There’s a Bird That Makes All the Star Wars Sounds & Our Minds Are Blown

by Amber GuetebierAugust 14, 2020

Few sounds are as iconic as those associated with Star Wars, in particular the noises from characters like R2-D2 or the sounds of blaster fire. What if we told you there is a bird that can make all those sounds and more? Meet the Lyrebird.

Native to Australia, this fascinating bird is a master of impersonations. And recently, our editor and her family stumbled upon these older YouTube videos that demonstrate just how amazing the Lyrebird really is. Check out the video below to hear some of the decidedly Star Wars sounds.

Your little construction lovers will be amazed at the Lyrebird’s ability to mimic the typical sounds of a construction site (complete with casual whistling, drills and more). Click the video below to hear it.

And of course, there’s the video from renowned naturalist David Attenborough, which features the Lyrebird sounding exactly like a chainsaw.

Other fascinating facts about the Lyrebird (or Superb Lyrebird) include: they are relatively sedentary, shy animals who are ground-dwelling. They have limited flight capacity and magnificent tail feathers. Lyrebirds have been heard mimicking dogs, koalas, dingoes, camera shutters, construction zones, music, phones, ringtones, car alarms and more.

Parrots everywhere purportedly are hanging their heads in shame.

—Amber Guetebier

featured image via WIkimedia Commons

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Target Just Dropped Its Holiday Family PJ Collection & Is it December Yet?

by Shahrzad WarkentinOctober 17, 2019

It’s not yet Halloween, but if you’re already dreaming about a cozy Christmas morning, you’ll want to check out Target’s new holiday family pajama collection.

Nothing spells holiday cheer quite like a matching set of pajamas for the family. Target is now selling several new sets with sizes for the entire family including babies, toddlers and dogs too. Here are some of the best new sets for 2019.

Holiday Bear Family

Deck the whole family out with this adorable polar bear and fair isle-printed bottoms. Women's and men's styles are labeled with "Mama" and "Papa," while the kids and toddler sizes say "Lil."

$10 - $25

Holiday Santa and Elf Mix and Match

Dress your family up for bedtime with these whimsical Santa and Elf-themed PJ sets.

$10 - $25

Peanuts Holiday Flannel Pajamas

The whole family will be whistling "Christmas Time Is Here" in these adorable, cozy PJs.

$10 - $25

Holiday Mickey Mouse Collection

You'll have a Holly Jolly Holiday in these Mickey-themed pajamas.

$5 - $10

Holiday Harry Potter Pajamas

Bring some extra magic to your holiday celebration with these mischievous Harry Potter family pajamas.

$13 - $25

Holiday Frozen Olaf Fairisle

Can't wait to see Frozen 2 in theaters? These cozy Olaf PJs are the perfect pair for fans young and old.

$13 - $25

You can shop all of the Target family holiday pajamas here, but act fast because many sizes are already selling out.

—Shahrzad Warkentin

All photos: Target

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No Pink Bunnies Allowed: 10 Strange Laws

by Amber GuetebierFebruary 24, 2016

There may be a perfectly logical explanation for why you can’t whistle underwater in Vermont, but the reason may be lost to time. Read on for some more silly or seriously surprising laws that, while widely ignored, are actually still on the books.

photo: Ryan McFarland via flickr

1. During Napoleon’s reign it was against the law to say the name of his favorite flower out loud in public (the violet, or violette).

2. Whaling is illegal in (landlocked) Oklahoma. Same for Nebraska.

3. In Natchez, Mississippi elephants may not drink booze.

4. In the U.S., women gained the right to vote officially in 1920 but in Wyoming (territory) women could vote as early as 1869.

5. Throwing eggs at a public speaker in Kentucky will get you a year in jail.

6. You may not buy peanuts after sunset in Alabama.

7. Also in Kentucky, there is a mandate that persons must bathe at least once a year.

8. In Lake Charles, Louisiana it’s against the law to leave a puddle in your yard for more than 12 hours.

9. Whistling underwater in Vermont is illegal.

10. Kentucky again: dying chicks and bunnies is against the law.

Know any silly laws that are still on the books in your hometown? Share them with us in the comments.

—Amber Guetebier

Special thanks to author Varla Ventura for help with these silly laws. Read more in The Book of the Bizarre, Weiser Books, 2008.

