These are the newborn baby gifts that parents will love, too

Baby’s first holiday season is pure magic, and we’ve got the best newborn baby gifts to make it extra special for all the 0 to 6-month-olds on your list. You’ll find tummy-time faves, educational toys, keepsakes, and cuddly stuffies to love on. Shopping for lots of littles? Check out our gift guides for one-year-olds and 18- to 24-month-olds.

Gund My Little Food Truck Play Set

Gund My Little Food Truck Set is one of the best newborn baby gifts of 2023

We love a gift that grows with your baby! Infants will love holding the little sensory toys (like a crinkly taco and a squeaky burger) and putting them in and out of their plush case; when they’re older they can transition to imaginative games where they’re serving food from a food truck.

Gund My Little Food Truck Play Set ($21)—Buy Here!

Manhattan Toy Snuggle Pods Sweet Pea

Manhattan Toy Snuggle Pods Sweet Pea is one of the best newborn baby gifts of 2023

A first doll perfect for six-month-olds, this snuggly little baby comes in their own peapod home. Little hands will love taking their super-soft pal in and out of her pod. Since we’re sure it’ll be love at first sight, you might want to give two of these cuties (in case one goes missing *shudder*).

Manhattan Toy Snuggle Pods Sweet Pea ($24)—Buy Here!

Mushie Links Teether

Mushie Links Teether is one of the best newborn baby gifts of 2023

How beautiful is this? Babies will put just about anything in their mouths, so why not give them a teether or two that are soothing and aesthetically pleasing for parents, too. This Mushie option also comes in calming blue, beige, and sand. *adds to cart*

Mushie Links Teether ($22)—Buy Here!

Melissa & Doug Ice Cream Take-Along Toy

The Melissa And Doug Ice Cream Take Along Toy is one of the best newborn baby gifts

From the stroller to their car seat, babies will love this clip-on vibrating pull toy. As they get to know each of the four ice cream scoops and sensory tags and teethers, you’ll be able to get some stuff done. Definitely one of the best newborn baby gifts this year. 

Melissa & Doug Ice Cream Take-Along Toy ($20)—Buy Here!

Soft Tummy Time Book and Mirror

Tummy time can be such a drag, but your newborn’s sure to be entertained by this multifaceted gift. Your tot can have a tummy party with themselves thanks to the mirror, make some new animal friends on the soft pages, squish the crinkly paper and play with other textures, and attack the gummy orange teether.

Soft Tummy Time Book and Mirror ($35)—Buy Here!

Fox Warmies

Warmies Fox is one of the best newborn baby gifts of 2023

Weighted with buckwheat that you can warm up in the microwave, this super soft woodland stuffie is the soothing companion your baby doesn’t know how to ask for. Just be sure to keep an eye on their snuggles so they don’t get too close. Hot tip: Foxy makes a great heating pad, too.

Fox Warmies ($30)—Buy Here!

Haba Quartett Soft Block Set

Haba Quartett Soft Block Set is one of the best newborn baby gifts of 2023

Give the babes on your list a little STEM action with this foursome of plush cubes each boasting a different sound, color combination, and texture. The best part? They’re machine washable, so spit-up and drool are no match for this toy.

Haba Quartett Soft Block Set ($35)—Buy Here!

Over the Rainbow Music Box

Lull your baby to sleep with a bedtime rendition of "Over the Rainbow," played on this hand-painted, wooden music box. Twist the sun to hear up to three minutes of this favorite melody.

Over the Rainbow Music Box ($72)—Buy Here!

Fisher Price 3-In-1 Crawl and Play Activity Gym

The Fisher Price 3-in-1 Crawl and Play Activity Gym is one of the best newborn baby gifts of 2023

This activity gym does triple duty as your newborn grows. Tinies can bat at the rattles and teethers on their back while older babies love the mirror and singing watering can for tummy time. Once you’ve got a crawler, convert the mat into a little fort that also makes a great tunnel. Baby’s first clubhouse!

Fisher Price 3-In-1 Crawl and Play Activity Gym ($75)—Buy Here!

Plan Toys Sensory Tumbling Set

Plan Toys Sensory Tumbling Set is one of the best newborn baby gifts of 2023

Each of these adorable tumbling balls stimulates a different sense—red is touch, with its fluffy stuffing; blue is sound, thanks to three clanking balls; and with a mirror hiding inside, yellow is sight. And baby? Well, baby is endlessly entertained.

