35 Minute to Win It Games Perfect for Family Time

by Nikki WalshMarch 5, 2024

Minute to win it games for kids make for instant fun

If you’re looking for a great way to spend the evening at home with the family or you’ve got a big party to plan, there’s a good chance you’re searching for fun games for kids. That’s where minute to win it games come in. (You can also try out some of the best jokes for kids, DIY magic potions, ultimate trivia questions, and amazing movie night ideas.) These completely creative games will make all the difference during your next rainy weekend afternoon, family game night, or birthday party.

What’s a minute to win it game?

Simply put, it’s a 60-second game using items typically found around the house. Participants attempt to see who can finish a challenge first or who can complete a task the most times in under a minute. You can even add a theme, like Halloween minute to win it games or holiday minute to win it games!

How to play minute to win it games

These quick, exciting games are good for parties, of course, but you can also do them with just one or two players! There are three basic ways you can play Minute to Win It Games.

Player vs. timer: In this style, a player races against the clock. They still have just one minute to complete the game and if they do win, you can move on to another game. If they don’t, you can choose to let them try until they do beat the clock or move on to another player.
Player vs. Player: In this version, which works great for small groups, have two people compete against each other (for a minute), and whoever completes the challenge first, wins! This way, you can rotate through your crew at a reasonable pace.
Group Minute to Win It Play: Here’s where you’ll split your group into two teams. Each team decides who goes first, and then those players compete against each other to win! This is fun for teammates too because they’ll be cheering on competitors in each round.

minute to win it dice game — Paging Fun Mums

1. Dice Balance
The kids over at Paging Fun Mums try to see how many dice they can get on the stick in one minute (the most dice win!). It's a little tricky and super fun to watch!

2. Sticky Situation
This popular game requires players to bounce a ping pong ball just right, to land it on a piece of bread slathered in peanut butter. See the full instructions here.

3. Cup to Cup
Have your players sit outside in a single file line (have the last player sit back to back with the second to last player). Put one bucket at the front of the line and one bucket at the end of the line. From there, players must fill a small plastic cup from the first bucket and pass it over their heads to the last bucket. The first team to reach the designated mark on the bucket wins!

4. Sock the Block
Build several LEGO block towers and place them around the room. Players must use balled-up socks to knock over all five towers.

5. Nose Dive
The secret weapon in this game? Petroleum jelly dabbed on the nose. Using their noses (no hands allowed), players must move five cotton balls from one bowl to another, before the minute is up.

minute to win it games are fun activities for kids — iStock

6. Defying Gravity
Up and away! Using one hand, kids keep their balloons in the air for one minute. If this is too easy, for the half-pints you can add two balloons (or more!). Remember, no resting a balloon on a body part.

7. Wrap It Up
A two-player game that involves wrapping one player up with streamers, ribbon, or toilet paper.

8. Ball Drop
Have your player stand on a chair. Set a plastic cup on the ground in front of them and give them three ping pong balls. The object is to get all three balls in the cup without missing or having any bounce out.

9. Cereal Scramble
Cut the front of a cereal box into equal pieces. Stack the pieces into a flat tower and set a timer for one minute. Each child has a minute to piece the cereal box together.

10. Movin' On Up
Stack up 25 plastic cups of one color and add one cup of a different color at the bottom. Half-pints move the top cup to the bottom and see how far they can move the single-colored cup to the top in one minute.

girl playing the stacking cup minute to win it game — iStock

11. Stack Attack
This one might not be as tasty as cookie face, but it's still pretty popular. Give the kids one single stack of 36 plastic cups. Each child gets one minute to stack all of the cups into a pyramid and then unstack them, making a single column again.

12. Johnny Applestack
How about them apples? Another fun stacking game for kids using fruit from the kitchen—apples. Little ones have one minute to stack five apples (or three for younger kids) on top of each other and stay for three seconds.

13. Rubber Band Shooting Gallery
Get some rubber bands and aluminum cans and have players stand 10 feet away. Start the clock and see how many they can knock over in a minute!

14. Junk in the Trunk
Each player will need a tissue box, pantyhose and ten ping pong balls. Put the ping pong balls in each tissue box. Then, tie the boxes around each player. Kids have one minute to shake out (no hands) as many balls as they can.

15. Doughnut Chew
A piece of cake! Of all the minute to win it games, kids will eat this one up. First, tie a string around a doughnut, then hang it between two chairs. Littles need to eat the doughnut within a minute without it falling to the floor.

16. This Blows
If you’re looking for a minute to win it game that your tween or teen will still get a kick out of, this is it. Each player has one minute to blow up a balloon and then use the air that’s inside of it to knock over as many plastic cups as they can. If they still have time on the clock, they can repeat the steps to blow down any leftover cups.

17. Chandelier
Light up the fun! You'll need 15 empty soda cans and four paper plates. Kids have one minute to stack cans with paper plates in between to see how high they can go.

18. Sponge Run
Place a kiddie pool or a bucket full of water on one side of the yard, and place an empty bucket on the other side. Players must soak up as much water in their sponge as possible and carry the sponge on top of their heads to the empty bucket. Once they arrive, players must squeeze as much water as possible into the empty bucket and head back to their teammates. The first team to fill their bucket to the line wins.

19. Noodling Around
Start this minute to win it game with one strand of uncooked spaghetti. The player puts the end of the dry noodle in their mouth; they have 60 seconds to pick up six uncooked pieces of penne pasta—with the spaghetti. Oh, and without using their hands!

20. Scoop It Up
Move six ping pong balls from one bowl to another, using only a spoon. Again, like some of the other minute to win it games, the kids can’t use their hands. Instead, each child will use a spoon—in their mouth.

21. Card Ninja
Tweens and teens will get a giggle out of this minute to win it game. Slice a watermelon in half, securing it on a table or other flat surface. Give the kids cards to throw (kind of like throwing stars). Whoever gets the most cards into the melon in one-minute wins. Chica Circle has more details.

22. Puddle Jumper
Set up a series of plastic cups. Fill them to the top with water and set a ping pong ball on the first in the row. The kids need to blow the ball from the first cup to the second. Keep going with more balls, racing to see who moves the most in one minute.

23. Penny Hose
Players have to retrieve two pennies from the bottom of a pair of pantyhose. It's hard than it looks!

24. Nut Stacker
It’s almost like the penny game, just slightly more difficult. Instead of stacking coins with one hand, each child has one minute to stack hex nuts onto a wooden stick or dowel.

25. Leaning Tower of LEGO
Fill two bins/buckets with LEGO (the number depends on the age of the players). Players must stack all the bricks in the container. If the tower breaks, continue to stack. The first person to stack all their bricks wins!

26. Peep Face Game
Got extra peeps? We love this twist on the cookie minute to win it that's a fun game for kids at Easter. Sunflower Mom gives her little chicks one minute to stick as many peeps as they can to their face! Little bunnies think this game is funny.

