ML Interest Tag: subscription

18 Kids Science Kits

by Kate Loweth

It may be the winter holiday break, but these science kits for kids will keep your littles learning and having fun.

There are few things we love more than educational toys and activities for our kids. Letting them play and learn at the same time is pretty much the ideal combination. When we find something that they love doing and that we love allowing them to do is the perfect match. Science kits for kids are a super easy way to cover those bases, especially since there are a ton of different options out there that are sure to entertain and educate even the most discerning scientific tastes!

Science kits for kids aren’t just baking soda and vinegar volcanoes or tin can telephones (although those are both super fun and we definitely still love them!). There are so many to choose from that range in challenge, interest, age range, and more. Even smaller kids have options that they can do, so no one feels left out. From start-to-finish classic experiments to crafts to games and more, there’s something for everyone. We’d put together some of our favorite science kits for kids.

Little Passports Science Junior Subscription Box

$25 BUY NOW

Little Passports Science Expeditions Subscription Box

$25 BUY NOW

Osmo Coding Starter Kit

$59 BUY NOW

STEM 30 Lab Kit

$33 BUY NOW

Tinkering Labs Robotics Engineering Kit

$65 BUY NOW

Dinosaur Soap Making Kit

$13 BUY NOW

National Geographic Microscope Science Set

$100 BUY NOW

Big Bouncy Ball Kit

$25 BUY NOW

Electricity & Electromagnetism Science Kit

$70 BUY NOW

Unicorn Terrarium Kit

$34 BUY NOW

Pop Bottle Science

$18 BUY NOW

Buggy Light

$25 BUY NOW

Hedgehog Crystal Growing Kit

$15 BUY NOW

Gross Nose Science

$24 BUY NOW

KiwiCo Kiwi Crate

$24 BUY NOW

KiwiCo Eureka Crate

$24 BUY NOW

Chemistry Kit

$18 BUY NOW

Paper Chromatology: The Art + Science of Color

$40 BUY NOW

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.

All images courtesy of retailers.

 

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5 Subscription Services We Can’t Stop Talking About

by Kate Cartia

Whether you’re looking for a babysitter, major dinner help, or a monthly surprise, subscription services cover it all! We love leaning on subscription services for exclusive deals, brands, and content, and we’ve put together a few that we swear by. These are just a few of our favorites, but we’re pretty sure you’ll find one you can’t live without!

ABCmouse logo
ABCmouse

ABCmouse

$45/year BUY NOW

From homeschooling families to traditional classrooms, parents, teachers, and caregivers rely on ABCmouse! ABCmouse is an online learning academy that's been around since before pandemic learning was the norm, so they're really a leader in the field. For kiddos 2-8 years old, ABCmouse offers over 850 lessons and 10,000+ activities covering reading, math, science and more, and the fully online platform means little learners can access activities from their devices! You'll have access to your child's progress, and ABCmouse's books, games, and puzzle activities will keep kids coming back for more!

baby standing on Dyper box
Dyper

Dyper

Starting at $89/period BUY NOW

If sustainability and convenience sound like a match made in heaven, Dyper is going to be your new BFF! Running out of diapers is bad enough without having to go to specialty stores to find ones that are free of chlorine, latex, lotions, TBT, or Phthalates, and use responsibly sourced and plant-based materials! Dyper also uses technology to adjust to the number of diapers you'll need per delivery, and if they happen to be off the mark, they'll correct it within 4 hours!

kiwico box
KiwiCo

KiwiCo

Starting at $24/month BUY NOW

KiwiCo was designed by a mom and engineer who wanted to create a way to inspire the next generation of problem-solvers and explorers. With 9 lines (that's right: 9!), everyone from infants to young adults can create projects and conduct experiments while learning about geography, art, science, cooking, and so much more. Since 2011, over 40 million KiwiCo Crates have shipped worldwide, and we can't get enough of them!

care.com logo
Care.com

Care.com

Starting at $35/month BUY NOW

Child care, senior care, tutoring, housekeeping, daycare, and pet care; Care.com is a one-stop-shop for all things care-related! Login and post a job, everything from needing a sitter for date night to daily-care for senior loved ones, review applications, and connect with care providers. All caregivers undergo a background check and screening process, and care seekers are also screened to make sure the whole community stays as safe as possible!

open box with flyer and kitchen tool product image for Raddish
Raddish Kids

Raddish Kids

Starting at $20/month BUY NOW

For little chefs, Raddish was created to arm kids with the confidence to create amazing food while learning about science, math, art, history, and beyond. Pick from Cooking Club, Baking Club, and Global Eats Club; each monthly box includes a recipe, a kitchen tool, skill lessons, and collectible apron patches. Raddish even emails you a complete grocery list prior to your box shipping so your kitchen with be fully stocked with everything your kids need to tap into their culinary capabilities!

