There’s no doubt that any little trick we can use to simplify the juggling act of parenting is a game-changer—and that’s why we are totally on board with any and all grocery stores that deliver. Who doesn’t want to take back precious time and avoid the crowds at the supermarket? We do! We’ve rounded up several of the biggest grocery stores that deliver across the United States, so say goodbye to long lines and hello to door-to-door grocery deliveries.

Kroger & Ralphs

Kroger

Kroger and Ralphs also use Instacart for curbside and grocery delivery for over 1,200 of its locations. They also offer Kroger Ship, a website that offers more than 50,000 groceries, household, beauty and pet food products. Ship is available in the continental US. 

Whole Foods

Whole Foods is a grocery store that delivers
Courtesy of Whole Foods

Since its acquisition by Amazon, Whole Foods has become a grocery store that delivers to you. Now shoppers in over 2,000 cities can buy online and receive orders in as little as two hours, or for pick up at a Whole Foods, an hour. If you have Prime, deliveries over $35 are free. 

Walmart

For an annual fee of $98 or $12.95 a month, the Walmart+ program gives you unlimited free delivery ($35 minimum). Try the 15-day trial to see if you like it; if you aren't ready to commit, simply pay the normal fees that the regular delivery and Express Delivery (two hours or less) services charge. How do you order? Simply use the app or website to choose from over 180,000 items, and you're on your way! 

Target

Anthony Rathbun/AP Images for Target

For a lot of people, strolling the aisles of Target is like a religious experience. But for those of us with kids and no time to spare, Target's partnership with Shipt is the perfect way to get groceries, essentials and more delivered right to your door.

You can choose from thousands of items, including food, baby, bath, kitchen, pet supplies, school supplies and more. You can start with a free four-week trial, and when those four weeks are up, you have the option of an annual Shipt plan for $99 for unlimited orders of $35 or more. Or, you can pay per as you order for same-day delivery. Shipt also works with CVS, Petco, and more.

Costco

the front of a costco store for a story on costco snacks

Buying bulk is a must for big families (or any family). Costco offers delivery through Instacart, which also delivers from local stores like ShopRite, Safeway, Giant, and more based on your location. For those that use Instacart more regularly, Costco offers Instacart Express, which includes reduced service fees, free delivery on orders over $35 and more.

ALDI

ALDI

ALDI's deal with Instacart has been wildly successful, and most stores now have the option of having your groceries brought to you. In addition to delivery, Aldi has been testing curbside pickup. Customers can buy groceries online, then come to the store to pick them up where an Aldi employee will bring your grocery haul right to your car.

AmazonFresh

Amazon via YouTube

What can't Amazon do? Amazon Prime members have long known that AmazonFresh offers the convenience of grocery delivery, even without a physical grocery store. Why leave home, when you can add produce, meat, seafood, dairy, frozen items and even paper products to your digital shopping cart... and then have it delivered to your doorstep?

Amazon did away with the $14.99 Amazon Fresh fee; in most cities, the minimum order amount is $35, but in New York City, $50. Amazon Fresh is currently available in over 5,000 cities across the US, and the program expanded its in-garage delivery services for as many Prime members. 

H-E-B

Artistic Expressions via Pixabay

For those lucky to live near this popular Texas-based supermarket, you can get home delivery for as little as $5. The delivery fee varies based on location, service times or special promotions. You can get almost everything offered in-store delivered too, with the exception of large items like grills; alcohol delivery also depends on where you live. 

 

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Admit it: we’ve all become a little more reliant on delivery services in the wake of the pandemic. It’s just so easy!

Now, DoorDash is making the process of getting your goodies even easier with its new innovation, DoubleDash. In a nutshell, you can now tack on must-have items from local stores to your restaurant orders! Your selected Dasher will then deliver both your meal and store order together, with no added delivery fees.

So how does it work? Place your restaurant order on DoorDash like usual, then look for the DoubleDash option on the map to add items from nearby stores after your order is placed. Then add your items from the store page and check out with no minimum order or delivery fee.