27. Hot Chocolate Marshmallow Toss
Have players stand back from the table with mugs on it. Give players a designated number of marshmallows and see how many the team can throw into the mug in one minute.

28. Penny Tower
How many pennies can your child stack in one minute? If they just guessed a million, they’re not exactly right. The trick to this game is that the child can only use one hand. And believe us, that makes it oh-so-challenging.

29. Cookie Face
This is by far one of the favorites of kids just about everywhere. Not only do they get to play a super-silly game, but it’s all done with cookies. Cookies! Place a regular ol’ sandwich cookie on the child’s forehead. They’ll need to use their facial muscles to move it down their face and into their mouth—without using their hands.

30. Keep it Up
As light as a feather! Little players keep two feathers in the air for one minute (or as long as they can). The catch is they can just use their breath. To make it easier for younger kids, they can use a straw.

goldfish games are minute to win it games — Ginger Snap Crafts

31. Go Fish!
Whether it's crackers or mini marshmallows, this fun game for kids is easy! You'll need straws and two plates. Little gamers have one minute (to win it!) to see how many fish they can transfer from one plate to another with the suction from the straw and no hands. See more Goldfish Minute to Win It Games over at Gingersnap Crafts.

32. Ping Pong Toss
Players have one minute to try and toss ping pong balls in a container down the table. Three in a row wins, or, at the end of the minute, whoever has the most balls in their container.

33. Spin Doctor
As far as a minute to win it games go, tweens find this a ton of fun. A player spins a coin on the table. A second player stops the coin with one finger on its edge (upright!). Either player can spin the coin, and it's a win when you stop the coin for three seconds within a minute.

34. State of Fun
This minute to win it game uses brainpower! Get a sheet of paper and pencils for players, then have them write down as many state capitals as they can before the timer goes off. The player with the most correct state capitals wins the round.

35. Gummy Worm Search
This minute to win it game is messy, so save it for warm weather or a summer birthday party! Fill aluminum pie pans with gummy worms and cover them with whipped cream. Players have to find the gummy worms using their mouths, no hands! The player who finds the most gummy worms at the end of the round wins.

Make sure to capture all the giggles—and share them with your family and friends near and far—with the Tinybeans app. The secure platform puts parents in total control of who sees and interacts with photos and videos of their kids.

If you buy something from the links in this article, we may earn affiliate commission or compensation. Prices and availability reflect the time of publication.

The Fastest Ways to Get a Squirmy Toddler Into a Car Seat

by Tinybeans TeamDecember 5, 2023

Screaming child? Check. Flailing arms and legs alternating with stiff-as-a-board posture? Check. Sweating, red-faced adult? Check. The only thing missing is a white van—which at the moment, I am grateful not to have—to make me look like a legit kidnapper. But I’m not a predator. I’m actually just a mom, trying to get my two-year-old into his car seat while passersby debate whether to call the cops.

Experience has taught me that the use of my upper torso and collarbone to smush him into his seat while I’m blindly trying to fasten his five-point restraint as he makes animal noises and screams might not be the solution. Obviously, I can’t leave him at the curb, but his uncanny ability to cage fight from the car seat has left me considering it. Instead, I do what all parents do to develop a trusted parenting strategy: I text my friends. I even reach out to an expert. And because we’re all in this together, I’m sharing my findings with you. Consider this the Holy Grail of Car Seat Drama Diffusion.

What Friends Have to Say

My friends’ responses affirmed that the struggle is real, and it’s neither because of bad parenting nor a personality disorder. For 6 months, my best friend had to ask friends, teachers, and once even a stranger (who looked nice) to put her daughter in her car because she was guaranteed a struggle if she tried.

She urged me to remember that this is just the same old nonsensical toddler tantrum but in a really inconvenient place. “Instead of freaking out more, try to block out the strangers staring at you, take a deep breath and a step back and just ride it out.” This is obviously harder than it seems when you’re sweating bullets and your grocery cart is rolling away. But she’s right. Sometimes, the best way to de-escalate the situation is simply not to engage.

But what happens when you’re in a rush, or there’s a car waiting for your spot, or you’ve had all that you can take and you just. want. to. get. home. already? Try the Jedi Eye Trick. You really have to center yourself before doing this; otherwise, you’ll end up glaring at your child, which will make the matter worse. Instead of reasoning, bargaining, pleading, or despairing, take a deep breath, plaster a pleasant but bored expression on your face, and go for eye contact. It might take a minute, but when they see that you’re doing the opposite of what they expect, close the deal by making comforting physical contact. A leg rub or (if you can get it) a handhold means you’re money. Cue the relaxed posture as your child goes from viewing you as an antagonist to a tender-hearted nurturer.

Expert Advice and Top Tips

When I asked an expert how best to diffuse a car seat meltdown, she immediately suggested that parents recognize the problem for what it is: a power struggle. “Toddlers have very little say in what they do and when,” says Teresa Woodruff, a licenced professional counselor and art therapist who is the owner and clinical director of Art it Out Therapy Center in Atlanta. (She is also a mother of three.) “When we put them in the car, it is constraining. Also, it separates them from us, which often causes anxiety. Screaming is a way for them to communicate that they don’t want to be stuck.”

Here are a few tips for easing the car seat struggle:

Distraction is key

They’re just way too young to understand our logic, says Woodruff, so your best bet is to dangly a shiny thing and distract, distract, distract. Some fun ways to keep them entertained:

hand them a favorite toy or book
sing a silly song
ask them to repeat animal noises or sounds
tell them a funny joke or two

Give them choices

As a toddler parent, you’re now well aware that giving your tot the illusion of control is your secret weapon and a lot of the time this translates to giving choices. You can start empowering your little leader when you’re leaving the house and go from there. Some examples:

Do you want to bring your green dinosaur or your blue dinosaur in the car?
Do you want to close the door or should I?
Do you want to be the line leader (a coveted position, always) or should I?
Do you want to climb into the car all by yourself or should mummy/daddy help you?
Do you want me to put on your favorite song before or after we buckle you up?

Make up a job

Let your creative juices flow and come up with some kind of seemingly very important job for your little to tackle while you calmly and swiftly insert them into their car seat. They could be on the lookout for any number of things (very cool birds, yellow cars, etc.) or the official car key holder while you do up their harness. They could also be in charge of buckling their straps, which gives them some skin in this car seat game.

Incentivise their ride

Find a book or toy that your toddler really loves and only give it to them in the car. They’ll have something to look forward to each ride (once they’ve allowed you to buckle them in, of course) and you’ll save yourself another trip to the chiropractor.

When all else fails… bubbles

“If you really want to go above and beyond, keep a small container of bubbles in your bag to blow anytime your child is struggling with the transition into a car seat,” Woodruff says. “This distraction can get them over the initial shock of being constrained.” Bubbles, as it turns out, really do make everything better.

