SEGA’s Sonic the Hedgehog is coming to a LEGO shop near you! LEGO Ideas has announced that a concept design submitted by 24 year-old, UK-based LEGO super fan Viv Grannell will soon be brought to life for fans all over the world.

LEGO Ideas is an initiative that helps take new ideas that are then voted on by fans with the hope of them being turned into real-life bricks. Grannell took inspiration from SEGA’s platformer experience Sonic Mania™, and incorporates characters and environments from the game’s Green Hill Zone level.

photo: LEGO

The Sonic Mania Green Hill Zone LEGO Ideas® design first goes into the product development phase in partnership with SEGA® and after finalization, will be available worldwide. The set is the perfect representation of Sonic the Hedgehog and comes as the franchise celebrates its 30th anniversary this June.

Stay tuned for more details, including release dates and pricing.

––Karly Wood

 

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With all the challenges one has to face when they’re older, sometimes it’s best to focus on the good things. This could be in the form of experiences and wisdom you’ve gained or life’s greatest gifts—your grandchildren. 

Unfortunately, for some grandparents, their biggest fear comes true as their grandkids grow and alienation starts dominating the once sweet relationship they once shared with them. But talking to your grandchildren shouldn’t have to be so tough as they enter their teen stage. In fact, if you have great communication skills, you can continue to be an integral part of their lives and enjoy the beautiful bond that you have with them. 

How and What to Talk About with Your Grandchildren?

Some things to bear in mind when talking to your grandkids include being open and friendlier. Explore the interests of your grandkids and get to know them more by keeping an open mind. Only occasionally chime in to give advice, but don’t constantly pester them. 

You can talk to your grandkids about the latest trends since those would be relevant to them and will give you a chance to know more about what’s happening in their lives as well. But what trends can you discuss with these teens? Let’s give you some ideas. 

1. Talk about Popular Apps Like TikTok. Teenagers these days are so into making videos of themselves acting to clips from movies. Of course, we’re talking about the TikTok mania. This latest obsession has become so big that even marketers are seeing the potential in collaborating with young TikTok stars to promote their products. If your grandchildren are into this particular channel, talk to them about it. You could listen to their interest in it, watch their videos, and then even give them an idea of how they could use the platform to their benefit if they have lots of followers. Sure, the app may seem weird at first but you will grow to like it. 

2. Talk about Fashion Trends. If your teen grandchild is anything like other kids these days, he or she is probably completely immersed in the fashion world. This means the teen in the hours cares way too much about looking ‘dope’ at all times by following celeb fashion or some popular fashion trends for teenagers these days.

This would be a great topic to open a conversation about with your grandkid. But don’t criticize. Listen to their opinions and ideas and support some of them before fulfilling your urge to tell them which clothes are suitable, and which are too scandalous.

3. Talk about Games Like Pokémon Go. Gaming is very popular among teenagers. Again, don’t start the conversation by chiding the child for being on their phone or device too much. Talk about their favorite games and see if they can even create a profile for you so you can play too.

4. Talk about Movies and TV Trends Like Stranger Things. Pop culture has always been of great interest to teenagers. If your teen grandchild is into movies, then they may be a big fan of the Avengers movies or DC films like Joker. One great way to connect with your grandkid is by talking about these movies. If you are interested, you could also watch movies with your grandchild and then talk about them. You could talk about what things you liked about characters and what you didn’t. If your kid is into the Netflix series, you could talk about shows like Stranger Things, and Money Heist. One show currently trending? You on Netflix.

5. Talk about Trending Celebrities. Teens are crazy about celebrities so that would definitely make a fun topic to discuss with your teen grandchild. Just so you are somewhat informed before opening the convo, know these days kids are into celebs including Selena Gomez, Kylie Jenner, Shawn Mendes, and Billie Eilish. You could chat about these known personalities and ask your grandchildren what they think about them, what they like and what they dislike. 
 