Since the program is new, DoubleDash currently only works with 7-Eleven, Walgreens, Wawa, QuickChek, The Ice Cream Shop and DashMart, a DoorDash-exclusive store with thousands of items from your local restaurants. In some markets, DoorDash is also piloting with local restaurants so diners can add add complementary items from nearby local restaurants to your initial meal order.

––Karly Wood

 

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Soar through the trees and climb in the clouds! If you’re kiddo is game, try one of these Seattle adventure parks that feature ropes courses and ziplines. Sure it takes a bit of mental toughness, a little physical agility and a huge appetite for fun and adventure…your little adrenaline junkie can handle it, right?

High Trek Adventures Ropes Course and Zip Lines

High Trek Adventures Seattle Zipline via yelp

Climb to new heights at High Trek Adventures in Everett. With three levels of fun featuring 63 aerial challenges, there is something for every level of thrill seeker. Kids ages 4-7 can conquer the Cadet’s Course, just 15 feet above the ground with 10 challenge elements and a lower safety line that is easier to reach. Tickets for the Cadet’s Course allow three zips on the junior zip lines so smaller adventurers won’t miss out on the fun. Open to daredevils ages 7 and up, the Captain’s Course features all elements of the course. In order to navigate the course unattended, children must be able to easily reach the upper cable. Before you begin, all participants will complete “Ground School” with High Trek Adventures’ trained staff. This aerial orientation will fit you for a harness and helmet, teach you how to safely traverse the ropes course and zip line and answer any other questions before you start climbing.

Good to know: High Trek also has an 18-hole mini golf course, laser tag and other experiences. Purchase combo tickets to make it a full day of adventuring!

Ages: 4 & up
Cost: $35-$80/hr.

11928 Beverly Park Road, Bldg. C
Everett, WA 98204
425-382-2966
Online: hightrekeverett.com

Arena Sports - Mill Creek

via Instagram

Avoid the unpredictable weather and head indoors to Sky Trail, an new-ish aerial attraction at Arena Sports Mill Creek. This fun and innovative course includes challenge elements like suspended bridges, cargo nets, rope ladders, a zipline and more! There isn’t an age minimum for the course, but kids must safely fit the harness to participate. And, anyone under 48 inches tall must be guided by an adult chaperone or parent. At Sky Trail, you are suspended with a full-body harness and slingline from an overhead track, keeping you safely connected at all times.

Bonus: Visit the arcade, bowling alley, bouncy houses and more during your visit. Dine at Moe’s Kitchen, the on-site restaurant, and get a piping-hot pizza or delicious appetizers after your adventure.

Age: no minimum age
Cost: $16/person, ropes course; $11/person, climbing wall; $21/person, combo

13500 Bothell Everett Hwy., Suite A
Mill Creek, WA 98012
Online: arenasports.net/mill-creek/ropes-course

Zip Wild - Northwest Trek

courtesy Northwest Trek

Bobcats, bears and zip lines, oh my! On your next “trek” to the region’s favorite wildlife park, consider adding a zip line tour to your day. Northwest Trek’s Zip Wild Deep Forest Challenge features three action-packed zip line courses running through the beautiful tree canopy. Zoom on the zip line and then complete the challenge obstacles in between. The Sensation Course is for adults over age 18, but the other courses are perfect for kids. The Adventure Course is suitable for kids age 10 and older (minimum height 4’ 7”) and the Aerial Runway is perfect for younger adventures age 8 and older (minimum height 4’). The only question is, are you ready to zip wild?

Good to know: Remember to pack your own gloves for this adventure (gardening gloves work fine). Additionally, parents can supervise no more than two children on the course, and there's a maximum weight of 275 pounds on each course.

