Conjure up serious entertainment

You and your magic-loving tykes aren’t Hogwart’s Alum? No worries, because with a little practice, and a lot of illusion, the kids will be amazing audiences (probably you) in no time. We’ve got seven easy magic tricks, and don’t forget the “Alakazam!”

easy magic trick with a dollar bill
photo: Gabby Cullen

Paperclip Magic Trick

For our first trick, we chose a simple one with a major WOW factor. A dollar bill and two paperclips are all your magician will need to get “oohs” and “ahhs” from audience members of all ages. Make the magic happen by jumping over to Kids Activity Blog for the how-to.

Color Coded Cards 

Card counting isn’t a necessary skill when performing the color card trick, which makes it perfect for tiny magicians’ assistants. Simply separate a deck into black and red stacks (without showing anyone), then ask an audience member to pick, look at, and reinsert a card; after cutting the stack, “magically” select the right card (it should be the only wrong card in a colored stack). If you’re curious about the fine print, Funology has the details.

Leak Proof Bag
photo: Shelley Massey

Awesome Illusions
Your older brainiacs may know the secret behind plastic and polymers, so this “magic” trick is a great way to have your science pros impress any younger siblings. We’ve got the scoop for any sorcerers’ assistants right here.

Disappearing Coin Magic Trick

Beginning illusionists will really need to get their hocus pocus working if they want to make a coin disappear. From sweeping the coin under the table to saying the magic words, kids trying this trick will learn that practice makes perfect, and a lot of hand waving helps. You can get the whole tutorial over at Kid Spot.

easy magic trick with a toothpick
photo: Gabby Cullen

Floating Toothpick Magic Trick

This trick gives liquid soap a little mojo (we aren’t talking dirty dishes). Getting the five toothpicks to stay in the right place while floating in the water will be your little magician’s hardest challenge. This trick is all about the science of water and surface tension, so kids will be learning a little something, too! You can find out how to master this gimmick over at Kid Zone.

magneticpenciltrick_gabbycullen_magictricks_redtricycle
photo: Gabby Cullen

Magnetic Pencil Magic Trick

From levitating, and rubber-esque scribblers, to sticking a #2 through your head; there is more than one way to perform a magic pencil trick. The one we like for beginning magicians will defy the laws of magnetic forces—the pencil will seem to be stuck to the performer’s hand. Magneto would approve! Find out how to perfect this trick here.

matchboxtrick_gabbycullen_magictricks_redtricycle
photo: Gabby Cullen

Coin-in-Matchbox Magic Trick

Presto! The classic coin-in-matchbox not only looks super cool, but after a few practice rounds, it’s a trick even a muggle can manage. You don’t need anything but the box, a coin, and a few views of this awesome tutorial from Instructables.

Related: Make Magic with Your Very Own Fairy Garden for Kids

Got old toys? Mattel is here to give them a new lease on life.

The Mattel Playback program is all about recovering and reusing materials in Mattel toys and is a part of the company’s larger effort to reach 100 percent bio-based, recycled and recyclable plastic materials in all of its products and packaging by 2030. Starting out, the program will take Barbie, Matchbox and MEGA toys, with other brands becoming available for recycling in the future.

Participation is easy. First, pack up your Mattel toys that your kiddos have outgrown, then visit Mattel.com/PlayBack to print a free shipping label. Mail off to Mattel, where your box will be sorted ed by material type, processed and recycled.

If there are materials that cannot be recycled, Mattel PlayBack will convert them to energy or downcycle into other plastic products. The program is currently available in the United States and Canada, with France, Germany and the United Kingdom using a third-party partner to launch similar options.

“At Mattel, we are committed to managing the environmental impact of our products,” added Pamela Gill-Alabaster, Global Head of Sustainability, Mattel. “The Mattel PlayBack program helps parents and caregivers ensure that valuable materials stay in play, and out of landfills, with the aim to repurpose these materials as recycled content in new toys. It is one important step we’re taking to address the growing global waste challenge.

For more information on the Mattel PlayBack program, visit Mattel.com/PlayBack.