Northern Stars: Family Fun in Sheboygan and Kohler

by Wendy AltschulerOctober 1, 2015

Diaper bag, check. Goldfish crackers, check. Pile the kids in the car and head north for a scenic road trip to two meccas for family fun: Sheboygan and Kohler, Wisconsin. Just over two hours north of Chicago, you’ll find sundaes, ziplines and even a mini Whistling Straits clubhouse. Read on for our guide.

photo: Bookworm Gardens Magic School Bus via Wendy Altschuler

Where to Play and Explore

Bookworm Gardens
Make Sheboygan’s free two-acre garden based completely on children’s literature, Bookworm Gardens, your first stop. Among the 60 children’s stories represented, see the limited edition book, Connor the Caddie—released in timing with the 2015 PGA Championship at Whistling Straits—displayed in true-to-life form. This new literacy-promoting exhibit, based on the book written by Ulrich Koberstein and illustrated by his wife Christina, features a miniature Whistling Straits clubhouse, a charming cast iron Connor-the-sheep and lush greenery. Partners of Connor the Caddie include PGA REACH, PGA Tour Wives Association, The PGA of America and Kohler Co.

1415 Campus Dr.
Sheboygan
920-287-7895
Online: bookwormgardens.org

Photo: John Michael Kohler Arts Center via Jason Eppink, flickr

John Michael Kohler Arts Center
Artists will love the Kohler Arts Center, free for all visitors. Currently on view are six fiber-focused exhibitions that showcase the work of 27 contemporary artists—from cast iron sewing machines to folk textiles to transformed objects, everyone in the family is sure to see and feel something inspiring. Check the website for a list of live performances as well as fall classes and workshops. Added bonus: you won’t mind taking potty breaks because the bathrooms are stunning works of art.

608 New York Ave.
Sheboygan
920.458.6144
Online: jmkac.org

Photo: John Michael Kohler Arts Center via Jason Eppink, flickr

Kohler Design Center
The free Kohler Design Center is also a fan favorite with the kids. Imagine walking around a 36,000-square-foot, three-level design center to see a wall of Kohler toilets, well thought out design rooms that use the latest technology and gorgeous bathtubs fit for royalty.

101 Upper Rd.
Kohler
920-457-3699
Online: us.kohler.com

photo: Spaceport Sheboygan

Spaceport Sheboygan
Your child can pretend to go where no child has gone before using the space shuttle simulator at Spaceport Sheboygan. Not only can they feign visiting the man on the moon, hands-on exhibits and genuine NASA artifacts will fascinate the space lovers in your brood.

802 Blue Harbor Dr.
Sheboygan
210-595-0725
Online: spaceportsheboygan.com

photo: James Tellen Woodland Sculpture Garden

James Tellen Woodland Sculpture Garden
From 1942 to his death in 1957, furniture maker James Tellen sculpted 30 concrete statues and displayed them surrounding his rustic cabin. This dramatic sculpture garden depicting prairie settlers, native american figures, woodland creatures, small castles and religious figures still remain to this day.

5634 Evergreen Dr.
Sheboygan
920-458-6144
Online: kohlerfoundation.org

photo: Above & Beyond Children’s Museum

Above & Beyond Children’s Museum
Round out the experience by visiting Above & Beyond Children’s Museum in Sheboygan ($6 admission) where kids can get their sillies out by scaling a two-story tree house, slither through a sky crawl and make noise in the Music Mezzanine. This museum is full of interactive and educational exhibits including a vintage fire truck and the Just Kids Dental Recording Studio.

902 N. 8th St.
Sheboygan, WI
920-458-4263
Online: abkids.org

photo: Horse and Plow via Dan Perry, flickr

Where to Eat

After visiting Bookworm Gardens, scoot on over to the Craverie Chocolatier Café in Kohler for lite bites, hot chocolate and a stunning view of Wood Lake. If you visit during the week, check out Kohler’s The Horse & Plow because kids eat free on Wednesdays—they have a State Fair Sundae that will knock your kids’ socks off!

Craverie Chocolatier Cafe
The Shops at Woodlake
725D Woodlake Rd.
Kohler, WI
920-208-4933
Online: americanclubresort.com

The Horse & Plow
The American Club
419 Highland Dr.
Kohler, WI
920-457-8000
Online: americanclubresort.com

photo: Inn on Woodlake

Where to Stay

If you’re having so much fun that you want to stay the night, we recommend the family-friendly (and pro-dog) Inn on Woodlake, which is walking distance to an array of dining options, shopping and activities—including Yoga on the Lake. If parents want a night out or time alone, kids can have fun in the Kohler Kidz program: Kidz Dinner and a Movie, offered from 6-9 p.m. every Saturday. For an extra $15, your child can enjoy dinner and a movie (with popcorn of course), play games and hang at the Inn on Woodlake. Also offered to guests for an additional $25 is the Kohler Kidz Amenity: a drawstring bag full of gifts, coupons for a smoothie at Take 5, a treat at Craverie, a meal at Horse & Plow and complimentary activity equipment rentals.

