that we got to do this finally, after 30 years of promoting the idea, I’m glad we got to do it. I’d love to have a franchise — especially a character I love playing.”

She continued, “If there was a third one, of course, I’d sign on, but I don’t know how. I can’t imagine what the story would be, but I love Winifred, Sarah, Mary, and our relationship. It’s good for women. We stick together through hell and high water, but we do cause mayhem, and not many women cause that much mayhem!”

No matter what happens in Salem, we’ll be sure to tune in and watch.

Sometimes they get it right

Is there anything worse than a book changing its cover art to coincide with the release of a movie? Any book purist will tell you, the book is always better. Except, when it’s not. Sometimes a book to movie adaptation is just as good: when casting is just perfect, when the scenes play out on screen just as they did in your imagination, and when you actually enjoy a film more.

Here are a few of those times. And frankly, in some of these examples, the adaptation is even better than the book.

The Devil Wears Prada

We could simply say “Meryl Streep,” and be done with it, but that incredible casting wasn’t the only thing that made the film adaptation of The Devil Wears Prada—we’ll say it—better than the book. The film adaptation was more daring; Andy (Anne Hathaway) hooks up with a super-hot author on her Paris trip instead of just flirting, Miranda chooses Andy over Emily to attend the fashion week trip (in the book Emily just gets sick), and the movie provides the closure the book didn’t (Meryl’s subtle smile in the last scene!). This movie is constantly on TV, and we bet there are many, many people watching it every time.

The Silence of the Lambs

'Silence of the Lamb's is a great book to movie adaptation
Strong Heart Productions

 

Is there a more perfectly horrifying film than The Silence of the Lambs? I saw this movie in 1991 when I was a senior in high school. I remember walking out of the movie theater and wishing I could immediately erase the memory from my brain—particularly the scene where serial killer Buffalo Bill lures his victim into his van. It seemed like something that could happen so easily, and it made the outrageous events that followed—serial killer Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins) helping a young FBI agent (Jodi Foster)—somehow more believable. The perfect pacing of the film and the development of characters all aligned with the novel, making the adaptation just as good as the book.

Misery

Misery marked the second time Rob Reiner directed a movie adaptation of a Stephen King novel; the first was Stand By Me, based on King’s novel The Body. Frankly, both movies are a work of art. The screen version somehow manages to be less gory than the book, but the perfection of casting and location here makes the movie work so well. Kathy Bates plays a perfect Annie—a woman so obsessed with her favorite character in a book series that she essentially kidnaps the author to bring him back to life. Bates won an Oscar for her performance—and James Caan was perfect as her author victim, Paul Sheldon.

Fleishman is in Trouble

FX

Everything about the book Fleishman is in Trouble rests on the timing of realizing who the narrator is and whose point of view you should, as a reader, be minding. I was so skeptical that a television adaptation would be able to get this right, but this one did. Author Taffy Brodesser-Akner adapted the novel for the screen and served as Executive Producer for this perfect adaptation starring Lizzy Caplan as Libby Epstein (the reluctant narrator), Jesse Eisenberg as Dr. Toby Fleishman, and Clare Danes as Rachel. And yes, it was just as good as the book.

Big Little Lies

It almost isn’t fair to compare the book to the adaptation here, thanks to Laura Dern. Her perfect portrayal of Renata is alone enough to merit the claim that the TV adaptation of Big Little Lies succeeded in the almost impossible task of being better than the book it was based on. The way the TV show whittled down the main characters to focus on the perfect casting was also brilliant; the book had way more characters to juggle. Reese Witherspoon, Zoe Kravitz, Nicole Kidman, and Shailene Woodley along with Dern, were a force of a group to share a screen. The perfection only lasted a season though, thanks to a producer shake-up in season two that led to some choppy editing and usurped the plans of the season’s female producer Andrea Arnold.

Related: True Crime Docuseries Moms Can’t Get Enough Of

Interview with a Vampire

'The Interview with the Vampire' is a great book to movie adaptation.
Warner Bros.