––Karly Wood

All photos: Courtesy of Mattel

 

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Mattel is continuing to show support for essential workers on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic.  #ThankYouHeroes is part of the Company’s “Play it Forward” platform focused on leveraging Mattel brands to give back to communities in times of need. All net proceeds from this new line, including new items from Matchbox, Mega Construx and UNO, will be donated to #FirstRespondersFirst. 

The new items join the previously announced action figures and Little People Community Champions from Fisher-Price celebrating today’s frontline healthcare workers and the everyday heroes keeping communities up and running. 

 

 Mattel’s new #ThankYouHeroes products include:

 

  • Matchbox #ThankYouHeroes Frontline Heroes Vehicles Gift Set – The set features seven die-cast vehicles including an ambulance, garbage truck, grocery delivery van, news helicopter, mobile hospital, package delivery van and police car.

Mattel #ThankYouHeroes

 

  • Two Mega Construx #ThankYouHeroes Building Sets – The first set features a police cruiser, delivery cart and medical lab, along with five action figures comprised of a police officer, scientist, two EMTs and an ambulance driver. The second set features a food delivery truck and kitchen, along with three action figures comprised of a firefighter, cook and food delivery worker.

Mattel #ThankYouHeroes

 

  • UNO #ThankYouHeroes Tin – The new UNO cards include Mattel’s iconic brands and characters as frontline and everyday heroes, including He-Man as a grocery delivery worker and Barbie as a scientist. 

Mattel #ThankYouHeroes

 

The new #ThankYouHeroes items will be available for pre-order starting today through May 31, 2020, at http://MattelPlayroom.com/ThankYouHeroes. Matchbox and Mega Construx products retail for $20, with $15 from each sale donated to #FirstRespondersFirst, and the UNO product retails for $10, with $8 from each sale donated to #FirstRespondersFirst. Items are expected to ship to consumers by Dec. 31, 2020.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

All photos courtesy of Mattel

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When those blustery days spent inside leave your Little itching for screen time, bust out one of these powered-down activities instead. From sporty balloon ball games to playful potions they can mix themselves, these easy activities keep kiddos busy and engaged on a cold day. Keep reading to see them all.

photo: Clang Boom Steam via flickr

1. Have a ball.
Break out those leftover birthday party balloons and let your little athlete play balloon ball games until she runs out of steam. Try balloon basketball (pool noodles make great hoops!). Or grab paper plates and paint sticks to DIY a simple racquet so she can play balloon tennis. We’ve also got balloon soccer (hint: use painters tape to mark the goals on the floor) and balloon baseball on our list.

photo: Allison Sutcliffe

2. Cause a scene.
If clear contact paper isn’t one of your crafting staples yet, add it to your list. Simply mount the contact paper, sticky side facing out, using painter’s tape. Then set out a tray full of winter-themed baubles (think wintery colored sequins, pom moms, ribbon pieces and tissue paper) for your tot. He can use them to build snowmen, snow forts and glittery blizzards on the window over and over again.

photo: ikatbag

3. Deliver tons of fun.
Between all the holiday and New Year’s cards your family receives in December, your Little is all about snail mail. Let him make and send his own special messages to friends and family when you set up a play post office at home this winter. Stock it with plenty of envelopes, stationary he can customize and a DIY stamp template that he’ll need to ensure his mail makes it to its final destination.

photo: The Protagonist Studio via Flickr

 

4. Get moving.
Pull out that pizza box from Friday night’s casual dinner—its got a job to do! Turn it into the base for your aspiring artist’s active art station, where roll-able objects like matchbox cars and marbles create fridge-ready messy masterpieces. To let your mini-me make one, place a thick piece of paper on the bottom of your box, and have your petite Picasso dip marbles or matchbox car wheels in cups of paint. Then it’s time to let them roll—back and forth over the paper as they make their way from one wall of the box to the other, and back again.

