Keep this list of the best photo booths in New York and Brooklyn where you can strike a pose with the kids, the old-fashioned way

There’s just something about an old-fashioned photo booth. Despite it feeling a little archaic in the age of the cell phone, it’s hard to pass on the opportunity to step behind the velvet curtain to snap a few fun-filled photos. Nowadays, believe it or not, there are still some traditional photo booths in New York—and a select few still use film. (What?!) For an alternative to the formal family portrait, cram into one of these little photo booth “studios” and let the magic happen! Want more nostalgic fun around New York? Head to NYC’s family-friendly arcades! Or for some old-school New York fun, try these “vanishing New York” spots! 

Where to Find Classic Photo Booths in NYC

1. The Ace Hotel

The Ace Hotel is an NYC gem any time of the day. Grab a meal, a quick coffee (they serve Stumptown afterall), or enjoy its free lobby WIFI to get some work done, all while your kids enjoy the legendary photo booth. Located in the Flatiron District, this spot is also fun to go grab drinks and dinner without the kids as well!

850 Broadway
Flatiron District
Online: acehotel.com

2. DeKalb Market Hall at City Point

There are many reasons to visit the downtown Brooklyn mall of City Point (the Alamo Drafthouse movie theater, Trader Joe’s, McNally Jackson bookstore, etc.). Yet another is DeKalb Market Hall, a food hall featuring vendors selling bites and beverages of all kinds. There is also a photo booth here, found right at the foot of the escalators. It’s $5 for a strip, and you can share to your social accounts right from the booth if you want.

445 Albee Square W.
Fulton Mall
Downtown Brooklyn
Online: citypointbrooklyn.com

3. Kiehl’s

The folks at Kiehl’s want you to capture how radiant their products make your skin look right in store. Head to the brand’s Meatpacking District location to capture your picture-perfect complexions.

400 W. 14th St.
Meatpacking District
Online: kiehls.com

4. UNIQLO Fifth Ave.

Shopping and taking pictures sounds like a match made in heaven, especially when you have the kids with you. (It’s a good way to keep them from getting bored.) We guess that’s what UNIQLO had in mind when it installed a photo booth inside its massive 89,000-square-foot flagship store on Fifth Ave. Take note!: It’s free for a strip of four pictures. (You will no doubt “pay” for the snaps with the purchase of some of the brand’s duds.) Also good to know: there’s a Starbucks inside the store and cell phone charging stations, so you could stay a while…

666 5th Ave.
Midtown
Online: uniqlo.com

photo booth fun in NYC

5. 7B Horseshoe Bar

This spot goes by three names: “The Horseshoe Bar”, “Vazac’s”, and “7B”. On the outside it looks like a classic Lower East Side dive bar, because, well, it is. But it’s got more than that going for it on the inside. With a bar that’s actually shaped like a horseshoe, major LES cred and grittiness, this place has also made cameos in major films like the The Godfather II, Crocodile Dundee, and The Verdict. Its latest star turn? In the incredible, dimension-bending Netflix series, Russian Doll.

108 Avenue B (at E 7th St.)
Lower East Side
Online: facebook.com/7bHorseshoeBarAkaVazacs

6. The Smith

Getting your kids ready to enjoy brunch at The Smith is as easy as “1, 2, cheese!” the restaurant’s Midtown, East Village, Lincoln Square, and NoMad locations all have photo booths for you to enjoy, with some located in the basement by the restrooms, and some, like in NoMad, actually in the restroom.

Various Locations
Online: thesmithrestaurant.com

7. Joe & The Juice

Is your face photo-ready thanks to kale and beet smoothies? If so, stop by Joe & The Juice to grab some healthy grub and snap a few photos in its photo booth (near the back of the shop). This is one of the more spacious juice/café spots in NYC, so feel free to bring the kids and stay a while.

