Bananas—and so much more—are on the menu at Universal Orlando Resort’s brand-new Minion Land

The red carpet has been rolled out—just watch for banana peels—because Universal Orlando Resort is celebrating the grand opening of a brand-new Minion Land. The exciting addition to the central Florida theme park resort is part of an overall initiative to offer more attractions geared toward families with younger children—and we were one of the first to explore the colorful streets inspired by the beloved characters.

Minion Land at Universal Studios Florida occupies the resort’s original park and features an entire block—now known as Illumination Avenue—adorned with attractions, whimsical eats, and meet and greets all centered around the Despicable Me franchise, the highest-grossing animated film franchise of all time. The new land is a collaboration between Universal’s award-winning creative time and Illumination’s acclaimed filmmakers.

Let’s take a look at the mischief and mayhem that awaits.

This is a game-changer for families with younger kids

The banana-loving, mischief-making Minions have long been a part of the park, from parade appearances to the Despicable Me Minion Mayhem ride—and the decision to expand upon that footprint was simple. “People love these characters, and they love these films,” Mike Aiello, senior director of entertainment creative development for Universal Orlando Resort, shared with us.

Immersive, family-friendly simulator attraction Despicable Me Minion Mayhem, was the park’s first large-scale foray into the adorable world of the Minions and is a surprisingly heartwarming ride that’s been overwhelmingly received. Now the theme park destination which is known for high-level thrills is putting the focus on families with the creation of even more experiences targeted towards the younger park goers.

“Everyone knows we do thrill rides, and we do intense experiences, but we also do family really well,” Aiello shared at the land’s preview event. “Being able to increase the portfolio that offers something for everybody, that is what this is about. It truly is something that you can experience together. It just speaks towards the want and need to keep families engaged as a family together.”

Villain-Con Minion Blast is a brand-new attraction

new Minion Land at Universal Resort Florida

A pioneering new attraction joins the existing Despicable Me Mayhem as the heart of the land. Inspired by Minions: The Rise of Gru, Villain-Con Minion Blast is Universal’s most customizable ride ever built, impressively marrying interactive game-based technology with immersive practical set pieces. It’s both familiar and unlike anything we’ve ever seen. The concept is simple: Blast to earn points and all the glory on the attraction’s leaderboard—but it’s also much more than that.

Players compete in a showdown to become a member of the Vicious 6, a supergroup of villains from the film. Never before done, riders aren’t aboard traditional attraction vehicles but instead a moving conveyor belt. With this new system, there is no height requirement making this a true family-friendly ride. Guests are equipped with self-supported blasters, called E-Liminator X, with a smaller blaster available for younger guests.

new Minion Land at Universal Resort Florida

Unlike other straightforward blaster-style attractions, like Universal’s MEN IN BLACK Alien Attack and Disney’s Toy Story Mania, this is a layer-filled, choose-your-own-adventure of sorts.

Villain-Con Minion Blast is Universal Orlando’s first leap into a truly connected experience where the mobile Universal Orlando Resort app enhances and works in real-time with the attraction. This means that every ride can be a completely new experience.

With the ability to customize, it offers that desired ride-ability factor. On each mission, the objective and the villains represented may be different. Universal creatives also shared that guests can expect seasonal content to be incorporated into the attraction, like pumpkins during Halloween and even flaming turkey legs during the Thanksgiving season.

The app extends the fun beyond the attraction itself, and into the ride’s queue and land, with the ability to unlock new content visit after visit and earn more powerful blasts during gameplay. A collectible loot feature mimics a classic scavenger hunt and sees app users exploring the land to uncover the bounty. With one scan of a phone, it connects to your virtual collectibles and is a fun way to experience the land from a different vantage point.

For those adverse to technology, the attraction can be enjoyed at face value as a next-generation blaster-style ride without ever turning on the app as the player’s score will appear on the blaster itself.

Simply put, this is a clever attraction that’s a load of fun no matter at what level you commit to playing it.

Whimsical eats await in Minion Land at Universal Resort—and it’s way more than bananas

new Minion Land at Universal Resort Florida

Universal Studios Florida excels with wildly inventive eats—from Harry Potter-themed, snow-capped pubs, to The Simpsons’ Fast Food Boulevard—but Minion Land raises the bar on both creativity and execution.

The new land houses four new options, from grab-and-go snacks to sit-down dining. Bake My Day is an adorable cupcake shop serving up a hefty dose of whimsy with Minion-fueled sweets. Insider tip: We recommend that you try the standout banana cream Swiss roll. Two snack stands dishing fun eats to parkgoers, including Minion-themed ice pops at Freeze Ray Pops and banana-flavored popcorn at Pop-A-Nana, have already proved ever so popular.

new Minion Land at Universal Resort Florida

Its marquee dining location, Minion Café, is perhaps the land’s most ambitious feat, fusing elements of fast casual dining with table service in an immersive setting. Amongst its three highly themed dining rooms, diners can soak up the air conditioning while getting a glimpse of colorful art pieces and eye-catching details.

The menu is a merry mashup of kid-friendly eats and inspired foods with global flair—but it’s all far beyond the expected theme park eats. The food delivers the fun to the fork, from a green tomato bisque topped with crispy pork belly and basil oil to a delightful salsa roja braised beef. There are also plenty of familiar eats with a playful twist for the pickier eaters, like addictive Minion-shaped tots and a stuffed pizza. With all eats under $20, it also offers affordability and elevation in the theme park culinary landscape.

Related: Did Someone Say Bananas? You Have to See This Adorable Minion-Inspired Café

new Minion Land at Universal Resort Florida

Illumination Theater is where you can meet your Minion friends

While the land itself is a bounty of colorful photo ops and murals, Illumination Theater serves as the main hub for character meet and greets—because you can’t come to Minion Land and not meet one of the adorable yellow friends!