Age: 8 & up
Cost: $30/person, Aerial Runway; $65/person, Adventure Course; $90/person, Sensation Course; discounts for NW Trek members; includes admission to Northwest Trek

11610 Trek Dr. E.
Eatonville, WA 98328
360-832-6117
Online: nwtrek.org/discover/zip-wild

Bellevue Zip Tour

Bellevue Zip Tours via Instagram

Nestled in a Maple and Douglas fir forest just outside of downtown Bellevue, the Bellevue Zip Tour is a high-flyin’, family-friendly adventure. Take in beautiful views of downtown Bellevue, Mt. Baker and Glacier Peak from soaring heights! The seven-line tour takes you up to 80 feet in the air and on lines nearly 500-feet-long. Children must be at least 8 years old and weigh at least 60 pounds to participate. Riders under 13 must be accompanied on the tour by an adult chaperone. To zip through the trees, riders will be required to climb two extension ladders and walk on fairly steep and uneven terrain.

Good to know: All riders must be between 60-250 pounds. Adults can chaperone up to three kids on the tour, and teens under 18 must have an adult onsite during the duration of the tour.

Age: 8 & up
Cost: $85/adult; $70/kid, age 8-17 

14509 S.E. Newport Way
Bellevue, WA 98006
206-295-5494
Online: bellevueziptour.com

Canopy Tours Northwest

Irina V. via Yelp

If you’re looking for elevated drama, head north to Camano Island. Canopy Tours Northwest features six zip lines (the longest one is 660 feet), a log bridge, two brief forest walks within the tree canopy and a breathtaking 47-foot final descent. The course is located on 231-acre Kristoferson Farm, featuring the zipline course nestled in a beautiful PNW forest, hillside barn and small lake. Riders must weigh at least 65 pounds (300 pound max) and kids 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Bonus! Ride to the course in a historic Unimog forest vehicle.

Age: no minimum age 
Cost: $135/adult; $65/kids, 12 & under

332 N.E. Camano Dr.
Camano Island, WA 98282
360-387-5807
Online: canopytoursnw.com

Tips to Zip and Climb:

1. Be prepared to sign a waiver. All riders and climbers must complete a safety waiver before the adventure begins.

2. Dress for active, adventurous fun. Wear closed-toed shoes, comfy athletic wear and layers if you are outside.

3. Leave the extras behind. You’ll most likely be asked to leave behind phones, jewelry, backpacks and any extras.

4. Be prepared to step on a scale to confirm weight (solely for safety purposes!). Riders outside of the weight range will not be allowed to participate for safety reasons.

—Abbey McGee & Helen Walker Green

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Put a little hitch in your giddyup and try something new with your buckaroos—horseback riding. Whether you’re into trails and terrain or guides and guarantees, the Atlanta horseback riding scene has a bit of everything. Keep reading for our round-up of the best places to saddle up, below.

Georgia Frontiers

Unsplash

Fantastic horseback riding close to Atlanta exists at Georgia Frontiers, where you'll enjoy western-style horseback riding in a safe, natural environment. Good for first-timers and experienced cowboys and cowgirls alike, Georgia Frontiers will make sure you get the instruction you need to relax in the saddle, lead you along beautiful horse trails, and can even customize a ride for your group or family.

When to Go: Georgia Frontiers is open daily, but operates on reservations only in order to provide the most personalized ride possible.

Cost: A 1-hr. trail ride will run you $50, and increases in price according to ride time.

Minimum Age: 9

545 Ruff White Road
Canton, Georgia 30114
678-234-8852
Online: georgiahorsebackriding.org

 

Serenbe Trail Riding

Alexander Dummer via Pexels

Experience the rolling hills and winding paths of Serenbe on horseback. Whether you are an accomplished equestrian or have little experience with horses, Serenbe Trailriding has an adventure to offer you and your family, and skilled staff and gentle horses that makes it a destination for the experienced and novice rider, alike.

When to Go: Available Tues.-Sun. by appointment. Make reservations online or call 770-463-2610.

Price: Starting at $85 for a 1-hr. standard trail ride.

Minimum Age: 12

10950 Hutcheson Ferry Rd.
Chattahoochee Hills, GA 30268
770-463-2610
Online: serenbetrailriding.com

Gold City Corral

Selena Lopes via Pexels

Whether you're a beginner looking for a 1 or 2-hour ride or more advanced and ready for a half-day ride, the guides at Gold City Corral can meet you where you are and help you gain the next comfort and skill level of horseback riding. With trails, mountain ridges, and fields, your ride with Gold City Corral in the North Georgia mountains will be as picturesque as it is fun.

