Everyone’s favorite budget furniture store makes it easy to create a cozy space for kids

IKEA lovers, take note: you can transform your kid’s room from drab to fab with a few clever ideas. We’ve rounded up the coolest ideas below, from a genius take on IKEA bookshelves to the cutest kid-sized stools. It’s amazing what a bit of paint and creativity can do. Check out all the things you can make with a simple box or shelf! Whatever you’re looking to add, there’s an IKEA kids’ room hack for it. If you let your DIY imagination run wild, these IKEA hacks will put the perfect, unique spin on your kiddo’s room.

Book Box

Check out this DIY book box made from the KNAGGLIG box. Your kiddo will have access to their books in an adorable way!

Toy Shelf

Try out this great shelf idea for storing your kid’s toys! This IKEA hack is made with the TROFAST storage set.

Instant Dollhouse

You know that adorable house bookshelf from IKEA? It can be a dollhouse too! This adorable version even adds extra rooms with a box shelf.

Animal Stools

Cute animal stools - IKEA kids room ideas
Biz Jones via Project Kid

These pint-sized stools are the perfect blank slate for a whimsical upgrade. Get inspired by Project Kid to transform the FLISAT stool into your kiddo’s favorite animal.

Make-Believe Market Stand

With some KNAGGLIG wooden crates and a few other supplies, you can craft a mini market stand to help fuel your little one’s imagination. Get the full instructions from Little Lifelong Learners, including printables that will bring your sushi shop to life.

Related: 17 IKEA Organization Hacks You Can Easily Do Yourself

LEGO Table

IKEA kids room LEGO table hack
IKEA

While this storage system isn't technically a table, all you'd need to do is glue a few base plates to the top of the unit. The colorful bins underneath make a perfect place to stash LEGO bricks, and you can easily buy two or three of these to create a whole LEGO wall! This IKEA hack uses the TROFAST set. 

Wasted-Space Reading Nook

If you’ve got a cupboard that doesn’t do much but collect clutter, get inspired by @pagesofemma‘s IKEA kids’ room idea for turning wasted space into a cozy reading nook using IKEA’s Kallax picture shelf units.

Book Wall

Some books are just as beautiful on the outside as the inside. Turn those colorful picture books into a wall of art by repurposing the MOSSLANDA Picture ledge into a book wall like this inspiring one from Waco Book Mom.

Play Kitchen Upgrade

The DUKTIG Play Kitchen is the perfect addition to your playroom as is, but that doesn’t mean you can’t jazz it up a little. Your imagination is really the limit when it comes to this creative IKEA hack, a paint job, new knobs, and even a tile backsplash are some options. To keep it easy simply grab some marble-printed contact paper and cover the countertop and the shelves for a classic kitchen made for a mini master chef.

LATT Table Makeover

The $30 LATT Table Set at IKEA is one of the best bargains you can find. There are so many fun ways to upgrade the table and two chairs, but for a gorgeous makeover, you actually won’t mind having in any room of your house check out this hack from Cook Like A Champion.

Related: 19 IKEA Products Every Parent Needs in Their Life

Changing Table

IKEA kids room ideas for a changing table
Shahrzad Warkentin

You don't need to invest a lot of money in a changing table you'll only need for a year or two. A quick hack to IKEA's Kallax Shelf unit gives you a changing area with plenty of storage, this is especially helpful for shared rooms. All you have to do is strap a changing pad to the top and when you're blissfully done with the diaper stage just remove it and keep the storage.

Stuffed Animal Catch-All

IKEA kids room ideas for toy storage
Shahrzad Warkentin

This IKEA hack is so simple, but it will change your life. If your kids have a zoo full of stuffed animals, clear the clutter quickly by popping open the FYLLEN Laundry basket and tossing them in. It'll keep the hoard of toys contained, and it makes for a fun game at clean-up time tossing them all in.

Art Supply Organizer

IKEA kids room ideas for art supplies
Shahrzad Warkentin

Keep all of those markers, crayons, and art supplies organized and easily accessible with this easy IKEA Hack with the KUNGFORS Container. Hang the rail and containers from the wall above a desk or craft table, and you keep all your supplies front and center for craft time.

 

 

 

People born in June fall under both the Gemini or Cancer zodiac sign

If your kiddo was born in the sixth month of the year, you already know that people born in June are outgoing, charming, and creative. And even though they can be more than a handful sometimes, June babies tend to grow up to be healthy, cheerfully optimistic people. Discover more characteristics and fun facts about June babies, including exactly which precious gem is June’s birthstone.

people born in June
Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash

1. June people are healthier and more optimistic.
According to a study published in Heliyon, summer-born babies are more likely to grow up to be healthy adults. Researchers theorize that greater exposure to sunlight and higher vitamin D exposure leads to better overall well-being.