5. Let it snow.
Cutting paper snowflakes is always a favorite winter activity for your sidekick. In fact, you’ve got a whole stack waiting to be strung up or taped to your window right now. Take your excess paper creations and use them to make a crafty snowflake wreath, designed by Erica at What Do We Do All Day. It’s the perfect craft to keep around all winter long! 

photo: Allison Sutcliffe

6. Hit the nail on the head.
Grab a pair of safety goggles and put your older artist to work making a string art template. You’ll need a small square of wood, a trusty hammer and a handful of nails to do this project. Then figure out how to easily transfer some of your kiddo’s favorite shapes onto the work surface. It’s okay to stick with easy-to-map-out patterns like circles, squares or triangles too; they work just as well. Then loop colorful floss around the nails making ornate patterns as you go. Creativity’s the name of the game here, and no matter which path your pattern takes, it’ll look amazing!

 photo: Allison Sutcliffe

7. Suck it up.
We’re crushing hard on this relay game, and know your Littles will too. All you need is a few packages of Smarties candies, paper plates, and straws. To set up the game, place the paper plates on either end of your playing field, relay-style, a pair for each person. Then empty out one package of Smarties onto the starting end plates. Using the straw and some serious suction, have kiddos transfer all the Smarties from the starting plate to the finish plate, no hands allowed. It’s serious fun that ends with a sweet treat.

photo: Briony via Flickr

8. Hop to it.
Indoor hopscotch is just what your little monkey needs on a blustery winter day. Design a board using painter’s tape on the floor to make the squares and the numbers. Then have your mini-me toss a soft ball or crumpled paper onto a square before she hops from one end to the next. Psst … if you don’t have wood floors, use construction paper pieces to make a colorful playing board that works just as well.

9. Cut the deck.
Help your wiggle worm expend that winter energy. Grab a standard deck and pull out all the face cards, aces and jokers. Then assign a movement to each of the remaining numbers (think: 2=jumping jacks, 3=skipping, 4=touching toes, etc.). Once you’ve got the movements down, give your tot a quick workout by flipping through the deck and calling out the movements as you go. Remember to use the number on the card to let them know how many “reps” they get to do. They’ll be ready for naptime after you make it through the deck!

photo: Bar Rucci via ArtBar

10. Mix up magic.
Make like Snape and transform a dreary winter day into a magical one with a potions station. To set it up, gather open items from your kitchen and bathroom, like shaving cream, lotions, spices and baking soda (extra points for creativity if you label your finds as magical elements, like the eye of newt or crushed beetles). Then give your budding potions master a bowl and a spoon to mix up her wild creations. Check out our favorite pretend magical potion ideas here.

Which activity do you think your kiddo would like to do? Tell us in a Comment below. 

— Allison Sutcliffe

Feature photo by Eddie Kopp on Unsplash

 

keep kids busy

Photo: pexels

All I wanted was to walk on the treadmill for maybe…20 minutes. Is that too much to ask?

I had a great plan–I would hop on the treadmill in the basement while my son (age 2 at the time) played with the plethora of toys down there. Easy peasy.

Minute 5 rolled around and the whining began.

“Car on track…ahh.” My son couldn’t get the little Matchbox car onto the track the right way.

“I’ll help you in just a few minutes,” I said hoping he would calm down on his own. “Do it myself…urrgh, it won’t go,” my son continued. I could see the tension building but I decided the push on. really needed some exercise.

Then I heard it–a loud “clunk.” My toddler had thrown the car across the room and it had hit the wall. Crying and fussing ensued. Oops, I had missed the point of no return. We were in full-on tantrum mode.

“Remain calm,” I told myself. “He’s just frustrated.”

I try to calm him but to no avail. He pushed me away. He had to get it out. I told him to take some breaths but that just made him more upset. So I just stood by him and he eventually calmed down but it took a long time.

My “20 minutes on the treadmill” had turned into a half-hour fiasco.

This is Him

I look back at this incident now and I see–this is what it means to be a toddler. He was trying so hard to assert his independence and he is very independent by nature. “I do it myself” is a constant refrain, even now at almost-4 years old.

But…

This is Him Learning

Toddlers are often testing limits, but they do it because they are learning. They are learning new skills, new ideas and how they fit in their world.

Combine a strive for independence and limited self-regulation, you have a recipe for potential high-stress situations. As parents, it’s tough to keep a calm attitude.

Well, a recent piece of research should give you a little hope.

Researchers at the Oregon Social Learning Center recently published an article showing that parents who can keep their “cool” when their youngsters test their patience have a better chance of their kids not having behavior problems in the future.

The primary finding showed that children whose parents who have a tendency to over-react and/or are quick to get angry with them, are more likely to have more tantrums and negative behavior at age 2. Is important to note that most children increase in their tantrum-type behavior during this toddler period, but this study clearly showed that children whose parents over-reacted increased in this negative behavior more than average.