67 Spring St. (btwn Crosby & Lafayette St.)
Soho
Online: joejuice.com

8. M&M World New York Store

The M&M store is the ideal spot for kids to explore the magical world of chocolate and document it all with a photo booth keepsake. The three floors of M&M themed candy and gifts is sure to keep both adults and children occupied, but after you’ve got your chocolate fix be sure to head to the photo booth on the 2nd floor and take home some snaps to remember the outing!

1600 Broadway
Times Square
Online: mmsworld.com

9.  Bubby’s Tribeca

Breakfast, lunch, dinner and pies! Oh my! More than two decades ago Bubby’s started off by baking pies, and now it’s a full-fledged restaurant with a couple of locations around the city. (Note: they serve some of the best pancakes in the city.) But head to the one on Hudson Street for a little bit of top model action to take some pics. 

120 Hudson St.
Tribeca

Online: bubbys.com

Few things say summer more than a lemonade stand. And what better way to launch your kid’s entrepreneurial career? Lemonade stands are a ton of fun but also offer life lessons like goal-setting, confidence-building, and basic business skills—lessons that can set them on a path to succeed in life regardless of the path they choose.

Here are our 7 top lemonade stand tips to help your kids run the ultimate lemonade stand and get the most from the experience.

1. SET YOUR PRICE…OR MAYBE DON’T!

Our first lemonade stand tip is if your kids want to set a price for their lemonade, make sure they account for all the costs to ensure they’ll make money on each cup. It’s not just the lemons and sugar that cost money, don’t forget to factor in the cost of the cups, signs, and stand decorations.

But a totally different strategy is to not set a price at all. By asking people to pay what they want, they may raise even more money than if they set a price for each cup. If your kids are raising money for a good cause, or a local charity, this strategy can supercharge their revenue!

2. THE BEST LOCATION MAY NOT BE THE CLOSEST ONE

A lemonade stand starts strong if it’s located in a safe, accessible area with high foot traffic. If you live in a busy area, your front lawn, stoop, or driveway might be ideal. But if you live in a quieter location, think about partnering with a friend who lives in a busier area or setting up somewhere else in town. But be sure to check with your local government to make sure that they won’t need a permit.

3. THE MORE EYE-CATCHING THE BETTER

Streamers, balloons, big signs, and cute pets are all great ways for the stand to catch people’s attention. The more eye-catching the better. Check out some of the bright and colorful lemonade stands on Pinterest and Instagram for inspiration. Or better yet, encourage your kids to let their imagination fly and practice their creativity with their own ideas about how to get people’s attention.

4. PRACTICE THE PITCH

What will your kids say to potential customers? Most kids get nervous talking to adults or strangers. Have them figure out what they’ll say to potential customers, write it down, then practice the pitch. The more they practice, the more it will feel like reciting a line in a school play instead of talking to a stranger. Eventually, they’ll be so good at their pitch that they’ll stop being nervous and may even exude more confidence beyond their lemonade stand.

5. GET THE WORD OUT

Aside from making a big, eye-catching display, get a few customers by asking friends and family to stop by and support the stand. And don’t forget to spread the word on social media. You and your kids can also create flyers and pass them out around your neighborhood.

6. OFFER PAYMENT OPTIONS

Cash is king. But joggers, walkers, and cyclists usually don’t have cash on them. Let your kids borrow your phone to use your PayPal and Venmo accounts to collect money from their more active customers. Even if they’ve never collected any e-payments, a child with a sign that says “We accept Paypal and Venmo” will catch people’s attention and gain them some serious entrepreneurial cred.

7. MANAGE THE PROCEEDS

Have your kids do the math to figure out how much they sold (the revenue), how much they spent (the expenses), and what is left at the end (the profit). Make sure to let them know that while it’s great to raise money for a cause they believe in, there is nothing wrong with working hard to make money for themselves, too.

And if you need a recipe, here’s our favorite from The Startup Squad’s first book: juice from 6 lemons, 6 cups of water, and 1 cup of sugar. Yum!

