We all love a day with IKEA news and this news is extra adorable! The beloved Swedish retailer has dropped this year’s SAGOSKATT collection, limited-edition soft toys that have been designed by kids for kids. Even better, they bring kids’ imaginative drawings to life.
Each year IKEA holds an annual soft toy drawing competition and this year, more than 66,000 drawings worldwide were entered for consideration. Judges selected the five most original creations to be turned into real toys. This year’s winners are “Sandwich friends,” “Cat,” “Fried egg,” “Mermaid dog” and “Bird.”
The U.S. winner, 10-year-old Nick, shared a little insight into his silly stuffed bird. “I drew a prehistoric dodo bird that looks goofy with his tongue sticking out. If we were to do math together, he’d say in his dorky voice: I can’t count.”
The soft toys are available to buy now online and in stores for $4.99 each. From October 1, 2021 through February 1, 2022, IKEA will donate 100% of the retail price from the purchase of each SAGOSKATT soft toy to Save the Children’s relief and recovery efforts in the United State
If you’ve got a dinosaur-obsessed kid at home, we’ve got the ultimate list of movies just for you. From classics like The Land Before Time to documentaries like Walking with Dinosaurs, there’s something for everyone. Scroll down to see our top picks for the best dinosaur movies for kids.
Bob the Builder: Big Dino Dig Movie
Amazon
Ideal for tots who love Bob the Builder and dinosaurs. There is nothing scary, kids watch the characters work together to build an amusement park and see what happens when they dig up some dinosaur bones! The catchy song at the end will have little kids up and moving, too.
Rated NR
Recommended for kids ages 3 & up.
Dinosaur Train: Dinosaur Big City (2011)
Amazon
A sweet movie that’s a spin-off of the popular PBS series. Kids will learn about dinosaurs in a fun and educational way, and they’ll also get a sense of community and social responsibility when they watch the diverse group of dinosaurs working together.
Rated: G
Recommended for kids ages 3 & up.
The Land Before Time (1988)
IMDb
The classic dino movie you loved as a kid is just as sweet for kids today. Follow Littlefoot and his friends as they try to reach the Great Valley, all while outsmarting the scary Sharptooth, escaping volcanos and earthquakes and being separated from family. There may be some tears when Littlefoot’s mom dies, so be ready to explain things to your littlest viewers. There are over 10 more sequels, but the original is by far the best.
Rated G
Recommended for ages 5 & up.
Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs (2009)
IMDb
Dawn of the Dinosaurs is the third installment of the Ice Age series. This is the first one offered in 3D and is a little bit more intense than the previous two films. Sid gets the gang into trouble (no surprise there) when he swipes three eggs, and they turn out to belong to a T-Rex mama. This third film focuses more on action than friendship, but it’s still a lot of fun and will appeal to both preschoolers and older kids.
Rated PG
Recommended for kids ages 6 & up.
We’re Back! A Dinosaur Story (1993)
IMDb
In this ‘90s film, a set of prehistoric animals are given a dose of magic cereal that gives them the ability to talk, and then, via a time machine, they're taken to modern-day New York City. Filled with a quality cast that includes John Goodman, Walter Kronkite, Julia Child, Martin Short and others, this film is best for older kids who understand the difference between real and pretend violence. There’s a spooky villain, the dinosaurs go “native” for a time, and the child protagonists are transformed, but ultimately, this is a fun flick for dino lovers.
Rated G
Recommended for ages 7 & up.
The Good Dinosaur (2015)
IMDb
Arlo the Apatosaurus makes an unlikely friendship with a little cave boy in this visually stunning Pixar film. The pair will have to fight against some scary forces of nature (think flooding, waterfalls, carnivorous dinosaurs) on their journey, and the advanced animation will make this movie seem more realistic, especially to younger kids.
Rated PG
Recommended for kids 8 & up.
Dinosaur (2000)
IMDb
This Disney film is visually stunning but can be extremely scary at times. Several of the featured dinosaurs battle to the death, and even with the comic-relief lemurs, this is a good choice for older kids.
Following up on the success of Jurassic Park, this six-part BBC series is made in documentary form with impressive CGI animation. Narrator Kenneth Branagh takes viewers on an educational but entertaining journey that covers all things dinosaur in a factual way that's easy for kids to understand. The series spans the globe, featuring dinosaur hot spots like Chile, Tasmania and New Caledonia, among others, while following the evolution of the prehistoric creatures from their known beginning to their demise.
Uncertainty. Will the kids actually go back to school? Once they are back, will they be able to stay in school? What will the flu season look like? Will working from home become our new normal?