 

Anne Rice herself wrote the screenplay for the 1994 film adaptation of her novel Interview with a Vampire. so it’s no wonder it was absolute perfection. The movie stars Tom Cruise as Lestat de Lioncourt and Brad Pitt as Louis de Pointe du Lac. Paramount purchased the rights to the book before it was published in 1976—and it would take nearly 20 years to finally come to life on film. A young Christian Slater? An even younger Kirsten Dunst? Add a gorgeous and dark New Orleans for the setting and who wouldn’t fall in love with this adaptation? Cruise played a perfectly sadistic Lestat to Pitt’s ever-trying-to-reform-himself Louis, and though the book was met with less than stellar reviews, the movie earned immediate acclaim.

Practical Magic

If you’ve yet to dive into Alice Hoffman’s Practical Magic series, what are you waiting for? Practical Magic follows the modern-day descendants of a long line of witches who’ve been cursed to never allow love into their lives. If they do, the people they love are met with a tragic end. Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman played Sally and Gillian Owens so perfectly, even a devout fan of the books would be enthralled. And the location was to die for! The Owens house! That kitchen! And the casting was perfection for the rest of the characters, too. Stockard Channing and Dianne Wiest were perfect aunts, and by the end of this movie, you’d be convinced that magic is everywhere.

Where the Crawdads Sing

The film adaptation of Where the Crawdads Sing does an amazing job of staying true to the book, the one big difference of course being Kya’s pursuit by the police starting so early. But it sets up Kya being a first-person narrator so well you have to forgive the filmmakers for tweaking the timeline. Jumpin’ plays a larger role in the film adaptation, but the nod to all the racism he dealt with in the book is absent in the movie. But with so much ground to cover—the book essentially spans a lifetime—the movie does such a masterful job of drawing you into the suspense and larger questions of the book. This is a not-to-miss read, and the movie should be on your list as well.

The Leftovers

HBO

 

This HBO adaptation is based on the Tom Perotta novel of the same name. The premise: three years prior, two percent of the world’s population has vanished in an event called “The Departure,” and those left behind are tasked with wondering where their families are, how to move on, and why they were left behind. The book deals with the concepts of grief, loss, religion, and meaning so beautifully it was hard to imagine that an adaptation could be as successful, but this one is. The show follows the Garvey family and a network of their close friends. It starts as more of a supernatural mystery, but the greater themes of the plot (the search for meaning, humanity, and happiness) surface as the seasons progress. Justin Theroux and Amy Brenneman anchor the all-star cast.

The Godfather

You have to read the book! is a common response when someone says they love a film adaptation. Mario Puzo’s The Godfather is one of those books that’s been overshadowed by the success of the movie adaptation. Director Francis Ford Coppola’s version didn’t get lost in as many minor characters and peripheral storylines as the book, and by laser-focusing on the Corleone family, specifically Michael and his father, Don Vito, viewers are so invested in this family, they easily commit to nearly three hours per installment. Not to mention the that Godfather Part II has been on the 100 greatest films of all time list for decades and is known as the best sequel—ever.

Related: 14 Coming-of-Age Movies That Should Be Required Viewing

The new year is the perfect time to dust off old traditions, or to begin new ones with your family. For us, it’s a nostalgic Friday night “family night” piled on the couch streaming a movie or series with your siblings, parents and a giant bowl of freshly popped popcorn.

In today’s world you could be finished with the popcorn before the family even decides what to stream. Decision fatigue is real.

That’s why we’re here with a round up of must-see content the whole family will love, all found only on Disney+. We’re sharing our favorite movies and series from action and adventure, to humorous and heartfelt.

Now, if only we could reach out to hug the brilliant creative minds who make these stories just as entertaining and enjoyable for us, as they do for our kiddos.

Looking for a way to keep this tradition alive after January’s round up? We’ve got just the idea – The Family Night Disney+ Bowl.

