You already know and love Tinybeans. Now meet Tinybeans+. This is our best update yet, with a new and improved in-app experience that takes the joy (c’mon, it’s mostly joy!) of parenthood to the next level. And with Tinybeans+, we’ve added some of your most requested changes, including a new free version! As always, you can easily and privately capture and organize your kiddo’s best moments and milestones in a single platform. Its intuitive interface, along with features like photobook creation and easy customization, make organizing and searching for memories a breeze.
That’s right. A new free version. No free trials only. No paid subscription requirement. We want all families to be able to privately share their most cherished memories. The launch of the new Tinybeans free plan makes that happen.
As a special welcome gift, we’re offering you free 14-day access to features of our paid subscription, Tinybeans+ (that means no payment upfront and no commitment to upgrade). With Tinybeans+, you can enjoy unlimited photo/video uploads and an ad-free experience.
What do you get with Tinybeans+? We’re glad you asked.
An Ad-Free Experience
Tinybeans+ subscribers won't be seeing any ads. No ads in albums, in-app, and no emails from our partner brands.
2-Accounts-For-1
Unlimited Uploads
Tinybeans+ users can upload as many photos and videos as they want. You also have 2TB of storage. That's virtually an unlimited amount of photos and videos of your Tiny Beans (seriously, we'll wait here while you double-check).
And, as always…
Tinybeans is fully committed to your family’s privacy. Only the family and friends you invite to view your uploads have access to viewing them! There are no algorithms here; we’ll let your family know when new posts are added so they won’t miss a thing. They can react and comment on each of your posts and follow along for free.
Parenting is an experience like no other: it’s joyous, memorable, and full of surprises. You want to capture every moment, every milestone, every giggle, and every discovery. That’s where Tinybeans comes in. We make it easy to document and organize your beans’ journey through life. And now, with Tinybeans+, we’ve added even more features to enhance your experience. Go ahead and give it a try—we promise you won’t regret it.
Discover new ways to enjoy the outdoors! The National Park Service’s Junior Ranger motto is “Explore. Learn. Protect.” And that is exactly what your 4 to 13-year-olds get to do! Explore national parks in the Bay Area; Learn about the park’s natural wildlife, landscape and history; and Protect those parks so we can trek through them for years to come! After completing a series of activities (like counting rings on a fallen tree, word games and deciphering secret codes), kiddos can earn an official Junior Ranger patch and a Junior Ranger certificate. Keep reading to find out exactly which parks offer this cool program. And we’ve included a few virtual options as well!
How it Works
It’s simple! Go to one of the parks listed below. Pick up the Junior Park Ranger book at the visitor center (or sometimes you can download and print from home). Have fun doing all the activities and then turn in your completed book to a park ranger and get your badge and/or certificate. And the best part is that it’s FREE and available year-round.
Where to Go!
Muir Woods National Monument
Spend time in the forest! Follow the directions in your book and then chat with a ranger about your time in the park. Discuss what you learned and what you’re still curious about. And then Wala! Your kiddo gets a badge and a certificate and you are now the proud parent of a Junior Park Ranger! Get the book here!
Best for Ages: 4-11+
Website: Muir Woods National Monument
Marin Headlands
Travel just north of the Golden Gate Bridge and explore the wonders of nature in the Marin Headlands. Learn about ocean ecology, the history of the inhabitants of years past and how to study animal scat! Get the book here!
Best for Ages: 6-12
Website: Marin Headlands Visitor’s Center
photo by Alcatraz Cruises
Alcatraz Island
Explore one of the most iconic prisons in the United States. Dive into the mystery and unique history of this national park. Are you ready to become an Alcatraz Jr. Ranger? Get the book here! Follow the map and complete the exercises along the way! Books are also available on Alcatraz Island at the Dock Information Station. And if you can’t make it to Alcatraz, don’t worry. You can visit virtually using the Jr. Ranger Photo Gallery and an Alcatraz Ranger will send your little one a badge!
Best for Ages: 4-12
Website: Alcatraz Island
Fort Point National Historic Site
Explore the fort. Learn about its incredible history. And protect the fort’s beauty and environment so that generations can enjoy it for years to come! Try a scavenger hunt, interview a ranger and learn about the day in a life of a soldier (Fort Point defended the Bay after the Gold Rush and through World War II). Get the book here!