A writer by day and a reader by night, Evelyn is a blogger and content marketer from Australia. She started her career as a junior writer in an Ad agency but with the passage of time her passion from food and travel grew so much.

Nutella lovers rejoice! Now you can enjoy the delicious combo of hazelnut and chocolate thanks to these new Hazelnut Spread M&M’s.

Arriving in April—and just in time for Easter—M&M’s will release a brand-new flavor that tastes like Nutella—or your hazelnut chocolate spread of choice. Better yet? The new flavor will be a permanent addition to the M&M’s line-up!

photo: M&Ms via PRNewswire

If you just can’t wait to get a taste and you happen to be in New York City you can win the chance to test out this new M&M’s flavor early. On Saturday, Mar. 30, M&M’s will have a one-day-only stand in the middle of NYC’s Grand Central Terminal. Fans can get up on stage and share their excitement over the new Hazelnut Spread M&Ms and score a bag before they hit stores.

Not in New York? You still have a chance to taste this treat early. If you want to enter simply tag your “passionate Twitter posts” with #gohazelnutty, #MMSfirsttaste and #sweepstakes for a chance to have an exclusive pack of the new product delivered directly to your home within hours. Promotional rules can be found here.

“Chocolatey hazelnut spread unlocks a side of indulgence that’s all its own, so we wanted to tap into that mania and bring something to life that our fans would go crazy for,” said Allison Miazga-Bedrick, Brand Director, M&M’S. “It’s no secret people love hazelnut spread and love M&M’S, so we can’t wait to see the reaction to this breakthrough taste experience.”

The Hazelnut Spread M&Ms will be available at stores nationwide starting in April in a single size, share size and stand-up pouch share size.

—Shahrzad Warkentin

 

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The end of an era is almost here with Disney Pixar’s forthcoming Toy Story 4 due out this summer. So far we already know that the fourth installment of the iconic animated Disney flick comes with at least three new characters: Tony Hale’s Forky, Keegan-Michael Key’s Ducky and Jordan Peel’s Bunny. If you’re looking for more info than the teaser trailers provide, these new LEGO Toy Story sets might have some answers.

Even though the film won’t hit theaters until Jun. 21, you can score these awesome building sets this April.

Buzz & Woody's Carnival Mania!

Courtesy of LEGO

The trailer already teased that Toy Story 4 would take us to the carnival and this set confirms it. The 230-piece ($49.99) includes all kinds of fair fare, including new character Minifigures, Ducky and Bunny.

Toy Story 4 RV Vacation

Courtesy of LEGO

Your kiddo's best Toy Story friends are headed out of town—and it looks like we might get a hint at how they end up at the carnival. Pack the gang up and get RV-ing with this set for children ages four and older. The 178-piece set will sell for $34.99. 

Carnival Thrill Coaster

Courtesy of LEGO

The second carnival set in this new line includes all kinds of coaster fun. Kids four and up can can speed around the bends with all 98 plastic bricks of this Toy Story set ($19.99).

Woody RC

Courtesy of LEGO

Woody gets behind the wheel with this supercharged set. Set up cones, knock down blocks or just drive this character fave around. The 69-piece set (which comes with a Woody Minifigure) is  for kids ages four and up and will retail for $9.99.

—Erica Loop

 

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In typical, magical fashion, Disney teased us all with a new Toy Story Land video this past week during the Oscars. Giving us the just the tiniest glimpse of the new land, the video takes us on a journey to #FollowTheBall across the United States, as it makes its new home in Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Florida.

The video is actually one of a three-part series of commercials to get Disney fans excited for the land’s opening day, which is coming June 30, 2018, and we admit––we’re psyched.

Once the land opens, guests will be treated to a colorful and whimsical land packed with your favorite Toy Story characters. Set in Andy’s backyard, park goers will feel like they’ve been shrunk down to toy sizes, as they take in a revamped Midway Mania, the Slinky Dog Dash and Alien Swirling Saucers.

The land is built on an 11-acre site at Walt Disney World’s Hollywood Studios and opens just in time for summer! Who’s heading to Florida?!