The art deco-inspired theater features screen-based, digital posters offering the ability to switch out the characters throughout the day. Here, guests can meet the characters like Gru, Margo, and Agnes, but also other popular characters from hit Illumination films.

What else can families expect in the future?

The good news for families with younger kids? Universal Orlando Resort will be welcoming another kid-centric land in 2024 inspired by beloved movie characters from DreamWorks Animation. Its focus will be attractions and interactive play spaces that bring popular franchises like Shrek and Trolls to life.

Kids and adults alike will love Minion Land at Universal Resort, Florida

Rich with storytelling, Illumination films have resonated with people of all ages—and that sentiment is evident in Universal’s newest land. It’s a place where parents won’t just take a backseat to watch their kids at play, but they, too, become active and engaged participants.

In many ways, Minion Land accomplishes what so many other kiddie lands do not: it’s a destination-worthy land that can hold a candle to the likes of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. It’s not tucked away in a back corner but instead, seamlessly blends in with the rest of the park as a transportive experience unique to its own. It’s truly tailored to the younger parkgoers but with broad appeal for guests of all ages.

—images courtesy of the author

Whether you want to spend the afternoon baking or grab a treat from the freezer, you can’t go wrong with these desserts from Trader Joe’s

What’s dinner without a little dessert? Having a sweet treat is the perfect ending to any meal, but not everyone has the energy to whip them up. That’s why we love Trader Joe’s and it’s plethora of both ready-to-eat options plus unique ingredients to make your own! From the seasonal frozen ice pops and summer-inspired macarons, to a DIY ice cream cake, don’t miss out on some of the best Trader Joe’s desserts the grocer has to offer.

 

Watermelon & Peach Macarons

Just when you thought macarons couldn’t get any more fancy, Trader Joe’s drops a summery Watermelon and Peach version! These frozen treats are ready to eat after just an hour of defrosting, are made in Belgium, and would pair perfectly with a glass of sparkling water (or wine) on a summer evening.

Chocolate Lava Cakes

Trader Joe’s

If you are really looking to make an impression without much work, keep these beauties in your freezer. You don’t even need to preheat your oven as these can be easily warmed in the microwave. With an ooey-gooey center, they are perfectly paired with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Golden Caramel Swirl Ice Cream

It’s new and it’s delicious. Trader Joe’s Golden Caramel Swirl Ice Cream is perfect for anyone who already loves Moose Tracks and is packed with gooey, salted caramel floating amidst vanilla and chocolate ice cream.

Strawberry Lemonade Ice Bars

best trader joe's desserts
Trader Joe's
Trader Joe’s

If you have a hankering for frozen strawberry lemonade, look no further than this seasonal new product. Made in Italy, they are made with no artificial flavorings and instead use strawberry purée, lemon juice concentrate, and other natural flavors to give an unbelievable fruity and refreshing treat.

All the Mochi

Vanilla, green tea, Ube, and strawberry: there is mochi for every craving! Found in the freezer aisle, the boxed treat is perfect when you just want one or two morsels to satisfy a sweet tooth or just take a box or two to your next get-together for a unique ice cream dessert.

Related: 14 Trader Joe’s Products Perfect for a Summer Cookout

Tres Leches Cake

tres leches cake from Trader Joe's
Trader Joe’s

Perfectly sweet and perfectly easy to make, this cake tops our list for summer birthdays. All you have to do is leave it at room temp for a few hours and the day will be ready to serve. Serve it with a scoop of horchata ice cream for a double treat.

Mini Cheesecake Cones

While these cheesecake cones don’t exactly mimic the creamy goodness that is traditional cheesecake, they still make for a wonderful dessert. If you love almonds, the cone will knock your socks off as it pairs with the sweet filling. As we mentioned, these don’t exactly taste like cheesecake in a cone, but we appreciate and still enjoy the mini size that makes our sweet tooth happy.

Cookie Butter & Coffee Ice Cream Cake

Cookie Butter, Cookie Butter Ice Cream, Speculoos Cookies, and Coffee Bean Ice Cream—these are all the things you need to make the perfect ice cream cake! This decadent DIY Trader Joe’s dessert looks much harder to put together than it really is and is worth every bite.

Strawberry & Rhubarb Hand Pies

Sometimes you just need a dessert that brings you back to childhood summers. These all-butter crust Strawberry & Rhubarb hand pies hit the nail on the head. They’re made with real fruit chunks throughout the filling, sprinkled with sugar, and make dessert spent outside playing the summer day away a breeze. We highly recommend microwaving a few seconds and enjoying with some vanilla ice cream.

Chocolate & Vanilla Bean Swirl Gelato

You should probably stop what you’re doing and run straight to TJ’s for a tub of this delightfully creamy gelato. Coming in a clear tub so you can be further enticed to grab a generous pint (it’s actually a 1.9pt carton!), get ready to enjoy this gorgeous, light, ice cream that’s made with real vanilla bean flecks, cocoa, and semisweet chocolate.

Key Lime Pie

@the_arielb /

Don’t be frightened by the pale yellow color of this Key Lime pie- it’s made with natural lime juice and no added food coloring. The tart filling sits in a graham cracker crust and is ready for whatever toppings you prefer. It’s the perfect “oh, I forgot to make a dessert for the BBQ” dessert.

Chocolate Brooklyn Babka

Traditional Babka hails from Poland and Ukraine and takes all day to make. Thankfully, you can grab a package of a delightful, chocolatey Babka at TJ’s to pair with your evening coffee. The rich pastry is layered with chocolate and also topped with chocolate chips.