I've always built businesses, from a childhood gummy bear business to adult gigs at IMAX and Coupons.com. I founded The Startup Squad to help girls reach their potential and my book series, The Startup Squad, is published by Macmillan. I live in Silicon Valley with my wife and two daughters.

Nothing quite says winter like sipping on a cup of creamy hot chocolate, Portland parents

While Portland may not boast the snowy winters of the midwest, we can still get our winter sports on with the kids, whether we’re tubing on Mt. Hood, ice skating at Lloyd Center, or just finding a peaceful forested trail in the city to stretch our legs. And you know what pairs well with a day of winter adventuring? A rich and creamy cup of hot cocoa, of course. So if you’re wondering where to score the best cup in town, we’ve got options (including vegan hot cocoa). So get out there and make the most of winter’s cooler days. We’ve got your warm up right here.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CYrfVXpJu1Y/?hidecaption=true

Ranger Chocolate Co.

Who doesn't love chocolates and hot chocolate? Ranger Chocolate Co. has it all from your classic hot cocoa to a Salted Maple Latte. Oh, and don't forget to check out their baked goods like biscotti and shortbread cookies as well as their chocolate-dipped candied ginger and chocolate-covered vanilla bean marshmallows. Everyone will find something they love here.

118 N.E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Portland
Online: rangerchocolate.co

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cj_bPT1yQdW/?hidecaption=true

1927 S'mores Company

The hot drinks at 1927 S'mores will hit the spot. Try a decadent gourmet hot cocoa topped with marshmallows, chocolate drizzle, whipped cream, toffee, or sprinkles with a pumpkin pie s'more on the side. Their s'mores marshmallows are huge, delicious, and the kid won't be able to get enough. They do have a vegan option available.

1126 S.W. Adler St.
Portland
Online:
1927smores.com

Jinju Patisserie

Found yourself and the babes in the Boise district in NE Portland and feeling a little something sweet? Head to Jinju Patisserie for their extremely satisfying, triple-chocolate cocoa, and be sure to grab one of their croissants or cookies for little hands while you're at it. Jinju believes in well-crafted, soul-warming indulgences, and after taking a look at their array of sweet options, you will probably want two of everything. Be sure to text their phone number in advance if you'd like them to set some items aside for pick-up.

4063 N. Williams Ave.
Portland
Online: jinjupatisserie.com

https://www.instagram.com/p/CkGucsvJE2P/?hidecaption=true

Harlow PDX

Is it cold out? Don't stay stranded and undecided on the sidewalk. Head over to Harlow PDX for their host of warm beverage options. This locally owned café and juice bar has beautifully crafted lattes and steamers, such as red velvet cocoa or turmeric golden latte. Whether you choose to head to their SE Hawthorne location or to their newer shop on NW 23rd Ave, you will stave off the cold with Harlow's delicious drinks.

Harlow on Hawthorne
3632 S.E. Hawthorne Blvd.
Portland

Harlow NW
505 N.W. 23rd Ave.
Portland

Online: harlowpdx.com

La Perlita

If you've never visited the EcoTrust building in NW Portland, La Perlita is a great excuse to go for the first time and enjoy a delicious chocolate drink while you're at it. Described by their owners as "a love letter to the people who love coffee," La Perlita is about as authentic as roasters come. They know how to brew up a batch of something with that holiday sweetness we all are craving, so be sure to check out their truly Mexican hot chocolate, garnished with cacao nibs, or a traditional hot chocolate for the kiddos to keep it simple.

721 N.W. 9th Ave.
Portland
Online: reformaroasters.com

https://www.instagram.com/p/CleAqXvMdCN/?hidecaption=true

Tea Chai Té

If you're a Portland native, then this suggestion will come as no surprise! And if you've never been, you should absolutely take the time to check out this Portland staple. Home to a nearly endless menu of teas and handcrafted tea-based lattes and chai, Tea Chai Té is sure to satisfy the desire for a warm drink on a cold day. Not to mention their slew of locations—no matter where you are in town, you're not far from this cozy neighborhood spot. Bring your family and friends down to this tea house for good conversation and even better drinks.