Best for Ages: 4-11+
Website: Fort Point National Historic Site
Photo: annie-spratt via unsplash
China Camp
This Junior Ranger program searches for birds that live and visit China Camp’s shorelines and oak woodlands. You might find hummingbirds, raptors, shorebirds and waterfowl. Kiddos will also get an up-close peek at nests and feathers. Don’t forget your camera! The program will be guided by naturalists/educators Suzanne Mirviss and Paula O’Connell. And good news! All kids must be accompanied by an adult—so you can join in on the fun as well! Register Here
Best for Ages: 7-9 Date: April 9, 2022 Time: 10 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Location: China Camp Ranger Station
Website: China Camp
*Pro-tip: Weather can be temperamental—layers work best! Snacks are welcome and water is encouraged.
San Francisco Maritime Park
Pick up your Junior Ranger activity book at one of three locations. Learn about a fleet of historic vessels and visit the maritime museum. At the same time, complete the activities and then find a park ranger who can review your kiddos hard work and award them with a well-earned Junior Ranger badge. Books are also available for download here for 5-8 yeard olds and 9-12 year olds.
Best for Ages: 5-12
Locations:
Hyde Street Pier, Foot of Hyde Street/2905 Hyde Street
Municipal Pier (Aquatic Park Pier)
Aquatic Park Bathhouse Building (Maritime Museum), Foot of Polk Street/900 Beach Street
Website: San Francisco Maritime Park
Photo: toki-doki via creative commons
Point Reyes Junior Ranger
Come to Point Reyes and pick up your Junior Ranger book at one of the park’s visitor centers. Explore the history of the Coast Miwok (people who call this area home) and learn about marine life (especially elephant seals and gray whales). When you finish your Junior Ranger book, return it to one of the visitor centers to get sworn in as an official Junior Park Ranger and receive your Junior Ranger patch. Too much time exploring to finish the book while you are in the park? Complete it later and mail it here: Bear Valley Visitor Center, Point Reyes National Seashore, 1 Bear Valley Road, Point Reyes Station, CA, 94956.
A ranger will check your work and mail the book back to you with a patch! Can’t make the trip to Point Reyes? Become a Virtual Junior Ranger!
Best for Ages: 5-12+
Website: Point Reyes National Seashore
Virtual Opportunities
Dual Language
Initiated in the summer of 2020, close to 10,000 people participated in Virtual Junior Ranger Programs. Because they were so successful, the staff decided to continue the programs. And now—a dual language Junior Ranger program is available online. Check it out for yourself! And click here to access six different modules to complete at your own pace.
Beach Buddies Junior Ranger Book
The Beach Buddies Jr. Ranger book features Petey Plover, a cute little bird with a brown Ranger hat. Petey guides you through fun activities that teach you how to keep your beaches clean and safe in fun and easy ways. Get the book here!
Best for Ages: 6-10+
Virtual Junior Ranger Railroad Explorer
Ready to become a railroad explorer? Learn more about the transcontinental railroad, which helped link the United States from coast to coast! Complete this book, check your work and complete the pledge in the back of the book.
Junior Ranger Sounds Explorer
Meet Lucy, the listening owl. Follow her as you explore the sounds of the park, learn the science behind those sounds and appreciate why we need to protect those sounds. Complete this book, check your answers with this key, have a parent sign the certificate to become a Junior Ranger Sounds Explorer. To find out more about natural sounds and why sounds matter, check this out!
Best for Ages 5-10+
Junior Ranger in Space
Co-designed with NASA, click here to access the Spaceflight Explorer Jr. Ranger book. Complete with math and matching puzzles, thinking questions, spot the difference photos, scrambled words and anagrams, children will learn about the Moon, space vehicles and national parks. Take the pledge, make your own badge, and show off your certificate proudly!
Best for Ages: 5-8
Junior Ranger Angler
Let’s go fishing! Get your booklet here! Learn about fishing, aquatic life and safety while you meet fish, learn about different types of fishing and get to know the gear. Parents, check their work and then scroll to the bottom of this page to print a badge.
Best for Ages: 5-12+
Junior Ranger Scientist
Explore magnificent caves, learn what cave scientists actually do and start protecting our natural environments and the things that make caves special! Complete this booklet and send it to this address: Jr. Cave Scientist, GRD-Academy Place, PO BOX 25287, Denver, CO 80225. Via mail, you will receive your booklet, a badge and a personal letter to your little explorer.
Best for Ages: 5-12+
Junior Ranger Night Explorer
Here’s the booklet! Try the “exploring with your Senses” and the “Take a Planet Walk” sections. Complete as much of the book as you can. Sign the book and take a look at your well-deserved virtual high-five.
