Make sure your kiddos know that Martin Luther King Jr. Day is about more than a day off of school
Your little dreamers naturally understand the power and importance of having hopes and wishes, so learning facts about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his “I Have a Dream” speech is a tactile way to help kids understand the significance of who MLK Jr. was. Help the kids learn more about this chief spokesman for nonviolent activism, civil rights, and the end of racial segregation.
1. Martin Luther King Jr. was born on Jan. 15, 1929. His birth name was Michael but was changed to Martin by his father (who also changed his name) in 1934 (after Martin Luther, the leader of the Protestant Reformation in the 1500s).
2. At 14 he won a contest with a speech about civil rights.
3. He started college when he was just 15.
4. He worked for a newspaper as one of his first jobs.
5. Stevie Wonder wrote his song "Happy Birthday" to help build on the campaign to make Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday a national holiday. He asks a simple question throughout the song, “Why has there never been a holiday where peace is celebrated throughout the world? The time is overdue.”
6. According to the King Center, Martin Luther King, Jr. was jailed 30 times for charges such as civil disobedience.
7. MLK Jr. was awarded 20 honorary degrees.
8. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was instrumental in getting the Civil Rights Act of 1964 passed. This act outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. It made it illegal to segregate based on race in schools, the workplace, and public accommodations (or facilities that serve the general public including hospitals and libraries). It may be hard for your kiddos to believe that there was once a time when children could not drink from the same drinking fountain or use the same bathroom because of the color of their skin. MLK fought to end that.
9. He was awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace in April 1964.
10. Martin Luther King Jr. married Coretta Scott on June 18, 1953. The ceremony was performed by his father, Martin Luther King Sr. Coretta had the vow "to obey" removed from the vows, which was almost unheard of at the time.
11. MLK Jr. and his wife had four children: Martin Luther King III, Bernice King, Yolanda King, and Dexter King.
12. His "I Have a Dream" speech was not his first at the Lincoln Memorial. He gave a speech there on voting rights in 1957.
13. He survived an attempt on his life in 1958. He was stabbed with a letter opener by Izola Ware Curry. He underwent hours of emergency surgery. Surgeons said one sneeze could have punctured his aorta and killed him.
14. Martin Luther King Jr.'s mother was killed six years after his murder. She was shot while playing the organ at church.
15. One of the best ways kids can understand what he was all about is by listening to his famous "I Have a Dream" speech, which he made on Aug. 28, 1963. Kids of any age can listen and read along through this link.
I started “mommy blogging” in 2011. It was a time when it felt revolutionary to put some honest truths about parenting out there—to admit that it wasn’t always sunshine and giggles. More and more voices joined in the chorus; here were women who felt empowered to own their stories and share them to help others feel seen.
But somewhere along the line, being open about one’s family and experiences turned into putting children on full display to build a “brand.” The parenting bloggers of the past transformed into the Instagram influencers of the present—and so much of that world is based on how comfortable influencers are with letting their fans into their personal lives, visually. It’s a shift that many on social media are no longer okay with. And parenting influencers with very large audiences, built out of that willingness to share, are changing the way they do things.
“I literally think about it every single day,” Grant Khanbalinov, a TikTok personality with 3.2 million followers recently told The Washington Post. “Why we were doing it for so long and what impact this is going to have on the kids as they get older.” His TikTok profile now reads, “No longer a kids show.”
He’s one of the many parenting influencers who built a large online following by sharing day-to-day details of his kids’ lives—and now has some major regrets. “I went from this average person, this nobody, to getting brand deals,” Khanbalinov said. “All this money is coming in. People are inviting us to places and noticing us and our kids on the street.”
Then he became aware of Reddit forums accusing him and his wife of exploiting their kids, and he eventually started wondering if they were right. He told The Washington Post that his “breaking point” was when the family took a trip to Disney, and he noticed his kids weren’t enjoying it—instead, they were waiting for cues to pose for the camera. From that point on, Khanbalinov either made content that included his kids private—or stopped posting about them altogether.
Kristin Gallant, one-half of the duo behind wildly popular toddler parenting brand Big Little Feelings, has added herself to the list of influencers who no longer show their kids online. “Okay, so there’s going to be a little change here at Big Little Feelings,” Gallant shared to Instagram stories last year. “I don’t want to disappoint any of you… but I’ve taken a full year to weigh pros, cons, and do research. Starting tomorrow, I’m going to remove the girls’ faces from social media. I’m still going to share my real raw vulnerable life; that’s never going away. And this is no judgment on whether you share your kids on social media or you don’t, but sharing them with 2.7 million people is very, very different. And so now I have to consider their safety.”
Gallant explains that showing their faces and posting something as benign as their favorite snack or birth month could make it easy for a person they don’t know to walk up and start a conversation and establish a false sense of trust. Beyond physical safety considerations, launching this successful platform was Gallant’s dream come true, she says, not necessarily the path her kids would have chosen for themselves. She wants to wait until they get older to make that call.
As do plenty of celebrities who keep their children safely tucked away from the public eye. Dax Shepard and Kristen Bell are known for honoring their kids’ privacy. “My feeling is that I chose a career in the public eye. I chose to be quoted, I chose to have my picture taken,” Bell told Romper, about choosing to keep her kids off social media from infancy. “I don’t know them yet. I don’t know if they will want that. So I really don’t have the right to choose for them.” Even Mark Zuckerberg has decided to keep his kids’ faces off of social media. Might not be the worst idea to follow the lead of the person whose fortune was built off of the world’s willingness to share.
Respecting a child’s privacy seems like a good enough reason to question whether “sharenting” is appropriate for your family, but experts warn that there may even be larger dangers that lurk with the practice, as parents “unintentionally put their children at risk of hacking, facial recognition tracking, pedophilia and other online threats to privacy and security when oversharing on social media,” reports CBS.
Apart from those worst-case scenarios, though, is the everyday reality that parents are laying the groundwork for how to exist in a digital world that rewards over-exposure. “If we’re modeling appropriate use, as well as appropriate content that’s shared, how we share, and getting consent to share things, I think that’s going to… help children make that a part of their best practices when they’re using social media,” says child development and parenting expert Caron Irwin.
Social platforms have changed, as has our understanding of how to use them and what the implications of doing so are. If we equip our children with the knowledge that their image is theirs and they are allowed to decide how it’s shared, that has to be a step in the right direction.
“When we’re parents of young kids, it’s hard to see where they end and where we begin,” Stacey Steinberg, a professor at the University of Florida’s College of Law, who researches parental sharing and child privacy told The Post. “And as they get older, that becomes more and more apparent. But when we share so much about them in early childhood, it’s harder for them to create their own identity and become who they want to be.”
For those simply wanting to share moments with friends and family without making it a public display, there are safer options like the Tinybeans app (you can learn more and download it here!), which puts parents in total control of who can see and interact with photos and videos.
Celebrate women this month by shopping a mom-owned business. If you’re pregnant, you’re going to want to check out the last business on this list.
March is Women’s History Month and we can’t think of a better way to celebrate than by supporting local female entrepreneurs and DMV business women. If necessity is the mother of all invention, these DC-area Moms know how to meet our local needs! Read on to learn about some fantastic and creative DC Momtrepreneurs and you just may find one who makes your new favorite cake, can solve your family’s sleep or nutrition woes or create the bag you have been looking for. Read on to get inspired!
Some of Our Favorite Women-Owned Businesses around DC
Scout Bags
Scout Bags may be popular all over the country but the mastermind behind it all is DC Mom Deb Waterman Johns. As a Mom of four Deb understands how important it is to stay organized and have functional bags. As a Georgetown designed she knows how important it is to look good while schlepping the kids all over town. Scout Bags combines the best of form and function. Scout Bags releases hundreds of limited edition designs each year and many of them are hand-drawn.
