The Menorasaurus is our favorite DIY menorah idea!
Want to jazz up your Hanukkah with a homemade menorah that your kids will love? It’s easy! The secret ingredient to your hip homemade Chanukkiah is the 3/8″ hex nut—these little metal bolts are perfect for holding Hanukkah candles. Basically, if you’ve got something that can hold nine hex nuts, you’ve got yourself a menorah. Want to get started? We’ve got three easy tutorials for DIY menorahs, and when you’re done, be sure to check out our other favorite Hannukah crafts for kids.
Editor’s Note: Be sure to place all menorahs on a level, non-flammable surface away from drapes, decorations, and fabrics. Keep them out of reach of children, and never leave a lit menorah unattended. To be extra careful, we recommend menorahs not made out of metal be coated with a fire-retardant spray (like this one) before use to reduce the risk of fire.
The Menorah of Misfit Toys
If your junk drawer is anything like ours, it's probably full of left-behind kid stuff you wish you had the heart to throw away. Don't toss those treasures; use them for this menorah that will make your kids love their misfit toys all over again.
What you'll need: -Nine small toys or figurines (think Barbie heads, Happy Meal toys, lone blocks, etc.) -Nine hex nuts -Wooden plank (or a few simple wooden blocks glued together to make a platform) -Hot glue gun
What you'll do: Have your kids dig through their toy boxes (and your junk drawers) and pick out nine small toys to use as candle holders. Be sure they find one that's a little taller that can serve as the shamash. You can also place the shamash toy onto a block to set it higher than the others, as shown above.
Glue hex nuts onto the top of all the toys, and be sure to cut off any hair or string that poses a fire risk when candles are lit. Let your kids decide which toy will go where and then glue them all onto the platform.
Go ahead: Type it into Pinterest and you'll see the whole kingdom of prehistoric menorahs for sale. Why not make your own? It's super-easy, and takes less than an hour to make!
Good to know: This menorah doesn't leave much for the kids to do (hot glue guns and spray paint aren't exactly child-friendly), but your kiddos will love seeing their dinosaur transformed into an instant Hanukkah heirloom.
What you'll need: - Plastic dinosaur - Nine hex nuts - Metallic gold spray paint - Clay (for leveling the hex nuts) - Hot glue gun
What you'll do: Let your kids pick out their dinosaur (Hello, Dollar Store!).
Using a hot glue gun, glue eight hex nuts onto the back of the dinosaur and another atop the head for the shamash. To make sure all the candles will stick up straight, squish a little clay onto the bottom of the hex nuts before gluing them onto the dinosaur (it helps to also dab some glue onto the bottom of the hex nut themselves so they really stick into the clay)
Spray the whole thing with metallic gold spray paint and you're done!
Hot Lights (or, the Hot Wheels Menorah)
What you'll need: -Nine Hot Wheels cars (with flat tops) -Nine hex nuts (or 10 if you want to raise the shamash candle a little higher) -Wooden plank -Paint -Hot glue gun
What you'll do: Have your kids pick out nine cars and paint or decorate a plank of wood however they wish. While the paint is drying, glue the hex nuts atop the cars as shown. For the shamash (middle) candle, use a taller car or glue two hex nuts atop so it stands higher than the others.
Let your young assistants help you arrange the cars in whatever order they want. Then, glue the cars onto the plank.
Colourpop has done it again. The makeup company known for its perfectly timed collabs has just dropped a new line and it’s scary good.
The Nightmare Before Christmas collection is available starting today, Oct. 28 and it’s packed with a colorful array of must-have makeup essentials. You can shop shadow palettes, glitter gel, liquid liners, lipsticks and more, all decked out in Oogie Boogie style.
Currently all products are available but if you’re a big-time Jack Skellington fan, you might want to just grab the entire collection. It comes with:
12-pan palette with matte and metallic shades
Three decorations
New shades of Lux Crème Lipstick
Two BFF Liquid Liners
Three new shades of our Jelly Much Shadow
Glitterally Obsessed Glitter Gel
Detail Blending Sponge
Crystal Face Jewels in multidimensional colors
If you just need a product or two, they’re also all available individually. Prices range from $8 to $115 and you can find everything at colourpop.com.
If you’re a Starbucks fanatic, you probably know the company drops seasonal merch at locations nationwide—often without official fanfare. But thanks to social media, we know that the coffee giant has some really cool cup offerings this fall, including glow in the dark options!
In August the Internet started to buzz about a colorful cup drop to mark the changing of the seasons. Fans have found neon studded tumblers, pearlescent swirled tumblers and metallic pearl hot cups with a bit of luck and perseverance. Personally we’re fans of that dark green shimmery swirl!
But with Halloween just around the corner, the hunt is on for new glow in the dark cups. Eagle-eyed shoppers have found these popping up at their local ‘Bucks and it looks like they even come with stickers! Whether you’re looking for classic cobwebs or prefer a black cat cup, you’re in luck.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently announced a voluntary recall for select Vitafusion gummy vitamin products. Along with adult vitamins, the recall also includes one children’s variety.