Here’s how it works: Ask everyone in your family to write down a few of their favorite titles on Disney+ and drop it in the bowl. Each “family night”, a different family member takes turns picking out a title from the bowl and cozies up for a viewing party.

Start your family night traditions with amazing content, found only on Disney+.

5 Picks To Kick-Off Your Family Night Viewing Tradition:

Shorts to Warm Your Heart & Make You Laugh:

“I Am Groot”

Your family might recognize this lovable little tree, Groot, from his first appearance in Marvel Studios’ Guardians of the Galaxy (2014). Now he’s back in a collection of five Original shorts introducing a cast of new and unusual characters, all bound to entertain the entire family.

Voiced by Vin Diesel, your family will be charmed by Groot’s childlike expressions, as well as his mischievous flare!

TV-PG: parental guidance is recommended

Series Premieres Starring Your Favorite Cast of Characters:

Star Wars: The Bad Batch Season 2 (Premiering January 4, 2023)

Two words: action & drama. If your older ones have been anxiously awaiting the return of this mega-hit from the Star Wars animated universe, they’ll be thrilled to hear that the wait is officially over. With 16 total episodes in Season 2, released weekly, you’ve got the family night viewing hour covered for a while.

TV-PG: parental guidance is recommended

“Zootopia+”

It’s about time we got invited back to the fast-paced mammal metropolis of Zootopia. In this short-form series, we get the chance to dive deeper into the colorful lives of some of the Oscar®-winning feature film’s most intriguing residents, including Fru Fru, the fashion-forward arctic shrew.

TV-PG: parental guidance is recommended

Most Loved Movies Only on Disney+:

“Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules”

We’re always on board to see more of this family-favorite character. This new animated movie is based on the second book in Jeff Kinney’s wildly popular book series, focusing on the rocky dynamic of our protagonist, middle schooler Greg Heffley, and his spikey-haired high school brother Rodrick. Teaser – Rodrick is lazy and undisciplined, and spends way too much time practicing with his rock band, Löded Diper. While he loves to torment Greg, we get to see his soft side and deep affection for his younger brother reveal itself throughout the movie.

TV-PG: parental guidance is recommended

“The Biggest Little Farm, The Return”

The Chester family and all of the lovable characters on their farm (human and animal) are back on our screens after enormous praise and adoration of their 2018 award-winning documentary. We get to be virtual visitors again on their property at Apricot Lane Farms as they navigate the challenging and beautiful symbiotic relationship between land and animals. New characters of note – Emma the pig who welcomes her newest litter and an adorable lamb named Moe who befriends the family.

TV-PG: parental guidance is recommended

Sign up today for a front row seat to all of the best stories, all in one place.

Happy Streaming!

© 2023 Disney and its related entities. Must be 18+ to subscribe.

Whether it’s trying to stash cash for the future or add to the family travel fund, figuring out how to save money is a move in every parent’s playbook. From simple hacks like keeping a change jar to money-saving apps, we’ve got some awesome tips just for you. Keep reading to see them all.

Budgeting

Keep a Change Jar: This has to be one of the easiest money-saving tips! Drop your spare change in at the end of each day and watch your savings grow.

Always Use Cash: Avoid using your card whenever possible. Fact: Using cash allows you to see how much you’re spending and keeps you accountable.

Time Big Purchases: Save all of your big purchases for the end of the month to get the best deals. If a salesperson is trying to make month-end goals, she might be willing to work with you on the price. 

Shopping for Supplies

school supplies
Burst by Shopify

School Supplies: When it comes to school supplies, the earlier you shop the better. You’ll find more options and more savings. 

Buy Themed Supplies After the Fact: Always purchase plates, cups and napkins on sale after holidays like Halloween, Fourth of July and Easter are over. You can stow away to use the following next year.

Money-Saving Apps

Pixabay

Groupon: This is definitely one of our favorite money-saving apps! Discover great deals for all types of events and products for your family.

SnipSnap: Ever wanted a money-saving app to keep you organized? This is the ultimate place to store all of your printed coupons right on your phone.

