From magical dragon eggs to a no-sew mask, we’ve rounded up fun projects to make your little ones roar
They soar through your little adventurer’s imagination breathing fire, challenging knights of the realm, and guarding magical eggs against would-be thieves. In short, dragons are epic. And your half-pint can’t get enough of them. Indulge their fiery dreams with one of our favorite dragon crafts. And, since 2024 is the Year of the Dragon according to the lunar calendar, even more reason to break out the supplies and get crafty just in time for the Lunar New Year.
After you decorate dazzling dragon’s eggs, pretend to be Harry Potter whisking it out from under the Hungarian Horntail’s nose, while your Gryffindor team cheers you on. Get the details from Quite Frankly She Said.
Bet you can’t guess what gives this Chinese dragon craft its scaly design. Find out at No Time for Flashcards, where easy step-by-step instructions walk you through this serpentine creation.
Take to the skies when you engineer flying dragons. To complete this simple project, you need paper plates, paints or markers, and the downloadable template designed by Pink Stripey Socks. Print, cut, color, play!
Dragon's Eyes
Allison Sutcliffe
Paint gleaming dragon’s eyes with this painless craft. We love the big payout this quick, arty activity has for tiny dragon lovers. To make your own, check out the how-to video from Our Peaceful Planet.
Create a fire-breathing dragon with leftover toilet paper rolls. One Little Project spells out the need-to-know info to make this manually activated, monstrously fun craft.
Colored construction paper is the main ingredient for this delightfully easy-to-put-together dragon hand puppet, designed by Sarah at Ruffles and Rainboots. We love these playful guys!
Wait until you see the “Peter Pan” family costume!
If you start now, it’s easy to coordinate an awesome family Halloween costume that will earn you tons of compliments from fellow trick-or-treaters. From Scooby-Do-themed get-ups to Star Wars family costumes, there are plenty of great ways to dress up your brood this year. For parents who prefer to be a bit more behind-the-scenes, we’ve also got the most popular Halloween costumes for kids in 2022, baby Halloween costumes you can DIY with a onesie, and cardboard box Halloween costumes (because what else were you going to do with those Amazon boxes?)
If there’s anything we can agree on, it’s that going to the movies hits differently when snacks are involved. This fun family costume takes everyone’s favorite movie theater snacks to the next level.
Good as gold! We give the green light to the striped stockings and big green hats that make these lucky little ones ready for trick-or-treating. Create a rainbow and add gold coins to a shirt, and you’ve got an adorable leprechaun family Halloween costume idea.
We love DIY costumes and give a wave of approval for this adorable shark family. You and your herd of fish will be sure to see grins on fellow trick-or-treaters.
The search is over! We spotted this ultra-coordinated family costume over at Say Yes. It's easy to pull together from items likely already in your closet.
We're clapping our hands for these whimsical costumes featuring Peter Pan and his Lost Boys. Grab a little pixie dust and fly over to A Beautiful Mess for a closer look at the costumes. It's easy to re-create if you just believe! You can even make your pixie dust by clicking here.
How cute is this Wreck-It-Ralph group costume idea? We love how a lot of these costumes might be laying around your house. Head over to See Vanessa Craft for the tutorials for each costume.
Fulfill all your Goblin King dreams with this awesome family costume. Sarah, Jareth, and baby Toby complete this perfect trio of a costume. Find out how it's done over at Brit + Co.
Few things say Halloween more than Creatures of the Night. You'll find all the how-tos and close-ups of the spooktacular makeup at Tell Love and Party featuring Frankenstein, his bride, a mini mummy, and a baby bat.
The family behind Chris Loves Julia took this awesome film-themed photo for the invitation to their annual costume bash. A flashback to a favorite childhood movie, the kids may not be familiar with The Sandlot, but they'll love the fun summery costumes.
Wait until you see the McDonald’s french fry toddler Halloween costume!