2. Summer people are expressive and quick-witted, but can also have a dark side.
Characteristics shared by many Geminis are sociability, excellent communication skills, and an always-ready-for-fun attitude. But like all Geminis who can possess two different personalities in one, June-born people can turn from fun-loving to super-serious and thoughtful without notice.

3. Most people born in June are Geminis, the social butterfly sign in the zodiac.
These quick-witted passionate people are comfortable talking to anyone about anything.

4. Imagination rules for June-born Geminis.
Thanks to their co-ruling planets, Venus and Uranus,  June-born Geminis rarely are at a loss for ideas. Their imaginations rule them and can always be counted on to devise clever solutions to even the most complex problems.

Mieke Campbell on Unsplash

4. Summer-born babies are happy ...
Science has found that the season of one’s birth can have a lifelong impact on moods, and babies born in the summer months—from June through August—are shown to be the least susceptible to sadness brought on by seasonal affective disorders.

5. June's birthstone is a pearl, which represents innocence and purity.

6. June babies are giving and forgiving.
Most people born in June fall under the sign of Gemini, which means they frequently see both sides of an argument. As a result, June-born people are forgiving and generous. Their Gemini-ness, however, means that they also can be indecisive.

8. There are plenty of celebrities with June birthdays.
People born in the sixth month of the year share their birth month with celebrities like Natalie Portman, Morgan Freeman, Meryl Streep, Kendrick Lamar, Anderson Cooper, Liam Neeson, Michael Cera, and more.

Related: Why Kids Born in May Often Have Wanderlust (& Other Interesting Facts)

 

You already love Betty White, the sweetest of the ladies on The Golden Girls who left us at the end of last year. Now watch your child fall in love with her too, thanks to this Little Golden Book about her life.!

This kid-friendly biography covers White’s 90-plus years in show business, including her celebrated work as a TV star, comedian and game show competitor. It also shares her lifelong devotion to animals, along with dreams she has made come true in her 99 years.

You can order this one now for $5.99 from Penguin Random House, Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Need a few more inspiring tales for your kid’s bookshelf? Check out other Little Golden Book biographies on notable folks including George Washington, Martin Luther King Jr., Frida Kahlo, Dolly Parton and more.

—Eva Ingvarson Cerise

Featured image courtesy of Penguin Random House

 

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Baby’s coos and babbles aren’t just cute: turns out that new research from the University of Würzburg shows just how quickly babies develop vocalization or speech patterns.

Even though your newborn can’t talk, in the first six months of life they’re well on their way to developing lifelong speech skills. According to this new study, during baby’s first half-year, the complexity of their speech melody (also known as prosody) is growing more and more complex.

photo: Cleyder Duque via Pexels

Kathleen Wermke, Professor at the Würzburg University Hospital at the Department of Orthodontics and Head of the Center for Pre-speech Development and Developmental Disorders, explained the research, “Every language is characterized by specific musical elements, which we call prosody.” Wermke continued, “We have found a clear developmental pattern towards more complexity.”

Researchers analyzed more than 67,000 sounds made by 277 babies in their first six months. These sounds included cry vocalizations, cooing, and babbling. The study found that the complexity the melodies in both cry and non-cry vocalizations increased from birth through six months.

There was a brief regression found around ages four to five months. Wermke explained, “During this time, infants expand their repertoire of vocalic utterances to include new components that interact with the overall melodic contour, namely vowel- and consonant-like elements.” The researcher went on to add, “This new developmental period evidently causes a temporary ‘regression’ in melody development to establish vocal development on a higher hierarchical level. Thereafter, the infant begins to intentionally imitate intonation patterns of the surrounding language(s) in consonant-vowel syllable sequences in babbling.”

How can the results of this research help your baby? The new vocal developmental model may contribute to the growing body of communication knowledge and could help scientists to create new therapies for children at risk for some types of language disorders.

—Erica Loop

 

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Naomi Campbell is a new mom! The 50-year-old model surprised the world with an Instagram post today, accompanying an image of her hands cradling tiny baby feet.

“A beautiful little blessing has chosen me to be her mother, So honoured to have this gentle soul in my life there are no words to describe the lifelong bond that I now share with you my angel. There is no greater love,” she wrote in the caption. 

http://https://www.instagram.com/p/CPA-OI0JwBp/

A British model, actress and businesswoman, Campbell broke multiple barriers as the first black model on the cover of TIME, French Vogue and Russian Vogue. She’s appeared on more than 500 magazine covers and is also heavily involved in charity work. She supports the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund and amFAR and founded Fashion for Relief, uniting the fashion industry to support those in adversity.