Being the Model I Want Him to See

The good news for parents is that if you can maintain your “cool” while still setting firm boundaries, you are helping your child learn emotion regulation by your example. When a child misbehaves it is tempting to react out of emotion and not think about the consequences. It is a struggle to keep your emotions contained, but if you can keep your composure and discipline the child with less intense negative emotion, the child will slowly learn how to regulate their own emotions as well. So take heart parents, we can survive those toddler years without losing our sanity.

Diffuse the Situation

Knowing my toddler was not intentionally trying to derail my workout was the first step in keeping a calm mindset. Most of the time, these little ones are not trying to “push your buttons” or make you upset on purpose.

Knowledge is power: if you understand what is typical for toddler behavior, it makes it easier to take it in stride (at least most of the time). If we know that they act irrationally and have little self-control, that helps us remain in control.

The “golden rule” still applies to grownups: it may sound simplistic but the old rule of “treat others how you would like to be treated” still applies to toddler-parent interactions (at least to some degree). We are modeling behavior for our kids with every action. If I yell at my toddler (which we all do from time to time), then we are modeling anger. However, if the other 90% of the time, we model compassion, patience, and self-regulation, they will eventually learn this.

Ultimately, we are teaching our kids how to treat us. It takes years modeling, growth, and maturity, but they will get the hang of it eventually.

In the meantime, hang on for a wild ride, and maybe get that walk on the treadmill while he’s napping.

Amy is a scholar turned stay-at-home mom of two young boys. When she's not stepping on Legos, she writes at The Thoughtful Parent. With this blog she brings child development research into the lives of parents in the trenches of child-rearing.

Heads up, it’s Target’s bi-annual toy clearance sale where you can find toys up to 70 percent off. If that doesn’t scream “start your holiday shopping now,” we don’t know what does. We headed to the bullseye retailers ourselves and scoped out some insane deals you’ll want to snag before they’re gone.

Word to the wise––be sure to head to your local store to stock up on sale merchandise. Target’s website doesn’t reflect the crazy low prices we found while shopping the aisles.

LEGO Bane Toxic Truck Attack- The Batman Movie

Karly Wood

You're practically LOSING money if you don't buy a LEGO set when it's on sale, and while Target hasn't yet marked down tons of them yet, there are several to choose from. We spotted this Batman movie version for over $15 off, as well as some Brick Headz and an Elves set for just $25. That's quite a deal!

Sound Moovz- Motion Activate Musical Bands

Karly Wood

Encourage your budding musician or dancer with a Sound Moovz band, a musical wristband that creates sound based off your movements! Connect to an app and your options are limited. We spied this super creative toy on sale for 50 percent off! Quite a discount when the regular price is $70.

You can see for yourself how cool Sound Moovz bands are on their website!

Baby Alive Snackin' Noodles Baby

Karly Wood

Baby Alive Snackin' Noodles versions are 50 percent off! If you're brave enough to purchase one of these for your kids (they DO need regular diaper changes, after all) you can't beat the $20 price tag that you'll find on the Target sale. This doll is a bit fancier than the regular Baby Alive––it slurps, and makes sounds and says phrases, too.

Pie Face Sky High

Karly Wood

The $7 price tag for Pie Face Sky High is just one of tons of games on sale. The popular, messy game is ramped up in this version and stands over 3 feet tall. If you're in the market for some new games for family fun night, we highly recommend checking out all the discounted options, stat.

Teddy Ruxpin

Karly Wood

This throwback Teddy Ruxpin is only available at Target and is $15 off. Enjoy time with Teddy as he sings, tells stories and uses his animatronic mouth and LCD eyes to bring story time to life. Oh yeah, he's also Bluetooth compatible! 

Matchbox Learning Blox

Karly Wood

When your kiddos play with these Matchbox cars, they aren't just playing––they're learning too! This marked down set comes in at $20 for 26 cars and accompanying matching ABC blocks. That's less than $1 a car!

Air Warriors Thermal Zenith Dart Gun

Karly Wood

This heatseeking gun comes in at 50 percent off (just $10!) and shoots up to 90 feet. It comes with 6 precision darts and the thermal feature can detect heat up to 60 feet away. At this price, you can afford to get a few and have the ultimate family dart gun war.

