You Can Finally Watch the New LEGO Star Wars Halloween Special

by Karly WoodOctober 1, 2021

Disney+’s Hallowestream has finally arrived! The streaming provider is kicking off the season with an new Halloween-inspired LEGO special, LEGO Star Wars Terrifying Tales, and you can watch now!

The animated special celebrates the dark side of the galaxy and packs plenty of names and voices Star Wars fans know and love. Expect to hear Tony Hale, Christian Slater, Jake Green, Dana Snyder and many more. Now you can also get your first look at the official trailer, which features Darth Vader’s loyal servant Vaneé (Hale) spinning three spooky stories.

LEGO Star Wars Terrifying Tales takes place after The Rise of Skywalker and follows Poe and BB-8 as they make an emergency landing on the volcanic planet Mustafar. Here they meet Graballa the Hutt who is renovating Darth Vader’s castle into an all-inclusive luxury hotel (comedy abounds).

Along with Graballa’s mechanic, Dean, the characters head deep into the castle and listen to spooky stories about artifacts and villains across the galaxy. Can Poe and BB-8 quash an “ancient evil” from coming back to life and escape the spooky hotel?

The only way to find out is to watch starting today on Disney+.

––Karly Wood

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Put a Spin On It! 6 Creative Ways to Play with Dreidels

by Gabby CullenNovember 25, 2020

You and your littles look forward to playing Dreidel every year. It’s a blast to watch the piles of gelt grow (or shrink!) with every shin, nun, hey and gimel—the shrieks of glee are an added bonus. But, even go-to holiday traditions can use a little shaking up, once in a while. For Hanukkah 2020 you can get creative with a classic Hanukkah tradition by checking out these six ideas that’ll have you looking at spinning tops in a whole new light.

1. Make it a board game.

We think the idea to create a board game, from Therapy Fun Zone, is pure genius. Instead of collecting goodies and sweets, have each spin represent a move on a gameboard, which has fun activities and simple actions spread out among the game squares. Download the free PDF here, or, create one of your own. Want to know how many moves each symbol represents? Jump over to Therapy Fun Zone for more info, and other clever ways to use dreidels.

2. Stack it up.

Be the first to stack up all your blocks and win! Up to six people can play Staccabees, a twist on the dreidel game that includes the fun of the spin but adds the excitement of stacking pieces higher and higher until it all comes crashing down. Each set includes 36 wood game pieces, one engraved wood dreidel and a canvas tote to keep it all together. Grab your own set here. Don’t feel like buying the game? DIY a version with Jenga pieces or building blocks and your own set of dreidels.

3. Speed it up.

If you’ve ever played Dreidel, then you’ll remember how long it can take for someone to be declared the champion. For a speedy take on the game, check out a revamped version created by Ben Blatt over at Slate. Speed Dreidel™ calls for players to spin their dreidels together (no more watching your bubbe spin while the kids squirm!), and then wiggles with the rules just a bit (like how much gelt you win or lose with each roll), to make the game more interesting for every player. Trying this version will ensure your latkes don’t get cold while you try to collect everyone else's stash of goodies. Grab the full instructions by clicking here.

4. Painting with a spin.

Make an artistic statement instead of playing for gelt, this year. Give your kids a box, a top and drop in paint, then watch them create their own spin art right at home. It’s an easy way to add a new twist to a timeless Festival of Light family activity.

5. Have a spin-off.

Instead of waiting for everyone to have a turn with the dreidel and divvying up the goodies accordingly, why not conduct spin-offs? It's fun and easy to grab a timer and see which family member has been perfecting those spinning skills since last Hanukkah. Each time someone out-spins another player, reward the record holder with chocolates and goodies.

6. Dress Up Driedel

We love this idea from A Dime Saved. Every person has to pick 4 things that start with the 4 letters on the dreidel. Take all the items and put them in 4 separate baskets. Each time you land on a letter you have to pick an item from that bag and put it in. Game ends when everyone gets bored or there are no more items in the basket.

Here’s How to Stay the Night at The Fresh Prince’s Beverly Hills Mansion

by Karly WoodSeptember 14, 2020

Now this is a story all about how…it’s been 30 years since The Fresh Prince pulled up at his family’s Beverly Hills mansion! To commemorate the occasion, Will Smith recently announced that he will be opening up the doors to the house where it all happened.

Starting Sept. 29 at 11:00 a.m. PST, groups of up to two Los Angeles County residents will have the opportunity to book a one night stay in Will’s wing of the mansion. To honor the 30 years that have passed since the show started, the five bookings will only cost $30 a night and will occur on Oct. 2, 5, 8, 11 and 14, 2020.