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.

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12 Plant & Flower Delivery Services Your Valentine Really Needs Right Now

by Amber Guetebier

All that inside air starting to feel a little . . . stale? Whether you’re trying to green your space and purify your air with houseplants, looking for flowers for someone special or want to become a member of the plant-of-the-month club, we’ve hand selected a few of our favorite sources for plants and flower delivery, directly to your door. Read on to check them out.

Bloomscape

Bloomscape

Whether you’re looking for a trio of plants or one big parlor palm, Bloomscape delivers the right plant directly to your door. Choose your plant online: you can filter by collection, light needs, care level, pet friendly and more. Plus they offer 24-hour advice from the Plant Mom to help you choose and maintain the perfect indoor plant for your space. You can also choose the color of the pot when ordering. Shop specific categories like the easiest indoor plants

or pet-friendly plants.

bloomscape.com

The Sill

The Sill

The Sill ships plants directly to your door with care card and online access to answer questions about finding the right houseplant for you. They offer a nice array of orchids along with popular houseplants, and they even offer faux plants for people who just can't even with the living thing. You will also find botanical gifts including art and bath products, including adorable things like a Botany Cross Stitch Kit for the true plant nerd in your life. In addition, The Sill offers a monthly plant subscription where you receive a new potted plant each month! Prices vary. 

thesill.com

Plantgem

plantgem.com

We love the idea behind Plantgem, the online plant retailer working with farmer-florists to bring artfully curated seasonal collections of unique and on-trend plants to the home gardener. Shop their shipping now section to find ideas for Valentine's Day or give an IOU and go for the garden kits that come with 15 young plants—3 plants of 5 different varieties—that take the guesswork out of planting a harmonious garden (they ship in March). 

plantgem.com

The Bouqs

The Bouqs

Looking for fresh, festive arrangements that are anything but FTD? The Bouqs is your new favorite service. Whether it's for the holidays or you want to order up from their birthday line, you'll find the right flowers arriving fresh to your loved one's door. You can also find floral subscription boxes to keep things fresh! 

thebouqs.com

Plants.com

plants.com

We love all of the Valentine's Day options over at plants.com especially this heart-shaped succulent arrangement and this heart bamboo with candle. 

plants.com

Bloomsybox

Bloomsybox

If you’re looking for a fresh floral arrangement delivery that isn’t average, Bloomsybox has got you! Just shop the arrangements and select your delivery date, flowers are shipped within 2-4 days of being cut and arranged to guarantee your blooms look great. Want to level up? You can sign up for a floral subscription service and get flowers every month! They also have a small-but-wonderful selection of potted plants and orchids. 

bloomsybox.com

ProFlowers

ProFlowers

This tried-and-true floral delivery service has some cool features you might not have noticed before: they have an array of affordable house plants, tons of flowers and gifts and even botanical gifts based on birthdate/astrological sign. 

proflowers.com

Botany Box

Botany Box

Botany Box is a curated succulent or cacti box with four easy-to-care-for plants that can be purchased online for direct delivery. The plants come pre-planted and arrive at your doorstep, ready to bring a burst of energy and color into your indoor spaces.

Choose from succulents or cacti. 

botanybox.co

Etsy

waspaper via Etsy

Do a quick search for "houseplants" on Etsy and an abundance of choices come up, especially in the realm of quirky, adorable terrariums and planters, like this cool unicorn planter from Plant and Color. You can find a ton of legit houseplants, like an array of the gorgeous Monstera deliciosa. 

1-800-Flowers

1-800-Flowers

For ease of use and fast service, 1-800-Flowers always ranks in the top, but their bouquets aren't always the most custom or unique. Their plant selection is top-notch, especially for affordability! You'll find houseplants like the popular Money Tree and the impossible-to-kill Snake Plant along with blooming bulbs, seasonal plants and more. 

1800flowers.com

Bonsai Boy

Bonsai Boy

While succulents might be having their moment, we know the bonsai are going to make a surge in the plant world with everyone at home. Bonsai Boy offers a slew of options in all price points from bonsai trees under $30 to beginner-friendly options like our favorite, the Hawaiian Umbrella Bonsai tree. 

bonsaiboy.com

UrbanStems

Beyond the usual dozen long-stemmed roses, UrbanStems has uber-cool arrangements (with succulents!), flower subscriptions and plants. Or go right to the goods and shop their Valentine's Day collection.

urbanstems.com

—Kate Loweth & Amber Guetebier

featured image: Botany Box

 

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These Wine & Cocktail Deliveries Will Hook You Up

by Kate Loweth

Whether you are spending your days tending to little humans or simply limiting your trips to the store, chances are you have investigated the many wine subscription services, alcohol delivery apps and online wine clubs out there. We gathered up a slew of our favorites with unique offerings like wine in a can (hooray!) and by-the-glass subscriptions. There’s even one that will send you everything you need for a virtual wine tasting and book you an expert to guide you on your wine journey via Zoom. Make it a mom’s night and open up your new favorite bottle!