Honey: Install Honey on your browser and it'll automatically search the internet for all the coupons being offered for the website you're shopping on. It applies the savings at checkout. 

Coupons: Do you miss clipping all those paper coupons? Check out Coupons, where you can sift through tons of digital coupons. You might have to print out some, but many can be used via your smartphone.

Checkout 51: This cash-back app saves you money at grocery stores, gas stations, drugstores and more. Checkout 51 adds new items every week, too. 

 

Eco-Friendly Options

GroVia

Cloth Diapers: Babies go through diapers like crazy, and if you're searching for money-saving tips that will help you save the planet, cloth diapers are the way to go. Here are our favorites. 

Wool Balls in Your Dryer: Forget that chemical fabric softener, and throw a wool ball in your dryer instead—they can be used over and over with ease.

Create a Non-Toxic Cleaner: If you want to stop using harsh chemical cleaners, you can actually keep your family healthy and save cash by making your own cleaner in a snap.

Shopping Smart

Just Between Friends

Shop Unique Sales: No need to obsess over department store sales. Look out for sample, garage and consignment sales for everything from clothes to toys.

Do Specific Searches: No more aimless scrolling! Avoid impulsive purchases by searching for the specific products you’re looking for when you shop online.

DIY Fun

Daniel Öberg/Unsplash

Grow & Plant Your Food: It takes a bit of extra work, but growing your veggies and planting your own trees can be a fun activity that will save you quite a bit of money in the long run.

Skip the Coffee Shop: Brew your own coffee at home and save $5-$7 every day!

Baby Food: Making your own baby food is actually surprisingly easy. Follow simple recipes to make yummy and healthy options for your little one.

Tech Money Making & Savings

Sharon McCutcheon/Unsplash

Check Your Bills: Take an in-depth look at your cell phone and cable bills to make sure you’re not paying for features you don’t use.

Retail Me Not: Ever wanted to find out how to save money when you're shopping? Get paid to shop at your favorite stores by signing up with Retail Me Not.

Neighbor: Make money by renting out a spare room, garage or closet as storage space for others by downloading and registering for Neighbor

Grocery Savings

Stehly Farms Organics

Shred Your Own Veggies: Don’t waste money on pre-cut or shredded fruits and veggies. Making your own is easy and so much cheaper.

Buy Generic: Forget about name brands and buy generic or store brand products whenever possible. 

Go Meatless: Consider adding a Meatless Monday to your recipe rotation. A study published in the Journal of Hunger & Environmental Nutrition found that vegetarians save up to $750 a year by going meatless.

See the rest of our tips on saving on groceries here

Save on Travel

istock

GasBuddy: On the road and need gas ASAP? Use this money-saving app to find the cheapest gas closest to you.

Hotel Tonight: Have an unexpected stop on your vacay? Find low price hotels your family will love (You can also use this app to get great deals in advance!).

BestParking: Going on a cool adventure to a new city? This money-saving app will help you find parking that won’t break the bank.

Open a Travel Credit Card: Many credit cards (especially airline cards) offer extra points and incentives if you spend a certain amount of money within the first few months of opening an account. Some even offer double points for travel-related expenses, so take advantage of this perk and charge away.

Buy Themed Gear Ahead of Time: Your kid will want to represent her favorite character anyway, so why not buy it and bring it along for the trip? You'll save tons by avoiding marked-up resort prices. 

See other money-saving travel tips from the web's savviest travel bloggers here

 

 

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Getting to a gym isn’t exactly easy for busy parents, but the good news is that it’s easy to break a sweat at home. Whether you want to lunge your way through laundry duty or do Zumba between Zoom calls, there’s always a time and place for exercise (Hello, life hacks!). We’ve got all the best at-home workouts and fitness tips below.