Locations in Portland, Sellwood, and Eugene

Online: teachaite.com

Pip's Original Donuts

Chai. If you just had an extremely pleasurable reaction to reading that word then wait until you step inside Pip's Original Donuts and buy one of their chai lattes—it'll blow your mind! Not to mention their donuts are to die for. A must-try spot for almost any Portland tourist, take a day being a tourist in your own city by visiting Pip's for one of their small-batch chais, spiced apple ciders, or hot chocolates. You'll be sure to add it to your family's weekend go-to, winter or not! And buy a donut when you go, it's worth it. 

4759 N.E. Fremont St.
Portland
Online: pipsmobile.com

 

Additional reporting by Taylor Clifton

When you embrace the rainbow, you embrace healthy recipes and a healthy diet. Eating colorfully means yummy foods filled with flavor in all tastes and textures—bursting with vitamins, minerals, fiber and of course, color! From the main meal to sweet desserts, these kid-friendly healthy recipes will have you cooking up goodies that are just as much fun to look at they are to eat.

Rainbow Sushi

The Indigo Kitchen

If you haven't spotted this unmistakable photo around Pinterest yet, it's time to try out The Indigo Kitchen's sushi recipe. Using natural savory dyes like spirulina and purple cabbage, this is a 100% plant-based sushi roll that's perfect for convincing your picky eaters that sushi is both fun to make and eat.

Rainbow Rice Krispie Treats

The Gracious Wife

For a no-bake dessert that takes only 30 minutes to make, these rainbow rice krispie treats are a must. Colorful and delicious, what’s not to love? We know our little monkeys feel the same way, and this recipe from The Gracious Wife is sure to stir up some excitement. Experiment with natural sweet dyes, like carrot juice, beet juice and blackberry juice for added nutrition!

Salmon Skewers

The View from Great Island

This deliciously simple recipe from The View from Great Island is almost too easy to pass up. Add in extra zucchini and eggplant to customize your rainbow and let the kids help with the prep work! Ready to grill in no time, these kabobs are the perfect pop of color for your summer cookout.

Spring Rolls

Oh The Things We'll Make!

We could eat five of these spring rolls plain... they're that good! This bright recipe from Oh, The Things We'll Make is a perfect one to try with your dexterous ones, as the sticky rice wrapper is a great new food texture. Big on seafood this summer? Steam and halve a few shrimp for a bit of pink in your rainbow.

Rainbow Sangria

Julie's Eats and Treats

We would never leave you without a refreshing glass of bubbly if we can help it, so check out this easy mix by Julie's Eats & Treats. Layer your fruits and pour your cocktail right over it all—let it soak for an hour to get that true sangria blend. Making a batch for the kiddie tea party? Try a mix of white grape or apple juice and ginger ale instead.

Rainbow Smoothie

iStock

Sip a rainbow of veggies blended into a colorful smoothie. Kids won't even realize that it's packed with vitamins! 

Rainbow Roasted Veggies

Hello, Wonderful

Bake up a rainbow of healthy veggies with this easy recipe. Encourage your kids to pick out their own veggies and arrange them into a rainbow or other colorful design. 

Rainbow Toast

Family Food on the Table

Tasting the rainbow (without all the added sugar) is made easy with this recipe from Family Food on the Table. Turn breakfast into a talent show by serving it DIY-style, and see what your mini artists can do!

Rainbow Cake in a Jar

Our Table for Seven

Bake up this perfectly portable cake for your next celebration. Kids will love filling up Mason jars with rainbow layers and can easily stir up this simple recipe with a little help from Mom or Dad. 

Veggie Dragon Noodles

Get Inspired Everyday

Try this combination of sweet, salty and a dash of spicy for your next family dinner. With zoodles (that's spiralized zucchini to you) for your kids to slurp up, we guarantee this will be a delicious hit. Stir in shrimp or chicken, or find the vegetarian recipe over at Get Inspired Everyday.