 

Do you have summer plans to check out the new Toy Story Land? Let us know in the comments below!

––Karly Wood

 

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There seems to be a pattern here, and I don’t like it. Everything is fine and dandy, but once the sun goes down and things start to settle, suddenly all hell breaks loose.

I’m talking, of course, about bedtime.

My kids will spend an entire bike ride complaining about how tired their legs are. We will stretch a ten minute ride into a two hour excursion as they mope and meander. Once that five minutes-to-bedtime alarm is announced, however, suddenly they are gushing fountains of energy, bursting forth with great enthusiasm and gusto.

Why is this? What is it about impending bedtime that causes children to lose their minds? I have a few theories, and I’d like to share them with you here today.

1.They can smell the desperation on us as we look forward to the freedom of Evening Adult Time. All day we have been dealing with crap, culminating in what usually ends up being a woefully and unfoundedly optimistic after-dinner plan requiring intense mental and physical effort on the part of the parents. We can almost taste the impending glass of whatever soothes us, and the serene image of being together with our partner while we sit quietly on opposite sides of the couch and look at social media is growing ever more prominent in our minds.

Children sense this desire for calm, and their instinctual response is unabridged mania. Your best bet is to run them around as much as humanly possible, and then whisk them directly into bed and shut the door before they realize what’s happening.

2.They have utilized their daily allowance of mental capacity, and the reptilian brain takes over. Once they have been awake for a certain number of hours and/or they have expended a certain amount of energy, their consciousness is shut down by the body in order to preserve the functionality of the brain for later use. While they may have some tendencies of their former selves, they are not actually cognizant of their surroundings, and even less so of their actions.

Because the body is unaccustomed to being unfettered from the brain’s oppressive control, the new-found freedom is met with unbridled enthusiasm. Granted this is a nightly occurrence, but this part of the brain has very little memory retention. This may also help explain the lack of ability to hear and recognize their name when paged by adults. Although that issue isn’t necessarily an evening exclusivity.

3. This is all part of a great conspiracy set up by the Highest Order of the Children’s Mensa Society to break the will of the adult population through frustration and lack of sleep. They have been planning a takeover for years, and their plans to erode the mental capacity of adults globally has come to fruition, as parents everywhere succumb to the ubiquitous presence of their manic children. They know that all we need to recharge is one hour of sitting quietly near our partner, occasionally exhaling sharply through our nose when we see something funny online. They know that if we were to have that time, we would be more aware and have sharper focus, thereby hindering their end goal of bedtime elimination.

One of these three theories is the correct one, although at the moment I am unable to determine which one it is. I will study both them and the suspicious activities surrounding them as soon as I get a chance. I just need to have a quick moment to relax on the couch and recover from my day, and then I’ll get right on it. But I just can’t seem to find the time.

TS Crawford is a battle tested father of two and husband to one. Aside from professionally electrocuting himself regularly for money and benefits he enjoys making music, wire sculptures, writing, and occaisionally getting to speak with his wife. 

Whether LEGO-mania is always at an all-time-high in your house, or the recent release of The LEGO Batman Movie has spawned an uptick in brick interest, NYC is full of places where little builders can get clicking. From a special event to retail spots to where you can build for free — and more! — here’s where to go to get your build on.  Click through to see where to head with your LEGO lover.

To Play With the Option to Buy: LEGO Stores

We might be stating the obvious here, but both Manhattan LEGO Stores are a brick lover's dream. Visitors can marvel at LEGO models created by Master Builders, make their own models in interactive play areas, procure LEGOs of every color and size imaginable at a Pick-A-Brick wall, make mini-figures, and more. The Flatiron store even has a LEGO Lounge, where parents can rest and charge devices while the kids play. (Read our full write-up of that store here.) Check individual store calendars for special events like LEGO club meetups and builds. While it's technically free to play at LEGO stores, it's unlikely you'll escape without spending a few bucks.