These questions and so many more have become a drumbeat in our lives–a constant thump that never really leaves us. We, adults, have all learned to live with it, perhaps normalizing or quieting it with the hectic balance of home-school, work, household, and community obligations. But, for our small people, whose ears are more sensitive than ours, this drumbeat of uncertainty may feel like the whole percussion section.
So, what’s a parent to do? There really is no end in sight right now, and our kids need to silence those cymbals so that they can learn, grow, and thrive. I know for my family, when the pandemic hit, we suddenly had more screen time enter our lives than ever before. I’m pretty sure we’re not alone in that. And now, eight months into this crisis, I’d really like to return to a more normal balance, but my energy is fast becoming depleted.
I don’t know any parent right now who has the bandwidth for a multi-day project recreating the Jurassic period by turning our bedroom into a prehistoric jungle-scape using all recycled and eco-friendly materials. But we can focus on what I like to think of as micro-moments of creativity—small engagements, maybe just once a day, that give us all a moment of connection and joy. Maybe we can sit with our kids for five minutes to glue some colored tissue paper into a lively collage. Maybe we can use breakfast time to make up a story together based on one of our favorite animals. Perhaps we can grab flashlights and have a mini-living room dance party for just one song per evening?
If we shift our focus from overwhelmed to just one micro-moment per day, how will that change our perspective? Our kids will have that moment of connection that grounds them. We will escape from the anxious buzz in our brains by focusing entirely on something different. And, hopefully, we will all fight uncertainty by bringing a tiny bit more laughter and imagination into our daily lives.
Nina Meehan is CEO and Founder Bay Area Children's Theatre and the host of the Creative Parenting Podcast. An internationally recognized expert in youth development through the arts, Nina nurtures innovation by fostering creative thinking. She is mom to Toby (13), Robby (10) and Meadow (5).
Breaking news!! Santa Clara county has been invaded by over 70 dinosaurs and they are hungry! We advise all curious and inquisitive young paleontologists who desire a safe view of these beasts to proceed cautiously down to Santa Clara County Fairgrounds but to stay within their vehicles at all times. Read on for an exclusive first look at these ferocious creatures then make sure to reserve a time slot (don’t forget the promo code!) for your chance to come face-to-face with these behemoths.
Jurassic Quest is a drive-thru event complete with a digital audio tour. Prior to arrival, guests are texted a link which, when opened on a cellular device, streams one of three different narrated stories through YouTube or SoundCloud. The kid-friendly ones recommended by the staff are The Adventures of Nick & Marty and Safari Sarah’s Big Day. Signs and placards along the route give instructions of when to start, pause and resume the audio tour.
The dinosaurs range from small Velociraptors to an 80 foot long Spinosaurus along with a nursery of baby dinosaurs sure to delight the family. The ever popular Tyrannosaurus Rex and his herbivore friends Stegosaurus and Triceratops are also among the notable dinos. Prepare for the Jaws theme song to play in your head at the sight of the impressive Megadolon and be glad it’s a prehistoric creature!
Meticulous detailing of each dinosaur was made in consultation with leading paleontologists to ensure that every detail is replicated—be it feathers, fur or scales. The dinosaurs move in convincing fashion with heads and tails swinging, eyes blinking and roar intermittently so make sure to have your windows open for the full effect.
We absolutely love that each dinosaur is accompanied by a sign that states not only its name but the correct pronunciation (say “Pachycephalosaurus” three times in a row) — this is particularly helpful in the education of parents whose dinosaur species knowledge might be lacking. We also love that this experience is safe, contact-free and a fun way to entertain the kids and we think you will, too!
Good to know:
• There is an enticing souvenir booth you must drive through to exit so it may help to prepare the kids beforehand (read: prevent meltdowns) or consider purchasing a Quest pack to save money
• A free, safari-style photo with families in their vehicles and a dino as a backdrop is included at the end of the tour
• The tour lasts about one hour, porta potties are on site
Getting there: Santa Clara County Fairgrounds, Lot A
441 Tully Rd (entrance off 7th Ave)
For kids who use wheelchairs, regular backpacks are anything but practical. Fortunately, Target’s expanded array of back-to-school items features an adaptive backpack with plenty of mounting options, pockets and ports, plus easy-grab zippers. It’s new this year and available for $39.99 online!
At 17 inches, the Embark backpack has been thoughtfully designed for school or adventure time. The mounting and carrying straps attach the pack to a wheelchair, and it has tuck-away back straps to prevent tangling and dragging. You’ll also find access ports for tubes or cables, plus a laptop sleeve designed to fit a machine up to 15 inches. Plus it completely unzips for easy access and features a side water bottle holder. Grab one in black, blue or purple, depending on your kid’s style preference.