Rainbow Salsa

Gimme Some Oven

As if we could forget a fresh summer dip like this one from Gimme Some Oven. Even though blogger Ali Ebright has walked us through dozens of different salsa ideas, we would be remiss if her vibrant mix did not make an appearance with the rest of the rainbow. Hearty, healthy and absolutely tasty, we hope your kids enjoy a chip-full this summer.

Cauliflower Crust Pizza

gimmedelicious.com

We recently jumped on the cauliflower bandwagon, which we love for its alphabet of vitamins and versatility. If your family hasn't tried a cauliflower crust pizza, this cheerful recipe from Gimme Delicious is sure to win them over—or trick them over. Tiny tots aren't corn and tomato fans? Try a Hawaiian theme with pineapple and diced ham!

Summertime Smoothie Bowl

Breanna Spain

We can never resist a good kale smoothie when the sun is out and the humidity settles into our hair. We especially love this smoothie bowl (kale optional) from Breanna Spain because our wee ones get to build it however they want. Set out a few bowls of diced fruits, and watch them dig in!

—Amy Bizzarri with Stacy Liu

 

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Capri Sun? Been there, sipped that. Now introduce your kid to Chicago’s fresh-squeezed juice and smoothie scene. (Psst. . . it’s a great way to sneak in veggies!) We hopped around to town to find juice and smoothie bars and cafes that focus on the all-natural stuff and have family-friendly atmospheres to boot. Grab a tall, healthy glass at one of these sunny spots, or take it to go and mosey through a park.

Real Good Stuff Co.

Why it deserves a squeeze: The locally owned spot will be your new favorite place to pop in for a sandwich and cold-pressed juice, and treat the kids to a special smoothie. They also get points for convenience with their online ordering option.

Real Good Juice Co. now has several locations in the city and you can find them in Whole Foods, as well. They offer 10-ounce cold-pressed juices which boast three pounds of organic locally-sourced produce per bottle and come with witty names like Juicille Ball and Punky Juice-Ster. For a snack try a smoothie bowl, a toast or sandwich or the NoYoFroYo. 

Locations in Lincoln Park, Old Town, Lakeview, River North & Southport; Online: realgoodstuffco.com

MeliCafe

Why it deserves a squeeze: A must-visit for weekend brunch, this Greektown staple has fresh squeezes on the daily, good for sipping on the spot or on the go.

You may know this neighborhood fave for its Greek-inflected breakfast and brunch menu. We’re talking scramblers, omelets, breakfast sandwiches, French toast, pancakes and waffles, plus vegan and gluten-free options (hello, polenta pancakes). But you’d be remiss in missing the juice bar, a pivotal portion of Meli’s menu. Beyond your standard OJ and apple juice (which are both available for traditionalists), Meli ventures into hearty meal-in-a-glass territory with juice blends such as celery-apple-carrot, mango-orange-kiwi-honey and wheatgrass-pineapple-apple-pear-lemon.

301 S. Halsted St., Greektown; Online: melicafe.com

Robeks

Why it deserves a squeeze: This LA-based franchise has been blending juices and smoothies for twenty years so they know how to create a tasty and healthy treat.

Juice and smoothie lovers have flocked here for years for favorites like the G-Snap with ginger, carrot and orange and the ABC with apple, beet and carrot juices. They also have a good selection of smoothies, smoothie bowls and toasts. 

2936 Showplace Dr., Naperville & 3704 Caton Farm Rd., Plainfield; Online: robeks.com

Belli’s

Why it deserves a squeeze: You can get your juice with a side of vegan pizza.

Founded thanks to a Kickstarter campaign and named after owner Alexandra Curatolo’s pet French Bulldog, Belli’s brings healthy, local food to Pilsen. When you walk in, you’re greeted by a colorful menu with concoctions featuring fresh local and organic leafy greens for a daily dose of essential vitamins. For the more adventurous, there is even Kombucha on tap.