Black books matter! That's why DC Mom Ramunda Young (and Dad Derrick) founded MahoganyBooks. They have a brick-and-mortar shop in Anacostia and an online store with one of the most largest inventories of Black books online. The shop is open, but you can also request curbside pickup or conveniently shop online and have your holiday order shipped. MahoganyBooks is located in the Anacostia Art Center, home to a number of galleries, small boutiques and restaurants.
Lori Mihalich-Levin knows how hard it is to be a working Mom in the DC Area. Lori created the Mindful Return Maternity Leave E-Course and is the co-host of the Parents at Work Podcast,. Her company, Mindful Return, also offers templates for expecting parents to develop Maternity and Paternity plans and courses specifically for working Dads and parents of kids with disabilities. The first year of motherhood is hard. Having someone who has been there, guide you through and develop a plan can help.
Who better to support expecting, laboring and new Moms than another Mom? Michelle Cohen is a Washington DC birth and post-partum doula and yoga instructor who founded Savor It Studios. Michelle has helped countless parents in the DC area through the journey of becoming new parents from pre-natal yoga classes to helping Moms labor to providing post-partum support.
The Sweet Lobby, based on Capitol Hill's Barracks Row, is known for both its classic as well as its globally inspired flavor incarnations and specializes in French macarons, madeleines, éclairs, shortbread, canelés and more. Owner Dr. Winnette McIntosh Ambrose is not only mom to two, she's also a two-time TV champ, having declared victory on both Cupcake Wars and Chopped. These award-winning treats caught the attention of Jill Biden last year when she shopped for Valentine's Day gifts.
DC Mom Doron Petersan is on a mission to bring tasty vegan treats to the masses. Her bakery, Sticky Fingers serves up guilt-free cupcakes, cinnamon buns and brunch that everyone enjoys. If you have any doubts about how delicious Sticky Fingers treats are know that they are the first vegan bakery to ever win Cupcake Wars All Stars. Have a little chef at home? As a Mom herself Doron knows how much kids like to help in the kitchen and her virtual baking classes are very kid-friendly!
Owned by a DC Mom (and Dad) Child's Play Toys and Books is the place to go for the biggest selection of quality toys, games, art supplies and books. Staff travel the world to find the best and don't sell it unless they have personally played with, created or read the items on their shelves. Their enormous variety is perfectly curated include high quality, good value, fun toys to be cherished for years to come. Their very knowledgeable staff can made recommendations based on age, budget and interest.
After too many sleepless nights with babies who thought it was time to party at 4:00 a.m. DC Mom Jessica Dodson knew there had to be a better way. She learned how to get her own children to sleep through the night and then started a sleep coaching business, Starlight Sleep Coaching, to help save other new Moms from the fate of needlessly spending months in a sleep-deprived haze.
When the kids have had too much screen time it's time to pull out a board game for some serious family bonding time. Capitol Hill Mom Kathleen Donahue opened Labyrinth Game Shop after she could not find the perfect game for her son to bring to a birthday party. Since then, Labyrinth has expanded to carry everything from games for kids to sophisticated games and puzzles perfect for date nights at home.
DC Mom Lauren Cooper Allen runs two small businesses out of her Washington, DC home, Aspen Street Cakes and Lauren K. Cooper Food Styling and Photography. As a Mom of three, Lauren understands how important birthdays and other special occasions are. She can turn any idea into a masterpiece that's almost too pretty to eat.
DC Mom Cassandra Hetherington started 51stStatePhotography, a greeting card company featuring photographs from around the DMV, to showcase what makes our area so special. These cards feature everything from the colorful murals found around town to flowers found along the C&O Canal. 51st State Photography cards are the perfect way to send a note to a loved one or to include with a gift. They are sold at local markets and Shop Made in DC.
When a couple of DC Moms got tired of seeing only fair-skinned princesses and could not find many images portraying Black and Brown boys in positive ways they decided to do something about it. The result is Epic Everyday, a collection of backpacks, t-shirts, towels and more featuring kids in a range of mocha-hued skin tones and hair types. The “epic” in Epic Everyday stands for Empowered, Positive, Innovative, and Creative. When it comes time for the kids to buy new a new backpack, lunch box, towels or sheets look local first!
happyly was created by three Moms, Caitlin Iseler, Elizabeth Duall Regard, and Randi Banks, who live in DC and Alexandria. These friends wanted to take advantage of everything the DC area has to offer but spend less time planning. Their app has now grown to 30+ cities to help parents create customized experiences in their hometown, on daytrips or while on vacation.
When DC Mom Sarah Potter looked around her child's playroom and noticed it was full of plastic she decided to take matters into her own hands and start crocheting toys. She started off small and slow but soon started Hooked and Loopy and now makes everything from crocodiles and foxes to Amelia Earhart's and RBGs. Hooked and Loopy can even make custom creations so your child can truly have a one-of-a-kind lovey. Tip: You can find Hooked and Loopy creations at Shop Made in DC, The National Museum of Women in the The Arts and other retailers throughout the area.
Most Moms notice how quickly their kids grow out of clothing but Alexandria Mom Megan Polodosky decided to find a way to keep kids looking great in "gently used" clothing outgrown by other dressed-to-the-nines tots. Her answer is 529 Kids Consign which is now a thriving upscale children's and maternity consignment boutique that ships all over the country. Shopping at 529 is a great way to stay stylish while saving money and supporting a local Mom!
Valery’s Wonderland Treats are hand-crafted by mom and entrepreneur Valeriia Li in her Chantilly, VA home with a next-level precision. From cakes and cookies to other delectable treats, these works of art are almost too breathtakingly beautiful to eat! Flowers, The Beatles, little fairy homes – even anime is not outside her ability to create the perfect, one-of-a-kind dessert for your one-of-a-kind celebration. It does take some time for her to gather ingredients and prepare your stunning creation, so Li does recommend placing your order at least 3-4 weeks in advance via Whatsapp.
Alexandria Mom Mai Trinh is a Wellness Speaker and Chronic Disease Expert who founded Mai Health Now years ago to help others live a longer and healthier lives. As a widowed working Mom of three, Mai knows how important it is for parents to take care of themselves - and how hard it can be be to actually make that work. Mai wants every parent to achieve optimal health so that they can be their best for the kids and enjoy themselves. She also knows how hard it can be to get kids to eat their veggies and has a plan for that too!
Let the food come to you with Pure Love Macarons. Mom-on-a-mission Kim Moehnke started this gluten-free bakery business after wrestling with food allergies in her own home. Pure Love Macarons is a home-based bakery that makes Paris look like it’s churning out knock-off macarons.
One DC Mom had enough of non-alcoholic bland drinks. When Pauline Idogho was expecting she wanted to have just as much fun as her friends who were enjoying cocktails and the idea for Mocktail Club was born. Mocktail Club beverages ensure that everyone skips alcohol because of pregnancy, health concerns or because they are a designated driver can actually enjoy what they are drinking. Because Mocktail's flavors are based on Pauline's travels these drinks will also remind you of what it's like to be on vacation. Bonus: kids can upgrade from juice for a special treat!
You’re raising your girl to be responsible for what she says and does and to know when and how to give a sincere apology when she messes up. But is she apologizing more than she needs to?
Studies show women are more likely than men to presume they were in the wrong or think their own actions might have upset someone, and those patterns start early. There could be many reasons for this, but some think girls and women are quick to apologize because they’re taught to “keep the peace” and be nurturers who put the emotional wellbeing and happiness of others first.
So often, girls and women start talking by saying, “I’m sorry, but I feel like [fill in the blank]”—and that sentence structure can literally become a habit. The problem? When your girl apologizes for something that wasn’t her fault, others might start to see her as someone who is at fault. Someone whose shortcomings inconvenience others, even if that’s far from the case.