 

McBride Sisters Wine Club

The McBride sisters were raised on different sides of the globe, and when they came together in California in 2005, their shared love of all things wine allowed them to create what is now the largest Black-owned wine business in the country. You can choose between bottles or cans and whether or not you want six bottles or twelve bottles in your shipment that arrives every six weeks. The wines are carefully selected just for you based on the time of year, but you are free to adjust your shipment to your liking as well. 

Order here. 

Laithwaites

Laithwaites

Laithwaites is a leading wine home delivery that offers exclusive wines through vineyard partnerships all over the world. You have the option to pick by wine styles, countries & regions, and collections (red mixes, white mixes, etc.) Try out their collection for $49.99 which includes six bottles plus two extra and all the tasting notes to go along with them. Their monthly subscription program can be canceled at any time, or skip when you don't need a delivery that month. 

Firstleaf Wine Club

Firstleaf

Firstleaf is the only wine club that tailors its wine choices to an individual member’s preferences. That means that with every new shipment, you can discover new wines that are selected to fit your flavor profile. Rate your wines after they arrive so that Firstleaft knows what to send you next. Don't like something you are sent? Firstleaf will give you a refund. 

Order here

Our Favorite Bottles under $20 Each

Not ready to commit to a subscription but want to try some tasty wines? We've got you covered. Here are three of our favorites for fall and winter wine drinking. You can order them for delivery via Drizly or Instacart, or search for distributors near you. 

  • The Noble Vines Pinot Noir offers aromas of black cherry, currant, and a touch of vanilla and flavors of ripe black cherry, plum, and delicate hints of vanilla. This decadent red wine pairs well with salmon, lamb and more, and will make for a beautiful addition to your Valentine’s Day table.

  • The Double Black Red Wine Blend has Rich aromas of blackberry, mocha, caramel and vanilla, setting the stage for concentrated core flavors of plum, dark chocolate, toasted marshmallow and allspice. Gift this wine to that special someone in your life for a truly special night.

Tasting Flight from In Good Taste

Taste your way through eight different less-traditional wines with this too-cute tasting flight from In Good Taste. You'll get eight varietals in glass-sized servings shipped right to your door for you to enjoy. You can even schedule a virtual tasting to enjoy your wines with an expert leading the way! Shipping is free on orders of $100+.

Order here

 

Drum Roll Wine

You'll love this family wine business if not for their delicious wines then definitely for their hilarious family videos (we want to know the secret to getting their teens to participate because that is true parenting brilliance). With clever names like The Starry White, Chardonnay Monet, Pinot Renoir and Cabernet Manet, you'll love these wines on so many levels. Their twice-yearly 6-bottle subscription service is an excellent option to get you started.

Order here

Winc

iStock

Take the Winc quiz and learn what wines suit your taste. Then order up a few and have them delivered right to your door. Save $20 on your first order of $50+. 

Order here

The Sip

Ship the celebration right to those you love with the oh-so-cute mini champagne bottles from The Sip. This SF Bay Area company was created by two moms who have been friends for over 15 years! You can choose a one-time shipment or up the ante and go for the bi-monthly subscription service to say "I'm Grateful for You" over and over.

Order here

Underground Cellar

iStock

Feeling like you want to be a little adventurous with your wine selections? Underground Cellar is a great option for you! This service connects you with premium wine you likely can't find at your local liquor store. Instead of offering discounted bottles that typically harm local winery businesses, Underground Cellar uses innovative “gamification” technology that rewards consumers with free upgrades to rare and private-stash bottles from prestigious wineries across the nation. A $30 bottle of bubbles could be upgraded (for free) to a magnum of vintage champagne.

The service also allows the everyday wine consumer to become a bonified collector with CloudCellar, their unique storage feature that allows customers to virtually store up to 500 bottles of wine for free, making it easier than ever to build your own collection. Just request your shipment when you are ready to receive it. You'll get free shipping when you request 12 or more bottles at one time. 

Order here

Usual Wines

If you are looking for sustainably-sourced California wines to enjoy by the glass, Usual Wines has you covered. With fresh-from-the-bottle taste and no added sugar or sulfites, it's only the best. Shipping is free when you order a 12-bottle shipment for $96, or sign up for monthly deliveries for $80.