Related: New Trader Joe’s Summer Products We’re Obsessed With

It’s going to be hard to resist some of these

Nothing says summer like homemade popsicles. That’s why we’ve compiled the ultimate list of recipes for summer popsicles for kids—from fruit popsicles to creamsicles to homemade fudge pops that are full of flavor. These popsicle recipes are super easy, super refreshing, and a great project for young chefs. There are so many delicious frozen treats to beat the summer heat!

Chocolate Cherry Popsicles

How delicious do these chocolate cherry pops look?! Made with Greek yogurt and fresh cherries, get this popsicle recipe from Parsley and Icing.

Rainbow Popsicles

rainbow popsicle recipe
The First Year Blog

Your kiddos will go gaga for the out-of-this-world colors of these rainbow popsicles from The First Year Blog. There are a whopping seven layers and each sports a ton of fruit and flavor. The result looks like a truly tasty tie-dyed treat!

Shirley Temple Popsicles

Oh, the thrill of being a kid and sipping a Shirley Temple! This idea from Candy Jar Chronicle takes that same classic taste and turns it into a frozen treat.

Raspberry Cheesecake Popsicles

Take the taste of tart summer berries, combine it with creamy cheesecake and you’ve got a homemade popsicle perfect for a warm evening.

Ripe Peach Popsicles

peach popsicle recipe
The View from Great Island

Need a great way to use up ripe (or slightly over-ripe) peaches? Bookmark these fruit popsicles, STAT! They're made from pureed fresh peaches and are basically summertime on a stick. Get the recipe from The View from Great Island.

Pumpkin Pie Popsicle

homemade popsicles
Salt & Lavender

Get a taste of autumn any ol' time with popsicles that pack in the pumpkin flavor. They also include Greek yogurt and granola, which means you could even have a popsicle for breakfast. Get the recipe from Salt & Lavender.

Lava Flow Popsicles

homemade popsicles
One Lovely Life

You're gonna love these layers! Just picture this: creamy pineapple swirled with a fresh strawberry puree and no dyes or refined sugar. Best of all, they're the perfect combo of easy, pretty, and delicious. For the recipe, flow on over to One Lovely Life.

Healthy Raspberry Sorbet Popsicles

homemade popsicles
One Lovely Life

These beauties from One Lovely Life really pop with bright raspberry flavor! The kiddos will love covering them in chocolate magic shell and their fave toppings, but don't worry—they look fancy but are simple to whip up.

Coconut Water Pineapple Popsicles

homemade popsicles
Boulder Locavore

Are you ready to get refreshed? Boulder Locavore’s Coconut Water Pineapple Popsicles are the ultimate way to hydrate this summer. Along with the coconut water, these pops also have pineapple juice, lime juice, and a handful of raspberries. They’re vegan, tasty, and (literally) cool.

 

Related: New Trader Joe’s Summer Products We’re Obsessed With

Healthy Greek Yogurt Fudge Pops

homemade popsicles
Baker by Nature

Nostalgia alert! If there’s a special place in your heart for melty, chocolatey fudgesicles, you need to try this recipe from Baker by Nature. These pops have that same taste you know and love, with a healthy twist.

 

Chocolate Covered Almond Popsicles

homemade popsicles
Simple Vegan Blog

Confession: we’re nuts about these homemade popsicles from Simple Vegan Blog. They include ingredients like banana, almond milk, and maple syrup; and as for the chocolate coating? Let’s just say once you make your own magic shell, you’ll never go back.

 

Funfetti Creamsicles

homemade popsicles
Garlic My Soul

These cheerful funfetti creamsicles from Garlic My Soul are the perfect treat for a hot summer's day. Made with coconut cream, orange juice, honey, and of course, funfetti sprinkles, the creamy tanginess will be a hit. 

Root Beer Float Popsicles

root beer float popsicle recipe
Boulder Locavore

A root beer float in popsicle form? We’re in! This popsicle recipe from Boulder Locavore is basically your fave soda-and-ice-cream treat, poured into your fave molds. Genius? We think so.

Coconut Pineapple Yogurt Pops

Recipe Runner

When you can’t grab the fam and head to Hawaii, the next best thing is one oofo these tropical popsicles from Recipe Runner. They’re the perfect combo of creamy and icy—perfect for higher temps and hungry tummies.

 

Chocolate Peanut Butter Swirl Mousse Pops

chocolate peanut butter popsicle recipe
The Kitchen McCabe

These chocolate peanut butter pops are the perfect deviation from fruit pops. Plus, they're the perfect treat for chocolate lovers to keep around! Try topping it off with some whipped cream or your favorite topping. You'll find this recipe at The Kitchen McCabe.

 

Strawberry Lemonade Popsicles

Strawberry lemonade popsicle recipe
Pass the Sushi

Any kid worth his salt knows that lemonade is pretty much a summer requirement. Add on the taste of fresh strawberries and tangy yogurt and you’ve got a refreshing match made in heaven. You can thank Pass the Sushi for this homemade popsicle inspiration.

 

Cookies and Coconut Cream Popsicles

The View from Great Island

What’s black and white and sweet all over? These Oreo-inspired popsicles from The View from Great Island! These fantabulous treats have honest-to-goodness whole cookies inside them, so every bite has the potential to be your favorite bite.

 

Triple Berry Paletas

homemade popsicles
Lola Cocina

Here’s the scoop on paletas: they’re Latin American ice pops that are usually made from fresh fruit. That means they’re extra refreshing and extra easy to make yourself. These Triple Berry Paletas from Lola Cocina fit the bill, and they can be customized to your kid’s palate with different berry combinations.

Sunrise Popsicles

homemade popsicles
Emily via One Lovely Life

Good news - these homemade popsicles are as yummy as they are pretty! Emily from One Lovely Life combines orange juice and strawberries to create these vibrant pops.