LEGO Store Rockefeller Center
620 Fifth Avenue
New York, Ny
212-245-5973
Online: stores.lego.com/en-us/stores/us/rockefeller-center/

The LEGO Store Flatiron District
200 5th Avenue between 23rd and 24th St.
Flatiron
212-245-5973
Online: stores.lego.com/en-us/stores/us/flatiron-district

 

Where does your child get his or her LEGO fix? Tell us in the comments below!

— Kim Sunshine

 

Today harness that wind energy to create these easy breezy crafts and activities. Share your creations with us by tagging #redtricycle.

1. Pressed Flower Mobile
Choose bright petals and leaves to create this pressed flower mobile that will shine in the wind. Hop over to Twig and Toadstool for the how-to.

photo: Twig and Toadstool

2. Bubble Mania
Make your own homemade bubbles and watch as they float up into the sky. Click over to Happy Hooligans to copy this fun idea.


photo: Happy Hooligans

3. Wood Spinners
If you love the idea of wind chimes but don’t want the constant sound, make these wood spinners from How We Learn. Click here for the easy directions.

photo: How We Learn

4. Make a Paper Airplane
Show your kids how class notes were delivered back in the day before text messages. If you don’t remember how to create a paper airplane visit Instructables for the 411.


photo: reez via flickr

5. Paper Pinwheel
We bet you already have the supplies needed to make this paper pinwheel. For the scoop on this easy craft click over to Wendys Hat.

photo: Littlelivingstone via flickr

What other crafts or activities use wind? Share your creations with the Red Tricycle community by tagging your photos #redtricycle.

— Erin Lem

If you’re planning a birthday bash for your little one, whether it’s the 1st or the 5th, there are plenty of great shops around the DC area that offer a wide selection of party-making materials–from invitations to decorations, kids activity/craft supplies, creative baking supplies, favor materials and more. Here’s what we found in our hunt for the best shops.

Photo: Kids Birthday Parties via Flickr

Party Mania
The DMV is jam packed with independently owned party stores, but this is one of the best. Loaded to the brim with great party items, this is where to head if your wee one has their heart set on a pop culture favorite, such as Dora or Nemo. These discount party stores offer themed basic party sets (plates, cups, napkins, etc.) as well as matching favors, balloons and even piñatas. Also, there are plenty of generic items in every possible color so you can mix and match with themed items to save a few dollars.

4910 Cordell Ave. (Bethesda, Md)
301-907-0750
Online: mypartymania.com

Photo: Ayren Jackson-Cannady

Del Ray Variety
If you swing by this Alexandria hub, be prepared. If you shop with your kiddos, they are bound to find dozens of different things that they can’t live without (you will, too). Variety stores like this provide super choices for unique toys, such as small barnyard animals, wooden tea sets, kites, and wonderful gifts to create cool favor bags. There are also many good supplies for a party craft project.

Del Ray Variety
203 E Custis Ave.(Alexandria, Va)
844-378-9209
Online: delrayvariety.com

Photo: Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Store via Facebook

Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Store
Shops that once were solely focused on fabrics mostly have branched out fully into craft stores as well. These materials are excellent for DIY parties for little ones. Many of these stores, including this one, also allow you to throw your party right in their shop, with craft projects lead by their great staff.

Multiple locations
888-739-4120
Online: joann.com

Photo: The Dandelion Patch via Facebook

Dandelion Patch
The Dandelion Patch offers a personalized experience for discovering the finer details of party planning, providing guests with a wide assortment of customizable materials and accessories–from unique invitations to signs to sweet touches around the table.

1663 Wisconsin Ave., NW (Georgetown)
202-333-8803
Online: thedandelionpatch.com

Photo: Just Paper and Tea via Facebook

Just Paper & Tea
This is a little gem of a place and has unique little gifts, including mini tea tins in assorted flavors, which make perfect little favors for a tea party birthday (hint-hint). More than that, helpful staff will help pick out the coolest fabric kites, gorgeous invitations, a wide array of special papers, ribbon and more. Heads up on strollers, be prepared to leave them outside of this very small space.

