If you had to choose between working harder or working smarter, which would you pick? If you’re a busy, tired, hardly-sleeping parent, we’re betting smarter. There’s good news for you! “Research from my NeuroFit lab shows that short five-minute movement breaks help you stay focused and remember more,” says Dr. Jennifer Heisz, author of Move The Body, Heal The Mind. This means that even though mom-brain is very, very real, little bursts of exercise will help lift that fog. What’s more, Dr. Heisz adds, “During the first 10 minutes of movement there is an increase in oxygenated blood flow to the brain, especially to the prefrontal cortex (PFC), which governs our working memory, mental flexibility, and self-control.”
Whether it’s five minutes or thirty, giving yourself easy ways to keep active will have lasting benefits way beyond simply burning calories. We’ve tested a variety of short, simplified workouts geared at busy parents, all of them at or around just 15 minutes long. Read on to get moving.
The NeuroFix Workout
We love this one because although it is high-intensity, it requires no equipment or devices. Do it several times and you'll have a 15-minute (or so) routine you can take anywhere.
Jumping Jacks for 30 seconds
Mountain Climbers for 30 seconds
Skaters for 30 seconds
High Knees for 30 seconds
Repeat
Where to find it: Pre-order Move the Body, Heal the Mind here.
Mom on the Go offers seven, short, thematic yoga practices designed to energize your body. Follow the 28-day program for postpartum recovery including pelvic and core exercises, or just pop in and do a reinvigoration yoga session.
This fat-blasting workout plan is as effective as most longer workout sessions and combines two proven fat-loss techniques— metabolic strength and Tabata training. You'll work every muscle in your body (especially your abs!) in a fraction of the time!
There are two things we know kids love—a good laugh and YouTube. We did a bit of research (for ourselves as much as you!) in order to find channels that provide kid-friendly content with tons of chuckles, and we’re pretty sure we hit the jackpot. From a family big on an adventure to a cooking show with laughs mixed in, here are our suggestions for the best funny YouTube channels for kids.
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Kids Fun TV Recreate movies? Check! Solve mysteries? Check! Family competition? Check! This family is sure to make you laugh through all of their antics. This crew is known as the fun squad, and it’s easy to see why. They are big on an adventure with no shortage of funny skits and jokes!. On top of everything else, they sing, so be on the lookout for a music video here and there!
Kids React Do you know the tv show “kids say the darnedest things?” That might be one of the best ways to describe this channel. This is a weekly show where kids ages 5-14 watch and give their honest, off-the-cuff reaction to viral videos, jokes and more. It's no secret that kids are known for having no filter, and the results here are hilarious!
Nerdy Nummies Rosanna Pansino is the delightful star of the Nerdy Nummies channel, a cooking show where she makes delicious desserts. Many of her goodies are based on cartoon characters or toys, so it's no surprise that kids LOVE her! She makes baking masterpieces fun while making it seem totally doable at home. She’s funny, creative and bakes treats that are #goals! What’s not to love?
Eli’s Fun World Nine-year-old Eli and his mom team up to share his Fun World, and they are always game for a good time. Follow along as Eli takes his first ride on a dirt bike, “moves out” of the house or the one where he transforms into Bruno Mars—vocals included. They also love a good challenge like the last one out of the hot tub gets $1000! Yes, $1000.
Cali’s Playhouse Let the funny shenanigans begin! Seven-year-old Cali and her little sister are adorable, unpredictable and funny. They have all kinds of adventures and pranks, like the one when Cali showed her Dad her newly pierced belly button! They also don’t shy away from challenges; you have to see the one that every kid would like to try—Cali switching places with her mom for 24 hours!
HiHo Kids This channel is full of amusing videos of kids meeting people with unique backgrounds, playing games and trying unusual foods. As you can imagine, kids unscripted equals funny! It’s great to see kids flex their curiosity and learn about differences in a lighthearted and funny way.
Ryan’s World Ryan's World is a hugely popular and funny YouTube channel for small kids. It features Ryan Kaji with his parents and twin sisters. Their channel is full of skits, challenges and crafts. Ryan has become a huge star on and off YouTube, so your kids probably know exactly who he is. He even has his own line of toys and shoes!
Remember Creme Savers? The creamy swirled hard candy that you secretly loved to find in your grandparents’ treat dish? After a 10 year hiatus, two of the most popular flavors are back!
Back in the day, you could find this candy in multiple flavors, including tropical and dessert swirled blends. And Grandma’s house wasn’t the only place to enjoy it, since you could purchase whole bags or rolls at the store, as well as spinoffs like flavored yogurt and JELLO. Now you’ll be able to buy two of the top flavors once more: Strawberry & Creme and Orange & Creme.