Read this list from Girl Scouts with your girl, and remind her that although it’s important to make amends when she’s truly done something wrong, apologizing when she hasn’t can undermine how others see her and damage her self-worth.
There’s No Need to Say “Sorry”…
1. When someone bumps into her. She has just as much of a right to take up space in this world as anyone else.
2. When she tried her best. Maybe she didn’t win the science fair or make the basketball team, and that’s OK. Nobody’s perfect.
3. When she’s not feeling well, even if it messes up plans for others. It’s not like she went around looking for germs. Help her focus on getting better instead of apologizing.
4. For leaving when someone makes her feel uncomfortable or unsafe. One of the most important things to explain to your girl is that she doesn’t need to “be polite” or stay in the same vicinity as someone who makes her feel uncomfortable or unsafe. She just needs to get out of there and tell a caring adult as fast as possible.
5. For her feelings. Some might be uncomfortable with your girl’s anger, sadness, or disappointment, but that doesn’t mean those feelings are bad or wrong.
6. For sticking up for herself. It takes guts to take a stand and defend yourself or others against bullies. Doing the right thing is never something to apologize for.
7. For having high expectations. Expecting the people in her life to follow through and keep their word isn’t a crime.
8. For setting boundaries. Whether a friend wants to cheat off her homework or someone is invading her personal space, she has every right to say no.
9. For sharing knowledge. Knowing her stuff and using the information to help others is awesome. Someone else’s insecurity is not your girl’s problem.
10. For her appearance. Who does she get dressed for in the morning? Herself. If others don’t like it, that’s fine.
So what can she say instead of sorry? Tell your girl to start by saying how she’s feeling in short, declarative sentences. So instead of “I’m sorry, I have a question,” she could say, “I have a question.” Skipping the apology doesn’t make her rude—in fact, it puts apologies back in their rightful role as a way to make amends when she’s actually done something hurtful or wrong.
Stress to your girl the importance of speaking with intention. Apologizing for no reason or when she’s not at fault dilutes the sentiment. Have her save it for when it counts. When it’s heartfelt and for the right reasons, the power of “sorry” will be more meaningful both to her and to the person on the receiving end!
Raising girls to be happy, healthy, and successful is simpler than ever with help from Girl Scouts. From knowing how much to help with her homework to navigating sensitive issues in the news with your family, we've got everything you need to raise girls with confidence.
“As a family, we wanted to take this opportunity to thank you all for the outpouring of love and compassion for Bruce over the past ten months,” a statement that appears on The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration’s site reads. “Your generosity of spirit has been overwhelming, and we are tremendously grateful for it. For your kindness, and because we know you love Bruce as much as we do, we wanted to give you an update.”
The statement is signed by “Ladies of Willis/Moore”—which includes Demi Moore, Bruce’s current wife Emma Heming Willis, and Bruce’s five daughters: Rumer, Scout, Tallulah, Mabel, and Evelyn.
“Since we announced Bruce’s diagnosis of aphasia in spring 2022, Bruce’s condition has progressed and we now have a more specific diagnosis: frontotemporal dementia (known as FTD),” the statement reads. “Unfortunately, challenges with communication are just one symptom of the disease Bruce faces. While this is painful, it is a relief to finally have a clear diagnosis.” FTD is the most common form of dementia for people under 60. There are no treatments for the disease currently.
Willis’ health issues have shone a spotlight on the closeness his blended family shares; but this family has been showing up for each other since… well, forever. Holidays together, milestones celebrated—they have truly been an example for people who’ve gone through an amicable divorce. That there is hope to continue to enjoy your family, together. And now, as he goes through the biggest challenge of his life, they are there supporting him, making sure to amplify his struggle in the hopes that others will benefit.
“Bruce always believed in using his voice in the world to help others, and to raise awareness about important issues both publicly and privately,” the family said. “We know in our hearts that – if he could today — he would want to respond by bringing global attention and a connectedness with those who are also dealing with this debilitating disease and how it impacts so many individuals and their families.
“We have been so moved by the love you have all shared for our dear husband, father, and friend during this difficult time. Your continued compassion, understanding, and respect will enable us to help Bruce live as full a life as possible.”
These top toys of 2022 according to Amazon are about to give you major gift inspo
Even if your kiddo hands you—ahem, Santa—a detailed list of what they’re hoping to find under the tree this season, we’re always looking for holiday gift inspiration. Those Dear Santa lists can be fickle and change constantly, and some kids don’t even make one, assuming Santa just knows what they want. After all, he should. With all those factors, it’s good to have a master list of the best of the best gift ideas for inspo. Enter the list of the top toys of 2022, according to Amazon!
These best-selling, high-rated goodies are almost fail-proof presents! After Santa, who would know better than Amazon? It’s also the perfect reference for relatives who are completely at a loss for gift ideas for their nieces, nephews, cousins, grandkids, and more. We suggest linking your loved ones to this list with a little winky emoji and we’ll take it from there. These are some of the top toys of 2022, according to Amazon. You’re about to give Santa a run for his money!
Crayola Light Up Tracing Pad
With one graphite pencil, 12 short colored pencils, 10 tracing sheets, 10 blank sheets, and a light-up surface, this one is great for artistic kiddos!
Amazon Review: "I purchased this to draw applique patterns for quilts, and it works great. I also let my grandson use it to draw when he visits.So I bought him another one for home. Heck, I enjoy tracing pictures with it too. I think any age will enjoy this light table." —Patti
It's about to get real mystical in here! They'll create their own fortune-telling pet by casting a spell and watch as their Magic Mixie appears through the mist!
Amazon Review: "First thing my granddaughter said when she opened the box "it's so beautiful" LOL. Soooo happy I got this for her." —Lori De Los Santos
Well, hello, old friend! Our childhood fave got an upgrade with more bulbs, a brighter display, and six design templates! Recommended for ages 4+.
Amazon Review: "This is a modern version of the old classic that I played with as a child. Back then, it was one of my favorite toys. Now the new version is one of my granddaughter's favorite toys! This is much more portable than the old version since it runs on batteries and is smaller (but not too small.) The batteries are lasting much longer than I expected too. Another fun feature is the ability to have the lights do different things, like blink, etc. Another satisfied customer." —Sunshine Girl
With 5 different levels of interactive game play, 4-key and 6-key modes, a Bluetooth connection so they can connect their favorite tracks, and non-slip mat, this is sure to be a screen-free favorite!
Amazon Review: "This was a perfect gift for a very active 3 year old. It was as simple as removing it from the box, adding batteries, and then watching her dance around. A very simple yet entertaining product." —Randy
We're actually a little jealous we didn't have these when we were growing up. This set comes with 53 rods and 28 multi-link connecting spheres, plus a design guide! Depending on the amount of space and number of kiddos, you may want to buy more than one for some epic creations.
Amazon Review: "My kids love building forts so I decided to try these. Since they are 9 and 12 I decided to get 2 so they could both fit inside. They think it is so cool, they've created a little lounge inside. You can make different shapes. I got the glow in the dark one and in my opinion it isn't very bright, so I would buy the slightly less expensive one that isn't glow if you wanted to save a little money. Overall this is a great buy!" —Gabrielle
We already love all things LEGO, and this set takes building to the next level with everything they need to create kinetic creatures using LEGO Technic bricks and papercraft!
Amazon Review: "My son is an engineer and grew up with Lego... now he has a son... so you can see where that's going! I did some research on Gear Bots, and I believe they'll have some educational fun with this for more than a year or two. Remote control has also figured in our lives for many years, so that box is ticked as well. The quality of Lego is such that its indestructible and adaptable. Another great Amazon price." —Anita Fox
Let your littles learn to help others and tap into their imagination at the same time! JJ's head, elbow, knee, or foot light up when hurt, and he lets you know. Press his tummy and JJ will sing a clip of The Boo Boo Song while he gets all fixed up with tools from the included check-up bag!
