A. Had an original American Girl doll or
B. Desperately wanted an original American Girl doll
Whether or not you actually counted Samantha, Kirsten, Molly, Felicity, Andy or Josefina among your prized possessions, the dolls were a smash hit—and just in time for the brand’s 35th birthday, they’re coming back! The six original characters have each been released in a retro-inspired American Girl doll box, complete with the signature 18-inch doll in the original outfit with authentic accessories.
All six are available on the American Girl website for $150 each and they even come with the original paperback books. Their stories span from 1774-1944 and teach courage, compassion, confidence and resilience. Whether you’re scooping one for yourself or your daughter, these dolls will certainly reclaim prized possession status in your home.
“For 35 years, American Girl has created powerful stories with smart, courageous heroines that have helped shape an entire generation of women,” said Jamie Cygielman, General Manager of American Girl. “As we celebrate this major milestone, we’re thrilled to recognize the very first generation of American girls who grew up with these beloved, original characters and made them the phenomenon they are today. Knowing many of these women are now moms themselves, we look forward to creating special, multi-generational experiences for families via their shared love of the brand.”
Last but not least, the company will partner with Save the Children’s U.S. Literacy program and donate more than $100,000 in American Girl books this summer. And there are more events and partnerships coming this summer and fall! Consider your day made.
Magic is coming to your ice cream bowl! Smucker’s recently announced the grand debut of a new magic shell flavor—Unicorn.
The popularity of unicorn-everything endures. After scooping up ice cream, cookies, and candy in fanciful sparkling rainbow hues, now you can top your kiddo’s (or your) sundae in a glistening blend of pink, blue, and purple.
photo: Courtesy of PRNewsfoto/The J.M. Smucker Co
Smucker’s Unicorn Magic Shell features a super-sweet white cupcake flavor that, like other Magic Shell varieties, freezes on top of your ice cream in mere seconds. Ali Brown, Director, Smucker’s Brand Strategy, said in a press release, “We’re excited to sprinkle some fun for the whole family and their ice cream sundaes with our enchanting, unicorn shell ice cream topping that is sure to delight those of all ages.”
Brown went on to add, “New Smucker′s Unicorn Magic Shell topping brings a little magic to birthdays, Friday nights or any excuse to have ice cream.” You can create your own dessert-style magic right now. Pick up Smucker’s Unicorn Magic Shell from retailers nationwide or on Amazon.
Parents dream of magical toys that are captivating, educational, durable- and will engage children for more than a few minutes at a time. The simplicity and reliability of bubbles, Legos, and the hose in the backyard are great options, but when it’s time to settle on a few solid decisions for the playroom- a bit of planning ahead can save you space, and money! As a former Preschool Owner, Mom to two, and Co-CEO of Hello Happy Parent, I can testify that this series of toys will not only check off the boxes of qualities listed above, they will also stand the test of time. The versatility of these toys ensures that if you buy them when your kiddos are littles, they will continue to enjoy them for several years ahead.
1
Pretend Play Sink
Crabby kiddo? Just add water!
$29.99
Water has the ability to capture a child's imagination and invite them to a long, calm, sensory reset. This sink does just that. It provides an opportunity for children to explore scooping, pouring, mixing and pretend play- all with running water that isn't increasing your water bill! Several parents I've spoken to recently, swear by this toy as a daily favorite.
I have watched children spend HOURS upon hours every DAY exploring these blocks! Perfect for learning through play, you can discuss colors, patterns, shapes, counting, balance, lights, magnets, and more using magnatiles. You can use magnatiles as the foundation and add in figurines or animals, build the blocks on a light table (turn the room lights off for an increased sensory experience), or create building challenges. Bonus: many adults enjoy playing with these as well. And one thing we know to be true about increased enjoyment for parents during playtime: it promotes a strong bond & shared happiness for the child. Win/win.