1307 W. 18th St., Pilsen; Online: bellischicago.com

Left Coast Food and Juice

Why it deserves a squeeze: famed Chicago Chef, Paul Kahan, developed the menu.

Start your morning with a Mornin’ Buzz smoothie for you (espresso, cacao, peanut butter, macca powder, banana and dates) and cold-pressed juice or smoothie for your little sidekick. If you’re looking for something more substantial to go with your juice or smoothie, Left Coast has a complete menu divided into First Wave (breakfast), Greens, Grains, Wraps, and, of course, Kiddos.

2878 N. Lincoln Ave., Lincoln Park & 151 N. Franklin, Loop; Online: leftcoastfood.com

— Jen Peterson & Matt Kirouac

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Photo: Amber Kemp-Gerstel via Damask Love

Every new school year brings its fair share of jitters, excitement, and everything in between, but the span of emotions leading into this year are greater than ever. After a year (or more) of balancing virtual or hybrid school, many parents are dusting off lunchboxes and backpacks to send their kids back to school in-person for the first time in over a year. It’s a big deal. But, at least for me, with each new school supply purchased and each lunchbox packed, the nerves slip away and eagerness kicks in. 

A new survey from Juicy Juice found that a staggering 95% of parents say they are excited to return to a sense of normalcy this school year after balancing remote school last year. And I’m one of them! So to celebrate the “yay” moments as I like to call them, I’m sharing some tips to help families stoke the positivity and set themselves up to conquer the school year ahead.

1. Be There for Your Littles
Heading back to school after a year of virtual or hybrid schooling can be a little intimidating for kids. Combat those back-to-school jitters with a little lunchbox note. It’s a great way for parents to inject some encouragement, confidence, and joy into the school day. It’s also a great way to stay connected and let them know you’re thinking of them during the day.

2. Go Easy on Yourself
Daily to-do’s don’t need to weigh you down. For example, don’t try to be the best chef when making school lunches. Lunchboxes can be easy and predictable! Stick with staples like a sandwich, some fruit and veggies, something salty and a maybe a sweet treat. Within these categories you can get creative. Maybe one day it’s turkey and cheese and the next day it’s almond butter with jelly. I give my son Juicy Juice 100% juice boxes because there are so many flavors to choose, it keeps his lunchbox interesting! The more you can simplify the tasks that you have to do multiple times a week, the lighter your to-do list will feel.

3. Leverage Your Resources
With so many children returning to school after a year or more of virtual education, you may notice some emotional difficulties with your child including some anxiety, social troubles, and attention problems. Your child’s school likely has a counselor or psychologist, so don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns. But don’t forget to get yourself some help too. Lean on the other parents in your class for support. Even create a parent group chat! As parents, we may feel out of the loop when it comes to the day-to-day activities and events that happen at school, so help each other stay in the know and connected.

4. Play Goes a Long Way
Now that kids are heading back to school, we’re spending less time together, so make your family time count by setting aside a special time where you really connect with each other and just play! Play is the natural language of young children. By playing with your kids without the distraction of your phone or mobile device, you’ll have meaningful conversations, learn what’s on their mind and maybe uncover any difficulties they may be experiencing. This can be just 10 minutes after school before homework, it doesn’t have to be a lot of time to make a big difference!

5. Connect with Others
Take advantage of that parent group chat and schedule some play dates. Connecting with other classroom parents and planning an outdoor play date with other kids who will be in your child’s classroom will help build (or rebuild) that sense of community for parents. For kids who’ve been in virtual school all year, this is a great way to familiarize them with their new classmates and practice some socialization skills.

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Amber Kemp-Gerstel
Tinybeans Voices Contributor

Amber Kemp-Gerstel is the host of Disney Family Sundays on Disney+ and founder of Damask Love, a creative blog all about DIY. Amber received her Ph.D. in Clinical Child Psychology from Vanderbilt University and practiced as a pediatric psychologist for many years before shifting careers to pursue her passion for creativity. 