My Kid’s Take

I also go straight to the source: my nearly 4-year-old. I tell her that I am trying to help other parents figure out what to do when their kids won’t get in their car seats. Wise beyond her years (and also a little frighteningly opportunistic), she puts down her muffin, looks me squarely in the eye, and says, “Tell him he can watch a show when he gets home. Or sing him a song.” Maybe it’s that simple. I’m not above trying it, that’s for sure.

At the end of the day, car seat meltdowns are stressful for everyone—your toddler included. Try to keep calm. Avoid raising your voice or trying to force your child into the car seat; it’s just going to fuel their fire, escalate their mood, and cement their determination. It’s a bumpy road, but you’ll get down it—and hopefully, these tips and tricks will help you avoid losing a tire along the way.

10 Family Travel Tips You’ll Thank Us For

by Marianella OrlandoMarch 23, 2023

The days you’ve spent dreaming of taking a family vacation are here—and the time to do it is now. While you may have put off a getaway with your entire clan, there’s no better moment than the present to enjoy one-on-one time with those who matter most.

Traveling with children of any age can be challenging, but there are tricks to get the job done and keep everyone happy throughout the journey. To help rid yourself of worry and lessen the number of hiccups along the way, we’ve compiled Marriott Bonvoy’s go-to tricks that’ll help moms and dads go on any trip with ease.

1. Find a destination that will keep the entire family happy

What constitutes a vacation means something different for everyone. Some prefer to sit back and relax on the beach, while others thrive off outdoorsy adventures that challenge them. Once you add children to the mix, these preferences change even more.

To help you decide which destination is right for your family, ask yourself what your goal is on this getaway. Are you looking to wind down? South Florida may be calling your name. Do you want to explore historical monuments and cultural experiences with your kiddos? A trip to Washington D.C. may be on your horizon. Perhaps you’re looking to tackle a new activity, like hiking in a state park, where Minneapolis may be the name of your game.

2. Don’t wait until the last minute to book your trip

Once you’ve made up your mind of where your family will be vacationing, it’s time to start coordinating your flight, especially if you plan to travel out of the state and want to avoid a road trip at all costs. Travel booking app Hopper recommends booking domestic flights one two months in advance and to avoid waiting until three to four weeks before your departure, as airfares typically spike by then. For holiday travel, a good rule of thumb is to snag your seat three to four months out.

As for lodging, most hotels, such as Marriott Bonvoy, allow almost a years’ worth of lead time to reserve a room. Fortunately, you don’t need that much time, at least according to Hopper. The sweet spot for guaranteeing your space is three to four months ahead of your trip.

3. Redeem your hotel points for awesome perks

We have good news. If you’re a member of the free Marriott Bonvoy program and have traveled since signing up, you’ve already racked up points. The best part is, you can turn your accrual into paradise—a.k.a. get a free night at any one of Marriott’s nationwide properties, including Chicago, Myrtle Beach, Los Angeles, Atlanta, or Charlotte, to name a few.

Depending on which tier you’ve reached, you can receive even more benefits, from mobile check-ins, late checkouts and free breakfasts to extra rewards points, enhanced free Wi-Fi, and guaranteed room types. Did we mention that your current vacation counts toward future travel plans, earning you points as well?

4. Pack items that’ll keep kids entertained

Whether you’re taking a two-hour flight or have a five-hour road trip mapped out, always have toys, interactive books or a tablet on hand. It’ll keep your children in good spirits and hopefully cut down on the number of times they’ll ask, “Are we there yet?”

To not disturb your peace (and those around you), bring kid-friendly headphones so you can limit the number of times you hear Baby Shark in one sitting.

5. Snacks, snacks, and more snacks

A hangry kiddo is a kiddo to not handle lightly, as they’ll change the tune of your getaway within seconds. Pack a travel bag that’s loaded with low-sugar snacks to keep your little ones’ hunger at bay. We’re talking cheese crackers, granola bars, trail mix, hard pretzel bites, animal crackers, dry cereal, popcorn, fruits, you name it.

Not only are these treats easy to open and (sort of, almost) mess-free, but they’re also convenient when anyone in your group is in need of a pick-me-up.

6. Surprise your little ones with a special gift

For children, nothing beats surprises they can unwrap. Buy them an inexpensive goodie that will keep their attention for hours at hand and keep the feel-good emotions going.

Our favorite travel companion that’s certain to wow your kiddos is an LCD writing tablet. Imaginative minds can sketch as many drawings as they’d like, then once they’re ready to create a new masterpiece, they can erase it and start fresh. Thanks to the tablet’s attached stylus, you can also avoid the need for crayons that’ll end up dropped or lost in no time.

7. Remember to pack light but keep essentials on hand

We know it’s easier said than done, but packing what’s absolutely needed will make for less stress in the end. Also, over-packed suitcases are heavy and inconvenient to lug around, along with your children. Just think about the last time you took a trip and how much of the clothes and shoes you packed you actually used.

Since accidents are almost inevitable with little ones, like spilled juice and a scratched knee, have a list of essentials with you at all times. We advise keeping some items handy, such as a first aid kit, disinfectant wipes, a plastic bag for trash, reusable water bottle, pull-ups and basic, over-the-counter medication for motion sickness, headaches and upset stomachs.

8. Plan travel and events around naps

If you have infants or toddlers, you know all too well the importance of nap time. When traveling, think of it as your secret weapon for a smooth and seamless commute. With an afternoon flight, it’s likely your tots will have started to wind down from all the excitement and are going to want to get some shut-eye.

On the other hand with a road trip, leaving very early in the morning or late at night can help keep them resting peacefully since you’re sticking to their typical, at-home sleep schedule. Similarly, with any activities and events, make sure you book them before or after their nap, so they remain in a good mood and are ready to take on the next adventure.

9. Carve out extra travel time for the unpredictable

Sometimes life just happens and you can’t predict when a random rush hour will hit or when there are flight delays. It’s best to leave yourself wiggle room no matter if you’re commuting on land or in the air.

Allow ample time to get through the airport security, which can feel chaotic with kids in tow, might we add. If you’re bringing breast milk or baby food for the trip, keep in mind that security will stop to test them before you can make your way to your flight gate. On the flip side, map out rest stops along the way when driving long distances. It’s important to give everyone time for restroom breaks and to stretch out their legs.

10. Always create a plan B for your itinerary

While it would be wonderful if we could control Mother Nature every now and then, it’s a possibility that the weather can damper your plans. Have a backup list of indoor activities for rainy days, so you can keep the day moving without any hiccups.

Look to museums, adventure parks, amusement centers and arcades that the whole family will enjoy. Don’t skip over themed restaurants that are kid-friendly and feature fun characters or options that offer both a dinner and a show.