There’s no doubt your little pumpkin will look adorable in any costume, but if you’re eager to flex your creative spirit this Halloween and pull out all the stops for that must-have photo op, you’ve come to the right place. From stunning and elaborate to creative and hilarious, we’ve narrowed our top picks for the cutest and most clever toddler Halloween costumes. We can almost hear the “oohhs” and “awwws” now!
If you’re looking for a unique, show-stopping costume, this butterfly flutters to the top of the pack. To make this exact costume you’ll need Martha Stewart paints, stencils, and plenty of cardboard. Head over to Tell Love and Party for all the details.
The beauty of this toddler Halloween costume is that you can order it! Now, will they keep the wig on long enough to hit the trick-or-treat circuit? That’s another question all together.
This circus animal cookie costume hits all the right notes. It’s colorful, cozy, and completely original. Visit A Joyful Riot for all the details on how to re-create this sprinkled-covered costume. Although this tutorial was technically designed for a baby, you can easily adapt it for a toddler or big kid. Just buy bigger clothes and be prepared to cut out a few more circles—it’s that easy!
Halloween costume inspo is bubbling over on Lauren Mancke’s Insta feed. The talented designer highlights a costume (or three) a day throughout October. Mom to twin girls and a son Fox, she motivates everyone to scratch that creative itch and go big this season! She also offers tons of great ideas on family costumes, like this deep sea Odessey your whole crew will love.
It may not feel like it, but the amount of time you’ll get to dress your kids up for Halloween is finite. So why not go all out while you can? This Peacock costume is stunning and will make for the most beautiful photos. Use this image as inspiration or follow this step-by-step tutorial to create a similar look.
Save those amazon boxes! This DIY costume uses the most versatile material around—cardboard. Find all the details on A Joyful Riot, including a template that will get you on your way to replicating this amazing Carousel horse for your sweet trick-or-treater.
Sure you can find an astronaut costume online, but if you want to shoot for the stars you can create your own. Check out Bravery Magazine for all the details on how to make this out-of-this-world costume.
Ahoy, me hearties! Why not turn your biggest treasure into a pirate’s booty this Halloween? Use this costume by Wild Ink Press as inspiration to turn that cardboard box into a golden treasure chest. Even better, you can play along by dressing up as a pirate yourself. Family costume, complete!
Awesome Octopus
Sewing skills are required for this adorable octopus costume, which comes complete with soft, squishy tentacles for your little one to play with. If you’ve got the skills and some time, the final result is so worth it. Check out the project at Mermagblog.
Halloween only comes around once a year! So if you don’t mind going through lots of green spray paint, this costume will turn heads and make your little soldier the talk of the town. Check out the full tutorial here.
Incorporating a wagon into your toddler’s costume is brilliant for so many reasons. So, when we saw this rainbow weather costume from Studio DIY, we instantly fell in love. Use the wagon as a base, toss your little cloud in, and you’re guaranteed a night of trick-or-treating that doesn’t need to end early! There are tons of options for turning it into a family weather costume, like the sun and rain you see here or even a snowflake or lightning bolt for siblings.
Whooo is the cutest child around? Yours, of course. This DIY costume takes a little time and patience, but it’s worth it to see your baby owl looking cute—and feeling comfortable—in the final result. For step-by-step instructions, go to The Love Notes Blog.
A birthday cake for Halloween! Yes, please. This sweeter-than-sugar costume is just what you need to flex your creative spirit and give your little one a costume they’ll never forget. A Subtle Revelry shares all the details on how to make this dreamy fit.
This teeny, tiny toadstool makes an excellent sidekick for a mini Mario Bros or a fairy princess. Wispy House has all the info on how to make this magic mushroom.
This genius Halloween costume hack can go in so many directions
Elaborate costumes aren’t always comfortable for the tiniest of tots, so choosing a baby costume for Halloween that is no-fuss yet still adorable is the way to go. Get inspired by these adorable infant costumes that center around what your newborn is happiest wearing—a onesie! From a precious Poké Ball to a little loofah, these simple do-it-yourself costumes will have your baby Halloween-ready in no time.