Best for Age: 5-12+
Swings don’t have to just be for the outdoors. Bring one into your home, and it’ll change the way you and your family look at downtime. Whether it’s a modern take on an indoor baby swing or a rattan hanging chair, there are all sorts of ways to incorporate this feature into your home. In our quest to find unique indoor swings for the home, we found seven looks that we can’t stop obsessing over. See them all below.
Designer Jen Talbot brought the magic of the outdoors inside for one lucky Brooklyn tot. This playroom features a woodsy theme with a vine-covered swing hanging from a life-size tree branch. The tree itself is a 100% felt tree and includes velcro-able lemons.
Let playtime span generations with a luxury swing just for mom and dad. With dozens of designs and colors, you're sure to find the handmade swing that fits your style.
If you close your eyes and swing, you'll (almost) be able to hear the waves. Or, let your kiddo have their quiet time tucked away with a blanket and a love. Either way, a hammock chair is something the whole family can enjoy.
With Hanukkah starting on December 24 this year, it may be overshadowed by that other big December holiday. But we think the holiday’s timing gives everyone even more reason to celebrate. From QT with family to tasty food, read on to discover eight reasons why Hanukkah rocks.
1. Potato latkes.
Whether they’re made with Russets, yams, or sweet potatoes, these fried slabs of carbs are dripping with oily goodness. Can’t decide? Take your pick from these eight easy latke recipes to jazz up your Hanukkah dinner table.
2. Light the lights.
Hanukkah’s not Hanukkah without a proper menorah, or chanukia (that’s the proper word for a Hanukkah menorah) to hold those famous lights. Want to get creative with your candelabra? Learn how you can build your own menorah from funky or found items.
3. Dreidel, dreidel, dreidel.
Sure, dreidels aren’t high tech. They’ve got no buttons, and you can’t play them on your Xbox (though, sadly, there is a dreidel app). But you’d be surprised how entertained kids can be when these small toys start spinning. Want to know the rules? Learn how to properly dreidel at MyJewishLearning.
4. Want presents? How about eight nights of them?
Sure, we know it’s not all about the gifts — but try telling that to a five-year-old (whose best friend is broadcasting Santa’s morning delivery). Eight nights of celebration means kids can keep the excitement brewing for more than a week! This year, the celebration begins Dec. 24, which means your kiddos will be rockin’ Hanukkah-style until New Year’s Day.
By the way… Curious why Hanukkah falls on different dates every year? The Jewish calendar is based on the lunar cycle; thus the first day of Hanukkah can fall anywhere between November 28th and December 26th. To find out when it starts from now until 2020, check out the Chabad’s helpful “When is Hannukah” page.
5. You kinda have to eat donuts.
Fried foods like latkes and jelly donuts (Sufganiyot) are served during Hanukkah to represent the Maccabees’ small jar of oil that miraculously burned for eight nights. Want to make some donuts yourself? Get Martha Stewart’s perfect jelly donut recipe here, or get a healthier take on the yumminess from Cooking With My Kid.
6. That Adam Sandler song… and other Hanukkah tunes. Get into the Hanukkah spirit and groove out to our happy Hanukkah playlist that includes Adam Sandler’s famous Chanukah Song, plus modern takes on some classic Hanukkah songs.
7. Quality family time.
When it comes down to it, Hanukkah is just another reason to get together with family, eat yummy food, and spend get some QT with the people you love. Want to do something different with the kids during the festival of lights? Try our list of easy Hanukkah crafts.
8. The story behind it is pretty cool.
Why does Hanukkah last eight nights? Why do Jews light menorahs? If your tiny tots have questions, head over to Shalom Sesame and watch this really cute video that tells the story of Hanukkah in a way little ones can understand. Older kids will appreciate this video from Howcast on “How to Understand the Hanukkah Story.”
What’s your favorite thing about Hanukkah? Tell us in the comments section below!
Spread out your blanket and get ready for a picnic perfect day in the sun. From a bag that converts to a blanket to water bottles that will keep your drink cold for 24 hours, we’ve found 14 family picnic essentials for your next outing. Click through the photo gallery to get your picnic party started.
Better Than a Brown Bag
Your kids will never want a brown bag lunch after toting their picnic eats in this lunch box that is oh-so neat-oh! Unzip the lunch box and find a ready-to-use placemat. When used as directed, the lunch box will keep your food cold for up to 7 hours.
Give your art supply stash a green makeover and you’ll not only ensure what your kids are working with is non-toxic, but also know the companies behind the products go the extra mile to be earth-conscious. Flip through the photo gallery to discover the best veggie-based paints, bee-crafted crayons, edible sidewalk chalk and more for your creative little artists.
