Surprise toys are all the rage, and interactive cuddly creatures are always a favorite among kids. From the geniuses behind Hatchimals, in hops Peek-A-Roo—a part panda, part kangaroo interactive plush with a surprise baby reveal! This loveable cutie responds to touch and features over 150 different sounds and reactions. Enter the ROO-niverse and learn more about this adorable creature that is sure to be the next must-have toy.

Getting Baby Roo to Reveal Herself Is Magical

We love that this toy encourages social-emotional learning in the most fun way. Peek-A-Roo encourages kids to identify emotions, empathize and problem-solve. How do you get Baby Roo to reveal herself? Pet Momma Roo’s head, tickle her foot and bounce her to embolden Baby Roo to come out of the pouch. How a kid plays with Momma Roo influences baby’s mood and the way she reveals herself. Your kiddo will delight in discovering all 10 baby moods, like sleepy, bouncy, playful and more, each with matching sound effects. Momma Roo is so intuitive, she can even sense when her baby is near and reacts!

 

Surprise! It’s a Baby Roo!

Hatchimals are all about the egg-citing anticipation of the hatching! Peek-A-Roo builds on that thrilling element, and now you graduate from caring for an egg to a Momma Roo! The lively surprise feature keeps kids engaged and guessing—will Violet, Rosie or Bluebell be unveiled? You’ll just have to be patient to find out...

 

Once Baby Has Arrived, There’s More to Explore

Momma Roo knows when baby is near and reacts with games, songs and sweet cuddles. With over 10 games and songs, there are so many ways to play with momma and baby! After a fun-filled day of play, Momma Roo can cuddle Baby Roo by placing her in momma's arms. She’ll begin to sing a lullaby and gently rock her baby to sleep, and yes, it's as cute as you imagine so get ready for loads of giggles and smiles!

 

Exclusive: Discover Peek-A-Roo at the LA Zoo

Head to the LA Zoo and experience the unveiling of this brand new mythical species! Be the very first to discover Peek-A-Roo and witness the enchanting arrival of one of three mystery babies hiding inside Momma Roo’s pouch—which mystery baby will you meet? Continue through the exhibit to the exclusive play space where you get to experience Peek-A-Roo and discover all of her amazing and interactive features complete with a fun photo opportunity. 

This exclusive 1,100 square foot exhibit at the LA Zoo will be open to the public from Saturday, August 28 - Monday, September 6—it's magical fun for the whole family! 

 

—Jamie Aderski

 

Get ready for a new snacking sensation! SNICKERS recently announced the launch of an almond brownie bar—and you can nab one this summer.

The SNICKERS Almond Brownie is everything you want in a candy bar. This new addition to the brand’s bars follows the release of the SNICKERS Peanut Brownie and SNICKERS Peanut Brownie Ice Cream.

photo courtesy of SNICKERS

Instead of your typical chocolate bar, the new SNICKERS brownie features a rich, chewy filling mixed with chopped almonds and topped with caramel. As if that’s not enough, the Almond Brownie is coated in a layer of dark chocolate.

Michelle Deignan, Mars Wrigley Senior Brand Director, said in a press release, “After seeing unparalleled excitement for the SNICKERS Peanut Brownie and SNICKERS Peanut Brownie Ice Cream launches, we’re excited to deliver on our purpose of better moments and more smiles by unveiling a delicious variation of the bar for our fans.”

SNICKERS Almond Brownie flavor will hit store shelves this August. Along with the 1.26-ounce Single bar, you can also indulge in a 2.52-ounce Share size or the 6.93-ounce Sharing Stand Up Pouch option.

—Erica Loop

 

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LEGO has teamed up with IRL astronaut Dr. Kathy Sullivan for the launch of the all-new NASA Space Shuttle Discovery Set! The for-adults set celebrates the 40th anniversary of the first Space Shuttle flight.

Way back in April of 1981 the Space Shuttle took flight. Fast-forward 40 years and LEGO is marking the momentous event with a massive 2,354-piece set for grown-ups.

Not only is LEGO debuting the NASA Space Shuttle Discovery set, the beloved brick brand is also unveiling an informative interview with Dr. Sullivan. The interview is packed with details on the Space Shuttle’s mission and the astronaut’s thoughts on young people and STEM careers.

Dr. Sullivan said of the set, in a press release, “I was thrilled to see the space shuttle in LEGO form, and was very impressed by the amount of intricate detail they have managed to recreate from the module where we used to sleep and eat through to what we called the “milk stalls” on the telescope. Looking at the model, it was great to reminisce about my experiences in space launching the telescope for the first time.”

