America’s Test Kitchen Launches New YouTube Channel & It’s Just for Kids

by Sarah ShebekJune 2, 2021

It’s the country’s most trusted test kitchen and a cooking show mainstay on public television. The YouTube channel has over a million subscribers and thousands of videos that show how to make virtually anything. And now America’s Test Kitchen is launching a new YouTube channel just for kids, with two distinct series to inspire young chefs everywhere.

“Wicked Good” is out now with seven episodes that follow a formerly evil scientist as he learns to cook and use his powers for good. He’s enlisted the help of 13-year-old granddaughter and recipe tester Zoe Bates, but it won’t be easy. Can Zoe help him drop his evil scientist instincts and whip up foolproof creations? One thing’s for sure, zany mistakes are sure to happen along the way!

“Test Kitchen Kids Takeover” will spotlight the young chefs of America’s Test Kitchen Kids and launch on June 9. Each week, kids will share cooking tips, recipes and demonstrate the real-life mishaps that are part of the cooking process. Don’t forget the dance parties!

“By launching our first YouTube channel for kids, we’re hoping to continue to foster a community in which children feel empowered and excited to take the lead in the kitchen,” explained Editor in Chief Molly Birnbaum, America’s Test Kitchen Kids. “The channel is funny and warm, showing kids that cooking isn’t just attainable but also FUN—a great way to express their personalities and see other kids just like them. It’s the perfect expansion on our successful cookbook line, free website full of recipes, and podcast.”

You can start watching (and cooking) along now! The YouTube channel drops following America’s Test Kitchen Kids’ New York Times bestselling cookbook, The Complete Cookbook for Young Chefs. For even more fun in the kitchen, you can subscribe to The Young Chef’s Club, a monthly kit that combines cooking and science, or listen to the Mystery Recipe podcast that breaks down the wild sides of food. Bon appetit!

—Sarah Shebek

Featured image courtesy of Pexels

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Hershey’s Has a S’mores Caddy & It’s Perfect for Your Summer Cookout

by Jennifer SwartvagherMay 7, 2021

A backyard cookout wouldn’t be complete without roasting marshmallows and making s’mores. Hershey’s has made the process even more foolproof with a s’mores caddy that keeps everything organized.

The $12 caddy is shaped like a Hershey’s chocolate bar with a removable tray that you can fill with graham crackers, chocolate bars and marshmallows.

photo: Target

This must-have summer accessory is perfect for the backyard, beach, camping and tailgating. You can find it at Target, just in time for warm weather.

—Karly Wood

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10 Genius Ice Cream Hacks That Will Make Your Summer

by Susie ForesmanJuly 8, 2017

Calling all ice cream lovers: now’s the time to take your treats to the next level. Learn an easy way to whip up a batch without an ice cream maker, then discover genius new ways to serve it up. One thing’s for sure—this will be your sweetest summer yet. Scroll down to get your fix.

photo: gordonramsaysubmissions via Flickr

1. Shake It Up
You don’t need an ice cream maker to make your own batch at home—check out this simple method that just requires a couple of plastic bags, ice cubes and rock salt. Let everyone take a turn at shaking it up—the final product will taste better knowing you worked hard for it! To get the instructions, click here.

2. Just a Slice
Take a cue from Lauren Conrad to make the perfect ice cream sandwiches. Just grab a pint of your favorite flavor and slice it into discs—they’ll be the perfect size to pop between cookies. Get all the details by clicking here.

photo: This Heart of Mine

3. Sweet Surprise
This just might be the most adorable (and delicious) way to avoid dirty dishes. For your next party, try making these edible sprinkle bowls from This Heart of Mine. They’re totally worth the extra effort. To get the instructions, click here.

