We feel for your winter birthday babies: celebrating in the shadow of the holiday season is tough! We’ve rounded up eight party favor ideas for kids that promise to make their special day that much more special—and parents will appreciate that none of them include candy. Whether you’re looking for a magic wand or a DIY memory game to while away cozy winter days, we have the perfect party favor to wrap up your little one’s celebration. See them all below.

Bitty Bubble Jars

The Pretty Blog

These pint-sized glass jars from The Pretty Blog are the perfect size for bubbles—and the pipe cleaner bubble wands are genius! Adding a few drops of food coloring in winter shades of icy blues transforms an anytime-toy into an adorable seasonal favor.

Adorable Aprons

Lillian Hope Designs

For a group of budding chefs—or perhaps for a cookie decorating gathering—consider passing out aprons so that you don’t send home tiny bakers encrusted in frosting and sprinkles. While these aprons from Lillian Hope Designs are personalized with iron-on transfer paper, you could easily swap out guests’ names for a mixture of holiday symbols, snowflakes, snowmen ... you get the idea!

Wonderfully Easy Wands

Aesthetic Nest

For the Frozen fanatics who just can’t let it go, make their whimsical dreams come true by outfitting each and every guest with one of these Elsa wands from Aesthetic Nest. Using just a dowel rod, a few ribbons, and some snowflake ornaments, they’ll soon be turning everything into snow and ice.  

Party Pampering

Evermine

For older children who enjoy a little pampering, dole out these mini manicure kits from Evermine. The frosted bags are on-target for the season, and you can change up the packaging and nail polish colors for a more wintery look. You could even include tiny bottles of hand cream to protect little fingers in the dry cold!  

Make Your Own Memory

The Green Divas

Compact enough to slip into a backpack or purse, this pint-sized memory game from The Green Divas is perfect for airplane rides, doctor’s office waiting rooms, or restaurants. The options for images on each wooden coin are only limited by your local craft store’s stamp selection! Your special birthday kid will have a ton of fun making these games for his friends, too. 

Let It Snow

Minieco

Give your guests the double-whammy magic of a snow globe AND a LEGO miniature! These hand-held jars from Minieco will entrance little eyes for hours—both with their softly-falling glittery “snow” and the LEGO figurine inside. Let your child choose different figurines for her guests to choose from for themselves.

[rt_slide image=”1447962″ caption=”One%20Little%20Project” photo_url=”http://onelittleproject.com/birdseed-ornaments/” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>One Little Project are sweet to look at and simple to make, and can easily hang from a tree limb so kids can watch feathered friends stop by for a snack.

photo: — Taylor Clifton & Katie Brown

 

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The holidays are on the way––how’s your wish list shopping going? To help parents find the hottest toys this year, shopDisney has revealed the 2020 Top 15 Holiday Toys list.

For the third year in a row, Disney is sharing the best holiday gifts for families and super fans and this year’s list includes inspiration from The Mandalorian, Marvel, Frozen 2 and more. You can already shop 13 out of all the top gifts, with two super hot toys releasing Oct. 26.

photo: shopDisney.com

So who made the list? You can check out the top toys below:

 

Arendelle Castle Play Set– $139.95

Buzz Lightyear, Woody and Toy Story Alien Interactive Talking Action Figures ($32.95 each)

Mickey Mouse House Play Set ($69.99)

Disney Animators’ 5″ Doll Set ($99.99)

Mack Friction Motor Hauler and Six Die Cast Cars Set ($79.99)

Disney Princess Cinderella Carriage *Includes 11″ Cinderella doll ($79.99)

Disney Princess Classic Doll Collection Gift Set – 11” ($129.99)

Beauty and the Beast ”Be Our Guest” Singing Tea Cart Play Set ($49.95)

Disney Frozen and Disney Frozen 2 Mega Figurine Set ($49.99)

Minnie Mouse Sweet Treats Stand Play Set ($79.99)

Star Wars: The Mandalorian Talking Action Figure ($32.99)

Vanellope with ”Comfy Princesses” Dolls Gift Set – Disney’s Ralph Breaks the Internet ($119.99)

Disney Animators’ Collection Littles Advent Calendar ($44.99)

Star Wars Exclusive Item – INFO TOP SECRET until October 26. 

Marvel Item – INFO TOP SECRET until October 26.