Inn on Woodlake
705 Woodlake Rd.
Kohler, WI
800-344-2838
Online: americanclubresort.com

Shout out your favorite activity in Sheboygan and Kohler, WI in the Comments below!

—Wendy Altschuler

Do You Remember These Classic Sidewalk Toys from the ’80s & ’90s?

by Gabby CullenJuly 27, 2015

If trampoline shoes and hovering frisbees sound strangely familiar, your summers were spent in the glory days of the of the 80’s and 90’s. Take a trip back to when you weren’t allowed to come in until the sun went down and the only gaming you knew about was what you played on the sidewalk. Scroll down to revisit your childhood and the toys that came along for the ride.

Pogo Ball: It looked like planet Saturn done up in awesome colors. From contests on who could bounce the longest to practicing jumps in the air, the Pogo Ball bounced it’s way up and down your sidewalk every summer. Oh, and the wind-blown Corey Haim hair was a must.

Moon Shoes: Someone, somewhere must thought it would be a good idea to strap mini trampolines on the feet of unsteady little people. Did you have a pair? If so, how far did you actually manage to go? There’s a reason Michael Jackson had the monopoly on moonwalking.

moonshoes_oldtoys_sidewalkfun_national_redtricycle

Spotted on Ebay

Sit’ n Spin: It was a constant challenge to see who could spin themselves the dizziest. It also made an excellent Graviton-style carnival ride for Barbie and G.I. Joe.

sitnspin_oldtoys_sidewalkfun_national_redtricycle

Spotted on Etsy

Clackers: The click clack sounds coming from these orbs on a rope are almost as familiar as the tunes you hear in VHI’s count-down classic, 100 Greatest One-Hit Wonders of the 80’s.

clackers_oldtoys_sidewalkfun_national_redtricycle

Spotted on Etsy

Big Wheel Car Wash: Because after a day cruisin’ the hood, your Big Wheel needed a little cleaning up—and you needed a little cooling off.

bigwheelcarwash_oldtoys_sidewalkfun_national_redtricycle

Spotted on Ebay

Pogs: Either you or someone at your house had about a thousand of these. Playing for fun or for “keeps,” it was all about The Slammer.

Koosh Vortex Howler: Claiming to let kids throw a football as far as John Elway, we’re still excited about the whistling noise that let us know our head was about to be used as a target.

vortexhowler_oldtoys_sidewalkfun_national_redtricycle

Spotted on Ebay

Super Soaker 50: A chance to drench your next-door frenemy through the fence with a pressurized squirt gun? Priceless. Summer water warfare was never the same after the Super Soaker appeared on the scene. The neon colors were an added bonus.

Diabolo: When you threatened to run away and join the circus, your mom didn’t flinch. Nope, she got you one of these babies to help perfect your moves, instead.

diabolo_oldtoys_sidewalkfun_national_redtricycle

Spotted on Ebay

Roller Racer: The newer versions aren’t even half as cool as the original. There’s just something about propelling a tractor seat attached to handlebars with just your arms.

rollerracer_oldtoys_sidewalkfun_national_redtricycle

Spotted on Ebay

Air Spinner: A toy that hovers and flies? So awesome. The spinner took frisbees to the next level… until it got stuck on the highest branch of the tallest tree or flew away with the first gust of wind.

Inchworm: He probably showed up during the holidays and spent many a summer inching along the sidewalk in front of your pad. If you didn’t have an Inchworm, no doubt you coveted your best pal’s.

inchworm_oldtoys_sidewalkfun_national_redtricycle

Spotted on Ebay

Skip It: Getting your full dose of daily moves wasn’t an issue with one of these laying around. The question was, how many times could you get that ball around your foot?

1-2-3 Roller Skates: After strapping these babies on, you were off… a rolling pro in hours! The best part was the look on your mom’s face when you skated right into the screen door on overdrive, trying to show off your progress.

ML Interest Tag: whistle

Target Just Dropped Its Holiday Family PJ Collection & Is it December Yet?

Holiday Bear Family

Holiday Santa and Elf Mix and Match

Peanuts Holiday Flannel Pajamas

Holiday Mickey Mouse Collection

Holiday Harry Potter Pajamas

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