Amazon Review: "Our son absolutely LOVES this JJ Boo Boo doll. It sings his favorite boo boo song and he loves that he can he’s JJ’s boo boos and make him feel better. He also loves that it comes with a stethoscope, thermometer and syringe so that he can do a full check up on JJ just like he gets done when he goes to the doctor. This doll is so soft and cuddly also which means I don’t have to worry about him carrying it around everywhere he goes. I highly recommend this doll! Your Cocomelon lover will LOVE this too!" —Brodie
No tools or glue needed; just their imagination! This is the perfect present for creative little minds that's sure to provide hours of artistic fun.
Amazon Review: "This was a great jewelry kit for my 7 yo granddaughter. I bought it for her birthday and she loved it. The pieces were large enough for her little fingers to handle and she immediately made a bracelet and a necklace for her cousin. I would say it was a big hit for this little girl." —TexasGirl
AquaDragons let kiddos bring an underwater world to life! These are real little sea creatures that look like adorable tiny dragons when hatched. Kids place the eggs in the underwater habitat, and after 48 hours, they watch them come alive. The set comes with everything they need to nurture a whole generation of AquaDragons!
Amazon Review: "I really like this product. The AquaDragons grew and got really big in the tank. The Tank lights up with 2 AAA batteries. I use rechargable batteries. No issues there." —Aurelio Bermudez
Not only does this RC car do all the regular moves, it can also roll, rotate, flip, and more! It's rugged enough to drive off-road thanks to its shock absorption, and strong-grip, anti-skid rubber tires.
Amazon Review: "We bought this just for little fun & it has been just that, our puppy even gets a kick out of chasing it. The tires do come off which is nice to clean when we move inside to play, we can clean them. Battery life is fairly good. Charges quickly." —Jess
How sweet is this little garden set? Littles learn how to build, sort, and match with these eco-friendly, BPA-free pieces. Super easy to clean, too!
Amazon Review: "This is an amazing fun activity for the little ones to enjoy. This create your own garden keeps my little one happy and engaged for a good amount of time. We have a real garden at home that she loves to take care of and when we are not there this gives her the same sense of fun and responsibility." —Jordan Agbayani
It can be a challenge to buy a gift for more than one kiddo, or even a whole family, but we're pretty sure this bluetooth karaoke system checks all the boxes!
Amazon Review: "We had this in our vacation house and the kids loved it so much I had to get one. It was here when we got home and is great especially the fact that it connects to your phone via Bluetooth!" —Amazon Customer
In case you're wondering why you haven't seen these before, it's because they're only available through Amazon! Twist up and start creating; no peeling or sharpening required.
Amazon Review: "These are wonderful. For us it was definitely worth every penny because our child went through broken crayons like crazy. Even the name brand crayons just don't seem to hold up like they use to. And I was hesitant because I figured they must not have as much crayon as regular crayons, but I looked up the size of regular crayons and the size of these twistable were the same. Very pleased with purchase and most of all our child is so happy with it." —Leah
A princess/mermaid/fairy dress-up set with a Barbie? What. A. Win.
Amazon Review: "My daughter loves it. She loves changing her from a mermaid to a princess (with her dress) to a fairy! It’s like 3 dolls in one." —Veronica
A combination marble run, logic game, and STEM toy, the Gravity Maze contains 60 challenges from beginner to expert. This is really a genius gift!
Amazon Review: "Little did I know, my nephew already wanted the Gravity Maze after playing with it at his school. I found this by searching for the best STEM gifts of 2022, and it doesn't disappoint. It's well constructed, and offers play in addition to practicing strategy and forward-thinking. Highly recommend!" —Lindsay
There's not much the Ruko can't do, to be honest. 10 pieces of music, 24 hand movements, 14 body movements, and 10 expressions available for programming, rechargeable, multiple control options...you really have to see the Ruko to believe it.
Amazon Review: "We bought this for our 10 year old son for Christmas. He has played with it often and loves it. He especially likes to record funny messages for Carle to repeat back to him. We had an issue with charging and customer service helped us get it worked out right away. Great toy and great service!" —There'n'backagain
For the little outdoor lover, the Light-Up Learning Camper has songs and phrases in addition to multi-color lights and music!
Amazon Review: "This is outstanding work by Fisher Price. There are multiple ways for a toddlers to use their imagination. My grandson is obsessed with vehicles of any kind and also the outdoors. When the camper is open there is a hammock so it is easy to pretend to go from outside camping to inside RV camping. The only thing I do not care for is the weird Little People figure that is included." —Mimi
10 obstacles and 50ft slack line, climbing net, ladder, wheel, warrior gymnastics, and monkey bars—this is the ultimate in gifts for active kids!
Amazon Review: "My daughter absolutely loves her new obstacle course! It was easy to assemble, (as long as you know how to use ratchets), and is very sturdy. I ended up needing to contact customer service and they were incredibly helpful and went above and beyond for us. Highly recommend!!!" —Emily
If they can't get enough Lightyear, this is the set for them! Designed for ages 4+, this is quick to build and teaches them how to craft a LEGO scene, setting them up for LEGO love of a lifetime!
Amazon Review: "Great set for kids. Easy to build with easy instructions. Plus it's Buzz Lightyear. Also, an easy set to collect (three pieces total)."—Nick
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The show has been rescued by Netflix for the fourth and final season
If you were devastated to find out NBC’s Manifest has been canceled following its third season, joyful news has arrived. Netflix has not only picked up the show’s first three seasons for non-stop streaming, but it’s putting on the fourth and final season to boot!
If you aren’t familiar with the show, it follows the passengers of Flight 828 after arriving home after some turbulence. However, they land to find out they’ve been missing for years and now they start to experience “callings” from a higher power that guides them to help others.
Now the show is back to continue and finish the story, two years after the end of season three.
Manifest Season 4 Teaser Trailer
Manifest Season 4 Plot
According to Netflix, season four covers a lot. Not only is the Stone family falling apart after Ben’s wife, Grace is murdered and his daughter Eden is kidnapped, he also steps down as co-captain of the lifeboat. “As the Death Date draws closer and the passengers grow desperate for a path to survival, a mysterious passenger arrives with a package for Cal that changes everything they know about Flight 828 and will prove to be the key to unlocking the secret of the Callings in this compelling, mind-bending, and deeply emotional journey.”
The season will jump two years after the events of the season three finale, and will feature lots of flashbacks to bring viewers up to speed on the events that transpired during that time.
Manifest Season 4 Cast
Since Netflix is revising the show after its NBC cancellation, it took many a negotiation to bring back as much of the OG cast as possible. But fear not, Melissa Roxburgh, Josh Dallas, J.R. Ramirez, Luna Blaise, Ty Doran, Parveen Kaur, Matt Long, Holly Taylor, and Daryl Edwards are all returning.
Manifest Season 4 Release Date
The final season of Manifest comes exclusively to Netflix on Nov. 4. It will be released in two parts, consisting of 10 episodes each. A release date for part two with the final 10 episodes has not been announced.
Volunteering is not only a great way to spend family time, but it can help foster your child’s social skills, grow their sense of empathy and expose them to new interests. From creating custom cards for the troops to cleaning dirt and debris from the National Mall, we’ve rounded up volunteer opportunities suitable for a range of ages—from tots to teens. If you’re ready to roll up your sleeves, scroll down for the best family-friendly volunteer opportunities in the DMV.