4. A Storage Solution
Scooping ice cream straight out of the freezer is such a chore, which is why we love this ingenious hack: just keep your carton in a sealed plastic bag. It’ll keep the air out of the container, leaving it much easier to scoop when you go back for seconds.

photo: Food Babbles

5. Let’s Taco ‘Bout It
We love getting creative with vessels for ice cream, whether it’s cookie sandwiches or this genius idea from Food Babbles. Like the Choco Tacos of our childhood, these banana split tacos are a novel way to nosh on ice cream that doesn’t require bowls or spoons. Click here to get the recipe.

6. Party Time
For your next party, instead of wearing yourself out scooping piles of ice cream, get it done ahead of time. Just place the individual scoops in lined muffin tins. Then they’ll be ready to go when you are.

photo: America’s Test Kitchen

7. A Better Way to Scoop
Leave it to the folks at America’s Test Kitchen to come up with a foolproof scooping method. Instead of struggling with rock-solid ice cream right out of the freezer, try out this method that will change your dessert life. To find out how it’s done, click here.

8. Good to the Last Drop
If you’ve got an almost-finished jar of nutella or peanut butter, pop a few scoops of ice cream in to finish the last bit. Top it off with whipped cream and sprinkles, and you’ve got a delicious dessert with zero effort.

photo: m01229 via Flickr

9. Skip the Drip
Ice cream and kids is always a messy combination, but this hack can help a little—just pop a mini marshmallow or jelly bean in the bottom of the cone to prevent dripping.

10. Warm It Up
To make the scooping process a little easier, run your scooper under hot water each time you use it. If you’re scooping it straight out of the freezer, this will make a huge difference.

What’s your favorite hack for making or serving ice cream? Let us know below in the comments.

—Susie Foresman

featured photo: Couleur via pixabay

Jokes On Us: 5 Funny Quotes on Parenting

by Amber GuetebierMay 31, 2015

Being a parent has its ups and downs: one minute you’re getting high-fives over your epic waffles and the next you’re battling a three-year-old over slip-on shoes. Here are a few of our favorite quotes from comedians on the fine art of parenting. Have a laugh and soldier on, even if the playdate has turned your house into a national disaster.

1. When your sweetheart throws sand/a train/soapy water at your face.

2. Because sleep is so overrated.

photo: veronicakai via flickr

3. Spoons are for banging on things, not eating.

photo: tianderson via flickr

4. More foolproof than blaming the dog.

5. Relive your wild college years.

photo: theloushe via flickr

What’s your favorite funny quote on parenting? Share it with us in the comments below!

—Amber Guetebier & Christal Yuen

Just Opened: CREAM San Francisco

by Erin FeherSeptember 11, 2014

Ice cream and cookies is a combo that is not easily improved upon. Yet CREAM has pulled it off, and dessert lovers are rejoicing (and lining up around the block). The latest (and first San Francisco) location has recehtly opened its doors on 16^th Street between Valencia and Guerrero streets in the Mission District.

The Recipe
CREAM’s foolproof formula is using still-gooey cookies straight from the oven (with more than a dozen varieties to choose from), and pairing them with just about any ice-cream flavor imaginable. But your not done yet—next, customers get to pick from a rainbow-colored bar of toppings, from classic sprinkles to crumbled graham crackers to fruity gummy bears, to finish off their master piece. Considering each dessert is made to order, and demand is high, CREAM has developed a fairly efficient system that makes the wait minimal (maybe a few of those third wave coffee joints should take notes). But with all those choices, we can’t promise the little ones will make up their minds in a timely matter.

The CREAM Story
CREAM’s first outpost was opened in Berkeley and 2010 by the Shamieh family, who wanted to share their family tradition of making ice cream sandwiches at home from scratch, and letting the kids go wild with their flavor combinations. Today, all eight Bay Area locations serve ice cream and cookies made with their proprietary recipes.

Choices, Choices, Choices!
18 cookie choices (including 4 vegan, and 4 gluten-free options) can be combined with 25 different ice cream flavors (3 soy) and topped with one of 14 toppings. The resulting dessert (or lunch or dinner, for those so inclined) is a hearty treat, and each sandwich, all the bells and whistles included, is only $2.99. If you want to go even bigger, their ice cream taco is nothing if not a photo op: 3 scoops of ice cream in a taco-inspired waffle shell, and 3 toppings ($5.99). Our first visit? We opted for double chocolate chip cookies, mint chip ice cream and graham cracker topping.