Little Tikes Princess Horse & Carriage

Karly Wood

Send your little princess off in style, especially when this $130 toy is marked down to just $65. Push and pull handles make this an easy vehicle to take to the park or for a trip around the block, and at 50 percent off, why not? You'll also have plenty of time to assemble for Christmas if you buy now!

Disney Beauty & The Beast Belle Doll

Karly Wood

Snag some goodies for your little princess, like this Belle doll that is 50 percent during the Target sale. This particular toy aisle is actually packed with tons of other discounts on toys like My Little Pony, Spirit Riding Free, Barbie and Elena of Avalor.

 

––Karly Wood

All photos: Courtesy of Karly Wood for Red Tricycle

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All D.C. locals get bored of the same old tourist traps around the National Mall, and none more than parents trying to fill hours pre- and post-naptime. Don’t worry—we’ve got your back with a list of our favorite destinations your whole family can enjoy. Add one of these sites or food venues to your trip, and you’ll make your kiddos’ National Mall visit a whole lot more fun.

Photo: NCinDC via flickr

 

Fun House
Snarkitecture, the studio who brought you THE BEACH (remember the pool full of plastic balls?), is back with a whole house curated with their designs. The museum will be busy, but timed tickets will keep the crowd under control. FUN HOUSE runs from July 4th to September 3rd, and tickets get you one hour in FUN HOUSE and admission to the rest of the museum.

National Building Museum
401 F St., NW
Online: nbm.org

USDA Farmers Market
Consider making your National Mall visit a Friday trip and you’ll be able to lunch at the USDA Farmers Market, where from May to October you can find over thirty vendors of organic produce, flowers, breads, and a ton of other food options. You can even multitask and do your grocery shopping at the same time!

Outside USDA Headquarters
Independence Ave. & 12th St., S.W.
When: Fridays 9 a.m. to 2 p.m, May-October
Online: usda.gov

Newseum Summer Fun Deal
If you haven’t been to the Newseum because of the cost of entry, good news—this summer, kids get in free! For every adult or senior who buys a ticket ($24.95 or $19.95), you can bring up to four kids with you. Be sure to check out “First Dogs: American Presidents and Their Pets,” as well as the Interactive Newsroom, where kids can play reporter.

555 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.
When: July 1, 2018Labor Day
Online: newseum.org

Pizza Dough Balls at Matchbox
Finding an affordable restaurant near the National Mall can be tough, but at Matchbox Vintage Pizza Bistro in Chinatown, kids menu options are all $6 and include both classic favorites (think macaroni and cheese or chicken tenders) and their “Captain Healthy to the Rescue” (includes fresh fruit, veggies, cheese slices, and peanut butter). Plus, the best part: kids get pizza dough balls to play with while you wait!

713 H St., NW
202-289-4441
Online: matchboxrestaurants.com

Military Bands Summer Concert Series
During this free summer series, military bands will play concerts every evening on the U.S. Capitol West Front steps (National Mall side) starting at 8:00 P.M., weather permitting. Note: you can bring lawn chairs if you get a space on the stone terrace in front of the band, and you can even bring a picnic dinner (no alcohol or glass bottles).

East Capitol St., NE & First St., SE
Online: aoc.gov

Storytime at the Hirshhorn
Every Wednesday at 10 a.m. and Saturday at 11 a.m. from September through July, the Hirshhorn puts on a storytime where they tell kids about a piece of art and read them a book. Afterward, kids get the chance to create their own artwork. If your kiddos get hungry after all of that creative thinking, you can take them for a snack at Dolcezza Coffe & Gelato. Planning on going to the Hirshhorn in August? Check out their Library & Art Pop-Up instead.

Independence Ave. at 7th St.
When: September-July
Online: hirshhorn.si.edu

Concretes at Shake Shack

If you find yourself hot and hungry during your trip, don’t get drawn in by the food trucks on the Mall—instead, walks a few blocks to the nearest Shake Shack, where you can grab a burger (or Shroom Burger for you vegetarians) and one of their original Concretes, which blend frozen custard with mix-ins. Choose from location-specific options like “Shack Attack” or make your own combination.