When to Go: Daily through Oct. 1, then on a more limited schedule during winter months.

Price: Starting at $40 for a 1-hr. standard trail ride, they also offer family pricing (for four riders) at $130 per hour long ride. 

Minimum Age: 8

49 Forrest Hill Road
Dahlonega , GA 30533
706-867-9395
Online: goldcitycorral.com

Serenbe Trail Riding

Bruno Thethe via Pexels

A one-hour guided trail ride at Rolling Hills Horse Ranch will lead you beside flowing waters, through shaded woods, and across green pastures. With groups of 4 or fewer, you'll enjoy a relaxing and peaceful experience.

When to Go: Trail riding is available by appointment only from Mon.-Sat., with the last ride of the day during summer occurring around 8 p.m.

Price: Starting at $65 for a 1-hr. standard trail ride.

Minimum Age: 13, but younger riders—when guided by a trained staff member of Rolling Hills Horse Ranch—may also ride.

Southwest Atlanta
Address provided upon reservation of ride time.
678-421-4591
Online: rollinghillshorseranch.com

Roosevelt Stables

Krysty74 from Pixabay

You'll find 28 miles of horse trail riding near FDR State Park, with plenty of guided trail rides to choose from.

When to Go: Tues.-Sun. from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Price: Starting at $40; varies by trail choice

Minimum Age: 6

1063 Group Camp Rd
Pine Mountain, GA 31822
706-628-7463
Online: serenbetrailriding.com

Blue Ridge Mountain Trail Rides

engin akyurt via Unsplash

Blue Ridge Mountain Trail Rides at Hells Hollow offers trail rides from beginner to expert, pony rides, pony-go-round, riding lessons, sunset & custom rides, special packages, birthday parties, pony parties, pond fishing and gem mining.

When to Go: Available 7 days a week by appointment. Make reservations online or call 706-408-7433.

Price: Starting at $35 for a 1-hr. standard trail ride.

Minimum Age: 8

319 Hells Hollow Rd.
Blue Ridge, GA 30513
706-408-7433
Online: blueridgemountaintrailrides.com

Featured image by Alexander Dummer from Pexels.

—Shelley Massey

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Florida residents can now not only celebrate Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary, but they can support Make-A-Wish, too. Disney has just announced the first-ever Walt Disney World Resort speciality license plate!

The “EARidescent” plate features the 50th anniversary castle logo on a royal blue background that is inspired by the color scheme of Cinderella Castle. For every purchase, 100 percent of the proceeds will benefit Make-A-Wish of Central and Northern Florida as they work to grant wishes for children with life-threatening medical conditions.

photo: Disney Parks Blog

Starting now, Florida drivers can purchase a presale voucher for $25 (plus applicable fees) from their local County Tax Collector’s office, DMV or through the Orange County Tax Collector’s Office to get the special plate. In order for the plates to be printed, a minimum of 3,000 presale vouchers must be sold.

Since 1980, more than 140,000 Disney-inspired wishes have been granted and this special license plate is the perfect way to commemorate 50 years of magic. For more information about the Walt Disney World Resort specialty license plate, visit flhsmv.gov.

––Karly Wood

 

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Three meals a day may not be enough to cover a child or teen’s nutrition needs to grow, learn, and stay active. An afternoon snack can help fill the gap. The questions to ask are: What foods do our kids really need? And how to make snacking healthy and prevent it from interfering with any of the three other daily meals? To find out the right answers, we asked the experts.

Do Kids Need a Snack?

Most experts agree that kids of all ages need an afternoon snack to fill the gap between lunch and dinner. What they eat and when can make a difference when it comes to keeping them attentive and energized throughout the day. That makes it a good reason for us as parents to plan for it and make snacking part of our kid’s daily eating schedule.

Public health experts consider that this afternoon snack still needs to combine nutrient-dense food items, like any meal, if we want to make sure that it actually benefits the child’s needs. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020-2025 insist on nutrient-dense foods that provide vitamins, minerals, and other health-promoting components and have no or little added sugars, saturated fat, and sodium.