With some major updates since the 90’s, the wing showcases big style with access to Will’s bedroom and bathroom, a poolside lounge area and dining room. Guests are in for a big treat with perks that include trying on some of the Prince’s Air Jordans, spinning throwbacks on turntables, dressing up in clothes from Will’s closet and lounging poolside.

Guests can also make a request to be a part of a special Airbnb Online Experience with DJ Jazzy Jeff, where he will teach guests how to spin and scratch and virtually spend time with him in his home studio.

Anyone interested must prove Los Angeles County residency and currently live in the same household to minimize risk during the Covid-19 pandemic. To request a booking, head to Airbnb starting Sept. 29.

––Karly Wood

All photos: Courtesy of Airbnb

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Netflix’s “Floor Is Lava” Is Your Family’s New Favorite Show

by Jennifer SwartvagherJuly 1, 2020

If you are looking for a fun show to watch with your kids head over to Netflix. The streaming service just released Floor is Lava, a game show based on the popular children’s game of jumping from across the room, surfing across pieces of furniture without touching any part of their body to the floor. Be prepared, your kids are going to want to recreate the scenarios at home.

According to Netflix, “Teams compete to navigate rooms flooded with lava by leaping from chairs, hanging from curtains and swinging from chandeliers. Yes, really.”

Hosted by Rutledge Wood, the series walks viewers through the various obstacle course routes. The audience is given a clear picture of what needs to be done in order to conquer each level. Contestants need to work together as a cohesive team to finish each challenge.

As contestants advance to higher levels in the game they travel to the different rooms in a house, from scaling the bug infested basement walls to spinning around on a four poster bed.

Just remember, the floor is lava!

—Jennifer Swartvagher

All photos courtesy of ADAM ROSE/NETFLIX

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Christina Applegate and Linda Cardellini Are Back in “Dead to Me” Season 2 Teaser

by Jennifer SwartvagherApril 10, 2020

Dead to Me fans rejoice! Your first look at season 2 is finally here. Netflix dropped a teaser trailer for season 2 of the hit dark comedy, which premieres May 8.

According to Netflix, “Jen and Judy are not okay. Not even a little. With their lives spinning out of control, they’re clinging to each other — and their secrets.”

In the trailer, Jen (Christina Applegate) says, “Grief does some weird s— to people.”

—Jennifer Swartvagher

Featured photo: Netflix via YouTube

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Manhattan Toy Recalls Musical Lili Llama Due to Choking Hazard

by Jennifer SwartvagherApril 7, 2020

Check your toy box. There’s been a recall of the Musical Lili Llama. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, the screws used to attach the spinning flowers to the sides of the toy can become loose and fall off, posing a choking hazard for young children.

This recall involves Musical Lili Llama wooden activity toy. The llama-shaped wood toy has a multi-colored metal xylophone on the top, two wood mallets, a detachable maraca tail on the back, four spinning squares on the front, two clacking panels on the sides and two spinning flowers on the sides. Lot code 217120 IL is printed on the inside of the side panel below the company name and address.

Manhattan Toy has received seven reports of loose screws falling off the toy, including two reports of children putting the screws in their mouths.

Consumers should immediately take the recalled toy away from children and contact Manhattan Toy for a free repair kit. Contact Manhattan Toy at 800-541-1345 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT Mon. through Thurs.and 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Fri.; email mtreps@manhattantoy.com, or online at Manhattan Toy and click on ‘Recall Information’ for more information.

This toy was sold at toy stores nationwide and online at Manhattan Toy, Amazon and other websites from October 2019 through February 2020 for about $50.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

All photos courtesy of U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

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The New PlayPop Board Book Series Features “Ghostbusters”, “Back to the Future” & More

by Shahrzad WarkentinDecember 28, 2019

Your tots might still be too young to watch some of your favorite childhood movies like Ghostbusters and E.T., but now you can experience the cherished characters with your young readers in a whole new way with the PlayPop board book series.

Insight Editions has just announced a brand new board book series based on pop culture characters from some of your favorite movies. The collection, which gives parents and kids a fun way to bond over reading, will include six titles in total with the first two debuting on Feb. 4, 2020. Ghostbusters : 1 to 10 Slimer’s Loose Again is a clever counting book featuring the lovable green ghost who spots some silly sights as he ventures through the city.