 

––Karly Wood

 

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If you were excited for the collectable set of The Office figurines then hold onto your hats, your elf hats! There are two more themed Little People sets available modeled after the movies Elf and Lord of the Rings. Grab these for your kids or for your own collection. 

Elf Little People

The Elf set includes Buddy the elf, Jovie and a Christmas Tree. Buddy is even holding his own bottle of maple syrup.

Lord of The Rings Little People

The Lord of the Rings set comes with six figures including Frodo Baggins, Gandalf the Grey, Aragorn, Lady Arwen, Gimli and Legolas. The Frodo figurine is holding the One Ring. 

—Jennifer Swartvagher

All photos courtesy of Amazon

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Holidays at Hogwarts have an extra touch of magic infused into them. The Bradford Exchange has just introduced the Harry Potter Illuminated Village Collection for fans of the beloved series. Each fully-sculpted village building and figurine in this collection is individually handcrafted and then hand-painted to capture with amazing details your favorite places and characters from the films.

Harry Potter Illuminated Village Collection

Your collection of illuminated villages and figurines begins with Issue One, Three Broomsticks Pub which comes with a free Harry Potter figurine. Continue your collection with Issue Two, Honeydukes sweet shop which comes with a free Ron Weasley figurine, followed by Issue Three, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and additional villages and figurines, each with a separate issue to follow.

Grab a warm mug of Butterbeer and settle in by the fireplace to enjoy all the magic the Harry Potter Illuminated Village Collection holds.

Each issue retails for $59.99.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

Featured photo: The Bradford Exchange

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If your house loves “The Mandalorian,” then you’ll want to grab the new Star Wars Deluxe Figurine set that drops on shopDisney later this fall. Arriving just in time for some prime holiday shopping, the lineup includes the top characters from the hit Disney+ show.

The entire Bounty collection consists of The Child, Kuiil, Cara Dune, Greef Karga, Mandalorian, IG-11, Moff Gideon, the Armorer and a Storm Trooper.

photo: shopDisney

You can shop for the new set only on shopDisney for $26.99 when it launches this fall.

––Karly Wood

 

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As concerned parents, at Red Tricycle we are making every effort to provide you with the most accurate information. However, at this time wide-spread closures are occuring at the last minute due to the spread (or prevention of the spread) of Covid-19. For more on what parents need to know about the Coronavirus outbreak, click here. For current info about the Disney Stores Events, check their Facebook page or call ahead before heading to the store. 

 

We are officially on the countdown to Easter! If you’re looking for a fun way to celebrate this spring-y time of year, you need only head to your local Disney store.

For the second year in a row, the Magical Egg Hunt Adventure is returning to Disney stores. Guests can participate from Mar. 13 to Apr. 12 in the event which includes an egg hunt, a map and a collectible egg with a figurine inside!

The Magical Egg Hunt costs $9.99 per child and is best for kids three and older. Participants will also get paper bunny ears to wear on their head while they search for the eggs and place stickers on their maps once they’ve found each hidden character egg.

Once kids have finished their map, they will get a Mickey Mouse Reward Egg with more hidden characters inside! To find your local store and more info on upcoming events, visit Shop Disney.

––Karly Wood

All photos: Courtesy of Disney

 

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The Force is strong among Star Wars fans this year. Soon we will have a chance to get our hands on the highly awaited “Baby Yoda” merchandise which has been teased for months now. New toys tied to the beloved franchise were revealed today just ahead of the New York Toy Fair

“Baby Yoda” as he is affectionately referred to is making an appearance in the new toy line, Star Wars: Mission Fleet, which will be released later this year from Hasbro. The new collection features 2.5” figurines of characters from the movies, Clone Wars, and The Mandalorian. 

The “Battle of the Bounty ” set features your favorite characters from the popular Disney+ series, The Mandalorian and The Child (aka Baby Yoda.) In addition to a floating bassinet with a detachable Baby Yoda figurine, the set also includes the bounty hunter’s speeder (which the bassinet can attach to) as well as his rifle, jetpack and a projectile launcher. The set, which retails for $14.99, will be coming to most stores in fall 2020.