Order here

Revel Wine Club

Revel is a personalized wine service tailored to your taste, budget and lifestyle. They make fabulous award-winning wines, including the leading organic and sulfite-free wines. You have the option of browsing their wine collection or you can join the club which entitles you to receive member discounts and other great benefits including complimentary tastings at their California wineries. Save $20 on your first order of $50+.

Order here

Firehouse Can Co. from Cratejoy

Cratejoy

Canned wine is pretty much a summer dream come true. Enter Cratejoy where you can get hooked up with monthly canned wine delivered to your door. Snag a variety pack or just one variety. $39.99/month, cancel any time. 

Order here

Naked Wines

Support independent winemakers with Naked Wines. In this unique program, wine drinkers can sign up as "Angels." This supports winemakers up front and gives you access to independent wine labels at up to a 60% discount. Don't like a wine you've picked? They offer a full refund.

Order here

Drizly

If you need your drinks and you need them in a flash, Drizly should be your go-to choice. Get beer, wine and liquor delivered in under 60 minutes. Send the champagne to a friend with a new baby or welcome a new family to the neighborhood. Get $5 off your first order when you sign up on their website.

Order here

Guilford Green  

If you like wine, then you need to check out Guilford Green. Inspired by the village market concept, their wine selection rotates with the seasons. They focus on family-owned wineries, natural wines and wines you can’t find anywhere else. They hope to bring small businesses and small vineyards to a larger audience. 

Order here

––Kate Loweth & Karly Wood

 

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14 Coffee Subscriptions Every Parent Should Try

by Nicole Fabian-Weber

Whether you prefer a perfect french press or regular ol’ drip, when it comes to the morning time, it’s really about getting some form of caffeine into your bloodstream ASAP. To make your early a.m. routine the best it can be, we’ve rounded up 14 of the best subscriptions that do practically everything except brew the coffee. From single-origin offerings to blind tastings, read on to find your new cuppa joe.

The Best of Coffee Tasting

Bean Box partners with small-batch, award-winning roasters throughout the U.S. Choose between the Coffee Tasting Subscription, which features four specialty roasts (1.8 oz. each) delivered once each month, or the Coffee Bag Subscription (12 oz.), delivered weekly, biweekly or monthly. The coffee is guaranteed fresh and comes with tasting notes, roaster profiles, roasting tips, and a treat. Bean Box also offers unique coffee gifts, including a World Coffee Tour Box and a Coffee and Chocolate Tasting Gift Box, as well as add-on purchases such as cold brew and gourmet chocolates.

Why You’ll Love It: Bean Box survives and thrives in the land of Seattle, so you know these folks are the real deal. 

Cost: $16.50/mo for the Coffee Tasting Subscription, $24/mo for the Coffee Bag Subscription 

Subscribe at BeanBox.com (Sign up now and start tasting for only $5!). 

The Pro Selection

Courtesy of Lady Falcon Coffee Club

Lady Falcon Coffee Club was founded by master roaster Buffy Maguire. With over 30+ years of experience in a typically male-dominated industry, Maguire put in thousands of hours in her garage to perfect her skills. What started as a single coffee truck in Alamo Square in San Francisco, CA, has become a successful DTC online business with products launching in Nordstrom's this holiday season. 

Why You'll Love It: This artisan coffee is unique to Maguire's skill and knowledge. She's traveled all over the world for her beans and has even added a rare cáscara tea (a superfood) to her repertoire. 

Cost: The Fan-Club Coffee Subscription comes every 1, 2, 4, 6 or 8 weeks, starting at $34.50 & up. You can pick your two bags on your own or let them choose for you. 

Subscribe at ladyfalconcoffeeclub.com. 

The Choice Maker

Mistobox

A Mistobox subscription means you'll get a coffee expert who personalizes your monthly coffee selection of over 605 coffees worldwide and to fit your specific taste buds. When you subscribe, you are supporting local farmers worldwide, with many brands also certified as fair trade.

Why You'll Love It: With cost options that start at $10.95 for 24 cups of coffee, this subscription is an affordable choice for still getting personalized coffee options.

Cost: $10.95+

Subscribe at mistobox.com.

 

The Match Maker

Launched in 2018, Trade Coffee is uniting coffee lovers and top roasters to offer over 400 roasted to order blends. Take the company's coffee quiz to get matched with the best brew for your palette and enjoy tons of picks for both cold and hot brew.

Why You'll Love It: Coffee lovers will jump over the diversity Trade Coffee has to offer. Enjoy tons of unique options, while continuing to update your taste preferences so that you get the perfect roast that's meant for you.