Pokemon Poké Ball
Say Yes
If your baby’s got a big brother or sister who’s obsessed with Pokemon, this Poké Ball idea from Say Yes can be a great sibling costume—all you need is a red long-sleeved onesie, white pants, and some black-and-silver felt to fashion a belt. Make an easy Ash Ketchum look for your big (there’s a great one at kidsactivities.com) and let them tote their little Poké Ball around the neighborhood to help catch ’em all!
Your baby is magic and so is this witty costume idea from And We Play. Start with a black onesie. Get the template designs for the “8” and the answer “outlook not good” here and strategically place the answer over the diaper area on your baby’s back. It’s, easy, comfy, and clever all in one!
A black onesie gets transformed into a wetsuit in this easy-to-assemble scuba diver baby costume. Bonus: the accessories like swim goggles, a water or soda bottle, and a pacifier are all things you probably have on hand.
Pull off this sweet strawberry costume in no time. All you need is a long-sleeved red onesie, green hat, and felt. If you’re itching for an even craftier challenge, check out these slightly more complex (but still onesie-based) costumes by Morgan at Charleston Craft.
Bath time is the best time! With just tulle, rope, and a needle and thread, Home of the Harvey’s shows how to make a baby loofah costume in less than an hour while only spending $8. Be sure to size up the onesie for this easy DIY.
Lifeguard Baby Halloween Costume
Our friends at Primary, who make our favorite baby bodysuits, have shared a bunch of clever costume ideas and simple instructions on how to make them. We love this cute lifeguard baby costume (pictured above)—and its quick, no-sew directions. Here are some of our other faves:
Here’s a poppin’ fresh idea the whole neighborhood will love. All you need for this DIY Pillsbury doughboy costume is a long-sleeved white onesie, white pants, and a chef’s hat. Then, use any piece of white fabric to make a simple scarf, print the Pillsbury logo, and glue it onto your little one’s hat. Baking skills not included!
Complete this adorable baby costume in no time with a red premium Onesie bodysuit, white peel-and-stick felt, stick-on letters, a green ribbon, and fabric glue. Looking for another costume for a sibling or friend? Relish the spirit of Halloween with a coordinating costume using a green onesie to make everyone’s favorite pickled condiment.
This darling deer costume keeps your little fawn comfy and your workload light. Whether you choose to DIY your antlers or make it extra easy and purchase a headband from Little Bug’s Pretties via Etsy, this Halloween inspo from El Paso blogger Jeannie is hard to resist.
In a chilly climate, you’ll appreciate the hat on this easy-to-identify baby Halloween costume. All you’ll need is a red-and-white-striped onesie (or cover a white onesie with red felt strips) and red-and-white fleece for the hat. Add jeans and round glasses (if you can’t find any, search for Harry Potter glasses at online retailers), and you’re all set. Make It & Love It has the tutorial.
Pac-Man Baby Halloween Costume
Calling all gamers! Start with a black onesie and glue on cut-out felt pieces of Pac-Man and dots (or order the perfect patches from JohnShopHj on Etsy!). In more of an add-to-cart mood? Pick up this cute onesie from SunshineDriveShop for a mommy-and-me costume where baby is the ghost to your Pac.
Whether it’s a superhero hideout or a cool reading nook, outdoor forts bring magic and wonder to everyone in on the action. Even more, they make super summer projects for kids. We’ve found 15 outdoor forts for kids and the best part? You won’t need an engineering degree to pull it off. From tree forts and teepees to A-frames and twigs, here’s where you find out everything you need to know about how to build a fort.
A cardboard box fort works just as well outside as inside (during the warm months), and we can't get over the toy bin and spyglass that have been added to the sides.
A is for amazing! Whether you build this sturdy A-frame playhouse yourself or make it a woodworking project for kids, the end result is astonishing. We love the step-by-step over At Home With Ashley which includes all the supplies you’ll need.