Pure Pigments
Get your creative juices flowing! Glob's Paint Kit comes with everything you need to mix six natural pigments from ingredients you'd find at your local juice bar. The paints even smell fruity in colors like tangerine, berry blue and basil green. Inside the kit you'll also find six compostable cups with lids and two cruelty-free bamboo paintbrushes.
If you’re looking ahead to a summer vacation that’s packed with fun (and a little sun), head to Southern California for the family getaway of your dreams. With warm weather and theme parks with something for every age and interest, the region promises a memorable trip. The best part? You can visit without breaking the bank thanks to CityPASS. Flip through the photo gallery to discover four must-visit attractions in SoCal and why you should grab a CityPASS (it’s available as an admission ticket or e-ticket) before embarking on your adventure.
Disneyland® Park and Disney California Adventure® Park
A trip to Southern California wouldn’t be complete without a journey to the Magic Kingdom. Zoom through a desert landscape in Cars Land, meet your favorite characters like Cinderella and Mickey, and head into space in a 3-D, motion-simulated flight in Star Tours - The Adventures Continue.
CityPASS Details and Cost: Click here to save $136 off combined admission to Southern California’s family-friendly theme parks with CityPASS. The cost is $341 for adults (a $477 value) and $311 for children 3-9 years old. Buy yours now.
What is your favorite SoCal theme park? Do you have any tips for navigating these destinations with a family? Leave a comment below!
Perhaps you’ve navigated cobblestone streets and train stations with your dog-eared Lonely Planet guide book by your side. Or maybe you’ve used their handy guides to map out where to head on your next adventure. Give your kids the same thirst for travel and exploration with Lonely Planet Kids, a collection of books and apps just for kids. Flip through our photo gallery to discover engaging and educational reads that’ll open their eyes to new worlds and cultures near and far.
BONUS: Get 30% off ALL Lonely Planet Kids titles when you use code REDTRI30 at checkout (expires 12-31-2015).
How do you teach your kids about what’s going on in the world? Would they like any of these books? Leave a comment below!
Kick-start the travel bug and open your child’s eyes to the world around them with Lonely Planet Kids books. Immersive, engaging and educational, your tiny globetrotters will learn about the amazing world through quirky facts, amusing tales and inspiring stories. Get started on your adventures today.
Witches and ghosts and things that go bump in the night? If you have a taste for all things Halloween, you’ll eat up these cupcake ideas. We put together some creative (and deceptively easy!) designs that are inspired by the spooky season.
Ghoulish Graveyard
What you'll need: crumbled chocolate wafers, pumpkin shaped candy corn, vanilla wafers and chocolate frosting.
What to do: After covering her chocolate cupcake with chocolate frosting, Erin crushed chocolate wafers and sprinkled them over the frosting as "dirt." She set a pumpkin shaped candy corn on top and wrote "RIP" on the vanilla wafer before planting it in the "graveyard."
Which cupcake is your favorite? Let us know in the Comments!
— copy by Erin Lem; photos by Christal Yuen; cupcakes decorated by Erin Feher and Christal Yuen
Whether you’re raising a budding musician, mad scientist or monkey bar extraordinaire, it’s clear your kid’s future is bright. Whatever new interests or passions this new school year uncovers, turn to L.L.Bean for a book pack that will accompany your mini-me on every step of his or her journey. Their durable and versatile collection will bring your kids from playground to weekend adventure to school and back. Flip through the photo gallery for 10 stylish, practical and innovative styles that will really make your kiddos shine.
Best Swimmer: Pal Pack
Best for: Boys age 4-7
Stepping into the first day of preschool is hard enough (jury’s out on whether it’s more tough for you or them!) without a lovey or comfort from home by their side. Ease your little guppies into their new scholarly world with this playful pack that features a red shark friend who will stay with your little guy as he learns the preschool or kindergarten ropes.
Don’t forget to pack: lunchbox and water bottle.
Fun fact: the shark’s fin doubles as a secret pocket where he can stash everything from snacks to beach finds band-aids.
Bonus: Get 25% off L.L.Bean’s Deluxe Book Packs before 8-23-2015.
Which style is your favorite? Tell is in the Comments section below.
—Erin Lem
L.L.Bean offers thousands of high-quality products at reasonable prices with free shipping with no minimum order. All backed by their 100% satisfaction guarantee and legendary customer service. Discover the comfort and classic styles of L.L.Bean’s Men’s clothing, Women’s clothing and Kids’ clothing along with L.L.Bean Boots, shoes and slippers.