Cost: Starting at $12.50 for two bags per order or one bag for $15-$22 for premium roast coffees. Subscriptions always get 15% off and free shipping!

Subscribe at drinktrade.com.

For On-the-Go Parents

Copper Cow Coffee

LA-based and female-owned business, Copper Cow Coffee is officially on our radar. The sustainably sourced and all-natural brand is all about Vietnamese coffee––and they're darn good about it. Copper Cow has designed filters and coffee that are biodegradable, compostable and are just like traditional Vietnamese coffee and the Vietnamese phin. Enjoy your freshly made java at home or on the go, and if you're feeling it, you'll want to check out the company's Thai Iced Tea or Coffee and Tea Trio bundle!  

Why You'll Love It: The single portion packets of both coffee and milk make enjoying your morning cup a breeze––a must for parents. Just add water!

Cost: Starting at $30 for 20 classic coffees and $37 for 20 coffees + 20 milks!

Subscribe at coppercowcoffee.com.

The Brew With a Purpose

Verve Coffee

Verve Coffee is committed to seeing its product through, from "seed to cup" and when you buy their coffee, you're helping support the Farmlevel Initiative which impacts communities at the local and global level. The company pays farmers premiums for quality coffees using direct trade relationships which exceed Fair Trade minimums, so your morning cup of joe does more than just bring you joy. Originating in Santa Cruz, California, Verve Coffee not only produces and delivers coffee for free, but they also have several cafés! 

Why You'll Love It: Coffee subscriptions from Verve allow you to pick out your roast, grind and frequency. They also have canned Nitro flash brew and on-the-go drip kits so you never have to leave your fave coffee at home.

Cost: Starting at $19.75 for one 12 oz bag, you decide the frequency!

Subscribe at vervecoffee.com.

The World Traveler 

Atlas Coffee Club

This java startup might be based in Austin, Tx, but Atlas Coffee Club's goal is to take customers on a trip around the world—one cup at a time. Each month highlights a new country’s unique culture and coffee. From Tanzania to Burundi to Congo, you won't be disappointed. You’ll receive coffee from the chosen country in a bag design inspired by local textiles and landscapes, a postcard from each country, a card with coffee facts, tasting notes, and the recommended brewing method. For a true coffee connoisseur who thinks they’ve tried it all, you can't go wrong with this one!

Why You'll Love It: In addition to serving up a killer cuppa Joe, this subscription gives customers access to coffee gear giveaways, as well as other perks.

Cost: Select between two or four-week deliveries, and $9 half bags, $14 single bags or $28 double bags

Subscribe at atlascoffeeclub.com.

No Bad Cups

Crema

Crema's motto is "life's too short for bad coffee." Each month (or however frequently you want your coffee), you'll get a bag of coffee from around the world—and you rate it. As you continue to try and rate different coffees, Crema will learn your preferred tastes and start sending you recommendations. With a system like that, it's almost impossible to have a bad cup of coffee.

Why You'll Love It: Not only does Crema give customers the option to give their coffee as a gift (via emailed gift card), but they also have a subscription service for offices. See you later K-cups!

Cost: 12 oz. bags start at $16.

Subscribe at crema.co.

The Fresh Maker 

Moustache Coffee Club

Unlike most services that ship within 48 hours, Moustache roasts their beans and ships their coffee the same day. Each bag even comes with a "Start Drinking On" date on it to ensure you don't brew your coffee too soon after the roast. Moustache was started over the frustration of having to pay a premium for "two-week-old" coffee. Also, they will rarely send you the same coffee twice, which means you're guaranteed new and interesting coffee in every shipment.

Why You'll Love It: To support small businesses, Moustache Coffee Club will let you redeem your Starbucks gift cards on their website. They also offer a "try it for free" option; they'll send you one 2 oz. bag at no cost.

Cost: $13—$22 every two weeks.

Subscribe at moustachecoffeeclub.com.

The Risk Taker

Angel's Cup

If you want to give your palate superpower-like abilities when it comes to telling where your coffee comes from, a subscription to Angel’s Cup is the answer. Each week, four new samples arrive at your doorstep; you can conduct blind coffee tastings and use the accompanying app (available on iTunes and Android) to make tasting notes and compare findings with the pros. If there’s a sample you don’t like, the 100% refund guarantee and no-cost return policy mean you’ll get your hard-earned cash back without any stress.

Why You’ll Love It: The same sample is never shipped twice, which means you’ll be able to taste upwards of 208 different roasts.

Cost: There are three subscription options: The Cupping Flight includes four 1 oz. samples for $10.99, The Black Box includes four 2.75oz samples for $22.99 and the All-Stars for $19.99 for one large bag.