Plan Toys Sensory Tumbling Set ($25)—Buy Here!

Lulujo Security Blanket - Rainbow

Buttery soft cotton muslin lined in satin makes this the softest security blanket around, and we love that you get a set of two off the bat (always, always, always have a backup). Your baby’s not going to want to put these down!

Manhattan Toy Learning Cube ($35)—Buy Here!

Sassy The Mover & Shaker Sensory Toy Gift Set

This a baby gift hat trick for the six-month-olds on your list! Expect plenty of fine motor skills and sensory development as your bebe holds and gums the links, spins their rainbow reel (hello, high chair entertainment!), and learns to stack the colorful magnetic pals.

Sassy The Mover & Shaker Sensory Toy Gift Set ($19)—Buy Here!

Hallmark Under the Same Moon Recordable Storybook

Hallmark's Under The Same Moon Recordable Storybook is one of the best newborn baby gifts of 2023

If you live far away from the newborn on your gift list, record a special rendition of this sweet story just for them so they can always hear your voice. The beautiful illustrations are a bonus.

Hallmark Under the Same Moon Recordable Storybook ($35)—Buy Here!

7AM Enfant Cub Set

7am Enfant's Cub Set is one of the best newborn baby gifts of 2023

This is the coziest newborn baby gift by far! Transform your babe into a little bear cub with an adorable sherpa set that’s sure to keep their tiny hands and heads warm all winter long.

7AM Enfant Cub Set ($50)—Buy Here!

Manhattan Toy Wimmer-Ferguson Learning Cube

Manhattan Toy Learning Cube is one of the best newborn baby gifts

The best baby gifts can be used in lots of different ways to keep baby endlessly entertained. Take that longer-than-you-expected checkout line! This plush cube has six sides to explore, from crinkle paper and a textured teething ring to the elephant’s fun bungee trunk.

Manhattan Toy Learning Cube ($35)—Buy Here!

Malarkey Kids' Chew Tube

Once they’re past the newborn phase and teething is in full swing, this easy-to-grasp toy and teether is a parent’s dream. The textured silicone outer cube soothes tender gums while the black-and-white inner rattle cube is a sensory delight.

Malarkey Kids' Chew Tube ($13)—Buy Here!

Rookie Humans In the Jungle Swaddle Blanket

Rookie Humans In the Jungle Swaddle Blanket is one of the best newborn baby gifts of 2023

We’re smitten by the safari print on this luxuriously soft swaddle, perfect for keeping baby cozy while they sleep, acting as a light blanket in their stroller, or—dare we say—mopping up the odd puddle of spit up.

Rookie Humans In the Jungle Swaddle Blanket ($25.00)—Buy Here!

Black & White Board Book: A High Contrast

An absolute classic newborn baby gift, this board book by award-winning photographer Tana Hoban folds out entirely and is sturdy enough to stand on its own during tummy time. Littles love the high-contrast black-and-white images, which help to develop their eyesight.

Black & White Board Book ($7)—Buy Here!

Baby Einstein Take Along Tunes Toy

Baby Einstein Take Along Tunes Toy is one of the best newborn baby gifts of 2023

This is one of the least annoying musical baby toys out there, which is why it’s been a staple on baby gift lists for a decade. Infants 3 months and older delight in pressing the colorful buttons to start the music and spinning the beads on the handle, and it’s easy to throw in your bag for on-the-go entertainment.

Baby Einstein Take Along Tunes Toy ($10)—Buy Here!

Curious Baby Activity Cards

This is truly a gift for first-time parents Googling “How to entertain a two-month-old” at 3 a.m. The convenient flip guide developed by pediatricians takes parents through games and activities that contribute to five different areas of a baby’s development, from birth to one year.

Curious Baby Activity Cards ($35)—Buy Here!

All the products listed are independently & personally selected by our shopping editors.
If you buy something from the links in this article, we may earn affiliate commission or compensation. Prices and availability reflect the time of publication.
All images courtesy of retailers.

Pop Quiz: Do you know how the Lakers got their name? Or which Disney princess has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame? All the answers and more LA-inspired trivia, right this way.

