Kids have a lot of energy to burn. And beelining it to the snack cabinet or swiping their tablets doesn’t quite cut it. Get your kiddo moving and grooving on their very own stationary bike— The Little Tikes Pelican Explore & Fit Cycle. Bonus points if it’s “parked” next to your grown-up version. Has working out with a buddy ever been so adorable?
They Can Go on Epic Adventures Without Leaving the House
The Little Tikes Pelican Explore & Fit Cycle takes indoor cycling up a notch by bringing kids on fun, interactive adventures. This cool bike offers 3 modes: free trainer-led adventure videos on YouTube, built-in audio-only journeys and play the music of your choice via Bluetooth™. Kids can keep the healthy vibes flowing as they experience the thrills of a mountain bike, snowboard or roller coaster. And to take the fun factor to new levels, the bike safely tilts back and forth for extra thrills.
It’s a Great Way to Be Active Indoors
No matter what the season, the Pelican is always ready to go (while actually not going anywhere at all!). Whether it’s scorching hot or—brrr—too cold, kids can move their bodies in a “just right” environment, whenever they want, regardless of the weather.
They Can Be Just like You
This bike is perfect for motivating children to create healthy habits along with mom and dad. If you already have a stationary bike, chances are your child thinks it’s pretty cool. Thanks to the Pelican, your kiddo can ride nearby and join in on the heart-pumping fun.
It’s Designed Just for Kids!
Made for children ages 3-7, the adjustable seating and handlebars make it a great fit as children grow. The lever can be adjusted to change the resistance of the workout from easy to more challenging. The coil spring mechanism, heavy-duty metal frame and textured grip handlebars ensure a safe, sturdy ride.
So what are you waiting for, let’s pedal to adventure!
Editor’s Note: The National Zoo reopened in May 2021. Admission is free, but visitors must register for timed-entry passes here.
The 163-acre National Zoo has been captivating visitors since way back in 1889, when it was called the National Museum’s Department of Living Animals, and has continued to expand its offerings over the years. Should you go? Of course! Should you have a game plan? You better! To make things easier, here’s a cheat sheet that will help you get the most out of a day spent with furry, feathered, and spiny zoo friends.
The best way to get to the zoo is by public transportation. Period. Both Metro Bus and Metro Rail have stops within walking distance of the Zoo. FYI: While equal distance from both Metro stops, the walk is uphill from the Woodley Park stop and flat from the Cleveland Park stop.The L1 and L2 buses stop right in front of the Zoo's main entrance on Connecticut Avenue. Parking can be reserved before your visit for $30.
Where to Eat
mliu92 via flickr
The Mane Grill is open and serves Elevation Burgers, vegan burgers, chicken tenders, grab and go items, and kid meals on Lion-Tiger Hill. You can grab a slice of Sbarro at Panda Plaza. Feeling the heat? Grab a cone at Carvel at Panda Overlook. Dippin' Dots, Dolci Gelati and Ben & Jerry’s is also available at various locations in the park.
Giant Panda 411
Mandy Jansen via flickr
Mei Xiang, Tian Tian and Xiao Qi Jiare definitely the resident headline makers at the National Zoo. In fact, they probably attract many of the park’s two million annual visitors. The National Zoo is a leader in giant panda conservation and has been working with China to study, breed and care for these black-and-white beauties since 1972 .Depending on the time and the weather, the giant pandas have a choice to be outside or inside the panda house. The pandas typically have outdoor access until early afternoon.
Safety regulations: Free, pre-timed tickets are required for this exhibit. You can get yours here.
Daily Programs
Something is always happening at the Smithsonian's National Zoo. Daily programs include animal training, feeding demonstrations and keeper talks. Some programs change from week to week. Zoo educators and volunteers try to keep an updated schedule, but due to weather and the needs of the animals, activity times can change. Please be sure to consult a schedule at the Zoo on the day of your visit.
Keeping Your Cool
The Austinot via flickr
It’s no secret…during the summer the Zoo can get rather toasty. When the heat is on, keep cool by strolling through the many mist stations sprinkled throughout the park. Even better, dip your feet in the flowing waters of the American Trail Tide Pool (May 30-Sep. 30), a shallow wave pool open for tiptoe-ing through with replica model sea stars, barnacles and mussels.