With a little bit of imagination, mama Christie over at Raising Whasians made this no-sew kids' outdoor fort. Throw in a flashlight, books and your little camper's favorite things, and you have a backyard oasis.
This teepee fort is an inventive project that bigger kids can help to build. Grab books, snacks and other favorite items to make this fort extra sweet! We found the how-to over at How Wee Learn.
Looking for a modern outdoor fort for kids? Then this is your playhouse. We love the creativity used over at A Beautiful Mess to build this sleek yellow play fort. It even has a swing set and a slide.
Kids can take fort design into their own hands with this amazing idea from Babble Dabble Do. They’ll love putting it together and painting it themselves.
Bring the spirit of an indoor blanket fort outside with this easy-to-make version from Clean Rachel Wolf. After all, the less time you spend setting it up, the more time the kids will have to play.
If you’ve got good trees in your backyard and DIY skills, then this tree fort from Hands On As We Grow might be the perfect fit for you. It’s the kind of fort that can be made in a weekend and added to as time goes on.
Take a cue from Mama. Papa. Bubba. and craft this cute teepee in your backyard. With bamboo stakes, a king-sized sheet and clothespins, it’ll come together in five minutes.
This fort from Ikat Bag just might be your kiddo’s new favorite hangout spot. You can pick up everything you’ll need to make it at the hardware store, and your cozy tent will be ready in no time.
Try out this A-frame tent from Babble Dabble Do, made with a convenient fort-building kit. The building process is a great way to teach kids about architecture, and the hangout area doesn’t hurt either.
How cool is this twig fort by Little City Farm? It’s a project for kids since you can get your whole crew involved in gradually finding the twigs and building this outdoor fort.
If you’ve got a little bookworm on your hands, encourage them to get outside by crafting a cute fort like this one from Desde My Ventana. With pillows, a stack of books, and a few snacks on hand, they’ll be set for the whole afternoon.
This last one is for all you DIY masters out there. It was a year in the making (see the YouTube video here), and you can find the instructions at Instructables.
Discover new ways to enjoy the outdoors! The National Park Service’s Junior Ranger motto is “Explore. Learn. Protect.” And that is exactly what your 4 to 13-year-olds get to do! Explore national parks in the Bay Area; Learn about the park’s natural wildlife, landscape and history; and Protect those parks so we can trek through them for years to come! After completing a series of activities (like counting rings on a fallen tree, word games and deciphering secret codes), kiddos can earn an official Junior Ranger patch and a Junior Ranger certificate. Keep reading to find out exactly which parks offer this cool program. And we’ve included a few virtual options as well!
How it Works
It’s simple! Go to one of the parks listed below. Pick up the Junior Park Ranger book at the visitor center (or sometimes you can download and print from home). Have fun doing all the activities and then turn in your completed book to a park ranger and get your badge and/or certificate. And the best part is that it’s FREE and available year-round.
Where to Go!
Muir Woods National Monument
Spend time in the forest! Follow the directions in your book and then chat with a ranger about your time in the park. Discuss what you learned and what you’re still curious about. And then Wala! Your kiddo gets a badge and a certificate and you are now the proud parent of a Junior Park Ranger! Get the book here!
Best for Ages: 4-11+
Website: Muir Woods National Monument
Marin Headlands
Travel just north of the Golden Gate Bridge and explore the wonders of nature in the Marin Headlands. Learn about ocean ecology, the history of the inhabitants of years past and how to study animal scat! Get the book here!
Best for Ages: 6-12
Website: Marin Headlands Visitor’s Center
photo by Alcatraz Cruises
Alcatraz Island
Explore one of the most iconic prisons in the United States. Dive into the mystery and unique history of this national park. Are you ready to become an Alcatraz Jr. Ranger? Get the book here! Follow the map and complete the exercises along the way! Books are also available on Alcatraz Island at the Dock Information Station. And if you can’t make it to Alcatraz, don’t worry. You can visit virtually using the Jr. Ranger Photo Gallery and an Alcatraz Ranger will send your little one a badge!