With over 7,000 hotels worldwide, Marriott Bonvoy offers a variety of options to meet your family’s needs. Once you reserve your stay, you can focus on the most important part of your getaway: making memories your children will take with them for years to come.

10 Tips & Tricks That’ll Get Your Kids to Eat Better

by Andie HuberJanuary 13, 2023

Saying “you don’t have to eat it” actually works in your favor

Have a picky eater in the house? You know, the kid who only eats food in three shades of white or the kid who physically gags at the sight of anything new on their plate? There is hope—and no, it doesn’t consist of waiting for them to go to college and outgrow their food aversions. We asked doctors, nutritionists, and the like for tips on how to get kids to eat healthy(ier). See not only how you can use their techniques to get your kids to eat something other than boxed mac ‘n cheese, but which positive words will help you get there.

This article is sponsored by Sun-Maid, one of the most iconic, timeless and trusted snacks in America. With delicious yet versatile products, busy parents can make wholesome recipes that are ready to eat anytime, anywhere. Learn more about Sun-Maid here!

Things You Can Do to Get Kids to Eat Healthily

Play Grocery Store Games

Grocery store games can be a way to get kids to eat healthy — iStock

Bonnie Taub-Dix, RDN, and author of Read It Before You Eat It—Taking You from Label to Table sees the supermarket as a giant classroom. "For example, grocery store 'field trips' allowed me to show and tell my kids that all foods can fit into a healthy diet as long as you know how to balance your plate. For older kids, ask them to compare the labels of certain products to show them how vastly different even similar-looking foods are from a nutritional standpoint."

If your kids are too young to read labels or you are just beginning your healthy-eating journey, Taub-Dix recommends playing games in the grocery store. "Play 'I Spy' in the produce aisle by asking them to pick out colorful foods that are red, green, or yellow, for example. Or have them find foods that are circular, oval, or some other shape. Spotting red foods or round foods, for example, may help kids see the food as something that's fun instead of something they'd prefer to avoid. This game can be expanded on when you go home—just unpack and use the similarly shaped or colored purchases to create simple recipes your kids can help prepare."

Make Meals Fun

weelicious monogrammed sandwiches — Weelicious

Catherine McCord, founder of Weelicious and One Potato—an organic meal-delivery kit made with families in mind—knows a thing or two about how to get kids to eat healthy foods. Her secret weapon? Making meals approachable yet fun like these monogrammed sandwiches.

Always on the lookout for the next idea to help parents in the daily meal struggle, McCord also launched the Smoothie Project Cookbook, inspired by her son when she was looking for a way to boost his nutrition. And truth be told, what kid can resist a smoothie? The best part is when McCord dropped this expert tip: "Adding frozen cauliflower makes smoothies creamy, and you don’t taste it." Your kid gets a great-tasting smoothie, and you get to sneak in some vegetables—all without your picky eater being the wiser.

Make It Sweet

adding sweetness like honey is a way to get kids to eat healthy foods — Jocelyn Morales via Unsplash

There's nothing wrong with appealing to a toddler's taste says Taub-Dix. "Think outside the pan and add something sweet to complement the taste of certain veggies. For example, saute dried cranberries, chopped dried apricots, or raisins along with broccoli rabe to cut its bitter taste. Or drizzle some honey on Brussels sprouts before roasting them. Adding a touch of sweetness for young palates can make vegetables way more desirable. I'm not suggesting that you spoon on sugar or add sweet ingredients in large quantities, but my whole family enjoys these additions to vegetable dishes and yours may too."

Stop the Custom Meals

kids eating healthy food for dinner — iStock

Kai Nunziato-Cruz, a 14-year-old nutrition expert and author of Digest This Now for Kids!, (son of Dr. Liz Cruz, a Board Certified Gastroenterologist, and Tina Nunziato, a Certified Holistic Nutritionist) recommends parents stop making kids separate meals. "If the parents are eating a healthy meal, the kids need to eat the same meal. Don’t give the kids whatever they want. They will always choose chicken fingers and mac 'n' cheese over salmon and broccoli. If you don’t give them the option they might not eat dinner a few times but they will start to eat the healthier foods eventually."

Cut the Junk

boy reaching for strawberries — Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

And if you really are committed to eating healthier (the whole family included) then it's time to cut the junk says Nunziato-Cruz who suggests parents stop buying junk food and having it around the house. "Only buy fresh fruits and vegetables for kids to snack on. They will snack on whatever is nearby. But if junk food is there too, they will always choose that instead. Don’t make it available."

Things You Can Say to Kids about Food

"You don't have to eat it."

mom and son eating healthy food — iStock

Registered dietitian nutritionist and founder of Kids Eat in Color, Jennifer Anderson, empowers her clients by saying, "You don't have to eat it." She says, "Instead of forcing kids to eat vegetables, I recommend telling kids, 'You don't have to eat it.' It's easy to think that forcing kids to eat food will get them to like it. What often happens instead, is that they end up disliking the food they were forced to eat. This doesn't mean 'anything goes' at dinnertime, however. It means that parents serve a balanced meal, including at least one food they know their child likes, and the child decides what to eat from what is available."

In addition to her website, Anderson's Instagram page is full of advice on getting kids to choose healthy foods, including how to incorporate dessert into meals in a healthy way and create balance.

"Let's eat together."

family eating healthy food together — iStock

"Family meals are very successful at improving kids' eating habits," says LeeAnn Smith Weintraub, MPH, RD, and founder of HalfaCup.com, where she offers nutritional advice and counseling. "Family meals provide the opportunity for adults to model healthy eating habits and good table manners to children. Family meals are associated with better nutrition including greater consumption of fruit and vegetables as well as other academic and mental health benefits."

Of course, family meals don't have to mean just dinner. Between work and after-school activities, there isn't a lot of time left during the week for a good old-fashioned family meal at night. If that's the case, try committing to a family meal at breakfast and model the same good, healthy choices in the morning as you would at night.

"Check your belly."

We've all been there—a little voice from behind tells you they are hungry a few minutes after all the food has been put away. "Parents often struggle with getting young children to eat well at mealtime," says Weintraub. "It's challenging for some kids to sit through meals and eat what's offered to them. Then once the kitchen is cleaned up and food is put away, kids tell their parents they are hungry. Of course, this can be super frustrating for parents and caregivers."

Weintraub says parents can encourage children to eat healthy foods at meals by asking them to check their bellies before they're excused from the table. Asking how much space is left in their stomachs for food will help them learn to assess their own fullness and hunger. She says, "It's best to avoid telling kids to 'eat more' or 'finish what's on their plate,' which teaches kids to eat based on external, not internal, cues."

"It's okay to play with your food."