As a special needs parent I think we can all agree the panic we have felt before heading into these meetings. Even though I’ve sat through plenty for my own child, and many for clients as well these meetings always bring up nerves and jitters for parents. Here are some of my top tips for helping parents head into their next IEP meeting feeling less anxious and more confident.
1. Request your draft copy of the IEP in writing. Not all states require a draft copy of the IEP be sent to parents, but it is common practice to do so. I always remind my clients to request a draft copy of the proposed IEP in writing, most commonly in e-mail form one to two weeks ahead of the meeting. Receiving a draft copy ahead of time allows you time to look over the document and you can begin to take notes and write down your questions before your meeting.
2. Work on asking questions at the table instead of just disagreeing with the team. As you are reviewing your draft copy of your document, word your notes into question form, over a bullet-pointed list. By asking questions it opens up the conversation for collaboration as opposed to quick close-ended statements that turn the conversation to quiet dead ends. Sometimes it’s as simple as asking the “why” and “how” to get ideas flowing at the table towards a more collaborative solution.
3. Write a clear parent input letter. Writing a clear parent input letter after you’ve reviewed your draft IEP, or even before you request one from the team can help the team recognize your top concerns for your child. This statement should be the driving force for the team about what you want long-term and where you want to see your child go. This statement should also talk about what supports they need to be successful and can include suggestions from outside providers. Parent input statements should be submitted to the team ahead of the meeting so that this information can be added to the IEP document.
4. Familiarize yourself with the purpose of the IEP. The IEP or Individualized Education Program is laid out to prepare students for further education, independent living, and employment. Understanding that the IEP should be individualized to meet your child’s unique needs and is not a one size fits all document can really help shape out-of-the-box thinking strategies from parents, therapists, and teachers at the table during your meetings. I know first-hand sitting at the table can sometimes feel very “us vs. them” and as a master IEP coach, I work very hard to help make teams and parents work collaboratively.
Ultimately, we need to remember everyone at that table wants your child to succeed. Using the tips outlined above is a great place to start building your confidence at the IEP table.
Amanda is a mom of two and lives in Ohio. Her son is on the autism spectrum and is who inspired her to begin her journey through advocacy. In her free time she enjoys teaching dance , hosting the MommingAutism podcast, and writing for her page Jackson’s Journey, Jackson’s Voice.
Get ready to add some serious chocolate fun to your Valentine’s Day goody bags—because Hershey’s is bringing back it Lava Cake Kisses!
The dark chocolate kisses are modeled after the ooey, gooey flowing cakes. Just like the real deal, the candy confections have a river of chocolate flowing through the center.
photo: Amazon
Not only do the cute kisses have a rich flowing center, but they also come with in a Valentine’s Day themed wrapper. Instead of the plain foil, these kisses have a heart-filled cover. This makes the candy perfect for the most love-drenched day of the year.
If you’re wondering where you can nab a bag of the little lava cake candies, Lava Cake Kisses are available at some of your fave retailers, including Walmart and Target.
Seal this Valentine’s Day with a kiss, a Hershey’s Kiss, that is. New Hershey’s Kisses Meltaway provide an extra chocolatey, creamy flavor. Wrapped in rose themed foil these kisses even feature a green plume.
With a velvety smooth meltaway center and their iconic milk chocolate, these Kisses are the perfect chocolate this Valentine’s Day.
Hershey’s Kisses Meltaway will be available nationwide, for a limited time. A standard 9 oz. bag retails for $3.69.
If you’d rather shower your loved ones with hugs and kisses the new Hershey’s Hugs & Kisses Heart Box features an assortment of classic milk chocolate Kisses candy and luscious milk chocolate and white creme Hugs candy bursting with a creamy chocolate center.
These adorable gift boxes will be available nationwide, for a limited time, in a 6.5 oz. pack retailing for $5.09.
Hershey’s is also bringing back Lava Cake Kisses for Valentine’s Day.
These dark chocolate kisses are modeled after the ooey, gooey flowing cakes of the same name.
The CDC has issued some strict guidelines for Halloween celebrations this year, and if you’re not sure that trick-or-treating is ok, you’ll want to keep reading. The Brooklyn Robot Foundry has come up with a safe alternative that keeps the candy flowing: the Quarantreater.