Arlington County: Be Earth Friendly Every Day Arlington County's website boasts a long list of recommended family activities and events, like how to create your own rain garden or rain barrel, recycling tips, leads on local freecycling groups, and scheduled invasive plant removal projects at area parks. Arlington is also home to a ton of nature centers and gardens, where you can register for a nature event or stock up on foliage at a spring native plant sale.
The Alice Ferguson Foundation The Alice Ferguson Foundation has a long legacy of grassroots, community action. Our goal is to create meaningful experiences that connect our volunteers and visitors to the natural world. Family friendly opportunities include everything from Children's Garden maintenance and trail cleanups to Potomac River trash pickup and beautifying.
Anacostia River With multiple points throughout the district, Montgomery County, and Prince George’s County, there is likely an Anacostia clean-up site near you. The Anacostia Watershed Societywelcomes all, families and kids included to volunteer. They provide the tools and supplies, you provide the manpower to make the river sparkle.
National Mall and Memorial Parks Plan a unique family gathering or organize your local troop for a day on the Mall. Groups of 15 can spend an afternoon pruning trees, painting benches and keeping this National Park looking visitor-ready.
Casey Trees Help add green to the urban landscape with this non profit organization dedicated to increasing the leafy canopy in DC. Check the website for on-going opportunities to help with community plantings. Or register your child's school for a hands-on academic experience.
Children’s National Medical Center Most of the hands-on volunteering is for people ages 18 & up, with the exception of a 15 & up Ambassador Program, but the hospital needs more than bedside manners. Keep Dr. Bear’s Closet well stocked with superhero figures, Legos, books, crayons, stuffed animals, iPads – you get the idea – through donation drives.
When: Mon.-Fri. 10 a.m.-12 p.m. and 3-6 p.m.; Sat.-Sun. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Where: 111 Michigan Ave. NW, Suite 1180 Online:childrensnational.org
DC Diaper Bank Helping babies is the number one mission of the DC Diaper Bank. Diapers, newborn necessities, nursing supplies, hygiene products and more are all collected to empower and change lives of babies living at or below the poverty line. Kiddos can get involved by helping to collect supplies, packaging diapers, and distributing to those in need. Even the littlest of helpers can join in – there’s a playroom for the young and eager to practice their skills while you and junior box up pampers.
Art for Humanity This Arlington-based charity has been helping poor children in Honduras through the Honduras Independence Bilingual School since 2006 and has three main ways to involve kids. One is by collecting vitamins and health supplies such as ibuprofen and cough drops for adults and children. Another is to sponsor a child’s education. The website lists kids in need and how much money per month they need. Sponsors get reports of their progress and a video of the children.
Shelter House This nonprofit serves two shelters for families and one for victims of domestic violence in Fairfax County, VA. Arrange a drive or just gather items to donate as a family. Needs are greatest for toiletries, pillows, pots and pans, gift cards, diapers and wipes, baby bottles, cutlery, and sheet sets.
Cards for Hospitalized Kids OK, so this isn’t locally based, but seriously, it’s so easy, we couldn’t exclude it. Get out the art supplies and make uplifting cards – generally themed or holiday-specific – to be delivered to children in hospitals. Cards go out monthly. Send your creation(s) to 7290 W. Devon Ave., Chicago, IL 60631.
Color A Smile With kids, you’re probably coloring pretty often anyway, right? Print a page from the choices on the Color a Smile website, use crayons or markers, and mail the picture to PO Box 1516, Morristown, NJ 07962-1516. Every month the organization distributes the drawings to senior citizens, troops overseas and “anyone in need of a smile.” In the past 25 years, it has sent more than 1 million drawings.
We Are Family Missing Grandma and Grandpa? Volunteer with We Are Family! They reach out to isolated senior citizens to help with groceries, cleaning, transportation, and/or just a friendly visit. Little ones can bring huge smiles to faces who might not get to interact with pint-sized future presidents, doctors, social workers and teachers. Kids who visit with the elderly benefit from the stories, interactivity and getting a dose of Grammie and Pop-Pop —even if it’s just for a little while. Be still our beating hearts.
Hebrew Home of Greater Washington Visit an elderly person (or two or 10) who might not have family nearby. Chat, play games or take them outside for fresh air. If you play an instrument, sing, dance or love theater, contact the recreation team about performing. Kids ages 10 to 17 need parental permission to volunteer here.
Montgomery County Humane Society To volunteer at a shelter, you must be at least 16, but younger people can help in other ways. For instance, host a drive for new or gently used pet supplies, or make a “no sew” pet bed, cat toys and other do-it-your-self toys. Find specific instructions online.
Where:601 South Stone St., Rockville, MD Online: mchumane.org
Lucky Dog Animal Rescue Got a pint-sized animal lover who wants to collect a whole zoo? The Lucky Dog's Youth Program is the perfect way for your personal Jeff Corwin to get involved without having to get another puppy or kitty. Lucky doggers can host fundraising events, make dog toys, bake treats, draw pictures (yes, really!) and even invite Lucky Dog Rescuers to school to learn more about the animals they help (for kids 7 & up). Woof!
Animal Welfare League of Montgomery County Even pets need a hand up sometime – which is exactly where Chomper’s Food Bank comes into play. Little one who are always trying to fill up the grocery cart with all those delicious treats, can now fill up their basket to help Fido instead of driving Mama crazy. Dried and wet food, kitten, puppy or senior food, it’s all needed at Chomper’s so that dogs and cats of Montgomery County can stay in their homes even if their owners are a little down on their luck. Helping animals and people? We call that a win-win.
Lost Dog & Cat Rescue Fans of Lost Dog Café know that their mission is to help animals in need. So, help kiddos put their money where their mouths are, and fundraise for animals who need it most. Middle schoolers, high schoolers and even elementary aged animal lovers can collect coins, bills and checks to donate to homeless dogs and cats. To date, they’ve helped more than 22,000 furry critters – all with a little help from their friends.
Animal Welfare League of Alexandria Help a furry friend without worrying about allergy attacks or friendly nips through the Youth Program’s at-home activities. These include chopping hot dogs, making Kittywands, catnip socks, Pupcicles of broth and meat, tugbraids and hiding houses (instructions for all are here).
Animal Welfare League of Arlington’s Paws and Read Who doesn’t love a good story? Children in kindergarten through fifth grade, accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, can practice reading and give cats some love by reading books to them. Take that, holiday brain drain (that’s a thing, right?).
When: Mon., Wed.-Fri. 1-5:20 p.m. Where: 2650 S. Arlington Mill Dr., Arlington, VA Online: awla.org
Humane Rescue Alliance Kids been nagging you for a pet? Give one a trial run – and a good home – as a foster family. The alliance takes in an average of 30 animals a day, and it needs help providing shelter for them, particularly those that might need specialized care, such as orphaned kittens and puppies.
Wreaths Across America Cemeteries may not be the first things that come to mind when volunteering as a family, but Wreaths Across America aims to place a festive, holiday wreath on the grave of soldiers to “Remember, Honor and Teach.” Families can lay wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery, as well as multiple locations throughout the DMV.
Socks for Vets For those with younger kiddos who want a taste of volunteering, but might not be able to pack food or read to puppies, Socks for Vets is the perfect fit. Each month, the founder, Cavan McIntyre-Brewer decides different ways to honor the nation’s veterans. Your family can get involved by donating socks, making cards, shopping for goat supplies (seriously they have packgoats!), and other myriad ways to show support for the bravest of the brave. Socks for Vets regularly visits the DC area where they hand out cards to Vets at the memorials, volunteer at military hospitals or participate in parades where they showcase their mission (DC is a bit much for the furry critters, though, so don’t expect to see goats roaming around Pennsylvania Ave.) and how they help wounded warriors.