Dairy-free Patriotic Popsicles

homemade popsicles
Beth via Pass the Plants

Just like the rocket pops from the ice cream truck, but way healthier, these patriotic popsicles will be a sure-fire hit at your summer BBQs. Get the recipe from Beth at Pass the Plants.

Mango Chili Popsicles

Isabel via Isabel Eats

Kick up your popsicle game with these mango chili popsicles from Isabel Eats. Yummy, sweet mango meets its match in a touch of chili for a delicious take on these summer treats.

 

Cherry Lime Popsicles

homemade popsicles
Erin via Food Fanatic

This classic flavor combo comes together in a refreshing homemade popsicle that's perfect for cooling down in the summer heat. Erin from Food Fanatic breaks down how easy this recipe really is!

—with additional reporting by Taylor Clifton

If spending time with the people you love most tops your Valentine’s Day wish list, we’ve got the scoop on eleven ways families can celebrate around Seattle this year. With everything from concerts and crafts to zoo events and a fun run, these Valentine’s events and activities are all about the things we love. Read on to make your plans.

iStock

1. Veggies for Valentine's
Does your kiddo love farm animals? So do the folks at Kelsey Creek Farm Park. Bring your kids to the farm to celebrate Valentine’s Day by making veggie treats for the animals and popcorn treats for guests. Your kiddo will meet the farm animals, make a Valentine card for an animal and receive one in return during this program. Pre-registration is required. Feb. 13, 1-2 p.m. $25/Bellevue resident; $30/Non-resident. Ages 4-8. Event details.

2. Family Service Event: Love
Join this Camp Kindness Counts workshop to practice love. You'll join other families and make dog and cat blankets for local shelter animals waiting to be adopted. The goal is to make 50 blankets. Families are invited to stay at the end for a short reflection time. Registration is required. Feb. 13, 10:30 a.m. Free. All ages. Event details.

3. Family Sunday at the National Nordic Museum
The National Nordic Museum’s monthly on-site art making program encourages children and their caregivers to get creative. And this month, the project will be all about Valentines. Drop in with your kids to get creative. All art-making supplies and materials will be provided. Feb. 13, 10 a.m.-noon. Included with admission. All ages. Event details.

valentines day activities seattle
Ingrid Barrentine

4. Love at the Zoo
Valentine’s weekend is a great time to head south to Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium for their two-day event. Watch animals get enrichments like heart shaped ice treats, bamboo hearts and whipped cream throughout the day. Then complete a heart scavenger hunt around the park where kids can scan the QR codes to learn fun facts and see cute animal pics. Don't forget to drop a Valentine into the plaza mailbox for you favorite zoo animal friend before heading home. Feb. 12 & 13, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Included with admission. All ages. Event details.

5. Family Art Workshop
Celebrate Valentine’s Day with an art workshop at Cascadia Art Museum. If you love creating art, bring the kids to this Family Art Workshop where local artist Mary Peterson will lead everyone through creating one-of-a-kind Valentine’s Day cards using stamps made with recycled Styrofoam trays. The class is free, but families will need to register online in advance. Feb. 12, 11-11:55 a.m. & 12:05-1 p.m. Free. All ages. Event details.

6. Valentine's Day Dash
Marina Park is where the 3rd Annual Alexander’s Hope Valentine’s Day Dash will be held. Run or walk this out-and-back 5K along the Kirkland waterfront in an effort tos support Alexander’s Hope, a nonprofit aimed at spreading awareness about organ donation. Choose from a 5K Run/Walk, a Youth 5K or the free Kids Dash (10 a.m.) Registration is required, but day of registration will be available. Feb. 12, 9 a.m. $35/5K; $20/Youth 5K; Free, Kids Dash. All ages. Event details.

7. Valentine's Day Card Making
Tell your peeps how much you love them with handmade Valentine’s Day cards. Join instructors at Farrel-McWhirter Farm in the Big Red Barn where kids will get inspiration and words of wisdom from farm animal visitors. Psst...we hear it will be “udderly” fantastic. Registration required. Feb. 12, 1:30-3 p.m.; $45/Redmond resident; $54/Non-resident. Ages 5 & up. Event details.

rinck content studio via unsplash

8. Family Day: Valentine's
Viva Valentines! Join an educator at the Museum of Glass in Tacoma to make the perfect card for your Valentine. This family workshop will be held in the art room, where families will find all the materials and inspiration they need to create together. Feb. 12, 1-4 p.m. Included with admission. All ages. Event details.

9. Valentine's Day Concert
Bring your little (and big) loves to Crossroads Mall for a free concert we think you'll love. Presenting a '60s style girl group show that captures the essence of many famous vocal groups like the Supremes, the Crystals, the Ronettes, Marvelettes as well  as Jackie DeShannon, Doris Troy and Dusty Springfield. Grab a bite. Sit back and enjoy the show. Feb. 14, 6-8 p.m. Free. All ages. Event details.

10. Valentine's Dream Catcher Workshop
During this drop-off workshop at Sit and Kit in Bellevue, kindergartners through fifth graders will make a dream catcher to give as a gift or keep for themselves. Everything your creative kiddo needs to make this 10” project will be provided. Registration is required. Feb. 12, 5-7 p.m. $35. K-5th grade. Event details.

11. Kid's Cookie Workshop
This Valentine’s Day your kids can have a chance to make a batch of freshly baked cookies alongside Cam Zarcone of PCC Markets. Kids will bake along with Cam as they measure, mix and form chocolate and vanilla swirled shortbread hearts and make heart thumbprint cookies. They’ll then take their cookies up a notch and make vanilla frosting for decorating. Registration is required. Feb. 13, 11 a.m. $60. Kids, 8-12. Event details.