The organization that offers online robot making classes for kids has developed a simple invention that keeps kids at a safe distance as they carry about their trick-or-treating business. Thankfully, they’ve also included a graphic to show how you can make your own!
photo: Brooklyn Robot Foundry
The inexpensive project also allows for tons of creativity, like decorating with glow-in-the-dark paint and adding a scary face or eyes. It’s a great activity for kids and parents to do together, and definitely makes for a great memory during theses crazy!
On Election Day you may need to take a break from the news. Mo WIllems and musicians from the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) may have just the thing to get your creativity flowing. Find some paper and markers and get ready for Democracy Doodle 2020.
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts’ first-ever Education Artist-in-Residence, Emmy Award–winning writer and New York Times best-selling author and illustrator Willems, and musicians from the NSO invite you to express yourself in a different way this Election Night with Democracy Doodle 2020.
Click on the Kennedy Center website at 7 p.m. ET for a series of doodle exercises led by WIllems accompanied by performances by members of the NSO.
Democracy and doodles are both forms of self-expression worthy of celebration.
People are beginning to plan trips for the fall. Airbnb is teaming up with MINI USA to offer guests the opportunity to book a turnkey road trip on Airbnb for $1 per night. Select stays at mini Airbnbs located outside of Los Angeles and New York will come complete with a MINI vehicle that guests can pick up in their respective city so they can get out and responsibly travel, inspiring exploration of the open roads close to home.
The rentals, which will be cleaned and prepared in accordance with CDC guidelines and consistent with the Airbnb enhanced cleaning protocol, will each open three select weekends for three-night stays that guests can request to book on Thurs., Sept. 10 at 1 p.m. PT/ 4 p.m. ET.
Enjoy all the local sights and fall foliage along the way to your mini Airbnb.
With a listing located in Marlboro, New York, the Orchard Views from a Light-Filled Tiny Home with a Fire Pit will provide New Yorkers with all the amenities they’ll need to relax and unwind after a long day of exploring the nearby State Parks in your MINI Cooper S 4-door2.
Host Raven is offering this three-night-stay special with check-ins available on Oct. 16, Nov. 6, and Nov. 20. While in Upstate New York, explore nearby forests and farmlands, and visit the Upper Delaware Scenic & Recreational River, one of the last free-flowing rivers left in the United States.
If going topless is more your style, host Hillary’s Off-Grid Stargazing Cabin in Twentynine Palms, California, comes complete with a MINI Cooper Convertible2.
Completely off the grid, this listing makes for the perfect little getaway from Los Angeles and will be available for three-night stays with check-ins on Nov. 6, Nov. 12, and Dec. 4. Check out nearby wonders along the way, like the Mojave National Preserve that boasts stunning canyons, mountains, and mesas.
Bookings open on Sept. 10 at 1 p.m. PT for selected guest stay dates until sold out.
If you’re not able to snag one of these bookings but in need for some mini getaway inspiration, check out this roundup of tiny homes on Airbnb. Learn about hosting on Airbnb if you have a tiny home and want to share it with others.
Parents are looking for ways to keep their kids busy. Toys”R”Us wants to help out by offering fun activities and projects to keep their children engaged and their imaginations active. Toys”R”Us just launched Play@Home Theater offering easy ways to have fun at home featuring partners such as: GoNoodle, BrainPOP and Hasbro.
Play@Home Theater Highlights & Projects include:
DIY: 30 videos and articles will get the inspiration flowing
Printables: Over 40 printables to get brains working with puzzles, word searches and more
BrainPOP: A leading educational platform, offers a video for kids to better understand COVID-19 and free access for families through the end of the school year
GoNoodle: Toys”R”Us will host 4 indoor activity videos from their partners at GoNoodle featuring movement & mindfulness activities to keep kids active
Hasbro: Play-Doh offers simple projects to mold, stretch and shape imaginations
Play@Home Theater will be updated with brand new activities and play ideas every week.
The kids have been home for a few weeks now and are probably running out of new things to do. Parents are looking for exciting ways to keep their kids entertained. Dairy Queen is now offering a free downloadable kit of family-friendly activities called DQ Play At Home.
The fun activities include:
Camp-In: Families can explore the great outdoors in their own living room.
Happy Chats: Playful prompts, questions and challenges to get the conversation flowing and the smiles glowing.
Playbook: A fun-packed list of activities to do in your home to turn down time into game time for the whole family.
Coloring Book: Illustrations of iconic treats that you’ll transform into treats of art to encourage families to show off their art skills.