3232 P St., NW (Georgetown)
202-333-9141
Online: justpaperandtea.com

Do you have a favorite party supply store? Tell us where it is in the Comments section below.

–Kristina Messner

Think a billion images on a hard drive are enough to memorialize your kiddo’s precious baby face or unruly cowlick before it’s gone? Then you’ve never taken a gander at a beautifully rendered oil, pastel, or charcoal portrait. Not only does a commissioned work of art demand to be framed and hung in a place of prominence in your home (unlike those iPhone snapshots that are content to hang out on your computer), but a professionally done artist’s portrait can capture the exact thing you remember most about your little, before it disappears into the haze of adolescence. Like your own little precious one, these original portraits don’t come cheap, so read on to make sure you’re fully prepared for the process before your baby is all grown up.

What
Portraits are most often created using oil, pastels, watercolors, or charcoal, though a various assortment of mixed media may also be used. Oil paintings are not framed with glass, but all other mediums require it for protection. Additionally, portraits most often portray head and shoulders, three-quarter length, or full length images, though some artists offer a half-figure composition. Naturally, the price increases more of the figure on the canvas, and if you’re thinking of one portrait with all three kids in it (let them battle it out over who gets to keep it when you’re gone!), you’ll be paying for the figures, not just the canvas.

How
Choosing an artist is a very personal endeavor, and for the price, you want to be certain you’ve selected the right artist. Two routes exist for commissioning an artist, and the good news is that they cost exactly the same. You can do your research and find your artist by word of mouth or Google. Or, you have the option of working with a broker, who is paid by the artist to bring in work that he or she otherwise wouldn’t find. Again, pricing is the same; however, you get the benefit of a more comprehensive catalogue of artist’s work to review in addition to the industry experience of someone who has worked with the artists before and know a little about their consistency and prior client satisfaction. Additionally, brokers assist clients with deciding on medium, composition, timing, the portrait sitting, delivery, and framing, and they also act as an advocate for clients during the process. Don’t love the way your baby girl’s nose is turning out but not sure how to tell Michelangelo? Let the broker handle that conversation!

When
The most common age for children to have their portrait painted is between the ages of four and six, with the idea being that you want them to still have their childlike “sweetness” (ha, ha) but still resemble their future selves. Already missed your window of opportunity? No worries. Many artists can work from photographs.

Process
Once an artist is commissioned (either by you directly or through a broker), the artist comes to your home or the location of the portrait and puts your photo mania to shame (think rolls and rolls of film, when we used rolls). Since most work with a digital camera, you can select the reference photo on the same day as the photo shoot. After that, it’s off to the studio for the artist and back to being a non-celebrity for your kiddo. The time from sitting to delivery varies by artist, but the average delivery time is between six months and one year. Thinking of gifting a portrait to yourself or a loved one this holiday season? Most brokers offer gift certificates, and are just the right size for a stocking!

Pricing
Prices can vary drastically from artist to artist, but if you opt to work with a broker you have the ability to select your favorite artists from their directory and then compare prices. If none are in your price range, the broker might be able to recommend another artist with similar style that is closer to your price point. On average, portraits can range from $1,000 to well over $10,000, and since oil is the most difficult medium for an artist to work with, it is the most expensive. Charcoal is generally the least expensive, but one artist’s charcoal might be more expensive than another’s oil.

People
Like everything else in Atlanta, there are an abundance of talented portrait artists to be found by word-of-mouth or good ol’ Google. However, for a guided tour through the process of selecting an artist, commissioning a work, and reviewing the delivered portrait, look to the following artist brokers for help:

Ann Richards at Portraits, Inc., 404-352-3267, arich6181@gmail.com

Elizabeth Pitts or Elizabeth Dixon at Portrait Associates, 919-696-6440, info@portraitassociates.com

Have you had a portrait made of your child? Tell us about it below!

—Shelley Massey

All images courtesy of Portraits, Inc.