Subscribe at angelscup.com.

The Can't-Go-Wrong Deal 

Blue Bottle Coffee

Blue Bottle Coffee roasts your coffee to order and ships it to your home within 48 hours, so you know your morning cup will always be fresh. But that's not the best part. Blue Bottle lets customers try their coffee for free for the first time—all you need to cover is the cost of shipping. Choose from their famous coffee blends or espressos; it's completely on them. Now that's a win-win.

Why You'll Love It: In addition to their coffee and espresso selections, Blue Bottle also sells some pretty sweet products on their site, including a carafe for making cold brew at home. They also periodically offer events, classes, and seminars. Check their website to see what's brewing in your area.

Cost: A changing selection of their blends starts at $8 for whole beans; single-origin selections start at $9.50.

Subscribe at bluebottlecoffee.com.

The Die Hard 

Roast Coffee Co. via Instagram

Not everyone wants their coffee delivered to their house ground—or even as a freshly roasted whole bean. Some coffee fanatics like to do the roasting themselves. Enter Roast Coffee Company, which delivers green, unroasted coffee beans in bags ranging from one to five pounds. You need a coffee roaster if you're going to go this route, but hey, if anything is going to take your coffee game to the next level, it's this.

Why You'll Love It: Not only is it pretty dang cool to roast and grind your coffee, you'll save tons of money cutting out the middleman (Also, Roast Coffee has great deals on roasted coffee, as well.).

Cost: $4.99 for a one-pound bag of unroasted coffee; $9.99 for a one-pound bag of roasted coffee.

Subscribe at roastcc.com

The Best Bang for Your Buck

Craft Coffee

If you want to try a new and exciting coffee but don’t know where to start, let Craft Coffee do the work. Get started on the website by choosing your normal store-bought beans from a list, and they’ll suggest one of their roasters as a comparable choice. Do you like Major Dickason’s from Peet’s? Try the Streetlight Blend! There’s an option to choose their famous three-coffee sampler (each month, the expert tasting panel evaluates over 50 coffees and each month, only three make their way to your door), which will give you 4 oz. of three similar roasts. There’s no commitment, you can choose your plan, and shipping is always free. Craft Coffee is also fierce about freshness. They roast their beans in Brooklyn and ship them off to you within 24-72 hours.

Why You’ll Love It: Craft Coffee has a price match guarantee, which means they’ll match the price of your grocery store beans to the penny.

Cost: 12 oz. bags start at $6.99, the three-coffee (4 oz. bags) sampler is $24.99.

Subscribe at craftcoffee.com.

The Cool Brew

Grady's Cold Brew

Started by three guys who love java, Grady's recipe is a New Orleans-style cold brew made with coffee, chicory and spices. There are several ways to get your Grady’s. You can choose from a pour-and-store pouch, a bean bag can (DIY brew kit) or a bean bag single—whether you drink it straight, water it down or add milk is up to you.

Why You’ll Love It: You can do so much with a cold brew. Be sure to check out the online section with recipes for tasty eats like coffee cake, coffee popsicles, chocolate shakes and more. Yum!

Cost: Start with 12 ready-to-drink black coffees for $40, or save by ordering a 3, 6 or 12 month supply. Bonus: New York City residents can also order single servings or concentrate brew to be delivered for free. 

Subscribe at gradyscoldbrew.com.

— Nicole Fabian-Weber, Gabby Cullen & Karly Wood

All images courtesy of retailers.

 

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13 Netflix Hacks & Secret Codes You Need to Know About

by Kipp Jarecke-Cheng

When you’re craving a family movie night or just need some downtime from mom duty, nothing could be simpler than turning on Netflix. The streaming service is perfect for quality time on the couch, but you can make the experience even better with a few secret tricks. We’ve rounded up some of the best Netflix hacks and codes to make streaming simpler.

1. Manage your profiles.
Although each paid Netflix account allows subscribers to create up to five distinct profiles, many families will create profiles based on individuals. Unless you and your spouse watch radically different programs on Netflix or your kids have completely divergent tastes, a better approach to profile management would be to create profiles based on groups or interests. For example, “Grown Ups,” “Tweens,” and “Young Kids” or “Kids Movie Night,” “Documentaries,” and “TV Favorites.” Since Netflix’s personalization algorithm is based on what people actually watch (or like and rate), clustering profiles by groups or interests will yield better personalization and more specific recommendations in the long run.

2. Know your subscription plan.
Netflix caused a stir when it announced pricing increases earlier this year. Knowing your subscription plan makes you aware of how many devices can use Netflix at the same time with a shared account. Netflix’s basic plan allows for just a single stream per subscription at $8.99/monthly. The middle (and most popular) plan offers two HD streams for $13.99/monthly and the premium plan allows four simultaneous 4K streams for $17.99/monthly.