Any Soldier Gather together to create care packages for members of the military who are stationed overseas. Recommended items include playing cards, jerky, Nutella, sunflower seeds, socks and Beanie Babies. The website offers a complete list including brand names or select a service member’s name to see their wish lists.
Holidays for Heroes Send three blank holiday cards, three blank envelopes with postage stamps and a personalized message from your family to a service member for the American Red Cross to provide to injured, ill or hospitalized service members and veterans. Each recipient will be able to send the cards to their loved ones. Mail them to the American Red Cross in the National Capital Region at 8550 Arlington Blvd., Fairfax, VA 22031.
Manna Food Center This charity in Gaithersburg has volunteer opportunities for kids ages 7 & up who want to help feed the hungry in Montgomery County. One activity is Family Box Packing. The center recommends that children be at least 10, but kiddos as young as 7 are welcome. At these events, held five time a month, participants spend about 90 minutes packing about 192 boxes of nonperishable food items. Check the website for additional opportunities, such as food drives.
Meals on Wheels As part of the Moms for Meals program, kids can accompany parents on weekday delivery runs during summer and winter breaks. Meals on Wheels provides food to homebound seniors and people with disabilities. If you can spare the time, chat with the recipient for a few minutes to make their day just that might brighter.
Food for Others Make a family outing to this food distribution center, which serves those in need in Fairfax and the greater NOVA area. Children must be at least 12 and those under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Tasks include packing food boxed, Power Packs and USDA bags, unloading trucks, and sorting and stocking donated food.
ALIVE! Food Distribution Bagging groceries and distributing them is a great way for young and older munchkins to help others. ALIVE! has set weekends were volunteers can setup, unload, bag, distribute and register clients to receive food donated through the ALIVE! food bank. If your volunteer is older (teenager) he or she can help with furniture delivery, special events and maybe even at the ALIVE! house in old town. Whatever your family desires, there’s something to spark passion at every level.
Arlington Food Assistance Center Different kids means different interests – which is perfect for the Arlington Food Assistance Center. Children as young as 5 can help out at Family Bagging Nights (put food in grocery bags), while teenagers can post leaflets and posters promoting food drives. Middle and high schoolers can host Dimes for Dining where they give their neighbors a jar to fill with change and collect them at the end of the month.
The Bowie Interfaith Pantry and Emergency Aid Fund Plunk the kids in the nearest car-shaped shopping cart and help restock the fund’s pantry through its Shop-a-Shelf Program, which reimburses folks for canned goods, fresh produce, personal care items, and other donations. Or go a step further and Adopt-a-Shelf, then keep it full year round.
Capital Area Food Bank This is the largest organization in the metro area working to feed the hungry. It has partnered with 444 community organizations to provide food to those who need it and also delivers food directly, helping 540,000 people – 12 percent of the region’s population – a year eat. Do your part by gathering your family to sort and pack the food for delivery.
Food and Friends Volunteers founded this organization in 1988 and volunteers are still needed. Go through a volunteer orientation and then sign up to deliver meals and groceries to six to 10 families or prep and pack food (ages 14 & up for the latter). Note: Thanksgiving is an especially busy time for the org so sign up soon.
So Others Might Eat This interfaith organization provides food, showers, clothing, medical care and housing for those in need. Volunteers in the dining room must be at least 13 years old and accompanied by an adult, and at least 16 to do it independently. Opportunities outside food service include creating holiday decorations and baking treats to be served with meals.
Spend Yourself Food Pantry This Falls Church-based group seeks volunteers on Saturdays between 8:30 am and 12:15 pm to provide food to clients, pack and shelve food, and interact with clients. Donations of non-perishable food items are always welcome, too.
Martha’s Table This group has worked for 35 years to support children, families and the community at large in the DC area. Become one of the 16,000 volunteer who help with food, clothing and special events every year. Must be at least 12 to help with food and clothing.
Lorton Community Action Center More than 100 youth volunteer here every year in a variety of ways. Students 13 and older may help prepare food bags and assist with donations in the pantry, children of any age may organize a food drive, kids 15 and younger with an adult on hand may help in the Lorton’s Attic thrift store, and kids can raise money to donate to the center in lieu of (or in addition to) holiday or birthday gifts using a personal fundraising webpage.
Where: 9518 Richmond Highway, Lorton, VA Online: lortonaction.org
Helping the Homeless
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Carpenter’s Shelter Serving more than 600 homeless and formerly homeless children and adults each year, this shelter serves people in need in the city of Alexandria. They’re looking for in-kind donations of food, toiletries and miscellaneous items such as air mattresses, dish and bath towels, and SmarTrip cards. The shelter also keeps an Amazon Wish List in case you want to have the kiddos pick items there that can be shipped directly to the shelter.
Lorton Community Action Center More than 100 youth volunteer here every year in a variety of ways. Students 13 and older may help prepare food bags and assist with donations in the pantry, children of any age may organize a food drive, kids 15 and younger with an adult on hand may help in the Lorton’s Attic thrift store, and kids can raise money to donate to the center in lieu of (or in addition to) holiday or birthday gifts using a personal fundraising webpage.
Where: 9518 Richmond Highway, Lorton, VA Online: lortonaction.org
Habitat for Humanity Children as young as 5 can participate here as part of Habitat Youth Programs, which aims “to instill a love of volunteering from an early age.” Contact your local affiliate for details on onsite help, but other ways to get littles involved include making cards for donors, homeowners and volunteers using Habitat’s card creation kit; raising money through Helping Hands for Habitat; and writing letters to local lawmakers to speak out against substandard housing.
ACTIONS in Community Through Service This group, which formed in 1969, helps people and families in need in Prince William County through programs such as housing support and domestic violence services. Children 15 and younger must be accompanied by an adult. ACTS suggests that kids coordinate drives or collections in their schools or places of worship, or that they make kits of essentials for clients.
Where: 3900 ACTS Ln., Dumfries, VA Online: actspwc.org
Bethesda Cares This community outreach program for the homeless provides food, clothing and psychiatric services, and helps put a roof over the heads of people in the streets. Families can help by organizing drives to collect food, clothing or toiletries. During the winter, seasonal clothing for adults is especially needed.
The Salvation Army – Kettle Bell Ringing Rambunctious and fun-loving kiddos will have a blast ringing bells for The Salvation Army’s annual Red Kettle drive. Bell ringers usually sign up for a minimum 2-hour shift so it’s the perfect way to split duties between friends, siblings or group organizations. And, all the little ones need to do is ring a bell! They can be noisy, chatty and sweet all while raising money for those in need. Who wouldn’t drop some coins in the kettle?!
Rising Hope Mission Church Families looking for a place where their donations will go directly to the local community should check out Rising Hope Mission Church. 100% of donations go to people living in poverty along the Route 1 corridor in Fairfax County. Kiddos can host food drives, clothing donations and even plan a lemonade stand in support of Rising Hope. Each season the mission has different requests so parents and their kids can tailor their volunteering to what’s needed most at the church.
It’s always a good time to give back to your community. Why not give back, declutter your closets and toy bins while helping the planet at the same time? We’ve gathered a list of places where you can used toy donations support great causes and families in need. Everybody wins!
Looking to offload some of your pre-loved toys to another family in your community? ToyCycle is perfect and offers peer-to-peer toy recycling where you post available items and arrange for pick up and vice versa if you see an item that you can use. They even have an app that makes it easy to post the items that you'd like to pass down. Note: Items are sorted by age to make it easier to find what you need.
SCRAP Old objects find new lives at SCRAP, the Bay Area's first re-use center for creative education. Donations of art supplies, craft supplies, toys, textiles and office supplies are sorted, stored and made available to the community for educational programs and creative projects in the classroom and at home. SCRAP accepts donations of clean, reusable materials Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Check online for a full list of accepted materials and call ahead to ensure that they have enough storage space to accept your donation.