Best for Ages: 4-12
Website: Alcatraz Island
Fort Point National Historic Site
Explore the fort. Learn about its incredible history. And protect the fort’s beauty and environment so that generations can enjoy it for years to come! Try a scavenger hunt, interview a ranger and learn about the day in a life of a soldier (Fort Point defended the Bay after the Gold Rush and through World War II). Get the book here!
Best for Ages: 4-11+
Website: Fort Point National Historic Site
Photo: annie-spratt via unsplash
China Camp
This Junior Ranger program searches for birds that live and visit China Camp’s shorelines and oak woodlands. You might find hummingbirds, raptors, shorebirds and waterfowl. Kiddos will also get an up-close peek at nests and feathers. Don’t forget your camera! The program will be guided by naturalists/educators Suzanne Mirviss and Paula O’Connell. And good news! All kids must be accompanied by an adult—so you can join in on the fun as well! Register Here
Best for Ages: 7-9 Date: April 9, 2022 Time: 10 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Location: China Camp Ranger Station
Website: China Camp
*Pro-tip: Weather can be temperamental—layers work best! Snacks are welcome and water is encouraged.
San Francisco Maritime Park
Pick up your Junior Ranger activity book at one of three locations. Learn about a fleet of historic vessels and visit the maritime museum. At the same time, complete the activities and then find a park ranger who can review your kiddos hard work and award them with a well-earned Junior Ranger badge. Books are also available for download here for 5-8 yeard olds and 9-12 year olds.
Best for Ages: 5-12
Locations:
Hyde Street Pier, Foot of Hyde Street/2905 Hyde Street
Municipal Pier (Aquatic Park Pier)
Aquatic Park Bathhouse Building (Maritime Museum), Foot of Polk Street/900 Beach Street
Website: San Francisco Maritime Park
Photo: toki-doki via creative commons
Point Reyes Junior Ranger
Come to Point Reyes and pick up your Junior Ranger book at one of the park’s visitor centers. Explore the history of the Coast Miwok (people who call this area home) and learn about marine life (especially elephant seals and gray whales). When you finish your Junior Ranger book, return it to one of the visitor centers to get sworn in as an official Junior Park Ranger and receive your Junior Ranger patch. Too much time exploring to finish the book while you are in the park? Complete it later and mail it here: Bear Valley Visitor Center, Point Reyes National Seashore, 1 Bear Valley Road, Point Reyes Station, CA, 94956.
A ranger will check your work and mail the book back to you with a patch! Can’t make the trip to Point Reyes? Become a Virtual Junior Ranger!
Best for Ages: 5-12+
Website: Point Reyes National Seashore
Virtual Opportunities
Dual Language
Initiated in the summer of 2020, close to 10,000 people participated in Virtual Junior Ranger Programs. Because they were so successful, the staff decided to continue the programs. And now—a dual language Junior Ranger program is available online. Check it out for yourself! And click here to access six different modules to complete at your own pace.
Beach Buddies Junior Ranger Book
The Beach Buddies Jr. Ranger book features Petey Plover, a cute little bird with a brown Ranger hat. Petey guides you through fun activities that teach you how to keep your beaches clean and safe in fun and easy ways. Get the book here!
Best for Ages: 6-10+
Virtual Junior Ranger Railroad Explorer
Ready to become a railroad explorer? Learn more about the transcontinental railroad, which helped link the United States from coast to coast! Complete this book, check your work and complete the pledge in the back of the book.
Junior Ranger Sounds Explorer
Meet Lucy, the listening owl. Follow her as you explore the sounds of the park, learn the science behind those sounds and appreciate why we need to protect those sounds. Complete this book, check your answers with this key, have a parent sign the certificate to become a Junior Ranger Sounds Explorer. To find out more about natural sounds and why sounds matter, check this out!