LA is a magical place and along with that, comes some magical history and only-in-LA trivia. Impress your family and stump the kids with these little-known Los Angles facts. How many do you know?

1. In 1978, Mickey Mouse was the first animated character to earn a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Other characters with their own star include Minnie Mouse, Shrek, Winnie the Pooh, and Big Bird. Oh, and Donald Duck, too! And only one Disney Princess has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Hint: She survived a poisonous apple. Yep, Snow White.

2. A whopping 202 street lamps make up the Urban Lights installation in front of LACMA. And the coolest part? All of those 202 lamps are from the 1920s and 1930s and were originally spread throughout Southern California.

RELATED: See why LACMA is one of our favorite museums with kids. 

Courtesy of the Security Pacific National Bank Collection – Los Angeles Public Library

3. It used to snow about once a decade in Los Angeles and actually stick to the ground. The picture above is La Brea Blvd. in 1921. Unfortunately, it hasn't snowed since 1962—we are in a 50-year-plus snow drought. 

RELATED: Where to go to get your snow fix near LA

4. The carousel, now located at the Santa Monica Pier, was originally built in 1922 for the Venice Pier, but moved to its current Santa Monica location in 1947. In addition to the 44 hand-carved equine beauties, there are two additional animals that go round and round—can you guess? A rabbit and a goat. Next time you are there, see if you can find them.

RELATED: 25+ Fun Things to Do with Kids in Santa Monica

5. The iconic Hollywood sign was built in 1923 but it didn't originally spell out "HOLLYWOOD" but instead "HOLLYWOODLAND." It remained that way until 1949 when the "LAND" portion was removed. 

Security Pacific National Bank Collection via Los Angeles Public Library

6. The LA Zoo is not the original LA Zoo. In 1966, more than 2000 animals were moved from the Old Griffith Park Zoo (which was built in 1914) to the zoo's new location, two miles away. You can still visit the old zoo's stomping grounds—heck, you can even have a picnic there. 

7. You don't have to go all the way to Anaheim to visit some historic Disney artifacts. Walt Disney's original barn and workshop, where he controlled his 1/8th scale model railroad, is located on the north side of Griffith Park, where it's now part of the Los Angeles Live Steamers Museum. If you want an up-and-close visit, they allow guests to visit every 3rd Sun. of the month. Check their Facebook page for the latest information. 

Public Domain

8. Ever wonder how LA basketball team the Lakers got its name? The Lakers originated in Minnesota, aka “Land of 10,000 Lakes," before coming to LA in 1960.

Wikimedia Commons

9. LA by the numbers: A little over 10 million people live in Los Angeles County—that's about the same as the population of the entire country of Sweden. There are 7.8 million cars registered in the area, 3.9 million people commute every day by car and the average Angeleno spends 119 hours a year stuck in traffic. That's equivalent to five days. Yikes!

10. Love LA's iconic Palm trees? They may not be around much longer. They are not native to the area and were planted solely for their looks. A vast amount of them were planted in the 1930s (in just 1931, 25,000 of them were planted!) and are now nearing the end of their lifespan and are unlikely to be replaced.

11. The County of Los Angeles Fire Department's Forestry Division has a special way to reduce the risk of fire. They use goats! The grazing goats clear brush along steep mountainsides.

 

 

It’s that time of year again. Today, American Girl unveiled its 2021 Girl of the Year, Kira Bailey. Kira—a nurturing and inquisitive 10-year-old who cares deeply for animals and the environment—joins American Girl’s line of contemporary characters that inspires children to make a positive difference in the world. 

Kira's Gift Trunk

Whether she’s caring for an orphaned koala joey or facing a bushfire that’s threatening her great-aunts’ wildlife sanctuary in Australia, Kira confronts critical ecological issues, such as wildlife protection and the threat of climate change, that are more relevant to our planet than ever.

“As American Girl kicks off its 35th year, Kira joins our lineup of diverse and purposeful characters who star in stories that reflect the realities of the times—whether it’s historical or modern-day,” says Jamie Cygielman, General Manager of American Girl. “As we all witnessed the bushfires rage in Australia last year and start up again this September, and the devastating wildfires in the western United States, we knew it was important to focus Kira’s story on the major conservation and climate challenges facing our planet today—causes that are extremely important to today’s youth. Through Kira, we hope our fans will learn that we all have a part to play in taking positive action for our planet.”