CREAM San Francisco
3106 16^th St.
San Francisco, CA
415-400-4551
Online: creamnation.com

Hours: Mon.–Thur., noon–11 p.m.; Fri.–Sat., noon–1 a.m.; Sun., noon–11 p.m.

Have you tried CREAM yet? What’s your favorite flavor combo?

—Erin Feher

All images courtesy of CREAM San Francisco

5 Free Printables for On-the-Go Adventures

by Christal Y.August 17, 2014

Sometimes all you need is a piece of paper and pen for a few hours of fun. We collaborated with illustrator Vania Wat to create these (exclusive to Red Tricycle) colorful scavenger hunt printables for kids big and small. Forget I Spy and make every on-the-go adventure exciting with our custom scavenger hunts. Download all five here, or scroll down for individual downloads.

Photo by Craig Zingerline

In The Car

Car rides can either be the best (nap time) or worst (tantrum) part of the journey. So make that ride 100% foolproof for attentive fun with our printable “In the Car” scavenger hunt. Keep your kid looking out the window and engaging the world around him. Download the guide to all your four wheeled adventures here.

At Home

This might be the time to have your little lost and found expert dig up that missing sock or the constantly disappearing (and reappearing) LEGO blocks. Save the “At Home” printable to your computer with just one click! We suggest leaving the ice-cream to the end as a winner’s reward.

At the Grocery Store

What kiddo doesn’t love shopping and zipping up and down the grocery aisles? Print out this “At the Grocery Store” sheet to keep your eager shopper close by. Hey, this might even be your go-to shopping list! Right-click this link and save as to get the file.

At the Beach

When mom and dad need a break to soak up the sun, hand your eager castle builder this beach sheet. We designed it so that she or he can spot everything without wandering too far. Get started on the beach digging with check off list here. Pro-tip: Slip the check off list into a plastic sleeve to avoid it from getting wet and stained.

At the Park

Print off this active list and play at the park with your eyes! Climbers young and old can search for these items together like the perfect green leaf or the elusive water fountain (which always seem to be at the opposite end of the park). Get your park hunt on with our list here!

Love all five? Download them here! Share a pic on social with the tag #RedTricycle of your kiddos completed hunt. Thanks again to Vania Wat for designing these adorable check-off lists!

— Christal Yuen

The New Free App That Makes Instant Keepsakes

by Selena KohngFebruary 28, 2014

Handprint-studded art: Been there, done that, right? Not so fast. Every preschool teacher’s ace-in-the-hole craft project just got high-tech thanks to an innovative new app. Handpressions transforms photos of your child’s hand or foot into keepsakes — no sticky tempura paint required.

The process is practically foolproof. First, create a profile for each kid to save important stats. Next, snap a picture of a hand or foot against a solid-colored background. Then crop, rotate and touch up lines to perfect that precious print. There’s even a sliding ruler to scale the image to actual size so you can track baby’s growth (and quickly calculate shoe size during the next blowout sale).

Save the image to keep on file, or move on to the shop to seamlessly apply the image onto personalized products. We’re talking hundreds of choices here, from birth announcements to Pinterest-worthy artwork, including footprint Christmas trees and fire-breathing dragon handprints.

Friends and family get adorable gifts, and you get a digital treasure trove of mementos — all with one app. A genius idea? Yep, we’ve got to hand it to them.

Handpressions is free online at iTunes for iPad and iPad mini with iOS 6.1 (not compatible with first generation iPad); product prices start at $18.99. Find out more at handpressions.com.

What do you think of this new app? Let us know in the Comments section below.