Another great option for younger kids? The Cat and Jack 17 inch dino backpack! It offers many of the same features as the Embark model, plus a fun prehistoric print and an orange dino keychain to complete the look. There’s even a built-in compartment to add a hydration pack. Did we mention it’s a reasonably priced $19.99? It’s currently (unsurprisingly) sold out online, but keep an eye out for restocking.
The new products are part of Target Adaptive, made in collaboration with guests of all abilities. The special collections offer seasonal and everyday products that are stylish, functional and come at a great price.
Chances are if you’re a parent, you’ve got a dino lover on your hands. If your kiddos spout off dinosaur names (where’d they learn to pronounce them all anyway?) and know the difference between the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods, they’ll want in on these nearby dinosaur experiences that bring their favorite prehistoric creatures to life. From a new drive-thru experience to fossilized footprints that are worth the drive, here’s where to find dinosaurs.
Jurassic Quest Drive Thru
Jurassic Quest
Have you heard? The parking lot at Gillette Stadium is undergoing renovations. Instead of hosting Patriots' fans, it will host over 70 larger-than-life, animatronic dinosaurs (and one 50-foot long Megalodon!) who can't wait to meet your kids. Families can "ooh," "ahh" and gasp over these creatures from the comfort of their car. Plus, you can listen to he audio tour to learn a little something as you explore the immersive experience. Let's just say this is one dino-mite way to spend an afternoon.
Good to know: Parents can purchase add-on packs for their crew to enhance the experience.
Gillette Stadium 1 Patriot Pl. Foxborough, MA Event details
T. Rex Adventure
Zoo New England
Bring your kids to "explore the roar" at Stone Zoo this summer. As they walk the zoo grounds, they'll be greeted by some of the most colossal creatures ever to walk the earth. Among the trees and bushes, they'll find a 42-foot long T. Rex, a 20-foot long Plateosaurus (to name a few) and dinosaur skeleton recreations poised for little learners. Just remember, these amazing creatures are animatronic so keep that in mind when touring with the younger set. The perfect summer destination for budding paleontologists!
Dates: Now through Sept. 6, 2021 Hours: Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sat. & Sun., 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Cost: Included with zoo admission
Stone Zoo 149 Pond St. Stoneham, MA 617-541-5466 Event details
Explore-a-Saurus
Lex Piccione
Kids who thrive on dino facts will love this exhibit that's always on display at the Boston Children's Museum. It's as hands-on as it gets, inviting kids and parents to ponder and answer compelling questions about how dinosaurs moved, how big they were and what they may have looked like. Kids will get to sift through fossil evidence and even manipulate a full-size dinosaur model to help suss out their answers. Our favorite part? It's got to be the life-size, animatronic Dilophosaurus who oversees the whole thing.
Hours: Weds.-Sun., 9 a.m.-noon & 1:30-4:30 p.m. Cost: $18/person; Free for babies 12 mos. & under and members
Families familiar with the Museum of Science know there's a whole floor to explore dinosaurs here, starting with Dinosaurs: Modeling the Mesozoic and ending at Colossal Fossil: Triceratops Cliff. Whether your curious cutie is gazing up a a life-size Tyrannosaurus rex model or standing at the foot of a 65-million-year-old Triceratops fossil named "Cliff," they'll have more than enough questions answered about their favorite prehistoric creatures once they've thoroughly explored these two permanent exhibits.
Make tracks to this preserve off Route 5 where you'll find fossilized footprints left by some of the earliest known dinosaurs. The area is known for its fntastic and well-preserved footprints that bring prehistoric creatures to life (psst.. there are over 800 that have been found over the years). This handy map will help you find the ones you're looking for.
Good to know: This park is open daily from April 1 to November 30.
Stay on track when you head out of state (it's not too far) to visit the Dinosaur Dome, find tracks and come face-to-face with oversized creatures at Dinosaur State Park. Under the dome, expect a stunning display of fossilized tracks made over 200 million years ago alongside murals, a discovery room and a dig pit. Then it's on to the trails outside that feature floral and fauna that also existed during the Age of the Dinosaurs. How cool is that? Families may also have the opportunity to cast tracks and mine for fossils too.
Hours: Grounds open daily, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Exhibit Center open Tues.-Sun., 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Cost: $6/adult; $2/kid, ages 6-12; Free for kids 5 & under
Pillsbury is going paleo—paleolithic that is! The delish dessert-maker recently announced the debut of a brand-new, dinosaur-themed ready-to-bake cookie dough.
The new DINO Cutout Sugar Cookie Dough is the first time Pillsbury has branched out into the prehistoric world. This means if your kiddos clamor for dino-everything, now you won’t have to buy pricey cookie cutters in their fave jurassic era-themed shapes.
photo courtesy of Pillsbury
With two precut shapes including Stegosaurus and Pterodactyl, these cookies are a blast from the past. That is, the prehistoric past. Not only do the cookies look like your fam’s fave dinos, the littles can decorate the plain sugar cookies and make a sweet Stegosaurus, a terrible Pterodactyl or their own creative creature!