Church & Dwight Co., the makers of Vitafusion gummy vitamins, issued the recall following two consumer reports of metallic mesh material found in products. If eaten, the material could cause digestive tract damage.
Photo: Church & Dwight
While there are currently no reports of adverse effects, anyone with the recalled products should discontinue use immediately. The affected vitamins were manufactured between Oct. 29 and Nov. 3, 2020 and were distributed to in-person and online retailers from Nov. 13, 2020 to Apr. 9, 2021.
The recalled vitamins include:
Vitafusion MultiVites 150 count
Vitafusion Fiber Well 2220 count
Vitafusion Fiber Well 90 count
Vitafusion Melatonin 140 count
Vitafusion Melatonin 44 count
Vitafusion SleepWell 250 count
Vitafusion Kids Melatonin 50 count
For a full list of UPC codes, Lot codes and expiration dates, visit the FDA’s website here or Church & Dwight’s website here.
Do not use the recalled products. Contact the manufacturer at 1-800-981-4710 Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p..m. ET before you dispose of the vitamins for information on what to do next and how to get a full refund. Customers can also contact Safety Call at 1-888-234-1828 with illness or injury-related concerns.
Get ready for some serious game play! Ravensburger’s Marvel Villainous: Mischief & Malice is set to launch Aug. 1—and it includes three new characters.
Mischief & Malice is the first expandalone game from Marvel Villainous. The game features the addition of Loki, Madame Masque and M.O.D.O.K.
The new game follows the super-quick selling release of Marvel Villainous: Infinite Power. If you want to play the game as Loki, you’ll need to gain and spend 10 “mischief” in Mischief & Malice.
To win as Madame Masque, players need to vanquish eight heroes and settle her vendetta! M.O.D.O.K. players will need to activate the Cosmic Cube, while maintaining A.I.M.’s loyalty.
Along with plenty of strategic game play, you can look forward to all-new original artwork on each card, three over-sized metallic movers and (in the special Target edition) a collectible game sleeve and Frost Giant Loki mover.
The game comes with three villain movers, three villain domains, 90 villain cards, 48 fate cards, 51 tokens, one loyalty tile, one vendetta tile, one slider clip, three reference cards and three villain guides.
Marvel Villainous: Mischief & Malice is age-graded for players 12 and up. Two to three players can join in the fun—or include up to four players when combined with other Marvel Villainous games. Score your edition for $24.99 from retailers nationwide starting Aug. 1, 2021.
Bid on one of three stunning dolls for a good cause. American Girl announced it has again teamed up with Swarovski crystals to create three one-of-a-kind collector dolls just in time for the holidays. The gorgeous gowns and complementary accessories took Swarovski couturiers over 330 hours to design and hand embellish more than 5,000 Swarovski crystals and crystal beads in 24 colors.
The American Girl Collector dolls will be auctioned off starting today through Nov. 25, 2020, at Americangirl.com/auction. The First Responders Children’s Foundation Toy Express program will receive 100% of the auction net proceeds. This program is designed to spread joy to children of first responders across America during the 2020 holiday season. The bidding for each American Girl Collector doll starts at $5,000.
“As the holidays approach, we know it’s more important than ever to show our gratitude to our country’s dedicated First Responders who have contributed and sacrificed so much to help our friends, families, and communities this year,” said Jamie Cygielman, General Manager of American Girl. “We’re pleased to donate the proceeds of these three exquisite one-of-a-kind 2020 collector dolls, plus thousands of Mattel toys, to First Responders Children’s Foundation to say thank you to these hard-working frontline heroes and bring some much-needed holiday sparkle to their children and families.”
In addition, Mattel and American Girl are donating more than $1,000,000 in retail value of toys to the foundation’s Toy Express program, including American Girl’s renowned 18” dolls and other popular Mattel products from Hot Wheels, Barbie and Mega Bloks. The toys will be distributed to thousands of first responder families nationwide through the end of the year.
“Thank you, Mattel and American Girl for the generous donation of thousands of toys to The First Responders Children’s Foundation Toy Express. And for selecting First Responders Children’s Foundation (FRCF) as the beneficiary charity of proceeds from the auction of the exclusive American Girl Collector dolls. Because of this partnership, First Responders Children’s Foundation Toy Express will bring joy to children across the nation during this holiday season,” said Jillian Crane, President of First Responders Children’s Foundation. “First Responders Children’s Foundation Toy Express will be gifting toys to children of first responders who are on the frontlines of COVID-19. We will also be delivering toys to first responder agencies and hospitals to share with children in their communities. FRCF supports nurses, firefighters, police officers, EMTs, paramedics, medical personnel, and 911 dispatchers who risk their health every day in selfless service to their local communities across the country.”
One of the three American Girl Collector dolls will be on display at the company’s flagship retail stores in New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles through Dec. 10, 2020. The highest bidder will then receive their one-of-a-kind doll in a special display case via white glove delivery. The three collector dolls feature the following details:
2020 American Girl Sweet as a Rose Collector Doll
This stunning brunette doll is decked out in a petal pink ballet-style ballgown blooming with delicate organza rosettes. Each flower is individually adorned with Swarovski crystals, and the intricately beaded bodice and satin overskirt shimmer with more than 1,000 crystals and beads, making the doll sparkle no matter which way it spins. This exclusive outfit was completely hand-embellished by Swarovski couturiers; and includes a one-of-a-kind, crystal-encrusted tiara plus sparkling bracelets and earrings. The Sweet as a Rose doll is on display at American Girl Place-Chicago on Michigan Avenue.