Take Advantage of Free At-Home Workouts

mom doing at-home workouts
Peloton

You don't need a gym to get a great, instructor-led workout. Big-name companies like Planet Fitness and Nike and smaller gyms (try your local faves) offer free at-home workouts online. Here are a few good ones to try:

Peloton Family Fitness Classes: 10 episodes of free family-friendly programming—from meditation to cardio. Classes are appropriate for ages 5-15, and you don't have to have a Peloton bike or treadmill to participate in. Read more about it here. Peloton is also offering a free 90-day trial of its complete workout app (which is normally $13 a month), which has classes such as yoga, strength, meditation, cardio and Bootcamp, as well as the traditional indoor cycling classes.  

Planet Fitness Live Stream Fitness "Work-Ins": Live streamed workout classes taught by Planet Fitness and celebrity guest trainers. Streams run every day at 7 p.m. ET. Find out more at Planetfitness.com.

Nike Training Club: Free 15, 30 and 45-minute workouts designed by Nike trainers. The training session uses simple GIFs to demonstrate each exercise, and the app has everything from bodyweight-only sessions and yoga to targeted training programs. Find out more at Nike.com

305 Fitness: If you're looking for a good dance or Zumba workout, this dance cardio studio is offering free 10- to 45-minute classes on its YouTube page.  

Use Your Alexa for At-Home Workouts

Amazon Echo with Alexa
Amazon

What, you didn't know that besides playing music and offering endless entertainment for your kids, Alexa can also make a pretty good partner during at-home workouts? Try one of these Alexa-enabled skills to break a sweat at home: 

Seven-Minute Workout - Just say, "Alexa, play the 7-Minute Workout" and you'll get a full-body workout in less than the time it takes for your kids to get dressed in the morning. 

Five-Minute Workout - Seven minutes too much for you? How about five? This quickie makes for a good "get moving" push when you or your kids have been sitting for too long.  Say, "Alexa: Enable Five Minute Workout." 

Five-Minute Plank Workout - Even with varied types of planks offered in this Alexa skill, five minutes will feel like a long time. But it's worth it! Just say, "Alexa: Enable Plank Workout." 

Fitness 30 - You pick what time of workout you want (chest, cardio, abs or yoga) and then Alexa will call out a workout move for you to do while she counts down 25 seconds. Then you get a five-second rest before starting with a different move. Your workouts can be as long or short as you want them (with a 30-second minimum, of course). Just say "Alexa: Enable Fitness 30." 

Easy Yoga - You don't have to be a practiced yogi to master some of the moves Alexa will throw at you in this 15-20 minute routine. Just choose between a morning, evening or energizing routine and Alexa will guide you through it. Just say: "Alexa: Enable Easy Yoga." 

Six-Minute Full Body Stretch - Keep your joints limber with this quick and easy stretching tutorial. Alexa will guide you through stretching out six body groups and help you hold the stretch for the required amount of time. Say, "Alexa: Enable Six-Minute Full Body Stretch."

Squeeze Exercises Into Daily Chores

iStock

Don't have time to plank, squat and jump your way through a 45-minute at-home workout video? No problem! You can get that same 45 minutes of exercise throughout the day by planking, squatting and jumping at unexpected times. For instance:

  • Do planks while cleaning the house. If you do them on the floor, it may just motivate you to sweep, vacuum or mop more often!
  • Get in a few leg lifts and or calf raises throughout your day when you’re standing at your desk, brushing your teeth or making the kids' lunch. We know you’re no stranger to multi-tasking.
  • Do lunges or wall sits while you brush your teeth
  • Every time you go to the bathroom or wash your hands, use the sink to do 10 pushups
  • While watching TV, do backward push ups against the couch. 
  • Make your Netflix binge a game. Every time your favorite character's name is said aloud, do 10 jumping jacks or sit-ups. 
  • Do leg kicks or crunches during commercial breaks when you watch TV.
  • Move your computer to a standing desk (or counter) and do leg lifts while you work, scroll or send e-mails. 

Make Dance Parties Part of Your At-Home Workouts

istock

What kid doesn't like to dance? Grab your tiny dance partner and get your groove on. Studies show dancing melts away stress—and it's a great at-home workout. Win-win!