Each piece is individually wrapped, as all proper hard candy should be. One taste of those fruit and creme swirls will likely bring on the nostalgia, big time. And like many good treats of the early 21st century, they’re sugar free.
Iconic Candy teamed up with Mars Wrigley to reformulate the original flavors and bring back Creme Savers. You can find them at Big Lots stores in 47 states starting in mid-September. No word on if we can look forward to other flavors…yet.
Workouts look different for everyone these days, especially moms. Whether you’re back to hitting the gym, fast-strolling through your neighborhood, or dancing around the kitchen with your new babe, one thing that’ll help motivate you to move your body is a stellar playlist. Here are 25 songs to power your workout playlist. Who knows, one of these catchy tunes might just become your new sweat-sesh anthem!
To Get You Moving
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Like laying out your workout clothes the night before, just creating a fitness playlist can make it easier to stick to a workout routine. So here's a list of songs that'll nudge you to lace those sneakers and spark your heart rate.
"Motivation” by Normani
"Believer" by Imagine Dragons
"Electric Bodega Trap Remix" by Beyoncé
"Pressure (Alesso Remix)" by Nadia Ali, Starkillers and Alex Kenji
"Feel That Fire" by Dierks Bentley
"Break Free" by Ariana Grande
"A Thousand Miles" by Vanessa Carlton
"You Know You Like It" by DJ Snake AlunaGeorge
To Keep You Dancing
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As a busy, hardworking mom or mom-to-be, it's extra tough to find time in the day for a full workout. So instead, try squeezing in a dance session you can do anywhere at any time. These tunes will keep you grooving and your endorphins flowing. Sometimes all you need to do is shake it out!
"Don't Stop the Music" by Rihanna
"Boom Boom Pow" by the Black Eyed Peas
"Leave the Door Open" by Bruno Mars
"Maniac" by Carpenter Brut & Yann Ligner
“Good As Hell” by Lizzo
"All I Want to Do" by Sugarland
"Still Cool" by Beka
"Can't Stop the Feeling" by Justin Timberlake
To Push Your Limits
Peloton
Fitness pros know that just the right song can push anyone through an intense workout. So add these go-to anthems that'll motivate you to keep going when you're dead-tired and ready to quit.
It’s an out of this world collaboration! LEGO Education and NASA have partnered on Build to Launch: A STEAM Exploration Series, a free 10-week lesson series meant to reignite kids in the classroom and educate on science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics. Immersive lessons will focus on the NASA Artemis I mission and what it takes to launch a rocket to the moon.
You can find the series online for free now! The sessions will be grouped into three learning themes: Getting to Space, Testing and Transport and Working in Space. Adding in a LEGO spin, kids will use minifigures to simulate the work of members of the flight and ground crew. There will also be weekly press conferences from the LEGO Education YouTube channel.
Artemis I is the first in a series of increasingly complex lunar missions that will prepare NASA crews for eventual human exploration of Mars. It will include a spacecraft launched on the most powerful rocket in the world, meaning it will fly farther than any spacecraft built for humans has ever flown. During each learning module, kids will learn about the important jobs involved in the launch and work on problem solving and communication. They’ll also prototype, test and build parts similar to the Space Launch System rocket.
If that’s not engaging enough, kids will also have the chance to submit questions to be answered by NASA and animated LEGO Education minifigures! Get ready to blast off for some intergalactic learning with this awesome partnership.
There are lots of great new children’s books out there and sometimes it can be overwhelming to decide what to read next. Fortunately Amazon just released the annual Best Books of the Year So Far list, featuring books published between January and June. The result? 20 diverse selections that will make bedtime story time and summer downtime that much better.
Top selection Eyes That Kiss in the Corners by Joanna Ho has more than 1,000 five stars reviews on Amazon. It features the story of a young Asian girl who learns to love and accept her eyes in a celebration of diversity. Amari and the Night Brothers by B.B. Alston is described as “Artemis Fowl meets Men in Black” and it’s a middle school fantasy series featuring a black heroine, Amari Peters. And Dog Man: Mothering Heights is the latest in a series from Captain Underpants creator Dav Pilkey, a laugh-out-loud read following the adventures of Dog Man and Petey.
The full list of the Best Children’s Books of the Year, So Far:
Amazon Book Editors determine the “best of” lists, reading thousands of pages to unite readers of all ages and tastes, as well as highlight diverse authors. You’ll recognize some of the picks as bestsellers, but many might be new to you. You can find the rest of the lists, including the best books for young adults and teens, online. Don’t forget to check out our own list of best books in 2021!
For the second year in a row, Skittles is giving up its rainbow for Pride Month! By removing the rainbow from their packaging to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community they are highlighting that during Pride only one rainbow matters.