Wooden blocks are a toy that never goes out of style. They are durable, so you don't need to worry about breaking them. They are awesome to add on to as time goes on- you can mix and match wooden blocks from multiple sets and the building opportunities are endless. Castles, garages, houses, apartments, towers... you get the idea. As a side note: they even look really nice on the (low) shelf in the play area. Even if you aren't trying to achieve the look of a pinterest-worthy Montessori classroom, when you glance over at the toys, and you spot some neutral colors amongst the bright, light-up, musical toys- it's like a breath of fresh air.
I didn't know there could be such a difference in scooters. BUT, when I saw my second child (who was 2-years-old at the time) jump on one of these and ride it around the local toy store, I knew at that moment, that it was one of two things: either she became a gifted board-sports prodigy over night, or this scooter was special (hint: although she's fun to watch, it was the latter). These scooters ride so smooth, both of my kids will ride them all around the neighborhood on sidewalks without any trouble. They come in different sizes and are easy to adjust in height. Part of me thinks both of my children have been on these wheels more than their feet in the last year.
It may appear to be a simple rainbow, but let's walk though the alternative ways it can be played with beyond practicing and stacking ROY.G.BIV in order. Turn it into toy car and skateboard ramps, use it as you animal caves, a doll gymnastics course. Your kids will show you something clever with it, I promise! Bonus: Like the wooden blocks- this toy also looks good on display.
Snot, baby! It’s everywhere. From playgrounds to backpacks across America, the DIY slime craze has taken the under 12 crowd by storm. One-up ’em and make some boogers you can call your own. This gross but cool science experiment will thrill your kiddos! Read on for this easy science project.
What you’ll need:
Borax
Glue gel (we used purple glitter)
Green and/or yellow food coloring
Water
Cups/ spoons/ chopstick for mixing and stirring
Measuring cup and spoon
(Shhhh: This isn’t just a gross recipe; it’s science! Your young chemists will discover that mixing borax solution and glue triggers a real chemical reaction that changes both solutions into a gloriously gross goo.) Step One: Make a borax solution
Mix two tablespoons of borax with one cup of water and stir until dissolved. Parental note: Borox powder can irritate the lungs if inhaled in powder form. Be sure to keep the box away from kids and do the pouring/scooping for younger tots who might spill.
Step Two: Make a watery glue ooze
Mix three tablespoon of water with two tablespoons of glue (we used this glitter glue, just because we wanted our snot to sparkle) and stir to combine.
Step Three: Make it green
Let your little one be a color mixologist! Drop just enough green and yellow food coloring (a few drops is all you need!) into your ooze to make it a nice, Ogre-green color. But you can also get creative and do red, blue, black or even purple goop.
Step Four: Make the yucky magic happen!
This is the fun part: Add one tablespoon of the borax solution to your glue ooze and stir. Watch as the concoction quickly turns into a gooey clump. Add more borax solution if you want to thin out your ooze; less to keep it more like a jelly-snot. Ours turned out more solid than liquid, but our little chemists were happy with that.
Step Five: Trick your friends!
You’ve made your snot; now, what to do with it? Let your kiddos try these fun tricks:
Put your boogers into a tissue and go, “Ah-choo!” Then, show off the goods to anyone who wants to look.
Leave some stuck across the bathroom door handle.
Break off some pieces and make some yucky chunks to “pick” out of your nose. If you can do this before your kids do, you are going to earn some serious cred.
With parents across the country balancing a lot more time at home with kids and keeping them entertained, many families are coming together to whip up dinner or teach some life skills during remote learning. With some simple tips and tricks, parents can enjoy their time in the kitchen with their kids.
Three to five-year-olds can start by practicing handwashing prior to eating or preparing any foods. Paired with washing fresh produce in the sink and cleaning off tabletops, this habit not only gives kids something to do but teaches them about the important link between food and hygiene. Kids this age have limited dexterity, but can help by brushing or painting oils onto foods or sheet pans, shaking or sprinkling herbs and spices, and scooping foods into bowls or serving dishes. One activity to make food prep exciting for children around this age is to use cookie cutters to cut shapes out of fruits, vegetables, tortillas, or cookies; not only does this give the kids an entertaining and non-dangerous interaction with the food, but the fun shapes may even encourage your child to try a food they were previously averse to.