The former astronaut added, “Hubble is definitely the highlight of my career. This LEGO model is a great way for LEGO builders and space fans alike to get excited about space travel and learn more about the famous mission in a fun and engaging way.”

The LEGO NASA Discovery Space Shuttle set is age-rated for adults 18+. The set includes 2,354 pieces and features the Discovery orbiter with functional landing gear, payload bag doors, elevons and rudder. It also has a mini Hubble Telescope, two stands and plaques.

Get the new LEGO ($199) set starting Apr. 1, 2021 on LEGO.com. To watch Dr. Sullivan’s video interview, visit LEGO’s website here.

—Erica Loop

Photos: Courtesy of LEGO

 

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7 Reasons Why You Should Never Reveal Your Baby’s Name Choice

We’ve all been there…that exciting moment when you and your spouse finally determine what your babies name will be. Perhaps you have a few options, maybe a boy version and a girl version. The name is occupying your thoughts and you have this secret that just seems too good to keep between the two of you.

It all starts out innocently enough. You are at a gathering, and several months pregnant. Someone will ask you the standard pleasantries… “You look great how do you feel? Do you have any morning sickness? Boy or Girl? Have you picked out a name?” The logical part of you quickly sends a signal to your brain saying “Don’t tell anyone this name we picked out. Nothing good will come of it. Keep it a secret as long as you can. Come on it’s only a few more months!!” And just like out of a cartoon where you have a devil and angel on each shoulder that other more emotional, do-it-if-it-feels-good portion of your brain says “YES! Tell them! You love that name and should feel so proud of what you came up with. It’s the best name ever and who wants a secret anyway. Besides its perfect they will love it!! Do it! Tell them!”

I am here to tell you why keeping that name a secret for just a few months longer is always the best option. I had a friend who had 10 sisters and female cousins in her age range growing up and in order to make sure no one ‘stole’ a baby name each Christmas they would be allowed two names that they could save. They would put the names down on a piece of paper, read them out loud to the group, and then put them in a safe. Once the name had been written down it was yours. I’m not saying you need a vault but hear me out as to why it may be better to keep this wonderful news to yourself.

1. It’s a fun secret to keep with just you and your spouse:  It can be a thing just for the two of you. While everyone else is calling your baby “Baby XYZ” or “the little one” the two of you can rush home after a night with friends and say the name over and over. You can tease each other when one of you almost slips up and refers to the baby by their name, correcting yourself quickly (my husband did this several times and I was always impressed at how fast he recovered).

2. Nobody will ever love it as much as you do:  Let’s face it, unless the person you are telling the name to has THAT EXACT NAME they will never love it as much as you do. And why would they? It’s not their baby, it’s not their name choice. They will like it of course, but it will never be the response you want which I imagine if you are like me at all sounds something like “OH MY GOSH THAT IS THE MOST PERFECT NAME I HAVE EVER HEARD! YOU HAVE STRUCK THE BALANCE BETWEEN CLASSIC AND MODERN, WHIMSICAL AND SERIOUS, CUTE AND CLEVER. THIS NAME SURELY WILL GO DOWN IN HISTORY”. Yeah that won’t happen.

3. Everyone will ask if you named baby after most famous person with that name:  You know this drill. You’ve likely pulled it on many of your friends and co-workers and probably didn’t realize you were doing it. It goes a little something like this.

Person 1: We are naming our baby Brad. Person 2: Oh like Brad Pitt? Person 1: No Brad is my husband’s middle name.

Or this…

Person 1: We are naming our baby Celine. Person 2: Celine… after Celine Dion? Person 1: No, Celine is Latin for “Heaven”. Person 2: Oh Ok.

4. You will learn the weirdest person someone knows with same name:  Now I am guilty of this time and time again, even if I don’t say it out loud. But I know many people who do. Here is how it goes: “Oh you are going to name the baby Patrick? <Long Pause>. I knew a Patrick in elementary school. He used to eat my glue”. The *only* time this strategy pays off is if you happen to know the coolest person the person you are telling ever knew, and if your baby shares that same name. That likely won’t happen. It will always be a glue-eaters name.