801 Toland St. San Francisco, CA Online: scrap-sf.org
Salvation Army The Salvation Army Family Store and Donation Center in San Francisco accepts used toy donations, books and children's clothing. Mon.-Sat., 9 a.m.-7 p.m., and Sun., 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Donated items are sold in the Family Store and the proceeds are used to fund the Salvation Army's Adult Rehabilitation Centers. You can even schedule a pickup!
Editor's Note: Edgewood Center for Children and Families has moved from San Carlos to San Francisco.
New Location Alert! The Edgewood Center for Children and Families has moved but is still providing treatment and prevention programs to children, youth and families that have experienced traumatic stress. Show your support by donating to their wish list that includes art supplies, gently used tablets, personal care items, sports equipment, household items, books, dolls, puppets, toy trucks and games in new or excellent condition. Donations are given directly to clients.
1801 Vicente St. San Francisco, CA Online: edgewood.org
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Goodwill Goodwill in San Francisco accepts donations of household items, women's clothing, men's clothing and children's items including books, baby gear (must meet current safety standards), sports equipment, games and toys. Drop off hours are Mon.-Sat. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sun. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Donated items are sold in Goodwill stores and the proceeds are used to fund programs that help disadvantaged individuals learn competitive job skills and find employment.
1669 Fillmore St. San Francisco, CA Online: goodwill.org
Homeless Prenatal Program For over 30 years the Homeless Prenatal Program in San Francisco has been serving as an empowering resource center for families. The center accepts gently used baby and maternity clothing, children's and parenting books. COVID-19 Update: The program is ONLY accepting baby formula, baby food, diapers and wipes at this time. Call for drop-off hours. You can also make a cash donation online.
SF Smiles SF Smiles collects donations by appointment only of new and gently used essentials for individuals and families in need throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. SF Smiles is run on a volunteer basis by Chad Christensen out of his family home in the Inner Sunset neighborhood of San Francisco. Chad and his volunteers redistribute donations directly to families and also work with many local organizations to reach their programs’ clients.
Editor's Note: BANANAS is not accepting on-site donations at this time. Visit their Virtual Boutique to learn how to help those in need.
BANANAS provides affordable child care, workshops, classes and support groups for families in Northern Alameda County. Their BANANAS Boutique provides low-income parents with free books, toys and equipment for their children. Your donations of clean and gently used toys, books, puzzles, games, children's clothing and maternity wear keep the boutique stocked up. Items can be dropped off during business hours. Due to limited space, the BANANAS Boutique occasionally reaches storage capacity, so call ahead before heading over.
Davis Street This organization assists families in need by addressing issues facing low-income families and the homeless. In addition to gently used clothing, the organization also accepts household items, backpacks and school supplies in the fall as well as new toys for its holiday program. Donation hours are Mon.-Tues. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. COVID-19 Update: Only donations of in-kind donations of unexpired non-perishable canned food are being accepted.
3081 Teagarden Street San Leandro, CA Online: Davisstreet.org
Loved Twice is a nonprofit organization that supports new mothers by providing them with baby clothing. They accept baby clothing sizes 0-12 months only and can also take small blankets and board books. Loved Twice has several Bay Area drop-off locations for your convenience. Visit their website to see if there’s a location near you and make a donation today!
Salvation Army The Salvation Army Family Store and Donation Center in Alameda accepts used toy donations, books and children's clothing, Mon.-Sat. 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Donated items are sold in the Family Store and the proceeds are used to fund the Salvation Army's Adult Rehabilitation Centers.
Goodwill Goodwill in Oakland accepts donations of household items, women's clothing, men's clothing and children's items including books, baby gear (must meet current safety standards), sports equipment, games and toys. Drop-off hours are Mon.-Sat. 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sun. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Donated items are sold in Goodwill stores and the proceeds are used to fund programs that help disadvantaged individuals learn competitive job skills and find employment.
Goodwill Goodwill in Palo Alto accepts donations of household items, women’s clothing, men’s clothing and children’s items including books, baby gear (must meet current safety standards), sports equipment, games, and toys. Drop-off hours are Mon.-Sun. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Donated items are sold in Goodwill stores and the proceeds are used to fund programs that help disadvantaged individuals learn competitive job skills and find employment.
4085 El Camino Way Palo Alto, CA Online: goodwill.org
PARCA PARCA helps people with development disabilities and their families at all stages of their lives, from children’s services to independent residential programs to respite care. Through a partnership with Saver’s Stores, PARCA turns used clothing and household item donations into funds that support their programs. Requested items include toys, games, puzzles, stuffed animals, bicycles and sports equipment, as well as clothes and household items. Donors can schedule a donation pick up over the phone and online, or drop off donations at Saver’s Thrift Store in Redwood City or Milpitas, during store hours.
800 Airport Blvd., Suite 320 Burlingame, CA Online: parca.org
This organization supports families escaping intimate partner abuse. Their needs include diapers, new clothing, umbrellas, strollers and more. They run seasonal school supply drives. You can view their wish list here and drop off donations at their office. COVID-19 Update: CORA is currently not accepting donations of goods. Check their website for updates.
LifeMoves LifeMoves provides interim shelter and services for families. Linens, towels and blankets are among the family shelters' greatest need. Household supplies such as towels are also needed for incoming residents. View shelter wish lists here and consider making a donation today.
184 South 11th Street San Jose CA Online: lifemoves.org
Salvation Army We moved! The Salvation Army Family Store in San Jose is now located on West Taylor Street. It accepts used toy donations such as books, bikes, games, stuffed animals and children's clothing, Mon.-Sat. 9 a.m. to 8p.m. and Sundays 10 a.m.-6p.m. Donated items are sold in the Family Store and the proceeds are used to fund the Salvation Army's Adult Rehabilitation Centers.
Santa Maria Urban Ministry was founded in 1983 to provide emergency food to impoverished families in downtown San Jose. Santa Maria has provided a food pantry continuously for 38 years and also collects donations of clothing and goods for families in need. In addition to clothing and care items, there is a need for school and craft supplies. Learn more about their wish lists and make a donation.
Salvation Army The Salvation Army does more than just ring bells and accept change! Their Family Store and Donation Trailer in San Rafael accepts donations Tues.-Sat. 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Donated items are sold in the Family Store and the proceeds are used to fund the Salvation Army's Adult Rehabilitation Centers.
Goodwill Drop off your used toy donations, household items, women's clothing, men's clothing and children's items including books, baby gear (must meet current safety standards), sports equipment, games and toys at Goodwill's Drop Off Center, located inside the Mill Valley Safeway on Camino Alto. Drop off hours are Mon.-Sun., 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Donated items are sold in Goodwill stores and the proceeds are used to fund programs that help disadvantaged individuals learn competitive job skills and find employment.
1 Camino Alto Mill Valley, CA Online: goodwill.org
Every day should be Earth Day when it comes to caring for our planet and mankind. Even if your family doesn’t travel the planet on a regular basis, there are plenty of ways your kids can change the world. There are plenty of easy ways to foster your kids’ respect, empathy and compassion for cultures that differ from their own. Read on for our favorite ideas below.
This article is sponsored by Wind Riders #1: Rescue on Turtle Beach, HarperCollin’s illustrated chapter book series about two kids’ adventures tackling real-world problems. First up: Rescuing sea turtles. Get your copy today.
1. Become a world traveler in your own town. Expand your kids' horizons by visiting neighborhoods and communities of various cultures in your own hometown––dine on traditional ethnic cuisine, experience the local art and museums. Spend time exploring your city's Chinatown, attend cultural festivals and celebrations, teach your kids about races and ideologies that differ from your family's. Check out our list of places to visit to understand race in America and seek similar learning opportunities where you live.