Last year Campbell told the New York Times, “I’ve always been raised, by my mother, my nana, the wonderful strong women in my family, from this strong ancestry to understand that, whatever I was going to do, I had to do it 110 percent.”

With today’s announcement, another strong woman joins the Campbell family! Congratulations to Naomi!

––Sarah Shebek

Feature photo: Tinseltown / Shutterstock.com

 

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Grab your headphones! To honor the life and legacy of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Rebel Girls’ Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls podcast will air its RBG-focused podcast episode on Sept. 22.

Rebel Girls Podcast

The episode focuses on Ruth’s life and career, highlighting:

  • How she pursued her dreams of becoming a lawyer – Ruth was one of nine women in her class to be admitted to Harvard Law School, and was once refused admission to a “men only” section of the library 
  • The dedication to her family life and career – when her husband Marty was diagnosed with cancer, Ruth drove him to his treatments, raised their daughter and continued law school 
  • Winning her first case, where she highlighted that America’s long and unfortunate history of sex discrimination puts women “not on a pedestal, but in a cage.” 
  • Her lifelong fight to ban gender discrimination in the workplace 

The Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls podcast can be found wherever you get your podcasts or on the Rebel Girls website.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

Featured photo: Rebel Girls

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10 Family Podcasts to Download NOW

Former First Lady Barbara Bush had a lifelong commitment to learning. The Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy is launching Mrs. Bush’s Story Time podcast on May 11, 2020.  Taken straight from archived audio from the former First Lady Barbara Bush’s radio program which originally aired from 1990-1994, the new podcast features archived audio recordings of Mrs. Barbara Bush reading aloud with special guests including Winnie the Pooh, Daffy Duck, Big Bird and Oprah, among many others beloved characters.

Bush and her special guests share classic stories, such as Jack and the Beanstalk, Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, The Ugly Duckling and Corduroy.

Barbara Bush Podcast

This new podcast for families will feature original recordings from the radio program of the same name. Mrs. Bush’s Story Time began as a radio program co-produced with the Philadelphia-based Children’s Literacy Initiative and ABC Radio and originally aired from 1990 to 1994 while Barbara Bush served as First Lady of the United States.

“We’re thrilled to bring Mrs. Bush’s legacy to life in a new, modern format that supports and furthers her commitment to lifelong learning,” said Barbara Bush Foundation President and CEO British A. Robinson. “Mrs. Bush was fond of saying that the home is the child’s first school, and we’re all spending a lot more time at home these days. Now more than ever, we hope this podcast can help bring families together around reading and storytelling.”

Barbara Bush Poscast

Reimagined for the present day, the podcast also features new content including introductions from Mrs. Bush’s daughter and Foundation Honorary Chair Doro Bush Koch, literacy tips from former First Lady Laura Bush, and memories about childhood reading experiences shared by best-selling authors Delia Owens, Jesse J. Holland, Susan Orlean and Eric L. Motley.

“I’m so glad that another generation of families will have a way to connect with these classic stories and beloved characters – with a little help from my mom,” Koch said. “Her advocacy for family literacy wasn’t something she just talked about – it was a value she practiced, whether she was reading to me and my brothers before bed or sharing her passion with children around the country through these radio broadcasts.”

—Jennifer Swartvagher

All photos courtesy of The George Bush Presidential Library and Museum

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Since theaters are still closed, many movies are becoming available On Demand. Warner Bros. will make its upcoming animated feature film SCOOB! available for both Premium Video On Demand (PVOD) and for premium digital ownership in the U.S. and Canada on May 15. The title will be available on participating digital platforms.

“While we’re all eager to be able to once again show our films in theaters, we’re navigating new, unprecedented times which call for creative thinking and adaptability in how we distribute our content,” said  Ann Sarnoff, Chair and CEO, Warner Bros.“We know fans are eager to see SCOOB! and we’re delighted we can deliver this feel-good movie for families to enjoy while they’re home together.”

SCOOB! will be available for a 48-hour rental via Premium Video On Demand for $19.99 or premium digital ownership for $24.99 beginning on Fri., May 15. The title will be available on participating digital platforms.