The second title, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial: E.T.’s First Words features a clever design that allows young readers to learn sight words by spinning a wheel to match words with a specific scene on each page. Even as kids grow older, it makes for an entertaining read as they create silly sentences with the words that don’t match. You can pre-order both books for $9.99 each on Amazon.

In Summer 2020, the series continues with books inspired by Back to the Future and Jim Henson’s Labyrinth. Later in the fall, the last two books will be released: one based on The Dark Crystal and another Ghostbusters-inspired title.

—Shahrzad Warkentin

All photos: Amazon

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This Christmas Ornament Decor Kit Is “Treemendous”

by Erica LoopSeptember 27, 2019

Even though Christmas is still months away, there’s no time like the present to start DIYing a few special ornaments. If your kiddos are into crafting, the Treemendous Ornament Decorator is an easy, artsy way to make your own holiday tree decor!

Forget about the glitter-coated, glue-soaked mess that usually comes with your child’s Christmas ornament art adventures. The Treemendous decorating kit comes with quick-drying markers.

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Along with the markers, you’ll get a “Treemendous” tree cut-out and blank ornament balls to place inside. Simply flip the switch on the tree and the ball spins. Your pint-sized Picasso can press the marker’s tip against the spinning ornament and, like magic, they’ll create a perfect line around the sphere.

Continue the spinning art to create line after line, squiggles or swirls on the ornament. To order your Treemendous Ornament Decorator click here.

—Erica Loop

Featured photo: Courtesy of Treemendous Ornament Decorator

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Did Kelly Clarkson Just Ruin “Frozen” for Her Daughter?

by Erica LoopApril 17, 2019

American Idol winner, The Voice coach, super-talented performer, mama. While these words all describe singer Kelly Clarkson, there’s one way Clarkson is just like us. Sometimes she says the wrong thing at the wrong time to her kid.

When Clarkson recently explained voice-over acting to her four-year-old daughter River Rose, she may have dished too deeply. While speaking with ET’s Kevin Frazier, the Ugly Dolls star revealed how she may have accidentally crushed her kiddo’s Frozen dreams.

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So what exactly did Clarkson do? When trying to compare her role in the animated Ugly Dolls movie to Frozen’s Elsa and Anna, she inadvertently told River Rose that there are actresses voicing the movie’s main characters.

Clarkson told ET, “I was explaining to her, because she was confused, and I said, ‘It’s my voice. Like, you know, like how Elsa and Anna, there’s a person that plays Elsa and Anna?’ And I didn’t get what I was doing!”

Of course the mama felt terrible for lifting the veil and exposing Anna and Elsa as animated, voiced cartoon characters. But Clarkson also noted that with River Rose, “would’ve figured it out.” Beyond consoling herself with the knowledge that her daughter is “very clever,” Clarkson also flipped her flub into something positive. “I saw her little face, and I just saw the wheels spinning, and it was like, ‘Oh no! But isn’t it exciting that you can meet the real girl that plays Elsa?”

—Erica Loop

Featured photo:

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LEGO Movie World Has Finally Opened at LEGOLAND—See the Pics

by Erica LoopMarch 28, 2019

Have you booked your Spring Break vaycay yet? If not, you’re in luck—because LEGO Movie World at LEGOLAND Florida has officially opened. And yes, everything is awesome.

So what can you expect from this new LEGOLAND Florida attraction? The newest and largest expansion of the theme park is 80,000 square-feet, which means your kiddo will have plenty of room to roam around and explore their favorite attractions straight out of The LEGO Movie franchise.

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LEGO Movie World includes a quick-service restaurant, three rides, a play area and (of course) a retail store.

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When it comes to the rides, Unikitty’s Disco Drop is a spinning, bouncing, dropping party.

Sunny Days…🌈☀️ #THELEGOMOVIEWORLD is now open! pic.twitter.com/zvsdbQxBnL

— LEGOLAND Florida (@LEGOLANDFlorida) March 27, 2019

The ride carries you 35 feet up into the air and like the name says, drops you down to the ground.

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There are also plenty of meet-and-greet photo opps for the whole family!

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And if all that doesn’t make you feel like everything actually is awesome, check out this clip to see just how awesome it really is!

.@ModernFam star @SuperJMaguire came to check out #THELEGOMOVIEWORLD before it opens on Wednesday! pic.twitter.com/y5KYN8Qgnh

— LEGOLAND Florida (@LEGOLANDFlorida) March 25, 2019

LEGO Movie World is open now at the LEGOLAND Florida Resort in Orlando. Book your vacation and buy your tickets online here.

—Erica Loop

Featured photo: Courtesy of LEGO

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