Anderson, from Kids Eat in Color, loves to encourage small children to play with their food. "Small children often go through a phase of neophobia, the fear of new things. They become afraid of new foods too, and picky eating is often the result. Food that was out of season over the winter is suddenly 'new' to them! One way that we can help kids learn that foods are okay is by having them play with the food. Take the example of summer squash. Sauteed squash rounds may have been okay last summer, but this summer a toddler may be scared of it. You can ask them at dinner, 'Can you stack your squash?' Many toddlers are happy to try to stack their food. They may not eat it right away, but this is the first step to learning it is safe so that they can try it in the future."

"What food can we grow?"

"Getting kids involved in gardening can help increase veggie consumption. If you don't have room for a full-on vegetable garden, even encouraging your child to water herbs growing in pots on a windowsill can help your plants and child flourish while teaching a lesson about responsibility. Also, a salad or any other dish may look a lot more attractive to your child if it includes the fresh basil or parsley that they helped to nurture," says Taub-Dix.

For those without a green thumb—here are 12 easy gardening projects to get you started on your healthy-eating journey.

15 Genius Recipes for Thanksgiving Leftovers

by Susie ForesmanNovember 22, 2022

10 lbs. of turkey look a lot more appetizing when you’ve got Thanksgiving leftover recipes to try

If you’re looking at a mountain of leftovers without any idea of what to do, we’ve got you covered. Transform all that food with our Thanksgiving leftover recipes. We’re talking Thanksgiving leftover casseroles, recipes with mashed potato leftovers, and everything in between. And if you are just totally over it, check out our favorite frozen foods from Trader Joe’s that take almost no time to prepare.

Turkey Tetrazzini

leftover thanksgiving recipes — Greens & Chocolate

Transform your leftover turkey into the ultimate comfort food inspired by Greens & Chocolate. Egg noodles, turkey, and mushrooms are bathed in a deliciously cheesy sauce, then it’s all topped with crunchy breadcrumbs.

Cheesy Mashed Potato Pancakes

Turkey Day leftovers aren’t just for meat-eaters! Take inspiration from Connoisseurs Veg to whip up this vegetarian-friendly dish with your leftover mashed potatoes. We’re drooling over that perfectly crispy crust.

Buffalo Turkey Grilled Cheese

turkey grilled cheese is a good thanksgiving leftover recipe — Whitney Bond

When in doubt, add buffalo sauce! This simple idea from Whitney Bond is a great way to refresh those leftovers. Plus, you can sneak some veggies in for crunch.

Turkey Nachos

These nachos from Bless Her Heart Y’all are the perfect accompaniment for those post-Thanksgiving football games or movie nights. With plenty of melty cheese and veggies, they’re also a nice change of pace from typical holiday food.

Cheesy Cranberry, Bacon and Turkey Sliders

These drool-worthy sliders from Simple Seasonal can knock out three types of leftovers at once: dinner rolls, cranberry sauce, and turkey. If you’ve got guests sticking around on Black Friday and beyond, this is the perfect way to feed a crowd.

Thanksgiving Dinner Casserole

Thanksgiving casserole is a good Thanksgiving leftover recipe — Make-Ahead Meal Mom

When you’re so sick of turkey you can’t look at it anymore, that’s when you should prep this genius casserole from Make-Ahead Meal Mom. Once it’s assembled, just throw it in the freezer, and it’s ready to go once you’re ready for a mini Thanksgiving feast in a month or two.

Cranberry Turkey Mozzarella Pull-Apart Bread

This pull-apart bread from Whitney Bond is the stuff of snacking dreams. Sourdough bread is filled with mozzarella cheese, turkey, and cranberry sauce, then baked until it’s melty and delicious. Drooling yet?

Thanksgiving Leftover Bagel Sandwiches

For a hearty breakfast or lunch, pair your leftover turkey with pesto and cranberries to make this drool-worthy bagel sandwich from Glitter and Bubbles. Topped off with cream cheese and butter lettuce, it’s sure to be a winning combination.

Turkey and Wild Rice Soup

Warm up with a big bowl of turkey and wild rice soup. This recipe from The Skinny Fork is hearty but healthy, not to mention the perfect weeknight dinner for picky kids.

White Turkey Chili

Turkey chili is a good thanksgiving leftover reicpe — Juanita's Cocina

Try out a twist on your classic chili with this recipe from Juanita's Cocina. It's easy to adjust to your family's tastes, making it spicier or milder as needed.

Orange Cranberry Muffins

We're always left with half a bag of fresh cranberries after Thanksgiving, and now we've finally found the perfect use for them: these tasty muffins from Girl in the Little Red Kitchen.

Turkey and Stuffing Turnovers

These turnovers look pretty impressive (read: hard to make), but they'll actually come together quickly with the help of frozen puff pastry sheets. Fill the pastry with turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce and gravy, and you'll have a mini feast ready in no time. Check out the recipe at A Family Feast.

Turkey Pot Pie

When in doubt, make a pie! A pot pie, that is. Cathleen over at A Taste of Madness came up with a delicious solution to those turkey leftovers. All it takes is some prepared pie crusts, and butter, and you'll have a completely different meal in 60 minutes.

Bacon Provolone Pita Pockets

Take your leftover sandwiches to the next level with Toni from Boulder Locavore. You'll love her combo of turkey, cranberry sauce, and her secret weapon: bacon!

Turkey Tetrazzini

When you still don't know how to use up the extra turkey from Thanksgiving dinner, Sara from Bitz N Giggles has a great idea to transform those leftovers into something totally new. Her recipe for turkey tetrazzini is just the ticket, and it couldn't be simpler.

You Can Start a Company & a Family

By Sara Mauskopf

Tinybeans Voices Contributor

February 4, 2022

I recently met with another female CEO. Like me, she’s 32 years old. She wanted to meet with me because she wasn’t sure if it was possible for her to continue to run her successful business and also start a family. She felt she had to choose. She especially felt pressure from her investors, some of whom directly told her not to have a child while running her business or raising capital. They advised her that if she was thinking about a family, she should first think about an exit. Apparently there’s some well known phrase that circulates in VC land: “Exits before babies”. Well, I missed that memo!

This was just one woman in the tech industry in a string of many lately who have been reaching out to me about starting a family. Women in tech, especially founders and aspiring founders, are apprehensive about starting families because they don’t think it’s compatible with a successful career. Egg freezing is more popular than ever and many large tech companies now offer it as a standard benefit to their employees. I don’t know how I fell into this role but some combination of having a baby, starting a company, and dealing with my husband having cancer have made me the poster mom for a twisted version of “having it all”. Women have started looking to me to tell them whether it’s all possible. Can you start a company and also start a family?

Before I share the answer, let me share my story. Six weeks after giving birth to my daughter, I went back to work at the tech startup where I had been working. I liked my job running the product team for a growing company. The job was close to home and didn’t require travel. The company I worked for had even created a mother’s room for me to pump in. It wasn’t a bad gig.