—Allison Sutcliffe

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19 Adventurous Date Night Ideas

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Photo: Sugar Proof Kids

 

Ready for some new ideas for snacks for your kids? It can be easy to get into a rut, and unfortunately, most of the snacks marketed to kids aren’t the healthiest. In fact, 80% of kids’ snacks and products have added sugar and most have deceptive claims on the packaging. They may say “whole grain” or “made with fruit” or “rich in calcium,” making parents think they are getting something with added nutritional value, whereas many of these are highly processed and full of hidden sugars or sweeteners and other unwanted ingredients such as refined seed oils or artificial colors. These include many brands of granola bars, crackers, chips, yogurts, and fruit snacks.

The sugar in these products adds up fast, and just one or two seemingly healthy products can put kids over their suggested daily limit for added sugar. For example, one granola bar can easily have 12 grams or three teaspoons of added sugar, which is half of the general daily maximum recommended for children ages 2-18. And most kids do not feel as if they have been given dessert if they have a granola bar, but essentially that is what many brands are!

An overly sweet diet can impact children from head to toe and cause risk for many health issues, including those that develop slowly and silently over time, such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, systemic inflammation, and eventual cognitive decline. In the short term, kids who have more sugar are more likely to struggle to concentrate and to be moodier and more fatigued. Reducing sugar in daily snacks can make a big difference in children’s overall health.

Easy Snacks to Make at Home

Involving kids in preparing easy snacks is a great way to encourage them to accept new, healthy options. Here are a few ideas:

1. Cucumber slices with Japanese Furikake Seasoning: Washing a cucumber and helping to slice it into rounds is something that even toddlers can assist with. We love to dip cucumber in Japanese Furikake seasoning, which is a mix of seaweed flakes, sesame seeds, and sea salt. Look for a brand that does not have added sugar or MSG in it. Kids love this because it gives the cucumber a great crunch and added flavor.

2. Watermelon Pops: Another very easy idea is to cut a watermelon into rectangular pieces, retaining the rind on to use as a handle, and freeze it on parchment paper into one-ingredient ice pops. While kids may be too young to cut the watermelon safely, they can help arrange it on the parchment for freezing. These are so refreshing and fun to eat on a hot day.

3. No-Bake Chocolate Sesame Squares: For something sweet, that is also plant-based and high fiber, try these treats out. They are full of chocolatey flavor and, in addition to being free from added sugar, they also happen to be gluten-free and dairy-free for anyone with those needs. This is a very easy recipe (here are the full details) where you just put everything in a food processor and then flatten it into a baking dish. Even young kids can help measure the ingredients, add them to the processor, operate it with adult supervision, and help press the mix into the dish.

3. Crispy Chickpea Snacks: These seasoned, roasted chickpeas are flavorful and a great alternative to chips or crackers. They are high in fiber, keep kids satisfied, and are also easy to make and affordable. You can modify the seasonings based on what your family likes. We especially love the garam masala version, and the Italian version with rosemary and oregano is also amazing. Kids can help drain the canned chickpeas, dry them with a dish towel, baste them with olive oil, and sprinkle them with the spices before roasting.

Healthier Options for Snacks You Can Buy

We know that making your own snacks isn’t always possible, and it’s helpful to know which ready-made products you can rely on that use good ingredients and your kids will like.

For non-perishable options, here are some products we like:

With these ideas, you can keep up with your children’s snack appetites, involve them in the kitchen, and keep them healthier at the same time.

Dr. Michael Goran, Ph.D. and Dr. Emily Ventura, Ph.D. are co-authors of the pioneering new book, SUGARPROOF: The Hidden Dangers of Sugar That Are Putting Your Child’s Health at Risk and What You Can Do (Avery/Penguin Random House). To purchase the book and for more ideas and recipes, check out the website and our Instagram page.

Dr. Michael Goran PhD Dr. Emily Ventura PhD, MPH
Tinybeans Voices Contributor

Dr. Michael Goran, Ph.D. and Dr. Emily Ventura, Ph.D. are co-authors of pioneering new book, SUGARPROOF: The Hidden Dangers of Sugar That Are Putting Your Child’s Health at Risk and What You Can Do (Avery/Penguin Random House). To purchase the book or for more information, visit www.sugarproofkids.com

Healthy, homemade popsicles are a cool treat and a clever way to up your child’s intake of fruits and veggies. Keep them in the freezer for hot days, teething pain, sniffles and any other time your child can use a boost. Make extra; you’re going to want some too!

Pin all 13 recipes for baby-friendly popsicles.

Dole Whip Popsicles

One Lovely Life

If you can't travel to Disneyland for a Dole Whip, these Vitamin C-rich popsicles are the next best thing. These pops from One Lovely Life are made with just two ingredients: diced pineapple and coconut milk, but you can add a sweetener like maple syrup or honey if you'd like (avoid honey for babes under age 1). 

Wild Blueberry & Almond Butter Yogurt Popsicles

The View from Great Island

If you're introducing your child to nuts, these filling and flavorful popsicles are a great way to let them snack on almond butter in a baby-friendly form. Blended with yogurt and blueberries, they offer a nutritional boost along with kid-friendly flavors. Head to The View from Great Island for the recipe.

Blueberry Pomegranate Popsicles

Gimme Some Oven

Superfoods for your super babe! Made with just blueberries, pomegranates and Greek yogurt, these super cute popsicles from Gimme Some Oven are tangy, creamy and sweet. Freeze them in Dixie cups to get this baby-friendly shape.

Swirly Strawberry Creamsicles

Mama Papa Bubba

This fruit-sweetened frozen novelty is packed with protein and calcium. Mix them with your favorite berries (fresh or frozen) to create this picture-perfect, yummy treat. This recipe from Mama Papa Bubba uses medjool dates for sweetness, instead of honey, so it's safe for kids under a year old. 