— Selena Kohng

Tame Early Risers with These 8 Kid-Friendly Alarm Clocks

by Cathy LaraApril 10, 2013

Spring ushered in daylight savings time, which means our sleep and wake cycles have been thrown in the washer once again. If you’re struggling to come up with ways to get the kids to wake up at a time that’s good for everyone in the family, fret no more. Whether you’re coaxing your tot to stay in bed longer or teaching your big kid how to tell time, stay one step ahead of the sleep and wake game by picking out an alarm clock that fits your child.

1. OK to Wake! Alarm Clock $29.95

BUY NOW

Kids learn so much from visual cues, and that’s where this alarm clock from Onaroo really shines. Parents can program what time the clock’s yellow display switches to green or ‘wake up time’ — because even young toddlers know that green means GO! The clock also has a digital time display and a gentle alarm sound that gets louder gradually to wake up big kids who want to get up on their own time.

2. It’s About Time Stoplight Clock $39.99

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Building on the ‘green means go’ idea, the Stoplight Alarm Clock is a match for little ones who are having a hard time understanding when it’s time to get up and hollering, “Is it time to get up yet?” from across the hall. This alarm clock uses a traffic stoplight to tell kids that a red light means stay in bed and a green light means it’s wake-up time. Two-year-olds love it and big kids will appreciate its cool design and digital clock feature right below the traffic light.

3. Lego Kids Ninjago $29.99

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Is your big kid obsessed with all things Lego and World of Ninjago? If sword fights reign supreme in your household, your little ninja will love this digital clock. Kids can activate the backlight for night viewing of the LED display, and can snooze away by pushing down on the ninja’s head while yelling, “Haiii-ya!”

4. Lego Pink Brick Alarm Clock $32.99

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Here’s a clock that will look good in a 6-year-old’s fairy-themed room, mom’s home office or a contemporary home’s main entryway. There’s no better way to bring that pop of color into your kid’s room than with this iconic LEGO brick alarm clock, complete with a digital LCD screen, backlight, and snooze button.

5. Zazoo Kids Photo Alarm Clock $89.99

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We live in the age of ever-evolving digital products, and this Zazoo Kids Photo Alarm Clock knows that your 7-year-old early riser may want an alarm clock that reflects his or her modern taste. This multimedia alarm clock is a photo album, mp3 player, audio book player, and alarm clock — all in one product. It’s so foolproof that Zazoo claims that even the most sleep-deprived parent can operate it! The photo alarm shows kids ‘awake’ or ‘asleep’ images, depending on the time of day. Does your little one want a more personalized screen? Let him upload photos of him sleeping or playing from the family’s last vacation directly from his flash drive.

6. Talking Animal Alarm Clock $17.95

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Land of Nod’s Talking Animal Clock is the perfect fit for a child who wants an animal-themed, candy-colored alarm clock on the bedside table. Program the child’s wake time and listen with delight as the alarm clock goes off with its corresponding animal sound: the owl clock goes “whoo-whoo!” and the cat goes “meow-meow!”

7. Discovery Kids Rocketship Projection Alarm Clock $26.99

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3, 2, 1, blast off! Discovery Kids Projection Alarm Clock beeps when it’s time to get up after naps and in the morning. And what’s even cooler is its projection of both the time and cool space images with just the press of a button. Your little space explorer’s imagination can run wild — and hopefully get tired — as he or she imagines what life would be like in Mars right before entering dreamland.

8. Kid Sleep Globetrotter Clock $23.71

BUY NOW

Do you have a family vacation coming up with at least a two-hour time change? This compact, battery operated clock might make jet lag a bit easier on the entire family. The technology is pretty simple: kids know to stay in bed if the ‘sleeping’ sheep on the screen is still lit. When the ‘awake’ sheep lights up, they know it’s time to start the day and go exploring in their new city. The Kid’Sleep Globetrotter also has a pleasant bird chirp alarm to let jet setting big kids know to rise and shine.

Did we miss any of your favorite wake-up time gear? Let us know in the comments section below!

–Cathy Lara

Photo credit: Onaroo, Stoplight Alarm Clock, Lego, Zazoo, Land of Nod, Amazon, and Kid Sleep

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