Play!

iStock

There's a reason kids don't get tired of playing—because it's fun! So make like a kid and play! And, if you want to know the nitty-gritty rewards of a good play session, here's how many calories the average person can burn just having fun with the littles:

  • Marco Polo in the pool - 200 calories
  • Playground Games - 186 calories (hopscotch, 4-square, t-ball, etc.)
  • Casual Soccer Game - 204 calories
  • Jumping Rope - 238 calories
  • Roller Blading - 374 calories
  • Touch Football - 298 calories
  • Badminton - 167 calories
  • Frisbee - 112 calories
  • Sledding - 260 calories
  • Basketball - 298 calories
  • Hula Hooping - 165 calories

*Sources: InterMountain Health, Harvard Medical Center, Livestrong.com

Put Weight On During Your At-Home Workouts

iStock

Wear wrist or ankle weights as you go about your daily routine and cleaning (you can get them on Amazon for less than $20). Don't want to buy weights? Studies show just carrying your baby—in a sling or carrier—while you're walking helps you burn about double the calories as from walking alone. 

Get Gardening

NeONBRAND on Unsplash

If you’ve got weeds to pull—instead of bending over, use this as an opportunity to do squats. You can do the same when picking up toys. Feel the burn. According to Harvard University researchers, gardening and weeding burn up to 400 calories per hour! But that's not all: Digging, planting, mowing the lawn and raking are all workouts, too, burning at least 120 calories for a 30-minute session. 

Clean the House

Marek Studzinski on Unsplash

OK, so this one's no fun, but did you know deep-cleaning has some serious calorie-burning benefits? According to this chart published by Harvard Medical Center, heavy cleaning—including washing your car—burns up to 400 calories per hour. Think about that the next time you're peeved to pick up the toys for the fifteenth time in a day. 

Organize a "Get Moving" Afternoon

Allen Taylor via Unsplash

Write out different physical challenges on flashcards (think: crab walk, jumping jacks, downward dog) and have the whole family participate. Need some get-moving ideas the kids will love? Here are a few suggestions

Use Your Baby's Weight—Literally!

Thiago Cerqueira on Unsplash

Need an excellent upper body workout? If you've got a kid under the age of two, just lift her high up into the air 10 times, and you're sure to feel the burn. Better yet, throw her into the air and catch her (carefully, please!). With guaranteed orders of "more! more!" toddlers actually make pretty good trainers. 

Got a super-little one? Besides the simple act of carrying your bundle of joy around all day long, baby mamas can also get a whole-body workout with these fun mom & baby workout routines

—Taylor Clifton & Melissa Heckscher

 

 

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Research shows that children who learn another language at an early age are more likely to achieve fluency. So whether you’re passing down a heritage language or simply want your child to have the advantage of speaking more than one language, our list of bilingual books in an array of languages is sure to kick-start your toddler’s linguistic adventures!

The Best Chinese Bilingual Board Books for Toddlers


The Best Bilingual Board Books for Toddlers and Babies
Amazon

12 Lucky Animals: A Bilingual Baby Book

$8 BUY NOW

The 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac come alive through vivid pictures and playful descriptions in this English-Chinese board book making for an exciting cultural adventure.

The Best French Bilingual Board Books for Toddlers


best bilingual books for toddlers and babies
Amazon

Hello, My Friend / Bonjour, Mon Amie

$7 BUY NOW

Little fans of Disney Junior’s Fancy Nancy will be delighted to learn first words in both English and French alongside their favorite character.


The Best Bilingual Board Books for Toddlers and Babies
Amazon

Hello, Paris! / Bonjour, Paris!

$10 BUY NOW

Your child will have a great time discovering the sights of Paris while learning helpful French phrases with a little help from a friendly cat and kitten duo!