Veggie Pops

Wanderson1 via Pixabay

Babies get their daily dose of vegetables with these colorful popsicles. The Kids Activities Blog shares recipes such as Berry Red Veggie, Orange Carrot Mango and Lime Green Popsicles (spoiler: this one includes iron-rich spinach!).

Yogurt & Veggie Popsicles

LiveSimply.com

These popsicles are full of calcium and vitamins, thanks to the yogurt, veggies and fruits. Kristin from Live Simply has created three popsicle recipes: Orange Delight (carrots, strawberry, mango), Green Dinosaur (spinach, bananas, pineapple) and Tickle-Me-Red (beets, strawberry, banana). If your child is under age one, swap out the honey for maple syrup.

Rainbow Popsicles

TheFirstYearBlog.com

Taste the rainbow with these beautiful frozen treats. There's prep work involved to blend and then layer smoothies in each of the rainbow colors, so save this one for a special occasion like a birthday or holiday. Get the recipe at The First Year Blog.

Breastmilk Pops

Amazon

Here's a tasty treat for breastfed babes that also provides instant teething relief. Pour pumped breast milk into the cap of a pacifier (1 to 2 ounces per cap), then insert pacifier and freeze for 3-4 hours. 

Strawberry & Yogurt Popsicles

popsicles are a good thing to add to a summer bucket list

Consider this a baby-fied version of the summer favorite strawberries with whipped cream. Full-fat vanilla yogurt replaces cream in this version and adds a little extra sweetness. Head to Pint Sized Baker for the recipe.

Pea & Spinach Green Smoothie Popsicle

My Fussy Eater

This green machine combines peas, spinach, Greek yogurt, banana and chia seeds for a powerhouse snack that includes vitamins A, C and K, magnesium, manganese and fiber. Head to My Fussy Eater for the recipe.

Super Kale Pops

Super Healthy Kids

Kale has many health benefits, including a high amount of fiber that can aid your little one's digestion. Super Healthy Kids blends the greens with frozen berries to sweeten them up.

Fruit & Veggie Pops

Hello, Wonderful

Hello, Wonderful shares four popsicle recipes that are sure to please your baby’s budding palette. Pro tip: To save on prep time, buy cold-pressed veggie juices to mix with your favorite frozen fruits.

One-Ingredient Fruit Popsicles

Ben Wicks via Unsplash

It’s as easy at sounds, and endlessly customizable. Freeze your babe's favorite fruits for a treat they're sure to love. Slice larger fruits like pineapple and watermelon into long pieces. Keep smaller fruits like strawberries, mangoes, raspberries and bananas whole. Avoid dense fruits like whole grapes that could pose a choking hazard. If you’re feeling fancy, insert a popsicle stick into the bottom of the fruit so it’s easier for baby (or you) to hold. Freeze for 3-4 hours, and then enjoy.

Katie Taylor

featured photo: Wanderson1 via Pixabay 

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Two of your fave childhood treats are teaming up this summer! Bomb Pop and Crush Soda recently announced a collab, creating the can’t-miss frozen sweet for the season.

The new Bomb Pop Crush ice pops are available in fave flavors your fam has come to know and love from the iconic soda brand: grape, strawberry, and orange. Like the red, white and blue pops your kiddos crave when the weather gets warm, these icy cool goodies also feature all three flavors in one tangy treat.

photo courtesy of Bomb Pop/Crush

Jeremy Hrynewycz, Senior Brand Manager at Bomb Pop, said in a press release, “We are thrilled to add Bomb Pop Crush to our portfolio of ice pops.” Hrynewycz continued, “This new frozen treat is sure to satisfy tweens, teens, parents and anyone looking for an epic mashup that takes you on a three-part fruity flavor journey.”

Whitney Gates, Brand Manager at Crush, added, “Working with Bomb Pop to bring our flavors to life in one of their beloved ice pops was a blast, and we can’t wait for our fans to have another fruity and refreshing way to enjoy their favorite soda on the go.”

Find Bomb Pop Crush pops in Walmart, Kroger, Harris Teeter, Hy-Vee, Food Lion and SuperValu stores and at other grocery retailers nationwide for $3.49 (12-pop box).

—Erica Loop

 

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We’re all spending a little more time at home than usual and while technology most definitely can be a lifesaver, now is also a good time to instill important life skills in our kids, too. Teaching children to navigate the kitchen along with basic cooking and baking skills is not only useful, but fun! Keep scrolling to see how programs are offering little to no-cost ways to spend family time in the heart of the home.

CocuSocial

American Heritage Chocolate via Unsplash

CocuSocial is now offering virtual kids online cooking classes! All classes feature professional chefs and are centered around summer treats that include Creamsicles & Ice Pops, Easy Beachy Cupcakes, Rainbow Cake Pops, Ice Cream Cookie Sandwiches and more! Classes start at $15 and are offered in real-time for a true in-class feel.

Teuko

Cristiano Pinto via Unsplash

Sick of trying to find new recipes the whole family will enjoy? Teuko takes the guesswork out of finding the best accessories, recipes and ideas for getting everyone to eat healthy! The free community shares amazing lunch ideas, easy how-to's and ways to make mealtime fun on the Teuko blog.

Mr. Holmes Bakehouse

Mr. Holmes Bakehouse

Want to spend time in the kitchen but not sure where to start? Mr. Holmes Bakehouse has you covered! Get the help and ingredients you need to whip up a living starter for the rest of your life with the Bread Starter Kit. The $25 box comes with all the ingredients and instructions to make a White Country Loaf with the entire fam. Mr. Holmes Bakehouse also offers a Chocolate Chip Cookie kit which makes 16-24 cookies, and twenty percent of all sales will be given back to participating PTAs and schools. 