2020 American Girl Boho Chic Collector Doll
With long honey-colored curls and an empire-waist gown, this elegant doll sparkles with modern bohemian flair. The ice-blue bell-sleeved dress has 2,200 hand-appliquéd Swarovski crystals and crystal beads, creating the dress’s spectacularly sparkly wavelike design. The sheer organza overlay is adorned with a web of metallic blue fibers for extra shimmer. The look also includes a beautiful matching tiara and earrings. The Boho Chic doll is on display at American Girl Place-Los Angeles at The Grove retail and entertainment complex.
2020 American Girl Fuchsia Feathers Collector Doll
This glamorous one-of-a-kind ballgown and accessories feature lavish layers of fuchsia, pink, and pewter feathers on the full skirt, creating an ombre effect that beautifully sets off the doll’s long black hair. The fuchsia satin bodice is embellished with 1,400 colorful Swarovski crystals and crystal beads. Strands of sparkling crystals and beads adorn the matching tiara and earrings, as well as peek out from the feathered skirt, so the doll glitters from head to toe. The Fuchsia Feathers doll is on display at American Girl Place-New York at 75 Rockefeller Plaza.
Eric Russack, Managing Director of Swarovski North America stated, “We’re thrilled to once again partner with American Girl to create this year’s bespoke collectible dolls and adding the Swarovski sparkle to their exclusive 2020 American Girl Holiday Collector Dolls. Our goal this holiday season is to make imaginations sparkle and who better to do that with than American Girl! And this year, we’re extremely proud to support First Responders Children’s Foundation and their work to support the children of our dedicated frontline heroes.”
To place your bid for the one-of-a-kind 2020 American Girl Collector dolls, visit Americangirl.com/auction. All of American Girl’s holiday products are available now at AmericanGirl.com and at American Girl stores nationwide.
Janie and Jack is getting you ready for the holidays! After last year’s fab collection, the children’s clothing retailer just launched a second holiday collab with stylist, CEO, and mom, Rachel Zoe.
The two-collection collaboration launches with Rachel Zoe x Janie and Jack Exclusive Party Collection. Available starting Nov. 9, the line is packed with glam styles that emulate Zoe’s signature style, including several pieces that match her women’s collection for that perfect mommy and me photo opp.
The Rachel Zoe x Janie and Jack Exclusive Party Collection has pops of gold, faux-fur and jacquard suits, dresses, headbands, metallic leather shirts, grey suits, cream dinner jackets and black tuxedo pants. The 30-piece capsule is available in sizes 6-12 months to 12 years, with prices ranging from $19.50-$169.00.
You can shop the line at at select Janie and Jack stores (NYC, LA, Newport Beach, CA) and online at janieandjack.com. Keep your eyes peeled for the second part of the collaboration, a Resort Collection that launches on Dec. 7.
Finally, Rachel Zoe will help kick off Janie and Jack’s Holiday Program with a styling video that includes tips for families getting ready for holiday photos. The program also has an interactive calendar that will inspire families this holiday season with special at-home activities.
This is the way! Add this new eyeshadow palette to your wish list just in time for Season 2 of The Mandalorian. The new ColourPop palette based on The Child (AKA Baby Yoda) is available for purchase now.
This monochromatic olive green palette features a range of finishes from matte, metallic, and our iconic Super Shock formula. Create the cutest looks in the galaxy with the fun olives, golds, and neutral tones.
The limited-edition palette is limited to 2 per transaction and costs $16 each.
Your kids might not be heading into the Great Hall this fall but the new Harry Potter collection from H&M Kidswear will have them all sorted in time for school (or Zoom). Just launched this week, the new collection ranges in sizes from baby to big kid and we are loving them all. From jogger sets and sweatshirts to accessories including hats, scarves and shoes in House colors, you’ll find a wide range of items, all of which are cozy and comfortable. Scroll down for our top faves.
This printed t-shirt features icons from the different Houses arranged in a playful print, no sorting hat required. Ranges in sizes from 2T to 8/10yo. $9.99.
This metallic-print t-shirt in a soft cotton jersey fabric will let big kids tap into their magical side without feeling too costumey. Ranges in sizes 8/10 to 14yo (can we squeeze into that ourselves??). $7.99
This metallic print hoodie, which ranges in size 8/10-20 (14yo), is the perfect sweatshirt for fall, whether that entails solving riddles or rescuing your friends from the hands of mortal enemies. Or maybe just online class. $24.99
Is your little one obsessed with Barbie dolls? These sneakers have it all, pink, sparkles, hearts and of course, Barbie. DSW’s new Barbie Footwear mini-collection is sure to tickle any fan pink. If Barbie isn’t your thing, there is a complimentary Hot Wheels Footwear collection as well.