The Best Bilingual Board Books for Toddlers and Babies

Eating the Rainbow / Manger l'arc-en-ciel

$7 BUY NOW

This book is full of adorable images of toddlers and preschoolers enjoying healthy foods in all the colors of the rainbow! Your kiddo will have fun learning the names of their favorite fruits and veggies in both English and French.

The Best German Bilingual Board Books for Toddlers


The Best Bilingual Board Books for Toddlers and Babies
Amazon

My First Bilingual Book—Numbers

$6 BUY NOW

Bright illustrations introduce babies and toddlers to numbers, colors, and everyday objects in both English and German.


Amazon

My First Bilingual Book—Love

$9 BUY NOW

Another from the MFBB series! Show your little one the many forms of love while they learn how to vocally express these emotions in two languages.

The Best Hindi Bilingual Board Books for Toddlers


The Best Bilingual Board Books for Toddlers and Babies
Amazon

My First English Hindi Learning Library

$21 BUY NOW

This box set of 10 books includes all the basic learning themes perfect for toddlers—ABC, Numbers, Colors, and more! Each book has bright and realistic images labeled in both English and Hindi.

The Best Italian Bilingual Board Book for Toddlers


The Best Bilingual Board Books for Toddlers and Babies
Amazon

Mangia! Mangia!

$7 BUY NOW

Got a little pasta lover at home? This colorful board book introduces toddlers to the delicious and diverse world of Italian cuisine (beyond spaghetti!).

The Best Japanese Bilingual Board Book for Toddlers


The Best Bilingual Board Books for Toddlers and Babies
Amazon

Up and Down

$6 BUY NOW

An opposites-themed book in bold color block illustrations paired with full, descriptive sentences makes for an extra effective Japanese vocabulary development boost!

The Best Korean Bilingual Board Book for Toddlers


The Best Bilingual Board Books for Toddlers and Babies
Amazon

The Solar System

$12 BUY NOW

A curiosity of space is an innate human quality, so it’s never too early to explore the planets and stars with your toddler. Not only do we love the playful illustrations, but the transliterations score major points with parents who are learning Korean alongside their kiddos.

The Best Portuguese Bilingual Board Book for Toddlers


The Best Bilingual Board Books for Toddlers and Babies
Amazon

Upa! Upa! Hip, Hop

$6 BUY NOW

This easy-to-follow board book with contrasting images of baby animals is sure to capture the attention of our tiniest language-learners as they learn words to describe animal movements in Portuguese and English.

The Best Spanish Bilingual Board Books for Toddlers


The Best Bilingual Board Books for Toddlers and Babies
Amazon

Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes/Cabeza, Hombros, Piernas, Pies

$4 BUY NOW

This well-known nursery song has been translated into numerous languages and is beloved around the world. This Spanish version will have your toddler singing along in no time!


Amazon

¡Me gusta cómo soy! / I Like Myself!

$6 BUY NOW

This fun book will teach your toddler all about loving who they are through bright and quirky illustrations, while growing their sense of self-esteem and their Spanish vocabulary!


The Best Bilingual Board Books for Toddlers and Babies
Amazon

Palo y Piedra / Stick and Stone

$6 BUY NOW

A heartwarming story of friendship with an underlying anti-bullying message and the cutest illustrations!


The Best Bilingual Board Books for Toddlers and Babies
Amazon

Los Tres Cerditos / The Three Little Pigs

$4 BUY NOW

A classic fairytale retold in a gentle tone with equally serene visuals is sure to become your toddler’s favorite for years to come.

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While there is hope that the pandemic will end with two newly approved vaccines, there is still a need for mask-wearing to prevent the spread of COVID-19. And, as recommended by the CDC, everyone over the age of two should be wearing masks. But getting a two-year-old to wear a mask can seem like an impossible feat when you consider how challenging it can be to get a two-year-old to do anything. But if you are considering putting your toddler in any sort of daycare setting you need to prioritize mask-wearing as many childcare providers are requiring them as well. We have a few strategies on how to get your toddler to wear a mask below.