3. Tune in during off-peak hours for better video quality.
Studies have shown that streaming video quality diminishes during peak hours, so to get the most out of your Netflix viewing, try tuning in during off-peak hours, such as early in the morning or late at night. With less internet traffic, your video stream will be stronger and suffer from less buffering and interruptions.

4. Dump the freeloaders.
If you’ve ever shared your Netflix login credentials with friends or you’ve logged onto Netflix on a non-personal device, there’s a good chance there are unauthorized users messing up your recommendations—or worse. In addition to changing your password, you can eliminate unwanted logins and start with a clean slate by going to My Account > Sign out of all devices.

5. Clean up your viewing history.
Do your kids have a show they absolutely love that you can’t stand? Every time you fire up Netflix it will remind your pint-sized viewers to keep watching that same series, that is unless you happen to “accidentally” clear the “Continue Watching” queue. Simply go to your Account menu and select the profile you’d like to adjust. Select “Viewing Activity” and you’ll be given a list of all the recently watched shows (this is also a handy way to check in on what your kids are actually watching). To remove a show from the list, click the small circle on the right-hand side.

6. Download programs for offline viewing.
When Netflix offered subscribers the ability to download select movies and TV shows on their mobile devices a few years ago, it was a game changer for the streaming service. Without needing to worry about a strong and stable wifi signal (for example, on a long flight with kids), downloaded programs make watching Netflix on the go a dream. All you need is the Netflix mobile app, and make sure your device has enough storage space for large media files.

7. Find better ways to search.
Once you’ve binged through your favorites, Netflix can seem like a vast wasteland of scrolling through programs and content that you don’t care about. One Reddit user was so tired of Netflix’s seemingly endless scroll that he created a search engine called Flixable that’s entirely devoted to making it easier to browse what’s available on Netflix and to see what’s new and what's leaving. There’s also a Canadian version.

8. Get in on secret codes.
If you’re the kind of user who views Netflix on a laptop browser (versus using the Netflix app on a device or smart TV), you’re likely already aware of the various “secret code” lists that help you better zero in on programs and categories that don’t appear on Netflix’s main interface. There are plenty of lists out there, providing shortcuts to different genres and categories as well as tons of hidden movies and shows.

9. Play Netflix Roulette.
Are you feeling lucky? Instead of endless scrolling to find the perfect movie or TV show to watch on Netflix, streaming service directory ReelGood offers Netflix Roulette. Simply select a genre (or keep it open), then take a spin. The randomizer will make a recommendation for your next Netflix and chill.

10. Discover what’s coming up.
While it’s not officially sanctioned by Netflix, What’s Next on Netflix is a super-handy program guide that showcases the latest and greatest streaming on Netflix. An overview snapshot shows the number of new releases and total number of currently available titles. There are links to directories for guides in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Australia.

11. Remember a few computer shortcuts.
For viewers who use Netflix on their laptops, there are a few keyboard shortcuts that’ll make laptop-viewing easier: 

  • Press F for full screen; ESC to get out of full screen
  • Page Down pauses and Page Up plays
  • Space bar pauses and plays
  • Shift + Right Arrow to fast forward; shift + left arrow to rewind

12. Just ask Netflix.
If all else fails, Netflix’s own website provides plenty of up-to-date information about all of the new and upcoming programming on the service.

13. Be the first to know.
One of the easiest ways to get a jump on the latest Netflix features is by signing up to become a tester. In your Netflix account menu you’ll see a link for Test Participation, click the link and you’ll arrive at a page asking if you’d like to participate in the testing of new Netflix features. Set the toggle switch to “On” and you’ll get access to features not yet available to all users.

—Kipp Jarecke-Cheng & Shahrzad Warkentin

 

 

RELATED STORIES:

These Secret Netflix Codes Will Help You Search for Kids’ Movies

28 Netflix Shows Every Mom Should Binge-Watch

This New Netflix Feature Could Change the Way You Watch

 

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Time for a Target Run: Lovevery Is Now Available in the Baby Aisle

by Karly Wood

Lovevery is on nearly every mom-to-be’s baby registry. The stage-based play essential subscription box offers timeless toys perfect for every age (and let’s face it, is adorable).

Now, you don’t have to subscribe to grab the brand’s signature products: just head to Target! Starting today, Lovevery is dropping a new lineup of Playthings exclusively for Target and it’s just as fabulous as shopping from the OG site.


The new collection of Lovevery Playthings is already available in the baby aisle and includes classics like The Play Gym and The Block Set, in addition to Target-only items for children zero to 18 months. The collaboration makes access to the company’s developmental products easier than ever.