To further support Kira’s message, American Girl is partnering with NSW Wildlife Information, Rescue and Education Service, Inc. (WIRES), Australia’s largest wildlife rescue organization dedicated to rescuing and caring for sick, injured, and orphaned animals, including those impacted by bushfires and drought. Today through December 30, 2021, American Girl is supporting the organization’s mission to rehabilitate and preserve Australian wildlife by matching customer donations dollar for dollar up to a maximum of $25,000. To learn more about how American Girl is helping WIRES, visit www.americangirl.com/kira.

“Last year, Australia’s fire season was unlike anything previously experienced in terms of scale and severity, with fires destroying millions of hectares of land—much of which was threatened-species habitat,” says Kyla Shelley, Chief Operating Officer for WIRES. “Wild species worldwide are facing enormous challenges—including extinction—mainly due to habitat loss, natural disasters, and climate change. Just like Kira discovers, everyone can get involved in wildlife rescue and protection, and it’s not too late to make a difference wherever you live.” 

To create Kira, American Girl worked hand in hand with author Erin Teagan, who holds a master’s degree in science and traveled to Australia to gain a deeper understanding of Kira’s experiences. Other consultants specializing in Australian wildlife and culture reviewed all aspects of Kira’s world—from manuscripts to products—to help ensure every detail was rooted in real practices and science, with the following two experts playing an integral role:

  • Dr. Alison Bee — Veterinarian, owner and manager of Magnetic Island Animal Hospital, a wildlife rescue and rehabilitation facility for sick, injured, and orphaned koalas in North Queensland, Australia 
  • Tassin Barnard — Owner and manager of the Australian Walkabout Wildlife Park, a wildlife preserve on the central coast of New South Wales.

Kira's Animal Rescue

In the two-book series, Kira is excited to leave her home state of Michigan and spend her summer abroad at her great-aunts’ Mamie and Lynette’s wildlife sanctuary and vet clinic in Queensland, Australia. There she learns to care for injured or orphaned animals with her new friend Alexis. But when a roving predator and a raging bushfire threaten the sanctuary, Kira must rise to the challenge to protect her family and the animals she loves. In the end, Kira learns you can’t let the fear of the worst keep you from living your best.

Kira's Comfy Platform Tent

Bringing the stories to life is a beautiful 18-inch Kira doll, featuring green eyes and long, wavy blonde hair, that comes dressed in a tie-dye tank, sporty skirt, and lace-up boots perfect for bushwalking. Kira’s signature accessories include an outdoor backpack with koala keychain and a wide-brimmed hat to protect her from the Australian sun. Girls can choose from several other Australian-inspired outfits, including Kira’s girl-and-doll koala PJs, as well as adorable plush animals like a kangaroo and joey, koala, and a wombat (part of Kira’s Wildlife Rescue Set). To extend the play further, there’s Kira’s Animal Exam Table and Comfy Platform Tent—both with over 20 authentic accessories—to fuel girls’ imaginations.

Kira Exam Table & Wildlife Rescue Set

To celebrate Kira’s debut, fans can participate in the following activities and events:

  • Tune in to American Girl’s first-ever Virtual 2021 Girl of the Year Event on December 31 at 3 p.m. ET and be among the first to see Kira’s products, watch Kira videos, check out real wildlife in care in Australia, and other fun activities.
  • Visit American Girl retail stores on Dec. 31–Jan. 3 to explore and shop Kira’s world, where kids will receive a free tote bag with a kangaroo joey design and a koala craft while supplies last.
  • Watch Kira-inspired videos on American Girl’s popular YouTube and YouTube Kids Channel, including a six-week “Meet Kira” stop-motion series, plus Kira music videos, DIY crafts, and other Kira-inspired content throughout the year.
  • Learn more from the experts involved in Kira’s development and other amazing girls who are making a positive difference for our planet by tuning into our “Making of Kira” video and reading about “Why Kira Matters.”
  • Have fun on Kira’s free dedicated play site and explore her wildlife sanctuary and play Kira-themed games.  

As a companion to Kira’s stories, American Girl is also introducing a nonfiction advice book, Love the Earth, for readers 8 and up. The fully illustrated guide helps readers understand climate change and offers tips and tools for living an earth-friendly life. Available Jan. 1, the book is a great choice for emerging environmentalists who want to speak up for climate change solutions. More climate-related events and partnerships will launch in Apr. 2021.