800 F St.,NW
Online: shakeshack.com/location/f-street-dc

—Kelly Ann Jacobson

Being a parent means being prepared, right? Even the best of us have been caught without on enough occasions that the following read more like a checklist than a wishlist. While we know you’ve likely got a mini first-aid kit, your phone and your wallet on hand, here are the other things that every mom who will need to save the day (and that is all of us) will no doubt tote about.

Wipes, Baby, Wipes

It might seem like a no-brainer to keep some kind of wet wipe handy in your bag, but once you're not toting a diaper bag anymore you often leave the wipes at home. Don't upgrade to antibacterial wipes: stick with something like a travel pack of baby wipes, because they are more multipurpose—they can wipe surfaces, faces and butts all safely without added chemicals that might cause irritation. 

A Mini Notebook & Pens

Samantha Hurley via Burst

Every restaurant everywhere has coloring paper and crayons, but what happens when you're standing in line at check out, waiting for the bus or just trying to amuse the kids in a waiting room? A little junior sized spiral notebook and a few pens or pencils is about all you need to rock their world. Challenge them to tic-tac-toe, get them to "record" notes about the situation or have them sketch an escape plan—give the kids the power with a special little book that lives in mom's bag. 

Snacks That Won't Ruin Your Bag

Smuckers

No matter how short of a time you are out, nor how recently you've eaten, the risk of a hangry kid is too great to not keep a small stash of snacks in your bag. The key? Finding one that won't crumble or smear all over and that packs a nutritious punch. We love Jif Power Ups Chewy Granola Bars because they are super-yum and have 5 grams of protein in each bar. Check out Jif Power Ups Creamy Clusters, too, for a super easy on-the-go snack with staying power. 

A Manageable Toy Arsenal

Zhen Hu via Unsplash

Leila G., mom of two boys, keeps a small baggie with little toys in it—Matchbox cars, stashed goodie-bag scores like mini puzzles or bouncy balls—in her mom bag at all times. And get this: she actually keeps several small sandwich bags with a variety of small toys in a basket up high in her pantry. When she's grabbing snacks for the kiddos, she grabs one of these bags, too, and tosses it into her purse. She regularly rotates them out so there's always a "surprise" for those moments when the kids really need a distraction. Genius #momhack! 

Undies (for Them, Not You)

Jon Maltby via Flickr

Any parent of a potty training-aged kid will attest to the beauty of a stash of undies and bottoms for their littles. And just because they are mostly trained at home or school, doesn't mean accidents won't happen. When you're on the cusp and planning to be out all day, keep a pair on hand. Better yet, keep them inside a gallon-sized freezer bag rolled up at the bottom of your purse—perfect for stashing the wet things when you've changed. 

A Travel Toothbrush

Matt Bauer via Flickr

Many a child has passed out on the commute home, not long after stuffing their face with a sticky, sweet treat. Avoid the "wake up and brush your teeth" scenario that awaits (or worse) by bringing along a travel toothbrush and paste. After dessert at the restaurant, hit the loo and give their teeth a quick brush while they're in there. If they fall asleep on the way home, at least you'll have done your dentist proud. 

—Amber Guetebier

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With Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom arriving in theaters everywhere this week, there’s never been a better time for your dino-obsessed kid (there’s one in every family!). With prehistoric creatures at the top of the 2018 toy trend list, we’ve seen everything from dino eggs to the coolest explorer playset around. Scroll down to see our favorite dinosaur gear for kids of all ages.

Explorers Hidden Temple

New from Playmobil comes the Explorers line! Journey to the Hidden Temple, and join the explorers as they navigate the temple ruins, and use it as a research lab before exploring the rest of the island. Watch out for the T-Rex, whose arms and legs actually move! There are tons of other tiny accessories, and some are interactive! There are glow-in-the-dark features (the ruin’s eyes, the test tube and the jungle plants all glow when using the included UV flashlight), the treasure map reveals hidden secrets when rubbed, the freight pulley is pivotable and much more.

For ages 4 & up.

Available at playmobil.us, $59.99.

You don’t have to be a preschooler to love dinosaurs. This new board game from Ravensburger will take you back to where it all began—on the island of Isla Nublar. Choose to be one of the original, iconic characters or be all the dinosaurs and attempt to gain control of the park to win!