Best for Ages 5-10+
Junior Ranger in Space
Co-designed with NASA, click here to access the Spaceflight Explorer Jr. Ranger book. Complete with math and matching puzzles, thinking questions, spot the difference photos, scrambled words and anagrams, children will learn about the Moon, space vehicles and national parks. Take the pledge, make your own badge, and show off your certificate proudly!
Best for Ages: 5-8
Junior Ranger Angler
Let’s go fishing! Get your booklet here! Learn about fishing, aquatic life and safety while you meet fish, learn about different types of fishing and get to know the gear. Parents, check their work and then scroll to the bottom of this page to print a badge.
Best for Ages: 5-12+
Junior Ranger Scientist
Explore magnificent caves, learn what cave scientists actually do and start protecting our natural environments and the things that make caves special! Complete this booklet and send it to this address: Jr. Cave Scientist, GRD-Academy Place, PO BOX 25287, Denver, CO 80225. Via mail, you will receive your booklet, a badge and a personal letter to your little explorer.
Best for Ages: 5-12+
Junior Ranger Night Explorer
Here’s the booklet! Try the “exploring with your Senses” and the “Take a Planet Walk” sections. Complete as much of the book as you can. Sign the book and take a look at your well-deserved virtual high-five.
Best for Age: 5-12+
Easter 2022 is already right around the corner! From puzzle eggs and hunt by color to no chores and token egg hunts, we’ve got 14 ideas for Easter egg hunts that are extra special. Trust us, this will be a hunt they remember! Scroll down to see them all.
Teamwork! Easter egg hunts are extra fun when you put individual puzzle pieces in each Easter egg and have your little bunnies work together to make a puzzle for a prize. Hop over to It’s Always Autumn for details and the printable instructions.
Do you have a mix of fast and slow little bunnies running for those eggs? We love how mom Karen color-coded her eggs and made matching baskets (Just in case someone forgets what color they have!). Jump over to Sew Many Ways for the step-by-step of this eggs-cellent idea.
Hunt for your lunch! Make Easter Sunday 2022 fun for both big and little kids who’ll love this type of egg hunt inspired by Gluesticks blog. Whether it’s their favorite sandwich, fruit or snack, they’ll have fun both finding and eating it. Your kids will think you're the coolest.
Switch it up! As far as Easter egg hunts go, this is a good idea for bigger kids. Let them be the Easter bunny and hide the eggs. Add a great twist by writing their chores on a piece of paper and putting it in the eggs. Then, it’s time for the parents to look for the eggs. Any eggs not found are chores kids don’t have to do!
Kids will be stoked when they get yolk tokens to exchange for prizes. We love this Token Egg Hunt created by Life as a Mom. Not only is there no chocolate in this hunt, but you can also customize the prizes for all the bunnies.
Do you want to do 10 jumping jacks or reveal your favorite toy? Fill Easter eggs with cute and fun family-friendly truth or dare challenges that you can do indoors or the backyard. Have the whole family find the hidden eggs and then, it’s time for truth or dare. Who knows, you may learn something new!
8. Treasure Hunt
Nikki Walsh
Arrr! Gather up ye mateys to search for the pirate map hidden in the colorful Easter eggs. First, make a treasure map, then cut it up and put the pieces into the eggs. Next, tell your little bunnies to find the eggs. Finally, your little treasure hunters can tape the map together to find their Easter baskets.
Little chickadees will love their eggs hanging from the trees. You’ll need yarn, plastic eggs, and Easter treats. Mama Kelly has the easy directions you’ll need to create this Easter egg wonderland. Hop on over to Be a Fun Mum for the tutorial.
Poppin’ down the bunny trail? Bigger rabbits will enjoy pulling and popping to get their tiny treasures, almost like little piñata eggs. You’ll need plastic eggs, streamers and string. Skitter over to Studio DIY to put a little bang in your Easter egg hunt.