The Kira collection is available Dec. 31, 2020, at americangirl.com and at all American Girl retail locations nationwide and, starting Jan. 1, 2021, at American Girl specialty boutiques at select Indigo and Chapters locations in Canada and online at Indigo.ca. The Kira doll and book retails for $110 and the Kira books ($7.99 each) can also be purchased through retail and online booksellers.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

All photos courtesy of American Girl

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As the nation’s zoos and aquariums begin to reopen, you and the kids can still enjoy all your fave animals! From underwater creatures like sharks, sea jellies and puffins to majestic lions, giraffes and elephants, there are plenty of live cams streaming at this very moment. Keep scrolling to find easy ways to find out what your furry (and slippery) friends are up to!

Aquariums

Nur Taufik Zamari via Unsplash

Aquarium of the Pacific: Penguin Cam, Shark Cam, Sea Jellies Cam, Tropical Reef

Beluga Bits Citizen Science Project: Beluga Whale Cam

Explore.org & Polar Bears International: Beluga Whale Cam

Georgia Aquarium: Beluga Cam, California Sea Lion Cam, African Penguin Cam, Piranha Cam, Puffin Cam

Loggerhead Marine Life Center: Turtle Cam

Manatee Lagoon: Manatee Cam

Monterey Bay Aquarium: Jelly Cam, Penguin Cam, Shark Cam, Sea Otter Cam

OdySea Aquarium: Sea Lion, Deep Ocean, Shark Cams

Tennessee Aquarium: Secret Reef Cam, River Otter Falls Cam, Penguins Rock Cam

Vancouver Aquarium: Otter Cam, Jelly Cam, Penguin Cam

Zoos

Stephanie LeBlanc via Unsplash

Cincinnati Zoo: Daily Home Safaris with replays at 3 p.m. EST

Cleveland Zoo: Virtual Classroom at 11 a.m. and Virtual Exploring at 1 p.m. EST

Houston Zoo: Giraffe Cam, Gorilla Cam, Elephant Cam, Rhino Cam & Chimp Cam

Palm Beach Zoo: Daily videos and virtual activities

San Diego Zoo: Ape Cam, Baboon Cam, Elephant Cam, Koala Cam, Penguin Cam, Polar Bear Cam, Tiger Cam

San Diego Zoo Safari Park: Giraffe Cam, Burrowing Owls Cam, Elephant Cam, Tiger Cam, Condor Cam

Zoo Atlanta: Panda Cam

Zoos Victoria: Snow Leopard, Penguin, Giraffe, Lion & Zebra Cams

Sanctuaries

David Clode via Unsplash

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary: 18 different Koala Cams

––Karly Wood

 

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Miami parents, we’ve got you covered. If you are looking for things to do with your kids while they are home with you, there are tons of virtual events to keep them busy with science activities, live animal encounters, drawing classes and more. Many of our favorite Miami businesses have come out with amazing virtual content during this crazy time and we have a huge calendar full of virtual activities to stimulate those little brains. Scroll through to find some new faves.

Test Out Your Skills with NASCAR Kids

Nascar

Come test your skills on NASCAR Kids. Learn all about NASCAR, play games or if you're feeling inspired, design and drive your own! 

Online: tinybeans.go-vip.net

Zoocademy with Zoo Miami

unsplash

Zoo Miami is bringing the zoo to you with its new online program spotlighting resident wildlife and behind the scenes footage. Zoo Miami's debut animal spotlight features “Hope”, the first koala born in the zoo in over 20 years, sharing tender moments with his mother. The uplifting video is now available on YouTube for those that need a moment of zen. Stay tuned for new videos on Zoo Miami’s social channels.

Online: tinybeans.go-vip.net

Learn about the Animals of Jungle Island

Jungle Island

Jungle Island’s Education Manager Emma Guss will post cool photos and a weblink to where kiddos and parents can locate the lesson of the day. Look out for new themes every week, ranging from Everglades ExplorationSpread Your WingsPrimate Practices and more. Guss will lead the virtual learning exercises and has designated Tuesdays and Thursdays as “homework” days. 