But at the same time, my job wasn’t great either. The company I worked for strongly encouraged long hours in the office and attending Friday night drinks after work each week. There were very few other parents and I felt like my desire to get my work done and go home for the night was frowned upon. People couldn’t understand why I didn’t want to take long lunches and instead wanted to grab a quick bite at my desk so I could leave work earlier to see my daughter. Some co-workers complained that my mother’s room for pumping had taken away their valuable meeting space.

I left my tech company job and started Winnie because I saw an opportunity to build a product for parents that didn’t exist in the world. I also left because I saw an opportunity to build a company that would allow me—and the people working for me—to “have it all”. My cofounder Anne Halsall and I, both moms, decided that we’d build Winnie in a way that didn’t consume our entire lives. We’d have reasonable office hours, a flexible environment so we could work from home when we needed to, and the ability to spend time with our families at night and on the weekends. We decided that instead of seeing those things as a disadvantage, we’d use them as our secret weapon. We’d use our flexible environment to recruit world-class engineering talent who didn’t want to burn out at a traditional tech startup. We’d use that fact that we don’t spend 24/7 in the office to force ourselves to prioritize and focus on what is really important to our business. We’d use time with our families to relax and reset.

This secret weapon of a family-friendly work culture has served us well. Fast forward one year and now Winnie is a rapidly growing platform that over 25,000 moms and dads across the United States depend on regularly. We’ve grown to become a place to find unique insights on everything from keeping the spark alive with your partner to the best daycares & preschools near you. Winnie exists because as parents, we saw an opportunity that all the techbro founders had never seen. We truly get this market that so many have failed to tap into because we are parents ourselves.

So to all the women out there wondering if they can really start a company and a family, the answer is YES! Not only will being a mother make you a more productive worker, it will make your company better. It will help you see opportunities because you will have a new perspective on the world. It will help you have more empathy for your employees because you now will know what it’s like to have things going on outside of the office that matter too. It will help you ruthlessly prioritize to focus in on what’s most important for your business.

Stop waiting until the timing is perfect. Stop worrying about what other people think. Stop wondering if you can manage it all. The answer is yes.

This article originally appeared on LinkedIn.

Sara Mauskopf

Tinybeans Voices Contributor

Short mom to tall kids. CEO and co-founder of Winnie, a leading marketplace for daycare and preschool helping millions of parents across the United States. Still getting the gist of this whole parenting thing.

Try This Yummy Wellness Tea Recipe for Cold & Flu Season Relief

By Sara Mercer

Tinybeans Voices Contributor

January 20, 2022

With a preschooler and toddler at home, it seems like someone in my house is always sick. My girls are exposed to a million germs a day between school and all of their activities. No amount of hand washing can spare us completely.

As a busy mom, I have no time for sick days that render me useless to my girls! When the sniffles strike (again and again and again) I have a secret weapon. This cold-busting wellness tea is super intense but if you drink the whole pot you will wake up the next morning feeling like a new person!

This tea is loaded with vitamin C from all the citrus, anti-inflammatories from the ginger, and turmeric while the dash of cayenne gives this tea a real kick.

Cold-Busting Wellness Tea

Ingredients:

1 orange
1 lemon
1 grapefruit
1 lime
1 cup water
1 T cinnamon
1 T turmeric
1 tsp cayenne
Several pieces of fresh ginger (the more the better!)
Raw honey (optional)

Directions:

Juice the orange, lemon, grapefruit and lime.
Add the citrus juices, water, cinnamon, turmeric, cayenne and fresh ginger to a pot and heat on medium-low heat for 20 to 30 minutes.
Sweeten to taste with raw honey and drink.
It is best to drink the entire pot if possible to maximize results and hopefully keep your home cold-free this cold and flu season.

Featured image: Kira auf der Heide via Unsplash

Dear Husband, I’m Sorry You Have a Cold, But…

5 Things Every Parent Should Know Before Your Child Gets a Flu Shot

Sara Mercer

Tinybeans Voices Contributor

I am a born and bred New Yorker trying to balance life as a mom of two, writer, wellness coach and fitness enthusiast. If I'm not chasing my girls at the playground, you’ll find me shopping the farmer’s market, checking out the latest boutique fiitness craze or blogging for mercer+green.

15 Genius Picture Hacks to Try This Holiday Season

by Ayren Jackson-CannadyNovember 2, 2021

When it comes to photographing kids, the pros know you always need a few tricks to get the perfect shot. Make sure you capture some of those epic adventures in style this holiday season with our favorite picture hacks.

1. The Hack: Expect the Unexpected

Hannah Harding, professional family photographer and family photo expert at Vices & Virtues in Photography, reminds parents out there trying to capture that perfect moment: Appreciate unplanned photos. "Posed photos have their place," Hannah says, "but my heart lies with candid photos."

Yes, of course you want that quintessential image of your kiddos smiling at the camera with something iconic in the background (i.e. the giant ornament display downtown). But don't forget to snap images of the kiddos in their natural environment, at play, when you can. Just before you conduct the scene, take a minute to capture the spontaneous beauty of the holiday magic.

2. The Hack: Disable the flash.

Skip the whole "how-do-I-use-this-flash??" drama by snapping your pics during the day and preferably outdoors (or near an open window). Pictures that have to be taken with a flash often have a strange, yellow hue—not what you want for your subjects. Unless you're using night mode on the new iPhone, flash images can be tricky for the average photographer.

When your photo needs extra light (but you know the flash will ruin the pic), grab a friend. Have them turn on their phone’s flashlight as your source of light. They can hold it towards one side of your subject to naturally mimic the sun as you take the shot.

3. The Hack: Use a car window foil screen to prevent glare.

Even in the winter months, the sun can ruin a shot. If you're getting nothing but squinty eyes and scrunchy faces courtesy of the sun's glare (see photo below), try this. Hold a car window foil screen outside the shot; the screen makes a great reflector that’s perfect for redirecting light in outdoor shots.

4. The hack: Use natural surroundings to your advantage (and to block the sun).

You've probably heard a million times to stand with your back to the sun to keep your subject from appearing too dark in a photo, but if you are strategic about what blocks the sun, you can get an enchanting outdoor photo.

5. The Hack: Use a coffee sleeve as a lens hood.

Another secret weapon to cut down on glare? Save those java sleeves for your next photo session. You can use them when the sun causes glare on your camera lens, ruining your snapshot.

6. The Hack: Stick a lovie on top of the camera.

For little ones who are looking in every direction, except for the direction of the camera, duct tape a small stuffed animal to the top of the camera to encourage them to look in that direction (and — ta-da! — at the camera). Anything with a rattle or bells works well for younger kids too (and sometimes even pets!).

Hannah Harding also reminds us about making kids comfortable, “If you’re having trouble getting a child to stay still for a shot, use something to distract them. For example, questions like, 'What does that cloud look like?’"