For ages 10 & up.

Available at target.com, $29.99.

T-Rex T-Shirt

Let your kid put his love for the most famous dino of them all on display. This adorable t-shirt from Boredwalk T-Shirts comes in six different colors, are unisex and are hand-printed in Los Angeles.

Sizes: 2T - Large (10-12)

Available at boredwalktshirts.com, $25.

Jurassic World Mini 3-Pack

There’s nothing quite like model dinosaurs. These new Jurassic World mini dinos feature realistic sculpting, are compatible with matchbox cars for hours of fun, and one of the figurines is a metallic action figure inspired by the new movie.

Ages: 3 & up.

Available at amazon.com, $9.99.

I Dig It Dinos! Dino Egg

Combine the red-hot reveal with dinosaurs and what do you get? The new I Dig It Dino Egg from Thames & Kosmos! There are 12 prehistoric buddies that need to be excavated from their fossil shell, and all the tools your little paleontologist needs are included.

Ages: 5 & up.

Available at thamesandkosmos.com, $2.95 each.

Dino Tego from Magformers

Add a little prehistoric fun to your magnetic play time with the new Dino Tego from Magformers. The 20-piece set comes with squares, rectangles and accessories that allow kids to create a moving dinosaur. There are two other sets: Dino Rano and Dino Cera!

Ages: 3 & up.

Available at amazon.com, $39.99.

— Gabby Cullen

 

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Not so long ago, going 30 miles outside Washington, D.C., to Loudoun County was akin to making a day trip. Now, there are tons of reasons to make the drive – and take the kiddos. Named after John Campbell, the fourth earl of Loudoun, a Scottish nobleman and titular governor of Virginia from 1756-1759, the area started being settled in the late 1720s. A center of agriculture for more than 200 years, the arrival of Dulles International Airport in the 1960s initiated a transformation of the county by attracting businesses and residents. Today, about 330,000 people live in the 520-square-mile county, which is one of the country’s wealthiest. Check out the latest developments or let loose in the great outdoors.

Photo: Great Country Farms

Outdoor fun
With a beautiful backdrop against the hills of Virginia, Great Country Farms has pretty much everything a child dreams of: expanses of open space to run or picnic in, an enormous bouncy pillow, slides, goats to feed and pet, and a wagon ride to seasonal pick-your-own fields. Depending on the time of year, you can find peaches, blueberries, apples and pumpkins. For something more daring, get suited up at the Harpers Ferry Adventure Center for ziplining, a ropes course or tubing – either whitewater on the Potomac River or flatwater on the Shenandoah River.

Photo: Jeff Self via flickr

Indoor fun
If something less nature-y is more your scene, Loudoun’s spacious warehouse-size buildings answer your call. Sport Bounce of Loudoun is full of enormous inflatables, including a jumping pillow and steep slides, while Pump It Up offers two rooms of inflatables and special events such as Glow Jump. Chibis Indoor Playground is divided into two sections – one for littles 2 and younger and one for older tots. The idea is kids play while adults relax. Kidz Plaza indoor playground caters to kids 8 and younger with an enormous climbing structure, inflatables, a ball put and an infant area. For a more educational experience, check out Curiosity Zone of Ashburn, which offers STEM and science classes, camps and birthday parties. Or get your feet off the ground at iFly Indoor Skydiving – yes, kids as young as 3 can do it, too! Forget an airplane. Here, you stay afloat in a special chamber and fly alongside a trained iFly pro.

Photo: The Zone

Fill up, stock up
The District may have become a foodie destination, but it’s not the only place to grab some grub. Head to The Zone, especially on a Tuesday, when it’s Kids Day with face painting, balloon animals, half off most arcade games and one free kid’s meal per adult entrée purchased. Part restaurant, part arcade, games include virtual reality, cosmic bowling and laser tag. OneLoudoun is a sprawling mixed-use community that offers shops and restaurants, including local faves Matchbox and Elevation Burger. While you’re in the area, stop by Leesburg Corner Premium Outlets, which has children’s clothing at stores such as NikeFactoryStore, Carter’s, Gap Factory, Gymboree Outlet and, Nautica Kids.

Do you have a favorite Loudon County hangout? Tell us about it in the comments below.

—Stephanie Kanowitz