Skittles Pride Packs will come with all gray packaging and colorless candies inside. The brand is partnering with GLAAD and will donate $1 per pack purchased during the month of June to the organization (up to $100k).
photo: Mars, Inc.
Even though the candies will be all gray, they’ll still pack plenty of flavor! Each one will have the OG flavors of strawberry, orange, grape, green apple and lemon.
The limited-edition packs will come in four ounce Share Size Packs and 15.6oz resealable Sharing Size Stand Up Pouches, and will be available for purchase starting mid-May on Walmart.com, Target.com & in Target stores. You can also find them at select Walmart, Kroger, Albertson’s and other select retail locations nationwide.
For more information about SKITTLES Pride Packs and what Skittles is doing to celebrate Pride in June, follow on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
It’s officially time for a trip to the Mall of America: Mars Wrigley just opened it’s newest store! The 24,000 sq. ft. will open on May 1 and packs more excitement than a fresh bag of M&M’S.
M&M’S Mall of America store will feature free immersive experiences, digital downloads, personalization station, M&M’S, “Wall of Chocolate” and exclusive in-store merchandise. So where, in the vast land that is the Mall of America, can you find the store?
Head to Level 1, East near the Rotunda of Mall of America if you want to visit in person. Not close to Minnesota? You can visit virtually! Visit MMS.com to “walk” through the store and purchase M&M’S products using a 3-D virtual experience.
The second store to open in 2021, this M&M’s location offers unique experiences. Shoppers can check out M&M’S Sweet Moves and show their their personality through color, sound and movement and head to Peanut Peak to view the beauty of Minnesota.
This particular location also pays a special honor to Minnesota culture with decor that is unique to the region. The Mars Candy Factory was opened in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1920 and has a special place in the legacy of the company.
When my four-year-old granddaughter, Alma, heard her mom using the word, environment, she quickly asked her where she had heard that word.
Surprised, my daughter answered her with a question, “where had she heard that word?”
Alma explained that she had learned about the environment at her school and that she and her “Green Room” classmates were going to “Actually save the environment!”
My daughter replied that that was great news, then asked how they were going to do that. Alma described that they were going to recycle things and reuse things —so there isn’t a lot of trash on the planet. She elaborated, “The earth is our home, and if we don’t take care of it, we can’t just move to another planet, like Mars or Saturn.”
As part of her class’s efforts, they have been busy making play-dough this week, for a sale to friends and family—with the proceeds going to adopt a polar bear. As Alma proudly proclaims, “We’re going to save the polar bears too!”
Introducing the observance ofEarth Day to young children is important for many reasons. First and foremost, it is essential to note that the next generation will face daunting challenges related to climate change and environmental issues. Laying a foundation that provides the notion of stewardship will be the first step in ensuring their critically needed commitment as they become adults.
For real change to occur in our efforts to save the earth, governments must recognize and respond to the effects of climate change with meaningful policies. Citizens must demand and support policies that are “earth-friendly,” then work and sacrifice to implement them.
While an effort to adopt one polar bear may seem insignificant, it is one of the many ways that the seeds of taking care of our home—the earth—are planted. Discussions such as: trying not to use too much water or electricity, caring for and planting trees and gardens are examples of simple ideas that can be introduced to young children.
Just as Alma and her classmates enthusiastically embraced this spring observance, children and adults around the world are embracing the urgent need to care for our planet.
By celebrating Earth Day with our families, we teach children responsibility and problem-solving; our community efforts reinforce the concepts of cooperation and collaboration, which in turn yields community connection.
I am a parent and grandparent with over four decades of experience in early childhood education. I share my passion, wisdom and experience, with parents and the people who care for and about children at Little Folks Big Questions, where we're out to answer the questions parents face in today's world.
Get ready for a new snacking sensation! SNICKERS recently announced the launch of an almond brownie bar—and you can nab one this summer.
The SNICKERS Almond Brownie is everything you want in a candy bar. This new addition to the brand’s bars follows the release of the SNICKERS Peanut Brownie and SNICKERS Peanut Brownie Ice Cream.
photo courtesy of SNICKERS
Instead of your typical chocolate bar, the new SNICKERS brownie features a rich, chewy filling mixed with chopped almonds and topped with caramel. As if that’s not enough, the Almond Brownie is coated in a layer of dark chocolate.
Michelle Deignan, Mars Wrigley Senior Brand Director, said in a press release, “After seeing unparalleled excitement for the SNICKERS Peanut Brownie and SNICKERS Peanut Brownie Ice Cream launches, we’re excited to deliver on our purpose of better moments and more smiles by unveiling a delicious variation of the bar for our fans.”
SNICKERS Almond Brownie flavor will hit store shelves this August. Along with the 1.26-ounce Single bar, you can also indulge in a 2.52-ounce Share size or the 6.93-ounce Sharing Stand Up Pouch option.