Online: tinybeans.go-vip.net

Frost Science at Home

Frost Science

At Frost Science, science education is always at the forefront of our thinking. Our commitment to providing free educational resources and sharing the power of science with our community is stronger than ever. Through this new Frost Science@Home digital platform learning series, we will be sharing a curated array of resources, videos, DIY science activities and more to help keep you engaged. The page will continue to stay updated with new information. 

Online: tinybeans.go-vip.net

Miami Seaquarium at Home

flickr

Explore the wonders of the ocean even on days away from the Miami Seaquarium! Life is a little different right now, but we should always take a moment to relax and have some FUN! The Kids Corner features Activity Sheets, Fun Facts, Reef Ranger Apprentice program and more. Keep checking back as more Activity Sheets will be uploaded soon.

Online: tinybeans.go-vip.net

Tour Miami-Dade Parks From Home

istock

Head to the Miami-Dade youtube page to find interactive videos you can watch from home. Videos will include fitness classes, tours of the parks and animal interactions with Zoo Miami's Ron Magill. You can watch along in their Instagram on Thursdays (videos will then be uploaded to Youtube channel).

Online: tinybeans.go-vip.net

Check Out Our MASSIVE Virtual Events Calendar

istock

For more virtual fun every day of the week, head to our virtual events calendar. You'll find dance classes, scavenger hunts, animal encounters, drawing classes and MORE!

Online: tinybeans.go-vip.net

—Kate Loweth

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Just because schools are closed and families are staying indoors for the foreseeable future doesn’t mean your family can’t take a trip to the zoo. So why not visit one of the most famous zoos in the world? The San Diego Zoo and Safari Park have tons of ways your kiddos can see animals and enjoy wild adventures, all virtually. From live wildlife cams to learning about plants and animals, here’s a look at how your kiddos can enjoy the Zoo from the comfort of your own home.

Wildlife Cams
Catch all the action on the San Diego Zoo’s 10 Wildlife Live Cams. Each camera features animals at the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park. These live streaming cams will help your little explorers feel like they’re right there among the polar bears as they watch the wildlife explore, eat, swing, roll, pounce, groom and play through their day.

Watch any of San Diego Zoo Global’s wildlife cams here:

Burrowing Owl Cam, presented by Ori and the Will of the Wisps

Elephant Cam, presented by Planet Zoo

Panda Cam

Baboon Cam: Hamadryas baboons, gelada monkeys and Nubian ibex

Penguin Cam, presented by Alaska Airlines

Polar Cam, presented by The Coca-Cola Company

Ape Cam: orangutans and siamangs

Koala Cam 

Giraffe Cam: giraffes, rhinos and other animals from the African Plains

Tiger Cam

Condor Cam

San Diego Zoo Kids
Kids can jump right into the world of wildlife with every visit to San Diego Zoo Kids. This family-friendly website is packed with videos about animals, fun stories, hands-on activities and games. You’ll also find information about how to be a superhero to help save species. Don’t forget to also check out the San Diego Zoo Kids Channel. This channel has tons of videos with “wild and cute” content.

ZOONOOZ Online
Many readers are familiar with the print edition of San Diego Zoo Global’s magazine. But ZOONOOZ online includes even more fascinating stories about wildlife and ongoing conservation projects around the world. New articles are posted on the website each week, so be sure to visit often and check out the latest content.

San Diego Zoo Animals and Plants
Did you know the slender-snouted crocodile is an avid tree climber? Or an ocelot has different markings on each side? From the African giant pouched rat to the zebra, and from cactuses to trees, they’re all on the San Diego Zoo Animals & Plants website. This awesome online site has detailed information, fun trivia, and a user-friendly A-to-Z guide about the most-asked-about species, many of which call the San Diego Zoo or the San Diego Zoo Safari Park home.

Science Blog
Middle and high school students can dig into science on the San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research science blog. The engaging posts here cover the latest “flap” from the alala education program in Hawaii.

Help Track Wildlife from the Comfort of Home
Anyone can become a “citizen scientist” and contribute valuable data to conservation researchers by helping to count, identify and track burrowing owls, giraffes and other wildlife online. Participants in San Diego Zoo Global’s Wildwatch Burrowing Owl and Wildwatch Kenya can view and classify wildlife images that were taken by remote trail cameras.