“As a general rule, ANSES, the French Agency for Food, Environmental, and Occupational Health & Safety, considers that it is preferable not to create opportunities for eating between formal meals (breakfast, lunch, “afternoon tea”, supper) particularly in view of the need to restrict excessive daily energy intake. ANSES thus recommends that food should only be served at school in the framework of a formal meal, such as breakfast or “afternoon tea”, and should not take the form of a separate snack,” reports Claire Bladier, a professional in nutrition research who collaborated with experts from ANSES.

What Are the Core Elements of a Healthy Snack?

Unplanned snacks tend to lead to the highest amounts of sugar, sodium, or fat. Fortunately, there are plenty of delicious and healthy snack options that you can easily stock up on. We asked Cecile Cottus, Registered Dietitian, to guide us in finding out the core elements that make up a healthy snack and that allow each family to make tailored and affordable choices that meet their preferences.

1. Focus on simple food ingredients. Whether you shop for ready-to-eat snacks or like to prepare homemade snacks, it all starts at the grocery store. When shopping, choose food items with the shortest nutrition labels, 5-6 ingredients maximum. This will help you stock up on nutrient-dense food items. Learn more about how to read ingredients labels in this article.

2. Cover a minimum of two food groups. A balanced snack will ideally combine a minimum of two food groups:

  • Grains with fruit or veggies
  • Grains with a dairy
  • Grains with cheese

3. Think outside the box. Be creative. Find and combine the simple food ingredients your kids already love. Treats can be part of your kid’s afternoon snack as long as you find a balance over the week. As an example, it can be ok to give your child a bar of chocolate if it comes with bread or another source of grains. This option can be healthier than serving a bar made out of a long list of ingredients you don’t know.

Once at school, your child will decide when to eat and how much, but by planning ahead and providing them with balanced meals, you can boost their brainpower and give them the energy they need without the rush on junk foods.

Ready to reinvent snacking in your house? Plan ahead, be creative and don’t forget to get your kids involved. Need some help to get started? Have a look at the snack category on Teuko.com.

This post originally appeared on Teuko Blog.

Teuko is the first platform that empowers families to simplify lunch packing. Using Teuko, they can find and share kid-approved lunchbox ideas, recipes, and tips, all in one place. Teuko is transforming the lunch packing experience by boosting inspiration and motivation week after week. 

You fave fashion subscription box just got better! kidpik has just announced that it’s launching a toddler collection packed with personalized outfits in a box available in sizes 2T-3T.

The debut kidpik toddler box keeps growing families in mind and is in addition to the existing styling service for 4-16 sizes. You can already pre-order your toddler box, which will start shipping in March.

photo: kidpik

Ezra Dabah, CEO of kidpik says “Members who rely on our service have requested that we make the box available for their youngest children too. With the introduction of toddler, it’s our goal to include everyone in the unboxing fun and make moms’ lives easier by styling the whole family and saving them trips to the store.”

Each kidpik toddler box will come with seven coordinated items, including shoes, that keep active toddlers in mind and create a minimum of 3 full outfits when you mix and match. Parents can personalize their box by taking a quick style quiz and picking subscription models from one to three months.

If you keep all the items in your box, the average cost is just $95 and with no styling fee and free shipping and returns, kidpik is one of the best values out there for trendy kiddos. You can start shopping the toddler collection now for shipment in March. 

––Karly Wood

 

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Who doesn’t love a short stack of free pancakes? Well, Denny’s wants to give you some of their famous flapjacks this Christmas Eve and here’s what you need to know.

On Dec. 24, just place an online order for delivery through on dennys.com or the mobile app and use code SANTA to score two buttermilk pancakes on the house. All you have to do is place a minimum order of at least $5 and you can snag the deal, stat.

photo: Kobby Mendez via Unsplash

Whether you’re looking to avoid the kitchen for breakfast or want a special brinner situation the night before Christmas, you can’t go wrong with a pair of pancakes.

––Karly Wood

 

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