Baby Yoda Mandalorian Figures
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 20: STAR WARS New York Toy Fair Product Showcase: THE MANDALORIAN And STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS at Dream Hotel on February 20, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Craig Barritt/Getty Images for Disney)

The Child Animatronic Edition figure that can blink his eyes, move his ears and even take a “Force nap” is set to hit shelves this fall. This new toy from Hasbro will retail for $59.99 and will be available for preorder at most major retailers at 1pm ET on February 20, 2020. 

Animatronic Baby Yoda
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 20: STAR WARS New York Toy Fair Product Showcase: THE MANDALORIAN And STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS at Dream Hotel on February 20, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Craig Barritt/Getty Images for Disney)

Other highlights include, Star Wars TROUBLE: The Mandalorian Edition and Star Wars OPERATION: The Mandalorian Edition games, all from Hasbro, a LEGO construction set featuring the Mandalorian’s Razor Crest ship and LEGO BrickHeadz™ Star Wars The Mandalorian & The Child 75317 building kit. These new items and more will be available later this year. 

LEGO Baby Yoda
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 20: STAR WARS New York Toy Fair Product Showcase: THE MANDALORIAN And STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS at Dream Hotel on February 20, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Craig Barritt/Getty Images for Disney)

Other items featuring “Baby Yoda” from Hasbro, Funko, Mattel, Build-A-Bear, The Disney Store and more, some of which went on pre-sale starting late last year, are expected to hit shelves and doorsteps starting next month.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

All photos courtesy of Craig Barritt/Getty Images for Disney

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Planning that elusive vacay that pleases the whole family is no easy feat—especially when your youngest loves thrills, Dad wants family time and you’re in the mood to soak up the sun. For a getaway that’ll please your entire crew, pack your bags and head to LEGOLAND® California Resort. With a spectacular water park, a new LEGO® Star Wars™: The Force Awakens Miniland Model Display and a hotel with NINJAGO-themed rooms, LEGOLAND is the ultimate family destination. Read on for four reasons why we think you should visit now.

The Nitty Gritty: What to Know Before You Go
LEGOLAND is a multi-faced destination with tons to do and see, which means you’ll want to budget enough time to explore all the Park has to offer. LEGOLAND® California Resort includes LEGOLAND® California, SEA LIFE® Aquarium, LEGOLAND® Water Park and LEGOLAND® Hotel. All of the rides, attractions and general awesomeness is geared towards kids 2-12. But, we promise even you, parents will find your visit worth writing home about.

Kids get in free to LEGOLAND. Score a free one-day child hopper ticket* with a full-paid one-day adult hopper ticket to LEGOLAND California with your choice of LEGOLAND Water Park or SEA LIFE aquarium. Buy yours at LEGOLAND.com/LLCRedTri and enter promo code 17027.

1. May the Force Be with You!
Star Wars fans rejoice. The new LEGO® Star Wars™: The Force Awakens Miniland Model Display debuted this past spring. Expect a 16-foot-long Star Destroyer Finalizer made up of more than 350,000 LEGO bricks. If that wasn’t impressive enough, the Display offers up six scenes set on the planet of Jakku, straight from Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

2. Dive Right In!
Water play doesn’t get much better than at LEGOLAND® California Resort. With 10 million gallons of fun, the possibilities are endless. Check out the 25-foot-tall tower (it’s the centerpiece of the Water Park and you can’t miss it), grab your entire crew to hop aboard Orange Rush (it’s a tube slide where up to four people can ride together down a 312-foot-long curving track) and customize your own raft made of soft LEGO bricks to float down the lazy river. There are even designated splash areas for younger guests with interactive spray pads, teeter totters and short, toddler-friendly slides.

3. Stay The Night!
After an entire day of splashing, playing and exploring, you don’t need to go far to rest your head. Simply book a room at the new NINJAGO rooms at LEGOLAND Hotel. Each thematic room is full of 11 LEGO NINJAGO-inspired models. Or, you can even choose from four room themes: pirate, adventure, kingdom or LEGO friends.

4. And, a few fun facts about LEGOLAND you might not know:
Kids get in free to LEGOLAND. Score a free one-day child hopper ticket* with a full-paid one-day adult hopper ticket to LEGOLAND California with your choice of LEGOLAND Water Park or SEA LIFE aquarium. Buy yours at LEGOLAND.com/LLCRedTri and enter promo code 17027.

• See a mini-figurine on the brick name badge of a model citizen (i.e. employee)? They’ll trade it with any young guest who requests it!