While life has been put on hold in many ways, it’s business as usual for the animals of San Diego Zoo Global and the crew of wildlife care specialists that are looking out for them. Be sure to virtually visit them soon!

—Leah R. Singer

Photos courtesy of San Diego Zoo

If you’re like most parents, you’ve heard the phrase “I’m bored!” a lot over the past few days. But boredom doesn’t have to be a daily occurrence in your house. KiwiCo creates interactive crates that are both entertaining and educational, and keep kids engaged without screens. They’re perfect for learning at home and staying indoors.

Every month, KiwiCo delivers a craft kit that includes different activities and projects. KiwiCo has eight unique subscription lines​ to fit different ages and interests, and each kit is designed by experts and tested by kids. So if you have an 8-year-old budding Picasso artists, rest assured another young artist helped test every activity in the crate to make sure they are engaging and fun. Let’s face it— what’s the point of having an enriching project if the kid doesn’t want to do it? And the best part? All of the materials are provided in each crate. So busy parents don’t have to make dozens of trips to the store to buy craft supplies.

Here are the different crates available and their themes:

Panda Crate (0 – 24 months) — Even the littlest minds can explore and discover with this kit that includes age-appropriate kit subscription options.

Koala Crate (2 -4 years) — Kids will play and learn with high-quality materials and activities to inspire creativity at a young age.

Kiwi Crate (5-8 years) — This kit is focused on science, art and engineering. Kids create their own pinball game, kits and more.

Atlas Crate (6-11 years) — This geography and culture kit helps kids get globally inspired with projects and activities to explore different cultures. The Atlas Adventure books comes with the crate and includes collectible cards and stickers for a passport keepsake book.

Doodle Crate (9 – 16+ years) — Kids create and craft awesome projects such as a DIY clock, soap and stained glass stencil kits.

Tinker Crate (9 – 16+ years) — This awesome create includes all the materials and supplies to create science and engineering projects. Kids learn and make the science of slime and create their own animation.

Maker Crate (14+  years) — Using art and design, kids create amazing projects that are unique and useful. Past projects include pillows, hanging plants and sewing projects.

Eureka Crate (14+  years) — This kit includes an engineering project with high-quality materials and step-by-step instructions. Kids also receive a Maker’s Guide that lets them explore the science and technology behind the design.

How does KiwiCo work?

To order your KiwiCo crate, here’s what you need to do:

1. Pick a line based on your kiddo’s age and stage.

2. Your crate will be delivered monthly. And your first kit is shipped in two days! And you pay no shipping fees.

3. Have fun! Watch your kiddo enjoy their create and see their imagination grow as they start exploring immediately.

You also have the option to skip the subscription and shop directly from the KiwiCo store.

Ready to give KiwiCo a try? You can cancel or pause your subscription anytime. Save 30% on your first crate with code REDTRI!

—Leah R. Singer

Parents around the globe are facing unprecedented challenges juggling home and work since the schools have closed because of the coronavirus pandemic. Here are 9 ways to pass the time and get some work done with your kids at home:

1. Online Kids Parties. Many children’s party entertainers are launching online classes and children’s shows for families to enjoy. You can find many options for online parties on social media. Check out the Captain Fantastic parties in the UK, where they are hosting free 24-hour kids parties, allowing families from all around the world to tune in. They include a whole range of activities, like magic, nursery rhymes, superheroes, yoga, puppetry and lots more. Their first few sessions were enjoyed by thousands around the world.

2. Baking. Baking is an activity that the whole family can enjoy and has lots of psychological benefits like promoting family bonding, learning and reducing stress. “Picking up a few recipes and skills that you can use will be helpful for the rest of the lockdown and when life goes back to normal,” says Hilary O’Donovan, a mom blogger. “You don’t need to just make sugary treats. Try healthier options as well, like bread, banana muffins or courgette cake.”

3. Read. It’s time to dust off all those books that you have sitting on the shelf. You’re going to be stuck inside the house for weeks, so what better way to spend the time than reading? Reading is proven to reduce stress and will improve your child’s vocabulary and memory while building a stronger bond between you.

4. Play Board Games. Board games can be great fun but also have a huge range of benefits for the whole family. Playing together gives the family a chance to bond and laugh together. Studies have also shown that board games help you to bond, lower blood pressure, reduce stress and even boost your immunity. You could even try a jigsaw puzzle. Not everyone has the patience for them, but if you can persuade the whole family to work together, it can be a great way to spend the hours.