Along with the above activities, six to seven-year-olds can complete more complex tasks like peeling raw fruits and vegetables, scooping out avocados, and breaking eggs into a bowl (remind them to wash their hands after). At this age, they can also begin to cut fruits and veggies with kid-friendly knives, but must always be under the supervision of an adult. Importantly, they can begin to clear the table and load the dishwasher, enforcing the idea that as much fun as it is to create in the kitchen, we also have to be responsible for cleanup.
Once children are eight to nine years old, they have more developed motor skills and can take over tasks that would be frustrating for a younger child. They can try spinning a hand-held can opener to open canned foods, squeezing citrus fruit to make fresh juice, and transferring leftovers into containers to refrigerate for later. Since reading skills are strong at this point, you can put your children in charge of checking thermometers to ensure food is cooked to the right temperature.
Ten to twelve-year-olds can have some more responsibility in the kitchen, including boiling pasta or microwaving foods. At this age, reading skills are solid enough for children to accurately measure ingredients for more complex recipes. Of course, as always, children should be supervised in the kitchen, and if any task feels like it is too advanced for your child to undertake, leave it until you feel more comfortable.
Cooking or baking together can also be a time to bond, make memories, and teach valuable life skills, as well as incorporate math and more. Looking for some recipes that are kid-approved and family-friendly?
Fruity Energy Bites This is a great option for 12 months plus!
Ingredients:
2 Cups quick oats
1 cup nut butter of choice
1/2 cup honey
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup craisins or raisins, chopped
1 tsp cinnamon
*No honey for children under 12 months of age
Directions:
1. Mix all ingredients together.
2. Freeze mixture until easier to mold.
3. Form roughly 1-2 Tbsp of mixture into a ball and put on a plate.
4. Freeze balls.
5. Place in a Ziploc baggie, store in the freezer and take out as needed!
PB Yogurt Dip
This is a great option for 6 months plus!
Ingredients:
1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt (adds more protein!)
1 Tbsp nut butter of choice
*For any children over 12 months, add 1/2 tsp of honey for a touch of sweetness
Directions:
1. Stir all ingredients together until well mixed.
Perfect for dipping fruits, veggies and crackers into for an extra boost of protein and fat to prevent them from asking for a snack in five minutes.
Kids in the Kitchen Tip: Let your child stir the ingredients together and depending on their age, have them measure the yogurt!
Banana Cookies
Ingredients:
2 ripe bananas
1 cup quick oats
1/4 to 1/2 cup chocolate chips, M&Ms or ingredient of your choice!
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350F.
2. Mash bananas and mix together with oats and mix in of choice.
3. Place roughly 1-2 Tbsp of mixture onto greased cookie tray for each cookie.
4. Cook for roughly 8-10 minutes.
Kids in the Kitchen Tip: Let them have fun mashing the bananas and counting the chocolate chips or M&Ms into the mixture.
Alexandra Turnbull is Jetson's resident Registered Dietitian and mom to a toddler and infant. She obtained her bachelor of science in dietetics from St. Catherine University, obtaining her credentials as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. Alex loves to eat to live and believes that all foods fit within a healthy lifestyle.
If you love Swedish Fish, then these jelly beans will be a welcome addition to your Easter basket. These bright red candies are in the shape of jelly beans but taste just like the original candy. Now, instead of scooping up gummy fish, you can enjoy this treat by the handful.
Swedish Fish Jelly Beans are a seasonal item, so they won’t be around for long. You can grab them now at a variety of retailers, including Amazon, for around $3.
Nothing spells love quite like a decadent dessert and Baskin-Robbins is scooping up something special for Valentine’s Day in February.
Baskin-Robbins’ new Valentine’s Day Card Cakes are a sweet way to show someone how much you love them. The mini ice cream cakes, which are perfect for sharing with your little lovebugs, are designed to look like classic valentines and candy grams, each with a special message on top. There are five in all to choose from and they can be found in the dipping cabinet at participating Baskin-Robbins locations.