2. Play in nature daily. Teach your kids that nature is a gift to be treasured and they'll grow up with the desire to protect the planet. Go hiking, chase butterflies, swim in lakes, surf in the ocean, observe ants marching in a line, stargaze, inspire young minds with the awareness that we all need to care for Mother Nature with responsible daily actions.
3. Use maps as home decor. The world is much bigger than your neighborhood, but children may not understand that. Hang a city map and a world map in your home so your kids can think outside their immediate surroundings and become global minded.
4. Join the mission to clean-up your city. Whether you pick up garbage on your walk to school or sign up for your local beach/river/lake clean-up with the Surfrider Foundation, once your kids see firsthand the amount of trash people litter, they'll understand why it's the wrong thing to do. It's a win-win because they're helping beautify the planet and witnessing firsthand the negative impact that humans can have on nature.
5. Ditch the plastic. Teach kids they can make a huge difference in the earth's health by simply not using plastic, which accounts for a massive amount of ocean and land pollution while harming the environment with its production and disposal. Get your kids reusable water bottles and lunch systems and straws. Stop using plastic baggies and opt for reusable snack bags. Tote cloth shopping bags to the grocery store so you don't need to use plastic bags (and save money on the bag fee too!).
6. Avoid products that are harmful to the planet. Educate your kids about avoiding products that are destructive to humans, animals and the planet ie: plastic six-pack rings kill at least 100,000 marine creatures per year! (source) Additionally, you can shop smart together and purchase products from companies that don't do animal testing while also buying organic food, clothing and household goods to support farmers and manufacturers who don't use toxic chemicals.
Beth Shea
7. Spend time with animals. From your family pet to a gorilla across the globe, your kids will learn respect and reverence for all creatures by growing up alongside and/or learning about all of the amazing animals that share the planet. Ways kids can interact with animals daily include walking the elderly neighbor's dog, volunteering at an animal shelter or fostering animals waiting for their forever homes. Discuss endangered species with your little ones and explain how animals are threatened by deforestation, climate change and habitat destruction. Visit a local wildlife conservation center to explore ways humans can save animals from endangerment or extinction. There are also great documentaries like Planet Earth that will leave kids in awe of what's going on in the animal kingdom every day!
8. Volunteer and do good deeds to help the less fortunate. There are countless ways kids can help others, even without leaving the house. A project you can do as a family is to make blessing bags for the homeless. Doing so will help kids learn empathy for people who have no shelter or even basic necessities. Kids can also help end hunger by hosting a bake sale and donating the proceeds to No Kid Hungry or accepting donations to their favorite charity in lieu of birthday gifts. Any act of service that teaches them to think of the well-being of others will make them more global-minded. Share these stories of 8 kids under age 12 who are changing the world right now to inspire them and prove that regardless of being young, they can do great things and make an impact.
This article is sponsored by Wind Riders #1: Rescue on Turtle Beach, HarperCollin’s illustrated chapter book series about two kids’ adventures tackling real-world problems. First up: Rescuing sea turtles. Get your copy today.
9. Read! Reading stories and books about different races and cultures and stories set in various countries is a powerful tool to help your kids learn about the world and humanity. Here are 21 African American history books to read with your kids. Additionally, the subscription box Little Global Citizens takes kids on a new global adventure each month via books, cultural activities, interactive crafts, language, music, toys and a themed dinner party night! Little Passports is another great subscription service where kids can become world explorers by discovering a new country each month.
10. Encourage kids to champion a cause. Whether your kid wants to instill a marker recycling program at his school, help save an endangered species, join a women's march, or fight climate change, the world needs their passion to fuel meaningful causes. No voice or action is too small when it comes to what's right, so be your kid's biggest cheerleader when they seek to make positive changes––and help them along in any way you can!
11. Spend wisely. Learning the basics of being a global citizen most definitely includes a lesson on finance. Whether it's teaching your kiddos the basics of consumerism, or donating fiscally to a cause, littles can learn at a very young age that partnering with large agencies to help those in need is a must for mankind.
12. Go vegan or vegetarian, or do Meatless Mondays. You can save a whopping 20.6 million animals by eating vegetarian food once a week for a decade. Due to an upward trend in alternative diets, it's easier than ever to instill Meatless Mondays in your family's meal rotation or to switch to a vegan or vegetarian diet thanks to a slew of delicious plant-based products that have hit the market. According to the Meatless Mondays website, when you eat sans meat, you save the planet from the "detrimental impact ... (of) increasing the greenhouse gas emissions that cause global warming and depleting our scarce natural resources, including water, land and energy." Check out our favorite plant-based cookbooks to hit the shelves in 2019 so far for plenty of inspiration. Bonus if you prepare vegetarian cuisine from another culture: Thai curry, or Aloo Palak!
13. Learn another language as a family. Among the many benefits of learning a second language, doing so enables kids to connect with another culture and according to one study, "foreign languages foster greater empathy in children" and help them see life through another's perspective more readily. Get started with these kid-friendly apps that teach kids new languages.
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14. Do a Good Deed Every Day Get creative with making the world a better place, one small act at a time. Whether you’ve got toddlers, teens or any age in-between, you can create a kindness calendar that suits their age and goals. Go uber-simple and use a regular wall calendar or mark one up out of poster board. All you really need is a chart of days and space to write out one act per day. Make a chic good deed advent calendar you'd be proud to hang in your house or try out a toddler holiday giving calendar for inspiration. Examples of deeds for younger kids include simple things like asking someone at home if they need help; sharing a toy without being asked first; giving out an extra hug and high-fiving mom. Older kids can get more complex: offer to mow someone's lawn, donate one hour to cleaning up the parks, read to an elder at a local retirement home. The good deed possibilities are endless: do what inspires you!
15. Practice Kindness in Public Inspire your kids by modeling the kind of behavior you’d like to see in the world. While you might not be ready to doll out the Free Hugs with your littles, there are plenty of other simple gestures like holding doors open for strangers, saying excuse-me if you bump into someone in a store, or asking someone sincerely how they are feeling that day. During the hectic holiday season, these little kindnesses can be extra important. Don't just stop at common courtesy, though. Try buying a cup of coffee for the person behind you in line, carrying your neighbors' groceries to their door or buying flowers for a total stranger. Read this mom's story about opportunities to show compassion for some added inspiration.
This article is sponsored by Wind Riders #1: Rescue on Turtle Beach, HarperCollin’s illustrated chapter book series about two kids’ adventures tackling real-world problems. First up: Rescuing sea turtles. Get your copy today.
16. Keep a Bundle of Kindness Cards to Give Out The easiest way to send out spontaneous or heartfelt greetings is to make sure you have a stash of cards on hand. Get the kiddos in on it by making a few cards at a time: this keeps it fun and creative without feeling like a chore. To get a uniform look but still have the kid-crafted vibe, have your kids paint paper with different patterns and then use a cookie cutter to cut out shapes. Glue these to the front of folded drawing or card stock paper. Alternatively, trace shapes directly onto the paper with cookie cutters and let the kids color them in. When the kids have a little downtime and are feeling inspired, have them do a few original drawings and add them to the mix. Whenever you want to send a little note along to someone, the cards are right there at the ready.
17. Set Up an Inspiration Station Keep their imaginations active by making sure each kid has his or her own mini inspiration station somewhere in the house. It can be a small section of the wall or a bulletin board hung right at their height, or even a spot on the fridge. The idea is to designate a place where kids can have their own mini vision-board: wishlists, dreams, happy thoughts, fave photos, beautiful pictures from magazines or anything that sparks their imagination all belong at their inspiration station. It's a place they can look at that makes them feel happy, calm and creative, and one they can change with a minimum of effort.
— Taylor Clifton, Beth Shea with Amber Guetebier & Karly Wood