Food Literacy Center

Dan Gold via Unsplash

Nonprofit Food Literacy Center is committed to bringing families together through food. The organization is currently offering tools that will help kids and parents learn to cook together, that include recipes, worksheets and lesson plans.

 

Bake Bread with King Arthur Flour

Pexels

King Arthur wants kids to know how easy it is to bake bread! The company not only has an online tutorial perfect but a fun kids recipe booklet, too!

Delish Digital Cooking Classes

iStock

Join Delish's editorial director Joanna Saltz and her kids went live on Instagram every week day to share cook-along videos for the entire fam. You can catch all the videos on the Delish IGTV channel. 

America's Test Kitchen

America's Test Kitchen Kids via Instagram

Head to America’s Test Kitchen Kids where all resources are free! Families can check out recipes, activities and experiments, plus daily lesson plans and videos. Don't miss out on the huge collection of free recipes, and visit their social sites where they'll be answering home cook questions.

Raddish Kids

Raddish Kids

Families can visit Camp Raddish to access free content including an at-home cooking camp program, recipes your kids can make with pantry staples and additional learning extensions across science, geography, language arts, and more.

Kids Cook Real Food

iStock

Kids Cook Real Food is the perfect way to get your kiddos up to speed in the kitchen. You can join as a VIP member for $150 and get 45 cooking lessons, or join for 12 months for just $50! Designed to build skills and not just follow recipes, Kids Cook Real Food is the perfect online cooking class for kids.

Tia Mowry's Quick Fix

Tia Mowry via YouTube

Want to cook with a celeb? Tia Mowry's Quick Fix YouTube channel brings the family together with fun and easy recipes. Her channel is all about making quick work of life's daily dilemmas.

McCormick Flavor Maker App

McCormick

We love the McCormick Flavor Maker app as a way to get a little kitchen inspiration and involve kids in the cooking process. Through the app, users can source new recipes, watch cooking tutorials, access articles on the latest food trends and track all their grocery needs in one place. Users are additionally able to scan McCormick herbs, spices and flavors to build their own digital pantry and get instant access to tips, related recipes, ingredients and nutritional information. 

––Karly Wood

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Making ice pops has just become a lot more magical. ALDIs is releasing fun new ice pop molds from Crofton to brighten up snack time. Beginning Jun 10, you will be able to find unicorn, dinosaur, polar bear and penguin molds for a limited time so snap them up quickly.

Unicorn

Unicorn ice pop

Dinosaur

Dinosaur ice pop

Polar Bear

polar bear ice pop

Penguin

Penguin ice pop

Each set comes with two molds and reusable popsicle sticks and retails for $2.99.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

All photos courtesy of ALDI

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With COVID-related restrictions in place, breaking free from cabin fever isn’t very easy these days. Here’s a solution: Pick up a copy of 111 Places in Chicago That You Must Not Miss with Kids, by Amy Bizzarri, from your favorite local bookstore that offers shipping or curbside delivery and get ready for adventure! Many of the historic and wacky places featured in the book can be easily and safely seen from the comfort of your car to accommodate social distancing, and your kids just might think you’re slowly turning into Mrs. Frizzle from The Magic School Bus.

Giant, Green Hairy Monster at the Door

Maria Chambers

A big, hairy, green monster resides in on Racine Avenue in the West Loop: whenever he senses the smell of an approaching little kid, he heads straight to his massive front door and glares from behind the windowpane, hoping to scare any potential toy robbers away with his gruff, green hairy stare.

Chances are you or your kids have played with a toy that grew out of the minds of some of the non-monsters that work in this playful building: Big Monster Toys designs, engineers and prototypes toys and games for big names in the toy biz—Mattel, Moose, Fisher Price and Hasbro to name a few.

Founded in 1988 by three former partners of the legendary, Chicago-based toy design firm Marvin Glass & Associates, Big Monster Toys stands as one of the few remaining toy manufacturers operating in the city. Their unique door is a brilliant reminder of the unexpected, unrequited joy of toys.

Find it at: 21 S. Racine Ave., West Loop

Hebru Brantley Murals

Maria Chambers

Hebru Brantley's gallery is the city of Chicago. His iconic, superpower-charged characters pop up on unsuspecting walls across the city, from north to south, east to west.

“Flyboy,” a little boy with vintage aviator goggles always on the brink of flying into an adventure, appears often in Brantley's Work. Inspired by the Tuskegee Airmen, Brantley told DNAinfo in 2013 that he created the character "out of a need to have heroes of color, whether black, Asian, or White, European.”

Flyboy Uptown seems as if he's flying right on past the Uptown Broadway Building. A group of five fly kids explore the world beneath the bridge at 1800-1802 Pratt Blvd. A Flygirl with neon pink pigtails and bright, blue googles gazes towards the future from a mural at 1395 North Wood.

Born and raised in Bronzeville, Brantley's used art to keep himself focused, avoiding gang life. Today he's recognized nationally for his public works and solo shows. Icons like Chance the Rapper, Lenny Kravitz and George Lucas are fans of his work; Jay-Z bought one of his paintings on the spot at Art Basel, for $20,000.

See how many of his pop-art, comic-book style, grand-scale murals you can spot around town.

  • 2001 S. Carpenter St.
  • 1800-1802 W. Pratt Blvd.
  • 1407 N. Milwaukee Ave.
  • 151 N. Ogden Ave. (shown in featured photo)

Tip: Check out this interactive Chicago mural map to find all the amazing murals by Brantley and other large-scale mural artists.