5. They might take the name for themselves:  I know this probably won’t happen. People are good and know how important naming will be. But you do run the risk if you tell of THINKING they stole the name. Likely they already had it chosen for their future child and when you spilled the beans they didn’t want to rain on your parade saying “That’s going to be our baby name too in the distant future! Our kids will be twinsies and now will both get to go thru life putting their last name initial after their first name from now until senior year”. Nope. They won’t say that. And then in 5 years when you have long moved away or switched jobs you will be trolling on Facebook and will see that “Oh my gosh they copied my name”. Not worth it.

6. Once baby is born people can’t object or give other suggestions:  When a baby is born they more or less lock in the name. Even if it’s a terrible name, or the glue eaters name outsiders will simply look at that beautiful baby, hear the name and say “I love it. It’s perfect”. Bingo.

7. So few surprises in life keep this as long as you can: In today’s society everyone wants information all the time regardless of how relevant it is. People love a spoiler. I’ve clicked on articles with the headlines “You won’t believe what happened on last night’s episode of Game of Thrones- Spoilers Ahead” and I don’t even watch that show! I just love a good spoil. Your friends and family, no matter how much they beg to hear that name, will be delighted when the baby is born and they get to hear the unveiling of the name. It’s very royal family. And everyone loves a well-kept surprise.

Once your little bundle arrives, be sure to capture all the sweetest moments—and share them with your family and friends near and far—with the Tinybeans app. The secure platform puts parents in total control of who sees and interacts with photos and videos of their kids.

Janelle is a Pacific Northwest native who escaped the rain and now resides in the Bay Area with her husband and their two sons. A tech industry leader by day and a craft mommy reheating up leftovers by night, just balancing a house of cards as best as she can.

Disney+ shared the trailer for its upcoming original series Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Narrated by Josh Gad, this original series from National Geographic gives viewers a backstage pass to explore the magic of nature within Disney’s Animal KingdomTheme Park, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge and The Seas with Nemo & Friends at EPCOT. Each of the eight episodes dives into the details, unveiling the multifaceted aspects of animal care, conservation and Disney Imagineering and showcases the parks’ magnificent array of more than 300 species and 5,000-plus animals and the herculean tasks their animal care experts undertake to keep things running day and night.

Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom invites fans of Disney, nature and animals to hang out with all the parks’ residents, including baby Grace, the newest member of the gorilla troop. Then, hop over to Harambe Wildlife Reserve to come face to knee with supermom Masai giraffe, Kenya and up close and personal with Gus the hippo.Viewers can travel to the savanna to witness Dakari, the alpha male African lion, lord over his land and meet Kinsey, the alpha lioness, who’s the real ruler of the pride.

The series incorporates cutting-edge technology, including custom-built GoPro housings, 18-foot cranes and underwater camera systems, to reveal the world-famous dedication, pioneering conservation and visionary genius that is Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom premieres globally on Fri., Sept. 25.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

All photos courtesy of Disney+

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Stormi Webster isn’t the only kid who can go full luxe when it comes to play time. From doors that really open to working radios (there’s also Bluetooth capabilities!), the details on the brand-new collection of luxury ride-on vehicles from Kid Trax are a far cry from the Barbie Corvette of your childhood. We got a sneak peek at the new rides before their grand unveiling at the 117th Annual Toy Fair in New York City this weekend, and we weren’t disappointed. 

 

These ride-on vehicles take imaginary play to the next level. The new Premium Collection will include a Luxury Land Rover Range Rover Velar in silver, a Maserati Gran in pink or red and a Chevy Colorado in camo. Designed to look exactly like the real thing, each one of these ride-on vehicles can go up to 2.5 MPH forward or in reverse, have real LED headlights, a six-volt rechargeable battery and a wall charger, and there’s even an adult-operated remote control. 

Each ride-on vehicle fits one kid, ages three to five or a max weight of 77 lbs (Chevy goes to 60 lbs). The Chevy ($389) will hit the market in March 2020, the Range Rover ($399) and Maserati ($349) will be available for purchase in April 2020. 

For additional information, visit KidTraxToys.com 

If you played any video games at all growing up, chances are your fingers graced the buttons of a Tiger Electronics LCD Game. A far cry from the cartridge games of Nintendo, Tiger games themed-units came with a screen, two buttons, a D-Pad and terrible music.

Now, the time-wasting games are making a comeback! This weekend, Hasbro will be unveiling four “new” games that include The Little Mermaid, Sonic the Hedgehog, Marvel X-Men Project X and Transformers Generation 2.