Your little bouncing bunnies can burn off their chocolate buzz with this exercise-inspired hunt. From jumping jacks to crab walks this search will bring giggles and fun: To see how it’s done, spring over to No Time for Flashcards, and let the action begin.
Gold and chocolate aren’t just for Willy Wonka! Step up the excitement of the hunt by adding golden eggs. When found, they’ll have an extra special treat inside. We love these shiny golden eggs created by Liz Stanley at Say Yes. You’ll need plastic eggs, foil and glue.
Is your lil’ bunny learning his or her ABC’s? Good news! You won’t have to shell out a lot of money to create this wordy hunt. Grab foam letters, paper, colored pens and plastic eggs, and then bound over to Hands On As We Grow to see this idea in action.
14. Glow in the Dark Hunt
Gabby Cullen
Your little peeps will be glowing after this Easter egg hunt. You can either buy glow-in-the-dark eggs or you can put a small LED light (or bracelet glow stick) inside of plastic eggs, then hide the eggs indoors for lil’ bunnies and outside for bigger kiddos.
We’re big fans of all things American Girl and now you have a new way to immerse yourself in the world of the characters: American Girl Vacations! Brought to you by Academic Travel Abroad, you can travel to Hawaii and enter the life of Nanea, or New York and step back in time with Rebecca. The trips span 6-7 days and are packed with activities and experiences sure to delight your doll lover.
Rebecca’s New York trip is scheduled for December in New York City. In your six days, you’ll join a sewing class to learn about the Jewish principle of mitzvah, see The Nutcracker live and explore the Museum of Moving image at a private after-hours party. You’ll also get to try some of the city’s iconic eats, like sandwiches at Katz’s Delicatessen and frozen hot chocolate at Serendipity III. All accommodations are included, in this case, a stay at a four-star hotel in Manhattan. And a professional on-site host will help you make the most of your time in the Big Apple.
Nanea’s Hawaii trip is also slated for December in Oahu. Scheduled for seven days, you’ll get to learn the art of hula dancing, care for pups at the humane society and enjoy a private tour of Pearl Harbor. You can try your hand at making shave ice, explore a rain forest and enjoy the island’s beautiful beaches. Don’t forget the luau celebration! You’ll stay at a four-star hotel on Waikiki Beach and also be treated to a professional on-site host.
Space for both trips is limited to 25, but if you miss the first two there are more to come! The trips have flexible cancelation policies and enlist a professional travel team to help with questions regarding flights, extra accommodations and COVID-19 protocols. It will definitely be a Christmas to remember!
We all need help getting things done. From finding the perfect carpooling app and learning a foreign language to finally taking that online sewing class, there’s a slew of mom-invented services out there to help you tap into your inner passion or just get things done. Keep scrolling to see some of our fave ways moms are changing everyday life for the better.
Better Childcare Options: Bubble Up
Bubble Up
Elizabeth Beales was a young mother and a member of the homeless community. After experiencing the damage that lack of childcare can have on family health, safety, and job security she decided to use her skills, knowledge, and network to help other parents who find themselves facing these same challenges. So she created Bubble Up, an app that helps evolve the way we think about childcare and community support. Bubble Up allows parents and families to use a simple swipe to group up with other families in a size and format that feels safe and helpful for them. Parents can share what’s important to them, when and where they need care and what their needs are. Then they can locate compatible families and/or caregivers and begin connecting right away. Bubble Up is a free service, allowing families to truly use the “it takes a village” model for childcare.
Mom of two, Iva Teixeira has had a long career in consulting, advising large beauty brands on everything from strategy to sales. During her time in the field, Teixeira interviewed more than 100 women and found that the number one thing they looked for in a beauty brand was safety. So, in 2018, she and her co-partner founded The Good Face Project, the world’s largest data-driven index of cosmetic ingredients. The online platform uses powerful AI algorithms to analyze cosmetic ingredients and products across 15 different dimensions of safety, effectiveness, and benefits. The Good Face Project's has already analyzed more than 45,000 products and over 80,000 individual ingredients! Users can access the playform to shop with confidence on everything from baby and cosmetics to shaving and sun care.