7. The Hack: Get close. And then get closer.

Those cheeks. Those eyes. That wispy hair. That's the kind of detail that you can't capture by snapping a photo of your kid from a distance. Get close to them (and don't worry about cutting off a tip of their ear or part of their cheek) for a must-frame photo of your little one's adorable face.

Harding says, “Get down to their level. It’s a great way to get a fantastic shot, and it makes them feel less intimidated, rather than an adult towering over them making demands.”

8. The Hack: Use your iPhone headphones as a shutter button.

Taking a family selfie is no easy feat—unless you're an iPhone user. You can take photos using the volume control on your iPhone headphones (the ones that come in the box). Prop the camera up, pose, and shoot. Those of you with Apple watches are probably already doing this hack right from your wrist!

9. The Hack: Go off-center.

Every good photo has three points of interest achieved by allowing each third of any image to include one point of interest. Remember, it doesn't have to be perfectly even. Go off-center for a natural pro vibe.

10. The Hack: Make an insta-tripod with binder clips.

No matter how well-behaved your mini models are acting, a shaky hand can make the perfect smartphone shot look blurry or crooked. Prevent this phenomenon by attaching two binder clips to the side or back of your mobile phone. If you want in on the photo, use the headphones hack from above.

11. The Hack: Tilt heads just so to prevent red eye.

If red eye constantly ruins your family photos, try this: When using flash, have everyone look slightly above the camera so that their eyes won’t catch the flash head on (assuming you ignored rule #`1 here).

12. The Hack: Turn your garage into a photo studio.

Surprise! Your garage isn't just good for storing sleds and scooters. Garages work well as a DIY photo studio because an open garage door lets in the perfect amount of soft, directional light. Simply hang a sheet as a backdrop beforehand.

13. The Hack: Use Vaseline to create an old school vignette-y look.

You don't have to be a fancy-pants photographer to give your photos a great vintage feel. The insider's secret is to rub a little Vaseline on the sides of the lens and snap away. If you use a phone for your photos, this hack also works but go sparing with the goo.

14. The Hack: Stagger heads in family pics.

A straight line of heads in a family photo can look boring and staged. Your crew may get into the perfect pose naturally, but if not, just try to position them so that no head is directly on top of or beside one another.

15. The hack: Use the grid to achieve the rule of thirds.

Every good photo has three points of interest achieved by allowing each third of any image to include one point of interest. Remember, it doesn't have to be perfectly even. If you are using a camera phone, turn the grid option on to help you figure it out. Line up your subject into one-third of the right, left, top or bottom of the grid.

14 Kitchen Appliances That’ll Save You Tons of Space

by Gabby CullenOctober 5, 2021

If you love to cook, it’s hard not to want ALL the cool gadgets out there. But unless you have considerable space, it can be challenging to find a spot for all of them. Luckily, appliances are getting more compact and storage-friendly by the day. We looked around and found 14 kitchen appliances—from an Instant Pot to a food processor—that will not only free up counter space but will make your cooking endeavors that much easier. Keep reading to see them all.

All products featured on this page are independently reviewed and selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Ninja Foodi 8-in-1 Digital Air Fry Sheet Pan Oven

You'll definitely want to add this toaster oven/air fryer to your kitchen gear as it comes in a too-cute red color and stores upright to save countertop space. The toast feature even adjusts cook time based on how many slices of bread you are toasting. Brilliant!

Buy it here, $209.

Vitamix Creations II 64-oz 13-in-1 Variable-Speed Blender w/Book

When you are looking to buy a blender, there's nothing better than a Vitamix. This powerhouse appliance will make baby food, blend your morning smoothies, puree soups and even make nut butters (if you're so inclined). Thre's no need for an ice cream maker or food processor with this versatile appliance.

Get it here, $380.

Cuisinart Coffee Center 12-Cup Coffee Maker & Single-Serve Brewer

If your counter is packed with both a multi-cup coffee maker and a single-cup pod brewer, we've got the perfect option for you. Ditch them both and snag this 2-in-1 machine from Cuisinart that will brew 12 cups when you are hosting friends, or a single cup when it's just you. A 40 oz. water reservoir with charcoal filter makes this even easier to use in the wee hours of the morning.

Get it here, $199.

Instant Pot Duo Mini 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker

This mini version of everyone’s favorite pressure cooker takes the place of seven appliances: rice cooker, steamer, slow cooker and more. See our favorite Instant Pot recipes for busy nights here.

Buy it here, $66.

Cuisinart 3-Cup Mini-Prep Plus Food Processor

A mini food processor is better than no processor. This classic Cuisinart has a 24-ounce work bowl and has dishwasher-safe parts.

Buy one here, $40.

Breville BMO650SIL Compact Wave Soft Close Countertop Microwave Oven

If your microwave isn’t built into a unit, this smaller version will fit nicely on a kitchen cart or, take up minimal countertop space.

Buy it here, $200.

NutriBullet® PRO Nutrient Extractor

Juicers can be one of the largest appliances that’s hard to find a good place to store. Consider this smaller version that’s just as strong as a bigger version.

Buy it here, $80.

Dash® Mini Waffle Maker

How cute is this mini waffle maker? Perfect for busy mornings or small families, you can stash this in a cabinet with ease.

Buy it here, $13.

Mueller Austria Ultra-Stick Multi-Purpose Hand Blender

A hand blender is a secret weapon: it whips, blends and even froths. The best part? It stows away in a drawer instead of taking up precious counter or shelf space.

Buy it here, $30.

Nespresso Vertuo Next with Aeroccino 3

You love your Nespresso in the morning, but you don’t love how much space the espresso machine takes up. This version offers up the same great quality coffee, but with a compact design that’s perfect for small spaces.

Buy it here, $219.

PowerXL Smokeless Indoor Grill

If you don’t have the space for a grill, or if you want to be able to grill on days when the weather isn’t cooperating, this smokeless indoor grill will do the trick. The heat distributes evenly, and the ceramic coating makes for easy cleanup.

Buy it here, $140.

IronRen 0.5L Portable Electric

This mini kettle boil water, heat milk and cook noodles, so not only is it a good buy for your kitchen, but it’s perfect to take while traveling too.

Buy it here, $37.

Cooks 4.3 Quart Stainless Steel Air Fryer

You’ve been dying to get on the air fryer bandwagon, but don’t know where you put it. Try this 4.3-quart version that takes up almost no space. See our favorite air fryer recipes by clicking here.

Buy it here, $63.

FoodSaver® Compact Food Vacuum Sealer

This mini vacuum sealer offers all the larger versions, but its compact design makes for easy storage.

Buy it here, $110.