According to the press release, the first full-length animated Scooby-Doo adventure for the big screen, SCOOB! reveals how lifelong friends Scooby and Shaggy first met and how they joined with young detectives Fred, Velma and Daphne to form the famous Mystery Inc. Now, with hundreds of cases solved and adventures shared, Scooby and the gang face their biggest, most challenging mystery ever: a plot to unleash the ghost dog Cerberus upon the world. As they race to stop this global “dogpocalypse,” the gang discovers that Scooby has a secret legacy and an epic destiny greater than anyone imagined.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

Featured photo: Warner Bros. Pictures via YouTube

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Seeking an extraordinary education for your kid that’s anything but old school? Children’s Community School for grades K-6, is opening its doors for a tour you don’t want to miss. Go learn about this progressive LA elementary school’s ever-evolving, groundbreaking curriculum that will shape the future of your young leader––making him/her not only a great student, but able to reach their full potential.

A New School of Thought

Gone are the days of kids just sitting still in their seat and keeping quiet at their desk. Students of Children’s Community School are motivated and inspired instead of lectured and chastened. The school’s modern approach to teaching fosters engaged learners who “don’t just take notes, (they) take action.” Kids learn to think for themselves while collaborating with others in a safe and loving environment.

Children's Community School: Creativity from Kilter on Vimeo.

Individuality Is Celebrated

Children’s Community School is rewriting the story of elementary education, tailoring it to pique the wonder and curiosity of each and every student to inspire a lifelong love of learning. While teachers design their lesson plans to help kids reach their full academic potential, they also consider kids’ varying learning styles to create an atmosphere in which all are challenged to soar to new heights in their own unique way.

Live It, Learn It

Active learning makes kids eager to explore topics. Students don’t just learn the curriculum, they live it via experimentation, self-driven discovery, deep dives into their interests and by venturing into the world to accumulate knowledge and give their studies relevance. At every step, CCS relates study to life to prepare students to take part in shaping their own future, and the future of society.

In a Class of Its Own

A CCS education produces self-motivated students who develop the desire to gain knowledge and ask questions. Beyond academics, kids learn the value of friendship and the importance of being of service to others.

“Don’t Recite History, Reform It”

Children’s Community School’s ultimate goal is for youth to know themselves, show compassion to others and take responsibility for their own education. In a world in which young people’s voices and actions are being heard and recognized more than ever, and 16 year-old climate activist Greta Thunberg was just the youngest recipient of Time‘s 2019 Person of the Year accolade, a school that empowers kids with the mission “don’t recite history, reform it,” is exactly what’s needed to embolden youth to create a better tomorrow.

Schedule a Tour

Due to demand, Children’s Community School added one last tour for the new year, on January 29. Schedule a tour today. Hurry, space is filling up!

Children’s Community School
14702 Sylvan St.
Van Nuys, CA 91411
818-780-6226
Online: ccsteaches.org

––Beth Shea

photos: Children’s Community School

Photo: Camp Wayne for Girls

It’s August and the end of overnight camp is just a few days away. For all those times over the summer you thought your camper would be homesick, the reality is, your child will be coming home absolutely camp sick, the feeling of missing camp so much that it hurts! Your child will miss camp so much that they may even experience extreme campression! Try not to take it personally—summer camp is your child’s summer home where she gained independence, made lifelong friends and became part of a community of her own. Consoling her will be one of your greatest parenting challenges. Here are a few tips to help your child ease back into home life after an amazing summer at camp.

  1. Give Your Child Some Independence. Your child has been away for a few weeks and has been making decisions on her own. When possible, give your child the opportunity to make some more choices at home. Allow your child to practice that newfound independence gained at camp.
  2. Don’t Overbook. From swimming to soccer to archery to hiking, along with special event days and evening activities, your child has been very busy having fun! But having so much fun can be exhausting. Give your child a few days to just relax. Don’t make big plans or sign your child up for another summer program once home. Your child needs to unwind and just be on her own schedule.
  3. Talk About Camp. Your child has been immersed in her camp world and it’s all she has thought of for weeks. Make sure to talk about camp at home and ask questions but while you are dying to know every detail about camp, but don’t push. Allow your child to talk about camp on her own time. Let her tell you what she wants to share. 
  4. Make Plans with Camp Friends. Your child has lived with her best friends for weeks and now she is home, miles or states away. Arrange a get together for the fall or winter so your child has something on the calendar to look forward to. Remember to invite everyone in the bunk—leaving a few children out creates hurt feelings and can cause tension for next summer. 
  5. Spend Time Together. You’ve missed your child so much, even though you know she was having the time of her life at camp. Once your child relaxes a bit, make some family plans and enjoy the last few weeks of summer together!

Jess Michaels is the Director of Communications for the American Camp Association, NY and NJ, a not for profit organization dedicated to enhancing the summer camp experience.  She loves everything summer camp and frequently writes about her favorite topic for various parenting publications, websites and blogs.