The popular ice cream chain is also rolling out a new Flavor of the Month for your next date night. The aptly named Date Night flavor combines chocolate with caramel and a hint of salt. The enticing mixture is swirled with mini milk chocolate caramel cups and a caramel ribbon.
You can enjoy the special flavor on its own or in a Date Night Three-Scoop Sundae, which tops the ice cream with caramel pralines, hot fudge, real whipped light cream, chopped almonds and a cherry on top.
For the month of February, Baskin-Robbins is also bringing back the fan favorite Love Potion #31 which features a white chocolate and raspberry flavored ice cream with chocolate chips, raspberry-filled chocolate flavored hearts and raspberry swirl.
Ben & Jerry’s recently announced the addition of two new cookie dough chunk flavors—and now you can put down the spoon and stop scooping up extra baking batter!
The two new fab flavors, Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough and Half Baked Chunks (a mix of chocolate chip cookie dough and fudge brownies) join the brand’s previously released varieties: Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough and Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough.
The almost-instant popularity of these cookie dough treats wasn’t exactly shocking. Jody Eley, the innovation manager in charge of the launch for Ben & Jerry’s, said in a press release, “We weren’t entirely surprised when cookie dough chunks flew off the shelf.” Eley added, “Cookie Dough is our #1 fan favorite around the world, and we know our fans often dig around the ice cream to get to the chunks. We just made it a little easier by putting them in a bag.”
Before you skip this freezer-section goody out of Salmonella fears, these cookie dough bites are made with pasteurized eggs and heat-treated flour.
Find the two new flavors in participating Scoop Shops and grocery stores nationwide for the suggested retail price of $3.99-5.49.
LEGO bricks are awesome, but the pain of stepping on one is not. So what if there was a solution to preventing those tiny, pointy bricks from turning into hazards? One company thinks they have the answer with the Banderbox.
Designed by a parent who knows first hand the pain stray LEGOs can cause, CEO and Co-founder of Snark22, Jared Gistrap wanted to create a product that invited kids to be creative without worrying about losing those wonderful bricks in the carpet. “My grandfather stepped on LEGO bricks, my dad stepped on LEGO bricks, and now I am stepping on LEGO® bricks,” Gistrap said in a statement.
Snark22’s Banderbox is a LEGO storage container comprised of a “Sorting Surface” where mini master builders can lay out their bricks on an open surface that is contained by scooping walls and collapsing sides, making it easy to sift through the bricks without accidentally tossing them out of reach and into the wilds of carpet fibers. The box also features a Creative Zone, which is fitted with a LEGO compatible plate giving kids a spot to build their creations.
So how do you get your hands on one of these incredible boxes? While the Banderbox is not yet available in stores, you can score an early bird discount on the product by backing Snark22’s Indiegogo campaign which is launching soon.
You don’t have to wait much longer for the perfect summer treat, Stranger Things 3. The only thing better than beating the summer heat with a Netflix binge session is ice cream and now you can have both thanks to a Stranger Things ice cream pop-up by Baskin Robbins.
As the trailers and pictures have already revealed, the new season of Stranger Things will revolve around the Hawkins residents hanging out at the Starcourt Mall. Steve and a few new recruits to the gang will be scooping up ice cream cones for their summer jobs at Scoops Ahoy, which is the inspiration behind this new Baskin Robbins pop-up.
A Burbank, California Baskin Robbins will be getting a temporary makeover to look like the Scoops Ahoy ice cream shop in the Starcourt Mall, complete with 80’s nautical decor and uniforms. The shop, which will be open Jul. 2 to Jul. 14 will be serving up scoops of Baskin Robbins Stranger Things-inspired flavors, like USS Butterscotch. A Scoops Ahoy ice cream truck will also be bringing the flavors of Hawkins summer to select locations around the city the first week of July.
If you can’t make it to Los Angeles, don’t worry! You can still get a taste of Baskin Robbins Stranger Things flavors and dishes, like Upside Down Pralines and Demogorgon Sundaes, at locations across the country. You can also score Stranger Things merchandise, like a Scoops Ahoy t-shirt and themed ice cream quarts to go.