Founders Amri Kibbler and Katya Libin realized a huge piece was missing from their own lives in the workforce: a community of supportive moms with careers. To help build a community of working moms who empower each other, the two founded HeyMama, a private and professional social network. The platform now has members across the United States and helps women everywhere balance the challenges of motherhood and a career.
Jamie and Brian Ratner, Washington, D.C.-area natives and parents, started CertifiKID back in 2010 when they saw a gap in the market for kid and family-based deals. Within three months, the site was expanding to other large markets and after a 2019 stint on Shark Tank, CertifiKID is now the only 100 perfect free nationwide kid and family focused resource! It offers exclusive deals on products, restaurants, birthday party activities, special needs offers, kids’ camps and classes, family activities and real mom reviews.
GoKid was founded by Dr. Stefanie Lemcke, a New York City mom determined to curb her driving fatigue due to traffic jams packed with other parents all driving in the same direction. The free-to-download app is a way to easily coordinate with other trusted parents and create a streamlined carpooling process. So far, GoKid has saved over eight million miles of driving, has users in 25+ countries, reduced CO2 emissions by seven million pounds and is getting vehicles off the road.
Fashion expert and mama to four Mimi G came from humble beginnings. A survivor of domestic violence and homelessness, Mimi G has always held a love of fashion and sewing close to her heart. In addition to creating her own DIY and Lifestyle brand, Mimi G Style, the empowering girlboss also created Sew It! Academy in 2016. The completely online sewing school teaches anyone how to sew, and offers monthly subscriptions and tutorials for everything from DIY sunglass cases to evening gowns.
A woman entrepreneur and mother to three, Belinda Coker has been active in providing fresh drinking water to developing communities in Africa and Asia for over 10 years. A perpetual philanthropist and entrepreneur, her previous successful brands include Envirosax, the first designer reusable bag with environmental certification to enter the U.S. market back in 2007. November Rain was borne out of a need to fund her freshwater projects in Africa. Producing an item printed with eco-friendly dyes was a no-brainer, but Belinda also took this one step further by creating a poncho that women of all shapes and sizes could wear, whether they are blessed with curves or fabulously tall and willowy. "Unless we are a perfect industry size, there is always the issue of fit. And I wanted to overcome that, for all women," says Belinda. November Rain gives 10% of all revenue to water projects in developing countries, the ponchos are made to last and they are stylish!
In 2012, Julia Wang left her job as Product Manager at American Express to be a SAHM to her newborn daughter. Both Julia’s and her husband’s parents emigrated from Taiwan in the 1980s and are more comfortable speaking in their native tongue—Mandarin Chinese. Julia wanted her little girl to be able to communicate with her grandparents, but she struggled to find the right resources to teach her daughter Chinese—there was a lack of anything that would hold a kid’s attention for more than five minutes and it was hard to find a program that was educational and fun. And so, Jamma Jango was born. It’s a cartoon-based, foreign language-learning product that provides parents fun and educational language resources—all in one box. Currently, Jamma Jango offers a Spanish language and a Mandarin Chinese version.
We’re well into the pandemic and wearing a mask has become the new norm––though it’s still not all that fun. While we parents can slog through our day just fine, getting a kiddo to wear their mask can be difficult.
Enter Snapsyle: DIY printable masks! The customizable kit retails for $17.99 and comes with everything you need to design, print and wear. The best part? No sewing required!
To make your own mask you just photograph your pattern and use the Mask Creator app to adjust and preview the mask. Then you’ll need an inkjet printer for printing and the instructions to easily assemble.
Masks are 100 percent cotton, which includes the sheets, ear loops and nose band. They are designed to be disposable so are great for special occasions or to just stock up on your kiddos fun characters so that they look forward to strapping one on.