Walt Disney's Birthplace

In 1891, a young couple—Elias Disney and his wife, Flora — moved from Florida to Chicago. Elias, a carpenter by trade, secured a job at the World’s Columbian Exposition of 1893. The couple purchased an empty lot at 2156 N. Tripp Ave., in Chicago's Hermosa neighborhood, for $700. Flora designed the home of her dreams and Elias built the rectangular, frame home where they would add two more children to their family of four, with his own two hands. Roy Disney was born in 1893, soon after the family moved in. On December 5, 1901, Walter "Walt" Disney was born in the second-floor bedroom.

Few people realize that this modest home was the birthplace of an American cultural icon, and for years it stood sadly in a state of disrepair. No historical markers indicate that this was the birthplace of the Disney dream. It wasn't until the current owners, Brent Young and Dina Benadon, stepped in to save the day that the home began to breathe with new life The duo plans to slowly restore the home back to its early 20th-century glory and eventually transform it into a multimedia-rich museum as well as a center for early childhood creativity.

Tip: Elias Disney not only built the St. Paul Congregational Church (known as Iglesia Evangelica Bautista Betania today), the small church that stands at 2255 N. Keeler Ave., one block east and one block north of Walt Disney’s birthplace, but also named his son after the church's pastor, Walter Parr. Walt Disney was also baptized there.

Find it at: 2156 N. Tripp Ave., Hermosa

Pretty Cool Ice Cream

Tim M. via Yelp

Celebrate your cool attitude with a rainbow of icy treats at Pretty Cool, a whimsical, colorful, playful and just plain cool ice cream shop that doesn't sell by the scoop. The bars and ice pops here are classified into five cool categories: Custard Bars are ice cream submerged in chocolate, with flavors ranging from the classic—vanilla, cookies and cream—to the exotic—peanut butter potato chip, coffee pretzel toffee. Truck pops transform the standard popsicle with inventive flavors such as litchi lemon tea and passion fruit hibiscus. Plant pops are vegan-friendly, creamy treats made with non-dairy milks. Magic Shell inspired Party Pops are cream cheese bars dipped into Pretty Cool’s proprietary shell blend and topped with sprinkles.

Pony pops are made with tiny appetites and little hands in mind: smaller in size, they're available in classic, kid-friendly flavors—vanilla custard, strawberry buttermilk, chocolate custard, grape pop and pink lemonade pop—and cost $2 each. Pretty Cool is now offering curbside popsicle pick up: just order from your phone and pull up to the curb to pick up your sweet, icy delights.

Find it at: 2353 N. California Ave., Logan Square, prettycoolicecream.com

Leaning Tower of Niles

You don't have to travel all the way to Italy to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

Niles, which directly borders Chicago’s far northwest side, is home to a half-size replica of the famed Torre Pendente di Pisa.

In 1934, industrialist Robert Ilg built a leaning tower of his very own here in Niles. It was just one part of a vast recreational complex for the employees of Ilg Hot Air Electric Ventilating Company, built to store water for the once onsite swimming pools. The 94-foot tower honors scientist Galileo Galilei, who tested his theory of gravity by dropping objects from the original tower in Pisa, with a plaque at its base.

Remember to open your car windows—if you’re lucky you just might hear the tower’s bronze bells mark the time. The bells at the tip-top of the tower, three of which were cast in 17th and 18th Century Italy, were just recently restored and tolls once again.

Tip: Grab a pizza to go from Pequod's Pizza via curbside pickup at 8520 Fernald Ave, Morton Grove (847) 470-9161; pequodspizza.com) and enjoy a Pisa-inspired dinner at home post-adventure. Pequod's specializes in Chicago Deep Dish Pizza with a caramelized crust.

Find it at: 6300 West Touhy Avenue, Niles, IL 60714

Pothole Art

Jim Bachor

It takes a truckload of ingenuity to transform a troubling eyesore into a work of art. Chicago artist Jim Bachor has gone above and beyond: he patches up Chicago's most dastardly potholes and makes mosaics out of them. His thirty-plus pothole art masterpieces are reminders of the power of creativity to transform even the worst lemons into lemonade, making light of the bumps in the road of life by masking them with beauty. Bachor has even recently installed some COVID-19-inspired pothole art around town.

Bachor's self-proclaimed pothole revitalization initiative dates back to 2013, when he patched up a pothole in front of his home in the Mayfair neighborhood. He has transformed potholes into mosaiced Push-ups, daffodils, bluebirds; he's patched them with Burberry plaid and helpful This Is Not a Pothole reminders.

An interactive map at bachor.com details the exact locations, but it's best to be caught unaware by these ever-evolving installations.

Find it at: See bachor.com for an interactive map of Bachor's playful pothole installations.

Ancient Egyptian Temple (Reebie Storage and Moving Co.)

Victor Grigas

When you can’t jet off and away to Cairo, here’s a local, Egypt-inspired alternative that promises to amaze and inspire: When the Reebie Storage and Moving Co., owned by brothers John and William Reebie, was planning to construct a new building, they decided to make an unforgettable mark on Clark. John Reebie had visited Egypt at some time before 1921 and the brothers, inspired by Egyptian Revival architecture, decided to construct an ancient Egyptian temple of their very own, smack dab in the middle of the north side neighborhood of Lincoln Park. The building's design was based on two ancient Egyptian temples, Dendera and Edfu, erected about 200 BC by Pharaoh Ramses II.

Note the two statues of Ramses, representative of the two founding Reebie Brothers, that flank the entrance. See how many winged scarabs you can find on the facade. Scarabs, a.k.a. dung beetles were considered sacred in ancient Egypt, and stood as symbols of rebirth.

Find it at: 2325 N. Clark St., Lincoln Park

— Amy Bizzarri

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