Use a Special Character
For many children seeing a favorite character doing something is the best form of encouragement and can work wonders in getting your toddler to wear a mask. Sit down with your toddler and read a story like Heroes Wear Masks: Elmo’s Super Adventure to introduce masks in a non-threatening way. It can also provide an easier way to explain where and when we wear masks. Another option is to show a video of a character wearing a mask. Sesame Street has a short video with Oscar the Grouch and so does Arthur. Your toddler will get more comfortable with the idea of wearing a mask as they see it more and more in their books and shows. You can even get a matching mask for a favorite doll or stuffed animal so your toddler can practice putting a mask on for someone else before they have to wear their own.

Give Kids a Choice
Toddlers are all about showing their independence and often want to be the ones to make the final decision on everything. Have a few mask options ready and give them the choice of which one to try first. Getting a mask in their favorite color or character is helpful but remember to also focus on the fit and comfort of the mask. Try buying a mask with adjustable straps so it can properly fit your toddler’s face. You may be able to get your toddler to wear a mask with an exciting print but if it’s not comfortable it’s not going to stay on.

Practice Wearing Masks at Home
Don’t wait to go outside to wear a mask for the first time. Practice wearing a mask at home for short periods of time. You can make a game out of it by having a dance party and wearing the mask for the length of a song or a favorite show. Find other opportunities to practice like taking a walk around the block with masks. Practice, practice, practice! Make it part of the routine of leaving the house (shoes, jacket, mask) so it becomes part of your toddler’s routine.

Show-off for Friends
Get your toddler excited about showing their mask to special friends or family members. Try having your toddler show their mask to grandparents or friends over Zoom or Facetime. Sometimes seeing another adult that is not the parent doing something makes a toddler want to do it more. Try showing your toddler how others are wearing masks. And when you are able to get your toddler to wear a mask shower them with lots of praise.

Provide a Reward for Wearing a Mask
Sometimes the easiest way to get your toddler to wear a mask is to provide a reward. A favorite treat or extra screentime can be just the enticement that can get your toddler to wear a mask without pushback. With older toddlers, a sticker chart can also be a good motivation tool. If you do have a situation where your toddler has to wear a mask bringing along candy or a special snack can be the quickest way to get your toddler to do so.

Wearing a mask can be hard for adults so keep that in mind when you are trying to teach your toddler. Don’t force it too much and try not to make it a stressful situation. Just focus on exposing your toddler to masks frequently. With time they will learn and you will feel more comfortable trusting that they will wear a mask when it’s necessary.

This post originally appeared on Upfront Blog.

Shefali Shah is the Co-Founder of Upfront, the company that makes prices public and searchable in the daycare industry. She was formerly at Google and loves exploring new cities, making elaborate recipes, and finding reasons to celebrate with family and friends. Shefali resides in Baltimore, MD with her husband and two small children.

Zoo-Wee Mama! Get ready to catch up on the new adventures of Greg Heffley and Rowley Jefferson. Last month Disney+ announced that a Diary of a Wimpy Kid animated movie will debut exclusively on the streaming service this coming year. 

Plan a Diary of a Wimpy Kid themed family game night while you are waiting for the premiere. Goliath has two phenomenal Diary of a Wimpy Kid board games – The 10 Second Challenge and Flipin’ Frenzy.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid 10-Second Challenge 

Diary of a Wimpy Kid 10-Second Challenge

This game comes with everything you need to outwimp your friends and family. Play as your favorite character from the book series and race to be the first to get around the board. There are three categories of challenges: single player, categories and two-player.  

Diary of a Wimpy Kid 10-Second Challenge includes 90 game cards with original illustrations by author Jeff Kinney. The game is played with 2-6 players, ages 8 and up.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid Flipin’ Frenzy 

Flipin’ Frenzy

Everybody plays at once as they try to make the longest chain of cards – without repeating characters or colors. Easy-to-learn gameplay keeps everyone having fun and is perfect for travel. The game is played with 2-4 players, ages 6 and up.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

All photos courtesy of Goliath Games

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