Ahhh…the Slurpee. When the summer temps spike and heat stroke seems imminent, not much sounds better than the classic ice-cold concoction. 7-Eleven is innovating on the fan favorite this year with the release of stay cold cups, filled with a small Slurpee for just one dollar.

You’ll also be able to fill the stay cold cup with a new flavor, Peach Perfect. Fans of this fuzzy fruit will be stoked for this one, since it’s made with real juice! Find it at participating 7-Eleven stores starting now.

The popular convenience store has a few more tricks up its sleeve for outdoor season. Grab 10 bone-in wings or a whole pizza for only five dollars and get them delivered through the 7NOW delivery app. You can even get delivery wherever your family is posted up to enjoy the day, whether it’s the beach or the park. The app is offered in more than 1,300 U.S. cities and also offers real-time tracking so you can keep your eye on the proverbial dinner prize.

We’re excited to get this summer started! Especially since the odds of our Slurpee melting just dramatically lowered and food delivery is more convenient than ever. See you at 7-Eleven!

—Sarah Shebek

Featured image courtesy of 7-Eleven

 

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Do you cringe when you hear the word “math”? Or maybe you remember trying to get out of going to school because you had a multiplication test that day? Us too. Math anxiety is actually a common thing and paired with learning loss from the COVID-19 pandemic, kids (not to mention, parents) need all the support they can get. It probably won’t surprise you, but math during COVID suffered more than other subjects; since math tends to be learned at school, parents are often less equipped to help their kids with math, and it’s more challenging for teachers to engage kids in math using remote platforms. A study published in January 2020 found that 67% of teachers reported that students’ math anxiety was a problem.

Now for the good news: We’ve found a solution! Osmo is an innovative, hands-on digital learning tool that’s interactive and engaging. These games pack a learning punch, and to kids, they are just playing video games—very sneaky, Osmo, but we are into it! The big news is that the geniuses behind the brand have created Osmo’s Math Wizard to help kids ages 6-8 enjoy learning math—it’s a creative take on math curriculum-based content for first and second-graders. Read on to learn four ways that Osmo’s Math Wizard Series is the math anxiety cure you’ve been searching for.

Shop the whole Osmo collection, including the Math Wizard Series, now!

1. Your Kid Sets the Pace

Everyone learns differently, and being rushed to keep up with a group is not ideal when it comes to learning a new skill. Osmo’s Math Wizard is perfect for this because it’s a self-paced math game series. By combining digital gameplay with active, hands-on learning methods, kids build math confidence and understanding before moving on to the next challenge. This way, they can actually retain what they learn.

2. They're Not Being Put On the Spot in Front of Peers

A big part of anxiety is the fear of failing. Taking a risk answering a question from the teacher or being put on the spot to give an answer they are not prepared for can be embarrassing—this can lead to “I can’t!” and kids giving up. Osmo works with your kid one-on-one, guiding them along the way, even giving hints when they need them. Instead of breaking them down, Osmo’s learning system builds up their confidence and encourages their curiosity about the subject—that is no easy task for a virtual school or classroom full of peers.

Shop the whole Osmo collection, including the Math Wizard Series, now!

3. Osmo Cures Your Anxiety, Too

One of our favorite things about Osmo's Math Wizard game system is that with the help of Osmo, your kid takes the wheel when it comes to learning. That means you can kick back and relax for a bit since they don't need your help or guidance to get through these learning games! This is a series of activities they can do all on their own; in fact, it's even better if they do—it's another confidence-boosting opportunity that will keep the math scaries at bay for years to come.

4. It's FUN To Play!

If you haven't guessed it by now, Osmo's Math Wizard makes learning math an incredibly fun and rewarding experience. This series features four action-packed game boxes (two of them brand-spanking-new!). The first box, The Magical Workshop, takes kids on an adding and subtracting adventure! Brew potions with dragon claws and magic sparkles to master place value on a magical quest—add and subtract balloons to help dragons fly! Box two is Secrets of the Dragons, where they'll explore the Dragon Reserve to discover the rarest of dragons, learning how to measure their growth as they feed them to become big and strong.