5. Try the LEGO Challenge. To add a bit of structure to play, and keep the kids entertained, try the thirty-day LEGO challenge that has been going around the internet. This 30-day plan lists daily challenges that you can give the children, from “design a space rocket” to “build a park”. By thinking about LEGO in a new way, children will be encouraged to think creatively. Hopefully they will become so engrossed that you may get a bit of peace and quiet too!

6. Enjoy Yoga. “If you’ve spent more time on the sofa than your feet, you might want to try some yoga to stretch those limbs,” says Rose May, a parenting writer. “There are loads of health benefits—improved mobility, greater strength and more balanced breathing, which all helps reduce stress.” Lots of yoga teachers are live streaming free sessions for the whole family to enjoy, and kids will especially enjoy Cosmic Yoga on YouTube that has themed yoga sessions based on Minecraft, Frozen, Pokemon and much more.

7. Visit a National Park. Google has created a program called The Hidden Worlds of National Parks. This means that families across the globe can stay entertained. The program covers five of the national parts across America and includes footage of landscapes and animals, which the children will love spotting.

8. Go to the Zoo. The San Diego Zoo is helping children to “visit” virtually through their network of animal cameras set up across the zoo. Popular highlights include the koala, polar bear and tiger cameras. The zoo’s website also has lots of activities, crafts and coloring pages for the children to download and do for free, which makes it an activity that can fill the whole day.

9. Create a Mini Tornado. The Scouts have created a whole host of over 100 indoor activities online that can help keep children occupied during lockdown. One of the most popular has been the “storm in a teacup” exercise, which helps teach children how tornadoes are made using washing up liquid, water, and sand.

Catherine Meisner writes articles for both Luckyassignments.com and Gumessays.com. She shows an interest in social media marketing and loves writing about topics related to health, food, and beauty.

You can express a lot of things with emoticons and now you’ll have plenty of new ways to send a message with the latest release of new emojis.

Unicode Consortium recently announced the launch of over 100 new emojis for 2020. The newest batch includes a wide variety of emojis designed for inclusivity. These include male, female and gender neutral emojis bottle-feeding a baby.

There are also gender neutral wedding emojis, like “person in a veil” and “person in a tux.” In addition, the rollout features 55 new gender and skin tone variants.

The new emojis include some fun new animals and objects. Your dino-loving tots will go nuts for the woolly mammoth and you can get creative with your party invites thanks to the new piñata emoji.

The entire series of new emojis will roll out around September, though some platforms may add them earlier. You can check out the full list of new additions here.

—Shahrzad Warkentin

Featured photo: Emojipedia via Instagram

 

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From the stuffies on their bed to the cat videos they watch, chances are your kiddos love animals. A little boy is doing his part to help Australia cope with the devastation of the wildfires happening thousands of miles from his home in Hingham, Massachusetts. 

When 6-year-old Owen Colley learned about the impact of the catastrophic fires on the country and its wildlife, he told his parents that he wanted to help. Owen initially set out to raise $1000 when he set up his Australian Creature GoFundMe Page. Owen creates a handcrafted clay koala for every person who donates $50 or more to the cause. His family did not anticipate the reaction his tiny clay koalas would receive.

Owen Colley Clay Koala

 

After Owen reached his initial goal, he decided to keep going. “We are humbled beyond belief — your generosity toward fire-affected animals, and to a little boy doing his part to help them, is staggering,” the family wrote on the GoFundMe page. “Your donations, messages, and support have brought us to tears. And now, we have a lot of clay koalas to make!”

Owen Colley GoFundMe

As the time of this update, donations to Owen’s page have exceeded $260K. According to the GoFundMe page, Sculpey has reached out to the Colley family and will be shipping Owen a supply of silver, pearl, and black oven-bake clay. The family will be creating a how-to video for anyone who would like to learn how to make Owen’s clay koalas too. 

All donations will be going to Wildlife Rescue South Coast Inc who are currently building aviaries, boxes and enclosures for displaced animals as well as helping individuals set up feeding stations on their properties so animals whose homes and food sources have been destroyed have somewhere to go.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

All photos courtesy of GoFundMe. 

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