For now, Hasbro, who purchased Tiger Electronics back in the late ’90s, has only released the names of these four titles. There’s no word yet if the 150+ legacy titles will also become available in this relaunch.

You can preorder all four games for $14.99 each at GameStop. There’s been no set release date, but they are expected to ship sometime in the fall.

––Karly Wood

Photos: GameStop/Composite: Red Tricycle

 

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It’s Time to Introduce a New Generation of Shoppers to Mall Madness

If you’re signed into your Google account you’ve probably noticed something different. That is, if you’ve tried to buy anything. Google recently debuted its new shopping platform—and it has more than just a new look.

While some reports compare Google’s new hub to Amazon, the two aren’t the same. Unlike Amazon, Google will not warehouse its own products or deliver them to your door. Instead, the search engine-turned marketplace will connect you with your fave retailers.

photo: Bruce Mars via Pexels

Brick and mortar stores such as Target, Costco and Best Buy along with e-retailers such as Overstock and Boxed are on board with this new experience. According to a May press release on the new Google Shopping Experience, “This year we’re unveiling a redesigned Google Shopping experience with new, immersive ways for shoppers to discover and compare millions of products from thousands of stores. When they’re ready to buy, they can choose to purchase online, in a nearby store and now directly on Google.”

So how does this new “experience” work? Log in to your Google account and visit your personalized homepage. You’ll probably notice products you’ve recently shopped for. Google will tailor the experience to your wants and needs, providing suggestions based on past searches. Just click on what you want to buy, add it to your cart and check out. It’s that easy!

—Erica Loop

 

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What do real women want? Size-inclusive apparel at Target! And that’s why the big red bullseye retailer is unveiling three new brands for women.

Before creating the new brands—Auden, Stars Above and Colsie—Target’s in-house design experts got personal with their customers by talking to women of all ages, shapes and sizes. Not only did Target’s pros use this info to build the new brands, but they also used the knowledge to revamp in-store and online experiences.

In-store changes include new displays that are inclusive of all shapes and styles. Online shoppers will get bonus help finding sizes that work for them. According to Target, 80 percent of women wear the wrong size bra. To remedy this situation, Target created its exclusive Find Your Fit tool. The easy-to-use tool helps women of all shapes to accurately identify their true bra size.

Target senior vice president, general merchandise manager, apparel and accessories for home, Jill Sando, said, of the new brands and store changes, “Within intimates and sleepwear, we know our guests want to look and feel their very best, and we see potential for Target to offer both current and new guests so much more.” Sando added, “From new brands and experiences, to a campaign that celebrates that women come in all different shapes and sizes, we want to create the ultimate destination for our guests—one that’s inviting and inspiring and allows all women to feel comfortable and confident.”

What can you expect from Target’s three new brands? Auden offers customers 200 bras in more than 40 styles, with a bra size range from 32AA to 46G and underwear from XS to 4X. All Auden pieces are under $22.

Stars Above features 125 styles of sleep- and loungewear, with a size range of XS to 4X.

The teen and young adult Colsie line includes almost 30 different lounge and sleepwear styles—along with 20 intimates styles—in XS through 3X.

All three brands will debut in Target stores and on Target.com in March!

—Erica Loop

Photos: Courtesy of Target

 

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Johnson & Johnson has just announced that their iconic baby product is getting a pretty big makeover. The company announced big changes to Johnson’s Baby Shampoo ingredients and parents will definitely be happy.

For the first time since 1973, the household staple that has promised “no more tears” to millions of American babies for over 100 years has undergone a major transformation both inside and out, starting with a newly designed, more modern bottle. It’s what parents will find inside the bottle that they’ll be most excited about. Johnson’s updated line of baby products will feature 50 percent fewer ingredients than the previous ones.

photo: Walmart

The company hopes to appeal to parents who are concerned with the safety of products that come in contact with their babies. The revamped products are focused on natural ingredients, free from sulfates and dyes. For example, the classic yellow baby shampoo will now be a dye-free clear color—but the bottle will still have that iconic golden color so it’s easy to spot on the shelf.

Johnson’s is also unveiling a new line of products made just for newborns called “Cotton Touch.” They are inspired by the gentleness of soft cotton fabrics and, most importantly, are free of parabens, phthalates, dyes, sulfates, and fragrance allergens, making them safe for a newborn’s sensitive skin.

The new products are now available for purchase at major retailers like Target, Amazon and Walmart.

—Shahrzad Warkentin

Featured photo: Walmart

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