Big news: Two hot new boxes were just added to the Math Wizard family! The Amazing Airships box features fantastical two mini-games. Build awesome airships to deliver packages all across Spellbarrow Port! Here's the catch: Airships need to balance their lift and the combined weight of the packages and vessel to work. In Clockwork, get ready to guide a team of quirky clockwork robots through the skies. Use your finger and your counting skills to wind up your robots just the right amount and watch them go. As you explore, more and more robots will join your cause, each bringing their unique abilities, whether it's bashing through walls, hovering over gaps, or walking upside down on the ceiling.

The second new box, The Enchanted World Games, includes two games that combine sports with math skills. In Bento Box, kids put together a magical lunch box. Players can choose from five different sports, including sprinting, pole vaulting, archery, swimming and wrestling, and help the athletes by feeding them the best combination of fruits. Add the points from the fruits you place to make the correct total. In Juice Team, teams are counting on the right blend of juice to win their trophies. Add the superfood fruits to create a magical juice, using the right combination of numbers to reach the target. Players will learn to make the same number in different ways and will need to blend wisely for maximum results. Win trophies and unlock more sports like soccer, basketball, baseball and more. 

These games build foundations of multiplication, mathematical thinking, reasoning, problem-solving, strategy, mental math and more. The more they learn...eh hem...play, the more rewards they earn to unlock new worlds, trophies, gear for their dragons or airships and more, so they will always want to come back for more!

Shop the whole Osmo collection, including the Math Wizard Series, now!

 

—Jamie Aderski

 

Do you already have summer plans? Juicy Juice tapped OnePoll to survey 2,000 parents on their summer 2021 plans—and here’s what they found!

You certainly aren’t alone if you consider summer 2020 a wash. According to OnePoll’s survey, 62 percent of parents said last year’s pandemic-centric summer didn’t really count. With last year in the rear view mirror, fifty-eight percent of the survey’s participants reported having high expectations for the summer of 2021.

Plenty of parents have felt the stress of cyber-schooling, working from home and everything else 2020/2021 have brought to them. With that in mind, 64 percent of parents surveyed said this summer is a welcome relief from everything else in their lives.

In terms of summer-time plans, thirty-four percent of parents said they want to find a way to safely visit with family. One-third of participants are all in for a family roadtrip or are perfectly happy camping in their backyard.

Along with these warm weather activities, parents are also planning movie nights, game nights, picnics, playing classic games such as hopscotch and hiking.

The top summer activities families are planning, in order of popularity, include:

Beach day – 42%
Socially distanced barbecue – 38%
Camping trip (not in the backyard) – 35%
Pool day – 35%
Visiting family (safely and according to social distance guidelines) – 34%
Camping in the backyard – 33%
Road trip – 32%
Movie night – 29%
Play water games (water balloons, sprinklers, etc.) – 26%
Game night – 24%
Cooking with kids – 24%
Have a picnic – 20%
Celebrate a birthday – 20%
Eat watermelon – 19%
Setting off fireworks – 18%
Eat popsicles – 18%
Go to a lake (i.e., go fishing, go boating) – 17%
Drink lemonade – 17%
Play in the yard (hopscotch, sidewalk chalk) – 16%
Go on a hike – 15%
Crafting – 14%
Celebrate a graduation – 12%
Attend a family reunion/get together -12%
Celebrate an anniversary – 7%

Ilene Bergenfeld, Chief Marketing Officer for Juicy Juice, said in a press release, “Whether it’s camping in the backyard or taking a vacation, parents are looking forward to spending time with their families and planning safe activities to have a feel-good, fun-filled summer.”

Bergenfeld continued, “It’s also apparent that there are plenty of activities to do in your own backyard or within your neighborhood to create fun memories while staying safe.”

—Erica Loop

Photos: Courtesy of Juicy Juice/ Feature photo: Alexandr Podvalny via Pexels

 

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