—Kate Loweth & Gabby Cullen

20 Kitchen Gadgets to Make Mealtime (& Prep) More Fun

5 Kitchen Items That Will Help You Stay More Organized

17 Cool Things You Can Do with Ice (It’s Not Just for Tea!)

by Amber GuetebierAugust 4, 2021

The temperature keeps rising, and you need a way to chill out. Well, we’ve got a few tricks up our sleeve. The secret weapon? Ice. That’s right—cold, frozen fun is totally in this summer, and we’ve got 17 ways to make it happen. Scroll down to see them all.

Eat & Drink

1. Make insta-smoothies. You'll never worry if you have all the ingredients for a healthy breakfast drink again. Simply make ice cube versions ahead of time and pop them into the blender when ready.

2. Making iced coffee? Make some iced coffee cubes! Freeze a little leftover coffee in a tray and the next time you are making yourself a cool, chilled coffee drink use these instead of regular ice. Your drink won't end up weak and watery.

3. Ditto for iced tea. Splash a little iced tea or lemonade into an ice cube tray for a great way to chill your tea without watering it down.

4. Get spriggy with it. Toss in a sprig of lemon thyme or mint for a perfect splash of herby-goodness in your cocktail, mocktail or cold water.

5. When in doubt, make popsicles. You can make these in an ice cube tray or a popsicle mold, or even a paper cup with a popsicle stick in the center (you'll want to add the stick about halfway through the freezing process). Here are our favorite recipes for you to try this summer!

6. Fancy pants. Use edible flowers frozen in ice and serve the single most fancy glass of water on the block. Delicate violets, nasturtiums, lavender, calendula and even dianthus or carnations work perfectly.

7. Leftover rules. Use leftover juice from canned peaches or pineapple to make tiny popsicles that will also add a spike of sweetness to your tea or sparkling water.

8. Shine. If you happen to have edible glitter around you can swirl some into the water after you've filled the cube trays, or try adding a couple of sprinkles.

9. Keep it simple. Serve your drinks in an extra frosty glass. Just run water over the cup and place it in the freezer for a few minutes. Instant-frosty mug!

Play

10. Make ice volcanos. With a little pre-prep, you can make this simple experiment for your curious kids.

11. Shapey things. These days you can find ice cube trays (or use candy molds) in all kinds of shapes and sizes, including LEGO bricks, dinosaurs and more. Freeze them in different colors and lay them out on a tray for adorable play that will make you melt.

12. Smells n"ice." Who knew you could use ice for a scent-sensory experiment, using classic items from your spice rack? Check out how Lemon and Lime Adventures did it, and then set up your own version.

13. Ice science. A proper experiment really doesn't get much simpler than a muffin tin with ice and a few key ingredients, designed to see what makes ice melt the fastest. The Chaos and the Clutter has an easy tutorial you can follow so you can literally execute this cool project in less than ten minutes.

14. Painter's palette. Freeze washable paint in ice trays and make colored ice cubes. Once they're frozen, let the kiddos paint with their refreshing new paint!

15. Excavation station. Take a few toys, like small cars, rubber duckies, even LEGO minifigs and freeze them in water. Use a nice tall container to get a tower or a big bowl. You add a few toys, let the water freeze a bit, then stash in a couple more to get a well-balanced icicle. You can equip them with a butter knife, plastic knife or spoon or a stick to begin the scraping. For younger kids, let them just go free-hand. We love this bejeweled rainbow version from Fun at Home with Kids

16. Frozen IRL. Make a big batch or buy a bag of ice cubes and get stacking. Using a bit of water to help them stick, race against the clock as you stack and form an ice castle fit for Elsa. Got a few Frozen-themed toys around the house? Get them in on the fun! Make ice beds, ice chairs, ice tables, walls and more.

17. Chill, baby! Looking for cute sensory play for your smallest set? Check out these awesome frozen sensory bags that are safer for babies but still keep them stimulated and cool on a hot day!

—Amber Guetebier & Karly Wood

Cool as Ice: 10 Flavored Ice Cubes Perfect for a Hot Day

The 16 Popsicles You Need in Your Life

Minute to win it games for kids make for instant fun

What’s a minute to win it game?

How to play minute to win it games

Related reads

What Friends Have to Say

Expert Advice and Top Tips

Distraction is key

Give them choices

Make up a job

Incentivise their ride

When all else fails… bubbles

My Kid’s Take

Related reads

1. Find a destination that will keep the entire family happy

2. Don’t wait until the last minute to book your trip

3. Redeem your hotel points for awesome perks

4. Pack items that’ll keep kids entertained

5. Snacks, snacks, and more snacks

6. Surprise your little ones with a special gift

7. Remember to pack light but keep essentials on hand

8. Plan travel and events around naps

9. Carve out extra travel time for the unpredictable

10. Always create a plan B for your itinerary

Related reads

Saying “you don’t have to eat it” actually works in your favor

Things You Can Do to Get Kids to Eat Healthily

Play Grocery Store Games

Make Meals Fun

Make It Sweet

Stop the Custom Meals

Cut the Junk

Things You Can Say to Kids about Food

"You don't have to eat it."

"Let's eat together."

"Check your belly."

"It's okay to play with your food."

"What food can we grow?"

Related reads

10 lbs. of turkey look a lot more appetizing when you’ve got Thanksgiving leftover recipes to try

Turkey Tetrazzini

Cheesy Mashed Potato Pancakes

Buffalo Turkey Grilled Cheese

Turkey Nachos

Cheesy Cranberry, Bacon and Turkey Sliders

Thanksgiving Dinner Casserole

Cranberry Turkey Mozzarella Pull-Apart Bread

Thanksgiving Leftover Bagel Sandwiches

Turkey and Wild Rice Soup

White Turkey Chili

Orange Cranberry Muffins

Turkey and Stuffing Turnovers

Turkey Pot Pie

Bacon Provolone Pita Pockets

Turkey Tetrazzini

Related reads

Sara Mauskopf

Related reads

Cold-Busting Wellness Tea

Ingredients:

Directions:

Sara Mercer

Related reads

1. The Hack: Expect the Unexpected

2. The Hack: Disable the flash.

3. The Hack: Use a car window foil screen to prevent glare.

4. The hack: Use natural surroundings to your advantage (and to block the sun).

5. The Hack: Use a coffee sleeve as a lens hood.

6. The Hack: Stick a lovie on top of the camera.

7. The Hack: Get close. And then get closer.

8. The Hack: Use your iPhone headphones as a shutter button.

9. The Hack: Go off-center.

10. The Hack: Make an insta-tripod with binder clips.

11. The Hack: Tilt heads just so to prevent red eye.

12. The Hack: Turn your garage into a photo studio.

13. The Hack: Use Vaseline to create an old school vignette-y look.

14. The Hack: Stagger heads in family pics.

15. The hack: Use the grid to achieve the rule of thirds.

Related reads

Ninja Foodi 8-in-1 Digital Air Fry Sheet Pan Oven

Vitamix Creations II 64-oz 13-in-1 Variable-Speed Blender w/Book