These new cookies arrive in the refrigerated section of grocery retailers nationwide this month. Each pack includes 10 cut-out cookies and has a manufacturer’s suggested retailers price of two for $5.
Jurassic Park is back—just not on the big screen. The iconic original flick from the mega-popular franchise is the subject of a new Monopoly game.
From T. Rex to the velociraptors, your littles are all about the prehistoric world in the Monopoly: Jurassic Park Edition. Now you can join in with the dinosaur play in a way that’s fun for your entire fam!
Photo: Amazon
The Monopoly Jurassic Park Edition (for players eight-years and up) is based on the OG 90’s film so instead of buying railroads and building hotels, this game requires the players to secure the park. You’ll have to avoid the T. Rex’s rampage and activate the electronic gate to get paid.
The amount of money each player gets depends on whether the gate plays the movie theme or gives a major dino roar. Along with rushing away from a Rex on a rampage, players can also build fences and charge rent for dino protection.
As if that’s not enough, the Hasbro Gaming Tiger Electronics Jurassic Park LCD Video Game is also available for fans of the paleo fave. Retro game lovers will love this version that was inspired by the original handheld game of the 90’s.
Find Jurassic-themed Monopoly game on Amazon for $32.96, and the Tiger Electronics version at retailers nationwide beginning Aug. 1 for approximately $20.
Paleo has a whole new meaning with this Dinosaur Waffle Maker from Urban Outfitters. Forget about the plain grid-top pattern your kiddos know and expect. These waffles have distinctive dino shapes the whole family will enjoy.
The contemporary kid can now have their waffles in shapes that include the T-Rex, pterodactyl, Apatosaurus, stegosaurus and triceratops. These prehistoric waffles are perfect for your child’s next birthday bash, a post-sleepover meal or breakfast any day.
photo: Urban Outfitters
The Dinosaur Waffle Maker is made with nonstick aluminum plates and has indicator lights to let you know when the waffle iron is heated to the just-right temp. Find this dino-themed small kitchen appliance online at Urban Outfitters for $40. You can also score this sweet kitchen appliance in your local Urban Outfitters store (where available).
As if tiny dinos weren’t enough on your child’s breakfast plate, Urban Outfitters also has other fun-filled, family-friendly waffle irons and breakfast-making appliances to try out. Check out the Happy Face Waffle Maker ($40), the Animal Friends Pancake Maker ($40) or the Heart-Shaped Mini Waffle Maker ($18). Now you can bake up batches of dinosaurs and mix them with happy faces, animals, hearts and more!
You don’t have to venture outside your house to take a trip to the museum––turn your living room in a prehistoric playland! With the new Museum Alive app, David Attenborough will take your family back in time using the latest Unity AR technology.
Now you can use your iPhone to do more than scroll through IG or post pics of your kiddos on Facebook. If you have an iPhone 8 or up and use iOS 13 or iOS 14, you can blast into the past.
The Museum Alive app is a continuation of Attenborough’s BAFTA-winning Museum Alive film. Using AR (augmented reality) and spatial audio technology, the app magically transports users into a prehistoric experience.
Choose one of three photorealistic fossils to explore: A 300 million-year-old five-eyed fish-like Opabinia, a flying Diamorphodon dinosaur or the sabre-toothed Smildon. Use your phone’s camera to see the world through the eyes of your chosen prehistoric creature and learn about prehistoric life.
Creative and Technical Lead at Museum Alive production studio Alchemy Immersive, Elliot Graves, said in a press release, “We’re so proud to launch an app that can genuinely contribute to educating and inspiring children using immersive technologies. At a time when so many children are disengaged with learning, we really hope the excitement of bringing fossils to life in the home will provide a novel experience that showcases the potential of immersive story-telling within education.”
Graves continued, “We are particularly proud of the app’s visual quality and our distinctive approach to 3D menu design. Above all, though, David Attenborough’s captivating stories bring an infectious liveliness to this immersive experience that instantly makes it cinematic. You just won’t forget what it’s like to have a Sabre-tooth tiger prowl across your floor before pouncing on its prey – and we can’t wait to share what it’s like.”
Of the original 3D Natural History Museum Alive film and experience, Attenborough said, “It’s really exciting to take these stories and bring them to a new young audience via a digital platform which allows you to explore these extraordinary extinct creatures in a way people have never been able to before. I hope that it will make people think about these extinct creatures differently.”
Find Alchemy Immersive’s Museum Alive app in the App Store here!