• The resort features more than 60 million LEGO bricks that make up the more than 30,000 LEGO models.

• Buy your tickets online! They’re valid for one year from the date of purchase. And, you can even bypass the entry line. Simply scan your tickets right at the gate!

Online: LEGOLAND.com/LLCRedTri

Do you have any insider tips on visiting LEGOLAND with your family? Tell us about your experience in the comments below.

— copy by Erin Lem; photos courtesy of LEGOLAND

 

Terms & Conditions:
*Offer valid through Dec. 25, 2017. Tickets cannot be combined with any other discounts or offers. No photocopies or facsimiles will be accepted. Additional restrictions may apply. Prices and hours subject to change without notice. The right of final interpretation resides with LEGOLAND California Resort. Not for resale. Water Park open seasonally. Visit LEGOLAND.com for hours. LEGOLAND Water Park is located in LEGOLAND California and requires visit to LEGOLAND California on same day. LEGO, the LEGO logo, the Brick and Knob configurations, the Minifigure and LEGOLAND are trademarks of the LEGO Group. ©2017 The LEGO Group. LEGOLAND and SEA LIFE are a part of Merlin Entertainments plc.

 

 

Channeling their inner superpower and defending the world. Clearly, your kid is no stranger to imaginative play. Inspire her next role play extravaganza by taking in the brand-new movie, Saban’s Power Rangers, debuting Friday, March 24. The new feature film follows all of your favorite Power Rangers as they save the earth from a cosmic witch. Read on to find out why this film is a win for families everywhere.

The Power Rangers: Reimagined
If you’re used to the Power Rangers of the 1990’s, get ready to see this clan in a whole new (and modern!) light. The movie features state-of-the-art special effects your kids have come to expect from feature films and captivating character arcs you’ve come to expect from this classic TV series. Think of this family flick as the best of both worlds: fresh and wow-worthy for your kids, and nostalgic and classic enough for you. It debuts on Friday, March 24, 2017 in theaters across the country. Snag your tickets here.

See the Movie & Then Morph Into a Power Ranger
After taking in the flick, live like a Power Ranger. It’s easy with their line of toys, masks, dress-up sets and more. Below are a few of our favorites, and for a full Power Rangers transformation be sure to check out nostalgic products by clicking here.

Power Ranger Sound Effect Mask
Once you put on the mask, you become a Power Ranger. Things get even more real with the addition of sound effects. As you play and fight to save the world, you’ll hear battle sound and phrases from the movie you just saw! Available at Target.com for $11.99

Deluxe Dress-up Set
Complete your look with a full-on costume. Snagging one of these dress-up sets may even get you out of buying another one for Halloween this year. Available at Target.com for $24.99

 

 

Interactive Megazord Figurine
Make sure your Power Rangers adventure goes off without a hitch with this interactive figurine. Available at Walmart.com for $59.99.

Let’s Get You Excited with Some Fun Facts You Might Not Know
• Power Rangers is one of the first mulit-ethnic superhero teams also featuring girl superheroes, which we think is a powerful and educational message to send to your growing tots.

• The series launched in 1993 and is the most-watched kids action series in television history.

Do your kids watch Power Rangers? Did you as a child? Tell us about your favorite Power Rangers memory in the comments below and then go see the new movie as a family.

— Erin Lem

Nothing beats a rainy afternoon like paint-your-own pottery studios, where you can paint the town (well, your figurine) red, blue or any other color under the sun. Your little artists-in-training will see their vision of cute animal statuary realized whether they create from clay or paint on a ready-to-go ceramic pottery. Click through our album to see our eight favorites, from Logan Square to Highland Park.

Glazed Expressions

The 411: With more than 300 pieces to choose from, this cozy space includes a vast selection of everything from dishes to cat figurines. And did we mention the glaze? When your child has applied all the color, the studio will add that clear and thin finish that screams “display me prominently with your family heirlooms.”

Kid appeal: After being fired in the kiln, all the items are food-safe. That’s right, your kids can eat off their masterpiece whether it’s a bowl or—if you have a silly sally—a cat’s paw.

Extra touch: The studio offers customized teacher gifts from planters to plates to plaques.

717 W. Armitage Ave.
Lincoln Park
312-867-1792
Online: myglazedexpressions.com

 

What is your favorite pottery studio? Talk it up in the Comments below!

— Kelly Haramis