Each new product is available for under $25 and comes with access to a Digital Play Guide, expert tutorials, play ideas, activities, developmental tips and stage-based emails. You can shop all the products at participating Target stores and at Target.com. Certain products will only be available in-store, so don’t miss the baby aisle on your next Target run.

––Karly Wood

All photos: Courtesy of Target

 

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Target & Joanna Gaines’ New Fall Collection Gives Us All the Cozy Vibes

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Fun Subscription Boxes to Help Prevent Summer Brain Drain

By Allyson McCormley

Kristin McCormick and Jenna Sumner from New Jersey are two licensed mental health professionals and educators who worked together to create the UPside Delivered—curated boxes for children ages 5-10, to help child have fun with their feelings.

Below are a few tips and tricks they’ve compiled to prevent summer brain drain and keep kids and families busy and happy while they are out of school.

What Are the Signs, Symptoms or Issues That Can Arise Out of “Summer Brain Drain”?

While some research shows children potentially losing skills based in math, language and reading over the summer, educators know that practice with these very skills and keeping the brain engaged is extremely important and helpful. Therefore, the signs and symptoms or issues that can possibly arise from “summer brain drain” are only apparent if the child spends a large amount of time in passive activities and is not active, physically or mentally, over the summer. Then you may see behaviors such as irritability, low frustration tolerance, emotional outbursts when asked to transition, difficulty sleeping or sleeping for too long. Additionally when not much is done to keep our brains active over the summer, the transition back to school may be slower and more difficult.

To help your kids manage their emotions, UPside Delivered’s carefully curated boxes for ages 5-10 years-old bring practical, fun, evidence-based tools and techniques to children and families, helping everyone to create calm. Pick the “Begin Box” that introduces the connection between thoughts, feelings and behaviors. Each box features five to seven items that your children can use to name their thoughts and feelings, journals, worry dolls, Buddha Boards and more.

Of course, parents are probably even more worried this year, following the 2020-21 pandemic school year. The concern of students “falling behind,” particularly in areas of math and language arts have been on the minds of parents and educators. While yes, students have missed some lessons and practice, they are not quite as far behind overall—they will get there! Learning is not linear and takes place in all settings, both formal and informal education is valuable.

Finding the balance between keeping kids engaged—socially and educationally—and allowing them enough down time is the goal to optimize learning and overall well-being. To offset any concerns, check out these fun subscription boxes that will get your kids exploring, learning and having fun at the same time.

  • OwlCrate Jr., is an award-winning monthly subscription book box. The boxes are curated for kids ages 8-12, and each box includes a brand-new novel, an exclusive letter from the author, plus cool activities, games, and fun goodies related to the theme of the month.
  • If cooking is more up your alley, learn about new countries and their cuisines with eat2explore! Each month kids receive an explorer box which includes: three recipe cards, a flag pin, country sticker, essential spices, activity sheet and a collectible. Choose from 18 different countries/regions like Italy, Mexico, Japan or USA North just to name a few. The kits combine history, geography, social studies, math and more as children create delicious, healthy meals right at home.
  • Learn even more about different cultures and diversity thanks to Little Global Citizens. This subscription service (send one time, every two months or every other month for a year) sends an expertly designed box to kids (aged 4-to-10) to bring a new country and its culture to life. Each box is filled with items from that country including authentic guides, crafts, screen-free activities (games and puzzles), language skills, recipes, a story book and more! Past boxes included China, India, Kenya, Egypt and Thailand.
  • Learn about women who have changed the world with GIRLS CAN! CRATE. This awesome monthly subscription box was created to empower girls—and boys (ages 5-10) to Do and BE anything by introducing them to fearless women of history who made the world better. Each month, a new kit celebrates the life of a strong, diverse female role model such as Ella Fitzgerald, Florence Nightingale, Marie Curie, Frida Kahlo, Malala Yousafzai, Sally Ride and more.

At the end of the day, we need to keep everything in perspective, especially with young kids, and realize that we all made it through one of the toughest years of our lives. Let your kids enjoy the outdoors this summer, learn a new recipe, explore a new book and country from home or even an extra few minutes on their electronics devices. Let’s celebrate that we’ve come up on the other side and that the future is bright with possibilities!

RELATED STORIES:
10 Booksmart Tips to Prevent Summer Brain Drain
What Silicon Valley Taught Me about Back to School
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Allyson is a mom of two and has more than a decade of experience working in both television news and public relations. From national television shows to top newspapers, Allyson has worked around the world including a travel magazine in London, England, Phoenix TV and local hospital and healthcare association.

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